Renal Oncocytoma in Pregnancy. An Unusual Presentation of Secondary Hypertension

Introdução: O oncocitoma renal representa 5-7% das neoplasias primárias do rim, é diagnosticado em doentes assintomáticos e caracteriza-se por um comportamento benigno, sem invasão dos tecidos adjacentes ou metastização. O seu diagnóstico no decurso da gravidez é raro, havendo poucos casos descritos na literatura. Caso clínico: Os autores apresentam o caso de uma nulípara de 32 anos com hipertensão arterial de difícil controlo diagnosticada às sete semanas gestacionais com internamento às 24 semanas por quadro de hipertensão crónica agravada com pré-eclâmpsia sobreposta, edema agudo do pulmão e instabilidade hemodinâmica com necessidade de suporte ventilatório mecânico, restrição do crescimento fetal e morte fetal. O estudo etiológico do quadro hipertensivo efectuado no período pós-parto permitiu demonstrar a existência de um tumor renal-oncocitoma. Conclusão: O comportamento clínico do oncocitoma renal permanece mal caracterizado durante a gravidez, podendo associar-se, apesar do seu comportamento teoricamente benigno, a um desfecho materno e fetal adverso. É fundamental excluir uma possível causa secundária nos quadros hipertensivos de difícil controlo

Cell death induced by the application of alternating magnetic fields to nanoparticle-loaded dendritic cells

In this work, the capability of primary, monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) to uptake iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is assessed and a strategy to induce selective cell death in these MNP-loaded DCs using external alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) is reported. No significant decrease in the cell viability of MNP-loaded DCs, compared to the control samples, was observed after five days of culture. The amount of MNPs incorporated into the cytoplasm was measured by magnetometry, which confirmed that 1 to 5 pg of the particles were uploaded per cell. The intracellular distribution of these MNPs, assessed by transmission electron microscopy, was found to be primarily inside the endosomic structures. These cells were then subjected to an AMF for 30 min, and the viability of the blank DCs (i.e., without MNPs), which were used as control samples, remained essentially unaffected. However, a remarkable decrease of viability from approximately 90% to 2-5% of DCs previously loaded with MNPs was observed after the same 30 min exposure to an AMF. The same results were obtained using MNPs having either positive (NH2+) or negative (COOH-) surface functional groups. In spite of the massive cell death induced by application of AMF to MNP-loaded DCs, the amount of incorporated magnetic particles did not raise the temperature of the cell culture. Clear morphological changes at the cell structure after magnetic field application were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Therefore, local damage produced by the MNPs could be the main mechanism for the selective cell death of MNP-loaded DCs under an AMF. Based on the ability of these cells to evade the reticuloendothelial system, these complexes combined with an AMF should be considered as a potentially powerful tool for tumour therapy.Comment: In Press. 33 pages, 11 figure

Identification and characterization of a novel factor XIIa inhibitor in the hematophagous insect, Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera : Reduviidae)

Recently, we have cloned several Kazal-type serine protease inhibitors from the midgut of the Triatoma infestans bug. A single gene composed of multi Kazal-type domains, in tandem, encodes these inhibitors. in this work, we describe the purification and characterization of recombinant infestins 3-4 and 4, which are potent factor XIIa inhibitors (K-i = 67 pM and 128 pM, respectively). We also identified the first native factor XIIa inhibitor from a hematophagous insect. the factor XIIa inhibitory activity of infestin 4 demonstrates extremely efficient anticoagulant activity, prolonging activated partial thromboplastin time by approximately 3 times. Our results suggest that infestins perform a very important role in the T. infestans midgut during meal acquisition and digestion by controlling blood coagulation by means of inhibiting thrombin and factor XIIa. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biochem, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilInst Butantan, Physiol Lab, BR-05504900 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biochem, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Osteoporosis transitoria de rodilla en el embarazo

La osteoporosis transitoria o síndrome de edema óseo transitorio es una enfermedad poco frecuente y autolimitada que puede afectar a la mujer embarazada. La etiología es desconocida y su localización más frecuente es la cadera. Presentamos un caso de osteoporosis transitoria de rodilla durante el embarazo, con resolución clínica y radiológica completa tras 10 meses de evolución.Transient osteoporosis or transient bone edema syndrome is a rare, self-limiting disease that can affect pregnant women. The etiology is unknown and most common location is the hips. We present a case of tran - sient osteoporosis of the knee during pregnancy, with complete clinical and radiological resolution after 10 months

Osteocondritis disecante de la cabeza del 2º metacarpiano en un niño: a propósito de un caso

La osteocondritis disecante en articulaciones de la mano es un proceso muy raro, sólo existen dos casos previos publicados en la literatura. Presentamos un paciente de 10 años de edad con dolor e impotencia funcional de la articulación metacarpofalángica de la mano izquierda de semanas de evolución. Con el diagnós - tico final de osteocondritis disecante realizamos una resección del fragmento libre asociadas a perforaciones con aguja fina. Tras el primer año de seguimiento el paciente se encuentra asintomático y se observa remodelación casi completa de la superficie articular.Ostheocondritis in the hand is a rare process. Only two cases were reported in the previous litera - ture. In this report we present a 10 years old boy with pain and a few functional limitation in second metacarpal phalangeal joint for weeks. With the final diagnosis of osteochondritis dissecans we performed surgery. Intraope - ratively the cartilage flap was removed and some drilling was realized. Before one year the patient was asympto - matic and we observed an improvement of articular surface

Resistência extrema a duas estirpes do Potato virus Y (PVY) de batata transgênica, cv. Achat, expressando o gene da capa protéica do PVYO

The coat protein (CP) gene of the potato virus Y strain “o” (PVYO) was introduced into potato, cultivar Achat, via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Sixty three putative transgenic lines were challenged against the Brazilian strains PVY-OBR and PVY-NBR. An extremely resistant phenotype, against the two strains, was observed in one line, denominated 1P. No symptoms or positive ELISA results were observed in 16 challenged plants from this line. Another clone, named as 63P, showed a lower level of resistance. Southern blot analysis showed five copies of the CP gene in the extremely resistant line and at least three copies in the other resistant line. The stability of the integrated transgenes in the extreme resistant line was examined during several in vitro multiplications over a period of three years, with no modification in the Southern pattern was observed. The stability of the transgenes, the absence of primary infections and the relatively broad spectrum of resistance suggest that the extremely resistant line obtained in this work can be useful for agricultural purposes.O gene da capa protéica (CP) do Potato virus Y estirpe “o”, foi introduzido em batata cultivar Achat, via Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Sessenta e três linhas possivelmente transgênicas foram desafiadas com as estirpes brasileiras PVY-OBR e PVY-NBR. Uma linha apresentou extrema resistência às duas estirpes inoculadas, e foi denominado clone 1P. Não foram observados sintomas sistêmicos de infecção e as plantas foram negativas em Elisa. Outra linha, denominada clone 63P, mostrou algum nível de resistência. Análises por Southern blot indicaram a presença de pelo menos cinco cópias do gen CP no clone 1P e pelo menos três cópias no clone 63P. A estabilidade do gene introduzido no clone 1P foi avaliada durante três anos, após várias multiplicações in vitro. Não foram observadas mudanças no padrão do Southern blot. A estabilidade do transgene, na ausência de infecções primárias e relativo largo espectro de resistência sugerem que o clone 1P pode ser utilizado para fins comerciais.Fil: Romano, Eduardo. Embrapa Recursos Genéticos; BrasilFil: Ferreira, Adriana T.. Embrapa Hortaliças; BrasilFil: Dusi, André N.. Embrapa Hortaliças; BrasilFil: Proite, Karina. Embrapa Recursos Genéticos; BrasilFil: Buso, Jose A.. Embrapa Hortaliças; BrasilFil: Avila, Antonio C.. Embrapa Hortaliças; BrasilFil: Nishijima, Marta L.. Embrapa Hortaliças; BrasilFil: Nascimento, Adriana S.. Embrapa Hortaliças; BrasilFil: Bravo Almonacid, Fernando Felix. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Mentaberry, Alejandro Nestor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Monte, Damares. Embrapa Recursos Genéticos; BrasilFil: Campos, Magnolia A.. Embrapa Recursos Genéticos; BrasilFil: Melo, Paulo Eduardo. Embrapa Hortaliças; BrasilFil: Cattony, Monica K.. No especifica;Fil: Torres, Antonio C.. Embrapa Hortaliças; Brasi

Randomised Clinical Trial of Prostatic Artery Embolisation Versus a Sham Procedure for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Background: Prostatic artery embolisation (PAE) has been associated with an improvement of lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH), but conclusive evidence of efficacy from randomised controlled clinical trials has been lacking. Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of PAE compared with a sham procedure in the treatment of LUTS/BPH. Design, setting, and participants: A randomised, single-blind, sham-controlled superiority clinical trial was conducted in 80 males ≥45yr with severe LUTS/BPH refractory to medical treatment from 2014 to 2019 in a private clinic, with efficacy assessments at 6 and 12 mo after randomisation. One patient in the PAE group and three in the sham group did not complete the study. Intervention: Patients were randomised 1:1 upon successful catheterisation of a prostatic artery to either PAE or a sham PAE procedure without embolisation. After 6 mo, all 38 patients randomised to the sham group who completed the single-blind period underwent PAE, and both groups completed a 6-mo open period. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: An intention-to-treat analysis of all randomised patients was performed. The coprimary outcomes were the change from baseline to 6 mo in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the quality of life (QoL) score at 6 mo, analysed with analysis of covariance and t test, respectively. Results and limitations: Mean age was 63.8±6.0yr, baseline IPSS 26.4±3.87, and QoL score 4.43±0.52. At 6 mo, patients in the PAE arm had a greater improvement in IPSS, with a difference in the change from baseline of 13.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.2-16.2, p<0.0001), and a better QoL score at 6 mo (difference: 2.13; 95% CI 1.57-2.68, p<0.0001) than the patients in the sham arm. The improvements in IPSS and QoL in the sham group 6 mo after they performed PAE were, respectively, 13.6±9.19 (p<0.0001) and 2.05 ± 1.71 (p<0.0001). Adverse events occurred in 14 (35.0%) patients after PAE and in 13 (32.5%) after sham, with one serious adverse event in the sham group during the open period. No treatment failures occurred. Limitations include a single-centre trial, only severe LUTS/BPH, and follow-up limited to 12 mo. Conclusions: The improvements in subjective and objective variables after PAE are far superior from those due to the placebo effect. Patient summary: Clearly superior efficacy of prostatic artery embolisation (PAE) compared with a sham procedure was found in this study, which supports the use of PAE in patients with typical symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Black Hole Formation with an Interacting Vacuum Energy Density

We discuss the gravitational collapse of a spherically symmetric massive core of a star in which the fluid component is interacting with a growing vacuum energy density. The influence of the variable vacuum in the collapsing core is quantified by a phenomenological \beta-parameter as predicted by dimensional arguments and the renormalization group approach. For all reasonable values of this free parameter, we find that the vacuum energy density increases the collapsing time but it cannot prevent the formation of a singular point. However, the nature of the singularity depends on the values of \beta. In the radiation case, a trapped surface is formed for \beta<1/2 whereas for \beta>1/2, a naked singularity is developed. In general, the critical value is \beta=1-2/3(1+\omega), where the \omega-parameter describes the equation of state of the fluid component.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figure