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Cellular dynamics as a marker of normal-to-cancer transition in human cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21079. [PMID: 38030663 PMCID: PMC10687084 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47649-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Normal-to-cancer (NTC) transition is known to be closely associated to cell´s biomechanical properties which are dependent on the dynamics of the intracellular medium. This study probes different human cancer cells (breast, prostate and lung), concomitantly to their healthy counterparts, aiming at characterising the dynamical profile of water in distinct cellular locations, for each type of cell, and how it changes between normal and cancer states. An increased plasticity of the cytomatrix is observed upon normal-to-malignant transformation, the lung carcinoma cells displaying the highest flexibility followed by prostate and breast cancers. Also, lung cells show a distinct behaviour relative to breast and prostate, with a higher influence from hydration water motions and localised fast rotations upon NTC transformation. Quasielastic neutron scattering techniques allowed to accurately distinguish the different dynamical processes taking place within these highly heterogeneous cellular systems. The results thus obtained suggest that intracellular water dynamics may be regarded as a specific reporter of the cellular conditions-either healthy or malignant.
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Abstract
Normal-to-malignant transformation is a poorly understood process associated with cellular biomechanical properties. These are strongly dependent on the dynamical behaviour of water, known to play a fundamental role in normal cellular activity and in the maintenance of the three-dimensional architecture of the tissue and the functional state of biopolymers. In this study, quasi-elastic neutron scattering was used to probe the dynamical behaviour of water in human cancer specimens and their respective surrounding normal tissue from breast and tongue, as an innovative approach for identifying particular features of malignancy. This methodology has been successfully used by the authors in human cells and was the first study of human tissues by neutron scattering techniques. A larger flexibility was observed for breast versus tongue tissues. Additionally, different dynamics were found for malignant and non-malignant specimens, depending on the tissue: higher plasticity for breast invasive cancer versus the normal, and an opposite effect for tongue. The data were interpreted in the light of two different water populations within the samples: one displaying bulk-like dynamics (extracellular and intracellular/cytoplasmic) and another with constrained flexibility (extracellular/interstitial and intracellular/hydration layers).
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Assessing Sustainable Development Goal Target Indicator 3.5.2: Trends in alcohol per capita consumption in the Americas 1990-2016. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2021; 45:e142. [PMID: 34703464 PMCID: PMC8530001 DOI: 10.26633/rpsp.2021.142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to estimate trends in alcohol per capita consumption from 1990 to 2016 in the Region of the Americas, covering 35 Member States. Data from the WHO Global Information System on Alcohol and Health were used to calculate the annual percent change of alcohol per capita consumption in each of the 35 countries of the Americas. The Americas as a whole showed no change in the total period, with a slight decrease in the period 2010-2016. From 1990 to 2016, all the countries that presented a trend of annual increase in annual percent change of alcohol per capita consumption were in the Caribbean and Central America. Large increases were found in the recent years in Cuba, Colombia, Uruguay, El Salvador, and several countries of the Non-Latin Caribbean. In conclusion, alcohol use remains a significant obstacle to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3.5. To date, the policy response has been inadequate in protecting the people in the Americas from alcohol-attributable harms. Improving country capacity to collect and analyze data on alcohol per capita consumption is urgently needed to monitor progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and to serve to promote proven alcohol policies for reducing the harmful use of alcohol.
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Eustigmatophyte strains with potential interest in cancer prevention and treatment: partial chemical characterization and evaluation of cytotoxic and antioxidant activity. Biotechnol Lett 2021; 43:1487-1502. [PMID: 33822305 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-021-03122-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The interest in bioactive compounds from microalgae is increasing since they have medicinal and nutritional areas. The present work aims to evaluate the potential pharmaceutical interest of extracts from three eustigmatophyte strains from the Coimbra Collection of Algae (ACOI): Chlorobotrys gloeothece, Chlorobotrys regularis and Characiopsis aquilonaris. Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities were determined as well as chlorophyll a, carotenoid and phenolic total contents. In addition, major pigments and sterols were identified and quantified. The three strains were grown until the stationary phase and then the biomass was extracted. Antioxidant activity was measured by TEAC, DPPH and FRAP assays and antiproliferative effect was assessed by the MTT method on MCF-7, PC-3 and NHDF cells. The pigment and phenolic total contents were determined by spectrophotometry. Of these strains, C. aquilonaris showed the highest antioxidant activity measured by TEAC and FRAP assays (23.98 ± 0.01 μmol TE eq g-1 DW and 42.57 ± 0.04 μmol TE eq g-1 DW, respectively), a selective effect in reduting MCF-7 cells proliferation and a larger amount of chlorophyll a, carotenoids and phenolic content (18.40 ± 0.00 μg chlorophyll a mg-1 DW, 2.27 ± 0.00 mg carotenoids g-1 DW and 6.23 ± 0.01 mg GAE g-1 DW, respectively). A positive correlation between chlorophyll a and TEAC assay was observed, as well as between carotenoids and TEAC and FRAP assays, suggesting these compounds as important contributors to significant antioxidant activity. Violaxanthin, cholesterol and stigmasterol were present in larger amount in C. aquilonaris while C. regularis showed a higher amount of β-carotene. These results suggest that these three ACOI eustigmatophytes are promising for applications in the improvement of human health, particularly in cancer prevention and treatment.
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Mnemonic strategic training increases functional connectivity in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Alzheimers Dement 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/alz.037260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Mnemonic strategy training modulates functional connectivity at rest in mild cognitive impairment: Results from a randomized controlled trial. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2020; 6:e12075. [PMID: 33204817 PMCID: PMC7647944 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mnemonic strategy training (MST) has been shown to improve cognitive performance and increase brain activation in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, little is known regarding the effects of MST on functional connectivity (FC) at rest. The aim of the present study was to investigate the MST focused on face-name associations effect on resting-state FC in those with MCI. METHODS Twenty-six amnestic MCI participants were randomized in MST (N = 14) and Education Program (active control; N = 12). Interventions occurred twice a week over two consecutive weeks (ie, four sessions). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was collected at pre- and post-intervention. Regions of interest (ROIs) were selected based on areas that previously showed task-related activation changes after MST. Changes were examined through ROI-to-ROI analysis and significant results were corrected for multiple comparisons. RESULTS At post-intervention, only the MST group showed increased FC, whereas the control group showed decreased or no change in FC. After MST, there was an increased FC between the left middle temporal gyrus and right orbitofrontal cortex. In addition, a time-by-group interaction indicated that the MST group showed greater increased FC between the right inferior frontal gyrus and left brain regions, such as fusiform gyrus, temporal pole, and orbitofrontal cortex relative to controls. DISCUSSION MST enhanced FC in regions that are functionally relevant for the training; however, not in all ROIs investigated. Our findings suggest that MST-induced changes are reflected in task-specific conditions, as previously reported, but also in general innate connectivity. Our results both enhance knowledge about the mechanisms underlying MST effects and may provide neurophysiological evidence of training transfer.
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Training gains and transfer effects after mnemonic strategy training in mild cognitive impairment: A fMRI study. Int J Psychophysiol 2019; 154:15-26. [PMID: 30936043 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2019.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Prior work has revealed that mnemonic strategy training (MST) can enhance memory for specific content and engages regions in the frontoparietal cognitive control network. Evidence of transfer to novel content is less clear. Here, we provide secondary analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data acquired during a randomized controlled trial that compared MST to an active education control condition in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI). In the trial, thirty participants with a-MCI were randomized to the education program (EP) or MST, where they learned to apply the technique to face-name associations during four intervening hour long training sessions. Participants underwent pre- and post-training fMRI scans, during which they encoded both the trained (i.e., those used during the four training sessions) and untrained ('novel') face-name associations. The primary cognitive outcome measures revealed significantly improved memory for both trained and novel stimuli - effects supporting near transfer of MST. Relative to pre-training, there were significant and highly similar increases in activation for both trained and novel stimuli, especially in regions associated with the frontoparietal cognitive control network bilaterally, but also in temporal areas related to social cognition and emotional processing. Critically, this pattern of activation was notably different from the EP group. Thus, the changes in activation were consistent with the strategies trained and, combined with the cognitively-based near transfer effects, suggest that MST focused on face-name association enhances performance by engaging cognitive control and social/emotional processing. Finally, our data indicated that our MST is a relevant and efficient intervention to a-MCI.
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Cognitive and Brain Activity Changes After Mnemonic Strategy Training in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:342. [PMID: 30483113 PMCID: PMC6243115 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Mnemonic strategy training (MST) has been shown to improve cognitive performance in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI), however, several questions remain unresolved. The goal of the present study was to replicate earlier pilot study findings using a randomized controlled design and to evaluate transfer effects and changes in brain activation. Methods: Thirty patients with a-MCI were randomized into MST or education program. At baseline, participants completed clinical and neuropsychological assessments as well as structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Interventions were administered individually and comprised four sessions, over 2 weeks. MST taught patients to use a three-step process to learn and recall face-name associations. Post-treatment assessment included fMRI, a separate face-name association task, neuropsychological tests, and measures of metamemory. Behavioral (i.e., non-fMRI) measures were repeated after one and 3-months. Results: Participants in the MST condition showed greater improvement on measures of face-name memory, and increased associative strategy use; effects that were accompanied by increased fMRI activation in the left anterior temporal lobe. While all participants reported greater contentment with their everyday memory following intervention, only the MST group reported significant improvements in their memory abilities. There was no clear indication of far-transfer effects to other neuropsychological tests. Conclusion: Results demonstrate that patients with a-MCI not only show stimulus specific benefits of MST, but that they appear capable of transferring training to at least some other cognitive tasks. MST also facilitated the use of brain regions that are involved in face processing, episodic and semantic memory, and social cognition, which are consonant with the cognitive processes engaged by training.
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Does Clinical Treatment with Phenylbutazone and Meloxicam in the Pre-ovulatory Period Influence the Ovulation Rate in Mares? Reprod Domest Anim 2015; 50:771-5. [PMID: 26280558 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The presence of anovulatory haemorrhagic follicles during the oestrous cycle of mares causes financial impacts, slowing conception and increasing the number of services per pregnancy. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as meloxicam and phenylbutazone are used in the treatment of several disorders in mares, and these drugs can impair the formation of prostaglandins (PGs) and consequently interfere with reproductive activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of treatment with NSAIDs on the development of pre-ovulatory follicles in mares. In total, 11 mares were studied over three consecutive oestrous cycles, and gynaecological and ultrasound examinations were performed every 12 h. When 32-mm-diameter follicles were detected, 1 mg of deslorelin was administered to induce ovulation. The first cycle was used as a control, and the mares received only a dose of deslorelin. In the subsequent cycles, in addition to receiving the same dose of deslorelin, each mare was treated with NSAIDs. In the second cycle, 4.4 mg/kg of phenylbutazone was administered, and in the third cycle, 0.6 mg/kg of meloxicam was administered once a day until ovulation or the beginning of follicular haemorrhage. All of the mares ovulated between 36 and 48 h after the induction in the control cycle. In the meloxicam cycle, 10 mares (92%) did not ovulate, while in the phenylbutazone cycle, nine mares (83%) did not ovulate. In both treatments, intrafollicular hyperechoic spots indicative of haemorrhagic follicles were observed on ultrasound. Thus, our results suggested that treatment with meloxicam and phenylbutazone at therapeutic doses induced intrafollicular haemorrhage and luteinization of anovulatory follicles.
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Toll-like receptor 4 inhibition reduces vascular inflammation in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Life Sci 2014; 122:1-7. [PMID: 25498891 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2014.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2014] [Revised: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Hypertension is associated with increased levels of circulating cytokines and recent studies have shown that innate immunity contributes to hypertension. The mechanisms which hypertension stimulates immune response remain unclear, but may involve formation of neo-antigens that activate the immune system. Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) is an innate immune receptor that binds a wide spectrum of exogenous (lipopolysaccharide) and endogenous ligands. TLR4 signaling leads to activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) and transcription of genes involved in inflammatory response. We previously demonstrated that TLR4 blockade reduces blood pressure and the augmented vascular contractility in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Here we hypothesized that inhibition of TLR4 ameliorates the vascular inflammatory process by a NFκB signaling pathway. MAIN METHODS SHR and Wistar rats were treated with anti-TLR4 antibody (1μg/day) or unspecific IgG for 15days (i.p.). KEY FINDINGS Anti-TLR4 treatment decreased production of reactive oxygen species and expression of IL-6 cytokine in mesenteric resistance arteries from SHR, when compared with IgG-treated SHR. Anti-TLR4 treatment also abolished the increased vascular reactivity to noradrenaline observed in IgG-treated SHR, as described before, and inhibition of NFκB decreased noradrenaline responses only in IgG-treated SHR. Mesenteric arteries from SHR treated with anti-TLR4 displayed decreased expression of MyD88, but not TRIF, key molecules in TLR4 signaling. Phosphorylation of p38 and NF-κB p65 were decreased in arteries from anti-TLR4-treated SHR versus IgG-treated SHR. SIGNIFICANCE Together, these results suggest that TLR4 is a key player in hypertension and vascular inflammatory process by a NFκB signaling pathway.
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Validation of a treatment algorithm for major depression in an older Brazilian sample. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2013; 28:647-53. [PMID: 23015472 DOI: 10.1002/gps.3876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2012] [Accepted: 07/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a modified version of the Duke Somatic Algorithm Treatment for Geriatric Depression (STAGED) in a Brazilian sample of older patients with major depression. Besides, we aimed to investigate possible baseline predictive factors for remission in this sample. METHODS Sixty-seven depressed individuals were treated according to STAGED over 24 weeks in a prospective cohort design with follow-up. All patients had criteria for major depression and were at least 60 years of age at baseline enrollment. RESULTS During this follow-up, 56 patients could be classified in remitted or not remitted group, 42.85% reached remission, and 57.14% did not reach remission. These results are even better than those found in the original study, probably due to the lower baseline depression severity of our sample. When baseline characteristics were compared between remitted and not remitted groups, scores of Mini Mental State Examination and Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG) were the only variables with statistical significant difference (p < 0.05) between groups. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to try to predict remission and statistical significance (p < 0.05) was found only for baseline MMSE scores. It may mean that patients with mixed cognitive disorders and mood disorders have a worse course of depression. CONCLUSIONS This version of STAGED seems to be a useful strategy for treatment of depression in late life. Baseline general cognitive performance might be useful to predict remission of depression in older patients with mild to moderate depression. Further research with different population characteristics should be conducted in order to evaluate its usefulness and feasibility in different settings.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION The frequent occurrence of prenatal hypertrophy of the muscular ventricular septum has been widely reported in fetuses of diabetic mothers. OBJECTIVES This experimental study was carried out to test the hypothesis that the weight of the heart, the ratio of the cardiac weight to that of the body, the thickness of the muscular ventricular septum, and the myocytic profile within the ventricular septum are all increased in fetuses of diabetic rats in comparison to fetuses of normal rats. METHODS Diabetes was induced in 5 pregnant Wistar rats, bearing 30 fetuses, on the eighth day after conception, by intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin. Five normal pregnant Wistar rats, bearing 20 fetuses, made up the control group. Morphometric data were obtained by a computer-assisted method applied to the measurements of the thickness of the ventricular septum, and myocytic nuclear area. Statistical analysis utilized Student's t-test and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS The mean thickness of the septum was 675.56 microm (+/-159) in the control fetuses, and 904.39 microm (+/-262) in the fetuses carried by diabetic mothers (p < 0.001). The cardiac weight was 0.016 g (+/-0.004) in the control group, and 0.023 g (+/-0.005) in the group of diabetic fetuses (p < 0.001). The ratio of cardiac to body weight was 0.294% (+/-0.079) in the control group, and 0.514% (+/-0.073) in the diabetic group (p < 0.001). The myocytic nuclear area was 14.70 microm2 in the control group, and 21.43 microm2 in the diabetic group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The presence of cellular and morphologic cardiac hypertrophy in fetuses of diabetic rats was demonstrated by the significant difference between the two groups for each analyzed feature.
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[Participant survey in the intervention of intestinal helminthiasis transmission (satellite city of Paranoá -- Federal District]. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 1995; 28:223-32. [PMID: 7480917 DOI: 10.1590/s0037-86821995000300010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
This work was developed in the Paranoá city town of the Federal District of Brazil. It used techniques of participative research with the aim of reducing intestinal helminths transmission in a group of children at nutritional risk. The family nucleus, that is, parents, children and other relatives living together in the same house, was used as reference for this research. All steps of the work were followed simultaneously by technical and educative actions. The technical actions were related to faecal examinations and medication. The educative process, stimulated critical analysis and reflections on the central problem and life conditions, with a strong focus on Health Promotion to improve life quality, as well as an empowerment process. During the work development, of the action program included the following steps: home visits, interviews, group meetings, feedback on the faeces examinations results and treatment. An evaluation of the final results was made through quantitative and qualitative methods, which showed the construction, acquisition and socialisation of knowledge.
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[Health education. Experience of integration of hospital-nursing school]. REVISTA ENFERMAGEM EM NOVAS DIMENSOES 1977; 3:300-5. [PMID: 588032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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[Instruction in the specialty course medical-surgical nursing in the Sao Paulo University School of Nursing]. REVISTA ENFERMAGEM EM NOVAS DIMENSOES 1977; 3:169-72. [PMID: 69309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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[Teaching of medical-surgical nursing qualifications in the University of São Paulo's School of Nursing. Analysis of the medical-surgical nursing program II developed in 1976]. REVISTA DA ESCOLA DE ENFERMAGEM DA U S P 1977; 11:51-69. [PMID: 69311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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[Acid-base equilibrium disorders in infants with bronchopneumonia]. Rev Esc Enferm USP 1976; 10:302-15. [PMID: 1051877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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