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INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Adherence to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is essential for the effectiveness of screening programs. Even though organized screening programs can improve the quality of the process and adherence, there are still challenges to overcome. The aim of the present study, in which we implemented a biennial organized screening program for CRC, was to describe adherence and participation patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A longitudinal, descriptive study was conducted, in which a team of trained patient navigators carried out interventions, with reminders via cellphone communication, to follow a cohort of 301 subjects eligible for CRC screening, utilizing a fecal immunochemical test (FIT). All the follow-up subjects received a FIT kit. RESULTS: A total of 747 cellphone calls were made and divided into three interventions. From the initial cohort, 126 subjects completed their biennial screening process through the FIT, indicating a consistent adherence rate of 41.8% to our program. The participation patterns were: 126 consistent participants (41.8%), 160 inconsistent participants (53.2%), and 15 participants that were never contacted (5%). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our study underlines the importance of organized screening programs in the early detection of CRC. The implementation of follow-up interventions, through reminders and the training of patient navigators, can improve adherence, but there is a need for examining new strategies, to overcome barriers to communication via cellphone.
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Neoplasias Colorretais , Detecção Precoce de Câncer , Cooperação do Paciente , Humanos , Neoplasias Colorretais/diagnóstico , Masculino , Feminino , Detecção Precoce de Câncer/métodos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , Estudos Longitudinais , Cooperação do Paciente/estatística & dados numéricos , Sangue Oculto , Sistemas de Alerta , Programas de Rastreamento/métodosRESUMO
The crystallographic, optical, and electrical properties of manganese sulfide thin films depend on the control of the temperature precursors in the synthesis process, as shown by the results of this work. MnS thin films were deposited on glass substrates using the SILAR method and over an additional layer of CdS synthesized by chemical bath deposition (CBD) to acquire a p-n heterojunction. SILAR is an inexpensive method performed with a homemade robot in this case. Temperature in the solution precursors varied from 20 to 80 °C in four experiments. The morphology and structure of MnS and FTO/CdS/MnS thin films were studied through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD); the results indicate that materials showed a polycrystalline behavior, a diffraction peak of α- MnS cubic phase was observed with lattice constants values, ranging from 4.74 to 4.75 Å. Additionally, Raman spectroscopy showed a signal corresponding to the transversal optical phonons of MnS at a wavenumber near 300 cm-1. UV-vis spectroscopy showed optical bandgap values of 3.94, 4.0, 4.09, and 4.26 eV for thin films obtained at 20°, 40°, 60°, and 80 °C. respectively. Results indicated 80 °C as an optimal cationic precursor process temperature, achieving optical transmittance T% and good film quality according to SEM and GIXRD for the synthetization of MnS. The current-voltage (I-V) characterization in the heterojunction showed a characteristic diode curve with an open circuit voltage (VOC) of 300 mV under illumination, which indicated that the manganese sulfide behaves as p-type material contributing with positive charge carriers, while CdS behaves as n-type material.
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INTRODUCTION: Neurocysticercosis (NCC), a possible cause of epilepsy with limited epidemiological data in the Dominican Republic, is endemic in four provinces in the country's south-western region. This study aimed to determine the association between NCC and epilepsy among people living in these endemic regions, and to obtain preliminary data on the prevalence of NCC in these provinces. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A case-control design was used, consisting of 111 patients with epilepsy with unknown causes, and 60 controls without epilepsy or NCC. The diagnosis of NCC was based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the skull, as well as Western immunoblotting for serum antibodies using Taenia solium, following the criteria of Del Brutto et al. RESULTS. NCC was found in 27% of the epileptic patients (n = 30/111) and in 5% of the controls (n = 3/60); the probability of the epileptic patients having NCC was seven times higher than the controls (odds ratio = 7.04, 95% confidence interval: 2.04-24.18; p < 0.001). The participants' sociodemographic characteristics, including their age, sex, level of education, occupation, and province of residence presented no statistical significance in terms of their association with NCC. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that NCC is strongly associated with epilepsy in the south-western region of the Dominican Republic, and highlights the need for public health measures to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of both diseases.
TITLE: Diagnóstico de neurocisticercosis en pacientes con epilepsia residentes en el suroeste de la República Dominicana.Introducción. La neurocisticercosis (NCC), una posible causa de epilepsia con datos epidemiológicos limitados en la República Dominicana, es endémica en cuatro provincias de la región suroeste. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la asociación entre la NCC y la epilepsia en personas que viven en estas regiones endémicas, así como obtener datos preliminares sobre la prevalencia de NCC en estas provincias. Sujetos y métodos. Se utilizó un diseño de casos y controles compuesto por 111 pacientes con epilepsia de causa desconocida y 60 controles sin epilepsia ni NCC. El diagnóstico de NCC se basó en la tomografía computarizada y la resonancia magnética del cráneo, así como en el inmunotransferencia de Western para anticuerpos séricos contra Taenia solium, siguiendo los criterios de Del Brutto et al. Resultados. Se encontró NCC en el 27% de los pacientes con epilepsia (n = 30/111) y en el 5% de los controles (n = 3/60); los casos de epilepsia tenían siete veces más probabilidades de tener NCC que los controles (odds ratio = 7,04, intervalo de confianza al 95%: 2,04-24,18; p < 0,001). Las características sociodemográficas de los participantes, como la edad, el sexo, el nivel de escolaridad, la ocupación y la provincia de residencia no mostraron significación estadística en cuanto a la asociación con NCC. Conclusiones. Este estudio sugiere que la NCC está fuertemente asociada con la epilepsia en la región suroeste de la República Dominicana, y destaca la necesidad de medidas de salud pública para mejorar la prevención, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de ambas enfermedades.
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Epilepsia , Neurocisticercose , Humanos , Neurocisticercose/complicações , Neurocisticercose/diagnóstico , Neurocisticercose/epidemiologia , República Dominicana/epidemiologia , Anticorpos , Escolaridade , Epilepsia/epidemiologia , Epilepsia/etiologiaRESUMO
Reports from popular medicine usually act as a basis for the development of new drugs from natural compounds with therapeutic actions for serious diseases and prevalence such as cancer. Bromelia antiacantha Bertol. is a species of the Bromeliaceae family, considered an unconventional food plant, found in the south and midwest regions of Brazil. Despite the high nutritional content and pharmacological potential of its fruits, few scientific studies report its biological actions. Thus, this study evaluates the phytochemical profile of aqueous and ethanol extracts obtained from B. antiacantha fruits, as well as their possible antioxidant, antitumor, and cytotoxic activities. The aqueous extract exhibited phenolic compounds and flavonoids, while ethanol extracts indicated the presence of flavonoids and coumarin in their composition, regardless of the region of collection. The ethanolic extract demonstrated a more promising antioxidant effect than the aqueous extract and also induced a significant inhibition in the viability of human cervical cancer cells of the SiHa strain. In addition, treatment with both extracts did not alter the viability of non-tumor cells of the immortalized human keratinocyte lineage (HaCaT). These results bring new data about extracts obtained from a native plant, edible and traditionally used in popular medicine, opening new perspectives for its possible therapeutic application.
Relatos da medicina popular costumam atuar como referencial para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos a partir de moléculas naturais com ações terapêuticas para doenças de alta gravidade e prevalência como o câncer. Bromelia antiacantha Bertol. é uma espécie da família Bromeliaceae, considerada uma planta alimentícia não convencional (PANC), encontrada nas regiões sul e centro-oeste do Brasil. Apesar do alto teor nutritivo e potencial farmacológico de seus frutos, poucos estudos científicos relatam suas ações biológicas. Desta forma, este estudo avalia o perfil fitoquímico de extratos aquoso e etanólico obtidos de frutos de B. antiacantha, bem como a sua possível ação antioxidante, antitumoral e citotóxica. O extrato aquoso apresentou compostos fenólicos e flavonoides, enquanto os extratos etanólicos apontam a presença de flavonóides e cumarina em sua composição, independente da região de coleta. O extrato etanólico demonstrou efeito antioxidante mais promissor do que o extrato aquoso e também induziu uma inibição significativa na viabilidade de células humanas de câncer cervical da linhagem SiHa. Além disso, o tratamento com ambos extratos não alterou a viabilidade de células não tumorais da linhagem de queratinócitos humanos imortalizados (HaCaT). Estes dados trazem novas informações sobre extratos obtidos de uma espécie vegetal nativa, comestível e já utilizada tradicionalmente, mas abrindo novas perspectivas quanto a possíveis aplicações terapêuticas.
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Flavonoides , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero , Bromeliaceae , Bromelia , Usos Terapêuticos , Compostos Fitoquímicos , FitoterapiaRESUMO
Abstract Reports from popular medicine usually act as a basis for the development of new drugs from natural compounds with therapeutic actions for serious diseases and prevalence such as cancer. Bromelia antiacantha Bertol. is a species of the Bromeliaceae family, considered an unconventional food plant, found in the south and midwest regions of Brazil. Despite the high nutritional content and pharmacological potential of its fruits, few scientific studies report its biological actions. Thus, this study evaluates the phytochemical profile of aqueous and ethanol extracts obtained from B. antiacantha fruits, as well as their possible antioxidant, antitumor, and cytotoxic activities. The aqueous extract exhibited phenolic compounds and flavonoids, while ethanol extracts indicated the presence of flavonoids and coumarin in their composition, regardless of the region of collection. The ethanolic extract demonstrated a more promising antioxidant effect than the aqueous extract and also induced a significant inhibition in the viability of human cervical cancer cells of the SiHa strain. In addition, treatment with both extracts did not alter the viability of non-tumor cells of the immortalized human keratinocyte lineage (HaCaT). These results bring new data about extracts obtained from a native plant, edible and traditionally used in popular medicine, opening new perspectives for its possible therapeutic application.
Resumo Relatos da medicina popular costumam atuar como referencial para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos a partir de moléculas naturais com ações terapêuticas para doenças de alta gravidade e prevalência como o câncer. Bromelia antiacantha Bertol. é uma espécie da família Bromeliaceae, considerada uma planta alimentícia não convencional (PANC), encontrada nas regiões sul e centro-oeste do Brasil. Apesar do alto teor nutritivo e potencial farmacológico de seus frutos, poucos estudos científicos relatam suas ações biológicas. Desta forma, este estudo avalia o perfil fitoquímico de extratos aquoso e etanólico obtidos de frutos de B. antiacantha, bem como a sua possível ação antioxidante, antitumoral e citotóxica. O extrato aquoso apresentou compostos fenólicos e flavonoides, enquanto os extratos etanólicos apontam a presença de flavonóides e cumarina em sua composição, independente da região de coleta. O extrato etanólico demonstrou efeito antioxidante mais promissor do que o extrato aquoso e também induziu uma inibição significativa na viabilidade de células humanas de câncer cervical da linhagem SiHa. Além disso, o tratamento com ambos extratos não alterou a viabilidade de células não tumorais da linhagem de queratinócitos humanos imortalizados (HaCaT). Estes dados trazem novas informações sobre extratos obtidos de uma espécie vegetal nativa, comestível e já utilizada tradicionalmente, mas abrindo novas perspectivas quanto a possíveis aplicações terapêuticas.
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Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common helminthic infection of the human central nervous system. The antibody detection assay of choice is the enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot assay using lentil-lectin purified parasite antigens (LLGP-EITB, Western blot), an immunoassay with exceptional performance in clinical samples. However, its use is mainly restricted to a few research laboratories because the assay is labor-intensive and requires sophisticated equipment, expertise, and large amounts of parasite material for preparation of reagents. We report a new immunoprint assay (MAPIA) that overcomes most of these barriers. We initially compared the performance of five different antigen combinations in a subset of defined samples in the MAPIA format. After selecting the best-performing assay format (a combination of rGP50 + rT24H + sTs14 antigens), 148 archived serum samples were tested, including 40 from individuals with parenchymal NCC, 40 with subarachnoid NCC, and 68 healthy controls with no evidence of neurologic disease. MAPIA using three antigens (rGP50 + rT24H + sTs14) was highly sensitive and specific for detecting antibodies in NCC. It detected 39 out of 40 (97.5%) parenchymal NCC cases and 40/40 (100%) subarachnoid cases and was negative in 67 out of 68 (98.53%) negative samples. MAPIA using three recombinant and synthetic antigens is a simple and economical tool with a performance equivalent to the LLGP-EITB assay for the detection of specific antibodies to NCC. The MAPIA overcomes existing barriers to adoption of the EITG LLGP and is a candidate for worldwide use.
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Neurocisticercose , Taenia solium , Animais , Humanos , Neurocisticercose/diagnóstico , Neurocisticercose/parasitologia , Peru , Antígenos de Helmintos , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Imunoensaio , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Anticorpos Anti-HelmínticosRESUMO
This work presents a method for constructing phantoms suitable for diffuse optical mammography. They are based on Polydimethylsiloxane silicones, with the characteristic of being anthropomorphic, and having similar mechanical and optical properties as a real breast. These phantoms are useful for testing the performance of diffuse optical imaging devices in the near infrared, both in transmittance and reflectance geometries, since they can be constructed containing inclusions, to simulate breast tumors. An alternative component to be used as scattering agent, that is easier to handle than traditional scattering agents, is also studied. The optical properties of the phantoms were tested varying the concentration of scattering and absorbing agents, while their mechanical properties were modified by adding a silicone fluid to the basic mixture. Finally, the phantoms were tested by Diffuse Optical Imaging experiments, and these images were compared to the ones obtained by conventional ultrasound techniques. Results show that the constructed anthropomorphic phantoms properly reproduce the optical and mechanical characteristics of human breasts, and are suitable to be used in Diffuse Optical Imaging.
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Reports from popular medicine usually act as a basis for the development of new drugs from natural compounds with therapeutic actions for serious diseases and prevalence such as cancer. Bromelia antiacantha Bertol. is a species of the Bromeliaceae family, considered an unconventional food plant, found in the south and midwest regions of Brazil. Despite the high nutritional content and pharmacological potential of its fruits, few scientific studies report its biological actions. Thus, this study evaluates the phytochemical profile of aqueous and ethanol extracts obtained from B. antiacantha fruits, as well as their possible antioxidant, antitumor, and cytotoxic activities. The aqueous extract exhibited phenolic compounds and flavonoids, while ethanol extracts indicated the presence of flavonoids and coumarin in their composition, regardless of the region of collection. The ethanolic extract demonstrated a more promising antioxidant effect than the aqueous extract and also induced a significant inhibition in the viability of human cervical cancer cells of the SiHa strain. In addition, treatment with both extracts did not alter the viability of non-tumor cells of the immortalized human keratinocyte lineage (HaCaT). These results bring new data about extracts obtained from a native plant, edible and traditionally used in popular medicine, opening new perspectives for its possible therapeutic application.
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Bromelia , Antioxidantes/química , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Bromelia/química , Flavonoides , Humanos , Compostos Fitoquímicos/química , Compostos Fitoquímicos/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologiaRESUMO
The importance of food contaminants in the link between diet and cancer has been widely demonstrated. Therefore, different physical and chemical strategies for the control of human exposure to such dietary carcinogens has been explored; however, most of these strategies are complex, costly, and have low efficiency which limited their applications. Hence, microbiological methods have been receiving more attention. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast may act as dietary carcinogen-binding agents. This review describes the promising protective role of strains belonging mainly to the Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces genera by acting as dietary carcinogen-binding agents. This property suggests that these microorganisms may have a protective role by reducing the bioaccessibility of dietary carcinogens, thereby decreasing their toxic effects. The mechanisms by which the binding process takes place have not been completely elucidated; thus, the possible underlying mechanisms and factors influencing carcinogens-binding will be addressed.
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Lactobacillales , Neoplasias , Carcinógenos/toxicidade , Fermentação , Humanos , Lactobacillus , Saccharomyces cerevisiae , LevedurasRESUMO
BACKGROUND. Subarachnoid neurocysticercosis (NCC) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Conventional transcranial approaches and transventricular endoscopy have been previously reported for extraparenchymal NCC and ventricular NCC, respectively. By October 2019, endonasal endoscopic approaches had not been used for the treatment of NCC. OBSERVATIONS. A 54-year-old-woman with NCC was admitted with acute neurological deterioration due to severe intracranial hypertension caused by massive subarachnoid NCC cysts, as evidenced on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with great brainstem compression. The case was discussed, and an endoscopic endonasal resection of the NCC cysts was scheduled. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathological anatomy. There were no complications in the surgery, with marked neurological improvement. Control MRIs demonstrated a significant reduction of NCC cysts. LESSONS. Minimally invasive approaches are an excellent alternative for skull-base tumoral and infectious pathology. Prior knowledge of the pathophysiology and the authors' experience in the management of patients with NCC allowed them to propose this approach, with optimal results.
FONDO. La neurocisticercosis subaracnoidea (NCC) se asocia a altas tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad. Se han descrito anteriormente abordajes transcraneales convencionales y endoscopia transventricular para la NCC extraparenquimatosa y la NCC ventricular, respectivamente. Hasta octubre de 2019, no se habían utilizado abordajes endoscópicos endonasales para el tratamiento de la NCC. OBSERVACIONES. Una mujer de 54 años con carcinoma de células no pequeñas fue ingresada con deterioro neurológico agudo debido a hipertensión intracraneal grave causada por quistes de carcinoma de células no pequeñas subaracnoideos masivos, evidenciados en la resonancia magnética (RM) con gran compresión del tronco encefálico. Se discutió el caso y se programó una resección endoscópica endonasal de los quistes de carcinoma de células no pequeñas. El diagnóstico se confirmó mediante anatomía patológica. No hubo complicaciones en la cirugía, con una marcada mejoría neurológica. Las RM de control demostraron una reducción significativa de los quistes de carcinoma de células no pequeñas. LeECCIONES. Los abordajes mínimamente invasivos son una excelente alternativa para la patología tumoral e infecciosa de la base del cráneo. El conocimiento previo de la fisiopatología y la experiencia de los autores en el manejo de pacientes con NCC les permitió proponer este abordaje, con óptimos resultados.