Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 76
Filter
1.
Braz J Biol ; 82: e269137, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36629548

ABSTRACT

Soil is the base of any ecosystem since it conserves nutrients and water for plant roots including agriculture and plantations. In dry and semi-arid places across the world, including the UAE, sandy soils are common. Their fertility is extremely low, and production is hampered by a number of agronomic challenges. Soil conditioner sources like bentonite and chicken manure might be used to improve the poor sandy soil attributes and hence boost soil productivity. From November 2019 to March 2020, an experiment was conducted to investigate the growth rates of Bougainvillea following bentonite and chicken manure amendments to sandy soil taken from Lehbab, Dubai. Bougainvillea was evaluated for its plant height (cm), max length of primary branch (cm), the number of leaves per plant, number of secondary branches, shoot weight (g), root length (cm), root weight (g), root/shoot ratio, chlorophyll contents, and chlorophyll a* and b*. In this experiment, a complete randomized design (CRD) with five treatments was used (10 replications per treatment). According to the findings, bentonite and chicken manure additions considerably influence the productive properties of sandy soil, as indicated by Bougainvillea growth. Additionally, the research suggests that Bougainvillea may be efficiently planted with 10% bentonite and 15% chicken manure applied to sandy soil, resulting in the healthiest plants compared to other amendments.


Subject(s)
Bentonite , Crops, Agricultural , Soil , Animals , Chickens , Chlorophyll A , Ecosystem , Manure , Poultry , Sand , Crops, Agricultural/growth & development
2.
Alzheimers Dement ; 19(2): 721-735, 2023 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36098676

ABSTRACT

Limited knowledge on dementia biomarkers in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries remains a serious barrier. Here, we reported a survey to explore the ongoing work, needs, interests, potential barriers, and opportunities for future studies related to biomarkers. The results show that neuroimaging is the most used biomarker (73%), followed by genetic studies (40%), peripheral fluids biomarkers (31%), and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers (29%). Regarding barriers in LAC, lack of funding appears to undermine the implementation of biomarkers in clinical or research settings, followed by insufficient infrastructure and training. The survey revealed that despite the above barriers, the region holds a great potential to advance dementia biomarkers research. Considering the unique contributions that LAC could make to this growing field, we highlight the urgent need to expand biomarker research. These insights allowed us to propose an action plan that addresses the recommendations for a biomarker framework recently proposed by regional experts.


Subject(s)
Dementia , Humans , Latin America , Dementia/diagnosis
3.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol ; 31(12): 2025-2029, 2017 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28750139

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: T1 melanoma substaging was recently modified by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). Although sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity is the most important prognostic factor in melanoma, there is a lack of consensus on whether SLN biopsy should be performed in patients with thin melanoma (≤1 mm). OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study was to investigate predictors of SLN positivity in patients with thin melanoma, with a special emphasis on mitotic rate. A secondary aim was to evaluate survival in this group of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective multicenter observational study with analysis of age, sex, tumour location, thickness, mitotic rate, regression and microscopic satellites. Predictive factors were identified using a classification and regression tree (CART) approach. Melanoma-specific survival according to SLN status was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: We analysed 203 patients with a melanoma ≤1 mm. Using the new AJCC staging criteria, the CART algorithm identified a 7.5% likelihood of SLN positivity in T1a patients. In the case of T1b melanoma, there was a 14.3% likelihood of SLN positivity in patients with a mitotic rate >1 mitosis/mm2 and a 3.2% likelihood in those with ≤1 mitoses/mm2 . None of the patients with T1b disease who had ≤1 mitoses/mm2 and regression had SLN positivity. In T1b patients, 5-year melanoma-specific survival was 98.7% in the SLN-negative group and 75% in the SLN-positive group (P = 0.05). When stratified by mitotic rate, survival was 100% for patients with a mitotic rate of ≤1 mitoses/mm2 and 91.4% for those with >1 mitosis/mm2 (P = 0.022). There were no deaths in the T1a subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node metastasis was less common in patients with T1b melanoma who had a mitotic rate of ≤1 mitoses/mm2 . Performance of SLN biopsy should be carefully considered in this subgroup of patients, particularly considering the good prognosis.


Subject(s)
Melanoma/genetics , Mitotic Index , Skin Neoplasms/genetics , Adult , Female , Humans , Lymphatic Metastasis , Male , Melanoma/pathology , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Sentinel Lymph Node , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy , Skin Neoplasms/pathology
4.
Radiología (Madr., Ed. impr.) ; 56(1): 84-88, ene.-feb. 2014. ilus
Article in Spanish | IBECS | ID: ibc-118524

ABSTRACT

El tumor de células granulares es un tumor poco frecuente y generalmente benigno que se origina en las células de Schwann. Su localización habitual es en la cabeza y el cuello y su aparición en la mama es infrecuente. Aun siendo un tumor infrecuente, el tumor de células granulares de la mama tiene una prevalencia mayor de lo que anteriormente se ha reconocido. Este tumor habitualmente imita al carcinoma de mama por la clínica y datos de imagen y su diagnóstico es anatomopatológico. El tratamiento es escisión local amplia y su pronóstico es bueno con escasa tasa de recidivas. Presentamos dos casos de tumores de células granulares de mama en mujeres posmenopáusicas que simulaban un carcinoma de mama en ecografía y mamografía. La primera se detectó en el programa de cribado de cáncer de mama y la segunda durante el seguimiento después de un carcinoma ductal infiltrante (AU)


The granular cell tumour is a very rare tumour which originates in the Schwann cells, and is generally benign. It is usually located in the head and neck, and its appearance in the breast is uncommon. Although it is rare tumour, granular cell tumours of the breast have a higher prevalence than previously recognised. This tumour usually imitates breast cancer due to its clinical and imaging data, with its diagnosis being by histopathology. The treatment is a wide local excision, and its prognosis is good with a low recurrence rate. We present two cases of granular tumours of the breast in post-menopausal women that simulated a breast carcinoma in the ultrasound and mammography. The first was detected in the breast cancer screening program, and the second during follow up of an invasive ductal carcinoma (AU)


Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Middle Aged , Granular Cell Tumor/pathology , Granular Cell Tumor , Prognosis , Neoplasms, Ductal, Lobular, and Medullary , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/complications , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/diagnosis , Breast Neoplasms , Mass Screening/methods , Adenocarcinoma , Granular Cell Tumor/physiopathology
5.
Radiologia ; 56(1): 84-8, 2014.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22325669

ABSTRACT

The granular cell tumour is a very rare tumour which originates in the Schwann cells, and is generally benign. It is usually located in the head and neck, and its appearance in the breast is uncommon. Although it is rare tumour, granular cell tumours of the breast have a higher prevalence than previously recognised. This tumour usually imitates breast cancer due to its clinical and imaging data, with its diagnosis being by histopathology. The treatment is a wide local excision, and its prognosis is good with a low recurrence rate. We present two cases of granular tumours of the breast in post-menopausal women that simulated a breast carcinoma in the ultrasound and mammography. The first was detected in the breast cancer screening program, and the second during follow up of an invasive ductal carcinoma.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Granular Cell Tumor/diagnosis , Aged , Female , Humans , Middle Aged
6.
Radiología (Madr., Ed. impr.) ; 53(2): 175-178, mar.-abr. 2011. ilus
Article in Spanish | IBECS | ID: ibc-86614

ABSTRACT

El tumor hinchado de Pott es una rara entidad que se caracteriza por hinchazón en el cuero cabelludo debido a absceso subperióstico asociado a osteomielitis en el hueso frontal. Es frecuentemente secundario a complicación de una sinusitis frontal o a traumatismo. La sinusitis frontal no diagnosticada o parcialmente tratada puede llevar a esta complicación, que requiere una intervención médica y quirúrgica rápida para evitar complicaciones que aumentan la morbimortalidad de los pacientes afectados. En la era antibiótica es extremadamente infrecuente, siendo una entidad actualmente olvidada debido a su rara aparición. Presentamos un caso de tumor hinchado de Pott en un varón de 15 años que se ha complicado con afectación orbitaria e intracraneal, siendo esta una forma de presentación aún más inusual. Los hallazgos mediante tomografía computarizada dieron la clave en el diagnóstico de este paciente (AU)


Pott's puffy tumor is a rare entity characterized by a swelling of the scalp due to a subperiosteal abscess associated to osteomyelitis in the frontal bone. It is often associated with a complication of frontal sinusitis or trauma. Undiagnosed or partially treated frontal sinusitis can lead to Pott's puffy tumor, which requires rapid medical and surgical intervention to prevent complications that increase morbidity and mortality. Since the advent of antibiotics, Pott's puffy tumor has become rare to the point of almost being forgotten. We present a case of Pott's puffy tumor in a 15-year-old boy. This case is even more unusual because the tumor became complicated with orbital and intracranial involvement. The findings at computed tomography provided the key to the diagnosis in this patient (AU)


Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adolescent , Sinusitis/complications , Sinusitis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , /methods , Scalp/pathology , Scalp , Craniotomy/methods , Skull , Skull/pathology , Skull Neoplasms , Diagnosis, Differential
7.
Radiologia ; 53(2): 175-8, 2011.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20656307

ABSTRACT

Pott's puffy tumor is a rare entity characterized by a swelling of the scalp due to a subperiosteal abscess associated to osteomyelitis in the frontal bone. It is often associated with a complication of frontal sinusitis or trauma. Undiagnosed or partially treated frontal sinusitis can lead to Pott's puffy tumor, which requires rapid medical and surgical intervention to prevent complications that increase morbidity and mortality. Since the advent of antibiotics, Pott's puffy tumor has become rare to the point of almost being forgotten. We present a case of Pott's puffy tumor in a 15-year-old boy. This case is even more unusual because the tumor became complicated with orbital and intracranial involvement. The findings at computed tomography provided the key to the diagnosis in this patient.


Subject(s)
Brain Abscess/etiology , Epidural Abscess/etiology , Frontal Sinusitis/complications , Frontal Sinusitis/microbiology , Streptococcal Infections/etiology , Adolescent , Humans , Male
8.
Domest Anim Endocrinol ; 38(2): 115-25, 2010 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19782502

ABSTRACT

Avian uncoupling protein (avUCP) is orthologous to UCP3, which is suggested to be involved in fatty acid metabolism and to limit the mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species in mammals. In the chicken, the role and regulation of avUCP remain to be clarified. The aim of this study was to explore the control of avUCP expression by the beta-adrenergic system, known to be involved in avian thermoregulation and lipid utilization, and in UCP expression in mammals. Therefore, we measured the expression of avUCP mRNA and protein in the Pectoralis major muscle of chickens injected with the beta(2) agonist isoproterenol, and we investigated the potential pathways involved in the regulation of avUCP mRNA expression. Avian UCP mRNA expression was increased 7-fold 4h after isoproterenol injection, leading to a tendency to a 40% increase in avUCP protein 24h post-injection. This increase was preceded, 30 min after isoproterenol injection, by changes in the chicken thyroid status and in the muscular expression of PPARalpha, PPARbeta/delta, and PPARgamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha). Moreover, the analysis of the avUCP promoter sequence suggested potential binding sites for PPARs and for thyroid hormone receptors. We also detected the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase, which has recently been reported to be involved in UCP3 regulation in mammals. This study presents for the first time evidence of beta-adrenergic control on avUCP messenger expression in chicken muscle and suggests the potential involvement of AMPK and several transcription factors in this regulation.


Subject(s)
Chickens , Gene Expression Regulation/physiology , Ion Channels/genetics , Mitochondrial Proteins/genetics , Receptors, Adrenergic, beta/physiology , Uncoupling Agents , AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism , Adrenergic beta-Agonists/pharmacology , Animals , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Ion Channels/analysis , Isoproterenol/pharmacology , Male , Mitochondrial Proteins/analysis , Muscle, Skeletal/chemistry , Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors/genetics , Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics , RNA, Messenger/analysis , Thyroid Hormones/blood , Transcription Factors/genetics
9.
Free Radic Biol Med ; 46(5): 624-32, 2009 Mar 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19135522

ABSTRACT

Mitochondrial and NADPH oxidase systems and oxidative stress were investigated in 12 week high-fat high-sucrose (HFHS) diet-fed rats. A protective effect of wine polyphenol (PP) extract was also examined. In liver, maximal activities of CII and CII+III mitochondrial complexes were decreased but NADPH oxidase expression (p22(phox) and p47(phox)) and NADPH oxidase-dependent superoxide anion production were not modified, whereas oxidative stress (lipid and protein oxidation products and antioxidant systems) was increased with HFHS diet. In muscle, anion superoxide production was slightly increased while mitochondrial complex activities and lipid and protein oxidation products were not modified with HFHS diet. In heart, NADPH oxidase expression and superoxide anion production were increased, and maximal activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes or oxidative stress parameters were not modified. Wine polyphenol extract had an inhibiting effect on liver oxidative stress and on heart NADPH oxidase expression and superoxide anion production, and on induction of hepatic steatosis with HFHS diet. Induction of mitochondrial dysfunction could be a primary event in the development of oxidative stress in liver, while in skeletal muscle and in heart the NADPH oxidase system seems to be mainly involved in oxidative stress. Wine polyphenol extract was shown to partially prevent oxidative stress in liver and heart tissues and to nearly completely prevent steatosis development in liver.


Subject(s)
Flavonoids/pharmacology , Mitochondria/physiology , NADPH Oxidases/metabolism , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Phenols/pharmacology , Superoxides/analysis , Animals , Diet , Dietary Fats/adverse effects , Heart/physiology , Liver/drug effects , Liver/physiology , Liver/ultrastructure , Male , Mitochondria/drug effects , Muscles/physiology , Muscles/ultrastructure , Myocardium/enzymology , Myocardium/ultrastructure , Organ Specificity , Polyphenols , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Sucrose/adverse effects , Wine/analysis
10.
Hum Biol ; 77(4): 499-508, 2005 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16485779

ABSTRACT

Two hundred twenty-one individuals from four groups located around the Brazilian town of Porto Velho, Rondônia, were studied in relation to four sites located within or near the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The allele frequencies, when considered individually, do not depart markedly from frequencies obtained from other populations of mainly European descent. However, when haplotypes were estimated, two of the groups departed markedly from other Brazilian and non-Brazilian samples. This finding is probably related to the complex multiethnic origin of these groups.


Subject(s)
Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator/genetics , Genetics, Population , Haplotypes , Brazil , Gene Frequency , Humans , Rural Population
11.
Int J Oncol ; 23(3): 697-704, 2003 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12888906

ABSTRACT

We have studied the effects of the organophosphorous pesticide malathion on cell viability, actin cytoskeleton, cell adhesion complex E-cadherin/beta-catenin, and Rho and Rac1 GTPases from the human mammary carcinoma cell line MCF-7. Malathion induced cell lethality, determined by the MTT assay, depending on the treatment conditions. Cells incubated with low concentrations of malathion, 16-32 microg/ml, showed high survival rates (>95%) at any evaluated time (1-5 days), whereas complete cell lethality was found using 512 microg/ml and 5 days of treatment. Deep morphological changes were induced with high doses of 64 and 128 microg/ml, and long incubation time (5 days); cells showed perinuclear vacuoles, rounding, shrinkage, and a gradual loss of adhesion. These changes were related to a decrease in the expression of the adhesion molecules, E-cadherin and beta-catenin, and to the distribution and reactivity of actin microfilaments to TRITC-phalloidin. Disruption of microfilaments, accompanied by the collapse of actin to perinuclear region, were characteristic of cells with loss of adhesion. At lower concentrations, some cells presented deformations on the plasma membrane as lamellipodia-like structures, which were particularly evident from 32 to 128 microg/ml. Conversely, we observed an increase in the expression of Rho and Rac1 GTPases, modulators of actin cytoskeleton and cell adhesion.


Subject(s)
Actins/chemistry , Actins/metabolism , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Cytoskeleton/metabolism , Malathion/pharmacology , Blotting, Western , Cadherins/biosynthesis , Cell Adhesion/drug effects , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Nucleus/metabolism , Cell Survival , Coloring Agents/pharmacology , Cytoskeletal Proteins/biosynthesis , Cytoskeleton/drug effects , Electrophoresis , Humans , Insecticides/pharmacology , Microscopy, Fluorescence , Tetrazolium Salts/pharmacology , Thiazoles/pharmacology , Time Factors , Trans-Activators/biosynthesis , beta Catenin , rac1 GTP-Binding Protein/biosynthesis , rho GTP-Binding Proteins/biosynthesis
12.
J Submicrosc Cytol Pathol ; 35(1): 1-9, 2003 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12762645

ABSTRACT

Environmental substances may be involved in the etiology of breast cancers. Many studies have found an association between cancer in humans and exposure to agricultural pesticides. Organophosphorous pesticides have been used to control mosquito plagues. Parathion and malathion, organophosphorous pesticides are cholinesterase inhibitors responsible for the hydrolysis of body choline esters, including acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses. Their primary target of action in insects is the nervous system whereby they inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase at synaptic junction. Atropine is a parasympatholytic alkaloid used as an antidote to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. We have established an experimental breast cancer model, where epithelial cells in the rat mammary gland underwent a stepwise transformation into malignant cells by exposure to pesticides (Cabello et al, 2001). The aim of this work was to examine whether pesticides were able to induce progression of malignant transformation of a human breast epithelial cell line, MCF7. These results showed that parathion and malathion increased PCNA and induced mutant p53 protein expression of MCF7 cells in comparison to controls and atropine inhibited such action. These results indicated that organophosphorous pesticides can induce more changes in this malignant breast cell line, inducing another step in the progression of the transformation process and atropine on the other hand inhibited the effect of such substances.


Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/chemically induced , Breast Neoplasms/chemically induced , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/chemically induced , Epithelial Cells/drug effects , Insecticides/toxicity , Adenocarcinoma/metabolism , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Atropine/pharmacology , Breast/cytology , Breast Neoplasms/metabolism , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Cell Count , Cell Division/drug effects , Cell Line, Tumor/drug effects , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/toxicity , Disease Progression , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Humans , Malathion/toxicity , Parasympatholytics/pharmacology , Parathion/toxicity , Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen/metabolism , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism
13.
Oncogene ; 20(55): 7998-8008, 2001 Nov 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11753683

ABSTRACT

With the aim to identify the oncoprotein partners implicated in the c-Jun myogenic influence, we carried out stable transfection experiments of c-Jun and/or ATF2, Fra2, c-Fos overexpression in avian myoblasts. Before induction of differentiation, c-Jun repressed myoblast withdrawal from the cell cycle, as did a TPA treatment. However, after serum removal, unlike TPA, c-Jun significantly stimulated myoblast differentiation. In search for specific partners involved in this dual influence, we found that a reduction in the amounts of c-Fos and Fra2 and an increase in c-Jun proteins occurred at cell confluence, a situation likely to favor cooperation between c-Jun and ATF2 during terminal differentiation. Whereas c-Fos and Fra2 cooperated with c-Jun to abrogate myoblast withdrawal from the cell cycle and terminal differentiation, ATF2 co-expression potentiated the positive myogenic c-Jun influence. In addition, myogenin expression was a positive target of this cooperation and this regulation occurred through a stimulation of myogenin promoter activity: (1) whereas c-Fos or Fra2 co-expression abrogated c-Jun stimulatory activity on this promoter, ATF2 co-expression potentiated this influence; (2) using a dominant negative ATF2 mutant, we established that c-Jun transcriptional activity required functionality of endogenous ATF2. These data suggest that through this dual myogenic influence due to cooperations with different partners, c-Jun is involved in the control of duration of myoblast proliferation and thereafter of fusion efficiency.


Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation , Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein/metabolism , Muscles/cytology , Myogenin/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun/metabolism , Quail , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Activating Transcription Factor 2 , Animals , Blotting, Western , Cell Cycle , Cell Division , Cell Line , Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Dimerization , Fos-Related Antigen-2 , Genes, Dominant , Microscopy, Fluorescence , Muscles/metabolism , Mutation , Myogenin/genetics , Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Transcription Factor AP-1/metabolism , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transfection
14.
FEBS Lett ; 508(2): 236-40, 2001 Nov 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11718722

ABSTRACT

Thyroid hormone stimulates myoblast differentiation, through an inhibition of AP-1 activity occurring at the onset of differentiation. In this study we found that the T3 nuclear receptor c-ErbAalpha1 (T3Ralpha1) is involved in a mechanism preserving the duration of myoblast proliferation. Independently of the hormone presence, T3Ralpha1 represses avian MyoD transcriptional activity. Using several mutants of T3Ralpha1, we found that the hinge region plays a crucial role in the inhibition of MyoD activity. In particular, mutations of two small basic sequences included in alpha helices abrogate the T3Ralpha1/MyoD functional interaction. Similarly, the T3 receptor also represses myogenin transcriptional activity. Therefore, despite stimulating avian myoblast differentiation by a T3-dependent pathway not involving myogenic factors, T3Ralpha1 contributes to maintain an optimal myoblast proliferation period by inhibiting MyoD and myogenin activity.


Subject(s)
MyoD Protein/antagonists & inhibitors , MyoD Protein/metabolism , Quail , Receptors, Thyroid Hormone/metabolism , Transcription, Genetic , Triiodothyronine/metabolism , Animals , Cell Division , Cell Line , Gene Expression Regulation , Mice , Muscles/cytology , Muscles/metabolism , Mutation , Myogenin/genetics , Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics , Protein Structure, Secondary , Protein Structure, Tertiary , Rats , Receptors, Thyroid Hormone/chemistry , Receptors, Thyroid Hormone/genetics , Repressor Proteins/chemistry , Repressor Proteins/genetics , Repressor Proteins/metabolism , Triiodothyronine/pharmacology
15.
Hum Biol ; 73(3): 403-9, 2001 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11459421

ABSTRACT

Cystic fibrosis patients from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were screened for mutations in exons 11 and 16 of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR) by a nonradioactive single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis technique. This procedure was used to evaluate the undefined mutations in one or both alleles of 64 cystic fibrosis patients. Unusual SSCP profiles were investigated further by sequence analysis. Two patients were shown to carry the G542X mutation (exon 11) and five had the splicing mutation 3120+1G-->A(intron 16), one of them being homozygous for the mutation. This is the first report of the 3120+ IG-->A mutation in Brazil. where it appears to be a frequent disease-associated molecular alteration in the CFTR gene.


Subject(s)
Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator/genetics , Cystic Fibrosis/genetics , Mutation/genetics , Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational , Brazil , Gene Frequency , Humans , Likelihood Functions
16.
Oncogene ; 20(21): 2691-703, 2001 May 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11420681

ABSTRACT

We have previously shown that BTG1 stimulates myoblast differentiation. In addition, this protein displays a major nuclear localization in confluent myoblasts, decreasing during the early steps of differentiation, and is essentially detected in the cytoplasm of mature myotubes. To identify the domains involved in the cellular trafficking of BTG1, we observed the localization of several BTG1 sequences fused to betaGalactosidase. The highly conserved B box among all members of the BTG family induces a significant nuclear localization of the betaGal moiety, enhanced by presence of the BTG1 carboxy-terminal sequence. In addition, a functional Nuclear Export Signal (NES) overlaps the B box. Moreover, presence of the first 43 NH(2)-terminal amino acids reduced the nuclear localization of each chimeric protein tested. Last, the BTG1 amino-terminal domain bears an LxxLL motif favouring nuclear accumulation, and another region encompassing the A box inhibiting nuclear localization. In contrast to a BTG1 mutant exclusively localized in the cytoplasm, transient expression of a mutant displaying a nuclear localization enhanced myoblasts withdrawal from the cell cycle and terminal differentiation, thus mimicking the myogenic influence of BTG1. In conclusion, several regions of BTG1 are implicated in its cellular localization, and BTG1 myogenic activity is induced at the nuclear level.


Subject(s)
Neoplasm Proteins/physiology , Active Transport, Cell Nucleus/physiology , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Cell Line , Cell Nucleus/metabolism , Conserved Sequence , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , Muscles/cytology , Muscles/metabolism , Muscles/physiology , Neoplasm Proteins/genetics , Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism , Protein Structure, Tertiary , Quail , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism , Transfection , beta-Galactosidase/genetics , beta-Galactosidase/metabolism
17.
Environ Health Perspect ; 109(5): 471-9, 2001 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11401758

ABSTRACT

Environmental chemicals may be involved in the etiology of breast cancers. Many studies have addressed the association between cancer in humans and agricultural pesticide exposure. Organophosphorous pesticides have been used extensively to control mosquito plagues. Parathion and malathion are organophosphorous pesticides extensively used to control a wide range of sucking and chewing pests of field crops, fruits, and vegetables. They have many structural similarities with naturally occurring compounds, and their primary target of action in insects is the nervous system; they inhibit the release of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase at the synaptic junction. Eserine, parathion, and malathion are cholinesterase inhibitors responsible for the hydrolysis of body choline esters, including acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses. Atropine, a parasympatholytic alkaloid, is used as an antidote to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. The aim of this study was to examine whether pesticides were able to induce malignant transformation of the rat mammary gland and to determine whether alterations induced by these substances increase the cholinergic activation influencing such transformation. These results showed that eserine, parathion, and malathion increased cell proliferation of terminal end buds of the 44-day-old mammary gland of rats, followed by formation of 8.6, 14.3, and 24.3% of mammary carcinomas, respectively, after about 28 months. At the same time, acetylcholinesterase activity decreased in the serum of these animals from 9.78 +/- 0.78 U/mL in the control animals to 3.05 +/- 0.06 U/mL; 2.57 +/- 0.15 U/mL; and 3.88 +/- 0.44 U/mL in the eserine-, parathion-, and malathion-treated groups, respectively. However, atropine alone induced a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the acetylcholinesterase activity from the control value of 9.78 +/- 0.78 to 4.38 +/- 0.10 for atropine alone, to 1.32 +/- 0.06 for atropine in combination with eserine, and 2.39 +/- 0.29 for atropine with malathion, and there was no mammary tumor formation. These results indicate that organophosphorous pesticides induce changes in the epithelium of mammary gland influencing the process of carcinogenesis, and such alterations occur at the level of nervous system by increasing the cholinergic stimulation.


Subject(s)
Acetylcholinesterase/drug effects , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/toxicity , Insecticides/toxicity , Malathion/toxicity , Mammary Glands, Animal/drug effects , Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/chemically induced , Parathion/toxicity , Physostigmine/toxicity , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Animals , Atropine/pharmacology , Cell Division , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/chemically induced , Female , Mammary Glands, Animal/cytology , Mammary Glands, Animal/pathology , Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology , Parasympatholytics/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley
18.
Av. odontoestomatol ; 17(4): 169-174, mayo 2001. tab
Article in Es | IBECS | ID: ibc-11403

ABSTRACT

Esta ultima parte de la revisión trata del empleo del láser en periodoncia, tras una introducción donde se habla de las últimas novedades en el empleo del láser en este campo, se presentan, en forma de tabla, los resultados de diferentes trabajos revisados (AU)


Subject(s)
Humans , Lasers/therapeutic use , Periodontal Diseases/therapy , Gingivectomy/methods , Lasers/adverse effects , Laser Therapy/methods , Dental Scaling/methods
19.
J Mol Endocrinol ; 26(1): 67-77, 2001 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11174855

ABSTRACT

Triiodothyronine (T3) is considered a major regulator of mitochondrial activity. In this review, we show evidence of the existence of a direct T3 mitochondrial pathway, and try to clarify the respective importance of the nuclear and mitochondrial pathways for organelle activity. Numerous studies have reported short-term and delayed T3 stimulation of mitochondrial oxygen consumption. Convincing data indicate that an early influence occurs through an extra-nuclear mechanism insensitive to inhibitors of protein synthesis. Although it has been shown that diiodothyronines could actually be T3 mediators of this short-term influence, the detection of specific T3-binding sites, probably corresponding to a 28 kDa c-Erb Aalpha1 protein of the inner membrane, also supports a direct T3 influence. The more delayed influence of thyroid hormone upon mitochondrial respiration probably results from mechanisms elicited at the nuclear level, including changes in phospholipid turnover and stimulation of uncoupling protein expression, leading to an increased inner membrane proton leak. However, the involvement of a direct mitochondrial T3 pathway leading to a rapid stimulation of mitochondrial protein synthesis has to be considered. Both pathways are obviously involved in the T3 stimulation of mitochondrial genome transcription. First, a 43 kDa c-Erb Aalpha1 protein located in the mitochondrial matrix (p43), acting as a potent T3-dependent transcription factor of the mitochondrial genome, induces early stimulation of organelle transcription. In addition, T3 increases mitochondrial TFA expression, a mitochondrial transcription factor encoded by a nuclear gene. Similarly, the stimulation of mitochondriogenesis by thyroid hormone probably involves both pathways. In particular, the c-erb Aalpha gene simultaneously encodes a nuclear and a mitochondrial T3 receptor (p43), thus ensuring coordination of the expression of the mitochondrial genome and of nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins. Recent studies concerning the physiological importance of the direct mitochondrial T3 pathway involving p43 led to the conclusion that it is not only involved in the regulation of fuel metabolism, but also in the regulation of cell differentiation. As the processes leading to or resulting from differentiation are energy-consuming, p43 coordination of metabolism and differentiation could be of significant importance in the regulation of development.


Subject(s)
Mitochondria/physiology , Thyroid Hormones/physiology , Animals , Genome , Humans , Mitochondria/genetics , Oxygen Consumption
20.
Rev. esp. patol ; 34(1): 9-17, ene. 2001. ilus
Article in En | IBECS | ID: ibc-7878

ABSTRACT

Planteamiento: se ha estudiado la inducción de las proteínas de choque térmico (hsp) 70 y 27 en 35 pacientes con cáncer de mama comparando con tumores malignos.Material y métodos: Se han hecho estudios con inmunohistoquímica sobre cortes de parafina de los 35 pacientes con cáncer de mama empleando anticuerpos frente a las proteínas hsp70 y hsp27. Al mismo tiempo se han analizado los tumores, pero no sucede lo mismo con hsp27. La expresión de hsp70 es alta en todos los casos, con más del 60 por ciento de células teñidas por campo en cada tumor. La expresión de hsp27 es menor en los casos dende hay reacción positiva. La expresión de hsp70 parece estar relacionada con los procesos de proliferación en tejido mamario, mientras que en tumores malignos hay una localización nuclear de hsp70.Conclusiones: Se puede decir que los resultados del trabajo apoyan el empleo de hsp70 como marcador de malignidad en el cáncer de mama, dada su expresión aumnetada y translocación nuclear relacionada con el cáncer (AU)


Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Male , Middle Aged , Humans , Chaperonin 10 , Paraffin/analysis , Paraffin , Antibodies/analysis , Antibodies , Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis , Biomarkers, Tumor , Immunohistochemistry/methods , Immunoenzyme Techniques , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/analysis , HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins , Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism , Differential Thermal Analysis/methods , Differential Thermal Analysis , Protein Engineering , Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein , Annexins , Carrier Proteins/analysis , Carrier Proteins/genetics , Carrier Proteins/metabolism , Antigens/immunology , Sialoglycoproteins
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...