The Absence of Pineal Melatonin Abolishes the Daily Rhythm of Tph1 (Tryptophan Hydroxylase 1), Asmt (Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase), and Aanat (Aralkylamine N-Acetyltransferase) mRNA Expressions in Rat Testes.

This study examined the effects of pinealectomy in Wistar rats and melatonin replacement therapy on the daily mRNA expression of melatonin (Tph1, Aanat, Asmt, Mt1, Mt2, and Rorα), and steroidogenic (Star, 17ßhsd3, and Lhr) related genes as well as clock genes (Rev-erbα, Bmal1, Per1, Per2, Cry1, and Cry2) in testes. The testes of control animals express the Tph1, Aanat, and Asmt and Per2 genes with 24-h rhythms in mRNA, reaching the maximal values during the dark phase. Pinealectomy abolished and melatonin treatment restored the 24-h rhythmicity. Daytime differences in mRNA expression were significant for Star, Lhr, Mt1, Mt2, Rorα, Rev-erbα, Bmal1, Cry1, and Cry2 genes in testes of control rats. Conversely, 17ßhsd3 and Per1 mRNA expression did not show a daytime difference in testes of control animals. Pinealectomy abolished the peak time of Mt1 and Mt2 mRNA expression, phase shifted the peak time of Star, Rorα, Rev-erbα, Bmal1, and Cry2 mRNA expression, downregulated the 24-h Lhr mRNA expression, and inverted the peak time of Per1, Per2, and Cry1 mRNA expression to the light phase. The melatonin replacement therapy completely restored the control levels of Lhr, Rev-erbα, and Per1 mRNA expression patterns, partially restored the daily control of Star, Mt2, Rorα, Bmal1, Cry1, and Cry2 mRNA expression but did not re-establish the daily control of Mt1 mRNA expression. This suggests that the daily mRNA expression of these genes is probably driven by pineal melatonin and melatonin treatment restores (partially or completely) the daily control of gene expression patterns.

Neonatal anoxia in rats: hippocampal cellular and subcellular changes related to cell death and spatial memory.

Neonatal anoxia in rodents has been used to understand brain changes and cognitive dysfunction following asphyxia. This study investigated the time-course of cellular and subcellular changes and hippocampal cell death in a non-invasive model of anoxia in neonatal rats, using Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) to reveal DNA fragmentation, Fluoro-Jade® B (FJB) to show degenerating neurons, cleaved caspase-3 immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect cells undergoing apoptosis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to reveal fine ultrastructural changes related to cell death. Anoxia was induced by exposing postnatal day 1 (P1) pups to a flow of 100% gaseous nitrogen for 25 min in a chamber maintained at 37 °C. Control rats were similarly exposed to this chamber but with air flow instead of nitrogen. Brain changes following anoxia were evaluated at postnatal days 2, 14, 21 and 60 (P2, P14, P21 and P60). In addition, spatial reference memory following anoxia and control treatments was evaluated in the Morris water maze, starting at P60. Compared to their respective controls, P2 anoxic rats exhibited (1) higher TUNEL labeling in cornus ammonis (CA) 1 and the dentate gyrus (DG), (2) higher FJB-positive cells in the CA2-3, and (3) somato-dendritic swelling, mitochondrial injury and chromatin condensation in irregular bodies, as well as other subcellular features indicating apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy and excitotoxicity in the CA1, CA2-3 and DG, as revealed by TEM. At P14, P21 and P60, both groups showed small numbers of TUNEL-positive and FJB-positive cells. Stereological analysis at P2, P14, P21 and P60 revealed a lack of significant differences in cleaved caspase-3 IHC between anoxic and control subjects. These results suggest that the type of hippocampal cell death following neonatal anoxia is likely independent of caspase-3 activation. Neonatal anoxia induced deficits in acquisition and performance of spatial reference memory in the Morris water maze task. Compared to control subjects, anoxic animals exhibited increased latencies and path lengths to reach the platform, as well as decreased searching specifically for the platform location. In contrast, no significant differences were observed for swimming speeds and frequency within the target quadrant. Together, these behavioral results indicate that the poorer performance by anoxic subjects is related to spatial memory deficits and not to sensory or motor deficits. Therefore, this model of neonatal anoxia in rats induces hippocampal changes that result in cell losses and impaired hippocampal function, and these changes are likely related to spatial memory deficits in adulthood.

Situation of radiotherapy in Latin America.

A survey to evaluate situation of radiotherapy in Latin America was conducted. Consultation was made with representatives of 10 countries, resulting in the responses of 5. These five countries represent around 80% and 81%, respectively, from the total area and population of South America. Situation of equipment, modern facilities, and human resources is analyzed. A Cobalt machine is the basic megavoltage equipment in Latin America; half of the total number, however, is of old units with very low output sources. Linacs represent one-third of cobalt machines, the majority of low photon energy without electron capability. Treatment planning, localization, patient positioning, and immobilization are inadequade or of low quality in a high number of institutions. Teaching programs are insufficient or inexistent in certain areas. Late diagnosis and referral for treatment is a major problem for cancer control in Latin America. Hierarchization and regionalization of radiation therapy centers are indicated as a way to provide high quality services and teaching programs. In Latin America, lodging and facilities for transportation are essential to assure the continuity of radiation treatment and regular follow-up to patients from rural or distant areas.

Estrogen receptors in breast cancer--therapeutic response to the treatment of recurrences.

The authors analyze estrogen receptors in 501 cases of breast cancer and the therapeutic response achieved with treatment of patients who relapsed. The method utilized to determine the presence of estrogen receptor was cytosol protein-counting and Dextran coated charcoal (DCC) saturation analysis. Patients were treated with chemotherapy when the primary tumor was estrogen-receptor negative. If receptor was present, anti-estrogen drug (Tamoxifen) was added. Patients previously treated with the anti-estrogen presented a better response to anti-estrogen therapy and a lower recurrence rate. Recurrences were more frequent in estrogen receptor negative cases and better responses to treatment were found in estrogen receptor positive ones.

Ovarian germ cell cancer: clinicopathologic analysis and outcome of 31 cases.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate some clinicopathologic characteristics and the outcome of patients with ovarian germ cell cancer (OGCC) treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. METHODS: It was a clinical retrospective study. The clinical charts of 31 patients with OGCC assisted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the State University of Campinas, Brazil, from January 1986 to June 1997 were reviewed. RESULTS: Ten patients had dysgerminoma and 21 patients nondysgerminomatous tumors. Women with dysgerminoma and nondysgerminomatous tumors did not present differences regarding surgical staging, age, ascites or residual tumor after the initial surgery. Frozen section, performed in 16 patients, showed some discrepancy with paraffin histology diagnosis in 8 patients. Platinum-based chemotherapy was used in 5/10 patients with dysgerminoma and in 17/21 patients with nondysgerminomatous tumors, with a 5-year survival of 100% for the dysgerminoma and 53% for the nondysgerminomatous group. CONCLUSIONS: Women with dysgerminoma and nondysgerminomatous tumors did not present differences regarding clinicopathologic characteristics. The prognosis for patients with dysgerminoma was better than for those with nondysgerminomatous tumors. Frozen section had a high error rate in diagnosing OGCC intraoperatively.

Simultaneous saccharification and cofermentation of peracetic acid-pretreated biomass.

Previous work in our laboratories has demonstrated the effectiveness of peracetic acid for improving enzymatic digestibility of lignocellulosic materials. The use of dilute alkali solutions as a pre-pretreatment prior to peracetic acid lignin oxidation increased carbohydrate hydrolysis yields in a synergistic as opposed to additive manner. Deacetylation of xylan is easily achieved using dilute alkali solutions under mild conditions. In this article, we evaluate the effectiveness of peracetic acid combined with an alkaline pre-pretreatment through simultaneous saccharification and cofermentation (SSCF) of pretreated hybrid poplar wood and sugar cane bagasse. Respective ethanol yields of 92.8 and 91.9% of theoretical are achieved using 6% NaOH/15% peracetic acid-pretreated substrates and recombinant Zymomonas mobilis CP4/pZB5. Reduction of acetyl groups of the lignocellulosic materials is demonstrated following alkaline pre-pretreatments. Such processing may be helpful in reducing peracetic acid requirements. The influence of deacetylation is more significant in combined pretreatments using lower peracetic acid loadings.

Breast cancer metastatic to uterine leiomyosarcoma. A case report and review of the literature.

An unusual case of breast cancer metastatic to leiomyosarcoma of the uterus is reported. The patient had multiple metastases from the breast carcinoma and presented a pelvic mass in its evolution. A laparotomy with total hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy was performed to give pain relief. A review of the world literature about these uncommon sites of breast metastases is presented.

Wear rates of posterior composite resins.

The wear rates of nine posterior composite resins were determined for a period of up to 3 years. The wear rates observed depended on the method used for evaluation. A quantitative method of evaluation showed that the wear rates decreased with time. With the use of the quantitative measurements obtained at the end of 6 months after insertion, it was possible to predict the average annual rates of wear at the end of 3 years.

Clinical microleakage evaluation of a cavity varnish.

This clinical study evaluated the microleakage effectiveness of a cavity varnish when used in combination with two types of amalgam: a spherical particle and a dispersed phase alloy. Calcium hydroxide was utilized as the microleakage detection agent. Copalite showed a reduction in microleakage when it was employed with the spherical particle alloy used in this study. This study clinically demonstrated that Copalite is not totally effective in eliminating microleakage.

Clinical evaluation of a posterior composite resin containing a semiporous filler particle.

Bowen recently developed a new filler particle for composite resin restorations. The surface particles of a diphasic strontium glass are superficially etched and after silanating the surface, the microscopic defects are filled with prepolymerized resin. The filler particles are then bonded chemically and mechanically to the resin matrix. This paper discusses the clinical performance of this material as a posterior composite resin over a two year period.

Clinical evaluation of gallium alloy as a posterior restorative material.

This study evaluated 30 gallium alloy (Gallium alloy GF) and 31 amalgam (Dispersalloy) restorations over a period of 8 months in both Class I and Class II cavity preparations in 28 human subjects. At baseline, all gallium alloy and amalgam restorations were considered acceptable (Alfa) in terms of caries, anatomic form, marginal adaptation, surface texture, and bulk fracture. Postoperative sensitivity was reported in 67% of the gallium alloy restorations and in 29% of the amalgam restorations. At 8 months, 61% of the gallium alloy restorations were rated Beta for marginal adaptation, and all restorations exhibited tarnish and corrosion. With a few exceptions, the amalgam restorations were rated Alfa for those criteria. Three gallium alloy restorations had to be replaced during the evaluation period because of severe postoperative sensitivity and 39% of gallium restorations still presented some sensitivity at 8 months. Additional problems exhibited by gallium restorations were tooth fractures, tooth cracks, and marginal whitening.

[Bilateral cerebral mycotic aneurysm in a child. Report of a case and review of the literature]. / Aneurisma micótico cerebral bilateral em crianca. Registro de um caso e revisão da literatura

The case of a 6 year-old boy, who was hospitalized with the diagnosis of purlent meningits is reported. The CSF examination disclosed pleocytosis and the antibioticotherapy was instituded. The bilateral carotid angiography demonstrated an arterial aneurysm of the frontal ascendent artery with hematoma in the left side and another in the posterior temporal artery, in the right side. The patient was operated on because of the hematoma, in the left side. The condition of the patient in the post-operatory period deteriorated and the death ocurred. The post-mortem examination disclosed a sub-arachnoidal hemorrhage, fronto-temporal hematoma in the left side and a para-capsular hematoma in the right side. The histological examination of the central part of the right side. The histological examination of the central part of the hematoma revealed a dilated arterial walls with a supurative inflammatory process.

[Neurocutaneous melanosis: autopsy study of a case]. / Melanose neurocutânea: estudo autópsico de um caso.

The clinical, radiological and autopsy features of a 5-month-old child with neurocutaneous melanosis are described. The patient had multiple disseminated benign cutaneous nevi. The pneumoencephalogram showed non-obstructive hydrocephalus. The patient died at the third day of hospitalization and autopsy was performed. A mild hydrocephalus and melanic specks in cerebellum and in the brainstem were disclosed.

Primary melanoma of the uterine cervix figo stage III B.

The primary malignant melanoma of the uterine cervix is rare, usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and with poor prognosis. The diagnosis is made through histological evaluation and confirmed by special staining procedures. Radical surgery has been used and advocated. However in its advanced stages chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy can be employed. A case of a patient with malignant melanoma of the uterine cervix, Stage IIIb, is presented in addition to a clinical and pathological discussion.

Effect of polishing burs and stones on the micro-hardness of dental amalgam.

Square standard cavities were prepared in human teeth and restored with amalgam obtained from alloys of different trade-marks. Twenty-four hours after condensation, excess amalgam was removed from three of the four margins, each with a different rotatory instrument (number 4 bur, multiblade finishing bur, and fine green stone). No rotatory instrument was used on the fourth margin (control), and this control was polished with pumice and zinc-oxide pastes and Sweeney's brushes. Vickers' tests for micro-hardness of the amalgam were performed on the four margins of the restorations. The restorations were then submitted to metallographic polishing, and a second micro-hardness measurement was made seven days later. The statistical analysis of the data showed that micro-hardness values were higher at the margins on which no rotatory instruments were used. The lowest micro-hardness values were found at the margins where finishing and/or round burs were used. Polishing with fine green stones gave intermediate values.