Systemic therapies for salivary gland carcinomas: an overview of published clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus about effective systemic therapy for salivary gland carcinomas (sgcs). Our aim was summarized the clinical trials assessing the systemic therapies (ST) on sgcs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Electronic searches were carried out through MEDLINE/pubmed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases, and gray literature. RESULTS: Seventeen different drugs were evaluated, and the most frequent histological subtype was adenoid cystic carcinoma (n=195, 45.5%). Stable disease, observed in 11 ST, achieved the highest rate in adenoid cystic carcinoma treated with sunitinib. The highest complete (11.1%) and partial response (30.5%) rates were seen in androgen receptor-positive tumors treated with leuprorelin acetate. CONCLUSIONS: Despite all the advances in this field, there is yet no effective evidence-based regimen of ST, with all the clinical trials identified showing low rates of complete and partial responses. Further, translational studies are urgently required to characterize molecular targets and effective ST.

CD1a+ and CD207+ cells are reduced in oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study investigated the distribution of immature dendritic cells (DCs), Langerhans cells and plasmacytoid DCs in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), OSMF associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSMF-OSCC), oral leukoplakia (OL), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen cases of OSMF, 9 of OSMF-OSCC, 8 of OL¸ 45 of OSCC and 8 of normal epithelium were retrospectively retrieved and their diagnoses confirmed. Immunoreactions against CD1a, CD207 e CD303 were performed and the number of positive cells quantified. RESULTS: A significant decrease of CD1a+ was found in OSMF (p≤0.05), OSMF-OSCC (p ≤ 0.01), and OSCC (p ≤ 0.001) when compared to normal epithelium. For CD207+ the significance decrease was observed in OSMF-OSCC (p ≤ 0.05), and OSCC (p ≤ 0.01) when compared with normal epithelium, and in OSMF when compared with OL (p ≤ 0.05). There was no significant difference for CD303, but increased in CD303+ was observed in OSCC when compared with normal epithelium. CONCLUSION: The decrease in the number of CD1a+ and CD207+ cells may be associate to the development of oral OSCC, and in OPMDs they might be indicators of malignant transformation.

Delineamento de formulações cosméticas com óleo essencial de Lippia gracilis Schum (Alecrim-de- Tabuleiro) de origem amazônica / Outline of cosmetic formulations with essential oil Lippia gracilis Schum (Alecrim-de-Tabuleiro) of the amazon

Diversos cosméticos têm sido produzidos para atender a crescente demanda de mercado. Para que estes produtos possuam boa aceitação são necessárias que os mesmos apresentem adequadas características físicoquímicas e sensoriais, bem como eficácia, segurança e qualidade. Esse trabalho visou o desenvolvimento e avaliação da estabilidade de formulações biocosméticas a partir da incorporação dos óleos essenciais da espécie Lippia gracilis Schum em formulações cosméticas para cabelo, por meio de estudos de pré-formulação e testes de estabilidade preliminar e acelerada. Foram realizados testes físico-químicos para avaliação dos parâmetros: pH, viscosidade aparente, características sensoriais, espuma e densidade. Durante os estudos de estabilidade preliminar e acelerada, foi observado que as temperaturas: Refrigerador (TG) (5,0 ± 0,5ºC) e Estufa (TE) (45,0 ± 0,5ºC) sofreram alterações de pH, viscosidade e das características sensoriais. Ao final do estudo, mantiveram as características iniciais, apenas as formulações mantidas em temperatura ambiente. Concluiu-se que a formulação de xampu não possui estabilidade quando exposta a temperaturas abaixo de 5ºC e acima de 45ºC. A formulação de condicionador, além de ser instável em temperaturas extremas, apresentou também alterações após 30 dias (T2) em temperatura ambiente (TA) (24,0 ± 2,0ºC).(AU)

Several cosmetics have been produced to meet the growing market demand. For these products have good acceptance is necessary that they show suitable physico-chemical and organoleptic characteristics, as well as efficacy, safety and quality. This research aimed at the development and evaluation of the stability of formulations biocosmetics from the incorporation of the essential oils of the species Lippia gracilis Schum in shampoo and conditioner through preliminary stability testing and accelerated. Physico-chemical tests for evaluation of the parameters were performed: pH, viscosity, sensory characteristics, lather and density. During the stability studies and preliminary accelerated, it was observed that the formulations subjected to extreme temperatures, such as: Refrigerator (TG) (5.0 ± 0.5 ° C) and hot air oven (TE) (45.0 ± 0.5 ° C), undergone changes in pH, viscosity and sensory characteristics. At the end of the study maintained the initial characteristics, only formulations maintained at room temperature. It was concluded that the shampoo formulation lacks stability when exposed to temperatures below 5 ° C and above 45 ° C. And the conditioner formulation in addition to being unstable in extreme temperatures, also showed changes after 30 days (T2) at room temperature (RT) (24.0 ± 2.0 ° C).(AU)

Evaluation of the potential of Pistia stratiotes L. (water lettuce) for bioindication and phytoremediation of aquatic environments contaminated with arsenic

Specimens of Pistia stratiotes were subjected to five concentrations of arsenic (As) for seven days. Growth, As absorption, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, photosynthetic pigments, enzymatic activities, amino acids content and anatomical changes were assessed. Plant arsenic accumulation increased with increasing metalloid in the solution, while growth rate and photosynthetic pigment content decreased. The MDA content increased, indicating oxidative stress. Enzymatic activity and amino acids content increased at the lower doses of As, subsequently declining in the higher concentrations. Chlorosis and necrosis were observed in the leaves. Leaves showed starch accumulation and increased thickness of the mesophyll. In the root system, there was a loss and darkening of roots. Cell layers formed at the insertion points on the root stems may have been responsible for the loss of roots. These results indicate that water lettuce shows potential for bioindication and phytoremediation of As-contaminated aquatic environments.

Espécimes de Pistia stratiotes foram submetidos a cinco concentrações de arsênio (As), durante sete dias. Crescimento, absorção de As, concentração de malondialdeído (MDA), pigmentos fotossintéticos, atividades enzimáticas, concentração de aminoácidos e alterações anatômicas foram avaliadas. O acúmulo de As pelas plantas aumentou com o incremento do metaloide na solução, enquanto que a taxa de crescimento e o teor de pigmentos fotossintéticos diminuiu. O conteúdo MDA aumentou, indicando estresse oxidativo. A atividade de enzimas antioxidantes e os teores de aminoácidos aumentaram nas doses mais baixas de As, declinando nas concentrações mais elevadas. Nas folhas foram observados clorose e necrose. As folhas apresentaram acumulação de amido e aumento da espessura do mesofilo. No sistema radicular houve perda e escurecimento das raízes. Camadas de células formadas nos pontos de inserção da raiz podem ter sido responsáveis pela queda das raízes. Estes resultados indicam que a alface da água apresenta potencial para bioindicação e fitorremediação de ambientes aquáticos contaminados com As.

Evaluation of the potential of Pistia stratiotes L. (water lettuce) for bioindication and phytoremediation of aquatic environments contaminated with arsenic / Avaliação do potencial de Pistia stratiotes L. (alface d'água) para a bioindicação e fitorremediação de ambientes aquáticos contaminados com arsênio

Specimens of Pistia stratiotes were subjected to five concentrations of arsenic (As) for seven days. Growth, As absorption, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, photosynthetic pigments, enzymatic activities, amino acids content and anatomical changes were assessed. Plant arsenic accumulation increased with increasing metalloid in the solution, while growth rate and photosynthetic pigment content decreased. The MDA content increased, indicating oxidative stress. Enzymatic activity and amino acids content increased at the lower doses of As, subsequently declining in the higher concentrations. Chlorosis and necrosis were observed in the leaves. Leaves showed starch accumulation and increased thickness of the mesophyll. In the root system, there was a loss and darkening of roots. Cell layers formed at the insertion points on the root stems may have been responsible for the loss of roots. These results indicate that water lettuce shows potential for bioindication and phytoremediation of As-contaminated aquatic environments.

Espécimes de Pistia stratiotes foram submetidos a cinco concentrações de arsênio (As), durante sete dias. Crescimento, absorção de As, concentração de malondialdeído (MDA), pigmentos fotossintéticos, atividades enzimáticas, concentração de aminoácidos e alterações anatômicas foram avaliadas. O acúmulo de As pelas plantas aumentou com o incremento do metaloide na solução, enquanto que a taxa de crescimento e o teor de pigmentos fotossintéticos diminuiu. O conteúdo MDA aumentou, indicando estresse oxidativo. A atividade de enzimas antioxidantes e os teores de aminoácidos aumentaram nas doses mais baixas de As, declinando nas concentrações mais elevadas. Nas folhas foram observados clorose e necrose. As folhas apresentaram acumulação de amido e aumento da espessura do mesofilo. No sistema radicular houve perda e escurecimento das raízes. Camadas de células formadas nos pontos de inserção da raiz podem ter sido responsáveis pela queda das raízes. Estes resultados indicam que a alface da água apresenta potencial para bioindicação e fitorremediação de ambientes aquáticos contaminados com As.

Anthropometric indices; predictors of dyslipidemia in children and adolescents from north of Brazil / Los índices antropométricos; predictores de la dislipidemia en niños y adolescentes del norte de Brasil

Introduction: Atherosclerosis represents a disease that begins in childhood, and alterations in lipid concentration play a fundamental role in the development of this condition. Objective: To evaluate which of the currently applied obesity parameters (the body index mass, the percentage of body fat, the waist circumference and the upper arm fat area) can predict the risk for dyslipidemia in Brazilian children and adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional study, standardized anthropometric data and lipid profile were collected from 874 subjects between the ages of 6 and 19 years. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the degree of association between the anthropometric measurements and the lipid profile, controlling for potentially confounding variables, such as age and gender. Results: Individuals with excess body weight, elevated percentage of body fat, waist circumference and upper arm fat above the 90th percentile showed a positive correlation with alterations in the lipid profile. After adjusting for age and income, a body mass index above the 85th percentile and an elevated percentage of body fat were the variables most strongly associated with dyslipidemia in the youngest subjects (odds ratio (OR) = 2.00, p < 0.001 and OR = 1.47, p = 0.014, respectively). Children (64.5%) and adolescents aged 10-12 years (51.0%) had the highest rates of dyslipidemia. Conclusion: Compared with other variables, such as the percentage of body fat, the body mass index was the best predictor of dyslipidemia in children and adolescents (AU)

Introducción: La aterosclerosis representa una enfermedad que comienza en la infancia y alteraciones en la concentración de lípidos juegan un papel fundamental en el desarrollo de esta condición. Objetivo: Evaluar cuáles de los parámetros de la obesidad que se aplican actualmente (el índice de masa corporal, el porcentaje de grasa corporal, la circunferencia de la cintura y el área grasa del brazo superior) puede predecir el riesgo de dislipidemia en niños y adolescentes brasileños. Métodos: Estudio transversal, estandarizado de datos antropométricos y perfil lipídico fueron recogidos de 874 pacientes entre las edades de 6 y 19 años. Modelos de regresión logística se utilizaron para evaluar el grado de asociación entre las medidas antropométricas y el perfil lipídico, controlando por variables de confusión potenciales, como la edad y el género. Resultados: Los individuos con exceso de peso corporal, el elevado porcentaje de grasa corporal, circunferencia de la cintura y la grasa del brazo por encima del percentil 90 mostró una correlación positiva con alteraciones en el perfil lipídico. Tras ajustar por edad e ingresos, un índice de masa corporal por encima del percentil 85 y un elevado porcentaje de grasa corporal fueron las variables más fuertemente asociadas con la dislipidemia en los sujetos más pequeños (odds-ratio (OR) = 2,00, p < 0,001 y OR = 1,47, p = 0,014, respectivamente). Los niños (64,5%) y adolescentes de 10-12 años (51,0%) tenían las tasas más altas de la dislipidemia. Conclusión: En comparación con otras variables, tales como el porcentaje de grasa corporal, el índice de masa corporal fue el mejor predictor de la dislipidemia en niños y adolescentes (AU)

Biomass and production of Cladocera in Furnas Reservoir, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Secondary production of zooplankton, the main energy pathway in many aquatic ecosystems, is crucial to an Understanding of functioning of these systems function. In this study, we analyzed the magnitude and seasonal variations of the population density, biomass and secondary production of Cladocera in the Furnas Reservoir (Brazil). Samples were carried out monthly at 6 points in the reservoir, from August 2006 to July 2007. Main physical and chemical variables in the water column were measured in situ. Data on density, biomass and development times were obtained and used to calculate the secondary production of eight Cladocera species. The total production of Cladocera varied from 0.02 to 28.6 mgDWm-3.day-1, among the sampling sites. The highest values were recorded in spring and summer months (September to January), and were correlated to the increase in the biomass of the phytoplankton. The mean production:biomass ratio was 0.32. The level of production in Furnas Reservoir fell within the range of those reported in the literature and was of the same order of magnitude of the production values recorded for oligotrophic reservoirs. Cladocera production differed spatially inside the Sapucaí compartment and also in the temporal scale, seasonally.

A produção secundária do zooplâncton é uma variável importante no funcionamento dos ambientes aquáticos, sendo o principal caminho da energia em muitos ecossistemas. Neste trabalho, o principal objetivo foi determinar a magnitude e as mudanças sazonais na densidade, biomassa e produção secundária dos cladóceros, no Reservatório de Furnas. As amostragens de Cladocera foram realizadas mensalmente em seis pontos do reservatório no período de agosto de 2006 a julho de 2007. As principais variáveis físicas e químicas da coluna d´água foram medidas in situ. Dados de densidade, biomassa e tempo de desenvolvimento foram obtidos e utilizados para calcular a produção secundária de oito espécies de cladóceros. A produção total dos cladóceros variou, em média, de 0,02 a 28,6 mgPS.m-3.dia-1 entre os pontos amostrados. Os maiores valores foram registrados nos meses de primavera e verão, relacionados em parte com os aumentos na biomassa do fitoplâncton. A razão produção:biomassa foi 0,32. Os valores de produção do Reservatório de Furnas situam-se dentro da faixa de valores que são relatados na literatura e foi da mesma ordem de grandeza dos valores registrados para outros reservatórios oligotróficos. A produção de Cladocera apresentou diferenças em escala espacial dentro do compartimento Sapucaí e sazonalmente, em escala temporal.

Chronic hepatitis C virus infections in brazilian patients: association with genotypes, clinical parameters and response to long term alpha interferon therapy

The present study assessed the clinical significance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and their influence on response to long term recombinant-interferon-alpha (r-IFN-alpha) therapy in Brazilian patients. One hundred and thirty samples from patients previously genotyped for the HCV and with histologically confirmed chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) were evaluated for clinical and epidemiological parameters (sex, age, time of HCV infection and transmission routes). No difference in disease activity, sex, age or mode and time of transmission were seen among patients infected with HCV types 1, 2 or 3. One hundred and thirteen of them were treated with 3 million units of r-IFN-alpha, 3 times a week for 12 months. Initial response (IR) was significantly better in patients with genotype 2 (100%) and 3 (46%) infections than in patients with genotype 1 (29%) (p < 0. 005). Among subtypes, difference in IR was observed between 1b and 2 (p < 0.005), and between 1b and 3a (p < 0.05). Sustained response (SR) was observed in 12% for (sub)type 1a, 13% for 1b, 19% for 3a, and 40% for type 2; significant differences were found between 1b and 2 (p < 0.001), and between 1b and 3a (p < 0.05). Moreover, presence of cirrhosis was significantly associated with non response and response with relapse (p < 0.05). In conclusion, non-1 HCV genotype and lack of histological diagnosis of cirrhosis were the only baseline features associated with sustained response to treatment. These data indicate that HCV genotyping may have prognostic relevance in the responsiveness to r-IFN-alpha therapy in Brazilian patients with chronic HCV infection, as seen in other reports worldwide.

La tecnica de respuesta aleatorizada. un metodo para la reduccion de conductas evasivas en las encuestas de poblacion: / The randomized response technique: a method for reduction of evasive behaviour in population surveys

Como es bien conocido, el caracter comprometedor o intimo de ciertas preguntas frecuentes en encuestas demograficas, de morbilidad, etc., suele producir evasion en una parte de los individuos participantes en el estudio (no respuesta o distorsion deliberada de la verdad). En este trabajo se exponen los principios de la tecnica de respuesta aleatorizada, destinada a reducir la presencia del problema.Luego de exponer los metodos particulares mas importantes, se reflejan los resultados de las aplicaciones practicas que en diversas areas de investigacion se han producido, de este procedimiento. Se discuten finalmente las perspectivas que cabe atribuirle a esta novedosa "herramienta"

Sobre la evaluacion de la calidad de los registros. Resultados de una experiencia. / About the evaluation of the quality of registers. Results of an experience

En este trabajo se aborda el problema de como evaluar la calidad de un registro.Luego de esbozar un conjunto de delimitaciones acerca de los aspectos que deben investigarse y de los procedimientos a seguir con tal finalidad, se expone la experiencia de los autores en la evaluacion realizada sobre la informacion contenida en el Registro Nacional de Profisionales de la Salud. Por ese conducto se ilustran algunas tecnicas de analisis del problema

El razonamiento en las aplicaciones de la estadística; nociones conceptuales y terminológicas / Reasoning in statistics applications: Conceptual and terminological notions

Se expone que la estadística constituye una herramienta de reconocida utilidad en la investigación médica, hasta el punto de resultar, con frecuencia, imprescindible para una fecunda aplicación del método científico. Se analiza que tales circunstancias le han conferido una marcada popularidad entre aquellos profecionales de la medicina inclinados de uno u otro modo hacia el área de la investigación. Sin embargo, resulta familiar el profecional que carece de una concepción global acertada de la estadística, en consecuencia de lo cual maneja con dificultad los conceptos particulares y usa ambiguamente la terminología con que se les alude. Se pretende en primer término, caracterizar el razonamiento en que se sustenta la aplicación de la estadística y, apoyándose en dicha caracterización, se hace un resumen ordenado de los conceptos fundamentales dentro del rigor que permite la exclusión de toda formalidad matemática (AU)