Alterations of cell-mediated immune response in children with febrile seizures

The aim of the present investigation was to study the distribution of T-cell subsets in peripheral blood defined by monoclonal antibodies and by the lymphocyte proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in 30 children with febrile seizures and in 14 age-matched control subjects. Frequent respiratory, urinary and dermatologic infections were observed in 22 patients. The immunologic parameters showed that 64% of the patients presented an increased number of CD8+ cells and a low helper/suppressor ratio was observed in 60% of the patients. In addition, the proliferative response of lymphocytes to PHA was impaired in the patients It was observed the presence of inhibitory activity on lymphocyte function in the plasma of 33% of children with febrile seizures. These results suggest that patients with febrile seizures have an impairment of cellular immunity that may be connected with this epileptic syndrome and explain the infections observed.

Haematological and biochemical alterations in leprosy patients already treated with dapsone and MDT

Dapsone (DDS) is useful in the treatment of a number of inflammatory conditions which are characterized by neutrophil infiltration. It is the drug of choice for the treatment of leprosy and prophylaxis of malaria. Haematological side effects of methaemoglobinaemia and haemolysis have been long recognized. However, the frequency and severity of these side effects in patients already treated with DDS as a single drug or as part of a multidrug therapy (MDT) have not been well documented. We report herein an investigation of the effect of dapsone long-term treatment on the haematological and biochemical alterations in leprosy patients undergoing dapsone as a single drug (DDS group) or as part of a multidrug therapy in combination with rifampin and clofazimine (MDT group). Methaemoglobinaemia and haemolytic anaemia were the principal side effects observed. Reticulocytes were found to be elevated (> 1.5%) in 90% of the patients. Heinz bodies were also detected (6.6% of the patients). The osmotic fragility test showed a reduction in cell resistance and in the evaluation of white cells a severe eosinophilia was found. Hepatic, pancreatic and renal evaluation by the determination of biochemical parameters showed rare and occasional changes of no apparent clinical significance. We conclude that haematological side effects of dapsone are significant even at doses currently used to treat leprosy (100 mg/day) and that rifampin and clofazimine do not increase the incidence of these effects during long-term treatment.

Immunological alterations in patients with primary tumors in central nervous system

Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in immune surveillance against tumors. The present work aimed to study the cytotoxic activity of NK cells and T cell subsets in peripheral blood of 13 patients with primary tumors in central nervous system (CNS). As controls 29 healthy subjects with the age range equivalent to the patients were studied. The methods employed were: a) determination of cytotoxic activity of NK cells towards K562 target cells, evaluated by single cell-assay; b) enumeration of CD3+ lymphocytes and their CD4+ and CD8+ subsets defined by monoclonal antibodies; c) the identification of tumors were done by histologic and immunochemistry studies. The results indicated that adults and children with tumor in CNS display reduced percentage of total T cells, helper/inducer subset and low helper/suppressor ratio. The cytotoxic activity of NK cells was decreased in patients with CNS tumors due mainly to a decrease in the proportion of target-binding lymphocytes. These results suggest that cytotoxic activity of NK cells may be affected by the immunoregulatory disturbances observed in patients with primary tumors in CNS.

Ultrastructural alterations of choroid plexuses of lateral ventricles of rats (rattus norvegicus) submitted to experimental chronic alcoholism

Adult male rats (Wistar lineage) were alcoholized with sugar cane liquor diluted at 30° GL during 300 days and sacrificed every 60 days in 5 stages. Samples of choroid plexuses of lateral ventricles were collected and examined at transmission electronic microscope to detect possible ultrastructural alterations and to raise possible pathological correlations. Gradual changes were observed in these animals during all the experiment: dilatation and enlargement of cisternae of Golgi complex, dilatation of RER, presence of digestive vacuoles and a large amount of pinocytic vesicles as well as vesicles with electronlucent content throughout cytoplasm, as well as an enlargement of intercellular space between basolateral interdigitation of the cells and of the connective tissue. The changes observed in the epithelium and connective tissue of choroid plexuses specially in 240 and 300 days of treatment are presumably due to a disturbance in hydroelectrolitic homeostasis, contributing to several morpho-functional disturbs of central nervous system. No changes were observed in the control group animals.

Analysis of chromatin and nuclear area alterations in triatomines during starvation

In the present study changes in nuclear area and chromatin distribution in the Malpighian tubules of a blood-feeding insect, the vector of Chagas' disease were analysed. Male and female adult insects were dissected, after a starving period of up to 28 days. The Malpighian tubules were fixed and stained by orcein lacto-acetic. The nuclei were analyzed by photomicrography, karyometry and a statistical analysis was performed. It was observed that with the increase of the starvation period there were alterations in the nuclear phenotype, that is, changes in the nuclear area and chromatin extenuation. In males, starting from the second week of starvation, chromatin extenuation was accentuated, and the beginning of nuclear coalition occurred more frequently in the third and fourth starvation weeks. In females, the accentuated chromatin extenuation was observed after the third starvation week, and irregularities in nuclear borders were more frequent. The descriptive statistical analysis of the male and temale nuclear areas revealed that the nuclear areas continued to increase during starvation reaching highest values in the third week. Another outstanding aspect is that in the third starvation week karyometry presented larger heterogeneity with higher standard deviation values for both genders. Therefore, nuclear alterations related to the distribution and extenuation chromatin and increase in nuclear area were observed. These aspects suggest the presence of nuclear metabolic mechanisms that lead to synthesis of specific proteins necessary for the protection and maintenance of the cell during physiologic stress.

Alterations induced by juvenile hormone in glandular cells of the Apis mellifera venom gland I - Application on the larvae (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Histological analyses were made in order to evaluate the effects of the topic application of a synthetic juvenile hormone (JH-III Sigma) on the development of the venom glands in workers of Apis mellifera. Three experimental groups were used: the first received 1 μl of a dilution of the juvenile hormone in hexane (2μg/μl); the second group received 1 μl of hexane; and the third group, the control, did not receive any kind of treatment. The application was made on larvae at the beginning of the fifth instar and the glands were collected at different developmental stages. The results showed that the application of the diluted hormone, as well as the hexane alone, accelerated gland development in relation to the control group at all developmental stages studied. These data suggest that the juvenile hormone acts on the development of the venom gland; nevertheless, this action could be amplified by the effect of the solvent used in the present work, as well as in other studies concerning this matter.

Neuroendocrine alterations impair enamel mineralization, tooth eruption and saliva in rats.

Neonatal administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in rats causes definite neuroendocrine disturbances which lead to alterations in many organ systems. The possibility that MSG could affect tooth and salivary gland physiology was examined in this paper. Male and female pups were injected subcutaneously with MSG (4 mg/g BW) once a day at the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th day after birth. Control animals were injected with saline, following the same schedule. Lower incisor eruption was determined between the 4th and the 10th postnatal days, and the eruption rate was measured between the 43rd and the 67th days of age. Pilocarpine-stimulated salivary flow was measured at 3 months of age; protein and amylase contents were thereby determined. The animals treated with MSG showed significant reductions in the salivary flow (males, -27%; females, -40%) and in the weight of submandibular glands (about -12%). Body weight reduction was only about 7% for males, and did not vary in females. Saliva of MSG-treated rats had increased concentrations of total proteins and amylase activity. The eruption of lower incisors occurred earlier in MSG-treated rats than in the control group, but on the other hand the eruption rate was significantly slowed down. The incisor microhardness was found to be lower than that of control rats. Our results show that neonatal MSG treatment causes well-defined oral disturbances in adulthood in rats, including salivary flow reduction, which coexisted with unaltered protein synthesis, and disturbances of dental mineralization and eruption. These data support the view that some MSG-sensitive hypothalamic nuclei have an important modulatory effect on the factors which determine caries susceptibility.

Behavioural alterations provoked by prolonged calcitonin administration in rats

Present work investigated the effect of prolonged administration of salmon calcitonin, a hormone secreted by parafollicular cells from thyroid, on behavioural parameters of rats. Animals received calcitonin sc, 100 mUI/100 g of body weight, three times a week, during 50 days. Behaviour was assessed utilizing an Open Field, Elevated Plus-Maze and Hole Board apparatus. Calcitonin treatment in rats seems to modify open field and elevated plus maze behaviour, suggesting emotionality and anxiety state alterations of the animals. These conditions can be provoked due to the direct calcitonin action on its receptors, even though we do not exclude an action mediated by tissue calcium level alterations.

Intraepithelial alterations in the Guinea pig lateral prostate at different ages after estradiol treatment

The prostate is an accessory gland of the mammal reproductive system with great volume and high functional importance. Many works infer that, in addition to the androgenic ones, the estrogen can be associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic cancer, but no conclusive evidence exists on the role of estrogen in normal prostatic and neoplastic tissue. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of chronic administration of estradiol benzoate on the lateral prostate of guinea pigs in the pre-pubescent, pubescent, post-pubescent and adult phases, with emphasis on the modifications provoked by this hormone on the glandular epithelium. The analyses of the estradiol-treated and control groups were investigated using histological procedures and transmission electron microscopy. The histopathological analysis of the lateral prostate in the treated group revealed areas where epithelial dysplasia was observed, assuming at some places a pattern of epithelial stratification characteristic of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. After ultrastructural analysis, the following were observed: enlargement of the internal membranes, heterogeneity in the cellular types, hypertrophy of the basal cells and apparent decrease of cytoplasmic organelles in some cells of the prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Still, a loss of cellular polarity was observed, along with nuclei of various forms, sizes and heights - as well as irregular chromatin distribution patterns. Such alterations were found mainly in pubescent, post-pubescent and adult animals subject to the chronic administration of estradiol. These findings reinforce the already existent data in understanding the role of estrogen in the etiology of prostatic diseases.

Genetic alterations in benign lesions: Chronic gastritis and gastric ulcer

Aim: To investigate the occurrence of chromosome 3, 7, 8, 9, and 17 aneuploidies, TP53 gene deletion and p53 protein expression in chronic gastritis, atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcer, and their association with H pylori infection. Methods: Gastric biopsies from normal mucosa (NM, n = 10), chronic gastritis (CG, n = 38), atrophic gastritis (CAG, n = 13) and gastric ulcer (GU, n = 21) were studied using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemical assay. A modified Giemsa staining technique and PCR were used to detect H pylori. An association of the gastric pathologies and aneuploidies with H pylori infection was assessed. Results: Aneuploidies were increasingly found from CG (21%) to CAG (31%) and to GU (62%), involving mainly monosomy and trisomy 7, trisomies 7 and 8, and trisomies 7, 8 and 17, respectively. A significant association was found between H pylori infection and aneuploidies in CAG (P = 0.0143) and GU (P = 0.0498). No TP53 deletion was found in these gastric lesions, but p53-positive immunoreactivity was detected in 45% (5/11) and 12% (2/17) of CG and GU cases, respectively. However, there was no significant association between p53 expression and H pylori infection. Conclusion: The occurrence of aneuploidies in benign lesions evidences chromosomal instability in early stages of gastric carcinogenesis associated with H pylori infection, which may confer proliferative advantage. The increase of p53 protein expression in CG and GU may be due to overproduction of the wild-type protein related to an inflammatory response in mucosa. © 2006 The WJG Press. All rights reserved.

Charge density alterations in human hair fibers: An investigation using electrostatic force microscopy

A new method for high-resolution analyses of hair surface charge density under ambient conditions is presented in this paper. Electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) is used here to analyze changes in surface charge density in virgin hair, bleached hair, and hair treated with a cationic polymer. The atomic force microscopy technique is used concomitantly to analyze morphological changes in hair roughness and thickness. The EFM images depict exactly how the polymer is distributed on the surface of the hair fiber. The EFM's powerful analytical tools enabled us to evaluate the varying degrees of interaction between the hair fiber surface charge density and the cationic polymer. The surface charge density and the polymer's distribution in the hair fibers are presented in the light of EFM measurements. © 2006 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Socièété Française de Cosmétologie.

Clinical and cardiovascular alterations produced by scorpion envenomation in dogs

Scorpionism is a common problem that occurs in tropical and subtropical countries and assumes great medical-sanitary importance due to its fatal effect on sensitive individuals, being able to lead children and aged people to death. The envenomation lethal potential is responsible for the serious cardiopulmonary alterations the scorpion toxin produces in its victims. The present research evaluated the effects of Tityus serrulatus venom on dogs, using two distinct doses: a dose that simulates natural envenomation (0.4 mg/total dose), and an experimental dose (0.25 mg/kg). General clinical signs were observed at different moments after envenomation, and specific data related to the cardiopulmonary system were evaluated by systemic arterial pressure measurement, CK-MB enzymatic activity dosage, and radiographic, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examinations. Results demonstrated that the scorpion venom, in experimental doses, was able to cause acute and reversible cardiac injury in few days, and, in the dose that simulated natural accident, it produced clinical signs of light envenomation, such as local pain, hyperesthesia, sialorrhea, vomiting, diarrhea, sneeze and prostration.

Cytokines profile and clinical-metabolic alterations in HIV-1-infected individuals with and without lypodistrophy

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has lead to a dramatic decrease in the morbidity of patients infected with HIV. However, metabolic side effects, including lipodystrophy and dyslipidemia, have been reported in patients treated with antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and metabolic alterations and the cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-II receptors profile in the serum of treated HIV-1-infected individuals with or without lipodystrophy. Eighty-four adult patients were analyzed, 42 females and 42 males, their mean age was 37 years old, and they received HAART for at least 15 months. These patients were ambulatory outpatients from the Infectious and Parasitary Disease Area of Botucatu School of Medicine, UNESP. Subsequently the individuals were distributed into 2 groups, G1: 42 HIV-infected individuals with lipodystrophy, and G2: 42 HIV-infected individuals without lipodystrophy. Among the antiretrovirals used, stavudine was more associated to the lipodystrophy group and zidovudine to the group without lipodystrophy. CD4, CD8, viral load, glucose, albumin, and the circulating lipid did not present any difference in the group comparison, except for triglyceride that was elevated in the lipodystrophy group and HDL which was present in low concentration in more patients of G1. The cytokines TNF-α, TNF-RII, and IL-10 profile presented high levels in the lipodystrophy group; also it was positively correlated with this group. On the other hand, IL-2 and IFN-γ presented low levels in this group. High levels of TNF-α and its receptor seem to be associated to the development of lipodystrophy in patients receiving HAART.

Central nifedipine-induced alterations in salivary flow and compounds: Role of nitric oxide

The aim of this study was to examine the role of nifedipine and Nitric Oxide (NO) on salivary flow and compounds (salivary amylase, saliva total proteins, saliva calcium, sodium and potassium). Male Holtzman rats weighting 200-250 g were anesthetized with zoletil 50 mg kg -1 (tiletamine chloridrate 125.0 mg and zolazepan chloridrate 125.0 mg) into quadriceps muscle and stainless steel cannulas were implanted into their lateral ventricle of the brain (LV). Animals in divided group were injected with nifedipine (50 μg μL -1) alone and in combination with 7-nitroindazol (7-NIT) (40 μg μL -1), neuronal NO Sinthase Inhibitor (nNOSI) and Sodium Nitroprussate (SNP) (30 μg μL -1) NO donor agent. As a secretory stimuli, pilocarpine dissolved in isotonic was administered intraperitoneally (ip) at a dosage of 10 mg kg -1 body weight. Saliva was collected for 7 min with four cotton balls weighing approximately 20 mg each, two of which were placed on either side of the oral cavity, with the other two placed under the tongue. Nifedipine treatment induced a reduction in saliva secretion rate and concentration of amylase, total protein and calcium without changes in sodium and potassium concentration in comparison with controls. Co-treatment of animals with nifedipine and SNP retained flow rate and concentration of amylase, total protein and calcium in normal levels. Co-treatment of animals with nifedipine and 7-NIT potentiated the effect of nifedipine on the reduction of saliva secretion and concentrations of amylase, total protein and calcium. Nifedipine (dihydroperidine) calcium-channel blocker widely in use is associated with salivary dysfunction acting in the central nervous system structures. NO might be the mechanism for protective effect against the nifedipine-induce salivary dysfunction, acting in the CNS. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information.

Cytologic analysis of alterations induced by smoking and by alcohol consumption

Objective: To analyze cytologically the buccal mucosa of smoking and nonsmoking volunteers to determine what cellular changes are induced by cigarettes and alcohol consumption. Study Design: In order to evaluate cellular changes induced by smoking and alcohol consumption, exfoliative cytology was used for the analysis of mucosal smears obtained from the buccal mucosa of 25 smokers and 25 nonsmokers. The number of cigarettes consumed, duration of smoking, presence or absence of alcohol ingestion, ingested alcohol dose and frequency of consumption, and most frequently used type of alcoholic beverage were determined using a questionnaire. Three smears from each individual stained by the Papanicolaou method were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively under a light microscope by 2 experienced examiners in terms of inflammatory and dysplastic alterations and of the degree of epithelial maturation. Results: Although numerous alterations were observed in smokers they corresponded up to only Papanicolaou class II and were not significantly different from nonsmokers (Mann-Whitney and χ 2 tests, p < 0.05). A higher proportion of inflammatory cells (polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells) were obtained from smokers as compared to nonsmokers, while the proportion of bacteria was similar in the 2 groups. Conclusion: The findings indicate that even after a short period of cigarette use and alcohol consumption, inflammatory alterations were detectable on exfoliative cytology of the buccal mucosa in a young group, demonstrating the usefulness of cytology for early detection in smokers. © The International Academy of Cytology.