Ischemia-reperfusion model in rat spinal cord: cell viability and apoptosis signaling study

This work aimed at determining the ideal ischemia time in an in vitro ischemia-reperfusion model of spinal cord injury. Rat spinal cord slices were prepared and then exposed or not to oxygen deprivation and low glucose (ODLG) for 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 minutes. Cell viability was assessed by triphenyltetrazolium (TTC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and fluorochrome dyes specific for cell dead (ethidium homodimer) using the apotome system. Glutamate release was enzymatically measured by a fluorescent method. Gene expression of apoptotic factors was assessed by real time RT-PCR. Whereas spinal cord slices exposed to ODLG exhibited mild increase in fluorescence for 30 minutes after the insult, the 45, 60, 75 and 90 minutes caused a 2-fold increase. ODLG exposure for 45, 60, 75 or 90 minutes, glutamate and LDH release were significantly elevated. nNOS mRNA expression was overexpressed for 45 minutes and moderately increased for 60 minutes in ODLG groups. Bax/bcl-xl ratio, caspase 9 and caspase 3 mRNA expressions were significantly increased for 45 minutes of ODLG, but not for 30, 60, 75 and 90 minutes. Results showed that cell viability reduction in the spinal cord was dependent on ischemic time, resulting in glutamate and LDH release. ODLG for 45 minutes was adequate for gene expression evaluation of proteins and proteases involved in apoptosis pathways.     

Metallothionein immunoexpression in non-syndromic and syndromic keratocystic odontogenic tumour

Background

To compare the metallothionein (MT) immunoexpression in non-syndromic and syndromic keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KOT), to correlate MT with cellular proliferation, and to evaluate the influence of inflammation in MT.

Material and Methods

Fourteen cases of KOT were submitted to immunohistochemistry for MT and Ki-67 analysis. The lesions were grouped according to their grade of inflammation, and statistical analysis was performed.

Results

MT was higher in non-syndromic KOT than in syndromic KOT (p<0.05). No statistical difference in Ki-67 could be identified; however, an inverse correlation was observed between MT and Ki-67 in both lesions. When analysing inflammation, non-syndromic KOT showed no differences in either MT or Ki-67.

Conclusions

The MT immunophenotype of syndromic KOT was different from non-syndromic KOT. MT might not be involved in the proliferation control of both KOT. MT and Ki-67 immunoexpressions proved to be unaffected by inflammation in non-syndromic KOT. Key words: Odontogenic tumours, basal cell nevus syndrome, metallothionein, Ki-67 Antigen, immunohistoche-mistry.     

A 6q14.1‐q15 microdeletion in a male patient with severe autistic disorder,lack of oral language,and dysmorphic features with concomitant presence of a maternally inherited Xp22.31 copy number gain

We report on a male patient with severe autistic disorder, lack of oral language, and dysmorphic features who carries a rare interstitial microdeletion of 4.96 Mb at chromosome 6q14.1‐q15. The patient also harbors a maternally inherited copy number gain of 1.69 Mb at chromosome Xp22.31, whose pathogenicity is under debate.     

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy of the jaws: an analysis of diagnostic features and treatment

The purpose of this study was to integrate the available published data on melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy (MNTI) of the jaws into a comprehensive analysis of its clinical/radiological features, with emphasis on the predictive factors associated with recurrence. Eligibility criteria included publications with sufficient clinical/radiological/histological information to confirm the diagnosis. A total of 288 publications reporting 429 MNTI cases were included. MNTIs were slightly more prevalent in males and markedly more prevalent in the maxilla. Most of the lesions were asymptomatic, presenting cortical bone perforation and tooth displacement. Nine lesions were malignant, with metastasis in five cases. Enucleation was the predominant treatment (67.2%), followed by marginal (18.4%) and segmental resection (6.1%). Eighty-one of 356 lesions (22.8%) recurred. Recurrence rates were 61.5% for curettage, 25.3% for enucleation alone, 16.2% for enucleation + curettage, 20.0% for enucleation + peripheral osteotomy, 11.3% for marginal resection, 10.0% for segmental resection, 30.0% for chemotherapy, and 33.3% for radiotherapy. Enucleation and resection presented significantly lower recurrence rates in comparison to curettage. Curettage appears not to be the best form of treatment, due to its high recurrence rate. As resection (either marginal or segmental) is associated with higher morbidity, enucleation with or without complementary treatment (curettage or peripheral osteotomy) would appear to be the most indicated therapy.