Silver(I) complexes of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazones and triphenylphosphine: structural, cytotoxicity, and apoptotic studies.

Novel silver(i) complexes of the type [AgCl(PPh3)2(L)] {PPh3 = triphenylphosphine; L = VTSC = 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (1); VMTSC = 3-methoxy-4-[2-(morpholine-1-yl)ethoxy]benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (2); VPTSC = 3-methoxy-4-[2-(piperidine-1-yl)ethoxy]benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (3)} were synthesized and fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques. The molecular structures of complexes 2 and 3 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1-3 exhibited appreciable cytotoxic activity against human tumor cells (lung A549, breast MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) with IC50 values in 48 h of incubation ranging from 5.6 to 18 µM. Cellular uptake studies showed that complexes 1-3 were efficiently internalized after 3 hours of treatment in MDA-MB-231 cells. The effects of complex 1 on the cell morphology, cell cycle, induction of apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production have been evaluated in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells MDA-MB-231. Our results showed that complex 1 induced typical morphological alterations of cell death, an increase in cells at the sub-G1 phase, apoptosis, and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Furthermore, DNA binding studies evidenced that 1 can bind to ct-DNA and does so without modifying the B-structure of the DNA, but that the binding is weak compared to that of Hoechst 33258.

Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of ternary silver(i) complexes bearing 2-formylpyridine thiosemicarbazones and 1,10-phenanthroline.

New silver(i) compounds containing 2-formylpyridine-N(4)-R-thiosemicarbazones and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques (IR and NMR), elemental analysis, ESI-MS and molar conductance measurements. In these complexes, both phen and thiosemicarbazone ligands are coordinated in a chelating bidentate fashion. Compounds 1-3 not only showed good in vitro antiproliferative activity against human lung (A549) and breast tumor cells (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7), with IC50 values ranging from 1.49 to 20.90 µM, but were also demonstrated to be less toxic towards human breast non-tumor cells (MCF-10A). Cellular uptake studies indicated that compounds 1-3 were taken up by the MDA-MB-231 cells in 6 hours. Cell death assays in the MDA-MB-231 cells were conducted with compound 1 aiming to evaluate its effects on cell morphology, induction of apoptosis, the cell cycle, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). Compound 1 caused morphological changes, such as cell shrinkage and rounding, increased the sub-G1 phase population, and induced apoptotic cell death, ROS formation and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). DNA binding results revealed that 1 interacted with the ct-DNA minor groove. Complexes 1-3 also exhibited good in vitro activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv, with MIC values ranging from 3.37 to 4.65 µM.

Plasmacytoid myoepithelioma of minor salivary glands: report of case with emphasis in the immunohistochemical findings.

Myoepithelioma is a rare benign tumor of the salivary glands and is usually seen in the parotid gland and the minor salivary glands. It was once considered to be a type of pleomorphic adenoma (PA), but myoepitheliomas are today believed to be relatively aggressive tumors. Myoepitheliomas are most common in young adults between the ages of 30 and 50 and there are very few cases reported in individuals less than 18 years of age. We report a case of myoepithelioma located in the hard palate in a 15-year-old Brazilian male. The tumor was composed of plasmacytoid myoepithelial cells. An analysis of the immunohistochemical profile of the tumor cells showed positivity for vimentin, S-100 protein, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), but not for smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and cytokeratin 14 (CK14). We report this case because of the rarity of this tumor, especially in adolescents. We also discuss the histological parameters of the differential diagnosis of this tumor as well as its immunohistochemical profile.

The role of matrix metalloproteinases in the oral environment.

This review focuses specifically on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their role in physiological and pathological extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and degradation processes in the oral environment. A group of enzymes capable of degrading almost all ECM proteins, MMPs contribute to both normal and pathological tissue remodeling. The expression of different MMPs may be upregulated in pathological conditions such as inflammation and tumor invasion. The balance between activated MMPs and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) controls the extent of ECM remodeling. Prior to mineralization, MMPs may participate in the organization of enamel and dentin organic matrix, or they may regulate mineralization by controlling the proteoglycan turnover. There is evidence indicating that MMPs could be involved in the etiology of enamel fluorosis and amelogenesis imperfecta. They seem to play a part in dentinal caries progression, since they have a crucial role in dentin collagen breakdown in caries lesions. MMPs have been identified in pulpal and periapical inflammation and are strongly correlated with periodontal diseases, since they are the major players in collagen breakdown during periodontal tissue destruction. The use of MMP inhibitors could help the prevention and treatment of many MMP-related oral diseases.

Avaliação de Danos de Percevejos e de Desfolhadores em Genótipos de Soja de Ciclos Precoce, Semiprecoce e Médio / Evaluation of Damage in Soybean Genotypes of Three Maturity Groups Caused by Stink Bugs and Defoliators

The damage of stinkbugs and defoliators in soybean genotypes was evaluated, under field conditions, at Tarumã and Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Three experiments, one for each of three maturity group, were carried out, in the 1997/98 and 1998/99 seasons. In Tarumã, infestations of Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) and Cerotoma sp. occurred in both seasons and Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubn. in the second; in Ribeirão Preto, this caterpillar occurred only in the second year. Only in the first year in Tarumã, stinkbug infestations [predominantly Piezodorus guildinii (West.)], fluctuated above the economic injury level (EIL); in Ribeirão Preto, the stinkbug infestations did not exceed the EIL. Defoliaton damage was estimated by the percentage of eaten leaf area (PAFC). Percentage of foliar retention (PRF) and yield were used to evaluate the stinkbug damage. Considering both years and both locations, among the early maturing genotypes (110 days), 'IAC-22' showed susceptibility to defoliators while 'IAC-17' confirmed its resistance to this group of pests as well as to stinkbugs. Among the genotypes of 120-day maturity group, IAC 93-3379 could be distinguished for the high yield, showing stability by this criteria. IAC 93-3275 and IAC 93-3237 presented low yield and high PAFC and PRF, mainly in Tarumã. Regarding the genotypes of 135-day maturity group, susceptibility to stinkbugs was observed in 'IAC Holambra-Stwart', 'IAC PL-1' and IAC 87-2048; however, this line showed high yield under low infestation. Also, IAC 78-2318, IAC 93-1789 and IAC 93-1796 presented the lowest PRF, indicating to be less susceptible to this disorder.

Avaliaram-se os danos causados por percevejos e por desfolhadores em genótipos de soja de ciclos precoce, semiprecoce e médio, em experimentos de campo instalados em Tarumã e Ribeirão Preto, SP, em 1997/98 e 1998/99. Em Tarumã, ocorreram os crisomelídeos Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) e Cerotoma sp. nos dois anos e Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubn. no segundo; em Ribeirão Preto, apenas no segundo ano ocorreu a lagarta. Com relação a percevejos, somente no primeiro ano em Tarumã as infestações [predominância de Piezodorus guildinii (West.)] flutuaram acima do nível de dano econômico; em Ribeirão Preto, essas infestações foram baixas. Os danos de desfolhadores foram avaliados pela estimativa da porcentagem de área foliar cortada e os de percevejos pela estimativa da porcentagem de retenção foliar e pela produtividade. Considerando-se os dois anos e as duas localidades, no grupo precoce, 'IAC-22' exibiu suscetibilidade a desfolhadores enquanto 'IAC-17' confirmou sua resistência a esse grupo de pragas e também a percevejos. Dentre o germoplasma de ciclo semiprecoce, a linhagem IAC 93-3379 destacou-se pela maior produtividade, demonstrando estabilidade para esse critério. As linhagens IAC 93-3275 e IAC 93-3237 apresentaram baixa produtividade e altos índices de desfolha e de retenção foliar, principalmente em Tarumã. Nos genótipos de ciclo médio, verificou-se suscetibilidade aos percevejos em 'IAC Holambra-Stwart', 'IAC PL-1' e IAC 87-2048, embora esta linhagem seja produtiva em condições de baixa infestação. Ainda neste grupo, as linhagens IAC 78-2318, IAC 93-1789 e IAC 93-1796 apresentaram os menores índices de retenção foliar, indicando serem pouco suscetíveis a essa anomalia.