miRNA analysis of prostate cancer by quantitative real time PCR: comparison between formalin-fixed paraffin embedded and fresh-frozen tissue.

Objective: Micro RNA (miRNA) is a class of small noncoding RNA that plays a major role in the regulation of gene expression, which has been related to cancer behavior. The possibility of analyzing miRNA from the archives of pathology laboratories is exciting, as it allows for large retrospective studies. Formalin is the most common fixative used in the surgical pathology routine, and its promotion of nucleic acid degradation is well known.

Safety profile of trocar and insufflation needle access systems in laparoscopic surgery.

Background: The most common laparoscopic complications are associated with trocar insertion. The purpose of this study was to develop an objective method of evaluating the safety profile of various access devices used in laparoscopic surgery.

Study Design: In 20 swine, 6 bladed and 2 needle access devices were evaluated.

Retinoic acid inhibits dendritic cell differentiation driven by interleukin-4.

All-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) appears to affect Th1-Th2 differentiation and its effects on immune responses might also be mediated by dendritic cell (DC). Nonetheless, studies have been showing contradictory results since was observed either induction or inhibition of DC differentiation. Our aim was to investigate atRA action on human monocyte derived DC differentiation.

An evaluation of the anti-neoplastic activity of curcumin in prostate cancer cell lines.

Objective: The aim of our study is to investigate the anti-neoplastic effect of curcumin in prostate cancer cell lines. Specifically, we are using the LNCaP cell line and another prostate cell line developed in our laboratory, PcBra1. The PcBra1 cells were derived from a localized, obstructive prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 9 (4+5).

Erection induced by Tx2-6 toxin of Phoneutria nigriventer spider: expression profile of genes in the nitric oxide pathway of penile tissue of mice.

The peptides Tx2-5 and Tx2-6, isolated from the whole venom of "armed-spider"Phoneutria nigriventer venom, are directly linked with the induction of persistent and painful erection in the penis of mammals. The erection induced by Tx2-6 has been associated with the activation of nitric oxide synthases. There is a scarcity of studies focusing on the outcome of Tx2-6 at the molecular level, by this reason we evaluated the gene profile activity of this toxin at the nitric oxide (NO) pathway.

Comparing the quality of the suture anastomosis and the learning curves associated with performing open, freehand, and robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty in a swine animal model.

Background: It is believed that robotic assistance allows for improved suture reapproximation of tissue and decreases the lengthy learning time that is needed to master laparoscopic suturing. But there have been no studies directly comparing the efficiency of robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) to freehand laparoscopy (LS) and open surgery (OS). The purpose of this study was to compare the quality of the suture anastomosis of the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) using the three techniques and to evaluate their associated learning curves.

Antimutagenicity protection of Ginkgo biloba extract (Egb 761) against mitomycin C and cyclophosphamide in mouse bone marrow.

Ginkgo biloba (Egb 761) extract, the most prescribed phytomedicine in Europe for the treatment of cerebral insufficiency and vascular diseases, was tested for its possible protective effects against mitomycin C (MMC)- and cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced mutagenicity using the micronucleus test in mouse bone marrow. The extract was co-administered to mice at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg (po) with 4 mg/kg (ip) MMC or 24 mg/kg (ip) CP. All doses of Egb 761 were significantly (P < 0.

Change in expression of miR-let7c, miR-100, and miR-218 from high grade localized prostate cancer to metastasis.

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding regulatory RNAs (19-25 nucleotides) that play a major role in regulation of gene expression. They are responsible for the control of fundamental cellular processes that has been reported to be involved in human tumorigenesis. The characterization of miRNA profiles in human tumors is crucial for the understanding of carcinogenesis processes, finding of new tumor markers, and discovering of specific targets for the development of innovative therapies.

Genetic polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases: susceptibility and prognostic implications for prostate cancer.

Purpose: Prostate cancer is the most common tumor in males in Brazil. Single nucleotide polymorphisms have been demonstrated to exist in the promoter regions of matrix metalloproteinase genes and they are associated with the development and progression of some cancers. We investigated the correlation between MMP1, 2, 7 and 9 polymorphisms with susceptibility to prostate cancer, and classic prognostic parameters of prostate cancer.

Evaluation of guava during different phases of the industrial processing.

In this work we studied the contents of pectin and protein, pectinmethylesterase (PME) activity, and PME stability in various stages of industrial processing, due to the implication of these values on the quality of the final product. The results of the PME stability at different values of pH showed residual PME activity at alkaline pH (7.0, 8.

p53, p16 and Fhit proteins expressions in chronic esophagitis and Chagas disease.

Background: Models have suggested esophageal carcinogenesis can result from the alteration of sequences, leading to esophagitis, atrophy, dysplasia, carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma. While numerous genetic alterations have been reported in esophageal carcinogenesis, studies of benign lesions with precancerous potential are scarce.

Materials And Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed for p53, p16 and Fhit proteins in the esophageal mucosa from patients with Chagas disease (CD), chagasic megaesophagus (CM), chronic esophagitis (CE), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and in normal mucosa (NM).

Postconditioning ameliorates lipid peroxidation in liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Purpose: Liver ischemia-reperfusion injury is a phenomenon presents in events like liver resections and transplantation. The restoration of blood flow may leads to local and systemic injury. Several techniques have been developed in order to avoid or ameliorate ischemia-reperfusion injury in clinical situations.

Polymerase chain reaction compared to other laboratory findings and to clinical evaluation in the diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis and atypical mycobacteria skin infection.

Background: Cutaneous tuberculosis has re-emerged in the last 15 years together with the higher incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis and multidrug resistance. The choice for a single diagnostic tool among the many available today is a challenge. Our objective was to compare polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with other exams in the diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis and atypical mycobacteria skin infection.

The role of prostate specific membrane antigen and pepsinogen C tissue expression as an adjunctive method to prostate cancer diagnosis.

Purpose: The diagnosis of prostate cancer in men with persistently increased prostate specific antigen after a negative prostate biopsy has become a great challenge for urologists and pathologists. We analyzed the diagnostic value of 6 genes in the tissue of patients with prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: The study was comprised of 50 patients with localized disease who underwent radical prostatectomy.

Pretreatment tumor volume estimation based on total serum psa in patients with localized prostate cancer.

Objectives: To establish a formula that estimates tumor volume in localized prostate cancer based on serum prostate specific antigen levels. One of the main prognostic variables in localized prostate cancer is tumor volume, which can be precisely defined only after prostate extirpation. The present study defines a simple method that allows for estimation of tumor volume before treatment, which can help to establish a better therapeutic strategy for each patient.

Evaluation of dendritic cell-tumor cell hybrid vaccine storage.

Clinical trials using dendritic cells (DCs) to treat cancer patients have generated promising results in recent years. However, even simple aspects of this therapy are still not well understood, including the storage and distribution of manufactured vaccines. These processes are essential and must be elucidated in order to reduce costs.

Preliminary findings from a new animal model for Peyronie's disease involving extracorporeal shock waves.

Objective: To develop an experimental model in rabbits to analyse the efficiency of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for Peyronie's disease.

Materials And Methods: We used 15 adult male rabbits divided into three equal groups. In group 1 (no penile ESWT) rabbits had three sessions of ESWT with 2000 shocks each (15 kV), but a rubber mat was placed between the shock head and rabbit to protect the penis; the rabbits were killed at 7 days after the last session of ESWT.

The role of extended prostate biopsy on prostate cancer detection rate: a study performed on the bench.

Introduction: The aim of this prospective study was to compare the advantage of performing prostate biopsy with a greater number of cores using the classic sextant procedure, with the aim of reducing false negative results.

Materials And Methods: 100 prostates were acquired from consecutive radical prostatectomies performed by the same surgeon. Fourteen cores were obtained on the bench following surgery using an automatic pistol with an 18-gauge needle.

Population genetic structure of the blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva, Psittacidae: Aves) based on nuclear microsatellite loci: implications for conservation.

The blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva) is a widely distributed Neotropical parrot and one of the most captured parrots in nature to supply the illegal trade of wild animals. The objectives of the present study were to analyze the genetic structure of A. aestiva to identify management units and support conservation planning and to verified if A.

Antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid and total phenol of exotic fruits occurring in Brazil.

The antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid and phenolic content were studied in 10 exotic fruits from Brazil: abiu, acerola, wax jambu, cashew, mamey sapote, carambola or star fruit, Surinam cherry, longan, sapodilla and jaboticaba. The ascorbic acid was determined by 2,6-dichloroindophenol titrimetic methods and total phenols were measured colorimetrically using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The antioxidant activity was investigated with three different methods: hypochlorous acid scavenging activity, 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation decolorization assay, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method.

E-cadherin and beta-catenin loss of expression related to bone metastasis in prostate cancer.

Objectives: E-cadherin and beta-catenin are adhesion molecules responsible for the maintenance of normal epithelial cell phenotype. A disturbance in epithelial cell adhesion, which leads to a more invasive and metastatic phenotype, is a hallmark of tumor progression. Several immunohistochemical studies have reported a strong correlation between loss of their expression to higher stage and grade in prostate carcinoma, but their influence in metastatic process is not yet known.

Rosiglitazone-enriched diet did not protect liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model.

Purpose: To determine whether rosiglitazone-enriched diet offer protection in a classical model of liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Methods: Two days before the experiment, rats were divided into 2 groups: Control Group (n=13) rats fed with standard diet; Rosi Group (n=13): rats fed with a powdered standard diet supplemented with rosiglitazone. The animals were submitted to liver ischemia-reperfusion by clamping the pedicle of median and left anterolateral lobes.

Isoforms of hyaluronidases can be a predictor of a prostate cancer of good prognosis.

Introduction: Hyaluronidases (HAases) are enzymes related to cancer progression. Isoforms of HAases have been described as products of alternative splicing responsible for differences in enzyme activity. The heterogeneity of HAase expression has been identified in tumors and could be related to the differences in their biological behavior.