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Papers by Jose Pontes

In locations with long dwell times slow charge infrastructure can be installed. In locations with... more In locations with long dwell times slow charge infrastructure can be installed. In locations with short dwell times DC fast charging infrastructure should be installed. Policy makers should provide funds that allow the construction of both public and private charging infrastructure. This should be in urban areas, at work places, on travel corridors, and travel destinations. Infrastructure development is explored in [5].

Archivos espanoles de urologia, 2019

OBJECTIVE To review the literature evaluating the role of the extended pelvic lymph node dissecti... more OBJECTIVE To review the literature evaluating the role of the extended pelvic lymph node dissectione PLND during robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in the management of PCa patients, as well as the preoperative clinic pathologic factors that predict lymph node metastases (LNM). The technique and current outcomes of robotic ePLND will be presented. METHODS Medline®/Pubmed® were searched up to august 2018 to find comparative studies of different anatomic limits of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) during RARP, open or pure laparoscopic surgery that reported number of nodes retrieved, oncologic outcomes and complications. The search was complemented to identify studies that evaluated diagnostic images and factors that predict LNM. Overall, 44 articles were included for full text review. RESULTS There is not an imaging technique with an acceptable performance to select patients for PLND, the decision to perform a PLND is based on clinical characteristics described on validate...

Urology, 2020

To evaluate high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) effects on anorectal physiology and fecal co... more To evaluate high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) effects on anorectal physiology and fecal continence or constipation, and on quality of life (QoL). METHODS We prospectively evaluated 26 patients with localized prostate cancer who underwent HIFU. The Rome III criteria for functional constipation, the Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence Score, and the Fecal Incontinence QoL Score questionnaires were answered before and after treatment. Anorectal manometry was used to evaluate resting and squeezing pressures, sustained contraction, paradoxical puborectalis contraction, rectal sensation, and rectal capacity. RESULTS Thirteen patients underwent hemiablation and 13 underwent whole-gland ablation. There was no difference between groups regarding the Rome III criteria for functional constipation results. The Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence Score results showed that 3 (11.5%) of patients had mild fecal incontinence before HIFU and 5 (19.2%) had it afterward (P = .625). No patients reported poor QoL due to fecal incontinence in the Fecal Incontinence QoL Score. Anorectal manometry demonstrated no decrease in resting pressure after treatment (P = .299), while squeezing pressure significantly increased from 151.87 to 167.91 mm Hg (P = .034). The number of patients with normal sustained contraction remained the same (20 [77%]). Paradoxical puborectalis contraction was seen in 12 (46%) of the patients before the procedure and in 13 (50%) after (P = .713). Improvement in sensory parameters was not significant: first sense changed from 73.46 to 49.71 mL (P = .542) and first urge from 98.27 to 82.88 mL (P = .106). Rectal capacity had a nonsignificant decrease from 166.15 to 141.15mL (P = .073). CONCLUSION HIFU did not cause significant changes in anorectal physiology. Fecal incontinence or constipation after HIFU was not observed via validated questionnaires. UROLOGY 00: 1−6, 2020.

Proceedings of the 25th International Congress of Mechanical Engineering, 2019

Clinical Genitourinary Cancer, 2019

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Procceedings of the 24th ABCM International Congress of Mechanical Engineering, 2017

American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology, 1996

Excitation-contraction coupling in cardiomyocytes is known to rely on the Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ rel... more Excitation-contraction coupling in cardiomyocytes is known to rely on the Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release mechanism. This autoamplification process is also very apparent when voltage-clamped or Ca(2+)-overloaded myocytes exhibit fast-propagating Ca2+ waves. Although most of the fronts are planar, some adopt a spiral shape, revealing additional characteristics about the excitability and structure of the cardiac cell (P. Lipp and E. Niggli, Biophys. J. 65: 2272-2276, 1993: J. Engel, M. Fechner, A. Sowerby, S. Finch, and A. Stier, Biophys. J. 66: 1756-1762, 1994). Using a previously developed model for Ca2+ oscillations and waves (A. Goldbeter, G. Dupont, and M.J. Berridge, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87: 1461-1465, 1990; G. Dupont and A. Goldbeter, Biophys. J. 67: 2191-2204, 1994), we study by numerical simulations different conditions in which spiral Ca2+ waves can occur as a result of the spatial heterogeneity created by the nucleus in a system with geometry resembling that of a myocyte....

Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 2018

This paper presents a literature review of studies that investigate infrastructure needs to suppo... more This paper presents a literature review of studies that investigate infrastructure needs to support the market introduction of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). It focuses on literature relating to consumer preferences for charging infrastructure, and how consumers interact with and use this infrastructure. This includes studies that use questionnaire surveys, interviews, modelling, GPS data from vehicles, and data from electric vehicle charging equipment. These studies indicate that the most important location for PEV charging is at home, followed by work, and then public locations. Studies have found that more effort is needed to ensure consumers have easy access to PEV charging and that charging at home, work, or public locations should not be free of cost. Research indicates that PEV charging will not impact electricity grids on the short term, however charging may need to be managed when the vehicles are deployed in greater numbers. In some areas of study the literature is not sufficiently mature to draw any conclusions from. More research is especially needed to determine how much infrastructure is needed to support the roll out of PEVs. This paper ends with policy implications and suggests avenues of future research. 1. Introduction Plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), which include both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), are more efficient and less polluting than the majority of internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) (Jochem et al., 2015a; Nordelöf

International braz j urol : official journal of the Brazilian Society of Urology, Jan 20, 2016

The aim of this study was to assess the possible role of HPV in the devel¬opment of prostate canc... more The aim of this study was to assess the possible role of HPV in the devel¬opment of prostate cancer (PCa) and investigate the distribution of the p53 codon 72 polymorphism in PCa in a Turkish population. A total of 96 tissues, which had been obtained using a radical surgery method, formalin-fixed and parafin-embedded, were used in this study. The study group consisted of 60 PCa tissues (open radical prostatectomy) and the control group contained 36 benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues (BPH) (transvesical open pros¬tatectomy). The presence of HPV and the p53 codon 72 polymorphism was investigated in both groups using real-time PCR and pyrosequencing. The results of the real-time PCR showed no HPV DNA in any of the 36 BPH tis¬sue samples. HPV-DNA was positive in only 1 of the 60 PCa samples (1.7%). The HPV type of this sample was identified as HPV-57. The distribution of the three genotypes, Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro and Pro/Pro was found to be 45.6, 45.6, and 8.8% in the PCa group and 57.1%, ...

The Journal of Urology, 2016

platform. Affymetrix Oncoscan analysis was used to determine genome-wide copy number and loss-of-... more platform. Affymetrix Oncoscan analysis was used to determine genome-wide copy number and loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) profiles. Whole transcriptome analysis was performed using Affymetrix Gen-eChip Human Transcriptome Array 2.0. RESULTS: We generated full exome sequences to determine the impact of acquired somatic mutations driving lethal and recurrent bone metastatic CRPC, as well as impact of treatment first with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), then additional radiation plus docetaxel and, lastly, abiraterone plus cabazitaxel from sequential surgeries in a single patient. We also sequenced the whole exome of PCSD1 intra-femoral xenograft tumors to determine the impact of in vivo xenograft models on the exomic integrity of prostate cancer bone metastasis. Sequence analysis has identified SNVs, small insertion and deletions, translocations and additional gene rearrangements that are shared as well as unique to each bone metastatic sample. Integration of exome sequencing, CNV and microarrays revealed activation of WNT5a in prostate cancer bone metastases. CONCLUSIONS: This is a whole exome and transcriptome report on a unique set of samples from one patient: blood (germ line), primary tumor, surgical bone metastasis sample #1 after ADT, bone metastasis #2 after ADT, radiation and docetaxel, bone metastasis #3 after abiraterone, radiation, plus cabazitaxel. Analysis of surgical prostate cancer bone metastases at different stages of treatment and progression in this patient provides a foundation to profile genomic diversity in recurrent bone metastatic prostate cancer. Mutations and activation of Wnt5a are being tested int the matched patient derived xenograft, PCSD1.

International braz j urol : official journal of the Brazilian Society of Urology

Overexpression of MMPs has been related to biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. TI... more Overexpression of MMPs has been related to biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. TIMP1 and TIMP2 are controllers of MMPs and the aim of this study is to evaluate the expression levels of MMPs and their regulators using immunohistochemistry in tissue microarray of localized prostate cancer (PC). Immune-expression of MMP-9, MMP-2, TIMP1, TIMP-2, MMP-14 and IL8, were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in radical prostatectomy specimens of 40 patients with localized PC who underwent surgery between September 1997 and February 2000. Protein expression was considered as categorical variables, negative or positive. The results of the immune-expression were correlated to Gleason score (GS), pathological stage (TNM), pre-operatory PSA serum levels and biochemical recurrence in a mean follow up period of 92.5 months. The loss of TIMP1 immune-expression was related to biochemical recurrence. When TIMP1 was negative, 56.3% patients recurred versus 22.2% of those whose TIMP1 was posi...

World Journal of Urology, 2015

Background: The role of extended pelvic lymph node dissection (EPLND) in the surgical management ... more Background: The role of extended pelvic lymph node dissection (EPLND) in the surgical management of prostate cancer (PCa) patients remains controversial, mainly because of a lack of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Objective: To determine whether EPLND has better oncological outcomes than limited PLND (LPLND. Design, setting and participants: This was a prospective, single-center phase 3 trial in patients with intermediate-or high-risk clinically localized PCa. Intervention: Randomization (1:1) to LPLND (obturator nodes) or EPLND (obturator, external iliac, internal iliac, common iliac, and presacral nodes) bilaterally. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The primary endpoint was biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS). Secondary outcomes were metastasis-free survival (MFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and histopathological findings. The trial was designed to show a minimal 15% advantage in 5-yr BRFS by EPLND. Results and limitations: In total, 300 patients were randomized from May 2012 to December 2016 (150 LPLND and 150 EPLND). The median BRFS was 61.4 mo in the LPLND group and not reached in the EPLND group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63-1.32; p = 0.6). Median MFS was not reached in either group (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.17-1.8; p = 0.3). CSS data were not available because no patient died from PCa before the cutoff date. In exploratory subgroup analysis, patients with preoperative biopsy International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade groups 3-5 who were allocated to EPLND had better BRFS (HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.14-0.74, interaction p = 0.007). The short follow-up and surgeon heterogeneity are limitations to this study. Conclusion: This RCT confirms that EPLND provides better pathological staging, while differences in early oncological outcomes were not demonstrated. Our subgroup analysis suggests a potential BCRFS benefit in patients diagnosed with ISUP grade groups 3-5; however, these findings should be considered hypothesis-generating and further RCTs

This work presents a methodology that uses digital fraction images derived from Linear Spectral M... more This work presents a methodology that uses digital fraction images derived from Linear Spectral Mixture Model and wavelets transform from MODIS satellite sensor time-series for land cover change analysis. Our approach uses MODIS surface reflectance images acquired from 2000 to 2006 time period. For this study, a test site was selected in the Mato Grosso State, Brazilian Amazonia. This site has shown high deforestation rates in the last years. The samples of land cover classes were collected during four field campaigns (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006) to be used as ground truth. The linear spectral mixture model was applied to the MODIS surface reflectance images of red surface reflectance band (620-670 nm bandwidth), near infrared surface reflectance band (NIR, 841-876 nm bandwidth) and medium infrared surface reflectance band (MIR, 2105-2155 nm bandwidth). This model generated the vegetation, shade, and soil fraction images. In the next step, the Meyer orthogonal Discrete Wavelets Transform was used for filtering the time-series of MODIS fraction images. The filtered signal was reconstructed excluding high frequencies for each pixel in the fraction images (soil, vegetation, and shade) of the time-series. This computational procedure allows to observe the original signal without clouds and other noises. The results show that wavelets transform can provide a gain in multitemporal analysis and visualization on inter-annual fraction images variability patterns.

Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations, 2015

The molecular mechanisms involved in androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathways are not completely... more The molecular mechanisms involved in androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathways are not completely understood, and deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression may play a role in prostate cancer (PC) development and progression. The expression levels of miRNA and AR were evaluated with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction using frozen tissue from the surgical specimens of 83 patients submitted to radical prostatectomy. The expression level of miRNAs was correlated with prognostic factors and biochemical recurrence during a follow-up period of 45 months. In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to understand the effect of miRNAs over AR in the context of that seen in a PC model. MiR-371 underexpression correlated with non-organ-confined (pT3) disease (P = 0.009). In vitro transfection of miR-371 reduced the levels of AR by 22% and 28% in LNCaP and PC3 cell lines, respectively, and in kallikrein 3, it was reduced by 51%. PC was induced in Balb/c mice using PC-3M-luc-C6 cells, and animals were treated with 3 local doses of miR-371. Tumor growth evaluated by in vivo imaging after luciferase injection was slower in animals treated with miR-371. To explore further the possible role of miRNAs in the AR pathway, LNCaP cell line was treated with 5α-dihydrotestosterone and flutamide showing alteration in miRNAs expression, especially miR-34a, which was significantly underexpressed after treatment with high doses of 5α-dihydrotestosterone. Our data support a role for miRNAs, especially miR-371 and miR-34a, in the complex disarrangement of AR signaling pathway and in the behavior of PC.

Urology, 1999

Objectives. To evaluate the correlation between race and lymph node metastasis for prostate cance... more Objectives. To evaluate the correlation between race and lymph node metastasis for prostate cancer by analyzing which preoperative parameters may predict lymph node status in both races. Methods. We analyzed a group of patients (552 American white men [AWM] and 423 African-American men [AAM]) who underwent radical prostatectomy plus modified pelvic lymphadenectomy between January 1991 and June 1997. Patients who received neoadjuvant radiation or hormone therapy were excluded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the influence of race on lymph node positivity, as well as to correlate the preoperative parameters (serum prostate-specific antigen [PSA], biopsy Gleason score, and clinical stage) with lymph node metastasis for each race separately. Results. The AAM presented with significantly higher preoperative Gleason scores and PSA levels than AWM. However, comparing lymph node status by race, the difference of positivity (41 AWM [7.4%] and 22 AAM [5.2%]) was not statistically significant (P ϭ 0.16). The percentage of positive nodes was similar in both races for each subset of PSA, Gleason score, and clinical stage. Despite the statistical significance of the three preoperative parameters in univariate analysis, in multivariate analysis only PSA and Gleason score were independent predictors of positive lymph nodes. Conclusions. There is no influence of race on lymph node metastasis, despite AAM presenting with higher preoperative Gleason scores and PSA levels. In multivariate analysis, preoperative Gleason score and PSA were independent factors for positive nodes regardless of race.

International braz j urol, 2012

the most common malignancy in the male and the second leading cause of death in many countries, i... more the most common malignancy in the male and the second leading cause of death in many countries, including Brazil. Estimates for 2011 indicate that 903,500 new cases and 258,400 deaths relat

The International Journal of Biological Markers, 2014

CD44 is a transmembrane glycoprotein and is regarded as a potential marker in various tumors. The... more CD44 is a transmembrane glycoprotein and is regarded as a potential marker in various tumors. The aim of our study was to analyze the expression of the standard form of CD44 (CD44s) and its isoforms in localized prostate cancer (PCa), and to correlate these data with the classical prognostic factors and biochemical recurrence. Ninety-four surgical specimens were analyzed in this study. The expression levels of CD44s and all its 9 variants were analyzed by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). The control group consisted of 14 specimens from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. We correlated all the expression profiles with biochemical recurrence, as defined by a PSA >0.4 ng/mL in a mean follow-up period of 53.3 months. In PCa, CD44s was underexpressed and all the other isoforms were overexpressed. The mean expression level of most variants was higher in patients who had not recurred, and a higher expression of CD44v2 independently correlated with a better recurrence-free s...

The Prostate, 2005

PURPOSE. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 16q23.2 is an early and frequent event in prostate cance... more PURPOSE. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 16q23.2 is an early and frequent event in prostate cancer. LOH is thought to be involved in tumor development and progression mainly through inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. However, it has been demonstrated that LOH at 16q23.2 is an independent marker of good prognosis in breast cancer. In the present study, we evaluated the clinical relevance of 16q23.2 LOH in prostate cancer, together with other LOH frequently associated with this disease. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN. Tumoral and normal DNA were extracted from 61 radical prostatectomies, including 30 pT2 tumors with low Gleason score [5,6] (group 1), and 31 pT3 high grade (G8-9) tumors (group 2). Median follow-up after surgery was 42 months. Three patients reccured in group 1, and 20 in group 2. LOH analysis was performed using highly informative microsatellites markers, at 16q23.2, and at other chromosome loci frequently deleted in prostate cancer: 7q31, 8p22, 12p13, 13q14, and 18q21. RESULTS. LOH at 16q23.2 is associated with low stage low grade tumors and lower preoperative PSA, while LOH at 8p22 is more frequent in high stage high grade prostate cancer. In group 2, 16q23.2 LOH was the only predictor of disease-free survival in univariate and multivariate analysis, and the cumulative LOH rate was not higher in patients non-deleted for 16q23.2. CONCLUSION. These results emphasize the interest of 16q23.2 as an independent prognostic factor in high-grade prostate cancer, and suggest that this chromosomal region may contain a gene involved in tumor progression.