Identification and recombinant expression of an antimicrobial peptide (cecropin B-like) from soybean pest Anticarsia gemmatalis

Insects can be found in numerous diverse environments, being exposed to pathogenic organisms like fungi and bacteria. Once these pathogens cross insect physical barriers, the innate immune system operates through cellular and humoral responses. Antimicrobial peptides are small molecules produced by immune signaling cascades that develop an important and generalist role in insect defenses against a variety of microorganisms. In the present work, a cecropin B-like peptide (AgCecropB) sequence was identified in the velvetbean caterpillar Anticarsia gemmatalis and cloned in a bacterial plasmid vector for further heterologous expression and antimicrobial tests. Methods AgCecropB sequence (without the signal peptide) was cloned in the plasmid vector pET-M30-MBP and expressed in the Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) expression host. Expression was induced with IPTG and a recombinant peptide was purified using two affinity chromatography steps with Histrap column. The purified peptide was submitted to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and structural analyses. Antimicrobial tests were performed using gram-positive (Bacillus thuringiensis) and gram-negative (Burkholderia kururiensis and E. coli) bacteria. Results AgCecropB was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) at 28°C with IPTG 0.5 mM. The recombinant peptide was purified and enriched after purification steps. HRMS confirmed AgCrecropB molecular mass (4.6 kDa) and circular dichroism assay showed α-helix structure in the presence of SDS. AgCrecropB inhibited almost 50% of gram-positive B. thuringiensis bacteria growth. Conclusions The first cecropin B-like peptide was described in A. gemmatalis and a recombinant peptide was expressed using a bacterial platform. Data confirmed tertiary structure as predicted for the cecropin peptide family. AgCecropB was capable to inhibit B. thuringiensis growth in vitro.(AU)

Fibroadenoma in axillary accessory breast: a case report

The mass are among the possible alterations observed in the axilla. When found, the most frequent differential diagnosis are lymphadenopathy, metastatic lymphadenomegaly, lymphoma, lipoma or tumors in the apocrine glands. Besides that, the presence of accessory breast tissue must also be considered and, as the topical breast tissue, can be the target of breast diseases, either benign or malignant. Female patient, 23 years old, with the presence of hardened palpable node in the right axilla. At the ultrasound, it presented characteristics that classified it as Bi-Rads® 4. An aspiration biopsy of the node was performed with fine-needle, which resulted in unsatisfying material. After the explanation of the therapeutic choices, the patient opted for the excision of the axillary node. The anatomical pathological result showed a nodular formation compatible with fibroadenoma. The occurrence of a node in the axillary region is common. However, in the vast majority of times, it is merely an inflammatory response, manifested as a lymphadenomegaly. In case of chronic mass with suspicious characteristics, it is convenient to suspect the presence of lymphoid neoplasms, locoregional metastasis of breast cancer or melanoma and alterations in accessory breast tissue. In young patients, it is important to evaluate the existence of accessory breast tissue with the presence of suspicious axillary node, because, although controversial, some authors believe that such alterations occur more frequently in these patients. Additionally, in cases of inconclusive imaging, an excision of the lesion must be performed for a definite diagnosis.

A história obstétrica de gestantes com trombofilias hereditárias / Obstetric history of pregnant women with hereditary thrombophilias

Introdução: A doença tromboembólica venosa e as complicações obstétricas resultantes do tromboembolismo placentário são as principais causas de morbidade e mortalidade materna e fetal. Pode-se dizer que a gravidez é um fator independente para o desenvolvimento de trombose, já que seu risco é de 5 a 6 vezes maior em mulheres grávidas quando comparadas a não grávidas, sendo mais elevado após o parto. Métodos: Trata-se de uma coorte histórica, onde foram estudadas pacientes atendidas no Serviço de Obstetrícia da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (expostos=n=70 pacientes) e na Faculdade de Medicina de Barbacena (não expostos=n=74 pacientes). As pacientes foram divididas em dois grupos: Grupo 1 = pacientes com alguma trombofilia identificada (expostos) através das dosagens de proteína S, proteína C, homocisteína, antitrombina III, mutação da MTHFR, mutação da protrombina e do fator V de Leiden; e Grupo 2 = pacientes do serviço de baixo risco obstétrico. Resultados: Houve associação entre trombofilia e aborto prévio, bem como trombofilia e morte fetal prévia (p<0,05). O tipo de trombofilia que foi associada a abortamento prévio foi o déficit da proteína S. A mutação da MTHFR foi associada aos antecedentes de HELLP síndrome (p=0,03; x2 =4,2) e de pré-eclâmpsia (p=0,03; X2 =4,5) quando em homozigotia mutante. A homozigotia para a MTHFR foi também associada às médias de homocisteína, de forma que as homozigotas eram aquelas que apresentavam a maior dosagem de homocisteína (p=0,01; X2 =5,8; X= 27,2 ± 41,2 vs. 12,62 ± 19,0). Conclusão: As trombofilias hereditárias podem estar associadas a mau desfecho obstétrico e devem ser valorizadas na clínica obstétrica. (AU)

Introduction: Venous thromboembolic disease and obstetric complications resulting from placental thromboembolism are the main causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Pregnancy is considered an independent factor for the development of thrombosis, as its risk is 5 to 6 times greater in pregnant women when compared to non-pregnant women, being even higher after childbirth. Methods: This historical cohort included patients seen at the Obstetrics Service of Federal University of Juiz de Fora (exposed patients, n = 70) and at the School of Medicine of Barbacena (unexposed patients, n = 74). The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 consisted of patients with some thrombophilia identified through measurement of protein S, protein C, homocysteine, antithrombin III, MTHFR mutation, prothrombin and factor V Leiden mutations; and Group 2 consisted of patients from the low obstetric risk service. Results: There was an association between thrombophilia and previous abortion, as well as thrombophilia and previous fetal death (p < 0.05). MTHFR mutation was associated with history of HELLP syndrome (p = 0.03; x2 = 4.2) and preeclampsia (p = 0.03; x2 = 4.5) when in homozygous mutation. Homozygous MTHFR was also associated with mean homocysteine levels, so that homozygotes were those with highest homocysteine levels (p = 0.01; x2 = 5.8; x = 27.2 ± 41.2 vs. 12.62 ± 19.0). Conclusions: Hereditary thrombophilias may be associated with poor obstetric outcome and should be valued at clinical obstetrics. (AU)

Perfil socioeconômico de 820 mulheres atendidas no Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora / Socioeconomic profile of 820 women attended at the University Hospital of the Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora

Introdução: A manutenção da boa saúde da mulher envolve atitudes preventivas e cuidados específicos através de políticas de saúde, as quais demandam uma avaliação abrangente da história socioeconômica das pacientes para serem efetivas. Objetivos: Caracterizar o perfil socioeconômico das usuárias do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (HU-UFJF) e compará-lo aos dados do IBGE e do PNAD, de forma a avaliar a representatividade amostral perante a população brasileira. Métodos: Estudo transversal, observacional e descritivo realizado com 820 usuárias do HU-UFJF mediante entrevista estruturada. Para análise, foi aplicado o Teste Quiquadrado, p-valor ≤0,05 e intervalo de confiança de 95%. Resultados: A idade média das pacientes foi de 42,7 anos (+/- 12,8); 70,7% residiam em Juiz de Fora, sendo as demais provenientes de outras 73 cidades do Sudeste brasileiro; 92,9% relataram morar em área urbana; 45,9% afirmaram ter cursado o ensino fundamental; 55,3% declararam viver em união conjugal; e 37,4% relataram ter renda familiar entre 2,0 e 4,0 salários mínimos. Conclusões: A amostra estudada apresentou características que se aproximaram às da população do Censo de 2010 do IBGE, logo, pode ser entendida como representativa da realidade de populações de unidades públicas de saúde, podendo servir de base para outros estudos.

Introduction: The support of women's health requires preventive measures and specific care, which demands a comprehensive evaluation of the socioeconomic history of the patients to be effective. Objectives: To characterize the population of women attended at the University Hospital of Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (HU-UFJF) and compare the sample data with the data from the IBGE and IPEA in order to evaluate the sample representativeness before the Brazilian population. Methods: Cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study of 820 women, patients at the HU-UFJF, through structured interviews. The association between the variables was performed using the chi-square test, p-value ≤0,05 and a confidence interval of 95%. Results: The mean age of patients was 42.7 years (+/- 12.8); 70.7% lived in Juiz de Fora, while the remaining patients were from 73 other cities in southeastern of Brazil; 92.9% reported living in an urban area; 45.9% claimed to have completed primary education; 55.3% live in marital union and 37.4% reported having a family income between 2 and 4 times the minimum wage. Conclusions: The sample presented similar characteristics of IBGE's 2010 Census. Therefore, women users of the HU-UFJF are representatives of the reality of populations assisted in public health units and can serve as a basis for further studies.

Confocal Raman spectroscopy: determination of natural moisturizing factor profile related to skin hydration

INTRODUCTION: Skin health and skin care to reduce the effects of aging are the main interests of many researchers. The skin is very important because it protects the body from various effects of the external environment, and studies of the largest organ of the human body have been conducted since antiquity. In skin, aging effects are severe enough to promote changes in cell structure and biochemical composition. In this study, we quantitatively analyzed the water content and natural moisturizing factor of human facial skin in vivo and in real time by confocal Raman spectroscopy. This non-invasive technique is capable of providing detailed information on the biochemical composition at different depth profiles in the skin. METHODS: We studied 10 volunteers, phototype II (40 and 50 years old), using a confocal Raman system to examine the skin surface down to 25 µm. Raman spectra were obtained before product use (T0), and after 30 days of continuous use of cosmetics (T30). RESULTS: The results show a significant increase of 6.4% in water content in the surface layer of the facial skin after the cosmetic use. The amounts of natural moisturizing factor (NMF) compounds were also increased. Urocanic acid underwent a greater change in relation to carboxylic acid pyrrolidone, with a 38.5% increase in the stratum corneum. CONCLUSION: Confocal Raman spectroscopy identified changes in the biochemical composition of the superficial layers of the epidermis, which suggests the anti-aging efficacy of the formulation.

Study of advanced rheumatoid arthritis

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatic diseases are considered public health problems affecting millions of people worldwide resulting in high and rising health-care costs. In this work, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy associated to Partial Least Square regression (PLS) analysis was used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from human serum. METHODS: The sera of 94 individuals were collected, which included 47 from rheumatic patients and 47 from healthy individuals. The results from PLS analysis were compared to standard clinical trials such as anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies, C- Reactive protein, and Rheumatoid factor. RESULTS: For clinical diagnosis, the anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies of second generation proved to be the most specific to diagnosis rheumatoid arthritis even after long periods of drug therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The qualitative PLS analysis has shown higher values of IgM of RA group, but the difference was very small. The RA patients were under medication, which interfered with the IgM concentration.

Carcinoma da uretra feminina / Carcinoma of the female urethra

O carcinoma da uretra feminina é uma neoplasia de grave prognóstico. Seu tratamento está relacionado ao estadiamento e à porçäo uretral comprometida. A experiência mundial é pequena com estes casos, mas os autores adiantam que possivelmente a melhor forma de tratamento, no momento seja a utilizaçäo de radioterapia para os tumores iniciais e radioterapia pré-operatória seguida de exenteraçäo pélvica nos casos mais avançados