Paracoccidioides brasiliensis protoplast production by enzymatic treatment

The action of the enzymes novozym 234, chitinase and zymolyase 20T on the yeast-like cells of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis was studied in an attempt to obtain protoplast release. Three enzyme systems were used: the first consisted of novozym 234 and chitinase plus 0.2 m phosphate buffer, 0.9 m sorbitol and 0.5 m sodium thioglycolate; the second consisted of novozym 234, chitinase, zymolyase 20T, buffer and osmotic stabilizer, with no sodium thioglycolate; the third consisted of the same enzymes as used in the second system but at twice the concentration, plus buffer and osmotic stabilizer. Protoplasts were only released from 72-hold cells cultured on solid peptone-yeast extract-glucose medium (PYG) treated with the third enzyme system. Sodium thioglycolate used as pretreatment favoured protoplast release but had no such action when added to the enzyme solution, possibly by altering the activity of the enzymes, novozym 234 in particular. The osmotic stabilizer used, 0.9 m sorbitol, was probably one of the factors, in addition to the enzymes, responsible for the cytoplasmic changes observed by transmission electron microscopy in yeast phase cells and in their protoplasts.     

3-Hydroxyglutaric acid induces oxidative stress and decreases the antioxidant defenses in cerebral cortex of young rats

Glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (GDD) is an inherited neurometabolic disorder biochemically characterized by tissue accumulation of glutaric, 3-hydroxyglutaric (3-OHGA) and glutaconic acids and clinically by severe neurological symptoms and cerebral atrophy whose pathophysiology is poorly known. In the present study we investigated the effect of 3-OHGA, considered the main neurotoxin in GDD, on the lipoperoxidation parameters chemiluminescence and thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBA-RS), and on the amount of nitric oxide metabolites in cerebral cortex of young rats. Total radical-trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP), which reflects the tissue antioxidant defenses, was also examined. We observed that 3-OHGA significantly increased chemiluminescence, TBA-RS and nitric oxide metabolites, in contrast to TRAP, which was decreased by the metabolite. The data indicate a stimulation of lipid peroxidation and free radical production, and a reduction of the tissue antioxidant defenses caused by the metabolite. In case these findings also occur in the human condition, it may be presumed that oxidative stress is involved in the brain damage observed in GDD.     

Carotid-cavernous fistula with lethal epistaxis: case report

We report the case of a 32 years old male patient with carotid-cavernous fistula caused by head injury who died from massive epistaxis. Treatment assessment of this case is faced with the literature.     

CYP11β1 (11-beta-hydroxylase) deficiency in congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Objective : To review experience of CYP11β1 deficiency (previously known as 11β-hydroxylase) at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria.
Methodology : A retrospective case review was conducted from 1974 to 1995 with five cases identified.
Results : Age of presentation ranged from 1 day to 7 years. Presentation was with ambiguous genitatia at birth (two females), simple virilization (two males) and suspected early puberty in mid childhood (one female). Associated clinical features were hypertension (three cases) and tall stature with markedly advanced bone age (four cases). Biochemical abnormalities consistent with CYP11β1-deficiency were elevated urinary tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol ( n = 5) and elevated serum 11-deoxycortisol ( n = 3). Additional abnormalities were elevated 17-hydroxyprogesterone ( n = 3), elevated androstenedione ( n = 4) and elevated dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate ( n = 4). The clinical features and investigations suggested CYP11β1-classical deficiency in four patients and CYP11β1-non-classical deficiency in one patient.
Conclusions : The five cases of CYP11β1-deficiency demonstrate a spectrum of clinical abnormalities, with diagnostic difficulties in two cases and delayed presentation in three cases. Prompt diagnosis of CYP11β1-deficiency is facilitated greatly by the availability of a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry instrument and is essential to avoid the long-term effects of hypertension and hyperandrogenism.     

The Angiographic Findings in a Haemophilic Pseudotumour of Bone

The angiographic findings in a patient with haemophilic pseudotumour of the femur are presented. The examination showed the position of the displaced femoro-poplited vessels, enabling these structures to be avoided at operation. Under anti-haemophilic globulin cover no complications occurred. It is suggested that angiography may be safely employed provided the coagulation defect is controlled. The examination may be useful in differentiating other bone lesions and in defining more clearly the extent of a haemophilic pseudotumour.     

The contribution of a scientific journal to nursing integration and the foundation of professional actions

This study analyzes how the Latin American Journal of Nursing contributed to the integration of nurses in Brazil and Latin America and provided foundations for their professional actions. The research methodology is based on the knowledge management model called "Knowledge Capitals", developed by the CRIE (Business Intelligence Reference Center), which focuses on subscriber Relationship Capital. Data were collected from the Journal's subscriber database and by means of an electronic questionnaire sent to subscribers ranked as "private persons" and those with an electronic address. It was evidenced that the Journal's role is inexpressive in Latin America, with a merely satisfactory penetration in Brazil. The respondents confirmed the Journal's contribution to the foundation of professional nursing actions.     

Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma in an elderly woman

"Juvenile" nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a locally aggressive, yet histologically benign, vascular neoplasm. This neoplasm accounts for less than 0.5% of neoplasms of the head and neck and occurs almost exclusively in adolescent males. We report a rare case of a 64-year-old woman with a red lobulated mass in the right nostril, diagnosed as nasopharyngeal angiofibroma on postoperative histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis.     

Antiepileptic effect of acylpolyaminetoxin JSTX-3 on rat hippocampal CA1 neurons in vitro

The Joro spider toxin (JSTX-3), derived from Nephila clavata, has been found to block glutamate excitatory activity. Epilepsy has been studied in vitro, mostly on rat hippocampus, through brain slices techniques. The aim of this study is to verify the effect of the JSTX-3 on the epileptiform activity induced by magnesium-free medium in rat CA1 hippocampal neurons. Experiments were performed on hippocampus slices of control and pilocarpine-treated Wistar rats, prepared and maintained in vitro. Epileptiform activity was induced through omission of magnesium from the artificial cerebrospinal fluid (0-Mg2+ ACSF) superfusate and iontophoretic application of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). Intracellular recordings were obtained from CA1 pyramidal neurons both of control and epileptic rats. Passive membrane properties were analyzed before and after perfusion with the 0-Mg2+ ACSF and the application of toxin JSTX-3. During the ictal-like activity, the toxin JSTX-3 was applied by pressure ejection, abolishing this activity. This effect was completely reversed during the washout period when the slices were formerly perfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) and again with 0-Mg2+ ACSF. Our results suggest that the toxin JSTX-3 is a potent blocker of induced epileptiform activity.     

Ancestry reported by white adults with cutaneous melanoma and control subjects in central Alabama

Background  

We sought to evaluate the hypothesis that the high incidence of cutaneous melanoma in white persons in central Alabama is associated with a predominance of Irish and Scots descent.     

Diffusion imaging may predict reversible brain lesions in eclampsia and severe preeclampsia: initial experience

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to validate diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the prediction of the evolutive course of brain edema and to establish its pathophysiologic presence in patients with eclampsia/severe preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: Seventeen patients with a clinical diagnosis of severe eclampsia/preeclampsia and T2 hyperintense brain lesions on routine magnetic resonance imaging were evaluated at hospital admission and 8 weeks later. RESULTS: Brain edema was reversible in 13 patients and irreversible in 4 patients, as indicated on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging. Sixteen of 17 patients were differentiated accurately into reversible and irreversible groups on the basis of diffusion imaging on hospital admission. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a significant increase in water mobility in abnormal regions compared with normal-appearing brains in patients in the reversible group (1.34+/-0.10 mm(2) vs 0.79+/-0.08 mm(2)/s x 10(-3), P<.001). In the irreversible group, restricted water diffusion was present, which was consistent with cytotoxic edema and early brain infarction in 3 of 4 patients. CONCLUSION: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging can predict successfully the evolutive course of brain edema in an acute setting in these patients. Our findings indicate that brain edema is vasogenic, although ischemic/cytotoxic edema was observed less commonly.