Comparison of the low level laser therapy effects on cultured human gingival fibroblasts proliferation using different irradiance and same fluence.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used in Dentistry to improve wound healing. In order to analyse the effect of LLLT on the in vitro proliferation of gingival fibroblasts we developed a primary culture of human gingival fibroblasts. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cell line named LMF was grown in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's medium (DME) with either 5% (nutritional deficit) or 10% fetal bovine serum (fbs). Laser irradiation was carried out with diode lasers with the following wavelengths: 670 nm (L1), 780 nm (L2), 692 nm (L3), and 786 nm (L4). The fluence was fixed in 2 J/cm(2). For growth analysis, control (not irradiated) and treated cultures (irradiated) were plated in 60 mm diameter culture dishes for 12 h before the irradiation. RESULTS: We found that cells cultured in nutritional deficit condition grown in medium supplemented by only 5% fbs presented a cell proliferation rate significantly smaller that cell grown in ideal culture conditions (10% fbs). However, when irradiated, cells in nutritional deficit presented cell growth similar or higher than that of control cells grown in ideal culture conditions. Using the same fluence, the infrared laser induced a higher cell proliferation than visible laser when the power outputs were different. However, lasers of equal power output presented similar effect on cell growth independently of their wavelengths. CONCLUSIONS: The LLLT acts by improving the in vitro fibroblast proliferation and a smaller laser exposure time results in higher proliferation.

[DNA ploidy in astrocytoma. Study in 66 Brazilian patients]. / Ploidia de DNA em astrocitomas. Estudo em 66 pacientes brasileiros.

The determination of the nuclear DNA content (S-phase fraction (SPF) and ploidy) was carried out by image analysis (IA). The morphometric and densitometric features of Feulgen-stained nuclei were determined from stored formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens of 66 patients with intracranial astrocytomas. Our results suggest a strong relationship between patient age, histological grade, survival and DNA ploidy and SPF. The analysis of the proliferative activity of intracranial astrocytomas is very helpful in understanding biological stractification and prognostication to assess tumor behaviour and planning of treatment strategies.

Sialosyl-Tn antigen as a marker of gastric cancer progression: an international study.

Sialosyl-Tn, a mucin-associated carbohydrate antigen, is not expressed by normal mucus-producing cells of the stomach but becomes expressed in metaplastic, pre-malignant and malignant gastric tissues. Reports vary as to the frequency of STn expression and its prognostic role in gastric cancer. To determine whether these differences might be due to inter-country variations in gastric cancer biology, we immunohistochemically analyzed 340 gastric cancers from 2 countries at high-risk (high incidence) for gastric cancer (Japan and Chile), one with intermediate risk (Brazil) and one with low-risk (USA). Expression of STn was correlated with clinico-pathological features of the tumors and with cancer-related survival. Regardless of country, the frequency of STn-positive tumors was lower in non-invasive ("early") than in advanced gastric cancer. Consequently, high-risk countries where early gastric cancer is more common demonstrated a lower overall frequency of STn-positive tumors. In all 4 countries, STn expression directly correlated with depth of invasion, stage, and lymph node involvement. In addition, STn expression correlated with a poor prognosis in all 4 countries, but the effect of STn on survival was not independent of tumor stage. Our findings indicate the need to consider the inherent gastric cancer risk and prevalence of early gastric cancer in the study population when reporting frequency of STn expression in gastric cancer. Regardless of country, however, STn expression is a marker of gastric cancer progression suggesting that cancer-associated mucins play a role in the malignant behavior of this tumor.

[Multiple sclerosis simulating cerebral tumor: report of a case with histopathological confirmation]. / Esclerose múltipla simulando tumor cerebral: apresentação de caso com comprovação histopatológica.

A 41 year old woman with subacute onset of moderate and progressive right hemiparesis showed on the MRI a unilateral white matter lesion on the left temporoparietal region and a small lesion on the right frontal region. The CSF was normal. Because possible diagnosis of tumor or abscess, the patient underwent a cerebral biopsy. The histological result was of brain tissue with demyelination and reactive changes. The stains for viral etiology were negative.

[Breast carcinoma, apocrine variety]. / Carcinoma mamário, variedade apócrina.

A case of carcinoma in the breast region with infiltration of the skin is reported. Under light microscopy, there were apocrine features in all cells. Strong positive results were seen for casein and epithelial membrane antigen from mammary cells both in the carcinoma cells and in the luminar secretion of neoplastic glands.

[A restraining device for rats for laboratory procedures]. / Sobre um aparelho de retenção de ratos para procedimentos laboratoriais.

The difficulty in handling not anaesthetized rats for laboratory purposes led the author to develop a specially made device, with two distinct parts: a wood base and a retainer. The latter is made with plastic tubes used in buildings, and holds effectively and harmless the animal, allowing manipulations and applications through holes in one of its face.

Prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida: the fetal head shape as a clue

Realizamos uma ultra-sonografia de rotina durante a 24ª semana de gestaçäo de uma primipara de 22 anos, demonstrando-se uma anomalia do formato do crânio fetal. Repetimos a ultrasonografia na 26ª semana tendo sido confirmado um estreitamento na fossa anterior do crânio e um espinha bífica na regiäo lombro-sacra. As duas anomalias foram confirmadas no estudo anatomopatológico do feto. Ressaltamos a importância do sinal ultra-sonográfico descrito uma vez que, no Brasil, as dosagens de alfafetoproteína, quer no líquido amniótico ou no soro materno, exibem padröes de confiabilidade para fins de diagnóstico pré-natal

[Total A-V block due to tuberous sclerosis. A case report]. / Bloqueio A-V total por esclerose tuberosa. Relato de caso.

Tuberous sclerosis is a neurologic disease affecting various organs with a triade: sebaceum adenoma, mental retardation and seizures. This report presents a case of a patient with tuberous sclerosis and third degree A-V block with complete invasive and non-invasive evaluation. The patient had sincope and complete A-V block with QRS complexes showing right bundle branch block morphology. The echocardiogram showed dilated cardiomyopathy with diffuse left ventricular dysfunction and had normal coronary arteriography. The eletrophysiologic evaluation showed complete infra-hisian A-V block and QRS with left bundle branch block pattern with normal sinus nodal and A-V nodal function. It was not possible to induce ventricular tachtyarrhythmias up to two extrastimuli. Histologic study showed normal myocardium under light and electronic microscopy. After permanent VVI pacemaker implant, the patient in follow-up for 16 years. This case seems to be the first in the international medical literature of tuberous sclerosis with complete heart block.

[Student evaluation of some aspects of the general pathology course at the University of São Paulo Dental School]. / Avaliaçao por alunos de alguns aspectos do curso de patologia geral da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de São Paulo.

An inquiry based on questionnaires about some aspects of the general pathology course offered to the students of the FOUSP during the last three years was realized. It has been demonstrated that the most important chapters were inflammation and repair, due to its usefulness on the other courses of the curriculum. The macroscopy and microscopy lessons doesn't seem to contribute with relevance on the apprenticeship of the subject matter, in accordance to the students' opinion. So, it seems that, a good classical lecture for these scholars, is still the better way to teach.

Prenatal diagnosis of thalidomide syndrome.

A case of thalidomide syndrome diagnosed by ultrasound in the 17th week of pregnancy is presented. The pregnant woman had leprosy and received adjuvant treatment with thalidomide. The affected fetus was exposed to the drug until the 35th day of pregnancy and presented absent external ears, upper limb phocomelia and absent tibiae and fibulae. No internal organ abnormalities were noticed at autopsy.

[Gastric epithelioid leiomyoma (leiomyoblastoma). Analysis of a case and review of the literature]. / Leiomioma epitelióide gástrico (leiomioblastoma). Análise de um caso e revisão da literatura.

The authors report a case of gastric epithelial leiomyoma (leiomyoblastoma). Macroscopically, such tumors resemble leiomyoma, with a biological behavior between leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma. A review of the medical literature indicates that gastrointestinal bleeding is the most usual manifestation. Gastrointestinal seriography and endoscopy are the most utilized diagnostic exams. The endoscopic biopsy, many times, is unable to confirm the malignant or benign nature of the tumor. It is emphasized the importance of identifying the potentially malignant tendency of the tumor, indicated, mainly, by histology and mitotic counting. The treatment is surgical and consists of local or gastric resection, according to the neoplastic localization, its extension, infiltration, biological nature and the presence of multiple tumors. In the case reported, the patient was operated in urgency because of hemoperitoneum and the source of bleeding was a neoplastic vessel in the anterior wall of the antrum, which was not resected at that time. Later on, a biopsy of the gastric tumor performed during a routine surgery disclosed the real nature of the disease. Once the histopathological diagnostic was made and its potential malignant evolution detected the patient was re-operated. A partial gastrectomy with removal of the antrum was performed. Now, the patient has been asymptomatic with no evidences of metastasis after 30 months of the diagnostic.

CO2 laser and suture in splenic parenchyma: an experimental study.

Hemisplenectomy was performed with the scalpel in 12 mongrel dogs. The blood vessels of the splenic pedicle were temporarily clamped. In a six-dog group, hemostasis was obtained by CO2 laser and residual bleeding was controlled by sutures. In the other six dogs, group hemostasis was performed only by sutures. The surgical procedure was free of mortality. No hematological changes were observed in both groups. Histological studies revealed a better hemostatic effect and intensive necrosis of the splenic parenchyma in the lasered group compared with the sutured group.

[Muscular biopsy in myasthenia gravis: histochemical and morphometric study of 4 cases]. / Biopsia muscular em miastenia grave: estudo histoquímico e morfométrico de 4 casos.

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disease characterized by excessive fatigability of muscle function and particularly involves muscles innervated by the cranial nerves. It is believed that the defect is in the neuromuscular junction. The authors studied histochemical and morphometric findings in 4 patients with myasthenia gravis showing that the type II fibres were significantly smaller than the type I fibres.

Carcinoma de celulas claras do endometrio em jovem de raca negra. / Clear cells carcinoma of the endometrium in a young black woman

E relatado um caso de carcinoma de celulas claras do endometrio em jovem nulipara de raca negra, fato interessante, visto se tratar de patologia que acomete na maioria das vezes pacientes de 5a. e 6a. decadas e de raca branca. A terapeutica cirurgica adotada na epoca em que a paciente foi atendida foi mais agressiva em virtude de que o conceito entao vigente era de que o carcinoma de celulas claras do endometrio apresentava maior agressividade e maior mortalidade, o que ja nao prevalece nos trabalhos mais modernos

Tumor de celulas da granulosa do ovario com atividade androgenica. / Granulosa cell tumor of the ovary with androgenic activity

Os autores apresentam um caso raro de tumor de celulas da granulosa com atividade masculinizante em uma paciente nulipara de 35 anos de idade. Apresentava amenorreia, hirsutismo e aumento do clitoris.Encontraram-se niveis elevados de DHEA, S-DHEA e testosterona. Havia importante diferenca entre a concentracao de testosterona entre o sangue venoso periferico e da veia ovariana. Os niveis de androgenios cairam aos limites normais apos a remocao do tumor.Apenas 11 casos bem documentados foram ate agora publicados, e parece que este e o primeiro no qual se analisou o comportamento dos androgenios no sangue da veia periferica e no da ovariana

Biopsia muscular em miastenia grave.Estudo histoquimico e morfometrico de 4 casos. / Muscular biopsy in myasthenia gravis. Histochemical and morphometric study of 4 cases

Miastenia grave e doenca neuromuscular caracterizada por excessiva fatigabilidade da juncao muscular e envolve, particularmente, musculos inervados por nervos cranianos. Acredita-se que o defeito esteja localizado na juncao neuromuscular. Os autores estudaram os achados histoquimicos e morfometricos em 4 pacientes com miastenia grave mostrando que as fibras do tipo II eram significativamente menores que as fibras do tipo I