Maria Goretti Freire de Carvalho

Prevalence of HPV infection by cervical cytologic status in Brazil

To assess the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection according to cervical cytologic status in northeastern Brazil; identify other risk factors for low‐ and high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs and HSILs); and identify the most prevalent HPV genotypes associated with the lesions.

Link between chronic inflammation and human papillomavirus-induced carcinogenesis (Review)

Inflammation is a defense strategy against invading agents and harmful molecules that is activated immediately following a stimulus, and involves the release of cytokines and chemokines, which activate the innate immune response. These mediators act together to increase blood flow and vascular permeability, facilitating recruitment of effector cells to the site of injury. Following resolution of the injury and removal of the stimulus, inflammation is disabled, but if the stimulus persists, inflammation becomes chronic and is strongly associated with cancer. This is likely to be due to the fact that the inflammation leads to a wound that does not heal, requiring a constant renewal of cells, which increases the risk of neoplastic transformation. Debris from phagocytosis, including the reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen that cause damage to DNA already damaged by the leukotrienes and prostaglandins, has an impact on inflammation and various carcinogenic routes. There is an association between chronic inflammation, persistent infection and cancer, where oncogenic action is mediated by autocrine and paracrine signals, causing changes in somatic cells under the influence of the microbial genome or of epigenetic factors. Among the infectious agents associated with cancer, certain genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) stand out. HPV is responsible for virtually all cases of cervical cancer and a lower proportion of cancers of the vagina, vulva, anus, penis and a number of extragenital cancers. In the present review, recent advances in the mechanisms involved in the inflammatory response are presented with their participation in the process of carcinogenesis, emphasizing the role of chronic inflammation in the development of HPV-induced cervical cancer.

Human papillomavirus prevalence in women with normal cytology and with cervical cancer in Natal, Brazil

This study analyzed the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical specimens obtained from women with normal cytology and with cervical cancer, in order to evaluate their correlation with health status and demographic characteristics, as well as sexual and reproductive activity in women treated at a cancer reference hospital in Natal, Northeast Brazil. A total of 158 women were divided into 2 groups according to their health status: group I comprised 110 women with normal cytology, and group II comprised 48 women with cervical cancer. Cervical smears were analyzed by cytological or histopathological examination for the detection of cytological alterations, and by PCR for HPV DNA detection using MY09/11 primers, followed by HPV genotyping by dot blot hybridization. Results showed overall HPV prevalence to be 24.5% in group I, with 19.1% of patients having single infection and 5.4% double infection. The HPV prevalence in group II was 85.4%, with 79.2% of patients having single and 6.2% double infection. We identified 10 different HPV genotypes, most with high oncogenic potential. HPV 16 was the most prevalent genotype in the two studied groups, followed by HPV 58 and HPV 18. High-risk HPV genital infection, chronological age, ethnicity, early onset of sexual and reproductive activities, multiple sexual partners and smoking increased the risk for cervical cancer.

Chenopodium ambrosioides L. extract prevents bone loss

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of the Chenopodium ambrosioides L (mastruz) extract for preventing bone loss and bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats. METHODS Twelve rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy for inducing osteoporosis. After surgery, they were divided into two groups: Ovariectomy-control group (G1, n=6), receiving 0.5 ml distilled water by gavage for 30 days, and Ovariectomy plus mastruz group (G2, n=6), receiving 0.5 ml of the hydroalcoholic extract of mastruz at 10% concentration (50mg) daily, for the same period. Then, the blood of the animals was collected for further biochemical analysis (liver function) and tibia and liver were removed for histological and histomorphometric analyses. RESULTS The cortical bone was significantly larger in the G2 than G1, whereas G1 presented the highest amount of adipocytes in the bone marrow (p<0.05). The blood levels of aspartate aminotransferase, triglycerides and cholesterol were significantly higher, whereas globulin and lactate dehydrogenase were smaller in G2 than G1. CONCLUSION The hydroalcoholic extract of mastruz has effects on bone metabolism by changing blood proteins and enzymes and preventing both bone loss and the substitution of bone marrow cells by.

Comparative study between the effects of hyaluronic acid and acid galactan purified from eggs of the mollusk Pomacea sp in wound healing

ABSTRACT - Purpose: To compare the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA) and of AG on the healing of intestinewounds. Methods: The semi-purified extract of the eggs of the mollusc was obtained by fractionation with ammoniumsulfate and purification for ion-exchange chromatography. The obtained galactans were eluted in water (neutralgalactan) and in 0.1 and 0.2M NaCl (acidic galactans). The in vivo study was performed with 45 “Wistar” rats,separated in three groups (n=15). Solutions containing HA 1%, GA 1% or saline solution 0,9%, was placed topicallyon the sutures of wounds in the small intestine of the rats. After 05, 10 and 21 days the animals were sacrificed andbiopsy of the healing tissue was done. Results: The hystologic grading was more significant for HA and AG groupswhen compared to the group C. AG stimulated the appearance of macrophages, giant cells and increase in theconcentration of collagen in the area of the wound when compared to HA. Conclusion : The topical use of GA inintestinal wounds promoted the anticipation of events that are important in the wound healing.

Efeitos da nicotina na cicatrização intestinal em ratos

E grande o numero de pessoas que inalam nicotina diariamente atraves do habito de fumar e eventualmente tem que ser submetidos a intervencao cirurgica no aparelho digestivo. Sendo a nicotina um agente que tem sido implicado no retardo da cicatrizacao das feridas, foi realizado estudo experimental em ratos com o objetivo de testar o seu efeito na evolucao histologica da cicatrizacao de anastomoses intestinais. Foram utilizados 17 ratos Wistar com media de peso 275±14g, divididos aleatoriamente em grupo I (n=9) e grupo II (n=8), anestesiados com eter sulfurico e operados com tecnica asseptica. A nicotina foi administrada por via subcutânea na dose de 5mg/kg em dias alternados, durante 17 dias nos ratos do grupo I e foi usado placebo no grupo II. Apos sete dias de uso da nicotina e do placebo, foi feita seccao transversal do jejuno a 5 cm do duodeno e anastomose com polipropileno 6-0. No decimo dia os ratos foram mortos com superdose de eter sulfurico e foi feita biopsia da anastomose. Apos processamento dos cortes histologicos e coloracao pela hematoxilina-eosina, os dados foram quantificados por escores. A analise histologica revelou que o grupo I atingiu o escore 135 (media 15±4,41) e o grupo II, 218 (media 27,25±4,89). De acordo com o teste t, a diferenca mostrou-se significativa (p<0,05). Os dados permitem concluir que a nicotina, quando administrada por via subcutânea em ratos, contribui para prejudicar a cicatrizacao de anastomoses intestinais.

Expression of FGF-2/FGFR-1 in normal mucosa, salivary gland, preneoplastic, and neoplastic lesions of the oral cavity

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) is a multifunctional cytokine expressed in several tissues and involved in a wide variety of biologic activities, with one low molecular weight (LMW) protein present in the cytosol, which is secreted, acting via its receptors (FGFRs), and four high molecular weight (HMW) proteins located in the nucleus. Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) family has four (FGFR1-4) transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors expressed on several cell types, and FGFR-1 has been indicated as a potential molecular target in several types of cancer, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The FGF-2/FGFR-1 expression has been studied in the oral cavity, and it was associated with the wound repair process, the development of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors, besides being related to oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and OSCC. Hence, we critically review the currently available data on FGF-2/FGFR-1 expression in the normal mucosa and lesions of the oral cavity.

Sebaceous adenocarcinomas of the major salivary glands: a clinicopathological analysis of 10 cases

Sebaceous carcinomas are uncommon malignant cutaneous tumours originating from the pilosebaceous unit. Although its occurrence is mostly common in peri‐ocular glands, other anatomical regions of the head and neck may be affected, including major and minor salivary glands.

FGF-2 and FGFR-1 might be independent prognostic factors in Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)‐2 and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)‐1 are associated with tumour invasiveness, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The aims of this study were to investigate FGF‐2 expression and FGFR‐1 expression in oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC), and their correlation with OTSCC patients’ prognosis.

Effect of Chenopodium ambrosioides on the healing process of the in vivo bone tissue

The focus of this double‐blind randomized study was on evaluating the effect of an aqueous extract of Mastruz (Chenopodium ambrosioides L.) on the bone repair process in vivo. In total, 36 male Wistar rats were randomly selected for this study, and divided into 3 groups (n = 12): Group HS (Hemostatic Sponge), Group SM (Hemostatic Sponge with Mastruz) and Group BC (Blood Clot). In each animal, bone defects measuring 2 mm in diameter were performed in both tibias for placement of the substances. After 3 and 10 days, the animals were sacrificed, and the tissues were analyzed under an optical microscope relative to the following events: inflammatory infiltrate; necrosis; young fibroblasts; osteoclastic and osteoblastic activity; endosteal and periosteal bone formation; and bone repair. The results were assessed by using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests (p < .05). Inflammatory infiltrate demonstrated difference between Groups SM and BC in the time interval of 3 days (p = .004); an event related to the presence of the fibrin sponge and liquid of the extract, which induced a foreign body initial reaction. The presence of young fibroblasts (p = .003), osteoclastic (p = .003), and osteoblastic (p = .020) activity was statistically significant between Groups HS and BC in the time interval of 10 days; performance was related to the presence of the sponge within bone. As regards injured bone tissue repair, Group SM demonstrated a higher level of regenerative capacity (p = 0.004), due to a larger quantities of endosteal and periosteal bone formation, demonstrated in Group SM. The aqueous extract of mastruz stimulated bone neoformation, presenting wound closure with bone tissue at the end of 10 days.