Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy for Localized Prostate Cancer in Renal Transplant Patients

OBJECTIVE To investigate the feasibility of radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) in renal transplant recipients with clinically localized prostate cancer. METHODS A prospective protocol was established between August 2004 and November 2007. In that period, 8 patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer were submitted to RRP, and their clinicopathologic data were reviewed. RESULTS The mean age (standard deviation) at surgery was 59.6 +/- 6.7 years (range, 49-67 years). All patients had TIC tumors, except for 1 with a T2A tumor. The mean preoperative prostate-specific antigen value was 4.5 +/- 1.8 ng/mL (range, 1.6-7.0 ng/mL). The mean interval between renal transplantation and RRP was 89.9 +/- 65.1 months (range, 40-209 months). The procedure was well tolerated without major complications, and all patients were discharged on the fifth postoperative day. There was no impairment to bladder descent caused by the presence of the allograft or the ureteroneocystostomy. Urethrovesical anastomosis was easily performed in all cases in the standard manner. Blood transfusion was needed in 2 patients (1 received 2 U and another 5 U of blood). The mean operative duration was 183 +/- 29.7minutes (range, 150-240 minutes), the mean estimated blood loss was 656 +/- 576 mL (range, 100-2000 mL), and no deterioration of graft function was observed. All patients were followed, and the mean follow-up was 10.5 months (range, 2-30 months). Prostate-specific antigen was undetectable in all cases during this time frame. CONCLUSIONS Radical retropubic prostatectomy in renal transplant patients is safe, effective, and can be easily performed in the same manner as described by Walsh, regardless of the presence of the allograft. The only necessary technical modification is the avoidance of ipsilateral lymphadenectomy to prevent damage to the transplanted organ. UROLOGY 72: 1362-1365, 2008. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc.

Genomic deletions at 1p and 14q are associated with an abnormal cDNA microarray gene expression pattern in meningiomas but not in schwannomas

The molecular pathology of meningiomas and shwannomas involve the inactivation of the NF2 gene to generate grade I tumors. Genomic losses at 1p and 14q are observed in both neoplasms, although more frequently in meningiomas. The inactivation of unidentified genes located in these regions appears associated with tumor progression in meningiomas, but no clues to its molecular/clinical meaning are available in schwannomas. Recent microarray gene expression studies have demonstrated the existence of molecular subgroups in both entities. In the present study, we correlated the presence of genomic deletions at 1p, 14q, and 22q with the expression patterns of 96 tumor-related genes obtained by cDNA low-density microarrays in a series of 65 tumors including 42 meningiomas and 23 schwannomas. Two expression pattern groups were identified by cDNA mycroarray analysis when compared to the expression pattern in normal control RNA in both meningiomas and schwannomas, each one with patterns similar and different from the normal control. Meningioma and schwannoma subgroups differed in the expression of 38 and 16 genes, respectively. Using MLPA and microsatellites, we identified genomic losses at 1p, 14q, and 22q at nonrandom frequencies (12.5-69%) in meningiomas and schwannomas. Losses at 22q were almost equally frequent in both molecular expression subgroups in both neoplasms. However, deletions at 1p and 14q accumulated in meningiomas with a gene expression pattern different from the normal pattern, whereas the inverse situation occurred in schwannomas. Those anomalies characterized the schwannomas with expression pattern similar to the normal control. These findings suggest that deletions at 1p and 14q enhance the development of an abnormal tumor-related gene expression pattern in meningiomas, but this fact is not corroborated in schwannomas. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Meningiomas and schwannomas: Molecular subgroup classification found by expression arrays

Microarray gene expression profiling is a high-throughput system used to identify differentially expressed genes and regulation patterns, and to discover new tumor markers. As the molecular pathogenesis of meningiomas and schwannomas, characterized by NF2 gene alterations, remains unclear and suitable molecular targets need to be identified, we used low density cDNA microarrays to establish expression patterns of 96 cancer-related genes on 23 schwannomas, 42 meningiomas and 3 normal cerebral meninges. We also performed a mutational analysis of the NF2 gene (PCR, dHPLC, Sequencing and MLPA), a search for 22q LOH and an analysis of gene silencing by promoter hypermethylation (MS-MLPA). Results showed a high frequency of NF2 gene mutations (40%), increased 22q LOH as aggressiveness increased, frequent losses and gains by MLPA in benign meningiomas, and gene expression silencing by hypermethylation. Array analysis showed decreased expression of 7 genes in meningiomas. Unsupervised analyses identified 2 molecular subgroups for both meningiomas and schwannomas showing 38 and 20 differentially expressed genes, respectively, and 19 genes differentially expressed between the two tumor types. These findings provide a molecular subgroup classification for meningiomas and schwannomas with possible implications for clinical practice.

Identification and characterization of a new member of snake venom thrombin inhibitors from Bothrops insularis using a proteomic approach

Snake venom C-type lectin-like proteins (CLPs) are ubiquitously found in Viperidae snake venoms and differ from the C-type lectins as they display different biological activities but no carbohydrate-binding activity. Previous analysis of the transcriptome obtained from the Bothrops insularis venom gland showed the presence of two clusters homologous to bothrojaracin (BJC) chains a and P. In an effort to identify a new BJC-like molecule, we used an approach associated with proteomic technologies to identify the presence of the expressed protein and then to purify and characterize a new thrombin inhibitor from B. insularis venom. We also constructed homology models of this protein and BJC, which were compared with other C-type lectin-like family members and revealed several conserved features of this intriguing snake venom toxin family. (C)0 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Remote probe microphone measurement to verify hearing aid performance

We assessed the feasibility of obtaining probe microphone measurements of hearing aids at a distance. Face-to-face and remote probe microphone measurements were carried out in 60 hearing aid users (mean age 67 yrs) with uni- or bilateral hearing losses (105 ears tested). The participant and a facilitator were located in a room equipped with a probe microphone system interfaced to a PC. Desktop videoconferencing and application sharing was used to allow an audiologist in another room to instruct the facilitator and control the equipment via the LAN. There were significant correlations between face-to-face and remote real ear unaided response (REUR), aided response (REAR) and insertion gain (REIG) at seven discrete frequencies from 250 to 6000 Hz. Differences between face-to-face and remote responses were within the reported variability for probe microphone measurements themselves. The results show that remote probe microphone measurements are feasible and might improve the quality of public hearing aid services and professional training in Brazil.

Mao's steps in Monroe's backyard: towards a United States-China hegemonic struggle in Latin America?

Contrary to what could be expected given the United States' historical hegemony of Latin America, growing Chinese influence in this region has not led to a dispute between China and the US. Despite activism of hard-line groups in the United States, both parties have faced the issue with noticeable pragmatism. This attitude could be explained by three variables: the US political negligence towards Latin America in the Post-Cold War, the focus of Sino-Latin American relations on economic rather than geopolitical or ideological affairs, and the scanty relevance of the region in the top priorities of overall Washington-Beijing relations.

Acumulação de matéria seca pelo cafeeiro conilon

Com o objetivo de caracterizar a acumulação de matéria seca pelo cafeeiro conilon (Coffea canephora Pierre), um experimento foi conduzido em Marilândia/ES, no delineamento de blocos casualizados, com 24 tratamentos (época de amostragem) e três repetições. Utilizou-se a variedade clonal EMCAPA 8111, plantada em outubro de 1995. Constatou­se que o cafeeiro conilon apresentou padrão sigmoidal de crescimento até os seis anos de idade, com acumulação crescente de massa de matéria seca. Houve declínio na taxa de crescimento absoluto após 48 meses de idade e diminuição na taxa de crescimento relativo após o primeiro mês de idade.

Lime and fertilizer recommendation system for coconut trees

Fertilizer recommendation to most agricultural crops is based on response curves. Such curves are constructed from field experimental data, obtained for a particular condition and may not be reliable to be applied to other regions. The aim of this study was to develop a Lime and Fertilizer Recommendation System for Coconut Crop based on the nutritional balance. The System considers the expected productivity and plant nutrient use efficiency to estimate nutrient demand, and effective rooting layer, soil nutrient availability, as well as any other nutrient input to estimate the nutrient supply. Comparing the nutrient demand with the nutrient supply the System defines the nutrient balance. If the balance for a given nutrient is negative, lime and, or, fertilization is recommended. On the other hand, if the balance is positive, no lime or fertilizer is needed. For coconut trees, the fertilization regime is divided in three stages: fertilization at the planting spot, band fertilization and fertilization at the production phase. The data set for the development of the System for coconut trees was obtained from the literature. The recommendations generated by the System were compared to those derived from recommendation tables used for coconut crop in Brazil. The main differences between the two procedures were for the P rate applied in the planting hole, which was higher in the proposed System because the tables do not pay heed to the pit volume, whereas the N and K rates were lower. The crop demand for K is very high, and the rates recommended by the System are superior to the table recommendations for the formation and initial production stage. The fertilizer recommendations by the System are higher for the phase of coconut tree growth as compared to the production phase, because greater amount of biomass is produced in the first phase.

Concentrações e composições químicas do meio nutritivo para o cultivo in vitro de orquídea

Plântulas de orquídeas cultivadas in vitro respondem de forma distinta aos vários meios de cultura empregados nessa técnica. Este trabalho comparou o meio nutritivo Knudson C, utilizado no cultivo de orquídeas, com o denominado MN e outros dois meios preparados com fertilizantes Peters®: NPK 10-30-20 + micronutrientes e NPK 30-10-10 + micronutrientes para o cultivo in vitro de plântulas do híbrido Etibaia (Cattleya walkeriana x C. loddigesii), com seis meses de idade, germinadas sobre o meio Knudson C. Os três últimos meios foram testados com as seguintes doses de sais: 0,25; 0,50; 1,00; 1,75; e 2,25 g L-1, e o meio Knudson C, 2,0 g L-1. A todos os meios adicionaram-se 20 g L-1 de sacarose, solidificado com 10 g L-1 de ágar, e o pH foi ajustado a 5,7. Aos meios MN e Peters® foram acrescentados 2 g L-1 de carvão ativado e 200 ml L-1 de água de coco. Foram utilizados frascos de vidro de 320 mL contendo 35 mL de meio nutritivo, e o experimento foi mantido em sala de crescimento a 27 ± 2 ºC, 16/8 h luz/escuro e irrdiância de 48 µmol m-2s-1. Melhores respostas para produção de matéria fresca foram obtidas com os fertilizantes NPK, em comparação com os meios Knudson C e MN. A produção de matéria fresca aumentou linearmente com o aumento da dose de nutrientes nos meios MN e nos dois NPK. As plântulas de orquídea cultivadas em meio Knudson C apresentaram os menores valores para as variáveis avaliadas.

Cultivo in vitro de plântulas de orquídea em meios com diferentes concentrações de fertilizante mineral

Existem diversos meios nutritivos utilizados no cultivo in vitro de orquídeas, com diferentes composições e concentrações de sais, resultando em respostas distintas entre eles. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento in vitro de plântulas de orquídea (Cattleya walkeriana Gardner) sob diferentes doses de fertilizante NPK, adicionado ao meio de cultivo, como fonte de nutrientes. Foi utilizado o fertilizante Peters® na formulação NPK 10-30-20 + Mg + micronutrientes, nas doses de: 0,0; 1,0; 2,0; 3,0; 4,0; 5,0 e 10,0 g L-1 de meio, acrescido de água de coco (150 mL L-1), sacarose (20 g L-1), carvão ativado (2 g L-1) e pH corrigido para 5,6. Foram utilizados frascos de vidro de 320 mL de capacidade, contendo 35 mL de meio onde foram inoculadas dez plântulas com seis meses de idade, previamente germinadas em meio Knudson C. O experimento foi mantido em sala de crescimento a 27 ± 2 ºC, 16/8 h luz/escuro e irradiância de 48 µmol m-2 s-1. A produção máxima de matéria seca da parte aérea das plantas, aos seis meses de idade, foi estimada em 0,255 g/frasco com uso de 5,22 g L-1 do fertilizante adicionado ao meio de cultura. Considerando a possibilidade de salinidade elevada do meio, para algumas espécies de orquídea, estimou-se a dose de fertilizante (3,55 g L-1) necessária para obtenção de 90% da produção máxima. As raízes apresentaram drástica redução do crescimento (menor número e curtas) em condições de alta concentração de fertilizante.

Adventitious rooting in cuttings of croton and hibiscus in response to indolbutyric acid and humic acid

Adventitious rooting of ornamental plants can be accelerated by the application of growth regulators, such as auxin. Humic acids, organic matter in soil and organic compounds also have a biostimulant effect. This work evaluated the rooting in cuttings of croton (Codianeum variegatum L. Rumph) and hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L) in response to the application of different concentrations of indolbutyric acid (IBA) and humic acid (HA). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse. Apical stem cuttings were treated with solutions at concentrations of: 0, 250, 500, 1000, 2000 mg L-1 IBA and 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 mmol L-1 HA carbon isolated from vermicomposting. Forty-five days after the applications, the cuttings were removed from the pots containing carbonized rice hull and the following variables were measured: rooting number, length and width of leaves, fresh and dry matter of root and aerial part and root area. The results were subjected to analysis of variance and the qualitative and quantitative effects of the treatments were compared by contrast and regression, respectively. Regression equations were used to determine the maximum efficiency level of root dry matter according to IBA and HA. Higher accumulation of root dry matter was recorded for the treatments with the doses 579 mg L-1 IBA and 14 mmol L-1 HA and 970 mg L-1 IBA and 50 mmol L-1 HA for root cuttings of croton and hibiscus, respectively. It was found that the application of eiher IBA or HA at the indicated doses accelerates rooting in cuttings of croton and hibiscus and contributes to the formation of vigorous plants.

Faixas de suficiência para teores foliares de nutrientes em algodão e em soja, definidas em função de índices DRIS

A diagnose dos estados nutricionais do algodoeiro e da soja, pelo método de níveis críticos, tem-se embasado em faixas de suficiência estabelecidas há muitos anos, com pequenas adequações no período. Contudo, considerando-se que os teores foliares podem variar, dentre outros fatores, em função do tipo de amostra coletada e do potencial produtivo da cultura, torna-se importante a definição de valores de referência regionais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estabelecer os teores adequados de nutrientes para algodoeiro e soja, por meio do ajuste de modelos de regressão para o teor foliar em função do índice de equilíbrio nutricional definido pelo Sistema Integrado de Diagnose e Recomendação (DRIS). Utilizou-se um banco de dados, constituído das produtividades e dos teores de nutrientes em amostras foliares de ambas as espécies, coletadas em talhões de lavouras comerciais e em parcelas experimentais, em Mato Grosso do Sul e Mato Grosso. Foram obtidas faixas de suficiência para as folhas índice de algodoeiro (quinta folha totalmente formada, a partir do ápice) e de soja (terceiro trifólio sem e com pecíolo), com amplitude menor do que aquela estabelecida na literatura para estas culturas. Especificamente, para a soja, confirmou-se a existência de diferenças nos valores de referência em função do tipo de folha índice amostrado. Amostras de folha índice sem pecíolo produzem teores significativamente maiores de N, P, B, Fe, Mn e Zn e menores de K, em relação aos das amostras com pecíolo. A desconsideração do modo de amostragem pode induzir a falsos diagnósticos de deficiências ou excessos nutricionais.

Respostas de culturas à adubação sulfatada e deposição de enxofre atmosférico

Solos com baixo teor de argila e matéria orgânica apresentam baixa disponibilidade de enxofre (S) e, por isso, as culturas podem responder à adubação sulfatada. No entanto, a mobilidade de S no perfil do solo e sua deposição atmosférica pela água da chuva dificultam o estabelecimento do nível de suficiência do nutriente no solo. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a resposta de culturas à adubação sulfatada e quantificar o S atmosférico depositado no solo pela água da chuva. Os cultivos avaliados (mamoneira, trigo, feijão-de-porco e milheto) foram realizados entre 2006 e 2009, em um Argissolo Vermelho distrófico arênico. As doses de S aplicadas em cada cultivo foram de 0, 5, 10 e 20 kg ha-1, utilizando-se gesso agrícola como fonte de S. Avaliaram-se a produção de matéria seca e o acúmulo de S na parte aérea do milheto e do feijão-de-porco, e a produção e o teor de S nos grãos de mamona e de trigo. Determinou-se o teor de S disponível no solo até 60 cm de profundidade e a deposição de S pelas precipitações. A maior produção de grãos da mamona e de matéria seca do segundo cultivo de feijão-de-porco foi obtida com aplicação de 14,5±0,35 kg ha-1 de S. Mesmo com teores de S abaixo dos níveis de suficiência, não houve respostas do trigo, do milheto e do primeiro cultivo de feijão-de-porco à adubação sulfatada. O aporte de S atmosférico ao solo foi de 4,5 kg ha-1 ano-1 e pode ter contribuído para a ausência de resposta desses cultivos.

Chemical sterilization in in vitro propagation of Arundina bambusifolia Lindl. and Epidendrum ibaguense Kunth

There is a great demand for simpler and less costly laboratory techniques and for more accessible procedures for orchid breeders who do not have the necessary theoretical basis to use the traditional seed and clone production methods of orchids in vitro. The aim of this study was to assess the use of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) as a decontaminant in the process of inoculating adult orchid explants of Arundina bambusifolia and Epidendrum ibaguenses. Solutions of NaClO (1.200, 2.400, 3.600, 4.800 and 6.000 mg L-1 - equivalent to 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mL L-1 of commercial bleach - CB) were sprayed on the explants (1.0 mL) and the culture medium (GB5), in the presence or absence of activated charcoal (2 g L-1). The explants used were nodal segments of field-grown adult plants. The procedures for inoculating the explants were conducted outside the laminar flow chamber (LFC), except for the control treatment (autoclaved medium and explant inoculation inside the LFC). The best results for fresh weight yield, height and number of shoots were obtained using NaClO in solution at 1.200 mg L-1 (equivalent to 50 mL L-1 commercial bleach) with activated charcoal in the culture medium. Fresh weight figures were 1.10 g/jar for Arundina bambusifolia and 0.16 g/jar for Epidendrum ibaguenses. Spraying the NaClO solutions controls the contamination of the culture medium already inoculated with the explants.