Abstract In this work, a thermal plasma-based ablation test system was used to evaluate the ablative performance of the EPDM composite. The system produces a high enthalpy plasma jet generated by a plasma (DC) torch, operating at atmospheric pressure using compressed air as working gas, enabling the variation of the thermal flux concerned with the studied EPDM composites. The samples were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) to investigate the morphology, mass-loss rate, the reaction layer (char formation), and chemical changes of the samples for each thermal flux. For a complete evaluation, the thermal fluxes were varied in 0.30, 0.45, 0.60, 0.75, and 0.90 MW/m2 and for each thermal flux, disk-shape samples remained exposed to the plasma jet for 10s. During the plasma jet exposure time, the temperatures of the surface and the back of the samples were collected to verify the formed char layer's insulator capacity and the samples' thermal diffusivity for each experimental condition. The mass loss is continuous under the thermal fluxes of 0.30 and 0.45 MW/m2, stabilizing at 60% until 0.75 MW/m2. The formed char layer begins to lose its protective capacity, evidenced by the size decrease (from 800 µm to 700 µm), due to the ablation process of the reaction layer from the thermal flux of 0.90 MW/m2.

Abstract Primary mucous melanoma (MM) of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses remains a rare malignancy. The peak of incidence is between 50 and 60 years old, being epistaxis and unilateral nasal obstruction the most frequent symptoms. Surgical resection is the primary treatment with radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy if necessary, the prognosis depends on the spreading. We present the case of an 81-year-old female patient attending for hemoptysis and halitosis of a year of evolution. The nasofibrolaryngoscopy showed a brownish, excrescent, irregular and friable lesion, outgrowth of the right tube rim. Histopathology result was nasopharyngeal MM. Immunohistochemical profile: S100 +, MelanA +, HMB45 +, SOX10 +, AE1AE3 negative. PET-CT showed a hypercaptation at the level of the right tube rim, without evidence of adenopathies or distant metastases. Complete tumor resection was performed by endoscopic surgery. Melanoma Oncology Committee decided no need of adjuvant therapy due to the complete resection of the lesion and considering the age and cognitive deterioration of the patient.

Resumen El melanoma mucoso primario (MM) de la cavidad nasal y los senos paranasales sigue siendo un tumor maligno poco frecuente. El pico de incidencia se sitúa entre 50 y 60 años, siendo la epistaxis y la obstrucción nasal unilateral los síntomas más frecuentes. La resección quirúrgica es el tratamiento primario con radioterapia y quimioterapia adyuvante si es necesario, el pronóstico depende de la extensión. Presentamos el caso de una paciente mujer de 81 años con hemoptisis y halitosis de un año de evolución. La nasofibrolaringoscopia mostró una lesión parduzca, excrecente, irregular y friable, en el borde derecho del rodete tubárico derecho. El resultado histopatológico fue MM nasofaríngeo. Perfil inmunohistoquímico: S100 +, MelanA +, HMB45 +, SOX10 +, AE1AE3 negativo. El PET-CT mostró una hipercaptación a nivel del rodete tubárico derecho, sin evidencia de adenopatías o metástasis a distancia. Se realizó la resección tumoral completa mediante abordaje endoscópico. El Comité de Oncología del Melanoma decidió que no era necesario un tratamiento adyuvante debido a la resección completa de la lesión y considerando la edad y el deterioro cognitivo de la paciente.

Introduction: Intersphinteric resection (ISR) allows preserve sphincter function in selected patients with rectal cancer (RC). Notwithstanding, it can produce alterations in defecation. Aim: To analyze the oncological and functional results after an ISR. Materials and Method: Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study, in the period 2007-2016. Inclusion criteria: Patients submitted to ISR by RC with curative intention. All the patients had a follow-up in 2017. Analysis of functional evaluation were performed by Jorge-Wexner, LARS and Kirwan scale. Statistical analysis: Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Of 21 patients; Fourteen (67%) were male, average age: 59 years. Tumor location: 4 cm (2-6 cm) from anal verge. Eighteen (85.7%) patients received neoadjuvant therapy. All distal and radial margins were negative. One patient (4.8%) had distant metastases and there was no locoregional recurrence. With a median follow-up of 76.3 (9.8-126.8) months, the 5-year global and disease-free survival was: 100% and 95% (CI: 90.1-99.9%), respectively. With a median follow-up of 90 months (21.7-124.2); Functional evaluation was performed on 15/21 patients. The Jorge-Wexner score had a median of 13 (4-17) points, the LARS scale of 34 points and in Kirwan scale, four patients (26.7%) showed good function (Kirwan I-II). Conclusion: The oncological results of patients undergoing ISR are satisfactory, however, functional results should be taken into account when proposing this surgical procedure.

Resumen Introducción: La resección anterior ultrabaja interesfintérica (RAUBIE), permite preservar la función esfinteriana en pacientes seleccionados con cáncer de recto (CR). No obstante, puede producir alteraciones en la función evacuatoria y esfinteriana. Objetivo: Analizar los resultados oncológicos y funcionales luego de una RAUBIE. Material y Método: Estudio observacional, analítico, transversal, durante el período 2007 a 2016. Criterios de inclusión: Pacientes sometidos a RAUBIE por CR con intención curativa. Todos los pacientes tuvieron un seguimiento el año 2017. Para la evaluación funcional se usó la escala de Jorge-Wexner, LARS y Kirwan. Análisis estadístico: Estadística descriptiva y método de Kaplan-Meier. Resultados: De 21 pacientes; catorce (67%) fueron varones, edad promedio: 59 años. Ubicación tumoral: 4 cm (2-6 cm) del margen anal. Dieciocho (85,7%) pacientes recibieron neoadyuvancia. Todos los márgenes quirúrgicos distales y radiales fueron negativos. Un paciente (4,8%) tuvo metástasis a distancia y no hubo recurrencia locorregional. Con una mediana de seguimiento de 76,3 (9,8-126,8) meses, la sobrevida global y libre de enfermedad a 5 años fue de: 100% y 95% (IC: 90,1-99,9%), respectivamente. Con una mediana de seguimiento de 90 meses (21,7-124,2); se realizó la evaluación funcional a 15/21 pacientes. El puntaje de Jorge-Wexner tuvo una mediana de 13 (4-17) puntos, la escala de LARS de 34 puntos y en la escala de Kirwan, cuatro pacientes (26,7%) mostraron una buena función (Kirwan I-II). Conclusión: Si bien los resultados oncológicos de los pacientes sometidos a una RAUBIE son satisfactorios, se debería tomar en cuenta los resultados funcionales al momento de proponer esta alternativa quirúrgica.

O presente estudo trata dos impactos ecológicos da introdução de duas espécies invasoras de peixes piscívoros em diversos lagos da região lacustre do médio rio Doce em Minas Gerais, Brasil. Demonstrou-se que estes efeitos não se restringiram às comunidade de peixes. A introdução dos predadores Pygocentrus nattereri (piranha-vermelha) e Cichla cf. ocelaris (tucunaré) não só causou uma forte redução no número de espécies de peixes nativos, como também mudanças nos níveis tróficos inferiores. Pouco depois das introduções, a maioria dos lagos começou a mostrar alterações na comunidade fitoplanctônica, tais como o aparecimento da dominância de Cyanophyceae. A comunidade zooplanctônica perdeu diversas espécies e, em alguns casos, houve o desaparecimento de todas as espécies de cladóceros limnéticos, como é o caso da lagoa Carioca. Por outro lado, predadores invertebrados, representados pelos dípteros da família Chaoboridae, floresceram nos lagos com maiores densidades de espécies exóticas de peixes, provavelmente como resultado da "liberação ecológica" causada pela redução da ictiofauna original. Além de uma tendência geral de perda de espécies em diferentes níveis tróficos, outras mudanças estão aparentemente associadas com a redução da qualidade de água. Dessa forma, esses ecossistemas estão necessitando urgentemente de novas abordagens nas estratégias de manejo e conservação.

The present study deals with the ecological impacts of the introduction of two alien species of piscivorous fish in several lakes of the Middle Rio Doce lake district in Minas Gerais, Brazil. It was demonstrated that these effects were not restricted only to the fish community. The introduction of the predatory red piranha Pygocentrus nattereri and the tucunaré Cichla cf. ocellaris caused not only a sharp decrease in the number of native fish species, but also major shifts in other trophic levels. Just after the fish were introduced, most lakes began to show conspicuous changes in phytoplankton species composition, in which Cyanophyceae gradually came to dominate. The zooplankton community lost several species, and in some cases, such as Lake Carioca, all the cladoceran species disappeared. On the other hand, invertebrate predators, represented by the dipteran Chaoboridae, boomed in the lake, with higher densities of exotic species, probably as a result of the "ecological release" by reduction of the original fish fauna. There was a general trend of species loss in different trophic levels. All these changes are apparently associated with decreases in water quality. The present situation in these lakes demands new approaches to the management and conservation of these ecosystems.

Background: Radiolabeled iodine uptake is a useful tool in the study of thyroid diseases. Aim: To obtain normal values for 131 Iodine thyroid uptake in healthy volunteers. Material and methods: A total of 105 subjects were included (52 males and 53 females), with a mean age of 45 years (range: 20 to 68, evenly distributed in decades). A questionnaire was applied and a clinical examination was performed to rule out endocrine diseases. Serum TSH and anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies were also measured. The oral 131I dose was 5-10 fiCi, and a Thyrad equipment was used for measurements at 2 and 24 h. Results: Mean global iodine uptake was 5.5%±1.8% (range: 2.3-12.0) at 2 h and 16.2±4.8% (range: 6.5-30.1) at 24 h. The values at 2 h among women and men were 6.0±1.8 and 4.9±1.6%, respectively, (p <0.02). At 24 h, the figures were 17.3±4.5 and 15.0±4.9%, respectively (p =0.01). Compared to their younger counterparts, radioactive iodine uptake was lower among volunteers older than 40 years, at 2 h (5.0±1.7 and 6.0±1.8, respectively, p <0.02) and at 24 h (14.9±4.4 and 17.6±4.9%, respectively, p <0.01). Conclusions: Normal thyroid uptake values in adults are influenced bygender and age. Normal thyroid iodine uptake values are slightly higher in females. Iodine thyroid uptake values decrease slightly in subjects aged more than 40years.

O gastrópode Thiaridae Melanoides tuberculatus (Müller, 1774), nativo da Ásia e do Leste Africano, é registrado pela primeira vez na Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Paranã (Estado de Goiás). Não se conhecem os vetores de introdução da espécie, mas o setor de aquariofilia foi apontado por alguns moradores locais como a mais provável causa. Os espécimes foram coletados em três corpos d´água depois de serem investigados vinte e sete rios e lagoas. A possibilidade de dispersão dessa espécie para outros habitats e os efeitos potenciais dessa introdução sobre a comunidade nativa são discutidos no artigo.

The Thiarid snail Melanoides tuberculatus (Müller, 1774), native to Asia and East Africa was recorded for the first time in the Paranã River basin, Goiás State. There is no evidence concerning introduction vectors but aquarium releases is the most probable vector. Specimens were collected at three different water bodies after twenty-seven rivers were investigated. The possible spread of this species to other habitats and potential effects on native thermal water communities are discussed.

Este trabalho faz parte de um programa de estudo sobre larvas meroplanctônicas que tem como objetivo o reconhecimento mais preciso das larvas no plâncton. Este estudo foi iniciado com a espécie Brachidontes solisianus (Bivalvia - Mytilidae) que é muito abundante nos costões rochosos da região de Cabo Frio. O desenvolvimento larvar foi realizado sob condições controladas durante 26 dias. A alimentação foi feita com Isochrysis galbana e Tetraselmis chui. A temperatura e a salinidade foram mantidas a 26° C e 28 ‰ , respectivamente. Diariamente, as larvas foram desenhadas em câmara clara e medidas com ocular micrométrica até a fixação. A primeira fase de véliger em forma de "D" ou Prodissoconcha I, mediu em média, 90 µm de comprimento por 70 µm de altura e a última, antes da fase de fixação (Pedivéliger), mediu 273 µm de comprimento e 257 µm de altura. No estudo comparativo das charneiras, duas espécies foram consideradas: Brachidontes solisianus e Perna perna. Observou-se que a espécie B. solisianus apresenta dentes mais evidentes nas extremidades do provinculum, enquanto na espécie P. perna aparecem ao longo de todo o provinculum.

This work, which is part of a study program on meroplankton larvae, aims to gain more in-depth knowledge about planktonic larvae. This study began with the mollusk Brachidontes solisianus (Bivalvia - Mytilidae), which is abundant on the rocky shores of the Cabo Frio region (state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Brachidontes solisianus larvae were grown under controlled conditions for a period of 26 days and were fed with Isochrysis galbana and Tetraselmis chui. The temperature was kept at 26 °C and the saltiness at 28‰. Images of the larvae were taken daily with a light camera and measured with a micrometric lens until settlement occurred. The average size of the first D-shaped veliger stage was 90 µm in length and 70 µm in height, while the size in the last stage before settlement (pediveliger) was 273 µm in length and 257 µm in height. The comparative study of the hinge system involved the most abundant intertidal species of the study area: Brachidontes solisianus and Perna perna. The B. solisianus species were found to have more visible denticles at the extremities of the provinculum, whereas the denticles of the P. perna species occur along the entire provinculum.