Wolbachia dominance influences the Culex quinquefasciatus microbiota.

Microorganisms present in mosquitoes and their interactions are key factors affecting insect development. Among them, Wolbachia is closely associated with the host and affects several fitness parameters. In this study, the bacterial and fungal microbiota from two laboratory Culex quinquefasciatus isolines (wild type and tetracycline-cured) were characterized by metagenome amplicon sequencing of the ITS2 and 16S rRNA genes at different developmental stages and feeding conditions. We identified 572 bacterial and 61 fungal OTUs. Both isolines presented variable bacterial communities and different trends in the distribution of diversity among the groups. The lowest bacterial richness was detected in sugar-fed adults of the cured isoline, whereas fungal richness was highly reduced in blood-fed mosquitoes. Beta diversity analysis indicated that isolines are an important factor in the differentiation of mosquito bacterial communities. Considering composition, Penicillium was the dominant fungal genus, whereas Wolbachia dominance was inversely related to that of Enterobacteria (mainly Thorsellia and Serratia). This study provides a more complete overview of the mosquito microbiome, emphasizing specific highly abundant components that should be considered in microorganism manipulation approaches to control vector-borne diseases.

Effect of Pesticide Exposure over DNA Damage in Farmers from Los Reyes, Michoacan in Mexico.

In the municipality of Los Reyes, Michoacán, in Mexico, several economic activities coexist; however, the most relevant is agriculture. It stands out as an agro-industrial center and commercial enclave in the region, suitable for the cultivation of sugar cane; however, currently fruit growing takes first place with blackberry, raspberry and blueberry, followed by avocado, peach, strawberry and other crops. A large quantity and variety of pesticides are applied to crops, consequently the population is at constant risk. This study aimed to evaluate whether pesticides are a factor in genetic damage to agricultural workers from Los Reyes, Michoacán, using alkaline comet assay. Fifty-nine residents participated (41 workers and 18 controls). Results included confounding factors (alcohol consumption, smoking habit, gender, age, BMI, etc.) indicated a non-significant statistical difference between two groups, with higher DNA damage values in workers that was higher than the values expected in a normal healthy unexposed population. It seems that the control measures, safe handling of pesticides and quality standards, required by the producers so that their products can be exported, have resulted in less damage, despite workers' activity, but higher damage than the reference values still requires regular surveillance of those exposed. The use of protective equipment or measures can reduce the risk of damage, so it is also necessary to promote their service and comply with labor regulations for agricultural workers.

Odontogeriatría y función cognitiva I: Generalidades y conducta clínica en demencias

Introducción: Este trabajo hace una revisión de los estudios más recientes sobre la demencia, enfocándose en cómo se están abordando las necesidades de cuidado oral que presentan los pacientes afectados en las diferentes etapas de este trastorno. Se destaca la necesidad de dar a la odontología un mayor rol en las decisiones clínicas sobre pacientes con demencia. Revisión: La demencia es un deterioro progresivo de diversas facultades mentales; posee características degenerativas, no tiene tratamiento conocido y sus síntomas empeoran con el tiempo. Cada etapa del deterioro cognitivo requiere cuidados odontológicos con abordajes terapéuticos específicos, según el compromiso clínico del propio paciente. Discusión: Las personas con demencia desarrollan necesidades diferentes de cuidado oral, incluso en etapas tempranas. Los estudios han demostrado que la masticación puede considerarse como una medida que desacelera el deterioro cognitivo, siendo importante realizar acciones de prevención oral mediante tratamientos tempranos. Conclusión: Los pacientes con demencia se benefician de medidas preventivas en su cuidado oral, especialmente en las primeras etapas de este trastorno degenerativo.

Introduction: This work provides an overview of the latest progress in the study of dementia, with a focus on how dental care is being approached in patients during the various stages of this disorder. This work highlights the need for dentistry to play a greater role in clinical decisions over affected patients. Review: Dementia is a progressive deterioration of various mental faculties; it has degenerative characteristics, no known treatment and its symptoms worsen over time. Each stage of cognitive dysfunction requires specific dental care and therapeutic approaches, depending on the willingness of the patient. Discussion: People with dementia develop different needs for oral care, even during early stages. Studies have shown that preserving a patient's masticatory function is key to slowing down cognitive dysfunction, underlining the need for a proactive approach and early treatment. Conclusion: Patients with dementia benefit from preventative measures when it comes to their oral care, especially during the first stages of this degenerative disorder.

Presentación atípica del síndrome de Meigs: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Atypical presentation of Meigs syndrome: A case report and literature review

Resumen El síndrome de Meigs (SM) es la asociación de ascitis, derrame pleural y neoplasias ovárica benigna, en el pseudo-Meigs se agrega CA-125 elevado. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 67 años con masa anexial derecha, marcadores tumorales negativos. Se realiza ooforectomía, reportan cistoadenofibroma seroso. Doce semanas posteriores con distensión abdominal, pérdida de peso, tomografía abdominal con carcinomatosis peritoneal, antígeno CA-125 de 1,063.4 U/l. Segunda visión laparoscopia, sin neoplasia, corroborada por histopatología. Realizar un diagnóstico de SM es sencillo, no así cuando se presenta un caso atípico de pseudo-Meigs. Los artículos mencionan mejoría significativa posterior al manejo quirúrgico.

Abstract Meigs syndrome (MS) is the association of ascites, pleural effusion and benign ovarian neoplasms, the pseudo-Meigs (PMS) adds elevated CA-125. We present the case of a 67-year-old female with a right adnexal mass, negative tumor markers, performed ororectomy reported serous cystadenofibroma. 12 weeks later with abdominal distension, weight loss, abdominal tomography with peritoneal carcinomatosis, CA -125 antigen of 1063.4U/L. Second laparoscopic view, without neoplasia, corroborated by histopathology. Making a diagnosis of MS is simple, but not when an atypical case of Pseudo-Meigs is presented. The articles mention significant improvement after surgical management.

Culex quinquefasciatus Holobiont: A Fungal Metagenomic Approach.

Microorganisms associated with mosquitoes have fundamental roles, not only in their nutrition, but also in physiological and immunological processes, and in their adaptation to the environment as well. Studies on mosquito hologenomes have increased significantly during the last years, achieving important advances in the characterization of the "core bacteriome" of some species of health importance. However, the fungal mycobiome has not been exhaustively researched, especially throughout the life cycle of some hematophagous mosquito species. In this work, the diversity and composition of fungal communities in different developmental stages, sexes, and adult nutrition of Culex quinquefasciatus reared on laboratory conditions were characterized, using internal transcribed spacer high throughput amplicon sequencing. Larvae presented a higher fungal richness, while sucrose-fed males and females showed a similar diversity between them. Blood-fed females presented few operational taxonomic units with an even distribution. Results are consistent with the reduction of larval microbiota after molting, observed for the bacterial microbiome in other mosquito species. The filamentous Ascomycota Penicillium polonicum and Cladosporium sp. were present in all stages of the mosquitoes; in addition, the presence of yeasts in the insects or their subsequent colonization associated with their diet is also discussed. These results suggest that some species of fungi could be essential for the nutrition and development of mosquitoes throughout their life cycle.

Assessment of Cytogenetic Damage and Cholinesterases' Activity in Workers Occupationally Exposed to Pesticides in Zamora-Jacona, Michoacan, Mexico.

Pesticides have been considered as potential chemical mutagens; however, little is known about toxic and genotoxic effects during pesticide application in Zamora-Jacona, Michoacan State in Mexico. This study sought to determine DNA damage and cholinesterase activities inhibitions in 54 agricultural workers exposed to complex mixtures of pesticides vs. control group (26 individuals) using Comet assay in peripheral whole blood, micronucleus (MN) test in oral mucosa cells, Cytokinesis-blocked MN assay in lymphocytes (L-CBMNcyt) and measuring AChE and BChE activities in whole blood and plasma samples, respectively. Exposed subjects demonstrated significantly elevated levels of primary (Comet assay: tail intensity, tail length, tail moment, Olive tail moment) and permanent DNA damage (MN assay: in blood/buccal cells; frequencies of nuclear buds, binucleated cells, cells with condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis, pyknosis, and karyolysis). However, inhibition of cholinesterase activities (AChE and BChE) was not observed in the workers. Confounding factors including sex, age, BMI, working exposure period, protection level, smoking habit (cigarettes per day units), alcohol consumption (weekly), medication, were considered in the analysis. These combined techniques demonstrated usefulness in the health hazards risks pesticide exposure assessment and suggested the need for periodic monitoring together with the education and the training of occupational workers for the safe application of potentially harmful pesticides.

Influence of the Compaction Method in the Volumetric Design of Cold Recycled Mixtures with Emulsion.

Compaction of cold asphalt mixtures is a subject that has not been thoroughly studied, and, for this reason, requires new efforts from researchers to have a better understanding. Unlike hot mixtures, cold mixtures and mainly recycled mixtures require specific considerations for compaction. There is a lack of consensus about the methodology to select the optimum premix water and emulsion contents. In the absence of specific regulations, the use of soil tests or hot mixtures procedures is common. For these reasons, this investigation's main goal was to evaluate two compaction methods used to design cold recycled mixtures with emulsion: the modified Proctor procedure and the gyratory compaction. It was concluded that both methods could be useful to study compactability since consistent results were obtained by applying the maximum bulk density criterion. However, the higher bulk densities achieved, the smaller specimens used, and the suitability of the gyratory specimens to be later tested for mechanical properties make them preferable to the modified Proctor samples. A new approach has been proposed using iso-density lines on dual-axis premix water content-emulsion content graphs that facilitates the study of the influence on compactability of these two factors combined. These contributions can alleviate the laboratory works during the design of cold recycled asphalt mixtures and contribute to a more in-depth knowledge of the combined effect of premix water and emulsion contents on the compactability of cold recycled mixtures with emulsion.

Overexpression of MMPs, cytokines, and RANKL/OPG in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis and their association with joint pain, mouth opening, and bone degeneration: A preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the expression of distinct matrix metalloproteinases, cytokines, and bone resorptive factors in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) patients and their association with joint pain, mouth opening, and subchondral bone degeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients affected with TMJ-OA (n = 5), disk displacement without reduction (DDWoR) (n = 3), or disk displacement with reduction (DDWR) (n = 4) were selected. Joint pain was quantified by using visual analog scale, mouth opening was quantified at the maximum pain-free aperture, and bone degeneration was quantified using joint imaging. Synovial fluid samples were collected and immediately processed for cell and synovial fluid recovering. From cells, the MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-13, IL-6, IL-23, and TNF-α expression was quantified by qPCR. From synovial fluid, the RANKL and OPG levels were quantified by ELISA. RESULTS: Higher levels of MMP-1, MMP-8, MMP-13, IL-6, IL-23, TNF-α, and RANKL/OPG ratio were detected in TMJ-OA compared with DDWoR and DDWR patients (p < .05). Joint pain significantly correlated with TNF-α levels (r = .975, p = .029). Besides, imaging signs of bone degeneration significantly correlated with RANKL/OPG ratio (r = .949, p = .042). Conversely, mouth opening did not correlate with any of the analyzed mediators. CONCLUSION: During TMJ-OA, a pathological response characterized by the overexpression of TNF-α and RANKL/OPG could be involved in joint pain and subchondral bone degeneration.

One oncogene, several vulnerabilities: EWS/FLI targeted therapies for Ewing sarcoma.

EWS/FLI is the defining mutation of Ewing sarcoma. This oncogene drives malignant transformation and progression and occurs in a genetic background characterized by few other recurrent cooperating mutations. In addition, the tumor is absolutely dependent on the continued expression of EWS/FLI to maintain the malignant phenotype. However, EWS/FLI is a transcription factor and therefore a challenging drug target. The difficulty of directly targeting EWS/FLI stems from unique features of this fusion protein as well as the network of interacting proteins required to execute the transcriptional program. This network includes interacting proteins as well as upstream and downstream effectors that together reprogram the epigenome and transcriptome. While the vast number of proteins involved in this process challenge the development of a highly specific inhibitors, they also yield numerous therapeutic opportunities. In this report, we will review how this vast EWS-FLI transcriptional network has been exploited over the last two decades to identify compounds that directly target EWS/FLI and/or associated vulnerabilities.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia as First Manifestation of Rhupus.

"Rhupus" syndrome is a rare condition that describes the coexistence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which prevalence among patients with SLE varies from 0.01% to 9.7%. There are few reported cases of the association between autoimmune hemolytic anemia and rheumatoid arthritis with systemic lupus erythematosus (rhupus). We report a rare case of rhupus in a 29-year-old woman, associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Environment Changes, Aflatoxins, and Health Issues, a Review.

Crops contaminated by aflatoxins (AFs), the toxic and carcinogenic mycotoxins produced namely by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, have severe impacts on human health. Changes in temperature and water availability related to actual climate changes (increased temperature, heavy rainfalls, and droughts) are modulating factors of mould growth and production of mycotoxins. To protect human and animal health from the harmful effects caused by AFs, the development of a safe and effective multifaceted approach in combating food and feed contamination with AFs is necessary. This review aims to collect and analyze the available information regarding AF presence in food and feed to reinforce AF management and to prevent health issues related to the AF exposure in the light of actual climate changes.

Immunotyping of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in triple-negative breast cancer and genetic characterization.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) reflect the host immune response against cancer cells. Immunomodulators have been recently suggested as a novel therapeutic strategy against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the TIL profile in TNBC has not been thoroughly investigated. In the present study, the percentage, immunophenotype and genetic profiles of TILs in pre-surgical tumor samples of patients with TNBC were evaluated prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Patients diagnosed with breast cancer at Hospital San José TecSalud were consecutively and prospectively enrolled in the present study between August 2011 and August 2015. The pathological response to NAC was evaluated using the de Miller-Payne and MD Anderson Cancer Center system. TIL percentage (low, intermediate, and high) was evaluated using special hematoxylin-eosin staining on the core needle biopsies. The immunophenotype of TILs was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+. In addition, the gene expression profile of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD45, forkhead box P3, interleukin 6, programmed cell death 1 and CD274 molecule was assessed in all patients. A total of 26 samples from patients with TNBC prior to NAC were included in the present study. TILs were low in 30.7%, intermediate in 38.4% and elevated in 30.7% of tumors. CD3+ and CD4+ counts were associated with the pathological response to NAC (P=0.04). Finally, an overexpression pattern of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45 and CD20 genes was observed in patients with a partial or complete pathological response. The present results demonstrated that TILs may predict the pathological response to NAC in patients with TNBC. Furthermore, a more accurate association was identified between the high expression levels of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45 and CD20 genes and partial and complete pathological response, compared with the association between high expression and IHC alone.

KCTD5, a novel TRPM4-regulatory protein required for cell migration as a new predictor for breast cancer prognosis.

Transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) is a Ca2+ -activated nonselective cationic channel that regulates cell migration and contractility. Increased TRPM4 expression has been related to pathologies, in which cytoskeletal rearrangement and cell migration are altered, such as metastatic cancer. Here, we identify the K+ channel tetramerization domain 5 (KCTD5) protein, a putative adaptor of cullin3 E3 ubiquitin ligase, as a novel TRPM4-interacting protein. We demonstrate that KCTD5 is a positive regulator of TRPM4 activity by enhancing its Ca2+ sensitivity. We show that through its effects on TRPM4 that KCTD5 promotes cell migration and contractility. Finally, we observed that both TRPM4 and KCTD5 expression are increased in distinct patterns in different classes of breast cancer tumor samples. Together, these data support that TRPM4 activity can be regulated through expression levels of either TRPM4 or KCTD5, not only contributing to increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved on the regulation of these important ion channels, but also providing information that could inform treatments based on targeting these distinct molecules that define TRPM4 activity.

CDK9 Blockade Exploits Context-dependent Transcriptional Changes to Improve Activity and Limit Toxicity of Mithramycin for Ewing Sarcoma.

There is a need to develop novel approaches to improve the balance between efficacy and toxicity for transcription factor-targeted therapies. In this study, we exploit context-dependent differences in RNA polymerase II processivity as an approach to improve the activity and limit the toxicity of the EWS-FLI1-targeted small molecule, mithramycin, for Ewing sarcoma. The clinical activity of mithramycin for Ewing sarcoma is limited by off-target liver toxicity that restricts the serum concentration to levels insufficient to inhibit EWS-FLI1. In this study, we perform an siRNA screen of the druggable genome followed by a matrix drug screen to identify mithramycin potentiators and a synergistic "class" effect with cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitors. These CDK9 inhibitors enhanced the mithramycin-mediated suppression of the EWS-FLI1 transcriptional program leading to a shift in the IC50 and striking regressions of Ewing sarcoma xenografts. To determine whether these compounds may also be liver protective, we performed a qPCR screen of all known liver toxicity genes in HepG2 cells to identify mithramycin-driven transcriptional changes that contribute to the liver toxicity. Mithramycin induces expression of the BTG2 gene in HepG2 but not Ewing sarcoma cells, which leads to a liver-specific accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). siRNA silencing of BTG2 rescues the induction of ROS and the cytotoxicity of mithramycin in these cells. Furthermore, CDK9 inhibition blocked the induction of BTG2 to limit cytotoxicity in HepG2, but not Ewing sarcoma cells. These studies provide the basis for a synergistic and less toxic EWS-FLI1-targeted combination therapy for Ewing sarcoma.

Hydrogen peroxide triggers an increase in cell surface expression of system xc- in cultured human glioma cells.

System xc- exchanges extracellular cystine for intracellular glutamate across the plasma membrane of many cell types. One of the physiological roles of System xc- is to provide cystine for synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione. Here we report that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) triggers the translocation of System xc- to the plasma membrane within 10 min of the initial exposure. Specifically, we observed a three-fold increase in 35S-l-cystine uptake following a 10 min exposure to 0.3 mM H2O2. This effect was dose-dependent with an EC50 for H2O2 of 65 µM. We then used cell surface biotinylation analysis to test the hypothesis that the increase in activity is due to an increased number of transporters on the plasma membrane. We demonstrated that the amount of transporter protein, xCT, localized to the plasma membrane doubles within 10 min of H2O2 exposure as a result of an increase in its delivery rate and a reduction in its internalization rate. In addition, we demonstrated that H2O2 triggered a rapid decrease in total cellular glutathione which recovered within 2 h of the oxidative insult. The kinetics of glutathione recovery matched the time course for the recovery of xCT cell surface expression and System xc- activity following removal of the oxidative insult. Collectively, these results suggest that oxidants acutely modulate the activity of System xc- by increasing its cell surface expression, and that this process may serve as an important mechanism to increase de novo glutathione synthesis during periods of oxidative stress.

Concordancia entre los criterios diagnósticos RDC/TMD y su actualización DC/TMD, aplicados a la patología inflamatoria de la articulación temporomandibular / Agreement between Diagnostic Criteria RDC/TMD and its update DC/TMD, applied to the inflammatory pathology of the Temporomandibular Joint

RESUMEN: Objetivo: Evaluar el grado de concordancia entre las prevalencias de trastornos articulares inflamatorios (TAI) de las Articulaciones Temporomandibulares (ATM), obtenidas con los Criterios Diagnósticos de Investigación para Trastornos Temporomandibulares (RDC/TMD) y los Criterios Diagnósticos para Trastornos Temporomandibulares (DC/TMD). Materiales y métodos: 59 pacientes adultos chilenos fueron examinados según el Eje I de los RDC/TMD y el Eje I de los DC/TMD para determinar la prevalencia de TAI. Luego se compararon los resultados obtenidos de cada protocolo con el test Kappa de Cohen para evaluar la concordancia entre ambos. Resultados: La prevalencia de TAI para ambos criterios fue de 22%, con una concordancia casi perfecta (kappa=0,91). Al comparar las prevalencias de TAI por articulación, se obtuvo un grado de acuerdo sustancial (kappa=0,77) para la ATM derecha y un grado de acuerdo casi perfecto (kappa=0,94) para la ATM izquierda. Al comparar las prevalencias de TAI según género y edad se obtuvo una concordancia estadísticamente significativa en la mayoría de los casos. Conclusión: Hay concordancia estadísticamente significativa entre los datos obtenidos con los RDC/TMD y los DC/TMD, en el diagnóstico de trastornos articulares inflamatorios.

ABSTRACT: Aim: To assess the agreement between the prevalence of inflammatory joint disorders (IJD) obtained with Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) and Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Materials and methods: 59 Chilean adult patients were examined according to Axis I of the RDC/TMD and Axis I of the DC/TMD to determine prevalence of IJD. Then, the results obtained from each protocol were compared with Cohen's Kappa test to assess the agreement between them. Results: The prevalence of IJD for both criteria was 22%, with almost perfect agreement (kappa = 0.91). When comparing the prevalences of IJD per joint, a substantial agreement (kappa = 0.77) was obtained for the right TMJ and an almost perfect agreement (kappa = 0.94) for the left TMJ. When comparing the prevalences of IJD according to gender and age, a statistically significant agreement was obtained in the majority of cases. Conclusion: There is statistically significant agreement between the data obtained with the RDC/TMD and the DC/TMD, in the diagnosis of inflammatory joint disorders.

Understanding Synergistic Toxicity of Terpenes as Insecticides: Contribution of Metabolic Detoxification in Musca domestica.

Essential oils, which are mixtures of terpenes, frequently show stronger insecticide activity, i.e., lower lethal dose 50 (LC50), than their most abundant terpenes. Synergy between terpenes provides a plausible explanation, but its demonstration has been elusive. In the present work, we look for an alternative explanation, by considering the influence of insect metabolic detoxification. Basically, we propose a model (metabolic model, MM) in which the LC50 of the major terpene in a mixture is expected to include a fraction that is detoxified by the insect, whereas a minor terpene would act unimpeded, showing a lower LC50 than when acting alone. In order to test this idea, we analyzed the effects of inhibiting the cytochrome P450 detoxification system with piperonyl butoxide (PBO), on the lethal concentration of terpenes as fumigants against Musca domestica. We found that, within a group of 10 terpenes [linalool, citronellal, (R)-α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, γ-terpinene, limonene, α-terpinene, (S)-ß-pinene, thymol and (R)-pulegone], seven showed the LC50PBO (the lethal concentration for PBO-treated flies) between 1.7 and 12.4 times lower than the corresponding LC50 when P450 was not inhibited. Only in one case, that of (R)-pulegone, was the LC50PBO greater than the LC50, while two terpenes [(S)-ß-pinene and thymol] showed no changes in toxicity. The increased activity of most terpenes (particularly linalool and citronellal) in PBO-treated flies supports our hypothesis that normally the LC50 includes a fraction of inactive compound, due to detoxification. Having previously determined that M. domestica preferentially oxidizes the most abundant terpene in a mixture, while terpenes in smaller proportions are poorly or not detoxified by the P450 system, we assessed whether the toxicity of minority terpenes in a mixture is similar to their activity under P450 inhibition. We chose suitable binary combinations in such a way that one terpene (in greater proportion) should be the target of P450 while the other (in smaller proportion) should intoxicate the fly with LC50PBO or similar. Combinations of 1,8-cineole-citronellal, 1,8-cineole-linalool, linalool-citronellal, (R)-pulegone-linalool, (R)-pulegone-1,8-cineole and (R)-pulegone-citronellal were assayed against M. domestica, and the LC50 of each mixture was determined and compared to values predicted by MM (considering the LC50PBO for minor component) or by the classical approach (LC50 for both components). The MM showed the best fit to the data, suggesting additive rather than synergistic effects, except for the combination of (R)-pulegone-citronellal that was clearly synergistic. Thus, the experimental data indicate that the insect preferentially oxidizes the major component in a mixture, while the terpene in lesser proportion acts as a toxicant, with higher toxicity than when it was assayed alone. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the higher toxicity of essential oils compared to their component terpenes and provide important information for the design of effective insecticides based on essential oils or terpenes.

t-Resveratrol Protects against Acute High Glucose Damage in Endothelial Cells.

Postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects is associated with endothelial dysfunction. Evidence shows that high glucose generates oxidative stress and a pro-inflammatory state promoting the development of cardiovascular diseases. trans-Resveratrol (t-RV) has been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk. To determine whether t-RV acts as a protector against acute high glucose (AHG)-induced damage, two in vitro models, rat aortic rings (RAR) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were used. RAR pretreated with AHG (25 mM D-glucose) for 3 h dramatically decreased the endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) induced by acetylcholine in phenylephrine (PE)-precontracted vessels. However, coincubation with t-RV significantly mitigated the damage induced by AHG on EDR. Pretreatment with AHG did not affect the vasodilation induced by sodium nitroprusside. HUVEC treated with t-RV decreased cytotoxicity and reduced radical oxygen species production induced by AHG. Taken together, these results suggest that t-RV can mitigate the AHG-induced EDR damage through a mechanism involving ROS scavenging and probably an increase in the bioavailability of NO.