Congenital lobular capillary hemangioma of the nasal cavity of an infant - A rare case report

Introdução: O hemangioma capilar lobular (HCL), originalmente denominado como granuloma piogénico, é uma lesão vascular benigna de crescimento rápido de etiologia desconhecida, com uma distinta arquitectura microscópica lobular, que afecta a pele e mucosa. Embora o HCL da cabeça e pescoço não seja incomum, a sua ocorrência na fossa nasal é pouco frequente, e ainda mais raro em crianças. Material e métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de caso clínico de um lactente com uma massa na fossa nasal direita diagnosticada como HCL, utilizando o método descritivo. Resultados: Esta é uma revisão da história de um lactente com 54 dias de idade referenciado ao nosso hospital por obstrução nasal severa causada por uma massa da fossa nasal direita. A criança apresentava dificuldade respiratória desde o nascimento, que se foi agravando progressivamente à medida que a massa aumentava de tamanho. Esta estava a ser responsável pelo abaulamento do lado direito da pirâmide nasal e septo e pelo aparecimento de edema periorbitário à direita. Após remoção da massa através de cirurgia endoscópica nasal, foi feito o diagnóstico histológico de HCL. Conclusões: Os autores encontraram apenas a descrição de um caso na literatura de um HCL congénito da fossa nasal num lactente. Embora raro, o HCL deve ser incluído no diagnóstico diferencial de massas das fossas nasais na população pediátrica.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Retinal thickness in eyes with mild nonproliferative retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: comparison of measurements obtained by retinal thickness analysis and optical coherence tomography

OBJECTIVE: To compare measurements of retinal thickness in eyes with mild nonproliferative retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using 2 different techniques: the retinal thickness analyzer (RTA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: Twenty-eight eyes from 28 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and mild nonproliferative retinopathy were classified according to the Wisconsin grading system by 7-field stereoscopic fundus photography. Ten eyes were classified as level 10 (absence of visible lesions) and 18 as level 20 or 35 (minimal retinopathy). All eyes were examined by the RTA and OCT. Healthy populations were used to establish reference maps for the RTA (n = 14; mean age, 48 years; age range, 42-55 years) and OCT (n = 10; mean age, 56 years; age range, 43-68 years). Reference maps were computed using the means + 2 SDs of the values obtained for each location. Increases in thickness were computed as a percentage of increase over these reference maps. RESULTS: The RTA detected increases in thickness in 1 or more locations in 24 of the 28 diabetic eyes examined, whereas OCT detected increases in only 3 eyes. The percentages of increase detected by the RTA ranged from 0.3% to 73.5%, whereas OCT detected percentages of increase of 0.3% to 4.8%. CONCLUSION: Optical coherence tomography is less sensitive than the RTA in detecting localized increases in retinal thickness in the initial stages of diabetic retinal disease

Nasal obstruction in neonates: Two cases report of congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis

A Estenose Congénita do Orifício Piriforme (ECOP) é uma causa rara de obstrução nasal no recém-nascido, um respirador nasal obrigatório, e por isso potencialmente fatal. Obriga a diagnóstico diferencial com causas mais comuns como a atrésia choanal. Na clínica predominam a apneia episódica e a cianose cíclica, sendo o diagnóstico confirmado imagiologicamente. Pode surgir isoladamente ou associada a alterações crâniofaciais, hipopituitarismo e cromossomopatias. A correcção cirúrgica impõe-se face ao insucesso do tratamento médico. Este artigo tem por objectivo relatar dois casos clínicos de ECOP. O primeiro caso foi diagnosticado à nascença, não apresentava patologia concomitante e estabilizou clinicamente apenas com terapêutica médica. O segundo caso relata lactente de 3 meses, cujo estudo imagiológico identificou dente incisivo superior mediano único, como malformação associada. Pela gravidade da obstrução nasal a abordagem exigiu, para além da terapêutica nasal tópica, a correcção cirúrgica da estenose. Ambas as crianças encontram-se clinicamente beminfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Serological detection of Plasmodium vivax malaria using recombinant proteins corresponding to the 19-kDa C-terminal region of the merozoite surface protein-1

Background: Serological tests to detect antibodies specific to Plasmodium vivax could be a valuable tool for epidemiological studies, for screening blood donors in areas where the malaria is not endemic and for diagnosis of infected individuals. Because P. vivax cannot be easily obtained in vitro, ELISA assays using total or semi-purified antigens are rarely used. Based on this limitation, we tested whether recombinant proteins representing the 19 kDa C-terminal region of the merozoite surface protein-1 of P. vivax (MSP1(19)) could be useful for serological detection of malaria infection.Methods: Three purified recombinant proteins produced in Escherichia coli (GST-MSP1(19), His(6)-MSP1(19) and His(6)-MSP1(19)-PADRE) and one in Pichia pastoris (yMSP1(19)-PADRE) were compared for their ability to bind to IgG antibodies of individuals with patent P. vivax infection. the method was tested with 200 serum samples collected from individuals living in the north of Brazil in areas endemic for malaria, 53 serum samples from individuals exposed to Plasmodium falciparum infection and 177 serum samples from individuals never exposed to malaria.Results: Overall, the sensitivity of the ELISA assessed with sera from naturally infected individuals was 95%. the proportion of serum samples that reacted with recombinant proteins GST-MSP1(19), His(6)-MSP1(19), His(6)-MSP1(19)-PADRE and yMSP1(19)-PADRE was 90%, 93.5%, 93.5% and 93.5%, respectively. the specificity values of the ELISA determined with sera from healthy individuals and from individuals with other infectious diseases were 98.3% (GST-MSP1(19)), 97.7% (His(6)-MSP1(19) and His(6)-MSP1(19)-PADRE) or 100% (yMSP1(19)-PADRE).Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that for the Brazilian population, an ELISA using a recombinant protein of the MSP1(19) can be used as the basis for the development of a valuable serological assay for the detection of P. vivax malaria.Univ São Paulo, Dept Anal Clin & Toxicol, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut, BR-05508900 São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ Para, Dept Patol, Ctr Ciencias Biol, BR-66075900 Belem, Para, BrazilMinist Salud, Inst Evandro Chagas, Secretaria Vigilancia Saude, BR-66090000 Belem, Para, BrazilHosp Israelita Albert Einstein, Dept Hemoterapia, BR-05651901 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Comparison of diabetic retinopathy classification using fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography angiography

PURPOSE: To analyse and compare the classification of eyes with diabetic retinopathy using fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) performed either with AngioPlex or AngioVue. METHODS: This was an observational cross-sectional study of 50 eyes from 26 diabetic subjects. Two independent graders classified the FA angiograms, to assess the presence and severity of several characteristics according to the ETDRS Report 11, and a similar evaluation was performed for each 3×3 mm OCTA image from the superficial retinal layer and for the full retina slab. RESULTS: Percentages of non-gradable images for the outline of foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in the central subfield (CSF) were 29.0% for FA, 12.0% for AngioVue and 3.0% for AngioPlex. For capillary loss, percentages of non-gradable images in the CSF were 25.0% for FA, 11% for AngioVue and 0.0% for AngioPlex. For the inner ring (IR), percentages of non-gradable images were 12.5% for FA, 11.5% for AngioVue and 0.5% for AngioPlex. Agreement between graders was substantial for outline of FAZ. For capillary loss, the agreement was fair for the CSF, and moderate for the IR. CONCLUSIONS: The OCTA allows better discrimination of the CSF and parafoveal macular microvasculature than FA, especially for FAZ disruption and capillary dropout, without the need of an intravenous injection of fluorescein. In addition, FA had also a higher number of non-gradable images. The OCTA can replace with advantage the FA, as a non-invasive and more sensitive procedure for detailed morphological evaluation of central macular vascular changes. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02391558, Pre-results.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Poly[[aqua-μ3-picolinato-μ2-picolinato-dipicolinatopotassium(I)terbium(III)] 2.5-hydrate]

In the title compound, [KTb(C6H4NO2)4(H2O)]·2.5H2O, each Tb3+ centre is coordinated by four N and five O atoms from five distinct picolinate ligands in a geometry resembling a highly distorted tricapped trigonal prism. One of the ligands establishes a skew bridge between neighbouring Tb3+ centres, leading to the formation of one-dimensional anionic polymeric chains, {[(C6H4NO2)4Tb]−}n, running along the direction [010]. Each K+ cation is seven-coordinated by six O atoms from one anionic polymeric chain and one water mol­ecule [K⋯O 2.676 (3)–3.208 (4) Å]. The uncoordinated water mol­ecules are involved in O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding

Methodology for assessing the individual role of fish, oyster, phytoplankton and macroalgae in the ecology of integrated production in earthen ponds

Production costs in extensive and semi-intensive fish culture in earthen ponds are often too high to offer sustainable economic activity due to the low productivity of these systems. The right combination of commercial finfish species with inorganic (primary producers) and organic extractive (bivalves) species in Integrated MultiTrophic Aquaculture (IMTA) create a balanced system with higher profitability and risk reduction. To achieve this, it is crucial to understand the role of each functional groups within the system what we did by comparing three different IMTA production three different IMTA production treatments with distinct combinations of trophic levels: •fish, filter feeders, phytoplankton and macroalgae,•fish, filter feeders and phytoplankton•fish, phytoplankton and macroalgae Each treatment was carried out in two similar ponds under semi-intensive conditions and flow through system, in a total of 6 earthen ponds of 500 m2 surface and depth of 1.5 m. Results showed that the presence of oysters in the ponds enhanced water quality by decreasing turbidity and by controlling phytoplankton which led to regulation of dissolved oxygen levels. The enhanced water quality in these systems lead to improved fish performance and higher biomass production contributing to greater profitability. The combination of fish, oyster, phytoplankton and macroalgae was particularly good providing much more fish supply compared with the other two treatments. •Oysters enhanced water quality in the ponds by decreasing turbidity and controlling phytoplankton which regulated the dissolved oxygen levels.•The enhanced water quality in systems with oysters improve fish performance resulting in higher biomass production and greater profitability.•The combination of fish, oyster, phytoplankton and macroalgae was particularly good providing much more fish supply compared with the other two treatments.Funding Agency Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) COFASP/0003/2015 SFRH/BD/118601/2016 Project DIVERSIAQUA Mar2020 16-02-01-FMP-0066 project Algared+ Poctep 0055_ALGARED_PLUS_5_E UID/Multi/04326/2019info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mortars with incorporation of phase change materials (PCM): physical and mechanical properties and durability

O despertar da consciência ambiental pela sociedade, tem levantado problemas até então ignorados tais como os consumos energéticos. Numa sociedade com um elevado ritmo de crescimento e padrões de conforto cada vez maiores, surge a necessidade de minimizar os elevados consumos energéticos, tirando partido de fontes de energia renováveis. As argamassas com incorporação de materiais de mudança de fase (PCM) possuem a capacidade de regular a temperatura no interior dos edifícios, contribuindo desta forma para o aumento do nível de conforto térmico e diminuição do recurso a equipamentos de climatização, apenas com recurso à energia solar. Contudo, a incorporação de materiais de mudança de fase em argamassas modifica algumas das suas principais características. Portanto, o principal objetivo deste estudo consistiu na caracterização física e mecânica de argamassas aditivadas com PCM, assim como na avaliação da sua durabilidade. Para tal foram desenvolvidas 12 composições distintas, à base de diferentes ligantes e dopadas com 40% de PCM. Tendo sido possível observar que a incorporação de PCM provoca diferenças significativas em propriedades tais como a trabalhabilidade, resistência à compressão, resistência à flexão, aderência, absorção de água por capilaridade, absorção de água por imersão e resistência a ações de gelo-degelo. Contudo, foi possível concluir que a incorporação de PCM nas argamassas pode ser realizada com sucesso. Sendo que, as alterações verificadas nas argamassas podem ser contornadas através da incorporação de uma maior dosagem de ligante, superplastificante e até mesmo a inclusão de fibras. Apesar dos resultados desta investigação serem promissores é importante referir que outras investigações devem ser realizadas com o intuito de observar a influência do PCM em argamassas constituídas por outros materiais.The awakening of environmental awareness by society has raised issues previously ignored such as energy consumption. In a society with a high growth rate and increased standards of comfort arises the need to minimize the currently high energy consumption by taking advantage of renewable energy sources. The mortars with incorporation of phase change materials (PCM) have the ability to regulate the temperature inside buildings, contributing to the thermal comfort and reduction of the use of heating and cooling equipment, using only the energy supplied by the sun. However, the incorporation of phase change materials in mortars modifies its characteristics. The main purpose of this study was the physical and mechanical characterization, as well the evaluation of the durability. Twelve compositions were developed, based in different binders and doped with 40% of PCM. It was possible to observe that the incorporation of PCM in mortars caused significant differences in properties, such as workability, compression strength, flexural strength, adhesion, water absorption by capillarity, water absorption by immersion and degradation after freeze-thaw cycles. However, it was concluded that the incorporation of PCM in mortars can be performed successfully. Being that the changes in mortars can be solved by incorporating a higher content of binder, superplasticizer and the inclusion of fibers. Although the results of this investigation are promising it is important to note that further investigations should be performed aiming to observe the influence of PCM in mortars composed by other materials.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia pelo financiamento deste trabalho de investigação desenvolvido no âmbito do projeto “ Contribuição de Argamassas Térmicas Ativas para a Eficiência Energética dos Edifícios” (PTDC/ECM/102154/2008) e à atribuição da bolsa individual de doutoramento com referência SFRH/BD/95611/2013

Complicações Intracranianas na Mastoidite: É Possível Melhorar o Prognóstico

A otomastoidite é a complicação supurativa mais comum da otite média aguda. Pode cursar com complicações intracranianas em 17% dos casos, como a meningite ou trombose venosa do seio lateral (TVSL). A abordagem nem sempre é consensual e a hipertensão craniana secundária pode ser uma complicaçãoN/