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OBJECTIVE: Long-pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser can damage vessels with higher diameters and penetrate to a deeper level than other laser therapies. We aim to analyze outcomes of the treatment of leg veins with long-pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser regarding intervention protocol, technical success, clinical success, and side effects. METHODS: A research of the published literature was conducted, using PubMed and Embase databases, in April 2022. The key words used were telangiectasia, reticular veins, neodymium YAG laser, clearance, satisfaction, and treatment. PRISMA guidelines were followed. RESULTS: We included twenty-six articles, twenty-three prospective and three retrospective studies, with a total of 1991 patients. The articles were organized in different sections according to the control group. The four outcomes were analyzed in each section. These studies showed that the long-pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser is a safe and very good option for the treatment of leg veins measuring up to 3 mm in diameter. Studies comparing long-pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser therapy and sclerotherapy showed similar clearance rates with no significant differences. However, sclerotherapy seemed to be less painful and to have faster clinical improvements. In two articles, Nd:YAG laser had better outcomes in the treatment of smaller vessels with less than 1 mm in diameter, than sclerotherapy alone. Treatment with polidocanol microfoam and Nd:YAG laser had better clearance rates than Nd:YAG laser alone in three studies. In the comparison of 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser therapy with other lasers and light sources, the studies had contradictory results. CONCLUSION: Long-pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser is a valid therapeutic option for leg telangiectasia and reticular veins with great aesthetic outcomes and minor side effects. Nd:YAG laser therapy could be combined with sclerotherapy or other laser therapies or IPL in order to achieve better results. Serious side effects are rare, but the procedure is almost always accompanied by moderate tolerable pain.
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Underwater long-endurance platforms are crucial for continuous oceanic observation, allowing for sustained data collection from a multitude of sensors deployed across diverse underwater environments. They extend mission durations, reduce maintenance needs, and significantly improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of oceanographic research endeavors. This paper investigates the closed-loop depth control of actuation systems employed in underwater vehicles, focusing on the energy consumption of two different mechanisms: variable buoyancy and propeller actuated devices. Using a prototype previously developed by the authors, this paper presents a detailed model of the vehicle using both actuation solutions. The proposed model, although being a linear-based one, accounts for several nonlinearities that are present such as saturations, sensor quantization, and the actuator brake model. Also, it allows a simple estimation of the energy consumption of both actuation solutions. Based on the developed models, this study then explores the intricate interplay between energy consumption and control accuracy. To this end, several PID-based controllers are developed and tested in simulation. These controllers are used to evaluate the dynamic response and power requirements of variable buoyancy systems and propeller actuated devices under various operational conditions. Our findings contribute to the optimization of closed-loop depth control strategies, offering insights into the trade-offs between energy efficiency and system effectiveness in diverse underwater applications.
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Tooth loss during the lifetime of an individual is common. A strategy to treat partial or complete edentulous patients is the placement of dental implants. However, dental implants are subject to bacterial colonization and biofilm formation, which cause an infection named peri-implantitis. The existing long-term treatments for peri-implantitis are generally inefficient. Thus, an electrical circuit was produced with zirconia (Zr) samples using a hot-pressing technique to impregnate silver (Ag) through channels and holes to create a path by LASER texturing. The obtained specimens were characterized according to vitro cytotoxicity, to ensure ZrAg non-toxicity. Furthermore, samples were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus using 6.5 mA of alternating current (AC). The current was delivered using a potentiostat and the influence on the bacterial concentration was assessed. Using AC, the specimens displayed no bacterial adhesion (Log 7 reduction). The in vitro results presented in this study suggest that this kind of treatment can be an alternative and promising strategy to treat and overcome bacterial adhesion around dental implants that can evolve to biofilm.
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Aderência Bacteriana , Biofilmes , Implantes Dentários , Staphylococcus aureus , Zircônio , Implantes Dentários/microbiologia , Zircônio/química , Biofilmes/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Biofilmes/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Estimulação Elétrica/métodos , Propriedades de Superfície , Peri-Implantite/microbiologia , Peri-Implantite/terapia , Prata/química , Prata/farmacologiaRESUMO
The use of rare earth elements (REEs) has been increasing and one of the most used is neodymium (Nd). Being an emergent contaminant, its negative impacts are poorly understood. Aquatic organisms are also threatened by climate change-related factors, as is the case of warming, which can change the effects of REEs. Thus, the impacts of Nd, warming, and the combination of both stressors were studied in adult mussels and sperm of the species Mytilus galloprovincialis, after an exposure period of 28 days (adults) and 30 min (sperm). The effects were evaluated through the analysis of biochemical and histopathological alterations in adults and biochemical and physiological responses given by sperm. The results showed that mussels only activated their biotransformation capacity when exposed to the stressors acting alone, which was insufficient to avoid lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, warming (alone and combined with Nd) also produces damage to proteins. The digestive gland was the most sensitive organ to Nd, presenting several histopathological alterations. In the case of sperm, all stressors induced lipid peroxidation, a higher oxygen demand, and a decrease in velocity, even if the sperm viability was maintained. It seems that warming influenced the effects of Nd to some extent. The present findings contribute significantly to the field of REEs environmental toxicology by offering valuable insights into the impacts of Nd on various biological levels of mussels. Additionally, within the context of climate change, this study sheds light on how temperature influences the effects of Nd. The obtained results indicate that both stressors can potentially compromise the overall health of mussel populations, thereby affecting other species reliant on them for food and habitat. Moreover, this study highlights impaired sperm health, which could adversely affect their reproductive capacity and ultimately lead to population decline.
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Mytilus , Neodímio , Espermatozoides , Animais , Mytilus/fisiologia , Masculino , Peroxidação de Lipídeos , Mudança Climática , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidadeRESUMO
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting 2-3% of the global population. Traditional systemic treatments, such as methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin and fumaric acid esters, have limited efficacy and are associated with significant adverse effects, necessitating regular monitoring and posing risks of long-term toxicity. Recent advancements have introduced biologic drugs that offer improved efficacy and safety profiles. However, their high cost and the inconvenience of parenteral administration limit their accessibility. Consequently, there is a growing interest in developing new, targeted oral therapies. Small molecules, such as phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors (e.g. apremilast) and TYK2 inhibitor (e.g. deucravacitinib), have shown promising results with favourable safety profiles. Additionally, other novel oral agents targeting specific pathways, including IL-17, IL-23, TNF, S1PR1 and A3AR, are under investigation. These treatments aim to combine the efficacy of biologics with the convenience and accessibility of oral administration, addressing the limitations of current therapies. This narrative review synthesizes the emerging oral therapeutic agents for psoriasis, focusing on their mechanisms of action, stages of development and clinical trial results.
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Statement of Problem: Progressive urbanization has reduced human interactions with nature, raising concerns about its impact on mental well-being. Previous research has often focused on specific aspects of nature contact, neglecting its multifaceted dimensions and their effects on mental health, particularly in developing countries. Research Gap: There is a scarcity of studies exploring the comprehensive dimensions of nature contact, such as frequency, duration, intensity, and space naturalness, and their correlation with mental well-being in developing countries' urban settings. Purpose: This study aims to identify patterns of nature contact related to mental well-being in metropolitan areas of Brazil using exploratory cluster analysis, bridging the existing knowledge gap and informing targeted interventions to enhance mental health through nature contact. Method: An online survey collected data from 2136 participants in Brazil's metropolitan areas, focusing on their nature interaction patterns and mental health status using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), hierarchical clustering with p-values via multiscale bootstrap resampling, and analysis of variance. Results and Conclusions: Three distinct groups were identified, showing varied patterns of nature contact and demographic profiles. Greater and more frequent nature contact was associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. These findings suggest a beneficial relationship between nature contact and mental well-being. Practical Implications: The results underline the importance of urban planning and public health policies that facilitate access to natural spaces, highlighting socioeconomic factors as significant barriers to this access. Future Directions: Further research should explore causal relationships and consider the specific realities and challenges faced by residents of developing nations.
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Saúde Mental , Humanos , Brasil , Análise por Conglomerados , Masculino , Feminino , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto Jovem , Depressão/epidemiologia , Depressão/psicologia , Adolescente , Ansiedade , Natureza , Inquéritos e Questionários , Estresse Psicológico , IdosoRESUMO
Solanum surattense Burm. f. is a significant member of the Solanaceae family, and the Solanum genus is renowned for its traditional medicinal uses and bioactive potential. This systematic review adheres to PRISMA methodology, analyzing scientific publications between 1753 and 2023 from B-on, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science, aiming to provide comprehensive and updated information on the distribution, ethnomedicinal uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of S. surattense, highlighting its potential as a source of herbal drugs. Ethnomedicinally, this species is important to treat skin diseases, piles complications, and toothache. The fruit was found to be the most used part of this plant (25%), together with the whole plant (22%) used to treat different ailments, and its decoction was found to be the most preferable mode of herbal drug preparation. A total of 338 metabolites of various chemical classes were isolated from S. surattense, including 137 (40.53%) terpenoids, 56 (16.56%) phenol derivatives, and 52 (15.38%) lipids. Mixtures of different parts of this plant in water-ethanol have shown in vitro and/or in vivo antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-tumoral, hepatoprotective, and larvicidal activities. Among the metabolites, 51 were identified and biologically tested, presenting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumoral as the most reported activities. Clinical trials in humans made with the whole plant extract showed its efficacy as an anti-asthmatic agent. Mostly steroidal alkaloids and triterpenoids, such as solamargine, solanidine, solasodine, solasonine, tomatidine, xanthosaponin A-B, dioscin, lupeol, and stigmasterol are biologically the most active metabolites with high potency that reflects the new and high potential of this species as a novel source of herbal medicines. More experimental studies and a deeper understanding of this plant must be conducted to ensure its use as a source of raw materials for pharmaceutical use.
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Introduction Rigid esophagoscopy (RE) has long been a part of otolaryngology practice. In the past decades, the procedure was less commonly performed due to the advances and availability of flexible endoscopic techniques. This study aims to describe the outcomes of RE performed to treat foreign body ingestion and to evaluate risk factors associated with postoperative complications. Methods Patients who underwent RE to treat foreign body ingestion in an otolaryngology emergency department of a Portuguese tertiary university hospital, between 2010 and 2020, were included. A total of 162 cases were analyzed, and data was collected retrospectively. Results The most common foreign bodies were meat bone (31.5%, n = 47), food impaction (28.8%, n = 43), and fish bone (19.5%, n = 29). The proximal esophagus was by far the most frequent location (80%, n = 118). Esophageal perforation occurred in 8% (13 patients), and there was a 2.5% (n = 4) mortality rate. The odds ratio of an esophageal perforation if the foreign body was completely or partially located outside the proximal esophagus was 4.67 times that of a foreign body exclusively in the proximal esophagus (OR = 4.67 [95% CI: 1.39-15.72]; p = 0.016; Fisher's exact test). Conclusion RE remains an effective and important technique in the management of ingested foreign bodies, particularly if endoscopic removal is unsuccessful. Foreign body location outside the proximal esophagus was associated with esophageal perforation.
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Several studies have compared the transcriptome across various brain regions in Huntington's disease (HD) gene-positive and neurologically normal individuals to identify potential differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that could be pharmaceutical or prognostic targets for HD. Despite adhering to technical recommendations for optimal RNA-Seq analysis, none of the genes identified as upregulated in these studies have yet demonstrated success as prognostic or therapeutic targets for HD. Earlier studies included samples from neurologically normal individuals older than the HD gene-positive group. Considering the gradual transcriptional changes induced by aging in the brain, we posited that utilizing samples from older controls could result in the misidentification of DEGs. To validate our hypothesis, we reanalyzed 146 samples from this study, accessible on the SRA database, and employed Propensity Score Matching (PSM) to create a "virtual" control group with a statistically comparable age distribution to the HD gene-positive group. Our study underscores the adverse impact of using neurologically normal individuals over 75 as controls in gene differential expression analysis, resulting in false positives and negatives. We conclusively demonstrate that using such old controls leads to the misidentification of DEGs, detrimentally affecting the discovery of potential pharmaceutical and prognostic markers. This underscores the pivotal role of considering the age of control samples in RNA-Seq analysis and emphasizes its inclusion in evaluating best practices for such investigations. Although our primary focus is HD, our findings suggest that judiciously selecting age-appropriate control samples can significantly improve best practices in differential expression analysis.
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Epithelioid angiosarcoma is a rare high-grade vascular neoplasm with a poor prognosis. We present an anticoagulated 77-year-old man, with a history of popliteal/soleal vein thrombosis in the previous month, complaining of ipsilateral persistent lower limb pain and claudication. Absent popliteal/distal pulses prompted an arterial doppler ultrasound (DUS), revealing thrombosis of the distal superficial femoral artery and a popliteal mass. As the arterial wall's integrity could not be appropriately evaluated by DUS, adventitial cystic disease of the popliteal artery was suspected. Computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance imaging findings were also suggestive. Due to refractory pain, he was submitted to a popliteal mass excision along with a femoral-posterior tibial bypass. Pathology revealed an epithelioid angiosarcoma. He was referred to a Sarcoma Center, requiring hospitalization for agitation and fever. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan revealed extensive lower limb disease persistence and distant metastases. He died on the 56th day after surgery. To our knowledge, there are only 15 cases of angiosarcoma of the popliteal artery described in the literature. Ours stands out as the first one unrelated to a popliteal aneurysm. Being a highly-aggressive tumor, an early diagnosis is challenging but essential to a successful treatment, warranting the need for suspicion of this neoplasm. An early core biopsy or surgical sample may expedite the diagnosis.
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Hemangiossarcoma , Artéria Poplítea , Neoplasias Vasculares , Humanos , Masculino , Idoso , Hemangiossarcoma/patologia , Hemangiossarcoma/cirurgia , Hemangiossarcoma/diagnóstico , Hemangiossarcoma/diagnóstico por imagem , Neoplasias Vasculares/cirurgia , Neoplasias Vasculares/patologia , Neoplasias Vasculares/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Vasculares/diagnóstico por imagem , Artéria Poplítea/patologia , Artéria Poplítea/cirurgia , Artéria Poplítea/diagnóstico por imagem , Evolução Fatal , Angiografia por Tomografia ComputadorizadaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Urban environments pose challenges to mental health, an issue that Urban Green Spaces (UGS) can potentially mitigate. While the benefits of nature contact for mental wellbeing are recognized, a multidimensional analysis remains unexplored. PURPOSE: This study aims to fill this gap by examining the association between nature contact within UGS and mental health. It underscores the importance of considering multiple dimensions of nature engagement-such as naturalness, intensity, duration, frequency, and infrastructure-in enhancing psychological wellbeing. METHOD: A comprehensive analysis, including canonical correlation, multivariate analyses of variance, and Fisher discriminant analysis, was applied to survey data from several Brazilian metropolitan cities to assess how different aspects of nature contact influence mental health. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Findings reveal association between these dimensions and mental wellbeing indicators, highlighting the importance of a multidimensional perspective. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Results advocate for incorporating diverse aspects of nature contact in UGS design and policy-making to enhance urban dwellers' mental health. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Further research should focus on longitudinal studies and explore the mediating effects of socio-demographic factors. Additionally, expanding research to include other developing countries will provide valuable comparative insights.
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INTRODUCTION: Commonly used chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) classifications lack granularity and detail to precisely stratify patients according to risk of limb loss, expected revascularization benefit and mortality. The aim of this study is to evaluate in a Portuguese population the prognostic value of an updated CLTI classification based on Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection (WIfI) proposed by the Society for Vascular Surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single-center retrospective evaluation of prospectively collected data of consecutive patients with CLTI submitted to lower limb revascularization from January to December of 2017. All consecutive patients with chronic peripheral artery disease with ischemic rest pain or tissue loss were included. The exclusion criteria were patients with intermittent claudication, vascular trauma, acute ischemia, non-atherosclerotic arterial disease and isolated iliac intervention. The primary end-point was major limb amputation, mortality and amputation-free survival (AFS) at 30 days, 1 year and 2 year follow-up. Secondary end-points were minor amputation, wound healing time (WHT) and rate (WHR). RESULTS: A total of 111 patients with CLTI were submitted to infra-inguinal revascularization: 91 endovascular and 20 open surgery. After categorizing them according to the WIfI: 20 had stage 1 (18.52%), 29 stage 2 (26.85%), 38 stage 3 (35.19%) and 21 stage 4 (19.44%). Overall mortality rate was 1.8%, 17% and 22.3% at 30 days, 1 year and 2 years follow-up. Major amputation rate was 0.9%, 2.7% and 2.7% at 30 days, 1 year and 2 years follow-up. AFS rate was 97.3%, 82.1%, and 76.8% at 30 days, 1 year, 2 years follow-up. In multi-variable analysis, higher WIfI score was the only predictive factor for mortality and AFS. WIfI 3 and 4 were also associated with increased risk of non-healing ulcer. CONCLUSION: This study proved the prognostic value of the WIfI classification in a Portuguese population by showing an association between higher scores and increased mortality, lower AFS and non-healing ulcer.
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Infecção Focal , Doença Arterial Periférica , Infecção dos Ferimentos , Humanos , Resultado do Tratamento , Fatores de Risco , Salvamento de Membro/efeitos adversos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Portugal/epidemiologia , Úlcera/etiologia , Infecção dos Ferimentos/diagnóstico , Amputação Cirúrgica , Doença Arterial Periférica/diagnóstico , Infecção Focal/etiologia , Isquemia/diagnóstico , Isquemia Crônica Crítica de MembroRESUMO
Climate change (CC) induces significant worldwide alterations in salinity and temperature, impacting ecosystems and their services. Marine organisms, susceptible to these changes, may experience modified vulnerability to anthropogenic contaminants, including rare-earth elements (REEs) such as yttrium (Y) derived from electronic waste. This study investigated the influence of temperature and salinity changes on the impacts of Y in Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels. Organisms were subjected to Y (0 and 10 µg/L) for 28 days under three salinity scenarios (20, 30 (control), and 40, at a control temperature of 17 °C) or to two temperatures (17 and 22 °C, at the control salinity of 30). Under these conditions, Y bioaccumulation and different biomarkers were evaluated. Results showed that salinity and temperature did not affect Y accumulation, indicating effective detoxification mechanisms and physiological adaptations in the exposed organisms. However, in Y-exposed mussels effects were intensified under decreased salinity, evidenced by increased metabolism, defense enzyme activities, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels. Similar responses occurred under heat stress with enhanced metabolic capacity, AChE activity, and activation of defense mechanisms such as glutathione S-transferases. These defense mechanisms mitigated cellular damage caused by Y, but under the highest temperature and especially lower salinity, Y-exposed mussels exhibited increased oxidative stress and decreased efficiency of activated defense enzymes, resulting in cellular damage compared to their uncontaminated counterpart. The present study sheds light on the effects that interactions between temperature, salinity, and the presence of emerging contaminants like REEs may have on marine organisms. Such assessments are crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate the impacts of CC and protect the long-term health and resilience of marine ecosystems.
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Mytilus , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Animais , Temperatura , Ítrio/metabolismo , Salinidade , Acetilcolinesterase , Ecossistema , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Estresse Oxidativo , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Mytilus/fisiologiaRESUMO
The threat of climate change, which includes shifts in salinity and temperature, has generated a global concern for marine organisms. These changes directly impact them and may alter their susceptibility to contaminants, such as terbium (Tb), found in electronic waste. This study assessed how decreased and increased salinity, as well as increased temperature, modulates Tb effects in Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels. After an exposure period of 28 days, Tb bioaccumulation and biochemical changes were evaluated. Results indicated no significant modulation of salinity and temperature on Tb accumulation, suggesting detoxification mechanisms and adaptations. Further analysis showed that Tb exposure alone caused antioxidant inhibition and neurotoxicity. When exposed to decreased salinity, these Tb-exposed organisms activated defense mechanisms, a response indicative of osmotic stress. Moreover, increased salinity also led to increased oxidative stress and metabolic activity in Tb-exposed organisms. Additionally, Tb-exposed organisms responded to elevated temperature with altered biochemical activities indicative of damage and stress response. Such responses suggested that Tb effects were masked by osmotic and heat stress. This study provides valuable insights into the interactions between temperature, salinity, and contaminants such as Tb, impacting marine organisms. Understanding these relationships is crucial for mitigating climate change and electronic waste effects on marine ecosystems.
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Mytilus , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Animais , Temperatura , Térbio/metabolismo , Térbio/farmacologia , Salinidade , Ecossistema , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Estresse Oxidativo , Mytilus/metabolismoRESUMO
The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a quantitative image analysis (IA) algorithm to aid pathologists in assessing bright-field HER2 in situ hybridization (ISH) tests in solid cancers. A cohort of 80 sequential cases (40 HER2-negative and 40 HER2-positive) were evaluated for HER2 gene amplification with bright-field ISH. We developed an IA algorithm using the ISH Module from HALO software to automatically quantify HER2 and CEP17 copy numbers per cell as well as the HER2/CEP17 ratio. We observed a high correlation of HER2/CEP17 ratio, an average of HER2 and CEP17 copy number per cell between visual and IA quantification (Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.842, 0.916, and 0.765, respectively). IA was able to count from 124 cells to 47,044 cells (median of 5565 cells). The margin of error for the visual quantification of the HER2/CEP17 ratio and of the average of HER2 copy number per cell decreased from a median of 0.23 to 0.02 and from a median of 0.49 to 0.04, respectively, in IA. Curve estimation regression models showed that a minimum of 469 or 953 invasive cancer cells per case is needed to reach an average margin of error below 0.1 for the HER2/CEP17 ratio or for the average of HER2 copy number per cell, respectively. Lastly, on average, a case took 212.1 s to execute the IA, which means that it evaluates about 130 cells/s and requires 6.7 s/mm2. The concordance of the IA software with the visual scoring was 95%, with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 100%. All four discordant cases were able to achieve concordant results after the region of interest adjustment. In conclusion, this validation study underscores the usefulness of IA in HER2 ISH testing, displaying excellent concordance with visual scoring and significantly reducing margins of error.
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OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study is to analyze factors associated with nodal yield in level II-IV selective neck dissections (NDs) and the secondary objective is to assess its impact on overall and disease-free survival. METHODS: Observational retrospective study including adult patients submitted to level II-IV ND from January 2015 to December 2021 in the otorhinolaryngology department of a tertiary hospital center. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients and 78 level II-IV NDs (34 bilateral and 10 unilateral) were included. The median age at diagnosis was 60 (22-74) years, and 93.2% of the patients were male. A lower nodal yield was significantly associated with previous radiotherapy (p = 0.042) and extranodal invasion (p < 0.001) and was non-significantly associated with older age (p = 0.065). Furthermore, on a Cox analysis adjusted to the cN status and age, the nodal yield was not associated with five-year disease-free survival (HR = 0.986; 95% CI = 0.922-1.054; p = 0.681) nor with five-year overall survival (HR = 1.006; 95% CI = 0.925-1.095; p = 0.888). CONCLUSION: A reduced nodal yield in level II-IV NDs was significantly associated with previous radiotherapy and extranodal extension and non-significantly associated with age. There was no association between the nodal yield and five-year overall survival or disease-free survival.
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Given the significant industrial applications of rare earth elements (REEs), supply chain constraints, and negative environmental impacts associated with their extraction, finding alternative sources has become a critical challenge. Previously, we highlighted the potential of living Ulva sp. in the removal and pre-concentration of Y from a solution obtained by sequential acid leaching of spent fluorescent lamps (SFLs). Here, we extended that study to other REEs extracted from SFLs and evaluated the effect of pH (4.5-9.0), light exposure (absence, natural and supplemented with artificial light), and Hg (presence and absence). The results showed small differences in the removal of Y (23-30%) and other REEs at the different pH values, opening the scope of the methodology. However, Ulva sp. relative growth rate (RGR) was negatively affected in the higher acidity condition, without any visible signs of decay. In the absence of light, the RGR also decreased, which was accompanied by a halving of the removal efficiency compared to that with artificial light supplementation (40% for Y). Although Hg had minimal influence on the removal and concentration of REEs by Ulva sp., its presence in the enriched biomass is undesirable. Therefore, this contaminant was selectively removed from the solution using Fe3O4@SiO2/SiDTC nanoparticles before contact with the macroalgae (70% removal in 30 min; 99% in 72 h). In addition to easy solubilization, macroalgae enriched with REEs have a simpler composition compared to SFLs. Calcination of the biomass allowed the REEs to be further concentrated, with concentrations (130 mg/g for Y) up to 240 times higher than in typical apatite ore. This highlights enriched biomass as a sustainable alternative to traditional mining for obtaining these critical raw materials.
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Transition from optical to digital observation requires an additional procedure in the pathology laboratory, the scanning of glass slides, leading to increased time and digital archive consumption. Thyroid surgical samples often carry the need to collect several tissue fragments that generate many slides to be scanned. This study evaluated the impact of using different inking colours for the surgical margin, section thickness, and glass slide type, in the consumption of time and archive. The series comprehended 40 nodules from 30 patients, including 34 benign nodules in follicular nodular disease, 1 NIFTP, and 5 papillary carcinomas. In 12 nodules, the dominant pattern was microfollicular/solid and in 28 it was macrofollicular. Scanning times/mm2 were longer in red-inked fragments in comparison to green (p = 0.04) and black ones (p = 0.024), and in blue-inked in comparison to green ones (p = 0.043). File sizes/mm2 were larger in red-inked fragments in comparison to green (p = 0.008) and black ones (p = 0.002). The dominant pattern microfollicular/solid was associated with bigger file size/mm2 in comparison with the macrofollicular one (p < 0.001). All scanner outputs increase significantly with the thickness of the section. All scanning outputs increase with the usage of adhesive glass slides in comparison to non-adhesive ones. Small interventions in thyroid sample management that can help optimizing the digital workflow include to prefer black and green inking colours for the surgical margins and 2 µm section in non-adhesive glass slides for increased efficiency.
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Glândula Tireoide , Neoplasias da Glândula Tireoide , Humanos , Neoplasias da Glândula Tireoide/patologia , Neoplasias da Glândula Tireoide/cirurgia , Neoplasias da Glândula Tireoide/diagnóstico , Glândula Tireoide/patologia , Glândula Tireoide/cirurgia , Nódulo da Glândula Tireoide/patologia , Nódulo da Glândula Tireoide/diagnóstico , Nódulo da Glândula Tireoide/cirurgia , Feminino , Interpretação de Imagem Assistida por Computador/métodos , MasculinoRESUMO
This study investigates the impact of three key variables on the performance of nanoporous AM-3 and layered AM-4 titanosilicates in removing nine REEs (Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, and Dy) from natural mineral water and identifies optimal operational conditions using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The experimental conditions were determined by a Box-Behnken Design of 3 factors-3 levels (pH 4, 6, and 8; sorbent dose 20, 100, and 180 mg/L; and element concentration 1, 3, and 5 µmol/L). Three-dimensional response surfaces were used to assess the linear, quadratic, and interaction influences of each factor on the REEs' removal percentage. The pH was the most significant factor in the removal process using AM-3, while the sorbent dose was more important for AM-4. The results highlighted the sorbents' strong capacity for REE removal. The optimal operating conditions obtained by RSM were applied to aqueous solutions with salinity 10 (common in coastal and transitional systems) and 30 (average seawater salinity). The results showed that AM-3 has a strong potential for removing REEs in solutions with salinity 10 and 30, while AM-4 was less efficient due to competition between REEs and other ions present in the solution.
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Metais Terras Raras , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Metais Terras Raras/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/química , Adsorção , Purificação da Água/métodosRESUMO
Being a crucial element for technological development, praseodymium (Pr) has been increasingly used, leading to a rise in its concentration in aquatic systems. However, its potential threats to organisms remain poorly understood. Besides contamination, organisms are also threatened by climate change-related factors, including warming. It is important to evaluate how climate change-related factors may influence the effects of contaminants. To address this, histopathological and biochemical analyses were performed in adult mussels of Mytilus galloprovincialis, following a 28-day exposure to Pr (10 µg/L) and warming (4 °C increase) separately, and in combination. Additionally, biochemical and physiological alterations were analysed in the sperm of mussels after 30-min exposure to the same treatments. Furthermore, it was used the Independent Action model to predict the interaction between Pr and warming. The results showed, in the case of adults exposed to Pr, an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) activities. However, it was insufficient, leading to histopathological injuries, redox imbalance, and cellular damage. In the case of sperm, Pr induced an increase of mitochondrial activity and respiration rate, in response to the increase in systemic metabolic rate and oxygen demand. Warming increased the metabolism, and induced redox imbalance and cellular damage in adults. In sperm, a rise in temperature induced lipid peroxidation and a decrease in velocity. Warming induced some alterations in how adult mussels responded to Pr, activating catalase instead of SOD, and in addition to GSTs, also activated carboxylesterases. However, it was not enough to avoid redox imbalance and cellular damage. In the case of sperm, the combination induced a decrease in H2O2 production, and higher oxygen demand, which prevented the decrease in motility and velocity. This study highlights the limitations of using models and emphasizes the importance of studying the impacts of emerging contaminants, such as rare earth elements, and their combination with climate change-related factors. Under environmental conditions, chronic exposure to the combined effect of different stressors might generate impacts at higher biological levels. This may affect organisms' respiratory and filtration capacity, nutrient absorption, defence capacity against infections or diseases, and sperm viability, ultimately resulting in reduced growth and reproduction, with consequences at the population level.