Repositório RCAAP

The electronic foramen locators (EFLs) currently available are based on different methods for determination of the distance between the apical foramen and a coronal reference, consequently presenting the real root canal length. Each of these methods aim to offer greater precision while presenting lower sensitivity to potential interferences found in the root canal system. With this in mind, the goal of this work was to evaluate the precision of some of these EFLs ex vivo and in vivo for electronic measurement of the root canal length at two different positions (0.0 mm and -1.0 mm) and under clinical conditions, respectively. In the ex vivo study, 42 mandibular bicuspids had their actual lengths compared to electronic measurements performed by the following EFLs: Root ZX, Mini Apex Locator, Propex II, iPex, and RomiApex A-15. Initial measurements were performed to positions identified by the devices as 1.0 mm short of the apical foramen (AF), and subsequent measurements were at the AF (0.0 mm). For the in vivo study, ten patients with bicuspids referred for extraction as part of their orthodontic clinical planning had electronic root length measurements using two EFLs, Propex II and Root ZX, prior to extraction. The last files used were fixated to the teeth, which were then extracted. Then, the apical 4 mm of the canals were exposed to allow assessment of the distance between the tip of the file and the AF. The percentages of precision from the ex vivo electronic measurements at 0.0 mm and -1.0 mm considering each device were: 70.6% and 47.1% (Root ZX); 61.8% and 52.9% (Mini Apex Locator); 67.6% and 38.2% (Propex II); 61.8% and 38.2% (iPex); and 73.5% and 38.2% (RomiApex A-15), respectively (±0.5 mm). Statistical differences were observed for Propex II, iPex, and RomiApex A-15 when measurements at both positions were compared (0.0 mm X -1.0 mm). No significant differences between the EFLs were observed at 0. 0 mm. However, at -1.0 mm, the precision of iPex was statistically lower compared with the other devices. Regarding the in vivo study, the AF was located in 75% (Root ZX) and 66.7% of the teeth (Propex II), under a tolerance margin of ±0.5 mm. Statistically significant differences were observed between the two EFLs. Based on the results obtained and considering the conditions of this work, it was concluded that EFLs are reliable tools for determining the real length of the canal, but are not infallible. It was also observed in the ex vivo experiments that all EFLs had decreased precision in measurements with the instruments short of the AF, with significant differences observed between Propex II, iPex, and RomiApex A-15. Moreover, it was concluded that under clinical conditions, Root ZX was more reliable than Propex II.

The Construction industry consumes about half of natural resources extracted from the planet, but a large number of companies are investing to build a culture of loss reduction, recycling, reuse of waste, besides the use of new materials and alternative techniques, said sustainable. The federal government, because it is the largest contractor in Brazil, has encouraged its use by businesses, with the publication of the Normative Instruction number 01/2010 of the Ministry, Budget, Planning and Management, however, by virtue of the Public Procurement Law No. 8666/93, is not entirely possible the purchase and use of such materials. Within this context, this paper aims to establish guidelines for the use of sustainable materials and techniques to be incorporated into the designs and bidding documents governed by the law number 8666/93. We chose a project that will be built in the Campus do Pici, Universidade Federal do Ceará, which served as a case study. We studied the available technologies and sustainable materials, made visits to private sector companies, already use them, picked them both economically and technically viable, to be used in the specifications of the work studied. We conclude that the use of simple techniques and materials within easy reach below 10% increase in value of the work and that even having an initial cost a bit higher investment is paid in a few years, generating over the years, a great savings for the government, it is necessary to instigate actions that involve the use of natural resources.

The visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a serious problem of public health in the Latin America and has shown an increase mortality in the Brazil. This is a systemic infectious disease involving the bone marrow, causing many hematologic manifestations. Objetives: to describe LV bone marrow features and correlate cytomorphological findings with peripheral blood parameters and the disease severity: Methodology: It is a retrospective study with gathering clinical and laboratory data of patients attended at three references hospital of Ceará State between june 2001 and August 2010. Were included 126 patients with a LV diagnosis confirmed by detection of the parasite in bone marrow and/or by positive sorology, by rK39. The slides of bone marrow aspiration of all patients were evaluated and the parasite load and the hematologic parameters were determined.The gravity was determined by the risk of death using the scoring system. Results: The age ranged from 5 months to 79 years and 74% were male. The patients from urban area accounted 68,2%. Comorbidities were associated in 31,7% patients. The more frequently finding of bone marrow were moderate/high parasite load (57,2%), dysplasia with predominance of dyserythropoiesis (80,9%), hemophagocytosis (30,1%) and granuloma (22,2%).There was one positive association between parasite load and serious neutropenia, neutrophil <500/mm3 (p=0,04), and hemophagocytosis (p=0,05). In this present study, using the model predictions based on scores was observed that 23,8% were classified as high risk of death. Most patients with a score considered with high risk of death had normocelular bone marrow, parasite load moderate/high, dyserythropoiese and dysgranulopoiese. In relation to the presence of granuloma there was a negative association statistically significant in the patients with high risk of death (p=0,02). The study points to possible diagnostic and prognostic indicators identified in the bone marrow of patients with VL.

In order to focus on the importance of laboratorial diagnosis of extrapulmonary mycobacteria, except renal, we employed the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Clinical samples (body fluids) were tested by PCR for the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (MNTB). We compared the results obtained through the PCR with the ones obtained through conventional microbiological methods. The 114 clinical samples were obtained from internal patients or from or in ambulatorial attendance with clinical suspicion of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, except renal. The samples were collected from 2001 to 2003, and ceded to this research by the Laboratório de Microbiologia do Laboratório Central do Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio (HUWC-UFC), and by the Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública da Secretaria de Saúde do Estado do Ceará (LACEN-CE). The direct microscopy and culture were negative in all the samples. The molecular research, for the Mycobacterium genus was positive in 10 samples, and for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was negative in all the samples.

Leprosy is a world problem of health and Brazil has the second higher rates of new cases in the world. It is considered an endemic disease at Ceará and a total of 1,952 new cases were detected, reaching a detection rate of 22.8/100,000 inhabitants. The interaction between the M. leprae and different T cells stimulates the production of a Th1 or a Th2 pattern of cytokines, which are responsible for the different clinical forms of leprosy. Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α) were found in tuberculoid skin lesions while Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10) were found in lepromatoid lesions. Leprosy is influenced by many distinct factors, among them, genetic factors are the most studied at this moment. Cytokine genes seem to influence the interaction between the pathogen and the host and contribute to the development or not of the disease. The IL-10 is an antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory cytokine which has too much polymorphic promoter regions with microsatellites and SNPs. Different haplotypes are associated to distinct levels of cytokine production in vitro. Many studies reported associations between IL-10 polymorphisms and the risk or the protection against many diseases. However, the data reported have been contradictory and most of the associations between these polymorphisms and the production of IL-10 are showed in in vitro studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the promoter region polymorphisms of IL-10 influence the cytokine levels production in vivo, during the M. leprae infection. Serum levels of IL-10 were analyzed by ELISA in 181 individuals, 77 of them were leprosy cases, 74 household contacts and 30 healthy controls. Among them, 31 had IL-10 polymorphism typed in the case group, 33 in household contact group and 29 in healthy controls. Cases with polymorphism typed were stratified in low, medium and high levels of cytokine production. Differences in the IL-10 production were compared among leprosy cases (pauci and multibacillary), household contacts, healthy controls, genotypes and alleles distribution found in the groups. Kruskall-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze mean values of IL-10 levels. No differences were observed between cases, contacts and controls (p=0.7450), pauci and multibacillary (p=0.7898), phenotypes of IL-10 production (low, medium or high) (p=0.4355). A significant difference in the IL-10 levels between cases and controls was found associated to the alleles -1082A,-819C and -592C (p<0.05) and between cases and contacts associated to the alleles -819C and -592C (p<0.05). No differences were found between contacts and controls (p>0.05). In conclusion, the -1082G>A, -819C>T and -592G>C IL-10 genotypes did not influence the IL-10 production or the M. leprae infection outcome. On the other hand, -1082A,-819C e -592C alleles determined a lower production of IL-10 in cases of leprosy. Keywords: Leprosy; Polymorphisms; IL-10; Serum levels; Contacts.

Introduction: Neoplasic transformation is associated with alterations in the composition of cellular carbohydrates, which determine special cellular characteristics, such as behavior, growth, differentiation and adhesivity. Lectins are proteins which have affinity with specific carbohydrates, so they serve as tools in several fields of diagnostic and prognostic investigations on cancer and on metastases. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL) is an heterogenous neoplasia in clinical, biological, and responsive aspects concerning treatment. There is currently an intense search for new markers which can have practical value in predicting HL behavior and prognosis. This study investigates, in cases of HL classical form (CHL) the expression of specific glyconjugates for Artocarpus incisa L (frutalin), a vegetable aD-galactose-binding lectin, in Reed-Sternberg cells (RS) and their variations. Materials and Methods: The study assessed 54 paraffin blocks containing lymphonodes with morphological and immunohistochemical diagnosis for CHL; 31 of the Nodular Esclerosis type (HLNE); 18 of the Mixed Cellularity type (HLMC); 3 of the Inter-folicular type (HLIN); and 2 of the Lymphocyte-rich type (HLLR). Then 3-mm histological cuts were made and fixed to sylated slides and processed through the strep-avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique (strep ABC), using the biotilinated frutalin (Fb) as probe. Cases of thyroid’s papillary carcinoma were considered positive controls; study’s cutoffs excluding Bf were considered negative ones. Clinical data were obtained through records review. Results: Three positivity patterns have been detected: cytoplasmic (Fbc), membranous (Fbm) and golgian (Fbg) (paranuclear punctiform coloration), which were also classified according to intensity: weak (+) and strong (++/+++). Global positivity for Fb in RS cells was 85.2% (46/54), same frequency as global positivity of CD15 sample. The Fbg marking pattern was the most frequent one, present in 91.3% (42/46) of positive cases (p=0.008). No statistically significant association was observed between frutalin markers, and clinical and stadiament data; initial response to treatment; CHL histological and phenotype subtype. Conclusion: Fb can be used as marker for RS cells and their variations. This use, associated with the morphological study, can be an useful tool for CHL diagnosis. With this number of cases, no correlation between marking pattern and clinical presentation or oncobiological factors that could be considered a prognosis indicator for CHL has been observed so far.

Thrombotic diseases are a serious problem for public health. Several hereditary and environmental factors, that affect physiological anticoagulant system, have been nowadays well established as risk factors for thrombosis. Among hereditary factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutation are the most frequents. The association between several modifications on factor V gene and prothrombin gene in the development of thrombotic events has brought about future searches. In this study, 189 patients with thrombosis attended at the Hematology and Hemoterapy Center of Ceará state –HEMOCE/ Brazil, were analyzed to find out the presence of factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutation The control group was made up 349 healthy volunteers. In this study, the frequency found of factor V Leiden the control population was of 2% (7/349) and in the patients was 9% (17/189) while the frequency found of prothrombin G20210A mutation the control population was of 1,7% (6/349) and in the patients was 2,1% (4/189). Among hereditary factors only factor V Leiden was significant statistic (p<0,001). Among environmental factors studied, tabagism, age > 40 anos and femele were significant statistic (p<0,001). The ODDS RATIO of the risk factors with significant statistic were factor V de Leiden (4,8; 5,3; 9,8), tabaco (17,6; 14,9; 33,3), age > 40 years old (2) and female (3,7 e 4,1). Our results demonstrate that factor V Leiden, tabagism, age > 40 years old and female were associated with development trombosis in Ceará.

Gastric carcinoma is the second cause of death by cancer in the world. On State of Ceara-Brazil is the second most frequent type of cancer in men and third in women. Adenocarcinomas account for approximately 95% of all malignant gastric neoplasms. It has been associated to genetic and environmental factors and a intimate relationship between the infection by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori and the gastric carcinoma have been related. The presence of the cagA gene and specific genotypes (s1m1) of the gene vacA have been detected in more pathogenic strains. Although the precise molecular mechanisms by which H. pylori could promote the process of gastric carcinogenesis are under investigation, one hypothesized mechanism involves the tumor supressor genes inactivation. The aim of the present study was to verify if the presence of Helicobacter pylori, cagA and vacA genes is related to mutations in the tumor supressor gene p53 and altered expression of p53 and p27 proteins in gastric adenocarcinomas. Seventy-four (74) samples were analyzed to detect the presence of H. pylori, cagA and genotypes of vacA by Polymerization Chain Reaction (PCR). The mutational analysis of p53 gene was performed by PCR-SSCP (Polymerization Chain Reaction for analysis of the Single-strand Conformation Polymorphism). Analysis of mutation or overexpression of p53 protein and p27 expression was detected by the immunohistochemical method. The bacteria was detected in 95% of the samples, 63% was cagA(+). Among the vacA allele it was observed prevalence of s1 (74%) and m1 (82%), associated in 69% of the cases. Mutation analysis of p53 demonstrated 72% of the cases with altered electrophoretic mobility; The alterations were significatively more frequent in the presence of the cagA gene. Immunohistochemical analysis detected only 29% of cases with the expression of p53 protein. The protein p27 showed accentuated reduction in its expression (detected in only 19% of the cases), it has not demonstrated compensatory activity in relation to the p53 altered protein, neither association to H. pylori presence. Finally, these data suggest that simultaneous inactivation of these tumor suppressors genes may be the key point of deregulation of the cellular cycle that, associated to the other factors, favor the development and progression of the gastric cancer. There is some evidence that the bacterial presence, cagA and vacA/s1m1 genes, may influence, in a not understood way, the alterations observed in the tumor suppressors p53 and p27.

Quando fazem o repasto sanguíneo, fêmeas do flebotomíneo inoculam promastigotas de Leishmania junto com a saliva no lago sanguíneo formado pelo traumatismo da probóscida do inseto, na derme do hospedeiro mamífero. O sistema imunológico do hospedeiro, na tentativa de controlar a infecção, recruta leucócitos para o sítio inflamatório da inoculação. Neste trabalho foi avaliada a cinética e o recrutamento celular induzidos por Leishmania chagasi, principal agente etiológico da leishmaniose visceral nas Américas, e sua associação com a saliva do vetor específico, Lutzomyia longipalpis, além do sangue do próprio hospedeiro, com o objetivo de entender melhor os eventos iniciais da infecção por Leishmania. Foi utilizado o modelo da bolsa de ar subcutânea em hamsters para analisar o recrutamento e o fenótipo das células que migraram para o sítio da inflamação induzida por L. chagasi, associada ou não a sangue do hospedeiro e a saliva do vetor. Foram estudados também os tipos celulares e as alterações histopatológicas observados no tecido da bolsa de ar. Os dados mostraram que L. chagasi, quando inoculada sozinha, foi capaz de recrutar uma população mista de células, entretanto, grande parte destas células não migrou para o exsudato inflamatório, permanecendo no tecido da bolsa de ar. Por outro lado, a associação de L. chagasi com o sangue do hospedeiro e a saliva do vetor resultou na exacerbação da resposta inflamatória, influenciando também o perfil celular recrutado para o sítio de inoculação, indicando que o sangue e a saliva apresentam um efeito sinérgico com a Leishmania na modulação da resposta inflamatória inicial. Os dados sugerem ainda que Leishmania e os componentes sanguíneos do hospedeiro por si só têm potencial para induzir um processo inflamatório que pode favorecer ou não o estabelecimento do parasito, e que a saliva é um fator a mais que, quando acrescentado ao microambiente, pode exacerbar esta resposta inflamatória. Em suma, a associação de L. chagasi com o sangue do hospedeiro e a saliva do vetor induz uma importante resposta inflamatória, caracterizada pela presença de neutrófilos, eosinófilos, macrófagos e linfócitos, sendo os neutrófilos e macrófagos os tipos celulares predominantes. O efeito sinérgico do sangue e da saliva provavelmente facilita a entrada dos parasitos nas células recrutadas e a consequente progressão da doença.

The present works aimed to identify the causes that make students to have difficulties in the study of integer numbers, verifying accurately the up to what level they manage property that number system, as well to seize the most popular mistakes made by students. In the first part, we offer theoretical bases supported by opinions of authors about the subject. Included in the first part is also a brief history about the evolution of the integer number system, in particular who it appeared, when it started being used, who mathematicians organized the integer numbers system, the origin of the symbols (+) plus and (-) minus. Also in this first part there are comments by authors regarding mathematics education, where they try to justify the low rate of learning in such a discipline. We comment on possible causes of the low performance of students in class and to whom one should blame: Teacher? Student? Educational system? School? For some authors, the success of learning depends a bit on all of these factors, thus teachers, students, educational system and school ought to do their part. Through the didactical strategies suggested, we can understand how the learning process happens and in which situation a student seize the knowledge. In the second part of this work, we perform a research with 100 students from four schools in Fortaleza, making use of two different evaluations. Students are required to ordinate, classify and operate integer numbers. We show the teacher’s methodology, the obstacle faced by students when operating with integer numbers, an analysis of the difficulties in the study of integer numbers, keeping track of the mistakes in order to identify the most often ones in each school and afterwards combat them. Some conclusions, based on the sample data, are delivered at the end of this work, offering also some methodological tools.

The teaching of Science, particularly of Biological science, must be able of changing the student into a critical being, who pounders his reality and participates of it. An individual capable of questioning, understanding and solving problems in a global dimension, seeing beyond the old conception of a discipline that exists by its own, ignoring the other fields of knowledge. That being said, the act of teaching must be understood within the context of the school, in a appropriate manner, not only with the mere transmission of subjects, but also with an inquisitive direction, showing to the student how to comprehend and explain his own reality. However, it is no more time for the school to stand as the only source of knowledge, for today, also television, radio, internet, videos and other data work as agents in the act of spreading the knowledge in science as much for children as for adults. In this direction, the science taught in the school plays an essential role in the education of the students, through activities that make a high level of scientific education possible. It is necessary that the students may develop a contextualized and richer scientific vocabulary, in order to better understand the presented scientific concepts. This work aims to analyze the implications of making videos as a pedagogical resource in the act of teaching biological concepts. The applied methodology was a field research, made with 36 students from the last step of high school of a school located in Fortaleza/CE, from may to September of 2009. The students produced 2 videos: a documentary and a parody. Quizzes, interviews and the observation of the environment were used as source of data. The results show that the videos made inside the school and also, specially, outside of it have an expressive potential to influence the interest of the students in learning; the videos posted in the internet are often revisited by the students; making videos outside the school was even more productive; watching videos in the internet made easier the act of learning. The final comments show that digital technologies must definitely participate of the institution. This insertion must not forget about reflection or even result in a mere technological pile up of multimedia rooms. More important than the resources is to know how to properly use these technological media, making the act of learning actually less complicated.

American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) is an endemic disease in the Brazil. In spite of the measures employed to the control the disease continues in expansion and with tendency to urbanization. The northeast of Brazil excels with foci of this zoonosis, especially in the mountains and foothills around Ceará state. Cariri in the south of Ceará close to plateau of Araripe that reaches 900m, bordering the states of the Pernambuco, Piauí and Paraíba is kind of this place with scarce studies. The present work evaluated the clinical and epidemiological aspects of the ACL in the Cariri, especially emphasizing study histopathologic material originating from borders of the ulcers of 64 patients with ACL. The material studied came from APACIC histopatology laboratory (1990-2003), and Pathology laboratory of the Juazeiro do Norte Medicine School (Tropical Medicine Nucleus, 2000-2003). The archived material was constituted of the patient’s records, slides and paraffin blocks. The clinical and epidemiological informations were collected in the specific protocol. The histological material was examine by microscopic routine of the HE and Giemsa, sometimes others histotecnologies techniques were performed. The results revealed Barbalha with highest number of the ACL (n=30); ACL was predominantly rural (n= 38); urbanization of the ACL in the Juazeiro do Norte; male sex (n=39), brown skin (n= 43) and farmer’s (n= 13) prevailed; the ulcerated simple form (n= 63) was most common involving mainly the legs; the nonspecific chronic inflammatory reaction with repair response prevailed in the cases of the ACL; Montenegro skin test, serology and histopathology without identification of the parasites in the absence of the clinical and epidemiological setting should not be used separately to diagnosis ACL.

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and aplastic anemia (AA) are two of the hematological disorders which present peripheral cytopenias, with extensive clinical manifestations that vary from slight anemia to severe pancytopenia; the latter requiring continuous transfusional reposition of red cell (RC) and platelet concentrates (PC), which can induce aloimunization in patients. Such patients can develop a post-transfusional refractory state, rendering further transfusions unviable. The objective of the present study was to investigate the incidence of anti-HLA antibodies in politransfused patients, and correlate the aloimmunity levels to the clinical profiles of MDS and AA patients. A total of 110 politransfused patients (70 with MDS, and 40 with AA) have been included in the study, with the MDS patients being subclassified into four clinical diagnostic categories: refractory anemia (RA), ringed-sideroblastic refractory anemia (RSRA), refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB) and refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation (RAEB-t). Blood serum samples from these patients were treated with dithiothreitol for the detection of anti-HLA class I antibodies, using the complement-dependent cytotoxicity test (CDC), in a panel of lymphocytes constituted on the basis of the frequency of HLA antigens in our population (PRA). The results showed that a larger number of AA patients were aloimmunized than MDS patients (45% v 28.6%), with the aloreactivity being higher in AA patients who received higher mean transfusions of PC, than in MDS patients who received higher average number of EC transfusions. The degree of aloimmunization was different in the two disorders, and was generally related to: the number of transfusions received, the application of un-deleukocytised PC and EC, and the type of immunosuppressant drugs used in treatment [Cyclosporin (CsA) and/or antiglobulin (ALG) therapy significantly reduced aloimmunization, but corticoids alone were not sufficient]. The highest degree of aloimmunity (Grade 4) was observed only in MDS females, particularly in those who had multiple births. Persistent IgG was also associated with Grade 4 aloimmunity. These results reveal that significant numbers of MDS and AA patients, if politransfused with un-deleukocytised PC and EC and un-treated with immunosuppressants CsA and/or ALG, can develop anti-HLA antibodies and become refractory to further transfusions. Such aloimmunized patients can also become potentially unsuited to receive bone marrow transplants from HLA-matched donors.

As metaloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) e -14 (MMP-14) e o inibidor tecidual de metaloproteinases tipo 2 (TIMP-2) participam de modo fundamental na transição epitelial-mesenquimal e progressão tumoral-linfonodal de muitos tipos de câncer, inclusive o gástrico. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar a expressão das três enzimas no carcinoma gástrico e metástases linfonodais e suas possíveis participações na progressão tumoral. Foram utilizados 83 casos de gastrectomias por câncer gástrico (histotipo intestinal = 53 casos; difuso = 30 casos), e seus respectivos linfonodos, dos arquivos do Departamento de Patologia e Medicina Legal/UFC. Foi realizado tissue microarray e imunohistoquímica com anticorpo monoclonal anti-MMP-2, anti-MMP-14 e anti-TIMP-2, avaliada através dos seguintes escores: 0 = ausência de imunomarcação ou raras células marcadas (< 5%); 1 = marcação discreta na maioria (> 50%) das células tumorais ou inflamatórias mononucleadas (muitos dos quais identificados como macrófagos pelo CD68) ou marcação moderada em minoria de células (< 50%); 2 = marcação moderada na maioria (> 50%) das células tumorais ou inflamatórias mononucleadas ou marcação intensa em minoria de células (< 50%); 3 = marcação intensa na maioria (> 50%) das células tumorais ou inflamatórias mononucleadas. A expressão de MMP-2, MMP-14 e TIMP-2 nos mononucleares associados a tumores ocorreu com maior frequência comparada à imunomarcação em mononucleares da mucosa normal, com diferença significativa em relação a TIMP-2 (40/53 vs 12/26; *p = 0,0128, teste exato de Fisher). MMP-2 foi muito mais presente nas mulheres (p = 0,0248) enquanto TIMP-2 ocorreu predominantemente após os 50 anos (p = 0,0034). A expressão dos três biomarcadores nos carcinomas gástricos primários foi muito superior nos mononucleares, em relação às células neoplásicas, sobretudo para a MMP-2 (16/46 vs 5/46; *p = 0,0118), que também prevaleceu em mononucleares das metástases linfonodais em tumores dos histotipos intestinal e difuso (13/16 vs 4/19; ***p = 0,0006). Neste estudo, a expressão preponderante dos três imunomarcadores pelos mononucleares do conjuntivo reforça o papel central destas células e do microambiente tumoral na progressão do câncer gástrico. A maior expressão de TIMP-2 no sítio primário é sugestiva do efeito inibitório desta enzima sobre MMP-2 e MMP-14, que parecem participar principalmente em fases mais avançadas da progressão tumoral-linfonodal. A MMP-14, através dos mononucleares, parece estar mais envolvida na progressão do câncer gástrico difuso do que a MMP-2 e seu inibidor tissular.

Hodgkin lymphoma is a hematololgic B neoplasm occurring at patients within any age, however more likely to affect those from 15 to 40 years-old. The TP53 gene is 20kb length gene with 11 exons that encodes the p53 protein, which main function is related to the conservation and integrity of the genetic code. Most cancers show point mutations in the TP53 sequence. The analysis of these mutations allows a better understanding of the function of the diverse domains of the protein and its relationship to tumor suppression. There is only a few data about TP53 polymorphisms and Hodgkin lymphoma. In this manner, in our study we try to detect polymorphisms within the codons 272, 273, 278, 282, 306 of the exon 8 of the TP53 gene in Hodgkin lymphoma. In our survey we analyzed 42 paraffin-embedded tissues from 2000 to 2006. These samples were prepared for DNA extraction and PCR isolation and amplification of the 137bp fragment of the exon 8 of the TP53 gene, using exclusive primers specially designed to our experiment: PFw8 e PRv8. After PCR amplification, the products of the reaction were purified to the Sequencing reaction. The last part of the experiment encoded the bioinformatics analysis of sequences. DNA extraction and PCR amplification were successfully obtained in our study in all the samples. However, the DNA sequencing was only obtained in 32 samples, but there was no characteristic electropherogram of the analyzed region of the gene. Therefore, it was not possible to determine the presence or absence of SNPs in the TP53 exon 8.

As doenças trombóticas constituem um sério problema na saúde mundial. Diversas desordens hereditárias, que afetam o sistema fisiológico anticoagulante, estão atualmente estabelecidas como fatores de risco para a ocorrência do evento trombótico. Dentre estes o fator V Leiden é o mais freqüente. A associação entre alterações no gene do fator V e a ocorrência de eventos trombóticos desencadeou o desenvolvimento de diversas pesquisas. Neste estudo, 100 pacientes portadores de eventos trombóticos, atendidos no ambulatório de Hematologia do Centro de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Ceará - HEMOCE/SESA/UFC, foram analisados para a detecção da presença do fator V Leiden. O grupo controle consistiu de 110 voluntários sadios. A freqüência encontrada na população controle foi de 2,7% (03/110), enquanto que nos pacientes trombofílicos foi de 9% (09/100). Destes, 77,8% (07/09) eram do sexo feminino e 22,2% (02/09) do sexo masculino e a cor predominante foi a parda [66,7% (06/09)]. A faixa etária mais freqüente foi entre 26 e 33 anos [33,4% (03/09)]. Do total dos pacientes portadores do fator V Leiden, 88,9% (08/09) apresentaram trombose venosa profunda e 11,1% (01/09) trombose arterial com recorrência do evento trombótico de 22,2% (02/09). A correlação entre a presença do evento trombótico/presença do fator V Leiden e o uso de contraceptivo oral foi de 71,4% (05/07). Das pacientes portadoras e que usaram contraceptivo oral não ocorreu o aborto. A localização do primeiro evento trombótico, nos portadores, foi predominantemente nos membros inferiores [88,9% (08/09)] e 11,1% (01/09), nas artérias coronárias. Em 44,4% (04/09) havia um ou mais fatores de risco/morbidade associado. A freqüência da mutação encontrada no estado do Ceará mostrou-se inferior aos dados obtidos na região de Botucatu (SP) - 12% e ao estudo de Benson, em Atlanta (EUA)- 12,4 e ainda menor que os encontrados na região de Campinas (SP)- 20% e à população com ancestral europeu-18%. A diferença entre pacientes trombofílicos e população controle não foi estatisticamente significante (p=0,19), mas o risco estimado para o evento trombótico foi de 2,46.

The present study had the objective of investigating whether patients with Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) reveal, at the time of clinical diagnosis, the presence of certain serological markers, such as rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-citrulinated cyclic peptide antibody (Anti-CCP) and antinuclear antibodies (ANA), which are commonly considered to be the markers for incidence and evolution of the rheumatic autoimmune diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). The sample size for the study consisted of 98 individuals, with 69 patients - clinically diagnosed with Disk displacement, or other Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) conditions such as arthralgia, osteoarthrosis and osteoarthritis - constituting the experimental group, and a control group of 29 apparently healthy subjects. The experimental group patients were diagnosed by applying Questionnaire RDC/TMD (Research Diagnostic Criteria), and evaluation for involvement of other systems and body organs, in addition to head and neck. Peripheral blood samples were collected from all the individuals, and the serum samples evaluated for the presence of RF, Anti-CCP and ANA. Of the 98 individuals under study, 18 revealed presence of one or more of the serological markers investigated - 16 (26.08%) of them being TMD patients, and the other two (6.8%) from the control group. The TMJ patients positive for serum markers were predominantly women in the 4th and 5th decades of age. Comparative evaluations for possible associations between a variety of clinical symptoms of TMD and positive serological markers revealed that there was a significantly elevated morning stiffness, as also inflammation in other body articulations, in the seropositive group. These results enable us to suggest, if only provisionally, the following hypotheses to explain the incidence of serological markers for systemic rheumatic diseases in TMD patients: I. The clinical incidence of TMD may coincide, or coexist, with the possible evolution of other systemic rheumatic diseases; and II. The clinical evolution of TMD possibly predisposes the individual to the incidence of non-odontological systemic rheumatic pathologies. The eventual confirmation of both, or either, of these hypotheses could contribute to the early diagnosis and institution of more efficient therapeutic strategies for a better control of systemic rheumatic diseases.

The contraceptive method of vasectomy can be reversed, in certain circumstances, through surgical procedures; but the incidence of autoimmune antisperm humoral responses in some vasectomized individuals may impede attempts to restore fertility. In this context, investigations on the incidence and evolution of autoimmune responses in vasectomized individuals may contribute for the understanding of autoimmune infertility associated with vasectomy, as also for the assessment of viability of restorative surgeries for fertility. Twenty individuals who have requested voluntary vasectomy for contraception, most referred by the Assis Chateaubriand School of Maternity of the Federal University of Ceará, were selected for the study. Surgical vasectomy was performed by the author, in the Ambulatory ward of the Faculty of Medicine. Blood and semen samples were collected from the individuals prior to, and 30, 90 and 180 days after vasectomy. Antisperm IgG and IgA were evaluated in the Center for Assisted Reproduction of Ceará (CONCEPTUS), by “Immunobead” technique (IBT), using the direct method for the detection of antibodies in pre-vasectomy seminal samples, and the indirect IBT for evaluation of antibodies in semen samples after vasectomy, and for sera. Antibody presence was measured as >0% (all positive results) and ≥ 20% of spermatozoa bound to antibodies. The parameters studied were: i) comparative evaluations of the incidences of IgG and/or IgA in serum and/or semen; ii) evolution of the titers of these antibodies with time; and iii) the sites of binding of the antibodies in the spermatozoa of volunteers. All the pre-vasectomy serum and semen samples were devoid of antisperm antibodies; however, IgG and/or IgA were present in post-vasectomy serum and semen samples in a majority of individuals, in increasing numbers from 30 to 180 days. The simultaneous presence of IgG and IgA was always predominant. At >0% positivity, 25% of the individuals were positive in 30 days, with IgG or IgA individually present in very few. In 90 days, 60% of the vasectomized were positive, rising to 85% in 180 days. No positive reactivity was detected for ≥ 20%. Evaluation of antibodies in serum individually showed that positive results at ≥ 20% increased from one (30 days) to three in 90days, and to four in 180 days. In semen, this positivity was not detected. The evaluation of antibody titers (% of spermatozoa bound to antibodies) revealed increase of IgG and IgA with time both in serum and semen, with the former always ahead of IgA, and reaching mean values at 180 days of 7,9% (median – 5%) and 6,35% (4,5%); respectively for IgG and IgA. The midpiece and the tail of spermatozoa were the principal binding sites, in that order, for both IgG and IgA. These results show that up to 85% of individuals develop antisperm antibodies in 180 days after vasectomy, with a steadily increasing level of positivity reaching ≥ 20% in some; which may potentially compromise efforts to restore fertility in them.

This is an observational, descriptive and retrospective study of 154 patients who have been diagnosed clinically and serologically for dengue fever, interned in a tertiary public hospital in the city of Fortaleza of Ceará State, during the period of January – May, 2008, for the purpose of correlating the laboratory examinations, symptoms and alarming signs with the chronological evolution of the disease and to observe the frequencies of the more severe clinical forms of disease, so as to help adopt therapeutic conducts that are more effective. The patients’ ages varied from two to 85 years. The study sample was divided in to two groups: patients < 15 years (n=66) and those ≥15 years (n=88). As the patients were all from a tertiary public hospital, the clinical classification of cases showed that hemorrhagic dengue fever (HDF) was predominant (58.4%), followed by severe dengue (SD – 28.6%) and classic dengue (CD - 13%). The CD patients showed alterations in the laboratory findings such as thrombocitopenia and rise of transaminases, which motivated their hospitalization. The principal laboratory alterations found in HDF patients were: thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration and rise of transaminases. Similar alternations were found in SD patients, but hemoconcentration was not detected in them. The alarming signs were observed more frequently in the two severe forms of dengue. In the <15-years and ≥15-year groups, the respective clinical pictures were: hemorrhagic manifestations – 55, 55% and 69,23%; acute and continuous abdominal pain – 72,22% and 65,38%; and postural dizziness – 11,11% and 23,08%; vomiting – 61,10% and 38,40%. In the HDF patients, in the <15-years and ≥15-year subgroups, the respective hemorrhagic manifestations were: 52,27% and 65,22%; acute and continuous abdominal pain – 97,73% and 71,74%; and postural dizziness – 9,09% and 43,48%; vomiting –81,80% and 58,70%. Within the chronologic evolution of the disease, these results were important and were independent of the clinical form of the disease and the age group of the patients. In the majority of cases, the laboratory alterations were observed from the 3rd day onwards, being more evident on the 5th day and stabilizing to normal values by the 11th day. Within this chronology, the detection of alarming signs was important for the clinical characterization of HDF and SD cases in patients. These results appear to be relevant for the evaluation of the clinical disease, as the detection of the alarming signs within the chronologic evolution may be utilized as warning signals for the more severe forms of the disease, and hence could help in the early adoption of more efficient therapeutic strategies for the patients.

Cervical cancer is associated with a very high incidence (16.3/100.000) and mortality (1,627/100.000) in northeastern Brazil; strongly correlated with HPV (98% by PCR). However, the relation between the stages of cervical cancer and the hormonal receptors ER and PR remains unclear. This study presents an immunohistochemical analysis of the morphological expression of the hormonal receptors ER and PR in different stages of cervical cancer. One hundred forty-four samples were obtained for analysis from the cervices of patients at a cancer screening service in northeastern Brazil in the years 2001 and 2002. Following gynecological examination colposcopically guided biopsies revealed apparently abnormal epithelia. Subsequently the specimens were classified in scores (1 to 9) according to hormonal receptor expression: intensity reaction (1 to 3) versus cell-marked dispersion (1 to 3).Sixty-two cases of LSIL, 41 cases of HSIL and 41 cases of ISCC were compared with regard to menstrual cycle and age. In SIL nuclear reactivity to ER decreased gradually from the lower to the higher stages, including that of ISCC. Stromal marked nuclei were seen in SIL and tended to increase in ISCC in spite of displaying lower scores. There were no significant differences for ER and PR expression related to menstrual cycle phases or menopausal status. Pre- and post-menopausal analyses showed no significant variation in the expression of either ER or PR.