Stereological study of organelle distribution in human mature oocytes.

The ultrastructure of human oocytes has been described only qualitatively. To offer a precise organelle spatial distribution and organelle volume during the main maturation stages, we previously conducted stereological studies on prophase-I (GV) and metaphase-I (MI) oocytes, and here we present results on metaphase-II (MII) oocytes. Five donor oocytes from different donors were processed for transmission electron microscopy, and quantification of organelle distribution was performed using point-counting stereology.

Osteonecrosis: photobiomodulation and photodynamic therapy - a systematic review.

A wide range of adjuvant treatments have been studied to treat osteonecrosis. Photobiomodulation and photodynamic therapy are commonly used. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses systematic review was conducted to evaluate photobiomodulation and photodynamic therapy for the treatment of osteonecrosis related to the use of medications or related to ionising radiation.

Health Management of an HIV Testing and Counseling Center: Nursing Contributions.

Objectives: to analyze the role of nursing in the establishment of an HIV/AIDS Testing and Counseling Center in a Brazilian municipality.

Methods: a historical study utilizing primary sources, including documents and oral accounts, involving a total of ten participants. The study encompasses the years 1997 and 1998.

The Sphinx and the egg: Evolutionary enigmas of the (glyco)sphingolipid biosynthetic pathway.

In eukaryotes, the de novo synthesis of sphingolipids (SLs) consists of multiple sequential steps which are compartmentalized between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus. Studies over many decades have identified the enzymes in the pathway, their localization, topology and an array of regulatory mechanisms. However, little is known about the evolutionary forces that underly the generation of this complex pathway or of its anteome, i.

Landing wise program: feasibility study protocol for Parkinson's disease.

Regardless of the benefits of fall prevention programs, people with Parkinson's disease (PD) will still fall. Therefore, it is crucial to explore novel therapeutic approaches that are well-accepted and effective for addressing fall risk and the fear of falls among this population. The present study aims to assess the feasibility of the Landing Wise program as a therapeutic intervention for reducing the fear of falling in people with PD.

Particular issues to be considered in small field dosimetry for TrueBeam STx commissioning.

This study aims to report the relevant issues concerning small fields in the commissioning of a TrueBeam STx for photon energies of 6MV, 10MV, 6FFF, and 10FFF. Percent depth doses, profiles, and field output factors were measured according to the beam model configuration of the treatment planning system. Multiple detectors were used based on the IAEA TRS-483 protocol as well as EBT3 radiochromic film.

The fats of the matter: Lipids in prebiotic chemistry and in origin of life studies.

The unique biophysical and biochemical properties of lipids render them crucial in most models of the origin of life (OoL). Many studies have attempted to delineate the prebiotic pathways by which lipids were formed, how micelles and vesicles were generated, and how these micelles and vesicles became selectively permeable towards the chemical precursors required to initiate and support biochemistry and inheritance. Our analysis of a number of such studies highlights the extremely narrow and limited range of conditions by which an experiment is considered to have successfully modeled a role for lipids in an OoL experiment.

Cell lipid droplet heterogeneity and altered biophysical properties induced by cell stress and metabolic imbalance.

Lipid droplets (LD) are important regulators of lipid metabolism and are implicated in several diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying the roles of LD in cell pathophysiology remain elusive. Hence, new approaches that enable better characterization of LD are essential.

Tank color influences the response of tomato clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus) to an acute stress challenge.

The trade of aquarium organisms is growing worldwide. This market depends on a continuous supply of healthy and colorful aquatic animals, but this sector has few initiatives. However, in the last decade, there has been a growing interest in researching captive breeding of these animals, aiming to develop a more sustainable aquarium hobby.

Organizational politics and professional struggles in nursing.

Objective: to analyze the professional struggles between nursing organizational entities, in Rio de Janeiro, during the Regional Nursing Council's electoral process (1990-1993 administration).

Method: historical study. We used journalistic articles, normative documents, legislation and semi-structured interviews with five nursing professionals who participated in this process.

Ethel Parsons' biographical characteristics: leadership in American and Brazilian nursing.

Objective: to reconstruct Ethel Parsons' biographical aspects in the centenary of the technical cooperation mission for nursing development in Brazil.

Method: biographical research, carried out using the historical sources analysis method, which consists of reading and interpreting the collected documents.

Results: from a renowned family, Ethel Parsons was head of public health services and worked for the American Red Cross before being appointed to coordinate the Rockefeller Foundation mission in Brazil, where she inaugurated the Anglo-American model of nursing.

The sphingolipid anteome: implications for evolution of the sphingolipid metabolic pathway.

Modern cell membranes contain a bewildering complexity of lipids, among them sphingolipids (SLs). Advances in mass spectrometry have led to the realization that the number and combinatorial complexity of lipids, including SLs, is much greater than previously appreciated. SLs are generated de novo by four enzymes, namely serine palmitoyltransferase, 3-ketodihydrosphingosine reductase, ceramide synthase and dihydroceramide Δ4-desaturase 1.

Laurdan in live cell imaging: Effect of acquisition settings, cell culture conditions and data analysis on generalized polarization measurements.

Cell function is highly dependent on membrane structure, organization, and fluidity. Therefore, methods to probe the biophysical properties of biological membranes are required. Determination of generalized polarization (GP) values using Laurdan in fluorescence microscopy studies is one of the most widely-used methods to investigate changes in membrane fluidity in vitro and in vivo.

Historical aspects in pain management in palliative care in an oncological reference unit.

Objective: Describe the actions implemented for pain management in palliative care oncology and analyze the contribution of Hospital do Câncer IV, as a reference unit at the National Cancer Institute.

Methods: Study of the history of the present time, whose sources were written documents and interviews with five participants. The collection took place from February to June 2018.

The long chain base unsaturation has a stronger impact on 1-deoxy(methyl)-sphingolipids biophysical properties than the structure of its C1 functional group.

1-deoxy-sphingolipids, also known as atypical sphingolipids, are directly implicated in the development and progression of hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 1 and diabetes type 2. The mechanisms underlying their patho-physiological actions are yet to be elucidated. Accumulating evidence suggests that the biological actions of canonical sphingolipids are triggered by changes promoted on membrane organization and biophysical properties.

Organization and planning for the creation of the HIV testing and counselling center.

Objectives: To analyze the process of creating the HIV Testing and Counselling Center in the municipality of Nova Iguaçu, in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Methods: qualitative research, with a historical approach. The direct sources consisted of written documents and 11 oral testimonies.

A protocol for absolute dose verification of SBRT/SRS treatment plans using Gafchromic™ EBT-XD films.

Purpose: To provide a practical protocol for absolute dose verification of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment plans, based on our clinical experience. It aims to be a concise summary of the main aspects to be considered when establishing an accurate film dosimetry system.

Methods: Procedures for film calibration and conversion to dose are described for a dosimetry system composed of Gafchromic™ EBT-XD films and a flatbed document scanner.

Reconfiguration of palliative oncological nursing care: nursing contributions.

Objective: to analyze the strategies implemented by nurses to reconfigure palliative oncological care due to the hospital accreditation process in Hospital do Câncer IV (Hospital of Cancer IV).

Method: qualitative research of historical-social approach, whose direct sources in use were written documents and four spoken accounts.

Results: implemented strategies were: creation of the Nursing Division; nursing staff management; consolidation of Continuing Education sector; creation of Internal Nursing Bylaws through development of norms and routines; meetings; discussion of clinical cases; training and classes; creation of Núcleo de Assistência de Enfermagem (Nursing Assistance Core); creation of a tumoral and ostomy wound-dressing ambulatory; and organization of the 5th Vital Sign Forum.

Biophysical Analysis of Lipid Domains by Fluorescence Microscopy.

The study of the structure and dynamics of membrane domains in vivo is a challenging task. However, major advances could be achieved through the application of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques coupled with the use of model membranes, where the relations between lipid composition and the type, amount and properties of the domains present can be quantitatively studied.This chapter provides protocols to study membrane organization and visualize membrane domains by fluorescence microscopy both in artificial membrane and living cell models of Gaucher Disease (GD ).

Canonical and 1-Deoxy(methyl) Sphingoid Bases: Tackling the Effect of the Lipid Structure on Membrane Biophysical Properties.

Compared to the canonical sphingoid backbone of sphingolipids (SLs), atypical long-chain bases (LCBs) lack C1-OH (1-deoxy-LCBs) or C1-CHOH (1-deoxymethyl-LCBs). In addition, when unsaturated, they present a -double bond instead of the canonical  Δ4-5 -double bond. These atypical LCBs are directly correlated with the development and progression of hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 1 and diabetes type II through yet unknown mechanisms.

On the complexity of helical tomotherapy treatment plans.

Purpose: Multiple metrics are proposed to characterize and compare the complexity of helical tomotherapy (HT) plans created for different treatment sites.

Methods: A cohort composed of 208 HT plans from head and neck (105), prostate (51) and brain (52) tumor sites was considered. For each plan, 14 complexity metrics were calculated.

Evaluation of the complexity of treatment plans from a national IMRT/VMAT audit - Towards a plan complexity score.

Purpose: This work aimed to characterize and compare the complexity of the plans created in the context of a national IMRT/VMAT audit. A plan complexity score is proposed to summarize all the evaluated complexity features.

Materials And Methods: Nine complexity metrics have been computed for the audit plans, evaluating different complexity aspects.