Involved-Field Radiation Therapy for Patients With Unresectable Pancreatic Adenocarcinomas: Failure Pattern Analysis.

Introduction Unresectable pancreatic tumors are frequently diagnosed. Initial treatment is carried out with chemotherapy. Eventually, in selected cases, radiotherapy may be used to improve local control rates and relieve the symptoms. The volume of radiotherapy treatment fields is the subject of controversy in the literature. The use of involved fields with the gross tumor volume encompassing the primary tumor and lymph nodes considered clinically positive is associated with a lower rate of side effects, but can lead to a higher rate of regional loco failures, especially in regional lymph nodes. The purpose of this article is to analyze the failure pattern of chemotherapy and involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) for treating patients with unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Methods Clinical records of thirty consecutive patients treated from March 2016 to June 2020 for unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma were analyzed. The patients were treated with initial systemic chemotherapy (median: 6 cycles) with regimens based on gemcitabine or oxaliplatin-irinotecan (folfirinox/folfox) followed by radiotherapy (total dose of 50-54 Gy/with fractionation of 2 Gy/day). The patients were treated with IFRT. Local failure (LF) was defined as an increase in radiographic abnormality within the planning target volume (PTV). Elective nodal failure (ENF) was defined as recurrence in any lymph node region outside the PTV. Any other failure was defined as distant failure (DF). Results The median age of the patients was 68 years (range: 44-80 years); 20 patients (66.7%) were men, and 11 (36.6%) and 19 (63.4%) patients presented with tumors of stage II and III, respectively. Most patients (63.3%) had tumors in the pancreatic head. The median survival was 17.2 months. Tumor recurrences were classified as LF, DF, LF and DF in 7 (23.3%), 17 (56.7%), and 5 (16.7%) patients, respectively. Only one patient (3.3%) had both LF and ENF. No severe side effects related to radiotherapy were reported. Conclusion The use of IFRT did not cause a significant amount of ENF, besides presenting low morbidity, which is of special importance for patients with locally advanced tumors or low performance status. The predominant failure pattern was distant metastases.

Sevoflurane and isoflurane anesthesia induce redox imbalance, but only sevoflurane impairs vascular contraction.

Volatile anesthetics may cause vascular dysfunction; however, underlying effects are unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether sevoflurane and isoflurane affect vascular function, nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Wistar rats were divided into three experimental groups: Not anesthetized (control group) or submitted to anesthesia with isoflurane (Iso group) or sevoflurane (Sevo group). Hemodynamic parameters were monitored during anesthesia, and blood gas values and biochemical determinants were analyzed. Isometric contractions were recorded in aortic rings. Vasoconstriction induced by potassium chloride (KCl) and phenylephrine (Phe) were measured. No differences in hemodynamic parameters and blood gasses variables were observed. Impaired KCl and Phe-induced contractions were observed in endothelium-intact aorta of Sevo compared to Iso and Control groups. Redox imbalance was found in Sevo and Iso groups. Reduced NO bioavailability and increased activity of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) were observed in Sevo, but not in the Iso group. While reduced IL-10 and IL-1ß were observed in Sevo, increases in IL-1ß in the Iso group were found. Sevoflurane, but not isoflurane, anesthesia impairs vasocontraction, and reduced NO and cytokines and increased MMP-2 activity may be involved in vascular dysfunction after sevoflurane anesthesia.

Orofacial traits related to oral health-related quality of life in Brazilian acromegaly patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate orofacial traits and general factors related to oral health-related quality of life in acromegaly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 34 acromegaly patients was conducted. The OHIP-14 questionnaire was used to assess oral health-related quality of life scores. To assess orofacial and occlusion morphology, an oral evaluation was performed. Correlation measures, multiple linear regression and a structural equation model (SEM) were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The presence of arthrosis (SC = 0.467, SE = 0.155, p = 0.003) and smoking history (SC = 0.459, SE = 0.206, p = 0.026) were associated with a negative impact on oral health-related quality of life. Mandibular protrusion was related to physical pain (ß = 2.74, p = 0.029). Anterior open bite (ß = 4.44, p = 0.004) and anterior crossbite (ß = 2.61, p = 0.026) were related to psychological disability. Diastema was related to social disability (ß = 3.42, p = 0.037) and handicap (ß = 2.74, p = 0.044). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that smoking, arthrosis and orofacial alterations (mandibular protrusion, open bite, crossbite and diastema) have a negative impact on oral health-related quality of life in acromegaly patients.

Potential benefits of structured lipids in bulk compound chocolate: Insights on bioavailability and effect on serum lipids.

The bioavailability impact of serum lipids in compound chocolate products based on structured lipids was studied. Compound chocolate products containing fat with and without structured lipids were digested in vitro under simulated gastrointestinal lipolysis conditions and were studied in vivo in healthy C57BL/6J mice. The in vitro digestion results show that products containing structured lipids, milk compound chocolate filling and white compound coating, significantly reduced the release rate of Free Fatty Acids (FFA) and improved the caloric reduction between 12.49% and 13.71% compared to products without structured lipids, suggesting that FFA were not absorbed. Animal feeding studies revealed no adverse effects on the compound products intake; in fact, these products reduced total cholesterol, LDL-c, VLDL-c and triacylglycerols. The present work shows the relevance of developing functional compound chocolate as providing a potential healthy initiative through the biological effect of the bioactive ingredients incorporated.

Clinical Prognostic Factors for Patients With Esophageal Cancer Treated With Definitive Chemoradiotherapy.

Background Treatment with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the best option for patients with locally advanced esophageal tumors considered unresectable or for patients without clinical conditions to undergo surgical treatment. Technological advances in radiotherapy in the last decades have made treatment more accurate with less toxicity, and the association with more effective systemic treatment has been gradually improving survival rates. Aim Evaluate clinical prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with esophageal cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (ChT). Material and methods The clinical records of 60 patients treated from April 2011 until December 2019 with esophageal cancer considered unresectable and/or without clinical conditions for surgery, treated with definitive CRT, were analyzed. All patients had upper digestive endoscopy (UDE) with positive biopsy, neck, chest, and abdominal CT scan, and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (PET-CT). Patients were followed with physical examination and CTs every three months in the first and second years and every six months from the third year of follow-up. UDE was made every three to six months after the end of the treatment or in suspicion of tumor recurrence. PET-CT was also performed in the follow-up when clinically necessary. Local and regional failure (LRF) was defined as abnormalities in the image tests within the planning target volume (PTV) and/or positive biopsy on UDE. Any other failure was defined as a distant failure (DF). PFS was defined in the record of the first tumor recurrence site and OS in the death record from the date of the start of treatment. Results The median age of the patients was 66 years (range: 33 to 83 years) and 46 patients (76.7%) were male. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most frequent histological type (85%). Most patients had tumors located in the mid-thoracic esophagus (53.3%) and stage III or IV (59.9%). All patients were treated using 3D (76.7%) or intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT; 23.3%). The median total dose was 50.4Gy (41.4-50.4). All patients received platinum-based ChT concomitant with RT. The most common regimen used was carboplatin and paclitaxel, with a median of five cycles. With a median follow-up of 19 months, the median PFS and OS were 10 and 20 months, respectively. LRF and DF as the first site of failure were observed in 22 (36.6%) and 26 (43.3%) patients, respectively. In the univariate analysis, tumor length lower than 2.6 cm, gross tumor volume (GTV) volume lower than 28 cm3, clinical tumor stages T1 and T2, clinical node stage N0, clinical prognostic stage groups I and II, and complete response to treatment, were statistically significant factors for better PFS and OS. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of clinical nodal stage N0 was related to better PFS (p=0.02). Conclusion Node clinical status was the most important clinical factor for PFS. Despite all the technical progress observed in radiotherapy, treatments concomitant with platinum-based chemotherapy are associated with high levels of LRF and DF. New strategies in systemic therapy and radiotherapy are necessary for improving outcomes.

Brief Report: Polymorphisms in TNF-α/TNFR1 Pathway Genes Are Associated With CD4+ T-Cell Recovery in HIV-1-Infected Individuals on Antiretroviral Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is an important hallmark of HIV-1 treatment, enabling viral load suppression to undetectable levels and CD4+ T-cell recovery. However, some individuals do not recover the CD4+ T-cell count to normal levels, despite viral suppression. We hypothesize that variation in genes involved in extrinsic apoptosis pathways may influence interindividual immune recovery during ART. METHODS: We assessed clinical-epidemiological variables and the allelic/genotypic distribution of functional single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes involved in extrinsic apoptosis pathways (TNFRSF1A: rs1800692 and rs767455; TNFAIP3: rs2270926; NFKBIA: rs8904; and TNF-α: rs1800629) and their relationship with immune recovery in ART-treated (1 year) HIV-1-infected individuals. We enrolled 155 HIV-1-infected individuals, with 102 individuals showing immunological success and 53 with immunological failure. RESULTS: Through univariate analysis, we observed that the male sex (60.4%, P = 0.002) showed a higher median of age at treatment onset (34.8 years, P = 0.034) and higher time until virological suppression (6 months, P = 0.035), both risk factors for immune failure. Survival analysis revealed that individuals who started ART treatment with CD4+ T-cell count <200 cells/mm3 took a longer time to immunological recovery (median time = 27 months, P = 0.029). ART containing zidovudine also was associated with immune recovery in univariate e multivariate analysis. Variants in TNFRSF1A (rs767455: T and TT; rs1800692-rs767455: T-T combination) and NFKBIA (rs8904: A) genes were associated with immune failure, whereas NFKBIA (rs8904: GA) and TNF-α (rs1800629: GA) were with CD4+ T-cell recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical-epidemiological variants in genes involved in extrinsic apoptosis pathways might influence the CD4+ T-cell immune recovery.

Hydrometeorological conditions in the semiarid and east coast regions of Northeast Brazil in the 2012-2017 period.

Various studies have identified that between 2012 and 2017, Brazil's semiarid region suffered severe drought. However, few studies have analyzed whether this drought also affected the eastern coastal region of Northeast Brazil (ENEB). Therefore, the objective of this work is to identify rainfall anomalies in these regions and verify the hydrometeorological impact on reservoirs in the 2012-2017 interval. For this purpose, we used precipitation data and atmospheric variables in the period from 1981 to 2017 to investigate the rainy season and associated dynamic patterns, as well as the consequences of these mechanisms on the variation of the water parameters of important reservoirs. The results indicated that rain events in the ENEB during 2012-2017 presented similar climatological behavior, without the characteristic of a drought event as observed in the semiarid region. The meteorological analyses showed that the combination of convergence with moisture over the Atlantic Ocean possibly favored greater frequency of shallow convective rainfall in ENEB, an important factor to explain the absence of generalized negative anomalies in the region. As a consequence, the reservoirs did not suffer from water collapse, unlike in the semiarid region.

Applications of an electronic nose in the prediction of oxidative stability of stored biodiesel derived from soybean and waste cooking oil.

Waste cooking oil (WCO) is a valuable feedstock for the synthesis of biodiesel but the product exhibits poor oxidative stability. Techniques available for assessing this parameter are generally expensive and time-consuming, hence the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a rapid and reliable predictive system based on signals from the sensors of a commercial hand-held e-nose instrument. Biodiesels were synthesized from soybean oil and six samples of WCO, and their physicochemical characteristics and oxidative stabilities determined before and after storage in different types of containers for 30 or 60 days at room temperature or 43 °C. Linear regression models were constructed based on principal component analysis of the signals generated by all 32 e-nose sensors and stochastic modeling of signal profiles from individual sensors. The regression model with principal components as predictors was unable to explain the oxidative stability of biodiesels, while the regression model with stochastic parameters (combining signals from 11 sensors) as predictors showed an excellent goodness of fit (R2 = 0.91) with a 45-sample training set and a good quality of prediction (R2 = 0.84) with a 18-sample validation set. The proposed e-nose system was shown to be accurate and efficient and could be used to advantage by producers/distributors of biodiesel in the assessment fuel quality.

Water contamination with atrazine: is nitric oxide able to improve Pistia stratiotes phytoremediation capacity?

Atrazine is an herbicide commonly used in several countries. Due to its long half-life, associated with its use in large scales, atrazine residues remain as environmental pollutants in water bodies. Phytoremediation is often pointed out as an interesting approach to remove atrazine from the aquatic environment, but its practical application is limited by the high toxicity of this herbicide. Here, we characterize the damages triggered by atrazine in Pistia stratiotes, evaluating the role of nitric oxide (NO), a cell-signaling molecule, in increasing the tolerance to the pollutant and the phytoremediation potential of this species. Pistia stratiotes plants were exposed to four treatments: Control; Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (0.05 mg L-1); Atrazine (ATZ) (150 µg L-1) and ATZ + SNP. The plants remained under those conditions for 24 h for biochemical and physiological analysis and 3 days for the evaluation of relative growth rate. The presence of atrazine in plant cells triggered a series of biochemical and physiological damages, such as the increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species, damages to cell membranes, photosynthesis impairment, and negative carbon balance. Despite this, the plants maintained greater growth rates than other aquatic macrophytes exposed to atrazine and showed high bioconcentration and translocation factors. The addition of SNP, a NO donor, decreased the herbicide toxicity, with an increase of over 60% in the IC50 value (Inhibitor Concentration). Indeed, the NO signaling action was able to increase the tolerance of plants to atrazine, which resulted in increments in pollutant uptake and translocation, with the maintenance of overall cell (e.g. membranes) and organs (root system) structure, and the functioning of central physiological processes (e.g. photosynthesis). These factors allowed for more quickly and efficient removal of the pollutant from the environment, reducing costs, and increasing the viability of the phytoremediation process.

Cross-sectional survey for canine leptospirosis in an Atlantic Rainforest area of the semiarid of Paraíba state, Northeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT: Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the bacteria Leptospira spp. that affects humans, domestic and wild animals. The present work aimed to conduct a cross-sectional survey for leptospirosis in the canine population of the Brejo Paraibano microregion, semiarid of Northeastern Brazil. From May to October 2017, blood samples from 414 dogs were collected in the counties of Alagoa Grande (n=100), Areia (n=79), Bananeiras (n=72), Alagoa Nova (n=73), Serrraria (n=25), Pilões (n=25), Borborema (n=20) and Matinhas (n=20). The tutors of the sampled dogs answered an epidemiological questionnaire, obtaining information about the animals, owner, residence and breeding of the dogs. Subsequently, the serum samples were subjected to the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), using a collection of 23 serovar pathogenic antigens and using the 1:50 dilution as the cutoff point. Of the 414 dogs analyzed 52 were seroreactive, resulting in an apparent prevalence of 12.6% and a real prevalence of 12.2%. Seroreactive dogs were found in the eight counties. Dogs were reactive for the serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae (76.9%), Autumnalis (13.55%), Pomona (3.8%), Grippotyphosa (3.8%) and Serjoe (1.9%) Antibody titers ranged from 50 to 800. The statistical analysis (robust Poisson regression) detected six factors associated with seropositivity, including the rainy season (prevalence ratio; PR=1.94, P=0.013), male dogs (PR=2.10, P=0.005), animals with age greater than five years (PR=4.21, P=0.012), consumption of untreated water (PR=1.87, P=0.043), free access of dogs to street (PR=2.15, P=0.011) and contact with wildlife (PR=3.54, P=0.050). The serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae has a high zoonotic potential and was the most frequent in seropositive animals. The high real prevalence of Leptospira spp. in a transmission region of the semiarid region of Paraíba and the occurrence of seroreactive animals in all the counties suggest wide distribution of the infection and reinforce the need for preventive measures to avoid infection in pets and, consequently, to humans. The analysis of factors associated with the prevalence suggest greater manegment cares with the dogs.

RESUMO: A leptospirose é uma zoonose mundial causada pela bactéria Leptospira spp. que afeta seres humanos, animais domésticos e selvagens. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo realizar um estudo transversal de leptospirose na população canina da microrregião Brejo Paraibano, semiárido do Nordeste do Brasil. No período de maio a outubro de 2017, amostras de sangue de 414 cães foram coletadas nas cidades de Alagoa Grande (n=100), Areia (n=79), Bananeiras (n=72), Alagoa Nova (n=73), Serraria (n=25), Pilões (n=25), Borborema (n=20) e Matinhas (n=20). Os tutores dos cães amostrados responderam a um questionário epidemiológico, sendo obtidas informações sobre os animais, proprietário, residência e criação dos cães. Posteriormente as amostras de soro foram submetidas à prova de soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM), utilizando-se uma coleção de 23 sorovares antígenos patogênicos e adotando como ponto de corte a diluição 1:50. Dos 414 cães analisados 52 foram sorreativos, resultando em uma prevalência aparente de 12.6% e uma prevalência real de 12,2%. Cães sororreativos foram encontrados nos oito municípios. Os cães foram reativos para o sorogrupo Icterohaemorrhagiae (76,9%), Autumnalis (13,55%), Pomona (3,8%), Grippotyphosa (3,8%) and Serjoe (1,9%) Os títulos de anticorpos variaram de 50 a 800. A análise estatística (regressão de Poisson robusta) detectou seis fatores associados à soropositividade, incluindo o período chuvoso (razão de prevalência - RP=1,94; P=0,013), cães machos (RP=2,10; P=0,005), animais com idade maior que cinco anos (RP=4,21; P=0,012), consumo de água não tratada (RP=1,87; P=0,043), cães com livre acesso à rua (RP=2,15; P=0,011) e contato com animais silvestres (RP=3,54; P=0,050). Os resultados desse estudo indicaram que há a exposição por Leptospira spp. em cães da microrregião do Brejo paraibano. O sorogrupo Icterohaemorrhagiae possui alto potencial zoonótico e foi o mais frequente nos animais soropositivos. A alta prevalência real de Leptospira spp. em uma região de transmissão da região semiárida da Paraíba e a ocorrência de animais sororreativos em todos os municípios sugerem uma ampla distribuição da infecção e reforçam a necessidade de medidas preventivas para evitar a infecção em animais de estimação e, consequentemente, em seres humanos. A análise dos fatores associados à prevalência sugere maior cuidado com os cães.

Cross-sectional survey for canine leptospirosis in an Atlantic Rainforest area of the semiarid of Paraíba state, Northeastern Brazil / Estudo transversal para leptospirose canina em área de Mata Atlântica do semiárido da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the bacteria Leptospira spp. that affects humans, domestic and wild animals. The present work aimed to conduct a cross-sectional survey for leptospirosis in the canine population of the Brejo Paraibano microregion, semiarid of Northeastern Brazil. From May to October 2017, blood samples from 414 dogs were collected in the counties of Alagoa Grande (n=100), Areia (n=79), Bananeiras (n=72), Alagoa Nova (n=73), Serrraria (n=25), Pilões (n=25), Borborema (n=20) and Matinhas (n=20). The tutors of the sampled dogs answered an epidemiological questionnaire, obtaining information about the animals, owner, residence and breeding of the dogs. Subsequently, the serum samples were subjected to the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), using a collection of 23 serovar pathogenic antigens and using the 1:50 dilution as the cutoff point. Of the 414 dogs analyzed 52 were seroreactive, resulting in an apparent prevalence of 12.6% and a real prevalence of 12.2%. Seroreactive dogs were found in the eight counties. Dogs were reactive for the serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae (76.9%), Autumnalis (13.55%), Pomona (3.8%), Grippotyphosa (3.8%) and Serjoe (1.9%) Antibody titers ranged from 50 to 800. The statistical analysis (robust Poisson regression) detected six factors associated with seropositivity, including the rainy season (prevalence ratio; PR=1.94, P=0.013), male dogs (PR=2.10, P=0.005), animals with age greater than five years (PR=4.21, P=0.012), consumption of untreated water (PR=1.87, P=0.043), free access of dogs to street (PR=2.15, P=0.011) and contact with wildlife (PR=3.54, P=0.050). The serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae has a high zoonotic potential and was the most frequent in seropositive animals. The high real prevalence of Leptospira spp. in a transmission region of the semiarid region of Paraíba and the occurrence of seroreactive animals in all the counties suggest wide distribution of the infection and reinforce the need for preventive measures to avoid infection in pets and, consequently, to humans. The analysis of factors associated with the prevalence suggest greater manegment cares with the dogs.(AU)

A leptospirose é uma zoonose mundial causada pela bactéria Leptospira spp. que afeta seres humanos, animais domésticos e selvagens. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo realizar um estudo transversal de leptospirose na população canina da microrregião Brejo Paraibano, semiárido do Nordeste do Brasil. No período de maio a outubro de 2017, amostras de sangue de 414 cães foram coletadas nas cidades de Alagoa Grande (n=100), Areia (n=79), Bananeiras (n=72), Alagoa Nova (n=73), Serraria (n=25), Pilões (n=25), Borborema (n=20) e Matinhas (n=20). Os tutores dos cães amostrados responderam a um questionário epidemiológico, sendo obtidas informações sobre os animais, proprietário, residência e criação dos cães. Posteriormente as amostras de soro foram submetidas à prova de soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM), utilizando-se uma coleção de 23 sorovares antígenos patogênicos e adotando como ponto de corte a diluição 1:50. Dos 414 cães analisados 52 foram sorreativos, resultando em uma prevalência aparente de 12.6% e uma prevalência real de 12,2%. Cães sororreativos foram encontrados nos oito municípios. Os cães foram reativos para o sorogrupo Icterohaemorrhagiae (76,9%), Autumnalis (13,55%), Pomona (3,8%), Grippotyphosa (3,8%) and Serjoe (1,9%) Os títulos de anticorpos variaram de 50 a 800. A análise estatística (regressão de Poisson robusta) detectou seis fatores associados à soropositividade, incluindo o período chuvoso (razão de prevalência - RP=1,94; P=0,013), cães machos (RP=2,10; P=0,005), animais com idade maior que cinco anos (RP=4,21; P=0,012), consumo de água não tratada (RP=1,87; P=0,043), cães com livre acesso à rua (RP=2,15; P=0,011) e contato com animais silvestres (RP=3,54; P=0,050). Os resultados desse estudo indicaram que há a exposição por Leptospira spp. em cães da microrregião do Brejo paraibano. O sorogrupo Icterohaemorrhagiae possui alto potencial zoonótico e foi o mais frequente nos animais soropositivos. A alta prevalência real de Leptospira spp. em uma região de transmissão da região semiárida da Paraíba e a ocorrência de animais sororreativos em todos os municípios sugerem uma ampla distribuição da infecção e reforçam a necessidade de medidas preventivas para evitar a infecção em animais de estimação e, consequentemente, em seres humanos. A análise dos fatores associados à prevalência sugere maior cuidado com os cães.(AU)

Biochemical basis of differential selenium tolerance in arugula (Eruca sativa Mill.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.).

Selenium (Se) biofortification in crops provides a valuable strategy to enhance human Se intake. However, crops vary greatly with their capacity in tolerating and metabolizing/accumulating Se, and the basis underlying such variations remains to be fully understood. Here, we compared the effects of Se and its analog S treatments on plant growth and biochemical responses between a Se accumulator (arugula) and a non-accumulator (lettuce). Arugula exhibited an increased biomass production in comparison with untreated controls at a higher selenate concentration than lettuce (20 µM vs. 10 µM Na2SeO4), showing better tolerance to Se. Arugula accumulated 3-folds more Se and S than lettuce plants under the same treatments. However, the Se/S assimilation as assessed by ATP sulfurylase and O-acetylserine (thiol)lyase activities was comparable between arugula and lettuce plants. Approximately 4-fold higher levels of Se in proteins under the same doses of Se treatments were observed in arugula than in lettuce, indicating that Se accumulators have better tolerance to selenoamino acids in proteins. Noticeably, arugula showed 6-fold higher ascorbate peroxidase activity and produced over 5-fold more glutathione and non-protein thiols than lettuce plants, which suggest critical roles of antioxidants in Se tolerance. Taken together, our results show that the elevated Se tolerance of arugula compared to lettuce is most likely due to an efficient antioxidant defense system. This study provides further insights into our understanding of the difference in tolerating and metabolizing/accumulating Se between Se accumulators and non-accumulators.

Evidence of drought memory in Dipteryx alata indicates differential acclimation of plants to savanna conditions.

The remarkable phytogeographic characteristics of the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) resulted in a vegetation domain composed of plants with high structural and functional diversity to tolerate climate extremes. Here we used a key Cerrado species (Dipteryx alata) to evaluate if species of this domain present a mechanism of stress memory, responding more quickly and efficiently when exposed to recurrent drought episodes. The exposure of D. alata seedlings to drought resulted in several changes, mainly in physiological and biochemical traits, and these changes differed substantially when the water deficit was imposed as an isolated event or when the plants were subjected to drought cycles, suggesting the existence of a drought memory mechanism. Plants submitted to recurrent drought events were able to maintain essential processes for plant survival when compared to those submitted to drought for the first time. This differential acclimation to drought was the result of orchestrated changes in several metabolic pathways, involving differential carbon allocation for defense responses and the reprogramming and coordination of primary, secondary and antioxidant metabolism. The stress memory in D. alata is probably linked the evolutionary history of the species and reflects the environment in which it evolved.

Brazilian consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of extremities soft tissue sarcomas.

INTRODUCTION: Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are rare tumors and constitute only 1% of all tumors in adults. Indeed, due to their rarity, most cases in Brazil are not treated according to primary international guidelines. METHODS: This consensus addresses the treatment of STSs in the extremities. It was made by workgroups from Brazilian Societies of Surgical Oncology, Orthopaedics, Clinical Oncology, Pathology, Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, and Radiation Oncology. The workgroups based their arguments on the best level of evidence in the literature and recommendations were made according to diagnosis, staging, and treatment of STSs. A meeting was held with all the invited experts and the topics were presented individually with the definition of the degree of recommendation, based on the levels of evidence in the literature. RESULTS: Risk factors and epidemiology were described as well as the pathological aspects and imaging. All recommendations are described with the degree of recommendation and levels of evidence. CONCLUSION: Recommendations based on the best literature regional aspects were made to guide professionals who treat STS. Separate consensus on specific treatments for retroperitoneal, visceral, trunk, head and neck sarcomas, and gastrointestinal stromal tumor, are not contemplated into this consensus.

Increases in placental nitric oxide, but not nitric oxide-mediated relaxation, underlie the improvement in placental efficiency and antihypertensive effects of hydrogen sulphide donor in hypertensive pregnancy.

Dysregulation of hydrogen sulphide (H2 S) producing enzymes has been related to hypertensive pregnancy, and H2 S donor, sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS) exerts antihypertensive effects, modulates angiogenic factors production and acts as an antioxidant. Moreover, reduction in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability is related to hypertensive pregnancy and H2 S may interact with NO, modulating its production. We aimed to investigate the NaHS effects in hypertension-in-pregnancy and also in feto-placental parameters. Female Wistar rats (200-250 g) were mated and desoxycorticosterone acetate injections followed by replacement of water by 0.9% saline solution were used to induce hypertensive pregnancy. Rats were divided into four groups: normal pregnant (Norm-Preg), pregnant + NaHS (Preg+NaHS), hypertensive pregnant (HTN-Preg) and HTN-Preg+NaHS. Systolic blood pressure was increased in HTN-Preg and this increase was blunted in HTN-Preg+NaHS. Fetal and placental weights were decreased in HTN-Preg animals, while fetal growth restriction was improved in HTN-Preg+NaHS. Placental weight was lower in HTN-Preg+NaHS than in HTN-Preg; however, placental efficiency was re-established in HTN-Preg+NaHS rats. We observed that a partial contribution of placental NO, but not changes in anti-angiogenic factors may mediate the increases in placental efficiency in HTN-Preg+NaHS. HTN-Preg presented thoracic aorta hyperreactivity to phenylephrine while NaHS treatment blunted this hyperreactivity, which seems not to be related to NO-mediated relaxation induced by acetylcholine. Therefore, changes in vascular responsiveness promoted by NaHS treatment may underlie the beneficial effects in systolic blood pressure and feto-placental parameters in our study.

Rhizoctonia solani fucomannogalactan: Chemical characterization and antiproliferative activity.

A fucomannogalactan from Rhizoctonia solani biomass was obtained after hot aqueous extraction and purified by freeze-thaw cycles and gel filtration chromatography on Sepharose CL-6B. The polysaccharide was homogeneous after HPSEC/RID analysis (Mw/Mn~1.1), displaying an average molecular weight of 15.4×103Da. Its chemical structure was determined by methylation analysis (GC/MS) and spectroscopy (FTIR, 1D and 2D NMR). The polysaccharide had a branched α-1,6-linked Galp backbone with 66% linear residues, a number of which were at O-3 methylated. Side chains (34%) were always linked at O-2 positions of the main chain and consisted of single, non-reducing ends of α-d-Manp (6%) and α-l-Fucp (28%). Analysis of its biological activity showed that the highly purified fucomannogalactan from R. solani inhibited the proliferation of colon cancer cells in vitro, but that it did not have the same activity against lung cancer cells.

Molecular Cytogenetic Approach to Characterize Novel and Cryptic Chromosome Abnormalities in Childhood Myeloid Malignances of Fanconi Anemia.

Myeloid malignancies can be either primary or secondary, whether or not a specific cause can be determined. Fanconi anemia (FA), a rare constitutional bone marrow failure, usually presents an increased possibility of clonal evolution, due to the increase in chromosomal instability, TP53 activation, and cell death. The evolution of FA may include aplastic anemia by the progressive failure of the bone marrow and myelod neoplasias, such as acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Chromosome abnormalities, particularly of chromosomes, 1, 3, and 7, during the aplastic phase of the disease are predictive of evolution to acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome. Cytogenetic studies are indispensable to characterize chromosome abnormalities, and thus an important part of the clinical management, and for planning of therapeutic interventions. Here, clinical data and outcomes of 4 FA, 3 of them with myeloid malignances and 1 asymptomatic, and detailed characterization of their chromosome abnormalities using cytogenetics techniques are described.

Characterization of novel Acidobacteria exopolysaccharides with potential industrial and ecological applications.

Acidobacteria have been described as one of the most abundant and ubiquitous bacterial phyla in soil. However, factors contributing to this ecological success are not well elucidated mainly due to difficulties in bacterial isolation. Acidobacteria may be able to survive for long periods in soil due to protection provided by secreted extracellular polymeric substances that include exopolysaccharides (EPSs). Here we present the first study to characterize EPSs derived from two strains of Acidobacteria from subdivision 1 belonging to Granulicella sp. EPS are unique heteropolysaccharides containing mannose, glucose, galactose and xylose as major components, and are modified with carboxyl and methoxyl functional groups that we characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Both EPS compounds we identified can efficiently emulsify various oils (sunflower seed, diesel, and liquid paraffin) and hydrocarbons (toluene and hexane). Moreover, the emulsions are more thermostable over time than those of commercialized xanthan. Acidobacterial EPS can now be explored as a source of biopolymers that may be attractive and valuable for industrial applications due to their natural origin, sustainability, biodegradability and low toxicity.

A trans10-18:1 enriched fraction from beef fed a barley grain-based diet induces lipogenic gene expression and reduces viability of HepG2 cells.

Beef fat is a natural source of trans (t) fatty acids, and is typically enriched with either t10-18:1 or t11-18:1. Little is known about the bioactivity of individual t-18:1 isomers, and the present study compared the effects of t9-18:1, cis (c)9-18:1 and trans (t)-18:1 fractions isolated from beef fat enriched with either t10-18:1 (HT10) or t11-18:1 (HT11). All 18:1 isomers resulted in reduced human liver (HepG2) cell viability relative to control. Both c9-18:1 and HT11were the least toxic, t9-18:1had dose response increased toxicity, and HT10 had the greatest toxicity (P<0.05). Incorporation of t18:1 isomers was 1.8-2.5 fold greater in triacylglycerol (TG) than phospholipids (PL), whereas Δ9 desaturation products were selectively incorporated into PL. Culturing HepG2 cells with t9-18:1 and HT10 increased (P<0.05) the Δ9 desaturation index (c9-16:1/16:0) compared to other fatty acid treatments. HT10 and t9-18:1 also increased expression of lipogenic genes (FAS, SCD1, HMGCR and SREBP2) compared to control (P<0.05), whereas c9-18:1 and HT11 did not affect the expression of these genes. Our results suggest effects of HT11 and c9-18:1 were similar to BSA control, whereas HT10 and t-9 18:1 (i.e. the predominant trans fatty acid isomer found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils) were more cytotoxic and led to greater expression of lipogenic genes.

Spread of Oropouche virus into the central nervous system in mouse.

Oropouche virus (OROV) is an important cause of arboviral illness in Brazil and other Latin American countries, with most cases clinically manifested as acute febrile illness referred to as Oropouche fever, including myalgia, headache, arthralgia and malaise. However, OROV can also affect the central nervous system (CNS) with clinical neurological implications. Little is known regarding OROV pathogenesis, especially how OROV gains access to the CNS. In the present study, neonatal BALB/c mice were inoculated with OROV by the subcutaneous route and the progression of OROV spread into the CNS was evaluated. Immunohistochemistry revealed that OROV infection advances from posterior parts of the brain, including the periaqueductal gray, toward the forebrain. In the early phases of the infection OROV gains access to neural routes, reaching the spinal cord and ascending to the brain through brainstem regions, with little inflammation. Later, as infection progresses, OROV crosses the blood-brain barrier, resulting in more intense spread into the brain parenchyma, with more severe manifestations of encephalitis.