ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective The transcriptional repressor DREAM is involved in thyroid-specific gene expression, thyroid enlargement and nodular development, but its clinical utility is still uncertain. In this study we aimed to investigate whether DREAM mRNA levels differ in different thyroid tumors and how this possible difference would allow the use of DREAM gene expression as molecular marker for diagnostic and/or prognosis purpose. Materials and methods We quantified DREAM gene mRNA levels and investigated its mutational status, relating its expression and genetic changes to diagnostic and prognostic features of 200 thyroid tumors, being 101 malignant [99 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) and 2 anaplastic thyroid carcinomas] and 99 benign thyroid lesions [49 goiter and 50 follicular adenomas (FA)]. Results Levels of mRNA of DREAM gene were higher in benign (0.7909 ± 0.6274 AU) than in malignant (0.3373 ± 0.6274 AU) thyroid lesions (p < 0.0001). DREAM gene expression was able to identify malignancy with 66.7% sensitivity, 85.4% specificity, 84.2% positive predictive value (PPV), 68.7% negative predictive value (NPV), and 75.3% accuracy. DREAM mRNA levels were also useful distinguishing the follicular lesions FA and FVPTC with 70.2% sensitivity, 73.5% specificity, 78.5% PPV, 64.1% NPV, and 71.6% accuracy. However, DREAM gene expression was neither associated with clinical features of tumor aggressiveness, nor with recurrence or survival. Six different genetic changes in non-coding regions of DREAM gene were also found, not related to DREAM gene expression or tumor features. Conclusion We suggest that DREAM gene expression may help diagnose thyroid nodules, identifying malignancy and characterizing follicular-patterned thyroid lesions; however, it is not useful as a prognostic marker.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Repressor Proteins/genetics , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Thyroid Neoplasms/diagnosis , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Kv Channel-Interacting Proteins/genetics , Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional/genetics , Prognosis , Repressor Proteins/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics , Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Sensitivity and Specificity , Kv Channel-Interacting Proteins/metabolism , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Neoplasm StagingABSTRACT
This paper reports the first case of coenurosis in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. This disease is caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Taenia multiceps (Leske, 1780). The animal in which the disease was diagnosed was an 18-month-old ewe from an endemic area of Southern Brazil as an imported animal among a group of 30 sheep. The clinic-pathological condition was that commonly found in herbivores affected by the disease, especially sheep. Apathy, nystagmus, intermittent blindness, circling and pressing head against obstacles were the neurological signs reported. The necropsy showed that a brain lesion in the subcortex of the right hemisphere was a bladder-like cyst measuring 4 cm in diameter filled with a translucent fluid with a large number of white spherules (protoscolices) floating. In addition to the identification of the Coenurus cerebralis protoscolices, the brain tissue lesion was histopathologically described.
Este trabalho relata o primeiro caso de cenurose no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Essa doença é causada por estágios larvais de Taenia multiceps (Leske, 1780). O animal no qual foi diagnosticado, tinha cerca de 18 meses de idade, oriundo de uma área endêmica no Sul do Brasil, integrante de um grupo de 30 ovinos importados para o Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. O quadro clínico-patológico apresentado é aquele comumente descrito para herbívoros, infectados com o agente, especialmente ovinos. Os sinais clínicos relatados foram: apatia, nistagmo, cegueira intermitente, andar em círculos e pressão da cabeça contra obstáculos. Na necropsia foi observada uma lesão, no subcórtex do hemisfério cerebral direito, caracterizada por um cisto em forma de vesícula, medindo 4 cm de diâmetro, e seu interior preenchido por líquido translúcido com grande número de pequenas esferas brancas, identificadas como protoscolices. Os protoscolices foram identificados como Coenurus cerebralis, e os tecidos do cérebro submetidos complementarmente a exames histopatológicos para descrição da lesão.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Cysticercosis/veterinary , Sheep Diseases/diagnosis , Brazil , Cysticercosis/diagnosis , SheepABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: A incidência global de tuberculose reforça a necessidade de melhores ensaios para o diagnóstico desta doença, principalmente da tuberculose extrapulmonar. O objetivo do trabalho foi validar o desempenho de um método automatizado para a determinação da atividade de adenosina desaminase (ADA) no líquido pleural (LP) e no líquido cefalorraquidiano (LCR), comparando-o com um método convencional (Giusti modificado). MÉTODOS: Selecionaram-se 134 amostras da rotina laboratorial: 94 de LP e 40 de LCR. Foram realizadas as determinações da atividade de ADA através dos dois métodos. Calculou-se a precisão inter- e intra-ensaios, análise de regressão linear, testes de concordância simples e médias das diferenças. RESULTADOS: Os coeficientes de correlação para as amostras de LP e LCR foram, respectivamente, 0,96 e 0,95. A precisão interensaio foi determinada pela média de 21 amostras replicadas em ensaios diferentes para 3 níveis de atividade: baixa, média e alta. Os coeficientes de variação em porcentagem ( por centoCV) foram, respectivamente, 5,9, 8,1 e 5,8 para amostras de LP; e 21,9, 18,6 e 13,8 para amostras de LCR, respectivamente. A precisão intra-ensaio em por centoCV foi, respectivamente, 1,3 e 11,7 por cento para amostras de LP e LCR. A concordância entre os dois métodos em amostras de LP e LCR foi, respectivamente, 96,8 por cento e 100 por cento, considerando-se como valores de referência para o diagnóstico de TB 40 U/L (convencional) e 30 U/L (automatizado) em amostras de LP, e 9 U/L em amostras de LCR para os dois métodos. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados validaram o método automatizado de determinação da atividade de ADA para o uso em amostras de LP e LCR como alternativa ao método convencional.
OBJECTIVE: The incidence of tuberculosis worldwide has emphasized the need for better assays designed to diagnose the disease, principally the extrapulmonary form. The objective of the present study was to validate the performance of an automated method for the determination of adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in pleural fluid (PF) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), comparing it with a conventional method (the modified Giusti method). METHODS: In total, 134 samples were selected from among those tested in our laboratory: 94 PF samples and 40 CSF samples. The ADA activity was determined using the two methods. Inter- and intra-assay precision was determined, linear regression analysis was performed, simple concordance tests were conducted, and the means of the differences were calculated. RESULTS: The correlation coefficients for PF and CSF samples were, respectively, 0.96 and 0.95. Inter-assay precision was determined using 21 replicates at 3 different activity levels: low, medium and high. The percentage coefficient of variation ( percentCV) was, respectively, 5.9, 8.1 and 5.8 for PF samples, compared with 21.9, 18.6 and 13.8 for CSF samples. Intra-assay precision in percentCV was 1.3 and 11.7, respectively, for PF and CSF samples. The concordance between the methods in PF and CRF samples was, respectively, 96.8 percent and 100 percent, considering the reference values for the diagnosis of TB to be 40 U/L (conventional) and 30 U/L (automated) in PF samples, versus 9 U/L (for both methods) in CSF samples. CONCLUSIONS: The results validate the use of the automated method of determining ADA activity in PF and CSF samples as an alternative to the conventional method.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adenosine Deaminase/analysis , Clinical Enzyme Tests/methods , Pleural Effusion/enzymology , Reagent Kits, Diagnostic/standards , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/diagnosis , Adenosine Deaminase/cerebrospinal fluid , Biomarkers/analysis , Biomarkers/cerebrospinal fluid , Clinical Enzyme Tests/standards , Linear Models , Reference Values , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/cerebrospinal fluidABSTRACT
The contents of tannins in the barks of barbatimão species, Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Cov. and S. polyphyllum (Mart.), were analysed monthly during one year. Results were correlated with climate conditions (rainfall, humidity and mean temperature) by chemometric methods. Principal component analysis of the data showed a tendency for higher production of tannins in the warm and wet season, suggesting that environmental factors can affect the levels of tannins in those plants.
A composição de taninos em cascas de espécies de barbatimão, Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Cov. and S. polyphyllum (Mart.), foi analisada mensalmente durante um ano. Os resultados foram correlacionados com as condições climáticas do período de coleta (precipitação, umidade e temperatura média) através de métodos quimiométricos. Análise de componentes principais dos dados mostrou uma tendência de maior produção de taninos na estação quente e chuvosa, sugerindo que os fatores ambientais podem afetar os teores de taninos nestas espécies.
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Con el objetivo de determinar la conducta sexual asumida en cada trimestre de gestación por una población de embarazadas de la frontera suroeste, provincia Independencia, se realizó un estudio descriptivo y observacional directo con colección prospectiva de la información en una muestra no probalística selectiva de 125 mujeres embarazadas, multíparas y nulíparas, entre 15 y 40 años de edad que acudieron, de febrero a junio de 1988, a la consulta prenatal del hospital privincial y un subcentro de salud. Se encontró que el deseo y el placer sexual permanecieron iguales en el primer trimestre en un 47% de los casos, repectivamente, y disminuyeron en el tercero (54%). La frecuencia del coito disminuyó significativamente durante el embarazo, sobretudo en el tercer trimestre (62%). Estos resultados confirman los cambios que, aunque no muy significativos, se reportan en la conducta sexual de la mujer con el embarazo