Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms as Biomarker Predictors of Oral Mucositis Severity in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Submitted to Combined Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most common type of genetic variation found in an individual's DNA sequences. SNPs can occur in both coding and non-coding regions of the genome and can affect gene expression, protein function, and disease susceptibility. In this systematic review, we evaluate the potential of SNPs as biomarkers in the assessment of oral mucositis (OM) severity in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with concomitant chemoradiation (CRT).

DNA methylation in regulatory elements of the FKBP5 and NR3C1 gene in mother-child binomials with depression.

Background: The FKBP5 and NR3C1 genes play an important role in stress response, thus impacting mental health. Stress factor exposure in early life, such as maternal depression, may contribute to epigenetic modifications in stress response genes, increasing the susceptibility to different psychopathologies. The present study aimed to evaluate the DNA methylation profile in maternal-infant depression in regulatory regions of the FKBP5 gene and the alternative promoter of the NR3C1 gene.

In Vitro and In Vivo Relevant Antineoplastic Activity of Platinum(II) Complexes toward Triple-Negative MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cell Line.

Two platinum complexes [Pt(HL3)Cl]·HO () and [Pt(HL4)Cl]·HO () containing and -naphthyl groups, respectively, were investigated in more detail in vitro and in vivo for antineoplastic activity. The cytotoxicity activity induced by these platinum(II) compounds against breast cancer (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7), lung (A549), prostate (PC3), pancreas (BXPC-3), and normal peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMC) cells were evaluated by MTT assay. The cell viability MTT assay showed that complex () was more cytotoxic to all cancer cell lines tested and less cytotoxic against human PBMC.

New hydroperoxycycloartane-complete chemical shifts assignment of C and H-and cytotoxicity evaluation of cycloartanes isolated from .

New cycloartane, 22-hydroxy-25-hydroperoxycycloart-23-en-3-one (), along with six known analogues () and three steroids (), were isolated from the leaves of . Structures were elucidated mainly on the basis of the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR (H and C) and HRESIMS spectroscopic data, involving comparison with data of the literature. The cytotoxic activities of and isolated compounds were also evaluated against human leukemia cell line Molt-4 (acute lymphoblastic) and exhibited good cytotoxic activity with IC values ranging from 10.

Antitumor activity via apoptotic cell death pathway of water soluble copper(II) complexes: effect of the diamino unit on selectivity against lung cancer NCI-H460 cell line.

The cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines (THP-1, U937, Molt-4, Colo-205 and NCI-H460) of three water soluble copper(II) coordination compounds containing the ligands 3,3'-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(azanediyl))dipropanamide (BCEN), 3,3'-(piperazine-1,4-diyl)dipropanamide (BPAP) or 3,3'-and (1,4-diazepane-1,4-diyl)dipropanamide (BPAH) are reported in this work. The ligands contain different diamine units (ethylenediamine, piperazine or homopiperazine) and two propanamide units attached to the diamine centers, resulting in NO donor sets. The complex containing homopiperazine unit presented the best antiproliferative effect and selectivity against lung cancer cell line NCI-H460, showing inhibitory concentration (IC) of 58 μmol dm and Selectivity Index (SI) > 3.

Effect of the hydroxamate group in the antitumoral activity and toxicity toward normal cells of new copper(II) complexes.

The synthesis, physico-chemical characterization and cytotoxicity of four copper(II) coordination complexes, i.e. [Cu(HBPA)Cl] (1), [Cu(BHA)] (2), [Cu(HBPA)(BHA)Cl] CHOH (3) and [Cu(HBPA)]Cl·4HO (4), are reported.

Cetacean Morbillivirus Infection in a Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) from Brazil.

We provide pathological, immunohistochemical and molecular evidence of cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) infection in a live-stranded adult female killer whale (Orcinus orca), which stranded alive in Espírito Santo State, Brazil, in 2014. Although attempts were made to release the animal, it stranded again and died. The main pathological findings were severe pulmonary oedema, pleural petechiation, multifocal, lymphoplasmacytic meningoencephalitis and leptomeningomyelitis with perivascular cuffing and gliosis, chronic lymphocytic bronchointerstitial pneumonia and multicentric lymph node and splenic lymphoid depletion.

Morin exhibits leukemic cellular apoptosis through caspase pathway.

The present study investigated the possibility of apoptosis-inducing activity in human leukemia U-937 and THP-1 cells by the flavonoid morin. The treatments were evaluated by using the MTT and LDH assays; analysis of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was evaluated by flow cytometry, cell death by apoptosis was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and by assessing the activity of caspases-3 and -6. The data indicated that the flavonoid morin has promoted a decrease in cell viability in a concentration-dependent way for both of the cancerous cell lines.

In vitro and in vivo anti-proliferative activity and ultrastructure investigations of a copper(II) complex toward human lung cancer cell NCI-H460.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anti-proliferative potential of complex (2) [Cu (L1)Cl]Cl.2HO, where L1 = 1-[2-hydroxybenzyl(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]-3-(1-naphthyloxy)-2-propanol on lung carcinoma cell NCI-H460. Cell viability assay determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay demonstrated that the complex (2) exhibits higher activity against the NCI-H460 cell, with an IC value lower than cisplatin (26.

The Forest Observation System, building a global reference dataset for remote sensing of forest biomass.

Forest biomass is an essential indicator for monitoring the Earth's ecosystems and climate. It is a critical input to greenhouse gas accounting, estimation of carbon losses and forest degradation, assessment of renewable energy potential, and for developing climate change mitigation policies such as REDD+, among others. Wall-to-wall mapping of aboveground biomass (AGB) is now possible with satellite remote sensing (RS).

Modulating the antitumoral activity by the design of new platinum(II) compounds: Synthesis, characterization, DFT, ultrastructure and mechanistic studies.

The synthesis, physico-chemical characterization, Density functional theory (DFT) calculation and cytotoxicity against five human tumoral cell lines (THP-1, U937, Molt-4, Colo205 and H460) of four new platinum(II) coordination compounds are reported, i.e. [Pt(HL1)Cl]·HO (1), [Pt(HL2)Cl]·HO (2), [Pt(HL3)Cl]·HO (3) and [Pt(HL4)Cl]·HO (4).

Myrtenal-induced V-ATPase inhibition - A toxicity mechanism behind tumor cell death and suppressed migration and invasion in melanoma.

Background: Metastatic tumor cells have acidic extracellular pH and differential electrochemical H gradients generated across their cell membranes by V-type H-ATPases. This study shows that inhibition of the V-ATPases by the plant-derived monoterpene Myrtenal results in tumor cell death and decreased metastatic dissemination in mice.

Methods: The Myrtenal anticancer toxicity was evaluated in vitro using murine (B16F0 and B16F10) and human (SkMel-5) melanoma cell lines, and in in vivo mouse metastatic dissemination model.

In vitro and in vivo studies of the antineoplastic activity of copper (II) compounds against human leukemia THP-1 and murine melanoma B16-F10 cell lines.

We investigated the antineoplastic activities of a previously reported copper (II) coordination compound, [Cu(BMPA)Cl2]CH3OH (1), and a new compound, [Cu(HBPA)Cl2]H2O (2), where BMPA is bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amine and HBPA is (2-hydroxybenzyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, using various cellular models of human leukemia (THP-1, U937, HL60, Molt-4, JURKAT) and human colon cancer (COLO 205), as well as a murine highly metastatic melanoma (B16-F10) cell line. Compound (2) was characterized using several physical and chemical techniques, including X-ray diffraction studies. The IC50 values of the copper coordination complexes in the human leukemia cell lines ranged from 87.

Synthesis, characterization and antitumoral activity of new cobalt(II)complexes: Effect of the ligand isomerism on the biological activity of the complexes.

The synthesis, physico-chemical characterization and cytotoxicity against five human tumoral cell lines (THP-1, U937, Molt-4, Colo205 and H460) of three new cobalt(II) coordination compounds are reported (i.e. Co(HL1)Cl (1), Co(HL2)Cl (2) and [Co(HL3)Cl]0.

Induction of apoptosis in leukemia cell lines by new copper(II) complexes containing naphthyl groups via interaction with death receptors.

The synthesis, physico-chemical characterization and cytotoxicity of four new ligands and their respective copper(II) complexes toward two human leukemia cell lines (THP-1 and U937) are reported (i.e. [(HL1)Cu(μ-Cl)2Cu(HL1)]Cl2·H2O (1), [(H2L2)Cu(μ-Cl)2Cu(H2L2)]Cl2·5H2O (2), [(HL3)Cu(μ-Cl)2Cu(HL3)]Cl2·4H2O (3), [(H2L4)Cu(μ-Cl)2Cu(H2L4)]Cl2·6H2O (4)).

Rapid tree carbon stock recovery in managed Amazonian forests.

While around 20% of the Amazonian forest has been cleared for pastures and agriculture, one fourth of the remaining forest is dedicated to wood production. Most of these production forests have been or will be selectively harvested for commercial timber, but recent studies show that even soon after logging, harvested stands retain much of their tree-biomass carbon and biodiversity. Comparing species richness of various animal taxa among logged and unlogged forests across the tropics, Burivalova et al.

Lepidotrichilins A and B, new protolimonoids with cytotoxic activity from Trichilia lepidota (Meliaceae).

Two novel protolimonoids, named lepidotrichilins A (1) and B (2), four known protolimonoids, 21,23-epoxy-7α-21α-dihydroxyapotirucalla-14,24-dien-3-one (3), 21,23-epoxy-7α-21β-dihydroxyapotiru-calla-14,24-dien-3-one (4), dysorone D (5), deoxy-flindissone (6), and the two steroids β-sitosterol (7) and stigmasterol (8) were identified in leaves of Trichilia lepidota subsp. schumanniana (Harms) T.D.

Highly efficient synthetic iron-dependent nucleases activate both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic death pathways in leukemia cancer cells.

The nuclease activity and the cytotoxicity toward human leukemia cancer cells of iron complexes, [Fe(HPClNOL)Cl2]NO3 (1), [Cl(HPClNOL)Fe(μ-O)Fe(HPClNOL)Cl]Cl2·2H2O (2), and [(SO4)(HPClNOL)Fe(μ-O)Fe(HPClNOL)(SO4)]·6H2O (3) (HPClNOL=1-(bis-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-amino)-3-chloropropan-2-ol), were investigated. Each complex was able to promote plasmid DNA cleavage and change the supercoiled form of the plasmid to circular and linear ones. Kinetic data revealed that (1), (2) and (3) increase the rate of DNA hydrolysis about 278, 192 and 339 million-fold, respectively.

Bothropic antivenom based on monoclonal antibodies, is it possible?

Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against three major toxic components of Bothrops atrox venom were produced and tested. The mAbs against phospholipase A2, hemorrhagic metalloprotease, and thrombin-like enzymes were produced in large amounts and purified with caprylic acid followed by ammonium sulfate precipitation. Purified mAbs were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and their ability to neutralize the respective toxins was tested.

Growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli strains by neutralizing IgY antibodies from ostrich egg yolk.

Ostrich raising around the world have some key factors and farming profit depend largely on information and ability of farmers to rear these animals. Non fertilized eggs from ostriches are discharged in the reproduction season. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are microorganisms involved in animal and human diseases.

Sub-lethal heat shock induces plasma membrane translocation of 70-kDa heat shock protein in viable, but not in apoptotic, U-937 leukaemia cells.

Heat shock protein 70 kDa, Hsp70, is an important intracellular factor that protects cells from stress. Unusual plasma membrane expression of Hsp70, observed in some cancer cells, contributes to the cell's recognition and elimination by the immune system. Induction of apoptosis in cancer cells was demonstrated to increase Hsp70 translocation to the surface membrane, enhancing immunogenic effects through the stimulation of dendritic cells.

Toxoplasma gondii infection positively modulates the macrophages migratory molecular complex by increasing matrix metalloproteinases, CD44 and alpha v beta 3 integrin.

Toxoplasmosis is a world wide spread zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite that is able to disseminate into deep tissues and cross biological barriers, reaching immunoprivileged sites such as the brain and retina. The parasite is able to infect macrophages and dendritic cells for dispersal throughout the body. However, the molecular principals or outcomes of the subversion of the host cell are largely unknown.

Monocytes/macrophages infected with Toxoplasma gondii do not increase co-stimulatory molecules while maintaining their migratory ability.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that is able to disseminate into deep tissues and cross biological barriers, reaching immunoprivileged sites such as the brain and retina. The parasite is able to infect macrophages and dendritic cells and use them for dispersal throughout the body, but the activation state of those cells is unknown. We investigated the ability of human and murine cells from monocytic/macrophage lineages that had not previously been exposed to inflammatory cytokines to up-regulate co-stimulatory and adhesion molecules upon infection.

Genetic structure and mating system of Manilkara huberi (Ducke) A. Chev., a heavily logged Amazonian timber species.

In this work, we report on the population genetic structure of the endangered tree species Manilkara huberi, an Amazonian tree species intensely exploited due to the high density and resistance of its wood. We investigated the patterns of spatial distribution, genetic structure, and mating system using 7 microsatellite loci and here discuss the consequences for conservation and management of the species. To examine the population genetic structure, 481 adult trees and 810 seedlings were sampled from an area of 200 ha from a natural population in FLONA Tapajós, PA, Brazil.

Neutrophils regulate the expression of cytokines, chemokines and nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide in mice injected with Bothrops atrox venom.

Bothrops atrox crude venom injected intraperitoneal (i.p.) into BALB/c mice induced local afflux of inflammatory cells, one neutrophil-rich peak after 6h and another macrophage-rich peak after 48 h.