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Agmatinase catalyzes the hydrolysis of agmatine into putrescine and urea, and agmatine (decarboxylated L: -arginine) plays several roles in mammalian tissues, including neurotransmitter/neuromodulatory actions in the brain. Injection of agmatine in animals produces anticonvulsant, antineurotoxic and antidepressant-like actions. Information regarding the enzymatic aspects of agmatine metabolism in mammals, especially related to its degradation, is relatively scarce. The explanation for this is the lack of enzymatically active preparations of mammalian agmatinase. Recently, we have cloned a protein from a cDNA rat brain library having agmatinase activity although its amino acid sequence greatly differs from all known agmatinases, we called agmatinase-like protein. In this work, we analyzed the expression of this enzyme in the rat brain by means of RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis using a polyclonal antibody generated against the recombinant agmatinase-like protein. The agmatinase-like protein was detected in the hypothalamus in glial cells and arcuate nucleus neurons, and in hippocampus astrocytes and neurons, but not in brain cortex. In general, detected localization of agmatinase-like protein coincides with that described for its substrate agmatine and our results help to explain several reported effects of agmatine in the brain. Concretely, a role in the regulation of intracellular concentrations of the neurotransmitter/neuromodulator agmatine is suggested for the brain agmatinase-like protein.

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Summary Introduction:?The lagochilascariosis is an emerging zoonosis determined by the presence of helminth Lagochilascaris minor in human tissues. Infection occurs through ingestion of larvae encysted in the subcutaneous tissue, muscles and viscera of wild animals consumed by man so raw or undercooked. The disease is rare, insidious, chronic condition, characterized by the appearance of lesions, especially in the neck, mastoid, ear, nose and oropharynx. A serious, sometimes fatal, depend on the location of the parasite. Objective:?To describe a case of otomastoiditis by L. minor in child, attended at the Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Goias. Case Report:?Patient 10 years old female, complaining of otalgia and purulent otorrhea right. Otoscopy left ear was normal, while the right ear had retroauricular edema, polyps in the external ear canal and fistula with drainage of pus. The tympanic membrane was intact.The stages of treatment were described since the initial consultation to the recovery of the patient. Final Comments:?The clinician should be alert to the importance in considering the differential diagnosis of this disease on individuals residing in rural areas.

Summary Introduction: Cystadenoma is an uncommon epithelial neoplasia that arises from the salivary glands. The malignancy can affect structures such as the larynx, nasopharynx, buccal mucosa, and palate. Objective: To describe a case of a giant cystadenoma of the floor of the mouth treated at a public hospital in midwestern Brazil. Case report: The patient was a 46-year-old woman with complaints of difficulties in articulating words and swallowing solid food and vocal fatigue. The progression of the disease since the initial consultation, the results of clinical examinations, and the outcome of surgery are described. Finals Comments: Cystadenoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic injuries in the floor of the mouth if the patient's symptoms are suggestive of this malignancy.

Introduction:The primary nasal lymphoma is an uncommon extranodal tumor and represents 0.44% of all Extranodal lymphomas in this region. The primary nasal lymphoma derives from the T-lineage in nearly 75% of the cases. Objective:To describe a case of nasosinusal lymphoma of T Natural Killer cells, attended in the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Goiás. Case Report:48-year-old female patient with diffuse tumefaction in the left hemiface of firm-elastic consistency and painful upon digital compression. Face sinuses tomography identified a total maxillary veiling to the left and some posterior ethmoidal cells. With the diagnostic hypothesis of a tumor affection, we opted for the surgical removal via a transmaxillary approach and the material was sent for biopsy. The histopathological exam diagnosed a highly necrotic tumor of angiocentric pattern, polymorphic and atypical lymphoid population (T /NK Lymphoma); with the prognosis, the patient was submitted to chemical therapy with total regression of the facial edema. Final Comments:The otorhinolaryngologist must be attentive as regards the existence of lymphomas among the nasosinusal diseases, because the early diagnosis improves the survival as it prevents metastases, growth and local destruction.

Agmatine plays neurotransmitter/neuromodulatory actions in the brain. It result from decarboxylation of arginine by arginine decarboxylase and it is hydrolysed by agmatinase. Recently, we have cloned an unusual rat brain protein with agmatinase activity, although their deduced sequences greatly differ from all known agmatinases. However, in spite of only 12% identity with E. coli agmatinase, the rat brain protein is recognized by a polyclonal antibody raised against the bacterial enzyme. Like E. coli agmatinase, the rat brain enzyme exhibits an absolute requirement for Mn2+, not related to a metal‐binding LIM domain detected in its sequence. As shown here, the Mn2+ requirement is retained by a variant lacking the domain. We, therefore, associate Mn2+ to the hydrolytic reaction in the enzyme active site. Also described here is the generation of a polyclonal antibody against the brain agmatinase, which also reacts with the E. coli enzyme. We conclude that, although not sequence‐related, the rat brain agmatinase is structurally related to all known agmatinases. By immunohistochemical analysis, the enzyme was detected in arquate nucleus, ciliated ependymal cells and tanycytes hypothalamic. Since this coincide with that for agmatine, the enzyme would play a central role in regulating the levels and thus, the neurotransmitter/neumoregulatory actions of the primary amine in the brain. Grant FONDECYT 11070069

Summary Introduction?The conversion aphonia is defined as the total loss of voice, is a rare disease that often affects women. The diagnosis is clinical, because there are no changes in the laryngeal structures. Objective?To describe a case of conversion aphonia, seen in a public hospital in the Midwest of Brazil. Case Report?Patient 32 years old female, complaining of hoarseness for two days without other apparent symptoms. The examinations revealed no changes in the laryngeal structures and/or extra laryngeal. Stages of care have been described since the initial consultation to the recovery of the patient. Final Comments?It is important to consider the psycho-emotional aspects involving patients with voice disorders since they may cause or modify the symptoms and affect the prognosis.