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Lopes CS, Pronto-Laborinho AC, Conceição VA, Freitas T, Matias GL, Gromicho M, Santos NC, de Carvalho M, Carvalho FA. Erythrocytes' surface properties and stiffness predict survival and functional decline in ALS patients. Biofactors 2023. [PMID: 38149762 DOI: 10.1002/biof.2030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Erythrocytes play a fundamental role in oxygen delivery to tissues and binding to inflammatory mediators. Evidences suggest that dysregulated erythrocyte function could contribute to the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative diseases. We aimed to evaluate changes in morphological, biomechanical, and biophysical properties of erythrocytes from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, as new areas of study in this disease. Blood samples were collected from ALS patients, comparing with healthy volunteers. Erythrocytes were assessed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and zeta potential analysis. The patients' motor and respiratory functions were evaluated using the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) and percentage of forced vital capacity (%FVC). Patient survival was also assessed. Erythrocyte surface roughness was significantly smoother in ALS patients, and this parameter was a predictor of faster decline in ALSFRS-R scores. ALS patients exhibited higher erythrocyte stiffness, as indicated by reduced AFM tip penetration depth, which predicted a faster ALSFRS-R score and respiratory subscore decay. A lower negative charge on the erythrocyte membrane was predictor of a faster ALSFRS-R and FVC decline. Additionally, a larger erythrocyte surface area was an independent predictor of lower survival. These changes in morphological and biophysical membrane properties of ALS patients' erythrocytes, lead to increased cell stiffness and morphological variations. We speculate that these changes might precipitate motoneurons dysfunction and accelerate disease progression. Further studies should explore the molecular alterations related to these observations. Our findings may contribute to dissect the complex interplay between respiratory function, tissue hypoxia, progression rate, and survival in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina S Lopes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Vasco A Conceição
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Teresa Freitas
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo L Matias
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Gromicho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte (CHULN), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Filomena A Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Alves LS, Marques ARA, Padrão N, Carvalho FA, Ramalho J, Lopes CS, Soares MIL, Futter CE, Pinho E Melo TMVD, Santos NC, Vieira OV. Cholesteryl hemiazelate causes lysosome dysfunction impacting vascular smooth muscle cell homeostasis. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:272202. [PMID: 34528688 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.254631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In atherosclerotic lesions, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) represent half of the foam cell population, which is characterized by an aberrant accumulation of undigested lipids within lysosomes. Loss of lysosome function impacts VSMC homeostasis and disease progression. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying lysosome dysfunction in these cells is, therefore, crucial. We identify cholesteryl hemiazelate (ChA), a stable oxidation end-product of cholesteryl-polyunsaturated fatty acid esters, as an inducer of lysosome malfunction in VSMCs. ChA-treated VSMCs acquire a foam-cell-like phenotype, characterized by enlarged lysosomes full of ChA and neutral lipids. The lysosomes are perinuclear and exhibit degradative capacity and cargo exit defects. Lysosome luminal pH is also altered. Even though the transcriptional response machinery and autophagy are not activated by ChA, the addition of recombinant lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) is able to rescue lysosome dysfunction. ChA significantly affects VSMC proliferation and migration, impacting atherosclerosis. In summary, this work shows that ChA is sufficient to induce lysosomal dysfunction in VSMCs, that, in ChA-treated VSMCs, neither lysosome biogenesis nor autophagy are triggered, and, finally, that recombinant LAL can be a therapeutic approach for lysosomal dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana S Alves
- Chronic Diseases Research Centre (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, NOVA University Lisbon, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - André R A Marques
- Chronic Diseases Research Centre (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, NOVA University Lisbon, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Nuno Padrão
- Chronic Diseases Research Centre (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, NOVA University Lisbon, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Filomena A Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - José Ramalho
- Chronic Diseases Research Centre (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, NOVA University Lisbon, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Catarina S Lopes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria I L Soares
- CQC and Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Clare E Futter
- Department of Cell Biology, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | | | - Nuno C Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Otília V Vieira
- Chronic Diseases Research Centre (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, NOVA University Lisbon, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
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Lopes CS, Antunes RCC, Paiva VH, Gonçalves AMM, Correia JJ, Ramos JA. Fatty acids composition in yellow-legged (Larus michahellis) and lesser black-backed (Larus fuscus) gulls from natural and urban habitats in relation to the ingestion of anthropogenic materials. Sci Total Environ 2022; 809:151093. [PMID: 34699816 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Urban habitats offer spatially and temporally predictable anthropogenic food sources for opportunistic species, such as several species of gulls that are known to exploit urban areas and take advantage of accessible and diverse food sources, reducing foraging time and energy expenditure. However, human-derived food may have a poorer nutritional quality than the typical natural food resources and foraging in urban habitats may increase birds' susceptibility of ingesting anthropogenic debris materials, with unknown physiological consequences for urban dwellers. Here we compare the fatty acids (FA) composition of two opportunistic gull species (the yellow-legged gull, Larus michahellis, and the lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus) from areas with different levels of urbanization, to assess differences in birds' diet quality among foraging habitats, and we investigate the effects of ingesting anthropogenic materials, a toxicological stressor, on gulls' FA composition. Using GC-MS, 23 FAs were identified in the adipose tissue of both gull species. Significant differences in gulls' FA composition were detected among the three urbanization levels, mainly due to physiologically important highly unsaturated FAs that had lower percentages in gulls from the most urbanized habitats, consistent with a diet based on anthropogenic food resources. The deficiency in omega (ω)-3 FAs and the higher ω-6:ω-3 FAs ratio in gulls from the most urbanized location may indicate a diet-induced susceptibility to inflammation. No significant differences in overall FA composition were detected between gull species. While we were unable to detect any effect of ingested anthropogenic materials on gulls' FA composition, these data constitute a valuable contribution to the limited FA literature in gulls. We encourage studies to explore the long-term physiological effects of the lower nutritional quality diet for urban dwellers, and to detect the sub-lethal impacts of the ingestion of anthropogenic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina S Lopes
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Raquel C C Antunes
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vitor H Paiva
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana M M Gonçalves
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Jorge J Correia
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jaime A Ramos
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
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Pronto-Laborinho AC, Lopes CS, Conceição VA, Gromicho M, Santos NC, de Carvalho M, Carvalho FA. Corrigendum: γ' Fibrinogen as a Predictor of Survival in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:800151. [PMID: 34869705 PMCID: PMC8636022 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.800151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Catarina S Lopes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Vasco A Conceição
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Gromicho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte (CHULN), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Filomena A Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Pronto-Laborinho AC, Lopes CS, Conceição VA, Gromicho M, Santos NC, de Carvalho M, Carvalho FA. γ' Fibrinogen as a Predictor of Survival in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:715842. [PMID: 34568457 PMCID: PMC8458885 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.715842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an aggressive neurodegenerative disorder related to neuroinflammation that is associated with increased risk of thrombosis. We aimed to evaluate γ' fibrinogen plasma level (an in vivo variant of fibrinogen) as a biomarker in ALS, and to test its role as a predictor of disease progression and survival. Sixty-seven consecutive patients with ALS were followed and the results were compared with those from 82 healthy blood donors. Patients were clinically evaluated at the time of blood sampling and on follow-up (every 3 months for the beginning of the follow-up until death) by applying the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale. Human plasma γ' fibrinogen concentration was quantified using a specific two-site sandwich kit enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found, for the first time, a positive association between γ' fibrinogen concentration and survival in ALS patients: patients with higher γ' fibrinogen plasma levels survived longer, and this finding was not influenced by confounders such as age, gender, respiratory impairment, or functionality (ALSFRS-R score). Since increased levels have a positive impact on outcome, this novel biomarker should be further investigated in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Catarina S Lopes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Vasco A Conceição
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Gromicho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte (CHULN), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Filomena A Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Lopes CS, Paiva VH, Vaz PT, Pais de Faria J, Calado JG, Pereira JM, Ramos JA. Ingestion of anthropogenic materials by yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) in natural, urban, and landfill sites along Portugal in relation to diet composition. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021; 28:19046-19063. [PMID: 33394440 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-12161-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Pollution is a global concern, increasing rapidly throughout marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and affecting many species. Urbanization enhances waste production, leading to the opening of landfills that constitute a spatially and temporally predictable food source for opportunistic species. Several species of gulls are known to exploit and breed in urban areas, taking advantage of accessible and diverse food resources. The exploitation of anthropogenic food subsidies at sea (e.g. fishery discards), urban sites, and landfills leads to debris ingestion by gulls with potential negative effects. Here we characterize anthropogenic debris ingested by yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) along Portugal, by analysing the content of pellets collected in (1) natural and urban breeding locations, and in (2) urban and landfill resting sites, to assess seasonal patterns in the ingestion of anthropogenic debris. We also relate diet with the presence of anthropogenic debris. Debris materials were found in 28.8% of pellets from breeding locations (natural and urban) and in 89.7% of pellets from resting sites (urban and landfill). Gulls from the most urbanized breeding location exhibited higher levels of ingested materials during the entire breeding cycle, however, gulls from a natural breeding site also ingested high levels of debris during the pre-breeding season. At resting sites, small seasonal differences were detected in the number and mass of debris items ingested, which were both higher during spring and summer. Gulls that typically fed on pelagic fish had significantly less sheet and fragment plastics in their pellets. The presence of certain debris categories in gull pellets was positively related to the presence of some prey items, suggesting that gulls may accidentally ingest debris while foraging at multiple habitats. The quantity of anthropogenic materials ingested by gulls from urban locations and landfills indicates a need for improved waste management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina S Lopes
- University of Coimbra, MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, 3004-517, Portugal.
| | - Vitor H Paiva
- University of Coimbra, MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, 3004-517, Portugal
| | - Patrícia T Vaz
- University of Coimbra, MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, 3004-517, Portugal
| | - Joana Pais de Faria
- University of Coimbra, MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, 3004-517, Portugal
| | - Joana G Calado
- University of Coimbra, MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, 3004-517, Portugal
- Molecular and Environmental Biology Centre (CBMA), Universidade do Minho Campus de Gualtar, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal
- Animal Ecology Group, Universidade de Vigo, Lab 97, Torre CACTI, Campus As Lagoas, Vigo, Spain
| | - Jorge M Pereira
- University of Coimbra, MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, 3004-517, Portugal
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Jaime A Ramos
- University of Coimbra, MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra, 3004-517, Portugal
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Lopes CS, de Faria JP, Paiva VH, Ramos JA. Characterization of anthropogenic materials on yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) nests breeding in natural and urban sites along the coast of Portugal. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2020; 27:36954-36969. [PMID: 32577968 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09651-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic materials are a persistent pressure on ecosystems, affecting many species. Seabirds can collect these materials to construct their nests, which may modify nest characteristics and cause entanglement of chicks and adults, with possible consequences on breeding success. The incorporation of anthropogenic materials in nests of seabird species that breed in both natural and urban environments, such as gulls, is poorly known. Here, we characterize and compare anthropogenic materials incorporated in yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) nests from two natural and two urban breeding sites across their Portuguese breeding range and during 2 consecutive years. Anthropogenic materials were found in 2.6% and 15.4% of gull nests from natural locations and in 47.6% and 95.7% of nests from urban breeding sites. No differences were found on hatching success between urban and natural breeding colonies. A significantly higher number of anthropogenic materials were found in the largest and more populated urban breeding colony, which on average included items of a greater mass but smaller size than items from the other three colonies. The higher incorporation of anthropogenic materials in urban locations could be a consequence of a lower access to natural nest construction materials and higher availability of anthropogenic debris. The quantity and diversity of anthropogenic materials incorporated in gull nests from urban locations indicate a need for improved debris management in urban settlements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina S Lopes
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Joana Pais de Faria
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vitor H Paiva
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jaime A Ramos
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
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Silva ECA, Tanomaru-Filho M, Silva GF, Lopes CS, Cerri PS, Guerreiro Tanomaru JM. Evaluation of the biological properties of two experimental calcium silicate sealers: an in vivo study in rats. Int Endod J 2020; 54:100-111. [PMID: 32880986 DOI: 10.1111/iej.13398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the biological properties of experimental sealers based on tricalcium silicate and dicalcium silicate, manipulated with polyethylene glycol (CE-1) and with the addition of calcium hypochlorite (CE-2) compared to AH Plus (AHP) and TotalFill BC Sealer (TBC). METHODOLOGY The tissue reaction caused by the materials in the subcutaneous tissue of rats was evaluated after implantation of polyethylene tubes filled with the materials at 7, 15, 30 and 60 days. Sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (HE) for morphological analysis and to evaluated number of inflammatory cells/mm2 (ICs). Sections were used for immunohistochemical detection of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and osteocalcin (OC). The von Kossa method was used to identify calcium precipitation in the capsules. The data were submitted to anova and Tukey's tests, with 5% significance level. RESULTS At 7 days, CE-1, CE-2 and AHP had higher numbers of ICs. AHP presented higher immunolabelling for IL-6. After 15 days, regarding IL-6, there was no difference between CE-2 and the control group. At 30 days, AHP exhibited the highest number of IC (P < 0.05) and CE-2 and the control group presented the lowest ICs and IL-6-positive cells. After 60 days, all materials exhibited decreases in ICs. CE-2, TBC and the control had the lowest values (P < 0.05). No significant difference was detected between CE-1 and TBC, and between CE-2 and control considering the immunoexpression of IL-6. In this period, AHP had the greatest number of IC and IL-6 (P < 0.05). In all periods, CE-1, CE-2 and TBC sealers had von Kossa-positive structures and OC-immunolabelled cells. CE-2 had higher number of OC-positive cells than the CE-1 and TBC sealers (P < 0.05), in all periods. OC immunolabelling was not observed in the capsules of AH Plus and the control groups. CONCLUSIONS The experimental sealer and its association with calcium hypochlorite, in addition to TotalFill BC Sealer, were biocompatible and had bioactive potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- E C A Silva
- Department of Restorative Dentistry Araraquara Dental School, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - M Tanomaru-Filho
- Department of Restorative Dentistry Araraquara Dental School, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - G F Silva
- Department of Dentistry, Unisagrado, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - C S Lopes
- Department of Restorative Dentistry Araraquara Dental School, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - P S Cerri
- Department of Morphology, Araraquara Dental School, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - J M Guerreiro Tanomaru
- Department of Restorative Dentistry Araraquara Dental School, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
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Coutinho GF, Martínez Cereijo JM, Correia PM, Lopes CS, López LR, Muñoz DD, Antunes MJ. Long-term results after concomitant mitral and aortic valve surgery: repair or replacement? Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2018; 54:1085-1092. [PMID: 29800093 DOI: 10.1093/ejcts/ezy205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The reported superiority of mitral valve (MV) repair for isolated MV regurgitation has not been confirmed in mitroaortic valve surgery. Our goals were to evaluate the feasibility of repair in patients undergoing mitral and aortic valve surgery and to identify factors predisposing to MV replacement, to compare long-term outcomes (survival and MV reoperation) of repair and replacement and to perform a subgroup analysis in patients with rheumatic MV disease. METHODS From January 1992 through December 2016, 1122 consecutive patients were submitted to concomitant aortic and MV surgery in 2 different centres (Coimbra and Santiago). Of these, 837 patients underwent MV repair (74.6%) and 285 patients had MV replacement (25.4%). Rheumatic aetiology was predominant (666 patients; 59.4%). Cumulative follow-up was 9522.6 patient-years (25th-75th percentile 2.6-13.2 years) and was complete for 95.6% of patients. Propensity score matching (1:1) was performed in 232 patients for comparing each treatment option (MV repair and MV replacement). RESULTS Previous MV intervention, rheumatic aetiology, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, higher degrees of tricuspid and mitral regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension were independently correlated with MV replacement. The 30-day mortality rate was higher in patients with MV replacement (4.2% vs 1.8%, P = 0.021) and was confirmed in the propensity score matching (4.7% vs 1.7%, P = 0.06). Late survival was lower in the MV replacement group (53.3 ± 4.5% vs 61.7 ± 2.0% at 12 years; P = 0.026) and was confirmed in the propensity score matching (54.6 ± 4.9% vs 63.2 ± 3.8%, P = 0.062) and rheumatic subgroup (57.9 ± 4.8% vs 68.0 ± 2.5%, P = 0.018). Freedom from MV reoperation at 12 years was higher in the MV repair group (94.7 ± 1.1% vs 89.0 ± 3.1%, P = 0.004) but similar in patients with rheumatic MV disease. CONCLUSIONS MV repair can be performed in most patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. It should be the procedure of choice whenever feasible, because it is associated with lower early and late mortality rates and with freedom from reoperation in non-rheumatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo F Coutinho
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Coimbra Hospital and Universitary Centre, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Pedro M Correia
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Coimbra Hospital and Universitary Centre, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Catarina S Lopes
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Coimbra Hospital and Universitary Centre, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Laura Reija López
- Cardiac Surgery Department, University Hospital, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Dario Durán Muñoz
- Cardiac Surgery Department, University Hospital, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Manuel J Antunes
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Coimbra Hospital and Universitary Centre, Coimbra, Portugal
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Herráez M, Fernández A, Lopes CS, González C. Strength and toughness of structural fibres for composite material reinforcement. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2016; 374:20150274. [PMID: 27242306 PMCID: PMC4901246 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2015.0274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The characterization of the strength and fracture toughness of three common structural fibres, E-glass, AS4 carbon and Kevlar KM2, is presented in this work. The notched specimens were prepared by means of selective carving of individual fibres by means of the focused ion beam. A straight-fronted edge notch was introduced in a plane perpendicular to the fibre axis, with the relative notch depth being a0/D≈0.1 and the notch radius at the tip approximately 50 nm. The selection of the appropriate beam current during milling operations was performed to avoid to as much as possible any microstructural changes owing to ion impingement. Both notched and un-notched fibres were submitted to uniaxial tensile tests up to failure. The strength of the un-notched fibres was characterized in terms of the Weibull statistics, whereas the residual strength of the notched fibres was used to determine their apparent toughness. To this end, the stress intensity factor of a fronted edge crack was computed by means of the finite-element method for different crack lengths. The experimental results agreed with those reported in the literature for polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibres obtained by using similar techniques. After mechanical testing, the fracture surface of the fibres was analysed to ascertain the failure mechanisms. It was found that AS4 carbon and E-glass fibres presented the lower toughness with fracture surfaces perpendicular to the fibre axis, emanating from the notch tip. The fractured region of Kevlar KM2 fibres extended along the fibre and showed large permanent deformation, which explains their higher degree of toughness when compared with carbon and glass fibres. This article is part of the themed issue 'Multiscale modelling of the structural integrity of composite materials'.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Herráez
- IMDEA Materials, C/Eric Kandel 2, 28906 Getafe, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Fernández
- IMDEA Materials, C/Eric Kandel 2, 28906 Getafe, Madrid, Spain
| | - C S Lopes
- IMDEA Materials, C/Eric Kandel 2, 28906 Getafe, Madrid, Spain
| | - C González
- IMDEA Materials, C/Eric Kandel 2, 28906 Getafe, Madrid, Spain Department of Materials Science, E.T.S. de Ingenieros de Caminos, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The financial sector has seen an increase in the number of cases of violence and stress, which can result in adverse health outcomes, including depressive symptoms, but studies related to stress at work and depression for these workers are scarce. AIMS To investigate the association between exposure to psychosocial work stressors and depressive symptoms in bank employees. METHODS A self-administered questionnaire was completed by a sample of bank employees in Pará and Amapá, Brazil. The survey assessed sociodemographic characteristics, mental health (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), Demand-Control-Support and Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI). Outcomes included two levels of depressive symptoms: major depressive symptoms (MDS) and other forms of depressive symptoms (ODS). Logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between depressive symptoms, the two job stress models and relevant covariates. RESULTS Of 2806 eligible subjects, there were 1445 respondents (52% response rate) and the final analyses included 1046 participants. The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was 32% (MDS = 18%; ODS = 14%), with no statistically significant difference between men and women. High demands, low levels of control and low social support were associated with MDS and/or ODS, adjusted for gender, age and other work-related conditions. High effort/low reward, over-commitment and ERI were also associated with MDS and ODS. CONCLUSIONS Psychosocial conditions in banking activity involving high strain, low social support at work, high effort with low reward and over-commitment may represent possible risk factors for depressive symptoms in bank employees.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S S Valente
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil,
| | - P R Menezes
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil, Center of Research in Mental Health Population, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
| | - M Pastor-Valero
- Department of Public Health, History of Science and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Miguel Hernández University, Campus de San Juan, Spain, CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - C S Lopes
- Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Social Medicine, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Correa Ribeiro
- Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Social Medicine, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Most studies of mental health in the armed forces focus primarily on post-traumatic stress disorders among military personnel in combat situations. AIMS To evaluate the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) and job stress, and the association between the two, among military personnel in peacetime. Additionally, it sought to identify occupational subgroups with higher prevalences of CMD. METHODS The study participants were 506 military personnel from a Brazilian army directorate in Rio de Janeiro City. CMD were evaluated using the 12-item version General Health Questionnaire. Job characteristics were measured using the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model and by categories of military rank. Prevalence ratios (PRs) were estimated by Poisson regression to obtain robust (95%) confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS The prevalence of CMD was 33% (95% CI 29-37). After adjusting for age, education, income, lifestyle and other occupational characteristics, ERI was associated with CMD (PR = 2.03; 95% CI 1.3-3.1). Overcommitment proved to be an important component of job stress. Independently of socio-economic, demographic, lifestyle and job stress variables, the rank of lieutenant associated strongly with CMD (PR = 2.02; 95% CI 1.2-4 0.1). CONCLUSIONS This study found that job stress among armed forces personnel is associated with CMD. In addition, the specific occupational characteristics of the military environment can lead to a higher prevalence of CMD among those holding the rank of lieutenant.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C X Martins
- Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Social Medicine, State University of Rio de Janeiro (IMS/UERJ), Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20550-900, Brazil.
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Afonso-Souza G, Nadanovsky P, Chor D, Faerstein E, Werneck GL, Lopes CS. Association between routine visits for dental checkup and self-perceived oral health in an adult population in Rio de Janeiro: the Pró-Saúde Study. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2007; 35:393-400. [PMID: 17822488 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0528.2006.00343.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between routine visits for dental checkup and self-perceived oral health. METHODS Cross-sectional data from a study of university employees in Rio de Janeiro - The Pró-Saúde Study. Self-perceived oral health and the reported pattern and frequency of visits to the dentist were obtained through a multidimensional self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS Data were obtained from 3252 participants. When compared with individuals who reported self-perceived oral health as good ('very good', 'good' or 'fair') individuals who reported self-perceived oral health as bad ('bad' or 'very bad') were significantly more likely to be older, male, less educated, poorer; they also reported more frequently to have lost more teeth and not visiting the dentist for routine dental 'checkup'. Among those who reported visiting for dental checks at least annually, 3% reported bad oral health, as opposed to 15% among those who reported visiting the dentist only when in trouble. Compared with those who reported visiting the dentist at least annually, odds ratio of bad oral health was 3.9 (95% CI, 2.68-5.67) for subjects who reported visiting only when in trouble, 2.6 (95% CI, 1.51-4.62) who reported visiting for dental checks less frequently than once every 2 years, and 1.4 (95% CI, 0.77-2.52) for subjects who reported visiting for dental checks once every 2 years, after controlling for sex, age, education, income and tooth loss. CONCLUSIONS Not visiting the dentist for a routine dental check increased the chance of reporting one's own oral health as bad. In any case, the habit of visiting for dental 'checkup, once per year or once every 2 years was associated with nearly all the individuals perceiving his/her oral health positively. However, in order to gather more solid scientific data to guide public policies it is necessary to perform longitudinal studies, especially experiments in different populations focused mainly on the socioeconomic characteristics and dental clinical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Afonso-Souza
- Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Social Medicine - Rio de Janeiro State University (IMS-UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Vidal F, Vidal JC, Gadelha APR, Lopes CS, Coelho MGP, Monteiro-Leal LH. Giardia lamblia: The effects of extracts and fractions from Mentha x piperita Lin. (Lamiaceae) on trophozoites. Exp Parasitol 2007; 115:25-31. [PMID: 16843460 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2006.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2005] [Revised: 05/08/2006] [Accepted: 05/09/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Giardia lamblia is a parasite that causes giardiasis in humans and other mammals. The common treatment includes different classes of drugs, which were described to produce unpleasant side effects. Mentha x piperita, popularly known as peppermint, is a plant that is frequently used in the popular medicine to treat gastrointestinal symptoms. We examined the effects of crude extracts and fractions from peppermint against G. lamblia (ATCC 30888) on the basis of trophozoite growth, morphology and adherence studies. The methanolic, dichloromethane and hexanic extracts presented IC(50) values of 0.8, 2.5 and 9.0microg/ml after 48h of incubation, respectively. The aqueous extract showed no effect against the trophozoites with an IC(50)>100microg/ml. The aqueous fraction presented a moderate activity with an IC(50) of 45.5microg/ml. The dichloromethane fraction showed the best antigiardial activity, with an IC(50) of 0.75microg/ml after 48h of incubation. The morphological and adhesion assays showed that this fraction caused several alterations on plasma membrane surface of the parasite and inhibited the adhesion of G. lamblia trophozoites. Cytotoxic assays showed that Mentha x piperita presented no toxic effects on the intestinal cell line IEC-6. Our results demonstrated antigiardial activity of Mentha x piperita, indicating its potential value as therapeutic agent against G. lamblia infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Vidal
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Laboratory of Microscopy and Image Processing, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Prof. Manoel de Abreu, 444, 3 degrees andar, Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20550-170, Brazil
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Coeli C, Faerstein E, Chor D, Lopes CS, Werneck GL. Gender Differences in the Socioeconomic Gradient in Self-Reported Diabetes in Brazil: Does Detection Bias Play a Role? Am J Epidemiol 2006. [DOI: 10.1093/aje/163.suppl_11.s62-c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Gadelha APR, Vidal F, Castro TM, Lopes CS, Albarello N, Coelho MGP, Figueiredo SFL, Monteiro-Leal LH. Susceptibility of Giardia lamblia to Hovenia dulcis extracts. Parasitol Res 2005; 97:399-407. [PMID: 16151735 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-005-1476-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2005] [Accepted: 07/25/2005] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Giardia lamblia is the causative agent of giardiasis, a common parasitic infection of the human and animal digestive tract. Although several drugs have been available to treat this infection, they present unpleasant side effects or cytotoxicity. In order to find a more natural treatment for the disease, we analyzed the effects of the methanolic extract and three fractions obtained from Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (Rhamnaceae) leaves on G. lamblia. Comparing all fractions, dichloromethane was more efficient in reducing Giardia growth. The exposition of G. lamblia to this fraction lead to degenerations in the surface, modifications in the cell shape and alterations in the localization of nuclei. Besides that, the adhesion of G. lamblia was also altered. Experiments revealed that the obtained fraction did not present cytotoxic effects in mammalian cells. In summary, dichloromethane fraction has strong antigiardial effects and could become an important new substance for the treatment of giardiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P R Gadelha
- Laboratory of Microscopy and Image Processing, Department of Histology and Embryology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Maracanã, 20550-170 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Faleiro-Rodrigues C, Macedo-Pinto IM, Maia SS, Vieira RH, Lopes CS. Biological relevance of E-cadherin-catenin complex proteins in primary epithelial ovarian tumours. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2005; 60:75-83. [PMID: 15785075 DOI: 10.1159/000084614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2003] [Accepted: 10/18/2004] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
This study analysed the biological relevance of E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, beta-catenin and gamma-catenin immunoexpression pattern (reduced vs. preserved phenotype) in epithelial ovarian tumours. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of these proteins in 154 epithelial ovarian tumours, consisting of 17 benign, 33 borderline and 104 malignant tumours. In borderline tumours, the immunoexpression pattern of E-cadherin (p = 0.014) and alpha-catenin (p = 0.030) associated with histological type. In malignant tumours, the immunoexpression pattern of E-cadherin was related with histological type (p = 0.001). The immunoexpression pattern of beta-catenin associated with histological type and tumour differentiation (p = 0.005, p = 0.025, respectively). The preserved phenotype of E-cadherin was most frequently observed in mucinous tumours, whereas reduced E-cadherin was most frequently observed in serous tumours. The preserved phenotype of beta-catenin associated with endometrioid carcinomas, while reduced beta-catenin associated with poorly differentiated serous and clear cell carcinomas. Although the reduced phenotype was the most frequent immunoexpression observed for all proteins of the E-cadherin-catenin complex in epithelial ovarian tumours, only beta-catenin showed a significant difference between benign, borderline and malignant tumours (p = 0.045), since borderline and malignant tumours most frequently showed the reduced phenotype. The immunohistochemical profile of beta-catenin was shown to be of biological relevance: reduced beta-catenin was correlated with loss of tumour differentiation and serous carcinomas that are known to depict aggressive biological behaviour in epithelial ovarian tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Faleiro-Rodrigues
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Francisco Gentil, Porto, Portugal.
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Faleiro-Rodrigues C, Macedo-Pinto I, Pereira D, Lopes CS. Prognostic value of E-cadherin immunoexpression in patients with primary ovarian carcinomas. Ann Oncol 2005; 15:1535-42. [PMID: 15367415 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdh387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To analyse the negative versus positive immunoexpression of E-cadherin in patients with primary ovarian carcinomas, and determine its significance in relation to clinicopathological features, overall and recurrence-free survival (RFS). PATIENTS AND METHODS The protein expression of E-cadherin was immunohistochemically evaluated in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples in 104 patients with primary ovarian carcinomas. The clinicopathological factors studied were age, FIGO staging, histological type, tumour differentiation, the appearance of the ovarian capsule, peritoneal implants and residual tumour after cytoreductive surgery. Overall survival and RFS were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and multivariate analysis was completed using the Cox regression model. RESULTS Of the 104 carcinomas, negative E-cadherin immunoexpression was observed in seven (7%) cases, and positive immunoexpression in 97 (93%). E-cadherin categorised into negative versus positive expression did not associate with any of the established clinicopathological parameters. However, negative E-cadherin expression significantly predicted a poorer overall survival when compared with positive expression (P=0.006). In the multivariate analyses, negative E-cadherin and the presence of residual tumour after cytoreductive surgery were independent prognostic factors for survival (P=0.014 and P=0.034, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The presence of residual tumour after primary cytoreductive surgery and negative E-cadherin expression seem to be useful markers in patients with ovarian carcinomas likely to have an unfavourable clinical outcome. The assessment of E-cadherin immunoreactivity may be a useful prognostic indicator in ovarian cancer, complementary to established prognostic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Faleiro-Rodrigues
- Departments of Anatomy and Pathology and Medical Oncology, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Francisco Gentil, Centro Regional do Norte, Porto, Portugal. cristinafaleiro@mailcom
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Silva MCC, Gayer CRM, Lopes CS, Calixto NO, Reis PA, Passaes CPB, Paes MC, Dalmau SR, Sabino KCC, Todeschini AR, Coelho MGP. Acute and topic anti-edematogenic fractions isolated from the seeds of Pterodon pubescens. J Pharm Pharmacol 2004; 56:135-41. [PMID: 14980011 DOI: 10.1211/0022357022485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that alcoholic extracts from Pterodon pubescens Benth. (Sucupira branca, Leguminosae) seeds exhibit anti-arthritic activity. In the present work we show that the oleaginous extract obtained from P. pubescens seeds (OEP) exhibits acute or topic anti-edematogenic activity when tested in carrageenan-induced paw edema or in croton oil-induced ear edema assays, respectively. Four fractions were obtained from OEP by sequential liquid-liquid extraction. The anti-edematogenic properties were predominant in the hexanic fraction, which was further fractionated by HPLC, yielding three sub-fractions (PF1.1, PF1.2 and PF1.3). PF1.1 and PF1.3 showed potent acute and topic anti-edematogenic activity. The PF1.2 sub-fraction, although not active in the carrageenan assay, exhibited a potent anti-edematogenic activity in the croton oil-induced ear edema. This sub-fraction shows a maximum efficacy similar to indometacin in a lower dose. The PF1.1 sub-fraction presented a complex mixture containing furane diterpene derivatives of vouacapan. PF1.2 consists of a single substance, geranylgeraniol, as determined by GC/MS and NMR, while PF1.3 contains farnesol.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C C Silva
- Departamento de Bioqímica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Av Professor Manoel de Abreu, 44, PAPC, 4o andar, CEP 20550-170, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Santos LL, Amaro T, Pereira SA, Lameiras CR, Lopes P, Bento MJ, Oliveira J, Criado B, Lopes CS. Expression of cell-cycle regulatory proteins and their prognostic value in superficial low-grade urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder. Eur J Surg Oncol 2003; 29:74-80. [PMID: 12559081 DOI: 10.1053/ejso.2002.1371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Cell-cycle regulatory proteins are important indicators in determining progression trough the cell-cycle and progression to invasive cancer in patients presenting with superficial bladder cancer. We performed an immunohistochemical study in order to evaluate the prognostic value of the expression of p16, p27, pRb, p53 and Ki-67 in superficial grade I and II papillary urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder. METHODS p16, p27, p53, pRb and Ki-67 immunoexpression was studied in 14 pTa, 35 pT1a and 7 pT1b bladder tumours at presentation and at recurrence of their tumours. The recurrence-free survival and the progression-free survival were analysed according to these regulatory cell-cycle proteins expression. RESULTS For survival in univariate analysis a high Ki-67 labelling index was a poor prognostic factor for recurrence-free and progression-free survival (P=0.0014 and P=0.012, respectively). Ki-67 labelling index was also an independent recurrence-free survival prognostic factor (P=0.0005). The p16, p27, p53 and pRb immunoreactivity was not significantly associated with recurrence or progression rate in this group of bladder carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the Ki-67 labelling index can be a reliable marker in predicting recurrence and/or progression in superficial low-grade bladder carcinomas and may be relevant in planning adjuvant therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Biomarkers, Tumor/biosynthesis
- Carcinoma, Papillary/diagnosis
- Carcinoma, Papillary/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Papillary/mortality
- Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/diagnosis
- Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/mortality
- Cell Cycle Proteins/biosynthesis
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16/biosynthesis
- Disease Progression
- Disease-Free Survival
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Fungal Proteins
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Ki-67 Antigen/biosynthesis
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Multivariate Analysis
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/diagnosis
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/metabolism
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/mortality
- Neoplasm Staging
- Portugal
- Prognosis
- Serine Endopeptidases/biosynthesis
- Severity of Illness Index
- Sex Factors
- Time Factors
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/biosynthesis
- Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/diagnosis
- Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/metabolism
- Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/mortality
- Urothelium/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- L L Santos
- Surgical Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Rua Dr Bernardino de Almeida, 4200 Porto, Portugal.
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de Jesus JB, Podlyska TM, Hampshire A, Lopes CS, Vannier-Santos MA, Meyer-Fernandes JR. Characterization of an ecto-phosphatase activity in the human parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Parasitol Res 2002; 88:991-7. [PMID: 12375165 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-001-0583-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2001] [Accepted: 12/11/2001] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
We have characterized phosphatase activity present on the external surface of Trichomonas vaginalis, using intact living parasites. This enzyme hydrolyzes the substrate p-nitrophenylphosphate (p-NPP) at a rate of 134.3+/-14.8 nmol Pi/h per 10(7) cells. This phosphatase activity decreased by increasing the pH from 6.8 to 8.4, a pH range in which cell viability was maintained for at least 1 h. Experiments using classical inhibitors of acid phosphatases, such as ammonium molybdate and sodium fluoride, as well as inhibitors of phosphotyrosine phosphatase, such as sodium orthovanadate, [monoperoxo(picolinato)oxovanadate(V)] (mpV-PIC) and [potassiumbisperoxo(1,10-phenanthroline)oxovanadate(V)] (bpV-PHEN), showed a decrease in this phosphatase activity, with different patterns of inhibition. Cytochemical analysis showed the localization of this enzyme on the parasite surface (cell body and flagellum) and in intracellular vacuoles. Phosphatase reaction products were also observed in exocytosed membrane-bound material.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B de Jesus
- Instituto de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Soares de Moura R, Costa SS, Jansen JM, Silva CA, Lopes CS, Bernardo-Filho M, Nascimento da Silva V, Criddle DN, Portela BN, Rubenich LMS, Araujo RG, Carvalho LCRM. Bronchodilator activity of Mikania glomerata Sprengel on human bronchi and guinea-pig trachea. J Pharm Pharmacol 2002; 54:249-56. [PMID: 11858213 DOI: 10.1211/0022357021778277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The effects of aqueous extracts and hydro-alcoholic extract (HAE), and of a dichloromethane fraction (MG1) obtained from the HAE of Mikania glomerata leaves on isolated respiratory and vascular smooth muscle have been investigated. Aqueousextracts and HAE induced a significant inhibition on the histamine contractions on the isolated guinea-pig trachea. HAE extract induced a concentration-dependent relaxation on guinea-pig trachea pre-contracted with histamine (IC50 0.34 (0.29-0.39) mg mL(-1)), acetylcholine (IC50 0.72 (0.67-0.77) mg mL(-1)) or K+ (IC50 1.41 (1.18-1.64) mg mL(-1)) and on isolated human bronchi precontracted with K+ (IC50 0.34 (0.26-0.42) mg mL(-1)). The dichloromethane fraction induced a concentration dependent relaxation in guinea-pig trachea precontracted with K+ (IC50 0.017 (0.012-0.022) mg mL(-1)). The dichloromethane fraction had also a small vasodilator effect on the isolated mesenteric vascular bed and on the isolated rat aorta, and a significant reduction of the oedema induced by subplantar injections of Bothropsjararaca venom in mice. When tested on plasmid DNA, MG1 did not damage the DNA. Chromatographic analysis showed the presence of 11.4% w/w coumarin in MG1. The results supported the indication of M. glomerata products for the treatment of respiratory diseases where bronchoconstriction is present.
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Abstract
We describe methodological steps in the selection of questions on social networks and support for a cohort study of 4,030 employees from a public university in Rio de Janeiro. First, group discussions with volunteers were conducted to explore the adequacy of related concepts. Next, questions in the Medical Outcomes Study questionnaire were submitted to standard "forward-" and "back-translation" procedures. The questions were subsequently evaluated through five stages of pre-tests and a pilot study. No question had a proportion of non-response greater than 5%. Pearson correlation coefficients between questions were distant from both zero and unity; correlation between all items and their dimension score was higher than 0.80 in most cases. Finally, Cronbach Alpha coefficients were above 0.70 within each dimension. Results suggest that social networks and support will be adequately measured and will allow for the investigation of their associations with health outcomes in a Brazilian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Chor
- Departamento de Epidemiologia e Métodos Quantitativos em Saúde, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21041-210, Brasil
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Abstract
The WPPSI-R scale (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence - Revised) is a psychometric test chosen as the evaluation tool in a study on preschool-age cognitive development in a cohort of very low birth weight (VLBW) premature children from the Fernandes Figueira Institute (IFF), applied by four previously trained psychologists. The objective of this study was to verify inter-observer reliability in the test application. Two types of reliability study design were used: balanced incomplete blocks, to verify agreement in the application of the scale, and crossed design, to verify agreement in scoring of items. We studied 12 preschool children born at IFF (birthweight < 1,500g). The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were: 0.82 (full-scale IQ), 0.89 (verbal IQ), and 0.91 (performance IQ), in the incomplete block design study, and 0.99, 0.98, and 0.99, respectively, in the crossed design study, indicating good reliability. Application of the WPPSI-R scale in the study of cognitive development of VLBW premature children at IFF proved adequate, as shown by these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Méio
- Departamento de Neonatologia, Instituto Fernandes Figueira, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22250-020, Brasil.
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Soares R, Amendoeira I, Monteiro P, Lopes CS, Schmitt FC. [Analysis of mutations in the BRCA1 gene in patients with cancer of the breast and/or the ovary in Portugal]. ACTA MEDICA PORT 2000; 13:273-6. [PMID: 11234491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Germline mutations in the BRCA1 gene confer an increased susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer. Approximately 460 distinct mutations were founded scattered throughout the whole gene. However, several mutations were detected repeatedly in individuals of the same ethnic origin. There are no systematic studies concerning mutations in BRCA1 gene in Portugal. The aim of this study is to identify mutations inh this gene in patients with breast and/or ovarian cancer of Portuguese origin. Thirty-three cases of breast cancer and 3 of ovarian cancer were selected according to early age of onset and family history. Mutation screening of this gene was done by Protein Truncation Test (PTT) and Fragment analysis. Two de novo mutations were identified: 1) A frameshift mutation localised in exon 11 of BRCA1, was identify by the two techniques in an ovarian cancer case. Direct sequential revealed a deletion of 4 nucleotides (3444delAAAT); 2) An alteration in intron 18 (IVS 18 + 80delT) was observed in a breast cancer case. This is probably the first description of mutations in a series of patients with breast and/or cancer in the Portuguese population. The mutations identified in this study have not been previously described in other populations according to the Breast Cancer Information Core web site.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Soares
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular, Universidade do Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto
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Simmons AD, Musy MM, Lopes CS, Hwang LY, Yang YP, Lovett M. A direct interaction between EXT proteins and glycosyltransferases is defective in hereditary multiple exostoses. Hum Mol Genet 1999; 8:2155-64. [PMID: 10545594 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/8.12.2155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is an autosomal dominant condition in which bony outgrowths occur from the juxtaepiphyseal regions of the long bones. In a few percent of cases these exostoses undergo malignant transformation to chondrosarcomas. HME results from mutations in one of two homologous genes, EXT1 and EXT2. These are members of a new gene family that is conserved from Caenorhabditis elegans to higher vertebrates. In humans this family comprises five genes which are most conserved at their C-termini, but they do not contain any discernible functional motifs and their function(s) is unclear. Indirect evidence suggests that EXT proteins are involved in glycosaminoglycan synthesis, act as tumor suppressors and affect hedgehog signaling. One recent study has also reported that these proteins co-purify with glycosyltransferase (GlcA and GlcNAc transferase) activity and on that basis it has been postulated that they are themselves glycosyl-transferases. We performed two-hybrid screens with a fragment of EXT2 from the region that is most highly conserved in the gene family and identified two interacting proteins: the tumor necrosis factor type 1 associated protein and a novel UDP-GalNAc:poly-peptide N -acetylgalactosaminyltransferase. Significantly, both these interactions were abrogated by a disease-causing EXT mutation, indicating that they are important in the etiology of HME. The EXT2-GalNAc-T5 interaction provides the first direct physical link between EXT proteins and known components of glycosamino-glycan synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Simmons
- The McDermott Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-8591, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the role of psychiatric disorders and alcohol dependence as possible risk factors for cocaine abuse/dependence. METHODS The case-control study used the "snowball" technique in order to select untreated cocaine users (cases) and to match sex, age and friendship. Information was gathered using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), and computer diagnosis were generated according to the DSM-III-R criteria. The analysis was performed through the logistic conditional regression. RESULTS The study included 208 subjects. The main results showed that having a history of alcohol dependence was independently associated with an increased risk of cocaine abuse/dependence (OR=15,1; 95% CI 3,8-60, 2); no other psychiatric disorder was significantly associated with an increase in this risk after the multivariate analysis. An increased risk of cocaine abuse/dependence was also found for those who related suicide thoughts (OR=3,1; 95% CI 0,91-10,8), suggesting an association between more severe manifestations of depression and cocaine abuse. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that programs directed towards the treatment and prevention of cocaine abuse must be prepared to address issues related to comorbidity of drug abuse with alcohol and other psychiatric disorders
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Lopes
- Departamento de Epidemiologia do Instituto de Medicina Social, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study is nested within a research program related to family violence and severe childhood malnutrition. Its aim is to evaluate the reliability of the data collection process in a case-control study. Four components of the main instrument are addressed: (a) CTS (Conflict Tactics Scales) used to measure violence at the family level; (b) CAGE (Cut-down; Annoyed; Guilty & Eye-opener) questionnaire used to gauge suspicion of drinking problems; NSDUQ (Non-student Drugs Use Questionnaire) used to indicate illicit drug consumption; and (d) height/length measurements. METHOD Stability (intra-observer or test-retest reliability) and equivalence (inter-observer reliability) were evaluated for the cited components (a), (b) and (c). Information was replicated among the first 50 subjects selected for the underlying case-control study. The Kappa index (k) was used in the analysis. A pseudo-Bayes adjustment was carried out in order to handle estimation problems. Regarding (d), only equivalence was evaluated (n = 73), using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient as the estimator. RESULTS By and large, all components showed acceptable stability and equivalence. Regarding stability, the estimates of k were around 0.70, 0.78 and 0.85, for CTS, CAGE e NSDUQ, respectively. With respect to equivalence, k was 1.0 for CTS and NSDUQ and 0.75 for CAGE. Equivalence for height/length estimated through the ICC was 0.99. Nevertheless, some deviant situations were detected and are further discussed. The results point to an adequate standardization of observers and reflect the good quality of the data collection procedure concerning the main study, encouraging the research team to press forward with greater assurance.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Hasselmann
- Departamento de Nutrição Social, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Brasil
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Friend controls in matched case-control studies can be a potential source of bias based on the assumption that friends are more likely to share exposure factors. This study evaluates the role of selection bias in a case-control study that used the snowball sampling method based on friendship for the selection of cases and controls. METHODS The cases selected fro the study were drug abusers located in the community. Exposure was defined by the presence of at least one psychiatric diagnosis. Psychiatric and drug abuse/dependence diagnoses were made according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R) criteria. Cases and controls were matched on sex, age and friendship. The measurement of selection bias was made through the comparison of the proportion of exposed controls selected by exposed cases (p1) with the proportion of exposed controls selected by unexposed cases (p2). If p1 = p2 then, selection bias should not occur. RESULTS The observed distribution of the 185 matched pairs having at least one psychiatric disorder showed a p1 value of 0.52 and a p2 value of 0.51, indicating no selection bias in this study. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the idea that the use of friend controls can produce a valid basis for a case-control study.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Lopes
- Instituto de Medicina Social, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Lopes CS, Lewis G, Mann A. Psychiatric and alcohol disorders as risk factors for drug abuse. A case-control study among adults in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 1996; 31:355-63. [PMID: 8952376 DOI: 10.1007/bf00783425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
This study tested the hypothesis that a history of psychiatric and alcohol disorders would affect the risk of developing drug abuse or dependence later in life. This case-control study selected cases and controls using the "snowball" technique in order to obtain cases from this "hidden" population and to match sex, age and friendship. Information was gathered using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), and computer diagnoses were generated according to the DSM-III-R criteria. The study included 370 subjects. Results of the conditional logistic regression analysis showed that having a history of alcohol dependence was independently associated with an increased risk of drug abuse/dependence (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.0) and that this risk was even higher for those whose alcohol dependence occurred in combination with another psychiatric disorder (OR = 4.6, 95% CI 2.1-10.0). An increased risk of drug abuse/dependence was also found for those who were aged 12 years or under when their first psychiatric disorder was manifested (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.7) and among those with two or more psychiatric disorders (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.5-4.1). These findings suggest that programmes directed towards the treatment and prevention of drug abuse must be prepared to address psychiatric and alcohol disorders in childhood and adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Lopes
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Medicina Social, Rua São Francisco Xavier, Brazil
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Leal CB, Schmitt FC, Bento MJ, Maia NC, Lopes CS. Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. Histologic categorization and its relationship to ploidy and immunohistochemical expression of hormone receptors, p53, and c-erbB-2 protein. Cancer 1995; 75:2123-31. [PMID: 7697603 DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(19950415)75:8<2123::aid-cncr2820750815>3.0.co;2-v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast has been diagnosed increasingly since the advent of mammography. However, the natural history of these lesions remains uncertain. Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast does not represent a single entity but a heterogeneous group with histologic and clinical differences. The histologic subtype of DCIS seems to have an influence on its biologic behavior, but there are few studies correlating subtype with biologic markers. METHODS The authors studied a consecutive series of 40 cases of DCIS and after its histologic categorization verified its relationship with ploidy using image analysis and analyzing estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), p53 and c-erbB-2 expression using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The three groups proposed according to the grade of malignancy were correlated significantly with some of the additional parameters studied, including aneuploidy and c-erbB-2 expression. Aneuploidy was detected in 77.5% of cases of DCIS mainly in high and intermediate grade subtypes (100% and 80% vs. 35.7% in low grade) whereas immunoreactivity for c-erbB-2 was detected in 45% of cases of DCIS mainly in the high grade group. Expression of ER and PR were observed frequently in this study (63.9% and 65.7% respectively), but without correlation with the histologic subtype of DCIS, although we found a somewhat significant association between high grade DCIS and lack of ER, p53 protein expression was detected in 36.8% of these cases, but no relationship between this expression and histologic subtype or grading of DCIS was found. CONCLUSIONS These results provide further evidence for the morphologic and biologic heterogeneity of DCIS. Besides histologic classification and nuclear grading, some biologic markers such as aneuploidy and c-erbB-2 expression constitute additional criteria of high grade of malignancy.
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MESH Headings
- Biomarkers/analysis
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Breast Neoplasms/ultrastructure
- Carcinoma in Situ/metabolism
- Carcinoma in Situ/pathology
- Carcinoma in Situ/ultrastructure
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/pathology
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/ultrastructure
- DNA, Neoplasm/analysis
- Female
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Ploidies
- Receptor, ErbB-2/analysis
- Receptors, Estrogen/analysis
- Receptors, Progesterone/analysis
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/analysis
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Affiliation(s)
- C B Leal
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Institute, Porto, Portugal
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Chavez-Olortegui C, Lopes CS, Cordeiro FD, Granier C, Diniz CR. An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that discriminates between Bothrops atrox and Lachesis muta muta venoms. Toxicon 1993; 31:417-25. [PMID: 8503131 DOI: 10.1016/0041-0101(93)90177-k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
As bites by Bothrops atrox and Lachesis muta muta snakes are frequent in the north of Brazil and elicit similar clinical symptoms, an ELISA assay was developed to identify objectively the circulating antigen in the serum of accidentally bitten patients. Antigens common to the two venoms were removed by immunoaffinity techniques and the 'individual component' of each venom used as immunogen to raise rabbit IgGs. Each of these antibodies specifically recognized one venom, and they were used to set up a sandwich-type ELISA. The specificity of the assay was demonstrated by its capacity to identify correctly the circulating antigen in mice experimentally poisoned with either of the two venoms. The ELISA was further used to identify the circulating antigen in the sera of humans bitten by B. atrox or L. muta muta and to follow the kinetics distribution of antigens in experimentally envenomed mice or accidentally bitten patients. The assay is specific, and could therefore be valuable both to clinicians and to epidemiologists.
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