Development of a microfluidics droplet generator

The need for mass scale testing in areas such as microbiology and chemistry requires faster processing times, multiplexing capability, and reduced reagent requirements. To achieve this, the volumes processed must be reduced. This work intends to produce a microfluidic chip capable of producing increasingly smaller droplets that serve as testing vessels, by taking advantage of the dynamics of two immiscible fluids. The purpose of the present chip is to be used in the future in a digital Polymerised Chain Reaction (dPCR) for DNA amplification and detection. The microfluidic device was first simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics to understand the different behaviours of the droplet generator junctions. Glass sealed devices were produced using soft-lithography, composed of two different parts, a glass substrate and a top PDMS slab fabricated by photolithography of a SU-8 mould on a Si wafer that was used to mould the PDMS. Devices were tested with two immiscible fluids, which were injected at a constant flow rate into two inlets that lead to the junction were the droplets were formed. We were able to obtain droplets as small as 1 nL in devices with a channel size of 50 μm. We concluded that reducing the entry section to the main channel until the junction point, will decrease droplet size keeping the same size of the channels after the junction. Faster droplet generation rate was also obtained, using side channels width smaller (50 μm) than the main channel (100 μm)

Variantes de uso do português do Brasil: uma lista para ação pedagógica

The article aims at enhancing the sociolinguistic awareness of users of Brazilian Portuguese. A list of 40 pairs of usage variants (labeled formal or informal) is provided for readers to contextualize and to contribute their additions.O artigo objetiva contribuir para sensibilização de usuário(a)s de português face à variação dos usos no Português brasileiro. Para fins pedagógicos, apresenta-se uma listagem de 40 pares de variantes identificadas como formal ou informal e engaja-se o(a) leitor(a) na contextualização e exemplificação adicional desses usos

Nonodontogenic cysts of the oral and maxillofacial region - demographic profile in a Brazilian population over a 40-year period

The aim of the study was to determine the distribution of histologically diagnosed nonodontogenic cysts (nOCs) over a 40-year period in a Brazilian population. Biopsy records from patients with nOC from the files of the Oral Pathology Service during the period of 1970–2009 were evaluated. Among 10,311 oral biopsies, 58 met the criteria of nOCs. The most frequent nOCs were nasopalatine duct cysts (32.8%), followed by epidermoid cysts (20.7%) and oral lymphoepithelial cysts (17.2%). Nasopalatine duct cysts showed predominance among females (68.4%). Epidermoid cysts were most commonly found in the floor of the mouth (36.4%), tongue (27.3%), and buccal mucosa (27.3%). Oral lymphoepithelial cysts exhibited female prevalence (80.0%) and were commonly located in the tongue (44.4%). The frequency of nOCs found in the population studied here is slightly different from those reported in other case series. Nasopalatine duct cysts, epidermoid cysts, and oral lymphoepithelial cysts were the most common nOCs found, accounting for 70.7% of all nOCs

Oral Granulocytic Sarcoma: a case report

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is a localized infiltrate of immature granulocytes in an extramedullary site. This lesion is most frequently associated with leukemia, but can occur associated with others myeloproliferative disorders.GS can affect virtually any part of the body, but lesions in the oral cavity are rare, with only 37 cases described.Case Description: We present a rare case of GS in a 23-year-old female, with a prior history of acute myeloid leukemia, presenting with a solitary mandibular swelling in the region of the erupting 3rd lower left molar. After biopsy, conventional immunohistochemical stains were positive for CD45 (hematological marker) and myeloid markers, such as myeloperoxidase, and CD68, demonstrating myeloid lineage with monocytic cells differentiation, suggesting the diagnosis of GS associated to Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML-M5).Clinical implication: Although GS is a rare tumor in oral cavity, and its diagnosis is usually difficult, the clinician must know about its existence to make differential diagnosis

Effects of fat replacement on properties of whole wheat bread

Bread characteristics are dependent upon the chemical composition and fiber content of the wheat flour used. A healthy diet can help prevent chronic diseases, where whole grains and fewer calories from fat are components of a healthy diet. The aims of this study were to determine the centesimal composition of wheat flour samples (whole, refined, and flour blends) along with their farinographic parameters (water absorption, development time and stability) and also to verify the specific volume, crumb texture profile and digital imaging of bread loaves made with 60% whole wheat flour and 3% fat or fat replacer. Increasing the whole wheat flour percentage in the blends also increased levels of protein, ash and insoluble fiber. All the farinographic parameters were also increased. Enzymatically modified starch was found to be an effective fat replacer in whole wheat loaves. The loaves made using fat replacer had the same specific volume and higher cell density as those made with fat, but exhibited different texture profile parameters such as higher hardness value and lower springiness value.A composição química da farinha de trigo e a presença de fibras afeta as características dos pães. Uma forma de contribuir com a prevenção de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis é através de alimentação saudável, incluindo grãos integrais na dieta alimentar e reduzindo as calorias de determinado alimento, substituindo a gordura. Assim, este trabalho tem como objetivo determinar a composição centesimal das amostras de farinha de trigo integral, refinada e as misturas entre elas; bem como os parâmetros farinográficos (absorção de água, tempo de desenvolvimento e estabilidade) das mesmas. Além disso, verificar volume específico, perfil de textura do miolo e análise de imagem de pães elaborados com 60% de farinha de trigo integral e com 3% de gordura ou com substituto de gordura. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância. À medida que aumenta o percentual de farinha integral, os teores de proteína, cinzas e fibra insolúvel alcançam valores significativamente maiores e a absorção de água fica maior na farinografia, bem como o tempo de desenvolvimento e a estabilidade. O amido modificado enzimaticamente utilizado na elaboração de pão com 60% de farinha de trigo integral funcionou como um efetivo substituto de gordura. O pão integral elaborado com substituto de gordura apresentou volume específico significativamente igual ao pão integral elaborado com gordura, porém com diferenças em relação a parâmetros do perfil de textura, maior firmeza e menor elasticidade além de maior densidade celular do que o pão elaborado com gordura

Trisomy 21 alters DNA methylation in parent-of-origin-dependent and independent manners

The supernumerary chromosome 21 in Down syndrome differentially affects the methylation statuses at CpG dinucleotide sites and creates genome-wide transcriptional dysregulation of parental alleles, ultimately causing diverse pathologies. At present, it is unknown whether those effects are dependent or independent of the parental origin of the nondis-joined chromosome 21. Linkage analysis is a standard method for the determination of the parental origin of this aneuploidy, although it is inadequate in cases with deficiency of samples from the progenitors. Here, we assessed the reliability of the epigenetic 5(m)CpG imprints resulting in the maternally (oocyte)-derived allele methylation at a differentially methylated region (DMR) of the candidate imprinted WRB gene for asserting the parental origin of chromosome 21. We developed a methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme-specific PCR assay, based on the WRB DMR, across single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to examine the methylation statuses in the parental alleles. In genomic DNA from blood cells of either disomic or trisomic subjects, the maternal alleles were consistently methylated, while the paternal alleles were unmethylated. However, the supernumerary chromosome 21 did alter the methylation patterns at the RUNX1 (chromosome 21) and TMEM131 (chromosome 2) CpG sites in a parent-of-origin-independent manner. To evaluate the 5(m)CpG imprints, we conducted a computational comparative epigenomic analysis of transcriptome RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and histone modification expression patterns. We found allele fractions consistent with the transcriptional biallelic expression of WRB and ten neighboring genes, despite the similarities in the confluence of both a 17-histone modification activation backbone module and a 5-histone modification repressive module between the WRB DMR and the DMRs of six imprinted genes. We concluded that the maternally inherited 5(m)CpG imprints at the WRB DMR are uncoupled from the parental allele expression of WRB and ten neighboring genes in several tissues and that trisomy 21 alters DNA methylation in parent-of-origin-dependent and -independent manners

Clinical, Laboratory and Ultrasonographic Findings of Diabetic Dog with Emphysematous Cystitis

Background: Emphysematous cystitis is a rare inflammatory disease of the lower urinary tract characterized by the accumulation of gas within the wall and lumen of the urinary bladder. The clinical manifestations of emphysematous cystitis resemble those of bacterial cystitis, often hindering the differentiation between the two. In this work, we report a case of emphysematous cystitis in a diabetic dog. The diagnosis of cystitis was followed by ultrasonography for the early detection of emphysematous cystitis, which showed the presence of multifocal and irregular hyperechoic interfaces forming a distal reverberation artifact.                                                                                       Case: A 9-year-old female dog was referred to VETCLINIC Veterinary Hospital 24 hours with a history of urinary incontinence, polydipsia, polyuria, and diabetes mellitus. At first, the blood glucose was measured and found to be 376 mg/dL. Blood count, biochemical measurements of alkaline phosphatase (AF), urea, creatinine, and alanine aminotransferase (AAT), urinalysis, urine culture with antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and abdominal ultrasonography were performed. The hematological exams showed that the serum was lipemic and with hemolysis; the values of AAT, AF, and total plasma proteins were above the reference values; hematocrit was below the normal level; erythrocyte rouleaux and thrombocytosis with platelet aggregates were present. Urinalysis showed the presence of traces of proteins, glucose, and occult blood as well as granular and hyaline cylinders and transitional epithelial cells. In urine culture, growth of the aerobic bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae was observed, being sensitive to most of the antimicrobials. Ultrasonography showed the presence of gas in the wall of the urinary bladder, besides a discrete thickening of the wall, compatible with the diagnosis of emphysematous cystitis.                                                                                                   Discussion: The first report of emphysematous cystitis in dogs was made in 1926 in a diabetic dog. Emphysematous cystitis is complicated, characterized by the presence of gas in the wall and lumen of the urinary bladder. It is usually reported in patients with diabetes mellitus. The patient presented with a very high glycemic index (376 mg/dL), in addition to having a history of urinary obstruction and presence of bladder stones, which may have acted as predisposing factors for the onset of emphysematous cystitis. In the present case, ultrasonography was the examination of choice. Hyperechoic reverberation-forming lines, identified as gas present in the topography of the urinary bladder, were easily visualized, as described in the literature. For the treatment of this condition, adequate management of the diet and the correct use of antimicrobials are of fundamental importance since the presence of diabetes mellitus in this patient can present serious complications in the future. This report shows the importance of the use of a combination of diagnostic tools to arrive at the correct diagnosis of the patient

ANALYSIS OF THE MANAGEMENT INDICATORS OF THE MOBILE EMERGENCY CARE SERVICE OF CEARÁ

Objective: To analyze the health management indicators related to the mobile emergency care service in Ceará.Method: This is a documentary, retrospective, quantitative study, carried out on the IntegraSUS website of the Ceará state government - Brazil, during the period July 2021, to analyze the indicators "total calls" and "average response time".Results: It was verified a profile of prevalent calls for men (52.66%), with advanced age >70 years (22.06%), Covid-19 service occurrences for the Juazeiro central station (7.62%) and motorcycle accidents for the Eusébio central station (7.94%). The service got calls for 177 cities in Ceará (96.19%) with a longer average response time for Covid-19.Conclusion: The analysis signals the need to adjust strategies to improve the performance of the service response time, with a review of the organizational system, including the publication of data by the digital platform

Pacientes Hospitalizados Por Sars-Cov-2 Que Evoluíram Para Ventilação Mecânica Invasiva: Características Epidemiológicas E Clínicas

Objetivo: apresentar características epidemiológicas e clínicas de pacientes COVID-19 que evoluíram para ventilação mecânica invasiva. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, retrospectivo, de análise documental com abordagem quantitativa, realizado em Fortaleza-Ceará. Incluídos 812 pacientes que utilizaram ventilação mecânica invasiva durante a internação. Os dados foram armazenados através da plataforma “ResCOVID”. Resultados: O perfil apresenta predominio de idade igual ou superior a 60 anos 534 (76,3%),  sexo masculino 437 (53,8), cor pardo 275 (33,8%). Do total, 128 (15,7%)  pacientes eram ex-tabagistas e 34 (4,1%) estilistas. A obesidade 159 (20%), hipertensão 440 (54%) e diabetes 283 (35%) foram as comorbidades mais frequentes. Os sintomas mais reportados foram dispneia 629 (77,4%), tosse 477 (58,7%) e febre 436 (53,6%). O óbito ocorreu em 725 (89%) dos pacientes em uso de ventilação mecânica invasiva. Considerações Finais:  Pacientes que evoluíram para ventilação mecânica invasiva caracterizam-se por idade superior a 60 anos, portadores de comorbidades.