Cytotoxicity of cashew flavonoids towards malignant cell lines

The leaves of the Cashew plant (Anacardium occidentale L.) are used by the folk medicine in South America and West Africa. This plant is rich in flavonoids, which are polyphenolic compounds widespread in plants, and that have diverse physiological effects. In a sub-acute toxicity assay it was found that an ethanolic extract of Cashew leaves elicited lymphopenia in rats. The extract was also found to be cytotoxic and to induce apoptosis in Jurkat (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) cells. The crude ethanolic extract was fractionated and resolved by HPLC. One of the four fractions obtained led to the isolation of the biflavonoid agasthisflavone. [H-3]-thymidine incorporation assays and flow cytometry analysis showed that the isolated compound displayed a high anti-proliferative effect in Jurkat cells with an IC50 of 2.4 mu g/ml (4.45 mu M). The effect of agathisflavone on the acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL60, Burkitt lymphoma Raji cells and Hep-2 laryngeal carcinoma cells was also tested. The two latter ones were only mildly affected by agathisflavone. It is also shown that agathisflavone induces apoptosis in Jurkat cells and it this proposed that this is the likely mechanism of agathisflavone specific cytotoxicity. (C) 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Pharyngocutaneous fistula following total laryngectomy

Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is the most common complication after total laryngectomy. Objectives: To establish the incidence of this complication and to analyze the predisposing factors. Method: This is a cross-sectional study of a historical cohort including 94 patients who underwent total laryngectomy. The following aspects were correlated to the occurrence of PCF: gender, age, tumor site, TNM staging, type of neck dissection, previous radiation therapy, previous tracheotomy, and use of stapler for pharyngeal closure. The following were considered in PCF cases: the day into postoperative care when the fistula was diagnosed, duration of occurrence, and proposed treatment. Results: Twenty (21.3%) patients had PCF. The incidence of PCF was statistically higher in T4 tumors when compared to T2 and T3 neoplasms (p = 0.03). The other analyzed correlations were not statistically significant. However, 40.9% of the patients submitted to tracheostomy previously had fistulae, against 21.1% of the patients not submitted to this procedure. Conclusion: Advanced primary tumor staging is correlated with higher incidences of PCF.

Effects of Hepatocyte Growth Factor Injection and Reinjection on Healing in the Rabbit Vocal Fold

Objectives/Hypothesis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multifunctional polypeptide that plays various roles in embryogenesis and tissue regeneration and exhibits marked antifibrotic activity. The present study sought to assess the effects of HGF injection and reinjection coinciding with its peak of activity on collagen density, vessel density, inflammatory reaction in the lamina propria, and mean epithelial thickness in the injured rabbit vocal fold. Study Design. Prospective, controlled, experimental animal study. Methods. Fourteen rabbits were subdivided into two groups and underwent injury of the vocal folds. Immediately after injury, animals in group 1 received HGF injections into the right vocal fold (RVF), whereas those in group 2 received bilateral HGF injections and a single reinjection into the RVF 10 days after the first, to coincide with the peak of HGF activity. The left vocal folds (LVFs) served as controls in both groups. Histological assessment of laryngeal specimens was performed at 30 and 40 days, respectively. Results. In both groups, collagen density was lower in the right (treated) vocal folds than in the left (control) folds (P = 0.018). Vessel density was higher in the RVFs in group 2 (P = 0.018). Differences were found in mean epithelial thickness and inflammatory reaction in the lamina propria but did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions. In the scarred rabbit vocal fold, HGF injection is associated with decreased collagen density in the lamina propria, whereas reinjection after 10 days produces decreased collagen density and higher vessel density.

Expression, purification and molecular analysis of the human ZNF706 protein

Background: The ZNF706 gene encodes a protein that belongs to the zinc finger family of proteins and was found to be highly expressed in laryngeal cancer, making the structure and function of ZNF706 worthy of investigation. In this study, we expressed and purified recombinant human ZNF706 that was suitable for structural analysis in Escherichia coli BL21(DH3). Findings: ZNF706 mRNA was extracted from a larynx tissue sample, and cDNA was ligated into a cloning vector using the TOPO method. ZNF706 protein was expressed according to the E. coli expression system procedures and was purified using a nickel-affinity column. The structural qualities of recombinant ZNF706 and quantification alpha, beta sheet, and other structures were obtained by spectroscopy of circular dichroism. ZNF706's structural modeling showed that it is composed of α-helices (28.3%), β-strands (19.4%), and turns (20.9%), in agreement with the spectral data from the dichroism analysis. Conclusions: We used circular dichroism and molecular modeling to examine the structure of ZNF706. The results suggest that human recombinant ZNF706 keeps its secondary structures and is appropriate for functional and structural studies. The method of expressing ZNF706 protein used in this study can be used to direct various functional and structural studies that will contribute to the understanding of its function as well as its relationship with other biological molecules and its putative role in carcinogenesis.

Gross morphology of rhea oropharyngeal cavity

The rhea (Rhea americana americana) is an american bird belonging to Ratite's family. Studies related to its morphology are still scarce. This study aims to describe the macroscopic structures of the oropharyngeal cavity. Five heads (2 to 6 months old) formalin preserved were anatomically dissected to expose the oropharynx. The oropharynx of the rhea was "bell-shaped" composed by the maxillary and mandibular rhamphotheca. The roof and floor presented two distinct regions different in colour of the mucosa. The rostral region was pale pink contrasting to grey coloured caudal region. The median longitudinal ridge extended rostrally from the apex of the choana to the tip of the beak in the roof and it is clearly more prominent and rigid than the homolog in the floor that appeared thin and stretched merely along the rostral portion of the regio interramalis. The floor was formed by the interramal region, (regio interramalis) tongue and laryngeal mound containing glove-shaped glottis. This study confirmed the basic morphology of the oropharinx of the rhea. However, important morphological information not previously described is highlighted and contradictory information present in the literature is clarified.

Comprometimento da árvore respiratória na granulomatose de Wegener

INTRODUÇÃO: A granulomatose de Wegener (GW) é uma forma de vasculite sistêmica que envolve primariamente as vias aéreas superiores e inferiores e os rins. As manifestações mais frequentes nas vias aéreas são estenose subglótica e inflamações, estenoses da traqueia e dos brônquios. A visualização endoscópica das vias aéreas é a melhor ferramenta para avaliação, diagnóstico e manejo dessas alterações. OBJETIVOS: Descrever as alterações endoscópicas encontradas na mucosa das vias aéreas de um grupo de pacientes com GW submetido à broncoscopia no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP) e relatar as intervenções terapêuticas broncoscópicas utilizadas em alguns casos. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 15 pacientes com diagnóstico de GW provenientes do Ambulatório de Vasculites da Disciplina de Pneumologia do HC-FMUSP, encaminhados para a realização de broncoscopia no serviço de Endoscopia Respiratória do HC-FMUSP no período de 2003 a 2007. RESULTADOS: Dos 15 pacientes avaliados, 11 eram mulheres (73,33%) com idade média de 34 ± 11,5 anos. Foram encontradas alterações das vias aéreas em 80% dos pacientes, e o achado endoscópico mais frequente foi estenose subglótica (n = 6). Realizou-se broncoscopia terapêutica em três pacientes com estenose subglótica e em outros três com estenose brônquica, todos apresentando bons resultados. CONCLUSÃO: A broncoscopia permite diagnóstico, acompanhamento e tratamento das lesões de vias aéreas na GW, constituindo-se um recurso terapêutico pouco invasivo em casos selecionados.

Pneumomediastino espontâneo associado a lesões laríngeas e úlceras traqueais na dermatomiosite

O presente estudo descreve uma paciente de 41 anos de idade com dermatomiosite, doença pulmonar intersticial e vasculopatia cutânea que desenvolveu pneumomediastino. Durante exame de broncoscopia foram encontradas lesões pálidas na laringe, que se estendiam para a árvore traqueobrônquica, e úlceras profundas na parede membranácea da traqueia. O exame histopatológico revelou presença de processo inflamatório secundário à vasculite, mas sem sinais de infecção. Lesões nas vias aéreas superiores e inferiores em paciente com dermatomiosite são raríssimas. A associação de dermatomiosite com úlceras profundas de mucosa e pneumomediastino não está bem esclarecida, mas a broncoscopia é um exame que deve ser utilizado para aperfeiçoar a avaliação.

Validade discriminante do questionário de qualidade de vida da Universidade de Washington no contexto brasileiro

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a validade discriminante do questionário de qualidade de vida da Universidade de Washington para pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço e identificar possíveis fatores sociodemográficos que modifiquem seus resultados. MÉTODOS: Foram entrevistados 47 pacientes com câncer de boca e orofaringe em estágio pré-cirúrgico em um hospital no sul do município de São Paulo em 2007, e 141 pacientes sem câncer, pareados por sexo e idade em uma proporção de três para um, que foram atendidos em ambulatórios do mesmo hospital em 2008. Os resultados obtidos para os dois grupos foram comparados pelo teste t de Student. Para os pacientes sem câncer utilizou-se análise de regressão de Poisson para avaliar possíveis fatores de modificação da qualidade de vida. RESULTADOS: O escore geral de qualidade de vida foi significantemente mais elevado (p < 0,001) para os pacientes sem câncer (91,1) do que para os pacientes com câncer (80,6). Observações análogas foram efetuadas para oito dos doze domínios de qualidade de vida compreendidos no questionário (dor, aparência, deglutição, mastigação, fala, ombros, paladar e ansiedade). Como possíveis fatores de modificação dos escores de qualidade de vida foram identificados renda familiar (com impacto nos domínios de recreação, p = 0,017, e função dos ombros, p = 0,049), escolaridade (em ansiedade, p = 0,003), sexo (em função dos ombros, p = 0,038) e dor de dente (em mastigação, p = 0,015). CONCLUSÕES: O questionário tem validade discriminante, pois seus escores são especificamente mais afetados para pacientes com câncer. Reforça-se a indicação do questionário para monitorar o tratamento e recomenda-se avaliar os fatores que podem causar impacto nesses indicadores.

Interferon-gamma and interleukin-10 production by mononuclear cells from patients with advanced head and neck cancer

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the production of interferon-gamma and interleukin-10 by stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer before and after surgical treatment. METHODS: Fourteen patients with advanced supraglottic laryngeal cancer were studied. Cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated during the preoperative and late postoperative periods were stimulated with concanavalin A and Bacille Calmette-Guerin, and the supernatant concentrations of interferon-gamma and interleukin-10 were measured. RESULTS: For non-stimulated cultures, the interferon-gamma levels produced by the preoperative period and the late postoperative period cultures were lower than the levels produced by the control group cultures. The interferon-gamma levels after stimulation with concanavalin A were higher in the late postoperative period cultures than in the preoperative evaluation cultures. Stimulation with Bacille Calmette-Guerin led to the production of similar levels of interferon-gamma and interleukin-10 by all cultures; thus, stimulation increased the levels of interferon-gamma produced by both the preoperative and postoperative cultures relative to the levels produced by the corresponding unstimulated cultures. CONCLUSION: Patients with advanced supraglottic laryngeal cancer exhibit an in vitro deficiency in interferongamma secretion by mononuclear cells. Stimulated cells seem to recover this function during the postoperative period.