ABSTRACT COVID-19 is commonly associated with high serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the post-infection status can disturb self-tolerance and trigger autoimmune responses. We are reporting a 45-year-old male who was admitted with fatigue, jaundice, elevated liver enzymes (with cholestatic pattern), and acute kidney injury two weeks after recovering from a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serologies for viral hepatitis and anti-mitochondrial antibody were negative, while anti-nuclear and anti-smooth muscle antibodies were positive. There were no signs of chronic liver disease, and a magnetic resonance cholangiography showed no dilatation of biliary ducts. Histologic evaluation of the liver evidenced numerous foci of lobular necrosis without ductopenia or portal biliary reaction. Considering the autoantibody profile and histologic changes, the medical team started oral prednisone, but there was a suboptimal biochemical response in the outpatient follow-up. Two months later, a second liver biopsy was performed and revealed non-suppurative destructive chronic cholangitis, extensive areas of confluent necrosis with hepatocytes regenerating into pseudorosettes, and numerous plasma cells. According to the Paris Criteria, the patient was then diagnosed with an autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cholangitis overlap syndrome (AIH-PBC-OS). After adding azathioprine and ursodeoxycholic acid to the treatment, there was a satisfactory response. This is the second worldwide report of an AIH-PBC-OS triggered by COVID-19, but the first case with a negative anti-mitochondrial antibody. In this setting, histologic evaluation of the liver by an experienced pathologist is a hallmark of achieving the diagnosis and correctly treat the patient.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of amphiregulin protein, an epidermal growth factor receptor ligand, in cartilaginous tumors. METHODS: Amphiregulin expression was examined in 31 enchondromas and 67 chondrosarcomas using immunohistochemistry analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 15 enchondromas (48.40%) and 24 chondrosarcomas (35.82%) were positive for amphiregulin. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve test, no difference in amphiregulin expression was observed between enchondromas and low-grade chondrosarcomas (p=0.0880). Additionally, 39 lesions (16 in short bones, 13 in long bones, and 10 in flat bones) were positive for amphiregulin, exhibiting a higher percentage of positive cells (p=0.0030) and intensity of immunohistochemical expression (p=0.0055) in short bone lesions than in others. Among 25 enchondromas localized in short bones, 15 expressed amphiregulin; however, all 6 cases localized in long bones were negative for this marker (p=0.0177). CONCLUSIONS: Amphiregulin did not help in distinguishing enchondromas from low-grade chondrosarcomas. The present study is the first to document the expression of this immunohistochemical marker in enchondromas. Furthermore, amphiregulin expression in enchondromas was localized in short bones, indicating a phenotypic distinction from that in long bones. This distinction may contribute to an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of these lesions.

Abstract Underground mining is a set of methods that allows the extraction of ore in depth, ensuring sustainability and economic viability. One of the problems that arise in underground mine operations is open stope stability. The method for assessing stabil ity of open stopes is the stability graph proposed by Mathews et al. (1981). It is possible to estimate and provide information about this stability and assist in the decision mak ing about its viability. With the data obtained from 35 open stopes from a Zinc mine, the present study aims to use artificial intelligence techniques, specifically artificial neural networks, to process the data and classify the open stopes according to the sta bility regions of the graph. As a result, the applied methodology presented good asser tiveness for the classification of two classes, stable and unstable open stopes, resulting in a global probability success of 82% overall hit probability and 18% apparent error rate. For the classification into three classes, adding the transitional open stopes, the internal validation presented a global probability success of 91% and apparent error rate of 9%. In external validation, the network evaluation measures presented values of global probability success of 42% and apparent error rate of 58%.

Resumo Estudos sobre as características agronômicas da planta cabeludinha (Myrciaria glazioviana), como exigências ecofisiológicas, propagação e cultivo, são inexistentes. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de crescentes níveis de sombreamento sobre a germinação e o vigor de plântulas de cabeludinha. As sementes e plântulas foram submetidas aos níveis de 0%, 16%, 54%, 72% e 92% de sombreamento, obtidos com coberturas de sombrite. Aos 159 dias de experimentação, foram avaliadas características relacionadas à germinação e ao vigor das plântulas. As variáveis relacionadas à germinação apresentaram respostas lineares crescentes ao aumento do sombreamento. As relacionadas ao vigor das plântulas foram melhor representadas por modelos quadráticos. O maior nível de sombreamento testado ainda não resulta no potencial máximo de germinação, mas reduz consideravelmente o vigor das plântulas. Conclui-se que o aumento da germinação com o sombreamento pode estar mais relacionado à capacidade do substrato em manter as sementes úmidas do que ao efeito da sombra propriamente dito. Com relação ao vigor, o desenvolvimento das plântulas é favorecido por sombreamentos entre 47% e 64%, sendo o ideal próximo a 52%. Sombreamentos superiores prejudicam consideravelmente o crescimento das plântulas.

Abstract Studies on the agronomic characteristics of "cabeludinha" plant (Myrciaria glazioviana) as ecophysiological requirements, propagation and cultivation, are nonexistent. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of shading on the germination and seedling vigor of cabeludinha. The seeds and seedlings were submitted to levels of 0%, 16%, 54%, 72%, and 92% shading obtained with "sombrite" covering. After 159 days of experimentation, characteristics related to germination and seedling vigor were evaluated. The variables related to germination showed linear increases with increased shading. Quadratic models best represent the variables related to seedling vigor. The highest tested shading level does not result in the maximum germination potential yet but considerably reduces the seedling vigor. We conclude that the increase in germination with shading may be more related to the ability of the substrate to keep the wet seeds than the shading effect itself. With respect to the vigor, the development of seedlings is favored by shading between 47% and 64%, and the ideal is close to 52%. Superior shading considerably impairs seedling growth.

ABSTRACT Objective: Follicular and mantle cell lymphoma are low-grade B-cell malignancies that lack good responses to chemoimmunotherapy. This study aimed to assess retrospectively clinicopathological features and to determine independent prognostic factors for follicular and mantle cell lymphoma patients treated at two Brazilian medical centers: the Hematology and Hemotherapy Center of the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), a public university hospital, and AC. Camargo Cancer Center, a specialized cancer center. Methods: Two hundred and twenty-seven follicular and 112 mantle cell lymphoma cases were diagnosed between 1999 and 2016. Archived paraffin blocks were retrieved and reviewed. Corresponding demographics and clinical data were recovered from medical charts. Outcome analyses considered both overall and event-free survival. Results: For follicular lymphoma treated with the R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride, vincristine sulfate, prednisone) and R-CVP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine sulfate, prednisone) regimens, both B-symptoms (p-value < 0.01 for overall and event-free survival) and high-risk Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (p-value < 0.01 for overall survival) were independently associated to worse prognosis. Maintenance with rituximab improved the prognosis (p-value < 0.01 for overall survival). For mantle cell lymphoma, B-symptoms (p-value = 0.03 for overall survival and event-free survival) and bone marrow infiltration (p-value = 0.01 for overall survival) independently predicted reduced survival, and rituximab at induction increased both event-free and overall survival (p-value < 0.01 in both analyses). Combinations of these deleterious features could identify extremely poor prognostic subgroups. The administration of rituximab was more frequent in the AC. Camargo Cancer Center, which was the institution associated with better overall survival for both neoplasias. Conclusion: This study represents the largest cohort of follicular and mantle cell lymphoma in South America thus far. Some easily assessable clinical variables were able to predict prognosis and should be considered in low-income centers. In addition, the underuse of rituximab in the Brazilian public health system should be reconsidered in future health policies.

RESUMO Com a previsão de escassez de recursos florestais amazônicos é eminente a necessidade de estudos sobre o potencial silvicultural de espécies de outras regiões como a Mata Atlântica. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar características silviculturais das espécies Astronium concinnum, Cariniana legalis, Goniorrhachis marginata, Kielmeyera albopunctata, Lecythis pisonis, Manilkara bella, Basiloxylon brasiliensis, Spondias venulosa, Vitex sp. e Zeyheria tuberculosa, nativas da Mata Atlântica com ocorrência no Espírito Santo. As espécies foram plantadas a pleno sol em plantios puros, com espaçamento de 2 x 2 m. Os povoamentos possuíam idades entre 21 e 25 anos na época da avaliação final e foram conduzidos na Reserva Natural da Vale, nos municípios de Linhares e Sooretama, Espírito Santo. Foram avaliados falha de plantio, fitossanidade, quebra, bifurcação, forma do fuste, diâmetro a altura do peito, altura total e incremento médio anual volumétrico. O volume foi estimado por meio de diferentes equações ajustadas para cada espécie. Constataram-se falhas de plantio expressivas apenas para Cariniana legalis, Zeyheria tuberculosa e Goniorrhachis marginata. Apenas Vitex sp. apresentou restrições fitossanitárias. Spondias venulosa, Goniorrhachis marginata e Kielmeyera albopunctata destacaram-se com os maiores índices de quebras. Goniorrhachis marginata, Manilkara bella e Basiloxylon brasiliensis destacaram-se com os menores índices de bifurcação. Manilkara bella, Cariniana legalis e Zeyheria tuberculosa destacaram-se quanto à forma de fuste retilíneo. Spondias venulosa apresentou crescimento expressivo e superior às demais espécies. São necessários mais estudos para subsidiar o reflorestamento econômico dessas espécies, destacando-se estudos de melhoramento genético, técnicas silviculturais, técnicas de desdobro e de tecnologia da madeira que apontem as aptidões de uso.

ABSTRACT Along with the forecast shortage of the Amazonian forest resources is imminent the need for studies concerning the silvicultural potential of species from other regions like the Atlantic Forest. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the silvicultural characteristics of Astronium concinnum, Cariniana legalis, Goniorrhachis marginata, Kielmeyera albopunctata, Lecythi pisonis, Manilkara bella, Basiloxylon brasiliensis, Spondias venulosa, Vitex sp. and Zeyheria tuberculosa, native Atlantic Forest species occurring in Espírito Santo state. The species were planted in full sun in pure stands, with spacing of 2 x 2 m. The stands had ages between 21 and 25 at the time of final evaluation and were conducted at Vale Nature Reserve, in the municipalities of Sooretama and Linhares, ES state. The variables collected and analyzed annually were: failure of plant, plant health, breaking, forking, stem form, diameter at breast height, total height and volumetric average annual increment. The volume was estimated using models developed for each species. It was verified expressive faults planting only Cariniana legalis, Zeyheria tuberculosa and Goniorrhachis marginata. Only Vitex sp. presented phytosanitary restrictions. Spondias venulosa, Goniorrhachis marginata and Kielmeyera albopunctata stood out with the highest rates of breakage. Goniorrhachis marginata, Manilkara bella and Basiloxylon brasiliensis stood out with the lowest levels of bifurcation. Manilkara bella, Cariniana legalis e Zeyheria tuberculosa stood out as the form of a straight stem form. Spondias venulosa presented an expressive and superior to other species growth. More studies are needed to support the economic reforestation of that species, emphasis on studies of genetic improvement, silvicultural techniques, techniques of sawing and timber technology that points out the skills to use.