In the October 2006 Issue of Clinics

Abstract

EDITORIALIn this issue of CLINICS we may for the first time separate original research into the 2 categories -clinical research and basic science -because we have been receiving increasing numbers of good scientific reports on basic science.The highlight report in this issue goes to Higuchi et al who, to the best of our knowledge produce the first description of apparently pathogenic archaea in human internal organ lesions. Archaea are anaerobic microbes which occupy the deepest and shortest branches of the universal phylogenetic tree. They are equipped with powerful antioxidative enzymes that allow detoxification of free radicals; their presence might favor the survival of aerobic microorganisms in hostile environments. Higuchi et al describe their findings in 29 tissue samples of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques from 13 coronary arthrectomies studied through optical and electron microscopy. Six of the cases were submitted to polymerase chain reaction with archaeal primers. Archaeal-compatible structures were identified in all 13 specimens, and the PCR test was positive for archaeal DNA in 4 of the 6 studied fragments. Archaeal bodies correlated positively with the extent of the of myxoid matrix in the vulnerable plaques.In the Clinical Sciences Section we publish 8 articles. Baptista et al evaluated 20 cases of nonmetastatic sinovial sarcoma of the extremities treated between 1985 and 1998 regarding prognostic factors, to propose a histological grading system with prognostic significance. Diagnosed unfavorable prognostic factors regarding survival were high histological grade, tumors proximal to the knee or elbow, and spontaneous tumor necrosis over 25%. Local recurrence did not influence survival.Ribeiro and Azevedo describe seroconversion of hepatitis B vaccine in children immunized according to the World Health Organization schedule during their 1 st year, and its relationship to the mother's serostatus during pregnancy, as well as antibody waning 3 years after vaccination. The serological study was carried out in São José dos Campos, a high income ½ million inhabitant city in southern Brazil. Blood samples from 224 pregnant women were assayed for hepatitis B marker serology, testing positive in 13.4% of cases. Seroconversion in 174 infants born to these women was determined 1 month after they were vaccinated with recombinant vaccine, and found absent in 10%, low or intermediary in 24% and adequate in 66% of cases. Serological testing in 101 children immunized 3 years previously revealed a significant proportion of nonseroconverters. Lack of seroconversion correlated with the absence of serological hepatitis B markers during pregnancy. They suggest that the immunization schedule for hepatitis B in low or moderate prevalence areas should be revised in order to optimize seroconversion.Lobo et al determined the lengthening and resistance of the primary mitral valve chordae tendineae when submitted to traction in 8 dissected hearts, which yielded 132 primary human chordae tendineae. Their lengths and thicknes...