OCT4 immunohistochemistry may be necessary to identify the real risk of gonadal tumors in patients with Turner syndrome and Y chromosome sequences

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of gonadal tumors among patients with Turner syndrome (TS) carrying Y-derivative sequences in their chromosomal constitution.

METHODS

Six out of 260 patients with TS were selected based on mosaicism of the entire Y chromosome; 10 were included because Y-derivative sequences have been detected by PCR with specific oligonucleotides (sex-determining region on the Y, testis specific-protein, Y and DYZ3) and further confirmed by FISH. The 16 patients were subjected to bilateral gonadectomy at ages varying from 8.7 to 18.2 years. Both histopathological investigation with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical analysis with anti-octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) antibody were performed.

RESULTS

Gonadal neoplasia was not detected in any of the 32 gonads evaluated by H&E; however, four gonads (12%) from three patients (19%) had positive OCT4 staining in 50-80% of nuclei, suggesting the existence of germ cell tumors (gonadoblastoma or in situ carcinoma).

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluation of the real risk of development of gonadal tumors in TS patients with Y-derivative sequences in their chromosomal constitution may require a specific histopathological study, such as immunohistochemistry with OCT4.

Female counterpart of shawl scrotum in Aarskog-Scott syndrome

Aarskog-Scott syndrome (ASS) is an X-linked disorder characterized by facial, skeletal and genital anomalies, including penoscrotal transposition in males. We report on a girl from a family with ASS who exhibits a transposition of the clitoris.

Adriamycin-induced fetal hydronephrosis

INTRODUCTION

At the end of pregnancy, the amniotic fluid (AF) depends basically on renal function, corresponding to fetal urine. Changes in AF, especially oligohydramnios, are reported in association with fetal hydronephrosis (FH). The experimental model using adriamycin in pregnant female rats has a teratogenic effect and has been classically employed to study esophageal atresia. Nevertheless, adriamycin promotes FH with high frequency as well. In the present study, using this animal model, we tried to identify the incidence and microscopic changes of FH, as well as its correlation with AF weight.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight Spreague-Dawley pregnant female rats received adriamycin 2.2 mg/kg on the 8th and 9th gestational days (considering term gestation = 22 days). Those fetuses that received adriamycin (Adriamycin Group) were compared with fetuses from 2 female rats (Control Group), which received 0.9% saline solution. On the 21.5 gestational day, the fetuses were collected by cesarean incision, sacrificed, and examined for macro and microscopic changes in kidneys and ureters. Fetuses with bilateral hydronephrosis formed the Hydronephrosis Group. AF weight was determined as well.

RESULTS

Hydronephrosis occurred in 70 (95%) of the 74 fetuses in the adriamycin group against none of the 21 fetuses from the control group. The amniotic fluid weight was increased in the adriamycin group in relation to the control group (p < 0.001). The histomorphometric study revealed dilation of the renal pelvis and reduction of renal parenchyma in the hydronephrosis group in relation to the control group. Severe cortical atrophy, cortical tubular atrophy and medullar atrophy were observed in the hydronephrosis group.

CONCLUSIONS

Slight renal lesions were in agreement with changes in AF weight, since they suggest that there was production of urine with the maintenance of AF.

Histochemical and ultrastructural study of collagen fibers in mouse pubic symphysis during late pregnancy

Reference is usually made to the parallel orientation towards the main line of exerted tension at the pubic joint in mice, for supporting forces applied to the joint. Despite the wealth of morphological information about the extracellular matrix in this joint, little is known regarding the involvement of the crimp of collagen fibers in the dramatic transformations occurring in this region during the last 3 days of pregnancy. Examination of the collagenous architecture suggests that the biomechanical properties are directly related to fibril diameters, composition of ground substance and changes in the bundle morphology, particularly in the crimp structure. The purpose of this study was to further describe the transformation of the collagen fibers of the pubic symphysis during late mouse pregnancy. We examined the architecture of collagen fibers in the symphysis and pubic ligament through the Picrosirius-polarization method and also through scanning electron microscopy to directly visualize and measure the crimping from pregnant and virgin mice. The crimp angle and the length of five consecutive crimps were measured according to Patterson-Kane et al. [Connect. Tissue Res. 36 (1997) 253]. It could be demonstrated that the angles progressively decreased and the crimp length increased, denoting that the fibers have untwisted during the relaxation process. Our findings suggest that a disruption of the helical arrangement of the collagen containing fibers may contribute to explaining the rapid remodeling that occurs at the end of pregnancy and that is responsible for an increase in pliancy and length of the pubic ligament in mice.

Esophageal atresia and other visceral anomalies in a modified Adriamycin rat model and their correlations with amniotic fluid volume variations

The Adriamycin rat model (ARM) has been used to produce visceral malformations in fetuses to explain the mechanisms of foregut division. The models vary in the dosage of Adriamycin (ADR) and in the number of applications. Our study of a modified ARM using 2.2 mg/kg of ADR for 2 days only, intraperitoneally in pregnant rats, is presented. A total of 81 fetuses were obtained with this model from the ADR group, 74 (91%) alive. Uretero-hydronephrosis (UHN) was observed in 70 fetuses (95%), esophageal atresia (EA) in 68 (92%), duodenal atresia (DA) in 68 (92%), bladder hypoplasia (BH) in 67 (90%), plus other malformations. In evaluating amniotic fluid (AF) volume of the fetuses with EA with tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF) (group I) and EA without TEF (group II), both associated with bilateral UHN when compared with the control group (group III), groups I and II showed higher AF volume in groups I and II than the control group (group III) did ( p=0.0001). In conclusion, ARM was adequate to produce EA and other visceral malformations. The use of ADR in a higher dosage for a shorter period of time produced better results than those presented in previous literature. The increase of AF volume obtained in fetuses presenting EA plus bilateral UHN strongly suggests, despite ureteral dilatation (urinary obstruction), that a malformed communication may exist between the urinary system and the amniotic cavity, permitting the existence of polyhydramnios that is due to digestive obstruction such as EA and DA.

Application of ozonation process in industrial wastewaters: textile, kraft E1 and whey effluents

A large variety of organic and inorganic compounds can be found in wastewater from industrial processes. In this work, Advanced Oxidative Processes (AOPs) have been applied for the control of water pollution and the ozonation of different effluents was investigated. Wastewater from textile, kraft E1 and cheese manufacturing processes were chosen as examples of industrial effluents. The efficiency of substrate mineralization has been comparatively analyzed by the decrease in total organic carbon (TOC), color, and toxicity. The results revealed that the ozonation process can be a method for decolorization of effluent, but it is not effective for TOC reduction. The whey effluent was the most recalcitrant wastewater for ozone treatment which produced no TOC removal.

Semiconductor-assisted photocatalytic degradation of reactive dyes in aqueous solution

This work reports the semiconductor-assisted photochemical degradation of reactive dyes. In an oxygenated-UV-ZnO system almost total decolorization of Remazol Brilliant Blue R, Remazol Black B, Reactive Blue 221 and Reactive Blue 222 was observed in reaction times of about 60 min. Extending the photochemical treatment up to 120 min, mineralization higher than 80% for all the dyes was observed. During the same period, the residual acute toxicity was significantly reduced only for Remazol Black B. A systematic optimization study carried out by factorial design showed that for the reactive dyes tested, the ZnO semiconductor exhibits a better efficiency than that observed with anatase TiO2. A synergistic effect in the coupled TiO2-ZnO system was not observed.

Semiconductor-assisted photodegradation of lignin, dye, and kraft effluent by Ag-doped ZnO

This work reports a preliminary study of semiconductor-assisted photochemical degradation of lignin, Remazol Brilliant Blue R and Kraft E1 paper effluent by using ZnO and Ag-doped ZnO photocatalysts. The doped semiconductor was prepared in the reaction media by photoreduction of silver nitrate. With the use of 100 mg of ZnO and 15 mg of Ag-ZnO, almost total decolorization of the dye and lignin samples in reaction times lower than 60 min were observed. Extending the photochemical reaction up to 120 min, the total organic carbon content (TOC) was reduced in 90%. For the paper effluent, a fast decolorization was obtained for relatively short reaction times. However, de TOC reduction was negligible (near of 10%) up to high reaction times (300 min). By using the Ag-ZnO photocatalyst, the toxicity of lignin and Kraft E1 effluent toward E. Coli was completely removed. For the dye, the formation of transient toxic species was observed.