Carcinomas mamários de tipo basal: perfil clínico-patológico e evolutivo

OBJETIVO: Investigar a frequência de carcinomas mamários de fenótipo basal em uma série de tumores triplo-negativos (TTN), definidos pela negatividade para receptores de estrógeno (RE), de progesterona (RP) e HER2. MÉTODOS: Selecionamos 140 TTN, obtendo-se características clínico-patológicas e sobrevida. Microarranjo de tecido (2 cilindros de cada tumor) foi construído e submetido à imunoistoquímica para RE, RP, HER2, citoqueratinas (Cks) 5 e 14, EGFR, p63 e p53. Consideramos carcinomas de fenótipo basal os tumores negativos para RE, RP e HER2, e positivos para CK5. RESULTADOS: Encontramos 105 carcinomas de fenótipo basal entre 140 TTN (frequência=75%). A idade média das pacientes foi de 54,8 anos, sendo que 34,3% estavam na pré-menopausa. A maioria dos tumores foi classificada como carcinoma ductal invasor de alto grau. Os TTN exibiram positividade para CK5 (75,0%), CK14 (29%), EGFR (36,4%), p63 (28,6%) e p53 (67,1%). Estadiamento avançado da doença foi observado em 52 pacientes (50%), com diâmetro tumoral maior que 5 cm em 41 casos (39%) e metástases axilares em 61 casos (59,2%). Seguimento clínico foi obtido em 89 pacientes (média=51 meses). Destas, 45 pacientes (50,5%) evoluíram sem doença; 6 (6,7%) estavam vivas com doença e 38 (42,6%) morreram pelo câncer. Recidiva sistêmica ocorreu em 42 pacientes (47,1%), sendo pulmões, cérebro e ossos os principais sítios de metástases. As médias das sobrevidas global e livre de doença foram de 36 e 28 meses, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: Nosso estudo confirma comportamento clínico agressivo e elevada frequência dos carcinomas de fenótipo basal entre os TTN, semelhante ao descrito em casuísticas norte-americanas e europeias.

Detection of human cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus in coronary atherosclerotic tissue

Previous studies indicated that patients with atherosclerosis are predominantly infected by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), but rarely infected by type 1 Epstein-Barr virus (EBV-1). In this study, atheromas of 30 patients who underwent aortocoronary bypass surgery with coronary endartherectomy were tested for the presence of these two viruses. HCMV occurred in 93.3% of the samples and EBV-1 was present in 50% of them. Concurrent presence of both pathogens was detected in 43.3% of the samples.

An experimental model for the study of craniofacial deformities

PURPOSE: To develop an experimental surgical model in rats for the study of craniofacial abnormalities. METHODS: Full thickness calvarial defects with 10x10-mm and 5x8-mm dimensions were created in 40 male NIS Wistar rats, body weight ranging from 320 to 420 g. The animals were equally divided into two groups. The periosteum was removed and dura mater was left intact. Animals were killed at 8 and 16 weeks postoperatively and cranial tissue samples were taken from the defects for histological analysis. RESULTS: Cranial defects remained open even after 16 weeks postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The experimental model with 5x8-mm defects in the parietal region with the removal of the periosteum and maintenance of the integrity of the dura mater are critical and might be used for the study of cranial bone defects in craniofacial abnormalities.

Expressão da proteína erbB-2 e dos receptores de hormônios na transição das regiões in situ para invasora de tumores da mama

OBJETIVOS: avaliar a expressão de erbB-2 e dos receptores hormonais para estrógeno e progesterona (RE/RP) nas regiões de transição entre as frações in situ e invasoras de neoplasias ductais da mama (CDIS e CDI, respectivamente). MÉTODOS: oitenta e cinco casos de neoplasias mamárias, contendo regiões contíguas de CDIS e CDI, foram selecionados. Espécimes histológicos das áreas de CDIS e de CDI foram obtidos através da técnica de tissue microarray (TMA). As expressões da erbB-2 e dos RE/RP foram avaliadas por meio de imunoistoquímica convencional. A comparação da expressão da erbB-2 e dos RE/RP nas frações in situ e invasoras da mama foi realizada com emprego do teste de McNemar. Os intervalos de confiança foram determinados em 5% (p=0,05). Foram calculados coeficientes de correlação intraclasse (ICC) para avaliar a concordância na tabulação cruzada da expressão de erbB-2 e RE/RP nas frações de CDIS e CDI. RESULTADOS: a expressão da erbB-2 não diferiu entre as áreas de CDIS e CDI (p=0,38). Comparando caso a caso suas áreas de CDIS e CDI, houve boa concordância na expressão da erbB-2 (coeficiente de correlação intraclasse, ICC=0,64), dos RP (ICC = 0,71) e dos RE (ICC = 0,64). Considerando apenas tumores cujo componente in situ apresentasse áreas de necrose (comedo), o ICC para erbB-2 foi de 0,4, comparado a 0,6 no conjunto completo de casos. Os ICC não diferiram substancialmente daqueles obtidos com o conjunto completo de espécimes em relação aos RE/RP: para RE, ICC=0,7 (versus 0,7 no conjunto completo), e para RP, ICC=0,7 (versus 0,6 no conjunto completo). CONCLUSÕES: nossos achados sugerem que as expressões de erbB-2 e RE/RP não diferem nos componentes contíguos in situ e invasivo em tumores ductais da mama.

Effect of nitric oxide inhibitor and donor substances on the infammatory process caused by endodontic irrigants

Nitric oxide (NO) has been considered a key molecule in infammation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with L-NAME and sodium nitroprussiate, substances that inhibit and release NO, respectively, on tissue tolerance to endodontic irrigants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The vital dye exudation method was used in a rat subcutaneous tissue model. Injections of 2% Evans blue were administered intravenously into the dorsal penial vein of 14 male rats (200-300 g). The NO inhibitor and donor substances were injected into the subcutaneous tissue in the dorsal region, forming two groups of animals: G1 was inoculated with L-NAME and G2 with sodium nitroprussiate. Both groups received injections of the test endodontic irrigants: acetic acid, 15% citric acid, 17% EDTA-T and saline (control). After 30 min, analysis of the extravasated dye was performed by light absorption spectrophotometry (620 nm). RESULTS: There was statistically signifcant difference (p<0.05) between groups 1 and 2 for all irrigants. L-NAME produced a less intense infammatory reaction and nitroprussiate intensifed this process. CONCLUSIONS: Independently of the administration of NO inhibitors and donors, EDTA-T produced the highest irritating potential in vital tissue among the tested irrigating solutions.

Production and body composition traits of broilers in relation to breast weight evaluated by path analysis

Breast weight has great economic importance in poultry industry, and may be associated with other variables. This work aimed to estimate phenotypic correlations between performance (live body weight at 7 and 28 days, and at slaughter, and depth of the breast muscle measured by ultrasonography), carcass (eviscerated body weight and leg weight) and body composition (heart, liver and abdominal fat weight) traits in a broiler line, and quantify the direct and indirect influence of these traits on breast weight. Path analysis was used by expanding the matrix of partial correlation in coefficients which give the direct influence of one trait on another, regardless the effect of the other traits. The simultaneous maintenance of live body weight at slaughter and eviscerated body weight in the matrix of correlations might be harmful for statistical analysis involving systems of normal equations, like path analysis, due to the observed multicollinearity. The live body weight at slaughter and the depth of the breast muscle as measured by ultrasonography directly affected breast weight and were identified as the most responsible factors for the magnitude of the correlation coefficients obtained between the studied traits and breast weight. Individual pre-selection for these traits could favor an increased breast weight in the future reproducer candidates of this line if the broilers' environmental conditions and housing are maintained, since the live body weight at slaughter and the depth of breast muscle measured by ultrasonography were directly related to breast weight.

Evaluation of post-surgical healing in rats using a topical preparation based on extract of Musa sapientum L., Musaceae, epicarp

Considering that oral preparations made with peel green bananas (e.g. flour and extracts) demonstrated healing effects on mucous membranes and skin, this study evaluated the healing and the antimicrobial property of a topical preparation based on extract of Musa sapientum L., Musaceae, (apple banana) in surgically induced wounds in the skin of male Wistar rats, 100 g. The extract was obtained by decoction, the presence of tannins was detected by phytochemical screening and 10% of the extract was incorporated into the carbopol gel (CMS gel). The processes of healing and bacterial isolation were evaluated in the following experimental groups: control (no treatment), treatment with placebo or with the CMS gel. The healing of surgical wounds treated with the CMS gel was faster when compared with the control and placebo groups and the treatment with CMS gel also inhibited the growth of pyogenic bacteria and enterobacteria in the wounds. The results indicate that the extract of Musa sapientum epicarp has healing and antimicrobial properties (in vivo), probably, due to tannins.

Long-term social recognition memory in adult male rats: factor analysis of the social and non-social behaviors

A modified version of the intruder-resident paradigm was used to investigate if social recognition memory lasts at least 24 h. One hundred and forty-six adult male Wistar rats were used. Independent groups of rats were exposed to an intruder for 0.083, 0.5, 2, 24, or 168 h and tested 24 h after the first encounter with the familiar or a different conspecific. Factor analysis was employed to identify associations between behaviors and treatments. Resident rats exhibited a 24-h social recognition memory, as indicated by a 3- to 5-fold decrease in social behaviors in the second encounter with the same conspecific compared to those observed for a different conspecific, when the duration of the first encounter was 2 h or longer. It was possible to distinguish between two different categories of social behaviors and their expression depended on the duration of the first encounter. Sniffing the anogenital area (49.9% of the social behaviors), sniffing the body (17.9%), sniffing the head (3%), and following the conspecific (3.1%), exhibited mostly by resident rats, characterized social investigation and revealed long-term social recognition memory. However, dominance (23.8%) and mild aggression (2.3%), exhibited by both resident and intruders, characterized social agonistic behaviors and were not affected by memory. Differently, sniffing the environment (76.8% of the non-social behaviors) and rearing (14.3%), both exhibited mostly by adult intruder rats, characterized non-social behaviors. Together, these results show that social recognition memory in rats may last at least 24 h after a 2-h or longer exposure to the conspecific.

Immature stages of the moth Lobeza dentilinea (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), with redescription of the species based on male and female morphology

Egg and pupa of Lobeza dentilinea Schaus, 1901 are described and illustrated for the first time. Eggs are smooth, dome-shaped, and greenish at oviposition. Last instar larvae have an aposematic coloration and the chaetotaxy is very similar to other notodontines, except for the number of lateral setae: L. dentilinea has three instead of four lateral setae on abdominal segments A3-A6. Pupae are light brown and typical of the family, with the last abdominal segments broadly round. Evidence from the adult morphology supporting the placement of the genus in Notodontinae includes proboscis smaller than the length of the head, epiphysis with more than half the length of tibia, tarsal claws simple, and labial palpi short. Male and female are confidently associated, and a redescription of the species is presented based on both sexes. Larvae of L. dentilinea are here recorded feeding on a Melastomataceae.

Time course of training-induced microcirculatory changes and of vegf expression in skeletal muscles of spontaneously hypertensive female rats

Exercise-induced vessel changes modulate arterial pressure (AP) in male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is important for angiogenesis of skeletal muscle. The present study evaluated the time course of VEGF and angiogenesis after short- and long-term exercise training of female SHR and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, 8-9 weeks (200-250 g). Rats were allocated to daily training or remained sedentary for 3 days (N = 23) or 13 weeks (N = 23). After training, the carotid artery was catheterized for AP measurements. Locomotor (tibialis anterior and gracilis) and non-locomotor skeletal muscles (temporalis) were harvested and prepared for histologic and protein expression analyses. Training increased treadmill performance by all groups (SHR = 28%, WKY = 64%, 3 days) and (SHR = 141%, WKY = 122%, 13 weeks). SHR had higher values of AP than WKY (174 ± 4 vs 111 ± 2 mmHg) that were not altered by training. Three days of running increased VEGF expression (SHR = 28%, WKY = 36%) simultaneously with an increase in capillary-to-fiber ratio in gracilis muscle (SHR = 19%, WKY = 15%). In contrast, 13 weeks of training increased gracilis capillary-to-fiber ratio (SHR = 18%, WKY = 19%), without simultaneous changes in VEGF expression. Training did not change VEGF expression and capillarity of temporalis muscle. We conclude that training stimulates time- and tissue-dependent VEGF protein expression, independent of pressure levels. VEGF triggers angiogenesis in locomotor skeletal muscle shortly after the exercise starts, but is not involved in the maintenance of capillarity after long-term exercise in female rats.

O exercício físico melhora a sensibilidade à insulina de ratos expostos à fumaça de cigarro

INTRODUÇÃO E OBJETIVO: Sabe-se que o tabagismo pode provocar alterações cardiovasculares e redução na sensibilidade à insulina, e que o exercício físico melhora este quadro. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito do tabagismo e da prática de atividade física sobre a sensibilidade à insulina em músculo cardíaco de ratos, através da avaliação de expressão do transportador de glicose GLUT4. MÉTODOS: Ratos machos Wistar foram divididos em quatro grupos: (CS) controle, (CE) controle exercitado, (FS) fumante sedentário e (FE) fumante submetido ao exercício físico. Os grupos FS e FE foram submetidos à combustão de quatro cigarros/30 min/60 dias, 2x/dia. Os grupos CE e FE executaram corrida em esteira rolante durante 60 min/60 dias. Foi realizado teste de tolerância à insulina, e a expressão de GLUT4 no coração foi feita através de Western Blotting - ECL e RT-PCR. Foi utilizado método estatístico descritivo e o teste ANOVA, e as diferenças entre os grupos foram consideradas significantes quando P < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Nem o tabagismo nem a atividade física alteraram o peso corpóreo (CS: 364,7 ± 9,7; CE: 372,4 ± 7,2, FS: 368,9 ± 6,7; FE: 376,4 ± 7,8g) e o peso do coração (CS: 1,12 ± 0,05; CE: 1,16 ± 0,04; FS: 1,14 ± 0,05; FE: 1,19 ± 0,05g). A sensibilidade à insulina foi reduzida no grupo fumante, porém, a prática de exercício físico melhorou este quadro (CS: 3,7 ± 0,3; CE: 5,28 ± 0,5*; FS: 2,1 ± 0,7*; FE: 4,8 ± 0,09** %/min; *P < 0,05 vs. CS, **P < 0,05 vs. FS). Os conteúdos de RNAm e de proteína não se alteraram entre os grupos. Porém, quando se calculou o conteúdo total de proteína GLUT4 por grama de tecido, observou-se que o tabagismo causou redução e que o exercício induziu aumento neste parâmetro (CS: 119,72 ± 9,98; CE: 143,09 ± 9,09; FS: 84,36 ± 10,99*; FE: 132,18 ± 11,40# UA/g tecido, *P < 0,05 vs. CS, #P < 0,01 vs. FS). CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que o tabagismo reduz a sensibilidade à insulina e a capacidade do coração captar glicose. Já a prática de exercício físico moderado reverte este quadro por completo.

The optical analysis of the abdominal wall using the biospeckle after implants of polypropylene mesh in rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate an experimental animal model to study the abdominal tissue activity considering its interaction with a polypropylene mesh, through the use of one of the optical phenomena of light Laser, the biospeckle. METHODS: Fifty Wistar male rats were divided into four groups: Group 1: ten animals not submitted to surgery; Group 2: ten animals submitted to surgery without polypropylene mesh; Group 3: 20 animals submitted to surgery followed by the mesh placement; Group 4: (sham) with ten animals. None of the animals presented post surgical complications being submitted to the optical tests at the 20th postoperative day. RESULTS: The analysis from the biospeckle tests, comparing the medians and standard deviations with T Student test, indicated that no significative difference was observed on the abdominal wall tissue activity in the four groups considered, with and without polypropylene mesh prosthesis implantation. CONCLUSION: The animal model is viable and the biospeckle open ways for a great number of experiments to be developed in evaluating tissue activity.

Morfologia dos órgãos genitais masculinos e da cloaca da ema (Rhea americana americana)

As características morfológicas, macroscópicas e microscópicas, dos órgãos genitais masculinos e da cloaca foram analisados em 23 emas, quatro filhotes (duas semanas), sete jovens (de três a oito meses) e doze adultos (três anos), provenientes da Cooperativa Emas do Brasil, RS, e do CEMAS, Mossoró, RN. Os testículos da ema possuem formato alongado e localizam-se na cavidade celomática, na região intra-abdominal dorsal, com comprimento e larguras médias de 7,6±1,2cm e 2,6± 0,7cm nos adultos; 4,5±1,5cm e 0,9±0,4cm nos jovens; e 0,8±0,3cm, e 0,2±0,1cm nos filhotes. O testículo está envolto pela túnica albugínea e seu parênquima possui túbulos seminíferos irregulares, compostos por epitélio espermatogênico e por células de sustentação, e pelo tecido intersticial, com as células endócrinas intersticiais, tecido conjuntivo frouxo e vasos. Nos adultos observaram-se todas as células da linhagem espermatogênica, enquanto nos jovens com 3 meses, os testículos apresentaram túbulos seminíferos com luz reduzidas, espermatogônias e células de sustentação indiferenciadas. Os ductos eferentes possuem um epitélio cúbico ciliado, enquanto no ducto epididimário o epitélio é columnar. O epidídimo apresentou-se alongado e fusiforme junto a margem medial do testículo. O ducto deferentes apresentou trajeto sinuoso nos adultos, retilíneo nos jovens, convoluto na sua porção média, diminuindo seu formato sigmóide em sua porção caudal, próximo à cloaca. O epitélio é pseudoestratificado e reveste a luz irregular nos adultos e circular nos jovens, mantendo proximidade com o ureter. A cloaca dividiu-se em três segmentos: o coprodeu, o urodeo e o proctodeo. No urodeu os ductos deferentes desembocaram em papilas na parede ventro-lateral, próximo a inserção do falo fibroso. O falo é um órgão fibroso linfático, localizado na parede ventral, no assoalho da cloaca, e apresentou duas porções: uma rígida bifurcada e contorcida, e outra simples espiralada e flexível, a qual normalmente esteve invertida. Em exposição forçada, o falo teve 14 cm de comprimento. De forma geral os órgãos reprodutores das emas compartilharam da morfologia de outras aves, principalmente aquelas descritas para os avestruzes.

Fosfatos com diferentes relações flúor: fósforo na alimentação de frangos de corte

Um experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de verificar os efeitos de diferentes relações flúor:fosforo na alimentação sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 1.000 pintos de corte de 1 dia distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições de 50 aves por boxe. Os tratamentos consistiram de quatro fontes de fósforo com relações flúor:fósforo de 1:40, 1:60, 1:80 e 1:100. O experimento foi dividido em três fases experimentais: 1 a 21, 22 a 42 e 43 a 49 dias de idade. Em cada fase, avaliou-se o consumo de ração, o ganho de peso e a conversão alimentar. Ao final do experimento, foram abatidas duas aves de cada repetição para coleta da tíbia e de músculos do peito para análise das concentrações de flúor, cálcio, fósforo e magnésio desses tecidos. As relações flúor:fósforo avaliadas não afetaram o desempenho dos frangos de corte. A deposição óssea de flúor é proporcional à sua concentração na dieta, no entanto, a elevação dos níveis de flúor da dieta não influencia sua deposição nos músculos.

Dietary levels of lysine for male broilers from 23 to 36 days of age: performance and body composition

One thousand and fifty (1,050) Ross male broilers from 23 to 36 days of age were used to evaluate the dietary effects of levels of lysine. It was used a random block design with 5 levels of digestible lysine (0.95; 1.00; 1.05; 1.10 and 1.15%). Each level was applied to seven replicates and the experimental unit was composed of 30 birds. Diets were offered in seven replicates and the experimental unit was represented by 30 birds. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, carcass traits, cut yields, composition and deposition of body nutrients were evaluated. The concentration of 1.09% of digestible lysine optimized performance without significant effects on feed intake. Carcass traits and cut yields had no significant differences among levels of lysine. On the other hand, there was a quadratic effect on carcass weight, which was the best at the level of 1.07% of digestible lysine. On crude protein content of the empty body, the best response was observed at the level of 1.10% of dietary lysine. This same level corresponded to a quadratic response in the deposition of water from carcass and empty body. The level of digestible lysine for better performance, chemical composition and body nutrient deposition in broilers from 23 to 36 days of age is between 1.07 and 1.10%.