Differential response related to genotoxicity between eggplant (Solanum melanogena) skin aqueous extract and its main purified anthocyanin (delphinidin) in vivo

Anthocyanins are the largest group of water-soluble pigments in the plant kingdom. A number of studies have demonstrated that anthocyanins present antioxidant capacity and show inhibitory effects on the growth of some cancer cells. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate both the antimutagenicity/antigenotoxicity and mutagenicity/genotoxicity of aqueous extract obtained from the Solanum melanogena, a possible novel source of anthocyanin, and its main purified anthocyanin extract (delphinidin), using the single cell (comet) assay and micronucleus test. Pretreatment with higher doses of the purified anthocyanin (10 and 20 mg/kg b.w.) led to a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the frequency of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes induced by cyclophosphamide. The pattern of reduction ranged from 48% to 57% independent of concentration. No apparent: genotoxicity and mutagenicity was found for either the anthocyanin or delphinidin extracts. Taken together, these results suggest that mice pre-treated with specific compounds present in anthocyanins (delphinidin) displayed a lower incidence of mutations induced by cyclophosphamide. This finding emphasizes the potential of natural colorants to prevent mutations and also the applicability of genotoxic evaluation for improving health. Furthermore, the results presented here could be an additional argument to support the use of anthocyanins in the diet. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

PSA and androgen-related gene (AR, CYP17, and CYP19) polymorphisms and the risk of adenocarcinoma at prostate biopsy

The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of polymorphisms in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and androgen-related genes (AR, CYP17, and CYP19) on prostate cancer (PCa) risk in selected high-risk patients who underwent prostate biopsy. Blood samples and prostate tissues were obtained for DNA analysis. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the 50-untranslated regions (UTRs) of the PSA (substitution A > G at position -158) and CYP17 (substitution T > C at 50-UTR) genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism assays. The CAG and TTTA repeats in the AR and CYP19 genes, respectively, were genotyped by PCR-based GeneScan analysis. Patients with the GG genotype of the PSA gene had a higher risk of PCa than those with the AG or AA genotype (OR = 3.79, p = 0.00138). The AA genotype was associated with lower PSA levels (6.44 +/- 1.64 ng/mL) compared with genotypes having at least one G allele (10.44 +/- 10.06 ng/mL) (p = 0.0687, 95% CI - 0.3146 to 8.315, unpaired t-test). The multivariate analysis confirmed the association between PSA levels and PSA genotypes (AA vs. AG+GG; chi(2) = 0.0482) and CYP19 (short alleles homozygous vs. at least one long allele; chi(2) = 0.0110) genotypes. Genetic instability at the AR locus leading to somatic mosaicism was detected in one PCa patient by comparing the length of AR CAG repeats in matched peripheral blood and prostate biopsy cores. Taken together, these findings suggest that the PSA genotype should be a clinically relevant biomarker to predict the PCa risk.

Perineural Invasion in Aggressive Skin Carcinomas of the Head and Neck

Introduction: Perineural invasion is a well-recognized form of cancer dissemination. However, it has been reported only in few papers concerning cutaneous carcinomas ( basal cell, BCC, and squamous cell, SCC). Moreover, the incidence is considered to be very low. Niazi and Lambert [Br J Plast Surg 1993; 46: 156-157] reported only 0.18% of perineural invasion among 3,355 BCCs. It is associated with high-risk subtypes, as morphea-like, as well as with an increased risk of local recurrence. No paper was found in the literature looking for perineural invasion in very aggressive skin cancers with skull base extension, with immunohistochemical analysis. Methods: This is a retrospective review, including 35 very advanced skin carcinomas with skull base invasion (24 BCCs and 11 SCCs, operated on at a single institution from 1982 to 2000). Representative slides were immunohistochemically evaluated with antiprotein S-100, in order to enhance nerve fibers and to detect perineural invasion. The results were compared to 34 controls with tumors with a good outcome, treated in the same time frame at the same Institution. Results: Twelve (50.0%) of the BCCs with skull base invasion had proven perineural invasion, as opposed to only 1 (4.6%) of the controls, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Regarding SCCs, 7 aggressive tumors (63.6%) showed perineural invasion compared to only 1 (10.0%) of the controls, but this difference did not reach significance (p=0.08), due to the small number of cases. Conclusions: In this series, it was demonstrated that immunohistochemically detected perineural invasion was very prevalent in advanced skin carcinomas. In addition, it was statistically associated with extremely aggressive BCCs with skull base invasion. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

Necrotic skin lesion in a dog attributed to Loxosceles (brown spider) bite: a case report

Envenomations caused by Loxosceles (brown spider) have been reported throughout the world. Clinical signs associated to bites of these spiders involve dermonecrotic lesions and intense local inflammatory response, besides systemic manifestations such as intravascular hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute renal failure. The present study aimed to report and to describe dermonecrotic lesions probably caused by a Loxosceles envenomation in a four year-old poodle female dog, treated at the Dermatology Service of the Veterinary Hospital of the Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry School, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil. Initially, the animal presented two skin lesions with blackish aspect that evolved into ulcerative crusts. The owner reported the presence of a brown spider near the place where the animal spent most of the time. Histological examination of lesions revealed necrosis of the epidermis extending to adnexa and panniculi, which is compatible with Loxosceles bite reaction. The animal was treated with systemic antibiotic and local curatives. Lesions healed by second intention in two months.

Evaluation of Diuron (3-[3,4-dichlorophenyl]-1,1-dimethyl urea) in a Two-stage Mouse Skin Carcinogenesis Assay

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

Expression of apoptotic and cell proliferation regulatory proteins in keratoacanthomas and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of p53, caspase-3, bcl-2, MIB-1, and PCNA to validate more objective methods to differentiate squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma, as well as to understand their pathogenesis with accuracy. A total of 52 cases of histopathologically diagnosed keratoacanthoma in the proliferative stage and 56 cases of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma were selected in this study. The expression was evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry. Bcl-2 immunoreactivity was weak or absent in the majority of cases, either in squamous cell carcinoma or in keratoacanthoma. PCNA-positive cells did not show differences between two lesions evaluated. on the other hand, MIB-1 was statistically significant (p<0.05) between squamous cell carcinomas and keratoacanthomas. Moreover, p53 and caspase-3 were overexpressed in squamous cell carcinomas. Together, these results suggest that the biological behavior of the well-differentiated squanous cell carcinomas of the skin may be associated with cellular proliferation and/or deregulation of cell death, indicated by increased expression of the MIB-1 and apoptotic proteins p53 and caspase-3, respectively. (C) 2007 Elsevier GrnbH. All rights reserved.

Role of ROC1 protein in the control of cyclin D1 protein expression in skin melanomas

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

Retroperitoneoscopic renal biopsy in children

OBJECTIVE: We present our experience in a series of 17 consecutive pediatric patients submitted to retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal biopsy. MATERIALS and METHODS: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal biopsy (LRB) was performed in 5 boys and 12 girls. Mean age was 8.1 years and age range from 2 to 12. Two or three trocars were used to expose the inferior pole of the kidney, remove enough cortical parenchymal specimen and fulgurate the biopsy site. Assessment included surgical time, estimated blood loss, hospitalization period, analgesia requirements, complications and number of glomeruli present in the specimen. RESULTS: LRB was successfully performed in all 15 patients (88%). In two cases, LRB was not possible to be performed. One patient was converted to a transperitoneal laparoscopy due to tear in the peritoneum. The other patient had had previous abdominal surgery and, during retroperitoneal balloon dilation, the peritoneum was opened and the open biopsy was performed. A third patient had postoperatively a perirenal hematoma, which was solved spontaneously. Complication rate was 17.6% (3/17 cases). Mean operative time was 65 minutes, while mean estimated blood loss was 52 mL, mean hospital stay was 2.2 days and mean analgesic requirement was 100 mg of tramadol. The mean number of glomeruli present in the specimen was 60. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal biopsy in children is a simple, safe. Bleeding is still the most common complication. However, direct vision usually allows a safe control of this drawback. In our institution, laparoscopic approach is the chosen procedure in pediatric patients older than one - year - old.

Mycobacterium DNA detection in liver and skin of a horse with generalized sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a rare equine skin disease characterized primarily by an exfoliative and granulomatous dermatitis but also presenting granulomatous inflammation of multiple systems. The current report presents the clinical and histopathological findings of sarcoidosis in a 16-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding with nested polymerase chain reaction Mycobacterium spp. DNA detection within hepatic and skin samples. Mycobacterium spp. may play a role in the pathogenesis of equine sarcoidosis as has been proposed for human sarcoidosis.

Gold (198Au) foils brachytherapy use on canine skin tumor

Este trabalho relata um caso clínico de carcinoma escamo celular cutâneo em um cão da raça Weimaraner, fêmea, 8 anos de idade tratado utilizando-se braquiterapia com folhas de Ouro-198. Os objetivos deste relato foram: avaliar o uso de um molde radioativo confeccionado para uso veterinário e sua eficácia no tratamento de um tumor de pele em cão. O método demonstrou ser eficaz no tratamento do tumor, mostrou ser uma prática segura para a equipe profissional envolvida, com baixos custos e resultado radiobiológico superior quando comparado com o tratamento padrão utilizado com outros elementos radioativos.

Leishmune (R) vaccine blocks the transmission of canine visceral leishmaniasis - Absence of Leishmania parasites in blood, skin and lymph nodes of vaccinated exposed dogs

Leishmune (R) vaccine is the first licensed vaccine against canine visceral leishmaniasis. It contains the Fucose-Mannose-ligand (FML) antigen of Leishmania donovani. The potential Leishmune (R) vaccine effect on the interruption of the transmission of the disease, was assayed by monitoring, in untreated (n = 40) and vaccinated dogs (n = 32) of a Brazilian epidemic area: the kala-azar clinical signs, the FML-seropositivity and the Leishmania parasite evidence by immunohistochemistry of skin and PCR for Leishmanial DNA of lymph node and blood samples. on month I I after vaccination, untreated controls showed: 25% of symptomatic cases, 50% of FML-seropositivity, 56.7% of lymph node PCR, 15.7% of blood PCR and 25% of immunohistochemical positive reactions. The Leishmune (R)-vaccinated dogs showed 100% of seropositivity to FML and a complete absence of clinical signs and of parasites (0%) in skin, lymph node and blood PCR samples (P < 0.01). The positivity in FML-ELISA in untreated dogs significantly correlates with the PCR in lymph node samples (p < 0.001) and with the increase in number of symptoms (p = 0.006) being strong markers of infectiousness. The absence of symptoms and of evidence of Leishmania DNA and parasites in Leishmune (R)-vaccinated animals indicates the non-infectious condition of the Leishmune (R)-vaccinated dogs. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gingival lesions diagnosed as pemphigus vulgaris in an adolescent. Case report

Desquamative gingivitis (DG) is a fairly common disorder in which the gingivae show chronic desquamation. Originally considered to be related to hormonal changes at menopause, since many of the patients are middle-aged women, DG is now recognized to be mainly a manifestation of a number of disorders ranging from vesiculobullous diseases to adverse reactions to a variety of chemicals or allergens. Desquamative gingivitis can be an important early clinical manifestation of serious systemic diseases such as pemphigus vulgaris. The authors present a case that illustrates the importance of a specific diagnosis in patients with desquamative gingival lesions previously treated for 6 months as classical gingivitis. Gingival biopsy showed histologic patterns typical of pemphigus vulgaris. The patient was treated with systemic and topical corticosteroids in association with miconazole the patient is now under control with low-close systemic corticosteroids. Proper recognition of lesions in the oral mucosa leads, in several situations, to an early diagnosis of a systemic disease.