Extremely aggressive course in a poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma presenting a double mutation of the TERT promoter.

BRAF and TERT oncogenes hotspot mutations are associated with a more aggressive outcome in thyroid carcinomas (TC). TERT promoter (pTERT) mutations (C228T and C250T) are related to cancer growth and reduced overall- and disease-free survivals in TC. We report a patient followed up for 8 years with a poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) presenting an extremely aggressive course, who developed a large volume of metastases in a short period. Molecular analysis of the primary tumor revealed two pTERT mutations (C228T and C250T), and no BRAF V600E mutation. pTERT mutations C228T and C250T have been described as mutually exclusive, indicating that one mutation is enough for telomerase activation and exerts its action in thyroid tumorigenesis. This report describes both pTERT hotspot mutations in the same PDTC patient presenting a very aggressive course, even for PDTC, suggesting a relationship between the two events. However, more studies are needed to prove this causality.

Brassica sprouts exposed to microplastics: Effects on phytochemical constituents.

Microplastics (MPs) can affect plant biomass, tissue composition, and root traits. However, the effects of MPs on the synthesis of secondary metabolites and on the accumulation of bioactive compounds remain poorly studied. The objective of this work was to analyze accumulation of bioactive compounds in broccoli and radish sprouts grown hydroponically in a substrate containing seven different toxic amounts (from very low to extremely high) of low-density polyethylene (PE). Radish was more severely affected by microplastic pollution than broccoli. The effect on the phytochemical composition was statistically significant in both species compared to control. In this aspect, glucosinolate (GSL) content was negatively affected by MPs decreasing from 182 to 124 mg 100 g-1 at medium doses of MPs in broccoli, whereas these compounds drastically decreased from 253 to 151 mg 100 g-1 at the same doses in radish. Anthocyanin content significantly increased until medium doses of MPs ranging from 6.28 to 11.44 mg 100 g-1 in broccoli whereas in radish was from 2.44 to approximately 4 mg 100 g-1. In addition, other morphological and physiological parameter were considered. The analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA) showed significant effects on broccoli and radish in all the MP treatments. The results revealed that high loads of MPs in the substrate affect growth parameters, lipid peroxidation rate estimated by MDA, and phytochemicals of broccoli and radish sprouts, with differences in response to MPs pollution and intensity between species.

High-yield production of major T-cell ESAT6-CFP10 fusion antigen of M. tuberculosis complex employing codon-optimized synthetic gene.

Translation engineering and bioinformatics have accelerated the rate at which gene sequences can be improved to generate multi-epitope proteins. Strong antigenic proteins for tuberculosis diagnosis include individual ESAT6 and CFP10 proteins or derived peptides. Obtention of heterologous multi-component antigens in E. coli without forming inclusion bodies remain a biotechnological challenge. The gene sequence for ESAT6-CFP10 fusion antigen was optimized by codon bias adjust for high-level expression as a soluble protein. The obtained fusion protein of 23.7 kDa was observed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis after Ni-affinity chromatography and the yield of expressed soluble protein reached a concentration of approximately 67 mg/L in shake flask culture after IPTG induction. Antigenicity was evaluated at 4 µg/mL in whole blood cultures from bovines, and protein stimuli were assessed using a specific in vitro IFN-γ release assay. The hybrid protein was able to stimulate T-cell specific responses of bovine TB suspects. The results indicate that improved E. coli codon usage is a good and cost-effective strategy to potentialize large scale production of multi-epitope proteins with sustained antigenic properties for diagnostic purposes.

Industrial use of pepper (Capsicum annum L.) derived products: Technological benefits and biological advantages.

The recovery of pepper phytochemicals present an interesting strategy in pursuit of new bioactive compounds and natural ingredients for agro-food, cosmetic and pharma industry uses, as replacements for the synthetic compounds and also in the valorisation of plant's by-products. Besides being used as a condiment, providing characteristic pungency, colour and flavour, the new pepper-derived ingredients could be used for the preservation and extension of industrial products' lifespan, as well as additives or technological ingredients with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Moreover, the application of the new products in pharmaceutical formulas for the treatment of inflammatory and pain-related conditions is also a possibility, since peppers contain capsaicinoids, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, vitamin C and A, and minerals, such as iron and calcium, which have a health-promoting potential. Further studies on appropriate extraction protocols, stability, safety and bioactivity are necessary to provide novel and promising pepper ingredients for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications.

Broccoli sprouts produce abdominal antinociception but not spasmolytic effects like its bioactive metabolite sulforaphane.

Abdominal pain is a common health problem that requires efficacious and safe therapy. Broccoli is a rich source of health-promoting bioactive compounds with potential for pain therapy. However, there is a lack of scientific pharmacological evidence to support this. Our aim was to investigate the antinociceptive and spasmolytic activities of broccoli aqueous extracts from seeds, sprouts, and inflorescence, as well as some metabolites. Experiments were done using enteral and parenteral administration in an in vivo model of pain accompanied with an in vitro assay. Data established that sprouts (100 mg/kg, i.p. and 1000 mg/kg, p.o.) produced significant and major antinociceptive effect at similar or even lower doses in comparison to the seeds (125 mg/kg, i.p. and 1000 mg/kg, p.o.) and broccoli heads (250 mg/kg, i.p. and 1000 mg/kg, p.o.). These results resembled the analgesic response observed with the reference drug metamizole (80 mg/kg, i.p.). Chlorogenic acid (CA, 3, 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) and SFN (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) were partial responsible antinociceptive metabolites of broccoli. SFN effects involved participation of endogenous opioids, since they were inhibited in the presence of naltrexone (5 mg/kg, s.c.). In the in vitro assay, a significant 80% spasmolytic-like response was reached with SFN alone in comparison to 20% obtained with aqueous extracts of sprouts and seeds. Participation of calcium channels was a mechanism involved in the in vitro response of SFN. In conclusion, broccoli sprouts, SFN and CA are potential nutraceuticals for abdominal pain therapy.

Brassica foods as a dietary source of vitamin C: a review.

Brassica genus includes known horticultural vegetables with major economical importance worldwide, and involves vegetables of economical importance being part of the diet and source of oils for industry in many countries. Brassicales own a broad array of health-promoting compounds, emphasized as healthy rich sources of vitamin C. The adequate management of pre- and postharvest factors including crop varieties, growth conditions, harvesting, handling, storage, and final consumer operations would lead to increase or preserve of the vitamin C content or reduced losses by interfering in the catalysis mechanisms that remains largely unknown, and should be reviewed. Likewise, the importance of the food matrix on the absorption and metabolism of vitamin C is closely related to the range of the health benefits attributed to its intake. However, less beneficial effects were derived when purified compounds were administered in comparison to the ingestion of horticultural products such as Brassicas, which entail a closely relation between this food matrix and the bioavailability of its content in vitamin C. This fact should be here also discussed. These vegetables of immature flowers or leaves are used as food stuffs all over the world and represent a considerable part of both western and non-Western diets, being inexpensive crops widely spread and reachable to all social levels, constituting an important source of dietary vitamin C, which may work synergistically with the wealth of bioactive compounds present in these foods.

Natural bioactive compounds of Citrus limon for food and health.

Citrus genus is the most important fruit tree crop in the world and lemon is the third most important Citrus species. Several studies highlighted lemon as an important health-promoting fruit rich in phenolic compounds as well as vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, essential oils and carotenoids. Lemon fruit has a strong commercial value for the fresh products market and food industry. Moreover, lemon productive networks generate high amounts of wastes and by-products that constitute an important source of bioactive compounds with potential for animal feed, manufactured foods, and health care. This review focuses on the phytochemistry and the analytical aspects of lemon compounds as well as on the importance for food industry and the relevance of Citrus limon for nutrition and health, bringing an overview of what is published on the bioactive compounds of this fruit.

Cytogenetic findings in an epithelioid sarcoma with angiomatoid features. A case report.

Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare, aggressive soft tissue tumor of unknown histogenesis showing predominantly epithelioid cytomorphology. We conducted a conventional and molecular cytogenetic study of a 27-year-old male with epithelioid sarcoma with angiomatoid features. Cytogenetic analysis of epithelioid sarcoma metaphase spreads by GTG-banding revealed a diploid chromosome complement with structural and numerical aberrations. Comparative genomic hybridization analysis demonstrated the amplification of 3p24-pter, 4p15.2-p16 and 18q23, while chromosome losses involved 3p13-p14, 3q24-q26.1, 9q21, and 11q21. Fluorescence in situ hybridization assessment showed normal hybridization patterns for the C-MYC and CCND1 loci; CCND1 RNA overexpression was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Genetic evaluation of this rare condition may be useful in determining if epithelioid sarcoma is associated with a distinct genetic background.

Antiobesity properties of two African plants (Afromomum meleguetta and Spilanthes acmella) by pancreatic lipase inhibition.

Ethanol extracts of seeds of Afromomum meleguetta and flower buds of Splilanthes acmella presented pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities in a concentration related manner under in vitro conditions. The two plants were extracted with 70% ethanol by sonication, fractionated on silica gel and tested at concentrations in the range 0.75-2.0 mg/mL. Lipase inhibitory activities of 90% and 40% were observed in A. meleguetta and S. acmella, respectively. The two plants have potentials as candidates for weight reduction and obesity control.

Chemical and biological characterisation of nutraceutical compounds of broccoli.

People's diet offers a greater and more diverse group of plant bioactives than do drugs, and they often do not realise that many drugs are derived from the compounds originally discovered in plant foods. Numerous epidemiological studies indicate that Brassica vegetables in general, and broccoli in particular, protect humans against cancer since they are rich sources of glucosinolates as well as possessing a high content of flavonoids, vitamins and mineral nutrients. One unusual phytotherapeutic role of broccoli is for skin diseases--the juice of the leaves is used to treat warts. However, the main use of broccoli stems from its health-promoting properties. Some criteria have been proposed to evaluate the possibilities of developing new "functional foods" to reduce the risk of specific cancers; largely in broccoli, which is associated with cancer protection. Processing conditions, transport, domestic cooking, etc., affect the health-promoting properties of broccoli and these have been widely studied. This review makes an in-depth study of the chemical and biological characterization of the phytochemicals of broccoli and the effects on the bioactive composition of broccoli.

An impedance study on admiralty brass dezincification originated by microbiologically influenced corrosion.

In this article we describe a field study of biofouling and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of admiralty brass heat exchanger tubes in contact with running fresh water on the river Tagus close to Almaraz nuclear power plant in Spain. Dezincification originated by biofouling and MIC was studied using impedance, polarization resistance, gravimetric, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Close correlation was observed between the biofilms formed and the corrosion process (dezincification) using the different experimental techniques. Impedance data showed a capacitive behavior including two time constants. Kramers-Kronig (KK) transforms were used to validate impedance data. The admiralty tubes' impedance data satisfied the KK relations.

Initial stages of microbiologically influenced tarnishing on titanium after 20 months of immersion in freshwater.

This paper studies the initial stages of iridescent tarnishes on titanium heat exchanger tubes in contact with running freshwater on the river Tagus in Spain for up to 20 months. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy [(SEM with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX)] and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in conjunction with argon-ion sputtering were the techniques used. The EIS data indicated a capacitive behavior, showing a semicircle that was better defined as the experimental time increased, indicating a decreasing tarnishing resistance of titanium. XPS and EDX results indicated that the main elements identified were calcium, phosphorus, nitrogen, and iron. The amount of these elements was higher on the tarnished titanium specimens than on the untarnished specimens. SEM analysis showed the presence of diatoms in the iridescent tarnishes on titanium tubes.

Root zone temperature affects the phytoextraction of Ba, Cl, Sn, Pt, and Rb using potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L. var. Spunta) in the field.

Three consecutive years of field experiments were conducted to investigate how different root-zone temperatures, manipulated by using different mulches, affect the phytoextraction of Ba, Cl, Sn, Pt and Rb in different organs of potato plants (roots, tubers, stems and leaves). Four different plastic covers were used (T1: transparent polyethylene; T2: white polyethylene; T3: white and black coextruded polyethylene, and T4: black polyethylene), using uncovered plants as control (T0). The different treatments had a significant effect on mean root zone temperatures (T0 = 16 degrees C, T1 = 20 degrees C, T2 = 23 degrees C, T3 = 27 degrees C and T4 = 30 degrees C) and induced a significantly different response in Ba, Cl, Sn, Pt and Rb concentration and accumulation. The T3 treatment gave rise to the greatest phytoextraction of Ba, Pt, Cl and Sn in the roots, leaflets and tubers. In terms of the relative distribution of the phytoaccumulated elements (as percentage of the total within the plant), Pt and Ba accumulated mainly in the roots whereas Rb, Sn and Cl accumulated primarily in tubers, establishing a close relationship between the biomass development of each organ and phytoaccumulation capacity of metals in response to temperature in the root zone.

Phytoextraction of Cd and Pb and physiological effects in potato plants (Solanum tuberosum var. Spunta): importance of root temperature.

Three consecutive years of field experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of different root-zone temperatures, induced by the application of mulches, on the concentration and accumulation of Cd and Pb and on bioindicators (chlorophylls, catalase, peroxidase and cell wall fractions) in different organs of potato plants (roots, tubers, stems, and leaflets). Four different plastic covers were employed (T1, transparent polyethylene; T2, white polyethylene; T3, white and black coextruded polyethylene, and T4, black polyethylene), using uncovered plants as the control (T0). The different treatments had a significant effect on the mean root-zone temperatures (T0 = 16 degrees C, T1 = 20 degrees C, T2 = 23 degrees C, T3 = 27 degrees C, and T4 = 30 degrees C) and induced significantly different responses in the Cd and Pb concentrations and phytoaccumulation, with T2 (23 degrees C) and T3 (27 degrees C) giving high concentrations of Cd in the roots and low concentrations in other organs. In relation to Pb, T2 and T3 reached higher levels in the tubers and lower levels in the roots, stems, and leaves. In terms of phytoaccumulation, the roots and tubers were the most effective organs for Cd and Pb. On the other hand, the highest values of peroxidase and catalase activities were obtained for T3. In addition, most of the carbohydrate fractions in both the roots and the tubers were highest for T3. Meanwhile, the lowest pigment values were registered for T1 (20 degrees C). For phytoremediation, it is necessary to ascertain the relevance and control of the thermal regime of the soil to optimize the phytoextraction of pollutant elements (Cd and Pb).

The response of shoot accumulation of trace elements in Chinese cabbage to microclimate modification.

In three consecutive years of field experiments (1994-96), three different environmental conditions for the growth of Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis (Lour) Rupr. cv. Nagaoka 50) were established by using two cover treatments (T1 and T2) and a control uncovered cultivation (T0). The T1 [50 microm polyethylene cover; 20 degrees C air temperature; 61.9% relative moisture; 207 Wm(-2) irradiance] and T2 [a 17 gm(-2) non-woven fleece; 18 degrees C; 63.4%; 205 Wm(-2) gave rise to differences in environmental conditions with respect to T0 [14 degrees C; 57.5%; 237 Wm(-2)]. We analysed chloride (Cl), barium (Ba). rubidium (Rb) and tin (Sn) in the whole tops of experimental plants. Chloride removal was high for Brassica pekinensis but considerably lower for Rb, giving intermediate values for Ba and Sn. The influence of environmental factors under T1 increased trace-element removal and enhanced the usefulness for phytoremedation.