Layer-selective deep representation to improve esophageal cancer classification.

Even though artificial intelligence and machine learning have demonstrated remarkable performances in medical image computing, their accountability and transparency level must be improved to transfer this success into clinical practice. The reliability of machine learning decisions must be explained and interpreted, especially for supporting the medical diagnosis. For this task, the deep learning techniques' black-box nature must somehow be lightened up to clarify its promising results.

Paracoccidioidomycosis cases by Paracoccidioides lutzii in southeastern Brazil.

Background And Objective: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic fungal disease caused by the thermodimorphic fungi Paracoccidioides spp. Their distribution is highly variable. Paracoccidioides lutzii is predominantly found in North and Middle-West Brazil and Ecuador.

Focus of Pediatric Surgical Reports During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Narrative Review.

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted surgical activity at health-care facilities and led to significant changes in the characteristics of publications in medical journals. This is a narrative review that outlines the focus of pediatric surgical reports during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Publications on pediatric surgery during the pandemic were carefully reviewed, and data emerging from reports on COVID-19 were selected to address: (1) the impact of COVID-19 on pediatric surgical procedures; (2) children undergoing surgical intervention; and (3) expansion of telemedicine.

Association of Pre-S/S and Polymerase Mutations with Acute and Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infections in Patients from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Several hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related factors, including the viral load, genotype, and genomic mutations, have been linked to the development of liver diseases. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate the influence of HBV genetic variability during acute and chronic infection phases. A real-time nested PCR was used to detect HBV DNA in all samples (acute, n = 22; chronic, n = 49).

Cytokines profile in patients with acute and chronic hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the leading causes of acute and chronic hepatitis and represents a serious public health threat. Cytokines are important chemical mediators that regulate the differentiation, proliferation, and function of immune cells, with accumulating evidence indicating that the inadequate immune responses are responsible for the elimination or persistence of HBV. This study aimed to determine the cytokine profiles (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A) during HBV infection and investigate their association with genotypes.

Emergency 3-Dimensional-Printed Devices for Splitting Ventilators in Lungs With Different Compliances: An In Vitro Study.

Ventilator shortages occurred due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). This in vitro study evaluated the effectiveness of 3-dimensional (3D)-printed splitters and 3D-printed air flow limiters (AFL) in delivering appropriate tidal volumes (TV) to lungs with different compliances. Groups were divided according to the size of the AFL: AFL-4 was a 4-mm device, AFL-5 a 5-mm device, AFL-6 a 6-mm device, and no limiter (control).

Scale of Assessment of Self-Care Behaviors with Arteriovenous Fistula in Hemodialysis: A Psychometric Study in Brazil.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian Scale for the Assessment of Self-Care Behaviors with Arteriovenous Fistula in Hemodialysis. Cross-sectional validation study, followed the recommendation provided by Sousa and Rojjanasrirat. Content validity, explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses used to check validity and Cronbach's alpha was the reliability measure.

Cytokine, Genotype, and Viral Load Profile in the Acute and Chronic Hepatitis B.

Several hepatitis B virus (HBV) factors, including viral load, genotype, genome mutations, and cytokine production, have been reported to be associated with different risks of progression of liver disease. The aim of this study was to verify if there is an association among the levels of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-35, IL-6, IL-17A, interferon [IFN]-) in the plasma, viral load, and the different genotypes of HBV in patients with acute or chronic hepatitis B. Methods: 49 serum samples, 20 from acute and 29 from chronic cases, were submitted to a real-time and nested-polymerase chain reaction to quantify, detect, and genotype HBV DNA.

2H-1,2,3-Triazole-chalcones as novel cytotoxic agents against prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is an important cause of death in the male population and for which there is no satisfactory chemotherapy. Herein a new series of chalcone hybrids containing 2H-1,2,3-triazole core as the ring B has been synthesized and evaluated in vitro against PC-3 prostate cancer cell line. Compounds 4a, 4c and 4e significantly reduced cell viability and showed IC of 28.

A primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma mimicking labial herpes.

Introduction: A primary cutaneous CD-30 positive T -cell lymphoproliferative disorders are rare and heterogeneous group of primary skin tumors, which include primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PCALCL) and lymphomatoid papulois.

Case Report: We report a rare an atypical case of PCALCL with an aggressive and refractory behavior that occurred in the lip vermilion, and that had been initially diagnosed as aggressive herpes. The lesion was recurrent and refractory to the CHOEP chemotherapy protocol followed by radiotherapy, but after hyper CVAD (acronym) + brentuximab with a considerable improvement.

Introduction of human gammaherpesvirus 8 genotypes A, B, and C into Brazil from multiple geographic regions.

Variations in the open reading frame (ORF) K1 gene sequence of human gammaherpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) has led to the identification of 6 major genotypic clades (A, B, C, D, E, and F) in specimens isolated from around the world. These clades exhibit clear clustering among individuals in different ethnic groups and from different geographic regions. The human population of Brazil varies greatly in ethnicity because of multiple immigration events from Africa, Europe, Asia, and indigenous communities.

Apogeotropic variant of horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: Where are the particles?

The apogeotropic variant of horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HC-BPPV) is attributed to free floating particles in the anterior arm of the lateral semicircular canal - particles attached to the cupula facing the canal or particles attached to the cupula facing the utricle. Zuma e Maia described a new treatment for both canalithiasis of the anterior arm of the horizontal semicircular canal (HC) and cupulolithiasis of the HC. Seventeen patients with apogeotropic HC-BPPV were enrolled and treated with Zuma's Maneuver.

Thoracic pain associated with an odontogenic infection: An unusual Lemierre's syndrome.

Lemierre's syndrome is characterized by thrombophlebitis in the internal jugular vein after an infection in the area of the head or neck, mostly in the form of pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis. It may also result from less common conditions, such as odontogenic infections, but this condition has not often been reported in the dental literature. The syndrome's main etiological agent is Fusobacterium necrophorum, and it most commonly occurs in young adults.

Neurological and Inflammatory Manifestations in Sjögren's Syndrome: The Role of the Kynurenine Metabolic Pathway.

For decades, neurological, psychological, and cognitive alterations, as well as other glandular manifestations (EGM), have been described and are being considered to be part of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Dry eye and dry mouth are major findings in SS. The lacrimal glands (LG), ocular surface (OS), and salivary glands (SG) are linked to the central nervous system (CNS) at the brainstem and hippocampus.

Oral paracoccidioidomycosis in a single-center retrospective analysis from a Brazilian southeastern population.

Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the most prevalent endemic systemic fungal infection in Latin America. In Brazil, it stands out as the eighth-highest cause of mortality among chronic or recurrent infections and has the highest mortality rate among systemic mycoses. Oral mucosal lesions may be the first visible physical manifestation of the disease.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the floor of the mouth.

Background: A solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the oral cavity is an extremely rare entity. Its diagnosis is complicated because of its diverse morphology and similarity to other mesenchymal diseases.

Case Report: A rare case of SFT involving floor of the mouth is presented.

Philometra saltatrix (Nematoda: Philometridae) in the ovary of the bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766), off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The aims of the present study were to identify and describe the occurrence of nematode parasites in the gonads of bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix from off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Only females were found to be parasitized by the nematodes, which were identified as P. saltatrix using morphological, morphometric and molecular data.

Effect of biotransformation by liver S9 enzymes on the mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of melanin extracted from Aspergillus nidulans.

Context: A mutant that exhibited increased melanin pigment production was isolated from Aspergillus nidulans fungus. This pigment has aroused biotechnological interest due to its photoprotector and antioxidant properties. In a recent study, we showed that melanin from A.

Sublethal injury and virulence changes in Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua treated with antimicrobials carvacrol and citral.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two antimicrobial substances, carvacrol and citral, on Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua cells, as well as possible virulence changes in injured cells, using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model test. The results indicated that the percentage of sublethal damage was higher in L. monocytogenes than in L.

Quality evaluation of cone biopsy specimens obtained by large loop excision of the transformation zone.

Background: Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) has been used for the diagnosis and treatment of precancerous cervical lesions, and it is the first choice of treatment in the majority of cervical pathology services. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of thermal artifacts, the need for serial sections, the percentage of clear and involved resection margins and the relationship between endocervical gland involvement and the severity of the lesion in samples resected using LLETZ.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed at Santa Casa de Misericordia School of Science (HSCMV), Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil with a sample of 52 histopathology slides from patients submitted to conization because of abnormal cytology findings and a biopsy result of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2, CIN 3 and adenocarcinoma in situ.

Comparative study of the effects of citral on the growth and injury of Listeria innocua and Listeria monocytogenes cells.

This study investigates the effect of citral on growth and on the occurrence of sublethal damage in Listeria innocua Serovar 6a (CECT 910) and Listeria monocytogenes Serovar 4b (CECT 4032) cells that were exposed to citral as a natural antimicrobial agent. Two initial inoculum concentrations were considered in this investigation: 10(2) and 10(6) cfu/mL. Citral exhibited antilisterial activity against L.

Effects of human chorionic gonadotropin on the normal testicular tissue of rats.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the testicular tissue of young male rats.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were assigned to groups (10 rats/group).Control Group received subcutaneous saline solution; Group 1 received hCG 50 UI/Kg/dose; and Group 2 received hCG 100 UI/Kg/dose, daily for 15 days.

Epidural anesthesia with ropivacaine with or without clonidine and postoperative pain in hemorrhoidectomies.

Purpose: To determine the safety, pain intensity correlated with age and body mass index (BMI), epidural anesthesia with ropivacaine and clonidine in hemorrhoidectomy.

Methods: Eighty patients, both genders, 20-70 years old, ASA I or II, for hemorrhoidectomy were randomly divided into two groups: Control (n=38), epidural anesthesia with 14 mL of ropivacaine 0.75 % plus 0.