Neural-powered unit disk graph embedding: qubits connectivity for some QUBO problems

Graph embedding is a recurrent problem in quantum computing, for instance, quantum annealers need to solve a minor graph embedding in order to map a given Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problem onto their internal connectivity pattern. This work presents a novel approach to constrained unit disk graph embedding, which is encountered when trying to solve combinatorial optimization problems in QUBO form, using quantum hardware based on neutral Rydberg atoms. The qubits, physically represented by the atoms, are excited to the Rydberg state through laser pulses. Whenever qubits pairs are closer together than the blockade radius, entanglement can be reached, thus preventing entangled qubits to be simultaneously in the excited state. Hence, the blockade radius determines the adjacency pattern among qubits, corresponding to a unit disk configuration. Although it is straight-forward to compute the adjacency pattern given the qubits' coordinates, identifying a feasible unit disk arrangement that matches the desired QUBO matrix is, on the other hand, a much harder task. In the context of quantum optimization, this issue translates into the physical placement of the qubits in the 2D/3D register to match the machine's Ising-like Hamiltonian with the QUBO formulation of the optimization problems. The proposed solution exploits the power of neural networks to transform an initial embedding configuration, which does not match the quantum hardware requirements or does not account for the unit disk property, into a feasible embedding properly representing the target optimization problems. Experimental results show that this new approach overcomes in performance Gurobi solver

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a 54-year-old patient with aggressive HIV.

We report a case of a 54-year-old patient who was denied surgical replacement for severe aortic stenosis because of complicated acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and who successfully underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation at our institution

Effects of steroids and tocilizumab on the immune response profile of patients with covid-19-associated ards requiring or not veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is a life-saving rescue therapy in patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). ECMO has been associated with development of lymphocytopenia that is also common in COVID-19. Hyperinflammation may complicate SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, prompting therapy with steroids and immunomodulatory drugs. We aimed to evaluate the association of therapies such as steroids and Tocilizumab with trajectories of the total leukocytes, lymphocyte subpopulation count, and inflammatory and fibrinolysis markers in COVID-19-related ARDS, requiring or not VV-ECMO support. The association of the trajectories of the leukocytes, lymphocyte subpopulation count, and inflammatory and fibrinolysis markers with treatment with steroids (Steroids), Tocilizumab (Tocilizumab), both drugs (Steroids + Tocilizumab), and absence of treatment (No Treatment) were analyzed using mixed effects regression models, where ECMO was considered as a potential effect modifier. One hundred and thirty-nine leukocyte and eighty-one lymphocyte subpopulation counts were obtained from thirty-one patients who required (VV-ECMO, N = 13) or not (no VV-ECMO, N = 18) extracorporeal support. In both groups, treatment with Steroids + Tocilizumab was independently associated with a significant reduction of 46% and 67% in total lymphocytes, 22% and 60% in CD3+, and 61% and 91% in CD19+ (B lymphocytes) compared to those obtained without treatment, respectively. In the no VV-ECMO group, Tocilizumab was associated with a 79% increase in total lymphocytes and with a reduction in procalcitonin compared to no treatment. CD45+, CD3+CD4+ (Th cell), CD3+CD8+, CD4+/CD8+, the NK cell subpopulation, neutrophils, monocytes, and basophils were significantly reduced by Steroids + Tocilizumab without an effect modification by VV-ECMO support. In critically ill COVID-19 patients with ARDS, concomitant therapies with steroids and Tocilizumab, beside mitigating the inflammation and fibrinolysis, could reduce the total leukocyte, lymphocyte, and subpopulation count. Moreover, the effect of Tocilizumab in increasing the total lymphocytes and reducing procalcitonin might be blunted by VV-ECMO

Update of Laparoscopic Surgery in Borderline Ovarian Tumor: Systematic Review

Background: Borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) predominantly affects young women and is often diagnosed at an early stage. BOT accounts for 15% of all epithelial tumors. In this regard, a minimally invasive surgical approach and the ability to preserve fertility, without increasing the incidence of recurrences or worsening the prognosis, are crucial. This review aims to provide an update on the role and indications of laparoscopic surgery in BOTs. Methods: The electronic research was performed on Pubmed, Medline, and Embase. Articles published in the last 20 years (2004–2023) were included, and the following keywords were used: ‘borderline ovarian tumor’ and ‘laparoscopic surgery’, ‘borderline ovarian tumor’ and ‘minimally invasive surgery’, ‘borderline ovarian tumor’ and ‘fertility sparing’, ‘borderline ovarian tumor’ and ‘recurrence’ and ‘Borderline ovarian tumor’ and ‘relapse’. The agreement about potential relevance was reached by consensus of the researchers and according to PRISMA statement guidelines. We thoroughly reviewed all bibliographies to assess the inclusion of any further eligible studies. We excluded studies that did not align with the study’s objectives. Results: The electronic database search yielded 767 total studies. Of whom, 188 were published before 2004, 84 were case reports, and 45 were not in the English language. Of the remaining 450 studies, 148 were considered eligible for the study. We included 20 studies in this review. Conclusions: Despite the latest guidelines recommending an open approach for the treatment of BOT, the laparoscopic approach has gained popularity as a feasible and safe alternative. The use of an endo-bag, along with advanced laparoscopic skills, has made the minimally invasive approach increasingly safe, with oncological outcomes almost comparable to those of reference. Moreover, in the context of fertility-sparing surgery (FSS), laparoscopy seems to be associated with improved obstetrical outcomes, without detrimental effects on overall survival and disease-free survival. Therefore, the laparoscopic approach in the treatment of BOT appears to be a safe and effective option, especially in the case of FSS

O FARMACEUTICO NO CONTEXTO DA ESTRATÉGIA EM SAÚDE DA FAMÍLIA, QUE REALIDADE É ESTA?

The present article reports the pharmacist’s experience on primary health attention, in the context of Brazilian family health strategy. It shows the path to his insertion in the health units, discusses where and how this pharmacist can act in this new proposal and the possible approaches on collective health field. It also brings a reflection about the difficulties during the period of Residence on health family units, the needs of professional education and the different meanings of the medicine to the patient, as well as the integrated work with the multiprofessional team, specially medicine and nutrition.Keywords: pharmacist; family health strategy; health unit.O presente artigo relata a experiência do profissional farmacêutico no âmbito da Atenção Primária, no contexto da Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF). Resgata seu histórico até a sua inserção em uma unidade de saúde, discute onde se insere o farmacêutico na proposta de transitoriedade do perfil da assistência e as possíveis abordagens dentro do campo da saúde coletiva. Aponta as dificuldades encontradas durante o período de residência em Unidades de Saúde da Família (USF), as necessidades na formação desse profissional para atuar na Atenção Primária à Saúde e, as diferentes configurações que o medicamento assume perante o indivíduo, bem como o trabalho integrado à equipe multiprofissional, em especial ao profissional médico e ao nutricionista

Avaliação antifúngica de extratos obtidos de Ottonia martiana Miq. (Piperaceae) sobre três fitopatógenos.

17ª RAIB

Emerging Roles of PAR-1 and PAFR in Melanoma Metastasis

Melanoma growth, angiogenesis and metastatic progression are strongly promoted by the inflammatory tumor microenvironment due to high levels of cytokine and chemokine secretion by the recruited inflammatory and stromal cells. In addition, platelets and molecular components of procoagulant pathways have been recently emerging as critical players of tumor growth and metastasis. In particular, thrombin, through the activity of its receptor protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), regulates tumor cell adhesion to platelets and endothelial cells, stimulates tumor angiogenesis, and promotes tumor growth and metastasis. Notably, in many tumor types including melanoma, PAR-1 expression directly correlates with their metastatic phenotype and is directly responsible for the expression of interleukin-8, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and integrins. Another proinflammatory receptor–ligand pair, platelet-activating factor (PAF) and its receptor (PAFR), have been shown to act as important modulators of tumor cell adhesion to endothelial cells, angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. PAF is a bioactive lipid produced by a variety of cells from membrane glycerophospholipids in the same reaction that releases arachidonic acid, and can be secreted by platelets, inflammatory cells, keratinocytes and endothelial cells. We have demonstrated that in metastatic melanoma cells, PAF stimulates the phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB) and activating transcription factor 1 (ATF-1), which results in overexpression of MMP-2 and membrane type 1-MMP (membrane type 1-MMP). Since only metastatic melanoma cells overexpress CREB/ATF-1, we propose that metastatic melanoma cells are better equipped than their non-metastatic counterparts to respond to PAF within the tumor microenvironment. The evidence supporting the hypothesis that the two G-protein coupled receptors, PAR-1 and PAFR, contribute to the acquisition of the metastatic phenotype of melanoma is presented and discussed