Enhancing RECK Expression Through miR-21 Inhibition: A Promising Strategy for Bladder Carcinoma Control.

Bladder carcinoma (BC) is the tenth most frequent malignancy worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality rates. Despite recent treatment advances, high-grade BC and muscle-invasive BC present with significant progression and recurrence rates, urging the need for alternative treatments. The microRNA-21 (miR-21) has superexpression in many malignancies and is associated with cellular invasion and progression. One of its mechanisms of action is the regulation of RECK, a tumor suppressor gene responsible for inhibiting metalloproteinases, including MMP9. In a high-grade urothelial cancer cell line, we aimed to assess if miR-21 downregulation would promote RECK expression and decrease MMP9 expression. We also evaluated cellular migration and proliferation potential by inhibition of this pathway. In a T24 cell line, we inhibited miR-21 expression by transfection of a specific microRNA inhibitor (anti-miR-21). There were also control and scramble groups, the last with a negative microRNA transfected. After the procedure, we performed a genetic expression analysis of miR-21, RECK, and MMP9 through qPCR. Migration, proliferation, and protein expression were evaluated via wound healing assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence.After anti-miR-21 transfection, miR-21 expression decreased with RECK upregulation and MMP9 downregulation. The immunofluorescence assay showed a significant increase in RECK protein expression (p < 0.0001) and a decrease in MMP9 protein expression (p = 0.0101). The anti-miR-21 transfection significantly reduced cellular migration in the wound healing assay (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, in the colony formation assay, the anti-miR-21 group demonstrated reduced cellular proliferation (p = 0.0008), also revealed in the cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry (p = 0.0038). Our results corroborate the hypothesis that miR-21 is associated with BC cellular migration and proliferation, revealing its potential as a new effective treatment for this pathology.

Prostate cancer awareness in the city of São Paulo.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate awareness of prostate cancer in the population of the city of São Paulo. METHODS: A total of 392 adults were randomly interviewed on public spaces in the city of São Paulo, and answered a questionnaire that addressed demographic questions and specific knowledge about the prostate cancer. A score was used to assess awareness of cancer in general, and of prostate cancer, considering satisfactory knowledge a score of 6 points. RESULTS: The mean age was 36.9 years (standard deviation of ±12.6) and 58.2% of participants were male. No previous contact with information related to prostate cancer was reported by 45.5% of participants. For these cases, a greater proportion was observed among men aged over 50 years. As to the score, the mean was 3.7 (standard deviation of ±1.3), with a positive correlation among higher scores, higher income and education level. Less than 5% of participants believed they should only search for prostate cancer screening when symptomatic. Finally, among the less frequent responses to risk factors for prostate cancer, is "ethnic origin" (2.8%). CONCLUSION: Even though most participants did not have a satisfactory score, the level of awareness demonstrated in this study seems superior to that of other populational series. Hence it suggested the assessed population understood some essential concepts in prostate cancer, such as the importance of screening and the follow-up. The efforts made by the Sociedade Brasileira de Urologia on educational campaigns partially explain this. However, working in some concepts, like identifying risk factors for prostate cancer, might optimize screening outcomes.

Light-emitting diode stimulates radiodermatitis recovery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of light-emitting diode (LED) in an experimental model of radiodermatitis. METHODS: Ten male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were analyzed. Radiation was delivered in a single dose (20 Gy with Strontium-90 dermatological plaques), two areas per animal. After 15 days, they were divided into two groups: control group (n = 5) and LED group (n = 5), which was treated during 21 days later (LED 660 nm, 10 min in alternate days). The endpoints were radiodermatitis scale, histological analysis HE, Picrius Sirius and the gene expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). RESULTS: The LED group showed a higher number of dermal appendages (p = 0.04) and angiogenesis(p = 0.007), a tendency towards higher IL-10 (p = 0.06) and an increase in MMP-9 (p = 0.004) when compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that the use of LED for radiodermatitis increased skin regeneration.

Prostate cancer awareness in the city of São Paulo / Conhecimento da população da cidade de São Paulo a respeito do câncer de próstata

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate awareness of prostate cancer in the population of the city of São Paulo. Methods: A total of 392 adults were randomly interviewed on public spaces in the city of São Paulo, and answered a questionnaire that addressed demographic questions and specific knowledge about the prostate cancer. A score was used to assess awareness of cancer in general, and of prostate cancer, considering satisfactory knowledge a score of 6 points. Results: The mean age was 36.9 years (standard deviation of ±12.6) and 58.2% of participants were male. No previous contact with information related to prostate cancer was reported by 45.5% of participants. For these cases, a greater proportion was observed among men aged over 50 years. As to the score, the mean was 3.7 (standard deviation of ±1.3), with a positive correlation among higher scores, higher income and education level. Less than 5% of participants believed they should only search for prostate cancer screening when symptomatic. Finally, among the less frequent responses to risk factors for prostate cancer, is "ethnic origin" (2.8%). Conclusion: Even though most participants did not have a satisfactory score, the level of awareness demonstrated in this study seems superior to that of other populational series. Hence it suggested the assessed population understood some essential concepts in prostate cancer, such as the importance of screening and the follow-up. The efforts made by the Sociedade Brasileira de Urologia on educational campaigns partially explain this. However, working in some concepts, like identifying risk factors for prostate cancer, might optimize screening outcomes.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o conhecimento da população da cidade de São Paulo em relação ao câncer de próstata. Métodos: Foram entrevistados randomicamente 392 adultos em espaços públicos da cidade de São Paulo, os quais responderam a um questionário que abordava questões demográficas e de conhecimentos específicos sobre o câncer de próstata. Um escore foi utilizado para avaliar o conhecimento de câncer em geral e do câncer de próstata, considerando um conhecimento satisfatório com escore de 6 pontos. Resultados: A média de idade foi de 36,9 anos (desvio-padrão de ±12,6), e 58,2% dos participantes eram do sexo masculino. Ausência de contato anterior com informações relacionadas ao câncer de próstata foi relatada por 45,5% dos participantes. Nesses casos, maior proporção foi observada entre os homens com mais de 50 anos. Quanto ao escore, a média foi 3,7 (desvio-padrão de ±1,3), com correlação positiva entre maiores escores e maiores renda e escolaridade. Menos de 5% dos participantes acreditavam que só deveriam procurar o rastreamento do câncer de próstata quando sintomáticos. Por fim, entre as respostas menos frequentes aos fatores de risco para câncer de próstata, encontrou-se "etnia" (2,8%). Conclusão: Embora a maioria dos participantes não tenha apresentado escore satisfatório, o nível de conhecimento revelado neste estudo parece superior ao de outros estudos populacionais. Assim, sugere-se que a população avaliada tenha compreendido alguns conceitos essenciais do câncer de próstata, como a importância do rastreamento e do acompanhamento. Os esforços da Sociedade Brasileira de Urologia nas campanhas educacionais explicam parcialmente isso. No entanto, trabalhar em alguns conceitos, como identificar fatores de risco para câncer de próstata, pode otimizar os resultados do rastreamento.

Acute cytomegalovirus infection associated with pulmonary embolism treated successfully with rivaroxaban: case report.

Severe life-threatening thromboembolism may be caused exclusively by the presence of an acute CMV infection or due to the association of this agent and other thrombogenic factors. We report a case of an immunocompetent young female patient who presented a pulmonary embolism associated with acute CMV infection. The patient did not have any other apparent cause of thrombosis. She was successfully treated with rivaroxaban for 6 months without further episodes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a pulmonary embolism associated with CMV treated with a direct oral anticoagulant. The current case report calls attention to the importance of signs and symptoms of thromboembolism among patients with CMV. Direct oral anticoagulants can potentially bring the same benefits to treat pulmonary embolism associated with CMV as those observed in patients not infected.

Crohn's disease versus Yersinia enterocolitica infection - case report - a difficult differential diagnosis / Doença de Crohn's × Yersinia enterocolitica - um difícil diagnóstico diferencial - relato de caso

ABSTRACT The aim of this report is to present an unusual case of Crohn's disease affecting the terminal ileum; whose principal differential diagnosis was Yersinia enterolocolitica infection, as the histological features of the resected ileum was common to both diseases. We also describe how the infectious etiology was discarded and the implications for the patient follow-up.

RESUMO O objetivo desse relato é analisar um caso incomum de doença de Crohn, cujo diagnóstico diferencial, com possível infecção por Yersinia enterocilítica, foi dificultado pela presença de alterações histológicas das duas doenças. Descrevemos como foi realizada a exclusão de causas infecciosas e as implicações no acompanhamento do paciente.