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γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in adult central nervous system (CNS) synapses, but it excites immature CNS neurons as well as neurons in the myenteric plexus. The present work aimed to determine whether GABA-induced nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) neuronal-mediated relaxation of the rat duodenum is dependent on the activity of Na + K + Cl - cotransporters (NKCC) and requires calcium influx. In the presence of guanethidine (3 µmol/L), atropine (3 µmol/L), and indomethacin (1 µmol/L), relaxations induced by GABA (100 µmol/L), KCl (5-10 mmol/L) and electrical field stimulation (1-8 Hz, 2 ms, 60 V), but not those induced by bradykinin (10-100 nmol/L) were abolished by lidocaine (300 µmol/L). However, only GABA-induced relaxations were reduced in a concentration-dependent manner by the NKCC1/2 inhibitors bumetanide (0.1-1 µmol/L) and furosemide (1-10 µmol/L). GABA-induced NANC neuronal relaxation was abolished by bicuculline (30 µmol/L) and inhibited by N-nitroarginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 300 µmol/L). The ω-conotoxin GVIA (1 µmol/L), which acts exclusively on neuronal Ca V 2 channels, but not on smooth muscle voltage-gated Ca 2+ Ca V 1 channels, and nonselective blockers of these channels (verapamil 100 nmol/L and ruthenium red 10 µmol/L), reduced GABA-induced relaxations. These results showed that the activation of GABA A receptors induces NANC nitrergic neuronal relaxations in the rat duodenum, which depend on NKCC activity and Ca V 2 channel activation, suggesting that this phenomenon results from neuronal depolarization promoted by Cl - efflux through GABA A receptors, with subsequent Ca 2+ influx and nitric oxide release.

Aim: Both human and rat myometrium express stromal interaction molecule (STIM) and Orai/transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) proteins, which are components of plasma membrane Ca 2+ store-operated channels. There are reports that these proteins mediate agonist-induced Ca 2+ influx in cultured myometrial cells. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of Pyr6, an Orai channel blocker, on different agonist-induced contractions in isolated segments of rat uterus., Main Findings: In Ca 2+ -free Tyrode's solution, Pyr6 (3 μM) promoted a reduction in both the magnitude and frequency of Ca 2+ (1 mM)-induced uterine contractions after the addition of carbachol (CCh, 100 μM), but not after the addition of oxytocin (OT, 150 nM). In Ca 2+ (0.18 mM)-Tyrode's solution, Pyr6 completely relaxed uterine contractions induced by both CCh and cloprostenol (300 nM), but not those induced by either KCI (40-80 mM) or OT. The addition of Pyr6 abolished the oscillatory uterine contractions induced by Ca 2+ after the addition of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, 10 μM). When pre-incubated (5 min), Pyr6 reduced the magnitude of both CCh-induced phasic and tonic contractions. The addition of Pyr2 (3 μM), an Orai and TRPC channel blocker, abolished uterine contractions induced by CCh or OT., Conclusion: Considering Pyr6 as an Orai channel blocker and its inhibitory effect on uterine contractions induced by CCh, CPA, and cloprostenol, we suggest that Orai channels are required for the maintenance of contractions induced by these agonists in rat uterus., (© 2021 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Peroxide has been considered a chemical agent that can be used to tune the properties of polymeric materials. This research evaluated the influence of different concentrations of dialkyl peroxides on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The neat polymer, as well as those with the addition of 1% and 2% by mass of dialkyl peroxides, were subjected to compression molding and immersion in water for 1 h, under controlled temperatures of 90 °C. The values of the gel content found in the samples indicated that the addition of peroxide to the LLDPE and to the UHMWPE promoted the formation of a reticulated network. The structure obtained by the crosslinking led to less reorganization of the chains during the crystallization process, resulting in the formation of imperfect crystals and, consequently, in the reduction in melting temperatures, crystallization and enthalpy. The mechanical properties were altered with the presence of the crosslinker. The polymers presented had predominant characteristics of a ductile material, with the occurrence of crazing with an increased peroxide content.

Fibers extracted from Amazonian plants that have traditionally been used by local communities to produce simple items such as ropes, nets, and rugs, are now recognized as promising composite reinforcements. This is the case for guaruman ( Ischinosiphon k örn ) fiber, which was recently found to present potential mechanical and ballistic properties as 30 vol% reinforcement of epoxy composites. To complement these properties, Izod impact tests are now communicated in this brief report for similar composites with up to 30 vol% of guaruman fibers. A substantial increase in impact resistance, with over than 20 times the absorbed energy for the 30 vol% guaruman fiber composite, was obtained in comparison to neat epoxy. These results were statistically validated by Weibull analysis, ANOVA, and Tukey's test. Scanning electron microscopy analysis disclosed the mechanisms responsible for the impact performance of the guaruman fiber composites.

The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) wields one of the largest bills of any bird and is distinguished by the deployable throat pouch of extensible tissue used to capture prey. Here we report on mechanical properties and microstructure of the pouch skin. It exhibits significant anisotropy, with the transverse direction having maximum nominal tensile strains of 200% to 300%, triple the value in the longitudinal direction. This is a higher extensibility than most conventional skin and is the result of the requirement of the sac to net fish; it should expand laterally, with controlled longitudinal stretch. Transmission electron microscopy provides microstructural evidence of the directionality of the collagen fibers and reveals the individual collagen fibrils with a bimodal diameter distribution having peaks at 100 and 170 nm. These dimensions are similar to collagen in mammal skin. In the lateral direction, the fibers form a curvy pattern with a radius of approximately 2 µm wherein the fibrils reorient, straighten, slide, and stretch elastically under tensile load. A second mechanism operates in the transverse direction; the membrane forms a corrugated pattern that, upon straightening of collagen fibrils, confers additional extensibility. This elicits the anisotropic response observed in tensile testing. This work focuses on the mechanical characterization based on the effect of relative bird age, sample location on the pouch, and strain rate. Anterior-posterior location and strain rate are not major influencers on exhibited strengths and extensibilities. However, bird age and dorsal-ventral location are found to affect the mechanical response of the pouch significantly. A physically-based constitutive model is developed for the middle layer of the gular sac, based on observations, which predicts maximum stresses, strains, and the shape of the stress-strain curve consistent with the experimental results., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

High entropy alloys (HEAs) emerged in the beginning of XXI century as novel materials to "keep-an-eye-on". In fact, nowadays, 16 years after they were first mentioned, a lot of research has been done regarding the properties, microstructure, and production techniques for the HEAs. Moreover, outstanding properties and possibilities have been reported for such alloys. However, a way of jointing these materials should be considered in order to make such materials suitable for engineering applications. Welding is one of the most common ways of jointing materials for engineering applications. Nevertheless, few studies concerns on efforts of welding HEAs. Therefore, it is mandatory to increase the investigation regarding the weldability of HEAs. This work aims to present a short review about what have been done in recent years, and what are the most common welding techniques that are used for HEAs. It also explores what are the measured properties of welded HEAs as well as what are the main challenges that researchers have been facing. Finally, it gives a future perspective for this research field.

This study investigated the effects of the ethanolic extract from the bark of Combretum leprosum (ECL) on intestinal transit and castor-oil induced diarrhea in mice. The oral administration of ECL (750 and 1000 mg/kg) slowed intestinal transit (ID50 of 455 mg/kg). The ECL (250-1000 mg/kg) reduced castor-oil induced diarrhea, in a time- and dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). To determine if antidiarrheal effect of ECL involves α2-adrenergic or opioid receptor activation, the mice were pretreated with antagonists of these receptors, yohimbine or naloxone respectively. None of these drugs inhibited the antidiarrheal effect of ECL. To test if antidiarrheal effect of ECL is due to an antisecretory action, we realized the enteropooling assay on rats. The ECL increased bowel content and did not inhibit intestinal fluid secretion increase induced by misoprostol (100 µg/kg, s.c.). To determine if antimotility effect of ECL is due to a reduction on gastric motility, we realized the organ bath assay in the rat fundus stomach. Isotonic recordings show that the carbachol /KCl - induced contraction was not reversed by the addition of ECL. In conclusion, our results suggest that ECL contains antidiarrheal compounds and these compounds could induce a reduction of intestinal tract motility.

We review eleven Astrotischeria Puplesis Diškus (Lepidoptera: Tischeriidae) species which possess a novel character for the Tischeriidae family: a highly modified valva of the male genitalia with one ventral and two dorsal lobes (or processes). The species are distributed in the Americas, including the USA, Caribbean (St. Thomas), Central America (Belize, Guatemala and Honduras), and South America (Ecuador, Bolivia, and Brazil). Species for which the biology has been studied are associated with host plants from Asteroidea of the Asteraceae family. The following seven species are described as new: Astrotischeria trilobata Diškus Stonis, sp. nov., A. amazonica Diškus Stonis, sp. nov., A. maya Diškus Stonis, sp. nov., A. selvica Diškus, Carvalho-Filho Stonis, sp. nov., A. casila Diškus Stonis, sp. nov., A. onae Diškus Stonis, sp. nov., and A. furcata Stonis Diškus, sp. nov. A new informal species unit, the A. trilobata group, is designated for diagnostic purposes despite some doubts about monophyly of the group. Astrotischeria longeciliata (Frey Boll) is synonymized here with the North American A. helianthi (Frey Boll), a species not belonging to the A. trilobata group, syn. nov. For the first time, a method of rearing of adults from mining larvae, specifically adopted for Tischeriidae, is detailed. All species treated in the paper are illustrated with photographs or drawings of the adults, male genitalia, and, if available, the female genitalia, leaf mines and habitats. A distribution map for the species of the A. trilobata group and a scheme of the trophic relationships of the global Tischeriidae fauna are also provided.

Background: There are many previous reports for using the internal pudendal artery perforator flap in vulvovaginal reconstruction; however, reports of this flap for perineal reconstruction after abdominoperineal excision of the rectum are scarce., Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of immediate internal pudendal artery perforator flap reconstruction for irradiated abdominoperineal resection defects., Design: This was a prospective case series., Settings: This flap could represent a step forward over other perineal flap approaches or primary closure., Patients: A total of 73 consecutive patients with anorectal tumors were included., Interventions: The study included immediate perineal reconstruction using 122 internal pudendal artery perforator flaps after abdominoperineal excision of the rectum., Main Outcome Measures: Dimensions of the perineal defect (in centimeters squared), hospital stay (days), healing time (days), and postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grades) were measured., Results: The means of the perineal defect, hospital stay, and healing time were 51.62 cm, 15.94 days, and 38.52 days. The higher the patient BMI, the longer healing time (p = 0.02); Clavien-Dindo complications grades III to IV were greater in patients with perineal defect ≥60 cm (p = 0.03; OR = 10.56); postoperative complications were higher both in patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma (p = 0.005; OR = 6.09) and in patients with comorbidities (p = 0.04; OR = 2.78); hospital stay (p= 0.001) and healing time (p < 0.001) were higher in patients who had postoperative complications. The complete perineal wound healing at 12 weeks was achieved by 95% of patients, and our 30-day mortality rate was 4%., Limitations: As a nonrandomized study, our results have to be interpreted with caution., Conclusions: Multiple previously described advantages associated with internal pudendal artery perforator flap were also observed here, reinforcing the idea that it is reliable, versatile, and a useful option for perineal reconstruction after abdominoperineal excision of the rectum. Therefore, we propose that this flap could be considered as the first choice for perineal reconstruction in selected patients with moderate and some large defects after abdominoperineal excision of the rectum. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A367.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 6th leading cause of cancer worldwide. Its recurrence ranges from 6% to 26%. In the literature, many factors are associated with higher risk of recurrence, without a clear definition of the best method that could predict this highly lethal event., Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunoexpression of immunohistochemical markers: HSP70, glypican 3, glutamine synthetase, and beta-catenin, as well as studying their association with tumor characteristics and prognosis of patients undergoing liver transplantation for HCC., Methods: We studied 90 patients who underwent liver transplantation from 1998 to 2012. Afterwards we evaluated factors related to survival, tumor recurrence, and the correlation of expression of the immunohistochemical markers., Results: Immunohistochemical marker glutamine synthetase showed a positive trend toward better survival. HSP70-positive patients had a higher prevalence of histologic grade III. Patients with positive glypican 3 showed larger lesions and a higher number with AFP >200 ng/mL. Patients with positive beta-catenin showed larger nodules and more with histologic grade III. The association between beta-catenin and glypican 3 showed positive association with larger nodules., Conclusions: Most of the markers studied had a correlation with at least one of the variables studied, confirming our hypothesis that these markers can indeed assist in assessing the prognosis of patients undergoing liver transplantation for HCC., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Basiliximab is considered to be effective in preventing cellular rejection (CR) in solid organ transplantation and is commonly used for renal transplants. The aim of this study was describe the population of patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (LT) receiving basiliximab in the period 2012-2016 in the liver transplant service at the State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. We analyzed 114 patients who underwent LT and received basiliximab; 83 (72.8%) were male and 31 (27.2%) female, with an overall mean age of 54.3 years. Immunosuppression was performed with corticosteroids during anesthetic induction, and postoperatively with tacrolimus in 85.5%, sodium mycophenolate in 81.7%, cyclosporine in 12.7%, and everolimus in 15.5% of patients. CR was observed in 25.43% of patients, confirmed by biopsy in 15 patients: 50% acute CR, 21.42% late acute CR, and 28.57% chronic CR. Thus, the data are consistent with the literature regarding the benefit of using basiliximab as induction therapy while reducing the incidence of CR after LT, but on univariate analysis to evaluate factors associated with the occurrence of CR, the analyzed variables did not present statistical significance. There was acute renal failure (ARF) in 46.84% of patients and hemodialysis was performed in 20% of cases. In a previous series in our service, there was an ARF rate of 50%, so the incidence reduction of ARF after basiliximab use was 3.16%. Moreover, there was 6.95% hepatic artery thrombosis, 2.6% portal vein thrombosis, 2.6% biliary fistulas, 17.4% pneumonia, and 3.4% sepsis, which did not differ from the literature or from our earlier study without the use of basiliximab, suggesting the safety of this medication. In conclusion, in this series, basiliximab influenced the decrease of the CR incidence with no proven benefit on improvement in the ARF., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Several so-called casting indices are available for objective evaluation of plaster cast quality. The present study sought to investigate four of these indices (gap index, padding index, Canterbury index, and three-point index) as compared to a reference standard (cast index) for evaluation of plaster cast quality after closed reduction of pediatric displaced distal forearm fractures., Methods: Forty-three radiographs from patients with displaced distal forearm fractures requiring manipulation were reviewed. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, false-positive probability, false-negative probability, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio were calculated for each of the tested indices., Results: Comparison among indices revealed diagnostic agreement in only 4.7% of cases. The strongest correlation with the cast index was found for the gap index, with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.94. The gap index also displayed the best agreement with the cast index, with both indices yielding the same result in 79.1% of assessments., Conclusion: When seeking to assess plaster cast quality, the cast index and gap index should be calculated; if both indices agree, a decision on quality can be made. If the cast and gap indices disagree, the padding index can be calculated as a tiebreaker, and the decision based on the most frequent of the three results. Calculation of the three-point index and Canterbury index appears unnecessary., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To analyze knowledge of the anatomic location of the piriform fossa using a questionnaire with anatomic figures., Materials and Methods: Participants taking AO Trauma Brasil courses were requested to complete a questionnaire containing a photograph of the superior surface and a photograph of the lateral surface of the femur and answer a question asking which of four numbered points corresponded to the piriform fossa., Results: Just 4.5% of respondents correctly chose point 2 (the piriform fossa) in both images, while 75.4% of respondents chose point 4 (the trochanteric fossa) as the correct anatomic structure. The subset of 4th-year residents' answers was significantly different from those of the other subsets, with 7.5% of correct answers., Conclusions: The low rate of correct answers indicates a tendency for the respondents to be influenced by illustrations in text books or examples in scientific publications that indicate the site of the piriform fossa incorrectly. Interest in the specialty of traumatology is possibly the reason why the subset of 4th-year residents had a better- than-average rate of correct answers., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To compare the information obtained of the percentage of improvement declared orally with the improvement marked in the visual analogical scale (VAS) in patients under and over 65 years of age., Patients and Methods: Ninety-five individuals with acute shoulder pain (enthesitis) were evaluated. The subjects were requested to mark the pain intensity in the VAS before a treatment with corticosteroid injection in the shoulder and were evaluated again through the VAS one week after the procedure. They were also requested to declare orally the pain intensity. Then, the information was compared between patients aged under and over 65 years of age., Results: 29.8% of those younger than 65 years, and 60.95% of those older than that age presented more than 10% difference between orally stated and calculated pain relief percentage based on the VSA., Conclusion: The difference between the orally stated and the calculated pain relief percentage based on the VSA was significantly higher in the group of those older than 65 years. This finding proved that the VAS is a poor method to evaluate pain relief in the senior population.

Leishmania amazonensis is the causative agent of American cutaneous leishmaniasis, an important neglected tropical disease. Once Leishmania amazonensis is inoculated into the human host, promastigotes are exposed to the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the dermis. However, little is known about the interaction between the ECM and Leishmania promastigotes. In this study we established L. amazonensis promastigote culture in a three-dimensional (3D) environment mainly composed of Collagen I (COL I). This 3D culture recreates in vitro some aspects of the human host infection site, enabling the study of the interaction mechanisms of L. amazonensis with the host ECM. Promastigotes exhibited "freeze and run" migration in the 3D COL I matrix, which is completely different from the conventional in vitro swimming mode of migration. Moreover, L. amazonensis promastigotes were able to invade, migrate inside, and remodel the 3D COL I matrix. Promastigote trans-matrix invasion and the freeze and run migration mode were also observed when macrophages were present in the matrix. At least two classes of proteases, metallo- and cysteine proteases, are involved in the 3D COL I matrix degradation caused by Leishmania. Treatment with a mixture of protease inhibitors significantly reduced promastigote invasion and migration through this matrix. Together our results demonstrate that L. amazonensis promastigotes release proteases and actively remodel their 3D environment, facilitating their migration. This raises the possibility that promastigotes actively interact with their 3D environment during the search for their cellular "home"-macrophages. Supporting this hypothesis, promastigotes migrated faster than macrophages in a novel 3D co-culture model.

Biomphalaria glabrata and Biomphalaria straminea have been identified as intermediate hosts for Schistosoma mansoni. Several studies have found two cell types in the hemolymph of B. glabrata (hyalinocytes and granulocytes). However, there are no studies describing the hemocytes of B. straminea. With the aim of further describing the hemocyte subsets in B. glabrata and B. straminea, we conducted a detailed study using optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Based on the morphological characteristics of the cells, we identified the same types of hemocytes in two species of molluscs, namely: blast-like cells, granulocytes, type I hyalinocytes, type II hyalinocytes and type III hyalinocytes. Blast-like cells had a spherical profile with a central nucleus filling almost the whole cell. Granulocytes were characterized by presenting variable numbers of granules. Type I hyalinocytes were the most abundant cell type and displayed various cytoplasmic projections. Type II and type III hyalinocytes had never previously been reported. They were few in number and were characterized by having an eccentric nucleus. From these results, it is concluded that there are five types of cells in the hemolymph of B. glabrata and B. straminea. Further studies are now needed to identify the role of these hemocytes in the immune response of these snails., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: USING BIOMECHANICAL STUDIES, THIS RESEARCH AIMS TO COMPARE HIP CAPSULORRHAPHY IN RABBITS, CARRIED OUT WITH TWO DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES: capsulorrhaphy with simple sutures and with anchors., Method: Thirteen New Zealand Albino (Oryctolaguscuniculus) male rabbits, twenty-six hip joints, were used. First, a pilot project was performed with three rabbits (six hip joints). This experiment consisted of ten rabbits divided into two groups: group 1 underwent capsulorrhaphy on both right and left hips with simple suture using polyglycolic acid absorbable thread, and group 2 underwent capsulorrhaphy with titanium anchors. After a four-week postoperative period, the animals were euthanized and the hip joints were frozen. On the same day of the biomechanical studies, after the hip joints were previously unfrozen, the following parameters were evaluated: rigidity, maximum force, maximum deformity and energy., Results: There was no relevant statistical difference in rigidity, maximum force, maximum deformity and energy between the simple suture and anchor groups., Conclusion: Through biomechanical analyses, using parameters of rigidity, maximum force, maximum deformity and energy, it has been shown that capsulorrhaphy with simple suture and with anchors has similar results in rabbit hip joints. Level of Evidence II, Prospective Comparative Study .

We investigated the effects of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on the interaction of Trypanosoma cruzi with Rhodnius prolixus. The parasites (epimastigotes) were treated with PAF and/or WEB 2086 (PAF antagonist) for 1 h prior to the interaction experiments. PAF stimulated both in vivo and ex vivo interactions between T. cruzi and R. prolixus while WEB 2086 abrogated these effects. PAF-treated epimastigotes also showed an increase in surface negativity and in the amount of surface sialic acid. Neither of these effects was observed when the epimastigotes were treated with neuraminidase following PAF treatment. In the ex vivo interaction experiments, the number of epimastigotes bound to the midguts of the insects was reduced when the epimastigotes had been treated with neuraminidase. We conclude that PAF modulates the interaction of T. cruzi with R. prolixus by altering the amount of sialyl residues at the surface of the parasite.

The present study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of three root canal irrigants against Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus. These microorganisms were incubated in the presence of citric acid (6 and 10%), EDTA (17%), and NaOCl (0.5, 1.0, 2.5, and 5.25%). Agar diffusion tests were performed and redox indicator resazurin was used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of the irrigants on the metabolic activity of these microorganisms. The mean diameters of the inhibition zones for the C. albicans cultures were 11.6 mm (17% EDTA), 5.5 mm (0.5% NaOCl), 12.9 mm (1% NaOCl), 22.1 mm (2.5% NaOCl), and 28.5 mm (5.25% NaOCl). The mean diameters of the inhibition zones for E. faecalis were 2.8 mm (1% NaOCl), 5.4 mm (2.5% NaOCl), and 8.3 mm (5.25% NaOCl). For S. aureus, the mean values were 8.0 mm (17% EDTA), 3.0 mm (1% NaOCl), 8.8 mm (2.5% NaOCl), and 10.0 mm (5.25% NaOCl). Most of the irrigant solutions presented effective antimicrobial activity against C. albicans. A high inhibitory effect on the metabolic activity of E. faecalis was detected when the microorganisms were incubated with 17% EDTA. The same result was reached when S. aureus was incubated in the presence of > 2.5% NaOCl. Altogether, these results indicate that 2.5% and 5.25% NaOCl are microbicides against S. aureus while 0.5% and 1% NaOCl are only microbiostatic against the tested bacteria. The 6% and 10% citric acid as well as 17% EDTA did not affect the viability of any of the assayed microorganisms.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is commonly used in the treatment of fractures and nonunion-promoting acceleration of healing fractures. In this report, we investigated the implication of the P2 receptors in osteoblast proliferation induced with LIPUS treatment. We observed that ADP, ATP, UTP, and UDP promote osteoblast increase and an increase of intracellular Ca(2+), through activation of P2Y receptors. Osteoblasts' expression of the P2Y(1), P2Y(2), P2Y(4), P2Y(6), P2Y(11), P2Y(12), and P2Y(13) receptors was confirmed. In addition, the participation of the P2Y(1) receptor in osteoblast increase and the ADP-dependent increase of Ca(2+) concentration were shown. Furthermore, release of ATP/purines was induced by LIPUS treatment. Finally, LIPUS-dependent osteoblast increase was abolished in the presence of the Ca(2+) chelator (BAPTA), the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor antagonist (2-APB), and the selective P2Y(1) receptor antagonist (MRS2179). In conclusion, LIPUS treatment induces osteoblastogenesis via the release of purines, such as ATP, activating P2Y receptors, mainly the P2Y(1) receptor., ((c) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Tritrichomonas fetus causes infertility and abortion in cattle; however, there is scarce information regarding the susceptibility of bovine sperm to this parasite. The objective of this study was to analyze in vitro the interaction between T. fetus and bovine sperm and to evaluate the effect of extracellular products secreted by the parasite on these reproductive cells. Sperm from five fertile bulls (Bos taurus taurus, Holstein-Friesian), selected through a Percoll gradient, adhered to T. fetus after 30min of interaction, resulting in agglutination between the two kinds of cells. Based on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), T. fetus continuously expressed its gene for cysteine peptidase in the presence or absence of sperm. Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) revealed that, after 1h incubation of sperm in T. fetus culture extract, the extracellular products secreted by the parasite decreased sperm progressive motility (P<0.05). Although T. fetus extracellular products did not lead to loss of sperm viability (P<0.05) based on the Annexin-V/propidium iodide assay, the percentage of Annexin-V fluorescein isothiocyanate-positive and propidium iodide-positive cells increased (P<0.05) during incubation of sperm in T. fetus culture extract, consistent with cellular damage. In conclusion, extracellular products secreted by T. fetus were cytotoxic to bovine sperm, as they decreased sperm progressive motility; perhaps this contributes to the pathogenesis of T. fetus-induced infertility.

Cancer/testis Antigens (CTAs) are immunogenic proteins with a restricted expression pattern in normal tissues and aberrant expression in different types of tumors being considered promising candidates for immunotherapy. We used the alignment between EST sequences and the human genome sequence to identify novel CT genes. By examining the EST tissue composition of known CT clusters we defined parameters for the selection of 1184 EST clusters corresponding to putative CT genes. The expression pattern of 70 CT gene candidates was evaluated by RT-PCR in 21 normal tissues, 17 tumor cell lines and 160 primary tumors. We were able to identify 4 CT genes expressed in different types of tumors. The presence of antibodies against the protein encoded by 1 of these 4 CT genes (FAM46D) was exclusively detected in plasma samples from cancer patients. Due to its restricted expression pattern and immunogenicity FAM46D represents a novel target for cancer immunotherapy.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a human pathogen that causes infection and invasive diseases in newborns, pregnant women and immunocompromised adults, has been shown to invade human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying GBS-HUVEC interaction, focusing specifically on the responsiveness of host protein tyrosine kinase (PTK). We found that GBS serotypes III and V induced actin reorganization and formation of stress fibers into HUVECs. Since rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton into eukaryotic cells are usually associated with the activation of PTK, we decided to follow the expression of this class of kinases in the course of the interaction. Unexpectedly, treatment of HUVECs with genistein greatly increased both cytoadherence and intracellular viability, for all GBS strains studied. GBS increased tyrosine phosphorylation of two proteins with an apparent molecular mass of 35 and 23 kDa in HUVECs as demonstrated by Western blot analysis with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies. Mass spectra analysis identified these proteins as annexin V and glutathione S-transferase. Studies are in progress to identify the role of these two proteins on GBS-HUVEC interaction.

Acanthamoeba are free-living amoebae that are dispersed in most environments. Occasionally, Acanthamoeba cause serious human infections, such as keratitis and encephalitis. During the infection process, amoebic adhesion to, and degradation of, host cells and their extracellular matrix (ECM) appear to be important requirements. We examined the interaction of Acanthamoeba with the ECM, and related this event to host cell destruction and tissue invasion. Pathogenic Acanthamoeba culbertsoni differentially attached on the ECM glycoproteins laminin-1, collagen-I, and fibronectin, as compared with non-pathogenic Acanthamoeba astronyxis. Binding to collagen-I and laminin-1 induced A. culbertsoni to become flattened and elongated. Because attachment on laminin-1 was higher in A. culbertsoni, laminin-1 was chosen for further analysis. A 55-kDa laminin-binding protein was identified in pathogenic amoebae, but it was not found in non-pathogenic amoebae. No differential cytotoxicity against distinct cell types was observed between A. culbertsoni incubated with or without ECM. On the other hand, binding on collagen-I or matrigel scaffolds induced a differential effect where A. culbertsoni invaded collagen-I matrices more rapidly. These results indicate that ECM recognition, as an antecedent to tissue invasion, may be a trait characteristic of pathogenic Acanthamoeba.

The Bacteroides fragilis ATCC strain was grown in a synthetic media with contrasting redox potential (Eh) levels [reduced (-60 mV) or oxidised (+100 mV)] and their adhesion capacity to extracellular matrix components was evaluated. The strain was capable of adhering to laminin, fibronectin, fibronectin + heparan sulphate and heparan sulphate. A stronger adherence to laminin after growing the strain under oxidising conditions was verified. Electron microscopy using ruthenium red showed a heterogeneous population under this condition. Dot-blotting analyses confirmed stronger laminin recognition by outer membrane proteins of cells cultured at a higher Eh. Using a laminin affinity column, several putative laminin binding proteins obtained from the cultures kept under oxidising (60 kDa, 36 kDa, 25 kDa and 15 kDa) and reducing (60 kDa) conditions could be detected. Our results show that the expression of B. fragilis surface components that recognise laminin are influenced by Eh variations.

The current study evaluated the effect of pH on the wettability and fluoride release of an ion-releasing resin composite. The contact angles and fluoride release related to both finished and non-finished surfaces were evaluated. The specimens were polymerized and either submitted to finishing procedures or left unfinished, then stored for seven days at pH levels of 5.0, 5.5 and 6.8. Contact angles were measured with two different liquids (water and glycerol) and the fluoride release of the solution was determined. The results were statistically examined by one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni test at p < 0.05. The data showed that there were statistically significant differences in contact angles between the finished and unfinished ion releasing resin composites, except at pH 5.0, when measured with water. The highest contact angles were found at pH 6.8, mainly in the unfinished group. The fluoride release showed the highest values in the finished group at pH levels of 5.0 and 5.5 and in the unfinished group at pH 5.5.

A comparative analysis of proteomic maps of long-term grown and fresh clinical Trichomonas vaginalis isolates exhibiting low and high virulence phenotypes, respectively, was performed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Of 29 protein spots differentially expressed between the isolates, 19 were over-expressed in the isolate exhibiting high virulence phenotype: proteins associated with cytoskeletal dynamics, such as coronin and several isoforms of actin, as well as proteins involved in signal transduction, protein turnover, proteolysis, and energetic and polyamine metabolisms were identified. Some malate dehydrogenase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase and ornithine cyclodeamidase isoforms were exclusively expressed by the highly virulent isolate. During interaction assays with VEC, parasites exhibiting high virulence phenotype rapidly adhered and switched to amoeboid forms. In contrast, low adhesion and no morphological transformation were observed in parasites displaying low virulence phenotype. Our findings demonstrate that expression of specific proteins by high and low virulence parasites could be associated with the ability of each isolate to undergo morphological transformation and interact with host cells. Such data represent an important step towards understanding of the complex interaction network of proteins that participate in the mechanism of pathogenesis of this protozoan.

Background and Objectives: There are deficiencies on Intensive Medicine (IM) teaching in most of medical undergraduate schools. Those deficiencies may imply damages on their clinical competence. The objective of this study was to analyze current status of IM teaching and the medical undergraduate student interest in this speciality., Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 2005. We applied a self-reported questionnaire to enrolled students between the sixth and the last semesters of two medical schools from Salvador-Bahia. The questionnaire contained questions about students' interest and knowledge on IM, and opinion on IM teaching in their schools., Results: We studied 570 students. Most of them (57.5%) had never realized a clerkship in intensive care unit (ICU) despite classifying its usefulness as high (mean of 4.14 ± 1.05, in a scale from 1 to 5). IM interest was high or very high in 53.7% of sample. Almost all students (97%) thought that IM topics should be more explored at their curriculum. Only 42.1% reported to be able to assess a critical care patient and this assurance was higher among students with previous clerkship in ICU (p < 0.001). Shock, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and sepsis were the most interesting topics in ICU for students' opinion., Conclusions: This study revealed a high interest in IM among medical undergraduate students. However, most had never practice a clerkship in ICU, demonstrating to be an important factor on undergraduate student performance faced to a critical care patient.

Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted protozoan parasite that infects the human urogenital tract causing trichomoniasis, a worldwide disease. In this work, a fresh clinical isolate of T. vaginalis was used for study of the protein expression in this species. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry (MS) were employed to create a reference map of soluble proteins in the pH range 4-7. A set of 116 proteins belonging to functional classes expressed in high and low abundance was identified by peptide mass fingerprinting and tandem MS. These identifications corresponded to 67 different proteins, suggesting that post-translational modifications are common phenomena in T. vaginalis. Identified proteins were classified into 16 groups according to biological processes. Among detected proteins we identified the major enzymes involved in both cytosolic and hydrogenosomal metabolic pathways, as well as putative protein targets for new drug design. In addition, this analysis allows validation of previous gene predictions confirming the expression of 15 hypothetical proteins. Finally, the findings here reported represent the first reference proteome map of T. vaginalis and the first steps towards the description of a comprehensive proteome map of this parasite., (Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Iron is an essential element to support the growth and survival of Trichomonas vaginalis. It plays a critical role in the host-parasite interaction, and modulates the expression of virulence factors in this protozoan. In this work, parasites grown in iron-rich and iron-depleted media were analyzed by (i) light and scanning electron microscopy and (ii) 2-DE and MS. Withdrawal of iron from the culture medium resulted in dramatic changes in both the morphology and in the proteome pattern of T. vaginalis. Trophozoites underwent transformation from ellipsoid or amoeboid forms to rounded cells, whose flagella and axostyle were internalized. Forty-five proteins differentially expressed in parasites cultivated in the absence of iron were identified. In iron-depleted parasites, enzymes involved in energetic metabolism, proteolysis and hydrogenosomal iron-sulfur (Fe-S) proteins were down-regulated or even suppressed. Among up-regulated proteins, six isoforms of actin were detected. In addition, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, putative lactate dehydrogenase, and putative adenosine triphosphatase were also up-regulated or were exclusively observed in gels related to iron-depleted parasites. Our data demonstrate that iron has a pivotal role in the regulation of the morphological transformation of T. vaginalis and modulates the expression of both Fe-S and non-Fe-S proteins in the parasite.

Balamuthia mandrillaris, a soil amoeba, is the causative agent of Balamuthia granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, a life-threatening brain infection. This amoeba is acquired from contaminated soil and may enter the host through cutaneous lesions or through nasal passages, migrating to the lungs or brain. During invasion, B. mandrillaris has access to components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the host. Therefore, we investigated the interaction of B. mandrillaris with 3 ECM glycoproteins (collagen-I, fibronectin and laminin-1) that are encountered in host connective tissues and at the basal lamina. Using optical microscopy, amoeba association on ECM-coated surfaces was examined. Binding of amoebae on laminin was greater than that on collagen or fibronectin. Laminin-adhered B. mandrillaris exhibited elongated and spread forms, distinctive from those observed for amoebae on a plastic surface. Collagen and fibronectin-adhered B. mandrillaris presented elongated shapes with cellular expansions. Binding to collagen, fibronectin, or laminin was inhibited when amoebae were pre-treated with sialic acid. Treatment with galactose resulted in diminished binding of amoebae on laminin, while mannose increased binding in all coating conditions tested. Dependence of divalent cations on amoeba binding was demonstrated for laminin-amoeba interaction. Collectively, the results indicate that B. mandrillaris recognizes specific glycoproteins of the mammalian extracellular matrix.

The adherence of Bacteroides fragilis strains to immobilized laminin-1 (LMN-1) was investigated using this protein adsorbed onto glass. Among the 27 strains isolated from infectious processes and assayed, 13 presented strong adherence to LMN-1. Among them, two strains, MC2 and 1081, showed the strongest association, and for that reason they were selected for further studies in which adherence to this protein was confronted with both physical-chemical and enzymatic treatments, along with concurrence assays with the LMN-1 molecule itself and the LMN-1-residing amino acid sequences (RGD, IKVAV, YIGSR, AG73, A13 and C16). The chemical and enzymatic treatments resulted in sharp decreases in binding rates of those strains, and competition experiments with LMN-1- residing amino acids revealed that, except for RGD and A13, all the others were effective at reducing bacterial binding of the bacteria. The outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of B. fragilis were extracted and assayed onto dot-blotted LMN-1, and when the extracts were chemically treated, especially with metasodium periodate, a drastic reduction in bacterial binding occurred. Results of the latter assays clearly indicate that bacterial molecules involved in both recognition and binding of B. fragilis to LMN-1 are present in OMP extracts. Taken together, our results strongly indicate that a B. fragilis surface glycoprotein may play a key role in bacterial association with LMN-1.

The presence of iron in the extracellular medium is essential for both in vivo and in vitro survival of pathogenic microorganisms, including Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus. In these parasites, iron is directly involved in the proliferation, protein expression and activation of critical enzymes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of iron in ecto-ATPase, ecto-phophatase and secreted phosphatase activities of these trichomonads. We observed that trichomonads grown in iron-depleted medium exhibited a remarkable decrease in both ecto-ATPase and ecto-phosphatase activities, when compared to those cultivated under control conditions (iron-rich medium). Furthermore, parasites grown in iron-depleted medium restored their enzyme activities when they were re-inoculated into fresh iron-rich medium. We demonstrated that modulation of ecto-phosphohydrolase activities is due neither to enzyme-iron nor to substrate-iron complex formation, since iron addition directly to the medium where the enzymatic reactions occurred did not alter their activities. Previously, we had reported that a fresh clinical isolate of T. vaginalis was much more cytotoxic to epithelial cell monolayers than a long-term cultured one. In this study we witnessed that the fresh isolate of T. vaginalis presented higher activities to all herein investigated enzymes than the long-term cultured one. Altogether, our data clearly point out that iron has a pivotal role in the expression of phosphohydrolases in both trichomonads.

Acanthamoeba spp. contains a group of free-living amoebae widespread in nature. These microorganisms may cause several diseases in humans including osteomyelitis. Here we characterize the cellular interaction between clinical and freshwater isolates of A. polyphaga with human osteoblasts. Amoeba cytoadherence was evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively. We observed that the clinical isolate readily adheres to human osteoblastic cells (HOB) in a saturable and time-dependent fashion. The cytoadhesion appears to be in part dependent on mannose-associated surface glycoconjugates, since prior incubation of the amoebae with alpha-mannose reduced cytoadhesion approximately 75%. Scanning electron microscopy revealed various amoebae exhibiting acanthapodia contacting the surface of osteoblasts. Some osteoblasts developed morphologies resembling apoptotic cells. The clinical isolate was highly toxic to HOB cells during 24 h of cell-protozoan interaction. Cytotoxicity was also dependent on the amoeba-cell ratio. During the cytopathogenic process we observed amoebae in the apparent process of ingestion of target cells and also amoebae extending projections or digipodia into osteoblast targets. The results indicate that A. polyphaga trophozoites attach and destroy human osteoblasts.

As observed in most of the investigated trichomonads, a strain of Tritrichomonas foetus includes different parasite subpopulations. Such population diversity might account for important properties such as the ability of the parasite to destroy host cells. The aim of this study was to characterize the cytotoxicity exerted by subpopulations (named as K1, K2, K3, K4 and K5) of an isolate of T. foetus on epithelial cultured cells. The five populations studied here destroyed epithelial monolayers at different rates (from 25% to 55%), even though the cytoadhesion level and whole-cell protease activity were closely related among them. We were also able to detect differences in contact-dependent and contact-independent cytotoxicity mechanisms among the five populations. An extracellular parasite protease had varying activity among the parasite populations. The intensity of contact-independent cytotoxicity was strictly related to the degree of enzyme activation, suggesting that such a protease might be involved in the cytotoxicity mediated by T. foetus.

Gap junctions are connexin-formed channels that play an important role in intercellular communication in most cell types. In the immune system, specifically in macrophages, the expression of connexins and the establishment of functional gap junctions are still controversial issues. Macrophages express P2X(7) receptors that, once activated by the binding of extracellular ATP, lead to the opening of transmembrane pores permeable to molecules of up to 900 Da. There is evidence suggesting an interplay between gap junctions and P2 receptors in different cell systems. Thus, we used ATP-sensitive and -insensitive J774.G8 macrophage cell lines to investigate this interplay. To study junctional communication in J774-macrophage-like cells, we assessed cell-to-cell communication by microinjecting Lucifer Yellow. Confluent cultures of ATP-sensitive J774 cells (ATP-s cells) are coupled, whereas ATP-insensitive J774 cells (ATP-i cells), derived by overexposing J774 cells to extracellular ATP until they do not display the phenomenon of ATP-induced permeabilization, are essentially uncoupled. Western-blot and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assays revealed that ATP-s and ATP-i cells express connexin43 (Cx43), whereas only ATP-s cells express the P2X(7) receptor. Accordingly, ATP-i cells did not display any detectable ATP-induced current under whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Using immunofluorescence microscopy, Cx43 reactivity was found at the cell surface and in regions of cell-cell contact of ATP-s cells, whereas, in ATP-i cells, Cx43 immunoreactivity was only present in cytosolic compartments. Using confocal microscopy, it is shown here that, in ATP-s cells as well as in peritoneal macrophages, Cx43 and P2X(7) receptors are co-localized to the membrane of ATP-s cells and peritoneal macrophages.

In the developing nervous system migrating neurons and growing axons are guided by diffusible and/or substrate-bound cues, such as extracellular matrix-associated laminin. In a previous work we demonstrated that laminin molecules could self-assemble in two different manners, giving rise to matrices that could favor either neuritogenesis or proliferation of cortical precursor cells. We investigated whether the ability of astrocytes to promote neuritogenesis of co-cultivated neurons was modulated by the assembling mode of the laminin matrix secreted by them. We compared the morphologies and neuritogenic potentials of laminin deposited by in vitro-differentiated astrocytes obtained from embryonic or neonatal rat brain cortices. We showed that, while permissive astrocytes derived from embryonic brain produced a flat laminin matrix that remained associated to the cell surface, astrocytes derived from newborn brain secreted a laminin matrix resembling a fibrillar web that protruded from the cell plane. The average neurite lengths obtained for E16 neurons cultured on each astrocyte layer were 198+/-22 and 123+/-13 microm, respectively. Analyses of surface-associated electrostatic potentials revealed that embryonic astrocytes presented a pI of -2.8, while in newborn cells this value was -3.8. Removal of the sialic acid groups on the embryonic monolayer by neuraminidase treatment led to the immediate release of matrix-associated laminin. Interestingly, laminin reassembled 1 hour after neuraminidase removal converted to the features of the newborn matrix. Alternatively, treatment of astrocytes with the cholesterol-solubilizing detergent methyl-beta-cyclodextrin also resulted in release of the extracellular laminin. To test the hypothesis that sialic-acid-containing lipids localized at cholesterol-rich membrane domains could affect the process of laminin assembly, we devised a cell-free assay where laminin polymerization was carried out over artificial lipid films. Films of either a mixture of gangliosides or pure ganglioside GT1b induced formation of matrices of morpho-functional features similar to the matrices deposited by embryonic astrocytes. Conversely, films of phosphatidylcholine or ganglioside GM1 led to the formation of bulky laminin aggregates that lacked a defined structure. We propose that the expression of negative lipids on astrocytes can control the extracellular polymerization of laminin and, consequently, the permissivity to neuritogenesis of astrocytes during development.

The FMVI strain of Trichomonas vaginalis was freshly isolated from an asymptomatic patient, and its morphological properties and virulence in vitro compared with the well-established JT strain. The morphological variability of the parasites was assessed by differential interference microscopy and both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The FMV1 strain presented nearly 20% amoeboid cells whereas the JT strain presented high percentages of ellipsoid but no amoeboid cells. The FMV1 morphotype population was unaltered after at least 1 year of subculturing. Electron microscopy revealed that this strain produced numerous pseudopod structures which mediated intimate contact and interdigitation among trophozoites. Dead FMV1 parasites were often phagocytosed by conspecific cells. We also compared the cytolytic capacity of these two populations against epithelial MDCK cells and its contact dependence. The FMV1 strain rapidly adhered to plastic or glass surfaces and to MDCK monolayers. This strain destroyed about 93% of the epithelial cells in 90 min whereas the cytolytic activity of the JT parasites was very much lower (about 41%). Parasite supernatants displayed no cytolytic activity, indicating contact-mediated lysis. The protozoan virulence in vitro did not correlate well with the clinical observations. The implications of these results are discussed.

We report the results of a transcript finishing initiative, undertaken for the purpose of identifying and characterizing novel human transcripts, in which RT-PCR was used to bridge gaps between paired EST clusters, mapped against the genomic sequence. Each pair of EST clusters selected for experimental validation was designated a transcript finishing unit (TFU). A total of 489 TFUs were selected for validation, and an overall efficiency of 43.1% was achieved. We generated a total of 59,975 bp of transcribed sequences organized into 432 exons, contributing to the definition of the structure of 211 human transcripts. The structure of several transcripts reported here was confirmed during the course of this project, through the generation of their corresponding full-length cDNA sequences. Nevertheless, for 21% of the validated TFUs, a full-length cDNA sequence is not yet available in public databases, and the structure of 69.2% of these TFUs was not correctly predicted by computer programs. The TF strategy provides a significant contribution to the definition of the complete catalog of human genes and transcripts, because it appears to be particularly useful for identification of low abundance transcripts expressed in a restricted set of tissues as well as for the delineation of gene boundaries and alternatively spliced isoforms., (Copyright 2004 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press ISSN)

The aim of this work was to investigate the role played by iron during interaction of Tritrichomonas foetus with cultured epithelial cells. We have observed that the growth rate of T. foetus is influenced by the amount of iron available into culture medium. When organisms maintained for 24h in iron-depleted medium were transferred to an iron-rich one, many protozoan cells exhibited a cytokinesis blockage. Parasites maintained in iron-depleted medium exhibited a significant increase in cytoadhesion when compared with both controls and parasites that had been cultured in medium in which iron was replaced. T. foetus collected from iron-depleted medium also exhibited a reduction in its ability to destroy epithelial cell monolayers and a reduction in the activity of several cysteine proteases. Taken together, the results presented here demonstrate that iron may be an extracellular signal, which seems to modulate the ability of T. foetus to interact with host epithelial cells.

Biological fitness components of a field-collected colony of Culex quinquefasciatus Say that was highly resistant to Bacillus sphaericus strain 2362 (resistance ratio greater than 163,000) after 46 generations of selection were compared to those of a susceptible colony (CqSF) that had originated from the same parental cohort but that had not been exposed to B. sphaericus. The effect of B. sphaericus on the fitness of Cx. quinquefasciatus was determined in terms of fecundity, fertility, and development time. The resistant colony (CqRL) showed significantly lower fecundity and fertility, and slower development than the susceptible colony. Development time from egg to egg showed a 20% increase in CqRL compared to CqSF. The generation time increased from 21.6 days to 26 days for highly resistant generations of CqRL.

The isoform 1 of the extracellular matrix glycoprotein Laminin is known to be an important ligand for some parasitic protozoa including Trichomonas vaginalis. The bovine parasite Tritrichomonas foetus seems to display a similar recognition process to laminin-1, as some amino acid sequences found in the LNS module of laminin-1 can also be recognized by this parasite. Which of the laminin-1 residing adhesion sequences are recognized by T. foetus, and the role played by such a protein-cell recognition process in both cytoadhesion and cytotoxicity exerted by the parasite are the subjects briefly reviewed and discussed here.

Aims and Background: Primary angiosarcoma of the breast is an unusual neoplasm which is generally associated with a dismal prognosis. Given the poor prognosis and the predominance in the third and fourth decades of life when fertility tends to decrease, reports of term pregnancies after treatment of this disease are rare., Methods and Study Design: We report a case of angiosarcoma of the breast in a 17-year-old patient with a recurrent breast nodule treated by local surgery only. After three years of follow-up without evidence of disease recurrence she became pregnant., Results: A girl weighing 2,430 g was delivered at 38 weeks and two days. The patient has been free of disease for five years now., Conclusions: Our experience of the present case shows the lack of full information about this tumor. Pregnancy does not seem to interfere negatively with the course of the disease.