Inpatient and outpatient treatment by specialist infant nutrition centres in Argentina effectively reduced child malnourishment.

AIM: We evaluated the impact of inpatient and outpatient treatment provided by an infant nutrition foundation in Las Heras, Mendoza, Argentina and identified the factors that influenced nutritional recovery. METHODS: This 2010-2018 retrospective study was based on 300 children up to 5 years of age with primary malnutrition, who were treated by an inpatient recovery centre, then an outpatient prevention centre. We analysed the children's height, weight, psychomotor development and living conditions when they were admitted, discharged and had received 1 year of outpatient treatment. There were full data on 241 children and just admission and discharge data for 59. RESULTS: The children's mean age on admission and weight were 14.8 ± 12.4 months and 6.9 ± 2.3 kg and they stayed in hospital for a mean of 59.5 ± 49.7 days. We observed a significant increase in the weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height z-scores when all three time points were compared (p < 0.001). Psychomotor development improved considerably in all patients after treatment. The factors that negatively influenced nutritional recovery were higher age at admission, suboptimal breastfeeding practices, low birth weight, longer hospital stays, younger maternal age and overcrowded housing. CONCLUSION: Combining inpatient recovery and outpatient preventive treatment was effective for undernourished children in Argentina.

Combination Treatment of Retinoic Acid Plus Focal Adhesion Kinase Inhibitor Prevents Tumor Growth and Breast Cancer Cell Metastasis.

All-trans retinoic acid (RA), the primary metabolite of vitamin A, controls the development and homeostasis of organisms and tissues. RA and its natural and synthetic derivatives, both known as retinoids, are promising agents in treating and chemopreventing different neoplasias, including breast cancer (BC). Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a crucial regulator of cell migration, and its overexpression is associated with tumor metastatic behavior. Thus, pharmaceutical FAK inhibitors (FAKi) have been developed to counter its action. In this work, we hypothesize that the RA plus FAKi (RA + FAKi) approach could improve the inhibition of tumor progression. By in silico analysis and its subsequent validation by qPCR, we confirmed RARA, SRC, and PTK2 (encoding RARα, Src, and FAK, respectively) overexpression in all breast cells tested. We also showed a different pattern of genes up/down-regulated between RA-resistant and RA-sensitive BC cells. In addition, we demonstrated that both RA-resistant BC cells (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468) display the same behavior after RA treatment, modulating the expression of genes involved in Src-FAK signaling. Furthermore, we demonstrated that although RA and FAKi administered separately decrease viability, adhesion, and migration in mammary adenocarcinoma LM3 cells, their combination exerts a higher effect. Additionally, we show that both drugs individually, as well as in combination, induce the expression of apoptosis markers such as active-caspase-3 and cleaved-PARP1. We also provided evidence that RA effects are extrapolated to other cancer cells, including T-47D BC and the human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. In an orthotopic assay of LM3 tumor growth, whereas RA and FAKi administered separately reduced tumor growth, the combined treatment induced a more potent inhibition increasing mice survival. Moreover, in an experimental metastatic assay, RA significantly reduced metastatic lung dissemination of LM3 cells. Overall, these results indicate that RA resistance could reflect deregulation of most RA-target genes, including genes encoding components of the Src-FAK pathway. Our study demonstrates that RA plays an essential role in disrupting BC tumor growth and metastatic dissemination in vitro and in vivo by controlling FAK expression and localization. RA plus FAKi exacerbate these effects, thus suggesting that the sensitivity to RA therapies could be increased with FAKi coadministration in BC tumors.

Changes in prolactin receptor location in prostate tumors. / Cambios en la localización del receptor prolactina en tumores prostáticos.

INTRODUCTION: Prolactin (PRL) binds its receptor (PRLR) and stimulates cell proliferation, differentiation and survival in prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines via STAT5a, MAPK and AKT. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of PRL and PRLR in normal and tumor prostate tissues with different Gleason patterns. METHODS: Samples of normal, benign prostatic hyperplasia and PCa with different Gleason patterns were selected from radical prostatectomy. The intensity, location and percentage of stained cells for PRL and PRLR were evaluated by Immunohistochemistry. Co-localization was observed by confocal microscopy. RESULTS: PRL was expressed diffusely and with a mild intensity in the cytoplasm of normal and tumor prostate luminal cells. Its expression only augmented in the Gleason 3 pattern (p< 0.0001). The immunostaining intensity and the percentage of positive cells for PRLR did not vary between normal and tumor tissues. However, the location of the PRLR was modified by the tumorigenic process.In non-tumor tissues, PRLR expression was mostly in plasma membrane in the apical zone of epithelial cells. In tumor tissues, it was expressed in intracellular vesicles.The co-localization of PRL and PRLR was demonstrated in normal and tumor tissues suggesting that PRL could be acting in an autocrine and paracrine manner. CONCLUSION: PRL and its receptor were present in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells of the normal and tumor prostate gland. In tumor tissues, the change in the location and appearance of cryptic PRLRs that store PRL may keep active the different signaling pathways related to cell proliferation and survival.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La prolactina (PRL) se une a su receptor (PRLR) y estimula la proliferación celular, la diferenciación y la supervivencia de la líneas celulares de cáncer de próstata vía STAT5a, MAPK y AKT.OBJETIVO: Evaluar la expresión de la PRL y PRLR en tejido normal y tejido de cáncer de próstata con varios patrones de Gleason.MÉTODOS: Se seleccionaron muestras de tejido benigno, hiperplasia y cáncer de próstata con diferentes patrones de Gleason de prostatectomías radicales. La intensidad, localización y porcentaje de células teñidas por PRL y PRLR fueron evaluadas por immunohistoquimica. La co-localización se observó con microscopio confocal.RESULTADOS: PRL se presentó de forma difusa y con intensidad media en el citoplasma de células luminales normales y de tumor prostático. La expresión solamente aumentó en patrón Gleason 3 (p<0,0001). La intensidad de la tinción immunohistoquímica y el porcentaje de células positivas para PRLR no varió entre células normales y tejidos tumorales. Pero, la localización del PRLR fue modificada por el proceso generador del tumor. En tejidos no-tumorales, la expresión de PRLR fue sobre todo en la membrana plasmática en la zona apical de las células epiteliales. En tejidos tumorales, se presentó en las vesículas intracelulares. La co-localizacion de la PRL y PRLR se demostró en tejido normal y tumoral sugeriendo que la PRL funciona con un efecto autocrino y paracrino.CONCLUSIÓN: La PRL y su receptor estuvieron presentes en el citoplasma de células epiteliales de tejido normal y glándula prostática tumoral. En tejidos tumorales, el cambio de localización y la apariencia cripticas del PRLR que guarda la PRL debe mantener activos los diferentes caminos de señalización relacionados con la proliferación celular y la supervivencia.

Desmoglein-4 Deficiency Exacerbates Psoriasiform Dermatitis in Rats While Psoriasis Patients Displayed a Decreased Gene Expression of DSG4.

Desmogleins are involved in cell adhesion conferring structural skin integrity. However, their role in inflammation has been barely studied, and whether desmoglein-4 modulates psoriasis lesions is completely unknown. In this study, we assessed the impact of desmoglein-4 deficiency on the severity of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced skin inflammation and psoriasiform lesions. To this end, desmoglein-4-/- Oncins France Colony A (OFA) with Sprague-Dawley (SD) genetic background were used. Additionally, human RNA-Seq datasets from psoriasis (PSO), atopic dermatitis (AD), and a healthy cohort were analyzed to obtain a desmosome gene expression overview. OFA rats displayed an intense skin inflammation while SD showed only mild inflammatory changes after IMQ treatment. We found that IMQ treatment increased CD3+ T cells in skin from both OFA and SD, being higher in desmoglein-4-deficient rats. In-depth transcriptomic analysis determined that PSO displayed twofold less DSG4 expression than healthy samples while both, PSO and AD showed more than three-fold change expression of DSG3 and DSC2 genes. Although underlying mechanisms are still unknown, these results suggest that the lack of desmoglein-4 may contribute to immune-mediated skin disease progression, promoting leukocyte recruitment to skin. Although further research is needed, targeting desmoglein-4 could have a potential impact on designing new biomarkers for skin diseases.

Changes in prolactin receptor location in prostate tumors / Cambios en la ubicación del receptor de prolactina en tumores de próstata

Introduction: Prolactin (PRL) binds its receptor (PRLR) and stimulates cell proliferation, differentiation and survival in prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines via STAT5a, MAPK and AKT. Objetive: To evaluate the expression of PRL and PRLR in normal and tumor prostate tissues with different Gleason patterns. Methos: Samples of normal, benign prostatic hyperplasia and PCa with different Gleason patterns were selected from radical prostatectomy. The intensity, location and percentage of stained cells for PRL and PRLR were evaluated by Immunohistochemistry. Co-localization was observed by confocal microscopy. Results: PRL was expressed diffusely and with a mild intensity in the cytoplasm of normal and tumor prostate luminal cells. Its expression only augmented in the Gleason 3 pattern (p 0.0001). The immunostaining intensity and the percentage of positive cells for PRLR did not vary between normal and tumor tissues. However, the location of the PRLR was modified by the tumorigenic process. In non-tumor tissues, PRLR expression was mostly in plasma membrane in the apical zone of epithelial cells. In tumor tissues, it was expressed in intracellular vesicles. The co-localization of PRL and PRLR was demonstrated in normal and tumor tissues suggesting that PRL could be acting in an autocrine and paracrine manner. Conclusion: PRL and its receptor were present in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells of the normal and tumor prostate gland. In tumor tissues, the change in the location and appearance of cryptic PRLRs that store PRL may keep active the different signaling pathways related to cell proliferation and survival.(AU)

Introducción: La prolactina (PRL) se une a su receptor (PRLR) y estimula la proliferación celular, la diferenciación y la supervivencia de la líneas celulares de cáncer de próstata vía STAT5a, MAPK y AKT. Objetivo: Evaluar la expresión de la PRL y PRLR en tejido normal y tejido de cáncer de próstata con varios patrones de Gleason.MÉTODOS: Se seleccionaron muestras de tejido benigno, hiperplasia y cáncer de próstata con diferentes patrones de Gleason de prostatectomías radicales. La intensidad, localización y porcentaje de células teñidas por PRL y PRLR fueron evaluadas por immunohistoquimica. La co-localización se observó con microscopioconfocal. Resultados: PRL se presentó de forma difusa y con intensidad media en el citoplasma de células luminales normales y de tumor prostático. La expresión solamente aumentó en patrón Gleason 3 (p<0,0001). La intensidad de la tinción immunohistoquímica y el porcentajede células positivas para PRLR no varió entre células normales y tejidos tumorales. Pero, la localización del PRLR fue modificada por el proceso generador del tumor. En tejidos no-tumorales, la expresión de PRLR fue sobre todo en la membrana plasmática en la zona apical de las células epiteliales. En tejidos tumorales, se presentó en las vesículas intracelulares. La co-localizacion de la PRL y PRLR se demostró en tejido normal y tumoral sugeriendo que la PRL funciona con un efecto autocrino y paracrino. Conclusión: La PRL y su receptor estuvieron presentes en el citoplasma de células epiteliales de tejido normal y glándula prostática tumoral. En tejidos tumorales, el cambio de localización y la apariencia cripticas del PRLR que guarda la PRL debe mantener activos los diferentes caminos de señalización relacionados con laproliferación celular y la supervivencia.(AU)

SPINK7 expression changes accompanied by HER2, P53 and RB1 can be relevant in predicting oral squamous cell carcinoma at a molecular level.

The oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which has a high morbidity rate, affects patients worldwide. Changes in SPINK7 in precancerous lesions could promote oncogenesis. Our aim was to evaluate SPINK7 as a potential molecular biomarker which predicts OSCC stages, compared to: HER2, TP53, RB1, NFKB and CYP4B1. This study used oral biopsies from three patient groups: dysplasia (n = 33), less invasive (n = 28) and highly invasive OSCC (n = 18). The control group consisted of clinically suspicious cases later to be confirmed as normal mucosa (n = 20). Gene levels of SPINK7, P53, RB, NFKB and CYP4B1 were quantified by qPCR. SPINK7 levels were correlated with a cohort of 330 patients from the TCGA. Also, SPINK7, HER2, TP53, and RB1, were evaluated by immunohistofluorescence. One-way Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's post-hoc with a p < 0.05 significance was used to analyze data. In OSCC, the SPINK7 expression had down regulated while P53, RB, NFKB and CYP4B1 had up regulated (p < 0.001). SPINK7 had also diminished in TCGA patients (p = 2.10e-6). In less invasive OSCC, SPINK7 and HER2 proteins had decreased while TP53 and RB1 had increased with respect to the other groups (p < 0.05). The changes of SPINK7 accompanied by HER2, P53 and RB1 can be used to classify the molecular stage of OSCC lesions allowing a diagnosis at molecular and histopathological levels.

HSF1: Primary Factor in Molecular Chaperone Expression and a Major Contributor to Cancer Morbidity.

Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) is the primary component for initiation of the powerful heat shock response (HSR) in eukaryotes. The HSR is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism for responding to proteotoxic stress and involves the rapid expression of heat shock protein (HSP) molecular chaperones that promote cell viability by facilitating proteostasis. HSF1 activity is amplified in many tumor contexts in a manner that resembles a chronic state of stress, characterized by high levels of HSP gene expression as well as HSF1-mediated non-HSP gene regulation. HSF1 and its gene targets are essential for tumorigenesis across several experimental tumor models, and facilitate metastatic and resistant properties within cancer cells. Recent studies have suggested the significant potential of HSF1 as a therapeutic target and have motivated research efforts to understand the mechanisms of HSF1 regulation and develop methods for pharmacological intervention. We review what is currently known regarding the contribution of HSF1 activity to cancer pathology, its regulation and expression across human cancers, and strategies to target HSF1 for cancer therapy.