Young "healthy" smokers have functional and inflammatory changes in the nasal and the lower airways

BACKGROUND

Smoking is responsible for most COPD. Although people with COPD often have concomitant nasal disease, there are few studies that report physiologic or inflammatory changes in the upper airways in young asymptomatic smokers. We investigated physiologic and inflammatory changes in the nasal and lower airways of young smokers and if these changes were related to smoking history.

METHODS

Seventy-two subjects aged between 18 and 35 years (32 healthy nonsmokers and 40 young smokers) participated in this study. We measured nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC), nasal mucus surface contact angle, cell counts, myeloperoxidase and cytokine concentrations in nasal lavage fluid, exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH, and lung function.

RESULTS

Smokers had faster MCC, an increased number of cells (macrophages, ciliated cells, and goblet cells), increased lavage myeloperoxidase concentration, and decreased EBC pH compared with nonsmokers. There was a significant inverse relationship between pack-year smoking history and EBC pH. There were no differences in lung function or mucus surface properties comparing smokers to nonsmokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Young adult smokers have functional and inflammatory changes in the nasal and lower airways and these correlate with smoking history. However, in these young smokers, smoking history was not associated with pulmonary function decline, probably because it is unlikely that spirometry detects early physiologic changes in the airways.

TRIAL REGISTRY

ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT01877291; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Biosynthesis of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in a melanoma cell line and its metabolization by peroxidases

Tryptophan (TRP) is essential for many physiological processes, and its metabolism changes in some diseases such as infection and cancer. The most studied aspects of TRP metabolism are the kynurenine and serotonin pathways. A minor metabolic route, tryptamine and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) biosynthesis, has received far less attention, probably because of the very low amounts of these compounds detected only in some tissues, which has led them to be collectively considered as trace amines. In a previous study, we showed a metabolic interrelationship for TRP in melanoma cell lines. Here, we identified DMT and N,N-dimethyl-N-formyl-kynuramine (DMFK) in the supernatant of cultured SK-Mel-147 cells. Furthermore, when we added DMT to the cell culture, we found hydroxy-DMT (OH-DMT) and indole acetic acid (IAA) in the cell supernatant at 24 h. We found that SK-Mel-147 cells expressed mRNA for myeloperoxidase (MPO) and also had peroxidase activity. We further found that DMT oxidation was catalyzed by peroxidases. DMT oxidation by horseradish peroxidase, H2O2 and MPO from PMA-activated neutrophils produced DMFK, N,N-dimethyl-kynuramine (DMK) and OH-DMT. Oxidation of DMT by peroxidases apparently uses the common peroxidase cycle involving the native enzyme, compound I and compound II. In conclusion, this study describes a possible alternative metabolic pathway for DMT involving peroxidases that has not previously been described in humans and identifies DMT and metabolites in a melanoma cell line. The extension of these findings to other cell types and the biological effects of DMT and its metabolites on cell proliferation and function are key questions for future studies.

Gemcitabine (GEM), 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and Folinic Acid (FA) in Patients with Different Gastroenteric Malignancies

This phase II clinical trial was performed in order to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, toxicity and anti-tumor activity of a novel combination of gemcitabine (GEM), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid (FA) designed on a specific translational basis. Every 4 weeks, 44 patients with various gastroenteric malignancies, 29 of whom had pancreas carcinoma, received a short intravenous (i.v.) infusion of FA (100 mg/m2) and 5-FU (400 mg/m2) on days 1-5, and GEM 1000 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 16. Our results suggest that, although this treatment leads to hematological and gastroenteric toxicity, it is very active in patients with pancreatic carcinoma. We therefore believe that an improved version would merit further investigation in larger scale trials.

Antioxidant properties and UV absorbance pattern of mycosporine-like amino acids analogs synthesized in an environmentally friendly manner

In current study, we report efficient and clean procedure for preparing mycosporine-like amino acids (MMAs) analogs and evaluate their ultraviolet absorbance properties and antioxidant activities. The ultraviolet radiation absorbance patterns of the compounds were recorded and then used to define their molar absorptivities. The antioxidant activities were assessed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and superoxide radical scavenging assays. Eight of nine compounds showed good activity against superoxide radicals, as only one of the analogs exhibited a measurable IC50 in the DPPH assay.

[Cocaine addiction]

Cocaine is the second most commonly used illicit drug after cannabis in the general population. Cocaine is a powerful stimulating agent of the central nervous system and a highly addictogenic drug. Somatic and psychiatric consequences of cocaine addiction are major and clinically relevant. The increasing consumption of cocaine and the importance of its consequences justify an update of our knowledge about cocaine addiction.

[Is the concept of psychological dependence still valid today?]

Historically, psychological dependence to alcohol has been dissociated from physical dependence. Progress in neurosciences and genetics now question this dichotomy as complex neurobiological mechanisms and genetic factors seem to underlie craving, which is typically considered as the clinical manifestation of psychological dependence.

Development of a rabbit's urethral sphincter deficiency animal model for anatomical-functional evaluation

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to develop a new durable animal model (using rabbits) for anatomical-functional evaluation of urethral sphincter deficiency.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 40 New Zealand male rabbits, weighting 2.500 kg to 3.100 kg, were evaluated to develop an incontinent animal model. Thirty-two animals underwent urethrolysis and 8 animals received sham operation. Before and at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after urethrolysis or sham operation, it was performed cystometry and leak point pressure (LPP) evaluation with different bladder distension volumes (10, 20, 30 mL). In each time point, 10 animals (8 from the study group and 2 from the sham group) were sacrificed to harvest the bladder and urethra. The samples were evaluated by H&E and Masson 's Trichrome to determine urethral morphology and collagen/smooth muscle density.

RESULTS

Twelve weeks after urethrolysis, it was observed a significant decrease in LPP regardless the bladder volume (from 33.7 ± 6.6 to 12.8 ± 2.2 cmH₂O). The histological analysis evidenced a decrease of 22% in smooth muscle density with a proportional increase in the collagen, vessels and elastin density (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Transabdominal urethrolysis develops urethral sphincter insufficiency in rabbits, with significant decrease in LPP associated with decrease of smooth muscle fibers and increase of collagen density. This animal model can be used to test autologous cell therapy for stress urinary incontinence treatment.

Large deletions and splicing-site mutations in the STK11 gene in Peutz-Jeghers Chilean families

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by mucocutaneous melanocytic macules, gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyposis and an increased risk of various neoplasms. Germline mutations in the serine/threonine kinase 11 (STK11) gene have been identified as a cause for PJS. The aim of this study was to characterize the genotype of Chilean PJS patients. Mutation screening of 13 patients from eight PJS families was performed using a single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, DNA sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay. The breakpoints of the genomic rearrangements were assessed by a long-range polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. The results revealed the existence of seven different pathogenic mutations in STK11 gene in seven unrelated families, including three point mutations and four large genomic deletions. Three of these point mutations (43%, 3/7) may be considered as novel. Our results showed that a germline mutation is present in STK11 in 88% of probands fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of PJS. In this study, the combination of two different experimental approaches in the screening of the STK11 in PJS, led to a higher percentage of mutation detection.

LC-DAD/ESI-MS/MS study of phenolic compounds in ash (Fraxinus excelsior L. and F. americana L.) heartwood. Effect of toasting intensity at cooperage

The phenolic composition of heartwood extracts from Fraxinus excelsior L. and F. americana L., both before and after toasting in cooperage, was studied using LC-DAD/ESI-MS/MS. Low-molecular weight (LMW) phenolic compounds, secoiridoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, dilignols and oligolignols compounds were detected, and 48 were identified, or tentatively characterized, on the basis of their retention time, UV/Vis and MS spectra, and MS fragmentation patterns. Some LMW phenolic compounds like protocatechuic acid and aldehyde, hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol, were unlike to those for oak wood, while ellagic and gallic acid were not found. The toasting of wood resulted in a progressive increase in lignin degradation products with regard to toasting intensity. The levels of some of these compounds in medium-toasted ash woods were much higher than those normally detected in toasted oak, highlighting vanillin levels, thus a more pronounced vanilla character can be expected when using toasted ash wood in the aging wines. Moreover, in seasoned wood, we found a great variety of phenolic compounds which had not been found in oak wood, especially oleuropein, ligstroside and olivil, along with verbascoside and isoverbascoside in F. excelsior, and oleoside in F. americana. Toasting mainly provoked their degradation, thus in medium-toasted wood, only four of them were detected. This resulted in a minor differentiation between toasted ash and oak woods. The absence of tannins in ash wood, which are very important in oak wood, is another peculiar characteristic that should be taken into account when considering its use in cooperage.

Accuracy of transrectal ultrasound after preoperative radiochemotherapy compared to computed tomography and magnetic resonance in locally advanced rectal cancer

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the present study was to compare the restaging results obtained by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed after preoperative chemoradiation with pathologic staging of the operative specimen.

METHODS

From January 2008 to December 2009, all the consecutive patients with locally advanced rectal cancer that underwent neoadjuvant therapy at our department were evaluated. The results of diagnostic examinations and the definitive pathological examination were considered and compared.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients were included in the study (27 males, 73%), mean age was 65.5 years (range 45–82 years). In all the patients TRUS and CT and in 20 patients MRI were performed before and after the treatment. Concerning the depth of invasion after treatment TRUS agreed with histopathology in 25/37 patients (67.5%), CT agreed in 22/ 37 cases (59.5%), and MRI in 12/20 cases (60%). Considering only neoplasia with stage T3, TRUS agreed in 23/24 cases (96%), CT in 19 cases (79%), and MRI in 10/12 cases (83.5%). Considering the tumors that did not exceed the rectal wall (T0, T1, and T2), TRUS agreed with histology in 2/13 cases (15.5%),CTin 3/13 cases (23%), andMRI 2/8 cases (25%). Concerning the presence of positive lymph nodes TRUS agreed with histology in 28/37 cases (75.5%), while CT agreed in 21/37 cases (56.5%) and MRI in 11/20 cases (55%). The concordance between the techniques was found to be low.

CONCLUSIONS

Transrectal ultrasonography resulted as the most accurate method to determine neoplastic wall infiltration and lymph node involvement even after radiochemotherapy. In most cases, considering the poor correlation between the diagnostic procedures and the disagreement of the results, a restaging performed only with TRUS could be proposed, limiting the use of the other imaging methods to selected cases.

Intriguing differences in the gas-phase dissociation behavior of protonated and deprotonated gonyautoxin epimers

The aim of this study was to investigate the unusual gas-phase dissociation behavior of two epimer pairs of protonated gonyautoxins (GTX) following electrospray ionization in comparison to their deprotonated counterparts. The chemical structures of the investigated GTX1-4 variants vary in their substitution pattern at N-1 and the stereochemical orientation of the hydroxysulfate group at C-11 (11α for GTX1/2 versus 11β for GTX3/4). The direct comparison of mass spectra in positive and negative ion modes illustrated two distinct features: first, an intriguing difference between protonated 11α and 11β species, where 11α conformations exhibited almost complete dissociation of [M + H](+) ions via facile SO(3) elimination, while 11β species remained mostly intact as [M + H](+); and second, the lack of such differences for the deprotonated counterparts. In this study, we propose an acid-catalyzed elimination mechanism from density functional theory calculations, initiated by a proton transfer of a guanidinium proton to the hydroxysulfate group with simultaneous SO(3) release, which is only possible for the 11α conformation based on intramolecular distances. The same mechanism explains the lack of a comparable SO(3) loss in the negative ion mode. CID experiments supported this proposed mechanism for GTX1 and GTX2. Computational modeling of product ions seen in the CID spectra of GTX3 and GTX4 established that the lowest energy dissociation pathway for the 11β epimers is elimination of water with the possibility for further SO(3) release from the intermediate product. Experimental data for structurally analogous decarbamoyl gonyautoxins confirmed the evidence for the GTX compounds as well as the proposed elimination mechanisms.

Morphology and biochemical markers of people living with HIV/AIDS undergoing a resistance exercise program: clinical series

This descriptive case study aimed at assessing body's composition and impact on biochemical markers of people living with HIV/AIDS (S1=male-1, S2=female-1) undergoing a four-month intervention program of resistance exercises. Was analyzed the lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides serum), immunological parameters (CD4 and viral load/VL) and morphological parameters (body mass index BMI, waist/Hip/WHR, perimeters and skinfold). Blood samples and antropometric measures were obtained in the pre-exercise (pre-test) and immediately after (16 weeks) of exercise (post-test). An increase in HDL (38 pre, 42 post), LDL (89.6 pre, 95 post) was noted for S1 and a decrease in HDL (33 pre, 25 post) and LDL (121.6 pre, 121 post) for S2; a decrease in Triglyceride for S1 (292 pre, 214 post) and increase for S2 (102 pre, 166 post). Total cholesterol increased for both subjects (186 pre, 261 post S1 and 175 pre, 179 post S2). there was a decrease in CD4 for S1 (598 pre, 577 post) and an increase for S2 (748 pre, 1.071 post). With respect to viral load, we found that both subjects (S1 and S2) presented values below the minimum limit (pre and post test), with no significant changes. Body composition improved (LMpre S1=43.13% and S2=23.35% and LMpost S1=46.51 and S2=26.15%; BFpre S1=41.13 and S2=18.14% and BFpost S1=38.32 and S2=14.77%), as did BMI (25.27 pre, 27.44 post S1) and (24.24 pre, 24.74 post S2). The resistance exercise program as base in this intervention model promoted a healthy state for HIV and AIDS patients and did not pose any health risks to them.

Dissociation of deprotonated microcystin variants by collision-induced dissociation following electrospray ionization

Microcystins (MC) are a family of hepatotoxic cyclic heptapeptides produced by a number of different cyanobacterial species. Considering the recent advances in the characterization of deprotonated peptides by mass spectrometry, the fragmentation behavior of four structurally related microcystin compounds was investigated using collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments on an orbitrap mass spectrometer. It is demonstrated in this study that significant structural information can be obtained from the CID spectra of deprotonated microcystins. A predominant ring-opening reaction at the isoMeAsp residue, as well as two major complementary fragmentation pathways, was observed, reducing the complexity of the product ion spectra in comparison with spectra observed from protonated species. This proposed fragmentation behavior was applied to characterize [Leu(1)]MC-LR from a cyanobacterial cell extract. In conclusion, CID spectra of microcystins in the negative ion mode provide rich structurally informative mass spectra which greatly enhance confidence in structural assignments, in particular when combined with complementary positive ion CID spectra.

Biochemical composition of two red seaweed species grown on the Brazilian coast

BACKGROUND

Algae species have been used as an important source of food because they are highly nutritive considering their vitamin, protein, mineral, fiber, essential fatty acid and carbohydrate contents. However, a large number of seaweeds have been poorly studied, especially Brazilian species. Two red macroalgae species from the Brazilian coast (Plocamium brasiliense and Ochtodes secundiramea) were assessed with respect to their total lipid, fatty acid, total nitrogen, protein, amino acid and total carbohydrate contents.

RESULTS

The total lipid contents (dry weight) were 36.3 and 35.4 g kg(-1); fatty acid contents were 9.3 and 12.1 g kg(-1); total nitrogen contents were 37.4 and 24.9 g kg(-1); protein contents were 157.2 and 101.0 g kg(-1); amino acid contents were 127.5 and 91.4 g kg(-1); and total carbohydrate contents were 520.3 and 450.7 g kg(-1) for P. brasiliense and O. secundiramea, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Considering these compositions, both algae species were determined to have sources of protein, essential amino acids and carbohydrates similar to the edible seaweeds Laminaria japonica and Palmaria palmata.

Effect of toasting intensity at cooperage on phenolic compounds in acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia) heartwood

The phenolic composition of heartwood from Robinia pseudoacacia, commonly known as false acacia, before and after toasting in cooperage was studied by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS/MS. A total of 41 flavonoid and nonflavonoid compounds were identified, some tentatively, and quantified. Seasoned acacia wood showed high concentrations of flavonoid and low levels of nonflavonoid compounds, the main compounds being the dihydroflavonols dihydrorobinetin, fustin, tetrahydroxy, and trihydroxymethoxy dihydroflavonol, the flavonol robinetin, the flavanones robtin and butin, and a leucorobinetinidin, none of which are found in oak wood. The low molecular weight (LMW) phenolic compounds present also differed from those found in oak, since compounds with a β-resorcylic structure, gallic related compounds, protocatechuic aldehyde, and some hydroxycinnamic compounds are included, but only a little gallic and ellagic acid. Toasting changed the chromatographic profiles of extracts spectacularly. Thus, the toasted acacia wood contributed flavonoids and condensed tannins (prorobinetin type) in inverse proportion to toasting intensity, while LMW phenolic compounds were directly proportional to toasting intensity, except for gallic and ellagic acid and related compounds. Even though toasting reduced differences between oak and acacia, particular characteristics of this wood must be taken into account when considering its use in cooperage: the presence of flavonoids and compounds with β-resorcylic structure and the absence of hydrolyzable tannins.