Tratamento de cicatrizes hipertróficas com laser fracionado ablativo e drug delivery de triancinolona / Treatment of hypertrophic scars with factional ablative laser and triamcinolone drug delivery

Introdução: As cicatrizes são muito prevalentes na população mundial e podem ter impacto psicológico importante na vida do paciente. Já existem métodos clínicos e cirúrgicos convencionais para seu tratamento. Entretanto, a recidiva e os efeitos colaterais apresentados impulsionam a busca por novas modalidades terapêuticas. Objetivo: Avaliar a melhora clínica de pacientes com cicatrizes hipertróficas tratados com laser fracionado ablativo associado a drug delivery de triancinolona. Material e métodos: Foram selecionadas 18 pacientes com cicatrizes para serem tratadas, por oito semanas, com quatro sessões quinzenais de laser fracionado ablativo associado a drug delivery de triancinolona 20mg/ml. Antes e após o tratamento, o grupo foi avaliado por três examinadores por meio da evolução fotográfica, considerando-se os parâmetros aparência, discromia e grau de hipertrofia. Resultados: Completaram o estudo 15 pacientes. Destas, 35,53% apresentaram pouca ou nenhuma melhora; 37,80%, melhora moderada a intermediária; 8,89%, melhora importante e 17,80%, melhora próxima à resolução. Conclusões: A associação proposta é uma opção terapêutica promissora para o tratamento de cicatrizes hipertróficas por ser de rápida realização e cicatrização tecidual, com melhores resultados em relação às terapêuticas aplicadas isoladamente, com menores efeitos colaterais e com mais tolerabilidade pelo paciente, além de ser facilmente reproduzível em consultório.

Introduction: Scars are very prevalent in the world's population and can have a significant psychological impact in the patient's life. There are already conventional clinical and surgical methods for their treatment. However, recurrence and existing side effects drive the search for new therapeutic modalities. Objective: To evaluate the clinical improvement of patients with hypertrophic scarring treated with fractional ablative laser associated to triamcinolone drug delivery. Material and methods: Eighteen patients with scars to be treated were selected during eight weeks, with four fortnightly sessions of fractional ablative laser associated to 20mg/ml triamcinolone drug delivery. Before and after the treatment, the group was evaluated by three examiners, through the photographic evolution , considering the parameters appearance, dyschromia and degree of hypertrophy. Results: Fifteen patients completed the study. Of these, 35.53% had no or little improvement; 37.80%, moderate to intermediate improvement; 8.89%, expressive improvement and 17.80%, improvement near resolution. Conclusions: The proposed association is a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of hypertrophic scars because it is quick to perform and to heal, with less side effects and better tolerated by the patient when compared to the therapies used alone, besides being easily replicable in the office.

Population structure and genetic diversity of maize inbreds derived from tropical hybrids.

The objectives of this study were to identify the population structure and to assess the genetic diversity of maize inbreds. We genotyped 81 microsatellite loci of 90 maize inbreds that were derived from tropical hybrids and populations. The population structure analysis was based on a Bayesian approach. Each subpopulation was characterized for the effective number of alleles, gene diversity, and number of private alleles. We also performed an analysis of molecular variance and computed a measure of population differentiation (FST). The genetic distances were computed from the similarity index of Lynch and the dissimilarity measures proposed by Smouse and Peakall. The cluster analyses were based on the unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic averages and Tocher method. The clustering efficiency was assessed by the error rate of the discriminant analysis. We also performed a principal coordinates analysis. The population structure analysis revealed three tropical heterotic pools, which have been used by worldwide and Brazilian maize seed companies. The degree of genetic differentiation and of intra- and inter-population genetic diversity for these tropical heterotic pools are comparable to that observed for temperate and subtropical heterotic pools. The higher allelic frequency variation within each tropical heterotic pool and the high genetic diversity between the inbreds were evidence of heterotic groups within the main tropical heterotic pools.

Screening of ragdoll cats for kidney disease: a retrospective evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of renal abnormalities in ragdoll cats. Ragdoll breeders often warn clients to watch for future renal problems, mainly due to chronic interstitial nephritis and polycystic kidney disease. Therefore, ragdoll screening by abdominal ultrasonography, measurement of serum creatinine and urea concentrations and genetic testing is often performed without documented scientific evidence of increased risk of renal disease. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of ragdoll screening for renal disease at one institution over an eight-year period. RESULTS: Renal ultrasonography was performed in 244 healthy ragdoll cats. Seven cats were positive for polycystic kidney disease, 21 were suspected to have chronic kidney disease, 8 had abnormalities of unknown significance and 2 cats had only one visible kidney. Cats suspected to have chronic kidney disease were significantly older and had significantly higher serum urea and creatinine concentrations than cats with normal renal ultrasonography. All 125 genetically tested cats were negative for polycystic kidney disease. However, only one of the seven ultrasonographically positive cats underwent genetic testing for polycystic kidney disease. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Ultrasonographic findings compatible with chronic kidney disease were observed in almost 10% of cats, and polycystic kidney disease occurred at a low prevalence (<3%) in this ragdoll population. Further studies are required to elucidate if ragdoll cats are predisposed to chronic kidney disease.

Effect of recombinant human TSH on the uptake of radioactive iodine ((123)I) by the thyroid gland in healthy beagles.

In human medicine, recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) increases thyroid radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU), allowing radioiodine-131 ((131)I) dose reduction and greater efficacy in the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer and multinodular goiter. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of rhTSH, administered 24 h and 48 h before radioiodine-123 ((123)I), on the thyroid RAIU in healthy dogs. Seven healthy euthyroid beagles were randomly allocated to 3 groups (2 groups of 2 dogs and 1 group of 3 dogs) in a prospective, blinded, crossover study. At Week 1, 1 group received (123)I for a baseline RAIU; 1 group received 100 µg of rhTSH IV 24 h before (123)I, and 1 group received 100 µg of rhTSH IV 48 h before (123)I. All dogs received 37 MBq of radioactive (123)I IV, and thyroid RAIU was determined 8 h, 24 h, and 48 h thereafter. The study was designed in such a manner that each dog received the 3 treatments and a wash-out period of 3 wk was respected in between. Blood samples were taken for measurement of serum total thyroxine (TT4) and thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations at baseline and 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h after rhTSH administration. Recombinant human TSH caused no significant change on thyroid RAIU. The overall mean thyroid RAIU significantly decreased during the study independent of the treatment. Recombinant human TSH significantly increased serum TT4 concentration, which peaked 6 h after rhTSH administration. Compared to baseline, serum TSH concentration remained higher at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h. However, a statistically significant difference was reached only at 6 h and 12 h after rhTSH administration. No adverse effects of rhTSH were observed during the study. Further studies are needed to determine the best timing and dosage of administration of rhTSH in healthy and thyroid carcinoma dogs.

Heterologous production of the Piromyces equi cinnamoyl esterase in Trichoderma reesei for biotechnological applications.

AIMS: The objective of the study was to produce and characterize the cinnamoyl esterase EstA from the anaerobic fungus Piromyces equi for potential industrial applications. METHODS AND RESULTS: The catalytic domain EstA was produced in Trichoderma reesei. Because the two fungi displayed different genome features, including different codon usage and GC content, a synthetic gene was designed and expressed, leading to the production of the corresponding protein at around 33 mg per litre in the T. reesei culture medium. After the recombinant protein was purified, biochemical characterization showed that EstA presents peak activity at pH 6.5 and at 50-60 degrees C. Furthermore, EstA remained stable at pH 6-8 and below 50 degrees C. EstA was compared to cinnamoyl esterases FaeA and FaeB from Aspergillus niger in terms of ferulic acid (FA) release from wheat bran (WB), maize bran (MB) and sugar beet pulp (SBP). CONCLUSION: The synthetic gene was successfully cloned and overexpressed in T. reesei. EstA from P. equi was demonstrated to efficiently release FA from various natural substrates. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Recombinant EstA produced in an industrial enzyme producer, T. reesei, was biochemically characterized, and its capacity to release an aromatic compound (FA) for biotechnological applications was demonstrated.