1
|
Viega BL, Rocha AM, Berti AP, Novello CR, Nicolin DJ, Almeida IV, Vicentini VEP, Düsman E. Cytotoxicity of isolated compounds from Picrasma crenata (Vell.) Engl. in animal tumor cell (HTC). BRAZ J BIOL 2023; 83:e273889. [PMID: 37436192 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.273889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The study aim was to evaluate the cytotoxic activity, using the MTT test [3-(4,5-Dimethilthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenil tetrazolium bromide], from the crude extract of Picrasma crenata (Pau Tenente) and its isolated compounds, quassin and parain, in culture of rat liver tumor cells (HTC). The test was carried out exposing the cells for 24, 48 and 72 hours to concentrations of 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 1000 μg of crude extract of Pau Tenente/mL of culture medium and 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 μg of quassin or parain compounds/mL of culture medium. The absorbances averages results obtained showed that the crude extract did not present cytotoxicity for the HTC cells in all the concentrations and evaluated times. For quassin, the concentrations of 80 and 100 μg/mL were cytotoxic, after 72 hours of treatment. For parain, the concentrations of 1, 5, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 µg/mL, in 72 hours, were cytotoxic, revealing a new activity for this compound. Thus, the results demonstrate a first indication of the cytotoxic activity of compounds quassin and parain, adding an important social and economic value to them, and may have application in future research and in pharmaceutical industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B L Viega
- Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná - UTFPR, Francisco Beltrão, PR, Brasil
| | - A M Rocha
- Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná - UTFPR, Francisco Beltrão, PR, Brasil
| | - A P Berti
- Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul - UEMS, Dourados, MS, Brasil
| | - C R Novello
- Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná - UTFPR, Francisco Beltrão, PR, Brasil
| | - D J Nicolin
- Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná - UTFPR, Francisco Beltrão, PR, Brasil
| | - I V Almeida
- Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia - UFRA, Capitão Poço, PA, Brasil
| | | | - E Düsman
- Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná - UTFPR, Francisco Beltrão, PR, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lyskjær I, Kara N, De Noon S, Davies C, Rocha AM, Strobl AC, Usher I, Gerrand C, Strauss SJ, Schrimpf D, von Deimling A, Beck S, Flanagan AM. Osteosarcoma: Novel prognostic biomarkers using circulating and cell-free tumour DNA. Eur J Cancer 2022; 168:1-11. [PMID: 35421838 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
AIM Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone tumour in children and adolescents. Circulating free (cfDNA) and circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) are promising biomarkers for disease surveillance and prognostication in several cancer types; however, few such studies are reported for OS. The purpose of this study was to discover and validate methylation-based biomarkers to detect plasma ctDNA in patients with OS and explore their utility as prognostic markers. METHODS Candidate CpG markers were selected through analysis of methylation array data for OS, non-OS tumours and germline samples. Candidates were validated in two independent OS datasets (n = 162, n = 107) and the four top-performing markers were selected. Methylation-specific digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) assays were designed and experimentally validated in OS tumour samples (n = 20) and control plasma samples. Finally, ddPCR assays were applied to pre-operative plasma and where available post-operative plasma from 72 patients with OS, and findings correlated with outcome. RESULTS Custom ddPCR assays detected ctDNA in 69% and 40% of pre-operative plasma samples (n = 72), based on thresholds of one or two positive markers respectively. ctDNA was detected in 5/17 (29%) post-operative plasma samples from patients, which in four cases were associated with or preceded disease relapse. Both pre-operative cfDNA levels and ctDNA detection independently correlated with overall survival (p = 0.0015 and p = 0.0096, respectively). CONCLUSION Our findings illustrate the potential of mutation-independent methylation-based ctDNA assays for OS. This study lays the foundation for multi-institutional collaborative studies to explore the utility of plasma-derived biomarkers in the management of OS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iben Lyskjær
- Research Department of Pathology, University College London, London, UK; Medical Genomics Research Group, University College London, London, UK
| | - Neesha Kara
- Medical Genomics Research Group, University College London, London, UK
| | - Solange De Noon
- Research Department of Pathology, University College London, London, UK; Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, HA7 4LP, UK
| | - Christopher Davies
- Research Department of Pathology, University College London, London, UK; Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, HA7 4LP, UK
| | - Ana Maia Rocha
- Research Department of Pathology, University College London, London, UK; Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, HA7 4LP, UK
| | - Anna-Christina Strobl
- Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, HA7 4LP, UK
| | - Inga Usher
- Research Department of Pathology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Craig Gerrand
- Bone Tumour Unit, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, HA7 4LP, UK
| | | | - Daniel Schrimpf
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, and CCU Neuropathology, German Cancer Institute, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas von Deimling
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, and CCU Neuropathology, German Cancer Institute, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Beck
- Medical Genomics Research Group, University College London, London, UK
| | - Adrienne M Flanagan
- Research Department of Pathology, University College London, London, UK; Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, HA7 4LP, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lyskjær I, De Noon S, Tirabosco R, Rocha AM, Lindsay D, Amary F, Ye H, Schrimpf D, Stichel D, Sill M, Koelsche C, Pillay N, Von Deimling A, Beck S, Flanagan AM. DNA methylation-based profiling of bone and soft tissue tumours: a validation study of the 'DKFZ Sarcoma Classifier'. J Pathol Clin Res 2021; 7:350-360. [PMID: 33949149 PMCID: PMC8185366 DOI: 10.1002/cjp2.215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Diagnosing bone and soft tissue neoplasms remains challenging because of the large number of subtypes, many of which lack diagnostic biomarkers. DNA methylation profiles have proven to be a reliable basis for the classification of brain tumours and, following this success, a DNA methylation-based sarcoma classification tool from the Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) in Heidelberg has been developed. In this study, we assessed the performance of their classifier on DNA methylation profiles of an independent data set of 986 bone and soft tissue tumours and controls. We found that the 'DKFZ Sarcoma Classifier' was able to produce a diagnostic prediction for 55% of the 986 samples, with 83% of these predictions concordant with the histological diagnosis. On limiting the validation to the 820 cases with histological diagnoses for which the DKFZ Classifier was trained, 61% of cases received a prediction, and the histological diagnosis was concordant with the predicted methylation class in 88% of these cases, findings comparable to those reported in the DKFZ Classifier paper. The classifier performed best when diagnosing mesenchymal chondrosarcomas (CHSs, 88% sensitivity), chordomas (85% sensitivity), and fibrous dysplasia (83% sensitivity). Amongst the subtypes least often classified correctly were clear cell CHSs (14% sensitivity), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (27% sensitivity), and pleomorphic liposarcomas (29% sensitivity). The classifier predictions resulted in revision of the histological diagnosis in six of our cases. We observed that, although a higher tumour purity resulted in a greater likelihood of a prediction being made, it did not correlate with classifier accuracy. Our results show that the DKFZ Classifier represents a powerful research tool for exploring the pathogenesis of sarcoma; with refinement, it has the potential to be a valuable diagnostic tool.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iben Lyskjær
- Research Department of PathologyUniversity College London, UCL Cancer InstituteLondonUK
- Medical Genomics Research GroupUniversity College London, UCL Cancer InstituteLondonUK
| | - Solange De Noon
- Research Department of PathologyUniversity College London, UCL Cancer InstituteLondonUK
- Department of HistopathologyRoyal National Orthopaedic HospitalStanmoreUK
| | - Roberto Tirabosco
- Department of HistopathologyRoyal National Orthopaedic HospitalStanmoreUK
| | - Ana Maia Rocha
- Research Department of PathologyUniversity College London, UCL Cancer InstituteLondonUK
- Department of HistopathologyRoyal National Orthopaedic HospitalStanmoreUK
| | - Daniel Lindsay
- Research Department of PathologyUniversity College London, UCL Cancer InstituteLondonUK
- Department of HistopathologyRoyal National Orthopaedic HospitalStanmoreUK
| | - Fernanda Amary
- Research Department of PathologyUniversity College London, UCL Cancer InstituteLondonUK
- Department of HistopathologyRoyal National Orthopaedic HospitalStanmoreUK
| | - Hongtao Ye
- Department of HistopathologyRoyal National Orthopaedic HospitalStanmoreUK
| | - Daniel Schrimpf
- Department of NeuropathologyUniversity of HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Damian Stichel
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Martin Sill
- Hopp‐Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ)HeidelbergGermany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Christian Koelsche
- Department of NeuropathologyUniversity of HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
- Department of General PathologyUniversity of HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
| | - Nischalan Pillay
- Research Department of PathologyUniversity College London, UCL Cancer InstituteLondonUK
| | - Andreas Von Deimling
- Department of NeuropathologyUniversity of HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Stephan Beck
- Medical Genomics Research GroupUniversity College London, UCL Cancer InstituteLondonUK
| | - Adrienne M Flanagan
- Research Department of PathologyUniversity College London, UCL Cancer InstituteLondonUK
- Department of HistopathologyRoyal National Orthopaedic HospitalStanmoreUK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Letra‐Vilela R, Cardoso B, Silva‐Almeida C, Maia Rocha A, Murtinheira F, Branco‐Santos J, Rodriguez C, Martin V, Santa‐Marta M, Herrera F. Can asymmetric post-translational modifications regulate the behavior of STAT3 homodimers? FASEB Bioadv 2020; 2:116-125. [PMID: 32123861 PMCID: PMC7003655 DOI: 10.1096/fba.2019-00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a ubiquitous and pleiotropic transcription factor that plays essential roles in normal development, immunity, response to tissue damage and cancer. We have developed a Venus-STAT3 bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay that allows the visualization and study of STAT3 dimerization and protein-protein interactions in living cells. Inactivating mutations on residues susceptible to post-translational modifications (PTMs) (K49R, K140R, K685R, Y705F and S727A) changed significantly the intracellular distribution of unstimulated STAT3 dimers when the dimers were formed by STAT3 molecules that carried different mutations (ie they were "asymmetric"). Some of these asymmetric dimers changed the proliferation rate of HeLa cells. Our results indicate that asymmetric PTMs on STAT3 dimers could constitute a new level of regulation of STAT3 signaling. We put forward these observations as a working hypothesis, since confirming the existence of asymmetric STAT3 homodimers in nature is extremely difficult, and our own experimental setup has technical limitations that we discuss. However, if our hypothesis is confirmed, its conceptual implications go far beyond STAT3, and could advance our understanding and control of signaling pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Letra‐Vilela
- Cell Structure and Dynamics LaboratoryInstituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica (ITQB‐NOVA)Universidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
- Cell Structure and Dynamics LaboratoryFaculdade de CiênciasUniversidade de LisboaLisbonPortugal
| | - Beatriz Cardoso
- Cell Structure and Dynamics LaboratoryInstituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica (ITQB‐NOVA)Universidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Catarina Silva‐Almeida
- Cell Structure and Dynamics LaboratoryInstituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica (ITQB‐NOVA)Universidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Ana Maia Rocha
- Cell Structure and Dynamics LaboratoryInstituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica (ITQB‐NOVA)Universidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Fernanda Murtinheira
- Cell Structure and Dynamics LaboratoryInstituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica (ITQB‐NOVA)Universidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
- Cell Structure and Dynamics LaboratoryFaculdade de CiênciasUniversidade de LisboaLisbonPortugal
| | - Joana Branco‐Santos
- Cell Structure and Dynamics LaboratoryInstituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica (ITQB‐NOVA)Universidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Carmen Rodriguez
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA) and Departamento de Morfología y Biología CelularFacultad de MedicinaUniversity of OviedoOviedoSpain
| | - Vanesa Martin
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA) and Departamento de Morfología y Biología CelularFacultad de MedicinaUniversity of OviedoOviedoSpain
| | - Mariana Santa‐Marta
- Cell Structure and Dynamics LaboratoryInstituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica (ITQB‐NOVA)Universidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Federico Herrera
- Cell Structure and Dynamics LaboratoryInstituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica (ITQB‐NOVA)Universidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
- Cell Structure and Dynamics LaboratoryFaculdade de CiênciasUniversidade de LisboaLisbonPortugal
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ferreira-Dias G, Mateus L, Rebordão MR, da Costa LL, Rocha AM, Bettencourt E, Carreira RP. Editorial. Reprod Domest Anim 2016; 51 Suppl 2:3. [PMID: 27762053 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - L Mateus
- Local Organizing Committee, ESDAR-AERA 2016
| | | | | | - A M Rocha
- Local Organizing Committee, ESDAR-AERA 2016
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Letra-Vilela R, Sánchez-Sánchez AM, Rocha AM, Martin V, Branco-Santos J, Puente-Moncada N, Santa-Marta M, Outeiro TF, Antolín I, Rodriguez C, Herrera F. Distinct roles of N-acetyl and 5-methoxy groups in the antiproliferative and neuroprotective effects of melatonin. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 434:238-49. [PMID: 27402602 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a highly pleiotropic hormone with antioxidant, antiproliferative, oncolytic and neuroprotective properties. Here, we present evidence that the N-acetyl side chain plays a key role in melatonin's antiproliferative effect in HT22 and sw-1353 cells, but it does so at the expense of antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Removal of the N-acetyl group enhances the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of the indole, but it can lead to toxic methamphetamine-like effects in several cell lines. Inhibition of NFkB mimicked melatonin's antiproliferative and antioxidant effects, but not neuroprotection. Our results strongly suggest that neuroprotective and antiproliferative effects of melatonin rely on different parts of the molecule and are likely mediated by different mechanisms. We also predict that melatonin metabolism by target cells could determine whether melatonin inhibits cell proliferation, prevents toxicity or induces cell death (e.g. apoptosis or autophagy). These observations could have important implications for the rational use of melatonin in personalized medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Letra-Vilela
- Cell Structure and Dynamics Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica (ITQB-NOVA), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ana María Sánchez-Sánchez
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ana Maia Rocha
- Cell Structure and Dynamics Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica (ITQB-NOVA), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Vanesa Martin
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Joana Branco-Santos
- Cell Structure and Dynamics Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica (ITQB-NOVA), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Noelia Puente-Moncada
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Mariana Santa-Marta
- Cell Structure and Dynamics Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica (ITQB-NOVA), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of Neurodegeneration and Restorative Research, University Medical Center Gottingen, Waldweg 33, 37073 Gottingen, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Isaac Antolín
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Carmen Rodriguez
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Federico Herrera
- Cell Structure and Dynamics Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica (ITQB-NOVA), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Guerreiro LF, Rocha AM, Martins CN, Ribeiro JP, Wally C, Strieder DL, Carissimi CG, Oliveira MG, Pereira AA, Biondi HS, Monserrat JM, Gonçalves CA. Oxidative status of the myocardium in response to different intensities of physical training. Physiol Res 2016; 65:737-749. [PMID: 27429116 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The intensity of exercise determines the metabolic pathway and the energetic substrate that is spent. Our study sought to identify the effects of different intensities of swimming on myocardial oxidative status and the blood lipid profile. Eighty Wistar rats (male and female) submitted to different intensities of a swimming regimen (low, LS; moderate, MS; or high, HS) for 16 weeks. Samples of blood and myocardium from the left ventricle were collected to determine lipid profiles and oxidative status. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP), lipid profiles and lipid peroxidation was analyzed. ROS levels and ACAP were higher in male rats than in female rats overall (p<0.05). However, ACAP in the myocardium was significantly elevated in LS female rats compared to the MS and HS female rats, which had a significantly lower ACAP compared to all other groups. LS and MS training in both sexes and HS training (in females) led to significant decreases in the heart's lipid peroxidation. Amelioration of the lipid profile and reduction in oxidative damage contributed to a physiological state that benefits cardiovascular function in exercised animals. The results show that low and moderate intensity exercise promotes beneficial adaptations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L F Guerreiro
- Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande - FURG, Campus Carreiros, Rio Grande, RS, Brasil.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rocha AM, Almeida T, Nogueira RN, Facão M. Analysis of power transfer on multicore fibers with long-period gratings. Opt Lett 2015; 40:292-295. [PMID: 25679867 DOI: 10.1364/ol.40.000292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The use of long-period gratings (LPGs) to distribute optical power from one core to all the cores in a multicore fiber (MCF) is theoretically analyzed. Simple analytical expressions that describe the mode power's evolution along the LPGs are derived from the coupled mode equations. This study demonstrated the power transfer between cores in a MCF promoted by identical LPGs. Moreover, with this technique, the pump signal can be distributed to all the cores without interfering with the transmission signals.
Collapse
|
9
|
Macías-García B, González-Fernández L, Loux SC, Rocha AM, Guimarães T, Peña FJ, Varner DD, Hinrichs K. Effect of calcium, bicarbonate, and albumin on capacitation-related events in equine sperm. Reproduction 2014; 149:87-99. [PMID: 25349439 DOI: 10.1530/rep-14-0457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Repeatable methods for IVF have not been established in the horse, reflecting the failure of standard capacitating media to induce changes required for fertilization capacity in equine sperm. One important step in capacitation is membrane cholesterol efflux, which in other species is triggered by cholesterol oxidation and is typically enhanced using albumin as a sterol acceptor. We incubated equine sperm in the presence of calcium, BSA, and bicarbonate, alone or in combination. Bicarbonate induced an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) that was abolished by the addition of calcium or BSA. Bicarbonate induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation (PY), even in the presence of calcium or BSA. Incubation at high pH enhanced PY but did not increase ROS production. Notably, no combination of these factors was associated with significant cholesterol efflux, as assessed by fluorescent quantitative cholesterol assay and confirmed by filipin staining. By contrast, sperm treated with methyl-β-cyclodextrin showed a significant reduction in cholesterol levels, but no significant increase in PY or ROS. Presence of BSA increased sperm binding to bovine zonae pellucidae in all three stallions. These results show that presence of serum albumin is not associated with a reduction in membrane cholesterol levels in equine sperm, highlighting the failure of equine sperm to exhibit core capacitation-related changes in a standard capacitating medium. These data indicate an atypical relationship among cholesterol efflux, ROS production, and PY in equine sperm. Our findings may help to elucidate factors affecting failure of equine IVF under standard conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Macías-García
- CECA/ICETA - Animal Sciences CentreICBAS-University of Porto, Campus Agrario de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, PortugalDepartments of Veterinary Physiology and PharmacologyLarge Animal Clinical SciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USALaboratory of Equine ReproductionFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain CECA/ICETA - Animal Sciences CentreICBAS-University of Porto, Campus Agrario de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, PortugalDepartments of Veterinary Physiology and PharmacologyLarge Animal Clinical SciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USALaboratory of Equine ReproductionFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - L González-Fernández
- CECA/ICETA - Animal Sciences CentreICBAS-University of Porto, Campus Agrario de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, PortugalDepartments of Veterinary Physiology and PharmacologyLarge Animal Clinical SciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USALaboratory of Equine ReproductionFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain CECA/ICETA - Animal Sciences CentreICBAS-University of Porto, Campus Agrario de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, PortugalDepartments of Veterinary Physiology and PharmacologyLarge Animal Clinical SciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USALaboratory of Equine ReproductionFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - S C Loux
- CECA/ICETA - Animal Sciences CentreICBAS-University of Porto, Campus Agrario de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, PortugalDepartments of Veterinary Physiology and PharmacologyLarge Animal Clinical SciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USALaboratory of Equine ReproductionFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - A M Rocha
- CECA/ICETA - Animal Sciences CentreICBAS-University of Porto, Campus Agrario de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, PortugalDepartments of Veterinary Physiology and PharmacologyLarge Animal Clinical SciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USALaboratory of Equine ReproductionFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - T Guimarães
- CECA/ICETA - Animal Sciences CentreICBAS-University of Porto, Campus Agrario de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, PortugalDepartments of Veterinary Physiology and PharmacologyLarge Animal Clinical SciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USALaboratory of Equine ReproductionFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - F J Peña
- CECA/ICETA - Animal Sciences CentreICBAS-University of Porto, Campus Agrario de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, PortugalDepartments of Veterinary Physiology and PharmacologyLarge Animal Clinical SciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USALaboratory of Equine ReproductionFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - D D Varner
- CECA/ICETA - Animal Sciences CentreICBAS-University of Porto, Campus Agrario de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, PortugalDepartments of Veterinary Physiology and PharmacologyLarge Animal Clinical SciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USALaboratory of Equine ReproductionFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - K Hinrichs
- CECA/ICETA - Animal Sciences CentreICBAS-University of Porto, Campus Agrario de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, PortugalDepartments of Veterinary Physiology and PharmacologyLarge Animal Clinical SciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USALaboratory of Equine ReproductionFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain CECA/ICETA - Animal Sciences CentreICBAS-University of Porto, Campus Agrario de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, PortugalDepartments of Veterinary Physiology and PharmacologyLarge Animal Clinical SciencesCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USALaboratory of Equine ReproductionFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rocha AM, Fernandes G, Domingues F, Niehus M, Pinto AN, Facão M, André PS. Halting the fuse discharge propagation using optical fiber microwires. Opt Express 2012; 20:21083-21088. [PMID: 23037231 DOI: 10.1364/oe.20.021083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We report and analyze the halting of the fuse effect propagation in optical fiber microwires. The increase of the mode field diameter in the tapered region decreases the optical intensity resulting in the extinction of the fuse effect. This fiber element presents a low insertion loss and can be introduced in the optical network in order to protect the active equipment from the damage caused by the fuse effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A M Rocha
- Instituto de Telecomunicações, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Melgaço JG, Pinto MA, Rocha AM, Freire M, Gaspar LP, Lima SMB, Cruz OG, Vitral CL. The use of dried blood spots for assessing antibody response to hepatitis A virus after natural infection and vaccination. J Med Virol 2011; 83:208-17. [PMID: 21181914 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.21973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
During recent years, vaccination against hepatitis A has been implemented in several countries. It is expected that the increase in mass vaccination against hepatitis A will eventually result in a decreased prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies in the general population. For this reason, a suitable clinical sample for diagnosis of hepatitis A must be sufficiently sensitive to enable detection of lower antibodies titers. In this study, the feasibility of using dried blood spots (DBS) was assessed for the detection of anti-HAV antibodies after a natural infection and vaccination. Seventy-four DBS and paired plasma samples were obtained from a group of college students for a cross-sectional hepatitis A seroepidemiological study. Forty-six students seronegative for anti-HAV were selected randomly and immunized with an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine using an 0-6 month schedule. Seroconversion was monitored in paired plasma and DBS samples 6 months after the first dose followed by a period of 8 and 24 months after the second dose. A strong correlation between OD/CO rates of paired plasma and DBS samples for the detection of anti-HAV was observed. The sensitivity and specificity of the DBS compared with plasma for the detection of anti-HAV antibodies after natural infection was 100%. The sensitivity of DBS in samples collected 24 months after the second dose of hepatitis A vaccine was 95.4%. The results showed that DBS samples can be used for the detection of anti-HAV antibodies both after natural infection or vaccination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J G Melgaço
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology-Biomedical Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Prieto L, Zimmermann B, Goios A, Rodriguez-Monge A, Paneto GG, Alves C, Alonso A, Fridman C, Cardoso S, Lima G, Anjos MJ, Whittle MR, Montesino M, Cicarelli RMB, Rocha AM, Albarrán C, de Pancorbo MM, Pinheiro MF, Carvalho M, Sumita DR, Parson W. The GHEP-EMPOP collaboration on mtDNA population data--A new resource for forensic casework. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2010; 5:146-51. [PMID: 21075696 PMCID: PMC3065011 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2010.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) population data for forensic purposes are still scarce for some populations, which may limit the evaluation of forensic evidence especially when the rarity of a haplotype needs to be determined in a database search. In order to improve the collection of mtDNA lineages from the Iberian and South American subcontinents, we here report the results of a collaborative study involving nine laboratories from the Spanish and Portuguese Speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (GHEP-ISFG) and EMPOP. The individual laboratories contributed population data that were generated throughout the past 10 years, but in the majority of cases have not been made available to the scientific community. A total of 1019 haplotypes from Iberia (Basque Country, 2 general Spanish populations, 2 North and 1 Central Portugal populations), and Latin America (3 populations from São Paulo) were collected, reviewed and harmonized according to defined EMPOP criteria. The majority of data ambiguities that were found during the reviewing process (41 in total) were transcription errors confirming that the documentation process is still the most error-prone stage in reporting mtDNA population data, especially when performed manually. This GHEP–EMPOP collaboration has significantly improved the quality of the individual mtDNA datasets and adds mtDNA population data as valuable resource to the EMPOP database (www.empop.org).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Prieto
- Comisaría General de Policía Científica, University Institute of Research in Forensic Sciences (IUICP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Chelini MOM, Souza NL, Rocha AM, Felippe ECG, Oliveira CA. Quantification of fecal estradiol and progesterone metabolites in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Braz J Med Biol Res 2005; 38:1711-7. [PMID: 16258643 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2005001100021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative methods to the utilization of laboratory animal blood and its by-products are particularly attractive, especially regarding hamsters due to their small size and difficulties in obtaining serial blood samples. Steroid hormone metabolite quantification in feces, widely used in studies of free-ranging or intractable animals, is a non-invasive, non-stressor, economical, and animal saving technique which allows longitudinal studies by permitting frequent sampling of the same individual. The present study was undertaken to determine the suitability of this method for laboratory animals. Estradiol and progesterone metabolites were quantified by radioimmunoassay in feces of intact, sexually mature female Syrian hamsters during the estrous cycle (control) and in feces of superovulated females. Metabolites were extracted by fecal dilution in ethanol and quantified by solid phase radioimmunoassay. Median estrogen and progesterone concentrations were 9.703 and 180.74 ng/g feces in the control group, respectively. Peaks of estrogen (22.44 +/- 4.54 ng/g feces) and progesterone (655.95 +/- 129.93 ng/g feces) mean fecal concentrations respectively occurred 12 h before and immediately after ovulation, which is easily detected in this species by observation of a characteristic vaginal postovulatory discharge. Median estrogen and progesterone concentrations (28.159 and 586.57 ng/g feces, respectively) were significantly higher in superovulated animal feces (P < 0.0001). The present study demonstrated that it is possible to monitor ovarian activity in Syrian hamsters non-invasively by measuring fecal estradiol and progesterone metabolites. This technique appears to be a quite encouraging method for the development of new endocrinologic studies on laboratory animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M O M Chelini
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Rocha GA, Rocha AM, de Magalhães Queiroz M, Nogueira Mendes E, Nogueira AM, Teles de Carvalho AS. Validation of a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect anti-CagA antibodies in children with Helicobacter pylori infection. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2001; 33:515-8. [PMID: 11698776 DOI: 10.1097/00005176-200110000-00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G A Rocha
- Laboratory of Research in Bacteriology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Rocha AM, Rocha GA, de Magalhães Queiroz DM, Ani AE, Okeke EN, Bello CS, Malu AO. Anti-CagA antibodies in Helicobacter pylori-positive patients and blood donors from Nigeria. Trop Doct 2001; 31:147-9. [PMID: 11444335 DOI: 10.1177/004947550103100310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of antibodies to CagA protein was evaluated in 174 Helicobacter pylori-positive. subjects: 110 patients submitted to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and 64 male blood donors. The patients were from different regions of Nigeria: Jos, North, Benue,West and East and the blood donors were from Jos. Sera were assayed for anti-CagA antibodies using Helicobacter p120, CagA ELISA (Viva Diagnostika, Hürth, Germany). Anti-CagA antibodies were detected in 104 (94.5%) patients and in 61 (95.3%) blood donors (P=1.0). Patients from the Benue region presented a lower frequency of anti-CagA antibodies than patients from the other regions (P=0.0004). When the subjects were stratified by age, a significant increase in IgG concentration was observed among the men (P=0.03) but not among the women (P=0.57) or among the blood donors (P=0.83). In conclusion, similarly toAsian countries, CagA-positive H. pylori infection is highly frequent in Nigeria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A M Rocha
- Laboratory of Research in Bacteriology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ashour AA, Collares GB, Mendes EN, de Gusmão VR, Queiroz DM, Magalhães PP, de Carvalho AS, de Oliveira CA, Nogueira AM, Rocha GA, Rocha AM. iceA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from Brazilian children and adults. J Clin Microbiol 2001; 39:1746-50. [PMID: 11325984 PMCID: PMC88019 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.39.5.1746-1750.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [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: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Data concerning the geographic distribution of iceA alleles are scarce, and information on the association of the gene with the disease is rare and still controversial. Furthermore, no such study has been developed in Brazil, where duodenal ulcer and gastric adenocarcinoma are very common. We investigated, by PCR, the frequency of iceA alleles and cagA status in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from 142 patients (62 children and 80 adults; 66 female; mean age, 30.0 years; age range, 3 to 78 years) with gastritis, duodenal ulcer, or gastric adenocarcinoma. iceA was identified in bacterium samples obtained from all patients. Eleven (7.7%) of them were infected with multiple strains. Among the patients with nonmixed infection, iceA2 allele was detected in 118 (90.1%). iceA2 allele was associated with ulcer (P = 0.02) and with carcinoma (P = 0.001). iceA2 amplicons of 229, 334, or 549 bp were detected, but none of them was associated with the patient's disorder. iceA2 strains were more frequent in patients older than 7 years (P = 0.001). The gene was also more frequent in strains obtained from males (P = 0.02). cagA was more common in strains obtained from carcinoma (P = 0.0008) and ulcer patients (P < 0.006). cagA-positive strains were more frequent in children older than 7 years (P < 0.003). No association between cagA status and sex was found (P = 0.28). In conclusion, we think iceA should not be used as a reliable marker for predicting the clinical outcome of H. pylori infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A A Ashour
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 30130-100
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Nogueira AM, Rocha GA, Rocha AM. Reply. J Infect Dis 2000; 182:1008-10. [PMID: 10950812 DOI: 10.1086/315794] [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: 11/03/2022] Open
|
18
|
Pardini VC, Victória IM, Rocha SM, Andrade DG, Rocha AM, Pieroni FB, Milagres G, Purisch S, Velho G. Leptin levels, beta-cell function, and insulin sensitivity in families with congenital and acquired generalized lipoatropic diabetes. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998; 83:503-8. [PMID: 9467565 DOI: 10.1210/jcem.83.2.4567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Lipoatropic diabetes (LD) designates a group of syndromes characterized by diabetes mellitus with marked insulin resistance and either a localized or generalized absence of adipose tissue. In this study, we evaluated plasma leptin levels in subjects with congenital generalized lipoatropic diabetes (CGLD, n = 11) or acquired generalized lipoatropic diabetes (AGLD, n = 11), and assessed correlations between leptin levels and estimations of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Leptin levels were 0.86 +/- 0.32, 1.76 +/- 0.78, and 6.9 +/- 4.4 ng/mL in subjects with CGLD, AGLD, and controls (n = 19), respectively (ANOVA P < 0.0001). Specific insulin levels were 154 +/- 172, 177 +/- 137 and 43 +/- 22 pmol/L, respectively (P < 0.0001). Insulin sensitivity was significantly decreased in both groups with LD (P < 0.0001), whereas HOMA beta-cell function was not significantly different when compared with controls. Leptin levels were significantly correlated with body mass index, insulin levels, and HOMA beta-cell function, and inversely correlated with insulin sensitivity in control subjects but not in subjects with generalized LD. In conclusion, decreased leptin levels were observed in subjects with generalized LD, with a trend towards lower levels in the acquired than in the congenital form (P = 0.06). The temporal relationship between the decrease in leptin levels and the development of lipoatrophy should be investigated in at-risk young relatives of subjects with the acquired forms to assess the usefulness of leptin levels as a marker of lipoatrophy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V C Pardini
- Centro de Pesquisas da Endocrinologia-CEPEN, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Rocha AM, Hirata M, Ravazzani C, Julio H, de Oliveira LJ, da Costa DP. [Septic abortion: combined treatment with sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim]. Matern Infanc (Sao Paulo) 1974; 33:61-8. [PMID: 4456061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
|
20
|
Landucci C, Rocha AM. [Lesser palatine foramina of white and Negro adults]. Rev Fac Farm Odontol Araraquara 1970; 4:321-34. [PMID: 5290475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
|