Acute Recovery after a Fatigue Protocol Using a Recovery Sports Legging: An Experimental Study.

Enhancing recovery is a fundamental component of high-performance sports training since it enables practitioners to potentiate physical performance and minimise the risk of injuries. Using a new sports legging embedded with an intelligent system for electrostimulation, localised heating and compression (completely embodied into the textile structures), we aimed to analyse acute recovery following a fatigue protocol. Surface electromyography- and torque-related variables were recorded on eight recreational athletes. A fatigue protocol conducted in an isokinetic dynamometer allowed us to examine isometric torque and consequent post-exercise acute recovery after using the sports legging. Regarding peak torque, no differences were found between post-fatigue and post-recovery assessments in any variable; however, pre-fatigue registered a 16% greater peak torque when compared with post-fatigue for localised heating and compression recovery methods. Our data are supported by recent meta-analyses indicating that individual recovery methods, such as localised heating, electrostimulation and compression, are not effective to recover from a fatiguing exercise. In fact, none of the recovery methods available through the sports legging tested was effective in acutely recovering the torque values produced isometrically.

Enrichment of Quercetin from Winemaking Residual Diatomaceous Earth via a Tailor-Made Imprinted Adsorbent.

Residual diatomaceous earth (RDE) from winemaking activities is a rich and currently underexploited source of phenolic compounds which ought to be recycled from the perspective of circular bioeconomy. In this work, we demonstrate the feasibility of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the enrichment of quercetin, a flavonoid at a fairly high content in residual diatomaceous earth. These MIPs were synthesized through free radical polymerization. FTIR confirmed the integration of the functional monomers into the polymeric chains. Batch adsorption experiments were used to assess the retention and selectivity of those MIPs towards quercetin. Commercial resins were compared with the synthesized materials using the same procedures. These adsorption experiments allowed the selection of the best performing MIP for the valorization of RDE extract. This treatment consisted of saturating the selected MIP with the extract and then desorbing the retained compounds using solvents of selected compositions. The desorbed fractions were analyzed using liquid chromatography, and the results demonstrated an increase in quercetin's fractional area from 5% in the RDE extract to more than 40% in some fractions, which is roughly an eightfold enrichment of quercetin. Moreover, other flavonoids of close chemical structure to quercetin have been rather retained and enriched by the MIP.

Fluorescent Immunolocalization of Arabinogalactan Proteins and Pectins in the Cell Wall of Plant Tissues.

Plant development involves constant adjustments of the cell wall composition and structure in response to both internal and external stimuli. Cell walls are composed of cellulose and non-cellulosic polysaccharides together with proteins, phenolic compounds and water. 90% of the cell wall is composed of polysaccharides (e.g., pectins) and arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs). The fluorescent immunolocalization of specific glycan epitopes in plant histological sections remains a key tool to uncover remodeling of wall polysaccharide networks, structure and components. Here, we report an optimized fluorescent immunolocalization procedure to detect glycan epitopes from AGPs and pectins in plant tissues. Paraformaldehyde/glutaraldehyde fixation was used along with LR-White embedding of the plant samples, allowing for a better preservation of the tissue structure and composition. Thin sections of the embedded samples obtained with an ultra-microtome were used for immunolocalization with specific antibodies. This technique offers great resolution, high specificity, and the chance to detect multiple glycan epitopes in the same sample. This technique allows subcellular localization of glycans and detects their level of accumulation in the cell wall. It also permits the determination of spatio-temporal patterns of AGP and pectin distribution during developmental processes. The use of this tool may ultimately guide research directions and link glycans to specific functions in plants. Furthermore, the information obtained can complement biochemical and gene expression studies.

Immunolocalization of AGPs and Pectins in Quercus suber Gametophytic Structures.

The arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are highly glycosylated proteins, ubiquitous in plants that have been linked to numerous aspects of sexual reproduction in several plant species, including the monoecious tree species Quercus suber. AGPs are found in cell membranes and cell walls of all types of tissues, including reproductive cells and organs. Pectins are cell wall components that also have been shown to change in composition and quantity during the maturations of the male and female gametophyte in cork oak. These findings were only possible to reveal, due to the histological study of AGP and pectins epitopes by immunolabeling. The immunofluorescence microscopy technique uses antibodies linked to fluorophores and relies on the specificity of the antibody binding to its antigen, labeling the epitope with a fluorescent dye.In the method presented here, we explore the immunolocalization technique performed in male and female flowers of Quercus suber, using London Resin (LR-White) as the embedding medium, after vacuum fixation with formaldehyde/glutaraldehyde. An extensive description of all the aspects of this technique is provided, from the plant material developmental stages selection to the critical analysis of results performed, continuously supported by troubleshooting recommendations.

Antioxidative ability and membrane integrity in salt-induced responses of Casuarina glauca Sieber ex Spreng. in symbiosis with N2-fixing Frankia Thr or supplemented with mineral nitrogen.

The actinorhizal tree Casuarina glauca tolerates extreme environmental conditions, such as high salinity. This species is also able to establish a root-nodule symbiosis with N2-fixing bacteria of the genus Frankia. Recent studies have shown that C. glauca tolerance to high salt concentrations is innate and linked to photosynthetic adjustments. In this study we have examined the impact of increasing NaCl concentrations (200, 400 and 600mM) on membrane integrity as well as on the control of oxidative stress in branchlets of symbiotic (NOD+) and non-symbiotic (KNO3+) C. glauca. Membrane selectivity was maintained in both plant groups at 200mM NaCl, accompanied by an increase in the activity of antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and catalase). Regarding cellular membrane lipid composition, linolenic acid (C18:3) showed a significant decline at 200mM NaCl in both NOD+ and KNO3+ plants. In addition, total fatty acids (TFA) and C18:2 also decreased in NOD+ plants at this salt concentration, resulting in malondialdehyde (MDA) production. Such initial impact at 200mM NaCl is probably due to the fact that NOD+ plants are subjected to a double stress, i.e., salinity and low nitrogen availability. At 400mM NaCl a strong reduction of TFA and C18:3 levels was observed in both plant groups. This was accompanied by a decrease in the unsaturation degree of membrane lipids in NOD+. However, in both NOD+ and KNO3+ lipid modifications were not reflected by membrane leakage at 200 or 400mM, suggesting acclimation mechanisms at the membrane level. The fact that membrane selectivity was impaired only at 600mM NaCl in both groups of plants points to a high tolerance of C. glauca to salt stress independently of the symbiotic relation with Frankia.

Arabinogalactan proteins and pectin distribution during female gametogenesis in Quercus suber L.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Quercus suber L. (cork oak) is one of the most important monoecious tree species in semi-arid regions of Southern Europe, with a high ecological value and economic potential. However, as a result of its long reproductive cycle, complex reproductive biology and recalcitrant seeds, conventional breeding is demanding. In its complex reproductive biology, little is known about the most important changes that occur during female gametogenesis. Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) and pectins are the main components of plant cell walls and have been reported to perform common functions in cell differentiation and organogenesis of reproductive plant structures. AGPs have been shown to serve as important molecules in several steps of the reproductive process in plants, working as signalling molecules, associated with the sporophyte-gametophyte transition, and pectins have been implicated in pollen-pistil interactions before double fertilization. In this study, the distribution of AGP and pectin epitopes was assessed during female gametogenesis. METHODS: Immunofluorescence labelling of female flower cells was performed with a set of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed to the carbohydrate moiety of AGPs (JIM8 and JIM13) and pectic homogalacturonans (HGs) (mAbs JIM5 and JIM7). KEY RESULTS: The selective labelling obtained with AGP and pectin mAbs JIM8, JIM13, JIM5 and JIM7 during Q. suber female gametogenesis shows that AGPs and pectic HG can work as markers for mapping gametophytic cell differentiation in this species. Pectic HG showed different distribution patterns, depending on their levels of methyl esterification. Methyl-esterified HGs showed a uniform distribution in the overall female flower cells before fertilization and a more specific pattern after fertilization. A low methyl-ester pectin distribution pattern during the different developmental stages appears to be related to the pathway that pollen tubes follow to reach the embryo sac. AGPs showed a more sparse distribution in early stages of development, but specific labelling is shown in the synergids and their filiform apparatus. CONCLUSIONS: The labelling obtained with anti-AGP and anti-pectin mAbs in Q. suber female flower cells showed a dynamic distribution of AGPs and pectic HGs, which may render these molecules useful molecular markers during female gametogenesis. Changes occurring during development will be determined in order to help describe cork oak ovule structural properties before and after fertilization, providing new insight to better understand Q. suber female gametogenesis.

Evaluation of the presence of arabinogalactan proteins and pectins during Quercus suber male gametogenesis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Quercus suber (cork oak) is a dominant tree of the Fagaceae in forests of the south-west Iberian Peninsula. It is monoecious with a long progamic phase that provides a comprehensive system for comparative studies in development and sexual reproduction. In this study the distribution of arabinogalactan protein (AGPs) and pectin epitopes in anthers of Q. suber was assessed to map these hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins and the galacturonate-rich acidic polysaccharides during pollen development. Methods Immunolocalization in male flowers was performed with a set of monoclonal antibodies directed against the carbohydrate moiety that recognizes AGPs and pectins. To identify AGP genes involved in cork oak male flower development, a search was conducted for annotated AGP genes in the available transcriptome data of the Cork Oak EST Consortium database (www.corkoakdb.org). KEY RESULTS: Ubiquitous labelling in all cell types was obtained with anti-homogalacturan antibodies for methyl-esterified pectins. In contrast, the antibody that labelled non-methyl-esterified homogalacturans had a preferential presence in microsporocyte cells walls at the beginning of pollen development. Intense labelling was obtained with anti-AGP antibodies both in the tapetum and in the intine wall near the pollen apertures and later in the generative cell wall and vegetative cell. Evaluation of the putative AGPs highly expressed in the male gametophyte was achieved by quantitative RT-PCR analysis in male and female cork oak flowers. CONCLUSIONS: Four putative AGP genes were identified that are preferentially expressed in the male flower compared with the female flower. The putative Arabidopsis thaliana orthologues of these genes are associated with preferential expression in pollen, suggesting that the AGPs probably play a significant role in cork oak reproduction.

Localization of arabinogalactan protein 6 fused with Sirius ultramarine fluorescent protein in Arabidopsis pollen and pollen tubes.

Following studies on the transcriptome of pollen tubes of an agp6 agp11 Arabidopsis double null mutant, together with the knowledge that arabinogalactan protein (AGP) 6 is important for male gametogenesis and pollen germination, we sought to know whether AGP6 could be present in the vegetative cell wall or in the generative cell wall or in both. To that end, Arabidopsis plants were transformed with AGP6 gene sequence fused with Sirius fluorescent protein. Fluorescent blue light emission could be detected in the vegetative cell wall only. This result supports the model by which AGP6 and other pollen AGPs are probably important signaling molecules at the pollen tube apex.

Arabinogalactan protein profiles and distribution patterns during microspore embryogenesis and pollen development in Brassica napus.

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs), present in cell walls, plasma membranes and extracellular secretions, are massively glycosylated hydroxyproline-rich proteins that play a key role in several plant developmental processes. After stress treatment, microspores cultured in vitro can reprogramme and change their gametophytic developmental pathways towards embryogenesis, thereby producing embryos which can further give rise to haploid and double haploid plants, important biotechnological tools in plant breeding. Microspore embryogenesis constitutes a convenient system for studying the mechanisms underlying cell reprogramming and embryo formation. In this work, the dynamics of both AGP presence and distribution were studied during pollen development and microspore embryogenesis in Brassica napus, by employing a multidisciplinary approach using monoclonal antibodies for AGPs (LM2, LM6, JIM13, JIM14, MAC207) and analysing the expression pattern of the BnAGP Sta 39-4 gene. Results showed the developmental regulation and defined localization of the studied AGP epitopes during the two microspore developmental pathways, revealing different distribution patterns for AGPs with different antigenic reactivity. AGPs recognized by JIM13, JIM14 and MAC207 antibodies were related to pollen maturation, whereas AGPs labelled by LM2 and LM6 were associated with embryo development. Interestingly, the AGPs labelled by JIM13 and JIM14 were induced with the change of microspore fate. Increases in the expression of the Sta 39-4 gene, JIM13 and JIM14 epitopes found specifically in 2-4 cell stage embryo cell walls, suggested that AGPs are early molecular markers of microspore embryogenesis. Later, LM2 and LM6 antigens increased progressively with embryo development and localized on cell walls and cytoplasmic spots, suggesting an active production and secretion of AGPs during in vitro embryo formation. These results give new insights into the involvement of AGPs as potential regulating/signalling molecules in microspore reprogramming and embryogenesis.

Vascular dysfunction in a mouse model of Rett syndrome and effects of curcumin treatment.

Mutations in the coding sequence of the X-linked gene MeCP2 (Methyl CpG-binding protein) are present in around 80% of patients with Rett Syndrome, a common cause of intellectual disability in female and to date without any effective pharmacological treatment. A relevant, and so far unexplored feature of RTT patients, is a marked reduction in peripheral circulation. To investigate the relationship between loss of MeCP2 and this clinical aspect, we used the MeCP2 null mouse model B6.129SF1-MeCP2tm1Jae for functional and pharmacological studies. Functional experiments were performed on isolated resistance mesenteric vessels, mounted on a pressurized myograph. Vessels from female MeCP2(+/-) mice show a reduced endothelium-dependent relaxation, due to a reduced Nitric Oxide (NO) availability secondary to an increased Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation. Such functional aspects are associated with an intravascular increase in superoxide anion production, and a decreased vascular eNOS expression. These alterations are reversed by curcumin administration (5% (w/w) dietary curcumin for 21 days), which restores endothelial NO availability, decreases intravascular ROS production and normalizes vascular eNOS gene expression. In conclusion our findings highlight alterations in the vascular/endothelial system in the absence of a correct function of MeCP2, and uncover related cellular/molecular mechanisms that are rescued by an anti-oxidant treatment.

Expression-based and co-localization detection of arabinogalactan protein 6 and arabinogalactan protein 11 interactors in Arabidopsis pollen and pollen tubes.

BACKGROUND: Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are cell wall proteoglycans that have been shown to be important for pollen development. An Arabidopsis double null mutant for two pollen-specific AGPs (agp6 agp11) showed reduced pollen tube growth and compromised response to germination cues in vivo. A microarray experiment was performed on agp6 agp11 pollen tubes to search for genetic interactions in the context of pollen tube growth. A yeast two-hybrid experiment for AGP6 and AGP11 was also designed. RESULTS: The lack of two specific AGPs induced a meaningful shift in the gene expression profile. In fact, a high number of genes showed altered expression levels, strengthening the case that AGP6 and AGP11 are involved in complex phenomena. The expression levels of calcium- and signaling-related genes were found to be altered, supporting the known roles of the respective proteins in pollen tube growth. Although the precise nature of the proposed interactions needs further investigation, the putative involvement of AGPs in signaling cascades through calmodulin and protein degradation via ubiquitin was indicated. The expression of stress-, as well as signaling- related, genes was also changed; a correlation that may result from the recognized similarities between signaling pathways in both defense and pollen tube growth.The results of yeast two-hybrid experiments lent further support to these signaling pathways and revealed putative AGP6 and AGP11 interactors implicated in recycling of cell membrane components via endocytosis, through clathrin-mediated endosomes and multivesicular bodies. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented suggest the involvement of AGP6 and AGP11 in multiple signaling pathways, in particular those involved in developmental processes such as endocytosis-mediated plasma membrane remodeling during Arabidopsis pollen development. This highlights the importance of endosomal trafficking pathways which are rapidly emerging as fundamental regulators of the wall physiology.

Immunolocalization of arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) in reproductive structures of an early-divergent angiosperm, Trithuria (Hydatellaceae).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Trithuria is the sole genus of Hydatellaceae, a family of the early-divergent angiosperm lineage Nymphaeales (water-lilies). In this study different arabinogalactan protein (AGP) epitopes in T. submersa were evaluated in order to understand the diversity of these proteins and their functions in flowering plants. METHODS: Immunolabelling of different AGPs and pectin epitopes in reproductive structures of T. submersa at the stage of early seed development was achieved by immunofluorescence of specific antibodies. KEY RESULTS: AGPs in Trithuria pistil tissues could be important as structural proteins and also as possible signalling molecules. Intense labelling was obtained with anti-AGP antibodies both in the anthers and in the intine wall, the latter associated with pollen tube emergence. CONCLUSIONS: AGPs could play a significant role in Trithuria reproduction, due to their specific presence in the pollen tube pathway. The results agree with labellings obtained for Arabidopsis and confirms the importance of AGPs in angiosperm reproductive structures as essential structural components and probably important signalling molecules.

Attempted reversible sympathetic ganglion block by an implantable neurostimulator.

OBJECTIVE: Primary palmar hyperhidrosis is a pathological condition of excessive perspiration of the hands of unknown aetiology. The only effective treatment for permanent cure is the ablation of the sympathetic ganglia supplying the hands. One of the sequelae is compensatory sweating, namely increased perspiration in other parts of the body. Its mechanism is unknown. In a small proportion of patients, it may attend devastating proportions. It has practically no remedy, and the degree of compensatory hyperhidrosis is unpredictable prior to sympathectomy. The purpose of the present study was to obtain a reversible sympathetic block which may disclose subjects prone to develop severe compensatory hyperhidrosis and unfit for permanent ganglionic ablation. METHODS: In three dogs, an experimental electrode was implanted via a left thoracotomy on the stellate ganglion, connected to a stimulator. The stimulation was activated after recovery. The contralateral ganglion served as control. Effect of the stimulation was assessed by observing the development of Horner's syndrome, which includes the appearance of miosis, ptosis and enophthalmus. Reversal of the sympathetic block was expected when the neurostimulation was discontinued and assessed by the disappearance of these signs. RESULTS: Stimulation produced only a partial effect - an incomplete Horner's syndrome (miosis and sometime ptosis), which was not completely reversible after ceasing the stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Although neurostimulation achieved a partial sympathetic block, the present method failed to obtain a completely reversible effect. However, these results may indicate that different nervous pathways moderate the various components of the Horner's triad. Concerning the creation of a reversible sympathectomy; other approaches must be sought after.

Carbon nanotube-mediated wireless cell permeabilization: drug and gene uptake.

AIM: This work aims to exploit the 'antenna' properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). They can be used to induce cell permeabilization in order to transfer drugs (normally impermeable to cell membranes) both in in vitro and in vivo models. MATERIAL & METHODS: The performance of the MWCNTs as receiver antenna was modeled by finite element modeling. Once the appropriate field has been identified, the antenna properties of MWCNTs were investigated in sequential experiments involving immortalized fibroblast cell line (drug model: doxorubicin chemotherapeutic agent) and living mice (drug model: bcl-2 antiapoptotic gene) following stereotactic injection in the cerebral motor cortex. RESULTS: Finite element modeling analysis predicts that our MWCNTs irradiated in the radiofrequency field resemble thin-wire dipole antennas. In vitro experiments confirmed that combination of MWCNTs and electromagnetic field treatment dramatically favors intracellular drug uptake and, most importantly, drug nuclear localization. Finally, the brain of each irradiated animal exhibits a significantly higher number of transfected cells compared with the appropriate controls. CONCLUSION: This wireless application has the potential for MWCNT-based intracellular drug delivery and electro-stimulation therapies.

Early germination of Arabidopsis pollen in a double null mutant for the arabinogalactan protein genes AGP6 and AGP11.

The pollen specificity of the Arabidopsis arabinogalactan protein (AGP) genes AGP6 and AGP11 suggests that they are integral to pollen biogenesis, and their high percent of sequence similarity may indicate a potential for overlapping function. Arabidopsis agp6 agp11 double null mutants have been studied in our laboratory, and in the present work, we characterize the germination and growth of its pollen. When compared to wild type, mutant agp6 agp11 pollen displayed reduced germination and elongation, both in vivo and in vitro, and precocious germination inside the anthers, provided that sufficient moisture was available. This characteristic was not observed in wild type plants, even in water content conditions which for the mutant were sufficient for pollen germination. Therefore, an additional distinctive phenotypic trait of arabinogalactan proteins AGP6 and AGP11 may be to avert untimely germination of pollen. Such AGPs may control germination through water uptake, suggesting an important biological function of this gene family in pollen.

Pollen grain development is compromised in Arabidopsis agp6 agp11 null mutants.

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are structurally complex plasma membrane and cell wall proteoglycans that are implicated in diverse developmental processes, including plant sexual reproduction. Male gametogenesis (pollen grain development) is fundamental to plant sexual reproduction. The role of two abundant, pollen-specific AGPs, AGP6, and AGP11, have been investigated here. The pollen specificity of these proteoglycans suggested that they are integral to pollen biogenesis and their strong sequence homology indicated a potential for overlapping function. Indeed, single gene transposon insertion knockouts for both AGPs showed no discernible phenotype. However, in plants homozygous for one of the insertions and heterozygous for the other, in homozygous double mutants, and in RNAi and amiRNA transgenic plants that were down-regulated for both genes, many pollen grains failed to develop normally, leading to their collapse. The microscopic observations of these aborted pollen grains showed a condensed cytoplasm, membrane blebbing and the presence of small lytic vacuoles. Later in development, the generative cells that arise from mitotic divisions were not seen to go into the second mitosis. Anther wall development, the establishment of the endothecium thickenings, the opening of the stomium, and the deposition of the pollen coat were all normal in the knockout and knockdown lines. Our data provide strong evidence that these two proteoglycans have overlapping and important functions in gametophytic pollen grain development.

Plasma concentrations of 5-fluorouracil and its metabolites in colon cancer patients.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a common anticancer agent used in the treatment of solid tumours, with a reported variability in the pharmacokinetic profile and inter-patient differences in efficacy and toxicity. Since 5-FU is intracellularly metabolised to active cytotoxic fluoronucleotides, some authors suggested it would be useful to determine the plasma levels of its main metabolites 5-fluoro-5,6-dihydrouracil (5-FUH2), 5-fluorouridine (5-FUrd) and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (5-FdUrd), in order to better characterise population pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) of this drug. We developed and validated an HPLC method to simultaneously determine plasma concentrations of 5-FU and the three main metabolites, and we analysed the plasma concentration-time curves of the first dose of 18 colon cancer patients treated with folinic acid and 5-FU 400 mg m(-2) by intra-venous bolus injection as adjuvant chemotherapy. Non-compartmental PK analysis has been applied to 5-FU and 5-FUH2 concentrations, estimating the following parameters (median values): Cmax 55.44 and 6.23 microg ml(-1), respectively, AUC(0-2 h) 11.59 and 5.94 hx microg ml(-1), CLTB 30.64 and 51.81 lh(-1) m(-2), 5-FUH2/5-FU AUC ratio 0.47 (range 0.29-1.12). We verified the patient covariables which could influence the inter-patient variability in the area under the time-concentration curves, and we observed that age, sex, weight, body surface area, cycle of therapy, toxicity development and 5-FUrd or 5-FdUrd detectability did not have statistical influence on 5-FUH2/5-FU AUC ratio. In eight subjects, we compared the PK data of the first and the fifth day of dose administration, and we found stable 5-FU values, but the 5-FUH2 disposition decreased with lower AUC(0-2 h) (7.90 hx microg ml(-1) versus 5.99 hx microg ml(-1)) and, particularly, Cmax (8.38 microg ml(-1) versus 5.50 microg ml(-1)) at day 5. This fact, evident in almost every patient, could suggest a possible reduction in the catabolic pathway of 5-FU leading to 5-FUH2, with a possible increase of the therapeutic pathway. For this reason, we tried to detect 5-FUrd and 5-FdUrd and, in fact, in our patients these metabolites were detected only in few samples, but most of them at day 5. In conclusion, our study confirms the relevance of pharmacokinetic analysis of 5-FU main metabolites and especially 5-FUH2, to better understand the metabolism and to improve the therapeutic efficacy.

Soy consumption and phytoestrogens: effect on serum prostate specific antigen when blood lipids and oxidized low-density lipoprotein are reduced in hyperlipidemic men.

PURPOSE: Herbal remedies high in phytoestrogens have been shown to reduce serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and have been proposed as a treatment for prostate cancer. Soy proteins used to lower serum cholesterol are rich sources of phytoestrogens. Therefore, we assessed the effect of soy consumption on serum PSA in men who had participated in cholesterol lowering studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 3 to 4 weeks 46 healthy middle-aged men with a range of starting PSA values took soy (mean 44 gm. soy protein daily, 116 mg. isoflavones daily) or control foods, and a subgroup of men took a lower level of soy supplements for 3 months. PSA was measured at the start and end of each treatment. RESULTS: Soy had no significant effect on serum total or free PSA, independent of PSA starting value or isoflavone intake. The lack of effect on PSA was seen, although soy intake was sufficient to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (5.8 +/- 2.2%, p = 0.012), the estimated coronary heart disease risk (6.1 +/- 2.8% for 10 years, p = 0.032) and the serum concentration of oxidized low-density lipoprotein measured as conjugated dienes (9.5 +/- 3.4%, p = 0.008) in the 3 to 4-week study. In addition, the lack of effect of soy on PSA persisted for the 3 months of the extended study. CONCLUSIONS: At levels of soy intake which reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol any potential benefits of soy consumption on prostate cancer are likely to occur for reasons other than alterations in hormone activity.

Abordagem atual em carcinoma de pequenas células de pulmäo / Actual approach in small cell lung cancer

A neoplasia pulmonar tem sido por muitos anos a principal causa de morte por câncer nos homens e mulheres. A Sociedade Americana de Oncologia Clínica estimou que, em 1999, 171.500 novos casos de câncer de pulmäo seräo diagnósticados, e deste, 160.100 morreräo devido a essa neoplasia. Baseado no seu tratamento, dividiu-se o câncer de pulmäo em dois grupos: carcinoma de pequenas células, no qual, o tratamento é principalmente quimioterápico e representa 20 por cento dos casos, e carcinoma näo pequenas cálulas, no qual, nos estágios iniciais (I e II), é tratado exclusivamente com cirurgia, respresentando 80 por cento dos casos. Este artigo enfoco a abordagem atual no tratamento do carcinoma de pequenas células baseado nos quias publicados recentemente pela National Comprehensive Cancer Network e Sociedade Brasileira de Oncologia Clínica