Cortical microarchitecture and remodeling-associated gene expression related to oral cancer prognosis.

The objective of this study was to assess the remodeling-associated gene expression in the mandible of patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), investigating the cortical microarchitecture, and their influence on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates. A total of twenty-four patients who underwent mandibulectomy for OSCC treatment had two bone fragments harvested from the mandible for gene expression (RANK, RANKL, OPG, and SOST), and microarchitecture analysis, including bone volume, surface, mineral density, degree of anisotropy, and fractal dimension. The prognosis of the patients was assessed.

The Influence of Adipocyte Secretome on Selected Metabolic Fingerprints of Breast Cancer Cell Lines Representing the Four Major Breast Cancer Subtypes.

Molecular subtype (MS) is one of the most used classifications of breast cancer (BC). Four MSs are widely accepted according to receptor expression of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2. The impact of adipose tissue on BC MS metabolic impairment is still unclear.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthcare workers: The experience of a Portuguese COVID-19 front-line hospital during the 1st pandemic wave.

Unlabelled: Healthcare workers (HCW) are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, we describe the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in HCW who work daily at a COVID-19 front-line hospital in Portugal.

Methods: To this end, the seroprevalence of 1027 HCW, assessed after the peak of the first pandemic wave, was determined using the following immunoassays: Euroimmun Anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA IgG (Euroimmun, Luebeck, Germany), Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG (Abbott Laboratories, Chicago), and Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Total (Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland).

Operational performance of corncobs/sawdust biofilters coupled to microbial fuel cells treating domestic wastewater.

Biofilters coupled to microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are the most integral treatment technology that generate water-energy nexus for rural zones sanitation. Moreover, biofilters coupled to MFCs, using organic residues as bed filter have not been studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was comparatively to evaluate biofilters based on corncobs/sawdust coupled to MFCs treating domestic wastewater.

The in vitro effect of the diabetes-associated markers insulin, leptin and oxidative stress on cellular characteristics promoting breast cancer progression is GLUT1-dependent.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) associate with increased incidence and mortality from many cancers, including breast cancer. The mechanisms involved in this relation remain poorly understood. Our study aimed to investigate the in vitro effect of high levels of glucose, insulin, leptin, TNF-α, INF-γ and oxidative stress (induced with tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBH)), which are associated with T2DM, upon glucose uptake by breast cancer (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and non-cancer (MCF-12A) cells and to correlate this effect with their effects upon cellular characteristics associated with cancer progression (cell proliferation, viability, migration, angiogenesis and apoptosis).

Urate hydroperoxide oxidizes endothelial cell surface protein disulfide isomerase-A1 and impairs adherence.

Background: Extracellular surface protein disulfide isomerase-A1 (PDI) is involved in platelet aggregation, thrombus formation and vascular remodeling. PDI performs redox exchange with client proteins and, hence, its oxidation by extracellular molecules might alter protein function and cell response. In this study, we investigated PDI oxidation by urate hydroperoxide, a newly-described oxidant that is generated through uric acid oxidation by peroxidases, with a putative role in vascular inflammation.

Identification of urate hydroperoxide in neutrophils: A novel pro-oxidant generated in inflammatory conditions.

Uric acid is the final product of purine metabolism in humans and is considered to be quantitatively the main antioxidant in plasma. In vitro studies showed that the oxidation of uric acid by peroxidases, in presence of superoxide, generates urate free radical and urate hydroperoxide. Urate hydroperoxide is a strong oxidant and might be a relevant intermediate in inflammatory conditions.

First identification of Cryptosporidium parvum subtype IIaA20G1R1 in water buffalos (Bubalus bubalis).

Cryptosporidium can infect a wide variety of vertebrate animals, including mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. There are few molecular characterizations of Cryptosporidium isolated from water buffalo. Thus, the present study investigated the occurrence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp.

Natural mineral-rich water ingestion by ovariectomized fructose-fed Sprague-Dawley rats: effects on sirtuin 1 and glucocorticoid signaling pathways.

Objective: Prevention or induction of metabolic disorders and obesity depend on estrogen signaling and/or exogenous factors, such as mineral content in diet. The protective effects of a Portuguese natural mineral-rich water against the induction of metabolic syndrome in fructose-fed male Sprague-Dawley rats have been reported. The present study was designed to assess the impact of this mineral-rich water on fructose-fed estrogen-deficient female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Evaluation of Innate Immunity Biomarkers on Admission and at Discharge From an Acute Heart Failure Episode.

Background: The involvement of the immune system in heart failure (HF) has been demonstrated. Evidence shows that innate immunity can have a role in the remodeling process and progression of HF. With previous studies showing the prognostic value of some innate immunity markers and their relevance in this condition, we aim to evaluate how these markers vary on hospitalization due to an acute episode of HF and at discharge.

Temporal and Regional Expression of Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Peptide and Its Receptor in Spinal Cord Injured Rats.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in loss of movement, sensibility, and autonomic control at the level of the lesion and at lower parts of the body. Several experimental strategies have been used in attempts to increase endogenous mechanisms of neuroprotection, neuroplasticity, and repair, but with limited success. It is known that glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and its receptor (GIPR) can enhance synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and axonal outgrowth.

Chemical Characterization of Urate Hydroperoxide, A Pro-oxidant Intermediate Generated by Urate Oxidation in Inflammatory and Photoinduced Processes.

Urate hydroperoxide is a strong oxidant generated by the combination of urate free radical and superoxide. The formation of urate hydroperoxide as an intermediate in urate oxidation is potentially responsible for the pro-oxidant effects of urate in inflammatory disorders, protein degradation, and food decomposition. To understand the molecular mechanisms that sustain the harmful effects of urate in inflammatory and oxidative stress related conditions, we report a detailed structural characterization and reactivity of urate hydroperoxide toward biomolecules.

Mechanisms Underlying the Scratching Behavior Induced by the Activation of Proteinase-Activated Receptor-4 in Mice.

A role for proteinase-activated receptor-4 (PAR-4) was recently suggested in itch sensation. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the pruriceptive actions of the selective PAR-4 agonist AYPGKF-NH2 (AYP) in mice. Dorsal intradermal (i.

Single-site laparoscopy in gynecology: preliminary study of a series of 50 cases.

Objective: to describe the initial experience of a gynecology team, at a tertiary care center, when performing single-port laparoscopic surgery.

Methods: this is a retrospective study reviewing the medical records of 50 patients treated at the outpatient gynecology clinic of our institution between June 2012 and July 2013 who underwent single-port laparoscopic surgery. This study was approved by the institution's Ethics in Research Committee.

Difference of endothelial function during pregnancies as a method to predict preeclampsia.

Background: Systemic endothelial dysfunction has been identified as one of the main events in preeclampsia (PE). A nonhealthy vascular endothelium can be pointed out as the pathophysiological explanation of the clinical manifestations and complications of PE. Once normal pregnancy is characterized by a constant increase in endothelial function, a follow-up of this physiological event could be used as an early marker or a prediction tool to predict PE.

The role of kinin receptors in preventing neuroinflammation and its clinical severity during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating and neuroinflammatory disease of the human central nervous system (CNS). The expression of kinins is increased in MS patients, but the underlying mechanisms by which the kinin receptor regulates MS development have not been elucidated.

Methodology/principal Findings: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in female C57BL/6 mice by immunization with MOG(35-55) peptide emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant and injected with pertussis toxin on day 0 and day 2.

Conversion from sirolimus to everolimus in kidney transplant recipients receiving a calcineurin-free regimen.

Background: Everolimus (EVL) and sirolimus (SRL) were introduced into immunosuppressive regimens, in an attempt to replace or reduce the dose of the nephrotoxic calcineurin inhibitors (CNI). In our institution, due to an administrative decision, conversion from SRL to EVL, was carried out, providing us the opportunity to investigate the effectiveness and safety profile of both drugs and to review the practical conversion dose between them.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 51 maintenance kidney transplant recipients receiving an SRL-based CNI-free regimen, who were switched to EVL.

Stingless bees: chemical differences and potential functions in Nannotrigona testaceicornis and Plebeia droryana males and workers.

Cuticular wax, abdominal and cephalic extracts of foraging workers and males of Nannotrigona testaceicornis and Plebeia droryana, from the "Aretuzina" farm in São Simão, SP, Brazil, were analyzed by GC-MS. The principal constituents were hydrocarbons, terpenes, aldehydes, esters, steroids, alcohols, and fatty acids. Interspecific differences for both cuticular wax and cephalic extracts were found.

Chemical changes associated with the invasion of a Melipona scutellaris colony by Melipona rufiventris workers.

Wax constituents produced by worker bees and the chemistry of the nest batumen (mixture of wax, mud, and floral materials) in a Melipona scutellaris colony changed when it was invaded by Melipona rufiventris workers. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses showed that after invasion, the M. scutellaris workers of the invaded colony produced waxes with higher relative abundance of triacontanyl acetate and decreased the amounts of n-alkanes and n-9-alkenes.

Electroantennography in the study of two stingless bee species (Hymenoptera: Meliponini).

The first recorded electroantennographic preliminary studies on stingless bees have been performed using two species of Frieseomelitta from Brazil. Experiments with F. silvestrii and F.

Chemical basis for inter-colonial aggression in the stingless bee Scaptotrigona bipunctata (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Inter-colonial aggression was tested using three colonies of Scaptotrigona bipunctata in a natural setting when their nests were moved and by artificial contact between individuals. Examination of the cuticular lipids of individuals from two colonies kept under identical conditions showed clear differences in their cuticular hydrocarbon profiles. The cuticular lipids were a mixture of hydrocarbons (saturated and unsaturated alkanes and alkenes) within the range of C23-C29.

The propolis of stingless bees: terpenes from the tibia of three Frieseomelitta species.

The posterior tibia of foraging workers of three species of Frieseomelitta (Hymenoptera: Meliponinae) stingless bees have been shown to carry complex mixtures of plant-derived mono-, sesqui-, di- and tri-terpenes. These subtances were not found on the fore- or mid-legs, nor on other parts of the hind legs. F.

Secretions of stingless bees: cephalic secretions of two Frieseomelitta species.

Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis of the volatile compounds in the mandibular glands of Frieseomelitta varia and the heads of Frieseomelitta silvestrii have revealed relatively simple or more complex mixtures of volatile oxygenated compounds. 2-Alkanols were found to be important components for both species. In F.

Secretions of stingless bees: the Dufour gland of Nannotrigona testaceicornis.

The Dufour gland of Nannotrigona testaceicornis is a large, wide, pear-shaped sac. The gland secretion consists chiefly of the diterpene ester all-trans-geranylgeranyl acetate (64% of the total), together with a complex mixture of small amounts of cyclic ketals; mono-, sesqui-, and diterpene compounds; acetates; and other oxygenated compounds. Samples of N.