DNA hypermethylation markers of poor outcome in laryngeal cancer

This study examined molecular (DNA hypermethylation), clinical, histopathological, demographical, smoking, and alcohol variables to assess diagnosis (early versus late stage) and prognosis (survival) outcomes in a retrospective primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) cohort. The study cohort of 79 primary LSCC was drawn from a multi-ethnic (37% African American), primary care patient population, diagnosed by surgical biopsies in the Henry Ford Health System from 1991 to 2004 and followed from 5 to 18 years (through 2009). Of the 41 variables, univariate risk factors of p < 0.10 were tested in multivariate models (logistic regression (diagnosis) and Cox (survival) models (p < 0.05)). Aberrant methylation of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1; p = 0.01), race as African American (p = 0.04), and tumor necrosis (extensive; p = 0.02) were independent predictors of late stage LSCC. Independent predictors of poor survival included presence of vascular invasion (p = 0.0009), late stage disease (p = 0.03), and methylation of the hypermethylated in cancer 1 (HIC1) gene (p = 0.0002). Aberrant methylation of ESR1 and HIC1 signified independent markers of poorer outcome. In this multi-ethnic, primary LSCC cohort, race remained a predictor of late stage disease supporting disparate diagnosis outcomes for African American patients with LSCC

Developing Key Performance Indicators for Shipbuilding PLM

Part 9: PLM Infrastructure and ImplementationInternational audienceThis paper describes how to develop key performance indicators (KPI) for shipbuilding PLM. The decision maker can evaluate product development performance and risk by analyzing key performance indicators (KPI). Establishment of KPIs in the shipbuilding industry involves analyzing existing performance indicators and benchmarking other industry’s performance indicators. In this paper, the KPIs are classified into three categories: project management viewpoint, business unit viewpoint, and enterprise management viewpoint

Melhoria de eficiência de uma linha de montagem de aerossóis

Atualmente, os clientes são cada vez mais exigentes em termos de qualidade e tempo de entrega dos seus produtos. A complexidade do mercado e a concorrência entre empresas obriga as organizações a definir estratégias diferenciadoras. Neste sentido, o modelo de melhoria continua da Colep tem como principal objetivo criar uma cultura na empresa que permita responder a estes desafios. É, portanto, necessário um ambiente de constante adaptação e uma mentalidade de melhoria continua, onde o foco é a excelência operacional. Para tal é necessário produzir “bem à primeira”, reduzir o desperdício e com máxima segurança. O presente projeto procurou a melhoria de eficiência de uma linha de montagem de aerossóis, através da aplicação de ferramentas e técnicas Lean. Uma das principais ferramentas Lean utilizadas neste projeto foi o SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die), e consequentemente, os 5S, standard work e ciclo PDCA. Esta metodologia tem como grande foco a eliminação/redução dos desperdícios e a melhora da eficiência dos processos. A chave para o sucesso destas ferramentas são as pessoas, motivo pelo qual se torna fundamental o envolvimento de todos, de forma a possibilitar a mudança dos hábitos e consequentemente, a cultura das equipas. Foi também criado um Poka-Yoke, sistema anti erro, que eliminou os encravamentos constantes que surgiam na linha de produção. Para monitorizar todo este projeto foi criado um A3, onde o grande foco de análise foi sempre o indicador de OEE e o tempo de setup. Os objetivos foram cumpridos e os resultados comprovam ainda, que, as ferramentas Lean são uma metodologia a seguir. Foram obtidos elevados ganhos de produtividade sem investimentos muito avultados.Nowadays, the clients are more rigorous about quality and lead time of the products. The market complexity and the competition between companies forces the organizations to think outside the box. Thus, Colep has a major goal to create a corporate culture that allows to respond to those challenges. So, it’s necessary to create an adaptive environment and continuous improvement mentality where the focus is the operative excellence. For such purpose is necessary to produce “well at first”, reduce the waste and with maximum safety. The present project seeks for the improvement of the efficiency of an aerosol assembly line, through the application of Lean tools and techniques. One of the main Lean tools used in this project was the SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die), therefore, the 5S, standard work and PDCA cycle. This methodology has a great focus in elimination/reduction waste and improving the process efficiency. The key to success of these tools are the people, the participation of everyone is the most important to make possible the change of the habits and consequently, the culture of the team. It was also created a Poka-Yoke, an anti-mistake system, that eliminated constant breakdowns in the production line. To follow up the project was created an A3, where the major focus of analysis was always the OEE and Setup time, The goals were accomplished, and the results shows, the Lean tools are a methodology to follow. There was a productivity increment with low investment

Ultrastructural and biochemical changes of the medial pterygoid muscle induced by unilateral exodontia

The aim of the present study was to investigate the histological, biochemical and ultrastructural effects of occlusal alteration induced by unilateral exodontia on medial pterygoid muscle in guinea pigs, Cavia porcellus. Thirty (n = 30) male guinea pigs (450 g) were divided into two groups: experimental-animals submitted to exodontia of the left upper molars, and sham-operated were used as control. the duration of the experimental period was 60 days. Medial pterygoid muscles from ipsilateral and contralateral side were analyzed by histological (n = 10), histochernical (n = 10), and ultrastructural (n = 10) methods. the data were submitted to statistical analysis. When the ipsilateral side was compared to the control group, it showed a significantly shorter neuromuscular spindle length (P 0.05). in the contralateral side, the neuromuscular spindles showed significantly shorter length (P < 0.05), the fibers reflected a higher oxidative capacity, the blood capillaries showed endothelial cell emitting slender sprouting along the pre-existing capillary, and significantly higher blood capillary surface density, and volume density (V-v = 89% Mann-Whitney test, P < 0.05). This finding indicated a complex morphological and functional medial pterygoid muscle adaptation to occlusal alteration in this experimental model. Considering that neuromuscular spindles are responsible for the control of mandibular positioning and movements, the professional should consider if these changes interfere in the success of clinical procedures in medical field involving stomatognathic structures. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Univ São Paulo, Fac Dent, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Fac Med, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, São Paulo, BrazilUniv State Rio de Janeiro UERJ, Biomed Ctr, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Fac Med, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Ultrastructure and Light Microscope Analysis of Intact Skin after a Varying Number of Low Level Laser Irradiations in Mice

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used to relieve pain, inflammation, and wound healing processes. Thus, the skin is overexposed to laser and this effect is not completely understood. This study analyzed the effects of the number of laser applications (three, six, and 10) on the intact skin of the masseteric region in mice of strain HRS/J. The animals (n=30) were equally divided into control (0 J/cm2) and irradiated (20 J/cm2), and each of these groups was further equally divided according to the number of laser applications (three, six, and 10) and underwent LLLT on alternate days. Samples were analyzed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The animals receiving applications exhibited open channels more dilated between the keratinocytes and photobiomodulation effect on endothelial cells and fibroblasts by TEM. Under the light microscope after 10 laser applications, the type I collagen decreased (P<0.05) compared to the three and six applications. Under these experimental conditions, all numbers of applications provided photobiomodulatory effect on the epidermis and dermis, without damage. More studies are needed to standardize the energy density and number of applications recommended for laser therapy to have a better cost-benefit ratio associated with treatment

Low-Level Laser Intensity Application in Masseter Muscle for Treatment Purposes

Objective: This study evaluated with histochemical analysis how the number of laser applications can affect the masseter muscle. Background: In dentistry today, the laser is used in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), mainly for radiating pain in the masticatory muscles, whose origins may be associated with malocclusion, although the laser effects are not well understood on the cellular level. Materials and Methods: Thirty mice (HRS/J lineage) were randomly distributed into groups according to the number of laser applications (three, six, and 10). For each group of laser applications (experimental, n = 5), it was considered the control group (n = 5), which was not irradiated. All animals inhaled halothane (2-bromo-2-chloro-1, 1, 1-trifluoroethane, minimum 99%, Sigma Aldrich, India) before each laser irradiation performed on the left masseter muscle region, on alternate days with 20 J/cm(2), 40mW, for 20 sec. The muscle samples were collected for histochemical analysis with succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) enzyme 72 h after the last application. Results: (a) A decrease in area of light fibers type (35.91% +/- 6.9%; 32.08% +/- 6.3%, and 27.88% +/- 6.3%), according to the increase of laser applications (p < 0.05); (b) significant increase (p < 0.05) in the area of intermediate fibers, with an increase of laser application (11.08% +/- 3.9%; 16.52% +/- 5.7%, and 15.96% +/- 3.9%), although the increase with 10 applications was small; (c) area increase of dark fibers in the group with three laser applications (0.16% +/- 0.3%) (p < 0.05), and in groups with six and 10 laser applications, respectively (9.68% +/- 6.0% and 9.60% +/- 4.0%). Conclusions: The SDH enzyme activity revealed that the number of laser applications increases the metabolic pattern of the muscle fibers. A minimal difference in metabolic activity between six and 10 applications of a laser suggests that further analyses should be done to confirm that six applications are enough to produce the same clinical effects, thereby contributing data to professionals from different fields in regard to the cost-benefit ratio of this therapy.FAPES

Effects of Cadmium on the Rat Salivary Glands, During Lactation

Cadmium (Cd) in air, drinking water and food has the potential to affect the health of people, mainly those who live in highly industrialized regions. Cd affects placental function, can cross the placental barrier and directly modify fetal development. Once the organism is particularly susceptible to the exposition to the Cd during the perinatal period, and that this metal can be excreted in the milk, the aim of the present work was to study the effects of the constant exposition to drinkable water containing low levels of Cd during the lactation, on the salivary glands of the rat. Female rats received ad libitum drinking water containing 300mg/l of CdCl2 throughout the whole lactation. Control animals received a similar volume of water without Cd. Lactant rats (21 day old) were killed by lethal dose of anesthetic. The salivary glands were separated, fixed in ""alfac"" solution for 24 h, and serially sectioned. The 6 mu m thick sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Nuclear glandular parameters were estimated, as well as cytoplasm and cell volume, nucleus/cytoplasm ratio, number and surface density, diameters and cell thickness. Mean body weight was 34.86 g for the control group and 18.56 g for the Cd-treated group. Histologically, the glandular acini were significantly smaller, the gland ducts were similar in both groups studied. The connective tissue was more abundant. In conclusion, the salivary glands (submandibular, parotid and sublingual) showed retarded growth after Cd intoxication