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The textile industry is known for the high use of chemicals, such as dyes, and large volumes of effluent that contaminate waters, a fact that has encouraged research and improved treatment techniques. In this study, we used unprocessed soybean hulls for the removal of reactive blue BF-5G dye. The point of zero charge of soybean hulls was 6.76. Regarding the speed of agitation in the adsorption process, the resistance to mass transfer that occurs in the boundary layer was eliminated at 100 rpm. Kinetics showed an experimental amount of dye adsorbed at equilibrium of 57.473 mg g(-1) obtained under the following conditions: dye initial concentration = 400 mg L(-1); diameter of particle = 0.725 mm; dosage = 6 g L(-1); pH 2; 100 rpm; temperature = 30 °C; and duration of 24 hours. The pseudo-second order best showed the dye removal kinetics. The adsorption isotherms performed at different temperatures (20, 30, 40 and 50 °C) showed little variation in the concentration range assessed, being properly adjusted by the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum capacity of dye adsorption was 72.427 mg g(-1) at 30 °C. Since soybean hull is a low-cost industrial byproduct, it proved to be a potential adsorbent for the removal of the textile dye assessed.

Background: Gene rearrangements and specific translocations define some B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes. Genome-wide mutational studies have revealed recurrent point mutations with prognostic implications. The goals of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of applying a multiplex mutation assay to archival cytospin preparations (CPs) and to investigate the rate of EZH2, CD79B, and MYD88 mutations in B-cell NHL samples previously tested for MYC rearrangement and/or IGH/BCL-2 translocation., Methods: DNA was extracted from archival CPs of B-cell NHL cases with previous fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays for MYC rearrangement and/or IGH/BCL-2 translocation. Multiplex sequencing was performed for the detection of EZH2 (Y641), CD79B (Y196), and MYD88 (L265) mutations. Sanger sequencing was applied to samples with positive results and failed assays., Results: Eighty-eight archival CPs were available from 40 patients. Alterations detected by FISH were: MYC rearrangement (10 cases), IGH/BCL-2 translocations (21 cases), dual translocations (6 cases), and other abnormalities for IGH/BCL-2 (23 cases) and for MYC (16 cases). DNA concentration ranged from 1.88 to 62.85 ng/µL (mean, 9.46 ng/µL). Successful results were obtained in 88.0% of the specimens submitted to multiplex sequencing. With Sanger sequencing, 2 additional mutated cases were found, and all cases with mutations were confirmed. Eight specimens showed mutations: 6 for EZH2, 1 for CD79B, and 1 for MYD88. Among them, 5 cases showed concurrent MYC and/or IGH/BCL-2 translocations and 2 revealed abnormal signals of IGH/BCL-2 and MYC., Conclusions: CPs archived for up to 6 years are a reliable source of high-quality genomic material for multiplex sequencing. Almost all B-cell NHL with point mutations showed concurrent chromosomal abnormalities., (© 2015 American Cancer Society.)

The effect of competition of Cu(II) and Ni(II) on the kinetic stability of Cr(III) complexed with natural organic matter (NOM) was characterized using EDTA exchange with single-stage tangential-flow ultrafiltration. For a water sample from Serra de Itabaiana, 3% of spiked Cr(III) was exchanged, while for a sample from the Itapanhaú River, 7, 10, 10, and 21% was exchanged in experiments using Cr(III) alone and in combination with Cu(II), Ni(II), or Cu(II) + Ni(II), respectively. Times required to reach exchange equilibrium with EDTA were less than 360 min. The influence of competition from Ni(II) and Cu(II) on the availability of complexed Cr(III) was low, demonstrating preference of the ligand sites for Cr(III). This was correlated with sample humification, as confirmed by EPR and (13)C NMR analyses. Exchange efficiency was in the order Cu > Ni > Cr, and the process could be readily described by first order kinetics, with average rate constants of 0.35-0.37 h(-1)., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The reported prevalence for presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) genome in lung cancer varies across the world, and limited data are available for North America. P16 immunostaining is used as a surrogate marker for the presence of HPV in cervical and head and neck cancers. In non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), the association between P16 protein overexpression and HPV remains unclear. We investigated the presence of HPV genome by in situ hybridization (ISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and P16 or Rb protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 336 surgically resected primary NSCLC: 204 adenocarcinoma (AdC) and 132 squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC). HPV genome was detected in 5 (1.5%) of 336 tumors studied by both ISH and PCR; all of them were typed as HPV16 and found in SqCC (3.8%). Despite being solitary tumors and clinically considered as primary lung cancers, all 5 patients had past history of HPV associated squamous cell carcinomas of other organ sites, thus highly suggestive of being metastases. P16 immunostaining was found in 137 (40.8%) tumors, with 109 (32.4%) showing high level expression. All HPV positive (+) cases showed P16 high expression. P16 and Rb protein expressions were inversely correlated (P<0.001), suggesting that the high P16 expression is largely driven by non-HPV loss of Rb protein expression. We conclude that HPV is not or rarely associated with NSCLC in Canadian and most likely North American patients, and P16 immunostaining is not a surrogate marker for its presence., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Dunnigan-type familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD) is an autosomal dominant disease that results from heterozygous missense mutations in LMNA, the gene that encodes nuclear lamin A/C. FPLD is characterized by a progressive disappearance of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the limbs, gluteal region, abdomen and trunk, beginning at the time of or after puberty, and excessive amount of fat in the face, chin, labia majora, and intra-abdominal region, leading to a Cushingoid appearance and increased muscularity phenotype. Affected women are particularly predisposed to insulin resistance and its complications, including features of polycystic ovary syndrome. To emphasize the importance of an early FPLD diagnosis, which is necessary to prevent serious metabolic disturbances, we report a woman diagnosed at about 50 years of age. Increased muscularity and significant labia majora fat deposit made the diagnosis possible by gynecologists.

Aims: To develop a fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH) assay for detecting p16/CDKN2A deletion on paraffin tissue sections for use as an ancillary test to distinguish reactive from malignant mesothelial proliferations., Method: Dual-colour FISH for p16/CDKN2A and chromosome 9 (CEP-9) was performed on 11 benign mesothelial proliferations and 54 malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cases to establish cut-off values for p16/CDKN2A deletion. A third MYC probe was used to verify cases showing homozygous deletion. Eight equivocal biopsies were used for assay testing., Results: Cut-off values for p16/CDKN2A deletion were calculated based on FISH signalling patterns obtained from the benign controls (mean percent nuclei plus three standard deviations). Hemizygous deletion was defined as >44% of nuclei showing the hemizygous (one p16/CDKN2A, two CEP-9 signals) or >15% of nuclei showing the monosomy (one p16/CDKN2A, one CEP-9 signal) deletion patterns. None of the benign cases showed a homozygous deletion pattern (no p16/CDKN2A, at least one CEP-9 signal). In the malignant cases, the percentage of nuclei showing homozygous deletion ranged from 1% to 87%. Therefore, the cut-off value for homozygous deletion was defined as >10%. P16/CDKN2A deletion was detected in 61% (33/54) of MPM cases. Among the equivocal biopsies, four showed homozygous and one showed hemizygous p16/CDKN2A deletion. Age over 60 years, asbestos exposure and p16/CDKN2A deletion were associated with a worse prognosis., Conclusion: Distinction between benign and malignant mesothelial proliferations can be diagnostically challenging. FISH for p16/CDKN2A deletion is a useful test for confirming the diagnosis of MPM.

The objective of the present work was to assess the performance of batch and fixed bed column systems, using humin in natura and immobilized on sodium silicate, respectively, for the adsorption of the principal trihalomethanes (THMs) found in water supply systems. Kinetically, adsorption of THMs by humin follows a pseudo-second order reaction, with more than 50% removal in the first 5min for all compounds studied, and equilibrium described by the Freundlich model reached in 240min. The THM adsorption results were significant at p<0.05 for both batch (74.6-83.2% removal) and column (99.7% removal in optimized tests) experiments, and were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by flow rate and bed height. The work demonstrates the potential of humin for removal of THMs., (Copyright 2009. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Aims: To review the clinicopathological, cytomorphological and immunophenotyping data from new cases and published series of thyroid lymphoma diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA), in order to identify useful diagnostic features., Methods: Cases from 1988 to 2009 with an FNA diagnosis of thyroid lymphoma were selected from hospital records. An electronic MEDLINE and EMBASE search retrieved published series from 1980 to 2009. Available clinical, cytomorphological and immunophenotyping data from all cases were collected. In our cases, cytology slides and available surgical specimens were also reviewed., Results: There were nine cases from eight of our patients, and 70 reviewed cases from eight series with at least four patients each. The most common presentation was a rapidly enlarging thyroid mass. Average patient age was 61 years in reviewed cases and 72 years in our cases. Large-cell lymphoma was the predominant subtype, revealing relatively monotonous populations of large, abnormal lymphoid cells. One of our cases, later diagnosed as marginal zone lymphoma, showed small lymphocytes with plasmacytoid features. Immunoprofiling information was available in five of our cases (three by immunocytochemistry and two by laser scanning cytometry) and in 34 reviewed cases (22 by immunocytochemistry, six by flow cytometry, and six by flow cytometry or immunocytochemistry)., Conclusions: Cytological diagnosis of thyroid lymphoma requires careful analysis of morphological, clinical and immunophenotypic information. The presented data suggest certain helpful features: a fast-growing nodule in an elderly patient, a monotonous population of large abnormal cells in a background of lymphoglandular bodies, a predominant population of plasmacytoid lymphocytes, and immunophenotyping demonstrating light chain restriction.

Objective: To evaluate the electromyographic activity of the Pectoralis Major (PM), Biceps Brachii (BB), Pronator Teres (PT) and Flexor Carpi Ulnaris (FCU) muscles involved in simulated armwrestling., Methods: Ten trained volunteers were selected to perform the armwrestling movement, during dynamic tests with 40% and 80% of maximum voluntary load (MVL) and static tests in the initial, intermediary and final positions. Electromyographic and force data were normalized for analyses., Results: In dynamic tests with 40% MVL, electric activity of the PT muscle was greater than FCU (p<0.01) and BB (p<0.05) muscles, and with 80% MVL, PM and PT muscles were the most active. In static tests, electric activity increased from the initial to final positions for the PM muscle (p<0.05), while it decreased for the BB and PT muscles (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). No significant changes were observed for force and no correlation was found with the simultaneous electric activity., Conclusions: It can be concluded that the PM and FCU muscles participate as agonists in the simulated armwrestling whereas the BB and PT muscles seem to perform secondary functions. Electric activity showed to be dependent on the load and on the position of the upper limb, but not on the force produced during the movement.

Objectives: Alterations in the temporomandibular complex can reflect in adaptations of the individual's entire muscular system, intervening with the head position and scapular waist, developing postural alterations and modifying all corporal biomechanics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the head position (HP) and head postural alterations before and after installation of occlusal splints., Material and Methods: Twenty patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) underwent clinical and postural examination, before the installation of an occlusal splint, and after 1 week and 1 month of use., Results: There were statistically differences for HP, between the initial values and after 1 week of use of the occlusal device (p= 0.048) and also between 1 week and 1 month of evaluation (p= 0.001). Decrease of the painful symptomatology and maintenance of the rectification were also observed., Conclusions: The individual's postural position can suffer biomechanical alterations due to stomatognathic alterations, causing clinically visible changes in dysfunctional individuals and affecting the performance of the involved structures.

Objective: This cross-sectional study was intended to assess the association between immunohistochemical analysis of p16 and fragile histidine triad (FHIT) and the presence of precancerous cervical lesions., Materials and Methods: Women seen at Pérola Byington Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil, with histologically confirmed cervicitis (n = 31), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 (n = 30), CIN 2,3 (n = 30), and cervical cancer (n = 7) had also cervical material collected for liquid-based cytology, human papillomavirus Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) test, and p16 and FHIT immunohistochemical reactions., Results: p16 and FHIT reactions were scored as the following: <1%, 1% to 5%, >5% to 25%, and >25%. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to select p16 and FHIT score cutoffs for further categorical analyses. All but one of the 37 CIN 2,3/cancer cases had a p16 score of greater than 1% to 5%. Among the 61 cervicitis/CIN 1 cases, 46 (75%) had a p16 score lower than 1% to 5%. In contrast, no association of FHIT expression and severity of cervical lesions could be demonstrated in this data set. Receiver operating curve analyses suggested the score of 1% to 5% for p16 as the cutoff that best discriminates CIN 2,3/cancer from cervicitis/CIN 1. No cutoff for FHIT scores could be suggested with data set., Conclusions: p16, but not FHIT expression, has the potential to be used as complementary diagnostic tool to investigate human papillomavirus-induced cervical lesions, if these results are confirmed in larger studies.

To determine the accuracy of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in the diagnostic assessment of lymphadenopathies, a retrospective study was conducted on 627 cases of FNA of the lymph nodes performed at Department of Pathology, UNIFESP (Federal University of São Paulo), between 1997 and 2001. Cytology results were compared to the results of biopsies if available. The cytological diagnosis was unsatisfactory in 14.7% of cases, positive in 46%, and negative in 39.3%. Among the positive cases, 79.4% were classified as metastases, 14.2% as lymphoma, and 6.4% as indeterminate. Anatomopathological exams for the determination of cytohistological correlation were available in 218 of the 627 cases. There were three (1.88%) false-negative and two (1.25%) false-positive cases. Accuracy tests revealed 97.41% sensitivity, 95.45% specificity, and 96.88% efficacy, with cytohistological agreement being almost perfect (kappa = 0.92). The high accuracy of this study based only on cytomorphological criteria associated to the variety of malignant neoplasias diagnosed by the procedure demonstrates its relevance on patient care, especially in areas of limited financial resources., (2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Background: Confirmation of malignancy within biliary strictures is endoscopically challenging. Dilation of strictures has been reported to enhance cytological diagnosis., Aim: To compare brush cytology results before and after biliary stricture dilation., Patients and Methods: Patients with extra-hepatic biliary stricture at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were included in the study. Brushing was performed before and immediately after dilation using a 10 Fr dilating catheter. Cytology samples were classified as: negative for malignancy, presence of atypical cells, insufficient material, suspicious for malignancy or positive for malignancy. Final diagnosis was established by surgery, biopsy or follow-up., Results: Biliary brush cytology was performed in 50 patients, with an overall sensitivity of 40% and 27.5%, before and after dilation, respectively. The combination of results increased cancer detection rate to 45%. There were 5/50 (10%) minor complications and one death related to the procedure., Conclusions: Brush cytology performed before biliary stricture dilation has a similar cancer detection rate to that following dilation, although the combination of results enhances sensitivity.

This study was designed to analyze the cross-sectional comparison of the p16 and Ki-67 immunocytochemical expression in negative and equivocal (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US)) liquid-based cytology (LBC) samples testing positive for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types with HC2 assay or polymerase-chain reaction (PCR). A series of 199 consecutive LBC specimens derived from the same number of women participating in the ongoing Latin American Screening Study at Leonor Mendes de Barros Hospital, Sao Paulo, were analyzed using immunocytochemistry for expression of p16 and Ki-67 in negative and equivocal LBC samples testing positive for high-risk HPV types with hybrid capture II test (HC2) or PCR. All patients with at least one test positive (cytology, PCR, and/or HC2) were followed each 6 months for 3 years. The follow-up procedure consisted of visual examination, colposcopic inspection, cytology, and HC2 assay. Among the negative cytologic samples, 101 were HPV-positive and 55 HPV-negative. Of the HPV-positive group, 59 of 101 cases (58.4%) were positive for both p16 and Ki67 immunostaining, and 17 of 101 (16.8%) were negative for both. The proportion of Ki-67-positivity increased almost in parallel with the increasing grade of p16-positivity (p = 0.0001 for linear trend). In the HPV-negative group, both markers were negative in 41 of 55 cases (74.5%), and no statistical relationship was observed between the two markers (Pearson, p = 0.595). HPV-positive ASC-US samples demonstrated a simultaneous positive immunoreaction for p16 and Ki67 in 11 of 16 cases (68.7%), whereas 3 (18.7%) were concurrently negative. The relationship between the two markers was of borderline significance (Pearson, p = 0.053), but no linear relationship was found between the graded p16 and Ki-67 expression (p = 0.065 for linear trend). In the HPV-negative ASC-US group, there was no statistical association between the graded p16 and Ki-67 positivity (Pearson, p = 0.281). After 36 months of follow-up of the ASC-US patients, 6 women still displayed ASC-US smear, of which 4 of 6 were HPV-positive and expressed both p16 and Ki-67 markers. Two of 43 ASC-US smears had high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions diagnosed (4.6%), and 1 had low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (2.3%). All of those were positive for HPV, p16 and Ki-67. Patients with ASC-US diagnosis and positive high-risk HPV status and positive for p16 Ki67 should be carefully observed to exclude occurrence of a squamous intraepithelial lesion. The combination of these two markers can be a useful implement for management of women with equivocal cytology.

Background: Pancreatic cancer and cholangiocarcinoma are the main causes of malignant biliary stricture. Both types of cancers have dismal survival rates, and treatment has little or no effect on prolonging the patients lives. Prognostic definition at initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is important to choose the most suitable management., Aim: To analyse endoscopic brushing and bilirubinemia importance in determination of the survival of patients with malignant biliary stricture., Methods: Patients with biliary strictures diagnosed during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were submitted to double brushing cytology. Serum samples were taken from all patients for bilirubinemia assay. Patients were followed to determine the final diagnosis and survival rates., Results: A total of 50 patients with biliary stricture underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (40 ultimately found to have a final diagnosis of malignant disease). Hyperbilirubinemia or cytology brushing positive for malignancy was related to a shorter survival rate., Conclusion: This research data demonstrate the possibility of determining the prognosis of patients with malignant biliary stricture using endoscopic brushing results and bilirubinemia levels.

Background: Inflammatory fibroid polyp is a localized lesion, which arises in the submucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, most often in the stomach. Although it is generally believed to represent a reactive, nonneoplastic condition, its histogenesis remains controversial., Aim: To study inflammatory fibroid polyp by immunohistochemistry in an attempt to further clarify their histogenesis., Material and Methods: Nine cases were studied by immunohistochemistry using a panel of antibodies against smooth-muscle actin, vimentin, S-100 protein, factor VIII- R.Ag and macrophage (HAM-56)., Results: There was a strong diffuse positive staining pattern in the spindle cells with vimentin antibody. A patchy staining for smooth-muscle actin was observed in these cells. Immunophenotyping revealed a heterogeneous reaction with HAM-56. In edematous areas, HAM-56-positive cells show voluminous cytoplasm and reniform nuclei. In cell-rich areas, the HAM-56-positive cells had fusiform cytoplasm. Stains for S-100 and factor VIII RAg were negative in the proliferating elements., Conclusions: The present immunohistochemical study refutes the suggested neural or vascular nature of the lesion. The strong positivity for vimentin in all cases suggests a major component of spindle cells best recognizable as fibroblasts. These results would favor the existence of a span of morphological and immunohistochemical patterns possibly indicating evolutive phases of an inflammatory reaction.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the electrical behavior pattern of the Rectus abdominis muscle by qualitative and quantitative analysis of the electromyographic signal obtained from its superior, medium and inferior portions during dynamic and static activities. Ten voluntaries (aged X = 17.8 years, SD = 1.6) athletic males were studied without history of muscle skeletal disfunction. For the quantitative analysis the RMS (Root Mean Square) values obtained in the electromyographic signal during the isometric exercises were normalized and expressed in maximum voluntary isometric contraction percentages. For the qualitative analysis of the dynamic activity the electromyographic signal was processed by full-wave rectification, linear envelope and normalization (amplitude and time), so that the resulting curve of the processed signal was submitted to descriptive graphic analysis. The results of the quantitative study show that there is not a statistically significant difference among the portions of the muscle. Qualitative analysis demonstrated two aspects: the presence of a common activation electric pattern in the portions of Rectus abdominis muscle and the absence of significant difference in the inclination angles in the electrical activity curve during the isotonic exercises.