Exploratory analysis of the copy number alterations in glioblastoma multiforme.

Background: The Cancer Genome Atlas project (TCGA) has initiated the analysis of multiple samples of a variety of tumor types, starting with glioblastoma multiforme. The analytical methods encompass genomic and transcriptomic information, as well as demographic and clinical data about the sample donors. The data create the opportunity for a systematic screening of the components of the molecular machinery for features that may be associated with tumor formation.

Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) and urbanization of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil.

The article discusses habits related to the vectorial competence of Lutzomyia longipalpis, along with evidence confirming the importance of this sand fly species in the epidemiological chain of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. A new epidemiological profile for visceral leishmaniasis is also postulated, associated with domestic environments and the role of Lu. longipalpis in this process, its sylvatic origin, and its capacity to adapt to a wide range of habitats.

Physical and in silico approaches identify DNA-PK in a Tax DNA-damage response interactome.

Background: We have initiated an effort to exhaustively map interactions between HTLV-1 Tax and host cellular proteins. The resulting Tax interactome will have significant utility toward defining new and understanding known activities of this important viral protein. In addition, the completion of a full Tax interactome will also help shed light upon the functional consequences of these myriad Tax activities.

Distinct patterns of electrical stimulation of the basolateral amygdala influence pentylenetetrazole seizure outcome.

Our working hypothesis is that constant interpulse interval (IPI) electrical stimulation would resonate with endogenous epileptogenic reverberating circuits, inducing seizures, whereas a random interinterval electrical stimulation protocol would promote desynchronization of such neural networks, producing an anticonvulsant effect. Male Wistar rats were stereotaxically implanted with a bipolar electrical stimulation electrode in the amygdala. Pentylenetetrazole (10mg/ml/min) was continuously infused through an intravenous catheter to induce seizures while four different patterns of temporally coded electrical stimulation were applied: periodic stimulation (PS), pseudo-randomized IPI stimulation (LH), restrictively randomized IPI stimulation (IH), and bursts of 20-ms IPIs (burst).

[Rate of dental treatment needs: the case of the Xakriaba Indians].

The present study was developed among Xakriabas Indians in Minas Gerais and aimed at identifying their needs for dental treatment so that patients could be scheduled for treatment. Native health agents were trained by dental-surgeons for conducting the survey in household visits. The total Indian population is of 6.

Traffic of leukocytes in the central nervous system is associated with chemokine up-regulation in a severe model of herpes simplex encephalitis: an intravital microscopy study.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a human pathogen that may cause severe encephalitis. The development of experimental models of HSV-1 encephalitis is relevant for the comprehension of the immune mechanisms involved in this infection. C57BL/6 mice were inoculated intracranially with 10(4) PFU of neurotropic HSV-1.

Oral candidiasis of HIV-infected children undergoing sequential HIV therapies.

Candida oral flora from 52 Brazilian HIV-infected children was characterized while they received antiviral monotherapy therapy and subsequently, HAART with the use of protease inhibitor. There was a significant increase in non-C. albicans Candida isolates from 9.

Oral lesions in lupus erythematosus: correlation with cutaneous lesions.

Oral lesions in the context of lupus erythematosus (LE) have long been described. However, definitive agreement on about the exact nature and correct classification of these manifestations is lacking in published studies. Controversy exists on the significance of oral LE lesions regarding patient outcome.

Disseminated blue naevus and malignant blue naevus associated with excessive aromatase syndrome.

We report a case of a 17-year-old boy who had a giant congenital blue naevus with multiple satellite pigmented lesions. Later the patient developed melanoma arising in the pre-existing lesion. He also had gynaecomastia and was diagnosed as having aromatase excess syndrome.

Parameter optimization in S-system models.

Background: The inverse problem of identifying the topology of biological networks from their time series responses is a cornerstone challenge in systems biology. We tackle this challenge here through the parameterization of S-system models. It was previously shown that parameter identification can be performed as an optimization based on the decoupling of the differential S-system equations, which results in a set of algebraic equations.

Superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass: past, present, and future.

Object: The aim of this study was to review the historical developments and current status of superficial temporal artery (STA) to middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass.

Method: A literature review was performed to review the origins and current uses of the STA bypass procedure in neurosurgery.

Results: The idea of providing additional blood supply to the brain to prevent stroke and maintain neurological function has been present in the mind of neurosurgeons for many decades.

State-of-strain evaluation with fiber Bragg grating rosettes: application to discrimination between strain and temperature effects in fiber sensors.

An optical rosette that incorporates fiber Bragg gratings as strain gauges has been designed, fabricated, and tested. We investigated it by measuring the state of strain of a thin plate as the test structure submitted to an increasing load in a four-point bending configuration and for various angular orientations. This device has also been successfully investigated as a self-temperature-compensated in situ uniaxial strain sensor without any angular dependence and with high accuracy in recovery analysis, leading us to expect many industrial applications.

Immunogenicity and safety of combined intradermal recombinant Hepatitis B with BCG vaccines at birth.

This randomized, prospective, non-inferiority study aimed to quantify anti-HBs titers induced by recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine from healthy infants vaccinated with combined Hepatitis B and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccines (HbsAg 10 microg plus BCG suspension 0.1mg) and compare them to titers obtained with separated vaccines. Infants were immunized at birth either with combined intradermal (ID) BCG and Hepatitis B or ID BCG alone and intramuscular (IM) Hepatitis B.

Height deficit during and many years after treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children: a review.

There are conflicting data on the incidence and severity of height deficits in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This is probably due to: (1) collection of data in different phases of treatment; (2) differences in chemotherapeutic regimens; (3) inclusion or not of children who had received cranial irradiation (CRT); (4) limited numbers of patients; (5) relative numbers of prepubertal and pubertal children; (6) different ways of measuring growth deficits. Twenty-five papers published between 1987 and 2006 were reviewed.

Hepatotoxicity in HIV-infected children and adolescents on antiretroviral therapy.

Context And Objective: Adverse drug reactions are a significant problem in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). We determined liver enzyme elevation frequencies in HIV-infected children and adolescents receiving ART, and their association with risk factors.

Design And Setting: Cross-sectional study, at the Pediatrics Immunodeficiency Division, University Hospital, Universidade Estadual de Campinas.

Lumbopelvic fixation and sacral decompression for a U-shaped sacral fracture: case report.

Background: U-shaped sacral fractures are highly unstable, can cause significant neurological deficits, lead to progressive deformity and chronic pain if not treated appropriately.

Objective: To report a case of a U-shaped sacral fracture treated with lumbopelvic fixation and decompression of sacral roots in a 23-year-old man.

Method: Decompression of the sacral roots combined with internal reduction and lumbopelvic fixation using iliac screws.

Successful vaccination against Leishmania chagasi infection in BALB/c mice with freeze-thawed Leishmania antigen and Corynebacterium parvum.

This study evaluated the potential of a Leishmania antigen vaccine in protecting BALB/c mice against Leishmania chagasi. Mice received two subcutaneous doses of L. amazonensis vaccine with Corynebacterium parvum and subsequent boost was done without adjuvant.

Endocrine disruptors and hypospadias: role of genistein and the fungicide vinclozolin.

Objectives: The phytoestrogen (plant estrogen) genistein, present in soy products, is of interest because in utero exposure to genistein can cause hypospadias in our mouse model and maternal consumption of soy is prevalent in human populations. Another compound of interest is the fungicide vinclozolin, which also causes hypospadias in the mouse and rat and can occur concurrently with genistein in the diet as a residue on exposed foods. A study in the United Kingdom found no relationship between a maternal organic vegetarian diet and hypospadias frequency, but women who consumed nonorganic vegetarian diets had a greater percentage of sons with hypospadias.

Expression of Fc gamma and complement receptors in monocytes of X-linked agammaglobulinaemia and common variable immunodeficiency patients.

Recently we reported that monocyte phagocytosis and chemotaxis are impaired in X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) and common variable immunodeficiency (CVI) patients. Few data exist on the in vivo expression of receptors for the constant region of immunoglobulin (IgG) (Fc gammaR) and complement receptors (CR) in these patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of Fc gammaR and CR on monocytes from XLA and CVI patients and compare it to that of healthy controls.

[Timely implementation of interventions to reduce vertical HIV transmission: a successful experience in Brazil].

Objective: To describe the impact, at the public maternity facility of a university hospital in Brazil, of the rapid implementation of new guidelines recommended by national consensus panels concerning the prevention of vertical HIV transmission.

Method: We performed a retrospective study of deliveries by HIV-infected women at the public maternity facility of a university hospital in the city of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, from 1990 through 2000. The guidelines utilized at the facility during this period were: (1) from 1990 through 1994, contraindication to breast-feeding and no use of antiretroviral drugs; (2) 1995 and 1996, use of zidovudine (AZT) by the pregnant woman and the newborn; (3) 1997 and 1998, use of AZT according to the ACTG 076 protocol; and (4) 1999 and 2000, multiple antiretroviral agents and elective cesarean delivery.

Automated smoother for the numerical decoupling of dynamics models.

Background: Structure identification of dynamic models for complex biological systems is the cornerstone of their reverse engineering. Biochemical Systems Theory (BST) offers a particularly convenient solution because its parameters are kinetic-order coefficients which directly identify the topology of the underlying network of processes. We have previously proposed a numerical decoupling procedure that allows the identification of multivariate dynamic models of complex biological processes.

Robust gammadelta+ T cell expansion in infants immunized at birth with BCG vaccine.

Cell-mediated immune responses to BCG vaccine were evaluated in 7-month-old infants vaccinated with intradermal combined BCG and Hepatitis B or intradermal BCG and intramuscular Hepatitis B at birth. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures from both groups showed CD4(+), CD8(+) and remarkable gammadelta(+) T cell BCG-specific proliferation, without significant differences. Also, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha concentrations in culture supernatants, measured by ELISA, were similar.