Expanding the knowledge on lignocellulolytic and redox enzymes of worker and soldier castes from the lower termite coptotermes gestroi

Termites are considered one of the most efficient decomposers of lignocelluloses on Earth due to their ability to produce, along with its microbial symbionts, a repertoire of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). Recently, a set of Pro-oxidant, Antioxidant, and Detoxification enzymes (PAD) were also correlated with the metabolism of carbohydrates and lignin in termites. The lower termite Coptotermes gestroi is considered the main urban pest in Brazil, causing damage to wood constructions. Recently, analysis of the enzymatic repertoire of C. gestroi unveiled the presence of different CAZymes. Because the gene profile of CAZy/PAD enzymes endogenously synthesized by C. gestroi and also by their symbiotic protists remains unclear, the aim of this study was to explore the eukaryotic repertoire of these enzymes in worker and soldier castes of C. gestroi. Our findings showed that worker and soldier castes present similar repertoires of CAZy/PAD enzymes, and also confirmed that endo-glucanases (GH9) and beta-glucosidases (GH1) were the most important glycoside hydrolase families related to lignocellulose degradation in both castes. Classical cellulases such as exo-glucanases (GH7) and endo-glucanases (GH5 and GH45), as well as classical xylanases (GH10 and GH11), were found in both castes only taxonomically related to protists, highlighting the importance of symbiosis in C. gestroi. Moreover, our analysis revealed the presence of Auxiliary Activity enzyme families (AAs), which could be related to lignin modifications in termite digestomes. In conclusion, this report expanded the knowledge on genes and proteins related to CAZy/PAD enzymes from worker and soldier castes of lower termites, revealing new potential enzyme candidates for second-generation biofuel processes7CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP140796/2013-4; 310186/2014-5; 442333/2014-511/20977-3; 15/06971-3; 12/19040-0; 14/10351-8; 06/59086-8; 14/20576- 7; 13/03061-0; 10/11469-1; 08/58037-9; 14/50371-8; 08/50114-

Oncoplastic Breast Consortium consensus conference on nipple-sparing mastectomy

Purpose Indications for nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) have broadened to include the risk reducing setting and locally advanced tumors, which resulted in a dramatic increase in the use of NSM. The Oncoplastic Breast Consortium consensus conference on NSM and immediate reconstruction was held to address a variety of questions in clinical practice and research based on published evidence and expert panel opinion. Methods The panel consisted of 44 breast surgeons from 14 countries across four continents with a background in gynecology, general or reconstructive surgery and a practice dedicated to breast cancer, as well as a patient advocate. Panelists presented evidence summaries relating to each topic for debate during the in-person consensus conference. The iterative process in question development, voting, and wording of the recommendations followed the modified Delphi methodology. Results Consensus recommendations were reached in 35, majority recommendations in 24, and no recommendations in the remaining 12 questions. The panel acknowledged the need for standardization of various aspects of NSM and immediate reconstruction. It endorsed several oncological contraindications to the preservation of the skin and nipple. Furthermore, it recommended inclusion of patients in prospective registries and routine assessment of patient-reported outcomes. Considerable heterogeneity in breast reconstruction practice became obvious during the conference. Conclusions In case of conflicting or missing evidence to guide treatment, the consensus conference revealed substantial disagreement in expert panel opinion, which, among others, supports the need for a randomized trial to evaluate the safest and most efficacious reconstruction techniques

Oncoplastic breast consortium recommendations for mastectomy and whole breast reconstruction in the setting of post-mastectomy radiation therapy

Aim Demand for nipple- and skin- sparing mastectomy (NSM/SSM) with immediate breast reconstruction (BR) has increased at the same time as indications for post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) have broadened. The aim of the Oncoplastic Breast Consortium initiative was to address relevant questions arising with this clinically challenging scenario. Methods A large global panel of oncologic, oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgeons, patient advocates and radiation oncologists developed recommendations for clinical practice in an iterative process based on the principles of Delphi methodology. Results The panel agreed that surgical technique for NSM/SSM should not be formally modified when PMRT is planned with preference for autologous over implant-based BR due to lower risk of long-term complications and support for immediate and delayed-immediate reconstructive approaches. Nevertheless, it was strongly believed that PMRT is not an absolute contraindication for implant-based or other types of BR, but no specific recommendations regarding implant positioning, use of mesh or timing were made due to absence of high-quality evidence. The panel endorsed use of patient-reported outcomes in clinical practice. It was acknowledged that the shape and size of reconstructed breasts can hinder radiotherapy planning and attention to details of PMRT techniques is important in determining aesthetic outcomes after immediate BR. Conclusions The panel endorsed the need for prospective, ideally randomised phase III studies and for surgical and radiation oncology teams to work together for determination of optimal sequencing and techniques for PMRT for each patient in the context of BR

Oncological Safety of Autologous Fat Grafting after Breast Conservative Treatment: A Prospective Evaluation

Autologous fat graft to the breast is a useful tool to correct defects after breast conservative treatment (BCT). Although this procedure gains popularity, little is known about the interaction between the fat graft and the prior oncological environment. Evidences of safety of this procedure in healthy breast and after post-mastectomy reconstruction exist. However, there is paucity of data among patients who underwent BCT which are hypothetically under a higher risk of local recurrence (LR). Fifty-nine patients, with prior BCT, underwent 75 autologous fat graft procedures using the Coleman's technique, between October 2005 and July 2008. Follow-up was made by clinical and radiologic examination at least once, after 6 months of the procedure. Mean age was 50 +/- 8.5 years, and mean follow-up was 34.4 +/- 15.3months. Mean time from oncological surgery to the first fat grafting procedure was 76.6 +/- 30.9months. Most of patients were at initial stage 0 (11.8%), I (33.8%), or IIA (23.7%). Immediate complication was observed in three cases (4%). Only three cases of true LR (4%) associated with the procedure were observed during the follow-up. Abnormal breast images were present in 20% of the postoperative mammograms, and in 8% of the cases, biopsy was warranted. Autologous fat graft is a safe procedure to correct breast defects after BCT, with low postoperative complications. Although it was not associated with increased risk of LR in the group of patients studied, prospective trials are needed to certify that it does not interfere in patient's oncological prognosis

The influence of caffeine and thymol on the survival, growth and reproduction of Subulina octona (Brugüière, 1789) (Mollusca, Subulinidae)

Subulina octona is a terrestrial snail which serves as an intermediate host for the parasites. It is also an agricultural pest. The aim of this work was to assess, during 120 days, the effects of caffeine and thymol at 2.5 g/L and 5 g/L on the hatchability, survival after hatching, growth and reproduction of S. octona under the laboratory conditions. A total of 240 eggs, 240 juveniles aged 10-day-old, and 240 aged 30-day-old were tested. The results showed that thymol (at 2.5 g/L and 5 g/L) and caffeine (at 5 g/L) acted as ovicides. In the 10-day-old juveniles, caffeine at 5 g/L caused 25% mortality and at 2.5 g/L it caused 30% mortality. Thymol at 2.5 and 5 g/L caused 20 and 22.5% mortality, respectively. In the 30-day-old juveniles, caffeine at 5 g/L caused 47.5% mortality.<br>Subulina octona é um molusco terrestre que atua como hospedeiro intermediário de parasitos. Também atua como praga agrícola. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, durante 120 dias, o efeito da cafeína e do timol a 2,5g/L e a 5g/L, sobre a eclodibilidade, a sobrevivência após a eclosão, crescimento e a reprodução de S. octona em condições de laboratório. Foram testados 240 ovos, 240 jovens com 10 e 30 dias de vida. Os resultados dos testes mostraram que o timol (5g/L e 2,5g/L) e a cafeína a 5g/L atuaram como ovicida. Nos jovens com 10 dias de vida a cafeína à 5g/L provocou uma mortalidade de 25% e a 2,5 g/L 30%. O timol a 2,5g/L e 5g/L provocou 20 e 22,5% de mortalidade, respectivamente. Nos jovens com 30 dias de vida a cafeína a 5g/L causou 47,5% de mortalidade. Esses resultados sugerem novos estudos no campo

Pequenos para idade gestacional: fator de risco para mortalidade neonatal Small for gestational age

OBJETIVO: Estudar as variáveis contempladas na Declaração de Nascimento (DN) como possíveis fatores de risco para nascimentos pequenos para a idade gestacional (PIG) e o retardo de crescimento intra-uterino como fator de risco para a mortalidade neonatal. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: As variáveis existentes na DN foram obtidas diretamente de prontuários hospitalares. Os dados referem-se a uma coorte de nascimentos obtida por meio da vinculação das declarações de nascimento e óbito, correspondendo a 2.251 nascimentos vivos hospitalares, de mães residentes, ocorridos no Município de Santo André, Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, no período de l/1 a 30/6/1992, e aos óbitos neonatais verificados nessa coorte. RESULTADOS: Obteve-se a proporção de 4,3% de nascimentos PIG, significativamente maior entre os recém-nascidos de pré-termo e pós-termo, entre os nascimentos cujas mães tinham mais de 35 anos de idade e grau de instrução inferior ao primeiro grau completo. Os recém-nascidos PIG apresentam maior risco de morte neonatal que aqueles que não apresentavam sinais de retardo de crescimento intra-uterino. CONCLUSÕES: Em áreas com menor freqüência de baixo peso ao nascer, é importante investigar a presença de retardo de crescimento intra-uterino entre os nascimentos prematuros e não apenas nos nascimentos de termo. O registro da data da última menstruação (ou da idade gestacional em semanas não agregadas na DN) facilitaria a detecção de PIGs na população de recém-nascidos.<br>INTRODUCTION: Variables of birth certificates were analysed as risk factors of SGA (Small for Gestational Age) infantis, and with a view to discovering if retarded intra-uterine growth was a risk factor neonatal mortality. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data were obtained directly from 11 hospital medical records. A cohort of 2.251 hospital live births was obtained. Linkage of the death and birth certificates was undertaken to identify the neonatal deaths. The study was carried out in Santo André county in the S. Paulo Metropolitan area in the period from 1/1 to 30/6/1992. RESULTS: There were 4.3% of SGA live births. A higher statistically significant proportion of SGA was found in pre-term and post-term live births, among live births of mothers with 35 years of age and over and in those whose mothers had less than complete primary education. The SGA live births showed a higher risk of neonatal death, even when allowing for gestational age. CONCLUSIONS: In areas where there is a low proportion of low birthweight, the presence of retarded intra-uterine growth may be an important risk factor to pre-term live births, due to the association between the pre-term and SGA. It would be easier to evaluate signs of retarded intra-uterine growth in the live birth population, if the gestational age data were registered, on the birth certificate in weeks