Insights into incipient oral squamous cell carcinoma: a comprehensive south-american study.

BACKGROUND: To describe demographic and clinicopathological aspects of a South-American cohort of incipient oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational study was performed to assess demographic and clinicopathological characteristics of incipient oral squamous cell carcinoma patients from 6 South-American institutions. RESULTS: One hundred and seven patients within the histopathological spectrum of incipient oral squamous cell carcinoma (in-situ and microinvasive) were included. Fifty-eight (54.2%) patients were men with a mean age of 60.69 years. Forty-nine (45.8%) and thirty-nine (36.5%) patients had history of tobacco and alcohol use, respectively. Clinically, most of the lesions were plaques (82.2%), ≥ 2 cm in extension (72%), affecting the lateral border of the tongue (55.1%), and soft palate (12.1%) with a mixed (white and red) appearance. Eighty-two (76.7%) lesions were predominantly white and 25 (23.3%) predominantly red. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest cohort of incipient oral squamous cell carcinoma patients, which raises awareness of clinicians' inspection acuteness by demonstrating the most frequent clinical aspects of this disease, potentially improving oral cancer secondary prevention strategies.

Morphological aspects and the effectiveness of photodynamic inactivation against Rhizopus oryzae in different life cycles.

Mucormycosis is an extremely aggressive fungal disease with a high mortality rate, especially in people with compromised immune systems. Most cases of mucormycosis are caused by the fungus Rhizopus oryzae. The treatments used are based on high doses of antifungals, associated with surgical resections, when it is possible. However, even with this aggressive treatment, the estimated attributable mortality rate is high. There is therefore a need to develop adjuvant treatments. Photodynamic Inactivation (PDI) may be an auxiliary therapeutic option for mucormycosis. Due to the lack of reports in the literature on the morphology and photodynamic inactivation of R. oryzae, characterization of the fungus using Confocal Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy, and different protocols using Photodithazine® (PDZ), a chlorin e6 compound, as a photosensitizer, were performed. The fungus growth rate under different concentrations and incubation times of the photosensitizer and its association with the surfactant Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) was evaluated. For the hyphae, both in the light and dark phases, in the protocols using only PDZ, no effective photodynamic response was observed. Meanwhile with the combination of SDS 0.05% and PDZ, inhibition growth rates of 98% and 72% were achieved for the white and black phase, respectively. In the conidia phase, only a 1.7 log10 reduction of the infective spores was observed. High concentration of melanin and the complex and resistant structures, especially at the black phase, results in a high limitation of the PDI inactivation response. The combined use of the SDS resulted in an improved response, when compared to the one obtained with the amphotericin B treatment.

Single ulcers on the tongue dorsum: differential diagnosis between paracoccidioidomycosis and squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the leading cause of death among systemic mycoses in Brazil. On the other hand, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent malignant neoplasm of the mouth. Both lesions rarely affect the tongue dorsum and may share similar clinical characteristics. This study aimed to retrieve cases of single oral ulcers diagnosed as PCM or OSCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted. All patients who had a single ulcer on dorsum of the tongue and confirmed diagnosis of PCM or OSCC were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 9 patients (5 women and 4 men) were evaluated, 5 patients had OSCCs (mean age = 69,8 years old), and 4 patients PCM (mean age = 51 years old). Most of the lesions were infiltrated and indurated in the palpation exam. Duration ranged from 1 to 12 months (mean time of 5.2 months and 4.7 months for OSCC and PCM, respectively). OSCC was the main clinical diagnosis hypothesis. CONCLUSIONS: Although uncommon, PCM and OSCC should be considered as a diferential diagnosis hypothesis in infiltrated ulcers on the tongue dorsum. Iincisional biopsy is mandatory to confirm the diagnosis and indicate the appropriate treatment.

Label-free quantification of imaging features in the extracellular matrix of left and right-sided colon cancer tissues.

The molecular pathogenesis of colorectal cancer is known to differ between the right and left side of the colon. Several previous studies have focussed on the differences in clinicopathological features, proteomic and genetic biomarkers, the composition of gut microbiota, response to therapy, and the characteristics of the tumour microenvironment. However, the morphology and density of collagen in the extracellular matrix (ECM) have not been studied intensively. In this study, we employed 2-photon laser scanning microscopy (2PLSM) to visualise the intrinsic second-harmonic generation (SHG) signal emitted by collagen fibres in the heterogeneous ECM of human colon tumour tissues. Through texture analysis of the SHG signal, we quantitatively distinguished the imaging features generated by structural differences of collagen fibres in healthy colon and cancers and found marked differences. The fibres inside of tumours exhibited a loss of organisation, particularly pronounced in right-sided colon cancer (RSCC), where the chaotic regions were significantly increased. In addition, a higher collagen content was found in left-sided colon cancer (LSCC). In future, this might aid in subclassification and therapeutic decisions or even in designing new therapy regimens by taking into account the differences between collagen fibres features between colon tumours located at different sides.

Characterization of bergamot essential oil: chemical, microbiological and colloidal aspects.

Citrus bergamia is a citric species known as bergamot. The species is widely used due to its derivatives, such as juices, extracts, and essential oil. Specifically, the bergamot essential oil (BEO) is of great interest, with a chemical composition rich in terpenes and esters. Considering its chemical composition, bioactivity, and great economic potential, the characterization of BEO should be studied. However, this essential oil is almost unexplored in terms of a characterization associated with colloids. Chemical characterization was carried out by gas-chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer and by gas-chromatography coupled to a flame ionization detector. Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was carried out to confirm the bioactivity of this important essential oil. Dynamic light scattering analysis was performed to create a pattern of droplet size distribution of BEO. Major compounds of BEO were linalyl acetate, limonene, and linalool. The BEO was active against E. coli and presented a MIC value of 2.000 µg/mL, while values of MIC and MBC higher than 2.000 µg/mL were observed for S. aureus. The dynamic light scattering analysis revealed a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 65.7 ± 2.2 nm. After a 1:10 dilution it was observed reduction of mean diameter and enhancement of the percentagem of low size droplets, resepctively 44.1 ± 1.2 nm and 14.5 ± 0.5 nm (28.8 ± 1.2%). Higher droplets and reduced polydispersity index were observed after 1:100 dilution. In the present study, the chemical characterization was in accordance with the species, as the characteristic chemical markers of the species were found. Moreover, it has presented antibacterial activity as expected for the BEO. The analysis of the colloid showed a pattern of droplet size distribution following the Ostwald ripening mechanism after dilution.

Superficial mucoceles in cancer patients: a retrospective series from a Stomatology unit.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to relate all the superficial mucoceles found in a cancer center, described the association with oncological conditions, and discuss its etiology and pathology that we found in the past few years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen cases of superficial mucocele were retrieved from the patients' records of the Stomatology Department of the A. C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil, and demographic and clinical data were collected from electronic medical records. RESULTS: There were 16 patients, 8 patients were men and 8 women, with ages varying from 26 to 70 years old. Superficial mucoceles were observed in patients submitted to head and neck radiotherapy (n=6), graft versus host disease (n=4), one associated with oral mucositis related to allogenic bone marrow stem cells transplantation (n=1), systemic lupus (n=1), Sjögren's syndrome (n=1), oral lichenoid lesion associated with pembrolizumab (n=1) and no local or systemic inflammatory associated found (n=2). CONCLUSIONS: This study reports a series of superficial mucoceles from a single stomatology unit. Most patients had superficial mucoceles secondary to head and neck radiotherapy and graft versus host diseases. However, two patients (12.5%) had mucoceles related to systemic inflammatory conditions (Sjögren's Syndrome and Systemic Lupus).

COVID-19 vaccines effectiveness against symptomatic disease and severe outcomes, 2021-2022: a test-negative case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing symptomatic and severe disease. STUDY DESIGN: This was an observational test-negative case-control study. METHODS: Study participants were adults with at least one symptom included in the World Health Organization COVID-19 definition who sought health care in a public emergency department between 1 November 2021 and 2 March 2022 (corresponding with the fifth pandemic wave in Portugal dominated by the Omicron variant). This study used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate and compare the odds ratio of vaccination between test-positive cases and test-negative controls to calculate the absolute and relative vaccine effectiveness. RESULTS: The study included 1059 individuals (522 cases and 537 controls) with a median age of 56 years and 58% were women. Compared with the effectiveness of the primary vaccination scheme that had been completed ≥180 days earlier, the relative effectiveness against symptomatic infection of a booster administered between 14 and 132 days earlier was 71% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 57%, 81%; P < 0.001). The effectiveness of the primary series against symptomatic infection peaked at 85% (95% CI: 56%, 95%) between 14 and 90 days after the last inoculation and decreased to 34% (95% CI: -43%, 50%) after ≥180 days. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the known immunological evasion characteristics of the Omicron variant, results from this study show that vaccine effectiveness increases after booster administration. COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness decreases to less than 50% between 3 and 6 months after completion of the primary cycle; therefore, this would be an appropriate time to administer a booster to restore immunity.

The use of microplastics as a reliable chronological marker of the Anthropocene onset in Southeastern South America.

Microplastics (MPs) represent an emergent contamination marker. For this reason, we analyzed the vertical distribution of MPs in six sediment cores retrieved from the Patos-Mirim System, the world's largest coastal lagoonal system. The sediment cores span from mid Holocene to present times according to both radiocarbon and lead dating and are located close to both urban/industrial and agricultural regions. We identified a basal pre-disturbance MP-free zone in all cores and an uppermost contaminated 70-cm-zone, where a general increasing trend in MPs content resembling the human anthropization process was recorded. The predominant format of MPs was fiber, followed by fragments. The most commonly identified polymers were rayon, PVC, acrylate, polycarbonate and cellophane. Urban/industrial and agricultural activities were shown as clear sources of MPs, leading to comparable MPs concentration values in the sediment cores. Thus, MPs are collectively a reliable indicator of the Anthropocene onset, and in the Patos-Mirim System the most appropriate chronology can be assigned to the beginning of 1970s, matching the intensification of anthropogenic activities in the area.

Computed tomography bone density variations in oncological patients undergoing antiresorptive medication.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare jaw and cervical vertebrae bone density in computed tomography (CT) analyses of oncological patients undergoing antiresorptive medication with control patients, aiming to find information that may assist the radiologist and clinician in predicting risks and monitoring osteonecrosis in the jaw. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients treated with zoledronic acid and 37 control were included in the study. Two areas in regions of interest were chosen and standardized, one in the lower portion of the mandible and another in the axial cervical vertebra (C2) of patients undergoing antiresorptive drug treatment (experimental group) and the control group. Density analysis was performed using Hounsfield scale grayscale values obtained from multislice CT exams. Interclass correlation coefficient test (ICC) was performed to assess reproducibility and repeatability. The test of normality of the samples was demonstrated using the Shapiro-Wilk test and the comparison performed using Mann-Whitney U non-parametric test. RESULTS: When compared to patients in the control group, patients undergoing antiresorptive medication depicted an increase in bone density in both jaw bone (p=0.021) and cervical vertebrae (p=0.002). The same pattern could be observed in patients who used the medication on a monthly basis for analysis of jaw bone (p=0.021), the cervical vertebrae (p=0.002), and the cervical vertebrae of the patients who used the medication on a quarterly basis (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: CT can be a potentially useful method for detecting alterations associated with antiresorptive therapy, serving as a possible tool in the prediction of the disease progression.

Genetic and antigenic characterization of Brazilian SRLV strains: Natural small ruminant interspecies transmission from mixed herds.

Cross-species transmission events and mixed infection of small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) were studied in seven goats and two sheep from three small ruminant mixed flocks from Northeast and Southeast Brazil. Genetic and antigenic analyses with gag/env genes and ELISA multiepitope SU1/SU5 recombinant antigens were carried out, respectively. The genetic analysis of gag and env sequences showed high viral diversity in both species, MVV-like (subtype A1) and CAEV-like B1 in goats, and CAEV-like (subtype B1) in sheep, revealing SRLV interspecies transmission from sheep to goats and vice versa in Brazilian farms. Two Brazilian caprine lentiviruses were segregated in two new genetic clades based on gag analyses, which suggests a new classification into heterogenic genotype A. Furthermore, goat isolates were grouped into subtype A1 and B1 clusters. Cross-reactive antibodies were detected in goats using ELISA with a recombinant antigen carrying SU1 and SU5 immunodominant epitopes; the results showed anti-CAEV and MVV antibodies in goats and anti-CAEV antibodies in sheep. This result can be associated with the high divergence in the V4 region due to SRLV variability. All results confirm cross-species infection of SRLV in Brazilian mixed herds.