Venom immunotherapy in clinical practice: comparison of two ultra-rush protocols.

Summary: Background. Ultra-rush venom immunotherapy protocols have shown to be a safe and effective approach to prevent the occurrence of systemic reactions after hymenoptera stings. The aim was to describe our experience with two ultra-rush protocols - a five-step with 1 µg starting dose and a six-step with 0.1 µg starting dose, as well as to compare their safety profile. Methods. This is a retrospective study of all the patients who underwent VIT with honey bee or wasp venom between January 2008 and December 2021, in our department. Results. A total of 110 patients was included, with 109 patients (99%) completing the protocol. A total of 63 (57%) patients had no local or systemic reactions. Most systemic reactions occurred with 20 µg or higher doses (24, 83%). There were no documented grade IV systemic reactions (Mueller grading). No differences were found in local or systemic reactions regarding sex, atopy, ß-blocker medication, the severity of the index reaction, ID test positivity, levels of total IgE, specific IgE and tryptase (all p > 0.05). Younger age, treatment with bee VIT or being a beekeeper were associated with more systemic reactions (p = 0.035, 0.006 and 0.047, respectively). No statistical differences in the number of local and systemic reactions were found when comparing both protocols (p = 1.000). Conclusions. Ultra-rush protocols are safe and effective, but systemic reactions are to be expected, especially with honeybee. Our data supports that ACE inhibitors do not compromise safety. Beginning with 1 µg is safe and can save time and resources.

Drug Hypersensitivity Quality of Life Questionnaire: validation procedures and first results of the Portuguese version.

BACKGROUND: Hypersensitivity reactions to drugs are unpredictable and can be very complex and severe, even life threatening. Assess its impact on patient's health related quality of life (HRQoL) is crucial. The Drug Hypersensitivity Quality of Life Questionnaire (DrHy-Q) is the only validated disease-specific HRQoL questionnaire. We aimed to translate and cross-cultural validate the DrHy-Q to the Portuguese population. It was also our purpose to determine the impact of drug hypersensitivity on patients' HRQoL. METHODS: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the DrHy-Q to Portuguese was performed according to standards. Reliability of the DrHy-Q Portuguese version was assessed in terms of internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Structural validity, divergent validity (with a generic health related QoLQ-PGWBI) and discriminant validity were also evaluated. Forty patients accepted to participate in the validation phase. The Portuguese version of the DrHy-Q was applied to 260 consecutively adult patients, studied in our Department for suspected drug hypersensitivity. RESULTS: The Portuguese DrHy-Q showed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's ɑ = 0.938), good test-retest reliability [ICC = 0.713 (95% CI 0.488-0.850] and one-dimensional structure. No significant correlation was found between the DrHy-Q and the PGWBI total scores (r = - 0.010, p = 0.957). Two hundred of patients completed the study: 78.5% female; mean age = 44 ± 15 years. Mean DrHy-Q score was 36.8 ± 12.6. Two clinical factors significantly predict DrHy-Q total score: clinical manifestations and number of suspected drugs. Patients with anaphylaxis (ß = 11.005; 95% CI 5.523; 16.487), urticaria/angioedema (ß = 7.770; 95% CI 2.600; 12.940) and other manifestations (ß = 7.948; 95% CI 1.933; 13.962) are more likely to have higher DrHy-Q total score than patients with maculopapular exanthema. Patients with ≥ 2 suspected drugs are also more likely to have worse QoL (ß = 7.927; 95% CI 3.687; 12.166). CONCLUSION: The Portuguese version of DrHy-Q revealed adequate validity and reliability, indicating that it is appropriate to assess the impact of drug hypersensitivity on patients' HRQoL, providing data for a better comprehension and management of our patients. Moreover, our results highlight that the severity of the drug hypersensitivity reaction and the number of suspected drugs have impact on patient's DrHy-QoL.

Assessing preschoolers interactive behaviour: A validation study of the "Coding System for Mother-Child Interaction".

BACKGROUND: The preschool years are a period of great developmental achievements, which impact critically on a child's interactive skills. Having valid and reliable measures to assess interactive behaviour at this stage is therefore crucial. The aim of this study was to describe the adaptation and validation of the child coding of the Coding System for Mother-Child Interactions and discuss its applications and implications in future research and practice. METHODS: Two hundred twenty Portuguese preschoolers and their mothers were videotaped during a structured task. Child and mother interactive behaviours were coded based on the task. Maternal reports on the child's temperament and emotional and behaviour problems were also collected, along with family psychosocial information. RESULTS: Interrater agreement was confirmed. The use of child Cooperation, Enthusiasm, and Negativity as subscales was supported by their correlations across tasks. Moreover, these subscales were correlated with each other, which supports the use of a global child interactive behaviour score. Convergent validity with a measure of emotional and behavioural problems (Child Behaviour Checklist 1 ½-5) was established, as well as divergent validity with a measure of temperament (Children's Behaviour Questionnaire-Short Form). Regarding associations with family variables, child interactive behaviour was only associated with maternal behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that this coding system is a valid and reliable measure for assessing child interactive behaviour in preschool age children. It therefore represents an important alternative to this area of research and practice, with reduced costs and with more flexible training requirements. Attention should be given in future research to expanding this work to clinical populations and different age groups.

Atomic pair distribution function at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory: application to the Pb1-xLaxZr0.40Ti0.60O3 ferroelectric system.

This work reports the setting up of the X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy beamline at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory for performing total scattering experiments to be analyzed by atomic pair distribution function (PDF) studies. The results of a PDF refinement for Al2O3 standard are presented and compared with data acquired at a beamline of the Advanced Photon Source, where it is common to perform this type of experiment. A preliminary characterization of the Pb1-xLaxZr0.40Ti0.60O3 ferroelectric system, with x = 0.11, 0.12 and 0.15, is also shown.

Psychophysiological Reactivity in Couples During a Marital Interaction Task.

The ability to regulate our own physiological arousal when dealing with the emotional expression of our partner is crucial for satisfactory and stable intimate relationships. In previous physiological studies of marital interactions, researchers have found greater levels of psychophysiological arousal for members of the couple in conflictual interactions in comparison with positive interactions. Past researchers have established that intense and prolonged autonomic and neuroendocrine arousal during marital conflict can have negative consequences for mental and physical health. In this study we examined the physiological reactivity, as measured by skin conductance level, heart rate and cortisol levels, from both partners during a couple's interaction task consisting of a structured conversation about positive and negative aspects of their relationship. Participants were thirty-two heterosexual couples (N = 64) in a committed monogamous relationship with a minimum duration of one year. We found higher heart rate and cortisol levels during negative interaction condition when compared with the positive condition. Skin conductance was higher in the positive interaction condition, when compared with the negative interaction condition. In addition, we found a significant negative association between heart rate variability and autonomic arousal evoked by the interaction task. The implications of these findings for the effects of marital strain on health as well as for the design of risk-reducing interventions, namely biofeedback are discussed.

The role of oxygen vacancies and their location in the magnetic properties of Ce(1-x)Cu(x)O(2-δ) nanorods.

Ceria (CeO2) is a promising dilute magnetic semiconductor. Several studies report that the intrinsic and extrinsic structural defects are responsible for room temperature ferromagnetism in undoped and transition metal doped CeO2 nanostructures; however, the nature of the kind of defect necessary to promote and stabilize the ferromagnetism in such a system is still a matter of debate. In the work presented here, nanorods from the system Ce1-xCuxO2-δ with x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.10, with the more stable {111} surface exposed were synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. A very careful structure characterization confirms that the Cu in the samples assumes a majority 2+ oxidation state, occupying the Ce (Ce(4+) and Ce(3+)) sites with no secondary phases up to x = 0.05. The inclusion of the Cu(2+) in the CeO2 structure leads to the introduction of oxygen vacancies in a density proportional to the Cu(2+) content. It is supposed that the spatial distribution of the oxygen vacancies follows the Cu(2+) distribution by means of the formation of a defect complex consisting of Cu(2+) ion and an oxygen vacancy. Superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry demonstrated a diamagnetic behavior for the undoped sample and a typical paramagnetic Curie-Weiss behavior with antiferromagnetic interactions between the Cu(2+) ions for the single phase doped samples. We suggest that the presence of oxygen vacancies is not a sufficient condition to mediate ferromagnetism in the CeO2 system, and only oxygen vacancies in the surface of nanostructures would lead to such a long range magnetic order.

Transport of inorganic phosphate in Leishmania infantum and compensatory regulation at low inorganic phosphate concentration.

BACKGROUND: Proliferation of Leishmania infantum depends on exogenous inorganic phosphate (P(i)) but little is known about energy metabolism and transport of P(i) across the plasma membrane in Leishmania sp. METHODS: We investigated the kinetics of 32P(i) transport, the influence of H+ and K+ ionophores and inhibitors, and expression of the genes for the Na+:P(i) and H+:P(i) cotransporters. RESULTS: The proton ionophore FCCP, bafilomycin A1 (vacuolar ATPase inhibitor), nigericin (K+ ionophore) and SCH28080 (an inhibitor of H+, K(+)-ATPase) all inhibited the transport of P(i). This transport showed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with K0.5 and V(max) values of 0.016 +/- 0.002 mM and 564.9 +/- 18.06 pmol x h(-1) x 10(-7) cells, respectively. These values classify the P(i) transporter of L. infantum among the high-affinity transporters, a group that includes Pho84 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Two sequences were identified in the L. infantum genome that code for phosphate transporters. However, transcription of the PHO84 transporter was 10-fold higher than the PHO89 transporter in this parasite. Accordingly, P(i) transport and LiPho84 gene expression were modulated by environmental P(i) variations. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the presence of a P(i) transporter in L. infantum, similar to PHO84 in S. cerevisiae, that contributes to the acquisition of inorganic phosphate and could be involved in growth and survival of the promastigote forms of L. infantum. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: This work provides the first description of a PHO84-like P(i) transporter in a Trypanosomatide parasite of the genus Leishmania, responsible for many infections worldwide.

Transport of inorganic phosphate in Leishmania infantum and compensatory regulation at low inorganic phosphate concentration.

BACKGROUND: Proliferation of Leishmania infantum depends on exogenous inorganic phosphate (Pi) but little is known about energy metabolism and transport of Pi across the plasma membrane in Leishmania sp. METHODS: We investigated the kinetics of 32Pi transport, the influence of H+ and K+ ionophores and inhibitors, and expression of the genes for the Na+:Pi and H+:Pi cotransporters. RESULTS: The proton ionophore FCCP, bafilomycin A1 (vacuolar ATPase inhibitor), nigericin (K+ ionophore) and SCH28080 (an inhibitor of H+, K+-ATPase) all inhibited the transport of Pi. This transport showed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with K0.5 and Vmax values of 0.016±0.002mM and 564.9±18.06pmol×h-1×10-7cells, respectively. These values classify the Pi transporter of L. infantum among the high-affinity transporters, a group that includes Pho84 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Two sequences were identified in the L. infantum genome that code for phosphate transporters. However, transcription of the PHO84 transporter was 10-fold higher than the PHO89 transporter in this parasite. Accordingly, Pi transport and LiPho84 gene expression were modulated by environmental Pi variations. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the presence of a Pi transporter in L. infantum, similar to PHO84 in S. cerevisiae, that contributes to the acquisition of inorganic phosphate and could be involved in growth and survival of the promastigote forms of L. infantum. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: This work provides the first description of a PHO84-like Pi transporter in a Trypanosomatide parasite of the genus Leishmania, responsible for many infections worldwide.

Temperature influence on the sensitivity of Artemia franciscana to globally used pesticides - Oxyfluorfen and copper.

Climate change further the world's human population increase is a mainstream political issue, and it's critical to search for solutions to produce enough food to feed everyone. Pesticides and fertilizers have been used as an easy solution to prevent pests and increase food production. Nevertheless, their overuse has dangerous effects on the ecosystems and communities. Oxyfluorfen (Oxy) and copper (Cu) based formulations are used as pesticides and widely applied on agricultural fields for crop protection. However, they have shown negative effects on non-target species. So, this work proposes to: a)determine the lethal concentration of Oxy and Cu to the zooplankton, Artemia franciscana, at different temperatures (15 °C, 20 °C and 25 °C); b)understand the biochemical impacts of these chemicals at the different temperatures scenarios, on A. franciscana and c)evaluate the impact of the climate changes, particularly the temperature increase, on this species sensitivity to the tested pesticides. Acute and sub-lethal bioassays with Oxy and Cu were performed at different temperatures to determine the lethal concentration of each chemical and to understand the effects of the compounds at different temperatures on the biochemical profiles of A. franciscana. Results showed an increase in chemicals toxicity with the temperature, and Oxy was revealed to be more noxious to A. franciscana than Cu; at a biochemical level, significant differences were observed among temperatures, with the biggest differences between the organisms exposed to 15 °C and 25 °C. Overall, a decrease in fatty acids (FA) and sugars was observed with the increase in Cu and oxyfluorfen concentrations. Different trends were observed with temperature increase, with FA increase in the organisms exposed to Cu and the opposite was observed in the ones exposed to oxyfluorfen. Sugar content decreases in the organisms exposed to oxyfluorfen with temperature increase and showed a non-linear behaviour in the ones exposed to Control and Cu treatments.

Nitric oxide regulates adhesiveness, invasiveness, and migration of anoikis-resistant endothelial cells.

Anoikis is a type of apoptosis that occurs in response to the loss of adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Anoikis resistance is a critical mechanism in cancer and contributes to tumor metastasis. Nitric oxide (NO) is frequently upregulated in the tumor area and is considered an important player in cancer metastasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of NO on adhesiveness, invasiveness, and migration of anoikis-resistant endothelial cells. Here, we report that anoikis-resistant endothelial cells overexpress endothelial nitric oxide synthase. The inhibition of NO release in anoikis-resistant endothelial cells was able to decrease adhesiveness to fibronectin, laminin, and collagen IV. This was accompanied by an increase in cell invasiveness and migration. Furthermore, anoikis-resistant cell lines displayed a decrease in fibronectin and collagen IV protein expression after L-NAME treatment. These alterations in adhesiveness and invasiveness were the consequence of MMP-2 up-regulation observed after NO release inhibition. The decrease in NO levels was able to down-regulate the activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) protein expression. ATF3 represses MMP-2 gene expression by antagonizing p53-dependent trans-activation of the MMP-2 promoter. We speculate that the increased release of NO by anoikis-resistant endothelial cells acted as a response to restrict the MMP-2 action, interfering in MMP-2 gene expression via ATF3 regulation. The up-regulation of nitric oxide by anoikis-resistant endothelial cells is an important response to restrict tumorigenic behavior. Without this mechanism, invasiveness and migration potential would be even higher, as shown after L-NAME treatment.

Tuning the magnetic properties of Sn1-x-y Ce4+x Ce3+y O2 nanoparticles: an experimental and theoretical approach.

During the last decade, there was a substantial increase in the research on metal-doped oxide semiconductor nanoparticles due to advances in the engineering of nanomaterials and their potential application in spintronics, biomedicine and photocatalysis fields. In this regard, doping a nanomaterial is a powerful tool to tune its physicochemical properties. The aim of this work is to shine a new light on the role of the neighbouring elements on the oxidation state of the Ce-impurity, from both experimental and theoretical points of view. Herein, we present an accurate study of the mechanisms involved in the oxidation states of the Ce-ions during the doping process of SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) prepared by the polymeric precursor method. X-ray diffraction measurements have displayed the tetragonal rutile-type SnO2 phase in all samples. However, the Bragg's peak (111) and (220) located at 2θ ∼29° and ∼47° evidence the formation of a secondary CeO2 phase for samples with Ce content up to 10%. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) measurements, at Ce L3 edge, were performed on the NPs as a function of Ce content. The results show, on one side, the coexistence of Ce3+ and Ce4+ states in all samples; and on the other side, a clear reduction in the Ce3+ population driven by the increase of Ce content. It is shown that this is induced by the neighboring cation, and confirmed by magnetic measurements. The monotonic damping of the Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio experimentally, was connected with theoretical calculations via density functional theory by simulating a variety of point defects composed of Ce impurities and surrounding oxygen vacancies. We found that the number of oxygen vacancies around the Ce-ions is the main ingredient to change the Ce oxidation state, and hence the magnetic properties of Ce-doped SnO2 NPs. The presented results pave the way for handling the magnetic properties of oxides through the control of the oxidation state of impurities.

First diabetes prevalence study in Portugal: PREVADIAB study.

AIMS: Diabetes is a growing worldwide problem. Ascertaining its prevalence is vital as a starting point to establish and measure the success of health interventions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and 'pre-diabetes', defined as impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance, in the Portuguese population aged between 20 and 79 years. METHODS: Considering the number of inhabitants between 20 and 79 years old, statistical units were selected that were representative regionally and nationally. The total sample comprised 5167 subjects. National prevalence was calculated. Analyses were performed on all those without previously known diabetes using World Health Organization reference diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: We found a diabetes prevalence of 11.7% (95% confidence interval 10.8-12.6%), with a significant difference between men (14.2%; 95% confidence interval 12.5-15.5%) and women (9.5%; 95% confidence interval 8.5-10.6%). While 6.6% of the subjects had previously been diagnosed with diabetes, 5.1% were undiagnosed. By age groups, 2.4% of the population between 20 and 39 years, 12.6% of people from 40 to 59 years old and 26.3% of those aged between 60 and 79 years had diabetes. Prevalence of 'pre-diabetes' (impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance or both) in the population was 23.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes has a high prevalence in Portugal. If 'pre-diabetes' is also considered, about one-third (34.9%) of the population aged 20-79 years is affected. A greater number of males were found to have diabetes. We detected a high percentage of people with undiagnosed diabetes (43.6%).

Durability of feldspathic veneering ceramic on glass-infiltrated alumina ceramics after long-term thermocycling.

AIM: This study compared the bond strength durability of a feldspathic veneering ceramic to glass-infiltrated reinforced ceramics in dry and aged conditions. METHODS: Disc shaped (thickness: 4 mm, diameter: 4 mm) of glass-infiltrated alumina (In-Ceram Alumina) and glass-infiltrated alumina reinforced by zirconia (In-Ceram Zirconia) core ceramic specimens (N=48, N=12 per groups) were constructed according to the manufacturers' recommendations. Veneering ceramic (VITA VM7) was fired onto the core ceramics using a mold. The core-veneering ceramic assemblies were randomly divided into two conditions and tested either immediately after specimen preparation (Dry) or following 30000 thermocycling (5-55 ºC±1; dwell time: 30 seconds). Shear bond strength test was performed in a universal testing machine (cross-head speed: 1 mm/min). Failure modes were analyzed using optical microscope (x20). The bond strength data (MPa) were analyzed using ANOVA (α=0.05). RESULTS: Thermocycling did not decrease the bond strength results for both In-Ceram Alumina (30.6±8.2 MPa; P=0.2053) and In-Ceram zirconia (32.6±9 MPa; P=0.3987) core ceramic-feldspathic veneering ceramic combinations when compared to non-aged conditions (28.1±6.4 MPa, 29.7±7.3 MPa, respectively). There were also no significant differences between adhesion of the veneering ceramic to either In-Ceram Alumina or In-Ceram Zirconia ceramics (P=0.3289). Failure types were predominantly a mixture of adhesive failure between the veneering and the core ceramic together with cohesive fracture of the veneering ceramic. CONCLUSION: Long-term thermocycling aging conditions did not impair the adhesion of the veneering ceramic to the glass-infiltrated alumina core ceramics tested.

A comparison of baleen whale density estimates derived from overlapping satellite imagery and a shipborne survey.

As whales recover from commercial exploitation, they are increasing in abundance in habitats that they have been absent from for decades. However, studying the recovery and habitat use patterns of whales, particularly in remote and inaccessible regions, frequently poses logistical and economic challenges. Here we trial a new approach for measuring whale density in a remote area, using Very-High-Resolution WorldView-3 satellite imagery. This approach has capacity to provide sightings data to complement and assist traditional sightings surveys. We compare at-sea whale density estimates to estimates derived from satellite imagery collected at a similar time, and use suction-cup archival logger data to make an adjustment for surface availability. We demonstrate that satellite imagery can provide useful data on whale occurrence and density. Densities, when unadjusted for surface availability are shown to be considerably lower than those estimated by the ship survey. However, adjusted for surface availability and weather conditions (0.13 whales per km2, CV = 0.38), they fall within an order of magnitude of those derived by traditional line-transect estimates (0.33 whales per km2, CV = 0.09). Satellite surveys represent an exciting development for high-resolution image-based cetacean observation at sea, particularly in inaccessible regions, presenting opportunities for ongoing and future research.

Drug-induced apoptosis in yeast.

In order to alter the impact of diseases on human society, drug development has been one of the most invested research fields. Nowadays, cancer and infectious diseases are leading targets for the design of effective drugs, in which the primary mechanism of action relies on the modulation of programmed cell death (PCD). Due to the high degree of conservation of basic cellular processes between yeast and higher eukaryotes, and to the existence of an ancestral PCD machinery in yeast, yeasts are an attractive tool for the study of affected pathways that give insights into the mode of action of both antitumour and antifungal drugs. Therefore, we covered some of the leading reports on drug-induced apoptosis in yeast, revealing that in common with mammalian cells, antitumour drugs induce apoptosis through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and altered mitochondrial functions. The evidence presented suggests that yeasts may be a powerful model for the screening/development of PCD-directed drugs, overcoming the problem of cellular specificity in the design of antitumour drugs, but also enabling the design of efficient antifungal drugs, targeted to fungal-specific apoptotic regulators that do not have major consequences for human cells.

Factors controlling physico-chemical characteristics in the coastal waters off Mangalore--a multivariate approach.

Water quality parameters (temperature, pH, salinity, DO, BOD, suspended solids, nutrients, PHc, phenols, trace metals--Pb, Cd and Hg, chlorophyll-a (chl-a) and phaeopigments) and the sediment quality parameters (total phosphorous, total nitrogen, organic carbon and trace metals) were analysed from samples collected at 15 stations along 3 transects off Karnataka coast (Mangalore harbour in the south to Suratkal in the north), west coast of India during 2007. The analyses showed high ammonia off Suratkal, high nitrite (NO(2)-N) and nitrate (NO(3)-N) in the nearshore waters off Kulai and high nitrite (NO(2)-N) and ammonia (NH(3)-N) in the harbour area. Similarly, high petroleum hydrocarbon (PHc) values were observed near the harbour, while phenols remained high in the nearshore waters of Kulai and Suratkal. Significantly, high concentrations of cadmium and mercury with respect to the earlier studies were observed off Kulai and harbour regions, respectively. R-mode varimax factor analyses were applied separately to surface and bottom water data sets due to existing stratification in the water column caused by riverine inflow and to sediment data. This helped to understand the interrelationships between the variables and to identify probable source components for explaining the environmental status of the area. Six factors (each for surface and bottom waters) were found responsible for variance (86.9% in surface and 82.4% in bottom) in the coastal waters between Mangalore and Suratkal. In sediments, 4 factors explained 86.8% of the observed total variance. The variances indicated addition of nutrients and suspended solids to the coastal waters due to weathering and riverine transport and are categorized as natural sources. The observed contamination of coastal waters indicated anthropogenic inputs of Cd and phenol from industrial effluent sources at Kulai and Suratkal, ammonia from wastewater discharges off Kulai and harbour, PHc and Hg from boat traffic and harbour activities of New Mangalore harbour. However, the strong seasonal currents and the seasonal winds keep the coastal waters well mixed and aerated, which help to disperse the contaminants, without significantly affecting chlorophyll-a concentrations. The interrelationship between the stations as shown by cluster analyses and depicted in dendograms, categorize the contamination levels sector-wise.

Fibrolipoma associated with a mucus retention cyst in the palate: a case report.

Fibrolipomas are benign mesenchymal neoplasms of the fatty tissue rarely encountered in the oral cavity. They account for around 1% to 5% of all neoplasms affecting the mouth and occur as raised, slow-growing, painless lesions of normal or yellow coloration and uncertain etiology. In contrast, mucus retention cysts are epithelium-lined cavities originated from a salivary gland. They are also raised, asymptomatic, slow-growing lesions, located on the floor of the mouth, buccal mucosa and lips. This article reports a diagnostic and a surgical treatment of a rare fibrolipoma case associated with a mucus retention cyst located in the palate.

Lithium blocks stress-induced changes in depressive-like behavior and hippocampal cell fate: the role of glycogen-synthase-kinase-3beta.

Mood disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders. Although the mechanisms implicated in the genesis of mood disorders are still unclear, stress is known to predispose to depression, and recently, studies have related hippocampal neurogenesis and apoptosis to depression. In the present study we first examined the balance between cell birth-death in the hippocampus and subventricular zone (SVZ) of pre-pubertal and adult rats subjected to chronic-mild-stress (CMS). CMS led to increased corticosterone secretion and induced depressive-like symptoms (assessed in the forced-swimming test); these endocrine and behavioral effects were paralleled by decreased hippocampal, but not SVZ, cell proliferation/differentiation and by increased apoptotic rate. In order to determine if lithium, a known mood stabilizer with antidepressant properties, could prevent the stress-induced events, we analyzed the same parameters in a group of rats treated with lithium during the stress exposure period (CMS+Li) and observed that the hormonal, behavioral and cell turnover effects of CMS were abrogated in these animals. Subsequently, to search for possible pathways through which CMS and lithium influence behavior, cell fate and synaptic plasticity, we analyzed the expression of glycogen-synthase-kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta), as well as some of its downstream targets (B-cell-CLL/lymphoma2-associated athanonege (BAG-1) and synapsin-I). CMS increased GSK-3beta and decreased synapsin-I and BAG-1 expression in the hippocampus. Interestingly, co-administration of lithium precluded the CMS-induced effects in GSK-3beta, synapsin-I and BAG-1 expression. Our observation that specific inhibition of this kinase with AR-A014418 blocked the effects of CMS in depressive-like behavior and in BAG-1 and synapsin-I expression confirmed the involvement of the GSK-3beta pathway in stress-induced effects. In summary, these results reveal that lithium, by regulating the activity of GSK-3beta, prevents the deleterious effects of stress on behavior and cellular functions.