Evaluation of staining techniques on the results of micronucleus in exfoliated oral mucosa cells

Micronuclei (MN) in exfoliated epithelial cells are widely used as biomarkers of cancer risk in humans. MN are classified as biomarkers of the break age and loss of chromosomes. They are small, extra nuclear bodies that arise in dividing cells from centric chromosome/chromatid fragments or whole chromosomes/chromatids that lag behind in anaphase and are not included in the daughter nuclei in telophase. Buccal mucosa cells have been used in biomonitoring exposed populations because these cells are in the direct route of exposure to ingested pollutant, are capable of metabolizing proximate carcinogens to reactive chemicals, and are easily and rapidly collected by brushing the buccal mucosa. The objective of the present study was to further investigate if, and to what extent, different stains have an effect on the results of micronuclei studies in exfoliated cells. These techniques are: Papanicolaou (PAP), Modified Papanicolaou, May-Grünwald Giemsa (MGG), Giemsa, Harris’s Hematoxylin, Feulgen with Fast Green counterstain and Feulgen without counterstain

Collection technique and sample processing for impression cytology of the ocular surface

Introduction: The impression cytology of ocular surface is a minimally invasive technique that allows the analysis of conjunctival and corneal cells, as an alternative to smears and punch biopsies. These specific guidelines will help health professionals, such as nurses and doctors, to ensure better samples of ocular surface without hurting patients, and will provide a new method of fixation for impression cytology of ocular specimens. Objective: The aim of this study was to present a technique for collecting, fixing, and staining for impression cytology of ocular specimens. Materials and Methods: 50 samples of bulbar conjunctiva taken from 50 ESTeSL volunteers were analyzed. The material was collected on a strip of cellulose acetate from Millipore Corporation, then fixed on SureThin and stained with a Papanicolaou stain. The slides were analyzed by three independent evaluators, using an evaluation grid with the following parameters: cell size, detail and nuclear membrane, detail and cytoplasmic membrane, ratio N / C, and tinctorial affinity. Results: The filter paper with apex helped to correctly position the paper in the eye and the procedure that was applied allowed an effective collection of cells with 50-70% of the filter surface being filled without the need for topical anesthesia. The SureThin fixative presented quality in cell preservation, in addition to being more economical. The Papanicolaou technique proved to be ideal in the coloring of ocular epithelial cells. This developed methodology presented a response of 80, 9% to a maximum score of 2. Conclusions: The presented method proved to be very effective in evaluating ocular cell samples, while simultaneously proving to be a very cheap and comfortable technique for the patient.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Training needs in TQM: the Portuguese perspective

A survey to assess training needs in TQM was developed in several European countries, within the framework of a Leonardo’s project named IMVOCED. Beyond a comparison of the results in each country, a global analysis was performed to design a TQM programme to be delivered by WBL (Work Based Learning). Differences were found between countries, and the Portuguese results also revealed that different approaches to TQM training should be adopted according to the organisation’s dimension. Based on this evidence, two different strategies for TQM training by WBL are proposed and discussed.training needs; TQM

Usando analogias com função criativa: uma nova estratégia para o ensino de química

En aquest article es relata una experiencia d'aula amb alumnes de 15-16 anys, als quals es va demanar que creessin analogies per explicar la formació d'un enllaç químic i que les valoressin, considerant-ne tots els aspectes positius i negatius. En analitzar les respostes dels alumnes, la professora se'n va adonar d'algunes dificultats en la comprensió d'aspectes rellevants sobre l'enllaç químic, que no havien estat identificades anteriorment. Llavors, va poder modificar l'ensenyament, intentant discutir els aspectes centrals d'aquestes dificultats dels alumnes.In this paper, we present a teaching experience conducted with 15-16 years-old students. They were asked to produce analogies to explain the formation of a chemical bond and to criticise them from the consideration of their positive and negative parts. By analysing the students’ answers, the teacher realised some of their difficulties in understanding chemical bonds that had not been identified before. Therefore, she could change the teaching in an attempt to discuss the central aspects of the students’ difficulties

Vaginal cytology with suspicion of squamous intraepithelial lesion of undetermined grade: a case report

No presente artigo é relatado um caso de uma paciente de 42 anos, diagnosticada em 2011 com Adenocarcinoma in situ e displasia grave do epitélio de revestimento pavimentoso, que foi tratada por traquelectomia. Em Novembro de 2013, a paciente realizou uma citologia da cúpula vaginal, onde se observaram achados citológicos compatíveis com lesão intraepitelial de baixo grau mas também a presença de células que favorecem o diagnóstico de lesão intraepitelial de alto grau. Não sendo possível classificar a lesão intraepitelial como sendo claramente baixo ou alto grau, atribuiu-se a interpretação de lesão intraepitelial de grau indeterminado. Para confirmação e esclarecimento do diagnóstico foi efetuada biopsia com resultado de displasia grave do epitélio de revestimento pavimentoso vaginal sem evidência de invasão do estroma. Por fim foi indicada a pesquisa e tipificação de vírus do papiloma humano, com resultado positivo para o tipo 16. Diagnósticos citológicos de lesão intraepitelial de grau indeterminado apresentam um follow-up histológico estatisticamente diferente das lesões intraepiteliais de alto e baixo grau, e estão na sua maioria associadas a infeção por vírus do papiloma humano de alto risco. Os achados citológicos do presente estudo apoiam a necessidade de se estabelecer esta lesão como categoria de diagnóstico no Sistema de Bethesda, com um follow-up definido.ABSTRACT - This article reports a case of a 42 year-old female patient diagnosed in 2011 with adenocarcinoma in situ and severe cervical intraepithelial neoplasia that was treated with trachelectomy. In November 2013 a vaginal vault cytology was performed, with cytological findings consistent with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion but also with the presence of cells that favour the diagnosis of high-grade intraepithelial lesion. Since it was not possible to grade the lesion as clearly low or high, it was attributed the result of squamous intraepithelial lesion of undetermined grade. In order to confirm and clarify the diagnosis, a biopsy was performed which showed results of severe squamous intraepithelial neoplasia without evidence of stromal invasion. Finally, the specimen was tested for human papillomavirus genotype, with a positive result for type 16. Cytologic diagnosis of intraepithelial lesions of undetermined grade present histologic outcomes that are statistically different from intraepithelial lesions of high and low grade, and are mostly associated with infection by high-risk human papillomavirus. This findings support retaining intraepithelial lesions of undetermined grade as a unique category in the Bethesda System, and define the management guidelines for this patients

A contribution to the use of Hopfield neural networks for paramater estimation

This paper presents a contribution to the use of Hopfield neural networks (HNNs) for parameter estimation. Our focus is on time-invariant systems that are linear in the parameters. We introduce a suitable HNN and present a weaker condition than the currently existing ones that guarantees the convergence of the parameterization estimated by the network to the actual parameterization. The application of our results is illustrated in a parameter estimation problem for a two carts system

On the use of state observers in compartmental systems control

In this paper we analyse the performance of stateobserversin the control of compartmental systems under thepresence of uncertainties in the system initial state. We combinea state feedback law with positivity constraints and a stateobserver and prove that, as expected, the mass control objectiveis still attained. Moreover we show that, for a class of threecompartmentalsystems of interest, the resulting mass controllaw also allows reaching a desired steady state.Our results are illustrated by several simulations for the controlof the administration of a neuromuscular relaxant to patientsundergoing surgery, which show the relevance of incorporatingan observer for convergence acceleration even in case the originalsystem is asymptotically stable

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: a case study in gynecologic cytopathology

O presente estudo reporta o caso de uma mulher de 63 anos da qual a única informação clínica era a suspeita de um sarcoma da cérvix. Simultaneamente à colpocitologia, foram enviadas biópsias do colo e do endométrio para diagnóstico. A visualização da amostra citológica revelou vários agregados de número variável de células monótonas, com tamanho pequeno, formato redondo e citoplasma escasso, num fundo com diátese. Os núcleos apresentavam moldagem, hipercromasia, cromatina “sal-e-pimenta” e ausência de nucléolos. O aspeto microscópico das biópsias foi concordante com os achados citológicos, tendo sido igualmente identificados focos glanduliformes com características atípicas. A neoplasia mostrou expressão imunohistoquímica dos antigénios enolase neurónio-específica (neuron specific enolase, NSE), sinaptofisina e citoqueratina (clones AE1/AE3), e uma elevada atividade proliferativa demonstrada pela imunorreactividade para o marcador nuclear Ki67/Mib1. Os achados citológicos, histológicos e imunohistoquímicos foram consistentes com o diagnóstico de carcinoma neuroendócrino de pequenas células. Dos tumores cervicais, esta neoplasia maligna é das mais raras, mostrando um comportamento muito agressivo, com prognóstico muito pobre, em que as terapêuticas existentes são pouco consensuais quanto à sua eficácia. A sua etiologia ainda é estudada, podendo estar relacionada com a infeção pelo Vírus do Papiloma Humano.ABSTRACT - The present study shows the case of a 62 years old woman, whose only clinical data was a suspected cervical sarcoma. A liquid-based cytology and biopsies from the cervix and the endometrium were done and sent for diagnostic laboratory. The cytology showed numerous groups of a variable number of monotonous, small and round cells, having scarce cytoplasm in a diathesis background. The nuclei featured molding, hyperchromasia, “salt-and-pepper” chromatin and no nucleoli. Similar observations could be found with the biopsies, where atypical gland-like groups were also detected. This neoplasia showed positive immunostaining for neuron specific enolase, synaptophysin and cytokeratin (AE1/AE3 clone antibodies), and a proliferative activity demonstrated by the nuclear marker Ki67/Mib1 immunorreactivity. The cytological, histological and imunohistochemical findings were consistent with the diagnosis of a small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Of all the cervical tumors, this sort of malignancy is one of the rarest and has a very aggressive behavior, with poor prognosis and without effective treatment. Its cause may be related to the Human Papillomavirus infection, but this still remains in study

A Literatura para melhor dizer o Direito

Este artigo visa apresentar e analisar a proximidade existente entre Direito e Literatura. Para alcançar esse propósito, os estudos de Law and Literature foram contextualizados e exemplificados. Ao final, essa pesquisa mostra que a literatura é uma ferramenta facilitadora do entendimento de litígios.