Relationship between air pollution and metal levels in cancerous and non-cancerous lung tissues

We aimed to check the relationships between levels of metals (Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg and Zn) in cancerous and non-cancerous lung tissues and their link to air pollution, expressed as particulate matter (PM) concentrations. The study also examines the influence on metal concentration in the lung tissue of patients' sex and the distance of their homes from the nearest emitter. We found that the general pattern of ascending concentrations in tumor tissue was as follows: Hg < Cd < Cu < Ca < Zn < Fe. In non-affected lung tissue the order of concentrations of Ca and Fe was reversed. With the exception of Cd and Cu, levels of metals were found in higher accumulations in non-cancerous tissue (e.g., Fe 326.423 and Ca 302.730 μg/g d.w) than in tumorous tissue (Fe 150.735 and Ca 15.025 μg/g d.w). Neither the PM10 (PM of a diameter of 10 μm) concentration nor sex revealed any connection with metal concentrations. The shorter the distance from the emitter, the higher the metal concentrations that tended to be observed for almost all metals, but a statistically significant (but weak) relationship was noted only for Cu in tumor tissue (rs: -0.4869)

A novel access to 4-trifluoromethyl-1,3-thiazole derivatives via an intermediate thiocarbonyl ylide

A Lewis acid catalyzed reaction of trifluoroacetyldiazomethane (CF3COCHN2) with thiourea occurs in boiling THF solution in the presence of BF3·OEt2 yielding 2-amino-4-trifluoromethyl-1,3-thiazole in a fair yield. Analogous reactions with aromatic thioamides, performed in the presence of a mesylchloride/triethylamine mixture as a dehydrating agent led to the corresponding 2-aryl-4-trifluoromethyl-1,3-thiazoles. Aromatic thioamides also react with CF3COCHN2 under MW irradiation, and after 2 min, the corresponding 1,3-thiazoles were obtained in fair yields. The obtained fluorinated 2-amino-1,3-thiazole was used for the reactions with selected N-alkylating and N-acylating reagents to give trifluoromethylated analogues of commonly known pharmaceuticals with 1,3-thiazole structures (Fanetizole and Lotifazole)

Human BDNF/TrkB variants impair hippocampal synaptogenesis and associate with neurobehavioural abnormalities

Abstract: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signals through its high affinity receptor Tropomyosin receptor kinase-B (TrkB) to regulate neuronal development, synapse formation and plasticity. In rodents, genetic disruption of Bdnf and TrkB leads to weight gain and a spectrum of neurobehavioural phenotypes. Here, we functionally characterised a de novo missense variant in BDNF and seven rare variants in TrkB identified in a large cohort of people with severe, childhood-onset obesity. In cells, the E183K BDNF variant resulted in impaired processing and secretion of the mature peptide. Multiple variants in the kinase domain and one variant in the extracellular domain of TrkB led to a loss of function through multiple signalling pathways, impaired neurite outgrowth and dominantly inhibited glutamatergic synaptogenesis in hippocampal neurons. BDNF/TrkB variant carriers exhibited learning difficulties, impaired memory, hyperactivity, stereotyped and sometimes, maladaptive behaviours. In conclusion, human loss of function BDNF/TrkB variants that impair hippocampal synaptogenesis may contribute to a spectrum of neurobehavioural disorders

Human BDNF/TrkB variants impair hippocampal synaptogenesis and associate with neurobehavioural abnormalities

Abstract: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signals through its high affinity receptor Tropomyosin receptor kinase-B (TrkB) to regulate neuronal development, synapse formation and plasticity. In rodents, genetic disruption of Bdnf and TrkB leads to weight gain and a spectrum of neurobehavioural phenotypes. Here, we functionally characterised a de novo missense variant in BDNF and seven rare variants in TrkB identified in a large cohort of people with severe, childhood-onset obesity. In cells, the E183K BDNF variant resulted in impaired processing and secretion of the mature peptide. Multiple variants in the kinase domain and one variant in the extracellular domain of TrkB led to a loss of function through multiple signalling pathways, impaired neurite outgrowth and dominantly inhibited glutamatergic synaptogenesis in hippocampal neurons. BDNF/TrkB variant carriers exhibited learning difficulties, impaired memory, hyperactivity, stereotyped and sometimes, maladaptive behaviours. In conclusion, human loss of function BDNF/TrkB variants that impair hippocampal synaptogenesis may contribute to a spectrum of neurobehavioural disorders

HPLC with Post-Column Derivatization with Alizarin for Determination of OATD-02, an Anticancer Arginase Inhibitor in Clinical Development

The aim of this study was to develop an analytical method for selective determination of OATD-02 by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with post-column derivatization and fluorescence detection (FLD). OATD-02, a new boronic acid derivative, is a highly potent anticancer arginase inhibitor in clinical development. Chromatographic analysis of OATD-02 poses problems because this molecule has weak ultraviolet absorption. The derivatization reaction was based on the reaction between boronic acid from OATD-02 and alizarin solution. The optimized mobile phase consisted of a mixture of sodium bicarbonate in water and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.50 mL/min. Alizarin solution in methanol was delivered at a flow rate of 0.50 mL/min. The fluorescent complexes were detected by a fluorescence detector (excitation and emission wavelengths at 470 and 580 nm, respectively). The present method demonstrated proper values for selectivity, linearity, recovery (>99%), precision (RSD: 0.6%), sensitivity (LOD: 20 µg/mL and LOQ: 50 µg/mL), stability of solutions, and robustness

Immunological Profile and Predisposition to Autoimmunity in Girls With Turner Syndrome

ObjectiveThe risk of autoimmune diseases (AD) in patients with Turner Syndrome (TS) is twice higher than in the general female population and four times higher than in the male population. The causes of the increased incidence of AD in TS are still under discussion. We hypothesized the presence of a specific humoral, cellular, and regulatory T cell (Treg) immunity profile which predisposes to AD, disorders of immunity, and disorders of immune regulation.MethodsThe study encompassed 37 girls with TS and with no signs of infection. The control group included 11 healthy girls with no hormonal disorders. A medical history focused on AD and immunity disorders was taken from all participants. The levels of: immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, IgM, total lymphocytes, lymphocytes subpopulations CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, natural killer cells, Treg cells (CD4+ CD25+ CD127− FOXP3+), anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-10, transforming growth factor-β), anti-nuclear antibodies, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65 Abs), anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO Ab), and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG Ab) autoantibodies were determined in each participant.ResultsThe mean age and BMI in the TS group and in controls were comparable (11.9 ± 4.1 vs. 12.5 ± 4.0 years; 19.2 ± 3.4 vs. 19.7 ± 4.6, p &gt; 0.05). Mean hSDS was significantly higher in controls (−2.2 ± 0.9 vs. −0.4 ± 1.5, p &lt; 0.0001). AD and recurrent otitis media with complications were previously confirmed in 9 (24.3%) and 10 (27.0%) girls with TS. The TS group had significantly lower levels of IgG (p = 0.02), lower%CD4 (p &lt; 0.001) and a significantly lower CD4:CD8 ratio than the controls (p &lt; 0.001). There were no differences in mean Treg% between girls with TS and healthy controls. However, comparing Treg% between the TS group with coexisting autoimmunity and the remaining participants, a statistically significant difference was observed (2.09 ± 0.5 vs. 2.77 ± 1.6, p = 0.048). Patients with iXq had lower CD4% and more frequently had positive anti-TPO Ab and anti-TG Ab compared to the remaining girls with TS and controls (p = 0.001, p &lt; 0.001, p = 0.01).ConclusionTS predisposes to AD, especially if associated with coexisting iXq. Our preliminary findings show that patients with TS may present a specific profile of humoral and cellular immunity markers, different from healthy girls