Coexistence of DIPNECH and carotid body paraganglioma: is it just a coincidence?

SUMMARY: We describe the case of a 56 year-old woman with the almost simultaneous appearance of diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) and a carotid body paraganglioma. Of interest, 6 years earlier, the patient underwent total thyroidectomy due to papillary thyroid carcinoma and, in the meantime, she was submitted to mastectomy to treat an invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. In order to explain these lesions, an extensive genetic study was performed. Results showed positivity for the presence of the tumor suppressor gene PALB2, whose presence had already been detected in a niece with breast cancer. The patient underwent different procedures to treat the lesions and currently she is symptom-free over 2 years of follow-up. LEARNING POINTS: The presence of two rare neoplasms in a single person should raise the suspicion of a common etiology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case that shows the coexistence of DIPNECH and paraganglioma. The contribution of the PALB2 gene in the etiology of these rare neoplasms is a possibility.

Effects of citronella oil (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor) on Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) midgut and fat body.

The armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is the principal pest of corn in Brazil. Control is achieved primarily by synthetic insecticides, which cause problems for the agro-ecosystem. Alternative methods of control are under investigation and citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) essential oil appears to be a promising agent. We investigated the effects of citronella oil using histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. The midgut of larvae treated with citronella exhibited altered epithelium including cytoplasmic protrusions, columnar cell extrusion, pyknotic nuclei, and increased periodic acid-Schiff positive granules. Regenerative cells in the epithelium of the midgut increased in number, which facilitated subsequent regeneration of this tissue. After exposure to citronella, trophocytes, the principal cell type of the fat body, possessed enlarged vacuoles and mitotic bodies, and contained reduced amounts of glycogen, lipid, and protein. Citronella oil caused morphological changes of the midgut and reduction of stored resources in the fat body, which may adversely affect insect reproduction and survival.

Influence of working length and apical preparation size on apical bacterial extrusion during reciprocating instrumentation.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of reciprocating single-file instrumentation with different working lengths (WL) and apical preparation sizes on apical bacterial extrusion. METHODOLOGY: Sixty-eight human single-rooted pre-molars were used. Conventional access cavities were prepared, and the root canals were contaminated with an Enterococcus faecalis suspension and incubated at 37°C for 30 days. Teeth were then divided into four groups of 15 specimens each (Reciproc size 25, .08 taper and Reciproc size 40, .06 taper instruments were used at the foramen; Reciproc size 25, .08 taper and Reciproc size 40, .06 taper instruments were used 1 mm short of the foramen). Positive and negative controls consisted of four infected and four uninfected pre-molars that were instrumented according to each experimental group. Bacteria extruded from the apical foramen during instrumentation were collected into vials containing 0.9% NaCl. The microbiological samples were then incubated in a brain-heart agar medium for 24 h. The resulting bacterial titre, in colony-forming units (CFU) per mL, was determined, and these data were analysed using a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test and a Kruskal-Wallis H-test. The level of significance was set at α = 0.05. RESULTS: No growth was observed in the negative control group. All positive controls demonstrated bacterial growth after the experimental time interval. No significant difference was found in the number of CFU amongst all experimental groups (P = 0.95). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the WL and the apical preparation size did not have a significant effect on bacterial extrusion when performing reciprocating instrumentation.

Validation of a novel sequential cultivation method for the production of enzymatic cocktails from Trichoderma strains.

The development of new cost-effective bioprocesses for the production of cellulolytic enzymes is needed in order to ensure that the conversion of biomass becomes economically viable. The aim of this study was to determine whether a novel sequential solid-state and submerged fermentation method (SF) could be validated for different strains of the Trichoderma genus. Cultivation of the Trichoderma reesei Rut-C30 reference strain under SF using sugarcane bagasse as substrate was shown to be favorable for endoglucanase (EGase) production, resulting in up to 4.2-fold improvement compared with conventional submerged fermentation. Characterization of the enzymes in terms of the optimum pH and temperature for EGase activity and comparison of the hydrolysis profiles obtained using a synthetic substrate did not reveal any qualitative differences among the different cultivation conditions investigated. However, the thermostability of the EGase was influenced by the type of carbon source and cultivation system. All three strains of Trichoderma tested (T. reesei Rut-C30, Trichoderma harzianum, and Trichoderma sp INPA 666) achieved higher enzymatic productivity when cultivated under SF, hence validating the proposed SF method for use with different Trichoderma strains. The results suggest that this bioprocess configuration is a very promising development for the cellulosic biofuels industry.

Liquefaction of sugarcane bagasse for enzyme production.

The objective of this paper is to report liquefaction of pretreated and sterilized sugarcane bagasse for enhancing endoglucanase production through submerged fermentation by Aspergillus niger. After initial solid state fermentation of steam pretreated bagasse solids by A. niger, fed-batch addition of the substrate to cellulase in buffer over a 12h period, followed by 36h reaction, resulted in a liquid slurry with a viscosity of 0.30±0.07Pas at 30% (w/v) solids. Addition of A. niger for submerged fermentation of sterile liquefied bagasse at 23% w/v solids resulted in an enzyme titer of 2.5IUmL(-1) or about 15× higher productivity than solid-state fermentation of non-liquefied bagasse (final activity of 0.17IUmL(-1)). Bagasse not treated by initial solid-state fermentation but liquefied with enzyme gave 2IUmL(-1). These results show the utility of liquefied bagasse as a culture medium for enzyme production in submerged fermentations.

Bioactivity of Piper hispidinervum (Piperales: Piperaceae) and Syzygium aromaticum (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) oils, with or without formulated Bta on the biology and immunology of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The combination of essential oils and Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner may represent an interesting control strategy. Thus, the study tested the following hypothesis: the combination of long pepper oil (Piper hispidinervum L.) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) oils in two concentrations with Xentari WG (Bta) yields a more effective control of Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) affecting biological and reproductive parameters and leading to changes in the levels of phenoloxidase and nitric oxide in the hemolymph of the pest. The results demonstrate that only long pepper oil, at the highest concentration with Xentari WG (Bta), promotes reduced larval survival. However, both oils with or without the insecticide interfere in the biology and humoral immunity of S.frugiperda. All treatments caused a decrease in the amount of eggs, except for the clove oil at both concentrations without Bta. Therefore, the use of these oils is a promising alternative for the integrated management of S. frugiperda; however, its association with Bta demonstrated no significant increase in their efficiency.

Gas hold-up and oxygen mass transfer in three pneumatic bioreactors operating with sugarcane bagasse suspensions.

Sugarcane bagasse is a low-cost and abundant by-product generated by the bioethanol industry, and is a potential substrate for cellulolytic enzyme production. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of air flow rate (QAIR), solids loading (%S), sugarcane bagasse type, and particle size on the gas hold-up (εG) and volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (kLa) in three different pneumatic bioreactors, using response surface methodology. Concentric tube airlift (CTA), split-cylinder airlift (SCA), and bubble column (BC) bioreactor types were tested. QAIR and %S affected oxygen mass transfer positively and negatively, respectively, while sugarcane bagasse type and particle size (within the range studied) did not influence kLa. Using large particles of untreated sugarcane bagasse, the loop-type bioreactors (CTA and SCA) exhibited higher mass transfer, compared to the BC reactor. At higher %S, SCA presented a higher kLa value (0.0448 s−1) than CTA, and the best operational conditions in terms of oxygen mass transfer were achieved for %S < 10.0 g L−1 and QAIR > 27.0 L min−1. These results demonstrated that pneumatic bioreactors can provide elevated oxygen transfer in the presence of vegetal biomass, making them an excellent option for use in three-phase systems for cellulolytic enzyme production by filamentous fungi.

Effects of Piper hispidinervum on spermatogenesis and histochemistry of ovarioles of Spodoptera frugiperda.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), not only damages crops, but controlling its population also requires synthetic insecticides, which leads to selection of resistant populations and environmental contamination. Essential oils are an alternative for controlling this insect. There are few studies of the effects of these oils on the insect's reproductive system. We evaluated the effects of the long pepper, Piper hispidinervum, essential oil on the gonads of the armyworm and tested its possible influence on the fertility of this insect. Dosages of 30 and 50 mg/ml were tested in 3(rd) instar caterpillars using the leaf immersion method. Testes and ovarioles were collected, fixed with 10% formalin and embedded in Historesin. The sections were stained with toluidine blue and Mallory trichrome to detect connective tissue, periodic acid-Schiff to detect neutral carbohydrates, and bromophenol blue to detect proteins. We found that the long pepper essential oil affected negatively the spermatogenesis and altered the histochemistry of the ovarioles of S. frugiperda. The effects of long pepper oil suggest that it is a promising tool for controlling the armyworm pest.

Is the blood pressure paradox observed in all heart failure patients?

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) patients with higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) survive longer. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a frequent comorbidity in HF. We evaluated the prognostic significance of low SBP according to DM in acute HF. METHODS: We prospectively recruited 589 patients admitted with acute HF. DM was defined according to the 2011 American Diabetes Association recommendations. Patients were followed for 6 months and HF-death was the endpoint. A multivariate Cox-regression model was used to assess the prognostic impact of SBP. A stratified analysis according to DM was performed. RESULTS: Median patients' age was 79 years and DM was present in 50.8%. Ischemic aetiology HF and hypertension history were more common in diabetics. Diabetic patients had worse renal function and lower total cholesterol and were more often discharged with antiplatelet therapy and statin. During followup, 89 patients died due to HF. The multivariate-adjusted HR for the 6-month HF death in non-diabetic patients with an admission SBP < 115 mmHg (1st quartile) was 2.94 (95% CI: 1.49-5.79), while lower admission SBP was not associated with HF mortality in diabetics. CONCLUSIONS: The blood pressure paradox in HF is only observed in non-diabetic HF patients. Diabetic patients seem to be a particular subgroup of HF patients.

Sequential solid-state and submerged cultivation of Aspergillus niger on sugarcane bagasse for the production of cellulase.

Sequential solid-state and submerged cultivation with sugarcane bagasse as substrate for cellulase production by Aspergillus niger A12 was assessed by measuring endoglucanase activity. An unconventional pre-culture with an initial fungal growth phase under solid-state cultivation was followed by a transition to submerged fermentation by adding the liquid culture medium to the mycelium grown on solid substrate. For comparison, control experiments were conducted using conventional submerged cultivation. The cultures were carried out in shake flasks and in a 5-L bubble column bioreactor. An endoglucanase productivity of 57 ± 13 IU/L/h was achieved in bubble column cultivations prepared using the new method, representing an approximately 3-fold improvement compared to conventional submerged fermentation. Therefore, the methodology proposed here of a sequential fermentation process offers a promising alternative for cellulase production.

Histological description of the midgut and the pyloric valve of Tropidacris collaris (Stoll, 1813) (Orthopetera: Romaleidae)

The present research describes the histology of the midgut, gastric caeca, and pyloric valve of Tropidacris collaris (Stoll, 1813), (Orthopetera: Romaleidae). We used light microscopy, staining (Gomori's trichrome and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)), and a routine histological analysis method (hematoxilin-eosin). The insects were obtained from, and also bred in, the Laboratory of Entomology, Department of Biology, of the Rural Federal University of Pernambuco (UFRPE). The collected material was fixed in alcoholic Boüin and embedded in paraplast. The results demonstrated that the midgut wall is composed of an inner epithelial layer and two outer layers of striate muscles: one internal (circular) and the other external (longitudinal), with connective tissue between the muscle fibers. The epithelium is single-layered, with two cell types: regenerative and elongated columnar. The gastric caeca presents muscle layers similar to those of the midgut. Simple columnar epithelium lines the gastric caeca, which presents villi and projects towards the lumen. The pyloric valve is of striate muscle tissue, covered by a single epithelial-cell layer.

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo descrever a histologia do mesêntero, cecos gástricos e válvula pilórica de Tropidacris collaris (Stoll, 1813) (Orthoptera: Romaleidae), por meio da microscopia de luz, utilizando-se colorações especiais (Tricrômico de Gomori e P.A.S. - Acido periódico de Schiff) e de rotina (Hematoxilina-Eosina). Os insetos foram obtidos da criação existente no Laboratório de Entomologia, do Departamento de Biologia, da UFRPE. O material coletado foi fixado em Boüin alcoólico e processado para inclusão em "paralast". Os resultados mostraram que a parede do mesêntero é constituída por duas camadas de músculo estriado: uma interna (circular) e outra externa (longitudinal), com a presença de tecido conjuntivo entre as fibras musculares. O epitélio é do tipo simples, constituído por dois tipos de células: células regenerativas e células colunares altas. Os cecos gástricos também apresentam as camadas de músculo semelhantes às observadas no mesêntero. O tecido epitelial é do tipo simples colunar projetando-se para a luz do órgão, formando vilosidades. A válvula pilórica é constituída por tecido muscular estriado, recoberto por tecido epitelial.

Substrate phosphorylation affects degradation and interaction to endopeptidase 24.15, neurolysin, and angiotensin-converting enzyme.

Recent findings from our laboratory suggest that intracellular peptides containing putative post-translational modification sites (i.e., phosphorylation) could regulate specific protein interactions. Here, we extend our previous observations showing that peptide phosphorylation changes the kinetic parameters of structurally related endopeptidase EP24.15 (EC 3.4.24.15), neurolysin (EC 3.4.24.16), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (EC 3.4.15.1). Phosphorylation of peptides that are degraded by these enzymes leads to reduced degradation, whereas phosphorylation of peptides that interacted as competitive inhibitors of these enzymes alters only the K(i)'s. These data suggest that substrate phosphorylation could be one of the mechanisms whereby some intracellular peptides would escape degradation and could be regulating protein interactions within cells.

Histological description of the midgut and the pyloric valve of Tropidacris collaris (Stoll, 1813) (Orthopetera: Romaleidae).

The present research describes the histology of the midgut, gastric caeca, and pyloric valve of Tropidacris collaris (Stoll, 1813), (Orthopetera: Romaleidae). We used light microscopy, staining (Gomori's trichrome and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)), and a routine histological analysis method (hematoxilin-eosin). The insects were obtained from, and also bred in, the Laboratory of Entomology, Department of Biology, of the Rural Federal University of Pernambuco (UFRPE). The collected material was fixed in alcoholic Botüin and embedded in paraplast. The results demonstrated that the midgut wall is composed of an inner epithelial layer and two outer layers of striate muscles: one internal (circular) and the other external (longitudinal), with connective tissue between the muscle fibers. The epithelium is single-layered, with two cell types: regenerative and elongated columnar. The gastric caeca presents muscle layers similar to those of the midgut. Simple columnar epithelium lines the gastric caeca, which presents villi and projects towards the lumen. The pyloric valve is of striate muscle tissue, covered by a single epithelial-cell layer.

Substrate phosphorylation affects degradation and interaction to endopeptidase 24.15, neurolysin, and angiotensin-converting enzyme

Recent findings from our laboratory suggest that intracellular peptides containing putative post-translational modification sites (i.e., phosphorylation) could regulate specific protein interactions. Here, we extend our previous observations showing that peptide phosphorylation changes the kinetic parameters of structurally related endopeptidase EP24.15 (EC 3.4.24.15), neurolysin (EC 3.4.24.16), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (EC 3.4.15.1). Phosphorylation of peptides that are degraded by these enzymes leads to reduced degradation, whereas phosphorylation of peptides that interacted as competitive inhibitors of these enzymes alters only the Ki's. These data suggest that substrate phosphorylation could be one of the mechanisms whereby some intracellular peptides would escape degradation and could be regulating protein interactions within cells.

Additional evidence for the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of the sesquiterpene polygodial.

This study evaluates further the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of polygodial, a sesquiterpene extracted from the barks plant Drymis winteri (Winteraceae). Polygodial (12.8-128.1 micromol/kg, i.p.) 30 min prior, inhibited significantly the mouse paw oedema induced by prostaglandin E2, bradykinin (BK) substance P (SP), dextran, platelet activating factor (PAF) or carrageenan. Polygodial also inhibited arachidonic acid-, capsaicin- and croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice. Polygodial (42.7 micromol/kg, i.p.), significantly inhibited both exudation and cell influx when assessed in the pleurisy induced by SP and histamine, and to a less extent the inflammatory response caused by carrageenan, PAF, BK and des-Arg9-BK. Finally, polygodial (4.2-42.7 micromol/kg, i.p.) produced dose-related inhibition of paw oedema induced by ovalbumin, protecting in a time-dependent manner the anaphylactic shock induced by endovenous administration of ovalbumin in animals which had been actively sensitised by this antigen. These and our previous results indicate that the major component present in the bark of the plant D. winteri, the sesquiterpene polygodial exerts an interesting anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties when assessed in rats and mice.

Epilepsia partialis continua (Koshevnikov): a preliminary case report.

We report on the preliminary clinical and electrophysiological aspects of an in-patient possibly presenting epilepsia partialis continua (Koshevnikov). We discuss the different etiologies and emphasize on the possible idiopathic form in this case.

Myasthenia gravis: a retrospective study comparing thymectomy to conservative treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effectiveness of thymectomy (TY) in a group of patients with myasthenia gravis compared to a group of patients submitted to conservative treatment (CT) at a similar clinical stage. METHODS: Among 153 patients with myasthenia gravis, we paired 28 patients who underwent TY, with 28 cases under CT. The following data were analyzed: gender, age, and age at the beginning of symptoms, illness duration, follow-up time and type of medical treatment. There was no statistical difference between these 2 groups. The mean time for TY was 2.5 (0.2-13) years after the onset of the disease. The cases were evaluated through a functional scale at the beginning and at the end of the study. RESULTS: We found complete remission in 15 cases (TY 6, CT 9), improved (normal life with or without minimal symptoms and with or without medication) 9 cases (TY 8, CT 1), improved with partial control and minimal limitation 32 cases (TY 14, CT 18), and poor control 2 cases (TY 2). No death was found in this group. CONCLUSION: There was no statistical difference between the conservative treatment and thymectomy groups, regarding remission or improvement. Furthermore TY done in the first year of the disease or latter, did not change the final outcome.

[Myasthenia gravis. Clinical evaluation of 153 patients]. / Miastenia grave. Avaliação clínica de 153 pacientes.

We have retrospectively analysed the records of patients diagnosed as having myasthenia gravis and followed up in our department from February 1973 to March 1995. The main clinical findings were ptosis, diplopia, dysphagia, dysphonia or dysarthria, mastigatory impairment, dyspnea, asthenia, weakness of the cervical muscles and of the extremities, as well as findings of the physical and neurological examination. Based on the information collected, the patients were classified clinically according the modified Osserman-Gerkins scale, but considering the non-dynamic aspects of that scale, we used the modified functional scale of Niakan and classified the patients clinically as follows: remission, controlled, stable, partially controlled, poorly controlled, no response. We collected 153 patients, 104 (68.0%) females and 49 (32.0%) males producing a female/male ratio of 2.2:1. The duration of the disease varied from seven days to 27 years, mean 6.26 years (+/- 5.44). Age at the first symptoms varied between 24 hours to 80 years, mean of 32.13 years (+/- 19.48). We had 30 patients ranging from 0 to 15 years of age, 91 patients were observed between 15 and 50 years and 32 patients after the age of 50 years. Above the age of 60 years, the disease aflicts males more than females with a ratio of 1.5:1. The acquired autoimmune form with generalized weakness was the most frequent presentation. However, ocular muscle weakness with ptosis and diplopia were the most common clinical presentation in our series.

[Myasthenia gravis. Historical aspects]. / Miastenia grave. Aspectos históricos.

We studied historical aspects of myasthenia gravis starting from its first description by the English physician, Sir Thomas Willis, in 1672. We also describe the difficulties in managing treating the first diagnosed patient. Historical facts related to the investigation and the initial treatment of this disorder as well as curiosities seldom mentioned in the literature are part of this paper.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clinical analysis of 78 cases from Fortaleza (northeastern Brazil).

We report on the clinical characteristics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Fortaleza (Northeastern Brazil). For this, we analyzed retrospectively (from 1980 to 1999) 78 cases of ALS from the Service of Neurology of the University Hospital of Fortaleza diagnosed clinically and laboratorially (EMG, muscle biopsy, myelography, blood biochemistry, muscle enzymes and cranio-cervical X-ray). The results showed that they were mostly sporadic ALS (76/78), and they were divided into definite (n = 36), probable (n = 20), possible (n = 15) and suspected (n = 7), according to the level of diagnostic certainty. They were also subdivided into juvenile (n = 17), early-onset adult (n = 18), age-specific (n = 39) and late-onset (n = 4) groups. Clinically, they presented as initials symptoms, principally, asymmetrical (30/78) and symmetrical (24/78) weakness of extremities, besides bulbar signs, fasciculations, and atrophy. Curiously, pain as first symptom occurred in an expressive fashion (17/78). The predominant initial anatomic site, in this series, was the spinal cord, and mainly affecting the arms. As to the symptom accrual from region to region, this occurs more quickly in contiguous areas, and fasciculations are predominant when bulbar region was associated.