Acurácia da mamografia espectral com contraste para seguimento de tumor residual pós-quimioterapia neoadjuvante em pacientes com câncer de mama: um estudo de viabilidade

Objetivo: avaliar a viabilidade da utilização da mamografia espectral com meio de contraste (CESM) na avaliação do tumor residual em mulheres com câncer de mama submetidas a quimioterapia neoadjuvante. Materiais e métodos: foi avaliada a concordância entre a mensuração do tumor residual na CESM e na mamografia digital (FFDM) com os dados histopatológicos de mulheres submetidas a quimioterapia neoadjuvante entre 2011 e 2013. Após as exclusões, três radiologistas analisaram oito CESMs e FFDMs separadamente. A maior dimensão do tumor residual foi considerada para comparação com os resultados histopatológicos. Concordância e correlação da CESM e FFDM com resultados histopatológicos e a concordância interobservador foram avaliadas. Resultados: a CESM teve sensibilidade, especificidade e valores preditivos positivos e negativos maiores que a FFDM - 83,33%, 100%, 100% e 66% versus 50%, 50%, 50% e 25%, respectivamente. A CESM teve correlação boa e consistente com os achados histopatológicos (coeficiente de correlação = 0,76-0,92; coeficiente de correlação intraclasse = 0,692-0,886). A correlação entre FFDM e os achados histopatológicos não foi estatisticamente significante, com consistência questionável (coeficiente de correlação intraclasse = 0,488-0,598). A concordância entre as dimensões do estudo histopatológico foi mais estreita com a CESM do que com a FFDM. A concordância interobservador foi maior na CESM (0,94) do que na FFDM (0,88). Conclusão: a CESM é viável e pode ser utilizada para avaliação de tumor residual após quimioterapia neoadjuvante. A CESM tem boa correlação e concordância com o estudo histopatológico e excelente concordância interobservador.Objective: to assess the feasibility of contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) of the breast for assessing the size of residual tumors after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Materials and methods: in breast cancer patients who underwent NAC between 2011 and 2013, we evaluated residual tumor measurements obtained with CESM and full-field digital mammography (FFDM). We determined the concordance between the methods, as well as their level of agreement with the pathology. Three radiologists analyzed eight CESM and FFDM measurements separately, considering the size of the residual tumor at its largest diameter and correlating it with that determined in the pathological analysis. Interobserver agreement was also evaluated. Results: the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were higher for CESM than for FFDM (83.33%, 100%, 100%, and 66% vs. 50%, 50%, 50%, and 25%, respectively). The CESM measurements showed a strong, consistent correlation with the pathological findings (correlation coefficient = 0.76-0.92; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.692-0.886). The correlation between the FFDM measurements and the pathological findings was not statistically significant, with questionable consistency (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.488-0.598). Agreement with the pathological findings was narrower for CESM measurements than for FFDM measurements. Interobserver agreement was higher for CESM than for FFDM (0.94 vs. 0.88). Conclusion: CESM is a feasible means of evaluating residual tumor size after NAC, showing a good correlation and good agreement with pathological findings. For CESM measurements, the interobserver agreement was excellent

Avaliação na educação básica: assimilação e efetivação de resultados na gestão escolar / An analysis of school evaluation in basic education: assimilation and effectiveness of results

O Ministério da Educação - MEC realiza sistematicamente um conjunto de avaliações externas em larga escala, sendo coordenado pelo Inep em colaboração com as secretarias estaduais. Estas pesquisas proporcionam a obtenção de estatísticas das condições de oferta e atendimento do sistema educacional brasileiro, na educação básica, reunindo informações sobre todas as suas etapas e modalidades de ensino, e compondo um quadro detalhado sobre os alunos, os profissionais escolares, os gestores, as turmas e as escolas. Os dados e informações apuradas pela pesquisa subsidiam a operacionalização de importantes políticas públicas, programas governamentais e ações setoriais nas três esferas de governo. Os resultados destes estudos embasaram a criação do Índice de Desenvolvimento da Educação Básica – IDEB, que mede o desempenho escolar através da avaliação da aprendizagem e fluxo, cuja combinação tem o mérito de equilibrar as duas dimensões do sistema nacional de ensino. Existe uma dificuldade em demonstrar a relação entre desempenho escolar e a qualidade da escola possivelmente porque atributos escolares importantes para a aprendizagem podem não ser mensuráveis pelos métodos tradicionalmente aplicados. Para preencher esta lacuna foi implantado no estado do Ceara um sistema permanente de avaliação que realiza a avaliação externa de cada escola e a realização de avaliações longitudinais. Neste sentido, é necessário analisar em cada escola os resultados dos indicadores de qualidade educacional e do estudo longitudinal das médias de desempenho, bem como a influência dos fatores escolares para identificar as variáveis contextuais que melhor diferenciam o desempenho obtido pelos estudantes das escolas públicas. Aproximando os dados quantitativos com o ponto de vista dos diversos atores da comunidade escolar, será possível correlacionar as contribuições destes dois campos de investigação na busca pelo ensino-aprendizagem de qualidade. Para subsidiar as discussões, adotamos como metodologia a abordagem etnográfica visando integrar os dados quantitativos das avaliações externas e os dados qualitativos do cotidiano escolar. O objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar um modelo de organização e planejamento que incorpore, ao cotidiano escolar, os resultados das avaliações externas do âmbito das escolas estaduais em Fortaleza. Visa também, dar subsídios para a criação de uma Comissão Própria de Avaliação – CPA, em cada unidade escolar, que a priori, acreditamos alavancaria os índices e melhoraria a avaliação ensino-aprendizagem.

408 Cases of Genital Ambiguity Followed by Single Multidisciplinary Team during 23 Years: Etiologic Diagnosis and Sex of Rearing

Objective. To evaluate diagnosis, age of referral, karyotype, and sex of rearing of cases with disorders of sex development (DSD) with ambiguous genitalia. Methods. Retrospective study during 23 years at outpatient clinic of a referral center. Results. There were 408 cases; 250 (61.3%) were 46,XY and 124 (30.4%) 46,XX and 34 (8.3%) had sex chromosomes abnormalities. 189 (46.3%) had 46,XY testicular DSD, 105 (25.7%) 46,XX ovarian DSD, 95 (23.3%) disorders of gonadal development (DGD), and 19 (4.7%) complex malformations. The main etiology of 46,XX ovarian DSD was salt-wasting 21-hydroxylase deficiency. In 46,XX and 46,XY groups, other malformations were observed. In the DGD group, 46,XY partial gonadal dysgenesis, mixed gonadal dysgenesis, and ovotesticular DSD were more frequent. Low birth weight was observed in 42 cases of idiopathic 46,XY testicular DSD. The average age at diagnosis was 31.7 months. The final sex of rearing was male in 238 cases and female in 170. Only 6.6% (27 cases) needed sex reassignment. Conclusions. In this large DSD sample with ambiguous genitalia, the 46,XY karyotype was the most frequent; in turn, congenital adrenal hyperplasia was the most frequent etiology. Malformations associated with DSD were common in all groups and low birth weight was associated with idiopathic 46,XY testicular DSD

Empoderamento e qualidade de vida de adolescentes trabalhadores assistidos por uma entidade filantrópica de apoio ao adolescente

O objetivo deste trabalho foi medir o empoderamento de adolescentes trabalhadores e testar sua possível associação com a qualidade de vida. Estudo transversal realizado com 363 adolescentes trabalhadores assistidos por uma Entidade Filantrópica de Apoio ao Adolescente. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio da aplicação de dois questionários, sendo um utilizado para mensurar a qualidade de vida (WHOQoL-Bref) e as questões sobre empoderamento do Questionário Integrado para Medir Capital Social do Banco Mundial (QIMCS). A variável dependente (empoderamento) foi construída pelo agrupamento dos participantes, por meio da análise de segmentação. O teste Kruskal-Wallis foi utilizado para a comparação dos escores dos domínios do WHOQoL-Bref (físico, psicológico, relações sociais e meio ambiente) entre os clusters, com 5% de significância. Em relação à análise de segmentação, 126 (34,7%) adolescentes foram classificados como de baixo empoderamento, 161 (44,4%) formaram o grupo moderado e 70 (19,3%) possuíam maior empoderamento. O cluster com alto empoderamento apresentou as maiores médias dos escores de qualidade de vida em todos os domínios. O teste Kruskal-Wallis revelou diferenças estaticamente significantes entre os clusters para os domínios psicológico (p=0,001), relações sociais (p=0,003) e global (p=0,024). Concluiu-se que melhores escores de qualidade de vida foram encontrados no grupo de adolescentes com maior empoderamento

Goodbye Hartmann trial: a prospective, international, multicenter, observational study on the current use of a surgical procedure developed a century ago

Background: Literature suggests colonic resection and primary anastomosis (RPA) instead of Hartmann's procedure (HP) for the treatment of left-sided colonic emergencies. We aim to evaluate the surgical options globally used to treat patients with acute left-sided colonic emergencies and the factors that leading to the choice of treatment, comparing HP and RPA. Methods: This is a prospective, international, multicenter, observational study registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. A total 1215 patients with left-sided colonic emergencies who required surgery were included from 204 centers during the period of March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2020. with a 1-year follow-up. Results: 564 patients (43.1%) were females. The mean age was 65.9 ± 15.6 years. HP was performed in 697 (57.3%) patients and RPA in 384 (31.6%) cases. Complicated acute diverticulitis was the most common cause of left-sided colonic emergencies (40.2%), followed by colorectal malignancy (36.6%). Severe complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3b) were higher in the HP group (P < 0.001). 30-day mortality was higher in HP patients (13.7%), especially in case of bowel perforation and diffused peritonitis. 1-year follow-up showed no differences on ostomy reversal rate between HP and RPA. (P = 0.127). A backward likelihood logistic regression model showed that RPA was preferred in younger patients, having low ASA score (≤ 3), in case of large bowel obstruction, absence of colonic ischemia, longer time from admission to surgery, operating early at the day working hours, by a surgeon who performed more than 50 colorectal resections. Conclusions: After 100 years since the first Hartmann's procedure, HP remains the most common treatment for left-sided colorectal emergencies. Treatment's choice depends on patient characteristics, the time of surgery and the experience of the surgeon. RPA should be considered as the gold standard for surgery, with HP being an exception

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits - the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants - determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits - almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic