Men, masculinity and the new coronavirus: sharing gender issues in the first phase of the pandemic.

This article presents reflections on masculinity and the social construction of gender - based on the global phenomenon of the new coronavirus pandemic - produced by researchers who are part of the national research team on comprehensive health care policy for men in Brazil. From a gender-based standpoint, the article contends that it is necessary to note that cis heteronormative male socialization is guided by three core issues: 1) the submission to practices of care of self and others; 2) the rejection of preventive health practices, due to a distorted matrix of risk perception (and a certain sense of "invulnerability"); 3) the domestic dynamics marked by postures of command, order, and honor. These dimensions of everyday life were profoundly upset in this first phase of the epidemic, in which confinement became the most recommended alternative.

Merkel cells of human oral mucosa express the pluripotent stem cell transcription factor Sox2.

Merkel cells are neuroendocrine cells associated to a neural sensitive ending and localized primarily in the epidermis, although they are also found in oral mucosa. Sox2 or SRY-box2 is a key transcription factor important in the maintenance of embryonic neural crest stem cell pluripotency. Sox2 has been described in Merkel cells of skin and in Merkel cell carcinomas, but not specifically in oral Merkel cells.

Ultrastructure of pheochromocytoma: undescribed morphologic features.

We examined samples of human pheochromocytoma from 11 patients aged 30-70 years including one case of malignant pheochromocytoma with a view to identifying previously unreported ultrastructural details.We identified two types of nuclear inclusions consisting of irregularly shaped singular or multiple granulofibrillar formations with a typical concentric halo, on the one hand, and accumulations of egg-shaped structures consisting of granules and microfilaments, on the other. In some of the tumor cells, membrane-covered inclusions containing parallel laminar elements arranged in a paracrystalline, periodic fashion, or mega-mitrochondriae characterized by increased electrodensity of their matrix, and fibrillary material in the spaces between the cristae were present.

Intraarterial route increases the risk of cerebral lesions after mesenchymal cell administration in animal model of ischemia.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising clinical therapy for ischemic stroke. However, critical parameters, such as the most effective administration route, remain unclear. Intravenous (i.

Easy and Efficient Cell Tagging with Block Copolymer-Based Contrast Agents for Sensitive MRI Detection in Vivo.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) together with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the preferred tools for monitoring the fate and biodistribution of administered cells in stem cell therapy studies. Commercial MNPs need transfection agents and long incubation times for sufficient cell labeling and further in vivo cell detection. In this work, we have synthesized MNPs coated with pluronic F127 and tetronic 908, and validated their applicability as contrast agents for MRI cell detection on two different cell types: rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and multipotent neural progenitor cell line from mice (C17.

Endolysosomal two-pore channels regulate autophagy in cardiomyocytes.

Key Points: Two-pore channels (TPCs) were identified as a novel family of endolysosome-targeted calcium release channels gated by nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate, as also as intracellular Na(+) channels able to control endolysosomal fusion, a key process in autophagic flux. Autophagy, an evolutionarily ancient response to cellular stress, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide range of cardiovascular pathologies, including heart failure. We report direct evidence indicating that TPCs are involved in regulating autophagy in cardiomyocytes, and that TPC knockout mice show alterations in the cardiac lysosomal system.

The role of the obestatin/GPR39 system in human gastric adenocarcinomas.

Obestatin, a 23-amino acid peptide encoded by the ghrelin gene, and the GPR39 receptor were reported to be involved in the control of mitogenesis of gastric cancer cell lines; however, the relationship between the obestatin/GPR39 system and gastric cancer progression remains unknown. In the present study, we determined the expression levels of the obestatin/GPR39 system in human gastric adenocarcinomas and explored their potential functional roles. Twenty-eight patients with gastric adenocarcinomas were retrospectively studied, and clinical data were obtained.

Local expression of myocardial galectin-3 does not correlate with its serum levels in patients undergoing heart transplantation.

Background: Galectins are a family of soluble lectins expressed in a variety of tissues, which play many important regulatory roles in inflammation, immunity, and cancer. The up-regulation of galectin-3 in hypertrophied hearts and the development of fibrosis have been shown in experimental studies. Increased galectin-3 levels are associated with poor long-term survival in end-stage heart failure (HF).

MicroRNA-150 inhibits expression of adiponectin receptor 2 and is a potential therapeutic target in patients with chronic heart failure.

Background: Adiponectin is an anti-inflammatory adipocytokine believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure (CHF). We aimed to characterize the expression of adiponectin and its receptors in CHF and to assess the impact of microRNAs on the cardiac adiponectin system.

Methods: Expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors (ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2) was studied by qPCR and immunohistochemistry in myocardial tissues of patients with end-stage CHF and control subjects.

Platelet factor 4-positive thrombi adhering to the ventricles of a ventricular assist device in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II.

Background: Thromboembolism is a major complication in patients with ventricular assist devices (VADs). Drug anticoagulation and the use of biocompatible surfaces, such as coating with heparin, aim to reduce thromboembolism in these patients. Administration of heparin can lead to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) type II, mainly through heparin/platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies.

A new seipin-associated neurodegenerative syndrome.

Background: Seipin/BSCL2 mutations can cause type 2 congenital generalised lipodystrophy (BSCL) or dominant motor neurone diseases. Type 2 BSCL is frequently associated with some degree of intellectual impairment, but not to fatal neurodegeneration. In order to unveil the aetiology and pathogenetic mechanisms of a new neurodegenerative syndrome associated with a novel BSCL2 mutation, six children, four of them showing the BSCL features, were studied.

Characterization of TGM1 c.984+1G>A mutation identified in a homozygous carrier of lamellar ichthyosis.

Background: Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) is a rare, nonsyndromic, heterogeneous disorder of cornification. It is divided into three clinical subtypes: lamellar ichthyosis (LI); congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma; and harlequin ichthyosis. In the majority of patients, LI is caused by transglutaminase-1 (TGase1) deficiency resulting from mutations in both copies of the transglutaminase 1 (TGM1) gene in chromosome 14.

Altered myocardial expression of ghrelin and its receptor (GHSR-1a) in patients with severe heart failure.

Ghrelin is a peptide hormone mainly produced by the stomach, which strongly stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH) via the GH secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR-1a) located in the hypothalamus. It has been reported to exert performance-enhancing effects on myocardial function, and as both ghrelin and GHSR-1a are expressed in myocardial tissues, the ghrelin system may have a direct GH-independent impact on cardiac function. We intended to investigate the expression of ghrelin and its receptor GHSR-1a in different myocardial areas of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) as compared to heart-healthy subjects to better define the role of the ghrelin signaling system in the networks regulating cardiac function and its potential as a target for diagnosis and/or treatment of CHF.

New insights into thyroglobulin pathophysiology revealed by the study of a family with congenital goiter.

Context: Thyroglobulin (TG) gene mutations cause congenital hypothyroidism (CH) with goiter. A founder effect has been proposed for some frequent mutations. Mutated proteins have a defect in intracellular transport causing intracellular retention with ultrastructural changes that resemble an endoplasmic reticulum storage disease.

Substantially altered expression pattern of cannabinoid receptor 2 and activated endocannabinoid system in patients with severe heart failure.

Animal studies suggest that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a role in the regulation of myocardial contractility and in the pathogenesis of heart failure. The current study aimed to proof the existence of endocannabinoid receptors on human ventricular myocardium and to determine whether human chronic heart failure (CHF) is associated with changes in endocannabinoid receptor expression and distribution. Expression of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptor (CB2) on human heart was assessed by means of real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry.

Plasma cystatin C for prediction of 1-year cardiac events in Mediterranean patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Objective: Evaluation of renal function (RF) is important for management of patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). Cystatin C, a sensitive marker of RF, appears to be also a marker of cardiovascular risk. Little is known regarding its predictive role in NSTE-ACS patients.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients aged 80 and over].

Introduction: The increasing aging of the population also increases the prevalence of symptomatic gallbladder diseases. It is important to analyse their surgical treatment in the elderly.

Methods: All the laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed in our surgery department on patients aged 80 years-old or over from 1992 to 2007 were included in this study.

Impact of polyclonal anti-thymocyte globulins on the expression of adhesion and inflammation molecules after ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background: Polyclonal anti-thymocyte globulins (ATGs) are immunosuppressive agents used for the treatment and prevention of acute organ rejection after transplantation. ATGs induce apoptosis and complement-mediated cell death in peripheral T-lymphocytes and have shown a reduction of leukocyte adhesion after ischemia-reperfusion (IRI). We analyzed the impact of different ATGs upon the expression of adhesion and inflammation molecules after IRI.

Site-dependent differences in both prelamin A and adipogenic genes in subcutaneous adipose tissue of patients with type 2 familial partial lipodystrophy.

Background: Type 2 familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD2) is characterised by loss of fat in the limbs and buttocks and results from mutations in the LMNA gene.

Aim: To evaluate the role of several genes involved in adipogenesis in order to better understand the underlying mechanisms of regional loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue (scAT) in patients with FPLD2.

Methods: In total, 7 patients with FPLD2 and 10 healthy control participants were studied.

Ghrelin localization in the medulla of rat and human adrenal gland and in pheochromocytomas.

Objective: Ghrelin is predominantly produced by neuroendocrine cells of stomach and has been expressed in several normal and tumour endocrine tissues. It has been reported that the localization of ghrelin is exclusively in the cortex of human and rat adrenal gland and in adrenocortical tumours. This prompted us to analyze the expression of this peptide in medulla of human and rat adrenal glands and in human pheochromocytomas.

Bone fractures after cardiac transplantation.

Objective: Bone loss and bone fractures are disabling complications after heart transplantation. Severe bone loss happens mainly during the first year posttransplantation. Steroids and cyclosporine alter bone metabolism in several ways.

Propofol and remifentanil effect-site concentrations estimated by pharmacokinetic simulation and bispectral index monitoring during craniotomy with intraoperative awakening for brain tumor resection.

Different anesthetic techniques have been suggested for craniotomy with intraoperative awakening. We describe an asleep-awake-asleep technique with propofol and remifentanil infusions, with pharmacokinetic simulation to predict the effect-site concentrations and to modulate the infusion rates of both drugs, and bispectral index (BIS) monitoring. Five critical moments were defined: first loss of consciousness (LOC1), first recovery of consciousness (ROC1), final of neurologic testing (NT), second loss of consciousness (LOC2), and second recovery of consciousness (ROC2).

Ghrelin localization in rat and human thyroid and parathyroid glands and tumours.

Ghrelin, the endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), is a 28 amino acid peptide originally isolated from rat stomach that has been primarily involved in the central neuroregulation of GH secretion and food intake. Previous studies demonstrated that ghrelin has a widespread expression in different normal cells and tissues, as well as in gastric, thyroid, testicular, breast and lung neoplasias. In the current study, we use molecular biology to detect ghrelin transcripts expression in rats, and immunohistochemical techniques to investigate the cellular distribution of this peptide in rat and human thyroid and parathyroid glands and tumours.

Cellular distribution of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor in human reproductive system and breast and prostate cancers.

Growth hormone releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R) mRNA and protein was first localized to the anterior pituitary gland, consequent with the action of its ligand on GH synthesis and release. Subsequent studies found GHRH-R also expressed in the hypothalamus and in systemic tissues including those of the reproductive system. In the present work, we studied the distribution of GHRH-R in human reproductive system of males and females by immunohistochemical method.