Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw and Low-Level Laser Therapy as Adjuvant Treatment: A Case Report

Introduction: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) occurs by the use of a drug that has osteonecrosis as one of its side effects.Case Report: We describe a case of a 48-year-old oncological patient who had brain and bone metastasis due to breast cancer and was medicated with bisphosphonates (BPs). She presented cavities, and after an incorrect exodontia, the lesion evolved into jaw osteonecrosis. Then she did a sequestrectomy and was treated using laser therapy. Radiological and clinical features are also described.Conclusion: In a case like this, we notice how necessary is a complete evaluation of the oncological patient before some procedures and laser therapy as an effective ally in the management

Avaliação tridimensional de carcinoma mucoepidermoide em palato duro: relato de caso clínico

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is of unknown aetiopathology, but it may be related to genetic factors, exposure to ionizing radiation and smoking habits as well. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is considered the most common malignant neoplasm of salivary glands found in the oral cavity, with its clinical characteristics (e.g., size and shape) favoring the diagnosis and treatment planning. This report describes a case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma which infiltrates into the maxillary sinus and nasal fossa through the palate and highlights the importance of obtaining three-dimensional (3D) images of the tumor for volumetric analysis, thus improving the chances of a successful surgery. We have described the use of the segmentation technique in which the tumor’s volume was calculated to help in predicting surgical outcomes. A 50-year-old patient sought dental treatment because of a purplish swelling in the hard palate region on the left side. Computed tomography examination was performed for visualization of the lesion and incisional biopsy for obtaining a sample, which was sent to anatomopathological study. Histological characteristics of the lesion and presence of neoplastic cells showed positive immunohistochemical reactions for cytokeratin 7 antibody, leading to a diagnosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. In view of the malignant characteristics of the lesion, the patient was referred to a head and neck surgeon for treatment.O carcinoma mucoepidermoide possui etiopatogenia desconhecida, porém, pode ser relacionado a fatores genéticos, exposição à radiação ionizante e também ao hábito de fumar. Há a possibilidade de crescer de forma assintomática. É considerado a neoplasia maligna de glândulas salivares mais comum encontrada na cavidade oral e as suas características clínicas (por exemplo, sítio de predileção e forma como se apresenta) favorecem um melhor diagnóstico e planejamento de intervenção. Este relato apresenta um caso de carcinoma mucoepidermoide que se infiltra no seio maxilar e fossa nasal através do palato e destaca a importância da obtenção de imagens tridimensionais (3-D) do tumor para análise volumétrica e melhoria das chances de sucesso cirúrgico. Descrevemos o uso de uma técnica pictórica em que o volume do tumor foi calculado para ajudar a prever os resultados cirúrgicos. A paciente de 50 anos procurou atendimento odontológico devido ao aumento de volume com coloração arroxeada em região de palato duro do lado esquerdo, foi realizado o exame de Tomografia Computadorizada onde se verificou a lesão. A partir da biópsia incisional e o encaminhamento para avaliação anatomopatológica, suas características histológicas e as células neoplásicas mostraram-se positivas para as reações de imunohistoquímica contra anticorpo citoqueratina sete, o que concluiu o diagnóstico de carcinoma mucoepidermoide. Diante das características malignas da lesão, a paciente foi encaminhada para médico cirurgião de cabeça e pescoço para tratamento

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits - the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants - determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits - almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Melanotički neuroektodermalni tumor dojenačke dobi: primjena imunohistokemijske analize

The Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy (MNTI) is an asymptomatic, pigmented neoplasm characterized by a fast and locally aggressive growth along with a rare tissue formation. In the diagnostic process, the use of imaging exams can suggest a local destruction suggestive of malignancy, a sign of bone remodeling and expansion. Therefore, as any early diagnosis minimizes risks and improves the prognosis of treatment for the patient, the aim of this study was, based on a clinical case report, to corroborate the use of histopathological analysis associated with immunohistochemistry. Thus, we conclude that the immunohistochemical exam is of great importance for a better complementation of the MNTI diagnosis process. In addition, it can reveal signs of possible aggressive growth.Melanotički neuroektodermalni tumor dojenačke dobi (MNTI) asimptomatska je pigmentirana novotvorina koja brzo i lokalno agresivno raste, uz rahlu formaciju tkiva. U dijagnostičkom procesu primjena slikovnih prikaza može pokazati lokalnu destrukciju, što upućuje na zloćudnost, znakove remodeliranja i ekspanziju kosti. Zato, kako svaka rana dijagnoza smanjuje rizike i poboljšava prognozu liječenja, cilj ovoga rada je na temelju kliničkoga prikaza slučaja potkrijepiti primjenu patohistološke analize povezane s imunohistokemijom. Stoga zaključujemo da je imunohistokemijski pregled veoma važan za nadopunu dijagnostičkog procesa u slučaju MNTI-ja. Dodatno upozorava na znakove mogućega agresivnoga rasta

Evaluation measure of 3d volumetry of masseter hypertrophy: association with modalities of imaging

Masseteric hypertrophy is a benign condition, asymptomatic and rare, characterized by the excessive development of the masseter muscle, which usually results in aesthetic complaints. The imaging exams for differential diagnosis of pathologies in the parotid-masseteric region is always recommended. This work aims the imaging characterization of masseteric hypertrophy through the report of two clinical cases combining different imaging modalities: panoramic radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, ultrasonography and 3D volumetry. Two male subjects with no family history of masseteric hypertrophy were referred to a diagnostic center in dentomaxillofacial radiology due to an increase in bilateral facial volume in the masseteric region. Images of the panoramic radiography showed an increase of the bilateral mandibular angle in both cases. Using computerized tomography, bilateral masseter muscle hypertrophy was demonstrated in the patients, and magnetic resonance scan and ultrasound examination were performed for better visualization and muscle measurement. 3D volumetry assessment of musculature showed as additional tool to evaluate the status of the masseter muscles in patients with Masseteric hypertrophy. Therefore, the association of imaging examinations allowed to perform the imaging characterization of masseteric hypertrophy with presence of bone exostosis

3D Reconstruction and Prediction of Sialolith Surgery

Imaging examinations play an important role in the diagnosis of sialolithiasis, whose symptoms are initially confounded with other diseases. The objective of the present case report is to highlight imaging and processing techniques as well as image analysis for the preoperative assessment and planning of surgical interventions and adequate treatment of massive sialoliths. A 35-year-old male patient presented complaining of pain in the submandibular region and purulent secretions from a lingual caruncle with slightly increased volume in the region. Imaging examinations were ordered as follows: cone beam computed tomography, ultrasonography, and three-dimensional reconstruction, including clinical evaluation. A final diagnosis of sialolithiasis was established. Surgery was indicated and carried out by using a lateral transcervical approach for complete resection of the gland, which was based on the calculation of the total volume of the sialolith, thus increasing the surgery’s success

Avaliação do risco de extinção do cateto Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758, no Brasil.

O estado de conservação do cateto, Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758) foi avaliado de acordo com os critérios da IUCN (2001), com base nos dados disponíveis até 2010. Síntese do processo de avaliação pode ser encontrada em Peres et al. (2011) e em Beisiegel et al. (2012). No Brasil como um todo, a espécie foi considerada Menos preocupante (Least concern – LC). Justificativa – Os catetos, Pecari tajacu, como outras espécies com uma ampla distribuição geográfica, sofrem diferentes impactos e estão sob diferentes graus de ameaça ao longo de sua distribuição no território brasileiro. Avaliar estas espécies como unidades para todo o país pode resultar em excesso de otimismo em relação a seu estado de conservação, baseado em grandes populações remanescentes nos biomas ainda menos degradados. Estas avaliações podem, por um lado, impedir que políticas específicas sejam adotadas para estas espécies em ecossistemas em que as mesmas despertam alarme quanto às suas condições de conservação e, por outro lado, mascarar a possibilidade de que as populações ainda saudáveis não estão livres de sofrer o mesmo destino daquelas em ambientes mais impactados, dada a intensificação das atuais pressões sobre biomas ainda bastante conservados, como o Pantanal e a Amazônia. Desta forma, as informações sobre a conservação desta espécie foram analisadas separadamente para cada um dos principais biomas brasileiros, e uma avaliação regional do estado de conservação (IUCN 2003) foi feita para cada um deles. Espera-se, com isto, fundamentar políticas de conservação apropriadas a esta espécie em cada região do país (ver Desbiez 2010, para uma aplicação prévia da mesma metodologia). São também apresentados dados populacionais e de distribuição geográfica, bem como hábitos e características ecológicas que fundamentam ou complementam a presente análise