Indole-3-carbinol attenuates the deleterious gestational effects of bisphenol A exposure on the prostate gland of male F1 rats

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

Labral gland in soldiers of the neotropical termite Cornitermes cumulans (Isoptera: Termitidae: Syntermitinae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Use of surgery and carboplatin in feline malignant mammary gland neoplasms with advanced clinical staging

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

Collaboration of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of thyroid gland carcinoma in a dog - case report

The sonographic evaluation of thyroid glands in veterinary medicine presents challenges due to the complexity of the anatomical region, professional experience and type of ultrasonography equipment. The technique is considered a versatile diagnostic method that is noninvasive and has a low cost indicated in different clinical situations. Thyroid carcinoma is a malignant tumor that is often invasive and frequently metastatic to regional lymph nodes and lungs. The prognostic indicators for survival after surgery include tumor size, histological type, mobility and presence or absence of metastasis. The objective of the present report is to demonstrate the importance of ultrasound as a complementary method in the evaluation of thyroid carcinoma in dogs. At the Dr. Halim Atique Veterinary Hospital, an eight-year-old male Pit Bull was examined due to a history of firm painless swelling, approximately six inches in diameter, in the ventral cervical region, for about two months. The sonogram showed a nodular area, with defined and regular margins, and heterogeneous hypoechoic parenchyma, with areas of cavitation and swelling of the thyroid. Histopathology of the nodule was consistent with carcinoma. After thyreoidectomy and hormone replacemet, the patient is in good clinical condition.

Cytochemical study of Rhodnius neglectus and Rhodnius prolixus salivary gland cells (Hemiptera, Triatominae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Female paraurethral prostate gland in Bitches

Even though the presence of the female prostate has been reported in many species, including humans, bats and several rodents, it has many anatomical and histological variations. There is still plentiful discussion on the biological function of this organ. Many authors state that paraurethral ducts and glands are functional and homologous to the male prostate. The use of experimental models and a better knowledge of the female prostate gland in other species, can be useful to veterinary medicine as well as human medicine. Therefore the aim of this study is to check for the presence of this gland in female dogs of various breeds and age. For that purpose 25 urethras, from the bladder to the vulva, were collected, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, routinely processed and sectioned into 4 slides of 4 µm, each with 40 µm gap between each set of 4 slides, using an automatic microtome and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosine (HE). The HE sections were evaluated for the presence of prostatic gland in the sample. Unstained tissue sections cut from paraffin blocks were marked with a polyclonal anti-PSA primary antibody. The prevalence of the gland was 32% (8/25). The structure of the paraurethral PSA-positive gland was acinar, organized in buds, with secretory epithelium varying from cubic to columnar; eccentric nuclei, with lose chromatin and a layer of basal cells, very similar to the male prostate were observed. In view of these characteristics, for the first time in the literature, was demonstrate that those glands. may be considered as female prostate in dogs, as they are in other vertebrates

Morphology of Richards' gland in the swarm-founding wasp (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Richards' gland is known for the majority of Epiponini wasps, and despite few experimental evidences, the taxonomic distribution in swarm-founder species and the function of this gland remain rather unclear. This work presents a morphological description of Richards' gland in Protonectarina sylveirae. The gland is formed by a cluster of class 3 cells underneath the anterior margin of the fifth metasomal sternite, and a reservoir formed by the intersegmental membrane between the fourth and fifth metasomal sternites where the secretion can be stored. The secretory cells contain a branched end apparatus that carries the secretory products towards the duct cell. Externally, the cuticle of the sternite, where the duct cells penetrate, is characterized by modifications as scales with very numerous pores. The presence of Richards' gland according to the model proposed by Samacá et al. 2013 in Protonectarina corroborates the single origin of this gland in Epiponini. The occurrence of a Golgi apparatus and smooth endoplasmic reticulum suggests pheromone production.

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)

Genistein reduces the noxious effects of in utero bisphenol A exposure on the rat prostate gland at weaning and in adulthood

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one hormonally active chemical with potential deleterious effects on reproductive organs, including breast and prostate. In contrast, genistein (GEN) is the major phytoestrogen of soy that presents potential protective effects against hormone-dependent cancers, including that of the prostate. Thus, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with BPA at 25 or 250 μg/kg/day by gavage from gestational day (GD) 10-21 with or without dietary GEN at 250 mg/kg/chow (∼5.5 mg/kg/day). Then, male offspring from different litters were euthanized on post-natal day (PND) 21 and 180. At PND21, BPA 25 exposure induced early prostatic changes while dietary GEN attenuated some deleterious actions this xenoestrogen on epithelial cell proliferation levels, androgen receptor expression and prostatic architecture in male offspring. At PND180, a significant increase in incidence of prostatic multifocal inflammation/reactive hyperplasia and atypical hyperplasia were observed in male offspring from dams that received BPA 25. On the other hand, maternal GEN feeding attenuated some the adverse effects of BPA 25 on prostate disease at late-in-life. This way, the present findings point to preventive action of dietary GEN on deleterious effects of gestational BPA exposure in both early and late prostate development in offspring F1.

Evaluation of prognostic factors and survival rates in malignant feline mammary gland neoplasms

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

Virus-Associated Tumours of the Harderian Gland in Laboratory-Reared Voles, Clethrionomys rutilis (Pallas)

Tumors of the Harderian gland occurred frequently in red-backed voles, Clethrionomys rutilus (Pallas), in a captive colony maintained since 1957. Although the tumors became obvious only in animals about a year old and older, early stage changes were histologically evident in glands from younger, clinically normal voles. The tumors ranged in type from poorly differentiated adenoma to adenocarcinoma, with invasion of adjacent tissues and characteristic deformation of the zygomata. Electron micrographs disclosed viral particles in the cytoplasm of glands from clinically normal animals as well as in glands showing malignant changes. The tumor was not observed in arvicoline rodents of other species maintained in the same rooms with the red-backed voles.

Digestive peptidases and proteinases in the midgut gland of the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis (Crustacea, Decapoda, Penaeidae)

Proteases from the midgut gland of the Farfantepenaeus paulensis juveniles were assessed. Enzyme activity was determined using protease substrates and inhibitors. The effect of pH, temperature and calcium on proteolytic activity was assayed. Caseinolytic activity was analysed in substrate-sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Trypsin, chymotrypsin and leucine aminopeptidase activity was detected. Proteolytic activity was strongly inhibited by the specific trypsin inhibitors. Tosyl-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone inhibited 59.3% of chymotrypsin activity. The greatest trypsin-like activity occurred at pH 8.0 and 45 degrees C. Chymotrypsin-like activity reached maximal values at alkaline pH (7.2-9.0) and 55 degrees C. CaCl(2) did not increase trypsin-like activity, but rather inhibited it at concentrations of 30 (20%), 50 (30%) and 100 mM (50%). The substrate-SDS-PAGE zymogram revealed eight proteinase bands. Two possibly thermal-resistant (85 degrees C, 30 min) chymotrypsin isoforms were found, which were inhibited by phenyl-methyl-sulphonyl-fluoride. Aminopeptidase activity of enzyme extracts (Arg, Leu, Lys, Phe and Val) and the recommended concentrations of these essential amino acids in penaeid shrimp diets were positively correlated (P < 0.05). Beause protein digestion involves the combined action of different enzymes, adequate knowledge of shrimp digestion and enzyme characteristics is required for the assessment of the digestive potential of different feed sources and development of in vitro digestibility protocols.

Lufaxin, a Novel Factor Xa Inhibitor From the Salivary Gland of the Sand Fly Lutzomyia longipalpis Blocks Protease-Activated Receptor 2 Activation and Inhibits Inflammation and Thrombosis In Vivo

Objective-Blood-sucking arthropods' salivary glands contain a remarkable diversity of antihemostatics. The aim of the present study was to identify the unique salivary anticoagulant of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis, which remained elusive for decades. Methods and Results-Several L. longipalpis salivary proteins were expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and screened for inhibition of blood coagulation. A novel 32.4-kDa molecule, named Lufaxin, was identified as a slow, tight, noncompetitive, and reversible inhibitor of factor Xa (FXa). Notably, Lufaxin's primary sequence does not share similarity to any physiological or salivary inhibitors of coagulation reported to date. Lufaxin is specific for FXa and does not interact with FX, Dansyl-Glu-Gly-Arg-FXa, or 15 other enzymes. In addition, Lufaxin blocks prothrombinase and increases both prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. Surface plasmon resonance experiments revealed that FXa binds Lufaxin with an equilibrium constant approximate to 3 nM, and isothermal titration calorimetry determined a stoichiometry of 1:1. Lufaxin also prevents protease-activated receptor 2 activation by FXa in the MDA-MB-231 cell line and abrogates edema formation triggered by injection of FXa in the paw of mice. Moreover, Lufaxin prevents FeCl3-induced carotid artery thrombus formation and prolongs activated partial thromboplastin time ex vivo, implying that it works as an anticoagulant in vivo. Finally, salivary gland of sand flies was found to inhibit FXa and to interact with the enzyme. Conclusion-Lufaxin belongs to a novel family of slow-tight FXa inhibitors, which display antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory activities. It is a useful tool to understand FXa structural features and its role in prohemostatic and proinflammatory events. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2012;32:2185-2196.)

Interaction between Trypanosoma rangeli and the Rhodnius prolixus salivary gland depends on the phosphotyrosine ecto-phosphatase activity of the parasite

Trypanosoma rangeli is the trypanosomatid that colonizes the salivary gland of its insect vector, with a profound impact on the feeding capacity of the insect. In this study we investigated the role of the phosphotyrosine (P-Tyr) ecto-phosphatase activity of T. rangeli in its interaction with Rhodnius prolixus salivary glands. Long but not short epimastigotes adhered to the gland cells and the strength of interaction correlated with the enzyme activity levels in different strains. Differential interference contrast microscopy demonstrated that clusters of parasites are formed in most cases, suggesting cooperative interaction in the adhesion process. The tightness of the correlation was evidenced by modulating the P-Tyr ecto-phosphatase activity with various concentrations of inhibitors. Sodium orthovanadate, ammonium molybdate and zinc chloride decreased the interaction between T. rangeli and R. prolixus salivary glands in parallel. Levamisole, an inhibitor of alkaline phosphatases, affected neither process. EDTA strongly inhibited adhesion and P-Tyr ecto-phosphatase activity to the same extent, an effect that was no longer seen if the parasites were pre-incubated with the chelator and then washed. When the P-Tyr ecto-phosphatase of living T. ranged epimastigotes was irreversibly inactivated with sodium orthovanadate and the parasite cells were then injected into the insect thorax, colonization of the salivary glands was greatly depressed for several days after blood feeding. Addition of P-Tyr ecto-phosphatase substrates such as p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) and P-Tyr inhibited the adhesion of T. rangeli to salivary glands, but P-Ser, P-Thr and beta-glycerophosphate were completely ineffective. Immunoassays using anti-P-Tyr-residues revealed a large number of P-Tyr-proteins in extracts of R. prolixus salivary glands, which could be potentially targeted by T. rangeli during adhesion. These results indicate that dephosphorylation of structural P-Tyr residues on the gland cell surfaces, mediated by a P-Tyr ecto-phosphatase of the parasite, is a key event in the interaction between T. rangeli and R. prolixus salivary glands. (C) 2012 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Histologic Inflammatory Changes on the Prostatic Gland Due to Immunosuppression for Kidney Transplantation

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of type IV prostatitis in patients with kidney transplantation receiving an immunosuppression regimen and to compare it with that of a nonimmunosuppressed control group. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 216 electronic charts of patients who had undergone surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia from August 2000 to January 2006. Of the 216 patients, 183 did not receive immunosuppressive therapy and were included in the control group (group 1). The other 33 patients had undergone kidney transplantation and were included in the study group (group 2). The patient data were accessed for age at surgery, International Prostate Symptom Score, prostate volume, preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen level, history of acute urinary retention, and surgical approach (open vs transurethral resection of prostate). Histologic findings from the surgical specimens were also recorded. RESULTS The mean age at surgery, mean serum prostate-specific antigen level, mean prostate volume, and mean International Prostate Symptom Score were not significantly different between both groups. However, histologic evidence of chronic prostatitis was obtained in 145 surgical specimens (78%) from group 1 and in just 3 specimens from group 2 (9%; P < .001). Moreover, nonimmunosuppressed patients had a 38.2 times greater risk of presenting with prostatitis than did the immunosuppressed patients. CONCLUSION Imunnosuppresion therapy in kidney transplantation has a protective factor in the prostatitis incidence. UROLOGY 79: 662-664, 2012. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc.