ResumoPolimorfismos são variações na sequência de nucleotídeos do DNA genômico tais como deleções, inserções e outras. Os polimorfismos podem provocar alteração na função proteica e no fenótipo. Eventualmente pode ocorrer a deleção de ambos os alelos de um determinado gene e, nesse caso, a proteína que seria codificada pelo gene não será expressa. Essa situação é bastante frequente para os genes GSTT1 e GSTM1 que codificam enzimas de detoxicação (glutationa Stransferase teta 1, e, glutationa S-transferase mu 1, respectivamente). Considerando que as enzimas de detoxicação têm um papel fundamental na biotransformação de xenobióticos, essa falta da expressão poderia acarretar uma menor proteção e, consequentemente, uma maior susceptibilidade ao desenvolvimento de doenças de perfil citotóxico, em especial o câncer. Este trabalho analisou o perfil genotípico de uma população de 30 pacientes portadores de gliomas malignos para os genes GSTT1 e GSTM1. Os tipos tumorais foram: vinte e quatro glioblastomas multiformes, três astrocitomas anaplásicos grau II, dois oligodendrogliomas e um astrocitoma anaplásico grau III. Os objetivos deste estudo foram comparar o genótipo dos 30 pacientes para os genes GSTT1 e GSTM1 com o encontrado em uma população de 65 sujeitos-controle teoricamente saudáveis, bem como, nos pacientes, relacionar a presença ou deleção desses genes com o tempo de sobrevida. Os resultados sugerem que o genótipo GSTT1 nulo poderia conferir uma maior proteção contra o desenvolvimento dessas malignidades cerebrais e também indicam uma possível relação entre o genótipo e o tempo de sobrevida para portadores desses gliomas. Palavras-chave: Polimorfismo -Glutationa S-transferases -Genes de detoxicação -Xenobióticos -Gliomas. Abstract INTRODUÇÃO Os tumores cerebraisQualquer um dos diversos tipos celulares do cérebro pode sofrer mutações e dar origem a um tumor. Os tumores cerebrais são caracterizados pelo tipo celular afetado (ARMSTRONG et al., 2007). No cérebro, podem ocorrer tumores primários (os de origem cerebral), ou tumores secundários (os que se originam em outro sítio, mas formam metástase cerebral). Neste trabalho, foram incluídos trinta pacientes portadores de gliomas primários, que são tumores que se originam nas células da glia, as quais dão suporte aos neurônios, participam da sua nutrição, além de possuírem um papel de proteção. Desses trinta pacientes, vinte e quatro eram

ObjectiveGreen Tobacco Sickness (GTS) is an occupational illness caused by dermal absorption of nicotine from tobacco leaves. It affects thousands of farm workers worldwide. Brazil is the second tobacco producer in the world; despite this, there are few studies on GTS among Brazilian harvesters. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of GTS among a population of tobacco workers from a producing area in northeastern Brazil and investigate whether the occurrence of the disease was influenced by factors such age, gender and smoking status. In addition, it was investigated if there was association between the onset of GTS and genetic polymorphisms in genes that encode some detoxification enzymes. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic, behavioral and occupational data from the referred workers. Polymorphisms were tested through the Polymerase Chain Reaction technique.ResultsThe total prevalence of GTS found was 56.9%, with a significant difference between genders (71.7% for women and 35.3% for men, p < 0.0001). No association was identified between the investigated polymorphisms and GTS. This study confirms the occurrence of GTS among tobacco harvesters in Brazil with high prevalence. The investigation suggests the need to take preventive measures to protect tobacco workers against this disease.

To identify decoy cells, cytological examination was performed in urine cytospin slides. Decoy cells are related to Polyomaviruses (JC virus [JCV] and BK virus [BKV]), which are recognized worldwide due to potential infection and morbidity in kidney transplant recipients. Cytologically, it is difficult to evaluate the cytopathic effect of JCV and BKV in urine of patients with urothelial neoplasia. For this reason, there is a need for molecular approaches. To evaluate the incidence of BKV and JCV DNA in archival slides of urine cytospin material with benign and malignant characteristics. A total of 176 urine specimens were used for cytological examination of neoplastic or decoy cells. The samples were analyzed for the presence of JCV and BKV, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in DNA Isolated from archival slides of urine cytospin material. A typical samples (n = 48) were compared with the remaining 128 samples without atypia/neoplasia for the presence of JCV or BKV DNA. A statistically nonsignificant result was observed correlating the presence of JCV or BKV. The results show that DNA Isolated from archival slides of urine cytospin material can be used for detection of BKV and JCV.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the frequencies of Epstein-Barr virus, types 1 and 2 infection, and 30 bp del-latent membrane protein 1 viral polymorphism in gastric adenocarcinomas, as well as to investigate the association between Epstein-Barr virus infection and tumor location, type, and the patient's sex. METHODS: Samples were collected from 38 patients treated at a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Epstein-Barr virus detection and genotyping were performed by polymerase chain reaction, followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and staining by the silver nitrate method. RESULTS: Overall, 68.4% of patients had Epstein-Barr virus-positive tumors. Of these, 65.4% presented infection by Epstein-Barr virus type 1, 23.1% by Epstein-Barr virus type 2, and 11.5% had coinfection with types 1 and 2. The 30 bp del-latent membrane protein 1 polymorphism was found in 42.3% of Epstein-Barr virus-positive tumors, 23.1% had the wild-type virus, and 23.1% had the wild-type and the polymorphism concomitantly. In 11.5% of Epstein-Barr virus-positive tumors, it was impossible to determine whether there was polymorphism or not. Tumor location in the antrum (22 of 38) and diffuse type (27 of 38) were predominant. There was no significant difference in Epstein-Barr virus infection or the 30 bp del-latent membrane protein 1 polymorphism between men and women. CONCLUSION: Epstein-Barr virus infection was found in 68.4% of tumors investigated in this study. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first article showing the coinfection of Epstein-Barr virus types 1 and 2 in gastric carcinoma in Brazil.