Francisco Carlos Amanajás de Aguiar Júnior

Ki-67, p53, FAS, Erb-B2, E-cadherin and β-catenin immunoexpression in oral squamous cells carcinomas and in its corresponding early local recurrences

Local recurrence is one of the main causes of treatment failure in patients with Oral Cell Squamous Carcinoma (OSCC) and has a significant negative impact on prognosis. There are few studies considering the biological characteristics of Early Local Recurrence (ELR), particularly comparing to the primary tumor. In this study, we compared the immunoexpression of p53, FAS (Fatty acid synthase), Erb-B2, β-catenin and E-cadherin and the proliferation marker Ki-67 in 17 Primary Tumors (PT) and its respective ERLs. The kappa index was used for statistical analysis. All markers used were expressed similarly in both primary and early recurrent tumor, considering the mean percentage or positive cases. No difference was observed between the expression of p53 (kappa- = 0.881), FAS (kappa- = 0.673), Erb-B2 (membrane (M) kappa = 0.337 and cytoplasmic (C) kappa = 0.767), β-catenin (M: kappa = 0.337 and C: kappa = 0.767) and E-cadherin (M: kappa = 0.337 and C: kappa = 0.767) in the PTS and in its corresponding ERLs. However, the proliferation marker Ki-67 showed a low kappa index (kappa: 0.179). This different proliferation rate between PTS and in its corresponding ERLs could be better investigated and further be considered in the clinical management of ERLs.

Ovarian Manson's Schistosomiasis: Rare Diagnosis or Underestimated Prevalence?

The occurrence of Mansons schistosomiasis in organs of the female reproductive tract is an uncommon event, given that the etiological agent for this disease is a blood parasite that inhabits the mesenteric veins. In this case report, a 45-year-old female patient reported that her first symptoms had been strong pain in the left iliac region around two years earlier. An endovaginal pelvic ultrasonography showed that the left ovary was enlarged, and the report suggested that this finding might be correlated with clinical data and tumor markers. After being examined at several healthcare services, the patient was referred to an oncology service due to suspected neoplasia, where she underwent a left ovariectomy. The result from the histopathological examination showed the presence of granulomatous inflammatory processes surrounding both viable and calcified eggs of Schistosoma mansoni. There was no evidence of any neoplastic tissue. The patient was medicated and followed-up as an outpatient.

Hepatic toxicity caused by PLGA-microspheres containing usnic acid from the lichen C ladonia substellata (AHTI) during pregnancy in Wistar rats

This study aimed to evaluate the teratogenic and hepatotoxic potential of the usnic acid encapsulated into PLGA-microspheres. In total, 12 female Wistar rats in pregnancy were randomly distributed in the control group (n= 6) that received 1.0 mL of physiological solution and treatment group (n= 6) that received 25 mg/kg of encapsulated usnic acid by oral administration. All females were euthanized at day 20 of pregnancy and their fetuses were removed and analyzed. During the pregnancy was observed a reduction in weight gain. There was no difference in serum transaminases levels analyzed as well as any difference in liver weight in both groups. The histomorphometric analysis of the liver from the treatment group revealed an increase in number of hepatocytes and a decrease in nuclear area of these cells. Moreover, no alteration was observed in cell area of hepatocytes or number of Kupffer cells. The fetuses had an increase in total number of hepatocytes and a reduction in the amount of megakaryocytes. These results show the hepatotoxic potential of usnic acid during pregnancy. However, its toxicity can be minimized by encapsulation in microspheres.

PRIMEIRO REGISTRO DE ESQUISTOSSOMOSE DA PRÓSTATA EM PERNAMBUCO, BRASIL: A EXPRESSÃO DA CRONICIDADE DE UMA ENDEMIA

Schistosomiasis has affected the rural population of Pernambuco, Brazil, for centuries. The hepatosplenic and neurological manifestations of this parasitosis have often been described. However, prostatic schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni had never been registered in Pernambuco, thus the importance of this particular case being reported. Case presentation: This report records the first case of prostatic schistosomiasis in Pernambuco. A 51-year-old patient underwent partial prostatectomy due to possible cancer and was diagnosed with this ectopic form of schistosomiasis. After the surgical procedure, stool samples were collected to run Kato-Katz parasitological tests, which were positive for S. mansoni, thus confirming that the patient was still infected. Laboratory blood tests and clinical examination showed alterations in liver function and confirmed the presence of hepatointestinal damage. Patient monitoring evidenced that the prostate-specific antigen levels remained high and, one year after the first surgical intervention, a new prostatic puncture showed that schistosomiasis and fibromatosis lesions remained present. It is noteworthy that after triple praziquantel treatment (April 2014, July 2014, February 2015) parasitological stool examinations were all negative for S. mansoni. In conclusion this accidental diagnosis of prostatic schistosomiasis raises doubts regarding the ability of healthcare services to identify and treat ectopic schistosomiasis. The persistently high levels of PSA even after surgical and pharmacological treatment, indicate irreversible damage to tissue caused by S. mansoni. Therefore, healthcare services need to be prepared to investigate and diagnose these cases, with a view to preventing chronic sequelae through early treatment.

Análise morfológica dos dentes da preguiça Bradypus variegatus Schinz, 1825 (Mammalia, Bradypodidae)

Among the sloth species, we may highlight the Bradypus variegatus, found especially in northeastern Brazil. Given the importance and scarcity of information about the digestive tract of wild animals, this article