Volumetric changes in post hemiglossectomy reconstruction with anterolateral thigh free flap versus radial forearm free flap.

The volume of the reconstructed tongue is considered a critical factor for tongue function. Studies investigating the difference in volume loss between the anterolateral thigh free flap (ALTF) and radial forearm free flap (RFFF) used in reconstruction of the tongue after hemiglossectomy are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a significant difference in shrinkage between these two flaps. This was a retrospective study of all patients treated for tongue cancer by hemiglossectomy who underwent either ALTF or RFFF reconstruction at the University of Florida College of Medicine between January 2018 and April 2022. Computed tomography scans were used to measure the volumetric changes in the ALTF and RFFF at two time points over a 6-month period. Of the 85 patients assessed, 10 fulfilled the inclusion criteria: five were reconstructed with an ALTF and five with a RFFF. All underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. The mean ALTF percentage shrinkage was 39.6% ± 3.9%, while for the RFFF it was 51.1% ± 6.2% (P = 0.008). Therefore, it is recommended that the difference in volume loss between the two flaps is taken into consideration. It is suggested that in hemiglossectomy cases, the ALTF is made 1.4 times larger than the defect, while the RFFF is made 1.5 times larger.

Insights for Alzheimer's disease pharmacotherapy and current clinical trials.

Over the years, the scientific community has sought improvements in the life quality of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Synaptic loss and neuronal death observed in the regions responsible for cognitive functions represent an irreversible progressive disease that is clinically characterized by impaired cognitive and functional abilities, along with behavioral symptoms. Currently, image and body fluid biomarkers can provide early dementia diagnostic, being it the best way to slow the disease's progression. The first signs of AD development are still complex, the existence of individual genetic and phenotypic characteristics about the disease makes it difficult to standardize studies on the subject. The answer seems to be related between Aß and tau proteins. Aß deposition in the medial parietal cortex appears to be the initial stage of AD, but it does not have a strong correlation with neurodegeneration. The strongest link between symptoms occurs with tau aggregation, which antecede Aß deposits in the medial temporal lobe, however, the protein can be found in cognitively healthy older people. The answer to the question may lie in some catalytic effect between both proteins. Amid so many doubts, Aducanumab was approved, which raised controversies and results intense debate in the scientific field. Abnormal singling of some blood biomarkers produced by adipocytes under high lipogenesis, such as TNFα, leptin, and interleukin-6, demonstrate to be linked to neuroinflammation worsens, diabetes, and also severe cases of COVID-19, howsoever, under higher lipolysis, seem to have therapeutic anti-inflammatory effects in the brain, which has increasingly contributed to the understanding of AD. In addition, the relationship of severe clinical complications caused by Sars-CoV-2 viral infection and AD, go beyond the term "risk group" and may be related to the development of dementia long-term. Thus, this review summarized the current emerging pharmacotherapies, alternative treatments, and nanotechnology applied in clinical trials, discussing relevant points that may contribute to a more accurate look.

Effects of free and dipeptide forms of methionine supplementation on oxidative metabolism of broilers under high temperature.

Our previous studies have shown that methionine supplementation could help to attenuate the effects of heat stress on the metabolism of broiler chickens. Here we investigated for the first time the effects of methionine supplementation in the form of DL-methionyl-DL-methionine on broilers subjected to heat stress during the growth phase. Broilers were divided into two groups; one group was reared under thermoneutral conditions and the other under continuous heat stress (30 ±â€¯1 °C, 60% relative humidity). Both groups were subdivided into three dietary treatments: a methionine-deficient (MD) diet, a diet supplemented with free methionine (DL-M), and a diet supplemented with methionine dipeptide (DL-MM). Broilers raised under chronic heat stress had lower feed intake and weight gain than broilers raised under thermoneutral conditions (P < 0.05). There were no differences in animal performance between methionine-supplemented diets (DL-M and DL-MM). Heat-stressed birds had significantly higher heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio than thermoneutral birds. Under heat stress, broilers fed DL-M and DL-MM diets had lower H/L ratio than birds fed the MD diet. Higher concentrations of carbonylated proteins and lower concentration of reduced glutathione were observed in broilers raised under heat stress. In comparing heat-stressed broilers, we found that birds fed the DL-M diet had lower concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and carbonylated proteins than those fed the MD diet (P < 0.05). Higher expression of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione synthetase (GSS) genes was observed in heat-stressed broilers (P < 0.05). Under heat stress, the MD diet increased GPX expression compared with other diets. Under thermoneutral conditions, the DL-M diet resulted in the highest GSS expression. There was a negative correlation between DNA methylation and GPX and GSS expression. Our results showed that supplementation of broiler diets with free methionine or methionine dipeptide may help attenuate the effects of heat stress through enhanced activation of genes related to the glutathione antioxidant system. Methionine effects were found for gene regulation, gene expression, and post-translational processing.

Head and neck surgery is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation: incidence and outcomes.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common postoperative arrhythmia and can cause increased length of stay, costs, morbidity, and mortality. Little information exists about postoperative AF after major head and neck surgery, but it is thought to occur more frequently than after surgery at other extra-thoracic sites. A retrospective cohort study was implemented, including patients who had undergone major head and neck surgery and who had follow-up records covering a minimum of 60 days postoperative. The main outcome was the incidence of new onset postoperative AF after major head and neck surgery; secondary outcomes were the incidence of any AF, the role of cardiology, predictors of AF postoperatively, and clinical outcomes. A total 337 patients were included. Twenty-four patients experienced AF postoperatively (7.1%), of whom 12 (3.6%) had new onset AF. New onset AF was associated with advanced age of ≥65 years (odds ratio 11.6, P=0.027) and having a laryngectomy (odds ratio 9.9, P=0.003). Postoperative AF following major head and neck surgery is not a rare phenomenon and can be associated with considerable morbidity and costs due to the need for intensive care, specialty consultations, additional testing and laboratory studies, and cardiology follow-up.

Lippia gracilis Schauer essential oil as a growth promoter for Japanese quail.

The use of antibiotics as performance enhancers in animal feeding is declining, so Lippia gracilis Schauer essential oil (LGSEO) could be used as a potential substitute for the conventionally used growth promoters. The LGSEO contains components such as carvacrol and thymol, which kill and/or control pathogenic bacteria, increase population of beneficial organisms, act against oxidative processes and onto nutrient digestibility and absorption. The aim of this study was to investigate the action and the effects of LGSEO as a growth promoter in the diet of Japanese quail by examining their productive performance, intestinal microbiology, blood biochemical parameters, hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content and intestinal gene expression. A total of 252 two-day-old quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were assigned to 3 treatments in 7 replicates, using 12 birds per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of a basal diet, basal diet + LGSEO at 400 mg/kg of diet and basal diet + chemical antimicrobial (bacitracin methylene disalicylate) at 500 mg/kg of diet. The experimental period was 34 days. The highest feed intake (P < 0.01) was found in the group receiving the conventional antimicrobial, whereas the best feed conversion (P < 0.01) was shown by the animals receiving LGSEO. Escherichia coli growth was restricted in the quail receiving the growth promoters. Salmonella spp. growth was controlled by the treatment containing the conventional antimicrobial. There was no difference between the treatments (P > 0.05) for the concentration of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase enzymes in the blood or hepatic TBARS content. Birds receiving negative-control treatment exhibited a higher expression of sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT1), while those receiving the treatment with essential oil showed lower catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX7) expressions compared to the conventional antimicrobial and control groups, respectively. Lippia gracilis Schauer essential oil is a powerful performance enhancer for Japanese quail by virtue of its abilities to improve their intestinal environment, balance the microbial population and reduce energy expenditure for oxidative processes.

Assessment of the stability of sheep sausages with the addition of different concentrations of Origanum vulgare extract during storage.

The aim of this study was to assess the stability of sheep sausages with the addition of different concentrations of Origanum vulgare extract during storage. Five treatments were prepared: without natural antioxidant (control), sodium erythorbate 500mg/kg (ER), and three amounts of extract (N1=4964.51mg/kg, N2=6630.98mg/kg and N3=8038.20mg/kg). From appearance sensory analysis, control treatment differed significantly compared to ER (P<0.05) and N3 (P<0.01) groups, with intense red color, agreeing with trend of a* values. On the other hand, oregano extract improved the lipid and protein stability of cooked sausages during the storage time. Regarding volatile compounds from lipid oxidation, the N2 group presented the lowest values at the end of chilled period. In conclusion, the oregano extract showed antioxidant potential equivalent to sodium erythorbate at intermediate and high levels, calculated by DPPH∙ and FRAP methods, and most of the parameters were not compromised, allowing synthetic antioxidants replaced while maintaining the nutritional and sensory quality of cooked sausages.

Evaluation of oxidative stability of lamb burger with Origanum vulgare extract.

The objective was to evaluate replacement of sodium erythorbate with a natural antioxidant (oregano extract) on physicochemical and sensory stability of lamb burgers, and determine the appropriate amount. Five treatments were prepared, including control (without antioxidant), sodium erythorbate, and three concentrations of oregano extract (13.32, 17.79 and 24.01mL/kg), based on antioxidant capacity determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods, respectively. Burgers containing oregano extract, at the concentration determined by FRAP method, had higher oxidative stability, evidenced by an 80% reduction (P<0.001) in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, effective inhibition of protein oxidation (P<0.01) and less colour loss during frozen storage. Oregano extract did not impair (P>0.05) consumers' sensory acceptance of the lamb burgers. Under the conditions tested, addition of 24mL/kg of oregano extract could be recommended as a natural antioxidant in lamb burgers.

Effect of dietary lysine on performance and expression of electron transport chain genes in the pectoralis major muscle of broilers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary lysine on performance, protein deposition and respiratory chain gene expression in male broilers. A total of 252 Cobb 500 broilers were distributed, in a completely randomized design, into four treatments with seven replicates of nine birds per experimental unit. Experimental treatments consisted of diets based on corn and soybean meal, with four levels of digestible lysine: 1.016%, 1.099%, 1.182% and 1.265%. The increase in the level of digestible lysine in the diet provided higher weight gains, feed efficiency and body protein deposition. Birds fed the lowest level of dietary lysine (1.016%) showed a lower expression of genes such as NADH dehydrogenase subunit I (ND1), cytochrome b (CYTB) and cytochrome c oxidase subunits I (COX I), II (COX II) and III (COX III), displaying the worst performance and body protein deposition. This demonstrates the relationship existing between the expression of the evaluated genes and the performance responses. In conclusion, results indicate that broilers fed diets with higher levels of digestible lysine have increased messenger RNA expression of some genes coded in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ND1, CYTB, COX I, COX II and COX III). It may be stated that diets with proper levels of digestible lysine, within the 'ideal protein' concept, promote the expression of genes, which increases the mitochondrial energy, thereby fostering body protein deposition and the performance of broilers in the starter phase.

Evaluation of antioxidant capacity of 13 plant extracts by three different methods: cluster analyses applied for selection of the natural extracts with higher antioxidant capacity to replace synthetic antioxidant in lamb burgers.

The aims of this study were: to evaluate the total equivalent antioxidant capacities (TEAC) and phenolic contents of 13 plants extracts; to select the most promising extracts regarding reducing activity using cluster analysis multivariate statistical technique; and to analyse evaluate sensory acceptance of lamb burgers produced with the most promising natural antioxidants replacing sodium erythorbate. Plant extracts were evaluated regarding TEAC by DPPH(•) and FRAP methods, and total phenolics contents by Folin-Ciocalteau assay. The TEAC values ranged from 0.50 to 9.06 g trolox/100 g dry weight (dw) and from 43.6 to 472.32 µmol trolox/g dw for DPPH(•) and FRAP methods, respectively, and the total phenolic contents from 5.98 to 74.01 mg GAE/g dw. Extracts from Origanum vulgare, Melissa officinalis, Origanum majorana L. and Rosmarinus officinalis were grouped as the ones with higher antioxidant capacities by cluster analysis. All burgers produced with each one of these four plant extracts or with sodium erythorbate showed no differences (P > 0.05) regarding consumers' sensory acceptance. In conclusion, it is possible to replace sodium erythorbate in lamb burgers by any of the four natural extracts selected without compromising sensory acceptance of this meat product.

Expression of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase is enhanced in Leishmania spp naturally resistant to nitric oxide.

Leishmania spp are the causative agents of a spectrum of diseases termed leishmaniasis that affect mammals, including humans and dogs. Although reactive nitrogen species are employed in the control of parasitism by the immune system, it is known that Leishmania can withstand this oxidative stress. As the mechanism by which these species are resistant to nitric oxide (NO) is poorly understood, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania chagasi promastigotes showing natural resistance to NO. GAPDH transcript levels were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction amplification, and GAPDH activity (assessed by levels of NADH oxidation) was measured by spectrophotometry. The level of nitration in total protein was assessed by immunoblotting. The results demonstrated an increase in GAPDH expression in resistant isolates of both species compared to susceptible isolates. The increase in GAPDH expression led to an increase in the activity of GAPDH in L. amazonensis human isolates resistant to NO. The pattern of protein nitration did not differ between sensitive and resistant isolates. Our results suggest that changes in expression of GAPDH may be responsible, at least in part, to natural resistance to NO found in human and canine Leishmania spp.

Avaliação da inibição da acetilcolinesterase por extratos de plantas medicinais / Evaluation of acetylcholinesterase inhibition by extracts from medicinal plants

Neste trabalho foi avaliada a atividade inibitória da acetilcolinesterase (AChE) pelo método de Ellman, modificado por Rhee, de extratos aquosos e etanólicos de oito plantas utilizadas na medicina popular da região Nordeste do Brasil. O extrato aquoso de E. velutina não apresentou atividade inibitória enquanto o extrato aquoso de Maytenus rigida apresentou baixa atividade inibitória (percentual de inibição de 4%). Detectou-se atividade inibitória moderada com o extrato aquoso de P. piperoides (percentual de inibição de 40 %), enquanto o extrato de V. agnus-castus L. inibiu 74% da atividade da AChE, caracterizando-se como potente atividade inibitória. A avaliação da inibição da AChE com os extratos etanólicos demonstrou que os extratos de Sideroxylon obtusifolium, Erythrina velutina, Vitex agnus-castus, Phoradendron piperoides, Chrysobalanus icaco, Bauhinia cheilantha e Orbignya phalerata não apresentaram atividade inibitória. Baixa atividade inibitória foi observada com os extratos etanólicos de Maytenus rigida (percentual de inibição de 7%) e de Hyptis fruticosa (percentual de inibição de 11%). O extrato etanólico de Moringa oleifera apresentou atividade inibitória moderada, inibindo 47% da atividade dessa enzima. Nenhum dos extratos etanólicos testados apresentou atividade inibitória potente da AChE. Os resultados dos estudos de inibição da acetilcolinesterase permitem concluir que o extrato aquoso de V. agnus-castus L. mostrou-se o mais eficaz quanto a inibição da AChE. Este resultado reforça a necessidade da continuidade do estudo desse extrato, de forma a realizar a partição do extrato e a purificação das frações para isolar a molécula responsável pela inibição observada.

In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) according to Ellman's method, modified by Rhee, for ethanol and aqueous extracts from eight plants used in folk medicine in the northeast region of Brazil. E. velutina aqueous extract did not have inhibitory activity, while Maytenus rigida aqueous extract showed low inhibitory activity (percentage of inhibition of 4%). Moderate inhibitory activity was detected for Phoradendron piperoides aqueous extract (percentage of inhibition of 40%), while V. agnus castus L. extract inhibited 74% AChE activity, characterized as a potent inhibitory activity. Evaluation of AChE inhibition by ethanol extracts indicated that the extracts from Sideroxylon obtusifolium, Erythrina velutina, Vitex agnus-castus L., Phoradendron piperoides, Chrysobalanus icaco, Bauhinia cheilantha and Orbignya phalerata did not show inhibitory activity. A low inhibitory activity was observed for ethanol extracts from Maytenus rigida (percentage of inhibition of 7%) and Hyptis fruticosa (percentage of inhibition of 11%). Moringa oleifera ethanol extract showed moderate inhibitory activity, inhibiting 47% of the activity of this enzyme. None of the tested ethanol extracts showed potent inhibitory activity against AChE. Results of the studies of acetylcholinesterase inhibition allow the conclusion that V. agnus-castus L. aqueous extract showed to be most effective in inhibiting AChE. This result reinforces the need for continued study of this extract in order to make the partition and the purification of fractions to isolate the molecule responsible for the observed inhibition.

Unusual histological variant of Ewing's sarcoma of mandible.

Ewing family of tumors (EFTs) comprise highly malignant, nearly undifferentiated neoplasms including Ewing's sarcoma (ES), primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) and a spectrum of other unusual variants. In general, EFTs are included among small blue cell tumors. Establishing histological diagnosis can be difficult; CD99 and FLI1 immunohistochemical staining has improved diagnosis, but these markers are not specific for EFTs. The diagnosis of EFTs is confirmed by molecular diagnostic testing showing the presence of established rearrangements of the EWS gene. The use of this molecular signature in EFTs revealed rare variants in the histomorphologic spectrum of these tumors. The authors report an unusual variant of EFT in the mandible of a 17-year-old patient, which was confirmed by translocation rearrangement in EWR1 gene at 22q12 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The unusual histologic features, with prominent spindling of tumor cells and deviation from the classic features of Ewing's sarcoma posed a diagnostic challenge for the medical centers involved in the diagnosis and treatment of this patient. This highlights the importance of the genetic study of undifferentiated sarcomas to identify rare morphologic variants of ES, in view of the chemosensitivity of EFTs and how this affects patient management.

Does conservative management for brain stem cavernomas have better long-term outcome?

There has been a controversy in the last 15 years on the correct management of brain stem cavernomas. We have reviewed our experience of the last 10 years in a single Institution and reviewed related literature published in the last 15 years. We recorded the demographics, clinical presentation, rebleeding episodes, incidence of neurological events and outcome assessed by recording the change of the modified Rankin scale in 21 cases. Univariate analysis was applied to test the effect of demographics, and presentation on the incidence and timing of rebleeding, chance of having a new neurological event, the number of subsequent neurological events and outcomes. Six cases were treated with surgery and 15 cases were managed conservatively. We obtained follow-up data in 20 patients (95%). Mean follow-up period was 79.7 months (range: 6-244, median 70 months). There were 0.05 rebleeding events per patient-year and 0.1 episodes of neurological deterioration per patient-year. No mortality was noted in either the surgical or the non-surgical group. Three of the six surgical cases had a reoperation. The outcome was improved in one patient, unchanged in 1, and worse in 3 surgical patients. In the case of conservative management the outcome was improved in two patients, unchanged in five patients, and worse in eight patients. Outcome was worse in the case of multiple cavernomas (p = 0.012). Our findings suggest that conservative management may be appropriate in individual cases when compared with surgery, but this difference was not statistically significant enough in order to support a change in practice. The natural history of brain stem cavernomas appears more benign than previously thought.

Differential expression of proliferative, cytoskeletal, and adhesive proteins during postnatal development of the hamster submandibular gland.

Although the submandibular gland (SMG) plays important exocrine and endocrine roles, little is known about the molecular details underlying its development. Previously, we reported that in the postnatally developing hamster SMG, GPT, the protein product of the first N-glycosylation gene, ALG7, was an in vivo marker for salivary cell proliferation. Here we investigated the proliferative, cytoskeletal, and adhesive changes during SMG postnatal development. The cellular localization and abundance of GPT, filamentous actin, and beta1 integrin receptor were examined using confocal microscopy and immunoblotting. In neonatal glands, high GPT levels marked extensive cell proliferation throughout the tissue. The apical regions of immature salivary cells displayed intense actin staining, while most of the beta1 integrin was diffusely distributed throughout the tissue. As development proceeded, discrete regions of the gland expressed attenuated levels of GPT, an increased organization of actin to the cell cortex, and beta1 integrin to the basal lamina. In the adult SMG, differentiated salivary cells displayed low levels of GPT and actin. While the abundance of beta1 integrin remained unchanged throughout development, in the adult, it was found exclusively in regions where cells contact the basal lamina. These data indicate that SMG development entails regionalized cell proliferation and polarization, and that these processes are temporally and spatially coordinated with the establishment of stable cell-substratum interactions.