Analysis of gene expression EGFR and KRAS, microRNA-21 and microRNA-203 in patients with colon and rectal cancer and correlation with clinical outcome and prognostic factors.

Purpose:: To evaluate the expression of EGFR, KRAS genes, microRNAs-21 and 203 in colon and rectal cancer samples, correlated with their age at diagnosis, histological subtype, value of pretreatment CEA, TNM staging and clinical outcome.

Methods:: Expression of genes and microRNAs by real time PCR in tumor and non-tumor samples obtained from surgical treatment of 50 patients.

Results:: An increased expression of microRNAs-21 and 203 in tumor samples in relation to non-tumor samples was found.

Expression profiles of eNOS, iNOS and microRNA-27b in the corpus cavernosum of rats submitted to chronic alcoholism and Diabetes mellitus.

Purpose:: To evaluate the expression of endothelial and inducible NOS in addition to the miRNA-27b in the corpus cavernosum and peripheral blood of healthy rats, diabetic rats, alcoholic rats and rats with both pathologies.

Methods:: Forty eight Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (C), alcoholic (A), diabetic (D) and alcoholic-diabetic (AD). Samples of the corpus cavernosum were prepared to study protein expressions of eNOS and iNOS by immunohistochemistry and expression of miRNA-27b in the corpus cavernosum and peripheral blood.

Morphological and immunohistochemical analysis of apoptosis in the cerebellum of rats subjected to focal cerebral ischemia with or without alcoholism model.

Purpose:: To evaluated histopathological changes, morphometric and expression of proteins CASPASE-3, BCL-2 and XIAP related to apoptosis in the cerebellum after induction of temporary focal cerebral ischemia followed by reperfusion, with or without a model of chronic alcoholism.

Methods:: Fifty Wistar rats were used and divided into: control group (C), sham group (S), ischemic group (I), alcoholic group (A), and ischemic and alcoholic group (IA). The cerebellum samples collected were stained for histopathological and morphometric analysis and immunohistochemistry study.

Chronic alcoholism associated with diabetes impairs erectile function in rats.

Objective: To investigate the effects of chronic ethanol consumption and diabetes on nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation of cavernosal smooth muscle (CSM).

Material And Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, isocaloric, diabetic and ethanol-diabetic. The CSMs were mounted in organ chambers for measurement of isometric tension.

Chronic ethanol consumption induces cavernosal smooth muscle dysfunction in rats.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of chronic ethanol consumption on nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation in rat cavernosal smooth muscle (CSM).

Methods: Male wistar rats were divided into 2 groups: control and ethanol. CSM obtained from both groups were mounted in organ chambers for measurement of isometric tension.