Genotypic variations in the accumulation of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn exhibited by six commonly grown vegetables.

Metal contaminants in garden and allotment soils could possibly affect human health through a variety of pathways. This study focused on the potential pathway of consumption of vegetables grown on contaminated soil. Five cultivars each of six common vegetables were grown in a control and in a soil spiked with Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Highly significant differences in metal content were evident between cultivars of a number of vegetables for several of the contaminants. Carrot and pea cultivars exhibited significant differences in accumulated concentrations of Cd and Cu with carrot cultivars also exhibiting significant differences in Zn. Distinctive differences were also identified when comparing one vegetable to another, legumes (Leguminosae) tending to be low accumulators, root vegetables (Umbelliferae and Liliaceae) tending to be moderate accumulators and leafy vegetables (Compositae and Chenopodiaceae) being high accumulators.

European Multicentre Association Study of Schizophrenia: a study of the DRD2 Ser311Cys and DRD3 Ser9Gly polymorphisms.

As part of the European Multicentre Association Study of Schizophrenia (EMASS), we studied polymorphisms in the dopamine DRD2 and DRD3 receptor genes. The EMASS collaboration was established to create a large, statistically powerful sample of schizophrenic patients and controls from different European centres. Previous studies have suggested associations between schizophrenia and the Ser311Cys polymorphism in exon 7 of the dopamine DRD2 receptor gene [Arinami et al., (1994): Lancet 343:703-704] and a polymorphism Ser9gly in exon 1 of the dopamine DRD3 receptor gene [Crocq et al. (1992): J Med Genet 29:858-860]. We tested for these associations in samples of 373 and 413, and 311 and 306 patients and controls, respectively. We found no evidence for allelic association between schizophrenia and the Cys311 variant of the DRD2 receptor gene and no homozygotes for this variant were observed by any group. However, an excess of homozygotes for both alleles of the DRD3 polymorphism was observed in schizophrenic patients (chi2 = 8.54, P = 0.003, odds ratio = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.18-2.29). We also observed a significant excess of the 1-1 (Ser9Ser) genotype (chi2 = 8.13, P = 0.004, odds ratio = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.18-2.4). No evidence of heterogeneity between samples was detected and there was no evidence of an allelic association. These findings suggest that the rare Cys311 variant in exon 7 of the DRD2 receptor gene does not play a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia in European populations. Currently, our results do support the previous findings of an association between increased homozygosity of the Ser/Gly variant of the Dopamine D3 receptor gene and schizophrenia.

Remissäo completa de metástases endobrônquica, parenquimatosa e ganglionar hilar pulmonares de carcinoma de próstata após hormonioterapia antiandrogênica / Complete remission of endobronchial, parenchymal and hilar lymphatic lung metastases of prostatic carcinoma after anti-androgenic hormotherapy

Homem negro de 65 anos de idade referia, há 5 meses, queixas respiratórias e urinarias. A rivestigaçao realizada demonstrou a existência de carcinoma de próstata com metástases ósseas, brônquica, parenquimatosa e ganglionar hilar pulmonar. Biópsias de próstata e de brônquio revelaram carcinoma; a pesquisa de antígeno prostático específico foi positiva em ambas. O paciente foi submetido à prostatectomia e orquiectomia bilateral, bem como hormonioterapia antiandrogênica; houve involuçao das metástases brônquicas, pulmonar e ganglionar, mantendo-se inalteradas as ósseas. Em conclusao: metástases pulmonar e brônquica de carcinoma de próstata podem simular carcinoma brônquico primitivo; o tratamento hormonal foi satisfatório, evitando-se, assim, radio e quimioterapia; regressao completa com terapia antiandrogênica é possível, evitando-se radio e quimioteerapia.

[Complete remission of endobronchial, parenchymal and hilar lymphatic lung metastases of prostatic carcinoma after anti-androgenic hormotherapy]. / Remissão completa de metástases endobrônquica, parenquimatosa e ganglionar hilar pulmonares de carcinoma de próstata após hormonioterapia antiandrogênica.

UNLABELLED: A 65 year old male Negro had respiratory and urinary symptoms for the last 5 months. The work-up disclosed a prostatic carcinoma with metastases in bones, bronchus, lung parenchyma and hilar lymphnodes. Prostatic and bronchial biopsies revealed carcinoma; specific prostatic antigen was detected in both. A prostatectomy with bilateral orchiectomy was performed followed by anti-androgenic hormotherapy. Complete remission of metastatic bronchial, lung parenchyma and lymphatic lesions was observed; bone lesions did not change. IN CONCLUSION: lung and bronchial metastases of prostatic carcinoma may resemble primitive bronchial tumor; complete remission with anti-androgenic therapy is possible, saving the patient from unnecessary radio and/or chemotherapy.

Bilateral pleural effusion due to mediastinal fibrosis induced by radiotherapy.

A diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease was made 20 years ago in a 37-year-old woman; treatment included thoracic irradiation and chemotherapy. She was considered cured and remained well up to one year before, when she developed bilateral pleural effusion. No evidence of activity of Hodgkin's disease was detected. The pleural liquid was an exudate, with lymphocytic predominance. On thoracoscopy, enlarged lymphatic channels in the visceral pleura were noted, with tissue confirmation. To our knowledge, this report is the first to confirm by thoracoscopy and histologic study the proposed pathophysiologic condition of this uncommon entity.

[Iatrogenic pneumothorax caused by acupuncture]. / Pneumotórax iatrogênico por acunputura.

A 68 year-old white male patient with previous diagnosis of pulmonary emphysema was submitted to acupuncture. The needles were inserted into the precordial area and the patient immediately complained of worsening dyspnea. Four days later pneumothorax was detected by chest X-rays. A thoracic tube was inserted with total lung expansion.