A label-free electrochemical affisensor for cancer marker detection: the case of HER2

In this paper, we report the development of a sensitive label-free impedimetric biosensor based on the use of affibody as bioreceptor and gold nanostructured screen-printed graphite as a sensor platform for the detection of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). The affisensor is realized by immobilizing a terminal cysteine-modified affibody on gold nanoparticles. The sensor was characterized by electrochemical techniques and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology was also applied to explore the potential of affibodies as small-molecule discriminating tools. Using optimized experimental conditions, a single-use affisensor showed a good analytical performance for HER2 detection from 0 to 40μg/L. The estimated limit of detection was 6.0μg/L. Finally, the realized affisensor was applied to human serum samples.

The basement membrane and the sex establishment in the juvenile hermaphroditism during gonadal differentiation of the Gymnocorymbus ternetzi (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae)

Although there are several studies on morphogenesis in Teleostei, until now there is no research describing the role of the basement membrane in the establishment of the germinal epithelium during gonadal differentiation in Characiformes. In attempt to study these events that result in the formation of ovarian and testicular structures, gonads of Gymnocorymbus ternetzi were prepared for light microscopy. During gonadal development in G. ternetzi, all individuals first developed ovarian tissue. The undifferentiated gonad was formed by somatic cells (SC) and primordial germ cells (PGCs). After successive mitosis, the PGCs became oogonia, which entered into meiosis originating oocytes. An interstitial tissue developed. In half of the individuals, presumptive female, prefollicle cells synthesized a basement membrane around oocyte forming a follicle. Along the ventral region of the ovary, the tissue invaginated to form the ovigerous lamellae, bordered by the germinal epithelium. Stroma developed and the follicle complexes were formed. The gonadal aromatase was detected in interstitial cells in the early steps of the gonadal differentiation in both sexes. In another half of the individuals, presumptive male, there was no synthesis of basement membrane. The interstitium was invaded by numerous granulocytes. Pre-Leydig cells proliferated. Apoptotic oocytes were observed and afterward degenerated. Spermatogonia appeared near the degenerating oocytes and associated to SCs, forming testicular tubules. Germinal epithelium developed and the basement membrane was synthesized. Concomitantly, there was decrease of the gonadal aromatase and increase in the 3β-HSD enzyme expression. Thus, the testis was organized on an ovary previously developed, constituting an indirect gonochoristic differentiation.

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

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

Positividade do imunomarcador FOXP3 em células T reguladoras em lesões de micose fungoide em fases clínicas iniciais e em dermatoses inflamatórias como fator auxiliar para o diagnóstico diferencial

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Anatomia de espécies brasileiras de Eriocaulaceae: Comanthera e Syngonanthus

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação da atividade da unidade epidermo-melânica e do dano dérmico no melasma

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

Anatomia floral e ontogenia de espécies dímeras de Paepalanthus Mart. (Eriocaulaceae, Poales) e seu significado evolutivo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Necrólise epidérmica tóxica/síndrome de Stevens Johnson: emergência em dermatologia pediátrica

Contexto: É descrito caso clínico de farmacodermia grave e de alta letalidade, cujo reconhecimento imediato é fundamental. Relato decaso: Paciente do sexo masculino de três anos de idade, cuja mãe refere histórico de crises convulsivas, consultou-se com neurologistaparticular, que prescreveu ácido valproico. Uma semana depois, voltou a ter crise convulsiva, sendo então introduzida lamotrigina.Poucos dias depois, a criança começou apresentar tosse e coriza hialina. Procurou pronto-socorro de sua cidade e foi orientada a usarfluimucil. Iniciou, então, febre e exantema máculo-papular inicialmente na face, que depois se generalizou. Foi levantada a hipótesediagnóstica de farmacodermia secundária à associação de anticonvulsivante. Discussão: Síndrome de Stevens-Johnson e necróliseepidérmica tóxica são variantes do mesmo processo mucocutâneo agudo, raro e grave, causado principalmente por reação adversaa fármacos e caracterizado por erupção cutânea macular de padrão eritematoso, formação de bolhas de conteúdo sero-hemático edestacamento epidérmico. As afecções são diferenciadas pela porcentagem de superfície corpórea acometida, sendo menor que10% na síndrome de Stevens-Johnson, e maior que 30% na necrólise epidérmica tóxica. O prognóstico pode ser estimado através doescore Severity Illness Score for Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (SCORTEN), que prevê mortalidade de até 90% para os casos mais graves.O tratamento consiste na interrupção imediata da droga, transferência do paciente para unidade de queimados ou unidade de terapiaintensiva, e medidas de suporte. Terapias adjuvantes, como imunoglobulinas intravenosas e corticosteroides, ainda não têm papelconsolidado na literatura. Conclusões: Relata-se afecção rara e extremamente grave cuja suspeição clínica é importante na conduçãodo tratamento.

Anatomy of extrafloral nectaries in Fabaceae from dry-seasonal forest in Brazil

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

Aplicação das técnicas de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e histologia para análise de mixozoários parasitos de peixes do Rio Batalha, médio Rio Tietê, São Paulo, Brasil

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

Anatomia de folha e eixo da inflorescência: contribuições à taxonomia de Rapateaceae

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Myxobolus mississippiensis n. sp. (Myxosporea) from Gills of Lepomis macrochirus in Mississippi

Myxobolus mississippiensis n. sp. is described from gill lamellae of the bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) inhabiting the Pascagoula River System, Mississippi. Fresh spores measure 16.4-18.7 μm long, 3.9-6.2 μm wide, and 4.7-6.2 μm thick. Spore width to length ratio is 1:3.2. Polar capsules are 5.5-7.8 μm long and 1.5-2.3 μm wide, with 9-10 filament coils that when extruded measure 42.1 ± 4.2 μm. This parasite is unique among known species of Myxobolus,/i> in having spores that are lenticular in frontal view.

Anatomia de folha e eixo da inflorescência: contribuições à taxonomia de Rapateaceae

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

New Species of the Thorny Catfish Genus Leptodoras (Siluriformes: Doradidae) from Rio Fresco, Xingu Basin, Brazil

A new species of the thorny catfish genus Leptodoras (family Doradidae) is described. The new species shares three characters with its congeners, the modified oral hood with distinct upper labial extensions, the first gill arch with enlarged accessory lamellae extending well onto medial face of gill filaments, and the pelvic fin inserted in anterior half of body. The new species is distinguished from congeners by having a large dark submarginal blotch on distal half of dorsal-fin spine and anteriormost dorsal-fin branched rays, lower labial extension of modified oral hood extending more posteriorly than upper labial extension, relatively few midlateral scutes, gas bladder moderately sized (not reduced), paired bony capsules on anteriormost vertebrae reduced to paired cup-like laminar ossifications separated by a triangular septum, pair of small, swelling-like diverticula on each side of the anterior chamber of gas bladder, a well-developed anterior nuchal plate, and nuchal foramina present. The new species was discovered from a single specimen collected in the rio Fresco, a tributary of the rio Xingu, and is described based on this and on additional material recently collected in the same area. A discussion of its placement within Leptodoras is also presented.

Somatic Mosaic Activating Mutations in PIK3CA Cause CLOVES Syndrome

Congenital lipomatous overgrowth with vascular, epidermal, and skeletal anomalies (CLOVES) is a sporadically occurring, nonhereditary disorder characterized by asymmetric somatic hypertrophy and anomalies in multiple organs. We hypothesized that CLOVES syndrome would be caused by a somatic mutation arising during early embryonic development. Therefore, we employed massively parallel sequencing to search for somatic mosaic mutations in fresh, frozen, or fixed archival tissue from six affected individuals. We identified mutations in PIK3CA in all six individuals, and mutant allele frequencies ranged from 3% to 30% in affected tissue from multiple embryonic lineages. Interestingly, these same mutations have been identified in cancer cells, in which they increase phosphoinositide-3-kinase activity. We conclude that CLOVES is caused by postzygotic activating mutations in PIK3CA. The application of similar sequencing strategies will probably identify additional genetic causes for sporadically occurring, nonheritable malformations.