Sarcopenia and Anemia Are Predictors of Poor Prognostic in Cervical Cancer Patients

Objective: Evaluate pretreatment sarcopenia and anemia as prognostic factors in women undergoing treatment for cervical cancer (CC) with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Methods: 151 women with CC were analysed in this cohort study. Pretreatment computed tomography (CT) images were analysed to assess skeletal muscle index (SMI). Hazard ratios (HR) and multivariate Cox proportional HR were used to analyse association between low SMI, age, body mass index (BMI), haemoglobin levels, histological type, and International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage with PFS and OS. Results: A total of 151 patients were included, 53 (35.1%) presented pretreatment sarcopenia;51 (34%) stage I/II and 100 (66%) stage III/IV. Among those patients in advanced stage (III/IV) 37 (70%) (p = 0.28) were sarcopenic at the beginning of treatment. Sarcopenia was associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in our cohort [HR 0.97 (p = 0.01)] [HR 0.73 (p = 0.001)], as well as anemia [HR 0.73 (p = 0.001)] [HR 0.78 (p = 0.001)]. Linear regression models indicated that despite showing no association with age, neutrophil or platelet counts, sarcopenia was associated with pretreatment anemia levels (p = 0.01). After a multivariate analysis, only haemoglobin (anemia) and complete CCRT remained associated with PFS and OS. Sarcopenia and anemia were associated with worse PFS and OS in FIGO stage I/II. Conclusion: Pretreatment sarcopenia was significantly associated with low haemoglobin levels. Anemia and incomplete CCRT were independently associated with poor prognosis in women with CC. Pretreatment sarcopenia, as low SMI, was a predictor of poor prognostic in early stages of CC.

Impact of infection in hospitalized cirrhotic patients in a university hospital

Background: Infection increases the morbidity and mortality in liver cirrhosis patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of infection related to survival and risk factors for death in adult patients with liver cirrhosis in a university hospital. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study of Brazilian hospitalized cirrhotic patients, medical records data were analysed, and all patients who have had one or more confirmed bacterial infection during admission were se-ected for the study. Also, some data as biochemical investigation, Child score, MELD estimation, and evolution and death event were included. Statistical analysis: chi-square, Fisher and Mann-Whitney tests were used. Uni and multivariate analysis were performed, according to Cox regression model. The significant statistical level was p 2.5 mg/dl had increased the risk of death of 4.1, 3.2 and 3.2, respectively. Conclusion: Bacterial infections in hospitalized cirrhotic patients deserve special care, mainly spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and also patients whose hiponatremia, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, high levels of cre-atinine and MELD high score are found.

Interaction between diet and genetics in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

In this editorial,we comment on the article by Marangoni et al,published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology 2023;29:5618-5629,about“Diet as an epigenetic factor in inflammatory bowel disease”.The authors emphasized the role of diet,especially the interaction with genetics,in promoting the inflam-matory process in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)patients,focusing on DNA methylation,histone modifications,and the influence of microRNAs.In this editorial,we explore the interaction between genetics,gut microbiota,and diet,in an only way.Furthermore,we provided dietary recommendations for patients with IBD.The Western diet,characterized by a low fiber content and deficiency the micronutrients,impacts short-chain fatty acids production and may be related to the pathogenesis of IBD.On the other hand,the consumption of the Mediter-ranean diet and dietary fibers are associated with reduced risk of IBD flares,particularly in Crohn’s disease(CD)patients.According to the dietary guidance from the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases(IOIBD),the regular consumption of fruits and vegetables while reducing the consumption of saturated,trans,dairy fat,additives,processed foods rich in maltodextrins,and artificial sweeteners containing sucralose or saccharine is recommended to CD patients.For patients with ulcerative colitis,the IOIBD recommends the increased intake of natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids and follows the same restrictive recommendations aimed at CD patients,with the possible inclusion of red meats.In conclusion,IBD is a complex and hetero-geneous disease,and future studies are needed to elucidate the influence of epigenetics on diet and microbiota in IBD patients.

Cerebral and muscle tissue oxygenation during exercise in healthy adults: A systematic review

Background:Near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)technology has allowed for the measurement of cerebral and skeletal muscle oxygenation simultaneously during exercise.Since this technology has been growing and is now successfully used in laboratory and sports settings,this systematic review aimed to synthesize the evidence and enhance an integrative understanding of bloodflow adjustments and oxygen(O_(2))changes(i.e.,the balance between O_(2) delivery and O_(2) consumption)within the cerebral and muscle systems during exercise.Methods:A systematic review was conducted using PubMed,Embase,Scopus,and Web of Science databases to search for relevant studies that simultaneously investigated cerebral and muscle hemodynamic changes using the near-infrared spectroscopy system during exercise.This review considered manuscripts written in English and available before February 9,2023.Each step of screening involved evaluation by 2 inde-pendent authors,with disagreements resolved by a third author.The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies.Results:Twenty studies were included,of which 80%had good methodological quality,and involved 290 young or middle-aged adults.Different types of exercises were used to assess cerebral and muscle hemodynamic changes,such as cycling(n=11),treadmill(n=1),knee extension(n=5),isometric contraction of biceps brachii(n=3),and duet swim routines(n=1).The cerebral hemodynamics anal-ysis was focused on the frontal cortex(n=20),while in the muscle,the analysis involved vastus lateralis(n=18),gastrocnemius(n=3),biceps brachii(n=5),deltoid(n=1),and intercostal muscle(n=1).Overall,muscle deoxygenation increases during exercise,reaching a plateau in voluntary exhaustion,while in the brain,oxyhemoglobin concentration increases with exercise intensity,reaching a plateau or declining at the exhaustion point.Conclusion:Muscle and cerebral oxygenation respond differently to exercise,with muscle increasing O_(2) utilization and cerebral tissue increasing O_(2) delivery during exercise.However,at the exhaustion point,both muscle and cerebral oxygenation become compromised.This is characterized by a reduction in bloodflow and a decrease in O_(2) extraction in the muscle,while in the brain,oxygenation reaches a plateau or decline,potentially resulting in motor failure during exercise.

Corrigendum to“Towards a business model for second-life batteries:Barriers,opportunities,uncertainties,and technologies”[J.Energy Chem.78(2023)507–525]

In the Acknowledgments Section,please replace“Shell oil”for“TotalEnergies”.The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.For the sake of clarity(“Shell oil”should be removed and in boldblack“TotalEnergies”inserted),this section should say:The authors would like to thank Moura Batteries for the financial support.

Emergency Care for Children and Adolescents after Sexual Violence, in Brazil’s Capital, Brasilia

Objective: Sexual violence affects women of all ages but, more commonly, children and adolescents. This study aimed to identify the extent to which services are being provided at the hospitals responsible for the emergency care of children and adolescents who have suffered sexual violence and to determine whether there is any difference in the provision of such services as a function of the victim’s age. Method: This cross-sectional study investigated differences in the care received by female children and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence in a capital city, comparing the treatment given to girls under 15 with that given to adolescents of 15 to 19 years of age. The data were extracted from the State Department of Health database between 01/01/2012 and 31/12/2016. Results: Children under 15 were much less likely to receive prophylaxis against HIV, sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis B, with the number of adolescent girls treated adequately corresponding to between twice and almost three times the number of children treated prophylactically. Only 10% of girls under 15 received emergency contraception. Conclusion: The lack of standard care established by the Ministry of Health highlights the need for urgent debates both locally and probably throughout the country, as the situation may be similar in other regions of the country.

Repurposing metformin for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer

Diabetes mellitus type 2 and cancer share many risk factors.The pleiotropic insulin-dependent and insulin-independent effects of metformin might inhibit pathways that are frequently amplified in neoplastic tissue.Particularly,modulation of inflammation,metabolism,and cell cycle arrest are potential therapeutic cancer targets utilized by metformin to boost the anti-cancer effects of chemotherapy.Studies in vitro and in vivo models have demonstrated the potential of metformin as a chemo-and radiosensitizer,besides its chemopreventive and direct therapeutic activity in digestive system(DS)tumors.Hence,these aspects have been considered in many cancer clinical trials.Case-control and cohort studies and associated meta-analyses have evaluated DS cancer risk and metformin usage,especially in colorectal cancer,pancreatic cancer,and hepatocellular carcinoma.Most clinical studies have demonstrated the protective role of metformin in the risk for DS cancers and survival rates.On the other hand,the ability of metformin to enhance the actions of chemotherapy for gastric and biliary cancers is yet to be investigated.This article reviews the current findings on the anti-cancer mechanisms of metformin and its apparatus from pre-clinical and ongoing studies in DS malignancies.

Oxidative reforming of methane for hydrogen and synthesis gas production:Thermodynamic equilibrium analysis

A thermodynamic analysis of methane oxidative reforming was carried out by Gibbs energy minimization （at constant pressure and temperature） and entropy maximization （at constant pressure and enthalpy） methods,to determine the equilibrium compositions and equilibrium temperatures,respectively.Both cases were treated as optimization problems （non-linear programming formulation）.The GAMS 23.1 software and the CONOPT2 solver were used in the resolution of the proposed problems.The hydrogen and syngas production were favored at high temperatures and low pressures,and thus the oxygen to methane molar ratio （O 2 /CH 4） was the dominant factor to control the composition of the product formed.For O 2 /CH 4 molar ratios higher than 0.5,the oxidative reforming of methane presented autothermal behavior in the case of either utilizing O 2 or air as oxidant agent,but oxidation reaction with air possessed the advantage of avoiding peak temperatures in the system,due to change in the heat capacity of the system caused by the addition of nitrogen.The calculated results were compared with previously published experimental and simulated data with a good agreement between them.

Assessment of disease activity in inflammatory bowel diseases:Non-invasive biomarkers and endoscopic scores

Inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)comprise two major forms:Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.The diagnosis of IBD is based on clinical symptoms combined with results found in endoscopic and radiological examinations.In addition,the discovery of biomarkers has significantly improved the diagnosis and management of IBD.Several potential genetic,serological,fecal,microbial,histological and immunological biomarkers have been proposed for IBD,and they have been evaluated for clinical routine and clinical trials.Ileocolonoscopy,especially with biopsy collection,has been considered the standard method to diagnose IBD and to assess clinical activity of the disease,but it is limited to the colon and terminal ileum and is considered invasive.For this reason,non-invasive biomarkers are necessary for this type of chronic inflammatory disease,which affects mostly young individuals,as they are expected to have a long follow-up.

Evolution of the 3.65-2.58 Ga Mairi Gneiss Complex,Brazil:Implications for growth of the continental crust in the São Francisco Craton

The composition and formation of the Earth’s primitive continental crust and mantle differentiation are key issues to understand and reconstruct the geodynamic terrestrial evolution,especially during the Archean.However,the scarcity of exposure to these rocks,the complexity of lithological relationships,and the high degree of superimposed deformation,especially with long-lived magmatism,make it difficult to study ancient rocks.Despite this complexity,exposures of the Archean Mairi Gneiss Complex basement unit in the São Francisco Craton offer important information about the evolution of South America’s primitive crust.Therefore,here we present field relationships,LA-ICP-SFMS zircon U-Pb ages,and LA-ICP-MCMS Lu-Hf isotope data for the recently identified Eoarchean to Neoarchean gneisses of the Mairi Complex.The Complex is composed of massive and banded gneisses with mafic members ranging from dioritic to tonalitic,and felsic members ranging from TTG(Tonalite-Trondhjemite-Granodiorite)to granitic composition.Our new data point to several magmatic episodes in the formation of the Mairi Gneiss Complex:Eoarchean(ca.3.65–3.60 Ga),early Paleoarchean(ca.3.55–3.52 Ga),middle-late Paleoarchean(ca.3.49–3.33 Ga)and Neoarchean(ca.2.74–2.58 Ga),with no records of Mesoarchean rocks.Lu-Hf data unveiled a progressive evolution of mantle differentiation and crustal recycling over time.In the Eoarchean,rocks are probably formed by the interaction between the pre-existing crust and juvenile contribution from chondritic to weakly depleted mantle sources,whereas mantle depletion played a role in the Paleoarchean,followed by greater differentiation of the crust with thickening and recycling in the middle–late Paleoarchean.A different stage of crustal growth and recycling dominated the Neoarchean,probably owing to the thickening of the continental crust by collision,continental arc growth,and mantle differentiation.

Low expression of angiotensinogen and dipeptidyl peptidase 1 in saliva of patients with proliferative verrucous leukoplakia

AIM To elucidate the profile of the salivary proteome.METHODS Unstimulated whole mouth saliva was collected from 30 volunteers [15 proliferative verrucous leukoplakia(PVL) patients and 15 controls] and proteins were submitted for mass spectrometry-based proteomics using the discovery approach,followed by analyses of variance and logistic regression tests.RESULTS A total of two hundred and eighty-three proteins were confidently identified in saliva.By combining two low abundance proteins from the PVL group,angiotensinogen(AGT) and dipeptidyl peptidase 1(DPP1),a model for group differentiation was built with a concordance index of 94.2%,identifying both proteins as potential etiologic biomarkers for PVL.CONCLUSION This study suggests that both AGT and DPP1 may be involved in developmental mechanisms of PVL.

Role of diet and nutrition in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases(IBDs)are closely linked to nutrition.The latest research indicates that diet and nutrition are significantly involved in the etiopathogenesis of the disease,although their specific role throughout its clinical course still remains unclear.This study reviewed how diet and nutrition are associated with IBD development and management.Even though specific diets have been shown to bring about positive outcomes,there is currently no scientific consensus regarding an appropriate diet that would benefit all IBD patients.We suggest that individualized dietary recommendations are of the greatest importance and that diets should be planned to provide individual IBD patients with specific nutrient requirements while keeping all the clinical aspects of the patients in mind.Further research is clearly necessary to investigate nutritional factors involved in IBD development and,especially,to evaluate the applications of the diets during the course of the disease.

Generalized Procrustes Analysis and External Preference Map Used to Consumer Drivers of Diet Gluten Free Product

In order to study correlations between sensory properties and acceptance, regular and gluten-free carrot cakes (sweetened with sucrose and sucralose) were evaluated. Appearance, aroma, flavor, texture and overall liking were analyzed by 120 carrot cake consumers using a 9-cm hedonic scale. Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) was carried out with 11 assessors among 16 attributes. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, Tukey test (p < 0.05), Internal Preference Map and Cluster analysis. Also texture parameters were analyzed by Partial Least Square (PLS) to be able to show the instrumental parameters influence. Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA) was used before an Ex-ternal Preference Mapping to reduce the scale effects and to obtain a consensus configuration. According to PLS correlation, the attributes hardness, fracturability, adhesiveness, chewiness and gumminess interfered on characteristics considered undesirable for texture acceptance and smoothness, elasticity, cohesiveness and water activity interfered as desirable features. It was noted that all cakes were well accepted, except cake sweetened with sucralose and mix done using cornmeal, rice flour, potato starch and corn starch (2:3:3:2). As for the instrumental aspects, cohesiveness and elasticity influenced positively the cake’s acceptance. Instead, smoothness and adhesion parameters weren’t so significant.

The role of green manure nitrogen use by corn and sugarcane crops in Brazil

Three assays were developed from April 3, 1995 to October 10, 2005. The work with corn was conducted in a greenhouse, using velvet bean (Mucuna aterrima) and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) as green manure with 15N labeling of either shoots or roots, in two soils with contrasting textural classes. The mineralization of N from legume plants incorporated into the two soils was investigated too. This work included two green manures: velvet bean and sunn hemp, and the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) residues. Nitrogen from the velvet bean accounted for a greater proportion of the soil inorganic N;shoots were responsible for most of N accumulated. Common bean residues caused immobilization of inorganic N. The leguminous species added were intensively and promptly mineralized, preserving the soil native nitrogen. One hundred days after emergence of the corn, velvet bean provided higher accumulation of nitrogen in the soil, higher absorption by corn plants and accumulation in the aerial part. The green manure decomposition was more intense in the medium textured soil. In this soil, highest nitrogen losses were also observed. The sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) was cultivated for five years in the field and was harvested three times;15N recovery was evaluated in the first two harvests. The combination of inorganic fertilizer and green manure resulted in higher sugarcane yields than either N source applied separately;however, in the second cutting the yields were higher where sunn hemp was used than in plots with ammonium sulfate. The recovery of N by the first two consecutive harvests accounted for 19% to 21% of the N applied as sunn hemp and 46% to 49% of the N applied as ammonium sulfate. Very little inorganic N was present in the 0-40 cm soil layer with both N sources.

Analysis of the histologic features in the differential diagnosis of intrahepatic neonatal cholestasis

AIM:To compare the histologic features of the liver in intrahepatic neonatal cholestasis(IHNC)with infectious,genetic-endocrine-metabolic,and idiopathic etiologies. METHODS:Liver biopsies from 86 infants with IHNC were evaluated.The inclusion criteria consisted of jaundice beginning at 3 mo of age and a hepatic biopsy during the 1st year of life.The following histologic features were evaluated:cholestasis,eosinophilia,giant cells,erythropoiesis,siderosis,portal fibrosis,and the presence of a septum. RESULTS:Based on the diagnosis,patients were classified into three groups:group 1(infectious;n=18),group 2(genetic-endocrine-metabolic;n=18),and group 3(idiopathic;n=50).There were no significant differences with respect to the following variables:cholestasis,eosinophilia,giant cells,siderosis,portalfibrosis,and presence of a septum.A significant difference was observed with respect to erythropoiesis,which was more severe in group 1(Fisher's exact test,P=0.016). CONCLUSION:A significant difference was observed in IHNC of infectious etiology,in which erythropoiesis was more severe than that in genetic-endocrine-metabolic and idiopathic etiologies,whereas there were no significant differences among cholestasis,eosinophilia,giant cells,siderosis,portal fibrosis,and the presence of a septum.

Evaluation of Maize Seeds Treated with Trichodermil? through Biospeckle

The present work aimed to study the treatment with the bioprotector Trichoderma harzianum on maize seeds immediately after treatment and during storage.Maize seeds were analyzed through germination test,vigor tests(cold test,accelerated aging and aerial length),and the viability of the treated seeds was verified through the biospeckle.Seed treatment is recommended because approximately 90%of crops intended for human and animal feeding are seed-propagated.A pathogen present in the seed results in increased diseases in the adult plant,in addition to introducing pathogens in other areas.So the seed treatment can provide better results than chemicals disease control on plants.Bioprotectors have antagonistic fungi that produce metabolites and enzymes that will avoid the proliferation of phytopathogenic fungi.Among the bioprotectors,Trichoderma spp.,used for phytosanitary control of seeds,stands out.The tests were carried out with treatment in order to evaluate the physiological potential caused by the treatment with the bioprotector.The biospeckle experimental runs were performed in parallel with the sanitation test.The germination percentages of 93.0%,87.5%,and 87.5%,respectively,showed that they were all above the minimum requirement for commercialization,which is 85%.Analyzing the vigor and sanitation tests,it was verified that the best treatment was on day zero.Among the seeds analyzed through biospeckle,using the laser speckle contrast analysis(LASCA)technique,it was possible to identify fungi activity.

Relevant Factors to a Statistical Analysis of Overvoltages - Application to Three-Phase Reclosing of Compensated Transmission Lines

This paper describes the statistical study of important factors that influences transient over voltages resulting from three-phase reclosing of shunt compensated transmission lines. These factors include the model used for transmission line representation and the influence of line transposition. Additionally, the over voltages reduction to proper levels depending on the type of control technique are illustrated and analyzed in statistical terms. The evaluation covers three shunt compensation degrees. The digital simulations were performed using the PSCAD/EMTDC software.