Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms and genetic susceptibility to prostate cancer

The endothelial cell-specific form of nitric oxide synthases (ecNOS) is localized at 7q35-q36 and is involved in vascular development and tumour growth in human prostate cancer. We have conducted a case-control study to investigate the prevalence of two polymorphisms at intron 4 (ecNOS4a/b) and exon 7 (Glu-Asp298) of ecNOS gene in 125 prostate cancer (PCa) patients and in 153 controls. We observed that the a-allele (aa or ab genotypes from ecNOS4a/b) was over-presented in the group of PCa with Gleason histological grade >or=7 (P=0.041). With regard to the Glu-Asp298 polymorphism, patients with the T-allele were younger than patients with no T-allele (P=0.037), and a statistically significant difference was noted in the Glu-Asp298 genotype distribution between cases with advanced disease and cases with localized disease (P=0.0013). When comparing cases and controls with logistic regression analysis we observed that the presence of the a-allele is associated with prostate cancer risk (odds ratio (OR) 1.83; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-3.17; P=0.029), to high histological grade (Gleason >or=7) of PCa (OR 2.18; 95% CI 0.95-4.98; P=0.062) and with the risk of progression of the cancer disease (OR 2.85; 95% CI 1.19-6.82; P=0.018). Furthermore, we found that carriers with the combination of the a-allele (aa and ab ecNOS4a/b genotypes) and T-allele (GT and TT from Glu-Asp298) have a threefold increase in prostate cancer risk (OR 3.13; 95% CI 1.41-6.91, P=0.004). In summary, we have identified an NO-related genetic risk factor for prostate cancer that may help in understanding the molecular mechanism involved in the individual susceptibility to prostate cancer.

Cimetidine (Tagamet) is a reproductive toxicant in male rats affecting peritubular cells

Cimetidine (Tagamet) is a potent histaminic H2-receptor antagonist, extensively prescribed for ulcers and now available without prescription. Cimetidine is a known testicular toxicant, but its mechanism of action remains uncertain. Rats were treated i.p. with cimetidine either at 50 mg/kg or 250 mg/kg body weight for 59 days. Accessory sex organ weights, but not testis weight, were significantly reduced in the high dose treated groups. FSH levels were significantly elevated in both treated groups, but testosterone levels were unchanged. A high degree of variability characterized testis histology, with most tubules appearing normal and some tubules (15-17%) partially lacking or devoid of germ cells. Morphometry showed that although seminiferous tubule volume was not significantly changed, the volume of peritubular tissue was reduced in the high dose group. There was extensive duplication of the basal lamina, lamina densa in both apparently normal spermatogenic tubules and severely damaged tubules. Apoptotic peritubular myoid cells were also found. TUNEL labeling confirmed extensive apoptotic cell death in peritubular cells, but revealed apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle. Given that 1) peritubular myoid cell apoptosis occurs in apparently normal tubules, that 2) basal lamina disorders are found, and that 3) peritubular cells are lost from the testis, it is suggested that the primary event in cimetidine-related damage is targeted to testicular smooth muscle cells. This is the first in vivo-administered toxicant to be described that targets myoid cells, resulting in abnormal spermatogenesis.

HER2 polymorphism and breast cancer risk in Portugal

Breast cancer is a major public health problem around the world, and its carcinogenesis is not yet well understood. The human epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2) seems to play an important role in the development of this neoplasia, and genetic alterations in this gene, such as point mutations and polymorphisms have been detected in breast cancer patients. We analysed the frequency of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the HER2 gene in blood samples from 152 breast cancer patients and 146 healthy controls using the polymerase chain reaction methodology, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). We found a twofold increase in risk of breast cancer in women who are carriers of a Val allele genotype-Ile/Val and Val/Val genotypes [odds ratio (OR)=2.00; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-3.25; P=0.005]. Our results indicate an association between the presence of the Val allele in the HER2 polymorphism and the risk of breast cancer. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of this polymorphism in the behaviour of breast cancer.

Association between CYP2E1 polymorphisms and susceptibility to prostate cancer

Several genetic alterations have been associated with sporadic prostate cancer (PCa). In this study, the association between RsaI and DraI polymorphisms of CYP2E1 and PCa risk was analysed in a case-control study of 227 individuals using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Regarding DraI polymorphisms, the DD genotype is over-represented in PCa cases when compared with the control group (odds ratio (OR) 2.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-4.05; P=0.022). Regarding the RsaI polymorphism, no significant differences were found. The results of this study indicate that DraI polymorphisms of the CYP2E1 gene may be associated with a twofold increased risk for the development of PCa.

Isolation of Intact Chloroplasts from Euglena gracilis by Zonal Centrifugation

Chloroplasts were separated from Euglena gracilis by zonal centrifugation at low speed in density gradients of Ficoll or dextran. The chloroplasts were intact by the criteria of ultrastructure and their content of ribulose diphosphate carboxylase and soluble protein. The chloroplasts also contained ribosomes and ribosomal RNA uncontaminated by the corresponding cytoplasmic particles.

Comparative study of osteoarthritis induced by monoiodoacetate and papain in rabbit temporomandibular joints: macroscopic and microscopic analysis

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, progressive, degenerative pathology. Inducing OA in an animal model is useful for studying the pathology and testing the effectiveness of new treatments. The object of the present study was to determine the macroscopic and microscopic changes occurring in rabbit temporomandibular joints (TMJ) at 15, 30 and 45 days after induction of OA by monoiodoacetate (MIA) and papain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty two male rabbits were used in the experiment, divided into three groups: a control group (n = 4) and two experimental groups, MIA (n = 9) and papain (n = 9). The progress of the disease was analysed at 15, 30 and 45 days after induction of OA. Morphological and histological analyses were carried out of the joint disc and the mandibular condyle.

RESULTS

The most evident changes were expressed in the condyle and disc of joints with OA induced by MIA. The condyles presented deformation, fissures and loss of joint surface, the chondrocytes lost their morphology and organisation. In more advanced stages there was loss of the mid zone of the joint disc.

CONCLUSIONS

The effects of papain were associated with condyle deformation, disorientation of the chondrocytes in the middle layer, and proliferation in deep zones; there was also an increase in the extracellular matrix. Both inductors generated changes in the TMJ and its joint surfaces; MIA was more effective and coincided more closely with the classic signs of the evolution of OA.

Trauma and work factors as predictors of firefighters' psychiatric distress

BACKGROUND

Studies into the mental health of firefighters have primarily focussed on individual factors (e.g. biological and psychological factors). Little is known about how exposure to traumatic events and psychosocial and organizational work factors influence firefighters' mental health despite the evidence that these are important for employee health.

AIMS

To study job demands, job control, social support and operational trauma as predictors of firefighters' psychiatric morbidity, and whether job control and social support moderate these relationships.

METHODS

Participants were drawn from a longitudinal cohort study of firefighters in Brazil. Portuguese-language variants of the Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20) and Traumatic Events List for Emergency Professionals measured psychiatric morbidity and exposure to traumatic events. Job demands, job control and social support were measured by the Job Stress Scale. Hierarchical regressions were run controlling for socio-demographics and previous psychiatric morbidity. Subsequent regression steps first included the proposed predictors followed by their interactions.

RESULTS

Thirteen per cent of the sample (n = 40/312) met the caseness criteria indicating psychiatric morbidity. Operational trauma, job demands, job control and social support predicted psychiatric morbidity. Both job control and social support functioned as moderators and where these moderators were high, the job demands and psychiatric morbidity relationships were weaker.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings show that psychosocial factors and operational trauma predict firefighters' psychiatric morbidity. Crucially, the results that improving social support and job control could mitigate the detrimental influence of job demands highlight the need for more research and practice towards organizational-level interventions.

Wide distribution of D-xylose dehydrogenase in yeasts reveals a new element in the D-xylose metabolism for bioethanol production

D-xylose utilization by yeasts is an essential feature for improving second-generation ethanol production. However, industrial yeast strains are incapable of consuming D-xylose. Previous analyzes of D-xylose-consuming or fermenting yeast species reveal that the genomic features associated with this phenotype are complex and still not fully understood. Here we present a previously neglected yeast enzyme related to D-xylose metabolism, D-xylose dehydrogenase (XylDH), which is found in at least 105 yeast genomes. By analyzing the XylDH gene family, we brought evidence of gene evolution marked by purifying selection on codons and positive selection evidence in D-xylose-consuming and fermenting species, suggesting the importance of XylDH for D-xylose-related phenotypes in yeasts. Furthermore, although we found no putative metabolic pathway for XylDH in yeast genomes, namely the absence of three bacterial known pathways for this enzyme, we also provide its expression profile on D-xylose media following D-xylose reductase for two yeasts with publicly available transcriptomes. Based on these results, we suggest that XylDH plays an important role in D-xylose usage by yeasts, likely being involved in a cofactor regeneration system by reducing cofactor imbalance in the D-xylose reductase pathway.

Intravarietal polymorphisms reveal possible common ancestor of native Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi populations in Brazil

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi is a perennial native from Atlantic forest. It is of high ecological plasticity and is used in traditional medicine. Based on promising reports concerning its bioactivity, it was included as a species of great interest for distribution through the National Health System. A number of agronomic studies to guide its crop production are therefore underway. This study examined diversity and phylogenetic relationships among native S. terebinthifolius populations from different Brazilian ecosystems: Cerrado; sandbanks; dense rainforest; and deciduous forest. The intergenic regions rpl20-5'rps12, trnH-psbA, and trnS-trnG were sequenced from cpDNA and aligned using BLASTn. There were few fragments for comparison in GenBank and so only region trnS-trnG was informative. There were variations among and within populations with intravarietal polymorphisms and three distinct haplotypes (HpSM, HpDDO, HpNE), once populations from NE (sandbanks and rainforest) clustered together. Sequences from HpSM, HpNE, and HpDDO returned greater similarity to haplotypes A (AY928398.1), B (AY928399.1), and C (AY928400.1), respectively. A network, built by median-joining among native haplotypes and 10 available on GenBank, revealed HpSM as the origin of all other haplogroups. HpDDO showed the most mutations and was closely related to haplogroups from Argentina. While this could indicate hybridization, we believe that the polymorphisms resulted from adaptation to events such as deforestation, fire, rising temperature, and seasonal drought during the transition from Atlantic forest to Cerrado. While more detailed phylogeographical studies are needed, these results indicate eligible groups for distinct climates as an important step for pre-breeding programs before field propagation.

Use of tissue culture to bypass wheat hybrid necrosis

Hybrid necrosis in wheat is a barrier to gene transfer in wheat breeding practice. It is based on two complementary genes, Ne1 and Ne2. Recovery mutants (Re1, Re2 and Re3) which can grow to maturity were recovered from immature embryo cultures of necrotic hybrids between T. aestivum and T. durum. Cytological observation demonstrated that Re1 had 34 chromosomes instead of 35. This indicated that one of the chromosomes carrying the Ne genes was lost. Genetic study suggested that for Re1, the lost chromosome was chromosome 5B of the durum parental line. Re mutants are male sterile but can be maintained through a young ear culture method. Re mutants could be successfully pollinated by either parental line and the BC1 progeny is partially fertile. Re mutants were repeatedly induced in about 1% of the regenerated plants from immature embryo culture. This technique provides a practical way to bypass hybrid necrosis.

[Keratoacanthoma centrifugum marginatum]

The authors describe an observation of multiple keratoacanthomas appearing within 3 years, mainly located on the right forearm. Clear confluence and centrifugal extension, due to progressive appearance of surrounding lesions forming a 12 X 10 cm. ulcerated surface characterized this case. The topical application of 5-FU was effective, nevertheless further surrounding lesions have made their appearance. The clinico-pathological features and evolution are those of keratoacanthoma centrifugum marginatum , a rare type of multiple and localized keratoacanthoma.

Phenotype study of fresh and cultured hairy cells with the use of immunologic markers and electron microscopy

The phenotype of fresh and cultured leukemic cells from patients with hairy cell leukemia was studied using a panel of monoclonal antibodies in addition to the detection of peroxidase activity under electron microscopy. In fresh samples, the leukemic cells from 11 patients displayed predominantly a B phenotype, as judged by their reactivity with the B1 monoclonal antibody and surface immunoglobulin expression. Ultrastructural peroxidase activity, characteristic of hairy cells, was observed in all cases studied. When hairy cells were cultured in the presence of phytohemagglutinin and irradiated T cells, their phenotype converted from surface Ig+, B1+, OKT3-, OKT11- to surface Ig-, B1+, OKT3-, OKT11+. In contrast, the peroxidase activity remained unchanged. Some hairy cells were also OKM1+, but no conclusion could be made about the MO2 antigen, a more specific marker of monocytes. The variability of the phenotype in vivo and in vitro indicates that reliable markers are required for identifying hairy cells. When studied together, the staining by B1 monoclonal antibody and the ultrastructural detection of peroxidase, enable the identification of hairy cells with certainty.

Effects of maize genotypes, nitrogen rates and sources in yield, nutritional status, and fumonisins incidence

The maize yield, nutritional status, and grain fumonisins concentration were evaluated in different genotypes, doses, and nitrogen sources (N) in two years and three locations. Two experiments were carried out in each area and year in an experimental design of a subdivided plot with four replications. One experiment involved a 4x2 factorial treatment: four nitrogen (N) doses (0, 80, 160, and 240 kg ha-1) in coverage and having urea as a source of N and two genotypes. Another experiment involved a 4x2 factorial treatment: four N sources: urea, urea covered with polymer, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium nitrate + urea (UAN), at a dose of 160 kg ha-1, in two genotypes. The genotype generally influenced maize yield more than N doses and sources, mainly due to the bushy stunt/corn stunt tolerance of AG7098 PRO2 and AG8677 PRO2. The N doses linearly increased the N leaf content. However, the N sources did not affect the N leaf content. The N doses and sources had no significant effect on the content of fumonisins, which was affected only by the genotypes in Sete Lagoas in 2016 (N doses experiment) and 2017 (N sources experiment). The hybrids, P3630H and AG8677PRO2 (Sete Lagoas, 2016, N doses experiment and 2017, N sources experiment, respectively) exceeded the Brazilian legislation for Maximum Tolerance Limit for fumonisins in corn grains, which is 5,000 µg kg-1. The best result was obtained with AG7098 PRO2, with yields (above 10,000 kg ha-1) and fumonisins consistently below 5,000 µg kg-1. Therefore, the selection of corn hybrids is a strategy to reduce the occurrence of fumonisins in the grains.

Adaptive evolution of Moniliophthora PR-1 proteins towards its pathogenic lifestyle

BACKGROUND

Plant pathogenesis related-1 (PR-1) proteins belong to the CAP superfamily and have been characterized as markers of induced defense against pathogens. Moniliophthora perniciosa and Moniliophthora roreri are hemibiotrophic fungi that respectively cause the witches' broom disease and frosty pod rot in Theobroma cacao. Interestingly, a large number of plant PR-1-like genes are present in the genomes of both species and many are up-regulated during the biotrophic interaction. In this study, we investigated the evolution of PR-1 proteins from 22 genomes of Moniliophthora isolates and 16 other Agaricales species, performing genomic investigation, phylogenetic reconstruction, positive selection search and gene expression analysis.

RESULTS

Phylogenetic analysis revealed conserved PR-1 genes (PR-1a, b, d, j), shared by many Agaricales saprotrophic species, that have diversified in new PR-1 genes putatively related to pathogenicity in Moniliophthora (PR-1f, g, h, i), as well as in recent specialization cases within M. perniciosa biotypes (PR-1c, k, l) and M. roreri (PR-1n). PR-1 families in Moniliophthora with higher evolutionary rates exhibit induced expression in the biotrophic interaction and positive selection clues, supporting the hypothesis that these proteins accumulated adaptive changes in response to host-pathogen arms race. Furthermore, although previous work showed that MpPR-1 can detoxify plant antifungal compounds in yeast, we found that in the presence of eugenol M. perniciosa differentially expresses only MpPR-1e, k, d, of which two are not linked to pathogenicity, suggesting that detoxification might not be the main function of most MpPR-1.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on analyses of genomic and expression data, we provided evidence that the evolution of PR-1 in Moniliophthora was adaptive and potentially related to the emergence of the parasitic lifestyle in this genus. Additionally, we also discuss how fungal PR-1 proteins could have adapted from basal conserved functions to possible roles in fungal pathogenesis.

[The effects of a cardiac rehabilitation program on 2 populations of coronary patients: acute myocardial infarct and coronary bypass surgery]

Cardiac rehabilitation programmes (CRP) have proven beneficial in coronary heart disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of our CRP on two coronary heart disease populations: after acute myocardial infarction (AMI-CRP) and after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG-CRP). Results were compared to control groups (AMI-C and CABG-C).

POPULATION

Group AMI-CRP: n = 43 patients, mean age = 48.7 +/- 9.8 years; Group AMI-C: n = 20 patients, mean age = 59.2 +/- 11.5 years; Group CABG-CRP: n = 54 patients, mean age = 54.9 +/- 9.7 years; Group CABG-C: n = 20 patients, mean age = 56.5 +/- 9.9 years. All patients are male and there were no significant differences in ventricular function and coronary disease severity. Parameters were evaluated in the AMI groups at discharge, 3 and 12 months after acute episode; in the CABG groups 3 and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Both CRP groups improved their exercise capacity (significantly improved the peak values of METs and double product). A favorable lipid profile change (total cholesterol and HDL) was induced in the CABG-CRP group and more significant in the AMI-CRP group. No significant differences were observed in obesity indexes (body weight and BMI > or = 27.8 Kg/m2). A increase in nonsmokers was important in all groups. Professional reintegration was 91.7% in the AMI-CRP group and 84.4% in the CABG-CRP group. The CRP groups showed a better knowledge of the disease, and a beneficial change in relation to themselves and the world that resulted in a decrease in depression and anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Participation in our cardiac rehabilitation program, either after AMI or after CABG, improves cardio-respiratory fitness, favorably influences blood lipid profiles, and improves self-reliance and quality of life.