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Background: This systematic review assessed the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: Clinical studies on recurrent OSCC treated with PDT alone were included. Combined treatment strategies were excluded. The search was performed on Medline/Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov, manual search, and grey literature. Results: The eleven included studies were observational. The risk of bias and methodological quality were evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The studies reported the use of hematoporphyrin derivative, PhotofrinⓇ, FoscanⓇ and 5-aminolevulinic acid. Data on treatment response and survival was collected. Secondarily, postoperative courses and patient's quality of life/acceptance were reported whenever available. PhotofrinⓇ and FoscanⓇ were the most used photosensitisers, with more complete responses. Lesions responding less favourably were on posterior regions or deep-seated in the tissue. Conclusions: Although treatment response differs between treatment protocols, PDT stands as a viable treatment option to be considered, as it can achieve therapeutic results and disease-free, long-lasting periods. Partial treatment responses may be of interest when achieving eligibility for other treatment strategies. Despite this study's limitations, which considered four photosensitisers, PhotofrinⓇ was the most used but more recent photosensitisers like FoscanⓇ have greater chemical stability, tissue penetration, and may be more efficacious on recurrent OSCC.

Endodontic treatment aims to eliminate infection of the root canals and fill the dental pulp space. The biocompatibility studies of the sealers used in root canals obturation are crucial since they are applied in direct contact with periradicular tissues. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of three root canal sealers—AH Plus, Bio MTA+, and Bio C sealer—on immortalized human gingival fibroblasts. Methods: AH Plus, Bio MTA+, and Bio C sealers were evaluated through incubation in real-time and material-conditioned media. Cells were incubated for 24 h and 72 h, at three different concentrations (1, 10, and 100 mg/mL) of each sealer. The cytotoxic activity of the sealers was assessed by Methyl tetrazolium (MTT) and Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assays. Cell morphology and cytogenetic alterations were studied microscopically. Results: MTT and SRB assays revealed similar results within both approaches. Cell culture exposed to sealers through incubation in real-time revealed a cytotoxic effect of AH Plus at 100 mg/mL. Material-conditioned media study revealed a cytotoxic effect of Bio MTA+ and Bio C, increasing with higher compound concentration and reaching 50% with 100 mg/mL. Regarding the cell’s morphology, Bio C sealer revealed a decrease in cell confluence and several morphological changes. AH Plus and Bio MTA+ did not seem to affect the cell confluence however morphology alterations were observed. In the cytogenetic study, a severe decrease of the mitotic index and a large number of chromosomal aberrations were observed. The present study represents an advance in the understanding of the biocompatibility of AH Plus, Bio MTA+, and Bio C sealers. These sealers demonstrated some cytotoxicity, depending on the concentration used. Although more validation studies are still needed, this study brings very relevant results in terms of cytotoxicity, cell morphology, and cytogenetic alterations. Conclusions: These results could help in the selection of the most appropriate compounds to be used in clinical practice as well as to determine the maximum recommended amounts of each sealer. Clinical Relevance: This study highlights the potential cytotoxic effects of three commonly used root canal sealers on human gingival fibroblasts, with varying degrees of impact depending on the concentration used. The results emphasize the importance of careful consideration when selecting and applying these materials in clinical practice.

Consumption of lipid-rich foods can increase the blood cholesterol content. β-glucans have hypocholesterolemic effect. However, subtle changes in their molecular branching can influence bioactivity. Therefore, a comparative investigation of the cholesterol-lowering potential of two β-glucans with different branching patterns and a cholesterol-lowering drug, namely simvastatin was undertaken employing the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia. Fish were allocated to 5 dietary treatments; a control group, a high cholesterol group, two β-glucan groups, and a simvastatin group. We investigated plasma total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, histological changes in the tissues, and explored intestinal transcriptomic changes induced by the experimental diets. Dietary cholesterol likely caused the suppression of endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis, induced dysfunction of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, and altered the histomorphology of the intestine. The two β-glucans and simvastatin significantly abated the rise in plasma cholesterol levels and restored the expression of specific genes to alleviate the endoplasmic reticulum-related effects induced by the dietary cholesterol. Furthermore, the distinct patterns of transcriptomic changes in the intestine elicited by the oat and microalga β-glucans impacted processes such as fatty acid metabolism, protein catabolic processes, and nuclear division. Oat and microalgal β-glucans also altered the pattern of lipid deposition in the liver. Our study provides insights into the effectiveness of different β-glucans to alleviate dysfunctions in lipid metabolism caused by dietary cholesterol.

A fully iterative ‘two-way’ fluid-structure interaction (FSI) tool of a commercially available composite windsurfer fin was developed, which was then used to investigate the normally hidden fin behaviour for a range of typical sailing conditions. The ‘two-way’ FSI analysis gave significantly better insights into the fin behaviour than the simpler ‘one-way’ non-iterative analysis. The tool also indicated that hydro-elastic tailoring, via simple reinforcement ply rotations, can produce large changes in tip twist. This gives an opportunity for both improved passive control and higher speeds, without deviating from a hydrodynamically optimal plan form. Inexpensive cantilever tests appear to be sufficient to make qualitative comparisons between the sailing responses of fins with different layups.

In tropical regions, maintaining crop residues in the soil is challenging. Silicon (Si) may increase the persistence of these residues in the soil, as it is a precursor to lignin, providing a gradual release of nutrients for subsequent crops. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different doses of calcium silicate (Ca2SiO4) (0, 1, 2, and 3 Mg ha⁻1) and limestone (0, 1, 2, and 3 Mg ha⁻1) on the lignin content, residue decomposition, and nutrient release of four cover crops—Pennisetum glaucum, Urochloa ruziziensis, Crotalaria spectabilis, and Cajanus cajan—at various decomposition stages following cover crop management (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days). The experiment was conducted in the field at the experimental area of the Faculty of Engineering at Ilha Solteira-UNESP, located in the municipality of Selvíria, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, on Ferralsol. The decomposition rate of the residues was assessed using the decomposition bag method, which was installed after cover crop management. The concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), Si, lignin, and cellulose were determined. Silicate application did not affect the accumulation of nutrients by cover crops and their release into the soil. There was no relationship between the remaining Si in the dry matter of plants and more persistent residues. The most persistent plants had higher final dry matter lignin content. Using pearl millet and pigeon peas resulted in more persistent residues in the soil.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate in vivo biocompatibility of Resilon, compared with gutta-percha, at short and long-term following implantation in a rat subcutaneous implantation model. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were implanted subcutaneously with either Resilon or gutta-percha or were sham controls. Tissues were harvested at 8 days or 60 days after implantation and were evaluated histologically for inflammation and fibrous encapsulation. The severity of histologic injury, scored on a scale of 0-4 and quantitative analysis of the capsule wall thickness were determined for statistical analysis. Data were analyzed by Student t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis or Mann-Whitney′s tests as appropriate. A value of P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: No behavioral changes or visible signs of physical impairment were observed at 8 days or 60 days post-implantation. Histopathologic observation of the implanted sites at each time-point showed that both Resilon and gutta-percha implants induced foreign body reaction, showing minimal to mild inflammatory reactions in most cases, which diminished significantly with time. Compared with gutta-percha, the capsule wall was thinner (P > 0.05) after Resilon implantation at day 8 and significantly (P = 0.01) thicker at day 60. In addition, capsule wall thickness showed a trend to increase with time after implantation in the Resilon groups (P > 0.05), opposed to the significant decrease (P = 0.016) observed after implantation in the gutta-percha groups, suggesting lesser long-term biocompatibility of Resilon. Conclusion: Our findings validate Resilon as an in vivo biocompatible material. However, our data suggest that long-term biocompatibility of Resilon, despite validated, is inferior to that of gutta-percha control.

Human iPS cells have been generated using a diverse range of tissues from a variety of donors using different reprogramming vectors. However, these cell lines are heterogeneous, which presents a limitation for their use in disease modeling and personalized medicine. To explore the basis of this heterogeneity we generated 25 iPS cell lines under normalised conditions from the same set of somatic tissues across a number of donors. RNA-seq data sets from each cell line were compared to identify the majority contributors to transcriptional heterogeneity. We found that genetic differences between individual donors were the major cause of transcriptional variation between lines. In contrast, residual signatures from the somatic cell of origin, so called epigenetic memory, contributed relatively little to transcriptional variation. Thus, underlying genetic background variation is responsible for most heterogeneity between human iPS cell lines. We conclude that epigenetic effects in hIPSCs are minimal, and that hIPSCs are a stable, robust and powerful platform for large-scale studies of the function of genetic differences between individuals. Our data also suggest that future studies using hIPSCs as a model system should focus most effort on collection of large numbers of donors, rather than generating large numbers of lines from the same donor.

Resumo Esta resenha leva a cabo uma súmula e uma apreciação crítica da obra André Gorz: une philosophie de l’émancipation, assinada pela socióloga francesa Françoise Gollain. Trata-se de uma biografia intelectual de Gorz (1923-2007) que expõe cronologicamente e com elevado grau de minúcia a trajetória do seu pensamento ao longo de seis décadas de compromisso com a filosofia crítica. Recorrendo a todas as publicações de Gorz, assim como a manuscritos inéditos e à sua correspondência, Gollain dá conta das múltiplas inflexões da teoria gorziana. Desse modo, contribui decisivamente para superar a receção académica monolítica de André Gorz: a literatura secundária tende a centrar-se (quase) exclusivamente nos escritos tardios inaugurados com a redação de Adeus ao proletariado (1980). Um dos aspetos mais importantes da sua (re)interpretação é a tese de que a filosofia existencialista sartreana constitui o fundamento transversal à produção bibliográfica gorziana na sua inteireza. Em Gorz, a luta do sujeito contra a alienação em nome da liberdade é omnipresente. Apesar de uma ou outra falha menor, André Gorz: une philosophie de l’émancipation é uma das melhores biografias intelectuais do autor.

The contemporary ecological crisis has been contributing to reinvigorate the academic debate on the concept of capitalism and its relation to ecology. In this essay we will frame and explain what capitalism is and present different positions that seek answers to the question of whether or not it is compatible with the ecological sustainability of the planet. The question of economic growth as a requirement of capitalism will be addressed. We will define four groups in which the main positions can be grouped: sustainable growth, stationary economy, marxist ecology and degrowth. We will argue that overcoming the ecological crisis is not in the transition towards a supposed “green” capitalism. It is necessary to work on the construction of an ecosocialist system, promoting the transformation of the relation between human beings and between them and nature.

Abstract Background and objectives: Quadratus lumborum block was first described in 2007 and currently there are descriptions of its achievement through four different injection points. This blockage provides abdominal wall and visceral analgesia, and one of its mechanisms is the dispersion of the local anesthetic into the paravertebral space. We describe the performance of a continuous quadratus lumborum type II block for postoperative analgesia in a partial nephrectomy. Case report: A 64-year-old woman, scheduled for partial left laparoscopic nephrectomy. During the procedure, due to technical difficulties, an incision was made in the left flank to facilitate the surgical approach. In the early postoperative period, a continuous quadratus lumborum type II block was performed using ultrasonography as part of the multimodal analgesic strategy. Initially, 20 ml of 0.2% ropivacaine was administered and 3 cm of catheter were introduced into the interfascial space. Subsequently, a continuous infusion of 5.2 mL.h−1 of 0.2% ropivacaine was given for 48 hours. In the first 24 postoperative hours, the patient reported no pain at rest or on movement. In the following 24 h, she was free of pain at rest and only a slight pain (2/10) on movement. Conclusions: Continuous quadratus lumborum type II block was an effective postoperative analgesic option. Blocking of somatic nerves and visceral afferent pathways provided abdominal and visceral wall analgesia, allowing the reduction of opioid consumption. We consider relevant to explore the analgesic capacity of the quadratus lumborum block and its different approaches, as well as the possibility of it becoming an alternative in patients scheduled for kidney surgery.

Abstract Background and objectives The superior gluteal nerve is responsible for innervating the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fascia latae muscles, all of which can be injured during surgical procedures. We describe an ultrasound-guided approach to block the superior gluteal nerve which allowed us to provide efficient analgesia and anesthesia for two orthopedic procedures, in a patient who had significant risk factors for neuraxial techniques and deep peripheral nerve blocks. Clinical report An 84-year-old female whose regular use of clopidogrel contraindicated neuraxial techniques or deep peripheral nerve blocks presented for urgent bipolar hemiarthroplasty in our hospital. Taking into consideration the surgical approach chosen by the orthopedic team, we set to use a combination of general anesthesia and superficial peripheral nerve blocks (femoral, lateral cutaneous of thigh and superior gluteal nerve) for the procedure. A month and a half post-discharge the patient was re-admitted for debriding and correction of suture dehiscence; we performed the same blocks and light sedation. She remained comfortable in both cases, and reported no pain in the post-operative period. Conclusions Deep understanding of anatomy and innervation empowers anesthesiologists to solve potentially complex cases with safer, albeit creative, approaches. The relevance of this block in this case arises from its innervation of the gluteus medius muscle and posterolateral portion of the hip joint. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an ultrasound-guided superior gluteal nerve block with an analgesic and anesthetic goal, which was successfully achieved.

Abstract Background and objectives The quadratus lumborum block was initially described in 2007 and aims at blocking the same nerves as the ones involved on the Transverse Abdominis Plane block, while accomplishing some visceral enervation as well due to closer proximity with the neuroaxis and sympathetic trunk. Given its versatility, we have successfully used it in a wide range of procedures. We report two cases where we believe the dispersion of local anesthetic is likely to have led to a previously undescribed complication. Clinical reports We report two cases in which we performed a quadratus lumborum type II block and general anesthesia for total gastrectomy and right hemicolectomy. There were no noteworthy events while performing the block and inducing general anesthesia, but within 30-40 min serious hypotension and tachycardia were noted. As other motives for hypotension were ruled out, the event was interpreted as block-induced sympatholysis due to cephalad dispersion of the local anesthetic to the paravertebral and epidural space, and successfully managed with ephedrine and increase of the crystalloid infusion rate. Conclusions The quadratus Lumborum block is safe to execute and provides effective abdominal wall and visceral analgesia. However, the possibility of eliciting undesired episodes should prompt caution when performing this block and practitioners should thereafter remain vigilant. Questions regarding ideal dosing, volumes, timing of block and pertinence of catheters remain to be answered.

Resumo. O processo formativo de um árbitro é longo, complexo e seletivo. Só um número reduzido de indivíduos atinge um patamar excelência que possibilita a direção de jogos nas grandes competições internacionais. Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar a carreira e o percurso dos árbitros portugueses de futebol que atingiram o nível de excelência e verificar as suas perceções sobre os fatores que estiveram na sua origem. Foram realizadas cinco entrevistas semiestruturadas junto de árbitros e ex-árbitros de futebol. Quatro deles atingiram a categoria de árbitro internacional de futebol e um deles, após ter abandonado a carreira de árbitro de futebol, atingiu a categoria de internacional no futsal. Foi adotado um design retrospetivo transversal. Após a recolha de dados procedeu-se a uma análise de conteúdo indutiva tendo emergido uma variedade de fatores pessoais e ambientais comuns a todos os participantes. Nos primeiros incluem-se os elementos de cariz: cognitivo, como o conhecimento do jogo, físicos, como a resistência ou a recuperação a fadiga, e psicológico, como a capacidade de regulação emocional. Nos fatores contextuais inserem-se, entre outros, a origem geográfica, a rede pessoal e institucional de apoio e o desenvolvimento de carreiras paralelas, como a académica ou a profissional. Os resultados sugerem que: 1) a carreira dos árbitros de futebol é marcada por quatro etapas distintas; 2) é possível identificar as exigências que definem a carreira de árbitros de futebol de excelência; 3) tendo por base as exigências identificadas, será possível melhorar o processo de formação e seleção dos árbitros de futebol. Resumen. La excelencia en el arbitraje del fútbol es un objetivo buscado apenas por un número reducido de árbitros. Para que un árbitro alcance este pedestal se enfrenta a una variedad de exigencias, dentro y fuera del campo, y supera innumerables etapas en una carrera con dos o tres décadas aproximadamente. Este estudio ha tenido como objetivo identificar, por un lado, la carrera y el trayecto de los árbitros de fútbol portugueses que consiguieron el nivel de excelencia y por otro verificar sus percepciones sobre los factores que les permitieron alcanzar este pedestal. Se realizaron cinco entrevistas semiestructuradas, adoptando un diseño retrospectivo trasversal, a árbitros y ex árbitros de fútbol que consiguieron la categoría de internacional de fútbol o de fútbol sala. Después de recoger los datos se procedió a un análisis inductivo y así emergieron una variedad de factores personales y ambientales comunes a todos los participantes. En los primeros se incluyen los elementos de carácter cognitivo, como el conocimiento del juego, físico y psicológico, como la capacidad de regulación emocional. En los factores contextuales se incluyen, entre otros, el origen geográfico, la red personal e institucional de apoyo y el desarrollo de carreras paralelas, como la académica o la profesional. Los resultados de la investigación: 1) Sugieren el dinamismo de la carrera de los árbitros de fútbol, a través de la influencia de los factores referidos, marcados por la exigencia de cuatro etapas distintas; 2) Permite una mejor caracterización de las exigencias que definen la carrera de un árbitro de fútbol; 3) Permiten ayudar a ajustar a las entidades que gestionan el arbitraje nacional el proceso de formación y selección de los árbitros de fútbol. Abstract. The excellence in soccer refereeing is a goal attained only by a small number of referees. For a referee to reach this level, he challenges several demands, both in and out of the field, and overcomes some stages in a career spanning approximately two to three decades. This study aimed to identify the career and the path/development of the Portuguese soccer referees who reached the level of excellence and assess their perceptions about the determinant/decisive factors to reach that level. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with referees and former soccer referees who reached the international category, in football or futsal, using a transverse retrospective design. After finishing the data collection, an inductive analysis was carried out and a several personal and environmental common factors were identified. A list of these include: cognitive elements as the game’s knowledge/laws of the game knowledge, physical elements, as endurance, recovery and tiredness, and psychological elements, as the ability/skill of emotional regulation. In the context factors are included, among others, region/place of origin, personal and institutional network of support and the development of parallel careers, such as academic or professional. The results suggest/state: 1) the presence of four different stages in a football referee career; 2) allow a better characterization of the requirements that define excellence in the context of a football referee career; 3) allow national entities, responsible for the selection and training of football referees, to improve their processes/methods.

Em 1993, no texto Vergílio Ferreira e o Cinema1, Lauro António reflecte, com um ponto de vista interessante e inovador, sobre o escritor português, evidenciando a pluralidade de relações entre a literatura e o cinema que o mesmo ilustra na sua vida e produção literárias. O realizador, homem da indústria cinematográfica mas também da crítica, soube colher, do seu contacto pessoal, das suas leituras e da sua experiência como responsável pela adaptação do romance Manhã Submersa para a tela, um conjunto de conexões vergilianas entre a palavra e a imagem. Lauro António, relativamente a Vergílio Ferreira, identifica quatro ligações principais entre a literatura e o cinema: os comentários do escritor sobre cinema integrados na sua Conta-Corrente, o acompanhamento da transposição para a tela de obras suas, a elaboração de textos para documentários (como o que escreveu para a curta-metragem relativa a Júlio Resende), e a sua experiência como actor no filme Manhã Submersa (1980). A estes elementos acrescentaremos um quinto: a produção de textos de pendor ensaístico com incidência temática sobre o cinema.

Já este artigo estava escrito e dado como acabado, quando os meios de comunicação social portugueses publicitam a notícia de que o governo português aprovou, em Conselho de Ministros de 6 de Março de 2008, véspera da partida do Presidente da República1, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, para a visita ao Brasil, a convite do Presidente brasileiro Lula da Silva, no âmbito das comemorações dos 200 anos da chegada ao Brasil da corte de D. João VI, uma “Proposta de Resolução que aprova o Acordo do Segundo Protocolo Modificativo ao Acordo Ortográfico da Língua Portuguesa, adotado na V Conferência dos Chefes de Estado e de Governo da Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa (CPLP), realizada em S. Tomé, a 26 e 27 de Julho de 2004”.2 Esclarece-se, ainda, no portal do governo, que “esta resolução, a submeter à aprovação da Assembleia da República, refere-se ao Protocolo Modificativo que vem alterar o Acordo Ortográfico da Língua Portuguesa, cujo processo interno de aprovação foi concluído por Portugal em 1991. A alteração diz respeito à disposição relativa à entrada em vigor do Acordo e vai no sentido de a mesma ocorrer com o depósito do terceiro instrumento da ratificação dos Estados contratantes, como é prática nos acordos da CPLP, e não, como previsto anteriormente, após depositados os instrumentos de ratificação por todos os Estados.

Na Europa do pós-guerra, depois da experiência neo-realista, surge uma corrente, aparentemente (des)organizada, que possuía pontos de contacto com a cinematografia italiana, e que incluía como figura emblemática Alain Robbe-Grillet. Este movimento viria a reestruturar a concepção do romance e do cinema. Segundo Roland Barthes1, não existe propriamente uma escola ou corrente que reunisse o já citado Alain Robbe-Grillet, Nathalie Sarraute e Michel Butor, entre outros, e que propusera o conceito de Nouveau Roman, dado que as dissemelhanças são também uma marca do «grupo», unido, contudo, por linhas de pensamento comuns. Na caminhada que afastava o romance das formulações tradicionais do enredo, surgia, como nos diz Aguiar e Silva2, o Nouveau Roman, designação criada por jornalistas, que identificava uma tipologia que aparecera após 1950, possuindo como principal ideal o afastamento dos vectores tradicionais na concepção do romance e uma aproximação a Joyce, Woolf, Faulkner e Dos Passos.