Alicyclobacillus spp. in fruit-based products: Isolation, identification, quantitative assessment (SPME/GC-MS) of spoilage compounds and spore's resistance to thermal shocks.

Alicyclobacillus spp. is the cause of great concern for the food industry due to their spores' resistance (thermal and chemical) and the spoilage potential of some species. Despite this, not all Alicyclobacillus strains can spoil fruit juices. Thus, this study aimed to identify Alicyclobacillus spp. strains isolated from fruit-based products produced in Argentina, Brazil, and Italy by DNA sequencing. All Alicyclobacillus isolates were tested for guaiacol production by the peroxidase method. Positive strains for guaiacol production were individually inoculated at concentration of 103 CFU/mL in 10 mL of orange (pH 3.90) and apple (pH 3.50) juices adjusted to 11°Brix, following incubation at 45 °C for at least 5 days to induce the production of the following spoilage compounds: Guaiacol, 2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) and 2,6-dibromophenol (2,6-DBP). The techniques of micro-solid phase extraction by headspace (HS-SPME) and gas-chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to identify and quantify the spoilage compounds. All GC-MS data was analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA). The effects of different thermal shock conditions on the recovery of Alicyclobacillus spores inoculated in orange and apple juice (11°Brix) were also tested. A total of 484 strains were isolated from 48 brands, and the species A. acidocaldarius and A. acidoterrestris were the most found among all samples analyzed. In some samples from Argentina, the species A. vulcanalis and A. mali were also identified. The incidence of these two main species of Alicyclobacillus in this study was mainly in products from pear (n = 108; 22.3 %), peach (n = 99; 20.5 %), apple (n = 86; 17.8 %), and tomato (n = 63; 13 %). The results indicated that from the total isolates from Argentina (n = 414), Brazil (n = 54) and Italy (n = 16) were able to produce guaiacol: 107 (25.8 %), 33 (61.1 %) and 13 (81.2 %) isolates from each country, respectively. The PCA score plot indicated that the Argentina and Brazil isolates correlate with higher production of guaiacol and 2,6-DCP/2,6-DBP, respectively. Heatmaps of cell survival after heat shock demonstrated that strains with different levels of guaiacol production present different resistances according to spoilage ability. None of the Alicyclobacillus isolates survived heat shocks at 120 °C for 3 min. This work provides insights into the incidence, spoilage potential, and thermal shock resistance of Alicyclobacillus strains isolated from fruit-based products.

Why should Medical Societies increasingly attend to their Specialist Title exams and why should medical professionals obtain it?

Medical societies must maintain high standards of competence and quality when awarding specialist titles, defining the certification criteria, taking into account the needs and realities of the health system and medical practice.

Presence of Self-Reported Sleep Alterations After Stroke and Their Relationship With Disability: A Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disorders have a prevalence of 30% to 70% in post-stroke individuals. The presence of sleep disorders and poor sleep quality after stroke can affect important functions and lead to worse outcomes. However, most studies are restricted to the acute post-stroke stage only. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency of self-reported sleep alterations in a sample of chronic stroke individuals and to identify which self-reported sleep alterations were associated with disability. METHODS: Prospective exploratory study. Self-reported sleep alterations were measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and STOP-Bang Questionnaire. The dependent variable was measured 3 years after the first contact by the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Step-wise multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify which sleep alterations were associated with disability. RESULTS: Sixty-five individuals with stroke participated. About 67.7% of participants had poor sleep quality, 52.4% reported insomnia symptoms, 33.9% reported excessive daytime sleepiness, and 80.0% were classified as intermediate or high risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Only risk for obstructive sleep apnea was significantly associated with disability and explained 5% of the variance in the mRS scores. CONCLUSION: Self-reported sleep alterations had a considerable frequency in a sample of chronic stroke individuals. The risk of obstructive sleep apnea was associated with disability in the chronic stage of stroke. Sleep alterations must be considered and evaluated in the rehabilitation process even after a long period since the stroke onset.

The multispecies stinkbug iflavirus Halyomorpha halys virus detected in the multispecies stinkbug egg parasitoid microwasp, Telenomus podisi (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae).

Wasps are important parasitoids of stinkbugs and frequently exposed to various types of microorganisms through environmental contact and fecal-oral transmission route. Many parasitize stinkbug eggs and are commercially used in the field to control insect population. The parasitoid T. podisi is known for its high parasitism capacity and ability to target multiple species of stinkbugs. In this study we asked whether T. podisi exposed to eggs infected by a multispecies asymptomatic stinkbug virus, the Halyomorpha halys virus (HhV) would get infected. HhV is a geographically distributed multispecies iflavirus previously found to infect four stinkbug hosts, including three Brazilian species, Chinavia ubica, Euschistus heros and Diceraeus melacanthus, and T. posidi can parasitize all of them. As results, RT-PCR screening revealed positive samples for the HhV genome in two out of four tested pools of T. podisi, whereas the antigenome, indicative of replicative activity, was not detected. The wasps were raised in E. heros eggs that presented both the genome and the antigenome forms of the HhV genome. Subsequent RNA-deep sequencing of HhV positive T. podisi RNA pools yielded a complete genome of HhV with high coverage. Phylogenetic analysis positioned the isolate HhV-Tp (isolate Telenomus podisi) alongside with the stinkbug HhV. Analysis of transcriptomes from several hymenopteran species revealed HhV-Tp reads in four species. However, the transmission mechanism and the ecological significance of HhV remain elusive, warranting further studies to illuminate both the transmission process and its capacity for environmental propagation using T. podisi as a potential vector.

Machine learning-based soil quality assessment for enhancing environmental monitoring in iron ore mining-impacted ecosystems.

In November 2015, a catastrophic rupture of the Fundão dam in Mariana (Brazil), resulted in extensive socio-economic and environmental repercussions that persist to this day. In response, several reforestation programs were initiated to remediate the impacted regions. However, accurately assessing soil health in these areas is a complex endeavor. This study employs machine learning techniques to predict soil quality indicators that effectively differentiate between the stages of recovery in these areas. For this, a comprehensive set of soil parameters, encompassing 3 biological, 16 chemical, and 3 physical parameters, were evaluated for samples exposed to mining tailings and those unaffected, totaling 81 and 6 samples, respectively, which were evaluated over 2 years. The most robust model was the decision tree with a restriction of fewer levels to simplify the tree structure. In this model, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), Microbial Biomass Carbon (MBC), Base Saturation (BS), and Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (eCEC) emerged as the most pivotal factors influencing model fitting. This model achieved an accuracy score of 92% during training and 93% during testing for determining stages of recovery. The model developed in this study has the potential to revolutionize the monitoring efforts conducted by regulatory agencies in these regions. By reducing the number of parameters that necessitate evaluation, this enhanced efficiency promises to expedite recovery monitoring, simultaneously enhancing cost-effectiveness while upholding the analytical rigor of assessments.

Ultrastructural differences between synovial sarcoma and solitary fibrous tumor: comparative study in adult patients from the National Cancer Institute of Mexico.

Synovial sarcoma (SS) and solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) are entities with considerable morphological and immunohistochemical similarities that sometimes show a non-confirmatory profile (TLE1 negative, CD34 and focal or negative STAT6 and lack of specific fusion IHC markers), in which the utility ultrastructure is unknown. A cross-sectional, retrospective, analytical, nonexperimental study was carried out by the Department of Pathology of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico (INCan) e from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2018. With 17 SFT cases with diffuse or focal CD34 and STAT6 positivity and 18 cases of SS with positive FISH molecular test t(X:18) breakapart were studied by electron microscopy of fresh glutaraldehyde fixed or paraffin-embedded tissue. The ultrastructural findings with a significant difference present in the SS were tandem tight junctions, desmosomes and abundance of dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) cisternae (p < 0.001, 0.003, and 0.001, respectively); while in the (SFT) the presence of abundant glycogen, basal lamina, long and slender cytoplasmic processes, pinocytic vesicles, hemidesmosomes, and/or dense plaques, collagen skein, and microvilli-like buds (p = 0.028, 0.005, and <0.001 for the last five). We then infer that the five distinctive markers of the SFT are the collagen skeins intermingled with cellular processes in a shape of "squid can," and the pinocytic vesicles as they were not observed in any case of SS. Conversely, tandem junctions were not found in any SFT case. Although the presence of multivesicular buds in the SFT was not significant, it had not been previously described.

Sarcopenic obesity does not impair lower limb strength and physical performance in sufficiently active older adults: a cross-sectional study.

This study investigated the associations of sarcopenic obesity (SO) with muscle strength and physical performance in sufficiently active older adults. Data from 72 older sarcopenic obese adults classified as sufficiently active were analyzed. Participants were categorized into four groups based on sex and SO status. Muscle strength/physical performance tests were compared using independent sample t-tests. Multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression were performed to examine the associations between SO and muscle strength and physical performance, adjusting for confounding variables. Only handgrip strength showed differences between SO groups, regardless of sex (p < 0.05). SO negatively explained the variability of handgrip strength (p < 0.05). An increase in handgrip strength values was associated with a decrease in the chances of older adults being classified as SO (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that even with SO, sufficiently active older adults did not present a significant reduction in muscle strength in the lower limbs and physical performance.

Effects of dietary inorganic nitrate on blood pressure during and post-exercise recovery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: A systematic review with meta-analysis was completed to study the effects of dietary inorganic nitrate (NO3-) oral ingestion from vegetables and salts on blood pressure responses during and following exercise. BACKGROUND: NO3- is a hypotensive agent with the potential to reduce blood pressure peaks during exercise and amplify exercise-induced hypotensive effects. Several randomized and controlled trials have investigated the effects of NO3- on hemodynamic responses to physical exercise, however this still has yet to be studied systematically. METHODS: The searches were conducted on EMBASE, Medline, and SPORTSDiscus databases. The study included masked randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with participants ≥18 years old. The NO3-intervention group received at least 50 mg NO3-/day with similar sources amid NO3- and placebo conditions. Included studies reported systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) values during or following exercise performance. RESULTS: 1903 studies were identified, and twenty-six achieved the inclusion criteria. NO3- daily dosages ranged from 90 to 800 mg/day. Throughout exercise, SBP had smaller increases in the NO3- group (-2.81 mmHg (95%CI: -5.20 to -0.41), p=0.02. DBP demonstrated lower values in the NO3- group (-2.41 mmHg (95%CI: -4.02 to -0.79), p=0.003. In the post-exercise group, the NO3- group presented lower SBP values (-3.53 mmHg (95%CI: -5.65 to 1.41), p=0.001, while no changes were identified in DBP values between NO3- and placebo groups (p=0.31). Subgroup meta-analysis revealed that SBP baseline values, exercise type, duration of NO3- ingestion, and its dosages mediated blood pressure responses during and following exercise. CONCLUSIONS: NO3- ingestion prior to exercise attenuated the increases in SBP and DBP during exercise, and increased the decline in SBP after exercise. These results are dependent on factors that moderate the blood pressure responses (e.g., health status, type of exercise, resting blood pressure values).

Development, characterization, and biological study of bioglass coatings 45S5 and BioK on zirconia implant surfaces.

Zirconia implants are gaining attention as a viable alternative to titanium implants due to their comparable osseointegration development, improved soft tissue adaptation, and enhanced aesthetics. An encouraging avenue for improving zirconia implant properties involves the potential application of bioactive coatings to their surfaces. These coatings have shown potential for inducing hydroxyapatite formation, crucial for bone proliferation, and improving implant mechanical properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of coating zirconia implants with two bioactive glasses, 45S5 and BioK, on osteogenesis in vitro and osseointegration in vivo. Zirconia samples and implants were prepared using Zpex zirconia powder and blocks, respectively. The samples were divided into three groups: polished zirconia (ZRC), zirconia coated with 45S5 bioglass (Z + 45S5), and zirconia coated with BioK glass (Z + BK). Coatings were applied using a brush and sintered at 1200°C. Chemical analysis of the coatings was carried out using x-ray diffraction and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Surface topography and roughness were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and a roughness meter. In vitro experiments used mesenchymal cells from Wistar rat femurs, and the coated zirconia implants were found to promote cell viability, protein synthesis, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralization, indicating enhanced osteogenesis. In vivo experiments with 18 rats showed positive results for bone formation and osseointegration through histological and histomorphometric analysis and a push-out test. The findings indicate that bioactive glass coatings have the potential to improve cell differentiation, bone formation, and osseointegration in zirconia implants.

Patients' prognosis with congenital heart disease followed by ten years: survival and associated factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognosis and influence of associated factors in patients with congenital heart disease admitted for the first time to the Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital da Criança Santo Antônio/Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, especially those factors associated with death. METHODS: Patients were prospectively and consecutively allocated over a period of one year (August 2005 to July 2006). Now, 15 years after the initial selection, we collected data from these patients in the database of the Cytogenetics Laboratory of the Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre and in the medical records of the hospital. RESULTS: Of the 96 patients, 11 died and 85 were alive until 20 years old. Four patients died in the Intensive Care Unit. The survival probability up to 365 days of life was 95.8%. The survival assessment identified that the deaths occurred mainly before the patients completed one thousand days of life. We found that complex heart disease was independently associated with an odds ratio of 5.19 (95% confidence interval - CI:1.09-24.71; p=0.038) for death. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge about the factors that interfere with the prognosis can be crucial in care practice planning, especially considering that congenital heart disease is an important cause of mortality in the first year of life.

Morphometric Predictors of Penile Length Increase After Division of its Suspensory Ligament.

INTRODUCTION: Division of the suspensory ligament of the penis has emerged as a popular surgical approach for penile lengthening, but accurate preoperative predictions of lengthening outcomes remain elusive. This study aimed to identify readily measurable anatomical parameters associated with post-ligamentolysis penile length gain, facilitating more reliable preoperative estimations. METHODS: An experimental cross-sectional study was performed on 16 adult cadavers. Data collected before dissection included: age at death, ethnicity, height, length of the penis before dissection and width of the suspensory ligament of penis. Following the complete dissection of the suspensory ligament of penis, the depth of the pubic symphysis and the penile length after the procedure were measured. The absolute and relative length differences pre- and post-ligamentolysis were calculated. Correlation coefficients were used to study relations between these variables. RESULTS: Penile length increased uniformly after complete division of the suspensory ligament (average gain: 26.38 mm, SD = 14.83 mm; range 4-60 mm). Pearson correlation revealed a significant negative correlation between pre-ligamentolysis penile length and post-ligamentolysis increase (r = - 0.601; p = 0.014), suggesting greater gains in individuals with shorter pre-ligamentolysis lengths. Age, ligament width, and pubic arch depth showed no significant correlations. Ethnicity did not impact post-ligamentolysis length increase (t = - 0.135; p = 0.894). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the potential to predict penile length gain post-ligamentolysis through measurable anatomical parameters. The ability to anticipate the outcome of this procedure could empower surgeons to provide informed counseling, potentially elevating patient satisfaction. An experimental cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the outcomes of penile lengthening surgery Penile lengthening was achieved in all subjects via complete dissection of the suspensory ligament of the penis Penile length increase may be predicted preoperatively using easily measurable anatomical parameters NO LEVEL ASSIGNED: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Purification, bioactivity and application of maltobionic acid in active films.

The objective of this study was to purify sodium maltobionate using Zymomonas mobilis cells immobilized in situ on flexible polyurethane (PU) and convert it into maltobionic acid for further evaluation of bioactivity (iron chelating ability, antibacterial potential and cytoprotection) and incorporation into films based on cassava starch, chitosan, and cellulose acetate. Sodium maltobionate exhibited a purity of 98.1% and demonstrated an iron chelating ability of approximately 50% at concentrations ranging from 15 to 20 mg mL-1. Maltobionic acid displayed minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 8.5, 10.5, 8.0, and 8.0 mg mL-1 for Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes, respectively. Maltobionic acid did not exhibit cytotoxicity in HEK-293 cells at concentrations up to 500 µg mL-1. Films incorporating 7.5% maltobionic acid into cassava starch and chitosan demonstrated inhibition of microbial growth, with halo sizes ranging from 15.67 to 22.33 mm. These films had a thickness of 0.17 and 0.13 mm, water solubility of 62.68% and 78.85%, and oil solubility of 6.23% and 11.91%, respectively. The cellulose acetate film exhibited a non-uniform visual appearance due to the low solubility of maltobionic acid in acetone. Mechanical and optical properties were enhanced with the addition of maltobionic acid to chitosan and cassava films. The chitosan film with 7.5% maltobionic acid demonstrated higher tensile strength (30.3 MPa) and elongation at break (9.0%). In contrast, the cassava starch film exhibited a high elastic modulus (1.7). Overall, maltobionic acid, with its antibacterial activity, holds promise for applications in active films suitable for food packaging. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03879-3.

Acute and short-term beetroot juice nitrate-rich ingestion enhances cardiovascular responses following aerobic exercise in postmenopausal women with arterial hypertension: A triple-blinded randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The increase in blood pressure (BP) levels in the postmenopausal period can be partly explained by the decrease in nitric oxide synthases (NOS). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the acute and one-week effects of beetroot juice nitrate-rich (BRJ-NO3-rich) ingestion on cardiovascular and autonomic performance in response to submaximal aerobic exercise in postmenopausal women with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) who are physically inactive. METHODS: Fourteen postmenopausal women with SAH [mean (SD) age: 59(4) y; BMI (kg/m2): 29.2(3.1)] completed submaximal aerobic exercise bouts after an acute and a one-week intervention with BRJ in a placebo-controlled, randomized, triple-blind, crossover design. Participants ingested either BRJ (800 mg of NO3-) or placebo acutely and drank either BRJ (400 mg of NO3-) or placebo every day for the next six days. After two and ½ hours, they performed a session of aerobic submaximal aerobic exercise, and their systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), heart rate (HR) recovery, and HR variability were measured. RESULTS: In the post-exercise recovery period, SBP dropped significantly in the BRJ-NO3-rich group (-9.28 mmHg [95%CI: -1.68 to -16.88] ES: -0.65, p = 0.019) compared to placebo after acute ingestion. The FMD values increased after acute BRJ-NO3-rich on post-exercise (3.18 % [0.36 to 5.99] ES: 0.87, p = 0.031). After the one-week intervention, FMD values were higher in the BRJ-NO3-rich group before (4.5 % [1.62 to 7.37] ES: 1.21, p = 0.005) and post-exercise measurements (4.2 % [1.52 to 6.87] ES: 1.22, p = 0.004) vs. placebo. HRV indices with remarkable parasympathetic modulation to heart recovered faster on the BRJ-NO3-rich group than placebo group. No between-group differences were identified in values of HR post-exercise recovery in the 30s, 60s, 120s, 180s, and 300s. CONCLUSIONS: Acute and short-term BRJ-NO3-rich ingestion may enhance cardiovascular and autonomic behavior in response to aerobic exercise in postmenopausal women diagnosed with SAH. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05384340.

Ordered mesoporous silicas for potential applications in solid vaccine formulations.

In an effort to develop efficient vaccine formulations, the use of ordered mesoporous silica (SBA-15) as an antigen carrier has been investigated. SBA-15 has required properties such as high surface area and pore volume, including narrow pore size distribution to protect antigens inside its matrix. This study aimed to examine the impact of solvent removal methods, specifically freeze-drying and evaporation on the intrinsic properties of an immunogenic complex. The immunogenic complexes, synthesized and incorporated with BSA, were characterized by various physicochemical techniques. Small Angle X-ray Scattering measurements revealed the characteristic reflections associated to pure SBA-15, indicating the preservation of the silica mesostructured following BSA incorporation and the formation of BSA aggregates within the macropore region. Nitrogen Adsorption Isotherm measurements demonstrated a decrease in surface area and pore volume for all samples, indicating that the BSA was incorporated into the SBA-15 matrix. Fluorescence spectroscopy evidenced that the tryptophan residues in BSA inside SBA-15 or in solution displayed similar spectra, showing the preservation of the aromatic residues' environment. The Circular Dichroism spectra of BSA in both conditions suggest the preservation of its native secondary structure after the encapsulation process. The immunogenic analysis with the detection of anti-BSA IgG did not give any significant difference between the non-dried, freeze-dried or evaporated groups. However, all groups containing BSA and SBA-15 showed results almost three times higher than the groups with pure BSA (control group). These facts indicate that none of the BSA incorporation methods interfered with the immunogenicity of the complex. In particular, the freeze-dried process is regularly used in the pharmaceutical industry, therefore its adequacy to produce immunogenic complexes was proved Furthermore, the results showed that SBA-15 increased the immunogenic activity of BSA.

Effect of clinical and laboratory techniques of cementation on the assessment of marginal and internal fit of prosthetic elements

Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare machine and manual cementation of prosthetic elements by measuring internal and marginal fits. Methods: Eighteen anatomic prefabricated abutments were used to manufacture zirconia copings in the Ceramill (n=9) and Lava systems (n=9). The copings were cemented with a fluid consistency addition silicone using a machine (n=18) and manually (n=18) according to the replica technique. They were then cut in the buccal-palatal and mesial-distal directions. The film thickness was photographed using an optical microscope and measured in the internal and marginal regions. The data collected were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni's multiple comparison test (∂=.05). The Bland-Altman test was performed to evaluate the agreement between the methods. Results: In the evaluation of the internal and marginal misfits, the mean values observed for the cementation performed with the aid of a machine and manually, were as follows: angular regions, 76.7 µm and 76.2 µm; linear regions, 60.6 µm and 60.7 µm; incisal region, 144.8 µm and 145.2 µm; marginal region, 40.1 µm and 40.2 µm; and overall mean, 80.4 µm and 80.6 µm, respectively. No significant differences were found between the 2 methods, for any of regions and systems (P>.05). The Bland-Altman test showed agreement between the methods (P>.05) and that the limits of agreement found were clinically acceptable. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, we can conclude that cementation using manual techniques or mechanical aid produces the same cement films

Patients' prognosis with congenital heart disease followed by ten years: survival and associated factors / Prognóstico de pacientes com cardiopatia congênita seguidos por dez anos: sobrevida e fatores associados

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the prognosis and influence of associated factors in patients with congenital heart disease admitted for the first time to the Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital da Criança Santo Antônio/Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, especially those factors associated with death. Methods: Patients were prospectively and consecutively allocated over a period of one year (August 2005 to July 2006). Now, 15 years after the initial selection, we collected data from these patients in the database of the Cytogenetics Laboratory of the Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre and in the medical records of the hospital. Results: Of the 96 patients, 11 died and 85 were alive until 20 years old. Four patients died in the Intensive Care Unit. The survival probability up to 365 days of life was 95.8%. The survival assessment identified that the deaths occurred mainly before the patients completed one thousand days of life. We found that complex heart disease was independently associated with an odds ratio of 5.19 (95% confidence interval — CI:1.09-24.71; p=0.038) for death. Conclusions: Knowledge about the factors that interfere with the prognosis can be crucial in care practice planning, especially considering that congenital heart disease is an important cause of mortality in the first year of life.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o prognóstico e a influência de fatores associados em pacientes com cardiopatia congênita internados pela primeira vez na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva do Hospital da Criança Santo Antônio/Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, principalmente aqueles fatores associados ao óbito. Métodos: Os pacientes foram alocados prospectiva e consecutivamente por um período de um ano (agosto de 2005 a julho de 2006). Agora, 15 anos após a seleção inicial, coletamos dados desses pacientes no banco de dados do Laboratório de Citogenética da Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre e nos prontuários do hospital. Resultados: Dos 96 pacientes, 11 faleceram e 85 permaneceram vivos até completar 20 anos. Quatro pacientes morreram na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. A probabilidade de sobrevida até 365 dias de vida foi de 95,8%. A avaliação da sobrevida identificou que os óbitos ocorreram principalmente antes de os pacientes completarem mil dias de vida. Verificamos que a doença cardíaca complexa foi independentemente associada a um odds ratio de 5,19 (intervalo de confiança — IC95% 1,09-24,71; p=0,038) para morte. Conclusões: O conhecimento dos fatores que interferem no prognóstico pode ser fundamental no planejamento da prática assistencial, principalmente considerando-se que as cardiopatias congênitas são importante causa de mortalidade no primeiro ano de vida.

Synovial sarcoma with ossification and calcification with SS18 immunochemical expression and rearrangement by fluorescent in situ hybridization / Sarcoma sinovial con osificación y calcificación, con expresión de SS18 por inmunohistoquímica y reordenamiento de SS18 por hibridación in situ fluroescente

Synovial sarcoma is a soft tissue tumor of uncertain origin. Generally, it is a monophasic spindle cell neoplasm that can have glandular-like structures. Ossification and presence of calcification is a rare phenomenon with only a few reported cases. We present the case of a young male with a synovial sarcoma of the right foot. Histology revealed prominent deposits of tumoral osteoid and coarse calcifications. The diagnosis was confirmed by the expression of SS18 by immunohistochemistry and the demonstration of the rearrangement of the SS18 gene by fluorescent in situ hybridization. We reviewed the literature for synovial sarcoma with prominent ossification or calcification, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case with expression of SS18 by immunohistochemistry. The main differential diagnoses are osteosarcoma (both primary of bone and extraosseous) and sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma.(AU)

El sarcoma sinovial (SS) es un tumor de partes blandas de origen incierto. Generalmente es una neoplasia monofásica de células fusiformes que puede tener estructuras de tipo glandular. La osificación y la presencia de calcificaciones es un fenómeno raro, con pocos casos reportados. A continuación presentamos el caso de un hombre joven con un sarcoma sinovial del pie derecho que en la histología mostró depósitos de osteoide tumoral y calcificaciones gruesas. El diagnóstico fue confirmado por la expresión de SS18 por inmunohistoquímica y la demostración del reordenamiento del gen SS18 por hibridación in situ fluorescente. Revisamos la literatura referente a sarcoma sinovial con osificación o calcificación prominente, y este es el primer caso con expresión de SS18 por inmunohistoquímica. Los principales diagnósticos diferenciales son con osteosarcoma (tanto primario de hueso como extraóseo) y fibrosarcoma epitelioide esclerosante (sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma [SEF]).(AU)

A fucoidan plant drink reduces Helicobacter pylori load in the stomach: a real-world study.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is highly prevalent globally and is predominantly managed by antibiotics. Recently, the anti-adhesive, antioxidant, antitoxin, immunomodulatory, anti-coagulant, and anti-infective activities of fucoidan, a polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweeds, have been widely studied, and the results showed promise. Fucoidan has the potential to be utilized in Hp eradication therapy. Our present clinical study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of Lewuyou®, a fucoidan plant drink (FPD) in eradicating Hp in humans. Methods: This multi-center, clinical study was conducted between October 2020 and July 2021. Hp infection was confirmed by urea breath test (UBT). A total of 122 patients with confirmed Hp infection were enrolled; after exclusion of incomplete data, 85 eligible patients (37 males and 48 females aged 20-81 years) were included in the final analysis. FPD (50 mL per vial) was orally administered twice daily for a 4-week cycle, and 41 patients completed an 8-week cycle. Results: No adverse event (AE) was reported in all 122 participants who had consumed FPD. The Hp eradication rate and clearance rate were 77.6% (66/85) and 20.0% (17/85), respectively, after 4 weeks of FPD consumption and 80.5% (33/41) and 26.8 (11/41) , respectively, after 8 weeks of consumption. Conclusions: The 4- and 8-week protocols of FPD consumption were safe and effective at reducing Hp load on the gastric mucosa, with Hp eradicated in the majority of participants.