HIGH EXPRESSION OF CANCER TESTIS ANTIGENS MAGE-A, MAGE-C1/CT7, MAGE-C2/CT10, NY-ESO-1, AND GAGE IN ADVANCED SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE LARYNX

Background. Despite diagnostic and therapeutic advances in head and neck cancer, the 5-year survival of patients with laryngeal cancer has not improved in the last 30 years. Several recent studies indicate that specific targets for immunotherapeutic approaches can be useful in the control of cancer. There is considerable interest in the expression of cancer testis antigens in human cancers since they may serve as the basis for an immunologic approach to therapy. Methods. We evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis the expression of cancer testis antigens MAGE-A4 (57B), MAGE-C1 (CT7-33), MAGE-A1 (MA454), MAGE-A3 (M3H67), MAGE-C2 (CT10.5), NY-ESO-1 (E978), and GAGE (GAGE) in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx. Results. A total of 63 cases (57 men and 6 women) of laryngeal SCC were available for this study. The findings were correlated with the clinical course and laboratory data. Expression of at least 1 cancer testis antigen was detected in 42 of 63 of the laryngeal SCCs (67%). In 34 of 42 of the positive cases (81%) there was simultaneous expression of >= 2 cancer testis antigens. There was significant correlation between antigen expression and advanced tumor stage (stage III/IV) in cases with reactivity to only 1 antibody (p = .01) as well as in the cases with reactivity to >= 2 primary antibodies (>= 2 mAbs, p = .04). There was no association between survival and expression of any of the analyzed antigens. Conclusions. We find a high incidence of cancer testis antigen expression in SCCs of the larynx, which was correlated with advanced clinical stage. Our data indicate that cancer testis antigens could be valuable vaccine targets in laryngeal tumors, especially in those with a worse prognosis. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 33: 702-707, 2011

Reliability and discriminatory power of methods for dental plaque quantification

OBJECTIVE: This in situ study evaluated the discriminatory power and reliability of methods of dental plaque quantification and the relationship between visual indices (VI) and fluorescence camera (FC) to detect plaque. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six volunteers used palatal appliances with six bovine enamel blocks presenting different stages of plaque accumulation. The presence of plaque with and without disclosing was assessed using VI. Images were obtained with FC and digital camera in both conditions. The area covered by plaque was assessed. Examinations were done by two independent examiners. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Kappa tests to compare different conditions of samples and to assess the inter-examiner reproducibility. RESULTS: Some methods presented adequate reproducibility. The Turesky index and the assessment of area covered by disclosed plaque in the FC images presented the highest discriminatory powers. CONCLUSION: The Turesky index and images with FC with disclosing present good reliability and discriminatory power in quantifying dental plaque.

Esophageal Ulcer in Brazilian Patients with HIV: Prevalence and Comparative Analysis Among Diagnostic Methods

Esophageal ulcer (EU) represents an important comorbidity in AIDS. We evaluated the prevalence of EU, the accuracy of the endoscopic and histologic methods used to investigate viral EU in HIV-positive Brazilian patients and the numerical relevance of tissue sampling. A total of 399 HIV-positive patients underwent upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy. HIV-positive patients with EU determined by UGI endoscopy followed by biopsies were analyzed by the hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and immunohistochemical (IH) methods. EU was detected in 41 patients (mean age, 39.2 years; 23 males), with a prevalence of 10.27%. The median CD4 count was 49 cells/mm(3) (range, 1-361 cells/mm(3)) and the viral load was 58,869 copies per milliliter (range, 50-77,3290 copies per milliliter). UGI endoscopy detected 29 of 41 EU suggestive of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and 7 of 41 indicating herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. HE histology confirmed 4 of 29 ulcers induced by CMV, 2 of 7 induced by HSV, and 1 of 7 induced by HSV plus CMV. IH for CMV and HSV confirmed the HE findings and detected one additional CMV-induced case. UGI endoscopy showed 100% sensitivity and 15% specificity for the diagnosis of EU due to CMV or HSV compared to HE and IH. HE proved to be an adequate method for etiologic evaluation, with 87% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared to IH. The number of samples did not influence the etiologic evaluation. The data support the importance of IH as a complementary method for HE in the diagnosis of EU of viral etiology.

Three-dimensional analysis of fracture, corrosion and wear surfaces

A brief look at the history of fractography has shown a recent trend in the quantification of topographic parameters through the use of three-dimensional reconstruction techniques, which associate SEM stereoscopy and stereophotogrammetry software, allowing the calculation of the elevation measurement at numerous points of the topography due to the parallax that takes place during the tilting of the sample along the microscope eucentric plane. Several investigators have used reconstruction techniques to correlate some fractographic parameters, such as fractal dimension and fractured to projected area ratio, to the mechanical properties of materials, such as fracture toughness and tensile strength. So far, the search for a clear relationship between the fracture topography and mechanical properties has provided ambiguous results. The present work applied a surface metrology software to reconstruct three-dimensionally fracture surfaces (transgranular cleavage, intergranular and dimple fracture), corrosion pits and tribo-surfaces in order to explore the potential of this stereophotogrammetry technique. The existence of a variation in the calculated topographic parameters with the conditions of SEM image acquisition reinforces the importance of both good image acquisition and accurate calibration methods in order to validate this 3D reconstruction technique in metrological terms. Preliminary results did not indicate the existence of a clear relationship between either the true to project area ratio and CVN absorbed energy or the fractal dimension and CVN absorbed energy. It is likely that each fracture mechanism presents a proper relationship between the fractographic parameters and mechanical properties. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of FAO Penman-Monteith and alternative methods for estimating reference evapotranspiration with missing data in Southern Ontario, Canada

Grass reference evapotranspiration (ETo) is an important agrometeorological parameter for climatological and hydrological studies, as well as for irrigation planning and management. There are several methods to estimate ETo, but their performance in different environments is diverse, since all of them have some empirical background. The FAO Penman-Monteith (FAD PM) method has been considered as a universal standard to estimate ETo for more than a decade. This method considers many parameters related to the evapotranspiration process: net radiation (Rn), air temperature (7), vapor pressure deficit (Delta e), and wind speed (U); and has presented very good results when compared to data from lysimeters Populated with short grass or alfalfa. In some conditions, the use of the FAO PM method is restricted by the lack of input variables. In these cases, when data are missing, the option is to calculate ETo by the FAD PM method using estimated input variables, as recommended by FAD Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56. Based on that, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the FAO PM method to estimate ETo when Rn, Delta e, and U data are missing, in Southern Ontario, Canada. Other alternative methods were also tested for the region: Priestley-Taylor, Hargreaves, and Thornthwaite. Data from 12 locations across Southern Ontario, Canada, were used to compare ETo estimated by the FAD PM method with a complete data set and with missing data. The alternative ETo equations were also tested and calibrated for each location. When relative humidity (RH) and U data were missing, the FAD PM method was still a very good option for estimating ETo for Southern Ontario, with RMSE smaller than 0.53 mm day(-1). For these cases, U data were replaced by the normal values for the region and Delta e was estimated from temperature data. The Priestley-Taylor method was also a good option for estimating ETo when U and Delta e data were missing, mainly when calibrated locally (RMSE = 0.40 mm day(-1)). When Rn was missing, the FAD PM method was not good enough for estimating ETo, with RMSE increasing to 0.79 mm day(-1). When only T data were available, adjusted Hargreaves and modified Thornthwaite methods were better options to estimate ETo than the FAO) PM method, since RMSEs from these methods, respectively 0.79 and 0.83 mm day(-1), were significantly smaller than that obtained by FAO PM (RMSE = 1.12 mm day(-1). (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

FibroTest is an independent predictor of virologic response in chronic hepatitis C patients retreated with pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin in the EPIC(3) program

Background & Aims: EPIC-3 is a prospective, international study that has demonstrated the efficacy of PEG-IFN alfa-2b plus weight-based ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C and significant fibrosis who previously failed any interferon-alfa/ribavirin therapy. The aim of the present study was to assess FibroTest (FT), a validated non-invasive marker of fibrosis in treatment-naive patients, as a possible alternative to biopsy as the baseline predictor of subsequent early virologic (EVR) and sustained virologic response (SVR) in previously treated patients. Methods: Of 2312 patients enrolled, 1459 had an available baseline FT, biopsy, and complete data. Uni- (UV) and multi-variable (MV) analyses were performed using FT and biopsy. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar as in the overall population; METAVIR stage: 28% F2, 29% F3, and 43% F4, previous relapsers 29%, previous PEG-IFN regimen 41%, high baseline viral load (BVL) 64%. 506 patients (35%) had undetectable HCV-RNA at TW12 (TW12neg), with 58% achieving SVR. The accuracy of FT was similar to that in naive patients: AUROC curve for the diagnosis of F4 vs F2 = 0.80 (p<0.00001). Five baseline factors were associated (p<0.001) with SVR in UV and MV analyses (odds ratio: UV/MV): fibrosis stage estimated using FT (4.5/5.9) or biopsy (1.5/1.6), genotype 2/3 (4.5/5.1), BVL (1.5/1.3), prior relapse (1.6/1.6), previous treatment with non-PEG-IFN (2.6/2.0). These same factors were associated (p <= 0.001) with EVR. Among patients TW12neg, two independent factors remained highly predictive of SVR by MV analysis (p <= 0.001): genotype 2/3 (odds ratio = 2.9), fibrosis estimated with FT (4.3) or by biopsy (1.5). Conclusions: FibroTest at baseline is a possible non-invasive alternative to biopsy for the prediction of EVR at 12 weeks and SVR, in patients with previous failures and advanced fibrosis, retreated with PEG-IFN alfa-2b and ribavirin. (C) 2010 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reliability assessment of Cobb angle measurements using manual and digital methods

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The vertebral spine angle in the frontal plane is an important parameter in the assessment of scoliosis and may be obtained from panoramic X-ray images. Technological advances have allowed for an increased use of digital X-ray images in clinical practice. PURPOSE: In this context, the objective of this study is to assess the reliability of computer-assisted Cobb angle measurements taken from digital X-ray images. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Clinical investigation quantifying scoliotic deformity with Cobb method to evaluate the intra- and interobserver variability using manual and digital techniques. PATIENT SAMPLE: Forty-nine patients diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis were chosen based on convenience, without predilection for gender, age, type, location, or magnitude of the curvature. OUTCOME MEASURES: Images were examined to evaluate Cobb angle variability, end plate selection, as well as intra- and interobserver errors. METHODS: Specific software was developed to digitally reproduce the Cobb method and calculate semiautomatically the degree of scoliotic deformity. During the study, three observers estimated the Cobb angle using both the digital and the traditional manual methods. RESULTS: The results showed that Cobb angle measurements may be reproduced in the computer as reliably as with the traditional manual method, in similar conditions to those found in clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: The computer-assisted method (digital method) is clinically advantageous and appropriate to assess the scoliotic curvature in the frontal plane using Cobb method. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Validation of non-fluorescent methods to reliably detect acrosomal and plasma membrane integrity of common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) sperm

Simple, rapid and stable sperm evaluation methods which have been optimized for common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) are critical for studies involving collection and evaluation of sperm in the field. This is particularly important for new species groups such as Callitrichidae where the sperm have been little studied. Of this family, C jacchus is the best known, and has been chosen as a model species for other members of the genus Callithrix. The fundamental evaluation parameters for sperm of any species are viability and acrosomal status. Semen samples were collected by penile vibratory stimulation. To evaluate sperm plasma membrane integrity, Eosin-Nigrosin was tested here for the common marmoset sperm to be used under field conditions. Further, a non-fluorescent stain for acrosome, the ""Simple"" stain, developed for domestic and wild cats, was tested on common marmoset sperm. This was compared with a fluorescent staining, Fluorescein isothiocyanate-Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA), routinely used and validated for common marmoset at the German Primate Centre to evaluate acrosomal integrity. Results obtained with the ""Simple"" stain showed a marked differentiation between sperm with intact and non-intact acrosome both with and without ionophore treatment and closely correlated with results obtained with FITC-PSA. Temperature had no effect on the results with the ""Simple"" stain and the complete processing is simple enough to be carried out under field conditions. These findings indicated that the ""Simple"" stain and Eosin-Nigrosin provide rapid and accurate results for C. jacchus sperm and that those methods can be reliably used as field tools for sperm evaluation for this species. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

New insights on surface-enhanced Raman scattering based on controlled aggregation and spectroscopic studies, DFT calculations and symmetry analysis for 3,6-bi-2-pyridyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazine adsorbed onto citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles

Asystematic study on the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for 3,6-bi-2-pyridyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (bptz) adsorbed onto citrate-modified gold nanoparticles (cit-AuNps) was carried out based on electronic and vibrational spectroscopy and density functional methods. The citrate/bptz exchange was carefully controlled by the stepwise addition of bptz to the cit-AuNps, inducing flocculation and leading to the rise of a characteristic plasmon coupling band in the visible region. Such stepwise procedure led to a uniform decrease of the citrate SERS signals and to the rise of characteristic peaks of bptz, consistent with surface binding via the N heterocyclic atoms. In contrast, single addition of a large amount of bptz promoted complete aggregation of the nanoparticles, leading to a strong enhancement of the SERS signals. In this case, from the distinct Raman profiles involved, the formation of a new SERS environment became apparent, conjugating the influence of the local hot spots and charge-transfer (CT) effects. The most strongly enhanced vibrations belong to a(1) and b(2) representations, and were interpreted in terms of the electromagnetic and the CT mechanisms: the latter involving significant contribution of vibronic coupling in the system. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Protocols for obtainment and isolation of two mesenchymal stem cell sources in sheep

PURPOSE: To evaluate different protocols to isolate stem cells from ovine umbilical cord blood and adipose tissue. METHODS: There were used 5 samples of umbilical blood and 5 samples of perirenal adipose tissue from 10 female sheep. All the samples were obtained through surgery, to harvest aseptic samples. There were used 3 protocols for obtainment and culture of umbilical cord blood stem cells and 4 protocols for ovine adipose tissue stem cells. RESULTS: It was possible to observe only one successful protocol for the obtainment of umbilical cord blood stem cells. When analyzing the techniques used to obtain adipose tissue stem cells, only one of the methods was effective as well. Through colony forming unit assay, there were obtained 58 colonies of cells after seven days in culture. Flow citometry tests revealed the cells were positive to CD44 and exhibited negative reaction to CD38, CD45, CD41/61. These cells showed a growth curve with very well defined phases LOG, LAG and PLATEAU. This phases are typically seem in mesenchymal stem cells growth curves. CONCLUSIONS: The isolation and culture of mesenchymal stem cells from ovine umbilical cord blood are complex and request more detailed assays. Stem cells from fat tissue sheep showed mesenchymal characteristics, according to their cell growth curve, ability to origin colonies of fibroblastoid cells and positive reactivity with the antibody CD44 by flow citometry.

New methods to quantify NH3 volatilization from fertilized surface soil with urea

Gaseous N losses from soil are considerable, resulting mostly from ammonia volatilization linked to agricultural activities such as pasture fertilization. The use of simple and accessible measurement methods of such losses is fundamental in the evaluation of the N cycle in agricultural systems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate quantification methods of NH3 volatilization from fertilized surface soil with urea, with minimal influence on the volatilization processes. The greenhouse experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with 13 treatments and five replications, with the following treatments: (1) Polyurethane foam (density 20 kg m-3) with phosphoric acid solution absorber (foam absorber), installed 1, 5, 10 and 20 cm above the soil surface; (2) Paper filter with sulfuric acid solution absorber (paper absorber, 1, 5, 10 and 20 cm above the soil surface); (3) Sulfuric acid solution absorber (1, 5 and 10 cm above the soil surface); (4) Semi-open static collector; (5) 15N balance (control). The foam absorber placed 1 cm above the soil surface estimated the real daily rate of loss and accumulated loss of NH3N and proved efficient in capturing NH3 volatized from urea-treated soil. The estimates based on acid absorbers 1, 5 and 10 cm above the soil surface and paper absorbers 1 and 5 cm above the soil surface were only realistic for accumulated N-NH3 losses. Foam absorbers can be indicated to quantify accumulated and daily rates of NH3 volatilization losses similarly to an open static chamber, making calibration equations or correction factors unnecessary.

Minimum alveolar concentrations and hemodynamic effects of two different preparations of sevoflurane in pigs

BACKGROUND: Original sevoflurane (Sevo A) is made with water, while a generic sevoflurane (Sevocris) is produced with propylene glycol as a stabilizing additive. We investigated whether the original and generic sevoflurane preparations differed in terms of their minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) values and hemodynamic effects. METHODS: Sixteen pigs weighing 31.6±1.8 kg were randomly assigned to the Sevo A or Sevocris groups. After anesthesia induction via mask with the appropriate sevoflurane preparation (6% in 100% oxygen), the MAC was determined for each animal. Hemodynamic and oxygenation parameters were measured at 0.5 MAC, 1 MAC and 1.5 MAC. Histopathological analyses of lung parenchyma were performed. RESULTS: The MAC in the Sevo A group was 4.4±0.5%, and the MAC in the Sevocris group was 4.1±0.7%. Hemodynamic and metabolic parameters presented significant differences in a dose-dependent pattern as expected, but they did not differ between groups. Cardiac indices and arterial pressures decreased in both groups when the sevoflurane concentration increased from 0.5 to 1 and 1.5 MAC. The oxygen delivery index (DO2I) decreased significantly at 1.5 MAC. CONCLUSION: Propylene glycol as an additive for sevoflurane seems to be as safe as a water additive, at least in terms of hemodynamic and pulmonary effects.

Epidemiology of leisure, transportation, occupational, and household physical activity: prevalence and associated factors

Background: To estimate the prevalence of and identify factors associated with physical activity in leisure, transportation, occupational, and household settings. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study aimed at investigating living and health conditions among the population of São Paulo, Brazil. Data on 1318 adults aged 18 to 65 years were used. To assess physical activity, the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was applied. Multivariate analysis was conducted using a hierarchical model. Results: The greatest prevalence of insufficient activity related to transportation (91.7%), followed by leisure (77.5%), occupational (68.9%), and household settings (56.7%). The variables associated with insufficient levels of physical activity in leisure were female sex, older age, low education level, nonwhite skin color, smoking, and self-reported poor health; in occupational settings were female sex, white skin color, high education level, self-reported poor health, nonsmoking, and obesity; in transportation settings were female sex; and in household settings, with male sex, separated, or widowed status and high education level. Conclusion: Physical activity in transportation and leisure settings should be encouraged. This study will serve as a reference point in monitoring different types of physical activities and implementing public physical activity policies in developing countries

Kerteszia subgenus of Anopheles associated with the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest: current knowledge and future challenges

Background: The Atlantic rainforest ecosystem, where bromeliads are abundant, provides an excellent environment for Kerteszia species, because these anophelines use the axils of those plants as larval habitat. Anopheles (K.) cruzii and Anopheles (K.) bellator are considered the primary vectors of malaria in the Atlantic forest. Although the incidence of malaria has declined in some areas of the Atlantic forest, autochthonous cases are still registered every year, with Anopheles cruzii being considered to be a primary vector of both human and simian Plasmodium. Methods: Recent publications that addressed ecological aspects that are important for understanding the involvement of Kerteszia species in the epidemiology of malaria in the Atlantic rainforest in the Neotropical Region were analysed. Conclusion: The current state of knowledge about Kerteszia species in relation to the Atlantic rainforest ecosystem was discussed. Emphasis was placed on ecological characteristics related to epidemiological aspects of this group of mosquitoes. The main objective was to investigate biological aspects of the species that should be given priority in future studies

Epidemiology of Leisure, Transportation, Occupational, and Household Physical Activity: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Background: To estimate the prevalence of and identify factors associated with physical activity in leisure, transportation, occupational, and household settings. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study aimed at investigating living and health conditions among the population of So Paulo, Brazil. Data on 1318 adults aged 18 to 65 years were used. To assess physical activity, the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was applied. Multivariate analysis was conducted using a hierarchical model. Results: The greatest prevalence of insufficient activity related to transportation (91.7%), followed by leisure (77.5%), occupational (68.9%), and household settings (56.7%). The variables associated with insufficient levels of physical activity in leisure were female sex, older age, low education level, nonwhite skin color, smoking, and self-reported poor health; in occupational settings were female sex, white skin color, high education level, self-reported poor health, nonsmoking, and obesity; in transportation settings were female sex; and in household settings, with male sex, separated, or widowed status and high education level. Conclusion: Physical activity in transportation and leisure settings should be encouraged. This study will serve as a reference point in monitoring different types of physical activities and implementing public physical activity policies in developing countries.