Impact of adrenalectomy and dexamethasone treatment on testicular morphology and sperm parameters in rats: insights into the adrenal control of male reproduction

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Sonographic and radiographic findings in congenital renal dysplasia in a female Lhasa apso

An 8-month-old Lhasa Apso female dog was referred to the Veterinary Hospital, FMVZ, Unesp, Botucatu Campus, with suspected congenital renal disorder. Ultrasound images revealed higher renal echogenicity, loss of corticomedullary demarcation and diverticular mineralization on the right kidney. The mucosal lining of the stomach was hyperechoic and radiographic examination demonstrated mineralization of wall and folds, which is consistent with uremic gastropathy.

Congenital bone malformation in a rainbow boa Epicrates cenchria crassus - case report

Bone malformation in snakes stems from inbreeding or temperature variations during gestation or incubation. Differential diagnosis are osteoarthropathy due to nutritional, metabolic and infectious diseases. For an accurate diagnosis of these changes, a radiographic exam is essential because it provides a general view of the skeleton and detects morphological abnormalities. This study aimed to report the clinical care of a rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria crassus) with congenital kyphosis and changes in scales, from a snake pit with controlled temperature and humidity since its gestation. Multiple dorsal deviations of the column without the presence of osteoarthrosis were seen upon radiographic examination. Studies aiming to understand the cases of congenital malformation in snakes should be performed to prevent the birth of animals with this type of change.

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunoreaction in adrenal-tumors

Aims mid background: We studied, retrospectively, 33 cases of adrenal tumors of children at the Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Children's Institute, Sao Paulo State University Medical School, from 1975 to 1993. Ail patients had at least 2 years of follow-up with a few exceptions. Methods: Clinical follow-up data were correlated with histopathologic review, laboratory data and cell kinetic evaluation (based on detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigens). Results: With one exception, all the patients had presented signs of androgen production and had high levels of dehydro-epiandrosterone-sulfate. Tumor weight evaluation represented a good parameter of neoplasm evolution: of 19 cases weighing less than 250 g, 17 had no evidence of disease after surgery, and 2 had an unfavorable prognosis. Of 14 cases weighing more than 250 g, only 1 had no evidence of disease and 13 had an unfavorable evolution. Conclusions: Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was not helpful to evaluate adrenal neoplasm evolution: our study did not show any correlation between PCNA score and prognosis.

Morfologia, ultraestrutura e morfometria da glândula adrenal de paca (Cuniculus paca, Linnaeus, 1766) de cativeiro

Pós-graduação em Cirurgia Veterinária - FCAV

Prostate hyperplasia caused by long-term obesity is characterized by high deposition of extracellular matrix and increased content of MMP-9 and VEGF

Recent studies have shown a positive association of cancer and obesity, but the morphological and molecular mechanisms involved in this relationship are still unknown. This study analysed the impact of long-term obesity on rat prostate, focusing on stromal changes. Male adult Wistar rats were treated with high-fat diet to induce obesity, while the control group received a balanced diet. After 30 weeks of feeding, the ventral prostate was analysed by immunohistochemistry for cell proliferation, smooth muscle α-actin, vimentin, chondroitin sulphate and metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and 9). The content of androgen receptor (AR), oestrogen receptors (ERs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured by Western blotting, and activity of catalase and Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) were quantified by enzymatic assay. Long-term obesity decreased testosterone plasma levels by 70% and resulted in stromal prostate hyperplasia, as evidenced by increased collagen fibres. Such stromal hyperplasia was associated with increased number of blood vessels and raised VEGF content, and increased expression of chondroitin sulphate, vimentin, α-actin and MMP-9. In spite of the high cell density in prostate, the proliferative activity was lower in the prostates of obese rats, indicating that hyperplasia was established during the early phases in this obesity model. AR levels increased significantly, whereas the ERα decreased in this group. Moreover, the levels of catalase and GST were changed considerably. These findings indicate that long-term obesity, besides disturbing the antioxidant control, causes intense stromal remodelling and release of factors that create an environment that can promote proliferative disorders in the gland, culminating with diffuse hyperplasia.

Early fetoscopic tracheal occlusion for extremely severe pulmonary hypoplasia in isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Preliminary results

Objective: To evaluate the effect of early fetoscopictracheal occlusion (FETO) (22–24 weeks’ gestation) onpulmonary response and neonatal survival in cases ofextremely severe isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia(CDH). Methods: This was a multicenter study involving fetuseswith extremely severe CDH (lung-to-head ratio < 0.70,liver herniation into the thoracic cavity and no otherdetectable anomalies). Between August 2010 and December 2011, eight fetuses underwent early FETO. Datawere compared with nine fetuses that underwent standard FETO and 10 without fetoscopic procedure fromJanuary 2006 to July 2010. FETO was performed undermaternal epidural anesthesia, supplemented with fetalintramuscular anesthesia. Fetal lung size and vascularitywere evaluated by ultrasound before and every 2 weeksafter FETO. Postnatal therapy was equivalent for bothtreated fetuses and controls. Primary outcome was infantsurvival to 180 days and secondary outcome was fetalpulmonary response. Results: Maternal and fetal demographic characteristicsand obstetric complications were similar in the threegroups (P > 0.05). Infant survival rate was significantlyhigher in the early FETO group (62.5%) comparedwith the standard group (11.1%) and with controls(0%) (P < 0.01). Early FETO resulted in a significantimprovement in fetal lung size and pulmonary vascularitywhen compared with standard FETO (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Early FETO may improve infant survival byfurther increases of lung size and pulmonary vascularityin cases with extremely severe pulmonary hypoplasia inisolated CDH. This study supports formal testing of thehypothesis with a randomized controlled trial.

A simple high-performance liquid chromatography assay for on-line determination of catecholamines in adrenal gland by direct injection on an ISRP column

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

An uncommon focal epithelial hyperplasia manifestation

Focal epithelial hyperplasia is a rare, contagious disease associated with infection of the oral mucosa by human papillomavirus types 13 or 32, characterized by multiple soft papules of the same color as the adjacent normal mucosa. It mainly affects the lower lip, buccal mucosa, and tongue. The purpose of this case report was to describe a rare verrucal lesion located in the upper gingiva that was clinically and histologically consistent with focal epithelial hyperplasia.

Congenital ranula: a case report

The purpose of this study was to report a case of bilateral swelling on the floor of the mouth of a 7-month-old patient. The lesion was congenital and had started to cause feeding problems. After the clinical diagnosis of ranula was made, the lesion was marsupialized. The obtained specimen was submitted for histopathological examination, which revealed an epithelial-lined cystic lesion. These results led to the final diagnosis of mucus retention cyst. After an 8-year follow-up period, the patient is in good general health with no recurrences.

Prepubertal exposure to bisphenol-A induces ERα upregulation and hyperplasia in adult gerbil female prostate

Prostate physiology is highly dependent on oestrogenic and androgenic homeostasis. Interferences in this equilibrium, especially in early periods of life, may disrupt the prostate and increase the susceptibility to the development of diseases with ageing. Taking this into account, and considering the increase of environmental chemicals with endocrine-disrupting potential such as bisphenol-A (BPA), this study aimed to evaluate the prostates of adult female gerbils exposed to BPA and BPA plus testosterone from pubertal to adult periods. Morphological, stereological and chemical analyses revealed that long-term BPA exposure, even in environmental dosages, increases the proliferative status of the prostate, increases the number of ERα-positive stromal cells and elicits the development of prostatic hyperplasia in adult female gerbils. Moreover, we also observed that the association with testosterone did not increase the proliferative status of the gland, which shows that low levels of BPA are enough to cause an oestrogenic disruption of the prostate in young adults. This evidence suggests that this oestrogenic endocrine disruptor may increase the susceptibility to prostatic disorders with ageing.

Odontological assistance to Down Syndrome patients having congenital heart malformations

In this study the authors present the frequency and types of congenital heart malformations (CHM) among Down Syndrome (DS) patients emphasizing the prevention of infectious endocarditis (IE) with appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis (ABP). Out of 390 DS patients, 312 (80%) were considered free from any CHM. 78 (20%) presented some CHM; from these 11,54% (n=9) have more than one CHM; ABP to prevent IE was recommended for 41,03% (n=32). Ventricular septal defect was the most frequent CHM (20,51%, n=16). Dentists must know about the patients’ cardiologic diagnosis before a treatment that could cause bleeding, because they have to administer antibiotics to prevent IE. Although some CHM doesn’t need ABP, according to the protocol of the American Heart Association, there are systemic conditions in DS that are relevant to the prescription of antibiotics.