Identification of learning-induced changes in protein networks in the hippocampi of a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Memory loss is the most profound clinical manifestation in Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the molecular mechanisms underlying these deficits are poorly understood. Identification of the molecular pathways involved in the onset of cognitive deficits may lead to the identification of key events in the pathogenesis of AD. Using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) and proteomic methods, here we identified learning-induced changes in the hippocampal proteome of non-transgenic (NonTg) and 3 × Tg-AD mice, a widely used animal model of AD. We found that expression of 192 proteins was differentially regulated by learning in NonTg mice. Notably, of these 192 proteins, only 28 were also differentially regulated by learning in 3 × Tg-AD mice, whereas the levels of 164 proteins were uniquely changed in NonTg mice but not in 3 × Tg-AD mice. These data suggest that during learning, 3 × Tg-AD mice fail to differentially regulate 164 proteins. Gene ontology and protein interaction analyses indicated that these proteins were overrepresented in RNA processing, specifically RNA transport, splicing and mRNA translation initiation pathways. These findings suggest that mRNA-processing events that take place during learning and memory are significantly altered in 3 × Tg-AD mice.

Relationship between the expression of versican and EGFR, HER-2, HER-3 and CD44 in matrix-producing tumours in the canine mammary gland

Versican is an extracellular matrix proteoglycan that has been identified as a modulator of adhesion loss, cell motility, and tumour progression. This motility results from the interaction between versican and cell surface receptors. Studies have also demonstrated the relationship between this molecule and invasion in canine mammary tumours. Given the evidence for the participation of proteoglycans in tumour progression, this study aimed to assess versican expression and its association with cell surface receptors; human epidermal growth factor receptors 1, 2, and 3 (EGFR, HER-2, and HER-3) and CD44 through an immunohistochemical analysis of benign mixed tumours (BMTs), carcinomas in mixed tumours (CMTs), and carcinosarcomas (CSs) of the canine mammary gland. Malignant tumours were divided into low and high groups with respect to versican stromal expression. The results indicated that the BMTs showed weak stromal versican expression and correlations between the expression of stromal versican and EGFR in the epithelial membrane in benign areas (p=0.013, r=0.571). A higher stromal versican expression was observed adjacent to invasive epithelial areas compared with in situ areas in CMTs and CSs, suggesting a direct relationship between versican expression and invasiveness. Furthermore, the CSs exhibited a higher expression of HER-2, cytoplasmic HER-3, and CD44 in epithelial invasive cells in cases of higher stromal versican expression. Therefore, the cell surface receptors (HER-2, HER-3, and CD44) are more evident in CSs that overexpress versican in stroma adjacent to the invasive areas. These findings suggest that the association between these molecules may be directly related to the biological behaviour and invasiveness of these canine mammary tumours.

Esterco de ave como alternativa à adubação convencional de Brachiaria brizantha no estado de Rondônia (Zona da Mata)

Com o objetivo de avaliar a potencialidade do uso de esterco de poedeira, comparativamente à adubação convencional na produtividade da Brachiaria brizantha na Zona da Mata Rondoniense, foi desenvolvido um experimento na Fazenda Experimental da Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Campus Rolim de Moura. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com três repetições. Os tratamentos constavam de adubação com seis doses de esterco de poedeira (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 e 80 t ha-1) e adubação convencional com 120 kg ha-1 de N, 100 kg ha-1 de P2O5 e 60 kg ha-1 de K2O. Foram realizados sete cortes de avaliação no período de janeiro a julho de 2014, com intervalo de 25 dias entre cada corte e a uma altura de 15 cm do solo, com uma parcela útil de 0,25 m2. As dosagens de 40 e 80 t ha-1 de EP obtiveram as maiores produções de massa fresca e seca sendo superior estatisticamente a adubação convencional, enquanto as doses de 10 e 20 t ha-1 de EP não diferiram do tratamento convencional. Já a testemunha e a dose de 5 t ha-1 de EP foram inferiores ao tratamento com adubação convencional. A produção de matéria seca da Brachiaria brizantha respondeu linearmente ao incremento de adubação orgânica, a maior produção acumulada durante as sete coletas foi estimada em 24720 kg ha-1 MS na dose de 80 t ha-1 de EP. Desta forma conclui-se que a adubação da Brachiaria brizantha com esterco de poedeira se mostrou eficiente comparativamente à adubação convencional quando utilizado dosagem igual ou superior a 10 t ha-1, nas condições edafoclímaticas da zona da mata rondoniense.

Rapid and reliable healing of critical size bone defects with genetically modified sheep muscle

Large segmental defects in bone fail to heal and remain a clinical problem. Muscle is highly osteogenic, and preliminary data suggest that autologous muscle tissue expressing bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) efficiently heals critical size defects in rats. Translation into possible human clinical trials requires, inter alia, demonstration of efficacy in a large animal, such as the sheep. Scale-up is fraught with numerous biological, anatomical, mechanical and structural variables, which cannot be addressed systematically because of cost and other practical issues. For this reason, we developed a translational model enabling us to isolate the biological question of whether sheep muscle, transduced with adenovirus expressing BMP-2, could heal critical size defects in vivo. Initial experiments in athymic rats noted strong healing in only about one-third of animals because of unexpected immune responses to sheep antigens. For this reason, subsequent experiments were performed with Fischer rats under transient immunosuppression. Such experiments confirmed remarkably rapid and reliable healing of the defects in all rats, with bridging by 2 weeks and remodelling as early as 3-4 weeks, despite BMP-2 production only in nanogram quantities and persisting for only 1-3 weeks. By 8 weeks the healed defects contained well-organised new bone with advanced neo-cortication and abundant marrow. Bone mineral content and mechanical strength were close to normal values. These data demonstrate the utility of this model when adapting this technology for bone healing in sheep, as a prelude to human clinical trials.

[Adverse effects and hemodynamic effects of nifedipine as a tocolytic]

OBJECTIVES

To describe maternal and fetal adverse effects, in particular cardiorespiratory, of nifedipine as tocolytic, as well as effects on hemodynamic parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective evaluative study describing the use of nifedipine as tocolytic at CHU Sainte-Justine in Montreal. Demographic data as well as maternal blood pressure and adverse effects, and maternal and fetal heart rate were collected from medical records of women treated with nifedipine following our tocolysis protocol between January 1st 2004 and March 1st 2007.

RESULTS

The medical records of 213 pregnant women were included in the study. Cardiorespiratory adverse effects were noted in 69 (32.4%); of these, 19 (8.9%) had serious cardiorespiratory adverse events, including 6 acute pulmonary edema or overload. Mean maternal systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly decreased and mean maternal and fetal heart rates were significantly increased after the bolus dose. Other adverse effects were reported for 100 (46.9%) women.

CONCLUSION

Nifedipine may cause cardiorespiratory adverse effects warranting a close monitoring.

Quantitation of the Regional Lymph Node Metastatic Burden and Prognosis in Malignant Mammary Tumors of Dogs

BACKGROUND

As in women, regional lymph node status impacts survival in dogs with malignant mammary tumors. However, few studies have evaluated regional lymph node metastases in dogs with malignant mammary gland tumors.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate overall survival based on the assessments of the lymph node status and the morphologic and morphometric features in female dogs with malignant mammary gland tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 178 lymph nodes from 97 female dogs were assessed and reviewed, and after confirmation by immunohistochemistry (IHC), 161 lymph nodes were selected for analysis of metastases. Animals were considered metastasis-free (negative lymph nodes) only after IHC analysis for cytokeratin AE1/AE3. The number of positive lymph nodes, the number of metastatic foci, the maximum diameter and the area of metastasis were analyzed, and estimates of overall survival were made.

RESULTS

Dogs with metastasis had lower mean survival than those with metastasis-free regional lymph nodes, showing a direct relationship between the number of affected lymph nodes and shorter survival. However, histologic analysis of the lymph nodes identified lower survival rates in animals with macrometastases and isolated tumor cells, areas of metastasis >20.11 mm², and metastatic diameters >7.32 mm.

CONCLUSION

The identification of ≥1 lymph nodes positive for metastasis and morphometric characterization of lymphatic metastases indicate the prognostic relevance of lymph nodes status in dogs with mammary tumors.

Occurrence and analysis of endocrine-disrupting compounds in a water supply system

This paper presents the study of the occurrence of 10 endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in 60 water samples using a method for simultaneous quantification and confirmation of the presence of these emerging compounds, using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS). All samples were previously extracted by solid-phase extraction (SPE). Several natural and synthetic hormones (17-β-estradiol, ethinylestradiol, estriol, estrone, progesterone, mestranol, and diethylstilbestrol) and some industrial products (4-n-nonylphenol, 4-tert-octylphenol, and bisphenol A) were chosen for this survey. The analytical limits were calculated for each compound and were used in the identification and quantification of these target compounds in EPAL's water supply system. In this study, several samples were taken from the main intakes of water (surface and groundwater) used for production of water for human consumption and from different sampling points of the drinking water distribution system (piping, nets, and reservoirs). Some target compounds, such as estriol, 4-tert-octylphenol, mestranol, and nonylphenol, were found in trace amounts in several water samples. However, the studied endocrine-disrupting appeared in very low concentrations when compared with the assessed analytical limits.

Subcutaneous administration of ketoprofen delays Ehrlich solid tumor growth in mice

Ketoprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) has proven to exert anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic activities in both neoplastic and non-neoplastic conditions. We investigated the effects of this compound on tumor development in Swiss mice previously inoculated with Ehrlich tumor cells. To carry out this study the solid tumor was obtained from cells of the ascites fluid of Ehrlich tumor re-suspended in physiological saline to give 2.5x106cells in 0.05mL. After tumor inoculation, the animals were separated into two groups (n = 10). The animals treated with ketoprofen 0.1µg/100µL/animal were injected intraperitoneally at intervals of 24h for 10 consecutive days. Animals from the control group received saline. At the end of the experiment the mice were killed and the tumor removed. We analyzed tumor growth, histomorphological and immunohistochemical characteristics for CDC47 (cellular proliferation marker) and for CD31 (blood vessel marker). Animals treated with the ketoprofen 0.1µg/100µL/animal showed lower tumor growth. The treatment did not significantly influence the size of the areas of cancer, inflammation, necrosis and hemorrhage. Moreover, lower rates of tumor cell proliferation were observed in animals treated with ketoprofen compared with the untreated control group. The participation of ketoprofen in controlling tumor malignant cell proliferation would open prospects for its use in clinical and antineoplasic therapy.

Analysis of EGFR and HER-2 expressions in ductal carcinomas in situ in canine mammary glands

Biomolecular evidence has shown that ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS) may develop into invasive carcinoma of the canine mammary gland, and mutations in proto-oncogenes HER2 and EGFR; two members of the family of epidermal growth factor receptors, may be involved in this process. The purpose of this study was the characterization of the immunohistochemical expression of the EGFR and HER2 proteins in the process of neoplastic transformation, supposedly present in ductal carcinomas in situin canine mammary glands. Fifteen cases of DCIS were evaluated, with a higher expression of HER2 and EGFR being observed in low-grade carcinomas when compared with high-grade neoplasms, and with a high positive statistical correlation in the latter. Results suggest that aggressive tumors tend to lose the expression of EGFR and HER2 simultaneously. The loss of the expression of these markers may be related to the process of neoplastic progression in canine mammary tumors.

Genetic variation in CD36, HBA, NOS3 and VCAM1 is associated with chronic haemolysis level in sickle cell anaemia: a longitudinal study

Chronic haemolysis stands out as one of the hallmarks of sickle cell anaemia, a clinically heterogeneous autosomal recessive monogenic anaemia. However, the genetic architecture of this sub-phenotype is still poorly understood. Here, we report the results of an association study between haemolysis biomarkers (serum LDH, total bilirubin and reticulocyte count) and the inheritance of 41 genetic variants of ten candidate genes in a series of 99 paediatric SS patients (median current age of 9.9 yr) followed up in two general hospitals in Greater Lisboa area (median follow-up per patient of 5.0 yr). Although in a large number of tests a seemingly significant (i.e. P < 0.05) association was observed, the following ones were confirmed upon correction for multiple comparisons: (i) an increased serum LDH level was associated with haplotype 7 within VCAM1 gene; (ii) a lower total bilirubin was associated with the 3.7-kb deletion at HBA gene, rs2070744_T allele at NOS3 gene, and haplotype 9 within VCAM1 promoter; and (iii) a diminished reticulocyte count was associated with the 3.7-kb deletion at HBA, whereas an increased count was associated with rs1984112_G allele at CD36 gene. On the whole, our findings suggest a complex genetic architecture for the sickle cell anaemia haemolysis process involving multiple pathways, namely control of vascular cell adhesion, NO synthesis and erythrocyte volume and haemoglobinisation.

Photodegradation kinetics and transformation products of ketoprofen, diclofenac and atenolol in pure water and treated wastewater

Pharmaceutical compounds such as ketoprofen, diclofenac and atenolol are frequently detected at relatively high concentrations in secondary effluents from wastewater treatment plants. Therefore, it is important to assess their transformation kinetics and intermediates in subsequent disinfection processes, such as direct ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The photodegradation kinetics of these compounds using a medium pressure (MP) lamp was assessed in pure water, as well as in filtered and unfiltered treated wastewater. Ketoprofen had the highest time- and fluence-based rate constants in all experiments, whereas atenolol had the lowest values, which is consistent with the corresponding decadic molar absorption coefficient and quantum yield. The fluence-based rate constants of all compounds were evaluated in filtered and unfiltered wastewater matrices as well as in pure water. Furthermore, transformation products of ketoprofen, diclofenac and atenolol were identified and monitored throughout the irradiation experiments, and photodegradation pathways were proposed for each compound. This enabled the identification of persistent transformation products, which are potentially discharged from WWTP disinfection works employing UV photolysis.