Sulfated glycosaminoglycans in human vocal fold lamina propria

Introduction: The distribution, concentration and function of glycosaminoglycans in the various vocal fold tissues are still unclear. Objective: To evaluate the distribution and concentration of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in different layers of the human vocal fold according to gender and age. Methods: We used 11 vocal folds obtained from cadavers (7 men and 4 women) with no laryngeal lesion, less than 12 h after death, and aged between 35 and 98 years. The folds underwent glycosaminoglycans extraction from the cover and ligament, and post-electrophoresis analysis. Data were compared according to the layer, age and gender. Results: The concentration of dermatan sulfate was significantly higher in all layers. No differences were observed in the total concentrations of glycosaminoglycans in layers studied according to gender. It is significantly lower in the cover of individuals aged below 60 years. Conclusion: Dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and heparan sulfate were observed in the human vocal folds cover and ligament of both genders, with the concentration of dermatan sulfate being significantly higher in all layers. Glycosaminoglycans concentration on the cover is significantly lower in individuals below 60 years compared with elderly. (C) 2016 Associacao Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cervico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda.Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, EPM, Dept Otorrinolaringol & Cirurgia Cabeca & Pescoco, Setor Laringe & Voz, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, EPM, Dept Bioquim, Div Biol Mol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, EPM, Dept Med, Div Endocrinol & Metab, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilPUC SP, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, EPM, Dept Otorrinolaringol & Cirurgia Cabeca & Pescoco, Setor Laringe & Voz, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, EPM, Dept Bioquim, Div Biol Mol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, EPM, Dept Med, Div Endocrinol & Metab, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Macrocalcitonin Is a Novel Pitfall in the Routine of Serum Calcitonin Immunoassay

Context: Calcitonin (CT) is a sensitive marker of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and is used for primary diagnosis and follow-up after thyroidectomy. However, persistently elevated CT is observed even after complete surgical removal without evidence of a recurrent or persistent tumor. Objective: To investigate the presence of assay interference in the serum CT of MTC patients who are apparently without a structural disease. Patients and Methods: We studied three index MTC cases for CT assay interference and 14 patients with metastatic MTC. The CT level was measured using an immunofluorometric assay. Screening for assay interference was performed by determination of CT levels before and after serum treatment with polyethylene glycol. Additionally, samples were analyzed by chromatography on ultra-performance liquid chromatography and protein A-Sepharose. Results: Patients with biochemical and structural disease showed CT mean recovery of 84.1% after polyethylene glycol treatment, whereas patients suspected of interference showed recovery from 2-7%. The elution profile on UPLC showed that the immunometric CT from these three patients behaved like a high molecular mass aggregate (>300 kDa). Additionally, when these samples were applied to the protein A-Sepharose, CT immunoreactivity was retained on the column and was only released after lowering the pH. Conclusions: For the first time, our results show the presence of a novel pitfall in the CT immunoassay: "macrocalcitonin." Its etiology, frequency, and meaning remain to be defined, but its recognition is of interest and can help clinicians avoid unnecessary diagnostic investigations and treatment during the follow-up of MTC.Sao Paulo State Research Foundation-FAPESPFAPESPFederal Agency of Support and Evaluation of Postgraduate Education (Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior)National Council for Scientific and Technological DevelopmentUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Div Endocrinol, Dept Med,Thyroid Dis Ctr, BR-04039032 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Div Endocrinol, Dept Med,Lab Mol & Translat Endocrinol, BR-04039032 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Biochem, Div Mol Biol, BR-04044020 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Div Endocrinol, Dept Med,Thyroid Dis Ctr, BR-04039032 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Div Endocrinol, Dept Med,Lab Mol & Translat Endocrinol, BR-04039032 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Biochem, Div Mol Biol, BR-04044020 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2006/60402-1FAPESP: 2010/51547-1FAPESP: 2010/19478Web of Scienc

Concentration and distribution of hyaluronic acid in human vocal folds

Objective/Hypothesis. To evaluate the concentration and distribution of hyaluronic acid (HA) in human adult vocal folds. Study Design. Experimental study. Methods. Histologic samples of the anterior, middle, and posterior regions of the vocal folds were studied to determine the tissue distribution of HA. the HA was traced with hyaluronan-binding proteins (HAPB) from bovine cartilage. Chemical bonds were detected through the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method. A control with the specific Streptomyces hyalurolyticus hyaluronidase was conducted to avoid false-positive results. the concentration levels of HA were determined through a fluorescence-based assay method with the same HAPB and europium-labeled streptavidin. Results: Women presented higher HA concentrations than men in every studied region of the vocal folds and overall HA concentration levels twice as higher. in regard to the distribution of HA, the macula flavae and the vocal fold intermediate and deep layers presented marked staining, with moderate staining around the vessels, on the gland capsules, and the connective tissue surrounding the vocal fold muscular fibers. Conclusions. HA is diffusely distributed along the vocal folds; the profuse amounts of HA observed in the female vocal folds may be related to impact absorption, acting as a protective factor against the characteristic high vibration frequency.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Otorhinolaryngol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Clin Endocrinol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Mol Biol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Morphol Histol & Struct Biol, São Paulo, BrazilPontificia Univ Catolica São Paulo, Dept Speech Pathol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Otorhinolaryngol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Clin Endocrinol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Mol Biol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Morphol Histol & Struct Biol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

The expression of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans in the uterine cervix of albino rats after local hyaluronidase infusion

Objective: To assess the local effect of hyaluronidase injection on the expression of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans (PGs) in the extracellular matrix of the uterine cervix from pregnant albino rats.Methods: Ten pregnant rats were divided into two groups on day 18 of pregnancy. the experimental group (Gexp) of rats received an intracervical infusion of 0.02 mL of hyaluronidase diluted to 1mL with distilled water, whereas the control group (Gc) received 1mL of distilled water. On day 20 of pregnancy, the pregnant rats were sacrificed and the uterine cervixes from all rats were then dissected. the qualitative expression of hyaluronic acid (HA) was assessed by immunohistochemistry and quantified by sandwich ELISA. To compare the quantitative GAG values between groups, a Student's t-test for independent samples was performed. PGs were also assessed by immunohistochemical analysis.Results: the electrophoretic profile of newly synthesized radioactively labeled GAGs degraded by specific enzymes showed that there were two predominant GAGs in both Gc and Gexp, i.e. heparan sulfate (HS) and a mixture of hondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS). the concentrations of GAGs showed a significant reduction of CS/DS (p<0.004) and HS (p<0.005) relative to Gc. HA staining was less intense in the lamina propria and area surrounding the blood vessels in Gexp compared to Gc. the HA contents were also significantly reduced (p<0.012).Conclusions: Intracervical hyaluronidase infusion promoted a significant reduction in the concentration of sulfated GAGs as assessed by both qualitative (histochemical) and quantitative (fluorometric) measurements of HA.Fed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Obstet, BR-05303000 São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Biochem, BR-05303000 São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Obstet, BR-05303000 São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Biochem, BR-05303000 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Concentration and distribution of hyaluronic acid in mouse uterus throughout the estrous cycle

Objective: To quantify and study the immunoexpression of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the uterine horns of the mouse throughout the estrous cycle phases.Design: Experimental study using an ELISA-like fluorometric assay to quantify HA and an avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method using biotinylated hyaluronan-binding protein for histochemical studies.Setting: University-based laboratory.Animal(s): Forty regularly cycling adult female mice were divided into four groups according to the diagnosed phase of the cycle: proestrus, estrus, metaestrus, and diestrus.Intervention(s): None.Main outcome measure(s): Histologic samples of the uterine horns. Immunohistochemical reaction was evaluated by detection of HA and CD44 distribution within the uterine horn. Tissue HA content was determined through an ELISA-like fluorometric assay with the same hyaluronan-binding protein and with europium-labeled streptavidin.Result(s): the immunohistochemical HA and CD44 reactions were most intense during diestrus, mainly below the luminal epithelium. HA was strongly stained in the connective tissue near the myometrium layer during metaestrus. the biochemical data showed that the highest concentration of HA in uterine horns occurred during diestrus (4053.0 +/- 651.4 ng/g dry tissue) compared with other phases.Conclusion(s): Our data show that the expression of HA in mouse uterine horns is highest during the diestrous phase. the fluctuations of HA in the mouse uterus during the estrous phase may be related to the varying estrogen and P levels during the cycle and may be important as far as embryo implantation is concerned. (Fertil Steril (R) 2009;92:785-92. (c) 2009 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Morphol Histol & Struct Biol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biochem, Div Mol Biol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Endocrinol & Metab, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Gynecol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Morphol Histol & Struct Biol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biochem, Div Mol Biol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Endocrinol & Metab, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Gynecol, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2006/50639-4Web of Scienc

Neotropical freshwater fisheries : A dataset of occurrence and abundance of freshwater fishes in the Neotropics

The Neotropical region hosts 4225 freshwater fish species, ranking first among the world's most diverse regions for freshwater fishes. Our NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES data set is the first to produce a large-scale Neotropical freshwater fish inventory, covering the entire Neotropical region from Mexico and the Caribbean in the north to the southern limits in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. We compiled 185,787 distribution records, with unique georeferenced coordinates, for the 4225 species, represented by occurrence and abundance data. The number of species for the most numerous orders are as follows: Characiformes (1289), Siluriformes (1384), Cichliformes (354), Cyprinodontiformes (245), and Gymnotiformes (135). The most recorded species was the characid Astyanax fasciatus (4696 records). We registered 116,802 distribution records for native species, compared to 1802 distribution records for nonnative species. The main aim of the NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES data set was to make these occurrence and abundance data accessible for international researchers to develop ecological and macroecological studies, from local to regional scales, with focal fish species, families, or orders. We anticipate that the NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES data set will be valuable for studies on a wide range of ecological processes, such as trophic cascades, fishery pressure, the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation, and the impacts of species invasion and climate change. There are no copyright restrictions on the data, and please cite this data paper when using the data in publications

Delayed colorectal cancer care during covid-19 pandemic (decor-19). Global perspective from an international survey

Background The widespread nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been unprecedented. We sought to analyze its global impact with a survey on colorectal cancer (CRC) care during the pandemic. Methods The impact of COVID-19 on preoperative assessment, elective surgery, and postoperative management of CRC patients was explored by a 35-item survey, which was distributed worldwide to members of surgical societies with an interest in CRC care. Respondents were divided into two comparator groups: 1) ‘delay’ group: CRC care affected by the pandemic; 2) ‘no delay’ group: unaltered CRC practice. Results A total of 1,051 respondents from 84 countries completed the survey. No substantial differences in demographics were found between the ‘delay’ (745, 70.9%) and ‘no delay’ (306, 29.1%) groups. Suspension of multidisciplinary team meetings, staff members quarantined or relocated to COVID-19 units, units fully dedicated to COVID-19 care, personal protective equipment not readily available were factors significantly associated to delays in endoscopy, radiology, surgery, histopathology and prolonged chemoradiation therapy-to-surgery intervals. In the ‘delay’ group, 48.9% of respondents reported a change in the initial surgical plan and 26.3% reported a shift from elective to urgent operations. Recovery of CRC care was associated with the status of the outbreak. Practicing in COVID-free units, no change in operative slots and staff members not relocated to COVID-19 units were statistically associated with unaltered CRC care in the ‘no delay’ group, while the geographical distribution was not. Conclusions Global changes in diagnostic and therapeutic CRC practices were evident. Changes were associated with differences in health-care delivery systems, hospital’s preparedness, resources availability, and local COVID-19 prevalence rather than geographical factors. Strategic planning is required to optimize CRC care