Dimethylformamide Preserves the Integrity of Cryopreserved Goat Semen in a Soybean Lecithin-Based Extender.

This study investigated the cryoprotectant effects of dimethylformamide (DMF), ethylene glycol (EG), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as substitutes for glycerol (GLY) in a soybean lecithin (SL)-based extender in the cryopreservation of buck sperm. In this study, the semen of three Saanen bucks was individually extended in SL supplemented with 5% GLY (control), DMF, EG, or DMSO. After this, the extended semen was cryopreserved and two straws from each group were thawed (37°C for 30 seconds), pooled, and analyzed for sperm motion parameters, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), acrosomal integrity (ACI), and high mitochondrial membrane potential (HMMP). Samples were analyzed after 15 minutes (T0) and after 2 hours of incubation at 37°C (T2). The results revealed higher values of motility (total and progressive) and sperm motion parameters for DMF than the other cryoprotectants (p < 0.0001). PMI and HMMP did not differ (p > 0.05) between GLY and DMF, but ACI was higher (p < 0.01) for DMF compared with GLY. Based on these results, DMF and GLY samples were used in heterologous in vitro fertilization assays by using bovine oocytes (n = 337) obtained from a slaughterhouse. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed between GLY and DMF for unfertilized (GLY: 38.8%; DMF: 25.33%), pronucleus (GLY: 25.68%; DMF: 27.92%), and cleavage rates (GLY: 35.52%; DMF: 46.75%). Based on these results, it is concluded that DMF preserves sperm motion characteristics and ACI better than GLY, EG, and DMSO, and it is the penetrating cryoprotectant of choice for the cryopreservation of buck sperm in SL extender.

Characterization of a novel protein of Leptospira interrogans exhibiting plasminogen, vitronectin and complement binding properties.

Leptospirosis is a severe zoonosis caused by pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira. This work focuses on a hypothetical protein of unknown function, encoded by the gene LIC13259, and predicted to be a surface protein, widely distributed among pathogenic leptospiral strain. The gene was amplified from L. interrogans serovar Copenhageni, strain Fiocruz L1-130, cloned and the protein expressed using Escherichia coli as a host system. Immunofluorescence assay showed that the protein is surface-exposed. The recombinant protein LIC13259 (rLIC13259) has the ability to interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM) laminin, in a dose-dependent manner but saturation was not reach. The rLIC13259 protein is a plasminogen (PLG)-binding protein, generating plasmin, in the presence of urokinase PLG-activator uPA. The recombinant protein is able to mediate the binding to human purified terminal complement route vitronectin, C7, C8 and C9, and to recruit and interact with these components from normal human serum (NHS). These interactions are dose-dependent on NHS increased concentration. The binding of rLIC13259 to C8 and vitronectin was slight and pronounced inhibited in the presence of increasing heparin concentration, respectively, suggesting that the interaction with vitronectin occurs via heparin domain. Most interesting, the interaction of rLIC13259 with C9 protein was capable of preventing C9 polymerization, suggesting that the membrane attack complex (MAC) formation was inhibited. Thus, we tentatively assign the coding sequence (CDS) LIC13259, previously annotated as unknown function, as a novel protein that may play an important role in the host's invasion and immune evasion processes, contributing to the establishment of the leptospiral infection.

Characterization of a novel protein of Leptospira interrogans exhibiting plasminogen, vitronectin and complement binding properties

Leptospirosis is a severe zoonosis caused by pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira. This work focuses on a hypothetical protein of unknown function, encoded by the gene LIC13259, and predicted to be a surface protein, widely distributed among pathogenic leptospiral strain. The gene was amplified from L. interrogans serovar Copenhageni, strain Fiocruz L1-130, cloned and the protein expressed using Escherichia coli as a host system. Immunofluorescence assay showed that the protein is surface-exposed. The recombinant protein LIC13259 (rLIC13259) has the ability to interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM) laminin, in a dose-dependent manner but saturation was not reach. The rLIC13259 protein is a plasminogen (PLG)-binding protein, generating plasmin, in the presence of urokinase PLG-activator uPA. The recombinant protein is able to mediate the binding to human purified terminal complement route vitronectin, C7, C8 and C9, and to recruit and interact with these components from normal human serum (NHS). These interactions are dose-dependent on NHS increased concentration. The binding of rLIC13259 to C8 and vitronectin was slight and pronounced inhibited in the presence of increasing heparin concentration, respectively, suggesting that the interaction with vitronectin occurs via heparin domain. Most interesting, the interaction of rLIC13259 with C9 protein was capable of preventing C9 polymerization, suggesting that the membrane attack complex (MAC) formation was inhibited. Thus, we tentatively assign the coding sequence (CDS) LIC13259, previously annotated as unknown function, as a novel protein that may play an important role in the host’s invasion and immune evasion processes, contributing to the establishment of the leptospiral infection.

Characterization of a novel protein of Leptospira interrogans exhibiting plasminogen, vitronectin and complement binding properties

Leptospirosis is a severe zoonosis caused by pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira. This work focuses on a hypothetical protein of unknown function, encoded by the gene LIC13259, and predicted to be a surface protein, widely distributed among pathogenic leptospiral strain. The gene was amplified from L. interrogans serovar Copenhageni, strain Fiocruz L1-130, cloned and the protein expressed using Escherichia coli as a host system. Immunofluorescence assay showed that the protein is surface-exposed. The recombinant protein LIC13259 (rLIC13259) has the ability to interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM) laminin, in a dose-dependent manner but saturation was not reach. The rLIC13259 protein is a plasminogen (PLG)-binding protein, generating plasmin, in the presence of urokinase PLG-activator uPA. The recombinant protein is able to mediate the binding to human purified terminal complement route vitronectin, C7, C8 and C9, and to recruit and interact with these components from normal human serum (NHS). These interactions are dose-dependent on NHS increased concentration. The binding of rLIC13259 to C8 and vitronectin was slight and pronounced inhibited in the presence of increasing heparin concentration, respectively, suggesting that the interaction with vitronectin occurs via heparin domain. Most interesting, the interaction of rLIC13259 with C9 protein was capable of preventing C9 polymerization, suggesting that the membrane attack complex (MAC) formation was inhibited. Thus, we tentatively assign the coding sequence (CDS) LIC13259, previously annotated as unknown function, as a novel protein that may play an important role in the host’s invasion and immune evasion processes, contributing to the establishment of the leptospiral infection.

Effects of adiponectin during in vitro maturation of goat oocytes: MEK 1/2 pathway and gene expression pattern.

Recent studies have shown that adiponectin, an adipokine predominantly produced by adipose tissue, regulates several reproductive processes. However, the mechanisms of action of adiponectin on the maturation of goat oocytes remain to be determined. The aim of this study was to investigate whether (a) adiponectin influences the meiotic maturation of goat oocytes; (b) MAPK MEK 1/2 mediates the effects of adiponectin; and 3) adiponectin differentially affects mRNA relative abundance of genes relevant for adiponectin signal transduction in goat oocytes. The addition of adiponectin (5 µg/ml) during the maturation of goat oocytes resulted in a higher percentage of successful nuclear maturation compared to those of the group without adiponectin (p < 0.05). Adiponectin-stimulated nuclear oocyte maturation was significantly impaired by a mitogen-activated protein kinase MEK 1/2 inhibitor, U0126 (p < 0.05). There was no evidence of any adiponectin-induced difference in the relative transcript abundances of AdipoR1, AdipoR2, AMPKα1, AMPKα2, PPARα and PPARγ genes. In conclusion, these results indicate that adiponectin has a positive effect on the meiotic maturation of goat oocytes through the MAPK MEK 1/2 pathway. Furthermore, the adiponectin does not affect the relative abundance of genes relevant for adiponectin signal transduction in goat oocytes.

Expression of adiponectin and its receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in goat ovary and its effect on oocyte nuclear maturation in vitro.

Adiponectin is an adipokine secreted primarily by adipocytes and is involved in the control of male and female reproductive functions. Circulating levels of adiponectin are inversely correlated with body fat mass, and its biological effects are predominantly mediated through two receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. The aim of the present study was to verify the expression of the adiponectin system (adiponectin and its receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in goat ovary using qPCR and immunohistochemistry analyses and further investigate the in vitro effects of recombinant adiponectin (5 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL) on goat oocyte nuclear maturation. We demonstrated that the mRNA and proteins of the adiponectin system are present in goat ovary. Gene and protein expression of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 was detected in follicular cells (oocyte, cumulus, granulosa and theca) of small and large antral follicles, while adiponectin mRNA was not detected in oocytes from small and large follicles or in large follicle cumulus cells. Finally, addition of various concentrations of adiponectin in maturation medium affected the number of oocytes that reached metaphase II. In conclusion, in the present study, we detected expression of adiponectin and its receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 in goat ovarian follicles. Furthermore, we demonstrated that recombinant adiponectin increases nuclear maturation of goat oocytes in vitro.

Contribuição para detecção do linfonodo sentinela em câncer da mama - comparação dos métodos radioguiados e de corante vital / Contribution for the detection for the the sentinel lymph node in breast cancer - comparison of radioguided and vital dye methods

No sentido de comparar os métodos de corante vital e radioguiado para identificar linfonodo sentinela e determinar a eficácia do exame histológico intra-operatório ou de congelação do linfonodo sentinela em relação ao exame histológico definitivo, foi realizado estudo descritivo, prospectivo, tipo série de casos. Oitenta e seis pacientes com câncer da mama, atendidos no Serviço de Mastologia da Clínica Professor Antônio Simão dos Santos Figueira Filho, entre janeiro de 1999 e outubro de 2002, foram divididos em: Grupo 1 – Submetidos à técnica do azul patente; e Grupo II – ao método radioguiado. Os dois grupos não diferiram quanto à detecção do câncer da mama, à imagem mamográfica, ao estadiamento lesional e clínico e às características dos linfonodos sentinelas. Embora o método radioguiado tenha apresentado acurácia e exatidão maiores que do azul patente, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante. Comprovou-se que ambos os métodos são inócuos, de fácil execução, reprodutíveis e confiáveis na definição da abordagem do linfonodo sentinela da mama. Recomenda-se a identificação do linfonodo sentinela pelo método do azul patente nas regiões em que não se tenha medicina nuclear, realizada por mastologia comprovadamente capacitado em centro de referência, após ter cumprido a curva de aprendizado.

To compare vital dye method and radioguided for the identification of sentinel limph node, as well as to determine the efficacy of intra surgery histological examination of sentinel lymph node, compared to histological definitive examination, the authors performed a descriptive, prospective, serie of cases. Eighty six patients, at Mastology Service at Professor Antonio Simão dos Santos Figueira Filho Clinic, from January 1999 to October 2002, with mammary tumors, were divided into two groups: group I of patients submitted to blue dye technique for detecting sentinel lymph node and and group II, submitted to radioguided technique. The groups did not differ on technique for breast cancer diagnosis, mammography images characteristics, clinical and lesional stage and sentinel lymph nodes characteristics. Although radioguided technique presented accuracy as well as exactitude higher than patent blue technique, these differences had no statistical significance. The authors concluded that both methods are innocuous, easy to perform, reproducible and secure for the detection of mammary sentinel lymph node and suggested the utilization of patent blue technique for detecting sentinel lymph nodes in regions where nuclear medicine are not available, performed by a mastologist, trained and capable, after completing the learning curve.

Pseudotumoral form of neuroschistosomiasis: report of three cases.

Central nervous system (CSN) involvement in schistosomiasis is an ectopic manifestation with a large variety of clinical forms, including pseudotumoral, which occurs in isolated cases and is rare. Three patients with epidemiological indications of this pathology were examined; the clinical picture included lower-back pain irradiating to lower limbs, associated with progressive flaccid paraparesis and sphincterial disturbances in cases in which the spinal chord was involved; while in cases with encephalitic impairment, headache, dizziness and cerebellar syndrome, characterized by dysarthria and right-side dysgraphia, were present. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a growing process in all cases; cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) characteristics and biological markers were compatible with neuroschistosomiasis (NS). Biopsy of the lesions confirmed this diagnosis in one case. After specific treatment with schistosomicides and corticosteroids, clinical, radiological and laboratorial improvement was observed.

Pseudotumoral form of neuroschistosomiasis: report of three cases

Central nervous system (CSN) involvement in schistosomiasis is an ectopic manifestation with a large variety of clinical forms, including pseudotumoral, which occurs in isolated cases and is rare. Three patients with epidemiological indications of this pathology were examined; the clinical picture included lower-back pain irradiating to lower limbs, associated with progressive flaccid paraparesis and sphincterial disturbances in cases in which the spinal chord was involved; while in cases with encephalitic impairment, headache, dizziness and cerebellar syndrome, characterized by dysarthria and right-side dysgraphia, were present. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a growing process in all cases; cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) characteristics and biological markers were compatible with neuroschistosomiasis (NS). Biopsy of the lesions confirmed this diagnosis in one case. After specific treatment with schistosomicides and corticosteroids, clinical, radiological and laboratorial improvement was observed.

Comparação entre óleo de borragem e óleo de girassol quanto à eficácia no tratamento de mulheres com mastalgia cíclica / Comparison of borage oil and sunflower oil according to the efficacy for the treatment of women with cyclical mastalgia

A mastalgia cíclica constitui freqüente e exagerado processo fisiológico, recorrente na fase lútea do ciclo menstrual. Quando intensa, passa a comprometer a qualidade de vida da mulher, por interferir em suas atividades cotidianas. Com o objetivo de determinar, comparativamente, a efetividade e os possíveis efeitos dos óleos de borragem e de girassol, no tratamento da mastalgia cíclica moderada à intensa, foi realizado um estudo aleatório, duplo cego, tipo ensaio clínico, no período de fevereiro de 2001 a dezembro de 2002, envolvendo 111 mulheres. Mensalmente, a intensidade de dor mamária foi avaliada por escala visual analógica (EVA). As participantes foram subdivididas em dois grupos, segundo medicamento administrado, a saber, 56 em uso de cápsulas de óleo de borragem e 55 de óleo de girassol, ambos na dose de 1 cápsula ao dia, durante três meses. Ao final do tratamento, a evolução das intensidades de dor de cada paciente foi avaliada pelo Cardiff Breast Score, para determinação da responsividade terapêutica. A taxa de resposta terapêutica foi 71,4% e 76,4%, respectivamente para o óleo de borragem e de girassol, não havendo diferença, estatisticamente significativa, entre os medicamentos. A cefaléia, o estresse percebido e o edema mamário reduziram-se em ambos os grupos. Três mulheres do grupo do óleo de girassol apresentaram sangramento vaginal profuso. Concluiu-se que ambos os medicamentos foram eficazes no tratamento da mastalgia cíclica moderada à intensa. São necessários estudos adicionais para determinar a relação custo/benefício do óleo de girassol.

Cyclical mastalgia is a frequent condition and represents an exacerbation of the physiological process, recurring in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. When it is intense, it impairs a woman's quality of life, because if interferes on her daily activities. In order to make a comparative evaluation of the effectiveness and adverse effects of borage and sunflower oils in the treatment of moderate to severe cyclical mastalgia, a double-blind randomized study of clinical trial type was carried out between February 2001 and December 2002 involving 111 women. The intensity of breast pain was assessed on a monthly basis by means of the analogic visual scale. The participants were subdivided as follows into two groups according to the drug administered: 56 were given borage oil tablets and 55 sunflower oil, 1 tablet per day for both groups over a period of three months. At the end of the treatment, the evolution in the intensity of the pain of each patient was compared with the Cardiff Breast Score for an assessment of the responsiveness to treatment. The responsiveness rates were 71.4% and 76.4%, respectively for the borage and sunflower oil groups, no statistically significant differences being found. Although headache, perceived stress and mammary edema had reduzed in both groups; uterine bleeding occurred in three patients, as a serious side effect of sunflower oil. Further studies, however, are needed to determine the cost-benefit ratio of sunflower oil.

Envelhecimento e deficiência mental: uma emergência silenciosa / Aging and mental deficiency: a silent emergency

Representa um olhar de vários ângulos, uma sinopse de especialidades, diferentes análises como se os escritores fossem observadores das possibilidades da atualidade. Pretende facilitar a compreensão e a integração de duas áreas, gerontologia e deficiência mental e do público com estas. Pretende contribuir para esboçar perspectivas interdisciplinares para longevidade saudável das pessoas com deficiência mental, pois o estudo do envelhecimento humano apresenta questões que têm implicações para além deste campo e desta população

Antibodies to Schistosoma mansoni in human cerebrospinal fluid.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples from patients suspected of having neuroschistosomiasis (NS) were evaluated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Monoclonal antibodies of various immunoglobulin isotypes (IgM, IgA, IgE, total IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4) were used to detect antibodies against Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen (SEA) and soluble worm adult preparation (SWAP). Of the 83 CSF samples tested, 55% were reactive to SEA (26% were reactive only to SEA and 29% to both SEA and SWAP), 34% were reactive to SWAP (5% only to SWAP and 29% to both SEA and SWAP), and 40% were not reactive with any antigen. Cases that tested positive for SWAP in CSF and negative in serum were not found. Samples with high specific IgG antibody titers were selected for immunoglobulin isotype profiling. In the CSF samples, the antibodies against SEA and SWAP were mainly IgM, IgG1, and IgG4, although other immunoglobulins were also detected. Interestingly, nine patients had high levels of IgG1 only in the CSF. These results suggest that there is local synthesis of IgG1, and that this isotype could be an important immunologic marker in the diagnosis of NS.

Fibroadenoma juvenil / Juvenile fibroadenoma

Fibroadenoma juvenil é uma neoplasia benigna mamária pouco freqüente. Os autores relatam o caso de uma criança de 10 anos portadora desta afecção antes da menarca e discutem aspectos do diagnóstico e do tratamento

O tratamento da fístula mamária através da técnica da incisäo transareolopapilar / The treatment of mammary fistula by means of transareolopappilary incision

Os autores revisaram a literatura quanto ao tratamento cirúrgico utilizado para fístula mamária, observando índice de recidiva significativamente elevado. Descrevem técnica cirúrgica pessoal que resultou em baixo índice de recidiva e bom resultado estético. A fístula mamária foi descrita por Zuska e cols. (1951), porém Atkins (1953) descreveu com detalhes a sua apresentaçäo e tratamento. Trata-se de doença de evoluçäo crônica näo relacionada à funçäo d lactaçäo e que ocorre com mais frequência entre 30-40 anos

Ataques isquêmicos transitórios em pacientes com síndrome da veia cava superior / Transient ischemic attacks in apatient with superio vena cava obstruction: case report

A síndrome da veia cava superior (SVCS) é condiçao relativamente rara. Relatamos o caso de um paciente de 42 anos, masculino, hipertenso há 15 anos, que evoluiu com dor cervical e torácica há um ano, sendo evidenciada oclusao de 95 por cento da coronária direita. Submetido a angioplastia, porém com persistência de dor torácica. Posteriormente evoluiu com episódios recorrentes de hemiplegia à direita associados a crises hipertensivas, que melhoravam com medicamentos anti-hipertensivos. Pela presença de coloraçao vinhosa na face e acentuaçao durante os períodos de ataques isquêmicos transitórios, foi feita a suspeita diagnóstica de provável acometimento do sistema de drenagem venosa, confirmada à venografia pelo achado de dilataçao da veia jugular direita e imagem de estreitamento importante na junçao com a veia cava superior. Em conclusao, nao foi possível definir com certeza a relaçao entre as duas patologias no caso aqui apresentado, porém chamou a atençao a melhora dos sintomas neurológicos após o controle da SVCS com o tratamento instituído.

Tuberculose mamária / Tuberculosis of the breast: a case report

Os autores relatam caso de tuberculose com apresentaçäo na glândula mamária como processo fistuloso e posteriormente como nódulo com características mamográficas de processo maligno. A paciente foi submetida à biopsia por localizaçäo radiológica pré-cirúrgica pelo método estereotáxico e colocaçäo de fio-guia metálico. Após resultado do histopatológico que evidenciou mastite granulomatosa em fase produtiva, fez esquema de poliquimioterapia antituberculosa durante seis meses com sucesso

Carcinoma adenóide cístico da mama / Adenoid cystic carcinoma

Os autores apresentam um caso de carcinoma adenóide cístico da mama, o qual é um tumor maligno similar a tumores de glândulas salivares, brônquios, próstata e glândulas lacrimais. É caracterizado por uma combinaçäo de tecidos glandular, estromal e de membrana basal. De acordo com Haagensen, representa o mais raro e o menos maligno dos carcinomas de mama, correspondendo a aproximadamente 0,1 por cento dos tumores malignos de mama, e apresenta excelente prognóstico. O tratamento de escolha referido na literatura é a mastectomia. No presente caso, a paciente foi tratada por mastectomia e dissecçäo axilar. Dezesseis linfonodos foram retirados, todos sem neoplasia. No seguimento a paciente apresentou-se bem, sem sinais de recorrência.

Lamotrigina em epilepsia de difícil controle: estudo aberto e de adiçäo / Lamotrigin in epilpsy of hard control: open study and adition study

Os autores relatam um estudo de adiçäo da Lamotrigina em 15 pacientes portadores de epilepsia de difícil controle, com objetivo de avaliar eficácia e segurança da droga, fazendo acompanhamento ambulatorial por seis meses, mostrando ao final reduçäo da frequência e melhora no padräo das crises, com baixa incidência de efeitos colaterais e melhora no estado psicológico dos pacientes. Os achados säo correlacionados com a literatura mundial sobre a droga

Fatores de risco para asma infantil em Fernando de Noronha : Estudo do tipo caso-controle / Risk factors for childhood asthma in Fernando de Noronha : A case control study

A Ilha de Fernando de Noronha, por características ecológicas, é praticamente isenta de poluiçäo atmosférica que possa atuar sobre a populaçäo infantil, determinando o aparecimento de asma. Contudo, a prevalência de Síndrome Asmatiforme em crianças menores de 6 anos é de 11,22 por cento. Visando a analisar alguns fatores de risco para asma, foi elaborado este estudo do tipo caso controle, no qual os autores avaliaram 17 crianças asmáticas e 68 saudáveis (relaçäo caso/controle 1:4), em uma comunidade fechada livre de poluiçäo atmosférica. Asma materna e exposiçäo à fumaça de cigarro foram, significativamente, mais frequentes nos asmáticos com um risco relativo de síndrome asmatiforme 6,9 e 4,6 vezes maior nos asmáticos que nos controles, respectivamente. Näo foi observada diferença estatística entre os grupos, quanto ao uso de aleitamento materno.