Occupational exposure to crystalline silica and peripheral biomarkers: An update.

Peripheral biomarkers are important tools for detecting occupational exposures to prevent the onset and/or progression of diseases. Studies that reveal early peripheral biomarkers are highly important to preserve the health of workers and can potentially contribute to diagnosing and/or prognosing occupational pathologies. Exposure to crystalline silica is a problem in several workplaces because it increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis, cancer, and pulmonary fibrosis, clinically defined as silicosis. Silicosis is diagnosed by chest radiography and/or lung tomography in advanced stages when there is a severe loss of lung function. Peripheral biomarkers can help in diagnosing early changes prior to silicosis and represent a highly important technical-scientific advance that is minimally invasive. This review aimed to investigate the biomarkers studied for evaluating occupational exposure to crystalline silica and to understand the recent advances in this area. Potential oxidative, inflammatory, and immunological biomarkers were reviewed, as well as routine biomarkers such as biochemical parameters. It was found that biomarkers of effect such as serum CC16 and l-selectin levels could represent promising alternatives. Additionally, studies have shown that neopterin levels in urine and serum can be used to monitor worker exposure. However, further studies are needed that include a greater number of participants, different times of exposure to crystalline silica, and a combination of silicosis patients and healthy volunteers. Evaluating the concentration of crystalline silica in occupational environments, its impact on biomarkers of effect, and alterations in lung function could contribute to revealing early health alterations in workers in a more robust manner.

Sintocalmy, a Passiflora incarnata Based Herbal, Attenuates Morphine Withdrawal in Mice.

Chronic opioid use changes brain chemistry in areas related to reward processes, memory, decision-making, and addiction. Both neurons and astrocytes are affected, ultimately leading to dependence. Passiflora incarnata L. (Passifloraceae) is the basis of frequently used herbals to manage anxiety and insomnia, with proven central nervous system depressant effects. Anti-addiction properties of P. incarnata have been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a commercial extract of Passiflora incarnata (Sintocalmy®, Aché Laboratory) in the naloxone-induced jumping mice model of morphine withdrawal. In addition, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) levels were assessed in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, and DNA damage was verified on blood cells. In order to improve solubilization a Sintocalmy methanol extract (SME) was used. SME is mainly composed by flavonoids isovitexin and vitexin. The effects of SME 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg (i.p.) were evaluated in the naloxone-induced withdrawal syndrome in mice. SME 50 and SME 100 mg/kg decreased naloxone-induced jumping in morphine-dependent mice without reducing locomotor activity. No alterations were found in GFAP levels, however SME 50 mg/kg prevented the S100B increase in the frontal cortex and DNA damage. This study shows anti-addiction effects for a commercial standardized extract of P. incarnata and suggests the relevance of proper clinical assessment.

Piperazine designer drugs elicit toxicity in the alternative in vivo model Caenorhabditis elegans.

Piperazine designer drugs are a group of synthetic drugs of abuse that have appeared on the illicit market since the second half of the 1990s. The most common derivatives are 1-benzylpiperazine (BZP), 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)piperazine (MeOPP) and 1-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl)piperazine (MDBP). They can be consumed as capsules, tablets, but also in powder or liquid forms. Generally, although less potent than amphetamines, piperazines have dopaminergic and serotonergic activities. The aim of this work was to evaluate the toxic effects of BZP, MeOPP and MDBP using Caenorhabditis elegans as in vivo model for acute toxicity, development, reproduction and behavior testing. The LC50 for BZP, MeOPP and MDBP were 52.21, 5.72 and 1.22 mm, respectively. All concentrations induced a significant decrease in the body surface of the worms, indicating developmental alterations, and decrease in the brood size. Worms exposed to piperazine designer drugs also presented a decrease in locomotor activity and mechanical sensitivity, suggesting the possible dysfunction of the nervous system. Neuronal damage was confirmed through the decrease in fluorescence of BY200 strains, indicating loss of dopaminergic transporters. In conclusion, we suggest that piperazine designer drugs lead to neuronal damage, which might be the underlying cause of the altered behavior observed in humans.

Characterization and in vivo toxicological evaluation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes: a low-dose repeated intratracheal administration study.

This study characterized and investigated the toxicity of two multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) NM-401 and NM-403 at 60 and 180 µg after four repeated intratracheal instillations; follow-up times were 3, 7, 30, and 90 days after the last instillation. NM-401 was needle-like, long, and thick, while NM-403 was entangled, short, and thin. Both MWCNT types induced transient pulmonary and systemic alterations in renal function and oxidative lipid damage markers in recent times. Animals showed general toxicity in the immediate times after exposures, in addition to increased pulmonary LDH release at day 3. In further times, decreased liver and kidney relative weights were noted at higher MWCNT doses. Lung histological damages included pulmonary fibrosis, for both MWCNT types, similarly to asbestos; single liver and kidney histological alterations were present. Repeated instillations led to persistent pulmonary damage at low doses, and possibly the extrapulmonary effects may be associated with the consecutive exposures.

Itinerário terapêutico de mulheres com câncer de mama no sul do Brasil / Therapeutic itinerary of women with breast cancer breast in the south of Brazil

Objetivo: identificar o itinerário terapêutico de um grupo de mulheres com diagnóstico de câncer de mama. Método: estudo transversal, descritivo, com 30 pacientes usuárias do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) em tratamento de câncer de mama. Resultados: a idade média no momento do diagnóstico foi de 51,2 anos. O sintoma mais frequente foi o nódulo no seio (53,34%). A mastectomiafoi realizada por 100% das mulheres, 80% fizeram quimioterapia, 60% radioterapia e 100% utilizavam o Anastrazol ou Tamoxifeno. Das mulheres, 50% utilizaram o SUS para diagnóstico, 76,67% para tratamento cirúrgico e 66,67% para pagamento da quimioterapia e radioterapia. Conclusão: o itinerário percorrido para diagnóstico foi, a partir da presença de nódulos, a realização de biópsia; para tratamento, mastectomia seguida de tratamento quimioterápico, radioterápico e medicamentoso. Com relação ao plano de saúde,metade das mulheres utilizou o SUS para diagnóstico. A maioria utilizou SUS para tratamento cirúrgico e quimioterápico.

Objective: to identify the therapeutic itinerary of a group of women diagnosed with breast cancer. Method: cross-sectional,descriptive study with 30 patients, users of the Unified Health System (SUS), in treatment of breast cancer. Results: the mean age atdiagnosis was 51.2 years. The most common symptom was the nodule in the breast (53.34%). The mastectomy was performed by 100%of the women, 80% did chemotherapy, 60% radiotherapy, and 100% used Anastrazol or Tamoxifen. Of the women, 50% used SUSfor diagnosis, 76.67% for surgical treatment and 66.67% for payment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Conclusion: the route takenfor diagnosis was, from the presence of nodules, the biopsy; for treatment, mastectomy followed by chemotherapeutic, radiotherapeutic and drug treatment. Regarding the health plan, half of the women used SUS for diagnosis. Most of them used SUS for surgical and chemotherapeutic treatment.

Objetivo: identificar el itinerario terapéutico de un grupo de mujeres con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama. Método: estudio transversal, descriptivo, con 30 pacientes usuarias del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) en tratamiento de cáncer de mama. Resultados:la edad media en el momento del diagnóstico fue de 51,2 años. El síntoma más frecuente fue el nódulo en el seno (53,34%). Lamastectomía fue realizada por el 100% de las mujeres, 80% hicieron quimioterapia, 60% radioterapia y 100% utilizaban el Anastrazolo Tamoxifeno. De las mujeres, 50% utilizaron el SUS para diagnóstico, 76,67% para tratamiento quirúrgico y 66,67% para pago de laquimioterapia y radioterapia. Conclusión: el itinerario recorrido para diagnóstico fue, a partir de la presencia de nódulos, la realización debiopsia; para el tratamiento, mastectomía seguida de tratamiento quimioterápico, radioterápico y medicamentoso. Con respecto al plande salud, la mitad de las mujeres utilizó el SUS para diagnóstico. La mayoría utilizó SUS para tratamiento quirúrgico y quimioterápico.

Análise dos marcadores imuno-histoquímicos associados com câncer de mama em mulheres na Região das Missões, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Analysis of immunohistochemical markers associated with breast cancer in women in the Region of Missions, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Objetivos: Analisar a distribuição dos subtipos moleculares de câncer de mama e correlacionar esses subtipos com o perfil etário e histológico. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional, descritivo e retrospectivo. Foram incluídas 110 mulheres com diagnóstico histológico de câncer de mama e análise imuno-histoquímica no período de janeiro de 2013 a dezembro de 2015. Com base nos laudos imuno-histoquímicos, foram definidos quatro subtipos moleculares: luminal A, luminal B, HER-2+ e triplo negativo. Foi realizada análise estatística para correlacionar subtipos moleculares e tipo histológico e idade. Resultados: A idade média das participantes do estudo foi de 56,9 anos (DP=15,15), apresentando pico na faixa etária acima dos 50 anos. O tipo histológico mais frequente (66,4%) foi o carcinoma ductal invasivo (CDI). Quanto à classifica- ção molecular, o luminal B foi o mais frequente, representando 43,6% dos casos. Conclusão: Com base nos marcadores moleculares, os carcinomas da mama foram classificados em quatro subtipos e não apresentaram diferença significativa em relação ao tipo histológico nem à idade.

Objectives: To analyze the molecular subtype's breast cancer distribution and correlate them with age and histological profile. Methods: An observational, descriptive and retrospective study. One hundred and ten women with histological diagnosis of breast cancer and immunohistochemistry analysis, from January 2013 to December 2015, were included. From the reports, four molecular subtypes were defined: luminal A, luminal B, HER-2+ and triple negative. Correlations between molecular subtypes and histologic type and age were evaluated statistically. Results: The average age of the participants of the investigation was 56.9 years (SD=15.15), with a peak in the age group over 50 years. The most common histological type (66.4%) was invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). The luminal B was the most frequent molecular subtype, representing 43.6% of cases. Conclusions: Based on molecular markers, the breast carcinomas were classified into four subtypes and showed neither significant difference regarding histologic type nor age.