Abstract Objective The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had a considerable impact on the healthcare access, treatment, and follow-up of oncologic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected consultation and follow-up demand as well as treatment volume at Brazilian Head and Neck Surgery centers. Methods An anonymous online questionnaire was used for collection of data across all Brazilian Head and Neck Surgery Centers across a 3-month period (April‒June 2021). This information included the characteristics of each center, and the perceived self-reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic activities, residency training, and the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with Head and Neck diseases between 2019 and 2020. Results The response rate across the 40 registered Brazilian Head and Neck Surgery Centers was 47.5% (n = 19). The data showed a significant reduction in the total number of consultations (24.8%) and number of attending patients (20.2%) between 2019 and 2020. The total number of diagnostic exams (31.6%) and surgical procedures (13.0%) conducted over this period also decreased significantly. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant national impact on Brazilian Head and Neck Surgery Centers. Future studies should examine the long-term effects of the pandemic on cancer treatment. Level of evidence Evidence from a single descriptive study.

Resumen El lodo de aguas residuales es un compuesto orgánico rico en nitrógeno que aumenta el desarrollo de plantas como Platycyamus regnellii (Fabaceae), que se usa comúnmente en la recuperación de áreas degradadas. Este estudio se centra en la evaluación de los efectos ascendentes en la producción en masa vegetal y la cobertura del suelo en plantas de P. regnellii fertilizados (o no) con lodo de aguas residuales y las comunidades de artrópodos durante 24 meses. Los árboles de P. regnellii fertilizados con lodo de aguas residuales presentaron significativamente más hojas por rama, ramas por árbol, y un mayor porcentaje de cobertura del suelo en comparación con los árboles no fertilizados. Phenacoccus sp. (Pseudococcidae) fue la especie fitófaga más abundante. La fertilización no afectó la abundancia, diversidad y riqueza de especies de Hemiptera fitófagos en árboles de P. regnellii. Sin embargo, los árboles fertilizados presentaron mayor abundancia y riqueza de especies de hormigas cuidadora de trofobiontes en comparación con los árboles no fertilizados. Camponotus sp. fue la specie más abundante independientemente del tratamiento. Los árboles de P. regnellii fertilizados también presentaron mayor riqueza de especies de enemigos naturales en comparación con los no fertilizados, siendo Aranae y Dolichopodidae los más abundantes. Se concluye que las coronas más grandes de P. regnellii fueron aquellas fertilizadas con lodo de aguas residuales deshidratadas, lo que aumenta la cobertura del suelo, la diversidad de hormigas cuidadoras de trofobiontes, y de enemigos naturales. Hasta donde se conoce, este es el primer estudio sobre la comunidad de artrópodos asociada a esta especie de árbol. Esto sugiere que las plantas de P. renellii fertilizadas con lodos de depurados son adecuadas para la recuperación de áreas degradadas.

Abstract Sewage sludge is a nitrogen-rich organic compound, which can be used to aid development in plants such as Platycyamus regnellii (Fabaceae), in the recovery of degraded areas. This study aimed to assess the bottom-up effects on leaf mass and percentage of ground cover (leaf litter, herbaceous plants, and grasses) in P. regnellii trees fertilized (or not) with dehydrated sewage sludge and arthropod communities over 24 months. Platycyamus regnellii trees fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge presented significantly more leaves per branch, branches per tree, and a higher percentage of ground cover compared to unfertilized trees. Phenacoccus sp. (Pseudococcidae) was the most abundant phytophagous insect associated with P. regnellii trees. Fertilization did not affect the abundance, diversity, and species richness of Hemiptera phytophagous on P. Regnellii trees. However, fertilized trees presented higher abundance and species richness of trophobiont-tending ants compared to unfertilized trees, with Camponotus sp. being the most abundant regardless of the treatment. Fertilized P. regnellii trees also presented higher species richness of natural enemies compared to unfertilized ones, with Aranae and Dolichopodidae being the most abundant. We concluded that fertilization with dehydrated sewage sludge improved P. regnellii trees leaf mass and ground cover and increased the diversity of trophobiont-tending ants and natural enemies. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the arthropods community associated with this tree species. This suggests that upon fertilization, P. renellii trees are useful for ecological restoration in severely disturbed areas.

OBJECTIVES: Craniofacial resection (CFR) procedures for craniofacial tumors with cranial extension are often extensive. Although CFRs may yield good oncological results, there are concerns about high perioperative morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine risk factors for perioperative mortality after open CFR in terms of deaths occurring during index hospitalizations. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of CFRs conducted at a tertiary oncology hospital from May 2009 through December 2018. RESULTS: Our analysis included data from the medical records of 102 patients, the majority of whom were male (n=74, 72.5%). The mean age was 61 years (±18.3 years). Skin malignancies (n=64, 63.4%) accounted for nearly two-thirds of the treated tumors, and most of these were squamous cell carcinoma. Postoperative medical complications occurred in 33 patients (33%), and surgical complications occurred in 48 (47%). Multivariate analysis revealed the only independent risk factors for perioperative deaths to be the presence of intracranial tumor extension on preoperative imaging (hazard ratio [HR]=4.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.74-11.97; p=0.002) and the unexpected emergence of postoperative neurological dysfunction (HR=10.9; 95% CI: 2.21-54.3; p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, factors related to tumor extension were associated with a higher risk of perioperative death.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a incidência, características epidemiológicas, diagnóstico e evolução dos pacientes que retornaram às unidades de pronto atendimento (UPA) do Hospital Albert Einstein em São Paulo/SP com sinais e sintomas sugestivos de complicações até 30 dias após realização de colonoscopia. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo uni-institucional de pacientes submetidos à colonoscopia em 2014 e que retornaram, em até 30 dias após o procedimento, a uma UPA. Resultados: foram realizadas colonoscopias em 8968 pacientes, dos quais 95 (1,06%) tiveram queixa relacionada à possível complicação. A maioria dos procedimentos foi realizada eletivamente. Complicações menores (dor abdominal inespecífica/distensão) foram frequentes (0,49%) e a maioria dos pacientes recebeu alta após consulta na UPA. Complicações graves foram menos frequentes: perfuração (0,033%), hemorragia digestiva baixa (0,044%) e obstrução intestinal (0,044%). A procura à UPA em menos de 24 horas após o procedimento associou-se a maior índice de colonoscopias normais (P=0,006), mais diagnóstico de febre (P=0,0003) e síndrome dispéptica (P=0,043) e menos diagnóstico de colite/ileíte (P=0,015). A presença de febre em pacientes atendidos na UPA associou-se ao diagnóstico de pólipos na colonoscopia (P=0,030). Conclusão: os dados do presente estudo corroboram as evidências de segurança do exame de colonoscopia e apontam para redução nos índices de complicações mais graves deste exame.

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the incidence, epidemiological characteristics, diagnosis and evolution of patients who returned to the emergency care units of the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo/SP with signs and symptoms suggestive of colonoscopy complications up to 30 days after the procedure. Methods: we conducted a retrospective, uni-institutional study of patients submitted to colonoscopy in 2014 who returned to the Emergency department (ED) within 30 days after the procedure. Results: 8968 patients underwent colonoscopies, 95 (1.06%) of whom had complaints related to possible complications. Most of the procedures were elective ones. Minor complications (nonspecific abdominal pain/distension) were frequent (0.49%) and most of the patients were discharged after consultation at the ED. Severe complications were less frequent: perforation (0.033%), lower gastrointestinal bleeding (0.044%), and intestinal obstruction (0.044%). ED consultations in less than 24 hours after the procedure was associated with a higher index of normal colonoscopies (p=0.006), more diagnosis of fever (p=0.0003) and dyspeptic syndrome (p=0.043), and less diagnosis of colitis/ileitis (p=0.015). The observation of fever in patients treated at the ED was associated with the diagnosis of polyps at colonoscopy (p=0.030). Conclusion: the data corroborate the safety of the colonoscopy exam and points to a reduction in major complications rates.

Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do condicionamento osmótico no desempenho de sementes de pimenta submetidas à deterioração controlada. Para tanto, sementes de pimenta 'Amarela Comprida' (Capsicum annuum L.), com teor de água ajustado para 24%, foram submetidas à deterioração controlada em banho-maria a 45ºC por 0, 24, 48 e 72 horas. Em seguida, foram osmocondicionadas em solução de PEG 6000 a -1,1 MPa, por 0, 6 e 8 dias. Avaliaram-se a germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, germinação a baixa temperatura, velocidade de germinação a 15ºC e a 25°C, massa seca de plântulas e comprimento de raiz primária. Verificou-se que o condicionamento osmótico foi benéfico à germinação das sementes de pimenta deterioradas por 48 e 72 horas, não prejudicando a germinação das sementes de alta qualidade fisiológica e ainda contribuiu para melhorar o vigor tanto das sementes não deterioradas quanto das deterioradas por 48 e 72 horas, constituindo-se em procedimento promissor para elevar a qualidade fisiológica das mesmas.

The osmotic conditioning technique has been considered promising for improving the physiological potential of seeds of various species. In this context, the study aimed to evaluate the effect of osmotic conditioning on the performance of pepper seeds subjected to controlled deterioration. Thus, seeds of 'Long Yellow pepper' (Capsicum annuum L.), with water content adjusted to 24%, were subjected to controlled deterioration in water bath at 45 °C for 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours. After that, they were osmotic conditioning in PEG 6000 to -1.1 MPa during 0, 6 and 8 days. The germination, first count of germination, germination at low temperature, speed of germination at 15 º C and 25 °C, dry weight of seedlings and length of primary root were evaluated. It was found that the osmotic conditioning was beneficial to the germination of pepper seeds deteriorated by 48 and 72 hours, not affecting the germination of seeds of high physiological quality. It also helped to improve the strength of both the seeds that had not been damaged and those deteriorated by 48 and 72 hours, being a promising technique to increase their physiological quality.