Effects of Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Treatment Using Photobiomodulation Therapy Combined with Static Magnetic Field in Aging Rats.

(1) Background: We investigated the detrimental and protective effects of short-, medium, and long-term treatment with different doses of photobiomodulation therapy combined with static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF) during the aging process. (2) Methods: Rats were treated for 15, 30, and 60 weeks with 1, 3, 10, and 30 J of PBMT-sMF or a placebo control. In addition, eight young rats were not subjected to any procedure or treatment and were euthanized at six weeks old. Skin, muscle, bone, kidney, liver, and blood samples were analyzed. (3) Results: No differences between the groups in the morphology of the skin, muscle, and bone was observed. Glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels were increased in the placebo group after 30 and 60 weeks. Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels were also increased in the placebo group after 30 weeks. An increase in creatinine in the PBMT-sMF 3, 10, and 30 J groups compared with that in the young control group was observed. No significant difference in urea levels between the groups was noted. Vascular endothelial growth factor increased in the PBMT-sMF 10 and 30 J groups after 15 weeks of treatment and in the PBMT-sMF 3 J after 60 weeks. Finally, vascular endothelial growth factor decreased in the PBMT-sMF 30 J group after 30 weeks of treatment. (4) Conclusions: PBMT-sMF did not have detrimental effects on the skin, muscle, bone, kidney, or liver after short-, medium-, and long-term treatments in aging rats. In addition, PBMT-sMF may have protective effects on the muscle tissue in aging rats after short- and long-term treatment.

Cholinergic Stimulation Exerts Cardioprotective Effects and Alleviates Renal Inflammatory Responses after Acute Myocardial Infarction in Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats (SHRs).

BACKGROUND: In this investigation, we explored the effects of pharmacological cholinergic stimulation on cardiac function and renal inflammation following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). METHODS: Adult male SHRs were randomized into three experimental groups: sham-operated; AMI + Veh (infarcted, treated with vehicle); and AMI + PY (infarcted, treated with the cholinesterase inhibitor, pyridostigmine bromide (PY)-40 mg/kg, once daily for seven days). Rats were euthanized 7 or 30 days post-surgery. The clinical parameters were assessed on the day before euthanasia. Subsequent to euthanasia, blood samples were collected and renal tissues were harvested for histological and gene expression analyses aimed to evaluate inflammation and injury. RESULTS: Seven days post-surgery, the AMI + PY group demonstrated improvements in left ventricular diastolic function and autonomic regulation, and a reduction in renal macrophage infiltration compared to the AMI + Veh group. Furthermore, there was a notable downregulation in pro-inflammatory gene expression and an upregulation in anti-inflammatory gene expression. Analysis 30 days post-surgery showed that PY treatment had a sustained positive effect on renal gene expression, correlated with a decrease in biomarkers, indicative of subclinical kidney injury. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term cholinergic stimulation with PY provides both cardiac and renal protection by mitigating the inflammatory response after AMI.

The Cloning and Characterization of a Three-Finger Toxin Homolog (NXH8) from the Coralsnake Micrurus corallinus That Interacts with Skeletal Muscle Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors.

Coralsnakes (Micrurus spp.) are the only elapids found throughout the Americas. They are recognized for their highly neurotoxic venom, which is comprised of a wide variety of toxins, including the stable, low-mass toxins known as three-finger toxins (3FTx). Due to difficulties in venom extraction and availability, research on coralsnake venoms is still very limited when compared to that of other Elapidae snakes like cobras, kraits, and mambas. In this study, two previously described 3FTx from the venom of M. corallinus, NXH1 (3SOC1_MICCO), and NXH8 (3NO48_MICCO) were characterized. Using in silico, in vitro, and ex vivo experiments, the biological activities of these toxins were predicted and evaluated. The results showed that only NXH8 was capable of binding to skeletal muscle cells and modulating the activity of nAChRs in nerve-diaphragm preparations. These effects were antagonized by anti-rNXH8 or antielapidic sera. Sequence analysis revealed that the NXH1 toxin possesses eight cysteine residues and four disulfide bonds, while the NXH8 toxin has a primary structure similar to that of non-conventional 3FTx, with an additional disulfide bond on the first loop. These findings add more information related to the structural diversity present within the 3FTx class, while expanding our understanding of the mechanisms of the toxicity of this coralsnake venom and opening new perspectives for developing more effective therapeutic interventions.

The cloning and characterization of a three-finger toxin homolog (NXH8) from the Coralsnake Micrurus corallinus that interacts with skeletal muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Coralsnakes (Micrurus spp.) are the only elapids found throughout the Americas. They are recognized for their highly neurotoxic venom, which is comprised of a wide variety of toxins, including the stable, low-mass toxins known as three-finger toxins (3FTx). Due to difficulties in venom extraction and availability, research on coralsnake venoms is still very limited when compared to that of other Elapidae snakes like cobras, kraits, and mambas. In this study, two previously described 3FTx from the venom of M. corallinus, NXH1 (3SOC1_MICCO), and NXH8 (3NO48_MICCO) were characterized. Using in silico, in vitro, and ex vivo experiments, the biological activities of these toxins were predicted and evaluated. The results showed that only NXH8 was capable of binding to skeletal muscle cells and modulating the activity of nAChRs in nerve–diaphragm preparations. These effects were antagonized by anti-rNXH8 or antielapidic sera. Sequence analysis revealed that the NXH1 toxin possesses eight cysteine residues and four disulfide bonds, while the NXH8 toxin has a primary structure similar to that of non-conventional 3FTx, with an additional disulfide bond on the first loop. These findings add more information related to the structural diversity present within the 3FTx class, while expanding our understanding of the mechanisms of the toxicity of this coralsnake venom and opening new perspectives for developing more effective therapeutic interventions.

Exploring the Potential of Olfactory Receptor Circulating RNA Measurement for Preeclampsia Prediction and Its Linkage to Mild Gestational Hypothyroidism.

Gestational hypothyroidism may lead to preeclampsia development. However, this pathophysiological is unknown. We expect to find a shared mechanism by comparing hypothyroidism and preeclampsia. From our transcriptome data, we recognized olfactory receptors as that fingerprint. The reduction of taste and smell in hypothyroid patients has been known for a long time. Therefore, we decided to look to the olfactory receptors and aimed to identify genes capable of predicting preeclampsia (PEC). Methods: An Ion Proton Sequencer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) was used to construct the transcriptome databases. RStudio with packages Limma v.3.50.0, GEOquery v.2.62.2, and umap v.0.2.8.8 were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes in GSE149440 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The 7500 Real-Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) was used for RT-qPCR amplification of OR6X1 and OR4E2. Results: Our transcriptomic datasets analysis revealed 25.08% and 26.75% downregulated olfactory receptor (ORs) in mild nontreated gestational hypothyroidism (GHT) and PEC, respectively. In the GSE149440 GEO dataset, we found OR5H1, OR5T3, OR51A7, OR51B6, OR10J5, OR6C6, and OR2AG2 as predictors of early-onset PEC. We also evaluate two chosen biomarkers' responses to levothyroxine. The RT-qPCR demonstrated a difference in OR6X1 and OR4E2 expression between GHT and healthy pregnancy (p < 0.05). Those genes presented a negative correlation with TSH (r: -0.51, p < 0.05; and r: -0.44, p < 0.05), a strong positive correlation with each other (r: 0.89; p < 0.01) and the levothyroxine-treated group had no difference from the healthy one. We conclude that ORs could be used as biomarkers at the beginning of gestation, and the downregulated ORs found in GHT may be improved with levothyroxine treatment.

Quality of podcasts recorded by nursing lecturers as pre-class learning material for students: An observational study.

AIM: To evaluate the quality of podcasts produced by lecturers as pre-class learning material; to verify lecturers' buy-in, after a specific workshop, regarding the practice of producing and using podcasts. BACKGROUND: The teaching-learning process has undergone significant changes in recent years with the proposal of the flipped classroom strategy, which places the student at the center of the learning process and uses technology that requires adaptation of lecturers, both inside and outside the classroom. Pre-class learning material is one of the features of the flipped classroom model. It provides basic concepts for problem solving in small group discussion in classroom. Podcasts for this educational purpose are a recent technology and their innovative characteristics require deeper understanding in terms of their influence and usability. DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive and quantitative study. SETTING AND POPULATION: A workshop on the production of educational podcasts was offered to 23 lecturers on the Nursing course. METHODS: Data were collected in the second semester of 2021 and the quality analysis was based on criteria available in the literature. RESULTS: Eighteen professors (78 %) participated in the study and 46 podcasts were produced. Most professors being nurses (61 %), followed by biologists (28 %). Most have a doctorate degree (72 %). These podcasts were available for a mean of five days before the classes and their mean access rate by students was 58 %. There was no correlation between the access rate and the period of availability before the relative class. Most podcasts were informative (100 %) and monologues (98 %). The average duration was 6.2 min, which is within the ideal duration recommended in the literature. All of the podcasts included a description of the learning objectives at the beginning and most of them also included a closing message at the end. CONCLUSION: The nursing lecturers were able to produce their podcasts, which met quality criteria and reached the standards suggested by experts in the field.

Immunomodulatory response in an experimental model of brain death.

Liver transplantation has come a long way and is now regarded as the gold standard treatment for end-stage liver failure. The great majority of livers utilized in transplantation come from brain-dead donors. A broad inflammatory response characterizes BD, resulting in multiorgan damage. This process is primarily mediated by cytokines, which increase the immunogenicity of the graft. In male Lewis rats, we evaluated the immune response in a BD liver donor and compared it to that of a control group. We studied two groups: Control and BD (rats subjected to BD by increasing intracranial pressure). After the induction of BD, there was an intense rise in blood pressure followed by a fall. There were no significant differences observed between the groups. Blood tissue and hepatic tissue analyzes showed an increase in plasma concentrations of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, LDH and ALP), in addition to pro-inflammatory cytokines and macrophages in liver tissue in animals submitted to BD. The current study found that BD is a multifaceted process that elicits both a systemic immune response and a local inflammatory response in liver tissue. Our findings strongly suggested that the immunogenicity of plasma and liver increased with time following BD.

Nursing students' opinion on the use of Escape ZOOM® as a learning strategy: Observational study.

The teaching-learning process has gone through major changes due to the COVID-19 pandemics and it has been left to professors to adapt the teaching process and find ways to keep students engaged. There has been a need to establish collaborative and active strategies for working in the online environment. The development of a game for both teaching and evaluating de interdisciplinary learning content on an online platform may create a gameful experience and stimulating environment that makes complex learning goals achievable. To analyze how nursing students feel in relation to their participation and learning in an Escape Room activity taking place in an online environment. This is a descriptive and exploratory cross-sectional cohort study. The study was carried out in a higher education institution. The sample consisted of 73 students. After implementation of Escape Zoom® in the first semester of 2021, adapted questionnaires to assess students' satisfaction and perception of learning were applied. In the Educational Practices Questionnaire, all statements obtained greater than 70% agreement, which revealed students' satisfaction, especially with learning with colleagues. As for learning, 93.2% of students' statements expressed that the Escape Zoom® favors teamwork and 91.8% of student's statements agreed that the activity is effective for learning and would recommend it to other colleagues. The Escape Zoom® is an effective teaching strategy, perceived with satisfaction by students as a form of learning with colleagues, in a game-oriented way. It also has the potential to promote the development of soft skills.

Thalidomide modulates renal inflammation induced by brain death experimental model.

BACKGROUND: Brain death (BD) is characterized by a complex inflammatory response, resulting in dysfunction of potentially transplantable organs. This process is modulated by cytokines, which amplify graft immunogenicity. We have investigated the inflammatory response in an animal model of BD and analyzed the effects of thalidomide, a drug with powerful immunomodulatory properties. METHODS: BD was induced in male Lewis rats. We studied three groups: Control (sham-operated rats) (n = 6), BD (rats subjected to brain death) (n = 6) and BD + Thalid (BD rats treated with one dose of thalidomide (200 mg/Kg), administered by gavage) (n = 6). Six hours after BD, serum levels of urea and creatinine, as well as systemic and renal tissue protein levels of TNF-α and IL-6, were analyzed. We also determined the mRNA expression of ET-1, and macrophage infiltration by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: BD induced a striking inflammatory status, demonstrated by a significant increase of plasma cytokines: TNF-α (2.8 ± 4.3 pg/mL [BD] vs. 9.4 ± 2.8 pg/mL [Control]), and IL-6 (6219.5 ± 1380.6 pg/mL [BD] vs. 1854.7 ± 822.6 pg/mL [Control]), and in the renal tissue: TNF-α (2.5 ± 0.3 relative expression [BD] vs. 1.0 ± 0.4 relative expression [Control]; p < 0.05), and IL-6 (4.0 ± 0.4 relative expression [BD] vs. 1.0 ± 0.3 relative expression [Control]; p < 0.05). Moreover, BD increased macrophages infiltration (2.47 ± 0.07 cells/field [BD] vs. 1.20 ± 0.05 cells/field [Control]; p < 0.05), and ET-1 gene expression (2.5 ± 0.3 relative expression [BD] vs. 1.0 ± 0.2 relative expression [Control]; p < 0.05). In addition, we have observed deterioration in renal function, characterized by an increase of urea (194.7 ± 25.0 mg/dL [BD] vs. 108.0 ± 14.2 mg/dL [Control]; p < 0.05) and creatinine (1.4 ± 0.04 mg/dL [BD] vs. 1.0 ± 0.07 mg/dL [Control]; p < 0.05) levels. Thalidomide administration significantly reduced plasma cytokines: TNF-α (5.1 ± 1.4 pg/mL [BD + Thalid] vs. BD; p < 0.05), and IL-6 (1056.5 ± 488.3 pg/mL [BD + Thalid] vs. BD; p < 0.05), as well as in the renal tissue: TNF-α (1.5 ± 0.2 relative expression [BD + Thalid] vs. BD; p < 0.05), and IL-6 (2.1 ± 0.3 relative expression [BD + Thalid] vs. BD; p < 0.05). Thalidomide treatment also induced a significant decrease in the expression of ET-1 (1.4 ± 0.3 relative expression [BD + Thalid] vs. BD; p < 0.05), and macrophages infiltration (1.17 ± 0.06 cells/field [BD + Thalid] vs. BD; p < 0.05). Also thalidomide prevented kidney function failure by reduced urea (148.3 ± 4.4 mg/dL [BD + Thalid] vs. BD; p < 0.05), and creatinine (1.1 ± 0.14 mg/dL [BD + Thalid] vs. BD; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The immunomodulatory properties of thalidomide were effective in decreasing systemic and local immunologic response, leading to diminished renal damage, as reflected in the decrease of urea and creatinine levels. These results suggest that use of thalidomide may represent a potential strategy for treating in BD kidney organ donors.

Could CA 19-9 be a useful biomarker in the diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of adequate relief in lower urinary tract obstructions?

INTRODUCTION: posterior urethral valves represent an important cause of childhood chronic kidney disease. The identification of biomarkers that indicate early kidney damage and even adequate clearance could reduce how many patients head towards kidney failure. OBJECTIVE: this study evaluated how this easy-analysis biomarker (CA 19-9) could help identifying potential renal damage and adequate clearance in obstructive uropathies. METHODS: 46 female Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups, with different patterns of partial urinary tract obstruction: group control; group OIV: infravesical obstruction; group OIVd: infravesical obstruction with reversion, obstruction relief 7 postoperative days later; group OUu: unilateral ureteral obstruction; group OUb: bilateral ureteral obstruction. The CA 19-9s performance was compared to another biomarker: Ngal. Determination of basal CA 19-9 and Ngal in urine and blood and serum creatinine levels was performed in the rats prior to surgery (T0) and after 14 days (T1). Group OIVd underwent intermediate (Ti) collection before clearance. RESULTS: the urinary concentration of CA 19-9 increased in groups OIV, OIVd and OUb; elevation at T1 and Ti, reached statistical significance compared to the T0 value (p<0,05). Changes in urinary CA 19-9 were more expressive in infravesical obstruction groups (AUC 0.81). Obstruction relief in group OIVd promoted significant urinary CA 19-9 reduction (p<0,05) in the final evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: CA 19-9 urinary concentration increased in partial urinary tract obstruction. Its best performance was in the bladder neck obstruction group, in which the elevation was detected early (6 days after infravesical obstruction) and the CA19-9 urinary concentration declined after clearance.

Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase-1 Expression is Changed During Bladder Cancer Cell Invasion.

The severity of the bladder carcinoma (BC) is directly linked to cell invasion and metastasis. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO-1) is an INF-γ-induced immunomodulating enzyme that has been linked to the cancer cell invasiveness. Because IDO1 is variable among the tumors, we analyzed its expression in the BC invasion using BC mice models and cell culture. MB49 cells were orthotopically or ectopically inoculated in C57Bl6 mice to evaluate IDO1 by immunohistochemistry. For in vitro experiments, expression of IDO1 and INF-γ was evaluated in grade-1 (RT4) and in grade-3 (T24) BC cell lines. Invading and non-invading T24 cells were separated using the Matrigel/Transwell system, of which total RNA was extracted immediately or after 2 weeks of subculture. Finally, IDO1 was silenced in T24 cells to verify its role on cell invasiveness. In both animal models, IDO1 was differentially expressed between non-invading and invading cells. In cell culture, T24 cells expressed more IDO1 than RT4 cells, independently of the INF-γ expression. IDO1 was differentially expressed between non-invading and invading T24 cells, a difference that was lost by long-time subculture. IDO1 silencing resulted in diminished cell invasiveness. In conclusion, IDO1 expression is changed during bladder carcinoma invasion, playing an important role in this process.

Could CA 19-9 be a useful biomarker in the diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of adequate relief in lower urinary tract obstructions? / O antígeno carboidrato CA 19-9 poderia ser um biomarcador útil no diagnóstico, prognóstico e acompanhamento da obstrução baixa do trato urinário?

ABSTRACT Introduction: posterior urethral valves represent an important cause of childhood chronic kidney disease. The identification of biomarkers that indicate early kidney damage and even adequate clearance could reduce how many patients head towards kidney failure. Objective: this study evaluated how this easy-analysis biomarker (CA 19-9) could help identifying potential renal damage and adequate clearance in obstructive uropathies. Methods: 46 female Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups, with different patterns of partial urinary tract obstruction: group control; group OIV: infravesical obstruction; group OIVd: infravesical obstruction with reversion, obstruction relief 7 postoperative days later; group OUu: unilateral ureteral obstruction; group OUb: bilateral ureteral obstruction. The CA 19-9s performance was compared to another biomarker: Ngal. Determination of basal CA 19-9 and Ngal in urine and blood and serum creatinine levels was performed in the rats prior to surgery (T0) and after 14 days (T1). Group OIVd underwent intermediate (Ti) collection before clearance. Results: the urinary concentration of CA 19-9 increased in groups OIV, OIVd and OUb; elevation at T1 and Ti, reached statistical significance compared to the T0 value (p<0,05). Changes in urinary CA 19-9 were more expressive in infravesical obstruction groups (AUC 0.81). Obstruction relief in group OIVd promoted significant urinary CA 19-9 reduction (p<0,05) in the final evaluation. Conclusions: CA 19-9 urinary concentration increased in partial urinary tract obstruction. Its best performance was in the bladder neck obstruction group, in which the elevation was detected early (6 days after infravesical obstruction) and the CA19-9 urinary concentration declined after clearance.

RESUMO Introdução: a válvula de uretra posterior representa uma importante causa de doença renal crônica na infância. A identificação de biomarcadores que monitorem danos renais precoces e o sucesso da desobstrução do trato urinário podem reduzir o número de pacientes que evoluem para insuficiência renal. Objetivo: avaliar o desempenho do biomarcador antígeno carboidrato CA 19-9 nas obstruções parciais do trato urinário. Método: 46 ratas Wistar foram divididas em 5 grupos: grupo controle; grupo OIV: obstrução infravesical; grupo OIVd: obstrução infravesical com alívio da obstrução após 7 dias; grupo OUu: obstrução ureteral unilateral; grupo OUb: obstrução ureteral bilateral. O desempenho do CA 19-9 foi comparado a outro biomarcador, a Ngal. A dosagem de CA 19-9 e Ngal na urina e no sangue, e os níveis de creatinina sérica foram avaliados nas ratas antes da cirurgia (T0) e após 14 dias (T1). O grupo OIVd foi submetido a uma coleta intermediária (Ti). Resultados: a concentração urinária de CA19-9 aumentou nos grupos OIV, OIVd e OUb; a elevação em T1 e Ti alcançou significância estatística em relação ao valor de T0 (p<0,05). As alterações no CA 19-9 urinário foram mais expressivas nos grupos de obstrução infravesical (AUC 0,81). O alívio da obstrução no grupo OIVd promoveu redução do CA 19-9 urinário (p<0,05). Conclusões: a concentração urinária de CA19-9 aumentou na obstrução parcial do trato urinário. Seu melhor desempenho foi no grupo de obstrução infravesical, no qual a elevação foi detectada precocemente (6 dias de pós-operatório) com queda após a retirada do fator obstrutivo.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 expression is changed during bladder cancer cell invasion

The severity of the bladder carcinoma (BC) is directly linked to cell invasion and metastasis. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO-1) is an INF-γ-induced immunomodulating enzyme that has been linked to the cancer cell invasiveness. Because IDO1 is variable among the tumors, we analyzed its expression in the BC invasion using BC mice models and cell culture. MB49 cells were orthotopically or ectopically inoculated in C57Bl6 mice to evaluate IDO1 by immunohistochemistry. For in vitro experiments, expression of IDO1 and INF-γ was evaluated in grade-1 (RT4) and in grade-3 (T24) BC cell lines. Invading and non-invading T24 cells were separated using the Matrigel/Transwell system, of which total RNA was extracted immediately or after 2 weeks of subculture. Finally, IDO1 was silenced in T24 cells to verify its role on cell invasiveness. In both animal models, IDO1 was differentially expressed between non-invading and invading cells. In cell culture, T24 cells expressed more IDO1 than RT4 cells, independently of the INF-γ expression. IDO1 was differentially expressed between non-invading and invading T24 cells, a difference that was lost by long-time subculture. IDO1 silencing resulted in diminished cell invasiveness. In conclusion, IDO1 expression is changed during bladder carcinoma invasion, playing an important role in this process.

Immunomodulatory effects of thalidomide in an experimental brain death liver donor model.

Brain death is characterized by a generalized inflammatory response that results in multiorgan damage. This process is mainly mediated through cytokines, which amplify graft immunogenicity. We investigated the immunological response in a brain death liver donor model and analysed the effects of thalidomide, a drug with powerful immunomodulatory properties. Brain death was induced in male Lewis rats. We studied three groups: Control (sham-operated rats in which trepanation was performed without inserting the balloon catheter), BD (rats subjected to brain death by increasing intracranial pressure) and BD + Thalid (BD rats receiving thalidomide after brain death). After 6 h, serum levels of AST, ALT, LDH, and ALP as well as systemic and hepatic levels of TNF-α, IL1-ß, IL-6, and IL-10 were analysed. We also determined the mRNA expression of MHC Class I and Class II, NF-κB, and macrophage infiltration. NF-κB was also examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Thalidomide treatment significantly reduced serum levels of hepatic enzymes and TNF-α, IL-1-ß, and IL-6. These cytokines were evaluated at either the mRNA expression or protein level in liver tissue. In addition, thalidomide administration resulted in a significant reduction in macrophages, MHC Class I and Class II, and NF-κB activation. This study reveals that thalidomide significantly inhibited the immunologic response and graft immunogenicity, possibly through suppression of NF-κB activation.

High CD39 expression is associated with the non-muscle-invasive phenotype of human bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: An accurate prediction of progression is critical to define the management of bladder cancer (BC). The ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 play strategic roles in calibrating purinergic signals via an extracellular balance between ATP and adenosine. The altered expression of these enzymes plays a potential role in tumor invasion and metastasis, therefore, has been proposed to be used for prognosis of solid tumor. In BC this is not yet clear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate CD39 and CD73 expression in a cohort of patients with non-muscle-invasive (NMI) and muscle-invasive (MI) BC regard to its association with clinicopathological features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective clinical follow-up data and primary urothelial BC specimens of 162 patients were used (87 from patients who underwent transurethral resection and 75 from cystectomized patients). Tissue microarrays were constructed, and immunohistochemistry for CD39 and CD73 was performed to make associations with clinicopathological data. RESULTS: Overall, 96 were NMI (59.3%) and 66 MI (40.7%). CD39 immunoreactivity in BC cells was found in 72% of the cases, while CD73 was found in 97%. High CD39 expression alone was more frequent in NMI BC (p < 0.001), while CD73 expression was not powerful to predict the stage of BC. The association of both markers confirmed that only CD39 has potential in BC prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The altered expression of CD39 presented herein supports the idea that this ectonucleotidase may be involved in bladder tumorigenesis. High expression of CD39 in tumor cells is correlated with the early stage of BC.

Cholinergic stimulation with pyridostigmine modulates a heart-spleen axis after acute myocardial infarction in spontaneous hypertensive rats.

The mechanisms regulating immune cells recruitment into the heart during healing after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have major clinical implications. We investigated whether cholinergic stimulation with pyridostigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, modulates heart and spleen immune responses and cardiac remodeling after AMI in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs). Male adult SHRs underwent sham surgery or ligation of the left coronary artery and were randomly allocated to remain untreated or to pyridostigmine treatment (40 mg/kg once a day by gavage). Blood pressure and heart rate variability were determined, and echocardiography was performed at day six after MI. The heart and spleen were processed for immunohistochemistry cellular analyses (CD3+ and CD4+ lymphocytes, and CD68+ and CD206+ macrophages), and TNF levels were determined at day seven after MI. Pyridostigmine treatment increased the parasympathetic tone and T CD4+ lymphocytes in the myocardium, but lowered M1/M2 macrophage ratio towards an anti-inflammatory profile that was associated with decreased TNF levels in the heart and spleen. Treatment with this cholinergic agent improved heart remodeling manifested by lower ventricular diameters and better functional parameters. In summary, cholinergic stimulation by pyridostigmine enhances the parasympathetic tone and induces anti-inflammatory responses in the heart and spleen fostering cardiac recovery after AMI in SHRs.

Acute physical and mental stress resulted in an increase in fatty acids, norepinephrine, and hemodynamic changes in normal individuals: A possible pathophysiological mechanism for hypertension-Pilot study.

Hypertension is often associated with metabolic changes. The sustained increase in sympathetic activity is related to increased blood pressure and metabolic changes. Environmental stimuli may be related to increased sympathetic activity, blood pressure, and metabolic changes, especially in genetically predisposed individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of fatty acids to physical and mental stress in healthy volunteers and the hemodynamic, hormonal, and metabolic implications of these stimuli. Fifteen healthy individuals with a mean age of 31 ± 7 years, of both sexes, were evaluated. They were assessed at baseline and after combined physical and mental stress (isometric exercise test, Stroop color test). Blood samples were collected at baseline and after stimulation for glucose, insulin, fatty acid, and catecholamine levels. Blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, and distensibility of the large and small arteries were analyzed. The data obtained at baseline and after stimuli were from the same individual, being the control itself. Compared to baseline, after physical and mental stress there was a statistically significant increase (p < .05) in free fatty acids, norepinephrine, diastolic blood pressure, peripheral vascular resistance, and distensibility of the large and small arteries. In conclusion, the combination of physical and mental stress raised fatty acids, norepinephrine, diastolic blood pressure, and peripheral vascular resistance in healthy individuals.

1-Methyl-D-tryptophan activates aryl hydrocarbon receptor, a pathway associated with bladder cancer progression.

BACKGROUND: Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) is a promising target for immunotherapy in bladder cancer (BC). IDO1 breaks-down tryptophan to generate kynurenine derivatives, which may activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). AHR is an important target for carcinogens, but its association with BC progression was unknown. Two IDO1 inhibitors used in clinical trials are 1-methyl-D-tryptophan (MT) and INCB240360. Because MT is an aromatic hydrocarbon, it may be a ligand for AHR. We hypothesized that AHR could be associated with BC progression and that MT could activate AHR in BC. METHODS: BC patients (n = 165) were selected from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. A cut-off point for relative expression of AHR and cytochrome 450 enzymes (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP1B1; markers of AHR activation) was determined to compare with the grade, stage, and tumor progression. For in vitro experiments, RT4 (grade 1) and T24 (grade 3) BC cells were incubated with MT and INCB240360 to evaluate the expression of AHR and CYP1A1. RESULTS: AHR activation was associated with grade, stage, and progression of BC. T24 cells express more CYP1A1 than RT4 cells. Although IDO1 expression and kynurenine production are elevated in T24 cells concomitantly to CYP1A1 expression, IDO1 inhibitors were not able to decrease CYP1A1 expression, in contrast, MT significantly increased it in both cell lines. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it is rational to inhibit IDO1 in BC, among other factors because it contributes to AHR activation. However, MT needs to be carefully evaluated for BC because it is an AHR pathway agonist independently of its effects on IDO1.

Can photobiomodulation therapy be an alternative to pharmacological therapies in decreasing the progression of skeletal muscle impairments of mdx mice?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and pharmacological therapy (glucocorticoids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) applied alone and in different combinations in mdx mice. METHODS: The animals were randomized and divided into seven experimental groups treated with placebo, PBMT, prednisone, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs), PBMT plus prednisone and PBMT plus NSAID. Wild type animals were used as control. All treatments were performed during 14 consecutive weeks. Muscular morphology, protein expression of dystrophin and functional performance were assessed at the end of the last treatment. RESULTS: Both treatments with prednisone and PBMT applied alone or combined, were effective in preserving muscular morphology. In addition, the treatments with PBMT (p = 0.0005), PBMT plus prednisone (p = 0.0048) and PBMT plus NSAID (p = 0.0021) increased dystrophin gene expression compared to placebo-control group. However, in the functional performance the PBMT presented better results compared to glucocorticoids (p<0.0001). In contrast, the use of NSAIDs did not appear to add benefits to skeletal muscle tissue in mdx mice. CONCLUSION: We believe that the promising and optimistic results about the PBMT in skeletal muscle of mdx mice may in the future contribute to this therapy to be considered a safe alternative for patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in a washout period (between treatment periods with glucocorticoids), allowing them to remain receiving effective and safe treatment in this period, avoiding at this way periods without administration of any treatment.

Circulating RNA Transcriptome of Pregnant Women with TSH Just Above the Trimester-Specific Reference and its Correlation with the Hypertensive Phenotype.

During gestation, a woman's body undergoes physiological changes that alter thyroid function. Pregnant women with hypothyroidism may exhibit gestational complications, including hypertension and preeclampsia. We investigated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in circulating RNAs from pregnant women with TSH levels just above the normal range to determine the impact of a mild elevation of TSH in pregnancy. We selected three women with healthy thyroid pregnancy (HTP), three pregnant women with gestational hypothyroidism (GHT), and three nonpregnant women (NPG) to construct transcriptome libraries. We also compared our results with data from the GEO dataset and DisGeNET. We identified 1500 DEG in GHT and 1656 DEG in HTP. From GEO dataset, we recognized 453 DEGs in trimester-specific plasma RNA, 1263 DEGs in placental tissues from healthy women, 1031 DEGs from preeclamptic uteroplacental tissues and 1657 DEGs from placental tissues from severely preeclamptic women. In this scenario, 12.26% and 12.86% genes were shared between these datasets in GHT and HTP, respectively. We stablished 62 genes in GHT DEGs related to hypertensive phenotype hallmarks. In conclusion, even in women with a mild TSH increment, we were able to detect some DEGs that could be associated with a hypertensive phenotype.