Synthesis, and evaluation of photophysical properties of a potential DPP-derived photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy with D-A-D architecture.

The study of a macromolecule derived from DPP and triphenylamine, (DPP-BisTPA) by computational chemistry, its synthesis by direct arylation, optical characterization (UV-Vis and fluorescence) and electrochemistry (cyclic voltammetry), as well as its evaluation as a generator of reactive oxygen species indirectly, through the degradation of uric acid. The results obtained by DFT using B3LYP/6-31G (d, p) and TD-DFT using CAM-B3LYP/6-31G (d, p) reveal values of energy levels of the first singlet and triplet excited state that indicate a possible intersystem crossover and the possible generation of reactive oxygen species by a type I mechanism. The compound presents an absorption region within the phototherapeutic window. The electrochemical bandgap is 1.64 eV which suggests a behavior as a semiconductor. DPP-BisTPa were processed as hemispherical nanoparticles with a size around 100 nm, and NPOs were evaluated as a photosensitizer with a ROS generation yield of 4% using a photodynamic therapy flashlight as the light source.

Binding profiles for 954 Drosophila and C. elegans transcription factors reveal tissue specific regulatory relationships.

A catalog of transcription factor (TF) binding sites in the genome is critical for deciphering regulatory relationships. Here we present the culmination of the modERN (model organism Encyclopedia of Regulatory Networks) consortium that systematically assayed TF binding events in vivo in two major model organisms, Drosophila melanogaster (fly) and Caenorhabditis elegans (worm). We describe key features of these datasets, comprising 604 TFs identifying 3.6M sites in the fly and 350 TFs identifying 0.9 M sites in the worm. Applying a machine learning model to these data identifies sets of TFs with a prominent role in promoting target gene expression in specific cell types. TF binding data are available through the ENCODE Data Coordinating Center and at https://epic.gs.washington.edu/modERNresource, which provides access to processed and summary data, as well as widgets to probe cell type-specific TF-target relationships. These data are a rich resource that should fuel investigations into TF function during development.

Suppression of metastatic organ colonization and antiangiogenic activity of the orally bioavailable lipid raft-targeted alkylphospholipid edelfosine.

Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer mortality. Metastatic cancer is notoriously difficult to treat, and it accounts for the majority of cancer-related deaths. The ether lipid edelfosine is the prototype of a family of synthetic antitumor compounds collectively known as alkylphospholipid analogs, and its antitumor activity involves lipid raft reorganization. In this study, we examined the effect of edelfosine on metastatic colonization and angiogenesis. Using non-invasive bioluminescence imaging and histological examination, we found that oral administration of edelfosine in nude mice significantly inhibited the lung and brain colonization of luciferase-expressing 435-Lung-eGFP-CMV/Luc metastatic cells, resulting in prolonged survival. In metastatic 435-Lung and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, we found that edelfosine also inhibited cell adhesion to collagen-I and laminin-I substrates, cell migration in chemotaxis and wound-healing assays, as well as cancer cell invasion. In 435-Lung and other MDA-MB-435-derived sublines with different organotropism, edelfosine induced G2/M cell cycle accumulation and apoptosis in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Edelfosine also inhibited in vitro angiogenesis in human and mouse endothelial cell tube formation assays. The antimetastatic properties were specific to cancer cells, as edelfosine had no effects on viability in non-cancerous cells. Edelfosine accumulated in membrane rafts and endoplasmic reticulum of cancer cells, and membrane raft-located CD44 was downregulated upon drug treatment. Taken together, this study highlights the potential of edelfosine as an attractive drug to prevent metastatic growth and organ colonization in cancer therapy. The raft-targeted drug edelfosine displays a potent activity against metastatic organ colonization and angiogenesis, two major hallmarks of tumor malignancy.

Anteromedial Petrous (Gardner's) Triangle: Surgical Anatomy and Relevance for Endoscopic Endonasal Approach to the Petrous Apex and Petroclival Region.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Triangular corridors have been used as reliable surgical entry points for open transcranial approaches to the petrous apex (PA) and petroclival region (PCR). The endoscopic endonasal approaches have grown rapidly in the last decade, and the indications have advanced. The knowledge of accurate and reliable anatomic landmarks through endoscopic endonasal route is essential and remain to be established. The purpose of this study was to describe the feasibility and surgical exposure of the anteromedial petrous (Gardner's) triangle as a novel corridor to the PA and PCR. METHODS: Five anatomic specimens were dissected. The PA and PCR were accessed through endoscopic endonasal approaches and contralateral transmaxillary approach. The limits of the anteromedial petrous (Gardner's) triangle were identified and dissected and associated measurements performed. RESULTS: The dissection was divided into 6 steps. The limits of the anteromedial petrous (Gardner's) triangle were identified and defined by the paraclival internal carotid artery anterolaterally, the abducens nerve posteromedially, and the petroclival synchondrosis inferiorly. Three lines were established following the limits of the triangle. The mean distance of the anterolateral limit was 10.03 mm (SD = 0.94), of the posteromedial limit was 20.06 mm (SD = 2.90), and of the inferior limit was 17.99 mm (SD = 2.99). The mean area was 87.56 mm 2 (SD = 20.06). The 3 anatomic landmarks with a critical role to safely define the triangle were the pterygosphenoidal fissure, the petrosal process of the sphenoid bone, and the petroclival synchondrosis. CONCLUSION: The anteromedial (Gardner's) triangle is a well-defined bone corridor which provides access to the entire petrous bone and petroclival junction through endoscopic endonasal route. Regardless of the anatomic variations or tumor location, the landmarks of the abducens nerve, paraclival internal carotid artery, and petroclival synchondrosis are key for understanding lateral access to tumors extending from the clivus.

Mitofusin-2 induced by exercise modifies lipid droplet-mitochondria communication, promoting fatty acid oxidation in male mice with NAFLD.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The excessive accumulation of lipid droplets (LDs) is a defining characteristic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The interaction between LDs and mitochondria is functionally important for lipid metabolism homeostasis. Exercise improves NAFLD, but it is not known if it has an effect on hepatic LD-mitochondria interactions. Here, we investigated the influence of exercise on LD-mitochondria interactions and its significance in the context of NAFLD. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Mice were fed high-fat diet (HFD) or HFD-0.1 % methionine and choline-deficient diet (MCD) to emulate simple hepatic steatosis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, respectively. In both models, aerobic exercise decreased the size of LDs bound to mitochondria and the number of LD-mitochondria contacts. Analysis showed that the effects of exercise on HOMA-IR and liver triglyceride levels were independent of changes in body weight, and a positive correlation was observed between the number of LD-mitochondria contacts and NAFLD severity and with the lipid droplet size bound to mitochondria. Cellular fractionation studies revealed that ATP-coupled respiration and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) were greater in hepatic peridroplet mitochondria (PDM) from HFD-fed exercised mice than from equivalent sedentary mice. Finally, exercise increased FAO and mitofusin-2 abundance exclusively in PDM through a mechanism involving the curvature of mitochondrial membranes and the abundance of saturated lipids. Accordingly, hepatic mitofusin-2 ablation prevented exercise-induced FAO in PDM. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that aerobic exercise has beneficial effects in murine NAFLD models by lessening the interactions between hepatic LDs and mitochondria, and by decreasing LD size, correlating with a reduced severity of NAFLD. Additionally, aerobic exercise increases FAO in PDM and this process is reliant on Mfn-2 enrichment, which modifies LD-mitochondria communication.

Chlamydia Trachomatis Masquerading as Scrotal Masses in Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To present a case series of 3 post-pubertal adolescent males with Chlamydia trachomatis presenting as scrotal masses. Scrotal masses are worrisome for malignancy, especially when imaging confirms intratesticular lesions. However, there are benign conditions which may mimic testicular cancer. Some of these conditions may not be readily considered in the pediatric population. This phenomenon is rare in the pediatric population, and this represents only the second report in the literature of this finding. METHODS: Three cases of adolescent males who presented with a scrotal mass were reviewed. Traditional work up was performed, and results are reviewed. RESULTS: Median age for these patients was 16 years (range 16-17). All patients underwent scrotal ultrasound confirming intratesticular lesions. Two of the 3 patients denied sexual activity within the past year. Two patients underwent orchiectomy after counseling and shared decision making, with both specimens demonstrating no malignancy. All 3 patients were eventually diagnosed with Chlamydia trachomatis and treated with appropriate antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: Adolescent males who are sexually active can present with Chlamydia trachomatis infection masquerading as a scrotal mass. It is important to consider infectious etiologies in this patient group as it has been documented that many adolescents are hesitant to admit to sexual activity. Thus, routine sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening warrants consideration, and testicular preservation should be sought when it is a viable management option.

Diferencias en la atención sostenida en jóvenes universitarios con distintos niveles de uso de smartphone / Differences in sustained attention in young university students with different levels of smartphone use

Resumen El uso constante de los dispositivos móviles está generando nuevos fenómenos de comportamiento. En años recientes, se ha puesto énfasis en los cambios cognitivos que se podrían generar en los jóvenes que hacen uso excesivo de estos dispositivos. El objetivo del trabajo fue conocer las diferencias en la atención sostenida en jóvenes universitarios asociadas a distintos niveles de uso del teléfono inteligente. Se obtuvo una muestra de 94 adultos, 34 hombres y 60 mujeres de 18 a 23 años (M = 19.34, DE = 1.09) alumnos de la escuela superior de Actopan, Hidalgo-México. Se aplicó la Escala de Dependencia y Adicción al Smartphone EDAS (Aranda-López et al., 2017) y una prueba computarizada de ejecución continua (CPT) Test of Atenttional Vigilance (TOAV; Mueller y Pipper, 2014). Se realizó un ANOVA de una vía, en el que la variable independiente fue el nivel de uso del teléfono inteligente (sin dependencia, dependencia y adicción) y la variable dependiente fueron las puntuaciones obtenidas en el TOAV. Se observó que existen diferencias significativas a nivel estadístico en lo relativo a errores de omisión de la segunda mitad de la prueba (p = .005); las diferencias fueron entre los grupos de sin dependencia-dependencia (p = .010) y sin dependencia-adicción (p = .024). Acorde a los hallazgos del presente estudio, existen diferencias en el proceso de atención sostenida entre usuarios con diferentes niveles de uso del teléfono inteligente; los estudiantes con niveles de dependencia y adicción enfrentan dificultades en la atención sostenida cuando la tarea se prolonga y aumenta la demanda cognitiva.

Abstract The constant use of mobile devices changed our lives dramatically during the past years and its usage increased over the years. Smartphone use is associated with isolation and interpersonal problems; its overuse can cause cognitive problems too (Matar Boumosleh & Jaalouk, 2017). Cognitive problems associated with smartphones in young people are reduction of sustained attention and working memory. Findings have been reported in which younger populations show deterioration in different components of care, highlighting the difficulty of walking and using the smartphone at the same time (Prupetkaew et al., 2019). It has been reported that the impulsivity associated with use of smartphone in silent mode interferes in memory tests unlike when it is in off mode in young populations (Canale et al., 2019). It is necessary to evaluate the effects of using a smartphone on young people because it is a population that uses it constantly to develop in work, academic, sports, and even socializing activities. The aim of this paper was to find out the differences in sustained attention in young university students with different levels of smartphone use. A sample of 94 adults, 34 men and 60 women between the ages of 18 and 23 (M = 19.34, SD = 1.09), who were students of the higher school of Actopan, Hidalgo-Mexico. The EDAS -Smartphone Dependency and Addiction Scale- was applied (Aranda-López et al., 2017). For the evaluation of attention, a Computerized Continuous Running Test (CPT), Test of Attentional Vigilance (TOAV) was applied using the Psychology Experimental Building Language PEBL-2 platform (Mueller & Pipper, 2014). The inclusion criteria were that the participants were between 18-23 years old, right-handed, with normal and/or corrected vision. They were excluded from the investigation if they had a history of psychiatric and/or neurological diseases, learning difficulties, chronic alcohol and/or drug use. A one-way ANOVA was performed, where the independent variable was the level of smartphone use (no dependence, dependence and addiction) and the dependent variable was the scores obtained in the TOAV. It was observed that there are statistically significant differences in the errors of omission of the second half of the test (p = .05), the differences were found between the groups of no dependence-dependence (p =.10) and without dependence-addiction (p = .24). The results showed that there are differences in the execution of a neuropsychological task, regarding the omission errors of the second part of the test. These differences could suggest that the level of sustained attention is diminished in the participants of the dependency and addiction group at the end of the task. On the other hand, it is also concluded that students with levels of dependence and smartphone addiction face attention difficulties when the task is longer and cognitive demand increases. This type of data must be analyzed taking into consideration variables such as sex, socioeconomic level, age, profile of use, quality of sleep, level of physical activity, among others.

Risk Factors and Reconstruction Techniques for Persistent Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Endonasal Approach to the Posterior Fossa.

Background High-flow skull base dural defects are associated with an increased risk of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. Objective This study aimed to identify the risk factors for persistent postoperative CSF leak after endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) and determine the ideal reconstruction strategy after initial failed repair. Methods Patients with CSF leak after intradural EES between October 2000 and February 2017 were identified. Cases with persistent CSF leak were compared with patients with similar pathologic diagnosis without a persistent leak to identify additional risk factors. Results Two hundred and twenty-three out of 3,232 patients developed postoperative CSF leak. Persistent leaks requiring more than one postoperative repair occurred in 7/223 patients (3.1%). All seven had undergone intradural approach to the posterior fossa for resection of recurrent/residual clival chordomas. This group was matched with 25 patients with recurrent/residual clival chordoma who underwent EES without postoperative CSF leak (control group). Age, gender, history of diabetes, smoking, or radiotherapy were not statistically different between the groups. Obesity (body mass index > 30) was significantly more common in the group with persistent leak (86%) compared with controls (36%) ( p = 0.02). All patients with a persistent CSF leak developed meningitis ( p = 0.001). Five patients with persistent leak required a pericranial flap to achieve definitive repair. Conclusion Multiple recurrent CSF leak after EES primarily occurs following resection of recurrent/residual posterior fossa chordoma. Obesity is a major risk factor and meningitis is universal with persistent leak. Flap necrosis may play a role in the development of persistent CSF leaks, and the use of secondary vascularized flaps, specifically extracranial-pericranial flaps, should be considered as an early rescue option in obese patients.

Keyhole Endoscopic-Assisted Transcervical Approach to the Upper and Middle Retrostyloid Parapharyngeal Space: An Anatomic Feasibility Study.

Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical nuances, feasibility, limitations, and surgical exposure of the parapharyngeal space (PPS) through a novel minimally invasive keyhole endoscopic-assisted transcervical approach (MIKET). Design Descriptive cadaveric study. Setting Microscopic and endoscopic high-quality images were taken comparing the MIKET approach with a conventional combined transmastoid infralabyrinthine transcervical approach. Participants Five colored latex-injected specimens (10 sides). Main Outcome Measures Qualitative anatomical descriptions in four surgical stages; quantitative and semiquantitative evaluation of relevant landmarks. Results A 5 cm long inverted hockey stick incision was designed to access a corridor posterior to the parotid gland after independent mobilization of nuchal and cervical muscles to expose the retrostyloid PPS. The digastric branch of the facial nerve, which runs 16.5 mm over the anteromedial part of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle before piercing the parotid fascia, was used as a landmark to identify the main trunk of the facial nerve. MIKET corridor was superior to the crossing of the accessory nerve over the internal jugular vein within 17.3 mm from the jugular process. Further exposure of the occipital condyle, vertebral artery, and the jugular bulb was achieved. Conclusion The novel MIKET approach provides in the cadaver straightforward access to the upper and middle retrostyloid PPS through a natural corridor without injuring important neurovascular structures. Our work sets the anatomical nuances and limitations that should guide future clinical studies to prove its efficacy and safety either as a stand-alone procedure or as an adjunct to other approaches, such as the endonasal endoscopic approach.

Limonoids from Guarea guidonia and Cedrela odorata: Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) Modulator Properties of Chisomicine D.

Nine new limonoids (1-9) were isolated from the stem bark of Guarea guidonia (1-4) and Cedrela odorata (5-9). Their structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR and MS data and chemical methods as three A2,B,D-seco-type limonoids (1-3), a mexicanolide (4), three nomilin-type (5-7) limonoids, and two limonol derivatives (8 and 9). A DFT/NMR procedure was used to define the relative configurations of 1 and 3. A surface plasmon resonance approach was used to screen the Hsp90 binding capability of the limonoids, and the A2,B,D-seco-type limonoid 8-hydro-(8S*,9S*)-dihydroxy-14,15-en-chisomicine A, named chisomicine D (1), demonstrated the highest affinity. By means of mass spectrometry data, biochemical and cellular assays, and molecular docking, 1 was found as a type of client-selective Hsp90 inhibitor binding to the C-terminus domain of the chaperone.

Pure Bladder Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor Successfully Treated With Partial Cystectomy, Radiation, and Chemotherapy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Extracranial pure malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRT) are aggressive tumors that carry a poor prognosis. Bladder MRTs are very rare and only 8 cases have been reported previously. OBSERVATION: We present a case of a child with bladder MRT. Despite the aggressive nature of the bladder tumor, it was successfully treated with bladder-sparing surgery, adjuvant radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our case, and review of 8 previously reported cases, suggests that bladder MRT seems to behave less aggressively when compared with other extracranial MRTs, and bladder preserving surgery should be considered when feasible.

Deficient Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondrial Phosphatidylserine Transfer Causes Liver Disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver is the most common liver disease worldwide. Here, we show that the mitochondrial protein mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) protects against liver disease. Reduced Mfn2 expression was detected in liver biopsies from patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Moreover, reduced Mfn2 levels were detected in mouse models of steatosis or NASH, and its re-expression in a NASH mouse model ameliorated the disease. Liver-specific ablation of Mfn2 in mice provoked inflammation, triglyceride accumulation, fibrosis, and liver cancer. We demonstrate that Mfn2 binds phosphatidylserine (PS) and can specifically extract PS into membrane domains, favoring PS transfer to mitochondria and mitochondrial phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) synthesis. Consequently, hepatic Mfn2 deficiency reduces PS transfer and phospholipid synthesis, leading to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the development of a NASH-like phenotype and liver cancer. Ablation of Mfn2 in liver reveals that disruption of ER-mitochondrial PS transfer is a new mechanism involved in the development of liver disease.

Síndrome de reacción por drogas con eosinofilia y síntomas sistémicos. Presentación de un caso / Drug Reaction Syndrome with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. Case Presentation

Resumen El síndrome de sensibilidad a drogas con eosinofilia y síntomas sistémicos es una reacción de hipersensibilidad que se desencadena por múltiples drogas, tales como antibióticos, antiinflamatorios, anticonvulsivantes que ocurre en el 2,2 % de los pacientes hospitalizados. Su importancia radica en la alta mortalidad, que puede alcanzar hasta un 30 %. Se presenta el caso de un niño de 5 años, con antecedentes de epilepsia diagnosticada, tratada con carbamazepina, que al corto tiempo de iniciar tratamiento anticonvulsivante evolucionó con fiebre de 11 días. Posteriormente aparecieron lesiones cutáneas eritematosas maculopapulares pruriginosas. Se ingresó con el diagnostico de síndrome febril prolongado. Los exámenes de laboratorio revelaron eosinofilia, elevación de pruebas hepáticas y de proteína C reactiva. Se planteó síndrome de sensibilidad a drogas inducido por carbamazepina, tras resultado de la biopsia de piel se suspende el anticomicial, remitiendo así el cuadro, con normalización de eosinófilos y función hepática. El paciente evolucionó sin fiebre y en buen estado general. Se presenta este caso por la baja prevalencia de este síndrome en el Hospital Pediátrico Universitario Paquito González Cueto de Cienfuegos.

Abstract Drug reaction syndrome with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms is a reaction of hypersensitivity which triggers due to multiple drugs such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsants which occur in 2,2 % of admitted patients. Its importance is related in the high mortality that can achieve 30 %. A case of a 5 year old boy with antecedents of diagnosed epilepsy, treated with carbamazepine, who short time after starting the treatment had fever for 11 days. Posteriorly cutaneous erythematous pruritic maculopapular skin lesions appeared. He was admitted with the diagnosis of prolonged febrile syndrome. Laboratory test showed eosinophilia, elevation of liver tests and C-reactive protein. A syndrome of drug sensitivity was considered induced by carbamazepine, after the result of skin biopsy anti-comicial is suspended thus improving the condition, with normalization of eosinophils and liver function. The patient progressed without fever and good general condition. The case is presented due to the low prevalence of this syndrome in the University Pediatric Hospital Paquito González Cueto. Cienfuegos.

New Tirucallane-Type Triterpenoids from Guarea guidonia.

The aerial parts of Guarea guidonia afforded three new tirucallane-type triterpenoids: 3,4-seco-tirucalla-4(28),8(9),24(25)-trien-7α,11α-dihydroxy-21,23-epoxy-3,11-olide, named guareolide (1: ), 3,4-seco-tirucalla-4(28),7(8),24(25)-trien-21-hydroxy-21,23-epoxy-3-oic acid, named guareoic acid A (2: ), and 3,4-seco-tirucalla-4(28),7(8),24(25)-trien-21,23-epoxy-3-oic acid, named guareoic acid B (3: ), of which 1: possessed an unusual seven-membered lactone ring. Seven known terpenes were also isolated and characterized as flindissone, 7-acetyldihydronomilin, picroquassin E, boscartol C, and cneorubins A, B, and X. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The isolates were investigated for their potential cytotoxic activity on Jurkat, HeLa, and MCF7 cancer cell lines. Flindissone and compound 2: showed an antiproliferative activity in all cell lines. Further studies revealed that flindissone, the most active compound, induced in Jurkat and HeLa cells both cytostatic and cytotoxic responses.

A role for endothelial nitric oxide synthase in intestinal stem cell proliferation and mesenchymal colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) has been highlighted as an important agent in cancer-related events. Although the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) isoform has received most attention, recent studies in the literature indicate that the endothelial isoenzyme (eNOS) can also modulate different tumor processes including resistance, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. However, the role of eNOS in cancer stem cell (CSC) biology and mesenchymal tumors is unknown. RESULTS: Here, we show that eNOS was significantly upregulated in VilCre ERT2 Apc fl/+ and VilCre ERT2 Apc fl/fl mouse intestinal tissue, with intense immunostaining in hyperproliferative crypts. Similarly, the more invasive VilCre ERT2 Apc fl/+ Pten fl/+ mouse model showed an overexpression of eNOS in intestinal tumors whereas this isoform was not expressed in normal tissue. However, none of the three models showed iNOS expression. Notably, when 40 human colorectal tumors were classified into different clinically relevant molecular subtypes, high eNOS expression was found in the poor relapse-free and overall survival mesenchymal subtype, whereas iNOS was absent. Furthermore, Apc fl/fl organoids overexpressed eNOS compared with wild-type organoids and NO depletion with the scavenger carboxy-PTIO (c-PTIO) decreased the proliferation and the expression of stem-cell markers, such as Lgr5, Troy, Vav3, and Slc14a1, in these intestinal organoids. Moreover, specific NO depletion also decreased the expression of CSC-related proteins in human colorectal cancer cells such as ß-catenin and Bmi1, impairing the CSC phenotype. To rule out the contribution of iNOS in this effect, we established an iNOS-knockdown colorectal cancer cell line. NO-depleted cells showed a decreased capacity to form tumors and c-PTIO treatment in vivo showed an antitumoral effect in a xenograft mouse model. CONCLUSION: Our data support that eNOS upregulation occurs after Apc loss, emerging as an unexpected potential new target in poor-prognosis mesenchymal colorectal tumors, where NO scavenging could represent an interesting therapeutic alternative to targeting the CSC subpopulation.

Determination of UV filters in human breast milk using turbulent flow chromatography and babies' daily intake estimation.

UV filters (UV-Fs) are a group of hormonally active chemical compounds used to protect against the deleterious effects of UVA and UVB solar radiation, which are currently present in most consumer goods (personal care products, plastics, fabrics, paints, etc). Last years the concern about these emerging contaminants has been on the rise, and increasing efforts are being taken in order to properly asses the hazard that the exposure to these compounds in the early stages of life may pose. In this study, a new method for the analysis of 11 UV-Fs residues in human breast milk samples has been developed. The method is based on turbulent flow chromatography coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (TFC-HPLC-MS/MS). The validated method was successfully applied to 79 human breast milk samples from mothers in Barcelona (Spain). Twenty-four per cent of the samples contained UV-Fs, with major contributors being oxybenzone (benzophenone 3, BP3), its metabolite 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone (4DHB), and UV320 showing maximum concentrations of 779.9, 73.3, and 523.6ngg-1 milk, respectively. Additionally, the plastic containers of the milks were also analysed, revealing high concentrations of BP3 and 4DHB, up to 10.6µgg-1 plastic. The calculated mean ΣUV-Fs were useful to estimate the daily intake (EDI) by babies, which were 69.1µg d-1kg-1 body weight.

Predictive and Prognostic Brain Metastases Assessment in Luminal Breast Cancer Patients: FN14 and GRP94 from Diagnosis to Prophylaxis.

FN14 has been implicated in many intracellular signaling pathways, and GRP94 is a well-known endoplasmic reticulum protein regulated by glucose. Recently, both have been associated with metastasis progression in breast cancer patients. We studied the usefulness of FN14 and GRP94 expression to stratify breast cancer patients according their risk of brain metastasis (BrM) progression. We analyzed FN14 and GRP94 by immunohistochemistry in a retrospective multicenter study using tissue microarrays from 208 patients with breast carcinomas, of whom 52 had developed BrM. Clinical and pathological characteristics and biomarkers expression in Luminal and non-Luminal patients were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for covariates, and brain metastasis-free survival (BrMFS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. FN14 expression was associated with BrM progression mainly in Luminal breast cancer patients with a sensitivity (53.85%) and specificity (89.60%) similar to Her2 expression (46.15 and 89.84%, respectively). Moreover, the likelihood to develop BrM in FN14-positive Luminal carcinomas increased 36.70-fold (3.65-368.25, p = 0.002). Furthermore, the worst prognostic factor for BrMFS in patients with Luminal carcinomas was FN14 overexpression (HR = 8.25; 95% CI: 2.77-24.61; p = 0.00015). In these patients, GRP94 overexpression also increased the risk of BrM (HR = 3.58; 95% CI: 0.98-13.11; p = 0.054-Wald test). Therefore, FN14 expression in Luminal breast carcinomas is a predictive/prognostic biomarker of BrM, which combined with GRP94 predicts BrM progression in non-Luminal tumors 4.04-fold (1.19-8.22, p = 0.025), suggesting that both biomarkers are useful to stratify BrM risk at early diagnosis. We propose a new follow-up protocol for the early prevention of clinical BrM of breast cancer patients with BrM risk.

The addition of celecoxib improves the antitumor effect of cetuximab in colorectal cancer: role of EGFR-RAS-FOXM1-ß- catenin signaling axis.

Here we showed that the addition of the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib improved the antitumor efficacy in colorectal cancer (CRC) of the monoclonal anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab. The addition of celecoxib augmented the efficacy of cetuximab to inhibit cell proliferation and to induce apoptosis in CRC cells. Moreover, the combination of celecoxib and cetuximab was more effective than either treatment alone in reducing the tumor volume in a mouse xenograft model. The combined treatment enhanced the inhibition of EGFR signaling and altered the subcellular distribution of ß-catenin. Moreover, knockdown of FOXM1 showed that this transcription factor participates in this enhanced antitumoral response. Besides, the combined treatment decreased ß-catenin/FOXM1 interaction and reduced the cancer stem cell subpopulation in CRC cells, as indicated their diminished capacity to form colonospheres. Notably, the inmunodetection of FOXM1 in the nuclei of tumor cells in human colorectal adenocarcinomas was significantly associated with response of patients to cetuximab. In summary, our study shows that the addition of celecoxib enhances the antitumor efficacy of cetuximab in CRC due to impairment of EGFR-RAS-FOXM1-ß-catenin signaling axis. Results also support that FOXM1 could be a predictive marker of response of mCRC patients to cetuximab therapy.

An integrated system for synchronous culture of animal cells under controlled conditions.

The cell cycle has fundamental effects on cell cultures and their products. Tools to synchronize cultured cells allow the study of cellular physiology and metabolism at particular cell cycle phases. However, cells are most often arrested by methods that alter their homeostasis and are then cultivated in poorly controlled environments. Cell behavior could then be affected by the synchronization method and culture conditions used, and not just by the particular cell cycle phase under study. Moreover, only a few viable cells are recovered. Here, we designed an integrated system where a large number of cells from a controlled bioreactor culture is separated by centrifugal elutriation at high viabilities. In contrast to current elutriation methods, cells are injected directly from a bioreactor into an injection loop, allowing the introduction of a large number of cells into the separation chamber without stressful centrifugation. A low pulsation peristaltic pump increases the stability of the elutriation chamber. Using this approach, a large number of healthy cells at each cell cycle phase were obtained, allowing their direct inoculation into fully instrumented bioreactors. Hybridoma cells synchronized and cultured in this system behaved as expected for a synchronous culture.