Tc-99m MDP uptake in uterine leiomyoma

A 47-year-old woman with adenocarcinoma of the right breast had bone scintigraphy with Tc-99m MDP. Bone imaging did not show any metastases. However, a large area of increased tracer uptake was seen extending from the abdomen to the pelvis. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a large solid and heterogeneous mass, measuring 18 x 11 x 14.3 cm, that originated in an empty uterus. A biopsy of the surgical specimen showed a leiomyoma of the uterus.     

Microcystin-LR promote intestinal secretion of water and electrolytes in rats.

We showed previously that exposure to microcystin-LR causes renal toxic effects in isolated perfused rat kidney, and that inflammatory mediators from supernatants of macrophages stimulated by microcystin-LR are involved in this process. The aim of this research was to examine water and electrolytes secretion in vivo, induced by microcystin-LR and supernatant of macrophages stimulated for this toxin (SUP.MphiS + MCLR), using perfused rat ileal segment and ligated intestinal loop models. We found microcystin-LR at 1 microg/ml (0.09 +/- 0.003* vs. control 0.07 +/- 0.001 g of secretion/2 cm of loop; P < 0.05*) and the SUP.MphiS + MCLR after 18 h postinoculation (0.10 +/- 0.003 vs. control 0.03 +/- 0.002 g/cm) caused intestinal secretion. In addition, microcystin-LR caused significant sodium secretion (-2.18 +/- 0.72* vs. control 2.18 +/- 0.50 microEq g(-1) min(-1)), potassium (-0.26 +/- 0.04* vs. control 0.32 +/- 0.03 microEq g(-1) min(-1)), chloride (MCLR = -3.29 +/- 1.93* vs. control 0.88 +/- 1.25 microEq g(-1) min(-1)) and water (-0.012 +/- 0.004* vs. control 0.002 +/- 0.002 ml g(-1) min(-1)). We also demonstrated SUP.MphiS + MCLR to induce intestinal secretion of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) and water. These findings suggested that microcystin-LR and lamina propria macrophages-derived mediators are able to induce intestinal secretion in vivo, probably via inhibition of protein phosphatase.     

Genetic Analysis of PARK2 and PINK1 Genes in Brazilian Patients with Early-Onset Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson''s disease is the second most frequent neurodegenerative disorder in the world, affecting 1-2% of individuals over the age of 65. The etiology of Parkinson''s disease is complex, with the involvement of gene-environment interactions. Although it is considered a disease of late manifestation, early-onset forms of parkinsonism contribute to 5–10% of all cases. In the present study, we screened mutations in coding regions of PARK2 and PINK1 genes in 136 unrelated Brazilian patients with early-onset Parkinson''s disease through automatic sequencing. We identified six missense variants in PARK2 gene: one known pathogenic mutation, two variants of uncertain role, and three nonpathogenic changes. No pathogenic mutation was identified in PINK1 gene, only benign polymorphisms. All putative pathogenic variants found in this study were in heterozygous state. Our data show that PARK2 point mutations are more common in Brazilian early-onset Parkinson''s disease patients (2.9%) than PINK1 missense variants (0%), corroborating other studies worldwide.     

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in liver transplant patients in a Brazilian referral center

Estimates of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection prevalence varies among different studies depending on the prevalence of HBV infection in the study population and on the sensitivity of the assay used to detect HBV DNA. We investigated the prevalence of occult HBV infection in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation in a Brazilian referral center. Frozen liver samples from 68 adults were analyzed using a nested polymerase chain reaction assay for HBV DNA. The specificity of the amplified HBV sequences was confirmed by direct sequencing of the amplicons. The patient population comprised 49 (72.1%) males and 19 (27.9%) females with a median age of 53 years (range=18-67 years). Occult HBV infection was diagnosed in three (4.4%) patients. The etiologies of the underlying chronic liver disease in these cases were alcohol abuse, HBV infection, and cryptogenic cirrhosis. Two of the patients with cryptic HBV infection also presented hepatocellular carcinoma. Markers of previous HBV infection were available in two patients with occult HBV infection and were negative in both. In conclusion, using a sensitive nested polymerase chain reaction assay to detect HBV DNA in frozen liver tissue, we found a low prevalence of occult HBV infection in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplant, probably due to the low prevalence of HBV infection in our population.     

Evaluation of Schistosomiasis Mansoni Morbidity by Hepatic and Splenic Elastography

In patients with Mansoni schistosomiasis, it is fundamental to evaluate the disease morbidity, which is reflected by the severity of periportal fibrosis (PPF) and parameters of portal hypertension, as analyzed by ultrasonography (US). This study aimed to evaluate the morbidity of schistosomiasis by hepatic and splenic point shear-wave elastography (pSWE) and relate this to US parameters. The PPF pattern, the diameter of the portal and splenic veins and the size of the spleen were evaluated by US. Then, liver and spleen pSWEs were assessed in 74 patients using the same equipment. As the PPF pattern progressed, the splenic pSWE values significantly increased. Significant correlations between splenic pSWE, the longitudinal and transverse lengths of the spleen and the diameters of the portal and splenic veins were observed. These findings, however, were not observed through hepatic pSWE. In conclusion, the splenic pSWE has the potential for assessing morbidity in schistosomiasis mansoni.     

Pneumonia‐induced sepsis in mice: temporal study of inflammatory and cardiovascular parameters

The aim of the present work is to provide a better comprehension of the pneumonia‐induced sepsis model through temporal evaluation of several parameters, and thus identify the main factors that determine mortality in this model. Klebsiella pneumoniae was inoculated intratracheally in anesthetized Swiss male mice. Inflammatory and cardiovascular parameters were evaluated 6, 24 and 48 h after the insult. The results show that severity of infection and the mortality correlated with the amount of bacteria. Six, 24 and 48 h after inoculation, animals presented pathological changes in lungs, increase in cell number in the bronchoalveolar lavage, leukopenia, increase in TNF‐α and IL‐1β levels, hypotension and hyporesponsiveness to vasoconstrictors, the two latter characteristics of severe sepsis and septic shock. Significant numbers of bacteria in spleen and heart homogenates indicated infection spreading. Interestingly, NOS‐2 expression appeared late after bacteria inoculation, whereas levels of NOS‐1 and NOS‐3 were unchanged. The high NOS‐2 expression coincided with an exacerbated NO production in the infection focus and in plasma, as judging by nitrate + nitrite levels. This study shows that K. pneumoniae inoculation induces a systemic inflammatory response and cardiovascular alterations, which endures at least until 48 h. K. pneumoniae‐induced lung infection is a clinically relevant animal model of sepsis and a better understanding of this model may help to increase the knowledge about sepsis pathophysiology.