Molecular characterization of a bladder pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in an adult patient

Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma (PRMS) is a rare but highly aggressive soft tissue tumor, accounting for 3% of soft tissue sarcomas. PRMS is the most frequent subtype of RMS in adulthood and it is mainly located in the large muscles of the extremities, particularly the lower limbs and the trunk, more rarely in other locations especially in the bladder. At our knowledge, only six cases of adult pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder have been reported in the literature. In this study, we report a case of PRMS of bladder with a very poor prognosis. In fact, the patient died a month after surgery. The tumor was characterized by poorly differentiated, medium-sized sometimes rhabdoid cells, mixed with large-sized and pleomorphic elements with evident anisonucleosis, and with large areas of necrosis. We used an extensive immunohistochemical panel to exclude other tumors much more frequently reported at this site. The positivity for myogenic markers such as actin, desmin, myogenin and MyoD1 allowed the correct diagnosis. Furthermore, since preliminary studies highlighted a series of specific molecular alterations in PMRS cell lines, we analyzed a panel of specific mutations and gene rearrangements by RT-PCR and FISH methods. We showed a copy gains of CCND1 and MALT genes in our samples, suggesting an accurate molecular characterization of PRMS to establish a better management of patients and new therapeutic opportunities

Rachel de Queiroz e Cecília Meireles em livros didáticos de literatura sob a perspectiva da análise crítica do discurso

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar o discurso sobre Rachel de Queiroz e Cecília Meireles, pertencentes ao período literário moderno, para observar como elas são representadas nos livros didáticos de Ensino Médio. Para embasar a discussão, utilizamos as noções de discurso (FAIRCLOUGH, 2004, 2016) e contexto (VAN DIJK, 2009; FAIRCLOUGH, 2016), relacionando com a Teoria da Representação Social (VAN LEEUWEN, 2008). Assim, foram analisados 3 livros didáticos de Ensino Média a partir das categorias de functionalization e rough polítical allignment. Desse modo, a partir da análise, concluímos que Rachel de Queiroz é apresentada como uma figura ameaçadora e reduzida a sua obra O quinze, enquanto Cecília Meireles é a mulher considerada ideal, ligada ao feminino e ao sensíve

Internações devido a anemia ferropriva, de acordo com a faixa etária, em Goiás entre 2008 e 2018

Introdução: Anemia é definida pela Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) como a condição na qual o conteúdo de hemoglobina no sangue está abaixo do normal, de acordo com o sexo e idade, como resultado da carência de um ou mais nutrientes essenciais, seja qual for a causa dessa deficiência. Estimativas da OMS apontam que cerca de 2 bilhões de pessoas no mundo sejam anêmicos, e que pelo menos metade dessa população seja afetada pela deficiência de ferro. No Brasil houve aumento no número de internações por essa morbidade. Geralmente esses pacientes são tratados ambulatorialmente. Contudo, casos mais graves exigem atenção especial, incluindo internação. Nesse contexto, é de grande relevância conhecer o perfil epidemiológico das internações por anemia ferropriva no Brasil entre 2008 e 2018 segundo cada faixa etária. Objetivo: Descrever a a taxa de internação por anemia ferropriva no Brasil no período entre 2008 e 2018, segundo a faixa etária. Material e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico, descritivo, retrospectivo de caráter observacional, feito a partir de dados secundários obtidos no Departamento de Informática do SUS (DATASUS). Foram utilizadas as variáveis “ano de processamento” e “faixa etária”, cujo conteúdo foi “internações” para o período entre 2008 a 2018. Não houveram conflitos de interesse na realização deste trabalho. Resultados: Foram observadas um total de 4135 internações no período que vai de 2008 a 2018 por anemia ferropriva em Goiás, observou-se que o maior índice se deu na população de 70 a 79 anos, onde foram observadas 671 internações no período, enquanto que o menor índice foi de 42 internações visto na faixa etária de 5 a 9 anos. Quando a variável analisada é apenas o ano em questão, nota-se que o número de internações foi maior em 2008, sendo registradas 574 internações e menor em 2017, com 273 internações observadas. Quanto aos custos, observa-se que os custos acompanham os dados sobre o número de internações, sendo maior entre idosos, e menor entre as crianças, uma vez que quanto maior o número de pacientes internados, maiores serão os gastos associados. Conclusão: Verificou-se que de 2008 ao ano de 2018 a quantidade de internações entre menores de um ano e na faixa de 5 a 9 anos ocorreu uma grande variação, porém no último ano datado a quantidade foi a mesma do início do estudo. As demais faixas etárias apresentaram uma diminuição na quantidade de internações do primeiro ao último ano de observação. A etiologia na infância é principalmente a deficiência dietética de ferro, enquanto nos adultos se somam a isso o uso de medicamentos e sangramentos. Em idosos com anemia ferropriva, é mandatória a investigação de perda de sangue por neoplasia intestinal. Assim, se aventa a hipótese de que a menor incidência de internações na faixa etária pediátrica seja decorrente do incentivo ao aleitamento materno e da suplementação de ferro a partir dos seis meses, ou mesmo antes, em casos especiais, preconizada atualmente

Intratumor Heterogeneity of ALK-Rearrangements and Homogeneity of EGFR-Mutations in Mixed Lung Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Non Small Cell Lung Cancer is a highly heterogeneous tumor. Histologic intratumor heterogeneity could be 'major', characterized by a single tumor showing two different histologic types, and 'minor', due to at least 2 different growth patterns in the same tumor. Therefore, a morphological heterogeneity could reflect an intratumor molecular heterogeneity. To date, few data are reported in literature about molecular features of the mixed adenocarcinoma. The aim of our study was to assess EGFR-mutations and ALK-rearrangements in different intratumor subtypes and/or growth patterns in a series of mixed adenocarcinomas and adenosquamous carcinomas. METHODS: 590 Non Small Cell Lung Carcinomas tumor samples were revised in order to select mixed adenocarcinomas with available tumor components. Finally, only 105 mixed adenocarcinomas and 17 adenosquamous carcinomas were included in the study for further analyses. Two TMAs were built selecting the different intratumor histotypes. ALK-rearrangements were detected through FISH and IHC, and EGFR-mutations were detected through IHC and confirmed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: 10/122 cases were ALK-rearranged and 7 from those 10 showing an intratumor heterogeneity of the rearrangements. 12/122 cases were EGFR-mutated, uniformly expressing the EGFR-mutated protein in all histologic components. CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that EGFR-mutations is generally homogeneously expressed. On the contrary, ALK-rearrangement showed an intratumor heterogeneity in both mixed adenocarcinomas and adenosquamous carcinomas. The intratumor heterogeneity of ALK-rearrangements could lead to a possible impact on the therapeutic responses and the disease outcomes

Use of aqueous two-phase PEG-salt systems for the removal of anionic surfactant from effluents.

Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) are synthetic anionic surfactants that are extensively used in many industries. As a result, large volumes of effluents containing high levels of these compounds are discharged into water bodies, causing risks to aquatic flora and fauna. Then, there is a need for environmentally safe and economically viable technologies for the removal of LAS from aqueous matrices. The present work evaluates the use of aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) composed of PEG and sulfate salts for this purpose, considering the effects of tie line length (TLL), molar mass of polymer, and type of cation-forming salt on the partitioning behavior of LAS. All the LAS partition coefficient (KLAS) values were greater than unity, and the LAS extraction efficiencies (%ELAS) were higher than 97%. The system consisting of PEG 1500 ? (NH4)2SO4 ? H2O provided the highest KLAS (1083.34) and %ELAS (99.9%), indicating that the method provided good extraction of LAS to the top phase. This system was applied using a real effluent sample in laboratory-scale experiments as well as in bench-scale batch trials. The results obtained at the laboratory scale showed %ELAS values greater than 98%, while the best KLAS value obtained in the batch experiments was 8.50 (?1.75) (%ELAS ? 78.17%). These values demonstrated the potential of ATPS for the removal of LAS from industrial effluents

An Italian Multicenter Perspective Harmonization Trial for the Assessment of MET Exon 14 Skipping Mutations in Standard Reference Samples

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. International societies have promoted the molecular analysis of MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) exon 14 skipping for the clinical stratification of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Different technical approaches are available to detect MET exon 14 skipping in routine practice. Here, the technical performance and reproducibility of testing strategies for MET exon 14 skipping carried out in various centers were evaluated. In this retrospective study, each institution received a set (n = 10) of a customized artificial formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) cell line (Custom METex14 skipping FFPE block) that harbored the MET exon 14 skipping mutation (Seracare Life Sciences, Milford, MA, USA), which was previously validated by the Predictive Molecular Pathology Laboratory at the University of Naples Federico II. Each participating institution managed the reference slides according to their internal routine workflow. MET exon 14 skipping was successfully detected by all participating institutions. Molecular analysis highlighted a median Cq cut off of 29.3 (ranging from 27.1 to 30.7) and 2514 (ranging from 160 to 7526) read counts for real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and NGS-based analyses, respectively. Artificial reference slides were a valid tool to harmonize technical workflows in the evaluation of MET exon 14 skipping molecular alterations in routine practice

Psychological well-being in Europe after the outbreak of war in Ukraine

The Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, has had devastating effects on the Ukrainian population and the global economy, environment, and political order. However, little is known about the psychological states surrounding the outbreak of war, particularly the mental well-being of individuals outside Ukraine. Here, we present a longitudinal experience-sampling study of a convenience sample from 17 European countries (total participants = 1,341, total assessments = 44,894, countries with >100 participants = 5) that allows us to track well-being levels across countries during the weeks surrounding the outbreak of war. Our data show a significant decline in well-being on the day of the Russian invasion. Recovery over the following weeks was associated with an individual’s personality but was not statistically significantly associated with their age, gender, subjective social status, and political orientation. In general, well-being was lower on days when the war was more salient on social media. Our results demonstrate the need to consider the psychological implications of the Russo-Ukrainian war next to its humanitarian, economic, and ecological consequences

A global experience-sampling method study of well-being during times of crisis : The CoCo project

We present a global experience-sampling method (ESM) study aimed at describing, predicting, and understanding individual differences in well-being during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This international ESM study is a collaborative effort of over 60 interdisciplinary researchers from around the world in the “Coping with Corona” (CoCo) project. The study comprises trait-, state-, and daily-level data of 7490 participants from over 20 countries (total ESM measurements = 207,263; total daily measurements = 73,295) collected between October 2021 and August 2022. We provide a brief overview of the theoretical background and aims of the study, present the applied methods (including a description of the study design, data collection procedures, data cleaning, and final sample), and discuss exemplary research questions to which these data can be applied. We end by inviting collaborations on the CoCo dataset

Analysis of the Regional Ionosphere at Low Latitudes in Support of the Biomass ESA Mission

Biomass is a spaceborn polarimetric P-band (435 MHz) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) in a dawn-dusk low Earth orbit. Its principal objective is to measure biomass content and change in all the Earth’s forests. The ionosphere introduces Faraday rotation on every pulse emitted by low-frequency SAR and scintillations when the pulse traverses a region of plasma irregularities, consequently impacting the quality of the imaging. Some of these effects are due to Total Electron Content (TEC) and its gradients along the propagation path. Therefore, an accurate assessment of the ionospheric morphology and dynamics is necessary to properly understand the impact on image quality, especially in the equatorial and tropical regions. To this scope, we have conducted an in-depth investigation of the significant noise budget introduced by the two crests of the Equatorial Ionospheric Anomaly (EIA) over Brazil and South-East Asia. The work is characterized by a novel approach to conceive a SAR-oriented ionospheric assessment, aimed at detecting and identifying spatial and temporal TEC gradients, including scintillation effects and Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances, by means of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) ground-based monitoring stations. The novelty of this approach resides in the customization of the information about the impact of the ionosphere on SAR imaging as derived by local dense networks of ground instruments operating during the passes of Biomass spacecraft. The results identify the EIA crests as the regions hosting the bulk of irregularities potentially causing degradation on SAR imaging. Interesting insights about the local characteristics of low-latitudes ionosphere are also highlighted