Perivascular mast cells and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, laminin-332 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in human colorectal neoplasms.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, and significantly contributes to cancer-related deaths. Most cases arise from adenomatous polyps. Biomarkers currently play an important role in tumor progression. Our aim was to identify perivascular mast cells and analyze the expression of laminin-332, MMP-9, and VEGF in cases of adenoma and CRC in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were selected at the Coloproctology Service and samples were obtained through biopsies. Adenoma and CRC slides were examined, utilizing immunohistochemistry to detect molecules, and were processed, using 1% Alcian Blue (pH 0.5) for mast cell staining. RESULTS: Higher density of perivascular mast cells was observed in adenomas. Laminin-332 expression revealed basement membrane discontinuity associated with tumor invasion in CRC. MMP-9 immunostaining in adenoma was detected in glandular epithelium and lining epithelium, in areas close to the basement membrane, whereas in CRC, the enzyme was found in the cytoplasm of invasive clusters. VEGF expression was associated with cell atypia in adenoma and in areas of disorganization of the epithelium-connective tissue interface in CRC. VEGF has also been detected in endothelial cells from microvessels. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the different patterns of perivascular mast cells and molecular expression in colorectal neoplasms. Those analyses favor the recognition of the predisposition to the disease, or its early stage, and have the potential to define the molecular profile of the lesions.

Brucellosis Prevalence in Brazilian Slaughterhouses with Different Meat Inspection Systems.

In Brazil, meat inspection occurs in a decentralized manner and consists of three types: (i) federal inspection (SIF), (ii) state inspection (SISP), and (iii) municipal inspection (SIM). The objective of this work was to discuss the three current inspection systems through the apparent prevalence of bovine brucellosis, a zoonosis that has an eradication program implemented by the Brazilian government. Nine abattoirs from federal, state, and municipal inspection systems were assessed and 1,490 animals were sampled. Serology for brucellosis was determined by the rose bengal test and the complement fixation test. The overall apparent prevalence (and 95% confidence interval) of brucellosis was 2.2% (1.5 to 2.9%). Apparent prevalence stratified by inspection system for SIF, SISP, and SIM was 0.4% (0.0 to 0.9%), 2.0% (0.8 to 3.2%), and 4.3% (2.5 to 6.1%), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed the odds ratio for finding an animal positive for brucellosis among inspection systems. A statistical difference ( P < 0.0015) was observed among surveillance systems, with SISP × SIF, SIM × SISP, and SIM × SIF having an odds ratio of 4,996, 2,304, and 11,494, respectively. Hence, the need for increasing official surveillance in state and municipal inspection systems seems to be necessary and could assist in the surveillance of bovine brucellosis and other diseases of interest to the federation. In addition, an increase in official presence would help to improve the selection of slaughtered cattle during ante- and postmortem inspection, with consequent impact on food safety and public health.

Increased Expression of Type-I Collagen in Malignant Colorectal Lesion and Positive Correlations with Clinical Factors / Expressão aumentada do colágeno tipo I na lesão colorretal maligna e correlações positivas com fatores clínicos

Abstract Objective Type-I collagen (Col-I) is one of the main macromolecules of the extracellular matrix, and it is involved in the desmoplastic stromal reaction, an indicator of worse prognosis in cases of colorectal cancer (CRC). The purpose of the present study was to investigate Col-I expression in cases of CRC and adenoma and to correlate with the clinical data and the data regarding the lifestyle of the patients. Methods A retrospective study including 22 patients with adenoma and 15 with CRC treated at a coloproctology service. The clinical and lifestyle data were obtained through medical records, and Col-I expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Results Women represented most cases of adenoma (63.64%), whereas CRC was found mainly in men (73.33%) (p=0.0448). Immunoexpression of Col-I showed a basement membrane thickening in areas of lining of epithelium and around the glands in both lesions. The cases of CRC had a quite evident fibrosis process in the stroma. The quantitative analysis demonstrated a higher protein expression in CRCs compared to adenomas (p=0.0109), as well as in female patients (p=0.0214), patients aged ≥ 50 years (p=0.0400), and in those with a positive family history of colorectal disease (p=0.0292). These results suggested a remodeling of the microenvironment of the Worked developed at the Department of Morphology, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, ES, Brazil. Conclusion The immunohistochemical analysis encourages the performance of more comprehensive studies to ascertain if our results could be a tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of the patients.

Resumo Objetivo O colágeno tipo I (Col-I) é uma das principais macromoléculas da matriz extracelular, e está envolvido na reação desmoplástica estromal, um indicador de pior prognóstico em casos de câncer colorretal (CCR). O objetivo foi investigar a expressão do Col-I emcasos de CCR e adenoma, e correlacioná-la comdados clínicos e de estilo de vida dos pacientes. Metodologia Foi realizado umestudoretrospectivo com22pacientes comadenoma e 15 comCCR tratadosemumserviço de coloproctologia.Os dados dos pacientes foramobtidos dos prontuários médicos, e a expressão do Col-I foi investigada por imunohistoquímica. Resultados As mulheres representaram a maioria dos casos de adenomas (63,64%), enquanto o CCR (73,33%) (p=0,0448) foi mais comum entre os homens. A imunoexpressão de Col-I mostrou espessamento da membrana basal em áreas de revestimento do epitélio e em volta de glândulas em ambas as lesões. O CCR apresentou fibrose no estroma. As análises quantitativas demonstraram maior expressão proteica no CCR (p=0,0109), assim como em mulheres (p=0,0214), pacientes com idade ≥ 50 anos (p=0,0400), e em pacientes com histórico positivo de doença colorretal na família (p=0,0292). Estes resultados sugerem a remodelação do microambiente tumoral na carcinogênese do CCR. As correlações clínico-patológicas positivas mostram uma ligação plausível entre o perfil do paciente e os achados imunohistoquímcos, o que indica uma possível forma de estratificação dos pacientes. Conclusão As análises imunohistoquímicas estimulam a execução de estudos mais abrangentes para confirmar se nossos resultados poderão ser uma ferramenta para o diagnóstico e o monitoramento dos pacientes.

Antibacterial and antiparasitic effects of Bothrops marajoensis venom and its fractions: Phospholipase A2 and L-amino acid oxidase.

Some proteins present in snake venom possess enzymatic activities, such as phospholipase A(2) and l-amino acid oxidase. In this study, we verify the action of the Bothrops marajoensis venom (BmarTV), PLA(2) (BmarPLA(2)) and LAAO (BmarLAAO) on strains of bacteria, yeast, and Leishmania sp. The BmarTV was isolated by Protein Pack 5PW, and several fractions were obtained. Reverse phase HPLC showed that BmarPLA(2) was isolated from the venom, and N-terminal amino acid sequencing of sPLA(2) showed high amino acid identity with other lysine K49 sPLA(2)s isolated from Bothrops snakes. The BmarLAAO was purified to high molecular homogeneity and its N-terminal amino acid sequence demonstrated a high degree of amino acid conservation with others LAAOs. BmarLAAO was able to inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa, C. albicans and S. aureus in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect was more significant on S. aureus, with a MIC=50 microg/mL and MLC=200 microg/mL. However, the BmarTV and BmarPLA(2) did not demonstrate inhibitory capacity. BmarLAAO was able to inhibit the growth of promastigote forms of L. chagasi and L. amazonensis, with an IC(50)=2.55 microg/mL and 2.86 microg/mL for L. amazonensis and L. chagasi, respectively. BmarTV also provided significant inhibition of parasitic growth, with an IC(50) of 86.56 microg/mL for L. amazonensis and 79.02 microg/mL for L. chagasi. BmarPLA(2) did not promote any inhibition of the growth of these parasites. The BmarLAAO and BmarTV presented low toxicity at the concentrations studied. In conclusion, whole venom as well as the l-amino acid oxidase from Bothrops marajoensis was able to inhibit the growth of several microorganisms, including S. aureus, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Leishmania sp.

Melanoma de canal anal simulando doença hemorroidária: relato de caso / Melanoma of the anal canal simulating hemorrhoidal disease: case report

O Melanoma Anorretal é um tumor maligno raro com a possibilidade de simular uma doença anorretal, tornando o diagnóstico difícil. Tem baixos índices de cura e elevados índices de mortalidade em curto prazo. Os autores descrevem um caso de melanoma de canal anal cuja interpretação por parte do paciente tratava-se de uma doença hemorroidária que exteriorizava às evacuações. Os autores fazem uma extensa revisão da literatura dando ênfase aos sintomas e a melhor opção terapêutica a ser instituída.

Anorectal melanoma is a rare malignant tumor with the small chance of simulating anorectal disease, making the diagnosis hard. There is a low rate of cure and high rate of short term mortality. The authors describe a case of anal melanoma which by the patients interpretation was hemorrhoid disease that exteriorized evacuations. The authors do an extensive evaluation of the literature, giving emphasis to the symptoms and the best therapeutic option to be used.

Aspectos microbiológicos do queijo tipo "coalho" comercializado em Fortaleza - Ceará / Microbiological aspects of \"coalho\" type cheese commercialized in Fortaleza - Ceará

Avaliou-se a qualidade microbiológica de cinquenta e seis amostras de queijo tipo "coalho" provenientes de diferentes pontos comerciais de Fortaleza - Ceará. Foram quantificadas as bactérias mesófilas, Staphylococcus aureus, coliformes totais e fecais, bolores e leveduras. Verificou-se que em relaçäo às contagens de coliformes fecais e Staphylococcus aureus, 67,9 por cento e 62,5 por cento das amostras respectivamente, näo atenderam aos estabelecidos pela legislaçäo brasileira em vigor

Técnica da interposiçäo peritônio-aponeurótica bilateral no tratamento de grandes hérnias incisionais / Technic of bilateral peritoneal-aponeurotic interposition in the treatment of the large incisional hernias

Consideramos a técnica em estudo útil para o tratamento de grandes hérnias incisionais medianas e paramedianas e diástases dos retos abdominais. As complicaçöes pós-operatórias säo freqüentes, principalmente o abscesso de parede, estando relacionadas, em grande parte, com as alteraçöes decorrentes da evoluçäo da própria hérnia e comuns a qualquer cirurgia abdominal. Em nenhum dos casos realizamos pneumoperitônio pré-operatório e näo houve necessidade de próteses. Näo encontramos insuficiência respiratória e, até o momento, näo temos conhecimento de recidivas. O período de observaçäo é relativamente curto para conclusöes definitivas porém suficientemente longo para confiarmos em seu resultado e justificar a sua divulgaçäo