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O tumor de Krukenberg (TK) é uma entidade rara, caracterizada por neoplasia ovariana secundária a um tumor do trato gastrointestinal, freqüentemente bilateral, volumoso e assintomático. Afeta geralmente mulheres na quarta década de vida, correspondendo a l%-5% de todos os tumores ovarianos. Histologicamente são caracterizados por células neoplásicas em anel de sinete, com proliferação estromal não neoplásica e reativa. Poucos casos de TK funcionante são relatados, sendo a associação com virilização durante a gravidez rara. Os autores relatam o caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino, 35 anos de idade, que no segundo trimestre de gestação iniciou com hirsutismo, acne, voz grave e hipertensão arterial sistêmica. A ecografia pré-natal evidenciou volumoso tumor em ovário esquerdo. Foi submetida a cesariana, com nascimento de recém-nato masculino normal. Na evolução, a laparotomia para excisão do tumor em ovário esquerdo revelou carcinomatose peritoneal, metástase hepática e lesão infiltrativa em pequena curvatura gástrica. Exame histológico do tumor ovariano demonstrou adenocarcinoma pouco diferenciado, tipo anel de sinete. A biópsia da lesão gástrica também revelou adenocarcinoma pouco diferenciado, tipo anel de sinete. Foi conduzida com quimioterapia e radioterapia, sem resposta. Evoluiu a óbito oito meses após o diagnóstico.

Neoplasia Endocrina Múltipla tipo 2B (NEM-2B) é uma síndrome incomum, herdada de forma autossômica dominante e com penetrância variável. Múltiplos órgãos são envolvidos, mas com uma tríade predominante de carcinoma medular de tireóide, feocromocitoma e ganglioneuromas do trato gastrointestinal. A maioria dos pacientes tem fácies característica, composta por eversão e alargamento dos lábios e eversão das pálpebras por neuromas mucosos. Os autores relatam três casos de NEM-2B, sendo dois do sexo masculino, com idade média de 15,9 anos. A manifestação clínica inicial em todos os casos foi crescimento de massa cervical em topografia de tireóide e hábito marfanóide. Foram submetidos a tireoidectomia total, com esvaziamento cervical bilateral por carcinoma medular de tireóide. Um paciente apresentou feocromocitoma quatro anos após o diagnóstico de tumor de tireóide, sendo submetido a laparotomia com excisão do tumor. Um paciente evoluiu a óbito 2,5 anos após o diagnóstico e os outros dois encontram-se livres de doença, com uma média de acompanhamento ambulatorial de um ano, apesar do teste de calcitonina positivo em um dos casos.

Meningiomas are associated with inactivation of NF2/Merlin, but approximately one-third of meningiomas with favorable clinical outcomes retain Merlin expression. Biochemical mechanisms underlying Merlin-intact meningioma growth are incompletely understood, and non-invasive biomarkers that may be used to guide treatment de-escalation or imaging surveillance are lacking. Here, we use single-cell RNA sequencing, proximity-labeling proteomic mass spectrometry, mechanistic and functional approaches, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) across meningioma xenografts and patients to define biochemical mechanisms and an imaging biomarker that underlie Merlin-intact meningiomas. We find Merlin serine 13 (S13) dephosphorylation drives meningioma Wnt signaling and tumor growth by attenuating inhibitory interactions with β-catenin and activating the Wnt pathway. MRI analyses show Merlin-intact meningiomas with S13 phosphorylation and favorable clinical outcomes are associated with high apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). These results define mechanisms underlying a potential imaging biomarker that could be used to guide treatment de-escalation or imaging surveillance for patients with Merlin-intact meningiomas.

Seven groups of Juglans jamaicensis trees were selected in Turquino National Park to determine the morphological structure, germination power and vigor of Juglans jamaicensis seeds. To do this, the seeds were collected from the soil and subjected to pregerminative treatment, then 900 of them were placed in the germinator under a completely randomized design. The morphology of the seeds was evaluated from the parameters length of the major axis, diameter, weight and volume of the seed. The germination control started from the seventh day to 90 days. Germination capacity, germination dynamics, and seed vigor were determined through germination speed and Czabator indices. The morphological variation of seeds in relation to progenitor trees and sites, as well as the effect of parental origin on germination, germination dynamics and seed vigor was checked by means of a simple classification ANOVA, and the HSD-Tukey test. The structure of Juglans jamaicensis seeds is an adaptation of trees to the environment in which they develop in response to environmental variation and the establishment of Juglans jamaicensis regenerants in natural conditions, it is determined by high germination potential (73±16%), low germination speed (0.40±0.1) and vigor (0.38±0.3) as well as offspring anomalies, which are key elements leading to a potential decrease in the abundance of seedlings in the forest.

Intratumor heterogeneity underlies cancer evolution and treatment resistance, but targetable mechanisms driving intratumor heterogeneity are poorly understood. Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors and are resistant to all medical therapies, and high-grade meningiomas have significant intratumor heterogeneity. Here we use spatial approaches to identify genomic, biochemical and cellular mechanisms linking intratumor heterogeneity to the molecular, temporal and spatial evolution of high-grade meningiomas. We show that divergent intratumor gene and protein expression programs distinguish high-grade meningiomas that are otherwise grouped together by current classification systems. Analyses of matched pairs of primary and recurrent meningiomas reveal spatial expansion of subclonal copy number variants associated with treatment resistance. Multiplexed sequential immunofluorescence and deconvolution of meningioma spatial transcriptomes using cell types from single-cell RNA sequencing show decreased immune infiltration, decreased MAPK signaling, increased PI3K-AKT signaling and increased cell proliferation, which are associated with meningioma recurrence. To translate these findings to preclinical models, we use CRISPR interference and lineage tracing approaches to identify combination therapies that target intratumor heterogeneity in meningioma cell co-cultures.

This article describes the methods used to build a large-scale database of more than 250,000 electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) records linked to a comprehensive set of clinical information about the infant, the mother, the pregnancy, labor, and outcome. The database can be used to investigate how birth outcome is related to clinical and EFM features. The main steps involved in building the database were: (1) Acquiring the raw EFM recording and clinical records for each birth. (2) Assigning each birth to an objectively defined outcome class that included normal, acidosis, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. (3) Removing all personal health information from the EFM recordings and clinical records. (4) Preprocessing the deidentified EFM records to eliminate duplicates, reformat the signals, combine signals from different sensors, and bridge gaps to generate signals in a format that can be readily analyzed. (5) Post-processing the repaired EFM recordings to extract key features of the fetal heart rate, uterine activity, and their relations. (6) Populating a database that links the clinical information, EFM records, and EFM features to support easy querying and retrieval. •A multi-step process is required to build a comprehensive database linking electronic temporal fetal monitoring signals to a comprehensive set of clinical information about the infant, the mother, the pregnancy, labor, and outcome.•The current database documents more than 250,000 births including almost 4,000 acidosis and 400 HIE cases. This represents more than 80% of the births that occurred in 15 Northern California Kaiser Permanente Hospitals between 2011-2019. This is a valuable resource for studying the factors predictive of outcome.•The signal processing code and schemas for the database are freely available. The database will not be permitted to leave Kaiser firewalls, but a process is in place to allow interested investigators to access it.

This work was carried out in two Zonal Units of Conservation of the Turquino National Park, with the seeds of seven trees in six locations, to characterize the dispersal of the seeds of Juglansjamaicensis subsp. jamaicensis in a protected area of national significance. For this, it was determined the dispersion of the seeds in parcels of 1 x 1 m located each 2 m along four 50-m length radial transects, guided toward the four cardinal points, from the base of the donating tree of seeds. Results revealed that the density of the seeds of Juglansjamaicensis dispersed on the surface of the ground, declined markedly with the distance from the plant. Maximum seed-dispersal distance was 23 m, and average distance was 13 m around the trees, comprising 84% of dispersed seeds. Seed dispersal varied among the cardinal points, resulting in an asymmetric distribution pattern biased toward the north, as consequence of the land slope. Seed density on the ground surface averages 12 seeds per m2, forming a small seed bank under natural conditions. These elements constitute indicators of fragility of the species in front of interferences and external factors as well as the contagious distribution pattern of the species in the forest.

The study was conducted in the Turquino National Park in the Zonal Conservation Units Santo Domingo and La Platica, to establish the relationship between the shape of the seeds of Juglansjamaicensis and distance to waterways as an adaptive response to their dispersal mechanism 7 groups of trees were selected. Each player is taken tree seeds 50 which were performed measurements of height (H), width (L) and thickness (E) to determine the rate of roundness (R). The distance of each tree nearest the course of water was also measured. The relationship between the two variables was performed through a simple correlation analysis; however the comparison of means was through a simple ANOVA, while the distribution of the shape of the seeds in relation to the distance to the watercourse was analyzed through the Tukey test. Those trees closer to water courses had more round seeds, indicating that the mechanism of scattering by water influences the environment in which they live. The roundness index varied and seeds were identified with rates ranging from medium to high (0, 81 to 1, 12; mean = 1, 01). These results suggest that the shape of the seeds is an adaptation of trees J. jamaicensis the medium in response to dispersal mechanism for water.

The study was conducted in the montane rain forest Turquino National Park in order to assess the occupation of the trees by vines. 70 plots of 10 x 10 m with a random sampling were established and individuals with more than 5 cm were recorded d 1,30 m. To establish the influence of lianas on forest structure, the occupancy rate was determined by lianas on trees recital 4 categories. The flora included 42 families, 66 genera, 74 species. The trees were distributed in 35 families, 58 genera and 65 species, while vines were grouped into seven families, genera and 9 8 species. Flora had a high percentage of involvement by lianas (74%), and 22% of its trees are busy with vines in the glass and around the tree, which limits flowering and fruiting. Gouania polygama and Cissus verticillata vines were most involved in the occupation of the trees. The greater involvement of lianas occurs in young trees from 6 to 10 cm in diameter, which affects forest management for forest conservation, as these trees are a clearing house for the vines reach the forest canopy. Threatened species Juglans jamaicensis and Magnolia cubensis subsp. cubensis showed involvement of its individuals between 33 and 81%, their risk by reducing their fertility potential.

In 2020, humanity experienced one of the most complex situations in history: The COVID-19 pandemic, which caused significant social, economic, and educational consequences. Nevertheless, countries and people generally survived. Why? Resilience and the ability to cope are fundamental elements in human, community, and national survival. This study compared the situations experienced by six children from different social and educational backgrounds in Colombia during the COVID-19 pandemic using a collective analysis of cases. Interviews with children's families, as well as observations of the participants and a narrative instrument from the BASIC Ph resiliency model (Lahad, 2016) are used to describe the context, the promoting factors of resilience, and the so-called coping "channels" of each case. Results showed that (a) the difficulties perceived by families during the pandemic were different from those perceived by the children, and (b) the predominant coping channels had an important relationship with factors that promote resilience. Finally, although it is not clear from the present study whether the children developed resilience, they exhibited factors that determine their future development.

Schwann cell tumors are the most common cancers of the peripheral nervous system and can arise in patients with neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF-1) or neurofibromatosis type-2 (NF-2). Functional interactions between NF1 and NF2 and broader mechanisms underlying malignant transformation of the Schwann lineage are unclear. Here we integrate bulk and single-cell genomics, biochemistry, and pharmacology across human samples, cell lines, and mouse allografts to identify cellular de-differentiation mechanisms driving malignant transformation and treatment resistance. We find DNA methylation groups of Schwann cell tumors can be distinguished by differentiation programs that correlate with response to the MEK inhibitor selumetinib. Functional genomic screening in NF1-mutant tumor cells reveals NF2 loss and PAK activation underlie selumetinib resistance, and we find that concurrent MEK and PAK inhibition is effective in vivo. These data support a de-differentiation paradigm underlying malignant transformation and treatment resistance of Schwann cell tumors and elucidate a functional link between NF1 and NF2.

BackgroundSchwannomas are common peripheral nerve sheath tumors that can cause severe morbidity given their stereotypic intracranial and paraspinal locations. Similar to many solid tumors, schwannomas and other nerve sheath tumors are primarily thought to arise due to aberrant hyperactivation of the RAS growth factor signaling pathway. Here, we sought to further define the molecular pathogenesis of schwannomas.MethodsWe performed comprehensive genomic profiling on a cohort of 96 human schwannomas, as well as DNA methylation profiling on a subset. Functional studies including RNA sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation-DNA sequencing, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and luciferase reporter assays were performed in a fetal glial cell model following transduction with wildtype and tumor-derived mutant isoforms of SOX10.ResultsWe identified that nearly one-third of sporadic schwannomas lack alterations in known nerve sheath tumor genes and instead harbor novel recurrent in-frame insertion/deletion mutations in SOX10, which encodes a transcription factor responsible for controlling Schwann cell differentiation and myelination. SOX10 indel mutations were highly enriched in schwannomas arising from nonvestibular cranial nerves (eg facial, trigeminal, vagus) and were absent from vestibular nerve schwannomas driven by NF2 mutation. Functional studies revealed these SOX10 indel mutations have retained DNA binding capacity but impaired transactivation of glial differentiation and myelination gene programs.ConclusionsWe thus speculate that SOX10 indel mutations drive a unique subtype of schwannomas by impeding proper differentiation of immature Schwann cells.

Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for meningioma, the most common primary intracranial tumor, but improvements in meningioma risk stratification are needed and indications for postoperative radiotherapy are controversial. Here we develop a targeted gene expression biomarker that predicts meningioma outcomes and radiotherapy responses. Using a discovery cohort of 173 meningiomas, we developed a 34-gene expression risk score and performed clinical and analytical validation of this biomarker on independent meningiomas from 12 institutions across 3 continents (N = 1,856), including 103 meningiomas from a prospective clinical trial. The gene expression biomarker improved discrimination of outcomes compared with all other systems tested (N = 9) in the clinical validation cohort for local recurrence (5-year area under the curve (AUC) 0.81) and overall survival (5-year AUC 0.80). The increase in AUC compared with the standard of care, World Health Organization 2021 grade, was 0.11 for local recurrence (95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.17, P

Abstract Background NF1 inactivation is associated with sensitivity to MEK inhibitor targeted therapy in low-grade and some high-grade gliomas. NF1 loss may also be a harbinger of exploitable vulnerabilities in IDH-wildtype glioblastoma (GBM). Accurate and consistent detection of NF1 loss, however, is fraught given the large gene size, challenges with complete coverage and variant calling upon sequencing, and mechanisms of mRNA and protein regulation that result in early degradation in the absence of genomic alterations. Here, we seek to perform a composite analysis for NF1 loss accounting for genomic alterations and protein expression via immunohistochemistry. We also characterize the landscape of NF1 alterations in GBM. Methods We assembled a single-institution, retrospective cohort of 542 IDH-wildtype GBM with somatic next generation sequencing to investigate the frequency and nature of detected NF1 alterations. We selected 69 GBMs from which to build a tissue microarray (TMA) of 44 NF1-wildtype and 25 NF1-mutant cases. We performed NF1 immunohistochemistry using two different NF1 antibodies (NFC, Sigma-Aldrich; and iNF-07E, iNFixion Bioscience) and correlated results with clinical, genomic, and other immunohistochemical features. Results In our retrospective cohort, we identified 88 IDH-wildtype GBM with NF1 alterations (16%). NF1 alterations were mutually exclusive with EGFR and MDM2 alterations (p-adj

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Auto-HSCT) is widely used in the treatment of patients with hematological neoplasms. Since these cells circulate in small quantities in the periphery, the use of regimens that promote their mobilization is essential. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of using intermediate doses of cytarabine (1.6 g/m²) + filgrastim (10 mcg/kg/day) in the mobilization of stem cells in 157 patients treated by the Unified Health System at the Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Service of the Hospital Real Português de Beneficência, in Recife, Pernambuco. The sample included patients with multiple myeloma (MM) (58.6 %), lymphomas (29.9 %), and other neoplasms (11.5 %). The target of 2.0 × 10 6 CD34+ cells/kg was achieved by 148 (94.3 %) patients, in most cases (84.1 %) in a single apheresis and the median number of cells collected was 9.5 × 10 6 CD34+ cells/kg. No episode of febrile neutropenia was observed, however, 79 patients (50.3 %) required platelet transfusion (no cases attributed to bleeding). The median engraftment time was 11 days. Given these results, we suggest that the use of intermediate doses of cytarabine, combined with filgrastim, is safe and effective in mobilizing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).

Abstract The current detection method for Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) involves an invasive and costly molecular biology procedure as the gold standard diagnostic method. Consequently, the search for a non-invasive, more cost-effective, reagent-free, and sustainable method for the detection of CHIKV infection is imperative for public health. The portable Fourier-transform infrared coupled with Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR-FTIR) platform was applied to discriminate systemic diseases using saliva, however, the salivary diagnostic application in viral diseases is less explored. The study aimed to identify unique vibrational modes of salivary infrared profiles to detect CHIKV infection using chemometrics and artificial intelligence algorithms. Thus, we intradermally challenged interferon-gamma gene knockout C57/BL6 mice with CHIKV (20 µl, 1 X 105 PFU/ml, n = 6) or vehicle (20 µl, n = 7). Saliva and serum samples were collected on day 3 (due to the peak of viremia). CHIKV infection was confirmed by Real-time PCR in the serum of CHIKV-infected mice. The best pattern classification showed a sensitivity of 83%, specificity of 86%, and accuracy of 85% using support vector machine (SVM) algorithms. Our results suggest that the salivary ATR-FTIR platform can discriminate CHIKV infection with the potential to be applied as a non-invasive, sustainable, and cost-effective detection tool for this emerging disease.

Agriculture drones face important challenges regarding autonomy and construction, as flying time below the 9-minute mark is the norm, and their manufacture requires several tests and research before reaching proper flight dynamics. Therefore, correct design, analysis, and manufacture of the structure are imperative to address the aforementioned problems and ensure a robust build that withstands the tough environments of this application. In this work, the analysis and implementation of a Nylamid motor bracket, aluminum sandwich-type skeleton, and carbon fiber tube arm in a 30 kg agriculture drone is presented. The mechanical response of these components is evaluated using the finite element method in ANSYS Workbench, and the material behavior assumptions are assessed using a universal testing machine before their implementations. The general description of these models and the numerical results are presented. This early prediction of the behavior of the structure allows for mass optimization and cost reductions. The fast dynamics of drone applications set important restrictions in ductile materials such as this, requiring extensive structural analysis before manufacture. Experimental and numerical results showed a maximum variation of 8.7% for the carbon fiber composite and 13% for the Nylamid material. The mechanical properties of polyamide nylon allowed for a 51% mass reduction compared to a 6061 aluminum alloy structure optimized for the same load case in the motor brackets design. The low mechanical complexity of sandwich-type skeletons translated into fast implementation. Finally, the overall performance of the agriculture drone is evaluated through the data gathered during the flight test, showing the adequate design process.

The evaluation of the competencies corresponding to the different professional profiles of future nursing graduates is fundamental to their training. In this regard, students’ self-evaluation must be part of their training. This study aimed to develop and psychometrically test the Perceived Self-Efficacy in Nursing Competencies (PSENC) Scale. This study was conducted in two phases: selecting and adjusting items and assessing the instrument’s psychometric properties. A sample of 1416 students completed the scale online. Exploratory factor and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. Inferential analysis was carried out. The exploratory factor analysis of the PSENC scale with 20 items resulted in five factors (76.3% of variance). All factors showed Cronbach’s alpha coefficients > 0.70. The confirmatory factor analysis measurement model showed satisfactory and adequate goodness-of-fit indices. The developed scale showed the psychometric adequacy and usefulness to the self-assessment of nursing students regarding their self-efficacy expectations in competencies during their clinical practicum. This study was not registered.

Background Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) affects 1.5 newborns per 1 thousand term live births. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) does not prevent all adverse outcomes. The experience with TH is still limited in Latin America. In Rio de Janeiro, Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto treats neonates with HIE since 2017 using the servo-controlled system.

Abstract Meningiomas are associated with inactivation of NF2/Merlin, but approximately one-third of meningiomas with favorable clinical outcomes retain Merlin expression. Biochemical mechanisms underlying Merlin-intact meningioma growth are incompletely understood, and non-invasive biomarkers that may be used to guide treatment de-escalation or imaging surveillance are lacking. Here, we use single-cell RNA sequencing, proximity-labeling proteomic mass spectrometry, mechanistic and functional approaches, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) across meningioma xenografts and patients to define biochemical mechanisms and an imaging biomarker that underlie Merlin-intact meningiomas. We find Merlin serine 13 (S13) dephosphorylation drives meningioma Wnt signaling and tumor growth by attenuating inhibitory interactions with β-catenin and activating the Wnt pathway. MRI analyses show Merlin-intact meningiomas with S13 phosphorylation and favorable clinical outcomes are associated with high apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). These results define mechanisms underlying a potential imaging biomarker that could be used to guide treatment de-escalation or imaging surveillance for patients with Merlin-intact meningiomas.

Objectives: To investigate the associations between caregivers’ burden, family quality of life (QoL), and siblings’ QoL in Brazilian families of children with cerebral palsy, and to analyze siblings’ QoL using as a parameter the QoL of typically developed Brazilian children. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. The 212 families, 212 caregivers and 131 siblings completed the Family Quality of Life Scale, Burden Interview, and KIDSCREEN-27 Child and Adolescent Version and Parents Version questionnaires at a neurorehabilitation center in southeast Brazil. Univariable and multivariable models were used. Results: Family QoL significantly worsened as caregivers’ burden increased (95 % CI -0.66 to -0.38). Caregivers’ burden was significantly lower with increasing family QoL scores (95 % CI -0.52 to -0.30). Self-reported siblings’ QoL was significantly worse than that of their typically developed peers (95 % CI -7.6 to -3.6). Self-reported siblings’ QoL was significantly lower as siblings’ age (95 % CI -2.52 to -0.59) and caregivers’ burden (95 % CI -0.35 to -0.05) increased. Parent-reported siblings’ QoL was significantly lower with increasing caregivers’ burden (95 % CI -0.45 to -0.16) and higher as family QoL increased (95 % CI 0.09 to 0.37). Conclusions: The cross-sectional nature of these data precludes any statement of causality. Family QoL worsened with higher caregivers’ burden levels. Lower caregivers’ burden scores were associated with a higher family QoL. Siblings’ QoL was impaired as compared to typically developed peers, worse among older siblings, and as caregivers’ burden increased and better with higher family QoL levels. Future multicenter studies may validate the generalizability of the present findings.

Objective: To evaluate the growth trajectory of head circumference and neurodevelopment, and to correlate head circumference with cognitive, language, and motor outcomes during the first two years. Method: Prospective cohort study in a tertiary hospital including 95 newborns under 32 weeks or 1500 g. Neonates who developed major neonatal morbidities were excluded. The head circumference was measured at birth, at discharge, and at term-equivalent age, 1, 3, 5, 12, 18, and 24 months of corrected age, and the Bayley Scales (Bayley-III) were applied at 12, 18 and 24 months of corrected age to assess cognitive, language and, motor domains. Scores below 85 were classified as mild/moderate deficits and scores below 70 as severe deficits. The association between head circumference Z score and Bayley scores was assessed using Pearson's correlation. The study considered a significance level of 0.05. Results: There was a decrease of -0.18 in the head circumference Z score between birth and discharge and the catch-up occurred between discharge and 1 month (an increase of 0.81 in the Z score). There was a positive correlation between head circumference and Bayley scores at 18 months. There was also a positive correlation between head circumference at discharge and at 5 months with the three domains of the Bayley. Conclusion: Serial measurements of head circumference provide knowledge of the trajectory of growth, with early catch-up between discharge and 1 month, as well as its association with neurodevelopment. Head circumference is therefore a valuable clinical marker for neurodevelopment, especially in very preterm newborns.

Adriana Aparecida Siviero-Miachon,1,2 Angela Maria Spinola-Castro,1,2 Maria Lucia de Martino Lee,2 Carlos Manoel de Castro Monteiro,3 Antonio Carlos de Camargo Carvalho,4 Antonio Ramos Calixto,5 Bruno Geloneze,5 Gil Guerra-Junior6 1Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), 2Pediatric Oncology Institute – IOP/GRAACC, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), 3Private Office, Castro Monteiro, Sao Paulo, 4Division of Cardiology, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), 5Laboratory of Investigation on Metabolism and Diabetes (LIMED), Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 6Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body composition, metabolic profile, adipokines, and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in young survivors of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study compared 55 ALL survivors, of chronological age between 15 years and 24 years, assigned into two groups according to the exposure to cranial radiation therapy (CRT; 25 irradiated and 30 nonirradiated) with 24 leukemia-free controls, and assessed body fat mass (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), computed tomography scan-derived abdominal adipose tissue, lipid profile, blood pressure (BP), adipokines, and cIMT by a multiple regression analysis. Results: Treatment with CRT had an effect on all of the variables derived from the computed tomography scan: visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) (P

The work was done in the Turquino National Park in order to analyze the diametric structure, mortality and recruitment of Juglans jamaicensis C. DC., for the diagnosis of its condition. The diametric structure from 5 cm width classes and the taxon state structure was characterized. Dynamics of the species through the registration of all individuals for three consecutive years (2011-2013) was evaluated, and parameters determining the average annual death rate, annual rate of change and the finite rate of natural increase. In addition, the relationship between seedling abundance and exposure to light through a correspondence analysis was determined. It was found that Juglans jamaicensis presents an irregular diametric structure denoting a good reproduction and recruitment failure of its groups of trees in the forest, suggesting some imbalance between mortality and recruitment. The growth and retention of individuals are the parameters that have the greatest influence in maintaining Juglans jamaicensis in the forest since the rate indicators mean annual mortality rate of population change and finite natural growth rate reflect high mortality seedling stage as more vulnerable life cycle of the species phase, indicating a recruitment and population stability is not favorable. Tolerance of seedlings of Juglans jamaicensis in the first two years of life was confirmed.