Intimate Partner Violence among women living in families with children under the poverty line and its association with common mental disorders during COVID-19 pandemics in Ceará, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive public health issue that affects millions of women worldwide. Women living below the poverty line experience higher rates of violence and fewer resources to escape or cope with the abuse, and the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted women's economic well-being worldwide. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Ceará, Brazil, on women in families with children living below the poverty line at the peak of the second wave of COVID to assess the prevalence of IPV and its association with common mental disorders(CMD). METHODS: The study population comprised families with children up to six years of age who participated in the cash transfer program "Mais Infância". The families selected to participate in this program must meet a poverty criterion: families must live in rural areas, in addition to a monthly per capita income of less than US$16.50 per month. We applied specific instruments to evaluate IPV and CMD. To access IPV, we used the Partner Violence Screen (PVS). The Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to assess CMD. To verify the association between IPV and the other evaluated factors with CMD, simple and hierarchical multiple logistic models were used. RESULTS: Of the 479 participant women, 22% were positively screened for IPV (95% CI 18.2-26.2). After multivariate adjustment, the chances of CMD are 2.32 higher in women exposed to IPV than in those not exposed to IPV ((95%CI 1.30-4.13), p value = 0.004). CMD was also associated with job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic (ORa 2.13 (95% CI 1.09-4.35), p-value 0.029). In addition to these, separate or single marital status, as well as non-presence of the father at home and food insecurity were associated with CMD. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the prevalence of intimate partner violence in families with children up to six years of age living below the poverty line in Ceará is high and is associated with greater chances of common mental disorders in mothers. Also, job loss and reduced access to food caused by the Covid 19 pandemic exacerbated both phenomena, constituting a double burden generator factor on mothers.

New indices in predicting cardiometabolic risk and its relation to endothelial dysfunction in adolescents: The HELENA study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Blood pressure (BP) changes and insulin resistance (IR) are important cardiometabolic risk (CMR) factors; their early identification can contribute to the reduction of cardiovascular events in adulthood. This necessitates the search for more accessible and easily applied indicators for their prediction. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the predictive power of the indices, TyG, TG/HDL-c, height-corrected lipid accumulation product (HLAP), and visceral adiposity index (VAI), in identifying the CMR obtained by high BP and IR and to verify their relationship with biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction (ED) in European adolescents. METHODS AND RESULTS: The anthropometric data and blood biomarkers of 744 adolescents (343 boys and 401 girls) from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence Cross-Sectional Study (HELENA-CSS), with a mean age of 14.67 (SD 1.15) years, were assessed. The adolescents were then classified according to the presence or absence of high BP and IR. The cut-off points of the indices evaluated for the identification of CMR were determined. The relationship between CMR diagnosed using these indices and ED biomarkers was tested. The HLAP and TG/HDL-c were fair predictors of CMR obtained by IR in male adolescents. These indices showed association with hsCRP in sVCAM-1 in boys, but it lost significance after adjusting for age and body mass index. CONCLUSION: TG/HDL-c and HLAP indices showed a fair performance in predicting CMR, obtained by IR, in male adolescents. ED showed no association with the CMR identified by the indices.

New potential antiproliferative monophosphoester 2-aminoethyl dihydrogen phosphate in K-562 and K-562 MDR+ leukemia cells.

The main obstacle in the treatment of cancer patients has been resistance to multiple drugs, leading to the need to develop molecules with a higher specificity target. The liposomal formulation DODAC/2-AEH2P has antitumor potential, inducing apoptosis in several tumor types. Human chronic myeloid leukemia K-562 and K-562 Lucena (MDR+) cells were treated with the DODAC carrier and the liposomal formulation 2-AEH2P. Viability, cell cycle phases, apoptosis, marker expression and mitochondrial potential were analyzed. Significant reduction in viability was observed for all treatments. Changes in the distribution of the cell cycle phases and expression of markers involved in the apoptosis pathways were observed. Reduction of the mitochondrial electrical potential mediated by Bcl-2, being regulated by the reduction of the MTCH2 protein linked to the progression of myeloid leukemia and an increase in the pro-apoptotic proteins Bad and Bax, dependent on p53. This study demonstrated a significant therapeutic potential through apoptotic effects in leukemic cells, regardless of the molecular resistance profile (MDR+).

In vivo evidence of angiogenesis inhibition by ß2-glycoprotein I subfractions in the chorioallantoic membrane of chicken embryos.

The vascular network expansion and functioning are important factors affecting normal intra-uterine fetal development. This study addressed the previously reported antiangiogenic potential of beta-2-glycoprotein I (ß2GPI) in vivo in the chick embryo model of angiogenesis. The effects of two naturally occurring ß2GPI forms on the development of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) vessels and the chicken embryo were investigated. ß2GPI monomers and dimers were obtained by fractioned purification and characterized using SDS-PAGE, immunoblot, and ELISA. The egg exposure was performed by injection of small volumes of 2.5 µg/mL solutions of the ß2GPI subfractions. Angiogenesis was evaluated through quantitative measurements of vascular architecture parameters in the captured CAM images, using computational analysis of texture contrasts and computer vision techniques. Quantitative information was assigned to the CAM vasculature modifications. In vivo, the ß2GPI dimer completely halted the formation of CAM vessels and led to embryo death after 48 h of exposure. The ß2GPI monomer allowed the embryo to develop up to the 10th day, despite early changes of CAM vessels. The impaired normal vessel growth proceeded as a self-limited effect. The ß2GPI monomer-exposed eggs showed reduced vascularization on the 6th day of incubation, but embryos were viable on the 10th day of incubation, with ingurgitated CAM vessels implying sequelae of the angiogenesis inhibition. Both subfractions impaired CAM vasculature development. The ß2GPI dimer proved to be largely more harmful than the ß2GPI monomer. ß2GPI modification by cleavage or dimerization may play a role in angiogenesis control in vivo.

In vivo evidence of angiogenesis inhibition by ß2-glycoprotein I subfractions in the chorioallantoic membrane of chicken embryos

The vascular network expansion and functioning are important factors affecting normal intra-uterine fetal development. This study addressed the previously reported antiangiogenic potential of beta-2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) in vivo in the chick embryo model of angiogenesis. The effects of two naturally occurring β2GPI forms on the development of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) vessels and the chicken embryo were investigated. β2GPI monomers and dimers were obtained by fractioned purification and characterized using SDS-PAGE, immunoblot, and ELISA. The egg exposure was performed by injection of small volumes of 2.5 µg/mL solutions of the β2GPI subfractions. Angiogenesis was evaluated through quantitative measurements of vascular architecture parameters in the captured CAM images, using computational analysis of texture contrasts and computer vision techniques. Quantitative information was assigned to the CAM vasculature modifications. In vivo, the β2GPI dimer completely halted the formation of CAM vessels and led to embryo death after 48 h of exposure. The β2GPI monomer allowed the embryo to develop up to the 10th day, despite early changes of CAM vessels. The impaired normal vessel growth proceeded as a self-limited effect. The β2GPI monomer-exposed eggs showed reduced vascularization on the 6th day of incubation, but embryos were viable on the 10th day of incubation, with ingurgitated CAM vessels implying sequelae of the angiogenesis inhibition. Both subfractions impaired CAM vasculature development. The β2GPI dimer proved to be largely more harmful than the β2GPI monomer. β2GPI modification by cleavage or dimerization may play a role in angiogenesis control in vivo.

Proinflammatory effects of photoactivated methylene blue on rat model of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an anticancer therapy that associates the photosensitizer (PS), oxygen and light to destroy cancer cells. Methylene blue (MB) is considered a second generation phenothiazine dye with excellent photochemical properties. AIM: To evaluate whether MB-mediated PDT can induce oxidative stress and inflammation, therefore, interfering tumor growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on Wistar rats transplanted with Walker 256 carcinosarcoma (W256). The proinflammatory interleukins levels (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α) were determined by ELISA, mRNA expression of COX-1, COX-2, iNOS and eNOS by RT-PCR, lipid peroxidation was measured by the TBARS method. Moreover, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in neutrophils was determined by MPO activity assay. All indices mentioned above were determined in tumor tissue. Kaplan - Meier and Gehan - Breslow - Wilcoxon tests were used for survival analysis. RESULTS: We found that the treatment of W256 with 0.1% MB + 1 J/cm2 provoked a significant increase in the interleukins levels (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α), prostaglandin E2, the mRNA expression of COX-2, iNOS, lipid peroxidation and MPO activity in tumor tissue, which were statistically different (p < 0.05) compared to other experimental and control groups. The results of the estimation of survival curves show a greater probability of survival in 0.1% MB + 1 J/cm2 (total energy dose =142.8 J/cm2) treated group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that treatment of W256 with 0.1% MB + 1 J/cm2 was able to promote cytotoxic effects in tumor tissue by the generation of reactive oxygen species causing inflammation and thus interfering in the tumor growth.

Effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid on the expression of carcinogenesis-related proteins in cultured primary hepatocytes.

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a heme pathway disorder caused by a decrease in the activity and synthesis of porphobilinogen deaminase. Thus, the first heme precursor 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) accumulates in the liver. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting from ALA oxidation may be correlated to a higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in AIP patients. However, the molecular mechanisms of this relationship have not been thoroughly elucidated to date. In this study, we investigated the effect of increasing levels of ALA on the expression of proteins related to DNA repair, oxidative stress, apoptosis, proliferation and lipid metabolism. Primary rat hepatocytes were isolated by the collagenase perfusion method, lipoperoxidation was evaluated by a TBA fluorimetric assay and Western blotting was used to assess protein abundance. The data showed that ALA treatment promoted a dose-dependent increase of p53 expression, downregulation of Bcl-2, HMG-CoA reductase and OGG1 and an increase in lipoperoxidation. There was no alteration in the expression of the transcription factor NF-κB, catalase and superoxide dismutase. ALA oxidation products induced protein regulation patterns, suggesting the interconnection of cellular processes, such as the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, redox homeostasis, cell proliferation, lipid metabolism and DNA repair. This study helps to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of hepatotoxicity mediated by ALA pro-oxidant effects and supports the hypothesis that ALA accumulation correlates with a higher incidence of hepatic carcinogenic events.

Combination therapy of canine osteosarcoma with canine bone marrow stem cells, bone morphogenetic protein and carboplatin in an in vivo model.

Osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common malignant bone cancer in children and dogs. The therapeutic protocols adopted for dogs and humans are very similar, involving surgical options such as amputation. Besides surgical options, radiotherapy and chemotherapy also are adopted. However, hematologic, gastrointestinal and renal toxicity may occur because of chemotherapy treatments. Recent study clearly showed that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2) may be associated with decreases of the tumorigenic potential of canine OSA. The aim of this study was to analyse the efficacy of chemotherapy with carboplatin and rhBMP-2 with MSCs in a canine OSA in vivo model. Canine OSA cells were implanted in mice Balb-c/nude with MSCs, rhBMP-2 and carboplatin. Flow cytometry and PCR for markers involved in tumour suppression pathways were analysed. Results showed that the combination of MSCs and rhBMP-2 reduced tumour mass and infiltration of neoplastic cells in tissues more efficiently than carboplatin alone. Thus it was demonstrated that the use of rhBMP-2 and MSCs, in combination with conventional antineoplastic, may be an efficient treatment strategy.

The complete genome of the oil emulsifying strain Thalassolituus oleivorans K-188 from the Barents Sea.

Gammaproteobacterium Thalassolituus oleivorans plays an important role in oil degradation in sea water through emulsifying crude oil and alkanes at low temperatures in polar sea environment. Here we report the complete genome sequence of K-188 strain (VKPM B-9394) isolated in the Barents Sea and compare it with other known Thalassolituus oleivorans strains. The Thalassolituus strains are differed in orthologs number of the genes of alkane degradation, transport proteins, genes of sugar utilization, endonucleases, signaling proteins, transcriptional regulators and presence of CRISPR/Cas locus. Also only the genome of K-188 contains the 3-hydroxyalkanoate synthetase.

Orthotopic tumorgrafts in nude mice as a model to evaluate calcitriol effects in breast cancer / Modelo de enxerto tumoral ortotópico em camundongos para avaliar os efeitos do calcitriol em câncer de mama

Abstract Calcitriol antiproliferative effects were observed in xenografts of breast cancer cell lines, however they were not yet investigated in tumorgrafts, consisting of freshly collected breast cancer samples xenografted into animals. Objectives To establish a tumorgraft model, from freshly collected breast cancer samples, which were directly implanted in nude mice, to study calcitriol effects. Methods Breast cancer samples collected from 12 patients were orthotopically implanted into nude mice. Animals were treated with weekly intratumoral injections of calcitriol 3 μg/Kg, which was previously shown to induce peak serum calcitriol levels in the predicted therapeutic range. Results Success engraftment rate was 25%. Tumorgrafts were established from aggressive (HER2 positive or histological grade 3) highly proliferative samples and original tumor characteristics were preserved. Calcitriol highly induced its target gene, CYP24A1, indicating that the genomic vitamin D pathway is active in tumorgrafts. However, no differences in the expression of proliferation and apoptosis markers (BrdU incorporation, Ki67, CDKN1A, CDKN1B, BCL2 expression) were observed in these highly proliferative tumor samples. Conclusions Tumorgrafts seem a promising model to explore other calcitriol doses and regimens, considering the heterogeneity of the disease and microenvironment interactions.

Resumo Os efeitos antiproliferativos de calcitriol foram observados em xenotransplantes de linhagens celulares de câncer de mama, entretanto, não foram ainda investigados em enxertos tumorais, consistindo de implantes em animais de amostras de câncer de mama recém-coletadas. Objetivos Estabelecer modelo de enxerto tumoral, a partir de amostra de câncer de mama recém-coletada e diretamente implantada em camundongos nude, para estudar o efeito do calcitriol. Métodos Amostras de câncer de mama de 12 pacientes foram implantadas ortotopicamente em camundongos nude. Os animais foram tratados com injeção intratumoral semanal de calcitriol 3 μg/Kg, a qual foi previamente associada com indução de pico sérico de calcitriol dentro do intervalo de nível terapêutico. Resultados A taxa de sucesso de pega do enxerto foi de 25%. Os enxertos tumorais foram estabelecidos de tumores agressivos com alta taxa de proliferação (HER2 positivo ou grau histológico 3) e as características do tumor original foram preservadas. O calcitriol induziu fortemente a expressão do gene alvo, CYP24A1, indicando que a via genômica da vitamina D está ativa nos enxertos tumorais, entretanto, não se observou diferenças na expressão de marcadores de proliferação e apoptose (incorporação de BrdU, expressão de Ki67, CDKN1A, CDKN1B e BCL2) nestas amostras altamente proliferativas. Conclusões Os enxertos tumorais parecem ser um modelo promissor para explorar outros esquemas e doses de calcitriol, considerando a heterogeneidade da doença e interações com o microambiente.

Orthotopic tumorgrafts in nude mice as a model to evaluate calcitriol effects in breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Calcitriol antiproliferative effects were observed in xenografts of breast cancer cell lines, however they were not yet investigated in tumorgrafts, consisting of freshly collected breast cancer samples xenografted into animals. To establish a tumorgraft model, from freshly collected breast cancer samples, which were directly implanted in nude mice, to study calcitriol effects. METHODS: Breast cancer samples collected from 12 patients were orthotopically implanted into nude mice. Animals were treated with weekly intratumoral injections of calcitriol 3 µg/Kg, which was previously shown to induce peak serum calcitriol levels in the predicted therapeutic range. RESULTS: Success engraftment rate was 25%. Tumorgrafts were established from aggressive (HER2 positive or histological grade 3) highly proliferative samples and original tumor characteristics were preserved. Calcitriol highly induced its target gene, CYP24A1, indicating that the genomic vitamin D pathway is active in tumorgrafts. However, no differences in the expression of proliferation and apoptosis markers (BrdU incorporation, Ki67, CDKN1A, CDKN1B, BCL2 expression) were observed in these highly proliferative tumor samples. CONCLUSIONS: Tumorgrafts seem a promising model to explore other calcitriol doses and regimens, considering the heterogeneity of the disease and microenvironment interactions.

Diabetes consequences in the fetus liver of the non-obese diabetic mice.

DM type 1 (T1D) incidence is increasing around 3% every year and represents risks for maternal and fetal health. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of diabetes on fetus liver cells in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Hyperglycemic NOD (HNOD), normoglycemic NOD (NNOD) and BALB/c females were used for mating, and the fetus livers were collected at 19.5 gestation day (gd). HNOD group had reduced fetal weight (989.5±68.32 vs 1290±57.39 mg BALB/c, P<0.05) at 19.5 gd and higher glycemia (516.66±28.86 mg dl-1, P<0.001) at both 0.5 gd and 19.5 gd compared to other groups. The protein expression of albumin (ALB) was significantly reduced in HNOD group (0.9±0.2 vs 3.36±0.36 NNOD P<0.01, vs 14.1±0.49 BALB/c P<0.001). Reduced gene expression of ALB (1.34±0.12 vs 5.53±0.89 NNOD and 5.23±0.71 BALB/c, P<0.05), Hepatic Nuclear Factor-4 alpha (HNF-4α) (0.69±0.1 vs 3.66±0.36 NNOD, P<0.05) and miR-122 (0.27±0,10 vs 0.88±0.15 NNOD, P<0.05) was present in HNOD group. No difference for alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) and gene expression was observed. In conclusion, our findings show the impacts of T1D on the expression of ALB, AFP, HNF-4α and miR-122 in fetus liver cells by using NNOD and HNOD mice.

Morphological study of the eye bulb of the hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini (Elasmobranch: Carcharhinidae) / Estudio morfológico del bulbo ocular del tiburón martillo, Sphyrna lewini (Elasmobranch: Carcharhinidae)

The hammerhead sharks shows a head laterally expanded with eyes and nostrils on the edges, which gives the species a hammer appearance. Another strand of studies indicates that the hypothesis of head shape alterations for better adaptions in the sensorial system with the development of structures associated to binocular sight and others sensorial organs. Given the variety of characteristics, the study aim was to describe the anatomical constitution of the hammerhead shark eye bulb. The bulb and its annexes exenteration was performed, and further dissection; the morphological description of the muscle insertions and eye bulb components were based on direct observation and were further photographed and catalogued. The eye bulb fragments and its annexes were histological technical. Between the sclera and the choroid it was possible to observe, by the electronical scanning microscopy, the thin layer called supra-choroid, in this region, spaces often filled by lymphatic vessels allied to a matrix formed by loose conjunctive tissue are found. In the choroid, a layer which is rich in blood vessels, loose conjunctive tissue and collagen fibers, was observed, besides pigmentary cells full of melanin in its interior, which result in its layer's dark color. Ciliary body is a choroid's dilatation; it has the aspect of a thick ring in finger-like shape, pigmented, covering the sclera surface and containing pigmentary cells. The crystalline capsule, which shows an acellular covering that, is hyaline and homogeneous. In the electronical scanning microscopy, it was observed that the capsule is extremely thick especially in the anterior face. The capsule is very elastic, constituted mainly by thin lamellae of collagenous fibers, as illustrated by the electronically scanning microscopy. Anatomic variations related mainly to the position of the eye bulb in the skull, fibrous tunica and lens call the attention and must be related to its habitat.

El tiburón martillo tiene la cabeza lateralmente expandida con los ojos y la nariz en sus márgenes. Estudios indican que alteraciones de la forma de la cabeza de estos animales son adaptaciones que mejoran el desarrollo del sistema sensorial y estructuras asociadas a la visión binocular y otros órganos sensoriales. Dada la variedad de características, el objetivo del estudio fue describir la constitución anatómica del bulbo ocular. Se disecó el bulbo ocular junto a sus anexos. La descripción morfológica de las inserciones musculares y componentes del bulbo ocular se basaron en la observación directa, siendo éstas fotografiadas y catalogadas. Entre la esclera y la coroides se observó através de microscopía electrónica de barrido, una delgada capa supra-coroides, y vasos linfáticos junto a la matriz formada por tejidos conectivos. La coroides, era abundante en vasos sanguíneos y fibras de tejido conectivo. Se observaron escasas células pigmentarias llenas de melanina, lo que se asemeja a un anillo en forma de dedo, de manera que cubren la superficie de la esclera y células que contienen pigmentos. En la cápsula del lente, fue posible observar un recubrimiento celular, hialino y homogéneo. En la microscopía electrónica de barrido, se observó una cápsula muy gruesa, principalmente en la región frontal. La cápsula elástica,estaba constituida por láminas delgadas, principalmente, por fibras de colágeno. Se concluyó que el bulbo ocular de estos animales posee variaciones anatómicas relacionadas, principalmente, con la posición del bulbo ocular en el cráneo, túnica fibrosa y lente, lo que puede estar directamente relacionado con su hábitat.

Bovine yolk sac: from morphology to metabolomic and proteomic profiles.

In several species, placentation involves the presence of two different membranes responsible for maternal-fetal exchanges: the yolk sac and the chorioallantoic placenta. The yolk sac plays important roles in embryonic survival, mainly during the early stages of gestation. In bovine, it is a transitional membrane that is present until day 50-70 of pregnancy. Herein, we evaluated the morphological and molecular aspects of the yolk sac of bovine embryos during 24 to 52 days of gestation. A total of 69 embryos were allocated into three groups according to the crown-rump length and estimated ages. Yolk sac samples were then subjected to morphological and molecular analysis using mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. In contrast to alanine, which was observed only in Group I, during all gestational stages, we identified important metabolites such as aspartate, taurine, glycerophosphocholine, creatinine, creatine, hydrouracil, glutamate, glutamine, lactate, lysine, valine, myo-inositol, cadaverine, and choline. In addition, 314 random sequences of proteins were identified in the bovine yolk sac, and 47 of these were considered to be specific. Changes in alpha-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen concentrations during gestation were also evaluated. In conclusion, the majority of these proteins are related to the development of secondary metabolites that are involved in the activation of other proteins and metabolites, and in signaling pathways that are responsible for maternal-fetal exchanges, activation of programmed cell death mechanisms, and cellular differentiation, and also in proteins that are responsible for the yolk sac involution that is required to establish chorioallantoic placentation.

Rat visceral yolk sac cells: viability and expression of cell markers during maternal diabetes.

The function of the visceral yolk sac (VYS) is critical for embryo organogenesis until final fetal development in rats, and can be affected by conditions such as diabetes. In view of the importance of diabetes during pregnancy for maternal and neonatal health, the objective of this study was to assess fetal weight, VYS cell markers, and viability in female Wistar rats (200-250 g) with induced diabetes (alloxan, 37 mg/kg) on the 8th gestational day (gd 8). At gd 15, rats from control (n=5) and diabetic (n=5) groups were anesthetized and laparotomized to remove the uterine horns for weighing of fetuses and collecting the VYS. Flow cytometry was used for characterizing VYS cells, and for determining mitochondrial activity, cell proliferation, DNA ploidy, cell cycle phases, and caspase-3 activity. Fetal weight was reduced in the diabetic group. Expression of the cell markers CD34, VEGFR1, CD115, CD117, CD14, CCR2, CD90, CD44, STRO-1, OCT3/4, and Nanog was detected in VYS cells in both groups. In the diabetic group, significantly decreased expression of CD34 (P<0.05), CCR2 (P<0.001), and OCT3/4 (P<0.01), and significantly increased expression of CD90 (P<0.05), CD117 (P<0.01), and CD14 (P<0.05) were observed. VYS cells with inactive mitochondria, activated caspase-3, and low proliferation were present in the rats with diabetes. Severe hyperglycemia caused by maternal diabetes had negative effects on pregnancy, VYS cell viability, and the expression of cell markers.

Degree of conversion and hardness of a silorane-based composite resin: effect of light-curing unit and depth.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of different light-curing units and depths on the degree of conversion (DC) through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Knoop Hardness Number (KHN) of a silorane-based composite resin (Filtek LS, 3M ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA) (LS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: LS specimens mounted in a particular designed matrix were photoactivated by three light-cure units (LCUs) at depths of 2, 3, 4, and 5 mm. The DC was determined in a FTIR spectrometer with an attenuated total reflectance accessory. The KHN was measured in an automatic microhardness tester. The results were analyzed using the Friedman and Spearman statistical tests (α=0.05). RESULTS: There was no effect of LCUs on the DC (p=0.472) or KHN (p=0.174) for all of the studied depths. The highest DC and KHN means were found at 2-mm depth, which were not statistically different from 3-mm depth, but were higher than 4-mm and 5-mm depths (p=0.007). Spearman analysis found a positive linear correlation between the variables KHN and DC (r=0.858, p<0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The LCUs' effect was not verified. Values of DC and KHN for LS decreased with increasing depth. The highest values for both DC and KHN were obtained at depths of 2-3 mm.

Synthetic phosphoethanolamine has in vitro and in vivo anti-leukemia effects.

BACKGROUND: We recently showed that synthetic phosphoethanolamine reduces tumour growth and inhibits lung metastasis in vivo. Here, we investigated its anti-leukaemia effects using acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) as a model. METHODS: Cytotoxic effects of Pho-s on leukaemia cells were evaluated by MTT assay. Leukaemic cells obtained from hCG-PML-RARa transgenic mice were transplanted to NOD/SCID mice. After the animals were diagnosed as leukaemic, treatment started with Pho-s using all-trans retinoid acid or daunorubicin as positive control or and saline control. Cell morphology and immunophenotyping were used to detect the undifferentiated blast cells in the spleen, liver and bone marrow. The induction of apoptosis in vitro and in malignant leukaemic clones was evaluated. RESULTS: Synthetic phosphoethanolamine is cytotoxic and induces apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway in vitro to leukaemia cell lines. In vivo Pho-s exhibits anti-proliferative effects in APL model reducing the number of CD117(+) and Gr-1(+) immature myeloid cells in the BM, spleen and liver. Synthetic phosphoethanolamine impairs the expansion of malignant clones CD34(+)/CD117(+), CD34(+) and Gr-1(+) in the BM. In addition, Pho-s induces apoptosis of immature cells in the spleen and liver, a notable effect. CONCLUSION: Synthetic phosphoethanolamine has anti-leukaemic effects in an APL model by inhibiting malignant clone expansion, suggesting that it is an interesting compound for leukaemia treatment.

Proliferation of fibroblasts and endothelial cells is enhanced by treatment with Phyllocaulis boraceiensis mucus.

Previously, mucus of some molluscs has been studied as a potential source of new natural compounds capable of inducing cell proliferation and of remodelling tissue. Here, the focus of the study is possible use of mucus released by Phyllocaulis boraceiensis - a compound inducing cell proliferation and enhancing collagen synthesis in dermal fibroblasts and inducing proliferation human endothelial cell cultures. Fibroblasts treated with P. boraceiensis mucus at concentrations below 0.012 µg/µl developed high rates of proliferation, as evaluated using MTT assay; the proliferative effect was dose-dependent. Production and secretion of extracellular matrix components and collagen type I fibres were enhanced after 24 h of treatment, revealing a hormesis effect, biphasic dose response - low dose for proliferation yet toxic at high dose. No significant change in proliferation was observed in treated endothelial cells and production of lipid polyunsaturated free radicals was low in both cell types. Treatment with P. boraceiensis mucus produced pronounced changes in fibroblast cell number and morphology, and in quantities of well-ordered collagen deposition. These results support the premise that Phyllocaulis boraceiensis mucus demonstrates proliferative properties in cells involved in the healing process.

Evaluation of the contribution of the placentomal fusion during gestation in cattle.

The placenta of mammals is a structure formed by the juxtaposition of the fetal membranes and the maternal tissues. The main function of the placenta is to regulate the physiological interchange between the fetus and the mother as well as to operate as an important endocrine organ during the gestation. The placentomal fusions were characterized throughout gestation of cattle using macroscopic, histological and flow cytometry analyses. Analyzing the cell cycle phases with a flow cytometry, a balance between the G2M phase and apoptosis was observed, suggesting that the placentomal fusions do not interfere in the placentary maturation process, which is a pre-requirement for the fetal-maternal disconnection and the release of fetal membrane.

Evaluation of the contribution of the placentomal fusion during gestation in cattle

The placenta of mammals is a structure formed by the juxtaposition of the fetal membranes and the maternal tissues. The main function of the placenta is to regulate the physiological interchange between the fetus and the mother as well as to operate as animportant endocrine organ during the gestation. The placentomal fusions were characterized throughout gestation of cattle using macroscopic, histological and flow cytometryanalyses. Analyzing the cell cycle phases with a flow cytometry, a balance between the G2M phase and apoptosis was observed, suggesting that the placentomal fusions do not interferein the placentary maturation process, which is a pre-requirement for the fetal-maternal disconnection and the release of fetal membrane.