Raloxifene modulates regulators of osteoclastogenesis and angiogenesis in an oestrogen deficiency periapical lesion model

Aim To analyse the local regulatory mechanisms of osteoclastogenesis and angiogenesis during the progression of periapical lesions in female rats with oestrogen deficiency and treatment with raloxifene (RLX). Methodology Female Wistar rats were distributed into groups: SHAM-veh, subjected to sham surgery and treated with a vehicle; OVX-veh, subjected to ovary removal and treated with a vehicle; and OVX-RLX, subjected to ovary removal and treated with RLX. Vehicle or RLX was administered orally for 90 days. During treatment, the dental pulp of mandibular first molars was exposed to the oral environment for induction of periapical lesions, which were analysed after 7 and 30 days. After the experimental periods, blood samples were collected for measurement of oestradiol, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase. The rats were euthanized and the mandibles removed and processed for immunohistochemical detection of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP). Data were compared using Kruskal–Wallis followed by Dunn test (nonparametric values) and anova followed by the Tukey's test (parametric values). Results The plasma concentration of oestradiol showed hypo-oestrogenism in the rats subjected to ovary removal. On day 7, alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium and phosphorus were higher in the OVX-RLX group than in the OVX-veh group (P 0.05). Conclusion RLX therapy reversed the increased levels of the local regulators of both osteoclastogenesis and angiogenesis induced by oestrogen deficiency

Condrossarcoma laríngeo: relato de caso e revisão de literatura Laryngeal chondrosarcoma: a case report and review of literature

Os tumores cartilaginosos da laringe são extremamente raros e correspondem a aproximadamente 1% dos tumores que acometem este órgão. Menos que 0,1% destes tumores correspondem aos condrossarcomas. Os condromas e os condrossarcomas de baixo grau são os mais freqüentemente encontrados e 70-75% destes tumores localizam-se na face laríngea da lâmina posterior da cartilagem cricóidea. O diagnóstico do condrossarcoma da laringe pode ser esquecido devido a sua baixa ocorrência e sua forma indolente de crescimento. A apresentação clínica é variada e diretamente dependente do tamanho e localização do tumor: estridor, cornagem, dispnéia, disfagia ou massa cervical são os sinais mais freqüentes. O objetivo deste estudo é apresentar um caso incomum de condrossarcoma laríngeo de origem na cartilagem tireóidea, discutindo o quadro clínico, o diagnóstico, tratamento e os fatores prognósticos.<br>Cartilaginous tumors of the larynx are extremely rare neoplasms that account for approximately one per cent of all tumors of this organ. Less than 0.1% correspond to chondrosarcomas. Chondroma and low-grade chondrosarcoma are the most common, 70-75% of these tumors arise on the endolaryngeal surface of the posterior lamina of the cricoid cartilage. The diagnosis of laryngeal chondrosarcoma is likely to be missed because of its infrequent occurrence and its indolent pattern of growth. The clinical presentation is varied and directly dependent on size and location of tumor: stridor, hoarseness, dyspnea or neck mass are commonly presented signs. The objective of this study was to show an unusual case of laryngeal chondrosarcoma originating from thyroid cartilage, discussing its clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis

Leishmanial antigens in the diagnosis of active lesions and ancient scars of American tegumentary leishmaniasis patients

Cutaneous biopsies (n = 94) obtained from 88 patients with American tegumentary leishmaniasis were studied by conventional and immunohistochemical techniques. Specimens were distributed as active lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis (n = 53) (Group I), cicatricial lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis (n = 35) (Group II) and suggestive scars of healed mucosal leishmaniasis patients (n = 6) (Group III). In addition, active cutaneous lesions of other etiology (n = 24) (Group C1) and cutaneous scars not related to leishmaniasis (n = 10) (Group C2) were also included in the protocol. Amastigotes in Group I biopsies were detected by routine histopathological exam (30.2%), imprint (28.2%), culture (43.4%), immunofluorescence (41.4%) and immunoperoxidase (58.5%) techniques; and by the five methods together (79.3%). In Group II, 5.7% of cultures were positive. Leishmanial antigen was also seen in the cytoplasm of macrophages and giant cells (cellular pattern), vessel walls (vascular pattern) and dermal nerves (neural pattern). Positive reaction was detected in 49 (92.5%), 20 (57%) and 4 (67%) biopsies of Groups I, II and III, respectively. Antigen persistency in cicatricial tissue may be related to immunoprotection or, on the contrary, to the development of late lesions. We suggest that the cellular, vascular and neural patterns could be applied in the immunodiagnosis of active and cicatricial lesions in which leishmaniasis is suspected

Leishmanial antigens in the diagnosis of active lesions and ancient scars of American tegumentary leishmaniasis patients

Cutaneous biopsies (n = 94) obtained from 88 patients with American tegumentary leishmaniasis were studied by conventional and immunohistochemical techniques. Specimens were distributed as active lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis (n = 53) (Group I), cicatricial lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis (n = 35) (Group II) and suggestive scars of healed mucosal leishmaniasis patients (n = 6) (Group III). In addition, active cutaneous lesions of other etiology (n = 24) (Group C1) and cutaneous scars not related to leishmaniasis (n = 10) (Group C2) were also included in the protocol. Amastigotes in Group I biopsies were detected by routine histopathological exam (30.2%), imprint (28.2%), culture (43.4%), immunofluorescence (41.4%) and immunoperoxidase (58.5%) techniques; and by the five methods together (79.3%). In Group II, 5.7% of cultures were positive. Leishmanial antigen was also seen in the cytoplasm of macrophages and giant cells (cellular pattern), vessel walls (vascular pattern) and dermal nerves (neural pattern). Positive reaction was detected in 49 (92.5%), 20 (57%) and 4 (67%) biopsies of Groups I, II and III, respectively. Antigen persistency in cicatricial tissue may be related to immunoprotection or, on the contrary, to the development of late lesions. We suggest that the cellular, vascular and neural patterns could be applied in the immunodiagnosis of active and cicatricial lesions in which leishmaniasis is suspected

Comments on a notorious verdict : the trial of Lula

“Comments on a notorious verdict: The trial of Lula” might be the most important judicial document published in Brazil for decades. The present selection of articles came to exist after a spontaneous movement, and significant enough as well, of Brazilian and foreign lawyers who carefully verified the verdict rendered in the extent of the procedure which was processed at the 13ª Vara Federal de Curitiba, in the case that was known at the media as “the Guarujá triplex”. From the Introduction by Geraldo Prad