Key message
The leaflet area of acai (
Euterpe oleracea
) can be estimated by an exponential regression model adjusted by the relationship of leaflet maximum length and width.
This work was carried ...out aiming to fit linear regression models for the non-invasive estimation of leaflet area (LA) in acai (
Euterpe oleracea
Mart.). Thus, 5010 leaflets were sampled from 403 fronds sampled on 100 acai seedlings. Maximum length (LL) and width (LW) of each leaflet were measured with a ruler and LA was determined using a leaf area meter. Half of the data set was used to adjust the models and the other half was used for model validation. The Jackknife re-sampling method was applied to reduce model bias. Two double-entry models (models A and B) were fitted using LL and LW simultaneously, while these linear dimensions of the leaves were separately considered in single-entry models (models C to F). The adjusted coefficients of determination varied between 0.9075 and 0.9785, with the highest values observed in models A and B, which also showed the lowest standard error of the estimate and Akaike's information criterion (AIC) score. All models were highly accurate in estimating LA, with values above 0.9156; however, the double-entry models A and B showed the best performance regarding the relationship between estimated and observed LA. Comparing the double-entry models, the lowest AIC score in model B indicates that this model is the most parsimonious for non-invasive estimation of acai leaflet area in relation to model A. Therefore, the equation
LA
=
1.0147
e
0.3685
+
0.8165
ln
LL
×
LW
, deduced from model B, is the more precise model for the non-invasive determination of leaflet area in acai seedlings.
In March 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), generating stark economic and social repercussions that directly or indirectly affected families' ...wellbeing and health status.
This review aims at mapping the existing evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental health, early childhood development, and parental practices, worldwide, to identify evidence gaps and better inform future delivery of care and health policy measures.
Following the protocol defined by PRISMA-ScR, this scoping review has searched for relevant studies published between January 2020 and June 2021, selecting evidence sources based on pre-established criteria. From a total of 2,308 articles, data were extracted from 537 publications from 35 countries on all three health domains.
The combined stressors brought forth by the pandemic have exerted a heavy burden on the mental health of mothers and the development of young children, partly mediated by its impact on parental practices.
Despite remaining gaps, we have identified sufficient evidence pointing to an urgent need for more concerted global research efforts and rapid policy responses to timely address severe and pervasive negative impacts to the mental health of mothers and children at a key developmental stage.
Background
As the COVID-19 pandemic moves from rich to poor nations, the healthcare systems of developing countries have to deal with this extra burden. As cancer care cannot stop and surgery is the ...main mechanism for cure and palliation, it is important to provide safe and rational access to cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
From April 1st to May 1st, the committee of the Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology (BSSO) was responsible for reviewing the literature and writing recommendations for perioperative cancer care in the context of limited resources during the pandemic. The recommendations were submitted to the BSSO board of directors. The orientations that were not consensual were removed and the suggestions were added to the text. From May 15 to 30th, the committee revised the recommendations, aligned them with the objectives of the work and standardize the text.
Discussion
The rational use of resources to reduce the risk of surgical cancer patients being operated on during the incubation period of a corona virus infection is important in this context. Prevalence of corona virus in the region, the need for surgery, surgical complexity, patient age and comorbidities, and availability of corona virus testing are central aspects in this matter and are discussed.
Conclusions
We present a protocol, focused on the patients’ outcomes, for safe and rational use of resources to reduce the risk of surgical cancer patients being operated on during the virus incubation period, in the context of areas with limited resources.
RESUMO - INTRODUÇÃO: O papilomavírus humano (HPV) é agente das doenças sexualmente transmissíveis de maior prevalência no mundo que estão associadas ao câncer do colo do útero e canal anal. A ação do ...HPV na carcinogênese colorretal não está ainda estabelecida. OBJETIVO: Estudar a eventual correlação entre a presença do HPV tipo 16 e a expressão gênica da proteína p16INK4a e da oncoproteína E7 de HPV e de seus níveis no tecido do carcinoma colorretal. METODOS: Estudo retrospectivo caso-controle de 79 doentes com carcinoma colorretal divididos em dois grupos: HPV presente e HPV ausente. Foi realizada reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), além da hibridização do tipo dot blot para o HPV 16 e o HPV 18 Amostras do tecido colorretal também foram submetidas ao estudo imuno-histoquimico para avaliar o nível tecidual das proteínas E7 e p16INK4a. RESULTADOS: O HPV foi identificado em 36 (45,6%) casos. Não houve diferença significante entre os grupos quanto ao sexo (p=0,056), idade (p=0,1), localização cólica e/ou retal (0,098) e presença do HPV. A expressão gênica da oncoproteína E7 de HPV estava presente em 3,12% dos casos (p=0,9) e a expressão da proteína p16INK4a foi observada em 46,3% (p=0,27) dos indivíduos com detecção do HPV. CONCLUSÃO: A expressão gênica e os níveis teciduais da oncoproteína E7 e da proteína p16INK4a encontrados nos pacientes positivos para o HPV sugerem a ausência de atividade oncogênica do HPV tipo 16 no carcinoma colorretal.
ABSTRACT - BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the agent of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases in the world associated with cervix and anal canal cancer. The action of HPV on colorectal carcinogenesis is not yet established. OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to study the possible correlation between the presence of HPV16 and the gene expression of p16INK4a protein and HPV E7 oncoprotein and their levels in colorectal carcinoma tissue. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study of 79 patients with colorectal carcinoma was divided into two groups: HPV-positive and HPV-negative. The polymerase chain reaction was performed, in addition to dot-blot hybridization for HPV16 and HPV18. Colorectal tissue samples were also subjected to immunohistochemical study to assess the tissue level of E7 and p16INK4a proteins. RESULTS: HPV was identified in 36 (45.6%) cases. There was no significant difference between groups regarding gender (p=0.056), age (p=0.1), colic and/or rectal location (0.098), and presence of HPV. Gene expression of HPV E7 oncoprotein was present in 3.12% of cases (p=0.9), and p16INK4a protein expression was observed in 46.3% (p=0.27) of those selected with HPV detection. CONCLUSION: Gene expression and tissue levels of E7 oncoprotein and p16INK4a protein found in HPV-positive patients suggest the absence of HPV16 oncogenic activity in colorectal carcinoma.
ABSTRACT Objective: to suggest a script for surgical oncology assistance in COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Method: a narrative review and a “brainstorming” consensus were carried out after discussion ...with more than 350 Brazilian specialists and renowned surgeons from Portugal, France, Italy and United States of America. Results: consensus on testing for COVID-19: 1- All patients to be operated should be tested between 24 and 48 before the procedure; 2- The team that has contact with sick or symptomatic patients should be tested; 3 - Chest tomography was suggested to investigate pulmonary changes. Consensus on protection of care teams: 1 - Use of surgical masks inside the hospitals. Use of N95 masks for all professionals in the operating room; 2 - Selection of cases for minimally invasive surgery and maximum pneumoperitoneal aspiration before removal of the surgical specimen; 2 - Optimization of the number of people in teams, with a minimum number of professionals, reducing their occupational exposure, the consumption of protective equipment and the circulation of people in the hospital environment; 3 - Isolation of contaminated patients. Priority consensus: 1- Construction of service priorities; 2 - Interdisciplinary discussion on minimally invasive or conventional pathways. Conclusion: the Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology (BSSO) suggests a script for coping with oncological treatment, remembering that the impoundment in the assistance of these cases, can configure a new wave of overload in health systems.
RESUMO Objetivo: sugerir roteiro de assistência oncológica cirúrgica em meio à pandemia COVID-19 no Brasil. Método: foi realizada revisão narrativa da literatura e consenso tipo “brainstorming” após discussão com mais de 350 especialistas brasileiros e cirurgiões renomados de Portugal, França, Itália e Estados Unidos da América. Resultados: consenso sobre testagem para COVID-19: 1-Todos os pacientes a serem operados devem ser testados entre 24 e 48 antes do procedimento; 2-Equipe que tenha contato com doentes ou sintomáticos deve ser testada; 3-Tomografia de tórax foi sugerida para pesquisa de alterações pulmonares. Consenso sobre proteção das equipes de assistência: 1-Uso de máscaras cirúrgicas dentro de hospitais. Uso de máscaras N95 para todos os profissionais na sala cirúrgica; 2-Seleção dos casos para cirurgia minimamente invasiva e aspiração máxima do pneumoperitônio antes da retirada da peça cirúrgica; 2-Otimização das equipes, com número mínimo de profissionais, reduzindo a exposição ocupacional, o consumo de equipamento de proteção e a circulação de pessoas no ambiente hospitalar; 3 -Isolamento de pacientes contaminados. Consenso sobre priorizações: 1-Construção de prioridades de atendimento; 2- Discussão interdisciplinar sobre via minimamente invasiva ou convencional. Conclusão: a Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Oncológica (SBCO) sugere roteiro de enfrentamento para o tratamento oncológico, lembrando que o represamento na assistência desses casos, pode configurar uma nova onda de sobrecarga em sistemas de saúde.
Anemia is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, epidemiological studies of nonwestern IBD populations are limited and may be confounded by demographic, socioeconomic, and ...disease-related influences. This study evaluated the prevalence, risk factors, and etiology of anemia in Brazilian outpatients with IBD. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 100 Crohn’s disease (CD) patients and 100 ulcerative colitis (UC) subjects were assessed. Anemia workup included complete blood count, ferritin, transferrin saturation, serum levels of folic acid and vitamin B12, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration. Results. The overall prevalence of anemia in IBD was 21%. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of anemia between CD subjects (24%) and UC (18%). Moderate disease activity (OR: 3.48, 95% CI, 1.95–9.64, P=0.002) and elevated CRP levels (OR: 1.8, 95% CI, 1.04–3.11, P=0.02) were independently associated with anemia. The most common etiologies of anemia found in both groups were iron deficiency anemia (IDA; 10% on CD and 6% on UC) followed by the anemia of chronic disease (ACD; 6% for both groups). Conclusions. In Brazilian IBD outpatients, anemia is highly concurrent condition. Disease moderate activity as well as increased CRP was strongly associated with comorbid anemia. IDA and/or ACD were the most common etiologies.
This article describes the implementation of an absolute phase measurement system for the current "cage"-type shunts. The phase characterization of shunts includes phase difference measurements that ...allow realization of absolute phase using three geometrically equal shunts calibrated with dc. The measurement results for the three shunts are presented and analyzed in comparison to the values obtained by the lumped equivalent circuit model, which are metrologically compatible. Among the three shunts (2, 5, and 10 A), the 5-A shunt at 64 Hz showed the lowest uncertainty of 2.8 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">\mu </tex-math></inline-formula>rad (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">k = 2 </tex-math></inline-formula>). A new method for validating the results of absolute phase measurement of cage shunts using a digital impedance ratio bridge by applying the step-down technique was proposed. At 1 kHz, the 50-mA (16-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">\Omega </tex-math></inline-formula>) shunt had a step-down uncertainty of 6.5 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">\mu </tex-math></inline-formula>rad (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">k = 2 </tex-math></inline-formula>) and it was successfully compared with a digital impedance bridge (Digbrid).
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