João Medeiros

Umbilical Reconstruction for Patients with a Midline Scar

The authors describe an approach to neo-umbilicoplasty for patients with vertical midline scars and those who have undergone extensive tegumental resections after bariatric surgery. Two lateral pedicle flaps sutured to each other are used to shape a cutaneous wall tube in which the inverted end is anchored to the aponeurotic plane. A navel cavity of adequate scoop is shaped with no surrounding scar, in addition to relief of the strain along the vertical scar, which will be less prone to hypertrophy and will have a better cosmetic appearance. This article presents seven cases of umbilical reconstruction using this technique.

Archaeal and bacterial communities of heavy metal contaminated acidic waters from zinc mine residues in Sepetiba Bay

Mining of metallic sulfide ore produces acidic water with high metal concentrations that have harmful consequences for aquatic life. To understand the composition and structure of microbial communities in acid mine drainage (AMD) waters associated with Zn mine tailings, molecular diversity of 16S genes was examined using a PCR, cloning, and sequencing approach. A total of 78 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained from samples collected at five different sites in and around mining residues in Sepetiba Bay, Brazil. We analyzed metal concentration, physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters related to prokaryotic diversity in low metal impacted compared to highly polluted environments with Zn at level of gram per liter and Cd–Pb at level of microgram per liter. Application of molecular methods for community structure analyses showed that Archaea and Bacteria groups present a phylogenetic relationship with uncultured environmental organisms. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that bacteria present at the five sites fell into seven known divisions, α-Proteobacteria (13.4%), β-Proteobacteria (16.3%), γ-Proteobacteria (4.3%), Sphingobacteriales (4.3%), Actinobacteria (3.2%) Acidobacteria (2.1%), Cyanobacteria (11.9%), and unclassified bacteria (44.5%). Almost all archaeal clones were related to uncultivated Crenarchaeota species, which were shared between high impacted and low impacted waters. Rarefaction curves showed that bacterial groups are more diverse than archaeal groups while the overall prokaryotic biodiversity is lower in high metal impacted environments than in less polluted habitats. Knowledge of this microbial community structure will help in understanding prokaryotic diversity, biogeography, and the role of microorganisms in zinc smelting AMD generation and perhaps it may be exploited for environmental remediation procedures in this area.

Supernumerary nostril: Case report and review of the literature

Supernumerary nostrils are extremely rare. A review of the literature revealed 21 published cases since 1906. We present a case of supernumerary nostril located above and to the side of the left nostril in a male patient. We discuss differences between published reports, surgical techniques proposed, and the outcome of our treatment approach.

Chondrocutaneous marginal ear flap.

This paper discusses a technique for the treatment of helical tumors that most times occur in aging patients with precarious clinical conditions and who wish to solve the problem in a single-stage operation. For these reasons, we have used a chondrocutaneous marginal flap of up to 4.0 cm in length based on the artery of the lobe that penetrates the helix at the level of the antitragushelicin cleft. This flap is also convenient for repairing circumscribed traumatic injuries of the helical rim.

Evaluation of Techniques for Determination of Molybdenum in Sugarcane Leaves

Abstract In crops of the sugarcane, the concentrations of molybdenum (Mo) in the leaves are generally lower than 0.3 mg Mo kg−1. These low concentrations have resulted in limitations in the methods and instruments that can be used for these analyses. The objective of this study was to evaluate three different techniques to determine the concentration of Mo in sugarcane leaves sampled in the principal sugarcane‐producing areas in Brazil. Two spectrometric techniques were evaluated by using ICP‐EAS (Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Emission Automated System) and DCP‐MEAS (Direct Coupled Plasma–Multiple Emission Automated System) and a colorimetric technique of the reaction between potassium iodide and hydrogen peroxide (KI‐H2O2). The techniques ICP‐EAS and KI‐H2O2 produced results of satisfactory accuracy and precision, whereas the DCP‐MEAS consistently overestimated the Mo concentrations in cane leaves. The KI‐H2O2 technique showed sensitivity 5 times greater than the ICP‐EAS, with minimum detection limits of 0.1 and 0.5 mg Mo kg−1, respectively.

Bilateral Pseudoangiomatous Stromal Hyperplasia in Childhood Gigantomastia: A Challenge in Reconstruction and Management

The presence of mammary nodules during childhood and adolescence is somewhat unusual, generally consisting of benign lesions. Despite the range of possible diagnoses, they are generally similar in clinical terms. In the rare cases where these lesions constitute a case of gigantomastia, the differential diagnosis must be between juvenile fibroadenomatosis, phyllodes tumours and other even less common diseases of the mammary gland, such as Pseudoangiomatous Stromal Hyperplasia (PASH). This is caused by the exacerbated proliferation of mature fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, with the trigger factor still unknown. This study reports on a rare case of bilateral PASH in a young patient, describing its diagnosis and the surgical technique used.