Labeling index in pituitary adenomas evaluated by means of MIB-1: is there a prognostic role? A critical review

Objective: The present article presents an overview of the literature, and analyses the methods and the primary questions related to assessment of proliferation index using the Ki-67/MIB-1 labeling index in pituitary adenomas. Although atypical adenomas are characterized by their atypical morphological features by an elevated mitotic index, a Ki-67 (MIB-1) labeling index greater than 3% and extensive nuclear staining for p53, use of the proliferation index (LI) of pituitary adenomas in assessing the degree of tumor aggressiveness is a controversial topic in the literature, and there are disparate results involving many studies.Methods: A review of literature was carried out to correlate the role of Ki-67 LI and its correlation with clinical findings, tumor size, invasiveness, recurrence, adenoma subtype, adenoma doubling time, and pituitary carcinomas is addressed. Results: The prognosis cannot be predicted on the basis of the Ki-67 LI alone. Although there is no direct relation between Ki-67 LI and some of these variables and controversial data were found regarding some topics, our review justify the use of Ki-67 in the analysis of pituitary adenomas as an additional information for clinical decision.Conclusion: Although assessment of proliferative may be helpful in predicting subsequent tumor recurrence or invasiveness, there are many other important and as yet unidentified factors pituitary tumors. It is clear that further research is needed to clarify these molecular mechanisms to predict those with a potentially poor clinical outcome.

SISTEMAS QUIMILUMINESCENTES COM PEROXIDASE (EC:1.11.1.7) E SUAS APLICACOES EM ANALISES CLINICAS

The enzyme horseradish peroxidase HRP (EC:1.11.1.7), has both acid and basic isoenzymes, catalyses a wide range of reactions (acting as an oxiredutase or an oxidase) and is thought capable of one- or two-electrons oxidations depending on the substrate employed. Today, the methodology for these assay can be chemiluminescent reactions and enhanced chemiluminescent. The enhanced chemiluminescent assay with system HRP, luminol, peroxide and an enhancer has provided the basis for a convenient and sensitive assay for peroxidase and peroxidase conjugates, DNA probe and blotting assay. It is particularly more advantageous than the others, because is very rapid, more sensitive (attomoles), easy to do and technically simple, and is relatively specific for HRP (reduces the effect of the interference).

Genotipagem do locus ABO (9q34.1) em doadores de sangue da região noroeste do estado de São Paulo

The advances of molecular genetics enabled us to understand the molecular basis of the ABO locus. Considering Us importance as a genetic marker and its applications, the aim of this study was to verify the distribution of the ABO genotypes in a Brazilian population from the Northwest region of the Sào Paulo Stale, Brazil. The genomic DNA was extracted from three hundred and twenty four healthy Brazilian blood donors (O ] 50; A 118; B 32 and AB 24) and analyzed by PCR amplification followed by restriction enzyme digestion. Fourteen genotypes were identified and the relative frequencies of the O , O , O , A and B genes ivere estimated at 44.6%, 16.9%, 4.1%, 25.3% and 9.1%, respectively. Tloese results demonstrate that the ABO locus presents a high polymorphism as revealed by molecular analysis.

Structural basis for inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 by flavopiridol

Flavopiridol has been shown to potently inhibit CDK1 and 2 (cyclin-dependent kinases 1 and 2) and most recently it has been found that it also inhibits CDK9. The complex CDK9-cyclin T1 controls the elongation phase of transcription by RNA polymerase II. The present work describes a molecular model for the binary complex CDK9-flavopiridol. This structural model indicates that the inhibitor strongly binds to the ATP-binding pocket of CDK9 and the structural comparison of the complex CDK2-flavopiridol correlates the structural differences with differences in inhibition of these CDKs by flavopiridol. This structure opens the possibility of testing new inhibitor families, in addition to new substituents for the already known leading structures such as flavones and adenine derivatives. © 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

Contracted GTF basis sets applied to the theoretical interpretation of the Raman spectrum of hexaaquachromium(III) ion

Contracted GTF basis sets designed with aid of the Generator Coordinate Hartree-Fock (GCHF) method for H(2S), O2-(1S), and Cr3+(4F) atomic species are applied to perform theoretical interpretation of the Raman spectrum of hexaaquachromium(III) ion. The 16s, 16s 10p, and 24s17p13d GTF basis sets were contracted to [4s] for H atom, [6s4p], and [9s6p3d] for O2- and Cr3+, respectively, by Dunning's scheme. For Cr3+, the [9s6p3d] basis set was enriched with f polarization function and used in combination com [4s] and [6s4p] in the study of our interest. The results obtained in this report show that the contracted GTF basis sets used are a useful alternative for the theoretical interpretation of Raman spectrum of hexaaquachromium(III) ion and that GCHF method is an effective alternative to selection of GTF basis sets for theoretical study of vibrational properties of poliatomic species. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Peso de abate de machos não-castrados para produção do bovino jovem. 1. Desempenho em confinamento e custos de produção

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Conformational basis for the biological activity of TOAC-labeled angiotensin II and bradykinin: Electron paramagnetic resonance, circular dichroism, and fluorescence studies

N-Terminally and internally labeled analogues of the hormones angiotensin (AII, DRVYIHPF) and bradykinin (BK, RPPGFSPFR) were synthesized containing the paramagnetic amino acid 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl-4-amino-4- carboxylic acid (TOAC). TOAC replaced Asp 1 (TOAC 1-AII) and Val 3 (TOAC 3-AII) in AII and was inserted prior to Arg 1 (TOAC 0-BK) and replacing Pro 3 (TOAC 3-BK) in BK. The peptide conformational properties were examined as a function of trifluoroethanol (TFE) content and pH. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra were sensitive to both variables and showed that internally labeled analogues yielded rotational correlation times (TC) considerably larger than N-terminally labeled ones, evincing the greater freedom of motion of the N-terminus. In TFE, τ C increased due to viscosity effects. Calculation of τ Cpeptide/τ CTOAC ratios indicated that the peptides acquired more folded conformations. Circular dichroism spectra showed that, except for TOAC 1-AII in TFE, the N-terminally labeled analogues displayed a conformational behavior similar to that of the parent peptides. In contrast, under all conditions, the TOAC 3 derivatives acquired more restricted conformations. Fluorescence spectra of All and its derivatives were especially sensitive to the ionization of Tyr 4. Fluorescence quenching by the nitroxide moiety was much more pronounced for TOAC 3-AII The conformational behavior of the TOAC derivatives bears excellent correlation with their biological activity, since, while the N-terminally labeled peptides were partially active, their internally labeled counterparts were inactive [Nakaie, C. R., et al., Peptides 2002, 23, 65-70]. The data demonstrate that insertion of TOAC in the middle of the peptide chain induces conformational restrictions that lead to loss of backbone flexibility, not allowing the peptides to acquire their receptor-bound conformation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Molecular basis for defining the pineal gland and pinealocytes as targets for tumor necrosis factor

The pineal gland, the gland that translates darkness into an endocrine signal by releasing melatonin at night, is now considered a key player in the mounting of an innate immune response. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), the first pro-inflammatory cytokine to be released by an inflammatory response, suppresses the translation of the key enzyme of melatonin synthesis (arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase, Aanat). Here, we show that TNF receptors of the subtype 1 (TNF-R1) are expressed by astrocytes, microglia, and pinealocytes. We also show that the TNF signaling reduces the level of inhibitory nuclear factor kappa B protein subtype A (NFKBIA), leading to the nuclear translocation of two NFKB dimers, p50/p50, and p50/RelA. The lack of a transactivating domain in the p50/p50 dimer suggests that this dimer is responsible for the repression of Aanat transcription. Meanwhile, p50/RelA promotes the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the production of nitric oxide, which inhibits adrenergically induced melatonin production. Together, these data provide a mechanistic basis for considering pinealocytes a target ofTNF and reinforce the idea that the suppression of pineal melatonin is one of the mechanisms involved in mounting an innate immune response. © 2011 Carvalho-Sousa, da Silveira Cruz-Machado, Tamura, Fernandes, Pinato, Muxel, Cecon and Markus.

DNA repair gene polymorphism is associated with the genetic basis of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease

Background: Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial process that appears to be caused by the interaction of environmental risk factors with multiple predisposing genes. It is nowadays accepted that increased levels of DNA damage induced by xenobiotics play an important role in the early phases of atherogenesis. Therefore, in this study, we focus on determining whether genetic variations in xenobiotic-metabolizing [glutathione-S-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1), glutathione-S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1), cytochrome P450 IIEI (CYP2E1)] and DNA repair [X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1)] genes might be associated with increased risk for CAD. Methods: A case-control study was conducted with 400 individuals who underwent subjected to coronary angiography. A total of 299 were patients diagnosed with effective coronary atherosclerosis (case group; >20% obstructive lesion), and 101 (control group) were individuals diagnosed as negative for CAD (<20% obstructive lesions). The polymorphism identifications for GSTM1 and GSTT1, and for CYP2E1 and XRCC1 genes were performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and by PCR-RFLP, respectively. Results and conclusions: The XRCC1 homozygous wild-type genotype Arg/Arg for codon 399 was statistically less pronounced in the case subjects (21.4%) than in controls (38.5%); individuals with the variant XRCC1 genotype had a 2.3-fold increased risk for coronary atherosclerosis than individuals with the wild-type genotype (OR=2.3, 95% CI=1.13-4.69). Conversely, no association between GSTM1, GSTT1, and CYP2E1gene polymorphisms and coronary atherosclerosis was detected. The results provide evidence of the role of DNA damage and repair in cardiovascular disease. © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Eficácia do preparo biomecânico utilizando hipoclorito de sódio 1%, clorexidina gel 2% e extrato glicólico de própolis 12%, como substâncias químicas auxiliares sobre o ácido lipoteicóico de Enterococcus faecalis

Pós-graduação em Odontologia Restauradora - ICT

A implantação da reforma do ensino de 1º e 2º graus no estado de São Paulo nas páginas da imprensa (1971-1982)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Expressão e localização de receptores Toll-like -1, -2, -4 e -6 em membranas corioamnióticas de gestações complicadas por corioamnionite histológica

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evolução do estado nutricional de escolares de 1ª a 4ª série da rede pública de Piracicaba/SP no período de 2003 a 2006

Pós-graduação em Alimentos e Nutrição - FCFAR

Caracterização geológica, hidrogeológica e o mapeamento da vulnerabilidade natural à poluição dos aqüíferos, na escala 1:25.000, das áreas urbana e de expansão do município de Araraquara-SP

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

A produção textual escrita de alunos de 1ª série do ensino fundamental: sob a influência dos métodos de alfabetização

Com base em estudos que tomam como eixo central a alfabetização e o letramento, esta dissertação compreende uma investigação acerca da influência dos métodos de alfabetização, mais especificamente do método silábico e da proposta de alfabetização com base lingüística (ABL), na produção textual escrita de alunos de 1 série do Ensino Fundamental, alfabetizados ou pelo método silábico ou pela proposta ABL. Para tanto, este estudo partiu da hipótese de que a relação oralidade/escrita estabelecida pelo aluno em suas produções e a utilização de um número restrito de elementos coesivos que estabelecem as relações de sentido entre os enunciados que compõem o texto é, em parte, responsabilidade dos métodos e/ou propostas de alfabetização adotados. O diálogo estabelecido com autores que dão visibilidade à prática de alfabetizar letrando; os estudos sobre letramento, alfabetização, psicogênese da língua escrita e a produção de textos escolares ajudaram na condução desse trabalho, que além da pesquisa bibliográfica se valeu da pesquisa de campo realizada nas escolas N.S.A e L.C pertencentes à Rede Municipal de Ensino de Ananindeua e à Rede Privada de Ensino de Belém, respectivamente. Durante esta pesquisa, foram observados o desenvolvimento do trabalho de quatro professoras com turmas de alfabetização e da produção textual de doze alunos de duas turmas de 1 série da escola N.S.A; também foram aplicados dois questionários a sete professoras de turmas de alfabetização e 1 série das duas escolas citadas. A referida pesquisa tornou possível perceber que a alfabetização já começa a ser vista como um processo que visa não só ao domínio da tecnologia da leitura e da escrita, mas também aos usos sociais dessa tecnologia; mostra também que os alunos alfabetizados pela proposta ABL usam um maior número de elementos coesivos em suas produções que os alunos alfabetizados pelo método silábico e que a relação entre a fala e a escrita estabelecida na escrita de palavras é muito mais forte nas produções textuais escritas dos alunos alfabetizados pela ABL.