Oral squamous cell carcinoma: clinicopathological features from 346 cases from a single Oral Pathology service during an 8-year period

Epidemiological data from oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is mostly derived from North American, European and East Asian populations. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report the demographic and clinicopathological features from OSCC diagnosed in an Oral Pathology service in southeastern Brazil in an 8-year period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All OSCC diagnosed from 2005 to 2012 were reviewed, including histological analysis of all hematoxylin and eosin stained slides and review of all demographic and clinical information from the laboratory records. RESULTS: A total of 346 OSCC was retrieved and males represented 67% of the sample. Mean age of the patients was 62.3 years-old and females were affected a decade older than males (

Anais do V Encontro Brasileiro de Educomunicação: Educação midiática e políticas públicas

A presente coletânea, que chega ao público através de um suporte digital, tem como objetivo disponibilizar os papers, bem como os relatos de experiências educomunicativas apresentados durante o V ENCONTRO BRASILEIRO DE EDUCOMUNICAÇÃO, que teve como tema central: “Educação Midiática e Políticas Públicas”. O evento foi realizado em São Paulo, entre 19 e 21 de setembro de 2013, a partir de uma parceria entre o NCE/USP - Núcleo de Comunicação e Educação da USP, a Licenciatura em Educomunicação da ECA/USP, a ABPEducom – Associação Brasileira de Pesquisadores e Profissionais da Educomunicação e a FAPCOM – Faculdade Paulus de Tecnologia e Comunicação, que ofereceu seu campus, na Vila Mariana, para os atos do evento. Os presentes anais disponibilizam o texto de abertura, de autoria do coordenador geral do evento, denominado “Educação midiática e políticas públicas: vertentes históricas da emergência da Educomunicação na América Latina”. Na sequência, apresentam 61 papers sobre aspectos específicos da temática geral, resultantes de pesquisas na área, seguidos de 27 relatos de práticas educomunicativas, em nível nacional

Interaction of water and carbon monoxide with MnO(001) thin films on Au(111)

International audienceCarbon monoxide adsorption experiments were performed to probe surface atoms on the MnO surface, followed by water adsorption experiments that revealed molecule dissociation occurring at oxygen vacancies mediated by nearby Mn 2+ sites

EFEITO DOS DISCOS DE LIXA D'ÁGUA NO ACABAMENTO E POLIMENTO DE RESINA COMPOSTA EFFECT OF WATER SANDPAPER DISCS ON COMPOSITE RESIN FINISHING AND POLISHING

Objetivo: Avaliar a influência da técnica de acabamento e polimento na rugosidade superficial de dois compósitos. Materiais e Métodos: Foram confeccionados 40 corpos de prova cilíndricos de 8mmX2mm, distribuídos em 4 grupos, conforme o tipo de resina composta: Filtek Z250 (3MESPE) para os grupos G1 e G2 e P60 (3M ESPE) para G3 e G4. Os cilindros receberam acabamento inicial com lixa de óxido de alumínio (granulação 400) em politriz por 30s sob irrigação e foi realizada a leitura inicial da topografia de superfície (Ra, μm) com rugosímetro. Em seguida, cada grupo recebeu seu respectivo método de acabamento e polimento final: G1 e G3 (técnica com materiais comercialmente disponíveis), Discos Sof-Lex em sequência decrescente de abrasividade (3M ESPE) e G2 e G4, (técnica alternativa), lixas de óxido de alumínio granulação 2000 e 2500 (Norton®). Após, uma segunda leitura da rugosidade superficial foi realizada, e os dados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente (ANOVA/Tukey; α=0,05).Resultados: Houve interação significativa entre os fatores grupo x tempo (p=0,04). Todos os métodos de acabamento e polimento resultaram em redução da rugosidade superficial. Apesar de previamente ao acabamento e polimento a resina composta P60 apresentar maior rugosidade superficial comparada à Z250; após a realização deste procedimento, suas topografias de superfície apresentam lisura semelhante. Conclusão: Concluiu-se que lixas de óxido de alumínio podem se apresentar como alternativa de baixo custo à materiais comercialmente disponíveis, sendo eficazes para obtenção de superfícies lisas. Purpose: To evaluate the influence of the finishing and polishing technique on the surface roughness of two composites. Methods: Forty cylindrical specimens of 8mmX2mm were made, distributed in 4 groups, according to the type of composite resin: Filtek Z250 (3MESPE) for groups G1 and G2 and P60 (3M ESPE) for G3 and G4. The cylinders were initially finished with aluminum oxide sandpaper (400 grit) in a polishing machine for 30s under irrigation and the initial surface topography (Ra, μm) was read with a rugosimeter. Then, each group received its respective method of finishing and final polishing: G1 and G3 (technique with commercially available materials), Sof-Lex discs in decreasing abrasion sequence (3M ESPE) and G2 and G4, (alternative technique), 2000 and 2500 granulation aluminum oxide sandpaper (Norton®). Afterwards, a second reading of the surface roughness was performed, and the obtained data were statistically analyzed (ANOVA / Tukey; α = 0.05). Results: There was a significant interaction between the factors group x time (p = 0.04). All finishing and polishing methods resulted in a reduction of surface roughness. Although prior to finishing and polishing, the composite resin P60 has a higher surface roughness compared to the Z250; after performing this procedure, their surface topographies show similar smoothness. Conclusion: It was concluded that aluminum oxide sandpaper can be presented as a low cost alternative to commercially available materials, being effective for obtaining smooth surfaces

Surface Chemistry of a [C₂C₁Im][OTf] (Sub)Wetting Layer on Pt(111): A Combined XPS, IRAS, and STM Study

The concept of a solid catalyst with an ionic liquid layer (SCILL) is a promising approach to improve the selectivity of noble metal catalysts in heterogeneous reactions. In order to understand the origins of this selectivity control, we investigated the growth and thermal stability of ultrathin 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluormethane­sulfonate [C2C1Im][OTf] films on Pt(111) by infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in time-resolved and temperature-programmed experiments. We combined these spectroscopy experiments with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to obtain detailed insights into the orientation and adsorption geometry of the ions in the first IL layer. Furthermore, we propose a mechanism for the thermal evolution of [C2C1Im][OTf] on Pt(111). We observe an intact IL layer on the surface at temperatures below 200 K. Adsorbed [C2C1Im][OTf] forms islands, which are evenly distributed over the surface. The [OTf]− anion adsorbs via the SO3 group, with the molecular axis perpendicular to the surface. Anions and cations are arranged next to each other, alternating on the Pt(111) surface. Upon heating to 250 K, we observe changes in geometry and structural distribution. Whereas at low temperature, the ions are arranged alternately for electrostatic reasons, this driving force is no longer decisive at 250 K. Here, a phase separation of two different species is discernible in STM. We propose that this effect is due to a surface reaction, which changes the charge of the adsorbates. We assume that the IL starts to decompose at around 250 K, and thus, pristine IL and decomposition products coexist on the surface. Also, IRAS and XPS show indication of IL decomposition. Further heating leads to increased IL decomposition. The reaction products associated with the anions are volatile and leave the surface. In contrast, the cation fragments remain on the surface up to temperatures above 420 K

Urolitíase vesical de estruvita em felino de dois meses de idade

Background: Bladder urolithiasis, a complex and multifactorial condition, is a disease of the lower urinary tract and is related to crystal solidification, known as urolith, caused by urine supersaturation in the bladder. Its incidence is greater in 2- and 7-year-old, with few reports of affected felines aged less than 1 year. Doppler ultrasonography, visualized in color, is an important test that aids in bladder urolithiasis diagnosis. This study reports a rare occurrence of bladder urolithiasis in a 2-month-old feline, emphasizing ultrasound diagnosis. Case: A 2-month-old unneutered female feline presented with hematuria, pollakiuria, and dysuria for 1 day. The patient was the result of a consanguineous cross between a Siamese cat and her mixed-breed son. The animal’s diet consisted of commercial dry puppy food on demand and limited water intake. On palpation, abdominal pain was noted. During examination, drops of reddish urine and small uroliths were expelled from her vulva. The patient underwent an abdominal ultrasonography that revealed an inflammatory process in the bladder and intraluminal urinary lithiasis. Cystitis was treated with antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and opioids over 3 days along with general guidance on diet and environmental management. On the day of her final drug administration, she experienced strangury and expelled more uroliths through her vulva. Consequently, the patient was referred for a cystotomy. The patient experienced three episodes of cardiac arrest during the procedure, which was controlled by the anesthetist, and one more in the immediate postoperative period after which the patient died. Qualitative analysis of the stones removed during surgery and those expelled previously indicated the presence of struvite. Discussion: The diagnosis of urolithiasis was based on the animal’s history, physical examination, blood count, and color Doppler ultrasonography. The animal was 2-month-old, which is an age group rarely affected by this disease. The patient, a partially Siamese kitten, a breed predisposed to the formation of urate stones, presented with struvite urolithiasis, which was in agreement with the predispositions dictated by its age group and sex. The blood count revealed mild anemia and leukocytosis caused by neutrophilia and monocytosis, indicating possible inflammation and infection associated with urolithiasis. Doppler ultrasonography was chosen because of its low cost, no radiation exposure, and grater sensitive than radiographic examination. Although the patient’s clinical condition led to low bladder filling and increased complexity in observation, the surface of the urolith stood out on the ultrasound image as hyperechoic in the bladder lumen, generating intense posterior acoustic shadowing. Thus, the use of ultrasonography played a crucial role in the diagnosis of bladder urolithiasis, confirmation of the presence of urolith with the Doppler mode, and the inflammatory process due to bladder wall thickening. The treatment of struvite uroliths consists of medical dissolution by a therapeutic diet. In this case, the patient developed strangury 4 days after initiating treatment with medicated food; therefore, the choice of surgical treatment was considered. Given the rarity of these events in young felines, this report highlights the need and relevance of early diagnosis, implementation of specific therapeutic strategies, and fortifies ultrasonography as a sensitive and specific diagnostic technique, despite challenging symptoms in pediatric patients. Keywords: cistotomia, diagnóstico, ultrassonografia. Título: Urolitíase vesical de estruvita em uma gatinha Descritores: cistotomy, diagnosis, ultrasonography.Background: A urolitíase vesical, condição complexa e multifatorial, é uma das principais afecções do trato urinário inferior e está relacionada à solidificação de cristais, denominados urólitos, devido à supersaturação da urina na bexiga. Tem maior incidência entre dois e sete anos de idade, com escassos relatos na literatura de felinos acometidos com menos de um ano. A ultrassonografia é uma importante ferramenta para auxiliar no diagnóstico de urolitíase vesical, principalmente associada ao uso do Doppler colorido. Este estudo tem como objetivo relatar uma ocorrência rara de urolitíase em bexiga em um felino de apenas dois meses de idade, enfatizando o diagnóstico ultrassonográfico. Case: Um felino, fêmea, inteira, com dois meses de idade, foi atendido apresentando hematúria, polaquiúria e disúria há um dia. A paciente era fruto de uma cruza consanguínea entre uma gata siamesa e seu filho sem raça definida. A dieta do animal consistia em alimento seco comercial para filhotes em livre demanda e a ingestão de água era limitada. Na palpação constatou-se algia abdominal. Durante a consulta, foram observadas gotas de urina avermelhada e pequenos urólitos sendo expelidos pela vulva. A paciente foi submetida a um exame de ultrassonografia abdominal, que revelou um processo inflamatório na bexiga e uma litíase urinária intraluminal. Instituiu-se tratamento para cistite a base de antibiótico, anti-inflamatório não esteroidal e opioide por 3 dias, além de orientações gerais sobre dieta e manejo ambiental. No retorno para a última aplicação dos medicamentos, manifestou estrangúria e expeliu mais urólitos pela vulva. Devido a situação, a paciente foi encaminhada para realização de cistotomia. No decorrer do procedimento, sofreu três episódios de parada cardíaca, controlados pelo anestesista, e mais um no pós-operatório imediato, ao qual veio a óbito. Os cálculos retirados durante a cirurgia e os expelidos anteriormente foram encaminhados para análise qualitativa, que indicou presença de estruvita. Discussion: O diagnóstico de urolitíase foi fundamentado no histórico do animal, no exame físico, no hemograma e na ultrassonografia com Doppler colorido. O animal tinha apenas dois meses de idade, faixa etária pouco acometida pela enfermidade. Felinos da raça Siamês apresentam predisposição para formação de cálculos de urato; entretanto, a paciente apresentou urolitíase por estruvita, concordando com as predisposições ditadas pela faixa etária e sexo. O hemograma revelou uma leve anemia e leucocitose por neutrofilia e monocitose, indicando uma possível inflamação e/ou infecção associada à urolitíase da paciente. O exame ultrassonográfico foi escolhido pelo baixo custo, por não expor a paciente filhote à radiação e por ser considerada mais sensível, quando comparada ao exame radiográfico. A superfície do urólito destaca-se na imagem ultrassonográfica como hiperecóica no lúmen vesical, gerando um intenso sombreamento acústico posterior. O quadro clínico da paciente levou a baixa repleção vesical e comprometeu a observação. Assim, o uso das técnicas ultrassonográficas desempenhou um papel crucial para o diagnóstico de urolitíase vesical: confirmação da presença do urólito, com modo Doppler, e do processo inflamatório com espessamento de parede da bexiga. O tratamento de urólitos de estruvita consiste em dissolução médica com dieta terapêutica. No presente caso, a paciente apresentou estranguria quatro dias após o início do tratamento com ração medicamentosa e, assim, a escolha pelo tratamento cirúrgico foi considerada. Diante da raridade desses eventos em felinos tão jovens, este relato destaca a necessidade e a relevância de diagnosticar precocemente e implementar estratégias terapêuticas específicas, fortalecendo a importância da ultrassonografia como uma ferramenta diagnóstica sensível e específica, mesmo diante de sintomas desafiadores em pacientes pediátricos

MnO2-Ir Nanowires: Combining Ultrasmall Nanoparticle Sizes, O-Vacancies, and Low Noble-Metal Loading with Improved Activities towards the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Although clean energy generation utilizing the Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) can be considered a promising strategy, this approach remains challenging by the dependence on high loadings of noble metals, mainly Platinum (Pt). Therefore, efforts have been directed to develop new and efficient electrocatalysts that could decrease the Pt content (e.g., by nanotechnology tools or alloying) or replace them completely in these systems. The present investigation shows that high catalytic activity can be reached towards the ORR by employing 1.8 ± 0.7 nm Ir nanoparticles (NPs) deposited onto MnO2 nanowires surface under low Ir loadings (1.2 wt.%). Interestingly, we observed that the MnO2-Ir nanohybrid presented high catalytic activity for the ORR close to commercial Pt/C (20.0 wt.% of Pt), indicating that it could obtain efficient performance using a simple synthetic procedure. The MnO2-Ir electrocatalyst also showed improved stability relative to commercial Pt/C, in which only a slight activity loss was observed after 50 reaction cycles. Considering our findings, the superior performance delivered by the MnO2-Ir nanohybrid may be related to (i) the significant concentration of reduced Mn3+ species, leading to increased concentration of oxygen vacancies at its surface; (ii) the presence of strong metal-support interactions (SMSI), in which the electronic effect between MnOx and Ir may enhance the ORR process; and (iii) the unique structure comprised by Ir ultrasmall sizes at the nanowire surface that enable the exposure of high energy surface/facets, high surface-to-volume ratios, and their uniform dispersion

Identification of serological biomarkers of infection, disease progression and treatment efficacy for leprosy.

Although leprosy is curable with drug treatment, the identification of biomarkers of infection, disease progression and treatment efficacy would greatly help to reduce the overall prevalence of the disease. Reliable biomarkers would also reduce the incidence of grade-2 disability by ensuring that those who are most at risk are diagnosed and treated early or offered repeated treatments in the case of relapse. In this study, we examined the reactivity of sera from lepromatous and tuberculoid leprosy patients (LPs) against a panel of 12 recombinant Mycobacterium leprae proteins and found that six proteins were strongly recognised by multibacillary (MB) patients, while only three were consistently recognised by paucibacillary patients. To better understand the dynamics of patient antibody responses during and after drug therapy, we measured antibody titres to four recombinant proteins, phenolic glycolipid-I and lipoarabinomannan at baseline and up to two years after diagnosis to investigate the temporal changes in the antibody titres. Reactivity patterns to individual antigens and decreases in antibody titres were patient-specific. Antibody titres to proteins declined more rapidly vs. those to carbohydrate and glycolipid antigens. Compared to baseline values, increases in antibody titres were observed during reactional episodes in one individual. Additionally, antibody responses against a subset of antigens that provided a good prognostic indicator of disease progression were analysed in 51 household contacts of MB index cases for up to two years. Although the majority of these contacts showed no change or exhibited decreases in antibody titres, seven individuals developed higher titres towards one or more of these antigens and one individual with progressively higher titres was diagnosed with borderline lepromatous leprosy 19 months after enrolment. The results of this study indicate that antibody titres to specific M. leprae antigens can be used to monitor treatment efficacy in LPs and assess disease progression in those most at risk for developing this disease