Identification of a new translocation that disrupts the RUNX1 gene in a patient with de novo acute myeloid leukemia

Translocation (8;21)(q22;q22)/RUNX1-RUNX1T1 is a molecular marker that is usually associated with a favorable outcome in both pediatric and adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The present report describes the results of hematologic, cytogenetic, and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of a case of AML with maturation in a 23-year-old woman. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a balanced translocation involving chromosomal band 21q22, which disrupts the RUNX1 gene, and 10q22, with the following karyotype: 45,X,-X,t(10;21)(q24;q22)[cp16]/46,XX [4]. Interphase FISH showed, in 67% of the 300 interphase nuclei analyzed, three signals for RUNX1 and two RUNX1T1, but no signals corresponding to RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion gene. These results were corroborated by RT-PCR, which revealed negative results for the amplification of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion gene. The patient was refractory to conventional and salvage chemotherapy regimens and early relapsed after unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation (BMT), dying of pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, and sepsis on day +80 after BMT, 1 year after diagnosis.

Private and Public Dental Care in the City of Sao Paulo in the First Decade of the XXI Century

Two concomitant movements occur in the first decade of the XXI century within the private and public dental services in Brazil: the entrance of oral health on the agenda of political priorities of the federal government and the vigorous growth of additional dental care. We analyzed the occurrence of these phenomena in the city of Sao Paulo, by seeking information in official documents and electronic databases in the Municipality of Sao Paulo, the Ministry of Health and National Health Agency (ANS), and also in scientific literature. During the studied period - January 2000 to December 2009 - and with basis on indicators such as coverage of First Consultation Program and Dental coverage Population Potential, percentages were found that characterize low public assistance and a situation far short of the constitutional principle of universal access to dental care. The growing number of beneficiaries of additional services through exclusively dental coverage insurance plans and other types of private insurance plans in the same period was significant, accounting for a major expansion of population coverage in this mode of care. It was found that, compared to the overall national framework, the city of Sao Paulo offers poor access to public dental care, with reduced supply of services to adults and aged people. Furthermore, considering the limitations of market additional services to provide dental care to all Brazilians, it reinforces the need for continuity and expansion of Brasil Sorridente, which is the programmatic expression of the National Oral Health Politics.

Extracorporeal Circulation Interference on Emergence from Anesthesia in Patients Submitted to Myocardial Revascularization

Background and objectives: Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) may change drug pharmacokinetics as well as brain function. The objectives of this study are to compare emergence time and postoperative sedation intensity assessed by the bispectral index (BIS) and the Ramsay sedation scale in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization (MR) with or without ECC. Method: Ten patients undergoing MR with ECC (ECC group) and 10 with no ECC (no-ECC group) were administered with sufentanyl, propofol 2.0 mu g.mL(-1) and pancuronium target controlled infusion. After surgery, propofol infusion was reduced to 1 mu g.mL(-1) and suspended when extubation was indicated. Patients BIS, Ramsay scale and time to wake up were assessed. Results: The ECC group showed lower BIS values beginning at 60 minutes after surgery (no-ECC = 66 +/- 13 and ECC = 53 +/- 14, p = 0.01) until 120 minutes after infusion (no-ECC = 85 +/- 8 and ECC = 73 +/- 12, p = 0.02). Sedation level measured by the Ramsay scale was higher in the ECC group at 30 minutes after the end of the surgery (no-ECC = 5 +/- 1 and ECC = 6 +/- 0, p = 0.021), at the end of infusion (no-ECC = 5 +/- 1 and ECC = 6 +/- 1, p = 0.012) and 5 minutes after the end of infusion (no-ECC = 4 +/- 1 and ECC = 5 +/- 0.42, p = 0.039). Emergence from anesthesia time was higher in the ECC group (no-ECC = 217 +/- 81 and ECC = 319 +/- 118, p = 0.038). Conclusions: There was a higher intensity of sedation after the end of surgery and a longer wake up time in ECC group, suggesting changes in the pharmacokinetics of propofol or effects of ECC on central nervous system.

Patients With Endometriosis of the Rectosigmoid Have a Higher Percentage of Natural Killer Cells in Peripheral Blood

Study Objective: To estimate the concentration of natural killer (NK) cells in the peripheral blood in patients with and without endometriosis. Design: Case-control study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting: Tertiary referral hospital. Patients: One hundred fifty-five patients who had undergone videolaparoscopy were divided into 2 groups: those with endometriosis (n = 100) and those without endometriosis (n = 55). Interventions: The percentage of NK cells relative to peripheral lymphocytes was quantified at flow cytometry in 155 patients who had undergone laparoscopy. In addition to verifying the presence of endometriosis, stage of disease and the sites affected were also evaluated. Measurements and Main Results: The mean (SD) percentage of NK cells was higher (15.3% [9.8%]) in patients with endometriosis than in the group without the disease (10.6% [5.8%]) (p < .001). The percentage of NK cells was highest (19.8 [10.3%]) in patients with advanced stages of endometriosis and in those in whom the rectosigmoid colon was affected. In a statistical model of probability, the association of this marker (NK cells >= 11%) with the presence of symptoms such as pain and intestinal bleeding during menstruation and the absence of previous pregnancy yielded a 78% likelihood of the rectosigmoid colon being affected. Conclusion: Compared with patients without endometriosis, those with endometriosis demonstrate a higher concentration of peripheral NK cells. The percentage of NK cells is greater, primarily in patients with advanced stages of endometriosis involving the rectosigmoid colon. Therefore, it may serve as a diagnostic marker for this type of severe endometriosis, in particular if considered in conjunction with the symptoms. Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology (2012) 19, 317-324 (C) 2012 AAGL. All rights reserved.

Mapping of angular leaf spot resistance QTL in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under different environments

Background: Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important grain legume for human diet worldwide and the angular leaf spot (ALS) is one of the most devastating diseases of this crop, leading to yield losses as high as 80%. In an attempt to breed resistant cultivars, it is important to first understand the inheritance mode of resistance and to develop tools that could be used in assisted breeding. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling resistance to ALS under natural infection conditions in the field and under inoculated conditions in the greenhouse. Results: QTL analyses were made using phenotypic data from 346 recombinant inbreed lines from the IAC-UNA x CAL 143 cross, gathered in three experiments, two of which were conducted in the field in different seasons and one in the greenhouse. Joint composite interval mapping analysis of QTL x environment interaction was performed. In all, seven QTLs were mapped on five linkage groups. Most of them, with the exception of two, were significant in all experiments. Among these, ALS10.1(DG,UC) presented major effects (R-2 between 16% - 22%). This QTL was found linked to the GATS11b marker of linkage group B10, which was consistently amplified across a set of common bean lines and was associated with the resistance. Four new QTLs were identified. Between them the ALS5.2 showed an important effect (9.4%) under inoculated conditions in the greenhouse. ALS4.2 was another major QTL, under natural infection in the field, explaining 10.8% of the variability for resistance reaction. The other QTLs showed minor effects on resistance. Conclusions: The results indicated a quantitative inheritance pattern of ALS resistance in the common bean line CAL 143. QTL x environment interactions were observed. Moreover, the major QTL identified on linkage group B10 could be important for bean breeding, as it was stable in all the environments. Thereby, the GATS11b marker is a potential tool for marker assisted selection for ALS resistance.

Paper-based diffusive gradients in thin films technique coupled to energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for the determination of labile Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb in river water

The diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique has shown enormous potential for labile metal monitoring in fresh water due to the preconcentration, time-integrated, matrix interference removal and speciation analytical features. In this work, the coupling of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) with paper-based DGT devices was evaluated for the direct determination of Mn, Co. Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb in fresh water. The DGT samplers were assembled with cellulose (Whatman 3 MM chromatography paper) as the diffusion layer and a cellulose phosphate ion exchange membrane (Whatman P 81 paper) as the binding agent. The diffusion coefficients of the analytes on 3 MM chromatography paper were calculated by deploying the DGT samplers in synthetic solutions containing 500 mu g L-1 of Mn. Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb (4 L at pH 5.5 and ionic strength at 0.05 mol L-1). After retrieval, the DGT units were disassembled and the P81 papers were dried and analysed by EDXRF directly. The 3 MM chromatographic paper diffusion coefficients of the analytes ranged from 1.67 to 1.87 x 10(-6) cm(2) s(-1). The metal retention and phosphate group homogeneities on the P81 membrane was studied by a spot analysis with a diameter of 1 mm. The proposed approach (DGT-EDXRF coupling) was applied to determine the analytes at five sampling sites (48 h in situ deployment) on the Piracicaba river basin, and the results (labile fraction) were compared with 0.45 mu m dissolved fractions determined by synchrotron radiation-excited total reflection X-ray fluorescence (SR-TXRF). The limits of detection of DGT-EDXRF coupling for the analytes (from 7.5 to 26 mu g L-1) were similar to those obtained by the sensitive SR-TXRF technique (3.8 to 9.1 mu g L-1). (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Permeability of riparian forest strips in agricultural, small subtropical watersheds in south-eastern Brazil

If riparian buffer zones are ineffective in preventing C-4 plant carbon from upland areas reaching the stream sediment, the composition of stream fauna can be significantly altered. The permeability of riparian forest strips in agricultural, small subtropical watersheds in south-eastern Brazil was measured in nine watersheds categorised according to the predominant land cover of the legally required 30-m buffer riparian zone. Four watersheds with well preserved riparian forest along the 30-m buffer zone were designated as FOREST watersheds; three watersheds, with a predominance of C-4 grasses from sugarcane to pasture, mixed with preserved riparian forests, were designated MIXED watersheds; and two watersheds were termed PASTURE-SUGAR because their entire 30-m buffer zone was covered by C-4 plants. Stable carbon (delta C-13) isotopes were used as tracers of upland C-4 carbon in sediments, suspended particulate organic carbon, terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates and two species of neotropical fish. Although the intact 30-m buffer zone of riparian forests did not entirely prevent the input of C-4 to the river environment and food web, there was a significant increase in C-4 carbon in those watersheds where the buffer zone was not covered by riparian forests. These findings emphasise the importance of riparian forests in mitigating disturbance in streams and support efforts to preserve such riparian corridors.

Positive Affection Measurement: Subjective Well-Being in Married People

The study analyzed the correlations among the different factors of subjective well-being (SWB) using a sample of 106 married people with an average of 16.11 years of marriage. The following instruments were used: Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Socioeconomic Questionnaire, and Subjective Well-being Scale (SWBS). Data analyses were conducted using the Software R and a multivariate model to understand the correlations among the factors of the SWBS. All factors of the SWBS were significantly inter-correlated, which confirm the results of the scale validation study. Future studies are necessary to evaluate the SWB in couples (dyads), which can help to understand whether this concept is influenced by the spouse or only by the marital status.

Comparative Genome Analysis of Trichophyton rubrum and Related Dermatophytes Reveals Candidate Genes Involved in Infection

The major cause of athlete's foot is Trichophyton rubrum, a dermatophyte or fungal pathogen of human skin. To facilitate molecular analyses of the dermatophytes, we sequenced T. rubrum and four related species, Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton equinum, Microsporum canis, and Microsporum gypseum. These species differ in host range, mating, and disease progression. The dermatophyte genomes are highly colinear yet contain gene family expansions not found in other human-associated fungi. Dermatophyte genomes are enriched for gene families containing the LysM domain, which binds chitin and potentially related carbohydrates. These LysM domains differ in sequence from those in other species in regions of the peptide that could affect substrate binding. The dermatophytes also encode novel sets of fungus-specific kinases with unknown specificity, including nonfunctional pseudokinases, which may inhibit phosphorylation by competing for kinase sites within substrates, acting as allosteric effectors, or acting as scaffolds for signaling. The dermatophytes are also enriched for a large number of enzymes that synthesize secondary metabolites, including dermatophyte-specific genes that could synthesize novel compounds. Finally, dermatophytes are enriched in several classes of proteases that are necessary for fungal growth and nutrient acquisition on keratinized tissues. Despite differences in mating ability, genes involved in mating and meiosis are conserved across species, suggesting the possibility of cryptic mating in species where it has not been previously detected. These genome analyses identify gene families that are important to our understanding of how dermatophytes cause chronic infections, how they interact with epithelial cells, and how they respond to the host immune response. IMPORTANCE Athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm, and nail infections are common fungal infections, all caused by fungi known as dermatophytes (fungi that infect skin). This report presents the genome sequences of Trichophyton rubrum, the most frequent cause of athlete's foot, as well as four other common dermatophytes. Dermatophyte genomes are enriched for four gene classes that may contribute to the ability of these fungi to cause disease. These include (i) proteases secreted to degrade skin; (ii) kinases, including pseudokinases, that are involved in signaling necessary for adapting to skin; (iii) secondary metabolites, compounds that act as toxins or signals in the interactions between fungus and host; and (iv) a class of proteins (LysM) that appear to bind and mask cell wall components and carbohydrates, thus avoiding the host's immune response to the fungi. These genome sequences provide a strong foundation for future work in understanding how dermatophytes cause disease.

Evaluation of Radiopacity, pH, Release of Calcium Ions, and Flow of a Bioceramic Root Canal Sealer

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties of a bioceramic root canal sealer, Endosequence BC Sealer. Radiopacity, pH, release of calcium ions (Ca2+), and flow were analyzed, and the results were compared with AH Plus cement. Methods: Radiopacity and flow were evaluated according to ISO 6876/2001 standards. For the radiopacity analysis, metallic rings with 10-mm diameter and 1-mm thickness were filled with cements. The radiopacity value was determined according to radiographic density (mm Al). The flow test was performed with 0.05 mL of cement placed on a glass plate. A 120-g weight was carefully placed over the cement. The largest and smallest diameters of the disks formed were measured by using a digital caliper. The release of Ca2+ and pH were measured at periods of 3, 24, 72, 168, and 240 hours with spectrophotometer and pH meter, respectively. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey test (P < .05). Results: The bioceramic endodontic cement showed radiopacity (3.84 mm Al) significantly lower than that of AH Plus (6.90 mm Al). The pH analysis showed that Endosequence BC Sealer showed pH and release of Ca2+ greater than those of AH Plus (P < .05) during the experimental periods. The flow test revealed that BC Sealer and AH Plus presented flow of 26.96 mm and 21.17 mm, respectively (P < .05). Conclusions: Endosequence BC Sealer showed radiopacity and flow according to ISO 6876/2001 recommendations. The other physicochemical properties analyzed demonstrated favorable values for a root canal sealer. (J Endod 2012;38:842-845)

ADOLESCENCE AND DRUG USE THROUGH THE LENS OF PSYCHOANALYSIS: SUFFERING AND ECSTASY IN THE PASSAGE

ADOLESCENCE AND DRUG USE THROUGH THE LENS OF PSYCHOANALYSIS: SUFFERING AND ECSTASY IN THE PASSAGE The purpose of this study is to reflect upon the psychological factors of adolescent drug addiction according to a psychoanalytic perspective. First we consider adolescence as a social-historical category and then we discuss the psychoanalytic understanding of the adolescent transition. This theoretical path builds the approach that considers drug use as a phenomenon that serves as a passage ritual to contemporary adolescence. This phenomenon is modulated by the drive organization, which determines how the individual will take ownership of the use of psychoactive substances. We conclude that the substance use may function as a buffer-object, activated to deal with the structural fragility of the contemporary affective bonds.

Mastectomy and Sexuality: An Integrative Review

Women affected by breast cancer are faced with the removal of a body part related to sexuality. This study aimed to investigate the impact of breast cancer and mastectomy in women's sexuality through the analysis of scientific literature published from 2000 to 2009. The bibliographic survey was carried out in LILACS, MedLine and PsycINFO databases. Twenty nine articles were selected to constitute the corpus of the analysis. The findings were grouped by means of content analysis. The results showed that after the removal of the breast, sexual performance is compromised, with reduced frequency of sexual intercourse in the early stages of treatment and low sexual desire, interest and satisfaction.

Quantum entanglement of bound particles under free center of mass dispersion

On the basis of the full analytical solution of the overall unitary dynamics, the time evolution of entanglement is studied in a simple bipartite model system evolving unitarily from a pure initial state. The system consists of two particles in one spatial dimension bound by harmonic forces and having its free center of mass initially localized in space in a minimum uncertainty wavepacket. The existence of such initial states in which the bound particles are not entangled is discussed. Galilean invariance of the system ensures that the dynamics of entanglement between the two particles is independent of the wavepacket mean momentum. In fact, as shown, it is driven by the dispersive center of mass free dynamics, and evolves in a time scale that depends on the interparticle interaction in an essential way.

Qualitative SEM/EDS analysis of microleakage and apical gap formation of adhesive root-filling materials

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the correspondence between gap formation and apical microleakage in root canals filled with epoxy resin-based (AH Plus) combined or not with resinous primer or with a dimethacrylate-based root canal sealer (Epiphany). Material and Methods: Thirty-nine lower single-rooted human premolars were filled by the lateral condensation technique (LC) and immersed in a 50-wt% aqueous silver nitrate solution at 37 degrees C (24 h). After longitudinal sectioning, epoxy resin replicas were made from the tooth specimens. Both the replicas and the specimens were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The gaps were observed in the replicas. Apical microleakage was detected in the specimens by SEM/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). The data were analyzed statistically using an Ordinal Logistic Regression model and Analysis of Correspondence (alpha=0.05). Results: Epiphany presented more regions containing gaps between dentin and sealer (p<0.05). There was correspondence between the presence of gaps and microleakage (p<0.05). Microleakage was similar among the root-filling materials (p>0.05). Conclusions: The resinous primer did not improve the sealing ability of AH Plus sealer and the presence of gaps had an effect on apical microleakage for all materials.

DNA fragmentation by gamma radiation and electron beams using atomic force microscopy

Double-stranded pBS plasmid DNA was irradiated with gamma rays at doses ranging from 1 to 12 kGy and electron beams from 1 to 10 kGy. Fragment-size distributions were determined by direct visualization, using atomic force microscopy with nanometer-resolution operating in non-tapping mode, combined with an improved methodology. The fragment distributions from irradiation with gamma rays revealed discrete-like patterns at all doses, suggesting that these patterns are modulated by the base pair composition of the plasmid. Irradiation with electron beams, at very high dose rates, generated continuous distributions of highly shattered DNA fragments, similar to results at much lower dose rates found in the literature. Altogether, these results indicate that AFM could supplement traditional methods for high-resolution measurements of radiation damage to DNA, while providing new and relevant information.