Predictors of postoperative seizure outcome in low grade glioma: From volumetric analysis to molecular stratification

The importance of the extent of resection (EOR) has been widely demonstrated as the main predictor for survival, nevertheless its effect on tumor related epilepsy is less investigated. A total of 155 patients were enrolled after a first-line surgery for supratentorial Diffuse Low Grade Gliomas (DLGGs). Postoperative seizure outcome was analyzed stratifying the results by tumor volumetric data and molecular markers according to 2016 WHO classification. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were computed to asses EOR, residual tumor volume, and 06T2T1 MRI index (expressing the tumor growing pattern) corresponding to optimal seizure outcome. A total of 70.97% of patients were seizure-free 18 months after surgery. Better seizure outcome was observed in IDH1/2 mutated and 1p/19q codeleted subgroup. At multivariate analysis, age (p = 0.014), EOR (p = 0.030), 06T2T1 MRI index (p = 0.016) resulted as independent predictors of postoperative seizure control. Optimal parameters to improve postoperative seizure outcome were EOR 65 85%, 06T2T1 MRI index 64 18 cm3, residual tumor volume 64 15 cm3. This study confirms the role of EOR and tumor growing pattern on postoperative seizure outcome independently from the molecular class. Higher 06T2T1 MRI index, representing the infiltrative component of the tumor, is associated with worse seizure outcome and strengthens the evidence of common pathogenic mechanisms underlying tumor growth and postoperative seizure outcome

CASO POLINATO: A INOVAÇÃO COMO DIFERENCIAL, A RENTABILIDADE COMO DESAFIO

This case presents the trajectory of Polinato - industry leader in the polyurethane formulation segment - and its ability to develop innovative and customized products. Innovation is a strategy that keeps the company in the lead. However, the profitability resulting from its innovations is below expectations. To maintain and refine the innovative capacity while ensuring profitability, the company recently requested financing to partially cover a bold Development Research Project. The dilemma facing the company’s partners is the decision on whether to sign the contract and commit to the financing, which will accelerate the company’s innovation processes, or not to take the financing and innovate at a slower pace instead, avoiding the heavy financing fees. It is hoped that this teaching case will promote reflection and discussion on strategy, competitiveness and innovation. It is designed for use in disciplines related to the themes of innovation, strategy and entrepreneurship.O caso apresenta a trajetória da Polinato empresa líder no segmento de formulação de poliuretanos e sua capacidade de desenvolvimento de produtos inovadores e customizados. A inovação é a estratégia que mantém a empresa na liderança. Todavia a rentabilidade decorrente das inovações está aquém da esperada. Para manter e refinar a capacidade inovadora com rentabilidade foi aprovado um recente Projeto de Pesquisa de Desenvolvimento do qual decorrem implicações consideráveis. O objetivo desse caso para ensino é promover a reflexão e discussão sobre estratégia, competitividade e inovação. O caso foi elaborado para utilização em disciplinas relacionadas à inovação, estratégia e empreendedorismo

Meningioma-Related Epilepsy: A Happy Ending?

(1) Background: More than one-third of patients with meningiomas experience at least one seizure during the course of their disease, and in the 20–50% of cases, seizure represents the onset symptom. After surgery, up to 30% of patients continue to have seizures, while others may experience them later; (2) Methods: The study analyzed retrospectively the risk factors for pre-operative seizures in a large cohort of 358 patients who underwent surgery for newly diagnosed brain meningioma; (3) Results: We identified age, peritumor edema, and location as risk factors for seizure at the onset. Patients with seizures differed from patients without seizures for the following characteristics: younger average age, lower pre-operative Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), location on the convexity, lower Simpson Grade, lower incidence of pre-operative neurological deficits, and higher incidence of pre-operative peritumor edema. After 24 months, 88.2% of patients were classified as Engel class Ia, and no correlation with disease progression was observed; (4) Conclusions: Meningioma-related epilepsy has generally a positive outcome following surgery and it seems not to be linked to disease progression, even if further studies are needed

Low-Noise Ku-Band Receiver Frontend with Switchable SIW Filters for Cubesat Applications

This paper proposes a low-noise receiver frontend for nanosatellite and Cubesat platforms. The frontend is composed by a Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) and two Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) filters, providing a frequency reconfigurability to the system. The two filters operate in the 13 and in the 14 GHz uplink bands, and are selected by means of a pair of solid-state SPDT switches. As a results, 15.5 dB gain with 2.4 dB noise figure for the 13 GHz configuration and 17.8 dB gain with 2.3 dB noise figure for the 14 GHz configuration are obtained. This work is important since demonstrates a low-cost solution for satellite radio apparatuses based on commercial components on a standard PCB

Second Surgery in Insular Low-Grade Gliomas

Background. Given the technical difficulties, a limited number of works have been published on insular gliomas surgery and risk factors for tumor recurrence (TR) are poorly documented. Objective. The aim of the study was to determine TR in adult patients with initial diagnosis of insular Low-Grade Gliomas (LGGs) that subsequently underwent second surgery. Methods. A consecutive series of 53 patients with insular LGGs was retrospectively reviewed; 23 patients had two operations for TR. Results. At the time of second surgery, almost half of the patients had experienced progression into high-grade gliomas (HGGs). Univariate analysis showed that TR is influenced by the following: extent of resection (EOR) (P < 0.002),.VT2T1 value (P < 0.001), histological diagnosis of oligodendroglioma (P = 0.017), and mutation of IDH1 (P = 0.022). The multivariate analysis showed that EOR at first surgery was the independent predictor for TR (P] < 0.001). Conclusions. In patients with insular LGG the EOR at first surgery represents the major predictive factor for TR. At time of TR, more than 50% of cases had progressed in HGG, raising the question of the oncological management after the first surgery

Low-Noise Block Downconverter based on COTS and SIW Filters for Ku-band Cubesat Transponders

This paper proposes a Low-Noise Block (LNB) downconverter operating in the Ku-band for Cubesat transponders. The frontend is composed by a Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) and two switchable Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) filters, providing a frequency reconfigurability to the system. The LNB is completed by a downconversion unit, constituted by a mixer, a PLL frequency synthesizer and an IF amplifier. A first breadboard features an overall gain of 54 dB with a 2.3 dB noise figure. The worst case linearity performance indicates an input-referred 1 dB compression point (P1dB) and a third-order intercept point (IIP3) equal to -27 dBm and -16 dBm respectively. This work is important since demonstrates a low-cost solution for satellite radio apparatuses based on commercial components and standard PCB

Morfometria de Dipteryx spp. em sistemas agroflorestais em Belterra e Mojuí dos Campos - Pará.

O componente florestal inserido em sistemas agroflorestais tem a função de modificar as condições do ambiente, tornando-o mais adequado ao desenvolvimento das espécies em consórcio. A utilização de árvores de rápido crescimento e com potencial de utilização viabiliza o desenvolvimento do sistema como um todo. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o intuito de conhecer as relações morfométricas para árvores de Cumaru (Dipteryx spp.) como componente florestal em dois sistemas agroflorestais implantados nos municípios de Belterra e Mojuí dos Campos, no estado do Pará e oferecer subsídios para o manejo da espécie no sistema. O levantamento abrangeu 90 indivíduos de cumaru em diferentes idades produtivas e sistemas de cultivo. Foram coletados dados dendrométricos (diâmetro a altura do peito, altura total, altura da primeira ramificação, comprimento da copa e diâmetro da copa) que geraram variáveis morfométricas (proporção de copa, grau de esbeltez, índice de abrangência, índice de saliência e formal de copa). Os resultados mostraram que há diferenças significativas em relação à morfometria entre os indivíduos de cumaru nas duas áreas estudadas. Concluiu-se que o componente implantado no sistema de Mojuí necessita de maiores intervenções silviculturais

Impacto de sistemas agroflorestais experimentais no âmbito acadêmico em Santarém, Pará.

Este trabalho busca avaliar os impactos gerados a comunidade acadêmica da Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará (UFOPA), Campus Santarém, com a instalação de uma base de campo pelo Grupo de Pesquisa CEMI (Centro de Estudos em Manejo e Sistemas Florestais Integrados). A área tem sido ampliada com a pretensão de servir como vitrine para a comunidade acadêmica e para produtores rurais da região, proporcionando um espaço para realização de trabalhos de conclusão de curso, experimentos de iniciação científica e geração de produtos acadêmicos diversos que permitam que a comunidade universitária tenha contato com possíveis cenários que irá encontrar em sua vida profissional. O campo experimental tem como principal objetivo a inserção de unidades agrossilviculturais com delineamento que permita o uso para ensino e pesquisa. A unidade foi instalada na Fazenda Experimental da UFOPA, nas coordenadas 02º 24? 52" S e 54º 42? 36" W, no município de Santarém, no Estado do Pará. O histórico de uso da área inclui atividade pecuária com a criação de bovinos por cerca de 26 anos (1980 a 2006), com posterior pousio durante 10 anos, resultando em estabelecimento de vegetação secundária, antes da implantação dos projetos do grupo de pesquisa. A predominância de chuvas é no primeiro semestre do ano, com altas temperaturas e umidade do ar durante todo o ano. Assim, esta descrição de experiência visa entender o impacto da instalação e manutenção de sítios experimentais no âmbito acadêmico para mostrar a importância do fomento para o manejo e inovação em sistemas agroflorestais