Sharp decline in surface water resources for agriculture and fisheries in the Lower Mekong Basin over 2000-2020.

Water resources play a crucial role in the global water cycle and are affected by human activities and climate change. However, the impacts of hydropower infrastructures on the surface water extent and volume cycle are not well known. We used a multi-satellite approach to quantify the surface water storage variations over the 2000-2020 period and relate these variations to climate-induced and anthropogenic factors over the whole basin.

Radiotherapy Metastatic Prostate Cancer Cell Lines Treated with Gold Nanorods Modulate miRNA Signatures.

MicroRNA (miRNA) modulation has been identified as a promising strategy for improving the response of human prostate cancer (PCa) to radiotherapy (RT). Studies have shown that mimics or inhibitors of miRNAs could modulate the sensitivity of PCa cells to RT. In addition, pegylated gold nanoparticles have been studied as a therapeutic approach to treat PCa cells and/or vehicles for carrying miRNAs to the inside of cells.

Application of Gold Nanoparticles as Radiosensitizer for Metastatic Prostate Cancer Cell Lines.

More than 50% of all prostate cancer (PCa) patients are treated by radiotherapy (RT). Radioresistance and cancer recurrence are two consequences of the therapy and are related to dose heterogeneity and non-selectivity between normal and tumoral cells. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) could be used as potential radiosensitizers to overcome these therapeutic limitations of RT.

Extensive global wetland loss over the past three centuries.

Wetlands have long been drained for human use, thereby strongly affecting greenhouse gas fluxes, flood control, nutrient cycling and biodiversity. Nevertheless, the global extent of natural wetland loss remains remarkably uncertain. Here, we reconstruct the spatial distribution and timing of wetland loss through conversion to seven human land uses between 1700 and 2020, by combining national and subnational records of drainage and conversion with land-use maps and simulated wetland extents.

Results of Surgery in Lung Cancer - A Retrospective Study of a Single Center Experience.

Objectives: Surgery provides the best chance for cure in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer stage I or II, but only a small portion of all new cases diagnosed are eventually suitable for surgical resection. Our goal was to appraise the surgical outcomes including survival and progression rates in patientswith histological diagnosis of lung cancer.

Methods: Between 1st August 2012 and 30th June 2018, the patients with histological lung cancer diagnosis that underwent surgical resection with a curative intent at the department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of Centro Hospitalar Univer- sitário de São João were included.

C-Reactive Protein as Predictive Biomarker for Response to Chemoradiotherapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: A Retrospective Study.

The standard of care for the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer is neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by surgery, but complete response rates are reduced. To find predictive biomarkers of response to therapy, we conducted a retrospective study evaluating blood biomarkers before nCRT. Hemoglobin (Hg), C-reactive protein (CRP), platelets, carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19.

Factors affecting survival after palliative radiotherapy in patients with lung cancer.

Background: Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. It is estimated that 60% of patients with NSCLC at time of diagnosis have advanced disease. The aim of this study was to identify factors that play a major role in the survival of lung cancer patients treated with palliative radiotherapy.

Baseline anaemia increases locally advanced rectal cancer mortality in older patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiation.

Purpose: The median diagnosis age of rectal cancer (RC) is 70 years old. The standard of care for locally advanced RC (LARC) is preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) followed by surgery. Anaemia is a frequent condition in older patients but is not a pure consequence of ageing.

Determinants of tree cover in tropical floodplains.

Tree cover differentiates forests from savannas and grasslands. In tropical floodplains, factors differentiating these systems are poorly known, even though floodplains cover 10% of the tropical landmass. Seasonal inundation potentially presents trees with both challenges (soil anoxia) and benefits (moisture and nutrient deposition), the relative importance of which may depend on ecological context, e.

Effectiveness of harmonic scalpel in patients submitted to total thyroidectomy: systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the harmonic scalpel compared to the conventional technique in patients submitted to total thyroidectomy.

Method: This is a systematic review with inclusion of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared both techniques. An electronic search was carried out in the Medline and Lilacs databases until June 2017.

Comparison between transoral laser surgery and radiotherapy in the treatment of early glottic cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

A therapeutic decision in the treatment of Tis/T1a glottic carcinoma with radiotherapy (RT) or transoral laser surgery (TOS) is still an open issue. Oncologic outcome and voice quality may support the choice for the latter To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare oncologic and functional outcomes of TOS and RT as treatment options for Tis/T1a glottic cancer. Literature research on online databases was carried out.

Auditory-Perceptual Characteristics of the Voice of Nondysphonic School Children From 8:0 to 10:0 Years Old.

Objective: Describe and correlate the auditory-perceptual characteristics of the voice of nondysphonic school children from private and public schools from 8:0 to 10:0 years old, female and male.

Methods: Cross-sectional, quantitative and retrospective study of students from schools in a small city. Auditory-perceptual evaluations of 154 nondysphonic students were analyzed.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic factor for pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy.

The role of systemic inflammatory response as a prognostic factor has been proposed in a variety of cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of the pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) in patients who underwent total laryngectomy. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 141 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of larynx who underwent total laryngectomy from 2009 to 2015.

Comparison between magnetic resonance and computed tomography in detecting mandibular invasion in oral cancer: A systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis: MRI x CT in mandibular invasion.

Background: Suspicion of mandibular invasion directly influences perioperative strategy, requiring marginal or segmental mandibulectomy, or reconstruction in some cases. This has a considerable impact on outcome and quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance and computed tomography in the prediction of mandibular invasion in patients with oral cavity cancer.

Risk Factors for Distant Metastasis in Patients with Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Surgical Treatment.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical and pathological factors related to distant metastasis in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) undergoing surgery.

Study Design: A retrospective data review was conducted on patients who underwent primary surgery for OCSCC at the Instituto do Cancer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP) between 2009 and 2015. Distant metastasis rates were calculated and predictive factors were determined by the Cox proportional-hazards model.

Water, Energy, and Carbon with Artificial Neural Networks (WECANN): A statistically-based estimate of global surface turbulent fluxes and gross primary productivity using solar-induced fluorescence.

A new global estimate of surface turbulent fluxes, latent heat flux (LE) and sensible heat flux (H), and gross primary production (GPP) is developed using a machine learning approach informed by novel remotely sensed Solar-Induced Fluorescence (SIF) and other radiative and meteorological variables. This is the first study to jointly retrieve LE, H and GPP using SIF observations. The approach uses an artificial neural network (ANN) with a target dataset generated from three independent data sources, weighted based on triple collocation (TC) algorithm.

Comparison between Primary and Secondary Tracheoesophageal Puncture Prosthesis: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Since the introduction of tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) and placement of voice prosthesis, this has become the method of choice to achieve speech rehabilitation after total laryngectomy.

Objective: To compare the complications and success in speech rehabilitation of patients undergoing rehabilitation after primary and secondary TEP (TEP1 and TEP2) through a systematic review.

Methods: The literature survey included research in MedLine, Scielo, Lilacs, Cochrane and Websco until June 2016.

Hypoparathyroidism after thyroidectomy: prevention, assessment and management.

Purpose Of Review: Permanent hypoparathyroidism is the most common long-term complication after total thyroidectomy and it can cause significant morbidity and increased costs. Its incidence varies from 30% to 60%.

Recent Findings: The surgical technique and the extent of thyroidectomy are related to parathyroid injury and hypoparathyroidism.

Efficacy of lactulose in the prophylaxis of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients presenting gastrointestinal bleeding.

Introduction: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a bad prognostic factor in patients with liver cirrhosis and its incidence is associated with several triggering factors being the most prevalent gastrointestinal bleeding. Lactulose, despite its questionable efficacy in the literature, is considered a first line treatment in patients with HE.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of lactulose in preventing HE in cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal bleeding.

Efficacy of pectoralis major muscle flap for pharyngocutaneous fistula prevention in salvage total laryngectomy: A systematic review.

Background: The role of pectoralis major muscle flap (PMMF) in reducing the rate of pharyngocutaneous fistula after salvage total laryngectomy has not been clearly established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of PMMF in reducing pharyngocutaneous fistula rates after total laryngectomy.

Methods: The analyzed intervention was the use of a PMMF after total laryngectomy.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of endoscopic ablative treatment of Barrett's esophagus.

Background: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the main risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma. Its therapeutic approach is controversial and surgical treatment in the presence of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia may be indicated. Endoscopic approach is an alternative with lower mortality and morbidity rates and favorable results.

Pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy: systematic review of risk factors.

Background: Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is the most common surgical complication after total laryngectomy. Controversy still remains regarding the multiple risk factors implicated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential risk factors for PCF.

Stapler suture of the pharynx after total laryngectomy.

The use of a stapler for pharyngeal closure during total laryngectomy was first described in 1971. It provides rapid watertight closure without surgical field contamination. The objective of our study was to compare the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy with manual and mechanical closures of the pharynx.

Early oral feeding after total laryngectomy: A systematic review.

Background: Early oral feeding for patients who underwent total laryngectomy is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of initiating early oral feeding after total laryngectomy regarding pharyngocutaneous fistula. The survey included research in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS.