Perfil Epidemiológico de Pacientes Diagnosticados com Carcinoma Epidermoide Oral em Passo Fundo, Brasil

Introdução: O carcinoma epidermoide é uma patologia que corresponde a 90% dos tumores malignos da cavidade oral. Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil epidemiológico, o tratamento e a sobrevida dos pacientes diagnosticados com carcinoma epidermoide oral em um hospital referência na Região Norte do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Método: Estudo observacional retrospectivo, com análise dos prontuários dos pacientes com diagnóstico dessa patologia, no período de 1993 a 2008, no banco de dados desse hospital. Os dados foram analisados pelo programa estatístico SPSS versão 18 utilizando testes paramétricos e não paramétricos. Resultados: Foram coletados e analisados dados de 303 prontuários que revelaram que 88,4% eram homens, leucodermas, com maior incidência na faixa etária entre 51 e 60 anos. A associação de álcool e tabaco foi observada em 84,7% dos pacientes. O local mais afetado foi a língua (45,5%) e a maioria dos casos apresentou estádios tardios III e IV com uma sobrevida de 17,83 meses. Embora o tratamento cirúrgico tenha sido o mais realizado (55,9%) e apresentado a maior sobrevida, não foi observada significância estatística deste com relação aos demais tratamentos (p=0,185). Conclusão: O perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes é muito semelhante aos registros de vários países. Neste caso, o diagnóstico tardio diminuiu significativamente a expectativa de vida dos pacientes (2,5x), e o tratamento executado bem como o local inicial da lesão não tiveram influência significativa na sobrevida.

Reproductive potential does not cause loss of heat shock response performance in honey bees

In other species characterized to date, aging, as a function of reproductive potential, results in the breakdown of proteaostasis and a decreased capacity to mount responses by the heat shock response (HSR) and other proteostatic network pathways. Our understanding of the maintenance of stress pathways, such as the HSR, in honey bees, and in the reproductive queen in particular, is incomplete. Based on the findings in other species showing an inverse relationship between reproductive potential and HSR function, one might predict that that HSR function would be lost in the reproductive queens. However, as queens possess an atypical uncoupling of the reproduction-maintenance trade-off typically found in solitary organisms, HSR maintenance might also be expected. Here we demonstrate that reproductive potential does not cause loss of HSR performance in honey bees as queens induce target gene expression to levels comparable to those induced in attendant worker bees. Maintenance of HSR function with advent of reproductive potential is unique among invertebrates studied to date and provides a potential model for examining the molecular mechanisms regulating the uncoupling of the reproduction-maintenance trade-off in queen bees, with important consequences for understanding how stresses impact different types of individuals in honey bee colonies.

Foreign body reaction simulating mandibular osteosarcoma-Case report

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Foreign body granulomas may be associated with silicone prostheses.

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Foreign body granulomas can be mistaken for malignant neoplasms.

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Diagnosis of foreign body granuloma needs clinical, imaging and histological analysis.

Introduction

This study aimed to report the case of a foreign body granuloma in a 34-year-old woman, presenting clinical and imaging characteristics, as well as to discuss the association of using alloplastic material for the lesion in question.

Presentation of case

Female patient seeking dental care for a routine treatment. The panoramic radiograph showed the presence of asymptomatic, radiolucent, and multiloculated lesion between teeth 31 and 34. Among the hypotheses diagnosed, central giant cell granuloma and osteosarcoma were suggested. When questioned, the patient denied any health changes or recent local procedures. After performing a histopathological examination and insisting on anamnesis, the case was diagnosed more accurately as "foreign body reaction" and the adequate therapy was determined.

Discussion

The use of alloplastic material has been reported as an etiological factor of foreign body lesions, and dentists, either clinicians, radiologists or pathologists, should be aware of this because of the great increase of such procedures and the difficulties related to their diagnosis.

Conclusion

The foreign body granuloma associated with silicone prosthesis, based on its clinical and imaging characteristics, may be mistaken for neoplastic processes.

Peri-implant assessment via cone beam computed tomography and digital periapical radiography: an ex vivo study

OBJECTIVES

This research evaluated detail registration in peri-implant bone using two different cone beam computer tomography systems and a digital periapical radiograph.

METHODS

Three different image acquisition protocols were established for each cone beam computer tomography apparatus, and three clinical situations were simulated in an ex vivo fresh pig mandible: buccal bone defect, peri-implant bone defect, and bone contact. Data were subjected to two analyses: quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative analyses involved a comparison of real specimen measures using a digital caliper in three regions of the preserved buccal bone - A, B and E (control group) - to cone beam computer tomography images obtained with different protocols (kp1, kp2, kp3, ip1, ip2, and ip3). In the qualitative analyses, the ability to register peri-implant details via tomography and digital periapical radiography was verified, as indicated by twelve evaluators. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05).

RESULTS

The quantitative assessment showed means statistically equal to those of the control group under the following conditions: buccal bone defect B and E with kp1 and ip1, peri-implant bone defect E with kp2 and kp3, and bone contact A with kp1, kp2, kp3, and ip2. Qualitatively, only bone contacts were significantly different among the assessments, and the p3 results differed from the p1 and p2 results. The other results were statistically equivalent.

CONCLUSIONS

The registration of peri-implant details was influenced by the image acquisition protocol, although metal artifacts were produced in all situations. The evaluators preferred the Kodak 9000 3D cone beam computer tomography in most cases. The evaluators identified buccal bone defects better with cone beam computer tomography and identified peri-implant bone defects better with digital periapical radiography.

Presence and persistence of intestinal parasites in canine fecal material collected from the environment in the Province of Chubut, Argentine Patagonia

We investigated the presence of intestinal parasites in canine feces collected from public squares in Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, Argentina (45 degrees S, 68 degrees W) and determined the persistence of Echinococcus granulosus eggs in those droppings under natural environmental conditions in that region. In the first experiment, we analyzed 163 fecal samples collected from urban squares during 8 months time and found parasitic elements in 46.6%. The presence of parasites was independent of the condition of the feces (fresh or dried; P>0.05). Parasites potentially pathogenic in man were present, such as Toxocara species (spp.), Taenia spp./Echinococcus spp., Uncinarias spp., and Entamoeba spp. In the second experiment, we analyzed two canine fecal samples contaminated with E. granulosus eggs, deposited for 41 months within the natural environment. These parasitic elements persisted during the entire study as attested by light microscopy and the ELISA coproantigen test. We propose the study of the presence of intestinal parasites in canine feces within the environment as a general strategy for identifying and monitoring areas of risk for canine-related zoonoses since we were able to demonstrate the persistence of E. granulosus eggs in deposited canine feces for over 3 years within the area studied.

Student perceptions of clinical mistreatment

This study examined radiography students' perceptions regarding mistreatment during the clinical portion of their education. Results suggest that a majority of students perceived mistreatment and that second-year students were 4 times more likely to perceive mistreatment than first-year students. Most students who perceived mistreatment indicated that the abuse was verbal and came primarily from staff technologists. Most perceived the mistreatment to be slightly important and slightly upsetting. However, approximately one third perceived the mistreatment to be very important and very upsetting. As part of the study, students were asked to suggest preventive measures that could help eradicate abusive behavior in the clinical setting.

Significance of lipid consumption during lactation

Human milk lipids are the main source of energy to support optimum growth of the breast-fed infant. The content and composition of milk lipids come from three main sources of fatty acids: the diet, mobilization of body fat stores and fatty acid synthesis de novo by the mammary gland. On account of these, the consumption and composition of the lipids from the diet and also the nutritional state, specifically the body fat percentage of the lactating woman, are elements that maintain a close relation with the content and composition of milk lipids which translates into the energy content given to the baby. The evidence suggests that the body fat stores significantly provide the demand imposed by lactation, and under suboptimal nutritional conditions where body fat stores are depleted, dietary lipid consumption is essential. It is necessary to elucidate the physiological regulatory mechanisms involved in the utilization of dietary lipids on milk synthesis. This information will be of great practical value, since it may allow the development of optimum diets for lactating women.

Bone sialoprotein coated on glass and plastic surfaces is recognized by different beta 3 integrins

Integrins have important roles in mediating cell-matrix interactions, essential for cell migration and signaling. In bone, integrins are suggested to play a role through their ability to mediate cell attachment to bone matrix proteins. In the present study, the subunit composition of integrins binding bone sialoprotein and osteopontin coated on either glass or plastic surfaces was analyzed using cells isolated from bone. Thus, integrin antibodies to alpha v beta 3, alpha IIb beta 3, alpha v, alpha IIb, and beta 3 and the peptides GRGDSP and KQAGDV were used to define the integrins involved in the attachment in vitro of a preparation of multinucleated cells expressing the enzyme tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. Binding to osteopontin coated on either glass or plastic surfaces was mediated via the alpha v beta 3 integrin. Interestingly, the isolated cells bound to bone sialoprotein coated on plastic via the alpha v beta 3 integrin, but used a different integrin, alpha IIb beta 3, when the protein was coated on glass. It appears that bone sialoprotein when coated on glass and plastic, respectively, changes conformation, thereby altering the contact surface and subsequently the binding specificity. Alternatively, the protein contains two different binding sites, selectively exposed on glass or plastic as a result of different protein binding. The results demonstrate that bone sialoprotein contains domains, or can change conformation, such that it can interact with either the alpha IIb beta 3 or the alpha v beta 3 integrin. Whether the integrins were located on the multinucleated cells proper or on platelets bound to these cells could not be unequivocally concluded. The possible presence of platelets should, however, be considered when interpreting data from the isolated osteoclast system.

RGD-directed attachment of isolated rat osteoclasts to osteopontin, bone sialoprotein, and fibronectin

Osteoclasts isolated from the long bones of 5-day-old rats were seeded onto glass surfaces coated with osteopontin, bone sialoprotein, or fibronectin. Cell binding was promoted by all three proteins and inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by an RGD-containing peptide, while an RGE-containing peptide was ineffective. Immunocytochemistry of bone tissue showed enhanced concentration of osteopontin in bone opposite the clear zone of the osteoclasts, whereas immunolocalization of bone sialoprotein and fibronectin showed no accumulation on bone surfaces facing cells. The observations corroborate previous findings that the osteoclast is attached via an integrin to osteopontin on the bone surface. Although bone sialoprotein and fibronectin can mediate osteoclast binding in vitro, such a role in vivo is not supported by the immunocytochemical observations.

[The electrocardiographic changes in patients stung by scorpions]

Scorpion sting is a hazardous and potentially lethal condition. Venom of some variety of scorpion can cause dramatic cardiovascular and electrocardiographic changes, that have been related to heart stimulation by autonomous nervous system. We prospectively studied 722 patients following scorpion sting. Mean age for the group was 25.5 +/- 18.3 years. 67% were less than 30 years of age. In 294 patients (40.7%) we found electrocardiographic changes. These cases were followed until those changes disappeared. First degree atrioventricular block was found in 10.2%. Intraventricular conduction disturbances in 12.8% with predominance of right bundle branch block. In 11% we found arrhythmias. In 15% reversible ventricular repolarization changes. Of this no one died. This lack of mortality could be attributed to a prompt therapeutic intervention.

[Risk of occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus in Venezuelan health workers. Multicenter study]

In a multicenter study, 970 serum samples were collected from venezuelan health workers. Presence of HBV serological markers (HBsAg, antiHBs and total anticore) were screened by microELISA. Two-hundred and forty-seven samples (27%) showed at least one positive marker, being the most frequently found the antisurface antibody which was present in different working areas, including those considered at the low exposure level (medicine 24.7%). The proportion of antisurface positive samples also was significantly higher in the group with more than 10 years of service compared to the prevalence showed by the group with less than 5 years (19.1 vs 12.8%). Groups considered to be at low risk, contrary to the expected results, showed a similar or higher prevalence compared to the groups classified as continues or frequent exposure (17.7 vs 8.6%). Our findings suggest a permanent HBV load circulation at the venezuelan hospitals environment.

Effect of a high dose of fluoride on resorbing osteoclasts in vivo

Histomorphometric analysis of osteoclasts resorbing bone above the erupting first rat molar tooth germ was made at 1, 2, 6, 24, and 48 h following systemic administration of a single high dose of sodium fluoride. Compared to the number of osteoclasts in control rats, a significant reduction was observed in the number of actively resorbing osteoclasts in fluoride-injected rats at 2 and 6 h after dose administration, after which a gradual increase to control levels was observed. A locally increased number of inactive osteoclasts, not attached to bone surfaces, accompanied the reduced number of active osteoclasts.

[Inhibition of the growth of bacterial populations by suspensions obtained from Pseudomonas aeruginosa pyocinogenic strains]

Suspensions obtained from five Pseudomonas aeruginosa pyocinogenic strains showed inhibitory and variable activity against bacterial strains belonging to the Nocardiaceae, Micrococcaceae, Neisseriaceae, Streptococcaceae, Vibrionaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Pseudomonadaceae families. Under special conditions, the same pyocinogenic P. aeruginosa strain can be affected by it own suspensions. These pyocinlike particles could be considered as a regulatory factor acting on the rate and size of the population growth.

Selective enrichment of aromatic amino acid auxotrophs in Hansenula polymorpha

Aromatic amino acid auxotrophs of the methanol-utilizing yeast Hansenula polymorpha were effectively selected by the use of nystatin and a medium that inhibits the growth of tyrosine auxotrophs. The procedure resulted in a frequency of aromatic auxotrophs of 2% of survivors and an enrichment of 20-fold. The new procedure also takes less time than traditional procedures. Of the auxotrophic mutants isolated, two-thirds required tyrosine and the remainder were tyrosine-phenylalanine double auxotrophs.