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Nardi M, Catalini A, Galiano A, Santangelo OE, Pinto E, Feltrin A, Nucci D, Gianfredi V. Association between malnutrition and anxiety in cancer patients-a retrospective study. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:152. [PMID: 38334802 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08350-4] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The total number of cancer-related deaths and new cancer cases in 2020 was 19.3 billion and 10.8 billion, respectively. Therefore, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of neoplastic disease, as well as management of comorbidities, are of paramount importance. In this regards, poor nutritional status and mental disorders are comorbidity conditions frequently observed in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to assess the association between malnutrition and anxiety in hospitalized adult cancer patients. METHODS This is a retrospective study. Nutrition Risk Screening (NRS) 2002, body mass index (BMI), daily calorie intake, and weight difference between admission and discharge were used to evaluate nutritional status. Anxiety was assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A). Ordered logistic and linear logistic regressions adjusted for sex and age were used to estimate the association between malnutrition and anxiety in cancer patients. RESULTS A total of 90 patients were included. Higher NRS risk [aβ = 0.85; 95% CI (0.28-1.42); p = 0.004], disease stage [aβ = 0.77; 95% CI (0.08-1.47); p = 0.029], and cachexia [aβ = 2.20; 95% CI (0.75-3.65); p = 0.003] were significantly associated with anxiety symptoms. Moreover, cancer site different than gastrointestinal cancers was associated with a lower risk of anxiety symptoms [aβ = - 2.11; 95% CI (- 3.55/ - 0.66); p = 0.005]. CONCLUSION In the current study, we found a relatively high rate of malnourished patients, indicating the importance of routinely assessing nutritional status and screening cancer patients for mental health issues. This approach could help physicians to treat both in a timely manner, thereby significantly reducing the burden of the disease and improving the quality of life of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariateresa Nardi
- Nutritional Support Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandro Catalini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60100, Ancona, Italy
| | - Antonella Galiano
- Oncology Unit 1, Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Eleonora Pinto
- Hospital Psychology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128, Padua, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Feltrin
- Hospital Psychology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Daniele Nucci
- Nutritional Support Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Vincenza Gianfredi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
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Laquintana V, Mottini C, Marchesi F, Marcozzi B, Terrenato I, Sperandio E, de Latouliere L, Carrieri F, Pimpinelli F, Pontone M, Pellini R, Campo F, Conti L, Accetta C, Mandoj C, Petrone F, Di Bella O, Vujovic B, Morrone A, Compagnone M, Principato E, Pinto E, Papa E, Falcucci P, La Malfa A, Pallocca M, De Marco F, Piaggio G, Ciliberto G, Mengarelli A, di Martino S. Dynamics of humoral and cellular response to three doses of anti-SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine in patients with hematological malignancies and older subjects. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1221587. [PMID: 38343436 PMCID: PMC10853639 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1221587] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Few data are available about the durability of the response, the induction of neutralizing antibodies, and the cellular response upon the third dose of the anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine in hemato-oncological patients. Objective To investigate the antibody and cellular response to the BNT162b2 vaccine in patients with hematological malignancy. Methods We measured SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike antibodies, anti-Omicron neutralizing antibodies, and T-cell responses 1 month after the third dose of vaccine in 93 fragile patients with hematological malignancy (FHM), 51 fragile not oncological subjects (FNO) aged 80-92, and 47 employees of the hospital (healthcare workers, (HW), aged 23-66 years. Blood samples were collected at day 0 (T0), 21 (T1), 35 (T2), 84 (T3), 168 (T4), 351 (T pre-3D), and 381 (T post-3D) after the first dose of vaccine. Serum IgG antibodies against S1/S2 antigens of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were measured at every time point. Neutralizing antibodies were measured at T2, T3 (anti-Alpha), T4 (anti-Delta), and T post-3D (anti-Omicron). T cell response was assessed at T post-3D. Results An increase in anti-S1/S2 antigen antibodies compared to T0 was observed in the three groups at T post-3D. After the third vaccine dose, the median antibody level of FHM subjects was higher than after the second dose and above the putative protection threshold, although lower than in the other groups. The neutralizing activity of antibodies against the Omicron variant of the virus was tested at T2 and T post-3D. 42.3% of FHM, 80,0% of FNO, and 90,0% of HW had anti-Omicron neutralizing antibodies at T post-3D. To get more insight into the breadth of antibody responses, we analyzed neutralizing capacity against BA.4/BA.5, BF.7, BQ.1, XBB.1.5 since also for the Omicron variants, different mutations have been reported especially for the spike protein. The memory T-cell response was lower in FHM than in FNO and HW cohorts. Data on breakthrough infections and deaths suggested that the positivity threshold of the test is protective after the third dose of the vaccine in all cohorts. Conclusion FHM have a relevant response to the BNT162b2 vaccine, with increasing antibody levels after the third dose coupled with, although low, a T-cell response. FHM need repeated vaccine doses to attain a protective immunological response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Laquintana
- UOC Anatomy Pathology, Biobank IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Mottini
- UOSD SAFU, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Marchesi
- UOSD Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Benedetta Marcozzi
- UOSD Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistic and Bionformatic, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Terrenato
- UOSD Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistic and Bionformatic, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Sperandio
- UOSD Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistic and Bionformatic, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa de Latouliere
- UOSD SAFU, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Carrieri
- UOC D.I.T.R.A.R. IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Fulvia Pimpinelli
- UOSD of Microbiology and Virology, IRCCS San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Pontone
- UOSD of Microbiology and Virology, IRCCS San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Raul Pellini
- UOC Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Flaminia Campo
- UOC Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- UOSD Clinical Pathology, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Celeste Accetta
- UOC Anatomy Pathology, Biobank IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Mandoj
- UOSD Clinical Pathology, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Petrone
- UOC D.I.T.R.A.R. IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Ornella Di Bella
- Medical Direction, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Branka Vujovic
- Medical Direction, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Morrone
- Scientific Direction, IRCCS San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Elena Papa
- UOSD Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Falcucci
- UOSD Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Antonia La Malfa
- Pharmacy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute and San Gallicano Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Pallocca
- UOSD Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistic and Bionformatic, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Federico De Marco
- UOSD SAFU, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Piaggio
- UOSD SAFU, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Scientific Direction, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Mengarelli
- UOSD Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
| | - Simona di Martino
- UOC Anatomy Pathology, Biobank IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), Rome, Italy
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D’Acunto E, Muzi A, Marchese S, Donnici L, Chiarini V, Bucci F, Pavoni E, Ferrara FF, Cappelletti M, Arriga R, Serrao SM, Peluzzi V, Principato E, Compagnone M, Pinto E, Luberto L, Stoppoloni D, Lahm A, Groß R, Seidel A, Wettstein L, Münch J, Goodhead A, Parisot J, De Francesco R, Ciliberto G, Marra E, Aurisicchio L, Roscilli G. Isolation and Characterization of Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies from a Large Panel of Murine Antibodies against RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein. Antibodies (Basel) 2024; 13:5. [PMID: 38247569 PMCID: PMC10801580 DOI: 10.3390/antib13010005] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, once a global crisis, is now largely under control, a testament to the extraordinary global efforts involving vaccination and public health measures. However, the relentless evolution of SARS-CoV-2, leading to the emergence of new variants, continues to underscore the importance of remaining vigilant and adaptable. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have stood out as a powerful and immediate therapeutic response to COVID-19. Despite the success of mAbs, the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose challenges and the available antibodies are no longer effective. New variants require the ongoing development of effective antibodies. In the present study, we describe the generation and characterization of neutralizing mAbs against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by combining plasmid DNA and recombinant protein vaccination. By integrating genetic immunization for rapid antibody production and the potent immune stimulation enabled by protein vaccination, we produced a rich pool of antibodies, each with unique binding and neutralizing specificities, tested with the ELISA, BLI and FACS assays and the pseudovirus assay, respectively. Here, we present a panel of mAbs effective against the SARS-CoV-2 variants up to Omicron BA.1 and BA.5, with the flexibility to target emerging variants. This approach ensures the preparedness principle is in place to address SARS-CoV-2 actual and future infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela D’Acunto
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Alessia Muzi
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Silvia Marchese
- INGM-Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare “Romeo ed Erica Invernizzi”, 20122 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (L.D.); (R.D.F.)
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Lorena Donnici
- INGM-Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare “Romeo ed Erica Invernizzi”, 20122 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (L.D.); (R.D.F.)
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Federica Bucci
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Emiliano Pavoni
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Fabiana Fosca Ferrara
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Manuela Cappelletti
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Roberto Arriga
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Silvia Maria Serrao
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Valentina Peluzzi
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
- Department of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenia Principato
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Eleonora Pinto
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Laura Luberto
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Daniela Stoppoloni
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Armin Lahm
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Rüdiger Groß
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (R.G.); (A.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Alina Seidel
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (R.G.); (A.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Lukas Wettstein
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (R.G.); (A.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (R.G.); (A.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Andrew Goodhead
- Carterra, 825 N. 300 W., Suite C309, Salt Lake City, UT 84103, USA; (A.G.); (J.P.)
| | - Judicael Parisot
- Carterra, 825 N. 300 W., Suite C309, Salt Lake City, UT 84103, USA; (A.G.); (J.P.)
| | - Raffaele De Francesco
- INGM-Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare “Romeo ed Erica Invernizzi”, 20122 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (L.D.); (R.D.F.)
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (DiSFeB), University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCSS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Emanuele Marra
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Luigi Aurisicchio
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
| | - Giuseppe Roscilli
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.); (E.P.); (F.F.F.); (M.C.); (R.A.); (S.M.S.); (V.P.); (E.P.); (E.P.); (L.L.); (D.S.); (A.L.); (E.M.); (L.A.)
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Pinto E. Healthy Even through Cancer: What Are the Assumptions and Outcomes for Psychological Intervention? Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:506. [PMID: 37366758 DOI: 10.3390/bs13060506] [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: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a highly fatal disease, a major cause of mortality and a huge health burden around the world, requiring increased primary prevention efforts, screenings and treatments [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Pinto
- Unit of Surgical Oncology of the Esophagus and Digestive Tract, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy
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Martins M, do Nascimento GM, Conforti A, Noll JCG, Impellizeri JA, Sanchez E, Wagner B, Lione L, Salvatori E, Pinto E, Compagnone M, Viscount B, Hayward J, Shorrock C, Aurisicchio L, Diel DG. A linear SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine candidate reduces virus shedding in ferrets. Arch Virol 2023; 168:124. [PMID: 36988739 PMCID: PMC10052258 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05746-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has caused more than 760 million cases and over 6.8 million deaths as of March 2023. Vaccination has been the main strategy used to contain the spread of the virus and to prevent hospitalizations and deaths. Currently, two mRNA-based vaccines and one adenovirus-vectored vaccine have been approved and are available for use in the U.S. population. The versatility, low cost, and rapid production of DNA vaccines provide important advantages over other platforms. Additionally, DNA vaccines efficiently induce both B- and T-cell responses by expressing the antigen within transfected host cells, and the antigen, after being processed into peptides, can associate with MHC class I or II of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to stimulate different T cell responses. However, the efficiency of DNA vaccination needs to be improved for use in humans. Importantly, in vivo DNA delivery combined with electroporation (EP) has been used successfully in the field of veterinary oncology, resulting in high rates of response after electrochemotherapy. Here, we evaluate the safety, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy of a novel linear SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine candidate delivered by intramuscular injection followed by electroporation (Vet-ePorator™) in ferrets. The linear SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine candidate did not cause unexpected side effects. Additionally, the vaccine elicited neutralizing antibodies and T cell responses on day 42 post-immunization using a low dose of the linear DNA construct in a prime-boost regimen. Most importantly, vaccination significantly reduced shedding of infectious SARS-CoV-2 through oral and nasal secretions in a ferret model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Martins
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Gabriela M do Nascimento
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Jessica C G Noll
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Bettina Wagner
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Brian Viscount
- Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., New York, NY, USA
- LineaRx, Inc. , New York, NY, USA
| | - James Hayward
- Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., New York, NY, USA
- LineaRx, Inc. , New York, NY, USA
| | - Clay Shorrock
- Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., New York, NY, USA
- LineaRx, Inc. , New York, NY, USA
| | - Luigi Aurisicchio
- Takis Biotech, Rome, Italy
- Evvivax Biotech, Rome, Italy
- Neomatrix Biotech, Rome, Italy
| | - Diego G Diel
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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D'Alessio F, Lione L, Salvatori E, Bucci F, Muzi A, Roscilli G, Compagnone M, Pinto E, Battistuzzi G, Conforti A, Aurisicchio L, Palombo F. Immunogenicity of COVID-eVax Delivered by Electroporation Is Moderately Impacted by Temperature and Molecular Isoforms. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030678. [PMID: 36992261 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030678] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA integrity is a key issue in gene therapy and genetic vaccine approaches based on plasmid DNA. In contrast to messenger RNA that requires a controlled cold chain for efficacy, DNA molecules are considered to be more stable. In this study, we challenged this concept by characterizing the immunological response induced by a plasmid DNA vaccine delivered using electroporation. As a model, we used COVID-eVax, a plasmid DNA-based vaccine that targets the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Increased nicked DNA was produced by using either an accelerated stability protocol or a lyophilization protocol. Surprisingly, the immune response induced in vivo was only minimally affected by the percentage of open circular DNA. This result suggests that plasmid DNA vaccines, such as COVID-eVax that have recently completed a phase I clinical trial, retain their efficacy upon storage at higher temperatures, and this feature may facilitate their use in low-/middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Luigi Aurisicchio
- Takis, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Neomatrix, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Evvivax, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Palombo
- Takis, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Neomatrix, 00128 Rome, Italy
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7
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Manco R, D’Apice L, Trovato M, Lione L, Salvatori E, Pinto E, Compagnone M, Aurisicchio L, De Berardinis P, Sartorius R. Co-Delivery of the Human NY-ESO-1 Tumor-Associated Antigen and Alpha-GalactosylCeramide by Filamentous Bacteriophages Strongly Enhances the Expansion of Tumor-Specific CD8+ T Cells. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030672. [PMID: 36992381 PMCID: PMC10059692 DOI: 10.3390/v15030672] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) represent attractive targets in the development of anti-cancer vaccines. The filamentous bacteriophage is a safe and versatile delivery nanosystem, and recombinant bacteriophages expressing TAA-derived peptides at a high density on the viral coat proteins improve TAA immunogenicity, triggering effective in vivo anti-tumor responses. To enhance the efficacy of the bacteriophage as an anti-tumor vaccine, we designed and generated phage particles expressing a CD8+ peptide derived from the human cancer germline antigen NY-ESO-1 decorated with the immunologically active lipid alpha-GalactosylCeramide (α-GalCer), a potent activator of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. The immune response to phage expressing the human TAA NY-ESO-1 and delivering α-GalCer, namely fdNY-ESO-1/α-GalCer, was analyzed either in vitro or in vivo, using an HLA-A2 transgenic mouse model (HHK). By using NY-ESO-1-specific TCR-engineered T cells and iNKT hybridoma cells, we observed the efficacy of the fdNY-ESO-1/α-GalCer co-delivery strategy at inducing activation of both the cell subsets. Moreover, in vivo administration of fdNY-ESO-1 decorated with α-GalCer lipid in the absence of adjuvants strongly enhances the expansion of NY-ESO-1-specific CD8+ T cells in HHK mice. In conclusion, the filamentous bacteriophage delivering TAA-derived peptides and the α-GalCer lipid may represent a novel and promising anti-tumor vaccination strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Manco
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luciana D’Apice
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Trovato
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Mirco Compagnone
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Neomatrix Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Aurisicchio
- Takis Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Neomatrix Biotech, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rossella Sartorius
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0816132716
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8
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Aurisicchio L, Brambilla N, Cazzaniga ME, Bonfanti P, Milleri S, Ascierto PA, Capici S, Vitalini C, Girolami F, Giacovelli G, Caselli G, Visintin M, Fanti F, Ghirri M, Conforti A, Compagnone M, Lione L, Salvatori E, Pinto E, Muzi A, Marra E, Palombo F, Roscilli G, Manenti A, Montomoli E, Cadossi M, Rovati LC. A first-in-human trial on the safety and immunogenicity of COVID-eVax, a cellular response-skewed DNA vaccine against COVID-19. Mol Ther 2023; 31:788-800. [PMID: 36575794 PMCID: PMC9792419 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the need for additional safe, effective, and affordable vaccines gave new impetus into development of vaccine genetic platforms. Here we report the findings from the phase 1, first-in-human, dose-escalation study of COVID-eVax, a DNA vaccine encoding the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Sixty-eight healthy adults received two doses of 0.5, 1, or 2 mg 28 days apart, or a single 2-mg dose, via intramuscular injection followed by electroporation, and they were monitored for 6 months. All participants completed the primary safety and immunogenicity assessments after 8 weeks. COVID-eVax was well tolerated, with mainly mild to moderate solicited adverse events (tenderness, pain, bruising, headache, and malaise/fatigue), less frequent after the second dose, and it induced an immune response (binding antibodies and/or T cells) at all prime-boost doses tested in up to 90% of the volunteers at the highest dose. However, the vaccine did not induce neutralizing antibodies, while particularly relevant was the T cell-mediated immunity, with a robust Th1 response. This T cell-skewed immunological response adds significant information to the DNA vaccine platform and should be assessed in further studies for its protective capacity and potential usefulness also in other therapeutic areas, such as oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadia Brambilla
- Rottapharm Biotech, Via Valosa di Sopra 9, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Marina E Cazzaniga
- Phase 1 Research Centre and Division of Medical Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca School of Medicine, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonfanti
- Infectious Diseases Unit, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca School of Medicine, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Stefano Milleri
- CRC - Centro Ricerche Cliniche di Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Paolo A Ascierto
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Serena Capici
- Phase 1 Research Centre and Division of Medical Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca School of Medicine, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesca Fanti
- Rottapharm Biotech, Via Valosa di Sopra 9, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Matteo Ghirri
- Rottapharm Biotech, Via Valosa di Sopra 9, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Antonella Conforti
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; Evvivax Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Lione
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessia Muzi
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Palombo
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Emanuele Montomoli
- VisMederi Research, 53100 Siena, Italy; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Lucio C Rovati
- Rottapharm Biotech, Via Valosa di Sopra 9, 20900 Monza, Italy; University of Milano-Bicocca School of Medicine, 20900 Monza, Italy.
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9
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Lacerda Teixeira B, Grazina A, Castelo A, Ferreira V, Bras P, Branco Mano T, Gil R, Moura Branco L, Galrinho A, Timoteo AT, Rio P, Pinto E, Coelho P, Fragata J, Cruz Ferreira R. Cardiac myxoma embolic events: characterization and predictors. Eur Heart J 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac544.165] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Myxomas are the most common heart tumors. Although, myxomas are often diagnosed incidentally in asymptomatic patients, they are frequently associated with embolic events, becoming an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Whether some myxomas' characteristics predict more embolic risk is not well established.
Objectives
This analysis aims to describe the clinical and echocardiographic data in a long cohort of patients with cardiac myxomas and to establish potential predictors of embolic events int these patients.
Methods
Between 1990 and 2021, 88 patients were diagnosed with cardiac myxoma. 84 were included in this analysis. Baseline characteristics, echocardiographic findings and embolic events were noted retrospectively. A binary logistic regression analysis using SPSS statistics software, version 25.0 was performed to establish possible embolic predictors.
Results
84 patients (mean age 63.1±12.9 years old, 75% female) with cardiac myxoma (sporadic type in 100%) were analyzed (table 1). The majority were located in the left atrium (88.1%, n=74), followed by right atrium (10.7%, n=9) and right ventricle (1.2%, n=1). The average dimension (longer axis) was 36.8±17.4mm. 9.6% of the patients (n=8) had Atrial Fibrillation (AF) rhythm. 22.6% of the patients (n=19) experienced embolic events, the majority to the central nervous system (19.0%, n=6), followed by peripheric/limbs (2.4%, n=2), renal (1.2%, n=1) and coronary (1.2%, n=1). The presence of irregular borders (papillary, bosselated) was the only parameter independently associated with increased risk of embolic events, by 6 times (OR 6.78, 95% confidence interval of 2.14–21.51, p-value 0.001). Neither the presence of AF, myxoma dimensions, presence of calcifications, pediculated insertion, myxoma mobility or heterogeneous aspect predicted embolic events with statistical significance (table 2).
Conclusions
Cardiac myxomas are frequently associated with embolic events (22.6% in our population), posing an important cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. Besides the presence of irregular borders, the other myxoma's characteristics did not consistently predict the occurrence of embolic events. This data supports the well-recognized fact that all cardiac myxomas have the potential to embolic events, and therefore, should be excised, although those with very irregular borders are at much higher risk of embolization.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A Grazina
- Hospital de Santa Marta , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - A Castelo
- Hospital de Santa Marta , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - V Ferreira
- Hospital de Santa Marta , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - P Bras
- Hospital de Santa Marta , Lisbon , Portugal
| | | | - R Gil
- Hospital de Santa Marta , Lisbon , Portugal
| | | | - A Galrinho
- Hospital de Santa Marta , Lisbon , Portugal
| | | | - P Rio
- Hospital de Santa Marta , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - E Pinto
- Hospital de Santa Marta , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - P Coelho
- Hospital de Santa Marta , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - J Fragata
- Hospital de Santa Marta , Lisbon , Portugal
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10
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Eleonora Pinto
- Unit of Surgical Oncology of the Esophagus and Digestive Tract, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV- IRCCS, Padua, Italy
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11
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Matta Coelho C, Guimarães J, Bracchi I, Xavier Moreira N, Pinheiro C, Ferreira P, Pestana D, Barreiros Mota I, Cortez A, Prucha C, Martins C, Pinto E, Almeida A, Delerue-Matos C, Dias CC, Moreira-Rosário A, Ribeiro de Azevedo LF, Cruz Fernandes V, Ramalho C, Calhau C, Brantsæter AL, Costa Leite J, Keating E. Noncompliance to iodine supplementation recommendation is a risk factor for iodine insufficiency in Portuguese pregnant women: results from the IoMum cohort. J Endocrinol Invest 2022; 45:1865-1874. [PMID: 35635644 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01813-7] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE After a recommendation for iodine supplementation in pregnancy has been issued in 2013 in Portugal, there were no studies covering iodine status in pregnancy in the country. The aim of this study was to assess iodine status in pregnant women in Porto region and its association with iodine supplementation. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted at Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, Porto, from April 2018 to April 2019. Pregnant women attending the 1st trimester ultrasound scan were invited to participate. Exclusion criteria were levothyroxine use, gestational age < 10 and ≥ 14 weeks, non-evolutive pregnancy at recruitment and non-signing of informed consent. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured in random spot urine by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. RESULTS Median UIC was 104 μg/L (IQR 62-189) in the overall population (n = 481) of which 19% had UIC < 50 µg/L. Forty three percent (n = 206) were not taking an iodine-containing supplement (ICS) and median UIC values were 146 µg/L (IQR 81-260) and 74 µg/L (IQR 42-113) in ICS users and non-users, respectively (p < 0.001). Not using an ICS was an independent risk factor for iodine insufficiency [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 6.00 (2.74, 13.16); p < 0.001]. Iodised salt use was associated with increased median iodine-to-creatinine ratio (p < 0.014). CONCLUSIONS A low compliance to iodine supplementation recommendation in pregnancy accounted for a mild-to-moderately iodine deficiency. Our results evidence the need to support iodine supplementation among pregnant women in countries with low household coverage of iodised salt. Trial registration number NCT04010708, registered on the 8th July 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Matta Coelho
- CINTESIS@RISE, Department Biomedicine, Unit of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - J Guimarães
- CINTESIS@RISE, Department Biomedicine, Unit of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - I Bracchi
- CINTESIS@RISE, Department Biomedicine, Unit of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - N Xavier Moreira
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - C Pinheiro
- CINTESIS@RISE, Department Biomedicine, Unit of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - P Ferreira
- Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - D Pestana
- CINTESIS@RISE, Nutrition and Metabolism, NOVA Medical School│FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Porto, Portugal
| | - I Barreiros Mota
- CINTESIS@RISE, Nutrition and Metabolism, NOVA Medical School│FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Porto, Portugal
| | - A Cortez
- Medicina Laboratorial Dr. Carlos Torres, Porto, Portugal
| | - C Prucha
- Department of Obstetrics, Centro Hospitalar Universitário S. João, Porto, Portugal
| | - C Martins
- Department of Obstetrics, Centro Hospitalar Universitário S. João, Porto, Portugal
| | - E Pinto
- REQUIMTE//LAQV, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Health, P.Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A Almeida
- REQUIMTE//LAQV, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - C Delerue-Matos
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia, Politécnico do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - C C Dias
- CINTESIS@RISE, Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A Moreira-Rosário
- CINTESIS@RISE, Nutrition and Metabolism, NOVA Medical School│FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Porto, Portugal
| | - L F Ribeiro de Azevedo
- CINTESIS@RISE, Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - V Cruz Fernandes
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia, Politécnico do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - C Ramalho
- Department of Obstetrics, Centro Hospitalar Universitário S. João, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Ginecology-Obstetrics and Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, i3S, Universidade Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - C Calhau
- CINTESIS@RISE, Nutrition and Metabolism, NOVA Medical School│FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Porto, Portugal
| | - A-L Brantsæter
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - J Costa Leite
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - E Keating
- CINTESIS@RISE, Department Biomedicine, Unit of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
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12
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Conforti A, Salvatori E, Lione L, Compagnone M, Pinto E, Shorrock C, Hayward JA, Sun Y, Liang BM, Palombo F, Viscount B, Aurisicchio L. Linear DNA amplicons as a novel cancer vaccine strategy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:195. [PMID: 35668533 PMCID: PMC9169303 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02402-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA-based vaccines represent a simple, safe and promising strategy for harnessing the immune system to fight infectious diseases as well as various forms of cancer and thus are considered an important tool in the cancer immunotherapy toolbox. Nonetheless, the manufacture of plasmid DNA vaccines has several drawbacks, including long lead times and the need to remove impurities from bacterial cultures. Here we report the development of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-produced amplicon expression vectors as DNA vaccines and their in vivo application to elicit antigen-specific immune responses in animal cancer models. METHODS Plasmid DNA and amplicon expression was assessed both in vitro, by Hela cells transfection, and in vivo, by evaluating luciferase expression in wild-type mice through optical imaging. Immunogenicity induced by DNA amplicons was assessed by vaccinating wild-type mice against a tumor-associated antigen, whereas the antitumoral effect of DNA amplicons was evaluated in a murine cancer model in combination with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). RESULTS Amplicons encoding tumor-associated-antigens, such as telomerase reverse transcriptase or neoantigens expressed by murine tumor cell lines, were able to elicit antigen-specific immune responses and proved to significantly impact tumor growth when administered in combination with ICIs. CONCLUSIONS These results strongly support the further exploration of the use of PCR-based amplicons as an innovative immunotherapeutic approach to cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Conforti
- Takis, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Evvivax, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Lione
- Takis, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Clay Shorrock
- Applied DNA Sciences, 50 Health Sciences Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11790 USA
| | - James A. Hayward
- Applied DNA Sciences, 50 Health Sciences Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11790 USA
| | - Yuhua Sun
- Applied DNA Sciences, 50 Health Sciences Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11790 USA
| | - Ben Minghwa Liang
- Applied DNA Sciences, 50 Health Sciences Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11790 USA
| | - Fabio Palombo
- Takis, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Neomatrix, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Brian Viscount
- Applied DNA Sciences, 50 Health Sciences Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11790 USA
| | - Luigi Aurisicchio
- Takis, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Evvivax, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Neomatrix, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
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13
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Pinto E, Scarpa M, Cavallin F. Reply to: "The strength of a randomized controlled trial lies in its design-randomization". Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:4577-4578. [PMID: 35290513 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-06959-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Pinto
- Oesophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
| | - Marco Scarpa
- General Surgery Unit 3, Azienda Ospedale University of Padua, AOUP, Padua, Italy
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14
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Conforti A, Marra E, Palombo F, Roscilli G, Ravà M, Fumagalli V, Muzi A, Maffei M, Luberto L, Lione L, Salvatori E, Compagnone M, Pinto E, Pavoni E, Bucci F, Vitagliano G, Stoppoloni D, Pacello ML, Cappelletti M, Ferrara FF, D'Acunto E, Chiarini V, Arriga R, Nyska A, Di Lucia P, Marotta D, Bono E, Giustini L, Sala E, Perucchini C, Paterson J, Ryan KA, Challis AR, Matusali G, Colavita F, Caselli G, Criscuolo E, Clementi N, Mancini N, Groß R, Seidel A, Wettstein L, Münch J, Donnici L, Conti M, De Francesco R, Kuka M, Ciliberto G, Castilletti C, Capobianchi MR, Ippolito G, Guidotti LG, Rovati L, Iannacone M, Aurisicchio L. COVID-eVax, an electroporated DNA vaccine candidate encoding the SARS-CoV-2 RBD, elicits protective responses in animal models. Mol Ther 2022; 30:311-326. [PMID: 34547465 PMCID: PMC8483992 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has made the development of safe and effective vaccines a critical priority. To date, four vaccines have been approved by European and American authorities for preventing COVID-19, but the development of additional vaccine platforms with improved supply and logistics profiles remains a pressing need. Here we report the preclinical evaluation of a novel COVID-19 vaccine candidate based on the electroporation of engineered, synthetic cDNA encoding a viral antigen in the skeletal muscle. We constructed a set of prototype DNA vaccines expressing various forms of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein and assessed their immunogenicity in animal models. Among them, COVID-eVax-a DNA plasmid encoding a secreted monomeric form of SARS-CoV-2 S protein receptor-binding domain (RBD)-induced the most potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody responses (including against the current most common variants of concern) and a robust T cell response. Upon challenge with SARS-CoV-2, immunized K18-hACE2 transgenic mice showed reduced weight loss, improved pulmonary function, and lower viral replication in the lungs and brain. COVID-eVax conferred significant protection to ferrets upon SARS-CoV-2 challenge. In summary, this study identifies COVID-eVax as an ideal COVID-19 vaccine candidate suitable for clinical development. Accordingly, a combined phase I-II trial has recently started.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Conforti
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; Evvivax Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Palombo
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; Neomatrix Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Micol Ravà
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Fumagalli
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Muzi
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariano Maffei
- Evvivax Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Luberto
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Lione
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Abraham Nyska
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Haharuv 18, PO Box 184, Timrat 36576, Israel
| | - Pietro Di Lucia
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Marotta
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Bono
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Leonardo Giustini
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Sala
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Perucchini
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Jemma Paterson
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Kathryn Ann Ryan
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Amy-Rose Challis
- National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE), Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Giulia Matusali
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Colavita
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Nicola Clementi
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicasio Mancini
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Rüdiger Groß
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Alina Seidel
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Lukas Wettstein
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Lorena Donnici
- INGM-Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Erica Invernizzi," Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Conti
- INGM-Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Erica Invernizzi," Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele De Francesco
- INGM-Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Erica Invernizzi," Milan, Italy; National Cancer Institute Regina Elena, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Mirela Kuka
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- National Cancer Institute Regina Elena, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Castilletti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Capobianchi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca G Guidotti
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Lucio Rovati
- Rottapharm Biotech s.r.l., Via Valosa di Sopra 9, 20900 Monza, Italy; Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Iannacone
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; Experimental Imaging Centre, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.
| | - Luigi Aurisicchio
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; Evvivax Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; Neomatrix Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy.
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15
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Pinto E, Granziera E, Cagol M, Cappellato S, Alfieri R, Mari V, Meroni M, Zagonel V, Conte P, Pilati P, Castoro C, Cavallin F, Scarpa M. Totally Implantable Venous Access Devices: A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effect of Psychological Support on Quality of Life and Body Image (BI-PORT). Front Psychol 2021; 12:703497. [PMID: 34867586 PMCID: PMC8632700 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.703497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The presence of totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs), as any permanent or semipermanent medical devices, has an impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients. Therefore, the purpose of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy of psychological support for patients undergoing this procedure. Methods: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to compare the efficacy of a psychological intervention vs. standard care on QoL in patients receiving TIVAD for chemotherapy treatment (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02075580). The trial was conducted at the Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS (Padua, Italy) between October 2013 and September 2018. Participants were neoplastic adults receiving TIVAD for chemotherapy treatment for any cancer, not undergoing visible demolitive interventions, without psychopathological diagnosis and language understanding. The exclusion criteria were patients without a diagnosis of cancer, with psychopathological diagnosis, or with language misunderstanding. Results: The variation of C30-QL2 and BR32-BI was not statistically different between intervention and control arms in men and women. However, the variation of C30-SF was statistically better in the intervention than control arm in men [mean difference (MD) 22.3, 95% CI 3.5 to 41.0] but not in women (MD −2.7, 95% CI −24.0 to 18.7). The variations of the other secondary outcome measures were not statistically different between intervention and control arms. Conclusion: Psychological support did not show any clear advantages on global QoL and body image perception in patients at 15 days after TIVAD insertion for chemotherapy. In contrast, male patients might benefit from even a very short psychological counseling before or during chemotherapy even if they do not seem to ask for it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Pinto
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padua, Italy
| | - Elisa Granziera
- Anesthesiology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Cagol
- Breast Surgery Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padua, Italy
| | - Sandra Cappellato
- Anesthesiology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padua, Italy
| | - Rita Alfieri
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padua, Italy
| | - Valentina Mari
- General Surgery Unit 3, Azienda Ospedale University of Padua (AOUP), Padua, Italy
| | - Muzio Meroni
- Anesthesiology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padua, Italy
| | - Vittorina Zagonel
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padua, Italy
| | - Pierfranco Conte
- Medical Oncology Unit 2, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padua, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Pilati
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Castoro
- Department of Upper GI Surgery, Humanitas Research Hospital, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | | | - Marco Scarpa
- General Surgery Unit 3, Azienda Ospedale University of Padua (AOUP), Padua, Italy
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16
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alves A, Castro S, Pinto E. Feeding critical care patients: Can indirect calorimetry help? Clin Nutr ESPEN 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.09.297] [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: 11/29/2022]
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17
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Garcia Bras P, Moura Branco L, Galrinho A, Castelo A, Ferreira V, Mano T, Reis J, Grazina A, Timoteo AT, Abreu J, Pinto E, Coelho P, Bravio I, Ferreira R. Malignant cardiac tumors: a single-centre 25-year review. Eur Heart J 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.1837] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Primary cardiac tumors are extremely rare and are usually diagnosed late due to the nonspecific symptoms. Surgery is the main treatment option, and despite chemotherapy, the prognosis remains poor. Cardiac invasion by metastatic tumors, while more common, also entails an unsatisfactory outcome. The aim of this study was to review patients (P) with malignant cardiac tumors that were diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) or transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) in a tertiary center between 1995 and 2020.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of clinical data, echocardiographic assessment of tumor location and morphology, histology results and survival outcomes.
Results
A total of 44 malignant cardiac tumors were diagnosed: 12 primary tumors (A) and 32 metastatic tumors (B). A: Regarding primary cardiac tumors, the most common types were angiosarcomas (6), undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas (2), fibrosarcomas (2), myxofibrosarcoma (1) and primary cardiac lymphoma (1). The mean age of P at time of diagnosis was 43±15 years, 50% male. The most frequent presentation was heart failure symptoms (50%) followed by arrhythmias (20%). 1 P presented with pruritus and polyarthralgias. On TTE, the most prevalent tumor location was in the right-heart chambers (70%) – mostly the right atrium (50%), with mean dimensions of 40±18x27±11 mm. 85% of P had preserved biventricular systolic function and there was severe pericardial effusion in 38%. The most frequent metastatic involvement at diagnosis was pulmonary (33%) and hepatic (33%). 50% of P were submitted to tumor resection and 40% to chemotherapy. Regarding angiosarcomas, the most common immunohistochemical markers were vimentin, CD31 and CD34. The authors found a mortality rate of 10P (83%) in P with primary cardiac tumors, with a median time to mortality of 5.5 (IQR 2–10) months (Figure 1), in a median follow-up of 6.2 (IQR 2.5–15) months (minimum of 20 days and maximum of 19 years). In the latter case, the P was submitted to heart transplantation after diagnosis of a fibrosarcoma and is still alive and well.
B: Regarding secondary cardiac invasion, there was a diagnosis of the following primary tumor sites: 12 lung carcinomas, 7 thymomas, 4 lymphomas, 3 hepatocellular carcinomas, 2 bladder carcinomas, 1 parathyroid carcinoma, 1 soft tissue sarcoma, 1 uterine sarcoma and 1 melanoma. The mean age of P was 57±19 years, 57% male. On TTE/TOE the authors found a right-sided chambers predominance (12 P, 38%) vs left-sided chambers in (8 P, 25%), with pericardial metastasis also present in 13 P (41%). Cardiac tamponade occurred in 6P (19%). The mortality rate was 75% (24P), with a median time to mortality of 1.1 (IQR 0.6–3.8) months (minimum of 7 days, maximum of 44 months), in a median follow-up of 2.3 (IQR 0.8–14) months.
Conclusion
Cardiac malignant tumors generally present in a late stage with a dismal prognosis. When possible, heart transplantation can be an option with a favourable outcome.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier analysis
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - A Galrinho
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A Castelo
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - V Ferreira
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - T Mano
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - J Reis
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A Grazina
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - J Abreu
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - E Pinto
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - P Coelho
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - I Bravio
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - R Ferreira
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
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18
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Turchi GP, Dalla Riva MS, Orrù L, Pinto E. How to Intervene in the Health Management of the Oncological Patient and of Their Caregiver? A Narrative Review in the Psycho-Oncology Field. Behav Sci (Basel) 2021; 11:99. [PMID: 34356716 PMCID: PMC8301046 DOI: 10.3390/bs11070099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Starting from statistical data derived from the oncological field, some articles have highlighted the importance of communication in the patient-caregiver dyad and have considered the various roles involved in a cancer diagnosis situation. Thus, the question of how to intervene in terms of "quality of life" from the time of diagnosis to the recovery or death of a cancer patient, beyond the sanitary and physical dimensions, has become relevant. Therefore, the present narrative review aims to offer an overview of the state of the art in terms of the psychological treatment modalities of cancer patients, from the diagnosis to the post-surgery period. A total of 67 articles were collected and analyzed, in relation to (1) psychological constructs employed in the oncological field, (2) intervention models and (3) quality of life and well-being measurement and evaluation tools. We described these articles, differentiating between those focusing on the role of (1) the patient, (2) the caregiver, (3) the patient-caregiver dyad and (4) healthcare professional roles. The oncological diagnosis and its repercussions in the lives of the patient and caregiver were explored and critical aspects that emerged from the literature were highlighted. In conclusion, the analysis allowed some considerations about the need to define research protocols and useful management strategies for increasing the overall health of patients with cancer diagnoses and the people who surround them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Piero Turchi
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (G.P.T.); (M.S.D.R.); (L.O.)
| | - Marta Silvia Dalla Riva
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (G.P.T.); (M.S.D.R.); (L.O.)
| | - Luisa Orrù
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (G.P.T.); (M.S.D.R.); (L.O.)
| | - Eleonora Pinto
- Unit of Surgical Oncology of the Esophagus and Digestive Tract, Veneto Institute of Oncology, 35128 Padua, Italy
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19
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Markar SR, Sounderajah V, Johar A, Zaninotto G, Castoro C, Lagergren P, Elliott JA, Gisbertz SS, Mariette C, Alfieri R, Huddy J, Pinto E, Scarpa M, Klevebro F, Sunde B, Murphy CF, Greene C, Ravi N, Piessen G, Brenkman H, Ruurda J, van Hillegersberg R, Lagarde SM, Wijnhoven BP, Pera M, Roigg J, Castro S, Matthijsen R, Findlay J, Antonowicz S, Maynard N, McCormack O, Ariyarathenam A, Sanders G, Cheong E, Jaunoo S, Allum W, van Lanschot J, Nilsson M, Reynolds JV, van Berge Henegouwen MI, Hanna GB. Patient-reported outcomes after oesophagectomy in the multicentre LASER study. Br J Surg 2021; 108:1090-1096. [PMID: 33975337 PMCID: PMC10364861 DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znab124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data on the long-term symptom burden in patients surviving oesophageal cancer surgery are scarce. The aim of this study was to identify the most prevalent symptoms and their interactions with health-related quality of life. METHODS This was a cross-sectional cohort study of patients who underwent oesophageal cancer surgery in 20 European centres between 2010 and 2016. Patients had to be disease-free for at least 1 year. They were asked to complete a 28-symptom questionnaire at a single time point, at least 1 year after surgery. Principal component analysis was used to assess for clustering and association of symptoms. Risk factors associated with the development of severe symptoms were identified by multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS Of 1081 invited patients, 876 (81.0 per cent) responded. Symptoms in the preceding 6 months associated with previous surgery were experienced by 586 patients (66.9 per cent). The most common severe symptoms included reduced energy or activity tolerance (30.7 per cent), feeling of early fullness after eating (30.0 per cent), tiredness (28.7 per cent), and heartburn/acid or bile regurgitation (19.6 per cent). Clustering analysis showed that symptoms clustered into six domains: lethargy, musculoskeletal pain, dumping, lower gastrointestinal symptoms, regurgitation/reflux, and swallowing/conduit problems; the latter two were the most closely associated. Surgical approach, neoadjuvant therapy, patient age, and sex were factors associated with severe symptoms. CONCLUSION A long-term symptom burden is common after oesophageal cancer surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Markar
- Department Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Division of Surgery, Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Upper Abdominal Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - V Sounderajah
- Department Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - A Johar
- Division of Surgery, Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Upper Abdominal Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - G Zaninotto
- Department Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - C Castoro
- Unit of Surgical Oncology of the Oesophagus and Digestive Tract, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Padua, Italy
| | - P Lagergren
- Department Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Division of Surgery, Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Upper Abdominal Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J A Elliott
- Department of Surgery, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital and Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S S Gisbertz
- Department of Surgery, Cancer Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C Mariette
- Department of Digestive and Oncological Surgery, University of Lille, Claude Huriez University Hospital, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - R Alfieri
- Unit of Surgical Oncology of the Oesophagus and Digestive Tract, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Padua, Italy
| | - J Huddy
- Department Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - E Pinto
- Unit of Surgical Oncology of the Oesophagus and Digestive Tract, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Padua, Italy
| | - M Scarpa
- Unit of Surgical Oncology of the Oesophagus and Digestive Tract, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Padua, Italy
| | - F Klevebro
- Division of Surgery, Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Upper Abdominal Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - B Sunde
- Division of Surgery, Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Upper Abdominal Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - C F Murphy
- Department of Surgery, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital and Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C Greene
- Department of Surgery, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital and Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - N Ravi
- Department of Surgery, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital and Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - G Piessen
- Department of Digestive and Oncological Surgery, University of Lille, Claude Huriez University Hospital, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - H Brenkman
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - J Ruurda
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - R van Hillegersberg
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - S M Lagarde
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - B P Wijnhoven
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M Pera
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Roigg
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Castro
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Matthijsen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, ETZ Tildburg, Tildburg, the Netherlands
| | - J Findlay
- Oesophago-gastric Centre, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - S Antonowicz
- Oesophago-gastric Centre, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - N Maynard
- Oesophago-gastric Centre, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - O McCormack
- Department of Oesophago-Gastric Surgery, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - A Ariyarathenam
- Department of Oesophago-Gastric Surgery, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
| | - G Sanders
- Department of Oesophago-Gastric Surgery, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
| | - E Cheong
- Department of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals NHS Trust, Norwich, UK
| | - S Jaunoo
- Department of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, UK
| | - W Allum
- Department of Oesophago-Gastric Surgery, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - J van Lanschot
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M Nilsson
- Division of Surgery, Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Upper Abdominal Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J V Reynolds
- Department of Surgery, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital and Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - M I van Berge Henegouwen
- Department of Surgery, Cancer Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - G B Hanna
- Department Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Floriano L, Brabicoski C, Pinto E, Monteiro L. UEPG Abraça Program: The importance of a psychosocial care service in the university context. Eur Psychiatry 2021. [PMCID: PMC9480408 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.2010] [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] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In 2018, it was implanted in a Brazilian public university, the UEPG Abraça Extension Program, which has as objectives to realize psychosocial care and accompaniment, offer psychotherapies and therapeutic groups to the university community, that is, students, professors and university staff to suicide prevention, coping with mental disorders and the problematic use of alcohol and other drugs. The Program has a multi-professional team composed of nurses, social worker, psychologists and psychiatrists, in an exclusive environment, thus guaranteeing comfort and secrecy to users. Objectives To characterize the socio-demographic and clinical profile of users assisted by the UEPG Abraça Program and to disclose the importance of the service for the promotion of Mental Health. Methods Qualitative, quantitative, descriptive study, with a structured questionnaire as the research instrument. The collection took place in 2019 and the target audience were users who sought psychological care. Results There were 469 admissions/visits and 35 of them continued with individual visits in 2020. The majority of users were female (58%) and had the age group between 17 and 20 years. The main mental health problems identified were anxiety, self-knowledge and university-related problems such as interpersonal conflicts and difficulties in the work process. The most attended undergraduate courses were Letters, Journalism and Dentistry. Conclusions It is noted the importance of a psychosocial care service at university level for the care and promotion of Mental Health. Disclosure No significant relationships.
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Floriano L, Pinto E, Bordin D. COVID-19 and psychological support by phone: Demands assisted at a call center service of a brazilian university. Eur Psychiatry 2021. [PMCID: PMC9471725 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.805] [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] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, it was recommended to implement mental health care services mediated by Information and Communication Technologies to alleviate the suffering caused by the social distance. Objectives To characterize the demands and the possibilities of psychological support at the Call Center of a Brazilian public university, which aims clarifying doubts about COVID-19 and to forward suspected cases of contamination. Methods Cross-sectional, quantitative study with secondary data. The data came from 60 Psychological Support attendance records, carried out over 24 weeks. The data were analyzed descriptively and by the paired test and McNemar. Results The majority of consultations were for people aged among 51 and 60 years (21.7%). The main demands were social (40.0%), related to feelings (40.0%) and self-reported diagnosis (18.3%), with each service mostly split into two (31.7%) or three (31.7%) conducts. There was a significant increase in the average number of reports of symptoms of psychological distress experienced during the pandemic (p <0.001), including changes in sleep patterns (p <0.001) and appetite (p = 0.002), physical symptoms (p = 0.001), physical and emotional discomfort (p <0.001) and crying / depressive mood attacks (p = 0.002). As conducts, there was a predominance of psychoeducation (78.3%) and strategies for managing suffering (68.3%) at the expense of referrals to specialized in-person services (21.7%). Conclusions There were several demands of the evaluated Psychological Support service, which presents an important and promising strategy for meeting the demands of psychological distress in the midst of Pandemic, especially for the adult and elderly public.
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Barreto A, Carvalho A, Silva D, Pinto E, Almeida A, Paíga P, Correira-Sá L, Delerue-Matos C, Trindade T, Soares AMVM, Hylland K, Loureiro S, Oliveira M. Effects of single and combined exposures of gold (nano versus ionic form) and gemfibrozil in a liver organ culture of Sparus aurata. Mar Pollut Bull 2020; 160:111665. [PMID: 33181940 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In vitro methods have gained rising importance in ecotoxicology due to ethical concerns. The aim of this study was to assess the single and combined in vitro effects of gold, as nanoparticle (AuNPs) and ionic (Au+) form, and the pharmaceutical gemfibrozil (GEM). Sparus aurata liver organ culture was exposed to gold (4 to 7200 μg·L-1), GEM (1.5 to 15,000 μg·L-1) and combination 80 μg·L-1 gold +150 μg·L-1 GEM for 24 h. Endpoints related with antioxidant status, peroxidative/genetic damage were assessed. AuNPs caused more effects than Au+, increasing catalase and glutathione reductase activities and damaging DNA and cellular membranes. Effects were dependent on AuNPs size, coating and concentration. GEM damaged DNA at an environmentally relevant concentration, 1.5 μg·L-1. Overall, the effects of the combined exposures were higher than the predicted, based on single exposures. This study showed that liver culture can be a useful model to study contaminants effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Barreto
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - A Carvalho
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - D Silva
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - E Pinto
- Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Escola Superior de Saúde, P. Porto. CISA/Centro de Investigação em saúde e Ambiente, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - A Almeida
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - P Paíga
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - L Correira-Sá
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - C Delerue-Matos
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - T Trindade
- Departamento de Química & CICECO - Aveiro Instituto de Materiais, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - A M V M Soares
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - K Hylland
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - S Loureiro
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - M Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Pinto E, Nardi MT, Marchi R, Cavallin F, Alfieri R, Saadeh L, Cagol M, Baldan I, Saraceni E, Parotto M, Baratto F, Caberlotto C, Vianello A, Castoro C, Scarpa M. QOLEC2: a randomized controlled trial on nutritional and respiratory counseling after esophagectomy for cancer. Support Care Cancer 2020; 29:1025-1033. [PMID: 32572611 PMCID: PMC7307937 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-020-05573-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Background Esophagectomy for cancer strongly impairs quality of life. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effect of the nutritional and respiratory counseling on postoperative quality of life. Methods At hospital discharge, patients were randomized into four groups receiving respectively: nutritional and respiratory counseling, nutritional counseling alone, respiratory counseling alone, or standard care. The main endpoint was the impairment in quality of life in the first month after surgery. Linear mixed effect models were estimated to assess mean score differences (MDs) in quality of life scores. Results Patients receiving nutritional counseling reported less appetite loss (MD − 17.7, 95% CI − 32.2 to −3.3) than those not receiving nutritional counseling at 1 month after surgery. Dyspnea was similar between patients receiving vs. those not receiving respiratory counseling (MD − 3.1, 95% CI − 10.8 to 4.6). Global quality of life was clinically similar between patients receiving vs. those not receiving nutritional counseling over time (MD 0.9, 95% CI − 5.5 to 7.3), as well as in patients receiving vs. those not receiving respiratory counseling over time (MD 0.7, 95% CI − 5.9 to 7.2). Conclusions Intensive postoperative care does not affect global quality of life even if nutritional counseling reduced appetite loss. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00520-020-05573-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Pinto
- Oesophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Nardi
- Nutritional Support Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Rita Marchi
- Respiratory Intensive Care Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesco Cavallin
- Oesophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Rita Alfieri
- Oesophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Luca Saadeh
- Oesophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Cagol
- Oesophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Ilaria Baldan
- Nutritional Support Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Parotto
- Intensive Care Unit, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fabio Baratto
- Intensive Care Unit (ISTAR 2), Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Cristina Caberlotto
- Oesophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Andrea Vianello
- Respiratory Intensive Care Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Castoro
- Department. of Upper GI Surgery, Humanitas Research Hospital-Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Marco Scarpa
- General Surgery Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Padua, Italy.
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Barreto A, Dias A, Duarte B, Pinto E, Almeida A, Trindade T, Soares AMVM, Hylland K, Loureiro S, Oliveira M. Biological effects and bioaccumulation of gold in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) - Nano versus ionic form. Sci Total Environ 2020; 716:137026. [PMID: 32036137 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The question of whether gold (Au) is more toxic as nanoparticles or in its ionic form remains unclear and controversial. The present work aimed to clarify the effects of 96 h exposure to 4, 80 and 1600 μg·L-1 of 7 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) - (citrate coated (cAuNPs) or polyvinylpyrrolidone coated (PVP-AuNPs)) - and ionic Au (iAu) on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Effects at different levels of biological organization (behaviour, neurotransmission, biotransformation, oxidative stress/damage and genotoxicity) were assessed. cAuNPs induced oxidative stress and damage (lipid peroxidation increase), even at 4 μg·L-1, and reduced the ability of S. aurata to swim against a water flow at 1600 μg·L-1. Exposure to cAuNPs induced more adverse effects than exposure to PVP-AuNPs. All tested concentrations of Au (nano or ionic form) induced DNA breaks and cytogenetic damage in erythrocytes of S. aurata. Generally, iAu induced significantly more effects in fish than the nano form, probably associated with the significantly higher accumulation in the fish tissues. No fish mortality was observed following exposure to AuNPs, but mortality was observed in the group exposed to 1600 μg·L-1 of iAu.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Barreto
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - A Dias
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - B Duarte
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - E Pinto
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Department of Environmental Health, School of Health, P.Porto. CISA/Research Center in Environment and Health, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - A Almeida
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - T Trindade
- Departamento de Química & CICECO, Aveiro Instituto de Materiais, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - A M V M Soares
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - K Hylland
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - S Loureiro
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - M Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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25
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Freitas-Dörr BC, Machado CO, Pinheiro AC, Fernandes AB, Dörr FA, Pinto E, Lopes-Ferreira M, Abdellah M, Sá J, Russo LC, Forti FL, Gonçalves LCP, Bastos EL. A metal-free blue chromophore derived from plant pigments. Sci Adv 2020; 6:eaaz0421. [PMID: 32284978 PMCID: PMC7124932 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz0421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Blue natural pigments are rare, especially among plants. However, flowering species that evolved to attract Hymenoptera pollinators are colored by blue anthocyanin-metal complexes. Plants lacking anthocyanins are pigmented by betalains but are unable to produce blue hues. By extending the π-system of betalains, we designed a photostable and metal-free blue dye named BeetBlue that did not show toxicity to human hepatic and retinal pigment epithelial cells and does not affect zebrafish embryonal development. This chiral dye can be conveniently synthesized from betalamic acid obtained from hydrolyzed red beetroot juice or by enzymatic oxidation of l-dopa. BeetBlue is blue in the solid form and in solution of acidified polar molecular solvents, including water. Its capacity to dye natural matrices makes BeetBlue the prototype of a new class of low-cost bioinspired chromophores suitable for a myriad of applications requiring a blue hue.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. C. Freitas-Dörr
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - C. O. Machado
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - A. C. Pinheiro
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - A. B. Fernandes
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - F. A. Dörr
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - E. Pinto
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - M. Lopes-Ferreira
- Immunoregulation Unit of the Special Laboratory of Applied Toxinology (Center for Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signaling/CEPID/FAPESP), Butantan Institute, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - M. Abdellah
- Physical Chemistry Division, Department of Chemistry, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, 75120 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry, Qena Faculty of Science, South Valley University, 83523 Qena, Egypt
| | - J. Sá
- Physical Chemistry Division, Department of Chemistry, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, 75120 Uppsala, Sweden
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
| | - L. C. Russo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - F. L. Forti
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - L. C. P. Gonçalves
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - E. L. Bastos
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Corresponding author.
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26
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Barreto A, Carvalho A, Campos A, Osório H, Pinto E, Almeida A, Trindade T, Soares AMVM, Hylland K, Loureiro S, Oliveira M. Effects of gold nanoparticles in gilthead seabream-A proteomic approach. Aquat Toxicol 2020; 221:105445. [PMID: 32078886 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Despite the widespread use of nanoparticles (NPs), there are still major gaps of knowledge regarding the impact of nanomaterials in the environment and aquatic animals. The present work aimed to study the effects of 7 and 40 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) - citrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coated - on the liver proteome of the estuarine/marine fish gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). After 96 h, exposure to AuNP elicited alterations on the abundance of 26 proteins, when compared to the control group. AuNPs differentially affected several metabolic pathways in S. aurata liver cells. Among the affected proteins were those related to cytoskeleton and cell structure, gluconeogenesis, amino acids metabolism and several processes related to protein activity (protein synthesis, catabolism, folding and transport). The increased abundance of proteins associated with energy metabolism (ATP synthase subunit beta), stress response (94 kDa glucose-regulated protein) and cytoskeleton structure (actins and tubulins) may represent the first signs of cellular oxidative stress induced by AuNPs. Although higher gold accumulation was found in the liver of S. aurata exposed to 7 nm PVP-AuNPs, the 7 nm cAuNPs were more bioactive, inducing more effects in liver proteome. Gold accumulated more in the spleen than in the other assessed tissues of S. aurata exposed to AuNPs, highlighting its potential role on the elimination of these NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Barreto
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - A Carvalho
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - A Campos
- CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - H Osório
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, IPATIMUP, Porto, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - E Pinto
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal; Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Escola Superior de Saúde, P. Porto. CISA/Centro de Investigação em Saúde e Ambiente, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - A Almeida
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - T Trindade
- Departamento de Química & CICECO - Aveiro Instituto de Materiais, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - A M V M Soares
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - K Hylland
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, N-0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - S Loureiro
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - M Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Castelo A, Silva M, Goncalves A, Branco L, Coelho P, Banazol N, Pinto E, Bras P, Ferreira V, Fragata J, Ferreira R. P1527 Papillary fibroelastomas: diagnostic challenges and clinical and morphologic features. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jez319.949] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Papillary fibroelastomas are rare benign primary cardiac tumors that more frequently involve cardiac valves. They are frequently incidentally discovered by echocardiography but may also cause symptoms.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to characterize several features of histologically confirmed fibroelastomas.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of patients with echocardiographic suspicion of fibroelastoma between 2009 and 2019 in a single tertiary center. Echocardiography was compared with histology, and echocardiographic, surgical and pathological information about confirmed fibroelastomas was collected.
Results
37 patients (P) (54.1% men) with an echocardiographic suspicion and/or histologically confirmed fibroelastoma were included, with a mean age of 58 +- 3 years (min 22, max 82). Echocardiographic report was analyzed in 34P (91.9%), with 32P (94.1%) reporting a likely fibroelastoma and 2P (5.9%) reporting a non-specified mass. 21P (56.8%) had surgery, with 12P (57.1%) having a surgical suspicion of a fibroelastoma, 2P (9.5%) of a mixoma, 1P (4.8%) of a non-specified mass and 6P (28.6%) with undefined suspicion. Of the 21P who had surgery, 66.7% (14P) had a histologically confirmed fibroelastoma, 1P (4.8%) had a mixoma, and 6P (28.6%) had other diagnoses. From the 14P with histologically confirmed fibroelastoma 64.3% had this suspicion by echocardiography and 35.7% had an echocardiogram reporting a non-specified. There was a global concordance between echocardiography and histology in 52.9%. The mean age of confirmed fibroelastoma P was 54 +-5years, and 50% were men. 7P (50%) were asymptomatic, 2 (14.3%) had a stroke, 2 (14.3%) had syncope, 1 (7.1%) had fatigue, 1 (7.1%) had palpitations and 1P had consciousness alteration. In echocardiography most P (71.4%) had only one mass but 1P had 4 different masses. The tumors had a longer axis between 6 and 25mm, with the majority (57.1%) measuring more than 10mm. 12P (85.7%) had valvular fibroelastomas, 50% of these in the aortic valve (3 in non-coronary cusp, 1 in right coronary cusp and 2 non-specified) and 50% in the mitral valve (all in sub-valvular apparatus, involving anterior leaflet, tendinous chord or papillary muscle). 1P had a left ventricular fibroelastoma (apical) and 1P had four masses in the left atrium. Macroscopically 4 lesions had a gelatinous consistency, 2 of them were membranous, 2 were elastic, 2 were friable, 1 was villainous and in 3 of them consistency was not described. The majority (57%) was white, 14% was translucent and in the rest the color was not specified. There was no described recurrence after surgery and there were no deaths registered.
Conclusion
In this population there was a reasonable concordance between echocardiography and histology, but in some cases the diagnosis was undefined or wrong. 50% of the patients were asymptomatic and the majority had valvular fibroelastomas, but a few had a different location.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Castelo
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - M Silva
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - L Branco
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - P Coelho
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - N Banazol
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - E Pinto
- Hospital de Sǜo JosǸ, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - P Bras
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - V Ferreira
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - J Fragata
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - R Ferreira
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
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28
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Garcia Bras P, Aguiar Rosa S, Ferreira L, Moura Branco L, Castelo A, Vaz Ferreira V, Branco Ferrao J, Martins F, Sousa L, Fiarresga A, Pinto E, Ferreira RC. P229 Primary cardiac angiosarcoma of the right atrium: a rare entity presenting with an atrial arrhythmia. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jez319.094] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Primary cardiac tumors are rare entities and 75% are benign. Angiosarcoma is the most common malignant primary cardiac tumor.
We report the case of cardiac angiosarcoma presenting with an atrial arrhythmia.
Clinical case
A 39-year-old female patient with no past medical history presented to the emergency department with heart palpitations and atypical chest pain.
Electrocardiogram on admission showed atrial flutter with a heart rate of 153 beats per minute.
Laboratory analysis were performed showing elevated D-dimer levels (2210 ug/L).
A thoracic CT scan was performed, which ruled out pulmonary embolism, but showed multiple pulmonary nodules and a right atrial (RA) mass measuring 48 mm that could correspond to a thrombus or neoplasia.
The patient was admitted in the Cardiology ICU of our hospital and was started on beta-blocker and amiodarone with conversion to sinus rhythm. Additional exams were performed:
- Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) revealed an heterogenous 32,6 x 17,7 mm mass in the lateral wall of the RA with an adherent mobile mass near the tricuspid valve with 28 mm diameter (possible adherent thrombus).
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a RA tumor with invasion of the atrial free wall and compression of the superior vena cava.
Due to the unclear etiology of the RA mass, ultrasound-guided intracardiac biopsy was performed. Pathological examination revealed spindle cell proliferation, consistent with the diagnosis of angiosarcoma. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for Vimentin, CD34 and CD31, with 70% Ki67 expression.
Later on, the patient developed melena with significant drop of hemoglobin levels, requiring daily red blood cell transfusions and anticoagulation had to be stopped.
The patient was transferred to the Internal Medicine ward and thoracic-abdomen-pelvis staging computed tomography (CT) scan showed a significant increase in the number of pulmonary nodules, bilateral ovarian masses, 4 hepatic nodules and ileum metastization.
During hospitalization, the patient developed right leg deep venous thrombosis and thoracic CT scan revealed bilateral pulmonary embolism.
After improvement of the clinical status, palliative chemotherapy was started and the patient was discharged, maintaining regular outpatient follow-up in the Oncology Department for 1 month.
Cardiac angiosarcoma generally presents in a late stage of the disease with metastatic involvement. When surgical treatment is not possible, despite agressive chemotherapy, the prognosis remains poor.
Abstract P229 Figure. Echocardiogram: right atrium mass
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - L Ferreira
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - A Castelo
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - F Martins
- Hospital dos Capuchos, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - L Sousa
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - E Pinto
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
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29
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Valentim Goncalves AA, Sousa MJ, Matos P, Pinto E, Banazol N, Branco L, Cruz Ferreira R. 476 An unusual location and size of a papillary fibroelastoma. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jez319.255] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The incidence of primary cardiac tumours is low. Although histologically benign, left-sided, larger sized (≥ 1 cm) and highly mobile tumors have a higher risk of embolization.
Papillary fibroelastomas frequently occur on the aortic or mitral valves, with only 10% arising from nonvalvular surfaces. Since they are small and usually attached to moving valves, CT and MRI technique modalities have more difficulty in detecting them, with echocardiography remaining the most common exam for the diagnosis.
Clinical case description:
A 69-year-old woman, with known history of breast cancer treated with chest radiation ten years ago. She was completely asymptomatic, but in a routine echocardiography a left ventricular heterogeneous round mass with 22x25mm with a likely pedunculated attachment in the apical region was diagnosed. The remaining exam was remarkably normal, namely with normal left ventricular size and function with no wall motion abnormalities.
Because the wall motion appeared normal, the mass was interpreted as a tumour. However, a thrombus could not be excluded. After four weeks of therapy with Warfarin and aspirin, a MRI was performed. The apical mass had similar dimensions (22x23mm) and the exam was inconclusive (myxoma? fibroma? thrombus?) despite no signs of left ventricular fibrosis with late gadolinium enhancement.
Since the risk of embolization was high and there was no reduction in size with anticoagulation therapy, surgery was performed. Using a transaortic valve route, a 28x30mm mass with a pedunculated attachment in the apical region was removed. The mass had a macroscopic appearance of a sea anemone with gelatinous material. Histological examination made the final diagnosis of a papillary fibroelastoma.
Conclusion
Large, left-sided mobile tumors should be excised to prevent sudden death and embolization. Here we present the case of a papillary fibroelastoma with a rare localization and an unusual size. Some clinical cases have raised the question for a relation between previous chest radiotherapy and the occurrence of papillary fibroelastomas.
Abstract 476 Figure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M J Sousa
- Unidade Local de Saúde do Baixo Alentejo, Cardiology, Beja, Portugal
| | - P Matos
- CUF Infante de Santo, Cardiology, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - E Pinto
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - N Banazol
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - L Branco
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
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30
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Garcia Bras P, Moura Branco L, Castelo A, Vaz Ferreira V, Branco Mano T, Galrinho A, Timoteo AT, Abreu J, Pinto E, Coelho P, Bravio I, Ferreira RC. 1113 Primary and secondary malignant cardiac tumors - a 22 year case review. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jez319.658] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Primary cardiac tumors are extremely rare and are usually diagnosed late due to the non-specific symptomatology. Surgery is the main treatment option and despite chemotherapy, the prognosis remains poor. Cardiac invasion by metastatic tumors, while more common, also entails an unsatisfactory outcome.
Purpose
To review patients (P) with malignant cardiac tumours that were diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or by transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) in a tertiary center between 1997 and 2019.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of clinical data from the digital files, echocardiographic assessment of tumor location and morphology, histology results and survival outcomes.
Results
A total of 33 malignant cardiac tumors were diagnosed: 12 primary tumors (A) and 21 metastatic tumors (B).
A
Regarding primary cardiac tumors, the most common types were angiosarcomas (6 cases), 2 undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas, 1 right ventricle (RV) sarcoma, 1 primary cardiac lymphoma, 1 myxofibrosarcoma and 1 fibrosarcoma.
The mean age of the P at time of diagnosis was 43 ± 15 years, 50% female gender. The most frequent presentation was heart failure symptoms (50% of P) followed by arrhythmias (20%). One patient had a rare presentation with pruritus and polyarthralgias.
On TTE, the most prevalent tumor location was in the right-heart chambers (70%) - mostly the right atrium (50%), with mean dimensions of 40 ± 18 mm x 27 ± 11 mm.
85% of patients had preserved systolic left ventricular function and there was moderate or severe pericardial effusion in 38%.
The most frequent distant metastatic involvement of primary tumors at diagnosis was pulmonary (33%) and hepatic (33%).
50% of P were submitted to tumor resection and 40% were submitted to chemotherapy.
In the case of angiosarcomas, the most common immunohistochemical markers were vimentin, CD31 and CD34.
The authors found a mortality rate of 81% in P with primary cardiac tumors, with a median time of follow-up of 6 months (minimum of 20 days and maximum of 18 years). In the latter case, the P was submitted to heart transplantation after diagnosis of a sarcoma of the RV and is still alive and well.
B
Regarding secondary cardiac invasion, there was a diagnosis of the following primary tumor sites: 6 thymomas, 4 cases of lymphoma, 3 lung carcinomas, 3 hepatocellular carcinomas, 2 bladder carcinomas, 1 parathyroid carcinoma, 1 soft tissue sarcoma and 1 melanoma.
The mean age of P with metastastic involvement of the heart was 57 ± 22 years, 65% male. On TTE/TEE the authors also found a right-sided chambers predominance (60%), with pericardial metastasis in 35%.
As expected, the mortality rate was also extremely high (90%), with a median time of follow up of 1.5 months (minimum of one week, maximum of 44 months)
Conclusion
Cardiac malignant tumors generally present in a late stage with a dismal prognosis. When possible, heart transplantation can be an option with a good outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - A Castelo
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - A Galrinho
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - J Abreu
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - E Pinto
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - P Coelho
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - I Bravio
- Hospital de Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal
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Pinto E. [Alcohol dependence : an efficacious management is really possible]. Rev Med Liege 2019; 74:294-299. [PMID: 31206269] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol dependence is a chronic and multifactorial disease with well-identified neurobiological substrates and a high relapse rate. Personalized psychological and pharmacological therapeutic interventions may improve its prognosis, although stigmatization of the disease may contribute to a deep treatment gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Pinto
- Chef du Département d'Addictologie, Intercommunale de Soins Spécialisés de Liège, Belgique
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Pinto E. [Neurobiological mechanisms of alcohol dependence]. Rev Med Liege 2019; 74:274-280. [PMID: 31206266] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol dependence is a chronic and multifactorial disease with well-identified neurobiological substrates and a high relapse rate. In interaction with the environment, personal genetic vulnerability may influence the course of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Pinto
- Département d'Addictologie, Intercommunale de Soins Spécialisés de Liège, Belgique
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Burstein D, Dori Y, Smith C, Pinto E, Lin K, Rossano J, O'Connor M. Successful Percutaneous Lymphatic Intervention for Chylothorax after Pediatric Heart Transplantation. J Heart Lung Transplant 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2019.01.1215] [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: 11/16/2022] Open
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Abstract
Important questions are still open about psychological aspects in esophageal cancer (EC) and about the related psychological support. How to cope with the cancer diagnosis and poor prognosis: a psychological counselling may be a valid option to personalize the communication to patients with a poor prognosis. How to cope with long chemoradiotherapy: after neoadjuvant therapy, patients know that curative process is not completed, and they perceive the severity of the neoadjuvant side effects, considering themselves "fragile" and far from a healthy condition before the major surgery they are going to undergo. Therefore, this is a particularly crucial point when psychological support may be useful. How to cope with change of nutritional habits: esophagectomy for cancer strongly impairs nutritional function in the early postoperative period and feeding Jejunostomy impairs emotional function. How to cope with sleep disturbances: most cancer patients report disturbed sleep after cancer diagnosis and/or following cancer treatment. Psychological intervention aims to identify underlying concerns worsening sleep quality. How to cope with postoperative complications: the occurrence of such complications reduces patient's satisfaction and has a negative effect on doctor-patient relationship. How to cope with long-term functions impairment: EC patients need a plan for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Pinto
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | | | - Marco Scarpa
- General Surgery Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Padova, Italy
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Barreto A, Luis LG, Pinto E, Almeida A, Paíga P, Santos LHMLM, Delerue-Matos C, Trindade T, Soares AMVM, Hylland K, Loureiro S, Oliveira M. Genotoxicity of gold nanoparticles in the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) after single exposure and combined with the pharmaceutical gemfibrozil. Chemosphere 2019; 220:11-19. [PMID: 30576896 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.12.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Due to their diverse applications, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are expected to increase of in the environment, although few studies are available on their mode of action in aquatic organisms. The genotoxicity of AuNPs, alone or combined with the human pharmaceutical gemfibrozil (GEM), an environmental contaminant frequently detected in aquatic systems, including in marine ecosystems, was examined using gilthead seabream erythrocytes as a model system. Fish were exposed for 96 h to 4, 80 and 1600 μg L-1 of 40 nm AuNPs with two coatings - citrate or polyvinylpyrrolidone; GEM (150 μg L-1); and a combination of AuNPs and GEM (80 μg L-1 AuNPs + 150 μg L-1 GEM). AuNPs induced DNA damage and increased nuclear abnormalities levels, with coating showing an important role in the toxicity of AuNPs to fish. The combined exposures of AuNPs and GEM produced an antagonistic response, with observed toxic effects in the mixtures being lower than the predicted. The results raise concern about the safety of AuNPs and demonstrate interactions between them and other contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Barreto
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - L G Luis
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - E Pinto
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - A Almeida
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - P Paíga
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - L H M L M Santos
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - C Delerue-Matos
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - T Trindade
- Departamento de Química & CICECO - Aveiro Instituto de Materiais, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - A M V M Soares
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - K Hylland
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - S Loureiro
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - M Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Pereira S, Pinto E, Ribeiro P, Sério S. Study of a Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma jet device for indirect treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Clinical Plasma Medicine 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpme.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Monteiro C, Pinheiro D, Maia M, Faria MA, Lameiras C, Pinto E. Aspergillus species collected from environmental air samples in Portugal-molecular identification, antifungal susceptibility and sequencing of cyp51A gene on A. fumigatus sensu stricto itraconazole resistant. J Appl Microbiol 2019; 126:1140-1148. [PMID: 30735287 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Aspergillus sp. are ubiquitous saprophytic fungi and their conidia easily inhaled. This is particularly important in immunocompromised patients, more susceptible to developing invasive aspergillosis. In addition to A. fumigatus sensu stricto, cryptic species, many resistant to antifungal drugs, have been associated with invasive infections, making it important to assess their presence and diversity in different environments. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the presence, diversity and susceptibility to antifungal drugs of airborne fungi. Moreover, in azole-resistant A. fumigatus sensu stricto isolates the presence of underlying molecular mechanisms of resistance was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS Eighty-four Aspergillus isolates were collected from the environment air in hospitals and the Water Treatment Plant. The use of molecular tools allowed to detect 12 different cryptic species, showing a prevalence of 21·4%. The majority of isolates (69·0%) belonged to A. fumigatus complex and 65·4% were A. fumigatus sensu stricto. Among these, 21·8% were resistant to itraconazole (ITZ), 38·2% to posaconazole and 87·3% to isavuconazole; none of them were resistant to voriconazole or amphotericin B. Sequencing of the cyp51A gene on the 12 A. fumigatus sensu stricto ITZ-resistant isolates revealed the presence of mutations. CONCLUSION Our study reports a large number of environmental-resistant Aspergillus species, including A. fumigatus sensu stricto that display an important role in invasive fungal infections. None of the environmental isolates showed mutations on cyp51A gene related to azole resistance. SIGNIFICANT AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This study is the first assessment of molecular resistance mechanisms in A. fumigatus sensu stricto environmental isolates, in Portugal. Since TR34/L98H and TR46/Y121F/T289A cyp51A mutations were already reported in the clinical setting in Portugal (Monteiro et al. J Glob Antimicron Resist 13: 190-191, 2018; Pinto et al. Front Microbiol 9: 1656, 2018), and have been linked to environmental route, it is utmost importance to perform surveillance network for azole-resistant A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Monteiro
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Pharmacy of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - D Pinheiro
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Service of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar S. João EPE, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Maia
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Pharmacy of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M A Faria
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Bromatology and Hydrology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - C Lameiras
- Microbiology Service, Laboratorial Diagnostic Department, Instituto Português de Oncologia do Porto FG, EPE (IPOFG-Porto), Porto, Portugal
| | - E Pinto
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Pharmacy of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
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Barreto A, Luis LG, Pinto E, Almeida A, Paíga P, Santos LHMLM, Delerue-Matos C, Trindade T, Soares AMVM, Hylland K, Loureiro S, Oliveira M. Effects and bioaccumulation of gold nanoparticles in the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) - Single and combined exposures with gemfibrozil. Chemosphere 2019; 215:248-260. [PMID: 30317096 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.09.175] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are found in a wide range of applications and therefore expected to present increasing levels in the environment. There is however limited knowledge concerning the potential toxicity of AuNPs as well as their combined effects with other pollutants. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of AuNPs alone and combined with the pharmaceutical gemfibrozil (GEM) on different biological responses (behaviour, neurotransmission, biotransformation and oxidative stress) in one of the most consumed fish in southern Europe, the seabream Sparus aurata. Fish were exposed for 96 h to waterborne 40 nm AuNPs with two coatings - citrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), alone or combined with GEM. Antioxidant defences were induced in liver and gills upon both AuNPs exposure. Decreased swimming performance (1600 μg.L-1) and oxidative damage in gills (4 and 80 μg.L-1) were observed following exposure to polyvinylpyrrolidone coated gold nanoparticles (PVP-AuNPs). Generally, accumulation of gold in fish tissues and deleterious effects in S. aurata were higher for PVP-AuNPs than for cAuNPs exposures. Although AuNPs and GEM combined effects in gills were generally low, in liver, they were higher than the predicted. The accumulation and effects of AuNPs showed to be dependent on the size, coating, surface charge and aggregation/agglomeration state of nanoparticles. Additionally, it was tissue' specific and dependent on the presence of other contaminants. Although, gold intake by humans is expected to not exceed the estimated tolerable daily intake, it is highly recommended to keep it on track due to the increasing use of AuNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Barreto
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - L G Luis
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - E Pinto
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - A Almeida
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - P Paíga
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - L H M L M Santos
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - C Delerue-Matos
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - T Trindade
- Departamento de Química & CICECO - Aveiro Instituto de Materiais, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - A M V M Soares
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - K Hylland
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - S Loureiro
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - M Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Ribeiro C, Couto C, Ribeiro AR, Maia AS, Santos M, Tiritan ME, Pinto E, Almeida AA. Distribution and environmental assessment of trace elements contamination of water, sediments and flora from Douro River estuary, Portugal. Sci Total Environ 2018; 639:1381-1393. [PMID: 29929302 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The present study evaluated the content and distribution of several trace elements (Li, Be, Al, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb, and U) in the Douro River estuary. For that, three matrices were collected (water, sediments and native local flora) to assess the extent of contamination by these elements in this estuarine ecosystem. Results showed their occurrence in estuarine water and sediments, but significant differences were recorded on the concentration levels and pattern of distribution among both matrices and sampling points. Generally, the levels of trace elements were higher in the sediments than in the respective estuarine water. Nonetheless, no correlation among trace elements was determined between water and sediments, except for Cd. Al was the trace element found at highest concentration at both sediments and water followed by Zn. Pollution indices such as geo-accumulation (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF) were determined to understand the levels and sources of trace elements pollution. Igeo showed strong contamination by anthropogenic activities for Li, Al, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ba and Pb at all sampling points while EF and CF demonstrated severe enrichment and contamination by Se, Sb and Pb. Levels of trace elements were compared to acceptable values for aquatic organisms and Sediment Quality Guidelines. The concentration of some trace elements, namely Al, Pb and Cu, were higher than those considered acceptable, with potential negative impact on local living organisms. Nevertheless, permissible values for all trace elements are still not available, demonstrating that further studies are needed in order to have a complete assessment of environmental risk. Furthermore, the occurrence and possible accumulation of trace elements by local plant species and macroalgae were investigated as well as their potential use as bioindicators of local pollution and for phytoremediation purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ribeiro
- CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, PRD, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4050-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - C Couto
- CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, PRD, Portugal; LAQV / REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Laboratório de Química Aplicada, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - A R Ribeiro
- CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, PRD, Portugal; Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - A S Maia
- CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, PRD, Portugal
| | - M Santos
- CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, PRD, Portugal
| | - M E Tiritan
- CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, PRD, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4050-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - E Pinto
- LAQV / REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Laboratório de Química Aplicada, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - A A Almeida
- LAQV / REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Laboratório de Química Aplicada, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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Saadeh LM, Slaman AE, Pinto E, Gisbertz SS, Cavallin F, Jezerskyte E, Alfieri R, Noteboom L, Bellissimo MC, Cagol M, Pirozzolo G, Castoro C, Scarpa M, van Berge Henegouwen MI. Esophageal cancer patients' information management: cross-cultural differences between Dutch and Italian patients in perceived quality of provided oncological information. J Thorac Dis 2018; 10:5123-5130. [PMID: 30233889 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2018.07.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luca M Saadeh
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Annelijn E Slaman
- Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Pinto
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Suzanne S Gisbertz
- Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Francesco Cavallin
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Egle Jezerskyte
- Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rita Alfieri
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Loes Noteboom
- Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Cristina Bellissimo
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Matteo Cagol
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pirozzolo
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Carlo Castoro
- Department of Upper GI Surgery, Humanitas Research Hospital-Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Marco Scarpa
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
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Alves A, Lourenço B, Pinto E, Campello G. Evaluation of the implementation of the enteric nutrition protocol in critical ill patient. Clin Nutr 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2018.06.1223] [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: 10/28/2022]
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Couto CMCM, Ribeiro C, Maia A, Santos M, Tiritan ME, Ribeiro AR, Pinto E, Almeida A. Assessment of Douro and Ave River (Portugal) lower basin water quality focusing on physicochemical and trace element spatiotemporal changes. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 2018; 53:1056-1066. [PMID: 29985754 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2018.1474577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Water quality of Douro and Ave lower basin was evaluated regarding physicochemical parameters (pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and temperature), nutrient compounds (nitrates, nitrites, ammonium and orthophosphates), chlorophyll a and occurrence of trace elements (Li, Be, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb, Th and U). To study spatiotemporal variations and possible anthropogenic sources, estuarine samples were collected at nine sampling sites in Douro and five in Ave distributed along the estuaries at four sampling campaigns (spring, summer, fall and winter). According to the water quality standards for aquatic life and recreation, Douro and Ave river water quality was found out of safe limits regarding several parameters. Nitrate levels were systematically high (> 50 mg L-1 in a significant number of samples) and mean levels of trace elements were higher than the established values of Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines for aquatic life protection for Al, Cu, Se, Ag, Cd and Pb in Douro and Ave, and also Zn in Ave. Significant spatial differences were found in Ave river estuary for trace elements with a clear trend for higher values from upstream to downstream found. Seasonal differences were also observed particularly in Douro river estuary with higher levels in spring for most elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M C M Couto
- a CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Gandra PRD , Portugal
- b LAQV / REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Laboratório de Química Aplicada, Faculdade de Farmácia , Universidade do Porto , Porto , Portugal
| | - C Ribeiro
- a CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Gandra PRD , Portugal
- c Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR) , Universidade do Porto , Porto , Portugal
| | - A Maia
- a CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Gandra PRD , Portugal
| | - M Santos
- a CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Gandra PRD , Portugal
| | - M E Tiritan
- a CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Gandra PRD , Portugal
- c Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR) , Universidade do Porto , Porto , Portugal
- d Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia , Universidade do Porto , Porto , Portugal
| | - A R Ribeiro
- a CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Gandra PRD , Portugal
- e Present affiliation: Laboratório de Processos de Separação e Reação - Laboratório de Catálise e Materiais (LSRE-LCM), Faculdade de Engenharia , Universidade do Porto , Porto , Portugal
| | - E Pinto
- b LAQV / REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Laboratório de Química Aplicada, Faculdade de Farmácia , Universidade do Porto , Porto , Portugal
| | - A Almeida
- b LAQV / REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Laboratório de Química Aplicada, Faculdade de Farmácia , Universidade do Porto , Porto , Portugal
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Mantoan S, Cavallin F, Pinto E, Saadeh LM, Alfieri R, Cagol M, Bellissimo MC, Castoro C, Scarpa M. Long-term quality of life after esophagectomy with gastric pull-up. J Surg Oncol 2018; 117:970-976. [PMID: 29409116 DOI: 10.1002/jso.24995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Data on long-term health-related quality of life (HRQL) after esophagectomy for cancer show contradictory results. The aim was to analyze long-term HRQL at 3 or more years after esophagectomy. METHODS Survivors were identified among patients who had undergone esophagectomy during 2007-2013 using the local clinic database. Quality of life was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and OG25 questionnaires. Specific aspects were selected a priori and compared with published scores from European healthy subjects (mean difference, MD). RESULTS Sixty-five long-term survivors (median follow-up 4 years) were identified. All functional scales and most symptom scales were clinically similar between EC long-term survivors and European healthy subjects. Survivors reported more problems concerning eating (MD 13.1, 95% C.I. 10.6-15.6) and reflux (MD 19.7, 95% C.I. 15.9-23.5). HQRL variation from discharge to long term was available in 27 participants who reported improvements in role functioning (MD 40.1, 95%C.I. 24.3-56.0) and dysphagia (MD -41.9, 95% C.I. -51.7 to 32.0). CONCLUSIONS Long-term HRQL after esophagectomy is similar between EC survivors and European healthy subjects, despite persisting reflux and eating problems. Further research may focus on improvements of postoperative alimentary habits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Mantoan
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesco Cavallin
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Eleonora Pinto
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Luca M Saadeh
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Rita Alfieri
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Cagol
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria C Bellissimo
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Castoro
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Scarpa
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
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Pinto E, Cavallin F, Saadeh LM, Bellissimo MC, Alfieri R, Mantoan S, Cagol M, Castoro C, Scarpa M. Potential curability and perception of received information in esophageal cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 2017; 26:1807-1814. [PMID: 29260389 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-017-4005-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate patients' perceived receipt of information according to the possibility of cure in esophageal cancer. METHODS One hundred and twelve consecutive patients presenting at the multidisciplinary visit at the Veneto Institute of Oncology for esophageal cancer between 2014 and 2016 were included in the study. The Italian version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaires C30 (core questionnaire), OG25 (esophago-gastric cancer module), and INFO25 (information module) were used. RESULTS Candidates for palliative treatment were less informed about the disease (adjusted mean difference - 11.5, 95% CI - 23.0 to - 0.02) and less satisfied with information provided (adjusted mean difference - 18.3, 95% CI - 31.9 to - 4.7) than candidates for curative treatment. In addition, candidates for palliative treatment wanted to receive more information than candidates for curative treatment (adjusted mean difference 26.1, 95% CI 0.5 to 51.6). Better quality of life was associated with satisfaction of received information (β = 0.77, p < 0.0001) and of receiving information about things that the patient can do to help himself (β = 0.26, p = 0.04). More anxiety was associated to receiving more information about disease (β = 0.46, p = 0.02) but less information about things that the patient can do to help himself (β = - 0.38, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Candidates for palliative treatment were less satisfied with information about the disease and wanted to receive more information. Additionally, some aspects of quality of life were found to be associated with perceived receipt of information. Appropriate training in communication of prognostic information may improve clinical management of incurable cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Pinto
- Esophageal and D igestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Oncological Institute (IOV-IRCCS), via Gattamelata 64, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Cavallin
- Esophageal and D igestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Oncological Institute (IOV-IRCCS), via Gattamelata 64, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Maria Saadeh
- Esophageal and D igestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Oncological Institute (IOV-IRCCS), via Gattamelata 64, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Bellissimo
- Esophageal and D igestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Oncological Institute (IOV-IRCCS), via Gattamelata 64, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Rita Alfieri
- Esophageal and D igestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Oncological Institute (IOV-IRCCS), via Gattamelata 64, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Mantoan
- Esophageal and D igestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Oncological Institute (IOV-IRCCS), via Gattamelata 64, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Matteo Cagol
- Esophageal and D igestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Oncological Institute (IOV-IRCCS), via Gattamelata 64, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Carlo Castoro
- Esophageal and D igestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Oncological Institute (IOV-IRCCS), via Gattamelata 64, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Scarpa
- Esophageal and D igestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Oncological Institute (IOV-IRCCS), via Gattamelata 64, 35128, Padova, Italy.
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Scarpa M, Kotsafti A, Fassan M, Scarpa M, Cavallin F, Nardi T, Pinto E, Alfieri R, Cagol M, Agostini M, Rugge M, Castagliuolo I, Castoro C. Immunonutrition before esophagectomy: Impact on immune surveillance mechanisms. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317728683. [DOI: 10.1177/1010428317728683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Scarpa
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Andromachi Kotsafti
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Melania Scarpa
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesco Cavallin
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Teresa Nardi
- Nutritional Support Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Eleonora Pinto
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Rita Alfieri
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Cagol
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Agostini
- Nanoinspired Biomedicine Laboratory, Institute of Pediatric Research, Fondazione Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy
- Department of Nanomedicine, The Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Massimo Rugge
- Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Castoro
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
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Teixeira LL, Costa GR, Dörr FA, Ong TP, Pinto E, Lajolo FM, Hassimotto NMA. Potential antiproliferative activity of polyphenol metabolites against human breast cancer cells and their urine excretion pattern in healthy subjects following acute intake of a polyphenol-rich juice of grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.). Food Funct 2017; 8:2266-2274. [PMID: 28541359 DOI: 10.1039/c7fo00076f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The bioavailability and metabolism of anthocyanins and ellagitannins following acute intake of grumixama fruit, native Brazilian cherry, by humans, and its in vitro antiproliferative activity against breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) were investigated. A single dose of grumixama juice was administered to healthy women (n = 10) and polyphenol metabolites were analyzed in urine and plasma samples collected over 24 h. The majority of the metabolites circulating and excreted in urine were phenolic acids and urolithin conjugates, the gut microbiota catabolites of both classes of polyphenols, respectively. According to pharmacokinetic parameters, the subjects were divided into two distinct groups, high and low urinary metabolite excretors. The pool of polyphenol metabolites found in urine samples showed a significant inhibition of cell proliferation and G2/M cell cycle arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells. Our findings demonstrate the large interindividual variability concerning the polyphenol metabolism, which possibly could reflect in health promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- L L Teixeira
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof Lineu Prestes 580, Bloco 14, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Scarpa M, Pinto E, Saraceni E, Cavallin F, Parotto M, Alfieri R, Nardi MT, Marchi MR, Cagol M, Castoro C. Randomized clinical trial of psychological support and sleep adjuvant measures for postoperative sleep disturbance in patients undergoing oesophagectomy. Br J Surg 2017; 104:1307-1314. [PMID: 28707741 DOI: 10.1002/bjs.10609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major surgery such as oesophagectomy requires a postoperative stay in intensive care. Painful stimuli lead to sleep disturbance and impairment in quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of psychological counselling and sleep adjuvant measures on postoperative quality of sleep and quality of life. METHODS This RCT was performed between January 2013 and October 2015. Patients undergoing oesophagectomy for cancer were randomized into one of four groups receiving: psychological counselling plus sleep adjuvant measures during the ICU stay; psychological counselling alone; sleep adjuvant measures alone during the ICU stay; or standard care. The primary endpoint was impairment in quality of life measured using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer C30-QL2 questionnaire between admission for surgery and discharge from hospital. The secondary endpoint was impairment in quality of sleep assessed by means of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index between admission for surgery and hospital discharge. RESULTS The local ethics committee approved the early termination of the study because of relevant changes in the ICU setting. Some 87 patients were randomized and 74 patients were evaluated in the analysis. Psychological counselling reduced the impairment in quality of life (odds ratio 0·23, 95 per cent c.i. 0·09 to 0·61) and in quality of sleep (odds ratio 0·27, 0·10 to 0·73). CONCLUSION Perioperative psychological support reduces impairment in quality of life and quality of sleep after oesophagectomy. Registration number: NCT01738620 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Scarpa
- Oesophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Oesophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - E Pinto
- Oesophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Oesophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - E Saraceni
- Intensive Care Unit (ISTAR 2), Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - F Cavallin
- Oesophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Oesophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - M Parotto
- Intensive Care Unit, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - R Alfieri
- Oesophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Oesophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - M T Nardi
- Nutritional Support Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - M R Marchi
- Respiratory Intensive Care Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - M Cagol
- Oesophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Oesophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - C Castoro
- Oesophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Oesophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
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Bartolomeu F, Sampaio M, Carvalho O, Pinto E, Alves N, Gomes J, Silva F, Miranda G. Tribological behavior of Ti6Al4V cellular structures produced by Selective Laser Melting. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2017; 69:128-134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Harbige LS, Pinto E, Allgrove J, Thomas LV. Immune Response of Healthy Adults to the Ingested Probiotic Lactobacillus casei Shirota. Scand J Immunol 2017; 84:353-364. [PMID: 27718254 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Daily ingestion of a probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS; 1.3 × 1010 live cells) by healthy adults for (1) 4-week LcS, (2) 6-week discontinuation of LcS and (3) a final 4 weeks of LcS was investigated. There was a significant increase in expression of the T cell activation marker CD3+ CD69+ in ex vivo unstimulated blood cells at weeks 10 and 14, and there was a significant increase in the NK cell marker CD3+ CD16/56+ in ex vivo unstimulated blood cells at weeks 4, 10 and 14. Expression of the NK cell activation marker CD16/56+ CD69+ in ex vivo unstimulated blood cells was 62% higher at week 10 and 74% higher at week 14. Intracellular staining of IL-4 in ex vivo unstimulated and PMA-/ionomycin-stimulated CD3+ β7+ integrin blood cells was significantly lower at weeks 10 and 14. Intracellular staining of IL-12 in ex vivo unstimulated and LPS-stimulated CD14+ blood cells was significantly lower at weeks 4, 10 and 14. Intracellular staining of TNF-α in LPS-stimulated CD14+ blood cells was significantly lower at weeks 4, 10 and 14. Mucosal salivary IFN-γ, IgA1 and IgA2 concentrations were significantly higher at week 14, but LcS did not affect systemic circulating influenza A-specific IgA or IgG and tetanus-specific IgG antibody levels. In addition to the decrease in CD3+ β7+ integrin cell IL-4 and a reduced CD14+ cell pro-inflammatory cytokine profile, at week 14 increased expression of activation markers on circulating T cells and NK cells and higher mucosal salivary IgA1 and IgA2 concentration indicated a secondary boosting effect of LcS.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S Harbige
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich at Medway, Chatham Maritime, Kent, UK
| | - E Pinto
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich at Medway, Chatham Maritime, Kent, UK
| | - J Allgrove
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing, Kingston University, Surrey, UK
| | - L V Thomas
- Yakult UK Ltd, Anteros, Odyssey Business Park, South Ruislip, Middlesex, UK
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Machado J, Azevedo J, Freitas M, Pinto E, Almeida A, Vasconcelos V, Campos A. Analysis of the use of microcystin-contaminated water in the growth and nutritional quality of the root-vegetable, Daucus carota. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2017; 24:752-764. [PMID: 27752954 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7822-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [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: 04/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are often observed in freshwaters and may reflect the increased eutrophication of these environments and alterations in climate. Cyanotoxins, such as microcystins (MCs), are an effective threat to many life forms, ranging from plants to humans. Despite the research conducted to date on cyanotoxins, the risks associated to the use of contaminated water in agriculture require further elucidation. To tackle this aim, a research was conducted with the root-vegetable Daucus carota. The specific aims of this work were the following: (i) to evaluate the effects of MC-LR on the plant growth and photosynthesis; (ii) to evaluate the nutritional quality of carrot roots; and (iii) to measure bioaccumulation. To this purpose, young carrots were grown in soil during 1 month in natural conditions and exposed to Mycrocystis aeruginosa aqueous extracts containing environmentally realistic concentrations of MC-LR (10 and 50 MC-LR μg/L). The results showed that MC-LR may decrease root growth after 28 days of exposure to 50 μg/L and increase photosynthetic efficiency. We also observed changes in mineral and vitamin content in carrots as a result of the exposure to contaminated water. Moreover, MC-LR was detected in carrot roots by ELISA at very low concentration 5.23 ± 0.47 ng MC eq./g FW. The soil retained 52.7 % of the toxin potentially available for plants. This result could be attributed to MC-LR adsorption by soil particles or due to microbial degradation of the toxin. We conclude that the prolonged use of MC-LR-contaminated water may affect crop growth, alter the nutritional value of vegetable products, and potentiate contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Machado
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, P 4050-123, Porto, Portugal
| | - J Azevedo
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, P 4050-123, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Freitas
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, P 4050-123, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Environmental Health of School of Allied Health Technologies, and CISA/Research Center in Environment and Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Rua de Valente Perfeito, 322, P 440-330, Gaia, Portugal
| | - E Pinto
- REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, P 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Environmental Health of School of Allied Health Technologies, and CISA/Research Center in Environment and Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Rua de Valente Perfeito, 322, P 440-330, Gaia, Portugal
| | - A Almeida
- REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, P 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - V Vasconcelos
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, P 4050-123, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, P 4069-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - A Campos
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, P 4050-123, Porto, Portugal.
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