Spirituality, Religiosity and Coping Strategies Among Spanish People Diagnosed with Cancer.

The present study evaluates the influence of spirituality/religiosity (S/R) on the coping strategies used by people with cancer (breast and prostate) compared with those without cancer, in a sample of 445 Spanish participants (160 with cancer and 285 without). Significant interactions between the presence of cancer and S/R are observed in the use of coping strategies such as religion, humor and disconnection. Spirituality as a predictor variable through the use of religion as a strategy, increased the explanatory capacity of age by 58.9% (ß = .794) while praying/talking to God predicts the use of this strategy with a ß = .383. In people with cancer, active coping was predicted by spirituality (ß = .327). However, spirituality was a negative predictor of maladaptive coping, with a beta coefficient equal to .383. The data suggest that patients' beliefs need to be considered by health care professionals when designing interventions.

The effect of exposure to nanoparticles and nanomaterials on the mammalian epigenome.

Human exposure to nanomaterials and nanoparticles is increasing rapidly, but their effects on human health are still largely unknown. Epigenetic modifications are attracting ever more interest as possible underlying molecular mechanisms of gene-environment interactions, highlighting them as potential molecular targets following exposure to nanomaterials and nanoparticles. Interestingly, recent research has identified changes in DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, and noncoding RNAs in mammalian cells exposed to nanomaterials and nanoparticles. However, the challenge for the future will be to determine the molecular pathways driving these epigenetic alterations, the possible functional consequences, and the potential effects on health.

Simultaneous determination of gemcitabine di- and triphosphate in human blood mononuclear and cancer cells by RP-HPLC and UV detection.

A reverse-phase HPLC method based on ion-pair formation with UV detection was set up for the simultaneous determination of gemcitabine diphosphate (dFdCDP) and triphosphate (dFdCTP) in human cells. The separation was achieved on a Tracer Excel ODSA column (100 mm x 4.6mm i.d., 3 microm particle size) at room temperature. Nine nucleotides were separated by isocratic elution in 26 min. Accuracy, linearity, sensitivity and precision studies for dFdCDP, dFdCTP, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and triphosphate (ATP) validated this method. This assay was used to provide data from gemcitabine treated patients and in vitro grown human cancer cells.

Determination of thiamine and its phosphorylated forms in human plasma, erythrocytes and urine by HPLC and fluorescence detection: a preliminary study on cancer patients.

In man, neurotoxicity associated to ifosfamide treatment can be reversed by intravenous thiamine administration. Trying to explain this clinical finding, we decided to study possible changes in thiamine availability and activation in patients exposed to ifosfamide. Free thiamine and its phosphate esters levels were measured in plasma, erythrocytes and urine by an ion-pair HPLC method with pre-column derivatization, which allowed separation of the fluorescent compounds in less than 10 min. The method was validated by linearity, sensitivity and reproducibility studies, whose values met the demands for bioanalytical assays. This method was applied to assess thiamine status in cancer patients exposed to ifosfamide therapy for advanced disease.

One step more towards taxane production through enhanced Taxus propagation.

We have developed a high-yielding procedure for the in vitro propagation of juvenile material of Taxus baccata involving a combination of seed handling and culture on WP culture medium supplemented with sucrose (2%), activated charcoal (0.5%) and BAP (22.19 mM) for 30 days, followed by 40 days on hormone-free medium. Shoot apical ends should be decapitated to obtain propagation rates up to 12- to 18-fold per subculture period (70 days). In this way the high genetic variability of the juvenile material can be used in the most productive way. In addition to producing large numbers of yew plants (difficult to get by traditional methods), this procedure allows the fast screening of individuals for their taxane content. A negative correlation between growth and secondary metabolite content was found for paclitaxel. The positive correlation with 10-deacetyl baccatin III accumulation reflects once more the commercial viability of using 10-deacetyl baccatin III extraction as an alternative to taxane production, but this time opening up the possibility of selecting genotypes with both characteristics: fast growth and high productivity.

Alkaloid Production in Relation to Differentiation in Cell and Tissue Cultures of Tabernaemontana pandacaqui.

Alkaloid production in TABERNAEMONTANA PANDACAQUI cultures is dependent on the degree of differentiation. At high levels of production the major alkaloid found was 3 S-hydroxyvoacangine. This alkaloid has not previously been isolated from any plant. Micropropagation of T. PANDACAQUI was quick and highly efficient.