The effects of mobile phone exposure on mast cells in rat dura mater / Efectos de la exposición del teléfono móvil en los mastocitos de la duramadre de ratas

Mobile phone use has increased rapidly. The central nervous system has been shown to be adversely affected by its electromagnetic field (EMF) resulting in headache and sleep disturbances. How the cells make up the CNS and are affected by EMF is unclear. However, because of their central role in inflammation through diverse stimuli including radiation, this study aimed to investigate the effects of electromagnetic fields induced by mobile phones on mast cells in rat dura mater. A total of 18 adult, female, SpragueDawley rats were divided into two groups. The choice of female rats for his study was based on recent surveys demonstrating that mobile phone use is more frequent and prolonged among females. The study group was exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic field (1 h/day for 45 days). In the end of the study, duramater tissue was extracted and stained using Toluidine blue. Mast cells were counted and results were analysed using Student t test. Mean mast cell number was 202.33±9.82 and 456.78±35.01 in the control and study groups, respectively (p<0.05). Analysis of serum electrolyte and immunoglobulin E levels showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). The study showed that mobile phone exposure increased mast cell number and degranulation in rat dura mater. Further studies are required to evaluate the clinical implications of these findings.

El uso del teléfono móvil ha aumentado rápidamente. Se ha demostrado que el sistema nervioso central (SNC) se ve afectado de manera adversa debido al campo electromagnético (CEM) que produce dolor de cabeza y trastornos del sueño. No está claro cómo se ve afectada la composición celular del SNC por el CEM. Sin embargo, debido a su función principal en la inflamación a través de diversos estímulos que incluyen la radiación, este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar los efectos de los campos electromagnéticos inducidos por los teléfonos móviles en los mastocitos de la duramadre de ratas. Un total de 18 ratas Sprague-Dawley adultas, hembras, se dividieron en dos grupos. Se usaron ratas hembras para este estudio en base a investigaciones recientes que han demostrado que el uso de teléfonos móviles es más frecuente y prolongado en las mujeres. Los grupos de estudio fueron expuestos a un campo electromagnético de 900 MHz (1 h / día durante 45 días). Al término del estudio, fue extirpado el tejido de la duramadre y teñido con azul de toluidina. Se contaron los mastocitos y se analizaron los resultados utilizando la prueba t de Student. La cantidad media de células cebadas fue de 202,33 ± 9.82 y 456,78 ± 35,01 en los grupos control y estudio, respectivamente (p <0,05). El análisis del electrolito sérico y los niveles de inmunoglobulina E no mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los dos grupos (p> 0,05). El estudio mostró que la exposición a teléfonos móviles aumentó el número de mastocitos y la desgranulación en la duramadre de las ratas. Se requieren estudios adicionales para evaluar las implicaciones clínicas de estos hallazgos.

Elastosis en la queilitis actínica. Revisión de literatura / Elastosis in Actinic Cheilitis. Literature Review

Resumen La matriz extracelular (MEC) juega un papel importante en la regulación de los eventos biológicos, tales como, el desarrollo de la migración celular, proliferación y diferenciación. La exposición crónica a la luz ultravioleta (UV) provoca elastosis (en distintos grados), que corresponde a una degeneración basófila de la MEC. La queilitis actínica (QA) es una lesión potencialmente maligna del labio inducida por la exposición regular y prolongada a la luz UV, que afecta principalmente al bermellón del labio inferior. Las lesiones de QA tienen un estroma complejo, se observa siempre la presencia de elastosis, infiltrado inflamatorio crónico de distinta intensidad y la aparición de vasos sanguíneos telangiectásicos. Dentro de este infiltrado inflamatorio se ha descrito un aumento significativo de mastocitos (MCs), localizados especialmente alrededor de las zonas de elastosis y en la zona subepitelial. Se ha propuesto que la elastosis actínica se produce tanto por procesos degenerativos como de síntesis anormal de fibras elásticas por parte de fibroblastos con daño solar, lo que va acompañado de cambios morfológicos del colágeno. A pesar de que el fibroblasto tendría un rol preponderante en la formación de la elastosis actínica, diversos estudios sugieren que otros tipos celulares como el MC también contribuirían en forma significativa al daño actínico de la MEC. El propósito de esta revisión es analizar las características de la elastosis en la QA.

Abstract The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in the regulation of biological events, such as cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. Chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light causes elastosis (to varying degrees), which corresponds to a basophilic degeneration of the ECM. Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a potentially malignant lip lesion induced by regular and prolonged exposure to UV light, which mainly affects the vermilion. AC lesions have a complex stroma characterized by the presence of elastosis, chronic inflammatory infiltrate of different intensity and the appearance of telangiectatic blood vessels. Within this inflammatory infiltrate a significant increase of mast cells (MCs) has been described, located especially around areas of elastosis and at the subepithelial zone. It has been proposed that actinic elastosis is produced both, by degenerative processes and by abnormal synthesis of elastic fibers by photodamaged fibroblasts, which is accompanied by morphological changes in collagen. Although the fibroblast would play a major role in actinic elastosis formation, several studies suggest that other cell types such as MCs also contribute significantly to actinic ECM damage. The purpose of this review is to discuss the characteristics of elastosis in AC.

Comparison between the concentration of mast cells and risk criteria of malignancy in intestinal adenomas

Intestinal adenomas are benign neoplasms that present a risk of malignancy associated with three independent characteristics: the polyp size, the histological architecture and the severity of epithelial dysplasia (or atypia). Current evidence suggests that mast cells (CM) contribute to the tumorigenesis of colorectal carcinomas. Objective: Compare the concentration of CM in intestinal adenomas and risk criteria for malignancy in these tumors (size, histological type and degree of cellular atypia). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study with 102 anatomopathological reports of intestinal adenoma excision. We selected paraffin blocks with the central area of the tumor. The CM were stained with toluidine blue. RESULTS: In most cases (89.2%, n=91), the mast cells concentration (MC) was less than 6 CM/10 high power field (HPF) (p=0.0001). Most adenomas, regardless of their histological type, showed 0 CM/10 HPF (p=0.083). In most adenomas, regardless of their size, MC was 0 CM/10 HPF (p=0.665). Presence or absence of atypia was associated, in most cases, with MC of 0 CM/10 HPF (p=0.524). Conclusion: This study did not show association between the MC and histological type, size or presence of atypical cells in intestinal adenomas. (AU)

Adenomas intestinais são neoplasias benignas que apresentam risco de malignização relacionado a três características independentes: o tamanho do pólipo, a arquitetura histológica e a gravidade da displasia (ou atipia) epitelial. Evidências atuais sugerem que os mastócitos contribuem para a tumorigênese do carcinoma colorretal. OBJETIVO: Analisar comparativamente a concentração de mastócitos em adenomas intestinais e os critérios de risco para malignização nesses tumores (tamanho, tipo histológico e grau de atipia celular). Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo, com seleção de 102 laudos anatomopatológicos de exérese de adenoma intestinal. Foram selecionados os blocos de parafina com a área central da neoplasia para a realização da coloração de azul de toluidina para evidenciar os mastócitos. RESULTADOS: Na maioria dos casos (89,2%, n=91) a concentração de mastócitos (CM) foi menor que 6 mastócitos/10 campos de grande aumento (CGA) (p=0,0001). A maioria dos adenomas, independente do tipo histológico, mostrou 0 mastócito/10 CGA (p=0,083). A maioria dos adenomas, independentemente do tamanho, tinha CM de 0 mastócito/10 CGA (p=0,665). A presença ou a ausência de atipias esteve associada, na maioria dos casos, a CM de 0 mastócito/10 CGA (p=0,524). CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo não mostrou associação entre a concentração de mastócitos e tipo histológico, tamanho ou presença de atipias celulares nos adenomas intestinais. (AU)

Urticária pigmentosa em lactentes: relato de um caso e revisão da literatura / Urticaria pigmentosa in infants: a case report and revision of literature

Paciente pediátrico, 6 meses, masculino, internado no Hospital Geral em Caxias do Sul. Apresentou lesões hipercrômicas maculopapulares descamativas, vermelho-acastanhadas, intensamente pruriginosas, atingindo grande parte do corpo. Recebeu anti-histamínicos e banhos de água e aveia, enquanto internado. Foi realizada biópsia de pele, que constatou quadro compatível com urticária pigmentosa (UP). A UP é a mais freqüente manifestação de mastocitose, ocorrendo na pele e caracterizando-se por lesões cutâneas com pigmentação persistente e pruriginosa. A mastocitose é caracterizada por um acúmulo local ou sistêmico de mastócitos, sendo que os sintomas, dentre os quais o principal é o prurido, resultam da liberação maciça de histamina e outros mediadores pelos mastócitos. O diagnóstico é baseado basicamente na história e apresentação clínica, com confirmação de envolvimento cutâneo por biópsia. Ainda não há tratamento definitivo e eficaz, e somente alívio sintomático pode ser atingido (AU)

Pediatric patient, 6 months old, male, admitted to General Hospital in Caxias do Sul. The patient displays hyperchromic maculopapular peeling lesions, reddish-brown, with intense itching extending over the majority of the body. The patient received anti-histamines and oat water baths while at the hospital. The results of a skin biopsy were indicative of urticaria pigmentosa (UP). UP is the most common manifestation of mastocytosis, occurring in the skin and characterized by cutaneous lesions with persistent and itching spots. Mastocytosis is characterized by a local or systemic accumulation of mast cells, accompanied by symptoms, among which the primary one is itching, resulting from the massive release of histamine and other mediators by the mast cells. Diagnosis is based basically on clinical history and examination, confirmed by cutaneous biopsy. There is still no satisfactory and efficient treatment, and only the symptoms can be alleviated (AU)