Highly sensitive and selective nanostructured microbiosensors for glucose and lactate simultaneous measurements in blood serum and in vivo in brain tissue.

Highly sensitive and selective nanostructured lactate and glucose microbiosensors for their in vivo simultaneous determination in rat brain were developed based on carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFM) modified with nanoporous gold (NPG) using the Dynamic Hydrogen Bubble Template (DHBT) method. Electrodeposition of platinum nanoparticles (PtNP) onto the NPG film enhances the sensitivity and the electrocatalytic properties towards H2O2 detection. The nanostructured microelectrode platform was modified by glucose oxidase (GOx) and lactate oxidase (LOx) enzyme immobilization. High selective measurements were achieved by covering with a perm-selective layer of electropolymerized m-phenylenediamine, deposition of a Nafion® film and by using a null sensor. The morphological characteristics and electroanalytical performance of the microbiosensors were assessed, by scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical techniques, respectively. The PtNP/NPG/CFM shows a high sensitivity to H2O2 (5.96 A M-1 cm-2) at 0.36 V vs. Ag/AgCl, with a linear range from 0.2 to 200 µM, and an LOD of 10 nM. The microbiosensors were applied to the simultaneous determination of lactate and glucose in blood serum samples. Moreover, the basal extracellular concentrations of lactate and glucose were measured in vivo in four different rat brain structures. These results support the potential of the microbiosensor to be used as a valuable tool to investigate brain neurochemicals in vivo.

Basal cell carcinoma: multimodal treatment and the role of neoadjuvant vismodegib

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer. It generally has an indolent course with low rates of metastasis and mortality. However, BCC is locally invasive and can cause significant morbidity due to destructive local spread. We report our experience with a patient who was referred to our skin cancer unit due to a previously neglected lesion on the parietal region of the scalp, which had developed for 7 years. The patient was prescribed vismodegib on the basis that surgery could cause excessive functional and aesthetic damage. The patient had an objective partial response after 20 months of treatment. He was then submitted to radical skin excision, leaving a large defect that was reconstructed using a free latissimus dorsi muscle flap. The patient recovered well, and at the 1-year follow-up there were no signs of local recurrence. Our case demonstrates the value of vismodegib treatment prior to surgery in a locally advanced, high-risk scalp BCC and highlights the importance of an individualized and specialized approach with these patients, within a multidisciplinary team.

Basal cell carcinoma: multimodal treatment and the role of neoadjuvant vismodegib.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer. It generally has an indolent course with low rates of metastasis and mortality. However, BCC is locally invasive and can cause significant morbidity due to destructive local spread. We report our experience with a patient who was referred to our skin cancer unit due to a previously neglected lesion on the parietal region of the scalp, which had developed for 7 years. The patient was prescribed vismodegib on the basis that surgery could cause excessive functional and aesthetic damage. The patient had an objective partial response after 20 months of treatment. He was then submitted to radical skin excision, leaving a large defect that was reconstructed using a free latissimus dorsi muscle flap. The patient recovered well, and at the 1-year follow-up there were no signs of local recurrence. Our case demonstrates the value of vismodegib treatment prior to surgery in a locally advanced, high-risk scalp BCC and highlights the importance of an individualized and specialized approach with these patients, within a multidisciplinary team.

Postmortem sperm retrieval for in vitro fertilization treatment: care to be taken - a Brazilian case report.

Postmortem sperm retrieval has been used worldwide in assisted reproduction technology. Nevertheless, the laws vary from country to country according to cultural, ethical and religious reasons. However, for postmortem sperm retrieval to be used, it is necessary that a preview informed consent be signed by the couple. In this study, we describe a case where the husband died during the in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment prior to egg retrieval, but we had no informed consent with a paragraph concerning this issue. Thus, the wife had to request a judicial authorization, which was given in the case of an emergency by the judge, to retrieve genetic material from her husband after his sudden death. This case report demonstrates the importance of adding a specific paragraph in the informed consent to address this issue. Otherwise, this case may be a cause of a judicial battle to obtain consent for its use in in vitro fertilization.

Xp11 translocation carcinoma of the kidney presenting with multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma-like features.

Reported is the case of a 17-year-old girl with a multicystic tumor in the middle of the right kidney. Partial nephrectomy revealed an epithelial neoplasm with multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma pattern. The cells exhibited strong nuclear reactivity for TFE3 protein and supported the diagnosis of Xp11 translocation carcinoma of the kidney. A similar case has not been found in the literature. The example emphasizes the high index of suspicion needed for an accurate diagnosis of renal carcinomas.

Carcinoma verrucoso do pênis: relato de um caso / Verrucous carcinoma of the penis

Os autores apresentam um caso de carcinoma verrucoso do pênis. Comentam sua etiologia, patogenicidade, clínica e tratamento e salientam as dificuldades encontradas para chegar ao diagnóstico