Nuclear morphometry and chromatin texture changes in hepatocellular carcinoma samples may predict outcomes of liver transplanted patients.

BACKGROUND: Nuclear changes are typical in the carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Morphometry and chromatin texture analysis are quantitative methods for their quantification. In this study, we analyzed nuclear morphometry and chromatin texture parameters in samples of hepatocellular carcinoma from liver transplant patients and their associations with clinicopathologic variables. METHODS: Samples of HCC and adjacent tissue from 34 individuals were collected in tissue microarray blocks. Stained slides were microphotographed using an optical microscope and nuclear parameters analyzed in ImageJ (FracLac plug-in). ROC curve analysis was used to find accurate cut-offs for differentiation of neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells. The inter-rater agreement was also evaluated. RESULTS: Nuclear morphometric and textural differences were observed between the samples of HCC and adjacent tissue of liver transplant patients. Lower mean gray value (p = 0.034) and Feret diameter (p = 0.024) were associated with higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores. Nuclei with larger area (p = 0.014) and larger Feret diameter (p = 0.035) were associated with lower survival. Lower aspect ratio was associated with HCC recurrence after the transplant (p = 0.048). The cut-off of 1.13 µm (p = < 0.001) for aspect ratio and cut-off of 21.15 µm (p = 0.038) for perimeter were established for the differentiation of neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells. The morphometric analysis was reproducible to area, circularity, Feret diameter, mean gray value and aspect ratio between observers (p = < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nuclear morphometric differences between the HCC and the adjacent tissue samples were associated with prognostic variables (MELD scores, recurrence and survival) and may predict liver transplant patients' outcomes.

The gene expression of GPER1 is low in fresh samples of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and in silico analysis.

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), whose incidence has been increasing in the last years, occurs more frequently in women. Experimental studies suggested that estrogen could be an important risk factor for the higher female incidence. In fact, it has been demonstrated that 17ß-estradiol (E2) could increase proliferation and dedifferentiation in thyroid follicular cells. Genomic estrogen responses are typically mediated through classical estrogen receptors, the α and ß isoforms, which have been described in normal and abnormal human thyroid tissue. Nevertheless, effects mediated through G protein estrogen receptor 1 (GPR30/GPER/GPER1), described in some thyroid cancer cell lines, could be partially responsible for the regulation of growth in normal cells. In this study, GPER1 gene and protein expression are described in non-malignant and in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), as well as its association with clinical features of patients with PTC. The GPER1 expression was lower in PTC as compared to paired non-malignant thyroid tissues in fresh samples of PTC and in silico analysis of GEO and TCGA databases. In PTC cases of TCGA database, low GPER1 mRNA expression was independently associated with metastatic lymph nodes, female gender, and BRAF mutation. Besides, GPER1 mRNA levels were positively correlated with mRNA levels of thyroid differentiation genes. These results support the hypothesis that GPER1 have a role in PTC tumorigenesis and might be a potential target for its therapy. Further studies are needed to determine the functionality of these receptors in normal and diseased thyroid.

Effects of the composite nanovesicles on the physical properties and cellular adhesion of chitosan films.

Chitosan films were prepared by the casting of a chitosan gel in absence and presence of composite nanovesicles. The microscopy images showed the occurrence of agglomerates on the surface and internal pores when the nanovesicles were added to the films, differently from the smooth surface of the pure chitosan films. Despite the hydrophobic character that composite nanovesicles gave to the chitosan films, as showed by the reduction of the water permeation at prolonged times, there was a reduction on the contact angle values for these samples related to the roughness of the surface. The peak of water desorption observed on calorimetric analysis of chitosan was shifted to higher values when the nanovesicles were added to the films. Furthermore, the desappearance of Tg on the films containing nanovesicles denoted their plastifier effect in the chitosan film. The swelling results showed higher water diffusion at the first times for the films containing nanovesicles because of the pores observed by microscopy. However, at prolonged times, there was a reduction on the swelling because of the lipofilic composition of the nanovesicles. Furthermore, the presence of nanovesicles led to a reduction on the water content in the chitosan films. Due to the effect on the physical properties of the chitosan films, the addition of nanovesicles on discrete concentrations contributed to the cell adhesion.

Soros e vacinas / Sera and vaccines

Texto elaborado para a disciplina de Imunologia Médica (BIO624) do curso de Medicina da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul com o objetivo de facilitar e tronar mais agradável o ensino e aprendizado de um assunto muito importante e pouco comentado.