The alteration of lymphocyte subsets in idiopathic granulomatous mastitis

Background and aimThis study analyzed peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets to determine their role in the etiopathogenesis of IGM.Materials and methodsThis study includes 51 pathologically proven IGM patients (active disease: 26 and in remission: 25) and 28 healthy volunteers. The analyses of lymphocyte subsets were performed by flow cytometric immunophenotyping. ResultsThe percentage of T helper lymphocyte of all IGM patients were lower than control groups (p = 0.001). Absolute cytotoxic T lymphocyte count (p = 0.03), both percentage (p = 0.035) and absolute count (p = 0.002) of the natural killer cells, and both percentage (p = 0.038) and absolute count (p = 0.008) of natural killer T cells, were higher than the control group. The T helper lymphocyte percentage of the patients with active disease was lower than the control group (p = 0.0003). The absolute cytotoxic T lymphocyte (p = 0.029) and natural killer T cells (p = 0.012) of the patients with active disease were higher than the control group. ConclusionIdiopathic granulomatous mastitis is defined as a localized form of granulomatous disorders. However, the observed changes in T cells, NK, and NKT cells suggest that there is systemic immune dysregulation in patients with IGM.     

Serum Vitamin D Levels in Children with Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis

Purpose: To evaluate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D3] levels of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) children.

Methods: A total of 62 non-atopic healthy children (64.5% male, mean age 10.79 ± 3.3 years) and 29 VKC children (75.9%, mean age 12.17 ± 2.7 years) were included in the study. Serum 25(OH)D3 levels measured by HPLC were compared between the two groups and a p value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: The mean serum 25(OH)D3 level of VKC group was significantly lower than in the control group (11.02 ± 5.16 ng/mL and 15.99 ± 7.36 ng/mL, respectively) (p = 0.002). Severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/mL) was detected in 48.3% of VKC children and 22.6% of the controls (p = 0.017). Time spent outdoors during daylight was higher in the control group (229.5 ± 101.2 min) compared with the VKC group (160.7 ± 65.9 min) (p = 0.008), and showed a significant correlation with serum 25(OH)D3 levels (Spearman rho = 0.812) (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Children with VKC should be evaluated for vitamin D deficiency, which might occur secondary to sun avoidance.     

In vivo modulation of the expressions of Fas and CD25 by intravenous immunoglobulin in common variable immunodeficiency

Although the presence of physiologic anti-CD95 (Fas, APO-1) autoantibodies in intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) preparations is known, the effects of these antibodies in patients with common variable immunodeficiency are unclear (CVID). The aim of the study was to assess the effects of IVIG in Fas expression, activation markers and the subsets of T cells in patients with CVID. We studied 15 cases with CVID and 10 healthy controls with no signs of immunodeficiency. The Fas expression of T cells, activation markers (CD25, CD69 and HLA-DR) and T-cell subsets were analyzed by four-color flow cytometry. We found that the Fas expression of CD3⁺ T cells in patients was significantly higher than in controls. In addition, there was a significant increase in the Fas expression of CD3⁺ T cells and CD4⁺ T cells, and the CD25 expression of CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells after IVIG supplementation (P < 0.05). The CD69 and HLA-DR expressions of T cells and CD8⁺ T cells were not affected by IVIG infusion. Our observation showed that IVIG replacement causes an increase in the Fas and CD25 expressions in patients with CVID. These data suggest that the Fas protein may have an important role in the effects of IVIG for the control of autoimmunity in patients with CVID, as well as in the generation of autoimmune disease.     

Right of access to the assisted human reproduction: bioethics discussions

The objective of this study is to evaluate how is configured the right of access to the assisted human reproduction service (AHRS). It was developed through documentary research in official sources of the Brazilian Federal Government. From the criteria of the analysis of content were analyzed: 1 government directive and 6 projects of law, divided in 3 thematic areas (access to what?; access to whom?; and conditions and criteria of access), revealing nucleus of meaning that had been explored in this research. This revealed that the right of access in official documents is exclusive, and morally induced by a professional category and its arbitrariness. The joint of these nucleus of meaning with the everyday bioethics was of extreme relevance to deal with the different kinds of family that are being legitimated through these proposals of regulation, as well as the ethical questions intrinsic to the formulation of these texts, which remit us to the idea of traditional family, model not hegemonic anymore in our society, and social and legally surpassed by new familiar conceptions that also demand visibility and legitimacy from the State. The study intends to be one more possibility of reflection about the questions that involve the right of access to the AHRS from the everyday bioethics issues.     

Late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia associated with ectopic thoracic kidney

Although congenital defects of diaphragma often occur in the period immediately following birth, 10–20% of these cases are diagnosed later. We report on a 7-month-old male infant with late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia associated with a thoracic ectopic kidney. We conclude that congenital diaphragmatic defects should be considered in young children with respiratory distress and that computerized tomography is a noninvasive and accurate diagnostic method in the evaluation of additional abnormalities in these patients.     

Reliability of TcPO(2) measurement in the upper limb]

INTRODUCTION: Several reports suggest the usefulness of transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO(2)) in assessing the shoulder hand syndrome in stroke patients. But the literature presents a number of conflicting views on the variation of TcPO(2) values in this case. We found no report demonstrating the reliability of TcPO(2) measurements in the upper limb. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of TcPO(2) measurements and investigate whether TcPO(2) can be used to evaluate the shoulder hand syndrome after stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The TcPO(2) values were obtained on two separate occasions at one-day interval on 18 normal volunteers. Basal TcPO(2), local vasomotor reflex and reaction to ischemia were assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-six upper limbs were tested. The reliability was bad. We found that measurements of TcPO(2) varied by an average of 7.89 +/- 7.6 mmHg for a coefficient of variation of 96%. CONCLUSION: The reliability of TcPO(2) measurement was not sufficient to recommend this method in this indication.     

Embryonated chicken eggs: An experimental model for Pythium insidiosum infection

Pythiosis is a severe disease caused by Pythium insidiosum. Currently, the research on the treatment of pythiosis uses rabbits as an experimental infection model. To reduce the use of animals in scientific experimentation, alternative models are increasingly necessary options. The objective of this study was to establish a new experimental infection model for pythiosis using embryonated chicken eggs. First, we tested the inoculation of 4 zoospore concentrations into the egg allantoic cavity at 3 embryonic days. We observed that increased zoospore concentration causes a decrease in survival time, and at a later embryonic day (the 14th) of infection, embryos showed delayed mortality. To confirm the reproducibility of the model, we chose the 14th embryonic day for the inoculation of 50 zoospores/egg, and the experiment was repeated twice. Mortality began with 30% embryos 48 hours after inoculation, and 95% embryos died within 72 hours. There was no mortality in the uninfected control group. The infection was confirmed by culture, PCR and histopathology. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of hyphae in blood vessels in the umbilical cords in 95% of embryos and only 1 liver (5%). Our results suggest that embryonated eggs can be a very useful alternative infection model to study pythiosis.     

Differences in the therapeutic functioning of paraprofessionals with varying lengths of experience

Measured differences in the ability of paraprofessionals to discriminate and communicate facilitative conditions in psychotherapy as a function of length of experience. Hypotheses tested were that discrimination and communication abilities would be greater in Ss with longer experience and that these abilities would be correlated positively within individuals. Thirty-six mental health workers were categorized into three levels of experience and initial competency. Ss were administered the Carkhuff Discrimination Rating Scale; the level of conditions communicated to patients was assessed through replies to taped patient interviews. Results failed to support the hypothesized relationships between functioning and experience. However several interactions were found. Initially more competent Ss tended to improve over time and less competent Ss declined. A positive correlation between abilities within individuals was found. Results were compared with studies that measured the functioning of professional psychology trainees over time, are relevant to issues of therapist selection, and support the use of experiential training programs.