How to minimise the effect of tumour cell content in detection of aberrant genetic markers in neuroblastoma

Background:Clinical heterogeneity reflects the complexity of genetic events associated with neuroblastoma (NB). To identify the status of all described genetic loci with possible prognostic interest, high-throughput approaches have been used, but only with tumour cell content >60%. In some tumours, necrotic, haemorrhagic and/or calcification areas influence the low amount of neuroblasts. We evaluated the effect of tumour cell content in the detection of relevant aberrant genetic markers (AGM) diagnosed by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) on tissue microarrays (TMA) in NB.Methods:Two hundred and thirty-three MYCN non-amplified primary NB included in 12 TMAs were analysed.Results:Presence of AGM reduced event-free survival (EFS) (P=0.004) as well as overall survival (OS) (P=0.004) of patients in the whole cohort. There were no differences in prognostic impact of presence of AGM according to tumour cell content.Conclusion:We propose the use of FISH to diagnose AGM of all NB samples having the above-mentioned areas to determine patient risk

Molecular biogeography of planktonic and benthic diatoms in the Yangtze River

Background: Diatoms are of great significance to primary productivity in oceans, yet little is known about their biogeographic distribution in oligotrophic rivers. Results: With the help of metabarcoding analysis of 279 samples from the Yangtze River, we provided the first integral biogeographic pattern of planktonic and benthic diatoms over a 6030 km continuum along the world's third largest river. Our study revealed spatial dissimilarity of diatoms under varying landforms, including plateau, mountain, foothill, basin, foothill-mountain, and plain regions, from the river source to the estuary. Environmental drivers of diatom communities were interpreted in terms of photosynthetically active radiation, temperature, channel slope and nutrients, and human interference. Typical benthic diatoms, such as Pinnularia, Paralia, and Aulacoseira, experienced considerable reduction in relative abundance downstream of the Three Gorges Dam and the Xiluodu Dam, two of the world's largest dams. Conclusions: Our study revealed that benthic diatoms are of particular significance in characterizing motile guild in riverine environments, which provides insights into diatom biogeography and biogeochemical cycles in large river ecosystems

A prática odontológica em Unidades Básicas de Saúde em Feira de Santana (BA) no processo de municipalização da saúde: individual, curativa, autônoma e tecnicista The odontological practice in the Basic Health Units in Feira de Santana, Bahia, in the health municipalization process: individual, autonomous, curative and technical activities

O presente estudo teve como objetivo central a descrição e análise da prática odontológica nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) em Feira de Santana, no processo de municipalização da saúde. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, do tipo descritiva-exploratória. Os dados empíricos foram analisados a partir de entrevista semi-estruturada com cirurgiões-dentistas (10 profissionais) e de observação não participante em 3 UBS. O tratamento do material empírico foi baseado na análise de conteúdo de Bardin (1979) e Minayo (1999), em que se buscou desvendar os conteúdos manifestos e latentes dos discursos dos entrevistados, e uma maior compreensão da prática odontológica na rede básica. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que o profissional CD não se inseriu no processo de municipalização, e encontra-se ainda exercendo uma prática pautada no modelo tradicional de atenção à saúde bucal, privilegiando ações individuais, autônomas, curativas e tecnicistas. Concluímos que a prática odontológica nas UBS-FS precisa ser (re)construída, para atingir os objetivos preconizados pelo SUS. E, principalmente, o profissional CD se inserir como sujeito do processo, apontando para práticas alternativas voltadas para a promoção, prevenção, tratamento e reabilitação da saúde bucal.<br>The main objective of this present study has been the description and analysis of the odontological practice in the Unidades Básicas de Saúde (Basic Health Units) in Feira de Santana, Bahia, in the health municipalization process. It is a qualitative research with a descriptive and exploratory characteristic. The empirical data were analyzed from a semistructured interview with dental surgeons (10 professionals altogether) and a non-participant observation in 3 BHU. The empirical material treatment was based on the Bardin’s (1979) and Minayo’s(1999) syllabus, from which, it was ought to unveil the visible and concealed contents from the interviewees’ speeches and have a greater understanding of the odontological procedures in the public health system. The outcome shows that the professional dental surgeon is not introduced into the municipalization process, benefiting individual, autonomous, curative and technical activities. We have deduced that the odontological practice present in the BHU in Feira de Santana, needs to be (re)built in order to achieve the goals indicated by the "SUS" (National Public Health System). And mainly, having the professional dental surgeon playing an active role in this process, leading alternative practices concerned with the promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of the oral health