Clinicopathological evaluation and survival of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of oral cancer is the most effective means of reducing morbidity, complexity, and extent of treatment. This study evaluated the clinicopathological profile of epidermoid carcinoma of the tongue, including treatment and survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This observational, retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue treated at the Dr. Luiz Antônio Hospital, Natal, Brazil, from January 2001 to December 2011. Survival variables were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log rank tests. RESULTS: Of the 412 patients diagnosed in this period, 298 (72.3%) were men; their mean age was 60.5 years, and 69.2% were diagnosed with stage III/IV tumours. Improved survival was associated with early stage diagnosis, absence of affected lymph nodes at diagnosis, and treatment with surgery alone. CONCLUSIONS: Late stage diagnosis of oral cancer negatively affects patient survival. In addition, the general public should be made aware of the prognostic factors for oral SCC of the tongue and of the importance of periodic examinations of the oral cavity.

Correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and carotid intima-media thickness in a Brazilian population descended from African slaves

Hypovitaminosis D has been identified as a possible new cardiovascular risk factor. However, the results of studies correlating serum vitamin D levels with markers of subclinical atherosclerosis have been conflicting. The aim of this study was to correlate serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] with carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) and conventional cardiovascular risk factors in Afro-descendants. A cross-sectional analysis was performed on a sample of 382 individuals from a cohort of descendants of African slaves, inhabitants of "Quilombola" communities, with a mean age of 57.79 ±15.3 years, 54.5% of whom were women. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected and biochemical tests were performed, including serum levels of 25(OH)D by electrochemiluminescence and urinary albumin excretion, evaluated by the albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) in a spot urine sample. All participants underwent high-resolution ultrasonography for C-IMT measurement. Hypovitaminosis D was defined as serum 25(OH)D levels <30 ng/mL. The mean serum 25(OH)D levels were 50.4±13.5 ng/mL, with a low prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (4.86%). By simple linear correlation, a significant inverse association between 25(OH)D levels and C-IMT (r=-0.174, P=0.001) was observed. However, after multiple linear regression analysis, the significance of the association between serum levels of 25(OH)D and C-IMT measurement was lost (β=-0.039, P=0.318) and only male gender, age, smoking, systolic blood pressure, glucose and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol remained significantly associated with C-IMT. Levels of 25(OH)D were independently and positively associated with HDL-cholesterol and inversely associated with age and ACR. In conclusion, no independent association between 25(OH)D levels and C-IMT was observed in this population. On the other hand, there was an inverse association with albuminuria, a marker of endothelial lesion.

Ingestão e digestibilidade aparente em ovinos alimentados com silagens de capim-elefante inoculadas com Streptococcus bovis / Intake and apparent digestibility in sheep fed elephant grass silage inoculated with Streptococcus bovis

Foram avaliadas a ingestão e a digestibilidade aparente de silagens de capim, utilizando-se 20 ovinos adultos, sem raça definida, castrados, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos: silagem de capim-elefante; silagem de capim-elefante inoculada com 10(6)UFC/g de()estirpes de Enterococcus faecium; silagem de capim-elefante inoculada com 10(6)UFC/g de estirpes de Streptococcus bovis JB1; e silagem de capim-elefante inoculada com 10(6)UFC/g de()estirpes de S. bovis HC5, e cinco repetições por tratamento. O período de avaliação foi de 21 dias, sendo 15 para adaptação e seis para as coletas. Observou-se diferença (P<0,05) entre o consumo de matéria seca, sendo a silagem-controle a que apresentou os valores mais baixos - 1,43%PV ou 42,79g/kg PV0,75/dia -, enquanto a silagem inoculada com S. bovis HC5 apresentou o melhor consumo de matéria seca, 2,3% PV ou 56,10g/kg PV0,75/dia. Menores valores de digestibilidade da matéria seca ocorreram na silagem-controle, 42,8% da MS, seguida pela silagem de capim-elefante inoculada com E. faecium e S. bovis JB1. Para a digestibilidade aparente da fibra em detergente neutro, houve efeito dos inoculantes (P<0,05) com valores acima de cinco pontos percentuais em relação à silagem inoculada, 54,7%.

The intake and digestibility were evaluated in grass silage, using 20 adult sheep, mixed breed, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments: elephant grass silage without inoculant, elephant grass silage inoculated with 10(6)FCU/g of strains of Enterococcus faecium, elephant grass silage inoculated with 10(6)FCU/g strains of Streptococcus bovis JB1, elephant grass silage inoculated with 10(6)FCU/g of strains of S. bovis HC5 and five replicates per treatment. The evaluation period lasted 21 days being 15 for diet adaptation and six for the collections. There was a statistical difference (P<0.05) between the intake of dry matter of the silages assessed, and the highest values were recorded in the silages inoculated with microbial inoculants. Silage without inoculation had the lowest values (P<0.05) of dry matter intake (1.43% BW or 42.79g/kg BW0,75/day) and silage inoculated with Streptococcus bovis HC5 showed higher dry matter intake (2.3% or 56.10BW g/kg BW0,75/day). The lowest digestibility of dry matter occurred in the control silage (42.8% DM) followed by elephant grass silage inoculated with E. faecium and S. bovis JB1, respectively. The apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber was affected by inoculation (P<0.05) with values higher than five percentage points compared to elephant grass silage without inoculant (54.7%).

[The labor process and work-related accidents among garbage collectors in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil] / Processo de trabalho e acidentes de trabalho em coletores de lixo domiciliar na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

This study describes the work performed by garbage collectors in the Rio de Janeiro City Street Cleaning Company (COMLURB) (Rio Comprido division) and its consequences for their health. Data were collected through interviews and on-site video documentation. A detailed description of the work process was performed. In addition, we analyzed the workers' reports of their lifetime experience with job-related risks and accidents.

Seminário Utilização da Avaliação in Situ(ação) - Elizabeth M. dos Santos

Levantou a questão do papel social dos avaliadores, sendo eles, pesquisador, facilitador, militante ou juiz. A pesquisadora explicou ainda como os 'stakeholders' podem ser envolvidos no processo avaliativo e qual é o significado da qualidade do processo avaliativo. Informou ainda que - intervenções são redes de práticas, conexões instáveis, adaptativas, muitas vezes improvisações intencionais dependentes do contexto e da competência do staff. Arquivos disponíveis para leitura, audição e/ou download nos ícones ao lado.