Prenatal Exposure to Herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4D) Exacerbates Zika Virus Neurotoxicity In Vitro and In Vivo.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy can lead to a set of congenital malformations known as Congenital ZIKV syndrome (CZS), whose main feature is microcephaly. The geographic distribution of CZS in Brazil during the 2015-2017 outbreak was asymmetrical, with a higher prevalence in the Northeast and Central-West regions of the country, despite the ubiquitous distribution of the vector Aedes aegypti, indicating that environmental factors could influence ZIKV vertical transmission and/or severity. Here we investigate the involvement of the most used agrochemicals in Brazil with CZS. First, we exposed human neuroblastoma SK-N-AS cells to the 15 frequently used agrochemical molecules or derivative metabolites able to cross the blood-brain barrier. We found that a derived metabolite from a widely used herbicide in the Central-West region, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D), exacerbates ZIKV neurotoxic effects in vitro. We validate this observation by demonstrating vertical transmission leading to microcephaly in the offspring of immunocompetent C57BL/6J mice exposed to water contaminated with 0.025 mg/L of 2,4D. Newborn mice whose dams were exposed to 2,4D and infected with ZIKV presented a smaller brain area and cortical plate size compared to the control. Also, embryos from animals facing the co-insult of ZIKV and 2,4D exposition presented higher Caspase 3 positive cells in the cortex, fewer CTIP2+ neurons and proliferative cells at the ventricular zone, and a higher viral load. This phenotype is followed by placental alterations, such as vessel congestion, and apoptosis in the labyrinth and decidua. We also observed a mild spatial correlation between CZS prevalence and 2,4D use in Brazil's North and Central-West regions, with R2 = 0.4 and 0.46, respectively. Our results suggest that 2,4D exposition facilitates maternal vertical transmission of ZIKV, exacerbating CZS, possibly contributing to the high prevalence of this syndrome in Brazil's Central-West region compared to other regions.

Intestinal obstruction due to malign breast neoplasm and peritoneal carcinomatosis: a case report

Peritoneal carcinomatosis due to breast cancer is rare and gastrointestinal tract involvement is also unusual. Symptoms are unspecific and can begin many years after the primary tumor. Investigation of carcinomatosis origin is mandatory as breast cancer carcinomatosis can relieve partially or totally with chemo and hormonal therapy. A case of colonic obstruction due to carcinomatosis secondary to breast cancer is reported, emphasizing its diagnostic aspects and treatment. (AU)

A carcinomatose peritoneal secundária ao câncer de mama é entidade rara e o comprometimento do trato gastrointestinal é pouco frequente. A sintomatologia bastante inespecífica dificulta o diagnóstico e os sintomas podem surgir vários anos após o aparecimento do tumor primário. O diagnóstico da origem da carcinomatose é fundamental, pois quando a doença é secundária à neoplasia de mama, pode ocorrer remissão parcial e até total da doença com quimio e hormonioterapia. Relata-se caso de obstrução colônica devido a carcinomatose peritoneal secundária a neoplasia maligna de mama, com ênfase em seu diagnóstico e tratamento. (AU)

Indicações de colonoscopia versus achado de pólipos e neoplasias colorretais / Indications of colonoscopy versus polyps and colorectal neoplasms finding

OBJETIVO: Analisar as indicações de colonoscopia e o achado de pólipos e neoplasias colorretais. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de laudos de colonoscopias realizadas entre janeiro de 2009 e março de 2010. As variáveis analisadas foram: idade, sexo, indicação do exame e achado de pólipo ou tumor. Realizou-se análise estatística com o teste do qui-quadrado, considerado significante quando p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Foram revisados 493 laudos de colonoscopias de pacientes entre 18 e 94 anos, com média de idade de 56,7 anos, sendo 54 por cento do sexo feminino. Os exames tiveram uma ou mais alterações em 47,3 por cento, sendo 17,4 por cento, com tumor, e 14,8 por cento, com pólipos. As colonoscopias incompletas totalizaram 24,3 por cento, devido ao tumor obstrutivo, à dobra fixa, ao mau preparo, à estenose e agitação psicomotora. As indicações estatisticamente significantes para maior achado de tumor colorretal foram: sangramento digestivo, anemia crônica, síndrome consuptiva, tumor abdominal palpável, polipose e elevação do antígeno cárcino-embriogênico (CEA) no pós-operatório. Não houve significância entre presença de pólipos e sexo masculino ou avanço da idade, nem entre o achado de pólipos e risco de tumor associado. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes com sangramento digestivo, anemia crônica, síndrome consuptiva, tumor abdominal palpável, polipose e elevação de CEA no pós-operatório de câncer colorretal devem ser priorizados para o estudo colonoscópico.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze colonoscopy indications and the finding of polyps and colorectal neoplasms. METHODS: A retrospective study of colonoscopies reports that were performed between January, 2009 and March, 2010. The analyzed variables included: age, gender, indication for examination, and found of polyp or tumor. The statistical analysis was accomplished with the chi-square test, with significance at p<0.05. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety-three colonoscopy reports of patients between 18 and 94 years, mean age 56.7 years old, and 54 percent female, were reviewed. The examinations had one or more changes in 47.3 percent, 17.4 percent with tumor and 14.8 percent with polyps. The incomplete colonoscopies corresponded to 24.3 percent, due to tumor obstruction, fixed kink, poor preparation, stenosis, and agitation. The statistically significant indications for increased finding of colorectal tumor were gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, chronic wasting syndrome, palpable abdominal tumor, polyposis, and elevation of CEA in the postoperative. There were no significant differences between polyps and males or advancing age, neither between the finding of polyps and risk of associated tumor. CONCLUSION: Patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, chronic wasting syndrome, palpable abdominal tumor, polyposis, and increased postoperative CEA of colorectal cancer should be prioritized for the colonoscopy study.

[Neurocysticercosis in a State of Piauí urban area: case report]. / Neurocisticercose em zona urbana do estado do Piauí: relato de caso.

Neurocysticercosis is a serious public health problem that predominantly affects places with poor sanitary and hygiene conditions. The Piaui State is out of the neurocysticercosis map in Brazil but, as this study illustrates, it is just by lack of epidemiologic data. We demonstrate the presence of this pathology in the State of Piaui based on a case report of a 39 years old man, followed for 17 months. The diagnosis was made by CT scan and the patient was treated with albendazol for 10 days. A new CT scan show absence of lesions. He needed to be treated again after a recurrence of clinical manifestations, 6 months after the first treatment, with the disappearance of the new lesions.

Neurocisticercose em zona urbana do estado do Piauí: relato de caso / Neurocysticercosis in a State of Piauí urban area: case report

A neurocisticercose é grave problema de saúde pública que acomete predominantemente locais com condições sanitárias e de higiene precárias. O Piauí não faz parte do mapa da neurocisticercose no Brasil mas, como ilustra este estudo, apenas por falta de dados epidemiológicos. Demonstramos a presença desta patologia no Estado através do relato de caso de um homem de 39 anos, acompanhado por 17 meses. O diagnóstico foi realizado através de tomografia tomputadorizada de crânio (TC) e o paciente foi tratado com albendazol por 10 dias. Uma nova TC mostrou ausência de lesões. Ele precisou ser tratado novamente após recorrência do quadro clínico, ocorrida 6 meses após o primeiro tratamento, com posterior desaparecimento das novas lesões.