Improvement and validation of a female finite element model of the cervical spine.

Although the cervical spine supports and controls the kinematics of the head, it is vulnerable to injuries during mechanical loading. Severe injuries often result in damage to the spinal cord, leading to significant ramifications. The role of gender in determining the outcome of such injuries has been established as significant. In order to better understand the essential mechanics and develop treatments or preventative measures, various forms of research have been conducted. Computational modelling is one of the most useful and extensively utilised methods, as it provides information that would otherwise be difficult to obtain. As such, the primary goal of this research is to create a new finite element of the female cervical spine that will more accurately represent the group most affected by such injuries. This work is a continuation of a previous study where a model was created from the computer tomography scans of a 46-year-old female. A functioning spinal unit consisting of the C6-C7 segment was simulated as a validation procedure. The experimental data obtained from cadaveric specimens, that assessed the range of motion of different cervical segments in flexion-extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending, was used to validate the reduced model.

Targeting Hydroxybenzoic Acids to Mitochondria as a Strategy to Delay Skin Ageing: An In Vitro Approach.

Targeting antioxidants to mitochondria is considered a promising strategy to prevent cellular senescence and skin ageing. In this study, we investigate whether four hydroxybenzoic acid-based mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (MitoBENs, MB1-4) could be used as potential active ingredients to prevent senescence in skin cells. Firstly, we evaluated the chemical stability, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and mitochondrial toxicity of all compounds. We followed this by testing the antioxidant protective capacity of the two less toxic compounds on human skin fibroblasts. We then assessed the effects of the best hit on senescence, inflammation and mitochondrial remodeling on a 3D skin cell model, while also testing its mutagenic potential. Cytotoxicity and mitochondrial toxicity rankings were produced: MB3 < MB4 ≃ MB1 < MB2 and MB3 < MB1 < MB4 < MB2, respectively. These results suggest that pyrogallol-based compounds (MB2 and MB4) have lower cytotoxicity. The pyrogallol derivative, MB2, containing a 6-carbon spacer, showed a more potent antioxidant protective activity against hydrogen peroxide cytotoxicity. In a 3D skin cell model, MB2 also decreased transcripts related to senescence. In sum, MB2's biological safety profile, good chemical stability and lack of mutagenicity, combined with its anti-senescence effect, converts MB2 into a good candidate for further development as an active ingredient for skin anti-ageing products.

Cytotoxicity and Mitochondrial Effects of Phenolic and Quinone-Based Mitochondria-Targeted and Untargeted Antioxidants on Human Neuronal and Hepatic Cell Lines: A Comparative Analysis.

Mitochondriotropic antioxidants (MC3, MC6.2, MC4 and MC7.2) based on dietary antioxidants and analogs (caffeic, hydrocaffeic, trihydroxyphenylpropanoic and trihydroxycinnamic acids) were developed. In this study, we evaluate and compare the cytotoxicity profile of novel mitochondria-targeted molecules (generally known as MitoCINs) on human HepG2 and differentiated SH-SY5Y cells with the quinone-based mitochondria-targeted antioxidants MitoQ and SkQ1 and with two non-targeted antioxidants, resveratrol and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). We further evaluate their effects on mitochondrial membrane potential, cellular oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rates. Overall, MitoCINs derivatives reduced cell viability at concentrations about six times higher than those observed with MitoQ and SkQ1. A toxicity ranking for both cell lines was produced: MC4 < MC7.2 < MC3 < MC6.2. These results suggest that C-6 carbon linker and the presence of a pyrogallol group result in lower cytotoxicity. MC3 and MC6.2 affected the mitochondrial function more significantly relative to MitoQ, SkQ1, resveratrol and CoQ10, while MC4 and MC7.2 displayed around 100-1000 times less cytotoxicity than SkQ1 and MitoQ. Based on the mitochondrial and cytotoxicity cellular data, MC4 and MC7.2 are proposed as leads that can be optimized to develop safe drug candidates with therapeutic application in mitochondrial oxidative stress-related diseases.

Differential proteomics of the plasma of individuals with sepsis caused by Acinetobacter baumannii.

This study examines alterations in the plasma proteome in ten adults affected by sepsis caused by Acinetobacter baumannii as compared to paired healthy controls. 2-DE profiles of plasma from patients and paired healthy donors, depleted of the six most abundant proteins, were analysed by the DIGE technique. Protein spot detection and quantification were performed with the Differential In-gel Analysis and Biological Variation Analysis modules of the DeCyder() software. Differentially expressed proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF) after colloidal Coomassie blue staining. Almost 900 spots were detected on a unique 2-D gel by the DIGE technique. A total of 269 protein spots of differential abundance were shown to be statistically significant (2.5-fold) with p values of p< or =0.01 (135 spots) and p< or =0.05 (134 spots) as determined by the t test. Seventy-one spots were submitted to mass spectrometry and about 30% could be successfully identified. This multiplex approach significantly reduced experimental variability, allowing for the confident detection of small differences in protein levels. Results include differentially expressed lipoproteins as well as proteins belonging to inflammatory/coagulation pathways and the kallikrein-kinin system. These data improves the knowledge for future developments in sepsis diagnosis, staging and therapy.

Proteômica e sepse: novas perspectivas para o diagnóstico / Proteomics and sepsis: new perspectives for diagnosis

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O diagnóstico e o tratamento da sepse continuam a desafiar a todos; e desenvolver formas mais precisas de abordagem são absolutamente necessárias. O objetivo deste estudo foi empregar técnicas proteômicas, eletroforese bidimensional e espectrometria de massa, para verificar a expressão diferencial de proteínas, em soro de pacientes com sepse comparado com controles saudáveis. MÉTODO: Amostras de soro de 30 pacientes com sepse, causada por vários tipos de microorganismos e de 30 controles saudáveis foram obtidas para análise. A seguir, foram submetidas a 2D-SDS-PAGE, comparação entre géis, seleção de spots para excisão e digestão com tripsina, sendo os peptídeos analisados por MALDI TOF-TOF. Os espectros obtidos foram processados (Mascot-matrixscience) para identificação de proteínas no NCBInr Data Bank. RESULTADOS: A análise das imagens mostrou vários spots com expressão diferencial nos géis dos pacientes com sepse em relação aos controles. A identificação de proteínas em alguns destes spots encontrou: precursor Orosomucoide 1, Apolipoproteína A-IV, precursor Apolipoproteína A-IV, precursor Haptoglobina, Haptoglobina, proteína Zinc finger, Amilóide sérico A-1, Transtiretina, Nebulin, Complemento C4, Alfa1-Antitripsina, produto protéico não nominado e outros. CONCLUSÕES: Soros de pacientes com diferentes tipos de sepse expressam padrão protéico característico por 2D-SDS-PAGE comparado com controles. A maior expressão foi de proteínas de fase aguda e lipoproteínas. É possível que no futuro, com a proteômica, criar painel diagnóstico de proteínas, encontrar novos biomarcadores e alvos para intervenção terapêutica na sepse. Esta é a primeira descrição, com a proteômica, das alterações na expressão protéica, no soro de pacientes com sepse.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The diagnostic and treatment of sepsis continue to challenger all, and, more specific forms to approach are absolutely necessary. The objective of this study was to use proteomics techniques, two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, to verify the differential protein expression between serum of patients with sepsis and health controls. METHODS: Samples of serum the 30 patients with sepsis, caused for different types of microorganisms and serum of 30 health controls were obtained for analysis. Next, were submitted to 2D-SDS-PAGE, gels compared, selection of spots for excision and digestion with trypsin, being the peptides analyzed for MALDI TOF-TOF. The obtained spectrums were processed (Mascot-matrix science) for protein identification in NCBInr Data Bank. RESULTS: Image analyses showed several spots with differential expressions in the gels of the patients with sepsis in relation to the controls. The protein identification of some of these spots founded: Orosomucoid 1 precursor, Apolipoprotein A-IV, Apolipoprotein A-IV precursor, Haptoglobin protein precursor, Haptoglobin, Zinc finger protein, Serum amyloid A-1, Transthyretin, Nebulin, Complement C4, Alpha1-Antitrypsin, Unnamed protein product and others. CONCLUSIONS: Serum of the patients with different types of sepsis express characteristic protein profiles by 2D-SDS-PAGE compared with controls. The most expressed were from acute phase proteins and lipoproteins. It is possible in the future, with proteomics, create diagnostic panel of proteins, finding news biomarkers and targets for therapeutic interventions in sepsis. This is a first description, with proteomics, of the alterations in protein expression, in serum of the patients with sepsis.

[Proteomics and sepsis: new perspectives for diagnosis]. / Proteômica e sepse: novas perspectivas para o diagnóstico.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The diagnostic and treatment of sepsis continue to challenger all, and, more specific forms to approach are absolutely necessary. The objective of this study was to use proteomics techniques, two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, to verify the differential protein expression between serum of patients with sepsis and health controls. METHODS: Samples of serum the 30 patients with sepsis, caused for different types of microorganisms and serum of 30 health controls were obtained for analysis. Next, were submitted to 2D-SDS-PAGE, gels compared, selection of spots for excision and digestion with trypsin, being the peptides analyzed for MALDI TOF-TOF. The obtained spectrums were processed (Mascot-matrix science) for protein identification in NCBInr Data Bank. RESULTS: Image analyses showed several spots with differential expressions in the gels of the patients with sepsis in relation to the controls. The protein identification of some of these spots founded: Orosomucoid 1 precursor, Apolipoprotein A-IV, Apolipoprotein A-IV precursor, Haptoglobin protein precursor, Haptoglobin, Zinc finger protein, Serum amyloid A-1, Transthyretin, Nebulin, Complement C4, Alpha1-Antitrypsin, Unnamed protein product and others. CONCLUSIONS: Serum of the patients with different types of sepsis express characteristic protein profiles by 2D-SDS-PAGE compared with controls. The most expressed were from acute phase proteins and lipoproteins. It is possible in the future, with proteomics, create diagnostic panel of proteins, finding news biomarkers and targets for therapeutic interventions in sepsis. This is a first description, with proteomics, of the alterations in protein expression, in serum of the patients with sepsis.

Endogenous lipid pneumonia in a dog.

Endogenous lipid pneumonia has previously been diagnosed in dogs only once. This report describes a case in a dog with a persistent cough, in which the histological diagnosis was based on the presence of numerous foamy macrophages that filled the alveoli and contained small sudanophilic vacuoles. The appearance of endogenous lipid pneumonia in this animal was accompanied by Dirofilaria immitis infection and chronic bronchitis.