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Abstract This observational study aimed retrospectively assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) diagnosis and severity of the disease in southern Brazil. All new cases diagnosed with HNSCC from March 11, 2019 to March 10, 2020 (pre-COVID-19) and from March 11, 2020 to March 10, 2021 (COVID-19) were included. The data collected were: date of the histopathological diagnosis, sociodemographic data, place of residence, data related to the tumor (location of the primary tumor, lymph node involvement, distant metastasis and TNM clinical staging), time elapsed between the diagnosis and treatment initiation. There was no significant difference in the number of new diagnoses in the COVID-19 group (n=45) compared to the pre-COVID-19 group (n=47). There was also no statistical difference regarding patients’ sociodemographic profile, time between diagnosis and treatment, and overall TNM staging. However, the clinical N classification was more severe in the COVID-19 group (p=0.021). Patients diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic were 4.05 times more likely to have the N-stage more advanced (95% CI:1.62 – 10.12). Although there was no reduction in the number of new diagnosis of HNSCC during COVID-19 pandemic, the diagnosed cases showed lymph node metastasis in more advanced stages.

ABSTRACT: Periodontal disease is the most common infectious disease that occurs in feline patients. Although it occurs in both sexes, different age groups, and any breeds, the prevalence and severity seem much higher in cats living in animal shelters. This paper aimed to describe the clinical, radiological, cytopathological, and virological aspects of periodontal disease and its complications in cats, based on these aspects and, consequently, on the importance it brings to cat feline medicine in shelter cats. For this, nine cats with periodontal disease from a single animal shelter were evaluated. These cats demonstrated a disease characterized by halitosis, excessive salivation, and oral discomfort. Lymphadenomegaly of the mandibular and retropharyngeal lymph nodes was observed in 44.4% of the cases. Oral lesions consisted of varying degrees of gingival hyperemia, complete loss of free gingival margins, and consequently gingival retraction, dental calculus deposition, dental mobility, complete exposure of the furcation of premolars and molars, and dental roots of canines and incisors, loss of bone radiopacity due to alveolar bone resorption and tooth loss. Complications included chronic ulcerative paradental stomatitis (22.2%), faucitis (22.2%), and chronic gingivostomatitis (11.1%). None of the cats affected by periodontal disease was positive for FIV or FeLV. In 33.3% of the cases, cats were carriers of feline calicivirus, but not feline herpesvirus.

NTPDase and 5'-nucleotidase activities in synaptosomes and platelets and oxidative stress parameters, such as TBARS levels, non-protein thiols and catalase activity were analyzed in rats submitted to demyelination by ethidium bromide (EB) and treated with vitamin E. The following groups were studied: I control (saline); II (canola oil); III (vitamin E); IV (EB) and V (EB and vitamin E). 2mg/kg of vitamin E were injected intraperitoneally in animals from groups III and V for seven days. After this time, the animals were submitted to euthanasia and samples were collected for biochemical assays. The results showed that NTPDase and 5'-nucleotidase activities were significantly increased in synaptosomes and platelets of rats from group IV when compared with the groups I, II, III and V (p<0.05). When demyelinated rats were treated with vitamin E (group V), NTPDase activity in synaptosomes and platelets was reduced to control level, while 5'-nucleotidase activity was significantly increased in relation to the control group (p<0.05). TBARS levels and non-protein thiols were significantly increased in group IV (p<0.05), while catalase activity was significantly decreased in this group when compared with the control group (p<0.05). No differences in TBARS levels, non-protein thiols and catalase activity were observed in groups I, II, III and V. These findings demonstrate that ectonucleotidase activities in synaptosomes and platelets and some parameters of oxidative stress were altered after a demyelinating event on the nervous system and that treatment with vitamin E modulated adenine nucleotide hydrolysis and altered oxidative stress parameters in this experimental condition.