Occupational exposure to pesticides deregulates systemic cortisol levels in women with breast cancer and correlates with poor prognosis features.

Pesticides have been pointed out as hormone disruptors and may significantly affect the prognosis of hormone-dependent diseases such as breast cancer (BC). Here, we investigated the impact of occupational pesticide exposure on systemic cortisol levels in female rural workers diagnosed with BC. Occupational exposure was assessed by interviews with a standardized questionnaire. Plasma samples (112 from pesticide-exposed women and 77 from unexposed women) were collected in the afternoon, outside the physiological cortisol peak, and analyzed by a chemiluminescent paramagnetic immunoassay for the quantitative determination of cortisol levels in serum and plasma. The results from both groups were categorized according to patients' clinicopathological and exposure data. BC pesticide-exposed women presented higher levels of cortisol than the unexposed. Higher cortisol levels were also detected in the exposed group with more aggressive disease (triple-negative BC), with tumors over 2 cm, with lymph node metastases, and with high risk of disease recurrence and death. These findings demonstrated that there is an association between pesticide exposure and BC that affected cortisol levels and correlated to poor disease prognosis.

Occupational exposure to pesticides deregulates systemic cortisol levels in women with breast cancer and correlates with poor prognosis features

Pesticides have been pointed out as hormone disruptors and may significantly affect the prognosis of hormone-dependent diseases such as breast cancer (BC). Here, we investigated the impact of occupational pesticide exposure on systemic cortisol levels in female rural workers diagnosed with BC. Occupational exposure was assessed by interviews with a standardized questionnaire. Plasma samples (112 from pesticide-exposed women and 77 from unexposed women) were collected in the afternoon, outside the physiological cortisol peak, and analyzed by a chemiluminescent paramagnetic immunoassay for the quantitative determination of cortisol levels in serum and plasma. The results from both groups were categorized according to patients' clinicopathological and exposure data. BC pesticide-exposed women presented higher levels of cortisol than the unexposed. Higher cortisol levels were also detected in the exposed group with more aggressive disease (triple-negative BC), with tumors over 2 cm, with lymph node metastases, and with high risk of disease recurrence and death. These findings demonstrated that there is an association between pesticide exposure and BC that affected cortisol levels and correlated to poor disease prognosis.

Dissecção de aorta evoluindo com insuficiência aórtica: relato de caso / Aortic dissection evolving with aortic insufficiency: case report

INTRODUÇÃO: A dissecção de aorta é um evento cardiovascular com elevada taxa de mortalidade, caso ocorra atraso no seu diagnóstico e tratamento, e que possui como diagnóstico diferencial as síndromes coronarianas agudas. Aponta-se uma incidência de 5 a 30 casos por milhão de pessoas por ano, sendo necessário um alto nível de suspeita clínica para o seu diagnóstico. O avanço da técnica operatória e a intervenção precoce são apontados como fatores essenciais na melhora dos resultados do tratamento cirúrgico no que se refere às taxas de mortalidade. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Esse trabalho teve como objetivos a descrição de um caso típico de dissecção de aorta que se destacou pela gravidade da sua apresentação clínica e rapidez na investigação diagnóstica. Além disso, busca-se, através desse relato, realizar a revisão dessa importante patologia em diversos aspectos. Relatou-se o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, 49 anos, tabagista, que se apresentou com dor torácica, sem irradiação, associada a dispneia e que foi tratado, inicialmente, como um caso de edema agudo de pulmão, evoluindo com instabilidade clínica e necessidade de intubação orotraqueal e início de noradrenalina. O paciente foi avaliado, posteriormente, com ecocardiograma e angiotomografia de tórax e de abdome, sendo confirmado o diagnóstico de dissecção de aorta que complicou com insuficiência valvar aórtica e foi iniciado o tratamento clínico. O início da dissecção era no bulbo e essa se estendia até a bifurcação da aorta e pela artéria ilíaca comum esquerda. O paciente evolui, novamente, com instabilidade hemodinâmica, durante a internação, porém houve resposta ao tratamento cirúrgico, com remissão dos sintomas. O caso descrito se apresentou como uma síndrome de insuficiência respiratória e edema agudo de pulmão, refratário ao tratamento clínico inicial, com uma dor típica associada, o que motivou a investigação diagnóstica. Buscou-se, inicialmente, o controle do duplo produto do paciente com o esmolol e foi indicado, posteriormente, o tratamento cirúrgico, com correção da insuficiência aórtica, para o paciente, após a estabilização do quadro. CONCLUSÕES: Percebe-se que a dissecção de aorta é uma condição de elevada gravidade, que possui uma diversidade de fatores de risco e de apresentações clínicas. A agilidade no diagnóstico e tratamento dependem da suspeita dessa condição. Destaca-se a importância do diagnóstico dessa condição e do reconhecimento das indicações cirúrgicas, pois está comprovado seu impacto na sobrevida do paciente.

Effect of preparation and processing conditions on UV absorbing properties of hydroxyapatite-Fe2O3 sunscreen.

The development of innovative, safe and non-photocatalytic sunscreens is urgently needed, as it is essential to have sunscreen filters offering appropriate UV protection without damaging the environment and/or generating free radicals when in contact with the skin. Hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HAp) when substituted with iron has UV protection properties and is not photocatalytic; HAp was used to make a sunscreen filter by treating cod fish bones in an iron-containing solution, and then calcining them at 700°C. Here we present a systematic and advanced study on this material, to obtain a sunscreen with improved UV absorbing properties. Bones were treated with three different iron salts - Fe(II) chloride, Fe(II) lactate and Fe(III) nitrate - under various pH conditions. Results showed that Fe(II) chloride in basic pH led to the most effective iron inclusion. High energy ball milling or ultrasound were investigated to increase surface area and corresponding UV absorption; high energy ball milling treatment led to the best optical properties. The optimum powders were used to formulate UV protection creams, which showed Sun Protection Factor (SPF) values significantly superior to the control cream (up to 4.1). Moreover the critical wavelength (λcrit) was >370nm (388-389nm) and UVA/UVB ratios were very close to 1. With these properties these sunscreens can be classified as broad UV protectors. Results also showed that combining these powders with other sunscreens (i.e. titanium dioxide), a synergic effect between the different components was also observed. This investigation showed that HAp-based sunscreens of marine origin are a valid alternative to commercial products, safe for the health of the customers and, being non-photocatalytic, do not pose a threat to the environment.

A hydroxyapatite-Fe2O3 based material of natural origin as an active sunscreen filter.

The use of sunscreens as protective barriers against skin damage and cancer, by absorbing harmful UVA and UVB rays, is becoming an increasingly important issue. Such products are usually based on TiO2 or ZnO, although both Fe2O3 and hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HAp) doped with metal ions have been reported as being ultraviolet (UV) absorbing materials. HAp is the main component of bone; it is, therefore, highly biocompatible. In the present work, an iron-doped HAp-based material, containing both Fe ions substituted into the HAp structure and iron oxide in hematite (α-Fe2O3) form, was successfully developed from waste cod fish bones. This was achieved through a simple process of treating the bones in a Fe(ii) containing solution, followed by heating at 700 °C. The material showed good absorption in the whole UV range and did not form radicals when irradiated. The sunscreen cream formulated with this material could be used as a broad sunscreen protector (λcrit > 370 nm), showing high absorption both in the UVA and UVB ranges. Because of its absorption properties it would be classified as 5 star protection according to the Boots UVA star rating system. The cream is also photostable, and does not cause irritation or erythema formation when in contact with the human skin. These results show that a food by-product such as fish bones could be converted into a valuable product, with potential applications in health care and cosmetics. This is the first time a HAp-based sunscreen cream has been developed and validated as a proof of concept.

Coreceptor usage by HIV-1 and HIV-2 primary isolates: the relevance of CCR8 chemokine receptor as an alternative coreceptor.

The human immunodeficiency virus replication cycle begins by sequential interactions between viral envelope glycoproteins with CD4 molecule and a member of the seven-transmembrane, G-protein-coupled, receptors' family (coreceptor). In this report we focused on the contribution of CCR8 as alternative coreceptor for HIV-1 and HIV-2 isolates. We found that this coreceptor was efficiently used not only by HIV-2 but particularly by HIV-1 isolates. We demonstrate that CXCR4 usage, either alone or together with CCR5 and/or CCR8, was more frequently observed in HIV-1 than in HIV-2 isolates. Directly related to this is the finding that the non-usage of CXCR4 is significantly more common in HIV-2 isolates; both features could be associated with the slower disease progression generally observed in HIV-2 infected patients. The ability of some viral isolates to use alternative coreceptors besides CCR5 and CXCR4 could further impact on the efficacy of entry inhibitor therapy and possibly also in HIV pathogenesis.

Effect of São Pedro do Sul thermal water on skin irritation.

Many mineral waters are known for centuries for treating dermatological diseases but there is little scientific evaluation of the effects of these waters in skin. A total of 17 healthy Caucasian volunteers, including men and women, were enrolled in this study. Two skin sites were marked on each volunteer forearm and irritated with sodium lauryl sulphate at 2% (w/v) kept under occlusion for 24 h with Finn chambers. Afterwards, purified water or São Pedro do Sul (SPS) thermal water were applied to the irritated skin sites, and kept under occlusion for 48 h also with Finn chambers. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was used as a measure of the skin barrier function to evaluate the potential anti-irritant effect of the thermal water on skin. Statistically significant differences in the mean TEWL variations were observed for the skin treated with SPS thermal water and with purified water (P = 0.036). The thermal water reduced the degree to which the skin barrier was disrupted compared with purified water alone in 82.4% of the volunteers. The SPS thermal water is anti-irritant and, therefore, can be helpful to relieve skin irritation and in cosmetic formulations to improve the tolerability of the products.

Prognosis in periradicular surgery: a clinical prospective study.

AIM: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the prognosis of periradicular surgery using well-defined case selection and a rigorous surgical protocol. METHODOLOGY: Teeth to be treated surgically demonstrated a periradicular lesion of strictly endodontic origin with or without clinical signs and symptoms of inflammation. A total of 114 teeth were treated. Following the reflection of a full mucoperiosteal tissue flap, residual soft tissues were curetted, root ends were resected with a fine high-speed diamond bur, root-end cavities were prepared ultrasonically with diamond tips, and IRM root-end fillings were placed. Cases were followed clinically and radiographically for a period ranging from 1 to 4 years. RESULTS: The results of this study showed 91.2% success out of a total of 102 teeth available for follow-up, based on accepted parameters of evaluation. Cases were considered successful if there were no clinical signs or symptoms present and there was radiographic evidence of complete or incomplete healing (scar tissue). Factors related to case selection, parameters of healing and surgical technique are discussed in relation to the success rate identified in this prospective study. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to a strict endodontic surgical protocol and the use of contemporary techniques and materials will result in a predictably successful outcome in a wide range of teeth.

Efeito dos níveis de metionina da dieta sobre o desempenho de poedeiras comerciais

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of addition of increasing levels of DL-methionine in diet on the performance of laying hens. Nine hundred and sisty Lohmann laying hens, randomly distributed into four treatments with four replicates were used. The control treatment (A) was not supplemented with DL-methionine and contained 0.29% of total methionine. The treatments B, C and D were supplemented with 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07% of methionine respectively, with total methionine being 0.32, 0.34 and 0.36%. The following characteristics were evaluated: egg production (%), feed intake (g), feed conversion (kg/dz), egg weight (g), egg mass (g/day) and eggshell thickness (mm). There were no differences (P>0.05) in terms of feed conversion and eggshell thickness among treatments. The treatments B, C and D produced better egg production, feed intake, egg mass and egg weight as compared to treatment A.

Avaliou-se o efeito da adição de níveis crescentes de DL-metionina na dieta sobre o desempenho de poedeiras comerciais. Foram utilizadas 960 poedeiras comerciais de linhagem Lohmann, distribuídas em quatro tratamentos, com quatro repetições de 60 aves cada, em um delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso. O tratamento A foi utilizado como controle, sem adição de DL-metionina, representando 0,29% do aminoácido na ração. Para os tratamentos B, C e D as rações foram suplementadas com 0,03, 0,05 e 0,07% de metionina, respectivamente, o que representou de 0,32, 0,34 e 0,36% do aminoácido na ração. Foram avaliadas as seguintes características: produção de ovos (%), consumo de ração (g), conversão alimentar (kg/dz), peso dos ovos (g), massa de ovo (g) e espessura da casca do ovo (mm). Não houve diferenças significativas (P 0,05) entre as médias para conversão alimentar e espessura da casca do ovo. Entretanto, para produção de ovos, peso dos ovos, massa de ovo e consumo de ração, os tratamentos suplementados com metionina apresentaram melhores resultados quando comparados ao tratamento sem suplementação.

Efeito dos níveis de metionina da dieta sobre o desempenho de poedeiras comerciais / Effect of methionine levels on performance of laying hens

Avaliou-se o efeito da adiçäo de níveis crescentes de DL-metionina na dieta sobre o desempenho de poedeiras comerciais. Foram utilizadas 960 poedeiras comerciais de linhagem Lohmann, distribuídas em quatro tratamentos, com quatro repetiçöes de 60 aves cada, em um delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso. O tratamento A foi como controle, sem adiçäo de DL-metionina, representando 0,29 por cento do aminoácido na raçäo. Para os tratamentos B, C e D as raçöes foram suplementadas com 0,03, 0,05 e 0,07 por cento de metionina, respectivamente, o que representou de 0,32, 0,34 e 0,36 por cento do aminoácido na raçäo. Foram avaliadas as seguintes características: produçäo de ovos (porcentagem), consumo de raçä (g), conversäo alimentar (kg/dz), peso dos ovos (g), massa do ovo (g) e espessura da casca do ovo (mm). Näo houve diferenças significativas (P<0,05) entre as médias para conversäo alimentar e espessura da casca do ovo. Entretanto, para produçäo de ovos, peso dos ovos, massa de ovo e consumo de raçäo, os tratamentos suplementados com metionina apresentaram melhores resultados quando comparados ao tratamento sem suplementaçäo

Quantitation of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by using a quantitative-competitive PCR assay.

A new quantitative-competitive PCR-based human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) proviral DNA assay (QC-PCR) was developed and used to determine the proviral load in HIV-2-infected individuals. Proviral load varied considerably, with means of 1,831 copies per 10(6) peripheral blood mononuclear cells for asymptomatic subjects (n = 19) and 2,587 for AIDS patients (n = 2). HIV-2 viral and proviral loads also varied significantly over time in asymptomatic patients. These data suggest that a high level of virus replication occurs throughout the asymptomatic phase of HIV-2 infection.

Ultrasonic root-end preparation with smooth and diamond-coated tips.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of smooth and diamond-coated ultrasonic retrotips on the external and internal surfaces of root-end preparations with the aid of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Forty-four mesial roots of human mandibular molars were selected. The canals were cleaned, shaped and obturated using gutta-percha and sealer. The apical portions were resected at a 45 degrees-angle bevel exposing both mesial canals and the isthmus area. The roots were then divided into two groups according to the type of root-end preparation: Group A--performed with smooth retrotips (S) and Group B--performed with diamond-coated retrotips (DC). The specimens were coded and prepared for SEM evaluation. Observations of the external surface preparation showed that the S and DC retrotips produced very well-centered cavities involving both canals and isthmus area with minimal deviations and no perforative defects. When the internal surface of the root-end preparations was evaluated, it was evident that the use of S retrotips resulted in clean canal walls with little superficial debris and smear layer. Internal canal surfaces done with DC retrotips were irregular showing patent grooves, in contrast with the more uniform, regular and smoother surfaces when S retrotips were employed.

Virological and molecular demonstration of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 vertical transmission.

To demonstrate that human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) mother-to-child transmission exists, HIV-2 isolates were obtained from both an asymptomatic mother (HIV-2 strain ARM), and her child (HIV-2 strain SAR), who had a diagnosis of AIDS. To determine their biological phenotype, primary isolates were used to infect various primary mononuclear cells and cell lines. HIV-2 ARM replicates in primary cells and Jurkat-tat, while HIV-2 SAR infects these cells plus SupT1, which led us to classify HIV-2 ARM as a slow/low virus and HIV-2 SAR as having an intermediate (slow/low-3) phenotype. Molecular analysis of the env region corresponding to gp125 was performed. Viral DNA was cloned, sequenced, and used to construct phylogenetic trees. The DNA sequence analysis demonstrated an overall nucleotide diversity of 7.6%. The results present evidence that the child's strain is more virulent than the mother's strain, which is in agreement with the immunodeficiency of the child. The phylogenetic trees that were constructed demonstrate that the two isolates cluster together, being closer to each other than to any other isolate described until now.

Effectiveness of the Canal Finder and hand instrumentation in removal of gutta-percha root fillings during root canal retreatment.

The purpose of this study was to quantify the amount of remaining gutta-percha/sealer on the canal walls when the Canal Finder system, hand instrumentation and a combination of both (hybrid technique) were used to remove these materials. The amount of apically-extruded debris and the time required for removal were also recorded. Sixty extracted maxillary anterior teeth were prepared using a stepback technique and obturated with gutta-percha. Reinstrumentation of all groups was done in conjunction with a solvent, chloroform. The teeth were split longitudinally and photographed, and the total area of the root canal and the area of the debris were traced and quantified using a computerized image analysis system. The ratio of remaining obturation material to root canal surface was derived and analysed statistically. Hand instrumentation resulted in less debris remaining than did the other two techniques (P < 0.05). The differences in the amount of apically extruded debris were not significant among the techniques (P > 0.05). The hybrid technique required significantly less time for filling material removal. The Canal Finder system alone was not superior to hand instrumentation.

Amplification of full-length HIV-2 envelope genes.

In contrast to HIV-1, no studies have been published on the genetic and functional analysis of the envelope gene of primary NSI isolates of HIV-2. However several studies on HIV-1 have shown that NSI strains are the most frequently transmitted strains and probably the most important strains in the pathogenesis of HIV infection. Furthermore, it has been shown that the genetic and biological characteristics of primary isolates of HIV-1 differ widely from those of T-cell-line adapted isolates. Two different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, nested-polymerase chain reaction and overlapp-extension amplification, were used to amplify the envelope genes from a primary non-syncytium-inducing HIV-2 isolate, HIV-2ALI, and from the T-cell line adapted syncytium-inducing isolate, HIV-2ROD. These methods could amplify the complete envelope gene from both viruses. Nested-polymerase chain reaction method was highly sensitive, enabling the amplification of one proviral copy of HIV-2ALI in 10000 peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The use of the methods described herein may help to expand our knowledge on the genetic diversity of HIV-2 as well as on the structure and function of the envelope glycoproteins of primary HIV-2 isolates.

Multicenter evaluation of a fully automated screening test, VIDAS HIV 1 + 2, for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2.

A multicenter study was done to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency of a new screening test for the simultaneous detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2) antibodies. The VIDAS HIV 1 + 2 (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) is a fully automated enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay that uses synthetic peptides from immunodominant regions of gp41 of HIV-1 and gp36 of HIV-2 as antigens. A total of 2,984 samples were evaluated with this system in six different laboratories, and the results were compared to those obtained with other enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The VIDAS HIV 1 + 2 assay showed a very good performance in terms of sensitivity (100%) and specificity (99.6%), requiring minimal manipulation and short incubation time (32 min) to give results similar to or better than those of the other enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays used for screening.

Detection of HIV-1 DNA by polymerase chain reaction incorporation of digoxigenin-11-dUTP and hybridization to immobilized probes.

We have developed a new non-isotopic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based method for the detection of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) DNA in clinical samples. In this method a two step PCR is used to amplify and label HIV-1 DNA segments by incorporation of digoxigenin-11-dUTP (dig-dUTP). Digoxigenin labelled amplified products are hybridized to membrane immobilized complementary DNA probes. Hybridization is detected non-radioactively by incubating the filters with antidigoxigenin antibody conjugated with alkaline phosphatase followed by a standard phosphatase assay. With this method the detection limit was between 1 and 10 HIV-1 DNA copies in a background of 1 microgram of human genomic DNA. Furthermore, we were able to detect HIV-1 DNA in 41 out of 41 HIV-1 antibody positive individuals while 10 out of 10 HIV-1 seronegative individuals gave consistently negative results. Our data indicate that this simple non-isotopic technique is sensitive and specific for the detection of HIV-1 DNA in clinical samples and can constitute a good alternative to other non-isotopic methods described to date.

Ridge augmentation following extraction of replanted central incisor.

Regeneration of bone defects remains a clinically important problem in many instances. This paper reports on the use of membrane technique combined with decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft to promote bone formation after extraction of a replanted central incisor with extensive root resorption. The procedure prevented ridge reduction, both buccolingually and apicocoronally, and will facilitate prosthetic replacement of the lost tooth without esthetic problems.