Predicting COVID-19 cases in Belo Horizonte-Brazil taking into account mobility and vaccination issues.

The pandemic caused millions of deaths around the world and forced governments to take drastic measures to reduce the spread of Coronavirus. Understanding the impact of social distancing measures on urban mobility and the number of COVID-19 cases allows governments to change public policies according to the evolution of the pandemic and plan ahead. Given the increasing rates of vaccination worldwide, immunization data may also represent an important predictor of COVID-19 cases. This study investigates the impact of urban mobility and vaccination upon COVID-19 cases in Belo Horizonte, Brazil using Prophet and ARIMA models to predict future outcomes. The developed models generated projections fairly close to real numbers, and some inferences were drawn through experimentation. Brazil became the epicenter of the COVID-19 epidemic shortly after the first case was officially registered on February 25th, 2020. In response, several municipalities adopted lockdown (total or partial) measures to minimize the risk of new infections. Here, we propose prediction models which take into account mobility and vaccination data to predict new COVID-19 cases.

Photobiomodulation Enhances Cisplatin Cytotoxicity in a Culture Model with Oral Cell Lineages.

Cisplatin plays a central role in cancer chemotherapy, but resistance to this drug remains a major obstacle in treatment. Drawbacks related to cisplatin failure may be associated with cell energy metabolism. This study investigated whether photobiomodulation (PBM) can potentiate the effects of cisplatin on keratinocytes (HaCat) and cancer cells (SCC25 and HN12). Cells were treated with laser (GaAlAs; 660 nm; 60 mW; 0.33 J; 2.14 W cm-2 ; 11.7 J cm-2 and 6 s) and cisplatin (7.8 µg mL-1 ) to evaluate cell viability, Ki-67, VEGF, TGF-ß1, EGF expression and ROS production. Observations were validated in the SCC25 cell lineage, where the type of cell death (necrosis/apoptosis) and the amount of ATP were assessed. Cell lineages showed increased sensitivity to cisplatin associated with PBM (Cis-PBM). Ki-67 was augmented in all cell lineages treated with Cis-PBM when compared to cisplatin alone (Cis). Cis or Cis-PBM significantly decreased VEGF expression in cancer cells, while no changes were seen in the expression of TGF-ß1 or EGF compared to control. ROS levels were similar in the Cis and Cis-PBM groups. Cells treated with Cis-PBM died by apoptosis, leading to greater consumption of ATP. These observations suggest that PBM may potentiate the effects of cisplatin, leading to increased drug cytotoxicity and enhanced cell death.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the parotid gland: Case report.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare spindle cell neoplasm that usually develops in the pleura and peritoneum. The head and neck region is involved in only 6% of the cases. Involvement of the parotid gland is a rare phenomenon, with only 24 cases reported in the literature. The aim of this study is to report an additional case of SFT affecting the parotid gland, and to review the literature on previously reported cases. The patient was a 42-year-old male with a 4-cm, fibro-elastic, movable, painless nodule in the inferior lobe of the parotid gland. The lesion was surgically excised and, following histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis, a diagnosis of SFT was rendered. The patient has been followed-up for ten months, with no signs of recurrence. Clinical, histopathological, immunohistochemical and treatment aspects of the tumor are discussed. Key words:Solitary fibrous tumor, parotid gland, case report.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified of the palate: A case report.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most frequent type of non-Hodgkin´s lymphoma found in oral and maxillofacial regions. A large number of cases may be biologically heterogeneous, which are commonly defined as DLBCL, not otherwise specified (NOS) by the World Health Organization (WHO-2008). The present case reports on an ulcer of raised and irregular edges, found on the border between the hard and soft palate, as the first and only manifestation of an extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma in an 85-year-old patient. Incisional biopsy was carried out, and the specimen revealed a proliferation of large lymphoid cells suggestive of diffuse large cell lymphoma. An immunohistochemical analysis was performed. EBV-RNA was assessed by in situ hybridization that also proved to be negative. Immunohistochemical and EBV analyses are important to avoid delays and inappropriate treatment strategies. Although advanced age is considered an adverse prognostic factor, early diagnosis did prove to be a key contributory factor in the cure of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Key words:Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, elderly, EBV.