Migratory crustaceans as biomonitors of metal pollution in their nursery areas. The Lesina lagoon (SE Italy) as a case study

The Lesina lagoon is located on the southern Adriatic coast of Italy; many marine species, such as the shrimp M. kerathurus, use the Lesina lagoon as a nursery, spending their initial growth phase there. In order to assess the usefulness of migratory species as biomonitors of the environmental quality of this nursery area, we evaluated the metal content of the M. kerathurus juveniles at the end of their growth phase in the lagoon (October), when they are assumed to have bioaccumulated the maximum level of metals from the lagoon environment. The concentrations of Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, Mn and Cu were measured in the muscle and exoskeleton of the shrimp, and in the sediments and waters of three areas of the Lesina Lagoon. Both the water and sediment levels of the investigated metals tended to fall within the ranges recorded for other lagoon environments characterized by similar anthropic impact and texturally similar sediment; the juveniles of the shrimp M. kerathurus proved to be strong bioaccumulators of heavy metals such as Zn and Cu (biota-sediment accumulation factors - BSAFs - 6.01 and 25.0 respectively), which derive from agricultural activities; therefore, at the end of their growing phase in the lagoon they can be considered useful biomonitors of metal contamination of agricultural origin in their nursery area.

A multicentre, prospective phase 2 study of weekly schedule of carboplatin (C) plus paclitaxel (P) in first-line treatment of elderly patients (pts) with ovarian cancer (OC). The MITO (Multicentre Italian Trials in Ovarian cancer)-5 study

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Background: CP every 3 weeks is the standard for pts with OC, but elderly pts frequently receive modified schedules or single agent chemotherapy to avoid toxicity. A prospective phase 2 study was conducted to describe tolerability and activity of a weekly schedule of CP in elderly pts with OC. Methods: Pts aged ≥70 years with chemo-naive OC, stage IC-IV, ECOG PS≤2 were eligible. Treatment was C (AUC 2) + P (60 mg/m2) on days 1, 8, 15 every 4 weeks, up to 6 cycles. A 2-stage minimax design was applied. With rate of pts without unacceptable toxicity in the first 3 cycles (UT) as primary endpoint, alpha 0.05 and beta 0.10, p0=0.75, p1=0.95, ≥23/26 pts without UT were required at the final stage. Toxicity was coded with NCI-CTC and response by RECIST. Geriatric assessment was performed by ADL (Activities of Daily Living) and IADL (Instrumental ADL). Results: 26 pts were enrolled. Median age was 77 (range 70–84). PS0: 10 pts, PS1: 16 pts. 14 pts (53.8%) had ≥2 comorbidities. 32%/72% had some ADL/ IADL dependency, respectively. 23 pts (88.5%) did not suffer UT. The 3 UT recorded were g3 heart rhythm (1 pt), g3 liver (1 pt), prolonged haematological toxicity (1 pt). Other main toxicities: g3 thrombocytopenia 1 pt, g2 constipation 2 pts (8%), g1 neuropathy 4 pts (15%). Out of 13 pts with at least one measurable lesion, 4 partial responses were observed (response rate 30.8%, 95% exact CI: 9.1–61.4). Out of 6 pts with non-measurable disease and 2 pts evaluable only for Ca125, 4 complete responses were observed (50%). Conclusions: In this series of elderly OC pts, characterized by a high incidence of comorbidities and functional impairment, weekly CP has a favourable toxicity profile. In this setting, a comparison of weekly vs 3-weekly CP is advisable to compare efficacy.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Recombinant IFN-alpha2b treatment activates poly (ADPR) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) in KB cancer cells

In the present paper, we investigated the relationship between the growth inhibitory effects of recombinant interferon-alpha2b (rIFN-alpha2b) and poly (ADPR) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) activity in the human squamous KB cancer cell line. Growth inhibition of the KB cells mediated by 1000 IU/ml of rIFN-alpha2b was accompanied by a transient rise in PARP-1 specific activity 24 h after rIFN-alpha2b treatment, confirmed by both the increase of intracellular poly (ADP-ribose) content and the PARP-1 auto-modification level. At longer times of incubation, the onset of apoptosis accompanied KB cell growth inhibition, as demonstrated by both flow cytometry and western-blotting analysis showing an 89 kDa apoptotic fragment of PARP-1. Moreover, pretreatment of the cells with the PARP-1 inhibitor, 3-aminobenzamide (3-ABA), at non-cytotoxic concentrations (1 mM), reduced the cell-growth inhibition, cell-cycle perturbation and apoptosis caused by rIFN-alpha2b. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that PARP-1 may be directly involved in the effects of rIFN-alpha2b in the KB cancer cell line.

Storage of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) semen

Characteristics of buffalo semen, diluents used for liquid storage, aspects involved in freezing and thawing of semen are reviewed, and fertility results after artificial insemination (AI) with frozen-thawed semen are given.

Effect of differential addition of glycerol and pyruvate to extender on cryopreservation of Mediterranean buffalo (B.bubalis) spermatozoa

The composition of the extender in which semen is diluted before freezing plays a major role in successful cryopreservation of spermatozoa. Substances of high osmolarity, like glycerol, protect sperm cells during the freezing process and energy-rich compounds, like pyruvate provide extra energy during capacitation and fertilization. Since cryopreservation procedures for Buffalo spermatozoa have not been adequately defined, the aim of the study was to improve the survival rate of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) spermatozoa after cryopreservation by optimizing the timing for adding glycerol and by enriching the cryoprotectant extender with an energy source substrate. Semen was collected with an artificial vagina from 5 bulls and the ejaculates were immediately evaluated for motility, forward progressive motility and for viability, pooled and held at room temperature (28 degrees C) for 1 h. Then aliquots of pooled semen were subjected to dilution and equilibration in triplicate as follows: Experiment 1. Glycerol (3%) in a commercial extender was added to the semen at 28 degrees C and cooled to 5 degrees C for 1 h; then extender with 11% glycerol was added before further equilibration (initial glycerol addition; IGA) and the samples held at 5 degrees C for 1, 3 or 5 additional hours (IGA 1, n = 24; IGA 3, n = 24; IGA 5, n = 24) before freezing. Experiment 2. Glycerol (3%) was added and the mixture brought to 5 degrees C as described above. Then extender with 11% glycerol was added (late glycerol addition; LGA) and after equilibration for 1, 3 and 5 h (LGA 1, n= 24; LGA 3, n = 24; LGA 5, n = 24) the samples were frozen. In Experiments 3 and 4 Na pyruvate (1.25 mM) was added to the extender as described for IGA and LGA above (IPA and LPA samples). The effect of addition time (initial vs late) of glycerol and pyruvate was evaluated by measuring sperm motility, progressively forward motility and viability. After freezing-thawing the percentage of motile spermatozoa was significantly higher (0.001<P<0.01) after a late addition of glycerol and pyruvate (LGA 5 and LPA 5). The optimizing of the timing of the glycerol addition and the presence in the extender of an energy source rendered a higher efficiency in thawed spermatozoa.

Gemcitabine combined with continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil in advanced and symptomatic pancreatic cancer: a clinical benefit-oriented phase II study

Gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil are the only two compounds with reproducible activity against advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). We have evaluated a novel combination of gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil on the clinical benefit response (CBR) end point. Eleven consecutive patients with symptomatic APC were entered in a two-stage phase II trial. Gemcitabine was administered by intravenous (i.v.) bolus injection at the dose of 1,000 mg m(-2) on days 1, 8, 15 and 5-fluorouracil 500 mg m(-2) was given by continuous i.v. infusion on days 1-5. Treatment was repeated every 28 days. A CBR was achieved in 7/11 patients. The mean time to loss of CBR was 26.5 weeks (range 14-18, median 22). Toxicity was mild and no APC patient experienced WHO grade 3 toxicity. The gemcitabine/5-fluorouracil combination is well tolerated and produces a symptomatic relief in the majority of APC patients.

Cryopreservation of seabream (Sparus aurata) spermatozoa

The aim of this research was to optimize protocols for freezing spermatozoa of seabream (Sparus aurata). All the phases of the cryopreservation procedure (sampling, choosing the cryoprotective extender, cooling, freezing, and thawing) were studied in relation to the species of spermatozoa under examination, so as to be able to restore on thawing the morphological and physiological characteristics of fresh semen. Seabream spermatozoa were collected by stripping and transported to the laboratory chilled (0-2 degrees C). Five cryoprotectants, dimethyl sulfoxide (Me(2)SO), ethylene glycol (EG), 1,2-propylene glycol (PG), glycerol, and methanol, were tested at concentrations between 5 and 15% by volume to evaluate their effect on the motility of semen exposed for up to 30 min at 26 degrees C. The less toxic cryoprotectants, 10% EG, 10% PG, and 5% Me(2)SO, respectively, were added to 1% NaCl to formulate the extenders for freezing. The semen was diluted 1:6 with the extender, inserted into 0.25-ml plastic straws by Pasteur pipette, and frozen using a cooling rate of either 10 or 15 degrees C/min to -150 degrees C followed by transfer and storage in liquid nitrogen (-196 degrees C). The straws were thawed at 15 degrees C/s. On thawing, the best motility was obtained with 5% Me(2)SO, although both 10% PG and EG showed good results; no differences were found between the two freezing gradients, although semen frozen with the 10 degrees C/min gradient showed a slightly higher and more prolonged motility.

Interferon-alpha induces apoptosis in human KB cells through a stress-dependent mitogen activated protein kinase pathway that is antagonized by epidermal growth factor

We have demonstrated that interferon-alpha2-recombinant (IFNalpha) at growth inhibitory concentrations enhances the expression and signalling activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) in human epidermoid carcinoma KB cells. Here we report that KB cells exposed to IFNalpha underwent apoptotic cell death and this effect was antagonized by EGF. We have also found that IFNalpha enhanced the expression of heat shock proteins (HSP) HSP-70, HSP-90 and HSP-27 and activated the NH2-terminal Jun kinase-1 (JNK-1) and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase, the target enzymes of a stress-dependent intracellular transduction pathway. Moreover, the overexpression of the wild-type JNK-1, obtained through plasmid transfection of KB cells, induced apoptosis which was potentiated by the exposure of wild-type JNK-1 (JNK-1wt)-transfected cells to IFNalpha. All these effects were neutralized by the addition of EGF to parental and JNK-1wt-transfected KB cells exposed to IFNalpha. In conclusion, EGF has a protective effect on KB cells from apoptosis while antagonizing a stress response elicited by IFNalpha and targeted on the stress pathway terminal kinases.

Desferioxamine increases iron depletion and apoptosis induced by ara-C of human myeloid leukaemic cells

We investigated whether changes in iron metabolism and the transferrin receptor (TRF-R) expression were involved in the antileukaemic effects of arabinoside cytosine (ara-C). Treatment with 100 nM ara-C for 48h reduced thymidine uptake and increased the surface expression of the TRF-R on leukaemic blasts derived from 13/16 (81%) patients and on the HL-60 and U-937 cell lines. Whereas intracellular non-haem iron was strongly depleted 24 h after ara-C addition, TRF-R up-regulation and recovery of intracellular non-haem iron concentration occurred together after a longer exposure of the cultured cells to the drug. Since iron is an essential regulator of cell proliferation we have evaluated the effects of the combination between ara-C and the iron chelator desferioxamine (DSF) on the growth of HL-60 and U-937 cells. We found that desferioxamine strongly potentiated the effects of ara-C on leukaemic cell growth inhibition and apoptosis. This is the first report of a positive interaction between ara-C and an iron chelator in terms of antileukaemic effects.

Transient exposure to cytarabine increases peptide growth factor receptor expression and tumorigenicity of melanoma cells

We have demonstrated that anticancer drugs at cytostatic concentrations enhance the expression and function of epidermal growth factor (EGF-R) and transferrin (TRF-R) receptors on human tumor cells. We hypothesized that these effects could represent a protective response of tumor cells to sublethal antiproliferative stimuli which could lead to enhanced growth potential. 72 hours exposure of human melanoma GLL-19 cells to 1,000 nM ara-C induced growth inhibition and increased the number of EGF-R, TRF-R and nerve growth factor receptor (NGF-R) on cell surface. Enhanced expression of beta 3 integrins CD49a, CD49c and CD49e, av integrin CD51, beta 3 integrin CD61, CD58/LFA3 and collagen IV and laminin was also detected in ara-C-treated GLL-19 cells. These changes at the tumor cell surface were paralleled by increased in vitro adhesion, invasive potential and clonogenic growth in soft agar and in vivo tumor formation. A more aggressive tumor cell phenotype is induced in human melanoma cells after transient exposure to cytostatic concentrations of ara-C.

Bryostatin 1 enhances lymphokine activated killer sensitivity and modulates the beta 1 integrin profile of cultured human tumor cells

Bryostatin 1 interferes with protein kinase C (PKC) signaling which is involved in the activation of human and murine cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and in the growth and differentiation of tumor cells. Bryostatin 1 has immunomodulating and antitumor properties as demonstrated by preclinical and clinical studies. Here we report that bryostatin 1 increases the susceptibility to lymphokine activated killers and modifies the pattern of beta 1 integrin expression of human tumor cells. On the basis of these results the use of bryostatin 1 in combination with immunostimulating cytokines such as interleukin-2 in the treatment of human cancer is suggested.

Transmembrane ion flux modifiers verapamil and ouabain modulate cytotoxic effects of extracellular ATP on human tumor-cells in-vitro

Extracellular ATP can often induce tumor cell cytotoxicity; however, the molecular mechanisms of these effects are mostly unknown. We investigated whether modifications in transmembrane ion fluxes are involved in the determination of ATP-cytotoxicity. We have found that cultured human tumor cells derived from colon (LoVo) and lung (A549) carcinomas are resistant to ATP, while LoVo-Dx cells (a doxorubicin-resistant derivative of LoVo cells) and melanoma GLL-19 cells are highly sensitive to this nucleotide. 48 h exposure to 100 nM verapamil increases sensitivity of LoVo and A549 cells to ATP. This effect is completely reverted by the addition of the calcium ionophore A23187. Conversely, 4 h exposure to 100 nM ouabain, which blocks the Na+/K+ exchange pump, neutralyzes ATP cytotoxicity against LoVo-Dx and GLL-19 cells. Furthermore, ATP-mediated cytotoxic effects on these cells are completely antagonized by ADP-beta-S, a non hydrolyzable analogue of ATP. These findings suggest that transmembrane ion flux modifications play a critical role in ATP cytotoxicity and that ATP binding on surface receptors and probably nucleotide hydrolysis are needed for inducing cytotoxicity on human tumor cells.