Novel family of [RuCp(N,N)(P)] compounds with simultaneous anticancer and antibacterial activity: Biological evaluation and solution chemistry studies.

A family of ten novel ruthenium(II)-cyclopentadienyl organometallics of general formula [Ru(η-CH)(N,N)(PPh(CHCOOR)][CFSO] (1-10) in which (N,N) = 4,4'-R'-2,2'-bipyridyl (R = -H or -CHCHOH; R' = -H, -CH, -OCH, -CHOH, and -CH-biotin) was prepared from [Ru(η-CH)(PPh(CHCOOH))Cl]. All compounds were fully characterized by means of several spectroscopic and analytical techniques, and the molecular structures of [Ru(η-CH)(PPh(CHCOOH))Cl], 1, 3 and 4 have been additionally studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The anticancer activity of all compounds was evaluated in sensitive and multidrug-resistant counterpart cell lines from human colorectal cancer (Colo 205 and Colo 320) and non-small cell lung cancer NSCLC (A549, NCI-H460 versus NCI-H460/R) as well.

Rats prefer condensed milk to strawberry jam - a new possibility for voluntary oral drug administration.

Voluntary oral drug administration using sweet substances promotes rodents' therapeutic compliance while reducing stress induced by forced drug administration. We aimed to test whether rats would willingly eat strawberry jam or condensed milk from a syringe, and which one they would prefer. Our results show that rats prefer condensed milk, demonstrating its potential as a vehicle for the voluntary oral administration of drugs in experimental protocols.

Fibroblasts in pancreatic cancer: molecular and clinical perspectives.

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are highly abundant cells in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment (TME) that modulate desmoplasia. The formation of a dense stroma leads to immunosuppression and therapy resistance that are major causes of treatment failure in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Recent evidence suggests that several subpopulations of CAFs in the TME can interconvert, explaining the dual roles (antitumorigenic and protumorigenic) of CAFs in PDAC and the contradictory results of CAF-targeted therapies in clinical trials.

ACE and ACE2 catalytic activity in the fecal content along the gut.

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 are two major enzymes of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which control the formation/degradation of angiotensin (Ang) II and Ang1-7, regulating their opposite effects. We aimed at evaluating the catalytic activity of ACE and ACE2 in the intestinal content and corresponding intestinal tissue along the gut of Wistar Han rats.

Methods: Portions of the ileum, cecum, proximal colon, and distal colon, and the corresponding intestinal content were collected from Wistar Han rats.

Analysis of risk factors for canine mast cell tumors based on the Kiupel and Patnaik grading system among dogs with skin tumors.

Background: Skin tumors are the most frequently diagnosed lesions, of which 7%-21% are mast cell tumors (MCTs). There is a great effort to identify factors that can influence the prospective course of MCTs. Although, the histological grade is considering an important predictor helping to determine the malignancy and metastatic potential of MCTs.

Synthesis and Evaluation of the Tumor Cell Growth Inhibitory Potential of New Putative HSP90 Inhibitors.

Background: Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a well-known target for cancer therapy. In a previous work, some of us have reported a series of 3-aryl-naphtho[2,3-]isoxazole-4,9-diones as inhibitors of HSP90.

Methods: In the present work, various compounds with new chromenopyridinone and thiochromenopyridinone scaffolds were synthesized as potential HSP90 inhibitors.

A nationwide serosurvey of hepatitis E virus antibodies in the general population of Portugal.

Background: Evidence has shown that Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is autochthonous in industrialized countries due to zoonotic transmission through direct contact or consumption of raw or undercooked meat from domestic swine or wild boar. As there is lack of data on seroprevalence of HEV in the general Portuguese population, a wide survey was conducted as part of the HEPeCONTROL project (60DT2), under EEA grants funding.

Methods: Sera from a representative sample of the Portuguese population (n = 1656) at different geographic locations (30 territorial units), and age (0-99 years) were collected between July 2015 and February 2016.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Antibodies in Portuguese Children.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has become a growing public health concern in industrialized countries. Most of the HEV seroprevalence studies have focused on adult populations, and reports regarding HEV seroepidemiology among children are scarce in these countries. The aims of this work were to perform a nationwide seroprevalence study on HEV infection in Portuguese children and to compare the HEV seropositivity in this 2015 children cohort with results in sera performed 20 years earlier.

Prevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies in workers occupationally exposed to swine in Portugal.

The concept of zoonotic hepatitis E in industrialized countries has emerged with the discovery of swine strains of hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3, closely related to human HEV. Different routes of zoonotic HEV transmission have been recognized, including contact with infected pigs. Workers occupationally exposed to swine (WOES) have been considered a risk group for HEV infection, but contradictory results have been reported.