Performance of three colposcopic images for the identification of squamous and glandular cervical precursor neoplasias.

PURPOSE: To evaluate prevalence and diagnostic performance of three colposcopic images to diagnose squamous and glandular cervical precursor neoplasias. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, conducted through analysis of stored digital colposcopic images. To evaluate the diagnostic performance of three images, herein named grouped glands, aceto-white villi, and atypical vessels, for detection of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN) grades 2 and 3, calculations of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive likelihood ratio, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and area under the curve (AUC) were made, with their respective 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Grouped glands, aceto-white villi, and atypical vessels images had: prevalence of 21.3, 53.8, and 33.8% in patients with AIS, and 16.2, 19.5, and 9.3% in those with CIN 2 and 3; for the diagnosis of AIS, sensitivity of 21.3, 53.8, and 33.8%, specificity of 89.8, 95.2, and 94.9%, accuracy of 76.6, 87.2, and 83.1%, positive likelihood ratio of 2.1, 11.2, and 6.6, and AUC of 0.55, 0.74, and 0.64; for the diagnosis of CIN 2 and 3, sensitivity of 16.2, 19.5, and 9.3%, specificity of 89.8, 95.2, and 94.9%, accuracy of 39.4, 43.4, and 36.3%, positive likelihood ratio of 1.6, 4.1, and 1, 8, and AUC of 0.53, 0.57, and 0.52, respectively. CONCLUSION: Prevalence and accuracy of the three images were higher for the diagnosis of glandular than squamous cervical precursor neoplasias. Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood, and AUC of aceto-white villi and atypical vessels images were higher for the diagnosis of glandular than squamous cervical precursor neoplasias.

Performance of Conventional Cytology and Colposcopy for the Diagnosis of Cervical Squamous and Glandular Neoplasias.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the cytological and colposcopic performances for the diagnosis of cervical neoplasias. METHODS: Cross-sectional retrospective study with data from patients' charts. The participants underwent colposcopy, guided biopsies, and excision when needed. The cytological and colposcopic categorization followed the Bethesda System and the international colposcopic terminologies. The cytology and colposcopy performances were evaluated by sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) analyses with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS: From 1,571 participants, a total of 1,154 (73.4%) were diagnosed with cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN 2+), 114 (7.2%) with adenocarcinoma in situ or worse (AIS+), 615 (39.2%) presented atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse (ASC-H+) cytology, and 934 (59.4%) presented major or suspicious for invasion colposcopic abnormalities. The SE, SP, PPV, and NPV of ASC-H+ for diagnoses of CIN 2+ and AIS+ were, respectively: 44% (95% CI: 41-47) and 72% (95% CI: 67-76), 79% (95% CI: 77-81) and 79% (95% CI: 75-83), 88% (95% CI: 87-90) and 55% (95% CI: 50-60), and 28% (95% CI: 26-31) and 88% (95% CI: 85-91). The SE, SP, PPV, and NPV of major or suspicious for invasion colposcopic abnormalities for diagnoses of CIN 2+ and AIS+ were, respectively: 62% (95% CI: 60-65) and 86% (95% CI: 83-89), 59% (95% CI: 57-62) and 59% (95% CI: 55-64), 85% (95% CI: 83-87) and 44% (95% CI: 40-49), and 29% (95% CI: 27-32) and 92% (95% CI: 89-94). CONCLUSION: The SE analyses results of ASC-H+ and major or suspicious for invasion colposcopic abnormalities were higher for diagnoses of glandular neoplasias. These results confirm the role of cytology in identifying women at risk who will have their final diagnoses settled by colposcopy and histology.

OBJETIVO: Estimar o desempenho da citologia e colposcopia no diagnóstico das neoplasias cervicais. MéTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de corte transversal com dados coletados em prontuários. Foram incluídas participantes que foram submetidas a colposcopia, biópsia e excisão quando necessário. A categorização da citologia e da colposcopia seguiram a terminologia de Bethesda e a classificação colposcópica internacional. Os desempenhos da citologia e colposcopia foram avaliados por análises de sensibilidade (S), especificidade (E), valor preditivo positivo (VPP) e valor preditivo negativo (VPN), com intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC 95%). RESULTADOS: Das 1.571 participantes, um total de 1.154 (73,4%) foram diagnosticadas com neoplasia intraepitelial escamosa cervical de grau 2 ou mais grave (NIC 2+), 114 (7,2%) com adenocarcinoma in situ ou mais grave (AIS+), 615 (39,2%) apresentaram células escamosas atípicas de significado indeterminado, quando não se pode excluir lesão intraepitelial de alto grau ou mais grave (ASC-H+) e 934 (59,4%) tiveram achados colposcópicos maiores ou suspeitos de invasão. Os valores de S, E, VPP e VPN das ASC-H+ para o diagnóstico de NIC 2+ e AIS+ foram, respectivamente: 44% (IC 95%: 41­47) e 72% (IC 95%: 67­76), 79% (IC 95%: 77­81) e 79% (IC 95%: 75­83), 88% (IC 95%: 87­90) e 55% (IC 95%: 50­60) e 28% (IC 95%: 26­31) e 88% (IC 95%: 85­91). Os valores de S, E, VPP e VPN dos achados colposcópicos maiores ou suspeitos de invasão para o diagnóstico de NIC 2+ e AIS+ foram, respectivamente: 62% (IC 95%: 60­65) e 86% (IC 95%: 83­89), 59% (IC 95%: 57­62) e 59% (IC 95%: 55­64), 85% (IC 95%: 83­87) e 44% (IC 95%: 40­49) e 29% (IC 95%: 27­32) e 92% (IC 95%: 89­94). CONCLUSãO: Os resultados das análises de S de ASC-H+ e achados colposcópicos maiores ou suspeitos de invasão foram mais elevados para o diagnóstico das neoplasias glandulares. Esses resultados confirmam o papel da citologia na identificação de mulheres em risco que terão seus diagnósticos definidos por colposcopia e histologia.

Performance of conventional cytology and colposcopy for the diagnosis of cervical squamous and glandular neoplasias / Desempenho da citologia convencional e da colposcopia para o diagnóstico de neoplasias cervicais escamosas e glandulares

Abstract Objective To estimate the cytological and colposcopic performances for the diagnosis of cervical neoplasias. Methods Cross-sectional retrospective study with data from patients' charts. The participants underwent colposcopy, guided biopsies, and excision when needed. The cytological and colposcopic categorization followed the Bethesda System and the international colposcopic terminologies. The cytology and colposcopy performances were evaluated by sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) analyses with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results From 1,571 participants, a total of 1,154 (73.4%) were diagnosed with cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN 2+), 114 (7.2%) with adenocarcinoma in situ or worse (AIS+), 615 (39.2%) presented atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse (ASC-H+) cytology, and 934 (59.4%) presented major or suspicious for invasion colposcopic abnormalities. The SE, SP, PPV, and NPV of ASC-H+ for diagnoses of CIN 2+ and AIS+ were, respectively: 44% (95% CI: 41-47) and 72% (95% CI: 67-76), 79% (95% CI: 77-81) and 79% (95% CI: 75-83), 88% (95% CI: 87-90) and 55% (95% CI: 50-60), and 28% (95% CI: 26-31) and 88% (95% CI: 85-91). The SE, SP, PPV, and NPV of major or suspicious for invasion colposcopic abnormalities for diagnoses of CIN 2+ and AIS+were, respectively: 62% (95% CI: 60-65) and 86% (95% CI: 83-89), 59% (95% CI: 57-62) and 59% (95% CI: 55-64), 85% (95% CI: 83-87) and 44% (95% CI: 40-49), and 29% (95% CI: 27-32) and 92% (95% CI: 89-94). Conclusion The SE analyses results of ASC-H+ and major or suspicious for invasion colposcopic abnormalities were higher for diagnoses of glandular neoplasias. These results confirm the role of cytology in identifying women at risk who will have their final diagnoses settled by colposcopy and histology.

Resumo Objetivo Estimar o desempenho da citologia e colposcopia no diagnóstico das neoplasias cervicais. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo de corte transversal com dados coletados em prontuários. Foram incluídas participantes que foram submetidas a colposcopia, biópsia e excisão quando necessário. A categorização da citologia e da colposcopia seguiram a terminologia de Bethesda e a classificação colposcópica internacional. Os desempenhos da citologia e colposcopia foram avaliados por análises de sensibilidade (S), especificidade (E), valor preditivo positivo (VPP) e valor preditivo negativo (VPN), com intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC 95%). Resultados Das 1.571 participantes, um total de 1.154 (73,4%) foram diagnosticadas com neoplasia intraepitelial escamosa cervical de grau 2 ou mais grave (NIC 2+), 114 (7,2%) com adenocarcinoma in situ ou mais grave (AIS+), 615 (39,2%) apresentaram células escamosas atípicas de significado indeterminado, quando não se pode excluir lesão intraepitelial de alto grau ou mais grave (ASC-H+) e 934 (59,4%) tiveram achados colposcópicos maiores ou suspeitos de invasão. Os valores de S, E, VPP e VPN das ASCH + para o diagnóstico de NIC 2+ e AIS+ foram, respectivamente: 44% (IC 95%: 41-47) e 72% (IC 95%: 67-76), 79% (IC 95%: 77-81) e 79% (IC 95%: 75-83), 88% (IC 95%: 87-90) e 55% (IC 95%: 50-60) e 28% (IC 95%: 26-31) e 88% (IC 95%: 85-91). Os valores de S, E, VPP e VPN dos achados colposcópicos maiores ou suspeitos de invasão para o diagnóstico de NIC 2+ e AIS+ foram, respectivamente: 62% (IC 95%: 60-65) e 86% (IC 95%: 83-89), 59% (IC 95%: 57-62) e 59% (IC 95%: 55-64), 85% (IC 95%: 83-87) e 44% (IC 95%: 40-49) e 29% (IC 95%: 27-32) e 92% (IC 95%: 89-94). Conclusão Os resultados das análises de S de ASC-H+ e achados colposcópicos maiores ou suspeitos de invasão foram mais elevados para o diagnóstico das neoplasias glandulares. Esses resultados confirmam o papel da citologia na identificação de mulheres em risco que terão seus diagnósticos definidos por colposcopia e histologia.

Acute telomerase components depletion triggers oxidative stress as an early event previous to telomeric shortening.

Loss of function of dyskerin (DKC1), NOP10 and TIN2 are responsible for different inheritance patterns of Dyskeratosis congenita (DC; ORPHA1775). They are key components of telomerase (DKC1 and NOP10) and shelterin (TIN2), and play an important role in telomere homeostasis. They participate in several fundamental cellular processes by contributing to Dyskeratosis congenita through mechanisms that are not fully understood. Presence of oxidative stress was postulated to result from telomerase ablation. However, the resulting disturbed redox status can promote telomere attrition by generating a vicious circle, which promotes cellular senescence. This fact prompted us to study if acute loss of DKC1, NOP10 and TINF2 can promote redox disequilibrium as an early event when telomere shortening has not yet taken place. We generated siRNA-mediated (DKC1, NOP10 and TINF2) cell lines by RNA interference, which was confirmed by mRNA and protein expression analyses. No telomere shortening occurred in any silenced cell line. Depletion of H/ACA ribonucleoproteins DKC1 and NOP10 diminished telomerase activity via TERC down-regulation, and produced alterations in pseudouridylation and ribosomal biogenesis. An increase in the GSSG/GSH ratio, carbonylated proteins and oxidized peroxiredoxin-6 was observed, in addition to MnSOD and TRX1 overexpression in the siRNA DC cells. Likewise, high PARylation levels and high PARP1 protein expression were detected. In contrast, the silenced TINF2 cells did not alter any evaluated oxidative stress marker. Altogether these findings lead us to conclude that loss of DKC1 and NOP10 functions induces oxidative stress in a telomere shortening independent manner.

The impact of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) on upper limb function in chronic stroke: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This pilot double-blind sham-controlled randomized trial aimed to determine if the addition of anodal tDCS on the affected hemisphere or cathodal tDCS on unaffected hemisphere to modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) would be superior to constraints therapy alone in improving upper limb function in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to receive 12 sessions of either (i) anodal, (ii) cathodal or (iii) sham tDCS combined with mCIMT. Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), motor activity log scale (MAL), and handgrip strength were analyzed before, immediately, and 1 month (follow-up) after the treatment. Minimal clinically important difference (mCID) was defined as an increase of ≥5.25 in the upper limb FMA. RESULTS: An increase in the FMA scores between the baseline and post-intervention and follow-up for active tDCS group was observed, whereas no difference was observed in the sham group. At post-intervention and follow-up, when compared with the sham group, only the anodal tDCS group achieved an improvement in the FMA scores. ANOVA showed that all groups demonstrated similar improvement over time for MAL and handgrip strength. In the active tDCS groups, 7/7 (anodal tDCS) 5/7 (cathodal tDCS) of patients experienced mCID against 3/7 in the sham group. CONCLUSION: The results support the merit of association of mCIMT with brain stimulation to augment clinical gains in rehabilitation after stroke. However, the anodal tDCS seems to have greater impact than the cathodal tDCS in increasing the mCIMT effects on motor function of chronic stroke patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: The association of mCIMT with brain stimulation improves clinical gains in rehabilitation after stroke. The improvement in motor recovery (assessed by Fugl-Meyer scale) was only observed after anodal tDCS. The modulation of damaged hemisphere demonstrated greater improvements than the modulation of unaffected hemispheres.

Oxidative stress and antioxidant response in fibroblasts from Werner and atypical Werner syndromes.

Werner Syndrome (WS, ICD-10 E34.8, ORPHA902) and Atypical Werner Syndrome (AWS, ICD-10 E34.8, ORPHA79474) are very rare inherited syndromes characterized by premature aging. While approximately 90% of WS individuals have any of a range of mutations in theWRN gene, there exists a clinical subgroup in which the mutation occurs in the LMNA/C gene in heterozygosity. Although both syndromes exhibit an age-related pleiotropic phenotype, AWS manifests the onset of the disease during childhood, while major symptoms in WS appear between the ages of 20 and 30. To study the molecular mechanisms of progeroid diseases provides a useful insight into the normal aging process. Main changes found were the decrease in Cu/Zn and Mn SOD activities in the three cell lines. In AWS, both mRNA SOD and protein levels were also decreased. Catalase and glutathione peroxidases decrease, mainly in AWS. Glutaredoxin (Grx) and thioredoxin (Trx) protein expression was lower in the three progeroid cell lines. Grx and Trx were subjected to post-transcriptional regulation, because protein expression was reduced although mRNA levels were not greatly affected in WS. Low antioxidant defense and oxidative stress occur simultaneously in these rare genetic instability disorders at the onset of progeroid disease.

Characterization of the antioxidant systems in different complementation groups of Dyskeratosis Congenita.

The telomerase complex and Telosome regulate, maintenance and repair telomeres. The telomerase complex is formed by complex of protein (TERT, Dyskerin, GAR, NHP2, NOP10) and nucleic acid (TERC) that together work as a reverse transcriptase. The Telosoma comprises a network of protein (TRF2, TRF1, TIN2, RAP1, TPP1 and POT1). Furthermore, dyskeratosis congenita (DC) (ORPHA1775) is a rare disease with similar characteristics to premature aging. DC is a genetically heterogeneous disease caused by mutations in the genes that encoding for different subunits of the telomerase complex and Telosome. It is known that the telomeric DNA is susceptible to oxidative stress, and telomerase activity dependent cellular redox environment. Recently a correlation between telomerase activity and catalase activity was established, and it has suggested a role of antioxidant extranuclear telomerase. However, it is not yet clear whether there is any relationship or connection between molecular telomerase activity and cellular antioxidant defense. In this paper, by using the technology of RNA interference (siRNA) silencing DKC1, NOP10 genes of telomerase complex and TINF2 of Telosoma in HeLa cells, on cellular antioxidant capacity will be presented. It was intended to see if there is a cellular effect related to the production of oxidative stress or alteration of antioxidant systems after silencing these components involved in telomere maintenance. In this paper we have evaluated the levels of DKC1, NOP10, TINF2 levels of antioxidant enzymes (CuZnSOD, MnSOD, Catalase, Gpx1, Grx1 and Trx1) by RT- qPCR and Western blotting. We analyzed the production of reactive oxygen species by fluorimetry and also assessed the activity of the telomerase complex by Sybr Green RT- QTrap.

Site-specific effects of mental practice combined with transcranial direct current stimulation on motor learning.

Mental practice can induce significant neural plasticity and result in motor performance improvement if associated with motor imagery tasks. Given the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on neuroplasticity, the current study tested whether tDCS, using different electrode montages, can increase the neuroplastic effects of mental imagery on motor learning. Eighteen healthy right-handed adults underwent a randomised sham-controlled crossover experiment to receive mental training combined with either sham or active anodal tDCS of the right primary motor cortex (M1), right supplementary motor area, right premotor area, right cerebellum or left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Motor performance was assessed by a blinded rater using: non-dominant handwriting time and legibility, and mentally trained task at baseline (pre) and immediately after (post) mental practice combined with tDCS. Active tDCS significantly enhances the motor-imagery-induced improvement in motor function as compared with sham tDCS. There was a specific effect for the site of stimulation such that effects were only observed after M1 and DLPFC stimulation during mental practice. These findings provide new insights into motor imagery training and point out that two cortical targets (M1 and DLPFC) are significantly associated with the neuroplastic effects of mental imagery on motor learning. Further studies should explore a similar paradigm in patients with brain lesions.

Epidemiologia das queimaduras no estado de Minas Gerais / Epidemiology of burns in Minas Gerais

INTRODUÇÃO: Queimaduras são lesões aos tecidos orgânicos causadas por agentes externos, com destruição do revestimento epitelial. O objetivo deste estudo é divulgar o perfil epidemiológico das queimaduras do maior centro de queimados da América Latina, localizado no Hospital João XXIII, em Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. MÉTODO: Foi criado um banco de dados com 687 pacientes internados no Hospital João XXIII, no período de fevereiro de 2009 a julho de 2010, incluindo identificação dos pacientes, etiologia da queimadura, superfície e áreas queimadas, intencionalidade, tempo de internação e perfil dos óbitos, entre outros dados. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos pacientes internados era do sexo masculino (62,5 por cento), com média de idade de 29 anos, sendo 66 por cento provenientes de Belo Horizonte e 34 por cento, do interior ou de outros estados. O álcool foi o agente etiológico mais frequente (34,4 por cento), o causador das queimaduras mais extensas (média de 28 por cento de superfície corporal queimada) e o maior responsável pelos óbitos (52,7 por cento). Quanto à intencionalidade, 79 por cento foram queimaduras acidentais, seguidas pelas tentativas de autoextermínio (12 por cento) e agressão (9 por cento). A média do tempo de internação foi de 23,5 dias, com taxa de mortalidade de 16,3 por cento, que vem caindo progressivamente. Foram realizados 984 desbridamentos e 584 enxertias durante o período de acompanhamento. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados obtidos são similares aos disponíveis na literatura e evidenciam a importância da prevenção e da fiscalização na forma de comercialização dos produtos inflamáveis para diminuir a morbidade e a mortalidade causadas pelas queimaduras, uma vez que a maioria é acidental e decorrente do álcool líquido.

BACKGROUND: Burns are lesions to organic tissues caused by external agents, resulting in destruction of the epithelial covering. This study aims to clarify the epidemiological profile of burns at Hospital João XXIII, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil - the largest center for burn care in Latin America. METHODS: A database of 687 patients admitted to Hospital João XXIII from February 2009 to July 2010 was created; it included patient demographics, burn etiology, surface and burned areas, intentionality, time of admission, and death profiles among other data. RESULTS: Most of the admitted patients were male (62.5 percent), and the mean age was 29 years old; 66 percent were from Belo Horizonte, and 34 percent were from the countryside of other states. Alcohol was the most frequent etiologic agent (34.4 percent), which was responsible for the most extensive burns (average burned body surface: 28 percent) and responsible for most deaths (52.7 percent). With regard to intentionality, 79 percent were accidental burns, followed by suicide attempts (12 percent) and aggression (9 percent). The average period of admission was 23.5 days with a mortality rate of 16.3 percent, which is decreasing progressively. During the monitoring period, 984 debridement and 584 grafting procedures were performed. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained data are similar to those available in the literature. They also evidence the importance of burn prevention and highlight the need to re-examine how flammable products are marketed in order to decrease the morbidity and mortality rates caused by burns, since most burns are accidental and caused by liquid alcohol.

Análise dos efeitos do ultrassom terapêutico e da eletrolipoforese nas alterações decorrentes do fibroedema geloide / Analysis of the effects of the therapeutic ultrasound and the electrolipophoresis in the current alterations of gynoid lipodistrophy

INTRODUÇÃO: A síndrome da desarmonia corporal (SDC) inclui a presença de fibroedema geloide (FEG), adiposidade localizada, aumento de gordura corporal total e flacidez muscular - frequentemente associados - e esses distúrbios estéticos representam uma ameaça à integridade emocional do indivíduo, sendo uma variedade de terapias propostas para o seu tratamento. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os efeitos do ultrassom terapêutico (UST) e da eletrolipoforese no tratamento das alterações decorrentes do fibroedema geloide. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram estudadas 22 voluntárias, com idade entre 17-35 anos, presença de FEG graus 1 e/ou 2 em glúteos, sedentárias e usando anticoncepcional. Previamente foram avaliadas as variáveis de perimetria, sensibilidade, dor, satisfação pessoal, adipometria, avaliação fotográfica e bioimpedância elétrica bipolar. Foram realizadas 10 sessões com UST em 11 das voluntárias e as demais 11 voluntarias receberam tratamento por eletrolipoforese. Todas as técnicas foram aplicadas na região glútea bilateralmente, três vezes por semana, e ao término do tratamento as variáveis foram reavaliadas. Na análise estatística foi aplicado o teste t de Student para verificar a significância entre os resultados obtidos em cada tratamento e entre os tratamentos. O nível de significância estabelecido foi de p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante na perimetria, adipometria e bioimpedância após os tratamentos instituídos. Na avaliação fotográfica houve melhora no aspecto visual do FEG em 68,18 por cento das participantes. A satisfação pessoal aumentou em ambos os grupos (UST p = 0,03* e eletrolipólise p = 0,04*). CONCLUSÃO: Os tratamentos apresentaram melhora no aspecto visual do FEG e na satisfação pessoal, porém não alteraram medidas perimétricas, de adipometria e da bioimpedância.

INTRODUCTION: Body disharmony syndrome (CDS) includes the presence of fibroedema geloid (EGF), adiposity, increased total body fat and muscle weakness, often associated with these disorders and aesthetic pose a threat to the emotional integrity of the individual, where a variety therapies have been proposed for treatment. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) and eletrolipoforese in the treatment of changes caused by fibroedema geloid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 22 volunteers, aged 17-35 years, presence of EGF and grades 1 or 2 in the buttocks, sedentary and contraceptive use. The variables were previously perimetry, sensitivity, pain, personal satisfaction, calipers, photographic assessment, bipolar electrical bioimpedance. Ten sessions were held with TU in 11 of the volunteers and the other 11 volunteers received treatment for eletrolipoforese. All techniques were applied bilaterally in the gluteal region, three times a week, and at the end of the treatment variables were evaluated. Statistical analysis was applied the Student t-test to verify the significance between the results obtained in each treatment and between treatments. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant difference in girth, skinfold and BIA after their treatments. In the photographic evaluation was no improvement in visual appearance of EGF in 68.18 percent of the participants. Personal satisfaction increased in both groups (p = 0.03* UST eletrolipólise and p = 0.04*). CONCLUSION: The treatments showed an improvement in the visual aspect of the EGF and personal satisfaction, but not altered perimetric measures, calipers and bioelectrical impedance.

Are thyroid cancer patients sensitive to ionising radiation?

PURPOSE: To determine the ionising radiation sensitivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes in a group of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 53 thyroid cancer patients (26 women and 27 men) and 50 donors (23 women and 27 men) were included in the study. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN) in G0 peripheral blood lymphocytes was carried out using the cytochalasin B technique. Four cultures were established per each donor, two were irradiated with 0.5 Gy 137Cs g-rays, while the other two remained untreated. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the frequency of binucleated cells with micronuclei (BNMN) between patients and controls, for both spontaneous and after the irradiation frequencies. Nevertheless, a positive and significant correlation was found between the frequencies of both spontaneous and after irradiation DNA damage, for control and patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: We have found that DTC patients do not present particular sensitivity to ionising radiation when an in vitro treatment is performed in G0 stage of the cell cycle, but this result does not discard the hypothesis about an increased sensitivity in other stages of the cell cycle in DTC patients.

Association studies of OGG1, XRCC1, XRCC2 and XRCC3 polymorphisms with differentiated thyroid cancer.

The role of the DNA repair genes OGG1, XRCC1, XRCC2 and XRCC3 on differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) susceptibility was examined in 881 individuals (402 DTC and 479 controls). DNA repair genes were proposed as candidate genes, since the current data indicate that exposure to ionizing radiation is the only established factor in the development of thyroid cancer, especially when it occurs in early stages of life. We have genotyped DNA repair genes involved in base excision repair (BER) (OGG1, Ser326Cys; XRCC1, Arg280His and Arg399Gln), and homologous recombination repair (HRR) (XRCC2, Arg188His and XRCC3, ISV-14G). Genotyping was carried out using the iPLEX (Sequenom) technique. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed in a case-control study design. From all the studied polymorphism, only a positive association (OR=1.58, 95% CI 1.05-2.46, P=0.027) was obtained for XRCC1 (Arg280His). No associations were observed for the other polymorphisms. No effects of the histopathological type of tumor were found when the DTC patients were stratified according to the type of tumor. It must be emphasized that this study include the greater patients group, among the few studies carried out until now determining the role of DNA repair genes in thyroid cancer susceptibility.

Comparative genotoxic evaluation of 2-furylethylenes and 5-nitrofurans by using the comet assay in TK6 cells.

The genotoxicity of three 2-furylethylene derivatives and four 5-nitrofurans was evaluated by using the comet assay in human lymphoblastoid cultured TK6 cells. The 2-furylethylene derivatives were 2-furyl-1-nitroethene, 1-(5-bromofur-2-yl)-2-nitroethene and 1-(5-bromofur-2-yl)-2-bromo-2-nitroethene, while the 5-nitrofurans were nitrofurantoin, nitrofurazone, furazolidone and 5-nitro-2-furanacrolein. The treatments lasted for 3 h in the absence of metabolic activation. No genotoxic effects were observed for two of the 2-furylethylene compounds, while the derivative 1-(5-bromofur-2-yl)-2-nitroethene showed a statistically significant response mainly at the highest concentration tested; this effect was considered biologically relevant and the compound was classified as slightly genotoxic. On the other hand, for the classical 5-nitrofurans tested there is a tendency towards a dose-related increase of the DNA damage in the comet assay and the observed increases for the parameters analysed (Olive tail moment, tail % DNA and tail length) were significant for all compounds. Then, the four 5-nitrofurans tested were considered genotoxic. These results show that the position of the nitro group influences the genotoxicity of the assayed compounds. Thus, in this comet assay, the 2-furylethylene derivatives having the nitro group attached outside the furan ring appear to be much less genotoxic than the 5-nitrofurans.

In vitro genotoxicity testing of the furylethylene derivative UC-245 in human cells.

The possible genotoxic potential of the 2-furylethylene derivative UC-245 has been evaluated in vitro using human cells as a test system. This compound was synthesized at the Centro de Bioactivos Químicos, Universidad Central de Las Villas (Cuba) and it appears to be effective against leishmaniosis. The induced genetic damage was determined by scoring the frequency of micronuclei (MN) and the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) in primary lymphocyte cultures set up from two different donors. The DNA breakage level was also evaluated by the Comet assay, using an established human lymphoblastoid cell line (TK6). For the MN and SCE studies, to detect eventual metabolic modification in the genotoxicity of this compound, the cultures were treated with S9 microsomal fraction. The results obtained indicate that, under the experimental conditions used, the test agent does not induce significant increases in the frequency of micronucleated cells, irrespective of presence/absence of the metabolic fraction, which would indicate a lack of clastogenic and/or aneugenic potential. Nevertheless, a clear and significant increase in the SCE frequency was observed in the treatments without S9. This would support the 2-furylethylene derivative UC-245 inducing DNA primary damage. In addition, the results obtained in the Comet assay also show that UC-245 induces a significant increase in the level of DNA breakage, which would confirm its genotoxicity.

Evaluación Genotóxica del Bioplant mediante el Ensayo de micronúcleos en sangre periférica de ratón / Genotoxic assessment of Bioplant through the Assay of micronuclens in mouse peripheral

Se evaluó mediante la técnica de tinción ultravital con naranja de acridina el potencial del producto Bioplant para inducir reticulocitos micronucleados (RETsMN) eb sangre periférica de ratones machos de la línea Cenp:NMRI. La sustancia de disolvió en agua destilada estéril, las dosis ensayadas fueron 0,5,1 y 2 g/kg de peso corporal (pc) y se administró por vía oral en dosis única en volumen de 10 ml/kg pc para todos los grupos de tratamiento. La frecuencia de RETsMN se avaluó a las 48 h y 72 h post-administración. Se encontraron diferentes estadísticas significativas