Epidemiological Profile of Patients with Cutaneous Melanoma in a Region of Southern Brazil

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is responsible for 75% of deaths from malignant skin cancer. The incidence of CM in the southern region of Brazil, particularly in the western region of Santa Catarina, is possibly higher than estimated. In this study, the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with CM treated in the western region of Santa Catarina was examined. A cross-sectional study was performed with patients diagnosed with CM from January 2002 to December 2009, from 78 counties of the western region of the state of Santa Catarina. Data were collected using a protocol adapted from the Brazilian Melanoma Group and 503 patients were evaluated. The incidence and prevalence of CM found in this region are much higher than those found elsewhere in the country. This fact is most likely due to the phenotypic characteristics of the population and the high incidence of UV radiation in this region due to its location in southern Brazil, as is the case in the countries of Oceania

A Novel Modelling Process in Chemistry: Merging Biological and Mathematical Perspectives to Develop Modelling Competences

Models are essential in science and therefore in scientific literacy. Therefore, pupils need to attain competency in the appropriate use of models. This so-called model–methodical competence distinguishes between model competence (the conceptual part) and modelling competence (the procedural part), wherefrom a definition follows a general overview of the concept of models in this article. Based on this, modelling processes enable the promotion of the modelling competence. In this context, two established approaches mainly applied in other disciplines (biology and mathematics) and a survey among chemistry teachers and employees of chemistry education departments (N = 98) form the starting point for developing a chemistry modelling process. The article concludes with a description of the developed modelling process, which by its design, provides an opportunity to develop students’ modelling competence

Makerspaces for All: Serving LGBTQ Makers in School Libraries

The article discusses makerspace that is defined by Laura Fleming as a metaphor for a unique learning environment that encourages tinkering, play, and open-ended exploration for all. It mentions that makerspaces are considered safe spaces for LGBTQ youth as they can create products that establish and communicate their LGBTQ identities. Also discussed is LGBTQ students perception regarding libraries

Engineered spider silk-based 2D and 3D materials prevent microbial infestation

Biofilm formation, especially of antimicrobiotic-resistant microbial strains, are a major problem in health care. Therefore, there is great interest in developing advanced materials that are selectively inhibiting microbial adhesion to surfaces, but at the same time promoting mammalian cell growth. In nature, some spider silks have evolved to repel microbes, a feature that could be used in biomaterials. To unravel how microbe repellence can be achieved in engineered spider silk, different recombinant spider silk proteins based on the consensus sequences of Araneus diadematus dragline silk proteins (fibroin 3 and 4) were processed into 2D-patterned films and 3D-hydrogels. Strikingly, protein structure characteristics on the nanoscale are the basis for the detected microbe-repellence. Designed spider silk materials promoted mammalian cell attachment and proliferation while inhibiting microbial infestation, demonstrating the great potential of these engineered spider silk-based materials as bio-selective microbial-resistant coatings in biomedical as well as technical applications

Trajectory of long-term outcome in severe pediatric diffuse axonal injury: An exploratory study

Introduction: Pediatric severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of disability and death. One of the classic pathoanatomic brain injury lesions following severe pediatric TBI is diffuse (multifocal) axonal injury (DAI). In this single institution study, our overarching goal was to describe the clinical characteristics and long-term outcome trajectory of severe pediatric TBI patients with DAI.Methods: Pediatric patients (<18 years of age) with severe TBI who had DAI were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the effect of age, sex, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, early fever ≥ 38.5°C during the first day post-injury, the extent of ICP-directed therapy needed with the Pediatric Intensity Level of Therapy (PILOT) score, and MRI within the first week following trauma and analyzed their association with outcome using the Glasgow Outcome Score—Extended (GOS-E) scale at discharge, 6 months, 1, 5, and 10 years following injury.Results: Fifty-six pediatric patients with severe traumatic DAI were analyzed. The majority of the patients were >5 years of age and male. There were 2 mortalities. At discharge, 56% (30/54) of the surviving patients had unfavorable outcome. Sixty five percent (35/54) of surviving children were followed up to 10 years post-injury, and 71% (25/35) of them made a favorable recovery. Early fever and extensive DAI on MRI were associated with worse long-term outcomes.Conclusion: We describe the long-term trajectory outcome of severe pediatric TBI patients with pure DAI. While this was a single institution study with a small sample size, the majority of the children survived. Over one-third of our surviving children were lost to follow-up. Of the surviving children who had follow-up for 10 years after injury, the majority of these children made a favorable recovery

Effects of fertilizers applied to ipe roxo and angico during their seedlings planting

O uso de fertilizantes de liberação controlada constitui-se em uma das modernas técnicas na produção de mudas. Porém existem poucos relatos de seus efeitos sobre o crescimento inicial de espécies florestais nativas em área de domínio ciliar. O estudo objetivou comparar os efeitos de diferentes fertilizantes de liberação lenta (FLL) com uma formulação convencional no crescimento a campo de mudas de Anadenanthera colubrina e Tabebuia avellanedae. As mudas foram plantadas com 55 g por cova de Basacote 3M, Basacote 6M, Basacote 9M, formulação 16-8-12, e uma testemunha (sem fertilização). As mensurações não destrutivas incluíam os incrementos em altura, diâmetro do coleto e número de folhas aos 90, 180, 270 e 360 dias após o plantio, e avaliações destrutivas da massa seca aérea e radicular em mudas escavadas aos 180 e 360 dias após o plantio. Os resultados revelaram maior incremento para o diâmetro do coleto e o número de folhas em A. colubrina com FLL, enquanto que mudas de T. avellanedae expressaram maiores respostas em incrementos de altura. As biomassas secas da raiz e aérea não foram influenciadas pela adição de fertilizantes na cova, apresentando apenas diferenças entre as espécies.Palavras-chave:  Crescimento inicial; Anadenanthera colubrina; Tabebuia avellanedae; fertilizante de liberação lenta. AbstractEffects of fertilizers applied to ipe roxo and angico during their seedlings planting. Slow release fertilizer (SRF) is a modern tool for seedling production. However, there are few reports on the effects of its application on initial growth of native forest species planted on repairing areas. The aim of this experiment was to compare the effects of SRF and a conventional fertilizer on initial growth of fields planted with Anadenanthera colubrine and Tabebuia avellanedae seedlings. Treatments included 55 g per planting hole of Basacote 3M, Basacote 6M, Basacote 9M, conventional fertilizer NPK (16-8-12) and a control (no fertilizer). Non destructive measurements included increments of root collar, length, and number of leaves at 90, 180, 270 and 360 days after planting date. Destructive measurements included dried biomass of above and bellow ground tissues, root length, and leaf area of three seedling randomly selected from each treatment. The results showed higher increments in root collar diameter and number of leaves for A. colubrine with SRF while T. avellanedae seedlings showed higher increments in plant height. Differences in relation to above and below ground dry masses were detected only between species at 180 and 360 days after planting date.Keywords: Initial growth; Anadenanthera colubrina; Tabebuia avellanedae; slow release fertilizer.Slow release fertilizer (SRF) is a modern tool for seedling production. However, there are few reports on the effects of its application on initial growth of native forest species planted on repairing areas. The aim of this experiment was to compare the effects of SRF and a conventional fertilizer on initial growth of fields planted with Anadenanthera colubrine and Tabebuia avellanedae seedlings. Treatments included 55 g per planting hole of Basacote 3M, Basacote 6M, Basacote 9M, conventional fertilizer NPK (16-8-12) and a control (no fertilizer). Non destructive measurements included increments of root collar, length, and number of leaves at 90, 180, 270 and 360 days after planting date. Destructive measurements included dried biomass of above and bellow ground tissues, root length, and leaf area of three seedling randomly selected from each treatment. The results showed higher increments in root collar diameter and number of leaves for A. colubrine with SRF while T. avellanedae seedlings showed higher increments in plant height. Differences in relation to above and below ground dry masses were detected only between species at 180 and 360 days after planting date

Erradicación de Helicobacter pylori mediante triple terapia (amoxicilina, claritromicina y omeprazole), en pacientes del Hospital Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia

Artículo científico -- Universidad de Costa Rica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud. 2003Justificación y objetivo: H. pylori es un factor importante en el desarrollo de diversos tipos de patologías gástricas como: gastritis crónica, úlcera péptica, adenocarcinoma tipo intestinal y linfoma. Erradicar la infección es una importante posibilidad en la terapia de los pacientes con esas patologías. En el estudio se analizó la utilidad de la triple terapia para erradicar de la infección por H. pylori en pacientes con gastritis crónica y úlcera péptica. Métodos: Se incluyeron 267 pacientes que atendieron el Servicio de Gastroenteróloga del HCG, entre enero y mayo de 2000. La presencia de H. pylori fue determinada por ureasa rápida, cultivo y antígenos fecales específicos. Se determin6 la CIM de algunos aislamientos mediante la prueba de E-test. Los pacientes recibieron triple terapia con amoxicilina (1000 mg bid vo), claritromicina (500 mg bid vo - Claritrobac,) y omeprazole (20 mg bid vo - Proton,), por 10 días. La erradicación de la infección se definió como presencia de H. pylori al principio del tratamiento y un resultado negativo en la prueba de antígenos fecales específicos, entre 30 y 45 días después de finalizado el tratamiento. Resultados: De los 267 pacientes que recibieron la triple terapia, 189 (70,8%) la completaron. La erradicación de la bacteria se confirmó en 127 (84,7%) de los pacientes que completaron el tratamiento. Treinta y siete (94,9%) de los 39 pacientes con diagnóstico endoscópico de úlcera péptica erradicaron la bacteria. La erradicación fue exitosa incluso en pacientes portadores de cepas que mostraron resistencia in vitro a amoxicilina o a claritromicina, aunque en este estudio la presencia de cepas sensibles no predice el éxito del tratamiento en todos los casos. Conclusión: La-triple terapia basada en amoxicilina (1000 mg bid vo), claritromicina (500 mg bid vo - Claritrobac,) y omeprazole (20 mg bid. vo - Proton,), por 10 días, erradicó la infección por H. pylori en el 84,7% de los pacientes que cumplieron el tratamiento, incluyendo a 37 de 39 pacientes (94,9%) con enfermedad úlcero-péptica. La triple terapia por 10 días constituye una opción exitosa para erradicar de la infección por H. pylori.Universidad de Costa Rica. Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud (INISA

What influences the decision to drop out? Longitudinal analyses of the interplay between study satisfaction, content knowledge and dropout intention in chemistry, engineering and social sciences

Die Untersuchung der Gründe für den Studienabbruch von Studierenden in MINT-Fächern ist wegen des akuten Fachkräftemangels von großer Bedeutung. Dabei ist bisher wenig über Unterschiede zwischen MINT-Studiengängen, aber auch im Vergleich zu anderen Studiengängen, hinsichtlich der Abbruchgründe bekannt. Die längsschnittlich angelegte Studie untersucht daher individuelle Einflussfaktoren auf den Studienerfolg und Studienabbruch in zwei typischen MINT-Studiengängen (Chemie und Maschinenbau) und kontrastierend dazu in Studiengängen aus dem sozialwissenschaftlichen Bereich (Politikwissenschaft, Soziologie, Soziale Arbeit). Während in bisherigen Studien (z.B. Heublein et al., 2017) fachübergreifende Prädiktoren für den Studienabbruch identifiziert werden konnten, wurde in den Analysen dieser Studie festgestellt, dass sich diese zwischen den Fächern und auch zwischen unterschiedlichen Hochschultypen sehr unterschiedlich auswirken. Vor allem die Sozialwissenschaften zeigen im Vergleich zu den MINT-Fächern einen deutlich geringeren Einfluss des Fachwissens auf den Studienabbruch. (DIPF/Orig.)In view of the current shortage of qualified personnel in STEM subjects, the investigation of the reasons for dropping out of university studies is of great importance. Little is known about the differences between STEM study programmes and other study programmes with regard to the reasons for dropping out. The longitudinal study of this project therefore examines the factors influencing the success and termination of studies in two typical STEM programmes (chemistry and mechanical engineering) and, in contrast, in programmes of the social sciences (political science, sociology, social work). Based on Heublein et al. (2017), data were collected to identify subject-specific factors influencing the dropout of students. The results of path analyses indicate that dropout by students of social sciences is less influenced by content knowledge compared to STEM study programmes. (DIPF/Orig.

Targeting CXCR4 (CXC Chemokine Receptor Type 4) for Molecular Imaging of Aldosterone-Producing Adenoma

Primary aldosteronism is the most frequent cause of secondary hypertension and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality compared with hypertensive controls. The central diagnostic challenge is the differentiation between bilateral and unilateral disease, which determines treatment options. Bilateral adrenal venous sampling, currently recommended for differential diagnosis, is an invasive procedure with several drawbacks, making it desirable to develop novel noninvasive diagnostic tools. When investigating the expression pattern of chemokine receptors by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, we observed high expression of CXCR4 (CXC chemokine receptor type 4) in aldosterone-producing tissue in normal adrenals, adjacent adrenal cortex from adrenocortical adenomas, and in aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA), correlating strongly with the expression of CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase). In contrast, CXCR4 was not detected in the majority of nonfunctioning adenomas that are frequently found coincidently. The specific CXCR4 ligand 68Ga-pentixafor has recently been established as radiotracer for molecular imaging of CXCR4 expression and showed strong and specific binding to cryosections of APAs in our study. We further investigated 9 patients with primary aldosteronism because of APA by 68Ga-pentixafor-positron emission tomography. The tracer uptake was significantly higher on the side of increased adrenocortical aldosterone secretion in patients with APAs compared with patients investigated by 68Ga-pentixafor-positron emission tomography for other causes. Molecular imaging of aldosterone-producing tissue by a CXCR4-specific ligand may, therefore, be a highly promising tool for noninvasive characterization of patients with APAs