Effects of dietary fibre intake in chemotherapy-induced mucositis in murine model.

Mucositis is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa resulting from high doses of radio/chemotherapy treatment and may lead to interruption of antineoplasic therapy. Soluble fibres, like pectin, increase SCFA production, which play a role in gut homoeostasis and inflammation suppression. Due to the properties of pectin, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a high-fibre (HF) diet on chemotherapy-induced mucositis in a murine model. C57/BL6 mice received control (AIN93M), HF, low/zero fibre (LF) diets for 10 d prior to mucositis challenging with irinotecan (75 mg/kg), or they were treated with acetate added to drinking water 5 d prior to and during the mucositis induction. Mice that received the HF diet showed decreased immune cells influx and improved histopathological parameters in the intestine, compared with mice that received the normal diet. Furthermore, the HF diet decreased intestinal permeability induced in the mucositis model when compared with the control group. This effect was not observed for acetate alone, which did not improve gut permeability. For instance, mice that received the LF diet had worsened gut permeability, compared with mice that received the normal diet and mucositis. The effects of the HF and LF diets were shown to modulate the intestinal microbiota, in which the LF diet increased the levels of Enterobacteriaceae, a group associated with gut inflammation, whereas the HF diet decreased this group and increased Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium (SCFA producers) levels. In conclusion, the results demonstrated the importance of dietary fibre intake in the modulation of gut microbiota composition and homoeostasis maintenance during mucositis in this model.

Pollen proteases compromise the airway epithelial barrier through degradation of transmembrane adhesion proteins and lung bioactive peptides.

BACKGROUND: Allergic disorders, such as seasonal rhinitis and asthma, are increasing causes of morbidity worldwide and often result from exposure to airborne pollen. Pollen allergy has a remarkable clinical impact all over Europe. In fact, epidemiological longitudinal studies confirm that pollen species usually considered with low allergenic potential became more recently responsible for intense allergic reactions. In this study, we aimed to characterize major pollen proteolytic activity and evaluate its contribution to the immunologic and inflammatory response to airborne allergens. METHODS: Proteolytic activity in four pollen diffusates with distinct allergenicity, Olea europaea, Dactylis glomerata, Cupressus sempervirens and Pinus sylvestris, was evaluated through several enzymatic assays. The action of pollen proteases on the paracellular integrity of Calu-3, grown at the air-liquid interphase, was evaluated through a transepithelial permeability assay. Immunoblot and immunofluorescence experiments were performed to analyse the disruption of intercellular complexes. Degradation of bioactive peptides by pollen crude extracts was assessed by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: All pollen diffusates were shown to have high molecular weight proteases with serine and/or aminopeptidase activity. These proteases increased Calu-3 transepithelial permeability through disruption of transmembrane adhesion proteins: occludin, claudin-1 and E-cadherin. Moreover, they were able to degrade airway bioactive peptides and were not blocked by endogenous protease inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Pollen grains with distinct allergenic abilities release proteases that might be involved in the sensitization to a range of airborne allergens by facilitating allergen delivery across the epithelium and also contribute directly to the inflammation characteristic of allergic diseases.

[Adult renal cancer in Senegal: Current epidemiological, clinical features, profile's evolution over the two past decades]. / Le cancer du rein de l'adulte au Sénégal : aspects épidémiologiques et cliniques actuels et évolution du profil sur les deux dernières décennies.

OBJECTIVE: To study current epidemiological and clinical features of adult renal cancer in Senegal and the evolution of these features over the two past decades. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective ten years study (2000-2009) that analyzed all the renal cell cancer in adult admitted in the urology department and the pathology department of the university teaching hospital Aristide-Le-Dantec (Dakar). The results of this study were compared with those of the previous decade. RESULTS: We included 74 cases of renal cell cancer. The median age of patients was 49 years (18-72 years). There was a slight female predominance (51.3%). Twenty-eight (37.8%) patients presented at least with one renal cell cancer risk factor. The median duration of symptoms was 10 months (1-96 months). The localization of the renal cancer was right in 42 patients (56.7%) and left in 32 cases (43.8%). Almost all the tumors were symptomatic. Symptoms were dominated by loin pain (87.8%) and abdominal mass (77%). There were only two cases (2.7%) of incidental renal cell cancer. The median tumor size was 12 cm (2.4-26 cm). The more frequent tumor stages according to the TNM 2002 staging system were T2 (39.2%) and T3 (33.7%). Metastases were found in 23 (31%) patients. Forty-four patients underwent nephrectomy (43 radical and one partial). No adjuvant treatment or metastasectomy were done. The main histological subtype of tumors was renal cell carcinoma (47 cases). The mean duration of the follow up was 30.5 ± 33.6 months. Among the 44 patients who underwent nephrectomy, no tumor recurrence was found on 35 cases. Tumor recurrence occurred on nine patients. The specific mortality rate was 47.3%. Epidemiological and clinical features of the adult renal cell cancer in Senegal haven't significantly changed over the 20 past years. CONCLUSION: The adult renal cell cancer incidence was low in Senegal. Its clinical profile was characterized by a predominance of locally advanced and metastatic forms.

Low-temperature particulate calcium phosphates for bone regeneration.

BACKGROUND: Low-temperature synthesized calcium phosphates are produced by mixing calcium phosphate powders in an aqueous solution resulting in a precipitated phase. These compounds can be formulated in several forms (e.g. injectable cements and implantable blocks), and are commonly used as bone substitutes and drug delivery systems for the treatment of bone defects. As bone substitutes, calcium phosphates in general offer the advantages of being biocompatible and osteoconductive. AIMS: The present work employed a machine-based process to derive a reproducible preparation method for low-temperature calcium phosphate particulate (LTCP). The in vivo outcomes of LTCP were compared with those of three commercially available bone substitutes by histomorphometric measurements of bone formation and material degradation in a rat femur implantation model. MATERIALS & METHODS: Specifically, LTCP, anorganic bovine bone (AB), bioactive glass (BG), and demineralized bone matrix (DBM) were implanted in defects created in the distal aspect of rat femora. Reparative bone and particulate volumes of these biomaterials were evaluated post-operatively using micro-computed tomography and histological analyses at 3, 6, 12, and 16 weeks. RESULTS & DISCUSSION: Results showed that, despite invoking bone formation, AB, BG, and DBM were found un-resorbed in situ at 16 weeks. Conversely, LTCP showed an early increase in bone formation as well as clear evidence of complete degradation and reparative bone remodelling, resulting in the total reconstitution of the marrow cavity and marrow tissue. CONCLUSION: LTCP promoted increased early bone formation, associated with an improved degradation rate, compared with the other three bone-substitute biomaterials tested.

Experience implication in subjective surgical ergonomics comparison between laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgeries.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic surgery (LS) may lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and an increase in physical and mental workloads to the surgeon. Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) should improve the ergonomy of the surgeon. This study assesses the experience influence in surgical ergonomics between LS and RAS. METHODS: LS and RAS lasting more than 60 min of effective operative time were compared. During the surgical procedure, the physical discomfort was evaluated using the Borg scale. At the end, the mental workload was evaluated using the NASA-TLX index. After global analysis, the experienced and young surgeons were assessed. RESULTS: 88 RAS and 82 LS were evaluated. During LS, the physical discomfort was significantly higher in all segments, and the pain increased significantly during the procedure in all segments compared to that evaluated in the RAS (p < 0.05). Forearms and the back were the most painful. The young surgeons did not display any improvement in the physical ergonomics of the RAS compared to the LS. Concerning the mental ergonomics, the overall workload and performance were significantly greater during the LS compared to the RAS (p < 0.05). For the young surgeons, the overall workload, the effort, the mental and the physical demands were greater during LS (p < 0.05). For the experienced surgeons, the physical demand was lower during the RAS compared to the LS (p < 0.05). However, the experienced surgeons expressed a feeling of greater performance after the LS (p < 0.01). RAS significantly reduces the onset of MSDs compared to LS, especially for the experienced surgeons. CONCLUSION: RAS significantly reduces the onset of MSDs compared to LS, especially for the experienced surgeons.

Tumoriform presentation of cerebral candidiasis in an HIV-infected patient.

We report the unusual case of a patient with AIDS who presented with headache and left hemiparesis. MRI revealed a right heterogeneous hemispheric brain mass surrounded by vasogenic edema, suggestive of a neoplasm. Pathological examination demonstrated Candida species within the mass. To our knowledge, this is the first case in the English literature of a tumour-like brain mass due to Candida infection.

[Breast cancer screening in Dakar: knowledge and practice of breast self examination among a female population in Senegal]. / Dépistage du cancer du sein: connaissance et pratique de l'auto-examen des seins au sein d'une population féminine au Sénégal.

In front of the absence of a mammographic screening program and the late diagnosis of the breast cancers in Senegal, we wanted to evaluate the knowledge and the practice of the breast self examination (BSE) by feminine population in Senegal. During the period between July 10th to August 25th 2006, through five big hospitals in Dakar, we interviewed 300 patients coming from a medical or surgical consultation. For every patient we studied the social and demographic characteristics, the antecedents and arguments about the knowledge and practice of BSE. We found, in majority, a young population (the average age was 34 years), no sent to school (26.7%), without any financial income (58.7%), with a brief knowledge about BSE (42.7%) and a regular practice of BSE (29%). The information about BSE originated essentially from educational television (52.9%). This knowledge and practice were significantly influenced by the study level (p = 0.000) and the level of financial income (p = 0.02). Among these who presented certain factors of breast cancer risk, the knowledge and the practice of the BSE were however low. The authors insist on the need to encourage the women schooling and their socioprofessional insertion so to improve the knowledge and practice of the breast self-examination in our developing countries.

Impact of bisphosphonate therapy on dental implant outcomes: An overview of systematic review evidence.

The purpose of this overview was to assess the methods, quality, and outcomes of systematic reviews conducted to evaluate the impact of bisphosphonates on dental implants and the risk of developing bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw after dental implant surgery. An electronic search without date or language restriction was performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, and LILACS databases (to January 2018). Eligibility criteria included systematic reviews that evaluated the impact of bisphosphonates on implant outcomes. The quality assessment of the included reviews was done using AMSTAR 2 guidelines. The protocol of this overview was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018089617). The search and selection process yielded seven reviews, published between 2009 and 2017. None of the systematic reviews included in this study obtained the maximum score in the quality assessment. The scientific evidence available demonstrates that patients with a history of bisphosphonate use do not present a higher risk of dental implant failure or marginal bone loss compared to patients who have not used bisphosphonates. The literature also suggests that patients who undergo surgical trauma during the installation of dental implants may be more susceptible to bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

[The histological aspect of the uterine vein wall according to age and parity]. / Effets de l'age et de la grossesse sur les veines uterines de la femme Senegalaise.

Veinous pathology is increasingly involved in numerous gynecological and obstetrical conditions. This study describes the histological aspects of uterine vein wall according to age and parity. Uterine vein were taken during autopsy of 50 black women of various age and parity. Necroscopic samples of uterine veins were taken from 50 black women of various and diverse age and parity. Microscopic stains were used to assess histological modifications of veinous walls according to age and parity. The disorganization of elastic fibers, collagen fibers of the media, the muscular wall and elastic fibers of the adventice increased with age. The main histological modifications associated with increasing parity were the increase of collagen tissue and the disorganization of the veinous wall. This study provides useful information for other studies regarding the histological analysis of pelvic veins removed during caesarian section for vascular pathology such eclampsia, abruption.

[Bladder cancers in Senegal: epidemiological, clinical and histological features]. / Les cancers de vessie au Sénégal : particularités épidémiologiques, cliniques et histologiques.

OBJECTIVE: To present the epidemiological, clinical and histological profile of the bladder cancer in Senegal. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors conducted a retrospective study based on registries and clinical data of patients admitted for bladder cancer confirmed by the histology at the university hospital Aristide-Le-Dantec of Dakar. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty-eight bladder cancers were recorded. The incidence of the bladder cancer was 2.5% of the whole of cancers. The mean age of the patients was 45.5 years (range 12-86 years). The sex-ratio was 1.25. The majority of the patients consulted for low urinary tract symptoms (94.5%) and hematuria (88%). The prevalent histological type was squamous cell carcinoma (50.70%). CONCLUSION: The bladder cancer in Senegal is a cancer of the young adult. The prevalent histological type is squamous cell carcinoma.

Comparative determination of placental perfusion by magnetic resonance imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in a murine model of intrauterine growth restriction.

INTRODUCTION: Exploration of placental perfusion is essential in screening for dysfunctions impairing fetal growth. The objective of this study was to assess the potential value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for examining placental perfusion in a murine model of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). We also studied the reproducibility of perfusion quantification by CEUS. METHODS: Pregnant Sprague Dawley rat models of IUGR were studied during the third trimester. Unilateral uterine artery ligation induced IUGR. Placental perfusion was evaluated by CEUS and perfusion MRI with gadolinium for both ligated and control fetoplacental units. The kinetic parameters of the two imaging modalities were then compared. RESULTS: The analysis included 20 rats. The study showed good reproducibility of the CEUS indicators. The CEUS perfusion index approximated the blood flow rate and was halved in the ligation group (27.9 [u.a] (±14.8)) versus 61 [u.a] (±22.3) on the control side (P = 0.0003). MRI with gadolinium injection showed a clear reduction in the blood flow rate to 51.2 mL/min/100 mL (IQR 34.9-54.9) in the ligated horn, compared with 90.9 mL/min/100 mL (IQR 85.1-95.7) for the control side (P < 0.0001). The semiquantitative indicators obtained from the kinetic curves for both CEUS and MRI showed similar trends. Nonetheless, values were more widely dispersed with CEUS than MRI. DISCUSSION: The similar results for the quantification of placental perfusion by MRI and CEUS reinforce the likelihood that CEUS can be used to identify IUGR in a murine model induced by uterine vessel ligation.

Inhibitory Effects of Pterodon emarginatus Bean Oil and Extract on Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND: Pterodon emarginatus is a tree of the Brazilian Savannah. The beans of this tree are used in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory preparations, especially for infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria can cause simple infections or serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis, toxic shock syndrome, septicemia, and others. OBJECTIVE: This study had the goal of verifying the effect of the essential oil (OE) from P. emarginatus on the inhibition of S. aureus in culture medium, i.e., " in vitro" tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The vegetable material was cut and crushed with a press. The OE was obtained by extraction using hexane, alcohol, and water. The P. emarginatus extracts obtained were used to evaluate the antimicrobial effect on S. aureus (ATCC 25923) by tests of well diffusion, disc diffusion, and microdilution. The strain used in the assays was maintained in brain heart infusion broth and nutrient agar until testing. Afterward, the bacteria were spread on agar plates with Mueller-Hinton agar medium. In the wells and on the paper discs, the OE suspensions were placed in the following volumes: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, and 80 µL and subsequently they were incubated at 35°C ± 2°C. After 24 h, the number of colony-forming unit was determined. RESULTS: Pure OE and hydroalcoholic extract inhibited the growth of S. aureus, while aqueous extract had no effect on bacterial growth in all microbial methods used. CONCLUSION: Thus, the present study showed the potential of sucupira-based extracts against S. aureus growth, opening new perspectives for the evaluation of these bioactive compounds as phytopharmaceutical products. SUMMARY: Plant extract act as antimicrobials to prevent and reduce bacterial contaminationBeans of Pterodon emarginatus has antibacterial propertiesExtraction with different solvents might implicate on the rate of bacterial deathThe effect of different microbiological methods (well diffusion, disc diffusion and microdilution) was evaluated on reducing CFUThe results showed by MBC that concentrations superior to 10% (v/v) using AC and 7.5% (v/v) using OE were necessary to eliminate colonies formedAccording to data of MIC, at 2.5% of AC and OE was enough to kill S. aureusThe well diffusion technique demonstrated better performance than disc diffusion test for OE and AC extractsHydroalcoholic and oil extracts of sucupira beans had highest effect against Staphylococcus aureusAqueous extract had no effect on bacterial growth in all microbial methods testedThe sucupira-based extracts is a promising source as herbal drug due to therapeutic value Abbreviations Used: OE: Essencial oil; AC: Hydroalcoholic oil extract; AQ: Aqueous extracts; MIC: Minimum inhibitory concentration; MBC: Minimum bactericidal concentration; CFU: Colony formed unit.

Assessment of the efficacy of diethylcarbamazine on adult Wuchereria bancrofti in vivo.

To assess directly the effect of various doses of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) on adult Wuchereria bancrofti, 31 infected men were randomly assigned to receive an initial single DEC dose of 1 mg/kg (n = 7), 6 mg/kg (n = 10), or 12 mg/kg (n = 14). Beginning 7 d later, the dosage of DEC and duration of treatment were progressively increased for 7-10 weeks. Physical examinations were performed to detect scrotal nodules and the scrotal area was examined by ultrasound (7.5 MHz transducer) to monitor the 'filaria dance sign' (FDS), the characteristic pattern of adult worm movement. Of 53 adult worm 'nests' that were detected by ultrasound, 22 (41.5%) were DEC-sensitive (FDS became non-detectable and a nodule became palpable at the site); 20 (37.7%) were not sensitive (FDS remained unchanged and detectable and no nodule developed), and 11 (20.8%) showed mixed responses (FDS remained detectable but a palpable nodule developed). All but one sensitive or mixed response occurred within 1 week after the initial single dose. Of 39 'nests' in men who initially received a single 6 or 12 mg/kg dose of DEC, 20 (51.3%) had sensitive responses compared to 2 (14.3%) of 14 'nests' in men who received a single 1 mg/kg dose (P = 0.04). Above 6 mg/kg, the macrofilaricidal effect of DEC did not increase with dose; a significant proportion of adult W. bancrofti were not susceptible to DEC during the study period.

Intraosseous leiomyoma of the mandible.

An intraosseous leiomyoma arising within the mandible was diagnosed in a 24-year-old woman. Clinically, a nodular swelling of the lower border of the mandible was noted. Radiographically, a unilocular ellipsoid radiolucency, loss of the lower border of the mandible, and tooth resorption were observed. The mitotic count was 0.4 per 10 high-power fields, which supported the benign nature of the tumor. The clinical and histologic parameters for distinguishing between benign and malignant smooth muscle neoplasms are discussed.

Isolation and preliminary characterization of a caprine rotavirus.

Five cytopathic rotavirus strains were isolated in MA104 cells from stool specimens of kids with diarrhoea. Pre-treatment of the virus with trypsin and incorporation of low levels of trypsin in the maintenance medium were important for the successful cultivation of the strains in these cells. The isolates were shown to be group A rotaviruses by antigenic reactivity with a group A monoclonal antibody. This was confirmed by the migration patterns of the viral RNA genome during polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which also confirmed that all five strains had an identical RNA electropherotype. Analysis with monoclonal antibodies to the subgroup-specific VP6 antigen showed that these strains carried the subgroup I epitope.

Development of a technique for using 99mTc as an adsorbable tracer for hydrodynamic studies of fine sediments in suspension.

Labelling of fine sediment (phi < 62.5 microm) with 99mTc was achieved through laboratory experiments described in a previous work (Proceedings of an International Symposium on Isotope Techniques in Water Resources Development and Management. IAEA-SM-361/13, Vienna, Proceedings of the XIIIth Brazilian Symposium on Water Resources. Brazilian Association for Water Resources (ABRH), Belo Horizonte, paper 176, CD-rom (in Portuguese)). Comparative studies of the hydrodynamic behaviour of the labelled and unlabelled sediment, in order to validate the application of the labelled sediment in field studies, were further performed by means of sedimentation tests using the Andreasen pipette technique, and are presented here. Labelling without flocculation, which promotes the same sedimentation behaviour of the labelled and the natural sediment was only achieved using small quantities of SnCl2 dissolved in proportionately small volumes of HCI (0.3%), in the reduction of a 99mTcO4- eluted from a 99Mo generator.

Neurologic manifestations of AIDS: a review of fifty cases in Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To review the neurologic manifestations of AIDS in patients who were admitted to Hospital Guilherme Alvaro (HGA) due to any clinical manifestation of the disease. DESIGN: Case series. PATIENTS: All HIV+ patients admitted to the Faculty Hospital (HGA) between July 96 and April 97 were included in this review. RESULTS: From the 117 HIV+ patients admitted to hospitalization due to AIDS-related symptoms, 50 (42.7%) presented neurologic manifestations. The most prevalent of these was neurotoxoplasmosis (68%), but a variety of other neurologic diseases were observed. Only 36% of these 50 patients had neurological signs and symptoms as the main complaint for admission, 12% of the patients had at least complained of some neurologic dysfunction at the time of admission and 10% had no neurologic complaints at all. The remaining 42% (21 patients) only complained of neurologic manifestations of AIDS when specifically asked. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of neurologic manifestations of AIDS is very high in patients admitted to hospital. Even in the absence of neurologic-related complaints, these patients have to be carefully questioned and examined in the search for an underlying neurologic complication which may present high morbidity and mortality.

[3 cases of vulvar epidermal cysts after female genital mutilation]. / Trois cas de kystes épidermiques de la vulve après mutilations génitales féminines.

We report three cases of tumors of the vulva following an excision during childhood, in patients aged 22 to 25. The achieved surgical removal gave correct aesthetic and functional results. Histological examination of these tumors revealed epidermal cyst containing keratin. Because of clinical, psychological and social impact of female excision, steps should be taken against such traditional practices.