Vascular connective tissue changes in experimental portacaval anastomosis

Hepatic vascular changes are generally associated to fibrotic lesions of the liver but their role in the development and extension of fibrosis is not well known. By performing a portacaval anastomosis in rats, a proliferation of hepatic vessels was attained progressively, comparable to proliferations seen in cirrhosis and schistosomiasis. Such a modification of the hepatic vasculature was accompanied by changes in the connective matrix of the liver, mainly related to the vascular walls. Moreover, sinusoidal capillarization was detected at the electron microscopical level whereas no alterations could be seen neither in the distribution nor in the quality of the connective matrix proteins with immunofluorescence technique. The only modification detected by light microscopy, at this zone, was the shrinked aspect of reticulin fibers which could be related to the important liver atrophy provoked by the anastomosis. It can be assumed that in liver pathology, selective changes occur in the connective matrix components depending on the type of injury. Necrotic and inflammatory processes lead mainly to the deposition of interstitial collagens and associated proteins, related to a diffuse stroma reaction resultant from activation of specific cell populations whereas in portacaval anastomosis, a selective increase of vascular connective matrix (mainly basement membrane components) occurs as a direct consequence of vessel proliferation.     

A successful case of ascending aorta--abdominal aorta bypass for middle aortic syndrome

The middle aortic syndrome (MAS) is a rare disease affecting children and young adults, and it occurs in about 0.5% to 2.0% of all aortic coarctation cases. Congenital, acquired, inflammatory, and infectious etiologies have been described. In the majority of cases, there is a short, isolated or diffuse tubular narrowing of the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta, often accompanied by ostial stenosis or occlusion of the renal and visceral branches, which leads to renovascular hypertension and visceral ischemia. Surgical treatment should be considered in cases of uncontrollable hypertension, evidence of end-organ damage such as cardiac failure, progressive renal insufficiency, or severe intermittent claudication. Several surgical treatments for this condition have been reported, including bypass grafting, graft replacement, or patch angioplasty. We report a successful case of ascending aorta-abdominal aorta bypass for MAS in a 11-year-old boy.     

Effects of a nanocomposite containing Orbignya speciosa lipophilic extract on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are a common complaint among aging men and are usually caused by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). A number of medical treatments for LUTS/BPH exist, such as α-blockers, 5α-reductase inhibitors, phytotherapeutical drugs and combination therapies. Babassu is the common name of a Brazilian native palm tree called Orbignya speciosa, whose kernels are commonly used (eaten entirely or as a grounded powder), in parts of Brazil for the treatment of urinary disorders. This study investigates the effects of Orbignya speciosa nanoparticle extract, a newly developed phytotherapic formulation derived from the kernels of babassu, in the treatment of BPH.

Materials and methods

Orbignya speciosa extract was obtained from the kernels, a nanoparticulate system was developed and acute toxicity test was performed. BPH primary stromal cell and tissue cultures were established and treated with 300 μg/mL Orbignya speciosa nanoparticle (NanoOse) extract in order to evaluate its effects on apoptosis induction, cytotoxicity, cell morphology and proliferation.

Results

Our results indicated that NanoOSE shows no toxicity in animals and acts incisively by promoting morphological cell changes, reducing cell proliferation as well as inducing necrosis/apoptosis on BPH cells and tissues.

Conclusions

This study provided the first report of the successful use of NanoOSE on BPH treatment which corroborates with the popular use of the kernels of this plant. The results also suggest the potential of NanoOSE as a candidate new phytotherapeutic agent on the management of BPH.     

Different cellular and immunohistochemical abdominal wall cicatrization parameters evaluation in comparison with sublay,onlay, and ipom technique in an experimental rat model

Hernia - Incisional hernia (IH) occurs when there is a partial or complete solution of continuity of a fascia previously incised. Systematic reviews demonstrate that surgical treatment of IHs with...     

Familial isolated pituitary adenomas experience at a single center: clinical importance of AIP mutation screening

We present four FIPA kindred discussing clinical and molecular data and emphasizing the differences regarding AIP status, as well as the importance of genetic screening. Family 1 consists of five patients harboring somatotropinomas with germline E24X mutation in AIP. In one of the patients, acromegaly was diagnosed through active screening, being cured by surgery. Families 2 and 3 are composed of two patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas. Family 4 comprises patients harboring a prolactinoma and a somatotropinoma. No mutations in AIP were found in these families. No patient in Family 1 was controlled with octreotide treatment, while the acromegalic patient in Family 4 was controlled with octreotide LAR. In conclusion, FIPA is a heterogeneous condition, which may be associated with AIP mutation. Genomic and clinical screening is recommended in families with two or more members harboring pituitary adenomas, allowing early diagnosis and better outcome.     

Minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic left ventricular epicardial lead implantation for biventricular pacing in a patient with persistent left superior vena cava

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) by biventricular pacing reduces symptoms and improves left ventricular function in many patients with heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction and cardiac dyssynchrony. Implantation of the biventricular pacing lead in association with persistent left superior vena cava is technically challenging. We report a successful case of minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic left ventricular epicardial lead implantation for biventricular pacing in a patient with persistent left superior vena cava.     

Collagen isotypes, laminin, and fibronectin in granulomas of the liver and intestines of Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice

Patterns of fibrosis within hepatic and intestinal granulomas of Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence. Deposition of collagen isotypes, laminin, and fibronectin was evaluated semiquantitatively between 8 and 20 weeks of the infection. Liver granulomas were the largest at 8 weeks and contained low amounts of type I and higher amounts of type III collagen and fibronectin. Collagen deposition became pronounced as infection progressed. The relative amounts of type I collagen deposits rose and equalled that of type III. In the smaller immunomodulated granulomas at 20 weeks both types I and III were high, and type IV collagen deposition was observed. Fibronectin and laminin deposits were also detected. The small ileal granulomas did not change their size during the course of the infection. At 8 weeks, connective tissue matrix deposition was barely detectable within these lesions. Gradually, small deposits of types I and III appeared in equal amounts and attained highest levels by 20 weeks of the infection. Fibronectin deposits at that time were very prominent but laminin and type IV collagen were absent. Colon granulomas at 8 weeks of the infection were only somewhat smaller than those of the liver, yet contained very sparse deposits of types I and III collagen. During the ensuing weeks collagen deposits rose only slightly. By 20 weeks the granulomas diminished in size and within those lesions type III collagen was predominant. Whereas the presence of fibronectin was pronounced, type IV collagen and laminin were detectable only in trace amounts. These observations indicate the existence of important organ-related differences in the intragranulomatous deposition of connective tissue matrix.     

Evolutionary Relationships of the Triatoma matogrossensis Subcomplex,the Endemic Triatoma in Central-Western Brazil,Based on Mitochondrial DNA Sequences

The phylogenetic relationships among species of Triatoma matogrossensis subcomplex (T. baratai, T. guazu, T. matogrossensis, T. sordida, T. vandae, and T. williami) was addressed by using fragments of cytochrome oxidase I (COI), 16S rDNA (16S), and cytochrome b (Cytb) through Bayesian and parsimony analyses. We did not recover a monophyletic T. matogrossensis subcomplex, and their members were found clustered in three strongly supported clades, as follows: i) T. jurbergi + T. matogrossensis + T. vandae + T. garciabesi + T. sordida; ii) with T. guasayana as the sister group of clade (i); and iii) T. williami + T. guazu, however not closely related to the clade formed by the previously mentioned species. The other two endemic species from Central-Western Brazil, T. baratai and T. costalimai, were not recovered with strong clade support as related to other members of this subcomplex. Results call for a further revision in the classification of the subcomplexes within the genus Triatoma.