Effects of different subcutaneous sites on heterotopic autotransplantation of canine ovarian tissue.

Ovarian tissue transplantation makes it possible to restore fertility; however, the success of this technique depends on the transplant region used. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of two subcutaneous regions on canine ovarian transplantation, pinna (Pi) and neck (Ne), for 7 and 15 days. Ovaries collected by ovariosalpingohysterectomy were fragmented using a punch device. Fresh fragments were fixed, and the others were immediately grafted onto the animal itself in the Pi and Ne regions for 7 and 15 days. Recovered fragments were evaluated for histology (morphology, development and stromal density), picrosirius (collagen fibers), and immunohistochemistry (fibrosis and cell proliferation). The results showed that follicular normality rates were lower in Pi-7 (78%) vs. control (90%) and Pi-15 (86%), similar in Ne-7 (92%) and superior in Ne-15 (97%) compared to the control, with the effect of the region Ne (94%) superior (P < 0.05) to Pi (82%). Stromal density reduced in both regions vs. control but was similar within 15 days. Fragments from both regions showed higher fibronectin labeling and deposition of type I and lower type III collagen fibers (P < 0.05) vs. control. Proliferation rates in Ne-7 were higher (P < 0.05) than in control, and Pi-15 was higher (P < 0.05) than Ne-15. In conclusion, the pinna may be a region with greater potential than the neck after a 15-day autotransplantation of canine ovarian tissue.

Histone deacetylases inhibitors effects on Cryptococcus neoformans major virulence phenotypes.

Cryptococcus neoformans undergoes phenotypical changes during host infection in order to promote persistence and survival. Studies have demonstrated that such adaptations require alterations in gene transcription networks by distinct mechanisms. Drugs such as the histone deacetylases inhibitors (HDACi) Sodium Butyrate (NaBut) and Trichostatin A (TSA) can alter the chromatin conformation and have been used to modulate epigenetic states in the treatment of diseases such as cancer. In this work, we have studied the effect of NaBut and TSA on the expression of C. neoformans major virulence phenotypes and on the survival rate of an animal model infected with drugs-treated yeasts. Both drugs affected fungal growth at 37°C more intensely than at 30°C; nonetheless, drugs did not affect cell viability at the concentrations we studied. HDACi also provoked the reduction of the fungal capsule expansion. Phospholipases enzyme activity decreased; mating process and melanin synthesis were also affected by both inhibitors. NaBut led to an increase in the population of cells in G2/M. Treated yeast cells, which were washed in order to remove the drugs from the culture medium prior to the inoculation in the Galleria mellonela infection model, did not cause significant difference at the host survival curve when compared to non-treated cells. Overall, NaBut effects on the impairment of C. neoformans main virulence factors were more intense and stable than the TSA effects.