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The spectral diffusion of singlet and triplet excitons in 9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐based conjugated copolymers is investigated using photoluminescence spectroscopy at both low (5 K) and room temperature (300 K). Inclusion of a N,N‐diphenyl‐4‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)aniline moiety into the polymer backbone allows subsequent cyclometalation with platinum acetylacetonate to increase the spin‐orbit coupling and yield radiative decay from the triplet state. For suitably low fractions (≤5%) of bulky ligand inclusion, cyclometalated or not, the resulting longer sequences of fluorene units are able to adopt the chain‐extended β‐phase conformation. Comparison between the phosphorescence spectral diffusion in glassy‐ and β‐phase Pt‐copolymer samples provide insight into the triplet exciton transfer in more‐ or less‐disordered conjugated polymer films. It is found in the glassy‐phase samples with shorter conjugation lengths that the triplet exciton relaxation becomes frustrated at low temperature due to a freezing out of the thermally activated hops required to move from one conjugated segment to another. In contrast, for films containing β‐phase chain segments, with increased conjugation lengths, this frustration is lifted as more hopping sites remain accessible through intra‐segment motion. This work demonstrates controlled use of changes in molecular conformation to optimize triplet diffusion properties in a member of the widely deployed fluorene‐based conjugated copolymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a growing epidemic and a risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study investigated the long-term outcomes of liver resection (LR) for HCC in patients with MS. Rates, timing, patterns, and treatment of recurrences were investigated, and cancer-specific survivals were assessed. Methods: Between 2001 and 2021, data from 24 clinical centers were collected. Overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and cancer-specific survival were analyzed as well as recurrence patterns and treatment. The analysis was conducted using a competing-risk framework. The trajectory of the risk of recurrence over time was applied to a competing risk analysis. For post-recurrence survival, death resulting from tumor progression was the primary endpoint, whereas deaths with recurrence relating to other causes were considered as competing events. Results: In total, 813 patients were included in the study. Median OS was 81.4 months (range 28.1–157.0 months), and recurrence occurred in 48.3% of patients, with a median RFS of 39.8 months (range 15.7–174.7 months). Cause-specific hazard of recurrence showed a first peak 6 months (0.027), and a second peak 24 months (0.021) after surgery. The later the recurrence, the higher the chance of receiving curative intent approaches (p = 0.001). Size >5 cm, multiple tumors, microvascular invasion, and cirrhosis were independent predictors of recurrence showing a cause-specific hazard over time. RFS was associated with death for recurrence (hazard ratio: 0.985, 95% CI: 0.977–0.995; p = 0.002). Conclusions: Patients with MS undergoing LR for HCC have good long-term survival. Recurrence occurs in 48% of patients with a double-peak incidence and time-specific hazards depending on tumor-related factors and underlying disease. The timing of recurrence significantly impacts survival. Surveillance after resection should be adjusted over time depending on risk factors. Impact and implications: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a growing epidemic and a significant risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present study demonstrated that patients who undergo surgical resection for HCC on MS have a good long-term survival and that recurrence occurs in almost half of the cases with a double peak incidence and time-specific hazards depending on tumor-related factors and underlying liver disease. Also, the timing of recurrence significantly impacts survival. Clinicians should therefore adjust follow-up after surgery accordingly, considering timing of recurrence and specific risk factors. Also, the results of the present study might help design future trials on the use of adjuvant therapy following resection.

We report the experimental observation of temperature-dependent fine structure splitting in semiconductor quantum dots using a non-polar (11-20) a-plane InGaN system, up to the on-chip Peltier cooling threshold of 200 K. At 5K, a statistical average splitting of 443 ± 132 μeV has been found based on 81 quantum dots. The degree of fine structure splitting stays relatively constant for temperatures less than 100K and only increases above that temperature. At 200 K, we find that the fine structure splitting ranges between 2 and 12 meV, which is an order of magnitude higher than that at low temperatures. Our investigations also show that phonon interactions at high temperatures might have a correlation with the degree of exchange interactions. The large fine structure splitting at 200K makes it easier to isolate the individual components of the polarized emission spectrally, increasing the effective degree of polarization for potential on-chip applications of polarized single-photon sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is one of the most performed surgeries worldwide. Procedure difficulty and patient outcomes depend on several factors which are not considered in the current literature, including the learning curve, generating confusing and subjective results. This study aims to create a scoring system to calculate the learning curve of LC based on hepatobiliopancreatic (HPB) experts’ opinions during an educational course. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was submitted to the panel of experts attending the HPB course at Research Institute against Digestive Cancer-IRCAD (Strasbourg, France) from 27–29 October 2022. Experts scored the proposed variables according to their degree of importance in the learning curve using a Likert scale from 1 (not useful) to 5 (very useful). Variables were included in the composite scoring system only if more than 75% of experts ranked its relevance in the learning curve assessment ≥4. A positive or negative value was assigned to each variable based on its effect on the learning curve. Results: Fifteen experts from six different countries attended the IRCAD HPB course and filled out the questionnaire. Ten variables were finally included in the learning curve scoring system (i.e., patient body weight/BMI, patient previous open surgery, emergency setting, increased inflammatory levels, presence of anatomical bile duct variation(s), and appropriate critical view of safety (CVS) identification), which were all assigned positive values. Minor or major intraoperative injuries to the biliary tract, development of postoperative complications related to biliary injuries, and mortality were assigned negative values. Conclusions: This is the first scoring system on the learning curve of LC based on variables selected through the experts’ opinions. Although the score needs to be validated through future studies, it could be a useful tool to assess its efficacy within educational programs and surgical courses.

O consumo de carne de frango tem aumentado nos últimos anos, favorecido por diferentes fatores. No entanto, quando esse alimento é manipulado sem cuidados higiênicos pode ser fonte de agentes etiológicos causadores de enfermidades. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade microbiológica de 60 amostras de carnes de frango industrial resfriadas in natura, coletadas de 20 estabelecimentos comerciais do município de Sinop – Mato Grosso. As avaliações microbiológicas foram compostas por: enumeração de coliformes totais e termotolerantes, pesquisa de Escherichia coli e identificação de Salmonella spp. Em 100% das amostras foram encontrados coliformes totais. Seis amostras apresentaram valores de coliformes termotolerantes > 3NMP/g, porém não extrapolaram o padrão, 104NMP/g, exigido pela legislação brasileira. Das 60 amostras avaliadas, 8,3% apresentaram contaminação por E. coli e 8,3% estavam contaminadas por Salmonella spp. Em 30% dos mercados foram obtidas amostras contaminadas por E. coli (10%) e Salmonella spp. (20%), sendo consideradas impróprias para o consumo. Os sorovares de Salmonella spp. encontrados foram: Hadar, Minnesota, Heidelberg e Kentucky. Dessa forma, há a necessidade de que sejam aplicadas boas práticas de fabricação, higiene e manipulação de alimentos nos estabelecimentos a fim de reduzir a contaminação por microrganismos no produto final e os riscos para a saúde coletiva. Palavras-chave: Cortes cárneos. Frango. Contaminação. Escherichia coli. Salmonella.

This study, conducted in the State of Rio de Janeiro, aimed to genetically distinguish 29 isolates of S. Typhimurium isolated from 344 samples of swine carcasses by PFGE (pulse‑field gel electrophoresis) and to evaluate their antimicrobial resistance profile. Out of the 29 isolates, 26 (90%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial. Sulfonamides (66%), nalidixic acid (66%), trimethoprim (66%) and tetracycline (52%) were the most frequent resistant drugs. Multidrug‑resistance (MDR) profile was frequent (60% of isolates). The profile Eno‑Na‑Nxn‑Fc‑C‑S‑Gm‑G‑T‑Te (14%), Cp‑Eno‑Na‑Fc‑C‑S‑G‑T‑Te (10%) and Na‑G‑T (7%) were the most frequent. Five isolates within the predominant PFGE pulsetype came from lymph nodes of distinct animals from multiple slaughterhouses indicating that this particular clone might be widespread in the Rio de Janeiro State. This paper reveals a threat to the population in the entire State and highlights the necessity of the strict control in the use of antimicrobials in swine production in the entire country.

Oxidative stress is implicated in osteoarthritis, and nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway maintains redox homeostasis. We investigated whether Nrf2/ARE signaling controls SOX9. SOX9 expression in human C-28/I2 chondrocytes was measured by RT–qPCR after shRNA-mediated knockdown of Nrf2 or its antagonist the Kelch-like erythroid cell-derived protein with cap ‘‘n’’ collar homology-associated protein 1 (Keap1). To verify whether Nrf2 transcriptionally regulates SOX9, putative ARE-binding sites in the proximal SOX9 promoter region were inactivated, cloned into pGL3, and co-transfected with phRL–TK for dual-luciferase assays. SOX9 promoter activities without and with Nrf2-inducer methysticin were compared. Sox9 expression in articular chondrocytes was correlated to cartilage thickness and degeneration in wild-type (WT) and Nrf2-knockout mice. Nrf2-specific RNAi significantly decreased SOX9 expression, whereas Keap1-specific RNAi increased it. Putative ARE sites (ARE1, ARE2) were identified in the SOX9 promoter region. ARE2 mutagenesis significantly reduced SOX9 promoter activity, but ARE1 excision did not. Functional ARE2 site was essential for methysticin-mediated induction of SOX9 promoter activity. Young Nrf2-knockout mice revealed significantly lower Sox9-positive chondrocytes, and old Nrf2-knockout animals showed thinner cartilage and more cartilage degeneration. Our results suggest Nrf2 directly regulates SOX9 in articular cartilage, and Nrf2-loss can develop mild osteoarthritis at old age. Pharmacological Nrf2 induction may hold the potential to diminish age-dependent cartilage degeneration through improving SOX9 expression.

BACKGROUND:: Many studies have indicated that acceleromyography and mechanomyography cannot be used interchangeably. To improve the agreement between the two methods, it has been suggested to use a preload and to refer all train-of-four (TOF) ratios to the control TOF (normalization) when using acceleromyography. The first purpose of this study was to test whether a preload applied to acceleromyography would increase the precision and the agreement with mechanomyography. The second purpose was to evaluate whether normalization would improve the agreement with mechanomyography. METHODS:: Sixty patients were randomized to acceleromyography with or without a preload (Hand Adapter; Organon, Oss, the Netherlands). On the contralateral arm, mechanomyography was used. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and an opioid, and neuromuscular block with 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium. The precision and the bias and limits of agreement (with or without normalization) between the methods were evaluated using TOF stimulation. RESULTS:: Preload improved the precision of acceleromyography by 21%, but it also increased the mean control TOF ratio from 1.07 to 1.13. Normalization of the acceleromyographic TOF ratios diminished the bias to mechanomyography during recovery (e.g., from 0.15 to 0.05 at TOF 0.90); when the mechanomyographic TOF values were normalized as well, the bias was eliminated. However, normalization did not exclude wide individual differences between acceleromyography and mechanomyography (+/- 0.10-0.20 at TOF 0.90). CONCLUSION:: Preload increases the precision of acceleromyography, and normalization of the TOF ratios decreases bias in relation to mechanomyography. When both acceleromyography and mechanomyography are normalized, there is no significant bias between the two methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review describes the evidence on the use of acceleromyography for perioperative neuromuscular monitoring in clinical practice and research. The review documents that although acceleromyography is widely used in research, it cannot be used interchangeably with mechanomyography and electromyography for construction of dose-response curves or for recording different pharmacodynamic variables after injection of a neuromuscular blocking agent. Some studies indicate that it may be beneficial to use a preload to increase the precision of acceleromyography, and to 'normalize' the train-of-four ratio to decrease the bias in relation to mechanomyography and electromyography. However, currently the evidence is insufficient to support the routine clinical use of preload and 'normalization.' In contrast, there is good evidence that acceleromyography improves detection of postoperative residual paralysis. A train-of-four ratio of 1.0 predicts with a high predictive value recovery of pulmonary and upper airway function from neuromuscular blockade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COM HUMOR E PAULO FREIRE: a educação na Guiné Bissau (1976 – 1980) contextualiza o momento de produção do suplemento especial do jornal NÔ PINTCHA, com base em uma série de diapositivos transformada em história em quadrinhos e apresentada no Primeiro Encontro de Educadores dos países africanos de expressão portuguesa, com representantes de Angola, Cabo Verde, Guiné Bissau, Moçambique, São Tomé e Príncipe e da FRETILIN - Frente Revolucionária de Timor-Leste Independente.

Abstract Background The magnitude of the perioperative inflammatory response plays a role in surgical outcomes. However, few studies have explored the mechanisms of the resolution of inflammation in the context of surgery. Here, we described the temporal kinetics of interleukin-6, cortisol, lipoxin A4, and resolvin D in patients who underwent oncologic liver resections. Methods All patients gave written informed consent. Demographic and perioperative surgical data were collected, along with blood samples, before surgery and on the mornings of postoperative days 1, 3, and 5. Interleukin-6, cortisol, lipoxin-A4, and resolvin D were measured in plasma. A P value

Background: The purpose of this study is to review the results of radiation therapy (RT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal venous tumor thrombus (PVTT) in a Western patient population. Methods: Thirty-four patients with HCC PVTT treated from 2007 to 2014 with RT were identified. Biologically effective dose (BED) was calculated for each patient, and greater than the median dose delivered (75 Gray (Gy)) was evaluated as a potential prognostic factor. Survival was compared and independent prognostic variables were evaluated by a Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results: Twenty-six patients (76.5%) exhibited a radiographic response to RT, and 10 patients (29.4%) ultimately developed local failure. Local control, liver control, distant control and OS at one year were 57.1%, 36.4%, 55.2% and 57.4%, respectively. Patients who received a BED >75 Gy had a significantly better local control at 1 year (93.3% vs 45.6%; Log Rank p = 0.0184). Patients who received a BED >75 Gy also had significantly better median survival (24.7mo vs 6.1mo) and 1-year overall survival (76.5% vs 30.0%) when compared with BED ≤75 Gy (Log-Rank p = 0.002). Conclusion: Our data suggest that RT should be considered for well-selected patients with HCC and PVTT for the purpose of improving local control and potentially prolonging the time to worsening venous obstruction and liver failure. When feasible, dose-escalation should be considered with a target BED of >75 Gy if normal organ dose constraints can be safely met.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has a number of beneficial health effects, including decreases in cancer incidence and atherosclerosis severity. However, dietary CLA intake is relatively low to promote the desired physiological effects. The CLA bacterial production in foods is a technological challenge besides the ability of probiotics to produce CLA is currently inconclusive. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to screen potential probiotic LAB strains isolated from Brazilian kefir grains able to produce CLA during the fermentation of whole cow milk. The selected strain, Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris MRS 47, increased CLA and polyunsaturated fatty acid content while at the same time significantly reducing saturated fatty acids and the thrombogenic index in fermented milk. These findings highlight the possibility of enriching CLA content in a dairy-fermented product if LAB were pre-selected by their capacity to produce CLA from milk fat, in what seems to be a strain-dependent ability.