We collected a series of 136 lung/bronchial and 56 matched lung parenchyma tissue samples from patients who underwent lung/bronchial biopsies and presented invasive carcinoma after lung surgery. The lung/bronchial samples included basal cell hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia, moderate dysplasia, adenomatous hyperplasia, severe dysplasia, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Matched lung parenchyma tissue samples included 25 squamous cell carcinomas and 31 adenocarcinomas. Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze for the distribution of hyaluronidase (Hyal)-1 and −3, and hyaluronan synthases (HAS)-1, −2, and −3. Hyal-1 showed significantly higher expression in basal cell hyperplasia than in moderate dysplasia (P=0.01), atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (P=0.0001), or severe dysplasia (P=0.03). Lower expression of Hyal-3 was found in atypical adenomatous hyperplasia than in basal cell hyperplasia (P=0.01) or moderate dysplasia (P=0.02). HAS-2 was significantly higher in severe dysplasia (P=0.002) and in squamous metaplasia (P=0.04) compared with basal cell hyperplasia. HAS-3 was significantly expressed in basal cell hyperplasia compared with atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (P=0.05) and severe dysplasia (P=0.02). Lower expression of HAS-3 was found in severe dysplasia compared with squamous metaplasia (P=0.01) and moderate dysplasia (P=0.01). Epithelial Hyal-1 and −3 and HAS-1, −2, and −3 expressions were significantly higher in pre-neoplastic lesions than in neoplastic lesions. Comparative Cox multivariate analysis controlled by N stage and histologic tumor type showed that patients with high HAS-3 expression in pre-neoplastic cells obtained by lung/bronchial biopsy presented a significantly higher risk of death (HR=1.19; P=0.04). We concluded that localization of Hyal and HAS in lung/bronchial pre-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions was inversely related to malignancy, which implied that visualizing these factors could be a useful diagnostic procedure for suspected lung cancer. Finalizing this conclusion will require a wider study in a randomized and prospective trial.

As dimensões e o peso testicular foram avaliados em 25 machos adultos de codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) e correlacionados entre si, a fim de se buscar obter informações que possibilitem a criação de um parâmetro preditivo da capacidade de produção espermática. As aves foram abatidas e os testículos removidos para mensuração e pesagem. As dimensões e o peso entre os testículos esquerdo e direito foram comparados. Os parâmetros testiculares foram correlacionados entre si por meio da determinação do coeficiente de correlação linear. O índice gonadossomático também foi determinado, indicando alocação de 3,68% do peso corporal em testículos nos machos avaliados, resultado maior do que os descritos na literatura. Apesar da diferença de formato entre os testículos esquerdo e direito, o peso foi semelhante, sugerindo que não há diferença na capacidade de produção espermática entre eles. Diferença estatística entre os valores biométricos indica que o testículo esquerdo é mais curto e mais arredondado, enquanto o direito é mais longo e estreito. O peso corporal apresentou baixa correlação com o peso testicular, 0,14 e 0,12 para os testículos esquerdo e direito, respectivamente. Os parâmetros que melhor se correlacionaram com o peso testicular foram a largura e a espessura. Considerando-se a identificação de um parâmetro único para comparação entre machos, a espessura do testículo esquerdo apresentou coeficiente de correlação linear de 0,89 com o somatório do peso dos dois testículos. Com base nessa informação, métodos não invasivos, como a ultrassonografia, poderiam ser utilizados para estimar o potencial reprodutivo e auxiliar na comparação de machos de codornas japonesas em núcleos de seleção de aves elite, contribuindo para melhoramento genético da espécie.

The size and testis weight were evaluated and correlated in 25 adult male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), seeking information to enable the development of a predictive parameter of sperm production capacity. The birds were slaughtered and testes removed for measuring and weighing. The size and testis weight were compared between the left and right. The testicular parameters were correlated by determining the linear correlation coefficient. The gonadosomatic index was also determined, indicating the allocation of 3.68% of body weight in the testes, greater than described in literature. Despite the difference in shape between the left and right testis, weight was similar, suggesting that there is no difference in the capacity of sperm production amongst them. A statistical difference between the biometric values indicates that the left testicle is shorter and more rounded, while the right is longer and narrower. Body weight showed a low correlation with the testicular weight, 0.14 and 0.12 for the left and right testes, respectively. The parameters that best correlated with testicular weight were the width and thickness. Given the identification of a single parameter for comparison of males, the thickness of the left testis showed linear correlation coefficient of 0.89 with the sum of the weight of both testicles. From this information, noninvasive methods such as ultrasound could be used to estimate the reproductive potential and ease the comparison of male Japanese quail in elite selection nuclei, contributing to the genetic improvement of the species.

Among the most common features of highly invasive tumors, such as lung adenocarcinomas (AD) and squamous cell carcinomas (SqCC), is the massive degradation of the extracellular matrix. The remarkable qualitative and quantitative modifications of hyaluronidases (HAases), hyaluronan synthases (HAS), E-cadherin adhesion molecules, and the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) may favor invasion, cellular motility, and proliferation. We examined HAase proteins (Hyal), HAS, E-cadherin, and TGF-β profiles in lung AD subtypes and SqCC obtained from smokers and non-smokers. Fifty-six patients, median age 64 years, who underwent lobectomy for AD (N = 31) and SqCC (N = 25) were included in the study. HAS-1, -2 and -3, and Hyal-1 and -3 were significantly more expressed by tumor cells than normal and stroma cells (P < 0.01). When stratified according to histologic types, HAS-3 and Hyal-1 immunoreactivity was significantly increased in tumor cells of AD (P = 0.01) and stroma of SqCC (P = 0.002), respectively. Tobacco history in patients with AD was significantly associated with increased HAS-3 immunoreactivity in tumor cells (P < 0.01). Stroma cells of SqCC from non-smokers presented a significant association with HAS-3 (P < 0.01). Hyal, HAS, E-cadherin, and TGF-β modulate a different tumor-induced invasive pathway in lung AD subgroups and SqCC. HAases in resected AD and SqCC were strongly related to the prognosis. Therefore, our findings suggest that strategies aimed at preventing high HAS-3 and Hyal-1 synthesis, or local responses to low TGF-β and E-cadherin, may have a greater impact in lung cancer prognosis.

O presente estudo objetivou elaborar e aplicar um programa de estimulação psicomotora baseado no processo de orientação e mobilidade do deficiente visual. Este tipo de comprometimento influencia diretamente o desenvolvimento psicomotor do indivíduo e condiciona a autonomia e independência do mesmo. O programa foi aplicado no Laboratório de Estimulação Psicomotora da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, com o embasamento teórico da Psicomotricidade. O indivíduo estudado possuia um diagnóstico médico de grave problema visual desde a infância e optou-se pelo estudo de caso intrínseco, para observar e avaliar melhor dificuldades encontradas, mediante a técnica da observação sistematizada e entrevista informal com os pais. Pôde-se perceber evoluções no deficiente visual estudado, no que tange ao equilíbrio, noção espacial e esquema corporal e também na disposição em realizar atividades da vida diária, o que interferiu diretamente na sua locomoção. Concluiu-se que o processo de orientação e mobilidade é primordial no trabalho de independência do deficiente visual e que este necessita de um estímulo ao desenvolvimento psicomotor desde o início da sua vida, visto os atrasos que poderão surgir durante o seu crescimento e maturação, devido a possíveis dificuldades com o meio interno e externo gerados pelo comprometimento citado. Torna-se importante a aplicação de novos estudos com amostras maiores que se utilizem também abordagens qualitativas.

This study aimed at developing and implementing a program of psychomotor stimulation process-based orientation and mobility of the visually impaired, since this type of commitment has a direct influence on psychomotor development of the individual, affecting their autonomy and independence. The program was implemented in the Laboratory of Psychomotor Stimulation of the Federal University of Viçosa, with the theoretical basis of Psychomotricity. We chose the intrinsic case study, to observe and evaluate better the difficulties encountered by the technique of systematic observation and informal interviews with parents. One can perceive evolutions in visually handicapped studied in terms equilibrium, concept space and body schema, and also willing to perform activities of daily living, which interfere in their locomotion. We concluded that the process of orientation and mobility is paramount in the work of independence of the visually impaired, and that it is needed a psychomotor development stimulus since the beginning of his life, because the delays that may arise during their growth and maturation. It becomes important to apply qualitative approaches for further studies but with larger samples.

CDKN2A encodes proteins such as p16 (INK4a), which negatively regulate the cell-cycle. Molecular genetic studies have revealed that deletions in CDKN2A occur frequently in cancer. Although p16 (INK4a) may be involved in tumor progression, the clinical impact and prognostic implications in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of the immunohistochemical expression of p16 (INK4a) in 40 oropharynx and 35 larynx from HNSCC patients treated in a single institution and followed-up at least for 10 years in order to explore potential associations with clinicopathological outcomes and prognostic implications. Forty cases (53.3%) were positive for p16 (INK4a) and this expression was more intense in non-smoking patients (P = 0.050), whose tumors showed negative vascular embolization (P = 0.018), negative lymphatic permeation (P = 0.002), and clear surgical margins (P = 0.050). Importantly, on the basis of negative p16 (INK4a) expression, it was possible to predict a probability of lower survival (P = 0.055) as well as tumors presenting lymph node metastasis (P = 0.050) and capsular rupture (P = 0.0010). Furthermore, increased risk of recurrence was observed in tumors presenting capsular rupture (P = 0.0083). Taken together, the alteration in p16 (INK4a) appears to be a common event in patients with oropharynx and larynx squamous cell carcinoma and the negative expression of this protein correlated with poor prognosis.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an appropriate method for the evaluation of axillary status in cases of early breast cancer. We report our experience in treating cases evaluated using SLNB. We analyzed a total of 1192 cases assessed by means of SLNB from July 1999 to December 2007. SLNB processing was successfully completed in 1154 cases with the use of blue dye or radiolabeled 99mTc-Dextran-500, or both. Of these 1154 patients, 857 were N0(i-) (no regional lymph node metastasis, negative immunohistochemistry, IHC), 96 were N0(i+) (no regional lymph node metastasis histologically, positive IHC, no IHC cluster greater than 0.2 mm) and 201 were N1mi (greater than 0.2 mm, none greater than 2.0 mm). Most of the tumors (70%) were invasive ductal carcinomas and tumors were staged as T1 in 770 patients (65%). A total of 274 patients underwent SLNB and axillary dissections up to April 2003. The inclusion criteria were tumor size equal to or less than 3 cm in diameter, no clinically palpable axillary lymph nodes, no neoadjuvant therapy. In 19 cases, the SLN could not be identified intraoperatively. A false-negative rate of 11% and a negative predictive value of 88.2% were obtained for the 255 assessable patients. The overall concordance between SLNB and axillary lymph node status was 92%. SLNB sensitivity for nodes was 81% and specificity was 100%. The higher sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and lower false-negative rates of SLNB suggest that this method may be an appropriate alternative to total axillary dissection in early breast cancer patients.

Malignancy of pulmonary large cell carcinomas (LCC) increases from classic LCC through LCC with neuroendocrine morphology (LCCNM) to large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNEC). However, the histological classification has sometimes proved to be difficult. Because the malignancy of LCC is highly dependent on proteins with functions in the cell cycle, DNA repair, and apoptosis, p53 has been targeted as a potentially useful biological marker. p53 mutations in lung cancers have been shown to result in expression and protein expression also occurs in the absence of mutations. To validate the importance of both p53 protein expression (by immunostaining) and p53 gene mutations in lung LCC (by PCR-single strand conformational polymorphism analysis of exons 5, 6, 7, and 8) and to study their relationships with clinical factors and sub-classification we investigated the correlation of p53 abnormalities in 15 patients with LCC (5 classic LCC, 5 LCNEC, and 5 LCCNM) who had undergone resection with curative intent. Of these patients, 5/15 expressed p53 and none had mutant p53 sequences. There was a negative survival correlation with positive p53 immunostaining (P = 0.05). After adjustment for stage, age, gender, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and histological subtypes by multivariate analysis, p53 expression had an independent impact on survival. The present study indicates that p53 assessment may provide an objective marker for the prognosis of LCC irrespective of morphological variants and suggests that p53 expression is important for outcome prediction in patients with the early stages of LCC. The results reported here should be considered to be initial results because tumors from only 15 patients were studied: 5 each from LCC, LCNEC and LCCNM. This was due to the rarity of these specific diseases.