Antiproliferative and Antimigratory Activity of Poly-gallic Acid in Cancer Cell Lines.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Enzyme-mediated grafting of poly (gallic acid) (PGAL) and L-arginine and a-L-lysine onto PGAL produces reactive oxygen species (ROS)-suppressor multiradical molecules with low cytotoxicity, high thermostability and water solubility with cancer treatment potential. This study examined the anticancer effects of these molecules in hepatic (HepG2, ATCC HB-8065), breast (MCF7, ATCC HTB-22), and prostate (PC-3, ATCC CRL-1435 and DU 145, ATCC HTB-81) cancer cell lines, as well as in fibroblasts from healthy human skin as control cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PGAL was synthesized by the oxidative polymerization of the naturally abundant GA using laccase from Trametes versicolor. Insertions of amino acids L-arginine and α-L-lysine on the PGAL chain were carried out by microwave. The cells of dermal fibroblast (Fb) were obtained from primary skin cultures and isolated from skin biopsies. The cancer cells lines of hepatic (HepG2), breast (MCF7), and prostate (PC-3, DU 145) were obtained from ATCC. The viability of the cancer cells and the primary culture was obtained by the MTT assay. Proliferation was demonstrated by crystal violet assay. Cell migration was determined by Wound healing assay. Finally, cell cycle analysis was carried out with cells. RESULTS: The results show that 200 µg/ml of PGAL cultured in vitro with prostate cancer cells decreased viability, proliferation, and migration, as well as arrested cells in the G1 and S phases of the cell cycle. In contrast, the dermal fibroblasts and the hepatic line remained unaffected. The random grafting of L-Arg and a-L-Lys onto the PGAL chain also decreased the viability of prostate cancer cells. CONCLUSION: PGAL and PGAL-grafted amino acids are potential adjuvants for prostate cancer treatment, with improved physicochemical characteristics compared to GA.

Efectos del entrenamiento con restricción del flujo sanguíneo sobre el tejido muscular y óseo: un estudio piloto / Effects of blood flow restriction training on bone and muscle tissue: a pilot study

Los estudios completados hasta el momento respaldan la hipótesis de que el entrenamiento de baja intensidad (EBI) asociado con restricción del flujo sanguíneo (RFS) aumenta la hipertrofia muscular (HM) y fuerza dinámica máxima (FDM). Sin embargo, se carece de evidencias firmes que relacionen esta metodología con adaptaciones en el hueso. El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer el efecto de cuatro protocolos de EBI asociados a RFS, en la HM, FDM, masa ósea (MO), densidad mineral ósea (DMO) y concentración mineral ósea (CMO) del miembro inferior en un periodo de 11 semanas de entrenamiento. Dieciséis individuos medianamente entrenados fueron reclutados. Se realizó una distribución aleatoria de los participantes quedando distribuidos. G1: Electro Estimulación Neuromuscular (EENM) + RFS; G2: Caminata en treadmill + RFS; G3: Sentadilla 90º + RFS; G4: Solo RFS. Se utilizó medición directa de la FDM, Antropometría y Densitometría Radiológica Dual para medir las variables. Las mediciones fueron realizadas al inicio y al final de las 11 semanas. En la variable HM los tratamientos de caminata + RFS y EENM + RFS registraron las principales mejoras frente al resto de las intervenciones. La FDM se ve afectada y mejorada por la EENM, la caminata y las sentadillas asociados a RFS, de similar manera a solo la aplicación de RFS. Se observaron modificaciones en la MO, DMO y CMO. La EENM + RFS lidero los resultados, mejorando la DMO y CMO. La caminata + RFS mostro mejorar la MO y la DMO al mismo tiempo. La RFS sumado a los estímulos, EENM, caminata y sentadilla genera efectos positivos sobre la HM, la FDM y tejido óseo del miembro inferior. La RFS también genera cambios sin la asociación a otro estimulo, pero en menor medida. No se logró establecer una diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p > 0,05) entre los grupos

The studies completed so far support the hypothesis that low intensity training (LIT ) associated with blood flow restriction (BFR) increases muscle hypertrophy (MH) and maximum dynamic force (MDF). However, there is a lack of firm evidence linking this methodology with adaptations in the bone. The objective of this study was to establish the effect of four LIT protocols associated with BFR, in the MH, MDF, bone mass (BM), bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral concentration (BMC) of the lower limb over a period of 11 weeks of training. Sixteen moderately trained individuals were recruited. A random distribution of the participants was carried out, being distributed. G1: Electro-Neuromuscular Stimulation (ENMS) + BFR; G2: Treadmill walk + BFR; G3: Squat 90º + BFR; G4: Only BFR. Direct measurement of the MDF, Anthropometry and Dual Radiological Densitometry was used to measure the variables. The measurements were made at the beginning and the end of the 11 weeks. In the MH variable, the walking treatments + BFR and ENMS + BFR registered main improvements compared to the rest of the interventions. The MDF is affected and improved by the ENMS, walking and squats are associated with BFR, in a similar way to the BFR application only. Modifications were observed in BM, BMD and BMC. The ENMS + BFR led the results, improving the BMD and BMC. The walk + BFR showed to improve the BM and the BMD at the same time.The BFR added to the stimuli, ENMS, walk and squat generates positive effects on the MH, MDF and bone tissue of the lower limb. The BFR also generates changes without the association to another stimulus, but to a lesser extent. It was not possible to achieve a statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) between the groups

Ibuprofen removal by a microfiltration membrane bioreactor during the startup phase.

The behavior of ibuprofen (IBU) during the startup phase of a microfiltration membrane bioreactor (MBR) was determined. A full-scale experimental installation treating real urban wastewater was used for the study. The MBR was composed of an anoxic and an aerobic bioreactors working in pre-denitrification configuration, followed of a membrane reactor. A full mass balance was carried out to estimate the contribution of biotransformation and sorption to biomass to the overall removal of the IBU. During the startup phase of the MBR system there were significant oscillations of the operational variables, mainly of the sludge retention time (SRT); nevertheless, the capacity of the system for IBU removal was very high, with yields of over 94%, despite reaching minimum SRT values of 4.15 d. The main IBU removal occurs in the aerobic reactor, both in the liquid phase and the one associated with the sludge, while in the anoxic bioreactor the removal was scarce, although a certain transfer of IBU from the liquid phase to the sludge took place under anoxic conditions. Despite the high IBU removal yields during startup, the SRT was the most influential variable in IBU removal, an effect observed in all bioreactors, particularly in the anoxic one.

Carbamazepine behaviour and effects in an urban wastewater MBR working with high sludge and hydraulic retention time.

The behaviour and fate of carbamazepine (CBZ) in urban wastewater treatment by a membrane bioreactor (MBR) and its possible effects on the system's efficiency, and on mixed microbial communities, has been studied. The experimental microfiltration MBR system, with capacity to treat 10.8 m(3) d(-1) of urban wastewater, operated with a pre-denitrification configuration with high sludge and hydraulic retention time. The CBZ concentration assayed was higher than in the usual urban wastewater, in order to provoke a strong biomass reaction. Influent, effluent, and all bioreactors of the MBR system were analysed in order to calculate a CBZ balance. Bench-scale experiments and respirometric analyses were performed, with and without the presence of CBZ, to evaluate its influence on the bacterial activity. The respirometric assays showed variations in the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) in the presence of CBZ. Negative effects were detected in the MBR bacterial community during the initial period of dosing. However, the effects were not permanent and the biomass spiked with CBZ had behaviour similar to that of the biomass without CBZ after a few hours. Biodegradation was not detected during the MBR treatment. The system showed an inefficient elimination of CBZ (less than 10%) with a high concentration in the effluent. The small percentage of CBZ removal was associated with the sludge retention and eliminated by the purge. All CBZ present in the influent was accounted for, and even an increase in the total amount of CBZ was registered in the permeate. During and after the experimental process, CBZ did not significantly affect the efficiency of the MBR system, and the quality of the effluent was not affected by the dosing of CBZ in terms of COD and nitrogen removal.

Removal of low concentrations of phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene from urban wastewater by membrane bioreactors technology.

The fate and removal of phenanthrene (Phen), fluoranthene (F) and pyrene (Py) in urban wastewater treatment by membrane bioreactor (MBR) with low influent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentration were studied. A full experimental ultrafiltration MBR with a pre-denitrification configuration and capacity to treat 20 m(3)/d was employed. The system was operated with real urban wastewater, to which a concentration of PAHs was added. A constant purge was achieved in order to obtain 12 d of sludge retention time and the hydraulic retention time was 34 h. Concentration of PAHs was determined by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry with Twister, and mass balance on the MBR system were calculated. Data were supplemented by respirometric analyses, isolation of PAHs degrading microorganisms and bench-scale experiments. All effluent samples presented concentrations of PAHs, with removal levels of 91% and 92% for F and Py respectively, while for Phen performance did not surpass 82%. In spite of the high hydrophobicity of the tested compounds, their accumulation in the biomass was scarce and the sludge presented a low PAH concentration. The experiments reveal that PAHs removal is mainly due to air stripping, with biodegradation and adsorption making an insignificant contribution.