Risk and prevalence of oral cancer in patients with different types of lupus erythematosus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the risk and prevalence of oral cancer in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). STUDY DESIGN: The review included observational cohort and cross-sectional studies that investigated the incidence or prevalence of oral cancer in adults with confirmed diagnoses of SLE or DLE. Studies were selected based on predefined eligibility criteria, including the use of specific diagnostic criteria for SLE and DLE. After searches in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, and LIVIVO databases and gray literature for relevant studies, the selection process was conducted by independent reviewers. RESULTS: A total of 5,545 articles were identified. After screening, 8 studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled risk estimate indicated a significantly increased risk of oral cancer in patients with SLE (risk ratio = 2.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.75 to 4.16; I2 = 0%; P = .78) compared with the general population. The pooled prevalence of oral cancer in patients with DLE was 10% (95% ci, 0.03 to 0.13; I2 = 59%; P = .12). CONCLUSIONS: This review provides evidence supporting an elevated risk for individuals with SLE or DLE developing oral cancer. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring oral mucosa in patients with these conditions.

Do hydroelectric dams affect the abundance and population structure of freshwater shrimps?

Freshwater shrimps play an important role in many ecological processes since they are epibenthic detritivores but also prey on other invertebrates and are predated by fishes. The knowledge about their biology allow the development of management strategies to improve the use of natural resources by avoiding overfishing and enhancing productivity. Here we evaluated the population structure of the shrimp Macrobrachium amazonicum in the river Rio Grande, upstream of the Água Vermelha hydroelectric dam. They were captured monthly from October 2017 until March 2018, in six sites along the river. The first site was ∿1000 m distant from the dam and the sixth was ∿4000 m distant. A sac-like sieve and traps were used to capture the shrimps. The sieve was dragged three times for 180o. The traps were left by the river margins for six hours. In the laboratory, the shrimps were sexed and measured (carapace length; CL). In total, 6455 individuals were captured: 4499 females (294 breeding), 1445 males, and 217 juveniles. Female mean size was 7.50 ± 3.47 mm, male mean size was 7.44 ± 2.40 mm, and juvenile mean size was 3.24 ± 1.10 mm. The smallest individual was found in site III and it was a juvenile of 1.08 mm. The largest had 20 mm and was found in site II. The smallest breeding female had 3.8 mm CL. The largest individuals were more abundant in the sites near the dam, whereas the smallest were more abundant in the farthest sites. The highest abundance was seen in sites III and IV, and the lowest, in site VI. Unlike males and juveniles, females (both breeding and non-breeding) were more abundant (Anova, p < 0.01) near the dam. By knowing the population structure of M. amazonicum it is possible to understand how they are being affected by the environmental changes caused by the hydroelectric dam