Identification of the nuclear factor kappa-beta (NF-kB) in cortical of mice Wistar using Technovit 7200 VCR

Objective: this study aimed to develop a nondecalcified bone sample processing technique enabling immunohistochemical labeling of proteins by kappa-beta nuclear factor (NF-kB) utilizing the Technovit 7200 VCR® in adult male Wistar rats. Study Method: A 1.8 mm diameter defect was performed 0.5mm from the femur proximal joint by means of a round bur. Experimental groups were divided according to fixing solution prior to histologic processing: Group 1- ethanol 70%; Group 2-10% buffered formalin; and Group 3- Glycerol diluted in 70% ethanol at a 70/30 ratio + 10% buffered formalin. The post-surgical periods ranged from 01 to 24 hours. Control groups included a nonsurgical procedure group (NSPG) and surgical procedures where bone exposure was performed (SPBE) without drilling. Prostate carcinoma was the positive control (PC) and samples subjected to incomplete immunohistochemistry protocol were the negative control (NC). Following euthanization, all samples were kept at 4o C for 7 days, and were dehydrated in a series of alcohols at -20o C. The polymer embedding procedure was performed at ethanol/polymer ratios of 70%-30%, 50%-50%, 30%-70%, 100%, and 100% for 72 hours at -20o C. Polymerization followed the manufacturer?s recommendation. The samples were grounded and polished to 10-15?m thickness, and were deacrylated. The sections were rehydrated and were submitted to the primary polyclonal antibody antiNF-kB on a 1:75 dilution for 12 hours at room temperature. Results: Microscopy showed that the Group 2 presented positive reaction to NF-kB, diffuse reactions for NSPG and SPBE, and no reaction for the NC group. Conclusion: The results obtained support the feasibility of the developed immunohistochemistry technique

Antenatal corticosteroid treatment for the prevention of peri-intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm newborns: a retrospective cohort study using transfontanelle ultrasonography

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the correlation between antenatal corticosteroids and peri-intraventricular haemorrhage (PIVH) using transfontanelle ultrasonography, as well as to evaluate the risk factors for its incidence. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using medical records of preterm newborns. The protocol for maternal corticoid administration for foetal lung maturation included dexamethasone 4 mg (intramuscular) 8/8 hours per 48 hours, with one cycle per week. The diagnosis of periintraventricular haemorrhage was based on transfontanelle ultrasonography, using the Papile's classification. The following risk factors for peri-intraventricular haemorrhage were assessed: birth weight, gestational age at delivery, type of delivery, newborn's sex, surfactant administration, premature rupture of membranes and previous history of infection during the current pregnancy. The student's t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Our sample population included 184 preterm newborns. Transfontanelle ultrasonography revealed peri-intraventricular haemorrhage in 32 (74.4%) and periventricular leukomalacia in 11 (25.6%) newborns. Grade I haemorrhage was found in 20 (62.5%), grade II in five (15.6%), and grade III in seven (21.8%) newborns, as in accordance with Papile's classification. Vaginal delivery (p = 0.010), birth weight <1500 g (p = 0.024), gestational age at delivery ≤32 weeks (p = 0.018), and previous history of infection during pregnancy (p = 0.013) were considered risk factors for peri-intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm newborns. Conclusion: Maternal corticoid administration for foetal lung maturation showed a protective effect against peri-intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm newborns. The risk factors for peri-intraventricular haemorrhage were determined

Human Fallopian Tube Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Enhance Bone Regeneration in a Xenotransplanted Model

We have recently reported that human fallopian tubes, which are discarded during surgical procedures of women submitted to sterilization or hysterectomies, are a rich source of human fallopian tube mesenchymal stromal cells (htMSCs). It has been previously shown that human mesenchymal stromal cells may be useful in enhancing the speed of bone regeneration. This prompted us to investigate whether htMSCs might be useful for the treatment of osteoporosis or other bone diseases, since they present a pronounced capacity for osteogenic differentiation in vitro. Based on this prior knowledge, our aim was to evaluate, in vivo, the osteogenic capacity of htMSCs to regenerate bone through an already described xenotransplantation model: nonimmunosuppressed (NIS) rats with cranial defects. htMSCs were obtained from five 30–50 years old healthy women and characterized by flow cytometry and for their multipotenciality in vitro capacity (osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiations). Two symmetric full-thickness cranial defects on each parietal region of seven NIS rats were performed. The left side (LS) of six animals was covered with CellCeram (Scaffdex)—a bioabsorbable ceramic composite scaffold that contains 60% hydroxyapatite and 40% β-tricalciumphosphate—only, and the right side (RS) with the CellCeram and htMSCs (106 cells/scaffold). The animals were euthanized at 30, 60 and 90 days postoperatively and cranial tissue samples were taken for histological analysis. After 90 days we observed neobone formation in both sides. However, in animals euthanized 30 and 60 days after the procedure, a mature bone was observed only on the side with htMSCs. PCR and immunofluorescence analysis confirmed the presence of human DNA and thus that human cells were not rejected, which further supports the imunomodulatory property of htMSCs. In conclusion, htMSCs can be used successfully to enhance bone regeneration in vivo, opening a new field for future treatments of osteoporosis and bone reconstruction

Low and moderate, rather than high intensity strength exercise induces benefit regarding plasma lipid profile

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The effects of chronic aerobic exercise upon lipid profile has been previously demonstrated, but few studies showed this effect under resistance exercise conditions.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>The aim of this study was to examine the effects of different resistance exercise loads on blood lipids.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty healthy, untrained male volunteers were allocated randomly into four groups based at different percentages of one repetition maximum (1 RM); 50%-1 RM, 75%-1 RM, 90%-1 RM, and 110%-1 RM. The total volume (sets × reps × load) of the exercise was equalized. The lipid profile (Triglycerides [TG], HDL-cholesterol [HDL-c], LDL-cholesterol, and Total cholesterol) was determined at rest and after 1, 24, 48 and 72 h of resistance exercise.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The 75%-1 RM group demonstrated greater TG reduction when compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, the 110%-1 RM group presented an increased TG concentration when compared to 50% and 75% groups (p = 0.01, p = 0.01, respectively). HDL-c concentration was significantly greater after resistance exercise in 50%-1 RM and 75%-1 RM when compared to 110%-1 RM group (p = 0.004 and p = 0.03, respectively). Accordingly, the 50%-1 RM group had greater HDL-c concentration than 110%-1 RM group after 48 h (p = 0.05) and 72 h (p = 0.004), respectively. Finally, The 50% group has showed lesser LDL-c concentration than 110% group after 24 h (p = 0.007). No significant difference was found in Total Cholesterol concentrations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results indicate that the acute resistance exercise may induce changes in lipid profile in a specific-intensity manner. Overall, low and moderate exercise intensities appear to be promoting more benefits on lipid profile than high intensity. Long term studies should confirm these findings.</p

Genomics and epidemiology for gastric adenocarcinomas (GE4GAC): a Brazilian initiative to study gastric cancer

Abstract Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common type of cancer worldwide with high incidences in Asia, Central, and South American countries. This patchy distribution means that GC studies are neglected by large research centers from developed countries. The need for further understanding of this complex disease, including the local importance of epidemiological factors and the rich ancestral admixture found in Brazil, stimulated the implementation of the GE4GAC project. GE4GAC aims to embrace epidemiological, clinical, molecular and microbiological data from Brazilian controls and patients with malignant and pre-malignant gastric disease. In this letter, we summarize the main goals of the project, including subject and sample accrual and current findings