São Paulo medical journal = Revista paulista de medicina
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Genetic investigation of central nervous system (CNS) tumors provides valuable information about the genes regulating proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, migration and apoptosis in the CNS. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of genetic polymorphisms (codon 31 and 3' untranslated region, 3'UTR) and protein expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A) gene in patients with and without CNS tumors. ⋯ No significant differences in protein expression patterns or polymorphisms of CDKN1A in relation to the three types of CNS tumors were observed among Brazilian subjects.
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Primary malignancy in giant cell tumor (PMGCT) is rare. It is defined as a high-grade sarcoma originating in a giant cell tumor (GCT) and seems to behave less aggressively than its secondary counterpart does. ⋯ PMGCT seems to behave less aggressively than secondary malignancy in GCT, and it may simulate its more common benign counterpart clinically and radiographically. However, it requires a more aggressive type of treatment.
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Autoinflammatory syndromes are diseases manifested by recurrent episodes of fever and inflammation in multiple organs. There is no production of autoantibodies, but interleukins play an important role and acute-phase reactants show abnormalities. Our aim was to report on three cases of autoinflammatory syndromes that are considered to be rare entities. ⋯ The authors describe the clinical features of three patients whose diagnosis were the following: tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), chronic infantile neurological cutaneous articular (CINCA) syndrome and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). All of the patients presented fever, joint or bone involvement and increased acute phase reactants. The genetic analysis confirmed the diagnoses of two patients. The great diversity of manifestations and the difficulties in genetic analyses make the diagnosing of these diseases a challenge.
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Cervical cancer is a serious public health problem in Brazil. For patients with unsatisfactory colposcopic examinations without visible lesions, but with cervical cytological tests suggesting high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), the national recommendation is to repeat cervical cytological tests after three months. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of HSIL and cancer among patients with initial cervical cytological tests suggestive of HSIL but with unsatisfactory colposcopic examinations without visible lesions, in order to contribute towards the discussion regarding a more effective clinical approach that might diminish the likelihood of patient abandonment of follow-up before appropriate diagnosis and treatment. ⋯ The observed prevalence of cancer and HSIL does not seem to be enough to justify immediate referral for cone biopsies to investigate the cervical canal in these cases. The findings suggest that the recommendation of repeated cytological tests following an initial one with HSIL, among patients with unsatisfactory colposcopic examinations without visible lesions, is appropriate in our setting. Efforts are needed to ensure adherence to follow-up protocols in order to reduce the chances of losses.
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Non-myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (NMA-HSCT) is performed in onco-hematological patients who cannot tolerate ablative conditioning because of older age or comorbidities. This approach does not completely eliminate host cells and initially results in mixed chimerism. Long-term persistence of mixed chimerism results in graft rejection and relapse. Involvement of graft-versus-host disease is concomitant with complete chimerism and graft-versus-tumor effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of chimerism in onco-hematological patients who underwent NMA-HSCT. ⋯ These methods were sensitive and informative. In VNTR, the association of APO-B with D1S80 showed 88% informativeness. The quantitative FISH method was more sensitive, but had the disadvantage of only being used for sex-unmatched pairs.