Structural alterations of the bladder induced by detrusor instability. experimental study in rabbits

The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations induced by detrusor instability in the bladder of rabbits submitted to partial bladder outlet obstruction. Thirty male Norfolk rabbits were divided into 2 groups, a clinical control and a group with detrusor instability. Urine culture, cystometric study, histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis were performed in all animals prior to surgery (M1) and 4 weeks after-surgery (M2). Partial obstruction (G2) resulted in a 2.5 fold increment (p < 0.05) in bladder weight when compared to control (G1). Four weeks after surgery, 93% of animals in G2 developed cystitis. Partial obstruction resulted in detrusor instability at M2 and bladder capacity was significantly increased (p < 0.05) from M1 to M2. The incidence of mild to moderate mucosal and adventitious fibrosis at M2 was higher in G2 (p < 0.05) when compared to G1. Inflammatory reaction at M2 was statistically higher (p < 0.05) in G2. There was no difference in muscular hypertrophy between M1 and M2 in G1. However, 67% of G2 bladders showed a moderate to intense muscular hypertrophy at M2. Hyperplasia of the epithelium was also increased in G2 when M1 and M2 were compared (p < 0.05). Detrusor instability induced by partial bladder outlet obstruction caused significant histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations in the bladder of rabbits.

Aneurysm and neurocysticercosis: casual or causal relationship? Case report and review of the literature

Four cases of suggestive inflammatory aneurysms in patients with neurocysticercosis have been described. We report a case of a 49-year-old woman who presented with subarachnoid haemorrhage from a right middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysm and had a casual relationship with neurocysticercosis. At surgery, a viable cysticercus without signs of inflammation or thickened leptomeninges was found in the distal position of the aneurysm. Postoperatively, the patient received albendazole and dextrochlorpheniramine. In the subsequent three years, the patient was asymptomatic and took drugs to prevent convulsion and arterial hypertension. The relationship between NCC and the presence of cerebral aneurysm is discussed.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid diagnosed as anaplastic carcinoma: failure in fine-needle aspiration cytology?

A case of primary squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) of the thyroid which had been initially diagnosed as an anaplastic carcinoma (ATC) is described: female, 73 years old, with a fast-growing cervical nodule on the left side and hoarseness for 3 months. Ultrasonography showed a 4.5 cm solid nodule. FNA was compatible with poorly differentiated carcinoma with immunoreactivity for AE1/AE3, EMA. Thyroidectomy was performed. Histopathological examination showed a nonencapsulated tumor. Immunohistochemistry disclosed positivity for AE1/AE3, p53,p63, and Ki67. The diagnosis was ATC. A second opinion reported tumor consisting of squamous cells, with intense inflammatory infiltrate both in tumor and in the adjacent thyroid, with final diagnosis of SCC, associated with Hashimoto thyroiditis. No other primary focus of SCC was found. Patient has shown a 48-month survival period. Clinically, primary SCCs of the thyroid and ATCs are similar. The distinction is often difficult particularly when based on the cytological analysis of FNA material.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Brazilian ginseng (Pfaffia paniculata) on TNBS-induced intestinal inflammation: experimental evidence

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing, idiopathic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical studies suggest that the initiation of IBD is multifactorial, involving genetics, the immune system and environmental factors, such as diet, drugs and stress. Pfaffia paniculata is an adaptogenic medicinal plant used in Brazilian folk medicine as an anti-stress agent. Thus, we hypothesised that the P. paniculata enhances the response of animals subjected to colonic inflammation. Our aim was to investigate the intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of P. paniculata in rats before or after induction of intestinal inflammation using trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). The animals were divided into groups that received the vehicle, prednisolone or P. paniculata extract daily starting 14days before or 7days after TNBS induction. At the end of the procedure, the animals were killed and their colons were assessed for the macroscopic damage score (MDS), extent of the lesion (EL) and weight/length ratio, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and glutathione (GSH), cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Histological evaluation and ultrastructural analysis of the colonic samples were performed. Treatment with the 200mg/kg dose on the curative schedule was able to reduce the MDS and the EL. In addition, MPO activity was reduced, GSH levels were maintained, and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and CRP were decreased. In conclusion, the protective effect of P. paniculata was related to reduced oxidative stress and CRP colonic levels, and due to immunomodulatory activity as evidenced by reduced levels of IL-1β, INF-γ, TNF-α and IL-6.

Anti-hyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Alternanthera maritima extract and 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylvitexin in mice

Alternanthera maritima are used in Brazilian popular medicine for the treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases. Species of Alternanthera have demonstrated biological activities in previous scientific studies. The aim of this study was to determine whether the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of A. maritima (EEAM) and the isolated compound 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-vitexin inhibit mechanical hyperalgesia and parameters of inflammation in mice. The oral administration of EEAM significantly inhibited carrageenan (Cg)-induced paw edema and reduced leukocyte migration into the pleural cavity. 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylvitexin significantly inhibited paw edema and reduced both leukocyte migration and the leakage of protein into the pleural cavity. Both EEAM and 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylvitexin significantly prevented the Cg-induced hyperalgesia. Local administration of 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylvitexin significantly prevented the Cg- and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced hyperalgesia. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that EEAM is an anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic agent, and the results suggested that 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylvitexin is responsible for the effects of EEAM and the mechanism involves the TNF pathway.

Protective effects of the galectin-1 protein on in vivo and in vitro models of ocular inflammation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Biology and oncogenicity of the Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus K1 protein

The Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), or human herpesvirus 8, is a gammaherpesvirus etiologically linked to the development of Kaposi sarcoma, primary effusion lymphomas, and multicentric Castleman disease in humans. KSHV is unique among other human herpesviruses because of the elevated number of viral products that mimic human cellular proteins, such as a viral cyclin, a viral G protein-coupled receptor, anti-apoptotic proteins (e.g. v-bcl2 and v-FLIP), viral interferon regulatory factors, and CC chemokine viral homologues. Several KSHV products have oncogenic properties, including the transmembrane K1 glycoprotein. KSHV K1 is encoded in the viral ORFK1, which is the most variable portion of the viral genome, commonly used to discriminate among viral genotypes. The extracellular region of K1 has homology with the light chain of lambda immunoglobulin, and its cytoplasmic region contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM). KSHV K1 ITAM activates several intracellular signaling pathways, notably PI3K/AKT. Consequently, K1 expression inhibits proapoptotic proteins and increases the life-span of KSHV-infected cells. Another remarkable effect of K1 activity is the production of inflammatory cytokines and proangiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor. KSHV K1 immortalizes primary human endothelial cells and transforms rodent fibroblasts in vitro; moreover, K1 induces tumors in vivo in transgenic mice expressing this viral protein. This review aims to consolidate and discuss the current knowledge on this intriguing KSHV protein, focusing on activities of K1 that can contribute to the pathogenesis of KSHV-associated human cancers. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Antitumour and anti-inflammatory effects of Palladium (II) complexes on Ehrlich Tumour

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Reconstruction of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus using bovine bone matrix: histological study with monkeys

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the repair process in the reconstruction of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus of monkeys with bovine bone matrix. Four adult Cebus apella monkeys underwent an ostectomy of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus. The frontal sinus mucosa and the nasofrontal duct were not manipulated. Reconstruction occurred with implants of bovine bone matrix laminae measuring 2.0 x 2.5 cm and 0.4 mm thick, stabilized under pressure in the lateral wall of the frontal sinus. The monkeys were sacrificed over a period of 150 days and routine laboratory procedures were followed for hematoxylin-eosin staining and histologic evaluation of the specimens. Neoformed bone tissue was observed in contact with the frontal sinus mucosa and the bovine bone matrix. The frontal sinus mucosa remained whole without fibrous tissue or cystic formations. There was no occurrence of cellularization as well as revascularization of the bovine bone matrix, though it has permitted bone conduction on this surface. It was possible to conclude that the demineralized bovine bone matrix was biotolerable, being incorporated into the bone without the presence of inflammatory cells with characteristics of inertness and antigenicity and behaved as an osteoconductive material.

Image-Guided Cryoablation of the Spine in a Swine Model: Clinical, Radiological, and Pathological Findings with Light and Electron Microscopy

This study was designed to present the feasibility of an in vivo image-guided percutaneous cryoablation of the porcine vertebral body. Methods The institutional animal care committee approved this study. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-guided vertebral cryoablations (n = 22) were performed in eight pigs with short, 2-min, single or double-freezing protocols. Protective measures to nerves included dioxide carbon (CO2) epidural injections and spinal canal temperature monitoring. Clinical, radiological, and pathological data with light (n = 20) or transmission electron (n = 2) microscopic analyses were evaluated after 6 days of clinical follow-up and euthanasia. Results CBCT/fluoroscopic-guided transpedicular vertebral body cryoprobe positioning and CO2 epidural injection were successful in all procedures. No major complications were observed in seven animals (87.5 %, n = 8). A minor complication was observed in one pig (12.5 %, n = 1). Logistic regression model analysis showed the cryoprobe-spinal canal (Cp-Sc) distance as the most efficient parameter to categorize spinal canal temperatures lower than 19 °C (p<0.004), with a significant Pearson’s correlation test (p < 0.041) between the Cp-Sc distance and the lowest spinal canal temperatures. Ablation zones encompassed pedicles and the posterior wall of the vertebral bodies with an inflammatory rim, although no inflammatory infiltrate was depicted in the surrounding neural structures at light microscopy. Ultrastructural analyses evidenced myelin sheath disruption in some large nerve fibers, although neurological deficits were not observed. Conclusions CBCT-guided vertebral cryoablation of the porcine spine is feasible under a combination of a short freezing protocol and protective measures to the surrounding nerves. Ultrastructural analyses may be helpful assess the early modifications of the nerve fibers.