Cortisol-induced SRSF3 expression promotes GR splicing, RACK1 expression and breast cancer cells migration.

Recent data have demonstrated that triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) with high glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression are associated to therapy resistance and increased mortality. Given that GR alternative splicing generates mainly GRα, responsible of glucocorticoids action, we investigated its role in the regulation of RACK1 (Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1), a scaffolding protein with a GRE (Glucocorticoid Response Element) site on its promoter and involved in breast cancer cells migration and invasion. We provide the first evidence that GRα transcriptionally regulates RACK1 by a mechanism connected to SRSF3 splicing factor, which promotes GRα, essential for RACK1 transcriptional regulation and consequently for cells migration. We also establish that this mechanism can be positively regulated by cortisol. Hence, our data elucidate RACK1 transcriptional regulation and demonstrate that SRSF3 involvement in cells migration implies its role in controlling different pathways thus highlighting that new players have to be considered in GR-positive TNBC.

Oculomotricity parameters in digital nystagmography among children with and without learning disorders.

UNLABELLED: The saccadic pathway involves numerous regions of the brain cortex, the cerebellum and the brainstem. Saccadic movement latency, velocity and precision parameters assess the efficacy of central nervous system (CNS) control over rapid eye movements. Very few disorders which alter the CNS are missed when these parameters are carefully measured using a computer. Pendular tracking assesses the integrity of the oculomotor system in controlling slow eye movements - vulnerable to CNS and vestibular system dysfunctions. Optokinetic nystagmus represents a stereoceptive response which compensates environment movements by psycho-optical inputs. AIMS: to compare the oculomotricity values found in children with and without learning complaints. MATERIALS AND METHODS: prospective study. We included in the study 28 children of both genders, within the age range between 8 and 12 years, with learning disorders (study group) and 15 without (control group). We carried out the fixed and randomized saccadic movement tests, pendular tracking study and optokinetic nystagmus. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the groups concerning the randomized saccadic movement velocity parameters and in the pendular tracking test. CONCLUSION: The children with learning disorders presented alterations in some oculomotricity tests when compared to children without complaints.

Oculomotricity parameters in digital nystagmography among children with and without learning disorders / Parâmetros de oculomotricidade à nistagmografia digital em crianças com e sem distúrbios de aprendizagem

The saccadic pathway involves numerous regions of the brain cortex, the cerebellum and the brainstem. Saccadic movement latency, velocity and precision parameters assess the efficacy of central nervous system (CNS) control over rapid eye movements. Very few disorders which alter the CNS are missed when these parameters are carefully measured using a computer. Pendular tracking assesses the integrity of the oculomotor system in controlling slow eye movements - vulnerable to CNS and vestibular system dysfunctions. Optokinetic nystagmus represents a stereoceptive response which compensates environment movements by psycho-optical inputs. AIMS: to compare the oculomotricity values found in children with and without learning complaints. MATERIALS AND METHODS: prospective study. We included in the study 28 children of both genders, within the age range between 8 and 12 years, with learning disorders (study group) and 15 without (control group). We carried out the fixed and randomized saccadic movement tests, pendular tracking study and optokinetic nystagmus. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the groups concerning the randomized saccadic movement velocity parameters and in the pendular tracking test. CONCLUSION: The children with learning disorders presented alterations in some oculomotricity tests when compared to children without complaints.

A via sacádica envolve várias regiões do córtex cerebral, cerebelo e tronco encefálico. Os parâmetros latência, velocidade e precisão dos movimentos sacádicos avaliam a eficiência do controle do sistema nervoso central (SNC) sobre os movimentos rápidos dos olhos. Poucas desordens que alteram o SNC deixam de ser detectadas quando esses parâmetros são medidos com rigor por meio de um computador. O rastreio pendular avalia a integridade do sistema oculomotor no controle dos movimentos oculares lentos, vulneráveis a disfunções do SNC e do sistema vestibular. O nistagmo optocinético representa uma resposta exteroceptiva que compensa os movimentos do meio ambiente por impulsos psico-ópticos. OBJETIVO: Comparar os valores da oculomotricidade encontrados em crianças com e sem queixas de aprendizagem. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo. Foram incluídas no estudo 28 crianças, de ambos os gêneros, faixa etária de 8 a 12, anos com distúrbios de aprendizagem (grupo estudo) e 15 sem (grupo controle). Foram realizados os testes de movimentos sacádicos fixos e randomizados, pesquisa do rastreio pendular e nistagmo optocinético. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos nos parâmetros de velocidade dos movimentos sacádicos randomizados e na pesquisa do rastreio pendular. CONCLUSÃO: As crianças com distúrbios de aprendizagem apresentaram alterações em algumas provas de oculomotricidade quando comparadas com crianças sem queixas.

Prognostic role of tumor-head volume ratio in fetal sacrococcygeal teratoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of a tumor-head volume ratio to predict outcome and incidence of hydrops in fetuses with sacrococcygeal teratoma. METHODS: Seventy-one sonograms were reviewed retrospectively from 28 fetuses with sacrococcygeal teratoma managed in our institution. Head volume (HV) and total tumor volume were calculated from sonograms. Amount of cystic tumor was estimated to determine solid tumor volume (STV) for the STV/HV ratio. RESULTS: Twenty percent of sonograms with STV/HV <1 and 97.3% with STV/HV >1 were associated with 1 or more abnormal sonographic signs (p = 0.000). Overall mortality was 11/27 (41%). There was no mortality in fetuses with a ratio of <1, while 11/18 (61%) of fetuses with ratio >1 died (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The STV/HV ratio may be used to identify fetuses with a high risk of a poor outcome due to high-output cardiac failure and hydrops, and may help guide management.

Magnetic Mini-Mover Procedure for pectus excavatum: I. Development, design, and simulations for feasibility and safety.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Correction of pectus excavatum (PE) results in measurable improvement in lung capacity and cardiac performance as well as improved appearance and self-image. The Nuss and modified Ravitch approaches attempt to correct the chest wall deformity by forcing the sternum forward in 1 step and holding it in place using a metal strut. The initial operation requires extensive manipulation under general anesthesia and results in postoperative pain, requiring hospitalization and regional anesthesia. Pain and disability may last for weeks. Both procedures are expensive. A better principle would be a gradual bit-by-bit repair via small increments of pressure applied over many months. We developed the Magnetic Mini-Mover Procedure and applied this strategy to correct PE. METHODS: The Magnetic Mini-Mover Procedure uses magnetic force to pull the sternum forward. An internal magnet implanted on the sternum and an external magnet in a nonobtrusive custom-fitted anterior chest wall orthosis produce an adjustable outward force on the sternum. Outward force is maintained until the abnormal costal cartilages are remodeled and the pectus deformity is corrected. RESULTS: We implanted a magnet in human skeletons and measured the force applied to the sternum when the distance between the internal and external magnets was varied in increments. With the 2 magnets 1 cm apart, the outward force was adequate to move the sternum at least 1 cm. We also mapped the magnetic field in the two-magnet configuration and found that maximum field strengths at the surface of the heart and at the outer surface of the orthosis were at safe levels. CONCLUSIONS: The Magnetic Mini-Mover Procedure allows correction of PE by applying magnetic force over a period of months. Crucial questions raised during our design, redesign, and simulation testing have been satisfactorily answered, and we have received a Food and Drug Administration Investigation Device Exemption (G050196/A002) to proceed with a phase I to II clinical trial.

Rapunzel syndrome with a fatal outcome in a neglected child.

The "Rapunzel" syndrome (a trichobezoar with a long tail extending from the stomach to the small bowel) is an uncommon disease. It is related to severe complications but rarely associates to a fatal outcome. We report a case of a 5-year-old girl admitted at the emergency department in cardiorespiratory arrest whose autopsy disclosed an ileal perforation that is caused by a long bezoar extending from the stomach to the small bowel. The authors discuss a possible link between Rapunzel syndrome and child neglect.

Índice de publicação dos trabalhos apresentados no XXIV Congresso Brasileiro de Cirurgia / Publication index of the papers presented at the XXIV Brazilian Congress of Surgery

Objetivo: Avaliar o índice de publicação a nível internacional (Index Medicus-Medline-PubMed) dos trabalhos apresentados no XXIV Congresso Brasileiro de Cirurgia. Método: A publicação dos trabalhos foi pesquisada por consulta à base de dados de publicações biomédicas a nível mundial (Index Medicus- Medline-PubMed), a partir da lista de autores e co-autores e palavras-chave dos títulos dos trabalhos.Resultados: Do total de 1133 trabalhos apresentados, 29 (2,6%) foram publicados – nove temas livres (2,0%),um vídeo livre (1,6%), dois fórum de pesquisa (12,5%) e 17 pôsteres (2,8%). Dos 2638 autores identificados,71 (2,7%) publicaram seus trabalhos. Conclusões: O índice de publicações dos trabalhos apresentados ainda é baixo.

Background: Analysis of the index of publication of the papers presented at the XXIV Brazilian Congress of Surgery. Methods: Searches in a computerized database (Index Medicus-Medline-PubMed) of the papers presented at the Congress were done based on the names of authors and title’s key words. Results: Of the 1133 papers presented at the Congress, 29 (2.6%) were published – nine free papers (2.0%); one video (1.6%); two research forums (12.5%); and 17 posters (2.8%). Concerning authors, 2638 were identified and 71 (2.7%) had their papers published. Conclusions: The index of publication of the papers presented at the Brazilian Congress of Surgery is still low.