Ana Paula Camargo Martins

Tissue distribution of quiescin Q6/sulfhydryl oxidase (QSOX) in developing mouse

Quiescin Q6/sulfhydryl oxidases (QSOX) are revisited thiol oxidases considered to be involved in the oxidative protein folding, cell cycle control and extracellular matrix remodeling. They contain thioredoxin domains and introduce disulfide bonds into proteins and peptides, with the concomitant hydrogen peroxide formation, likely altering the redox environment. Since it is known that several developmental processes are regulated by the redox state, here we assessed if QSOX could have a role during mouse fetal development. For this purpose, an anti-recombinant mouse QSOX antibody was produced and characterized. In E13.5, E16.5 fetal tissues, QSOX immunostaining was confined to mesoderm- and ectoderm-derived tissues, while in P1 neonatal tissues it was slightly extended to some endoderm-derived tissues. QSOX expression, particularly by epithelial tissues, seemed to be developmentally-regulated, increasing with tissue maturation. QSOX was observed in loose connective tissues in all stages analyzed, intra and possibly extracellularly, in agreement with its putative role in oxidative folding and extracellular matrix remodeling. In conclusion, QSOX is expressed in several tissues during mouse development, but preferentially in those derived from mesoderm and ectoderm, suggesting it could be of relevance during developmental processes.

Increased Calcification and Protein Nitration in Arteries of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Background: Cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease (CKD) has peculiar characteristics. The aim of this study was to analyze atherosclerosis, vascular calcification and nitration in arteries from CKD patients. Methods: External iliac and renal artery segments from 27 stage 5 CKD patients and 25 donor controls, respectively, were collected during the transplantation procedure. Results: CKD patients presented a significantly higher degree of lesion. In a large proportion (72%) of CKD patients, we observed vascular calcifications. Immunohistochemistry for nitrotyrosine revealed a significant increase in nitrotyrosine production in arteries from CKD patients compared with control donors. In addition, within CKD patients, nitrotyrosine staining was significantly stronger in arteries with media calcification when compared with arteries without media calcification. Conclusion: The arteriopathy in the CKD patients appears in an early age and seems to be distinct from the arteriopathy of the general population, especially due to intense calcification and vascular oxidative stress.

Immunohistochemical assessment of E-cadherin, β-catenin, CEACAM-1 and PTEN: tumor progression markers in melanoma

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is the immunohistochemical assessment of tumor progression markers (E-cadherin, β-catenin, CEACAM-1 and PTEN) in primary cutaneous melanomas and their correlation with prognostic factors. METHOD: Primary lesions in patients with cutaneous melanoma were recorded as to clinical data (age, gender, location and metastases) and anatomopathologic data (Breslow, Clark level, margins, histological type, mitosis, ulceration, regression, satellitosis and TIL type). It was made a comparison between immunohistochemical expression of the markers and prognostic and anatomopathologic factors. RESULTS: Breslow thickness was > 1 mm (thick) in 21 patients (48.83%) and < 1 mm (thin) in 22 (51.16%). There was a higher CEACAM-1 positive expression in thick melanomas than in thin ones (p = 0.002). There was a more frequent E-cadherin (p = 0.008), b-catenin (p = 0.001) and PTEN (p = 0.005) positive expression in thin melanomas than in thick ones. There was a more frequent CEACAM-1 positive expression in superficial (p = 0.003) and deep (p = 0.002) samples of thick melanomas than in thin ones. No statistically significant differences between clinical and histopathological data were found when comparing patients with (n = 6) and without metastasis (n = 15). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: There was a higher positivity for E-cadherin, b-catenin and PTEN in thin melanomas, whereas there was a higher positivity for CEACAM-1 in thick melanomas.

Histologic and histomorphometric analysis of posterior region of the human temporomandibular disc.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to analyze histologic and histomorphometric features of the articular disc in groups with and without disc displacement. STUDY DESIGN A sample of 39 temporomandibular joints TMJs (31 case specimens, 8 control specimens) from 28 patients (mean age 31.2 years) were recruited for this study. The patients were considered to be affected and treated surgically with disc repositioning when presenting painful clinical signs of disc displacement after unsuccessful nonsurgical treatment for at least 6 months. Of the control patients, 4 presented condyle fracture which required opening to be reduced for treatment, and 4 displayed active condyle hyperplasia. The posterior region of the disc was removed and sent for histologic and histomorphometric analysis. Histologic (hematoxylin-eosin) and histomorphometric (picro-Sirius red) analyses were performed. Statistically significant differences between the analyzed groups were accessed through the chi-squared test (P <or= .05). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to observe the differences between mean values when variables did not present normal distribution [Kolmogorov-Smirnov(a) test]. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the groups in relation to the parameters studied by histologic and histomorphometric analysis (using or not using polarization). CONCLUSIONS To the limits of this study, there were no significant histologic and histomorphometric differences in the articular disc between groups with and without TMJ dysfunction.

Cirrose hepática e hemocromatose neonatal secundária associadas à tirosinemia tipo 1: relato de um caso e diagnóstico diferencial com hemocromatose primária hereditária

Uma paciente de 4 meses de idade foi encaminhada ao hospital por aumento de volume abdominal, cianose e febre ha dois meses. Ao exame, apresentou hepatoesplenomegalia. Com os resultados laboratoriais constatou-se anemia hipocromica microcitica, leucocitose, plaquetopenia e provas de funcao hepatica alteradas. Levantou-se a hipotese de erros inatos do metabolismo. A paciente evoluiu desfavoravelmente e foi a obito. A necropsia o figado apresentou-se cirrotico e com grande deposito de ferro no parenquima. O diagnostico anatomopatologico foi hemocromatose hereditaria, no entanto os resultados laboratoriais confirmaram tirosinemia tipo 1. Tanto a hemocromatose primaria quanto a tirosinemia evoluem com cirrose hepatica, sendo que a segunda pode ocasionalmente levar ao deposito de ferro do tipo hemocromatose secundaria, o que dificulta muito a diferenciacao entre elas com bases puramente anatomopatologicas, acarretando, assim, um diagnostico erroneo de hemocromatose hereditaria. Esse diagnostico diferencial muitas vezes so e possivel com os achados de rastreamento de erros inatos do metabolismo.

Action of lithium carbonate on parotid acini

Objective: The aim of this study is to quantify the number (N) and to measure the volume (V) of acinar cells of parotid gland. The size and the mass of parotid glands were also assessed in rats subjected to chronic lithium carbonate treatment, mimicking the treatment paradigm of bipolar disorder. Design: Twenty-five male Wistar rats received intra-peritoneal injections of either saline (n=11) or lithium carbonate (60 mg/kg body weight) for 51 days. The parotid glands of each animal were removed, weighed, measured and processed, and the histological sections stained with hematoxylinand eosin, from which the N and V were quantified. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t test. Results: It was found that with the use of lithium, there was a statistically significant increase in the gland size (1.00 ± 0.20 cm) and mass (150.71 ± 73.95 mg) when compared to the control (0 80 cm ± 0.17 and 108.93 ± 17.00 mg, respectively) (p<0.05). The number of acinar cells and acinar volume was not statistically different when compared control and lithium. Conclusion: Lithium carbonate may not modify the cell number and volume, indicating that lithium carbonate does not cause changes in morphometric glandular parenchyma. Moreover, the increase inglandular size and mass might suggest that stroma is swollen and this could result in hyposalivation. Correspondence to: Dr. Ana Maria Trindade Grégio, Department of Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Parana, Imaculada Conceição, 1155, Prado Velho, 80-215-901, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, Tel: +55 41 3271-2537; Fax: +55 41 3271-1405 E-mail: ana.gregio@pucpr.br

Utilização de brocas trefina para a confecção de tissue microarray

Objetivos: Descrever e validar uma tecnica alternativa economica e eficiente para a confeccao de amostras teciduais com arranjo matricial (tissue microarrays, TMA). Materiais e metodos: Utilizou-se um motor, um micromotor, um contra-ângulo redutor 16:1 e brocas trefina de aco inoxidavel para osso. Analise histomorfometrica do volume das celulas acinares de glândulas parotidas foi realizada. Para testar marcadores imunoistoquimicos para celulas mioepiteliais, acinares e ductais das parotidas foram utilizados calponina e PCNA. Resultados: Na analise macroscopica e microscopica das lâminas, nao foi encontrada perda total do tissue e nem mesmo deslocamento (parcial e/ou total) deste, sendo as perdas teciduais observadas apenas parciais. Das 90 lâminas analisadas, 59 (65%) obtiveram de 50% a 100% do tissue com ausencia de artefato, deslocamento ou perda de tecido. Conclusao: O equipamento proposto pelos autores para a confeccao deamostras teciduais com arranjo matricial representa uma alternativa economica e eficiente.(AU) Objectives: To describe and validate an inexpensive and efficient alternative for the production of tissue microarrays (TMA). Materials and methods: An electric-motor, a hand-piece, a reducing contra-angle hand-piece 16:1 and trephine stainless steel drills for bones were used in this study. A histomorphometric assessment of the volume of the acinar cells of parotid glands was performed. Calponin and PCNA were used to test the immunohistochemical markers for myoepithelial, acinar and ductal cells of parotid glands. Results: During the macroscopic and microscopic analysis, total loss of sections was not observed in any slide as well as artifactual ungluing (total and/or partial) of the sections. The loss of sections was partial. Fifty nine (65%) out of 90 slides showed 50%-100% of the tissue without technical artifact, artifactual ungluing or loss of the section. Conclusion: The equipment proposed by the authors for the production of arrays represents an inexpensive and efficient alternative.(AU)

Linfangite granulomatosa de genitália infantil: relato de caso e revisão da literatura

Linfangite granulomatosa de genitalia nao-infecciosa e causa rara de linfedema genital autolimitado e idiopatico em criancas(4, 6, 9). A maioria dos casos de linfedema com granuloma nao-infeccioso de genitalia em pacientes jovens ocorre em associacao a doenca de Crohn subsequente ou concomitante(1, 3, 4, 9). O caso relatado e de um menino de 14 anos que apresentava historia de linfedema genital principalmente em regiao dorsal do corpo do penis, poupando prepucio, parte distal do penis e saco escrotal. Estudos laboratoriais nao revelavam doencas sistemicas. O exame anatomopatologico da peca revelou tratar-se de linfangite granulomatosa nao-infecciosa.