[Cellular components and placental alkaline phosphatase in Trypanosoma cruzi infection ]. / Componentes celulares y fosfatasa alcalina placentaria en la infección por T. cruzi.

Trypanosoma cruzi induces changes in the protein pattern of human placenta syncytiotrophoblast. Placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) is a glycoenzyme anchored to the membrane by a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol molecule. PLAP activity and its presence was altered by the parasite in cultures of human placental villi and HEp2 cells with T.cruzi. The cells treated before the cultures with agents which affect PILAP or glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (antibodies, PL-C, genistein, lithium) presented less parasitic invasion than the control ones. It was also observed a modification in the pattern of actine filaments of the host cells infected. We concluded that PLAP would participate in the process of T. cruzi invasion into placental syncitiotrophoblast cells, by a mechanism that involves hydrolysis of the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol molecules, the activation of tyrosine kinase proteins, the increase of cytosolic calcium and the rearrangement of actine filaments of the host cells.

Meat cooking habits and risk of colorectal cancer in Córdoba, Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer is the third cause of death among women and the fifth among men in Córdoba, Argentina. We previously reported colorectal cancer to be associated with a high intake of fatty meats and bovine viscera and inversely associated with dietary fiber intake. In this study, we investigated the role of method of cooking meat and preferences in browned surfaces in the risk of colorectal cancer. METHODS: A case-control retrospective study was carried out by interviewing 296 patients and 597 control subjects with a food-frequency questionnaire. Meat consumption and preferred cooking procedures (boiled, roasted, barbecued, cooked in a flat iron-pan without fat, and fried) were investigated. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were obtained by unconditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Barbecuing was the cooking method preferred by men, whereas iron-pan cooking was favored by women; frying was the least favored method. Fatty beef, sausages, and bovine viscera were preferentially barbecued or boiled, whereas lean beef was mainly roasted, iron-pan cooked, or fried. Chicken was barbecued or roasted. The multivariate relative risks (adjusted by age, sex, social stratum, and total energy intake) for preferring darkly browned surfaces were significantly associated with an increased risk for all cooking procedures (odds ratio, 4.57; 95% confidence interval, 3.10 to 6.73). No associations were found for red roasted or for boiled meats. CONCLUSION: Increased risk seems to be related to cooking temperature and close contact of the food to the heating source, because higher risks were observed for heavily browned surfaces when meats were barbecued or iron-pan cooked.

Estudio estructural y morfométrico de las glándulas salivales de gorrión (Passer Domesticus) durante invierno y verano / A structural and morphometric study of the salivary glands of the House sparrow (Passer Domesticus) during winter and summer

Se realizó el estudio estructural, citoquímico y morfométrico de glándulas salivales de gorrión con el fin de detectar adaptaciones histofisiológicas por la dieta y necesidades nutricionales durante las estaciones del año. Se emplearon 40 gorriones provenientes de Villa Los Aromos (Alta Gracia) capturados en invierno y verano. Las glándulas bucales se estudiaron con HE, PAS, Alcian Blue y Azul de Toluidina. El análisis cuantitativo del desarrollo y tamaño glandular se realizó según el método de Kielian y Cohn. No se observaron modificaciones estructurales ni citoquímicas en las distintas glándulas. La proporción entre las diferentes glándulas (angularis oris, maxilares y mandibulares externas e internas) muestran diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre sí, que se mantienen constantes durante las estaciones del año analizadas. Se concluye que estas glándulas no muestran patrones distintos para el invierno y el verano, épocas en que la vegetación y la fauna se modifican con variaciones en la disponibilidad de recursos alimenticios. El patrón glandular constante correspondería a la determinación genética de la especie y a la dieta que en invierno y verano se adaptaría en su componentes animales y vegetales a los requerimientos metabólicos estacionales

Estudio estructural y morfométrico de las glándulas salivales de gorrión (Passer Domesticus) durante invierno y verano / A structural and morphometric study of the salivary glands of the House sparrow (Passer Domesticus) during winter and summer

Se realizó el estudio estructural, citoquímico y morfométrico de glándulas salivales de gorrión con el fin de detectar adaptaciones histofisiológicas por la dieta y necesidades nutricionales durante las estaciones del año. Se emplearon 40 gorriones provenientes de Villa Los Aromos (Alta Gracia) capturados en invierno y verano. Las glándulas bucales se estudiaron con HE, PAS, Alcian Blue y Azul de Toluidina. El análisis cuantitativo del desarrollo y tamaño glandular se realizó según el método de Kielian y Cohn. No se observaron modificaciones estructurales ni citoquímicas en las distintas glándulas. La proporción entre las diferentes glándulas (angularis oris, maxilares y mandibulares externas e internas) muestran diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre sí, que se mantienen constantes durante las estaciones del año analizadas. Se concluye que estas glándulas no muestran patrones distintos para el invierno y el verano, épocas en que la vegetación y la fauna se modifican con variaciones en la disponibilidad de recursos alimenticios. El patrón glandular constante correspondería a la determinación genética de la especie y a la dieta que en invierno y verano se adaptaría en su componentes animales y vegetales a los requerimientos metabólicos estacionales (AU)

Alkaline phosphatase activity in plasma of pregnant chagasic patients

The Kinetic properties of plasma placental alkaline phosphatase patients with Chagas' disease were studied. When Cl2 Mg was used as activator the same increase of activity (17-20 per cent) was found in the chagasic and non chagasic groups. The enzyme was not inhibited by F-ion in any of the groups. No significant differences were detected between the two groups (chagasic and non chagasic) when the enzyme was treated with inhibitors such as EDTA and L-phenylamine. However, when the CN- ion was used, the enzyme of the normal pregnant women followed a Michaelian curve, whereas in the chagasic group a sigmoideal plot was observed. Thus, the Hill coefficient was 1.1 for the normal group and over 1.5 for the chagasic.

Alkaline phosphatase activity in plasma of pregnant chagasic patients

The Kinetic properties of plasma placental alkaline phosphatase patients with Chagas disease were studied. When Cl2 Mg was used as activator the same increase of activity (17-20 per cent) was found in the chagasic and non chagasic groups. The enzyme was not inhibited by F-ion in any of the groups. No significant differences were detected between the two groups (chagasic and non chagasic) when the enzyme was treated with inhibitors such as EDTA and L-phenylamine. However, when the CN- ion was used, the enzyme of the normal pregnant women followed a Michaelian curve, whereas in the chagasic group a sigmoideal plot was observed. Thus, the Hill coefficient was 1.1 for the normal group and over 1.5 for the chagasic. (AU)

Melanoma maligno primario de esofago: presentación de un caso

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is rare. We identified one patient over a period of 15 years. This patient was a 80 years-old caucasian man. No association was found with tobacco or ethanol use, nor was there a personal or family history of malignant melanoma. Symptoms were related to obstruction. This tunor was polypoid in its upper part and ulcero-infiltrant in its lower part. histologically the melanoma had epithelioid spindle cells. The neoplasm was immunoreactive for S-100 protein and non reactive with anti-cytokeratins. This patient was treated by Garlock type, esophagectomy with excision of 13 cm of esophagus and 2 cm of stomach. The survival was of only 3 days, because he developed acute respiratory and cardiac disease syndrome and died.

Melanoma maligno primario de esofago: presentación de un caso

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is rare. We identified one patient over a period of 15 years. This patient was a 80 years-old caucasian man. No association was found with tobacco or ethanol use, nor was there a personal or family history of malignant melanoma. Symptoms were related to obstruction. This tunor was polypoid in its upper part and ulcero-infiltrant in its lower part. histologically the melanoma had epithelioid spindle cells. The neoplasm was immunoreactive for S-100 protein and non reactive with anti-cytokeratins. This patient was treated by Garlock type, esophagectomy with excision of 13 cm of esophagus and 2 cm of stomach. The survival was of only 3 days, because he developed acute respiratory and cardiac disease syndrome and died. (AU)

Perfil de la morfologia espermatica en pacientes normospermicos y dispermicos / Profile of spermatic morphology in normospermic and dyspermic patients

The evaluation of spermatic morphology is of importance due to its prognostic value in potential male fertility, both in natural and in assisted reproduction. In the present work, the morphologic profile of samples of semen from normal and dispermic patients was determined, in order to establish a correlation between structure and function. Samples were obtained from male partners of infertile couples who attended andrologic consultation. The smears were stained by the Papanicolaou technique, and the criteria of the OMS and the recent modification of Kruger were followed to evaluate spermatic morphology. Of all the patients studied (n = 46), 35 were normospermics (A), 39 asthenospermics, 7 oligospermics, 2 terastospermics and 17 presented combined alterations. The average percentage of normal spermatozoa was of 23.7 +/- 1.23 in the whole population. When group A patients were compared with asthenospermics, significant differences were found in the percentage of spermatozoa with middle piece and tail alterations, in the last group (p < 0.02). Similarly, when samples were analysed according to the presence of alterations: none (A), one (B) two or more (C), it was observed that the percentage of normal forms decreased in the groups in that order (A < B < C); (A or B vs C p < 0.05). The percentage of tapering spermatozoa was significantly higher in group C (p < 0.01 vs A or B). From the above results, it appears that 1) the larger number of functional alterations is related to a higher percentage of structural anomalies, and 2) the deficient motility in the asthenospermic group, is associated to the middle piece and tail alterations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cytochemical localization of sorbitol dehydrogenase in kidney and liver from Myiopsitta m. monachus (Boddaert, 1783), during embryonic development

A histochemical study to determine the localization of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) in kidney and liver from embryionic, young and adult Myiopsitta m. monachus was performed. The enzyme activity increased with age in both organs. In the kidney, the enzyme appeared at the proximal convoluted tubules, and increased in the basal cytoplasm of the tubular cells. In the liver the localization was diffuse in the lobule but more intense in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, especially in the perinuclear areas. These studies indicate that the cytochemical enzyme localization differs in this species, which is more evolutioned than Gallus gallus, and would be related to ontogenetic and phylogenetic differentiation.

Structural changes induced by He-Ne laser on the chick embryo ovary

The morpho-histochemical alterations that occur in the chicken ovary at 7 days of incubation after irradiation with He-Ne laser of a potency of 5 mw and at a wavelength of 632.8 nm were studied. The embryos were irradiated for 5 minutes through a window opened in the eggshell and aseptically maintained in incubator for 24 hours. The gonads were dissected out and processed for the following techniques: H/E, PAS, alcian blue, and toluidine blue. Controls: The ovaries were formed by a germinative or superficial epithelium, with germ and epithelial cells, and by primary sex cords compressed between them, although separated by a reduced stroma. The cords contained germ cells The surface coat of the germinative epithelium presented a thin layer of PAS positive, alcianophilic at pH 25 and orthochromatic material. Basement membranes and intercord extracellular substance were also PAS positive. Problems: Disorganization of the tissue structure was well manifest in irradiated gonads, accompanied by negativization of the histochemical reactions. A lymphocytic infiltration was also found. No structural alterations were observed in germ or epithelial cells. It is concluded that laser radiations would act producing decrease of the mucosubstances associated to the plasma membrane and basement membrane. They would also provoke the appearance of an inflammatory mononuclear infiltration.

Perfil de la morfologia espermatica en pacientes normospermicos y dispermicos / Profile of spermatic morphology in normospermic and dyspermic patients

The evaluation of spermatic morphology is of importance due to its prognostic value in potential male fertility, both in natural and in assisted reproduction. In the present work, the morphologic profile of samples of semen from normal and dispermic patients was determined, in order to establish a correlation between structure and function. Samples were obtained from male partners of infertile couples who attended andrologic consultation. The smears were stained by the Papanicolaou technique, and the criteria of the OMS and the recent modification of Kruger were followed to evaluate spermatic morphology. Of all the patients studied (n = 46), 35 were normospermics (A), 39 asthenospermics, 7 oligospermics, 2 terastospermics and 17 presented combined alterations. The average percentage of normal spermatozoa was of 23.7 +/- 1.23 in the whole population. When group A patients were compared with asthenospermics, significant differences were found in the percentage of spermatozoa with middle piece and tail alterations, in the last group (p < 0.02). Similarly, when samples were analysed according to the presence of alterations: none (A), one (B) two or more (C), it was observed that the percentage of normal forms decreased in the groups in that order (A < B < C); (A or B vs C p < 0.05). The percentage of tapering spermatozoa was significantly higher in group C (p < 0.01 vs A or B). From the above results, it appears that 1) the larger number of functional alterations is related to a higher percentage of structural anomalies, and 2) the deficient motility in the asthenospermic group, is associated to the middle piece and tail alterations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)(Au)

Cytochemical localization of sorbitol dehydrogenase in kidney and liver from Myiopsitta m. monachus (Boddaert, 1783), during embryonic development

A histochemical study to determine the localization of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) in kidney and liver from embryionic, young and adult Myiopsitta m. monachus was performed. The enzyme activity increased with age in both organs. In the kidney, the enzyme appeared at the proximal convoluted tubules, and increased in the basal cytoplasm of the tubular cells. In the liver the localization was diffuse in the lobule but more intense in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, especially in the perinuclear areas. These studies indicate that the cytochemical enzyme localization differs in this species, which is more evolutioned than Gallus gallus, and would be related to ontogenetic and phylogenetic differentiation.(Au)

Structural changes induced by He-Ne laser on the chick embryo ovary

The morpho-histochemical alterations that occur in the chicken ovary at 7 days of incubation after irradiation with He-Ne laser of a potency of 5 mw and at a wavelength of 632.8 nm were studied. The embryos were irradiated for 5 minutes through a window opened in the eggshell and aseptically maintained in incubator for 24 hours. The gonads were dissected out and processed for the following techniques: H/E, PAS, alcian blue, and toluidine blue. Controls: The ovaries were formed by a germinative or superficial epithelium, with germ and epithelial cells, and by primary sex cords compressed between them, although separated by a reduced stroma. The cords contained germ cells The surface coat of the germinative epithelium presented a thin layer of PAS positive, alcianophilic at pH 25 and orthochromatic material. Basement membranes and intercord extracellular substance were also PAS positive. Problems: Disorganization of the tissue structure was well manifest in irradiated gonads, accompanied by negativization of the histochemical reactions. A lymphocytic infiltration was also found. No structural alterations were observed in germ or epithelial cells. It is concluded that laser radiations would act producing decrease of the mucosubstances associated to the plasma membrane and basement membrane. They would also provoke the appearance of an inflammatory mononuclear infiltration.(Au)

Trypanosoma cruzi: modification of alkaline phosphatose activity induced by trypomastigotes in cultured human placental villi

Vilos placentários a termo foram mantidos "in vitro" em interaçäo com formas tripomastigotas sangüíneas de Trypanosoma cruzi, durante diversos períodos de tempo. Foram utilizadas concentraçöes diferentes de parasitas. Os controles näo continham T. cruzi. Determinou-se a atividade de fosfatase alcalina em vilos placentários mediante microscopia eletrônica e sua atividade específica no meio de cultura, mediante métodos bioquímicos. Os resultados mostraram que o hemoflagelado produz uma diminuiçäo significante da atividade enzimática tanto pelos estudos ultracitoquímicos como de atividade específica e esta atividade de fosfatase alcalina foi menor em culturas com altas doses de parasitas. Estes resultados säo indicadores de que a reduçäo de atividade enzimática coincide com o tempo de penetraçäo e proliferaçäo do T. cruzi nas células. Estas mudanças podem representar uma interaçäo entre o trofoblasto humano e o T. cruzi

In vitro effects of gonadotrophic and steroid hormones on the interstitial cells of the chick embryo ovaries

Diversos estudios demostraron la importancia de la producción de esteroides por las células intesticiales del ovario del embrión de pollo tanto in ovo como in vitro. El presente trabajo se efectuó para analizar las modificaciones que LH, hCG, 17-ß-estradiol, propionato de testosterona y progesterona producen in vitro sobre las células intersticiales de gónadas femeninas del embrión de pollo. Explantos de ovarios derecho e izquierdo de 7 a 19 días de desarrollo in ovo fueron cultivados y procesados para su estudio estructural y ultraestructural. En los cultivos controles los nidos de células intersticiales aumentaron con la edad, en ambos ovarios, presentando aquellas abundante REL, mitocondrias con crestas tubulares e inclusiones lipídicas. Por acción de LH y hCG, las células intersticiales agrupadas incrementaron sus inclusiones lipídicas y organoides relacionados con la síntesis de esteroides en el ovario derecho y en la médula del ovario izquierdo enh todas las edades investigadas. En cambio, en presencia de progesterona, estrógeno o testosterona se observaron células intersticiales aisladas o en grupos, con escasos organoides e inclusiones lipídicas. Se concluye que las hormonas esteroideas deprimirían la actividad de las células intersticiales supliendo aquéllas la función de las mismas, mientras que la LH y hCC actuarían sobre dichas células estimulando la síntesis de esteroides los que serían el factor intrínseco responsable de la diferenciación sexual del ovario izquierdo funcionante y de la atrofia del ovario derecho