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Objective: To describe quantitative cytophotometric expression of the marker caspase-3 in colloid goiter and in papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, comparing the immunoexpression between them., Methods: An immunohistochemistry study has been made on the protein caspase-3 in 17 of paraffin blocks of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid and 20 cases of colloid goiter, using SAMBA 4000 ® (System of Microscopic Analysis of Automatic Search), aiming analysis of the two variables: marker index and optical density., Results: Statistic analysis indicated a significant difference for marker index between colloid goiter and papillary carcinoma, being this difference larger in the carcinoma. Significant difference in optical density hasn't been found. For colloid goiter, the estimated correlation coefficient between the marker index and optical density was 0,72, indicating the rejection of the null hypothesis (p <0,001), affirming that positive and significant association exists between them. For the papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, the same correlation was 0,34 and so, it is not possible to affirm that there's an association between them., Conclusion: For colloid goiter there is a positive and significant association between the two variables - marker index and optical density -, while for the papillary carcinoma, this is not proved. The quantitative analysis for caspase-3 demonstrates that apoptosis is larger in the papillary carcinoma of the thyroid than in colloid goiter.

Objective: Describe, correlate and compare the expression of the tumor markers CD 34 (angiogenesis) and caspase-3 (apoptosis) in invasive breast adenocarcinoma, through image cytometry with the system SAMBA4000., Methods: Twenty-two cases of invasive breast adenocarcinoma from paraffin-embedded archival tissue, and after specific prepare, fifteen cases presented a satisfactory lecture with SAMBA4000 and could, finally, be evaluated by the software IMMUNO(R) (n = 15). The parameters analysed were the label index - in percentage, indicating the marked surface - and the optical density, in pixels - indicator of the marker intensity. The results were tabulated and expressed in averages, mediums, minimum and maximum values. The statistic analysis was realized by the Shapiro-Wilkins, Student test, Pearson's and Spearman's correlation, with statistic significance for values from p < 0,05., Results: There was no data normality for the label index CD34 (p= 0,019), there was normality in the analysis of the optical density of both markers and label index of the marker Caspase-3. There was no difference relating to the average of the index marker and the optical density when they were compared., Conclusions: There was a tendency to correlate the label index and the optical density of the tumor marker caspase-3, the same did not occur with the tumor marker CD 34. Other analysis did not show any correlation between the two studied markers. Other studies involving theses two cell processes are needed to extend the knowledge of the cancer biomolecular mechanic and to permit new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Objective: 1. To evaluate the percentage of caspase-3 and CD-34 expression on adenocarcinoma; 2. to quantify caspase-3 and CD-34 in tumor cells; 3. to verify the relationship between biomarkers and its malignancy; 4. to correlate biomarkers themselves., Methods: Thirty-eight human malignant prostate specimens, Gleason's score, were immunohistochemically stained for caspase-3 and CD-34 protein. Quantification was done under Samba 4000 Immuno System reading, yielding two variables: label index and optical density. Statistical analyses were based on cross-methods involving univariate and bivariate as well as correlation factors among independent variables., Results: Immunostaining was revealed in 25 plates for caspase-3 and 34 for CD-34. Caspase-3 expression for label index was over 50 in 76%, while for optical density was below 50 in 96%. CD-34 expression demonstrated label index over 50 in 59% and optical density below 50 in 56%. Correlation among expression and severity did not demonstrate to be statistically significant. There was no correlation between protein expression and Gleason's score., Conclusion: 1. Caspase-3 and CD-34 were present respectively in 73.5% and 100% of samples; 2. caspase-3 and CD-34 showed high expression regarding label index and low expression in optical density; 3. there was no statistical significance among expressions and tumor severity according to Gleason's score; 4. no significant correlation could be set between the biomarkers themselves.

Objectives: To analyze by cytophotometry study the expression of CD-34 angiogenesis and caspase-3 apoptosis markers in the esophagus squamous cell carcinoma and to correlate markers themselves., Methods: Twenty-nine esophageal squamous cell carcinoma specimens were submitted to immunohystochemical analysis, based on label index of CD-34 and caspase-3 antibodies, using cytophotometry computer system. Variables considered in the correlation analysis were biomarkers expression quantification, patient age, lesion size, and TNM classification system., Results: Index label median value for CD-34 was 72,6% and for caspase-3 represented 96,5%. Statistical significant correlation was not demonstrated between the respective biomarkers and lesion size (p=0,96) or patient age (p=0,95). There was a slightly tendency to a positive correlation between CD-34 index label and TNM classification system (p=0,11). Although presenting a higher index label than CD-34 marker (p=0,007), caspase-3 did not show any relationship with the studied variables (p>0,19). The correlation between CD-34 and caspase-3 presented a small positive tendency (r=0,09 and p=0,65)., Conclusion: Both studied biomarkers showed good expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, whereas CD-34 marker presented lower expression than caspase-3 in this specific tumor. The respective biomarkers do not demonstrate any correlation between themselves.

Apoptosis, proliferation and histomorphometry of spleen were investigated in ovariectomized and non-ovariectomized adult Wistar rats maintained in hypothyroidism induced by daily administration of propylthiouracil (PTU) during 120 days. Two groups ovariectomized euthyroid and non-ovariectomized euthyroid were used as controls. Plasma was collected for free T4 dosage and the spleen for histomorphometry analysis, apoptosis index and the immunohistochemistry expression of caspase 3 and CDC47. Values of free T4 were lower in rats treated with PTU (p<0.05). In the hypothyroid groups there was some decrease in the spleen weight as well as the number and size of lymphoid follicles and there was some increase in the apoptotic index and the caspase 3 expression (p<0.05). However, the increase in the apoptosis index and the expression of caspase 3 in ovariectomized hypothyroid rats spleen was less accentuated than non-ovariectomized hypothyroid ones (p<0.05). The ovariectomized euthyroid group presented white pulp hyperplasia in comparison to the non-ovariectomized euthyroid group. There was no difference in the CDC47 expression between groups. It was concluded that the thyroid and ovarian hypofunction have distinct effects on the spleen and that in the hypothyroidism-hypogonadism association, the increase in the apoptosis index and in the expression of splenic caspase 3 is not as much as in isolated hypothyroidism.