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Rivera D, Santos D, Carmant L, García HH, Pimentel R, Wiebe S, Aponte V, González L, Castillo JC, Matos B, Paliza JM, Fermín R, Stoeter P, Pérez-Then E. [Diagnosis of neurocysticercosis in patients with epilepsy living in the south-western Dominican Republic]. Rev Neurol 2024; 78:109-116. [PMID: 38349319 DOI: 10.33588/rn.7804.2023289] [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: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neurocysticercosis (NCC), a possible cause of epilepsy with limited epidemiological data in the Dominican Republic, is endemic in four provinces in the country's south-western region. This study aimed to determine the association between NCC and epilepsy among people living in these endemic regions, and to obtain preliminary data on the prevalence of NCC in these provinces. PATIENTS AND METHODS A case-control design was used, consisting of 111 patients with epilepsy with unknown causes, and 60 controls without epilepsy or NCC. The diagnosis of NCC was based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the skull, as well as Western immunoblotting for serum antibodies using Taenia solium, following the criteria of Del Brutto et al. RESULTS. NCC was found in 27% of the epileptic patients (n = 30/111) and in 5% of the controls (n = 3/60); the probability of the epileptic patients having NCC was seven times higher than the controls (odds ratio = 7.04, 95% confidence interval: 2.04-24.18; p < 0.001). The participants' sociodemographic characteristics, including their age, sex, level of education, occupation, and province of residence presented no statistical significance in terms of their association with NCC. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that NCC is strongly associated with epilepsy in the south-western region of the Dominican Republic, and highlights the need for public health measures to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of both diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Rivera
- Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
- Centros de Diagnóstico y Medicina Avanzada y de Conferencias Médicas y Telemedicina, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
| | - D Santos
- Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
- Hospital Dr. Luis Eduardo Aybar, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
| | - L Carmant
- Ministerio de Salud y Asuntos Sociales, Québec, Canadá
| | - H H García
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - R Pimentel
- Centro de Educación Médica de Amistad Dominico-Japonesa, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
| | - S Wiebe
- University of Calgary, Calgary, Canadá
| | - V Aponte
- Sistema Nacional de Salud, Madrid, España
| | - L González
- Hospital Pedro Emilio de Marchena, Monseñor Nouel, República Dominicana
| | - J C Castillo
- Two Oceans in Health, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
| | - B Matos
- Centro Médico Anacaona, San Juan, República Dominicana
| | - J M Paliza
- Neurorradiología Diagnóstica SA, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
| | - R Fermín
- Centros de Diagnóstico y Medicina Avanzada y de Conferencias Médicas y Telemedicina, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
| | - P Stoeter
- Centros de Diagnóstico y Medicina Avanzada y de Conferencias Médicas y Telemedicina, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
| | - E Pérez-Then
- Two Oceans in Health, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
- Universidad Dominicana, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
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Carneiro A, Piairo P, Matos B, Santos DAR, Palmeira C, Santos LL, Lima L, Diéguez L. Minimizing false positives for CTC identification. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1288:342165. [PMID: 38220297 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.342165] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, with metastasis playing a significant role. Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) can provide important real-time insights into tumour heterogeneity and clonal evolution, making them an important tool for early diagnosis and patient monitoring. Isolated CTCs are typically identified by immunocytochemistry using positive biomarkers (cytokeratin) and exclusion biomarkers (CD45). However, some white blood cell (WBC) populations can express low levels of CD45 and stain non-specifically for cytokeratin, increasing their risk of misclassification as CTCs. There is a clear need to improve CTC detection and enumeration criteria to unequivocally eliminate interfering WBC populations. RESULTS This study showed that, indeed, some granulocyte subpopulations expressed low levels of CD45 and stained non-specifically for cytokeratin, misidentifying them as CTCs. These same cells, however, strongly expressed CD15, allowing them to be identified as WBCs and excluded from CTC classification. Flow cytometry confirmed the specificity of the CD15 antibody for the granulocyte subpopulation. False positives were considerably reduced from 25 % to 0.2 % by double exclusion, combining a CD15 antibody with a highly specific CD45 antibody. Furthermore, complete elimination of potential false positives was achieved using double exclusion in combination with improved selection of cytokeratin antibody. The study emphasises the importance of a robust exclusion criteria and high antibody specificity in CTC immuno-assays for accurate identification of CTC candidates and thorough exclusion of interfering WBC subpopulations. SIGNIFICANCE This study demonstrated how misidentifying a granulocyte subpopulation can lead to inaccurate CTC evaluation. However, sensitivity and specificity of CTC identification may be improved by using high-performing antibodies and by including a second exclusion biomarker, in turn, allowing for a more comprehensive clinical application of CTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Carneiro
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal; Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI IPOP) / RISE @ CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS) da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulina Piairo
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal; RUBYnanomed Lda, Praça Conde de Agrolongo 123, 4700-312, Braga, Portugal.
| | - Beatriz Matos
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal; NOVA School of Science and Technology, Caparica, 2829-516, Portugal
| | - Daniela A R Santos
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI IPOP) / RISE @ CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal; School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carlos Palmeira
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI IPOP) / RISE @ CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal; Department of Immunology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal; Biomedical Research Center (CEBIMED, Faculty of Health Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University (UFP), Porto, 4249-004, Portugal
| | - Lúcio Lara Santos
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI IPOP) / RISE @ CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal; Department of Surgical Oncology, Portuguese Institute of Oncology (IPO-Porto), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Lima
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI IPOP) / RISE @ CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lorena Diéguez
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal; RUBYnanomed Lda, Praça Conde de Agrolongo 123, 4700-312, Braga, Portugal.
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Teixeira RG, Mészáros JP, Matos B, Côrte-Real L, Xavier CPR, Fontrodona X, Garcia MH, Romero I, Spengler G, Vasconcelos MH, Tomaz AI, Enyedy ÉA, Valente A. Novel family of [RuCp(N,N)(P)] + compounds with simultaneous anticancer and antibacterial activity: Biological evaluation and solution chemistry studies. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 262:115922. [PMID: 37944388 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115922] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
A family of ten novel ruthenium(II)-cyclopentadienyl organometallics of general formula [Ru(η5-C5H5)(N,N)(PPh2(C6H4COOR)][CF3SO3] (1-10) in which (N,N) = 4,4'-R'-2,2'-bipyridyl (R = -H or -CH2CH2OH; R' = -H, -CH3, -OCH3, -CH2OH, and -CH2-biotin) was prepared from [Ru(η5-C5H5)(PPh2(C6H4COOH))2Cl]. All compounds were fully characterized by means of several spectroscopic and analytical techniques, and the molecular structures of [Ru(η5-C5H5)(PPh2(C6H4COOH))2Cl], 1, 3 and 4 have been additionally studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The anticancer activity of all compounds was evaluated in sensitive and multidrug-resistant counterpart cell lines from human colorectal cancer (Colo 205 and Colo 320) and non-small cell lung cancer NSCLC (A549, NCI-H460 versus NCI-H460/R) as well. Notably, compounds 6 and 7 (R CH2CH2OH and (N,N) = bipy or Me2bipy, respectively) showed antiproliferative effect against both cell lines with high intrinsic selectivity towards cancer cells. The antibacterial activity of all compounds was also evaluated against both Gram negative and Gram positive strains, and some compounds in the series showed potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus strains, including the methicillin-resistant MRSA strains. Solution speciation studies revealed that the complexes bearing the PPh2(C6H4COO-) ligand are neutral at physiological pH (7.4) in contrast with their ethylene glycol derivatives that have a permanent positive charge. While all compounds are lipophilic, the difference in the distribution coefficient for neutral and charged complexes is around one order of magnitude. Complexes 6 and 7 exhibited excellent biological activity and were selected for further studies. Spectrofluorometric methods were used to investigate their interaction with biomolecules such as human serum albumin (HSA) and calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA). For these complexes, binding site II of HSA is a possible binding pocket through non-covalent interactions. The release of ethidium from the DNA adduct by the charged complexes proves their interaction with DNA in contrast to the neutral ones. In conclusion, Ru(II)-cyclopentadienyl complexes with 2,2'-bipyridyl-derivatives and an ethylene glycol moiety tethered to the phenylphosphane co-ligand are very promising from a therapeutic perspective, in particular complexes 6 and 7 that display remarkable antibacterial activity with a high anti-proliferative effect against colon and non-small cell lung cancers, both clinically challenging neoplasias in need of effective solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo G Teixeira
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - János P Mészáros
- Department of Molecular and Analytical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary; MTA-SZTE Lendület Functional Metal Complexes Research Group, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Beatriz Matos
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal; Cancer Drug Resistance Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology (IPATIMUP), University of Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Leonor Côrte-Real
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristina P R Xavier
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal; Cancer Drug Resistance Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology (IPATIMUP), University of Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Xavier Fontrodona
- Departament de Química and Serveis Tècnics de Recerca, Universitat de Girona, C/ M. Aurèlia Campmany, 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - M Helena Garcia
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Isabel Romero
- Departament de Química and Serveis Tècnics de Recerca, Universitat de Girona, C/ M. Aurèlia Campmany, 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Gabriella Spengler
- MTA-SZTE Lendület Functional Metal Complexes Research Group, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary; Department of Medical Microbiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center and Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Semmelweis utca 6, 6725, Szeged, Hungary
| | - M Helena Vasconcelos
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal; Cancer Drug Resistance Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology (IPATIMUP), University of Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Isabel Tomaz
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Éva A Enyedy
- Department of Molecular and Analytical Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary; MTA-SZTE Lendület Functional Metal Complexes Research Group, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Andreia Valente
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Frias F, Matos B, Jarnalo M, Freitas-Ribeiro S, Reis RL, Pirraco RP, Horta R. Stromal Vascular Fraction Obtained From Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue: Ex-Obese and Older Population as Main Clinical Targets. J Surg Res 2023; 283:632-639. [PMID: 36446251 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.11.012] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human adipose tissue contains a heterogeneous and synergistic mixture of cells called stromal vascular fraction (SVF) with highly proliferative and angiogenic properties, conferring promising applicability in the field of regenerative medicine. This study aims to investigate if age, body mass index (BMI), history of obesity and massive weight loss, and harvest site are related to SVF cell marker expression. METHODS A total of 26 samples of subcutaneous adipose tissue were harvested from patients admitted to the Plastic and Reconstructive department in University Hospital Center of São João, Porto, Portugal, for body contouring surgery. The percentage of cells expressing CD31, CD34, CD45, CD73, CD90, and CD105 was assessed and compared with patient's age, BMI, history of obesity and massive weight loss (ex-obese group), and harvest site. RESULTS In the ex-obese group, a significantly higher number of cells expressing CD90 (P = 0.002) was found. BMI, harvest site, and age appear to have no association with SVF subpopulations. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that ex-obese patients have a higher percentage of SVF cells expressing CD90, which correlates with higher proliferative and angiogenic rates. The effect of former obesity and massive weight loss on the expression of CD90 is a new and relevant finding because it makes this population a suitable candidate for reconstructive and aesthetic surgery and other fields of regenerative medicine. The use of SVF appears also promising in older patients because no negative correlation between increasing age and different cell markers expression was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Frias
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, and Burn Unit, Centro Hospitalar de São João, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Beatriz Matos
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, and Burn Unit, Centro Hospitalar de São João, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Jarnalo
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, and Burn Unit, Centro Hospitalar de São João, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Freitas-Ribeiro
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rogério P Pirraco
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Horta
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, and Burn Unit, Centro Hospitalar de São João, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Bramatti I, Matos B, Figueiredo N, Pousão-Ferreira P, Branco V, Martins M. Interaction of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon compounds in fish primary hepatocytes: From molecular mechanisms to genotoxic effects. Sci Total Environ 2023; 855:158783. [PMID: 36116656 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158783] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent pollutants normally found in the environment as complex mixtures. Although several individual PAHs are classified as mutagenic and carcinogenic pollutants, the interaction effects between compounds in a mixture may trigger different toxicological mechanisms and, consequently, yield different effects to organisms which are not accounted for in risk assessment guidelines. Given the ubiquity of PAHs, understanding the mechanistic features of their mixtures is a pressing research need. Therefore, the present work aimed to disclose the interaction effects of three PAHs with different carcinogenic potential and chemical structure, in primary hepatocyte cells of gilt-headed seabreams (Sparus aurata). Hepatocytes were exposed to Phenanthrene (Phe), Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and Benzo[b]fluoranthene (B[b]F) and their mixtures at different proportions and several cellular responses were analyzed: cellular viability, CYP1A1 activity (EROD assay) and protein expression level (Western blot); transcript (mRNA) levels of CYP1A1, EPXH1 and GST-3 (qRT-PCR); genotoxic effects (DNA strand breakage) by the Comet assay. Results show that B[a]P induced CYP1A1 gene and protein expression increasing its activity and, therefore, increasing the production of metabolites that trigger genotoxic DNA damage (%). Most importantly, mixtures containing Phe and B[a]P increased even further CYP1A1 mRNA levels and DNA damage (up to 70 %) which suggests that, although Phe is considered a non-carcinogenic PAH, it potentiates CYP1A1 synthesis induced by B[a]P, increasing its genotoxicity. These findings indicate that the upregulation of CYP1A1 by carcinogenic PAHs will not weaken even when in mixtures with non-carcinogenic PAHs. On contrary, non-carcinogenic PAHs may potentiate the genotoxic effect of carcinogenic PAH and therefore mixture composition should be taken in account when assessing PAH toxicity. In fact, our results point to the need of redefining Environmental Risk Assessment protocols for mixtures of carcinogenic pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Bramatti
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Sciences and Environmental Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology (FCT NOVA), NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Matos
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Sciences and Environmental Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology (FCT NOVA), NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Neusa Figueiredo
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Sciences and Environmental Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology (FCT NOVA), NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Pedro Pousão-Ferreira
- IPMA, I.P. - Division of Aquaculture and Seafood Upgrading, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, 1495-165 Algés, Portugal
| | - Vasco Branco
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz (IUEM), Quinta da Granja, Monte de Caparica, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal.
| | - Marta Martins
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Sciences and Environmental Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology (FCT NOVA), NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
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Branco V, Matos B, Mourato C, Diniz M, Carvalho C, Martins M. Synthesis of glutathione as a central aspect of PAH toxicity in liver cells: A comparison between phenanthrene, Benzo[b]Fluoranthene and their mixtures. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2021; 208:111637. [PMID: 33396157 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) are a class of organic pollutants normally found as mixtures with effects often hard to predict, which poses a major challenge for risk assessment. In this study, we address the effects of Phenanthrene (Phe), benzo[b]fluoranthene (B[b]F) and their mixtures (2 Phe:1 B[b]F; 1 Phe: 1 B[b]F; 1 Phe: 2 B[b]F) over glutathione (GSH) synthesis and function in HepG2 cells. We analyzed the effects on cellular viability, ROS production, glutathione (GSH) levels, protein-S-glutathionylation (PSSG), the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferases (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR). Transcript (mRNA) levels of glutathione synthesis enzymes - glutathione cysteine ligase catalytical (GCLC) and modifying (GCLM) sub-units and glutathione synthetase (GS) - and Nrf2 translocation to the nucleus were analyzed. Phe showed a higher cytotoxicity (IC50 = 130 µM after 24 h) than B[b]F related to a higher ROS production (up-to 50% for Phe). In agreement, GSH levels were significantly increased (up-to 3-fold) by B[b]F and were accompanied by an increase in the levels of PSSG, which is a mechanism that protect proteins from oxidative damage. The upregulation of GSH was the consequence of Nrf2 signaling activation and increased levels of GCLC, GCLM and GS mRNA observed after exposure to B[b]F, but not during exposure to Phe. Most interestingly, all mixtures showed higher cytotoxicity than individual compounds, but intriguingly it was the 1 Phe: 1B[b]F mixture showing the highest cytotoxicity and ROS production. GSH levels were not significantly upregulated not even in the mixture enriched in B[b]F. These results point to the role of GSH as a central modulator of PAH toxicity and demonstrate the idiosyncratic behavior of PAH mixtures even when considering only two compounds in varying ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasco Branco
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Beatriz Matos
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Departament of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology (FCT NOVA), 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Carolina Mourato
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mário Diniz
- UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Departament of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology (FCT NOVA), 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Cristina Carvalho
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Marta Martins
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Departament of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology (FCT NOVA), 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Departament of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology (FCT NOVA), 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
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Díaz-Jaramillo M, Pinoni S, Matos B, Marcoval A, Diniz MS. Stress responses to warming in the mussel Brachidontes rodriguezii (d'Orbigny, 1842) from different environmental scenarios. Aquat Toxicol 2020; 228:105647. [PMID: 33038724 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105647] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The intertidal mussel B. rodriguezii is a representative species from hard bottom substrates where both anthropogenic and natural stressors are present. Pre-exposure to these different stressors can modify the tolerance to additional stressors such as warming. Moreover, this tolerance can vary depending on intraspecific variables such as the organism's sex. The effects of warming and its intraspecific variability in representative coastal species are crucial to understanding the tolerance to future environmental scenarios. The mussels were collected in different environmental scenarios, including low (Control), chemical (Harbour) and natural stressed (Estuary) sites, and then exposed to different water temperatures (10-30 °C) for 14 days. Lethal and sublethal responses were evaluated in different mussel populations. Thus, cumulative death rate, air survival time, heat shock proteins (HSC70/HSP70), total ubiquitin, catalase (CAT), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) were assessed in mussels from different areas and different sexes. The results revealed diminished air survival time and high cumulative mortality rate in mussels collected at the harbour and those exposed to higher temperatures, respectively. The sublethal responses of the field animals showed different patterns according to the different areas investigated. Besides, the results revealed that these differences were also observed between sexes. Regarding the sublethal responses in mussels exposed to warming, the interactive effects of temperature and sites showed a strong influence on all biochemical parameters analyzed (p < 0.001). Therefore, harbour mussels showed a distinct pattern compared to other locations and reflecting the most damaging effects of warming. The influence of sex and its interactions with warming were also crucial in most of the sublethal responses (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis was performed with all sublethal responses, and the different warming scenarios showed different groups according to the sites. In the predicted warming scenarios, males showed no differences between sites. In contrast to males, females showed differences between sites in the predicted and the worse-case warming scenarios. Our results highlight the importance of compensatory mechanisms in the mussel warming tolerance like HSP70. The influence of sex is also crucial in understanding warming tolerance in mussels chronically exposed to pollutants in their natural environment. Also, lethal endpoints are essential for understanding the non-reversibility signature of the observed biochemical responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Díaz-Jaramillo
- IIMyC, Estresores Múltiples en el Ambiente (EMA), FCEyN, UNMdP, CONICET, Funes 3350 (B7602AYL), Mar del Plata, 7600, Argentina.
| | - S Pinoni
- IIMyC, Estresores Múltiples en el Ambiente (EMA), FCEyN, UNMdP, CONICET, Funes 3350 (B7602AYL), Mar del Plata, 7600, Argentina
| | - B Matos
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal
| | - A Marcoval
- IIMyC, Laboratorio de Acuicultura, FCEyN, UNMdP, CONICET, Funes 3350 (B7602AYL), Mar del Plata, 7600, Argentina
| | - M S Diniz
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal
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Matos B, Martins M, Samamed AC, Sousa D, Ferreira I, Diniz MS. Toxicity Evaluation of Quantum Dots (ZnS and CdS) Singly and Combined in Zebrafish ( Danio rerio). Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 17:E232. [PMID: 31905638 PMCID: PMC6981874 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17010232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The exponential growth of nanotechnology has led to the production of large quantities of nanomaterials for numerous industrial, technological, agricultural, environmental, food and many other applications. However, this huge production has raised growing concerns about the adverse effects that the release of these nanomaterials may have on the environment and on living organisms. Regarding the effects of QDs on aquatic organisms, existing data is scarce and often contradictory. Thus, more information is needed to understand the mechanisms associated with the potential toxicity of these nanomaterials in the aquatic environment. The toxicity of QDs (ZnS and CdS) was evaluated in the freshwater fish Danio rerio. The fishes were exposed for seven days to different concentrations of QDs (10, 100 and 1000 µg/L) individually and combined. Oxidative stress enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase), lipid peroxidation, HSP70 and total ubiquitin were assessed. In general, results suggest low to moderate toxicity as shown by the increase in catalase activity and lipid peroxidation levels. The QDs (ZnS and CdS) appear to cause more adverse effects singly than when tested combined. However, LPO results suggest that exposure to CdS singly caused more oxidative stress in zebrafish than ZnS or when the two QDs were tested combined. Levels of Zn and Cd measured in fish tissues indicate that both elements were bioaccumulated by fish and the concentrations increased in tissues according to the concentrations tested. The increase in HSP70 measured in fish exposed to 100 µg ZnS-QDs/L may be associated with high levels of Zn determined in fish tissues. No significant changes were detected for total ubiquitin. More experiments should be performed to fully understand the effects of QDs exposure to aquatic biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Matos
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (B.M.); ; (M.M.); (A.C.S.)
- MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Departamento de Ciências e Engenharia do Ambiente, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Marta Martins
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (B.M.); ; (M.M.); (A.C.S.)
- MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Departamento de Ciências e Engenharia do Ambiente, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Antonio Cid Samamed
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (B.M.); ; (M.M.); (A.C.S.)
- LAQV/REQUIMTE—Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - David Sousa
- CENIMAT/I3N—Centro de Investigação de Materiais /Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication, Departamento de Ciência dos Materiais, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (D.S.); (I.F.)
| | - Isabel Ferreira
- CENIMAT/I3N—Centro de Investigação de Materiais /Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication, Departamento de Ciência dos Materiais, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (D.S.); (I.F.)
| | - Mário S. Diniz
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (B.M.); ; (M.M.); (A.C.S.)
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Romero MA, Mateus P, Matos B, Acuña Á, García-Río L, Arteaga JF, Pischel U, Basílio N. Binding of Flavylium Ions to Sulfonatocalix[4]arene and Implication in the Photorelease of Biologically Relevant Guests in Water. J Org Chem 2019; 84:10852-10859. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.9b01420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Romero
- CIQSO-Center for Research in Sustainable Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, University of Huelva, Campus de El Carmen s/n, E-21071 Huelva, Spain
| | - Pedro Mateus
- Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde (LAQV), Rede de Química e Tecnologia (REQUIMTE), Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Matos
- Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde (LAQV), Rede de Química e Tecnologia (REQUIMTE), Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Ángel Acuña
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), Departamento de Química Física, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Luis García-Río
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), Departamento de Química Física, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Jesús F. Arteaga
- CIQSO-Center for Research in Sustainable Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, University of Huelva, Campus de El Carmen s/n, E-21071 Huelva, Spain
| | - Uwe Pischel
- CIQSO-Center for Research in Sustainable Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, University of Huelva, Campus de El Carmen s/n, E-21071 Huelva, Spain
| | - Nuno Basílio
- Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde (LAQV), Rede de Química e Tecnologia (REQUIMTE), Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
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Abreu A, Matos B, Silva C, Silva MC, Dias H, Amendoeira J, Silva M. P18 The influence of alcohol in the practice of safe sex in adolescence. Eur J Public Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz095.018] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A Abreu
- Health Higher School of Santarém, Monitoring Unity of Health Indicators (UMIS), Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Santarém, PORTUGAL
| | - B Matos
- Health Higher School of Santarém, Monitoring Unity of Health Indicators (UMIS), Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Santarém, PORTUGAL
| | - C Silva
- Health Higher School of Santarém, Monitoring Unity of Health Indicators (UMIS), Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Santarém, PORTUGAL
| | - MC Silva
- Health Higher School of Santarém, Monitoring Unity of Health Indicators (UMIS), Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Santarém, PORTUGAL
| | - H Dias
- Health Higher School of Santarém, Monitoring Unity of Health Indicators (UMIS), IPSantarém Research Unit, Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Santarém, PORTUGAL
- Centre for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), University of Porto, Porto, PORTUGAL
| | - J Amendoeira
- Health Higher School of Santarém, Monitoring Unity of Health Indicators (UMIS), IPSantarém Research Unit, Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Santarém, PORTUGAL
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon, PORTUGAL
| | - M Silva
- Health Higher School of Santarém, Monitoring Unity of Health Indicators (UMIS), IPSantarém Research Unit, Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Santarém, PORTUGAL
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Abstract
Summary
Here we report the case of a diagnostic and treatment challenge in a four-month old dog from England, presented with one-month history of unproductive cough. Antigen blood test for Angiostrongylus vasorum infection was negative. Thoracic radiographs revealed a generalised bronchointerstitial pattern and bronchoscopy showed moving nematodes in the mucus of the bronchial wall. Additionally, Baermann technique revealed a high burden of larvae per gram of faeces. Morphological and molecular analyses confirmed that they were first stage larvae of Crenosoma vulpis. The infection was firstly treated with a spot-on solution containing 10% imidacloprid + 2.5% moxidectin, but the dog was still positive after 13 days. Therefore, a seven-day course of fenbendazole was prescribed. This represents one of the youngest dogs ever reported naturally infected by C. vulpis. The scant number of reported cases of crenosomosis has led practitioners to consider it as a rare parasitic disease in dogs, delaying a correct and targeted on-time diagnosis. Further studies are needed to perceive the real prevalence of this lungworm and to understand if it is a rare parasite or just rarely diagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Matos
- CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ULisboa, Portugal
| | - V. Colella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Italy
| | - A. M. Alho
- CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ULisboa, Portugal
| | - D. Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Italy
| | - R. Doyle
- The Wylie Veterinary Centre, Upminster, Essex, UK
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Blasini I, Chantry C, Cruz C, Ortiz L, Salabarría I, Scalley N, Matos B, Febo I, Díaz C. Disclosure model for pediatric patients living with HIV in Puerto Rico: design, implementation, and evaluation. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2004; 25:181-9. [PMID: 15194903 DOI: 10.1097/00004703-200406000-00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly encourages the disclosure of HIV status to school-age children and further recommends that adolescents know their HIV status. Limited information exists on the impact of disclosure. We designed and implemented a disclosure model hypothesized to be associated with healthy psychological adjustment and improved medication adherence. We report the model's design and implementation and results of a quasi-experimental study of the disclosure's effects on health care professionals (n = 16), caregivers (n = 39), and HIV-infected youth (n = 40) in Puerto Rico. Information was collected from youth, caregivers, and professionals by semistructured interviews and questionnaires. Most youth (70%) had feelings of normalcy 6 months post-disclosure, and most also improved their adherence to therapy after disclosure as reported by both patients (58%) and caregivers (59%). Eighty-five percent of youth and 97% of caregivers considered disclosure a positive event for themselves and their families. Fewer health care professionals reported feelings of fear, discomfort, and insecurity after protocol participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ileana Blasini
- Children's Hospital, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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Abstract
Iron overload is a major concern in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection because excess iron can promote hepatocyte damage by activating iron-mediated lipid peroxidation. This may also facilitate viral replication. The objective of this pilot study was to test the hypothesis that Puerto Rican HCV patients have an altered serum iron (SIR) profile. Twenty-three HCV patients and 38 non-HCV controls were compared in terms of their serum iron, iron-binding capacity, percent saturation of transferrin, available binding capacity, and ferritin. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.01, Student's t-test) were found between the HCV patients and the non-HCV controls for SIR, transferrin saturation, and ferritin. The mean SIR concentration and transferrin saturation were 25% higher in HCV patients relative to controls. HCV patients had a mean ferritin value 48% higher than controls. These pilot study data indicate that Puerto Rican HCV patients have an altered iron balance and may be more susceptible to iron-induced oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Rojas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ponce School of Medicine, Puerto Rico, USA
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