Aerobic exercise prevents cardiomyocyte damage caused by oxidative stress in early cardiovascular disease by increasing vascularity while L-arginine supplementation prevents it by increasing activation of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase

L-Arginine and chronic exercise reduce oxidative stress. However, it is unclear how they affect cardiomyocytes during cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. The aim of this research was to investigate the possible effects of L-arginine supplementation and aerobic training on systemic oxidative stress and their consequences on cardiomyocytes during cardiometabolic disease onset caused by excess fructose. Wistar rats were allocated into four groups: control (C), fructose (F, 10% fructose in water), fructose training (FT; moderate running, 50-70% of the maximal velocity), and fructose arginine (FA; 880 mg/kg/day). Fructose was given for two weeks and fructose plus treatments for the subsequent eight weeks. Body composition, blood glucose, insulin, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, nitrite, metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity, left ventricle histological changes, microRNA-126, -195, and -146, eNOS, p-eNOS, and TNF-α expressions were analyzed. Higher abdominal fat mass, triacylglycerol level, and insulin level were observed in the F group, and both treatments reversed these alterations. Myocardial vascularization was impaired in fructose-fed groups, except in FT. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was observed in all fructose-fed groups. TNF-α levels were higher in fructose-fed groups than in the C group, and p-eNOS levels were higher in the FA than in the C and F groups. Lipid peroxidation was higher in the F group than in the FT and C groups. During CVD onset, moderate aerobic exercise reduced lipid peroxidation, and both training and L-arginine prevented metabolic changes caused by excessive fructose. Myocardial vascularization was impaired by fructose, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy appeared to be influenced by pro-inflammatory and oxidative environments.

HPV infection as a risk factor for atherosclerosis: A connecting hypothesis

Atheromatous plaques occurring in large arteries are common and life-threatening lesions. Multiple factors are involved in the pathogenesis of atheromatous plaques, such as hyperlipidaemia and hypercholesterolaemia, high blood pressure and chronic systemic inflammation. Recent findings have suggested that infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) may increase the risk of developing atheromatous plaques. However, HPV is considered a tissue-specific virus with a strong tropism towards squamous epithelial cells, and the mechanisms whereby it may promote the development of atheromas remain unclear. Here, we propose a connecting hypothesis to explain the possible causative role of HPV on atheroma development. We hypothesize that HPV infection may promote atheroma formation in infected patients by enhancing systemic inflammation or by directly targeting blood vessels via nucleic acids carried by extracellular vesicles such as exosomes. The pro-inflammatory effects of HPV and the release of extracellular vesicles by HPV-transformed cells are well documented in scientific literature. Possible experimental approaches to test this hypothesis are also discussed, especially experiments employing transgenic mice bearing HPV16 transgenes. If correct, this hypothesis would have major implications for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, especially due to the preventable nature of HPV infection through vaccination.

Laurus nobilis (laurel) aqueous leaf extract's toxicological and anti-tumor activities in HPV16-transgenic mice

Cancers induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection remain a significant public health threat, fueling the study of new therapies. Laurel (Laurus nobilis) compounds and extracts recently showed in vitro activity against HPV-transformed cell lines. This work aims to evaluate the in vivo efficacy and hepatic toxicity of a laurel extract in a transgenic mouse model of HPV16-induced cancer. The extract was administered in drinking water (20 mg per animal per day) for three consecutive weeks, using four experimental groups (n = 10) (group I: HPV16-/- without treatment, group II: treated HPV16-/-, group III: HPV16+/- without treatment and group IV: treated HPV16+/-). Following the treatment period, animals were sacrificed and skin samples were used to classify skin lesions histologically. Toxicological parameters included hematological and biochemical blood markers, splenic and hepatic histology and hepatic oxidative stress. The extract did not prevent the progression of HPV16-induced cutaneous lesions in this model. The treated wild-type animals showed mild hepatitis, while transgenic animals suffered weight loss. However, there were no changes concerning hematological, biochemical and hepatic oxidative stress markers.

Malocclusion prevention through the usage of an orthodontic pacifier compared to a conventional pacifier: a systematic review

AIM

This was to investigate the occurrence of malocclusion traits among children who were users of orthodontic or conventional pacifier by means of a systematic review.

METHODS

Search for articles involved five electronic databases: Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS), PsycINFO, PubMed (including MedLine), Scopus and Web of Science. Grey literature was partially assessed. Observational studies with children aged 6-60 months who had used orthodontic or conventional pacifier were included. The risk of bias among included studies was assessed through the Joanna Briggs Institute Tool.

RESULTS

From the 607 initially-identified papers only three were included after the selection process. All presented moderate risk of bias. Although an anterior open bite and accentuated overjet were identified among conventional users of pacifier in one study no differences were identified in the other two selected studies. Posterior crossbite frequency was not different in any of the included studies. There was also no difference regarding frequency and duration of use, except in the study that showed higher occurrence of open bite malocclusion in conventional pacifier users.

CONCLUSIONS

The currently available evidence is insufficient to support the concept that the usage of orthodontic pacifiers is able to prevent malocclusion traits when compared to the usage of conventional pacifiers.

Metabolic syndrome in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

The objective of this study was to investigate the factors underlying the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in HIV-infected patients. Two hundred and sixty-six clinical cases were selected for a retrospective study. The sample was classified using the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines and the identification of risk or protective factors associated with MetS evaluated via multivariate logistic or multinomial regressions. HIV-infected individuals diagnosed with MetS tend to be older, overweight, or obese (85% have a BMI ≥ 25), with a waist circumference > 90 cm (96.5 [88.8-105.5] cm, median [interquartile range]). Blood testing these individuals revealed high fasting levels of insulin (8.1 [5.8-21.6] pg/ml), glucose (98.0 [84.0-116.0] mg/dl), triglycerides (201.0 [142.0-267.3] mg/dl), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (36.5 [29.8-43.3] mg/dl) in addition with higher levels of inflammatory mediators such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (2.5 [1.0-4.9] mg/dl) and interleukin-6 (3.4 [2.8-3.8] pg/ml). The likelihood of HIV-infected individuals who are virally suppressed developing MetS is about 60% higher than those with acute infection. Treatment with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs) increases the chance of developing MetS by around 2.4 times. Individuals with a lower antioxidant capacity (total antioxidant status [TAS] <1.33) have a 2.6 times higher risk of developing MetS. HIV-related chronic inflammation, a low TAS, and treatment with NRTIs in association with PIs are additional MetS risk factors.

Ozone therapy prevents the onset of dysplasia in HPV16-transgenic mice-A pre-clinical efficacy and safety analysis

Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), most often HPV16, is associated with the development of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. Recently, ozone therapy was reported to have considerable efficacy against rabbit VX2 tumors, induced by the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus. The present study aims to determine whether similar results can be obtained in HPV16-transgenic mice, possibly paving the way for new therapeutic options against HPV-induced cancers. HPV16-transgenic and wild-type, female, 20 weeks-old mice were injected intraperitoneally with medical O₃/O₂ (80░mL/kg, at O₃ 50░μg/mL), once a day, for 5 consecutive days. The animals were sacrificed at 25 weeks-old, and skin samples were analyzed histologically to study tumour progression. Blood and internal organ samples were used to study toxicological parameters. 85.7% of untreated transgenic mice showed dysplastic skin lesions, compared with 28.6% of O₃-treated mice. This was associated with a marked reduction of dermal inflammation associated with those lesions. No significant changes were observed in any toxicological parameters. These preliminary results support the hypothesis that O₃ therapy is effective against papillomavirus-induced lesions, particularly against those induced by the most common high-risk virus, HPV16. Further studies are needed to confirm the mechanisms underlying these effects.

5'UTR +24T>C CR2 is not associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma development in the North Region of Portugal

OBJECTIVE

We have analysed the association of the +24T>C polymorphism (rs3813946) in CR2, the cellular receptor for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), in the susceptibility for the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODS

A retrospective case-control study was developed with peripheral blood samples from 111 individuals with NPC and 608 healthy individuals (controls) from the North region of Portugal. The genotyping analysis was performed by allelic discrimination real-time PCR using a TaqMan(®) SNP Genotyping Assay.

RESULTS

The genotype distribution was 62.2% TT, 34.2% TC and 3.6% CC for NPC patients; and 65.0%, 30.6% and 4.4%, respectively, for controls. Our study showed no statistical association between the genotype distribution in controls and all types of NPC (P = 0.717); nevertheless, the analysis showed statistically significant differences (P = 0.038) regarding cases with well- or moderately differentiated types of NPC suggesting that +24CC/CT genotypes are associated with increased risk (OR = 4.16; 95% CI 1.28-15.7; P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study in Western populations to characterize the association of the CR2 +24T>C polymorphism in NPC development, and our results suggest that more studies are required to clarify the impact on NPC susceptibility in different populations.

Antiproliferative effects of β-blockers on human colorectal cancer cells

Colon cancer is the fourth and third most common cancer, respectively in men and women worldwide and its incidence is on the increase. Stress response has been associated with the incidence and development of cancer. The catecholamines (CA), adrenaline (AD) and noradrenaline (NA), are crucial mediators of stress response, exerting their effects through interaction with α- and β-adrenergic receptors (AR). Colon cancer cells express β-AR, and their activation has been implicated in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Interest concerning the efficacy of β-AR blockers as possible additions to cancer treatment has increased. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of several AR agonists and β-blockers following cell proliferation of HT-29 cells, a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line. For this purpose, HT-29 cells were incubated in the absence (control) or in the presence of the AR-agonists, AD, NA and isoprenaline (ISO) (0.1-100 µM) for 12 or 24 h. The tested AR agonists revealed proliferative effects on HT-29 cells. In order to study the effect of several β-blockers following proliferation induced by AR activation, the cells were treated with propranolol (PRO; 50 µM), carvedilol (CAR; 5 µM), atenolol (ATE; 50 µM), or ICI 118,551 (ICI; 5 µM) for 45 min prior, and simultaneously, to incubation with each of the AR agonists, AD and ISO, both at 1 and 10 µM. The results suggested that adrenergic activation plays an important role in colon cancer cell proliferation, most probably through β-AR. The β-blockers under study were able to reverse the proliferation induced by AD and ISO, and some of these blockers significantly decreased the proliferation of HT-29 cells. The elucidation of the intracellular pathways involved in CA-induced proliferation of colon cancer cells, and in the reversion of this effect by β-blockers, may contribute to identifying promising strategies in cancer treatment.

B₂ receptor blockage prevents Aβ-induced cognitive impairment by neuroinflammation inhibition

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Aβ-induced neuronal toxicity and memory loss is thought to be dependent on neuroinflammation, an important event in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previously, we demonstrated that the blockage of the kinin B2 receptor (B2R) protects against the memory deficits induced by amyloid β (Aβ) peptide in mice. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of B2R on Aβ-induced neuroinflammation in mice and the beneficial effects of B2R blockage in synapses alterations.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The selective kinin B2R antagonist HOE 140 (50 pmol/site) was given by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) route to male Swiss mice 2 h prior the i.c.v. injection of Aβ(1-40) (400 pmol/site) peptide. Animals were sacrificed, at specific time points after Aβ(1-40) injection (6 h, 1 day or 8 days), and the brain was collected in order to perform immunohistochemical analysis. Different groups of animals were submitted to behavioral cognition tests on day 14 after Aβ(1-40) administration.

KEY RESULTS

In this study, we report that the pre-treatment with the selective kinin B2R antagonist HOE 140 significantly inhibited Aβ-induced neuroinflammation in mice. B2R antagonism reduced microglial activation and the levels of pro-inflammatory proteins, including COX-2, iNOS and nNOS. Notably, these phenomena were accompanied by an inhibition of MAPKs (JNK and p38) and transcription factors (c-Jun and p65/NF-κB) activation. Finally, the anti-inflammatory effects of B2R antagonism provided significant protection against Aβ(1-40)-induced synaptic loss and cognitive impairment in mice.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Collectively, these results suggest that B2R activation may play a critical role in Aβ-induced neuroinflammation, one of the most important contributors to AD progression, and its blockage can provide synapses protection.

Glycaemic profile changes by highly active antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

To study dysglycaemia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients we conducted a retrospective cohort study of the glucose profile in HIV-infected patients. The fasting blood glucose was analysed taking into consideration conventional risk factors as well as HIV infection and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). One hundred seventy-three cases were selected for this study. Five risk factors had significant effects (p < 0.05) on glucose levels: age, body mass index (BMI), hepatitis C virus/hepatitis B virus (HCV/HBV) co-infection, viral load (VL), and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte count. Fasting blood glucose levels increased with age (0.59 mg/dL/year), decreased with the VL (-4.1 × 10(-6 )mg/dL/number of viral RNA copies) and the CD4(+) T-lymphocyte count (-0.016 mg/dL/cell count). Furthermore, obese patients and those co-infected with HCV/HBV were more prone to develop dysglycaemia having, on average, 15.4 mg/dL and 13.8 mg/dL higher levels, respectively, of fasting blood glucose. Despite an increase of 1.0% and 8.4% in the glucose levels noticed among HIV patients treated with non-nucleotide inhibitors of reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitors, respectively, HAART did not prove to be a significant predictor of fasting glucose levels as well as lipodystrophy and male gender. Age, BMI, HCV/HBV co-infection and HIV-related (VL and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte count) factors seem to be the most influential on fasting blood glucose levels in HIV-infected individuals.

The role of nt590 P21 gene polymorphism in the susceptibility to nasopharyngeal cancer

AIM

The purpose of this study was to assess if the P21 nt590 polymorphism is associated with the susceptibility to nasopharyngeal cancer and with the age at diagnosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed the frequency of 3'UTR P21 polymorphisms in blood samples from 102 nasopharyngeal cancer patients and 191 controls, with no known oncologic disease, using PCR-RFLP.

RESULTS

The polymorphism genotype frequencies were 93.2% (CC), 5.2% (CT) and 1.6% (TT) in the control group and 88.2% (CC), 10.8% (CT) and 1.0% (TT) in the cases group. We found no statistically significant association between the different P21 polymorphism genotypes and risk of nasopharyngeal cancer (p = 0.201). However, approximately a four-fold increased risk of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma in early stages was observed for P21 T carriers (OR = 3.734; 95% IC 1.289-10.281; p = 0.01). Furthermore, our results indicate that the waiting time for onset of neoplasia in T carriers patients was 12.4 years earlier (56.5 years old), comparing with those carrying CC genotype (68.9 years old).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the 3'UTR P21 polymorphism may play an important role in the pathogenesis and initiation, but not in the progression, of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Moreover, the polymorphism seems to contribute to a significantly earlier age at diagnosis.

Surgical treatment of extensive complex odontoma in the mandible by corticotomy. A case report

Odontomas represent the most prevalent odontogenic tumors in the jaw. The treatment of choice is surgical removal, usually performed by conventional techniques involving ostectomies to expose the tumor. In this paper, the authors describe, through the report of a case of complex odontoma located in the mandibular angle, a more conservative surgical technique called corticotomy, in which the bone removed for access to the tumor (buccal cortical) is repositioned and fixed by titanium plates of 1.5 mm.

Controversies in using urine samples for Prostate Cancer detection: PSA and PCA3 expression analysis

PURPOSE

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies in the world. Although PSA utilization as a serum marker has improved prostate cancer detection it still presents some limitations, mainly regarding its specificity. The expression of this marker, along with the detection of PCA3 mRNA in urine samples, has been suggested as a new approach for PCa detection. The goal of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of the urinary detection of PCA3 mRNA and PSA mRNA without performing the somewhat embarrassing prostate massage. It was also intended to optimize and implement a methodological protocol for this kind of sampling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Urine samples from 57 patients with suspected prostate disease were collected, without undergoing prostate massage. Increased serum PSA levels were confirmed by medical records review. RNA was extracted by different methods and a preamplification step was included in order to improve gene detection by Real-Time PCR.

RESULTS

An increase in RNA concentration with the use of TriPure Isolation Reagent. Despite this optimization, only 15.8% of the cases showed expression of PSA mRNA and only 3.8% of prostate cancer patients presented detectable levels of PCA3 mRNA. The use of a preamplification step revealed no improvement in the results obtained.

CONCLUSION

This work confirms that prostate massage is important before urine collection for gene expression analysis. Since PSA and PCA3 are prostate specific, it is necessary to promote the passage of cells from prostate to urinary tract, in order to detect these genetic markers in urine samples.

Genetic polymorphisms and cervical cancer development: ATM G5557A and p53bp1 C1236G

Persistent infections by high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) have been established as the etiological agent of cervical cancer. The integration of the HPV genome into the host genome is a crucial step in cervical carcinogenesis, although, correct activation of DNA damage repair pathways will avoid the development of cancer. Recent data indicate that several polymorphisms of key regulators from the DNA damage repair pathway (i.e. 53BP1 and ATM) are associated with cancer development susceptibility. We have developed a hospital-based retrospective study considering 429 cervical specimens from women with different cervical lesions including invasive carcinoma. This study aimed to evaluate the role of the ATM D1853N (5557G>A) and 53bp1 D353E (1236C>G) polymorphisms in the development of cervical cancer, using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. Statistical analysis revealed that ATM 5557GG homozygous individuals (OR=1.94; p=0.044) are at increased risk of developing LSIL, while for the 53BP1 1236C>G polymorphism no association was found. Nevertheless, we observed a tendency for an increased risk of LSIL in 53BP1 1236C allele carriers (OR=1.63; p=0.069). Logistic regression adjusted for age revealed no significant differences from the non-adjusted analysis. This is the first study to evaluate the role of ATM G5557A and P53BP1 C1236G polymorphisms in cervical cancer susceptibility. This study reveals a possible trend of both polymorphisms for a genetic susceptibility pattern of cervical cancer development. Hence, our results may be of interest for future understanding of the progression of cervical cancer.

The selective and competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, (-)-6-phosphonomethyl-deca-hydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid, prevents synaptic toxicity induced by amyloid-β in mice

The toxicity of amyloid β (Aβ) is highly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), which has a high incidence in elderly people worldwide. While the current treatment for moderate and severe AD includes blockage of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), the molecular mechanisms of its effect are still poorly understood. Herein, we report that a single i.p. administration of the selective and competitive (NMDAR) antagonist LY235959 reduced Aβ neurotoxicity by preventing the down-regulation of glial glutamate transporters (glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST) and glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1)), the decrease in glutamate uptake, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by Aβ(1-40). Importantly, the blockage of NMDAR restored the Aβ(1-40)-induced synaptic dysfunction and cognitive impairment. However, LY235959 failed to prevent the inflammatory response associated with Aβ(1-40) treatment. Altogether, our data indicate that the acute administration of Aβ promotes oxidative stress, a decrease in glutamate transporter expression, and neurotoxicity. Our results reinforce the idea that NMDAR plays a critical regulatory action in Aβ toxicity and they provide further pre-clinical evidence for the potential role of the selective and competitive NMDAR antagonists in the treatment of AD.