Increase of the cytotoxic effect of Bothrops jararacussu venom on mouse extensor digitorum longus and soleus by potassium channel blockers and by Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibition

We investigated the myotoxicity of Bothrops jararacussu crude venom and other cytolytic agents on mouse isolated extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (SOL) muscles, which present distinct properties: EDL is a fast-twitch, white muscle with predominantly glycolytic fibers, while SOL is slow-twitch, red muscle with predominantly oxidative fibers. Muscles were exposed to B. jararacussu crude venom (25mug/ml) and other crotaline venoms (Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctus; Crotalus viridis viridis; Crotalus durissus terrificus) at the same concentration. Basal creatine kinase (CK) release to bathing solution was 0.43+/-0.06 for EDL and 0.29+/-0.06 for SOL (U g(-)(1) h(-)(1), n=36 for each muscle). Sixty minutes after exposure to B. jararacussu venom, EDL presented higher increase in the rate of CK release than SOL, respectively, 13.2+/-1.5 and 2.9+/-0.7Ug(-)(1)h(-)(1), n=10-12. Muscle denervation, despite decreasing CK content, did not affect sensitivities to B. jararacussu venom. Ouabain and potassium channel blockers (TEA; clotrimazole; glibenclamide) increased the rate of CK release by B. jararacussu in EDL and SOL muscles, decreasing and almost abolishing the different sensitivity. When we exposed EDL or SOL muscles to Naja naja, Apis mellifera venoms (25mug/ml), or Triton X-100 (0.01%), they showed similar rate of CK release. Our present data suggest that a mechanism involving intracellular calcium regulation or potassium channels may participate in the different sensitivity of EDL and SOL to B. jararacussu venom.     

Stereologic study of the cerebellar Purkinje cells submitted to alcoholic intoxication in Wistar rats

BACKGROUND: to analyze the effect of the alcohol on the cells of Purkinje. METHOD: Wistar rats received alcoholic solutions orally in different concentrations 4%, 12% and 24%. The animals were sacrificed with 4, 8 and 12 weeks and the cerebella were randomly cut and embedded in paraffin. Sections of 6 micrometer (H&E) were stereologically analyzed. RESULTS: The differences among the density for area and density of surface of the cells of Purkinje of all of the experimental groups (E) and the respective controls (C) were significant. With 12 weeks the cell of Purkinje volume density decreased among the groups C and E in the concentrations of 4% and 12%, but not for the concentration of 24%, probably due to smaller liquid ingestion by the animals. CONCLUSION: The alcohol has toxic effect on the Purkinje cellular body in the three studied concentrations from 4 weeks.     

Occipital condyle fracture associated with Jefferson's fracture and injury of lower cranial nerves: case report

Occipital condyle fracture(OCF) is rarely seen and can be missed during medical evaluation due to the variety of clinical presentations and the difficulty to be visualized radiographically. This fracture can be associated with cranial nerves injuries (31%), being the hipoglossal nerve the most frequently involved (67%). We report a 58 years old female patient who presented with OCF, injury of lower cranial nerves and Jefferson's fracture. The patient was treated with cervical traction for six weeks followed by halo immobilization for three months. There was bone consolidation recovery of the nervous injury after this period. This report emphazises the importance of investigating the skull-cervical transition in all patients with cervical trauma. Although Jefferson's fracture is rarely associated with OCF, it should be remembered and treated appropriately when diagnosed.     

Nogo CAA 3'UTR Insertion polymorphism is not associated with Schizophrenia nor with bipolar disorder

The Nogo gene maps to 2p14-p13, a region consistently associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The association of a polymorphism in Nogo was previously investigated by two groups, with divergent results. In this report, using an alternative approach, we evaluated this same polymorphism in 725 individuals, including patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, normal controls and non-human primate samples. Our results indicate that the polymorphism is not associated with any of these diseases, but has a remarkably biased distribution in ethnic groups. Genotyping of primate samples, suggest that this polymorphism is a recent event in human speciation.     

Adenomatoid tumor of supra-renal gland

Adenomatoid tumors of adrenal gland are rare, asymptomatic neoplasias, with benign behavior, and usually are diagnosed incidentally. We report a case of a voluminous adenomatoid tumor of left adrenal gland in a 42-year old man who sought evaluation because of renal colic due to left nephrolithiasis. During the investigation, a tumor localized in left adrenal gland was identified by ultrasonography (14.3 x 10.5 x 19.0). The patient underwent adrenalectomy and pyelolithotomy with histopathological and immunohistochemical diagnosis of adenomatoid tumor of adrenal gland, being the largest one described in the literature to the moment. The patient does not present any signs of recurring lesion after a 3-year follow-up.     

Falls among older adults seen at a São Paulo State public hospital: causes and consequences

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the history of accidental falls reported by older adults, identifying possibly related factors, as well as place of occurrence, causes, and consequences. METHODS: The sample investigated included 50 older adults, of both sexes, ages 60 years or older, living in the city of Ribeir?o Preto, Southeastern Brazil, who had been seen at two inpatient units of a public hospital. Patient records were examined and household visits carried out for the application of a structured questionnaire including open, closed, and mixed questions related to the fall. RESULTS: Data obtained show a reality not substantially different from that observed in other countries. Most events occurred among older women (66%), with mean age 76 years, and at home. Causes were mainly related to physical environment (54%), and brought serious consequences to the subjects, fractures being the most common outcome (64%). Falls had a great impact on subjects' lives in terms of activities such as: lying down/getting up, walking on plain surfaces, cutting toenails, bathing/showering, walking outside home, taking care of financial issues, shopping, using public transportation, and climbing stairs. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that falls occurred among older adults have serious physical, psychological, and social consequences, reinforcing the need for fall prevention, in order to ensure greater quality of life, autonomy, and independence for the elderly.     

Epigenetic silencing of the adhesion molecule ADAM23 is highly frequent in breast tumors

Altered cell adhesion is causally involved in tumor progression, and the identification of novel adhesion molecules altered in tumors is crucial for our understanding of tumor biology and for the development of new prognostic and therapeutic strategies. Here, we provide evidence for the epigenetic downregulation in breast tumors of the A Desintegrin And Metalloprotease domain 23 gene (ADAM 23), a member of a new family of surface molecules with roles in cell-cell adhesion and/or cell-matrix interactions. We examined the mRNA expression and methylation status of the 5' upstream region of the ADAM23 gene in different breast tumor cell lines as well as in primary breast tumors. We found ADAM23 5' hypermethylation in eight out of 12 (66.7%) tumor cell lines and in nine out of 13 (69.2%) primary tumors. Promoter hypermethylation was strongly associated with reductions in both mRNA and protein expression, with a threshold of 40-60% of modified CpG dinucleotides being required for the complete silencing of ADAM23 mRNA expression. Treatment of MCF-7 and SKBR-3 cell lines with 5'-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine led to a reactivation of ADAM23 mRNA expression and a marked decrease in the methylation level. It is worth noting that primary breast tumors with a more advanced grade showed a higher degree of methylation, suggesting that the adhesion molecule ADAM23 may be downregulated during the progression of breast cancer.Oncogene (2004) 23, 1481-1488. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1207263 Published online 8 December 2003     

Anxiety does not affect the antinociceptive effect of Delta 9-THC in mice: participation of cannabinoid and opioid receptors

Cannabinoid receptor agonists significantly inhibit nociceptive responses in a large number of animal models. The present study examined whether mice displaying different basal levels of anxiety in the plus-maze test of anxiety might differ in terms of responsiveness to the antinociceptive effects of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC). Further, the involvement of the cannabinoid and/or opioid receptors in Delta(9)-THC-induced antinociception was investigated by using SR 141716A and naloxone, respectively, cannabinoid and opioid receptor antagonists. Delta(9)-THC-induced antinociception was evaluated in the formalin test that involves a biphasic response with an early and a late phase of high paw-licking activity. This characteristic biphasic response was observed in all control animals selected as "anxious" and "nonanxious." Delta(9)-THC (0.5-5 mg/kg i.p.) caused a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in both groups of mice during the early and late phases. This response was fully reversed by SR 141716A (1 mg/kg i.p.) and partially reversed by naloxone (2 mg/kg i.p.). These findings suggest that mice selected for differences in anxiety-related behavior show similar responses to the antinociceptive action of Delta(9)-THC and that this action involves predominantly cannabinoid mechanisms.