Correlation of 18F-sodium fluoride uptake and radiodensity in extraosseous metastases of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Objective: Although 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) uptake is frequently observed in extraosseous metastases of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) with calcification, itcan also occur in metastatic sites without visible calcium deposition, leading to the hypothesis that visually undetectable calcium accumulation may be responsible for this uptake. The aim of this study was to indirectly support this hypothesis by analyzing the correlation between the degree of 18F-NaF uptake and radiodensity in extraosseous MTC metastases, since calcium deposition can increase attenuation even when not visually detectable. Subjects and methods: Extraosseous metastatic lesions of 15 patients with MTC were evaluated using 18F-NaF positron-emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT)and segmented by levels of standardized uptake value (SUV). The correlation between mean SUV and mean Hounsfield unit (HU) values was assessed for the entire group of segments and for two subgroups with different mean HU values. Results: Very high correlations were observed between mean SUV and mean HU values for both the entire group of segments and the subgroup with a mean HU value greater than 130 (p = 0.92 and p = 0.95, respectively; p < 0.01). High correlation (p = 0.71) was also observed in the subgroup with mean HU values ranging from 20 to 130 (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that there is an association between 18F-NaF uptake and calcium deposition in extraosseous metastasesof MTC, supporting the hypothesis that visually undetectable calcium accumulation may be responsible for 18F-NaF uptake in regions without visible calcium deposition.

Ana1/CEP295 is an essential player in the centrosome maintenance program regulated by Polo kinase and the PCM.

Centrioles are part of centrosomes and cilia, which are microtubule organising centres (MTOC) with diverse functions. Despite their stability, centrioles can disappear during differentiation, such as in oocytes, but little is known about the regulation of their structural integrity. Our previous research revealed that the pericentriolar material (PCM) that surrounds centrioles and its recruiter, Polo kinase, are downregulated in oogenesis and sufficient for maintaining both centrosome structural integrity and MTOC activity. We now show that the expression of specific components of the centriole cartwheel and wall, including ANA1/CEP295, is essential for maintaining centrosome integrity. We find that Polo kinase requires ANA1 to promote centriole stability in cultured cells and eggs. In addition, ANA1 expression prevents the loss of centrioles observed upon PCM-downregulation. However, the centrioles maintained by overexpressing and tethering ANA1 are inactive, unlike the MTOCs observed upon tethering Polo kinase. These findings demonstrate that several centriole components are needed to maintain centrosome structure. Our study also highlights that centrioles are more dynamic than previously believed, with their structural stability relying on the continuous expression of multiple components.

Correlation of 18F-sodium fluoride uptake and radiodensity in extraosseous metastases of medullary thyroid carcinoma

ABSTRACT Objective: Although 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) uptake is frequently observed in extraosseous metastases of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) with calcification, it can also occur in metastatic sites without visible calcium deposition, leading to the hypothesis that visually undetectable calcium accumulation may be responsible for this uptake. The aim of this study was to indirectly support this hypothesis by analyzing the correlation between the degree of 18F-NaF uptake and radiodensity in extraosseous MTC metastases, since calcium deposition can increase attenuation even when not visually detectable. Subjects and methods: Extraosseous metastatic lesions of 15 patients with MTC were evaluated using 18F-NaF positron-emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and segmented by levels of standardized uptake value (SUV). The correlation between mean SUV and mean Hounsfield unit (HU) values was assessed for the entire group of segments and for two subgroups with different mean HU values. Results: Very high correlations were observed between mean SUV and mean HU values for both the entire group of segments and the subgroup with a mean HU value greater than 130 (p = 0.92 and p = 0.95, respectively; p < 0.01). High correlation (p = 0.71) was also observed in the subgroup with mean HU values ranging from 20 to 130 (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that there is an association between 18F-NaF uptake and calcium deposition in extraosseous metastases of MTC, supporting the hypothesis that visually undetectable calcium accumulation may be responsible for 18F-NaF uptake in regions without visible calcium deposition.

Comparison of Oral and IV 18 F-NaF PET/CT Administration in the Assessment of Bone Metastases in Patients With Breast or Prostate Cancers.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare oral and IV administrations of 18 F-NaF PET/CT for detection of suspicious bone metastatic lesions of breast and prostate cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with breast (n = 23) or prostate (n = 13) cancers and high risk for bone metastases were prospectively evaluated. All patients underwent 2 PET/CT studies after IV and oral 18 F-NaF administration within a 2 to 23 days interval between them. The maximum SUVs from the same suspicious lesions (≤5 index lesions per patient) in both studies were measured. The target-to-background ratio (TBR), defined as the relation between the lesion maximum SUV and the whole skeletal mean SUV, was calculated for each lesion. The TBRs in the same lesion calculated using the 2 administration routes were compared. The agreements between 2 physicians in the definition of the number of lesions in both studies were also assessed using weighted κ. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-four pairs of lesions were analyzed. There was no significant statistical difference between the median TBRs ( P = 0.212) for IV (10.33) and oral (10.85). Excellent intraobserver agreement was observed between IV and oral routes: weighted κ of 1.0 (95% confidence interval, 0.92-1.0) and 0.92 (95% confidence interval, 0.81-0.99) for physicians 1 and 2, respectively. The interobserver coefficients were 0.82 and 0.87 for "oral versus oral" and "IV versus IV," respectively. CONCLUSIONS: 18 F-NaF PET/CT studies using oral and IV routes present comparable performance; thus, it is possible to use oral route in patients with difficult venous access.

Consumer vulnerability and well-being across contexts: Implications for international businesses.

This article assesses the relationship between consumer vulnerability (CV) and well-being (WB) by comparing the effects of ordinary (non-pandemic) and pandemic consumption contexts among Portuguese and Brazilian consumers. Data on pre-and post-pandemic perceived vulnerability and well-being from a cross-cultural sample of 397 consumers were analyzed through structural equations modelling using the PLS-Path. The results revealed an inverse relationship between CV and well-being, which worsened with the emergence of the pandemic. Refund Policies, Product Promotions and Purchase Ability are the dimensions of CV identified as the most affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Furthermore, fear proved to mediate the effect of vulnerability on well-being partially. The findings allow us to conclude that the most disrupted CV dimensions during COVID-19 are Refund Policy (RP), Purchase Ability (PA), and Product Promotion (PP). Studies comparing consumer vulnerability in international contexts are scarce. By finding the most critical dimensions of CV during a pandemic crisis, this study provides novel insights for companies and public institutions when planning responses and strategies to future disruptive occurrences. The conclusions represent an original contribution by analysing and comparing consumers' vulnerability in an everyday consumption situation and an extreme situation deployed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Valuable insights for governments and policymakers are provided. Firms working in international markets can use the insights to adapt their business strategy as effects on well-being vary across cultures.

Prognostic Value of Bone Marrow Uptake Using 18F-FDG PET/CT Scans in Solid Neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) uptake is known to increase in infective and inflammatory conditions. Systemic inflammation plays a role in oncologic prognosis. Consequently, bone marrow increased uptake in oncology patients could potentially depict the systemic cancer burden. METHODS: A single institute cohort analysis and a systematic review were performed, evaluating the prognostic role of 18F-FDG uptake in the bone marrow in solid neoplasms before treatment. The cohort included 113 esophageal cancer patients (adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma). The systematic review was based on 18 studies evaluating solid neoplasms, including gynecological, lung, pleura, breast, pancreas, head and neck, esophagus, stomach, colorectal, and anus. RESULTS: Bone marrow 18F-FDG uptake in esophageal cancer was not correlated with staging, pathological response, and survival. High bone marrow uptake was related to advanced staging in colorectal, head and neck, and breast cancer, but not in lung cancer. Bone marrow 18F-FDG uptake was significantly associated with survival rates for lung, head and neck, breast, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, and gynecological neoplasms but was not significantly associated with survival in pediatric neuroblastoma and esophageal cancer. CONCLUSION: 18F-FDG bone marrow uptake in PET/CT has prognostic value in several solid neoplasms, including lung, gastric, colorectal, head and neck, breast, pancreas, and gynecological cancers. However, future studies are still needed to define the role of bone marrow role in cancer prognostication.

18F-FDG-PET/CT-measured parameters as potential predictors of residual disease after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with esophageal carcinoma.

Objective: To evaluate the maximum and mean standardized uptake values, together with the metabolic tumor value and the total lesion glycolysis, at the primary tumor site, as determined by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT), performed before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT), as predictors of residual disease (RD) in patients with esophageal cancer. Materials and Methods: The standardized uptake values and the volumetric parameters (metabolic tumor value and total lesion glycolysis) were determined by 18F-FDG-PET/CT to identify RD in 39 patients before and after nCRT for esophageal carcinoma. We used receiver operating characteristic curves to analyze the diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG-PET/CT parameters in the definition of RD. The standard of reference was histopathological analysis of the surgical specimen. Results: Eighteen patients (46%) presented RD after nCRT. Statistically significant areas under the curve (approximately 0.72) for predicting RD were obtained for all four of the variables evaluated after nCRT. Considering the presence of visually detectable uptake (higher than the background level) at the primary tumor site after nCRT as a positive result, we achieved a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 48% for the detection of RD. Conclusion: The use of 18F-FDG-PET/CT can facilitate the detection of RD after nCRT in patients with esophageal cancer.

Objetivo: Avaliar os valores máximo e médio de captação padronizada, o valor metabólico do tumor e a glicólise total da lesão do local do tumor primário, medidos no estudo de 18F-FDG-PET/CT realizado antes e depois da quimiorradioterapia neoadjuvante (nQRT) em pacientes com câncer de esôfago, como preditores de doença residual (DR). Materiais e Métodos: Os valores máximo e médio de captação padronizada e os parâmetros volumétricos (valor metabólico do tumor e glicólise total da lesão) da 18F-FDG-PET/CT realizada em 39 pacientes antes e após a nQRT para carcinoma de esôfago foram avaliados para RD. Usamos curvas receiver operating characteristic (ROC) para analisar o desempenho diagnóstico dos parâmetros 18F-FDG-PET/CT na definição de RD. O estudo anatomopatológico foi utilizado como padrão ouro. Resultados: Dezoito pacientes (46%) apresentaram DR após a nQRT. Áreas estatisticamente significativas sob a curva ROC para predizer DR foram obtidas para as quatro variáveis nos estudos realizados após a nQRT, com áreas sob a curva ROC semelhantes em torno de 0,72. Considerando a presença de captação visualmente detectável (captação maior que o background) no local da lesão primária após a nQRT como resultado positivo, teríamos uma sensibilidade de 94% e uma especificidade de 48% para detecção de DR. Conclusão: A 18F-FDG-PET/CT pode ser útil para detectar a presença de doença neoplásica residual no câncer de esôfago após a nQRT.

18F-FDG-PET/CT-measured parameters as potential predictors of residual disease after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with esophageal carcinoma / 18F-FDG-PET/CT após quimiorradioterapia neoadjuvante em pacientes com carcinoma de esôfago como potencial preditor de doença residual

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the maximum and mean standardized uptake values, together with the metabolic tumor value and the total lesion glycolysis, at the primary tumor site, as determined by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT), performed before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT), as predictors of residual disease (RD) in patients with esophageal cancer. Materials and Methods: The standardized uptake values and the volumetric parameters (metabolic tumor value and total lesion glycolysis) were determined by 18F-FDG-PET/CT to identify RD in 39 patients before and after nCRT for esophageal carcinoma. We used receiver operating characteristic curves to analyze the diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG-PET/CT parameters in the definition of RD. The standard of reference was histopathological analysis of the surgical specimen. Results: Eighteen patients (46%) presented RD after nCRT. Statistically significant areas under the curve (approximately 0.72) for predicting RD were obtained for all four of the variables evaluated after nCRT. Considering the presence of visually detectable uptake (higher than the background level) at the primary tumor site after nCRT as a positive result, we achieved a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 48% for the detection of RD. Conclusion: The use of 18F-FDG-PET/CT can facilitate the detection of RD after nCRT in patients with esophageal cancer.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar os valores máximo e médio de captação padronizada, o valor metabólico do tumor e a glicólise total da lesão do local do tumor primário, medidos no estudo de 18F-FDG-PET/CT realizado antes e depois da quimiorradioterapia neoadjuvante (nQRT) em pacientes com câncer de esôfago, como preditores de doença residual (DR). Materiais e Métodos: Os valores máximo e médio de captação padronizada e os parâmetros volumétricos (valor metabólico do tumor e glicólise total da lesão) da 18F-FDG-PET/CT realizada em 39 pacientes antes e após a nQRT para carcinoma de esôfago foram avaliados para RD. Usamos curvas receiver operating characteristic (ROC) para analisar o desempenho diagnóstico dos parâmetros 18F-FDG-PET/CT na definição de RD. O estudo anatomopatológico foi utilizado como padrão ouro. Resultados: Dezoito pacientes (46%) apresentaram DR após a nQRT. Áreas estatisticamente significativas sob a curva ROC para predizer DR foram obtidas para as quatro variáveis nos estudos realizados após a nQRT, com áreas sob a curva ROC semelhantes em torno de 0,72. Considerando a presença de captação visualmente detectável (captação maior que o background) no local da lesão primária após a nQRT como resultado positivo, teríamos uma sensibilidade de 94% e uma especificidade de 48% para detecção de DR. Conclusão: A 18F-FDG-PET/CT pode ser útil para detectar a presença de doença neoplásica residual no câncer de esôfago após a nQRT.

COVID-19: the impact on oral health care / COVID-19: o impacto na saúde bucal

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the economic, social, and oral care health inequities in societies, especially in the developing world. Severe restrictions have been imposed on dental practices, limiting prophylactic and routine oral care health, allowing treatment only for emergencies. Since dental care includes procedures that generate aerosols, the risk of infection for dental personnel has increased significantly. In this review, a comprehensive and updated source of information about SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 and the impacts it is having on oral health care is presented. The ongoing repercussions in dental practice and in dental education, including the opportunities for practice innovation that are evolving, are also indicated. Also, a discussion of the psychosocial factors that affect health and the quality of life of an individual, such as stress, depression, and anxiety, is provided. This pandemic may be an opportunity to promote the inclusion of well-established prevention measures, together with the use of teledentistry in academic dental curricula, encourage the implementation of new perspectives for the effective instruction and interactions with students, and foster the transition toward e-learning strategies in dental education.

Resumo A pandemia COVID-19 destacou as desigualdades econômicas, sociais e de saúde bucal, especialmente no mundo em desenvolvimento. Severas restrições têm sido impostas para a prática odontológica, limitando a rotina de saúde bucal, permitindo o tratamento apenas em emergências. Como o atendimento odontológico inclui procedimentos que geram aerossóis, o risco de infecção para a equipe odontológica aumentou significativamente. Nesta revisão, é abordada uma fonte abrangente e atualizada de informações sobre o SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 e os impactos que têm nos cuidados de saúde bucal. As repercussões contínuas na profissão odontológica e na educação odontológica, incluindo as oportunidades de inovação da prática. Além disso, é fornecido o efeito de fatores psicossociais que afetam a saúde e a qualidade de vida, como estresse, depressão e ansiedade. Esta pandemia pode ser uma oportunidade para promover a inclusão de medidas de prevenção bem estabelecidas, juntamente com o uso da teledontologia nos currículos acadêmicos de odontologia, trazendo novas perspectivas sobre a forma de ensinar e interagir com os alunos, com a transição para estratégias de e-learning na educação odontológica.

COVID-19: the impact on oral health care.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the economic, social, and oral care health inequities in societies, especially in the developing world. Severe restrictions have been imposed on dental practices, limiting prophylactic and routine oral care health, allowing treatment only for emergencies. Since dental care includes procedures that generate aerosols, the risk of infection for dental personnel has increased significantly. In this review, a comprehensive and updated source of information about SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 and the impacts it is having on oral health care is presented. The ongoing repercussions in dental practice and in dental education, including the opportunities for practice innovation that are evolving, are also indicated. Also, a discussion of the psychosocial factors that affect health and the quality of life of an individual, such as stress, depression, and anxiety, is provided. This pandemic may be an opportunity to promote the inclusion of well-established prevention measures, together with the use of teledentistry in academic dental curricula, encourage the implementation of new perspectives for the effective instruction and interactions with students, and foster the transition toward e-learning strategies in dental education.

A taxonomic revision of the Bothynus villiersi Endrdi, 1968 species group (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae).

The Bothynus villiersi species group (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Pentodontini) is revised and is composed of five South American species: Bothynus villiersi Endrdi, 1968; Bothynus horridus Endrdi, 1968; Bothynus alvarengai Martnez, 1983; Bothynus spinophallicus (Ratcliffe Cave, 2021) new combination; and Bothynus belemensis new species. Redescriptions, illustrations, new diagnostic characters, identification key, and a first known geographical distribution map for the group are presented.

Feasibility and Safety of Ipsilateral Ulnar Access in Cases of Impossibility or Failure of Radial Access for Coronary Angiography or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of using the ulnar access in coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention, in the failure or contraindication of ipsilateral radial access. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated, in a quaternary hospital, patients undergoing coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention by transulnar approach, in case of failure or contraindication to the ipsilateral radial access. RESULTS: Between August 2018 and March 2020, of the 5,916 invasive coronary procedures performed, 2.2% were by transulnar approach. In the 130 patients evaluated, the indication for use of the transulnar approach was predominantly the low-amplitude or difficult to palpate radial pulse when compared to the ulnar artery (39.2%), followed by occlusion of the ipsilateral radial artery (33.1%). Complications of using the transulnar approach were superficial hematoma or low-degree muscle infiltration with extension ≤10 cm, in 6 patients (4.5%), and in 5 cases (3.8%) hematoma >10 cm. There was a case of transient ischemia of the hand due to forearm hematoma, treated conservatively. No cases of arterial thrombosis, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, symptomatic ulnar artery occlusion or ulnar nerve injury were observed after 30-day follow-up. CONCLUSION: The use of ipsilateral transulnar access is a feasible and safe alternative in cases where radial access would be impossible. This access site is associated with a low incidence of complications, which, when present, are most commonly associated with the occurance of spasm after the attempted radial puncture.

Interaction effects of socio-economic position in the association between eating location and diet quality in Portuguese children and adolescents: results from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2015-2016.

This study aims to evaluate the interaction effect of socio-economic environment (SEE) in the relationship between the eating location (EL) and diet quality, in children and adolescents. Data included Portuguese children and adolescents (3-17 years) from a National Dietary Survey Sample (IAN-AF 2015/2016, n 987). Dietary intake was obtained by 2-d food diaries (children) or 2-24-h-recall (adolescents). Participants were classified into four groups of EL: 'Home', 'Other homes', 'School' and 'Restaurants'. Diet quality was measured as a higher adherence to a healthy eating pattern. A previous developed socio-economic classification was used, and participants were grouped as belonging to a low socio-economic environment (LSE) or middle-high socio-economic environment (MHSE). Linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between EL and diet quality, stratified by the SEE. A statistically significant interaction effect was found (P < 0·01) for the SEE in the association between EL and diet quality. After adjustment for potential confounders, in LSE, participants belonging to 'Other homes' (ß = -2·07; 95 % CI:-3·70, -0·44) and 'Restaurants' (ß = -3·31; 95 % CI: -5·08, -1·54) had lower scores in the diet quality score, comparing to 'Home'. In MHSE, comparing with 'Home', 'Restaurants' showed lower diet quality (ß = -1·56; 95 % CI:-2·65, -0·48), while the 'School' had better diet quality (ß = 0·90; 95 % CI: 0·16, 1·64). The SEE influences the association between EL and diet quality and, belonging to more disadvantaged SEE, might represent a higher risk of unhealthy eating habits when eating out-of-home.

Whole Skeletal Mean SUV Measured on 18F-NaF PET/CT Studies as a Prognostic Indicator in Patients with Bone Metastatic Breast Cancer.

In this work we assessed the association between the whole skeletal mean standardized uptake value (SUV) measured on 18F-NaF PET/CT studies and the overall survival (OS) of bone metastatic breast cancer patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 176 patients with breast cancer and bone metastatic disease who performed 18F-NaF PET/CT studies. The outcomes of the patients (dead or alive) were established based on the last information available on their files. The mean and maximum SUVs were measured in a whole skeletal volume of interest (wsVOI). The wsVOI was defined based on the CT component of the PET/CT study using Hounsfield Units thresholds. The wsVOI was then applied on the 18F-NaF PET image. Univariate analyses were performed to assess the association of the SUVs with OS. We also analyzed the association of the age of the patients, the presence of visceral metastatic disease, histological subtypes, presence of hormone receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression and the creatinine, CA15-3 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels with OS. The variables statistically significant in the univariate analyses were included in a multivariate cox regression survival analysis. Results: In the univariate analyses there were associations of the mean and maximum whole skeletal SUVs, estrogen receptor status and the CA15-3 and ALP levels with OS. In the multivariate analysis, all the variables that were statistically significant in the univariate analysis but the CA15-3 were associated with OS. Conclusion: In patients with bone metastatic breast cancer, the whole skeletal mean SUV is an independent predictor of overall survival.