Objective: To explore current status of antithrombotic therapy in patients with non-valvular atrial ifbrillation (NVAF) at Macau area of china via clinical data analysis.
Methods: A total of 472 NVAF patients treated in Centro Hospitalar Conde de S?o Januário (CHCSJ) from 2014-01 to 2041-12 were enrolled. The patients were at the age of (73.0±10.9) years including 197 (41.7%) female and 244 (51.7%)≥75 years. The baseline condition, clinical characteristics and antithrombotic therapy were analyzed; relevant scores were calculated, CHA2DS2-VASc score≥2 was deifned as high risk of stroke and HAS-BLED score≥3 was deifned as high risk of bleeding.
Results: The average CHA2DS2-VASc score was (3.4±1.8) and 389/472 (82.4%) patients with CHA2DS2-VASc scor≥2; the mean HAS-BLED score was (1.96±1.03) and 132 (28.0%) patients with HAS-BLED score≥3. There were 184 (38.9%) patients received antiplatelet therapy, 101 (21.4%) received warfarin, 156 (33.1%) received new oral anticoagulant drug and 22 patients taken both antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatments simultaneously; 53 (11.2%) patients had no antithrombotic therapy. The patients with high risk of stroke had the higher rate of anticoagulant therapy (215/472, 55.3%) and the application rate of new anticoagulant drug was higher than warfarin.
Conclusion: NVAF patients had the higher risk of stroke as more than 80% with CHA2DS2-VASc score≥2 and most patients received anticoagulant therapy in Macau area. The application rate of new anticoagulant drug was higher than warfarin.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is currently considered the first-line treatment for the eradication of superficial neoplasms of the esophagus in Eastern countries. However, in the West, particularly in Latin America, the experience with esophageal ESD is still limited because of the high technical complexity required for its execution. This study aimed to present the results of the clinical application of ESD to manage superficial esophageal neoplasms in a Latin American center in over 100 consecutive cases. Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic ESD for superficial esophageal neoplasms between 2009 and 2022. The following clinical outcomes were assessed: en bloc, complete, and curative resection rates, local recurrence, adverse events, and procedure-related mortality. Results: Esophageal ESD was performed mainly for squamous cell carcinoma (66.6%), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (17.1%), and adenocarcinoma (11.4%). En bloc and complete resection rates were 96.2% and 81.0%, respectively. The curative resection rate was 64.8%. Adverse events occurred in six cases (5.7%). Endoscopic follow-up was performed for an average period of 29.7 months. Conclusions ESD performed by trained operators is feasible, safe, and clinically effective for managing superficial neoplastic lesions of the esophagus in Latin America.

The objective of this study was to characterize acrosomal ultrastructure following discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation of cryopreserved bovine sperm. Semen was collected from six bulls of different breeds and three ejaculates per bull were evaluated. Frozen semen samples were thawed and the acrosomal region of sperm cells was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) before (n = 18) and after (n = 18) Percoll centrifugation. The evaluation of 20 sperm heads from each of the 36 samples analyzed ensured that a large number of cells were investigated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance at a level of significance of 5%. Percoll centrifugation reduced the percentage of sperm exhibiting normal acrosomes (from 61.77 to 30.24%), reduced the percentage of sperm presenting atypical acrosome reactions (from 28.38 to 4.84%) and increased the percentage of sperm exhibiting damage in the acrosome (from 6.14 to 64.26%). The percentage of sperm with typical acrosome reactions was not significantly different before (3.70%) and after (0.67%) centrifugation. TEM distinguished four different types of acrosomal status and enabled ultrastructural characterization of acrosomal injuries. The percentage of sperm exhibiting normal acrosomes decreased and damage in the acrosome was the most frequent acrosomal injury with the Percoll gradient centrifugation protocol utilized.
Acrosome/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Animals ; Cattle/*physiology ; Cell Membrane/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Cell Separation/veterinary ; Centrifugation, Density Gradient/veterinary ; Cryopreservation/veterinary ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/veterinary ; Povidone/*adverse effects ; Silicon Dioxide/*adverse effects ; Spermatozoa/pathology/ultrastructure

PURPOSE: . This study aimed to assess and compare the color stability, flexural strength (FS), and surface roughness of occlusal splints fabricated from heatcured acrylic resin, milled polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-based resin, and 3D-printed (PMMA) based-resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: . Samples of each type of resin were obtained, and baseline measurements of color and surface roughness were recorded. The specimens were divided into three groups (n = 10) and subjected to distinct aging protocols: thermomechanical cycling (TMC), simulated brushing (SB), and control (without aging). Final assessments of color and surface roughness and three-point bending test (ODM100; Odeme) were conducted, and data were statistically analyzed (2-way ANOVA, Tukey, P <.05). RESULTS: . Across all resin types, the most significant increase in surface roughness (Ra) was observed after TMC (P < .05), with the 3D-printed resin exhibiting the lowest Ra (P < .05). After brushing, milled resin displayed the highest Ra (P < .05) and greater color alteration (∆E00 ) compared to 3D-printed resin. The most substantial ∆E00 was recorded after brushing for all resins, except for heat-cured resin subjected to TMC. Regardless of aging, milled resin exhibited the highest FS (P < .05), except when compared to 3D-printed resin subjected to TMC. Heat-cured resin exposed to TMC demonstrated the lowest FS, different (P < .05) from the control. Under control conditions, milled resin exhibited the highest FS, different (P < .05) from the brushed group. 3D-printed resin subjected to TMC displayed the highest FS (P< .05). CONCLUSION . Among the tested resins, 3D-printed resin demonstrated superior longevity, characterized by minimal surface roughness and color alterations. Aging had a negligible impact on its mechanical properties.

Objective: To report atypical morphological features of Trichophyton (T.) tonsurans strains associated with tinea capitis. Methods: Eighty-two T. tonsurans strains isolated in Ceará, Brazil, were analyzed regarding macro and micromorphological features and nutritional patterns. Results: Fifty-two samples presented abundant chlamydoconidia, which were produced in chains. Macroscopically, these strains developed small glabrous colonies that were firmly attached to the surface of the culture medium, with few or no aerial mycelia and intense rusty yellow pigmentation. Seven strains did not grow with stimulus from thiamine. Samples were heterogeneous regarding urease production and none presented in vitro hair perforation. Conclusions: The observation of T. tonsurans strains with distinct phenotypic features indicates the need to revise the taxonomic criteria for routine identification of this dermatophyte.