Lapatinib antitumor effect is associated with PI3K and MAPK pathway: An analysis in human and canine prostate cancer cells.

The aberrant activation of HER2 has a pivotal role in bone metastasis implantation and progression in several tumor types, including prostate cancer (PC). Trastuzumab and other anti-HER2 therapies, such as lapatinib, have been used in human breast cancer HER2 positive. Although HER2 overexpression has been reported in PC, anti-HER2 therapy response has revealed conflicting results. We investigated the potential of lapatinib in inhibiting cell migration and inducing apoptosis in two human (LNCaP and PC3) and two canine PC cell lines (PC1 and PC2). Cell migration and apoptosis were evaluated by Annexin V/PI analysis after lapatinib treatment. The transcriptome analysis of all cell lines before and after treatment with lapatinib was also performed. We found increased apoptosis and migration inhibition in LNCaP cells (androgen-sensitive cell line), while PC1, PC2, and PC3 cells showed no alterations after the treatment. The transcriptome analysis of LNCaP and PC3 cell lines showed 158 dysregulated transcripts in common, while PC1 and PC2 cell lines presented 82. At the doses of lapatinib used, we observed transcriptional modifications in all cell lines. PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway were enriched in human PC cells, while canine PC cells showed enrichment of tyrosine kinase antitumor response and HER2-related pathways. In canine PC cells, the apoptosis failed after lapatinib treatment, possibly due to the downregulation of MAPK genes. Prostate cancer cells insensitive to androgens may be resistant to lapatinib through PI3K gene dysregulation. The association of lapatinib with PI3K inhibitors may provide a more effective antitumor response and clinical benefits to PC patients.

Background and common lesions in the female reproductive organs of giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla).

The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is a vulnerable species in South America and is considered endangered or near extinction in Central America. Therefore, studies describing the reproductive characteristics of this species are pivotal for its conservation. Thus, this study aimed to provide a morphological description of the female reproductive tissues of this species. We collected tissue samples from six female giant anteaters and performed gross, morphological, and histochemical analyses. Five adult subjects and one juvenile were included in the study. In the ovary, classifications were made according to the follicle and oocyte sizes: primordial, primary, secondary, early antral, or antral. Typical follicles with a single oocyte surrounded by a simple or stratified layer of cubic epithelium, atretic follicles, corpora lutea, corpora albicans, and ovarian cysts were also observed. No ovarian lesions were observed. By contrast, endometritis, metritis, mucometra, and endometrial cysts were identified in the uterus. Uterine alterations in these subjects were frequent and could affect reproduction.

Is Osteopontin a Good Marker for Bone Metastasis in Canine Mammary Gland Tumor and Prostate Cancer?

Osteopontin (OPN) is a protein synthesized by a large number of cells, and its overexpression has been associated with the development and prognosis of cancer. OPN overexpression has been claimed to be a marker for the development of bone metastasis in human cancers, but no prior research has investigated the association between OPN expression and the metastasis of canine mammary gland tumors (MGTs) and prostate cancer (PC). Therefore, we investigated OPN expression in MGTs and PC samples from 50 canine patients with or without metastasis (bone vs. other sites). Higher OPN expression was detected in primary tumor samples from animals with bone metastasis than in those without bone involvement (p = 0.0321). In MGT samples, a significantly lower survival rate was observed in patients with higher OPN expression (p = 0.0171). In animals with PC, there was a strong trend toward lower survival in animals with positive OPN expression; however, this trend was not statistically significant (p = 0.0779). From these findings, it can be concluded that OPN may be a promising target for future MGTs and PC studies because of its role in enhancing cell invasion and metastasis.

Análise parasitológica de amostras de salsa (Petroselinum crispum) coletadas em supermercados e feiras livres de Ilhéus e Itabuna - Bahia / Parasitological analysis of parsley samples (Petroselinum crispum) collected on supermarkets and free fairs in Ilhéus and Itabuna - Bahia

A salsa (Petroselinum crispum) que também conhecida como salsa ou salsinha é uma herbácea bastante utilizada in natura, fato que aumenta o risco de infecção por parasitoses intestinais, devido ao grande índice de contaminação destes alimentos, desde o cultivo, manipulação, transporte, estocagem e utilização. Como objetivo, avaliou-se a contaminação de amostras dessa hortaliça por parasitas intestinais, realizando comparação entre as procedências de Ilhéus e Itabuna (Bahia). Foram coletadas quatro amostras em feiras livres e quatro em supermercados de cada cidade no mês de novembro de 2018. Após sua aquisição, a salsa foi acondicionada individualmente em sacos plásticos limpos e devidamente identificados com data e procedência e foi preparada para realizar a técnica de sedimentação espontânea. Foram analisadas quatro lâminas, as quais eram coradas com lugol, em microscópio ótico nos aumentos de 10x e 40x. Das 16 amostras, 31,25% apresentaram resultado negativo, 18,75% foram positivas para Ancylostoma sp., 25% para Ascaridia sp., 18,75% para Strongyloides sp. e 6,25% para Toxocara sp.. Das oito amostras provenientes da cidade de Itabuna-BA, 50% foram positivas para alguma estrutura parasitária, já na cidade de Ilhéus-BA 87,5% das amostras foram positivas para alguma estrutura parasitária. Os resultados ressaltam a importância da Vigilância Sanitária ser mais atuante e punitiva nos estabelecimentos que não mantém uma sanidade alimentar garantindo segurança aos consumidores, além de medidas educativas e higienização eficiente.