Some considerations on etiology and pathophysiology of oral epidermoid carcinoma

Epidermoid carcinoma is a malignant epithelial tumour of unknown etiology, whose incidence worldwide and in American has considerably increased. There is a number of risk factors that could be considered as carcinogenic agents and favor the disease development on the basis a group of pathophysiological mechanisms. Aimed at describing etiological and physiopathlogical factors of oral epidermoid carcinoma, an updated bibliography review was made. Articles were identified through computer searching on data bases SCOPUS and GOOGLE. Thirty original articles were selected. It is concluded that this disease is associated to unhealthy lifestyles on which the Comprehensive general Dentist should influence to decrease its incidence, together with the early diagnosis by implementing properly the National Program of Early Oral Cancer Detection

Conductive polysaccharides-based proton-exchange membranes for fuel cell applications: the case of bacterial cellulose and fucoidan

Conductive natural-based separators for application in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) were fabricated by combining a bacterial polysaccharide, i.e. bacterial cellulose (BC), and an algae sulphated polysaccharide, i.e. fucoidan (Fuc). The diffusion of fucoidan aqueous solution containing a natural-based cross-linker, viz. tannic acid, into the wet BC nanofibrous three-dimensional network, followed by thermal cross-linking, originated fully bio-based proton exchange membranes (PEMs). The PEMs present thermal-oxidative stability in the range of 180-200 °C and good dynamic mechanical performance (storage modulus ≥ 460 MPa). Additionally, the BC/Fuc membranes exhibit protonic conductivity that increases with increasing relative humidity (RH), which is a typical feature for numerous water-mediated proton conductors. The traditional Arrhenius-type plots demonstrate a linear behaviour with a maximum protonic conductivity of 1.6 mS cm-1 at 94 °C and 98 % RH. The results showed that these fully bio-based conductive membranes have potential as eco-friendly alternatives to other PEMs for application in PEFCs.publishe

Biocompatible hybrids based on nanographene oxide covalently linked to glycolporphyrins: synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation

The major limitation in the development of hybrids based on graphene oxide (GO) and porphyrins is their dispersibility and stability in aqueous systems due to the hydrophobic character induced by porphyrins. Most of the previous approaches reported the direct functionalization of GO with polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains followed by the self-assembly of porphyrins by π-π interactions. Here, new hybrids were prepared using porphyrins previously functionalized with different number/types of glycol branches to be covalently attached through esterification to the carboxyl groups of GO sheets of nanometric dimensions. The number of the glycol chains and its relative position in the porphyrin core showed to be fundamental to improve the hybrids dispersion and stability in aqueous solutions. The best performing hybrids were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The in vitro biocompatibility assessment of these hybrids was conducted using human Saos-2 cells. Their effects on cell proliferation and viability, the generation of reactive oxygen species as well as the cell morphology after cell uptake were analysed. The results demonstrate the biocompatibility of these hybrid nanomaterials with human Saos-2 cells, which is very promising for future application in biomedicine namely in cancer therapy.publishe

Uso de biocarbón en la estimulación de la microbiota del suelo y el manejo del carbón del maní (Thecaphora frezii)

Dada la importancia del maní (Arachis hypogaea) para la economía de la provincia de Córdoba, surge el interés por dotar de valor agregado a los residuos que genera este sector productivo. Actualmente, se han desarrollado unidades de generación de energía eléctrica que utilizan la biomasa de cáscara de maní. A pesar de la eficiencia del proceso, las cenizas (C) que son el subproducto que se genera, se acumulan en grandes volúmenes que no tiene destino concreto. Por otra parte, una alternativa es la producción de biocarbón (BC), material producido por la pirólisis de biomasa con la finalidad de ser utilizado como enmienda de suelos. Su aplicación ha registrado aumento de la fertilidad e intercambio catiónico en suelos pobres en materia orgánica, retención de agua y nutrientes, y mejora del pH en suelos ácidos. A su vez, ha demostrado ser promisorio en la supresión de enfermedades por diversos mecanismos, inducción de resistencia sistémica, aumento de la abundancia y/o actividad de microorganismos benéficos, efecto fungitóxico por sus componentes químicos y/o por su estructura porosa que provee un hábitat que propicia el incremento de la microbiota nativa. Dado que el cultivo de maní se vio afectado en la última década por el carbón del maní (Thecaphora frezii), siendo la enfermedad del rizoplano de mayor prevalencia e intensidad, una opción para prevenirla es actuar sobre el suelo, con la finalidad de inactivar al patógeno. En este sentido, la aplicación de C o BC obtenidos a través del tratamiento de cáscaras de maní, podrían ser estrategias promisorias en la reducción de la incidencia de carbón del maní potenciando las aplicaciones de estos subproductos. El objetivo fue evaluar el efecto de C y BC en la actividad microbiana edáfica, parámetros fisiológicos y de respuesta al carbón del maníInstituto de Patología VegetalFil: Serri, Dannae Lilia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFYMA); Argentina.Fil: Guzzo, María Carla. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Estudios Agropecuarios; ArgentinaFil: Bernanrdi Lima, Nelson. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFYMA); ArgentinaFil: Milesi Delaye, Luis Antonio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino; ArgentinaFil: Andriulo, Adrian Enrique. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino. Pergamino, Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Fermanelli, C. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Córdoba. Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Saux, C. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Córdoba. Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Dominchin, M.F. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Meriles, J.M. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Vargas Gil, Silvina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola (UFYMA); Argentin

Pulegone and Eugenol Oral Supplementation in Laboratory Animals: Results from Acute and Chronic Studies

Essential oils are natural compounds used by humans for scientific purposes due to their wide range of properties. Eugenol is mostly present in clove oil, while pulegone is the main constituent of pennyroyal oil. To guarantee the safe use of eugenol and pulegone for both humans and animals, this study addressed, for the first time, the effects of these compounds, at low doses (chronic toxicity) and high doses (acute toxicity), in laboratory animals. Thirty-five FVB/n female mice were randomly assigned to seven groups (n = 5): group I (control, non-additive diet); group II (2.6 mg of eugenol + 2.6 mg of pulegone); group III (5.2 mg of eugenol + 5.2 mg of pulegone); group IV (7.8 mg of eugenol + 7.8 mg of pulegone); group V (7.8 mg of eugenol); group VI (7.8 mg of pulegone); and group VII (1000 mg of eugenol + 1000 mg of pulegone). The compounds were administered in the food. Groups I to VI were integrated into the chronic toxicity study, lasting 28 days, and group VII was used in the acute toxicity study, lasting 7 days. Animals were monitored to assess their general welfare. Water and food intake, as well as body weight, were recorded. On the 29th day, all animals were euthanized by an overdose of ketamine and xylazine, and a complete necropsy was performed. Blood samples were collected directly from the heart for microhematocrit and serum analysis, as well as for comet assay. Organs were collected, weighed, and fixed in formaldehyde for further histological analysis and enzymatic assay. Eugenol and pulegone induced behavioral changes in the animals, namely in the posture, hair appearance and grooming, and in mental status. These compounds also caused a decrease in the animals' body weight, as well as in the food and water consumption. A mortality rate of 20% was registered in the acute toxicity group. Both compounds modulated the serum levels of triglycerides and alanine aminotransferase. Eugenol and pulegone induced genetic damage in all animals. Eugenol increased the activity of the CAT enzyme. Both compounds increased the GR enzyme at the highest dose. Moreover, pulegone administered as a single compound increased the activity of the GST enzyme. Histopathological analysis revealed inflammatory infiltrates in the lungs of groups II, III, and IV. The results suggest that eugenol and pulegone may exert beneficial or harmful effects, depending on the dose, and if applied alone or in combination

Pituitary Society Delphi Survey : An international perspective on endocrine management of patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas

Purpose: In adults and children, transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) represents the cornerstone of management for most large or functioning sellar lesions with the exception of prolactinomas. Endocrine evaluation and management are an essential part of perioperative care. However, the details of endocrine assessment and care are not universally agreed upon. Methods: To build consensus on the endocrine evaluation and management of adults undergoing TSS, a Delphi process was used. Thirty-five statements were developed by the Pituitary Society's Education Committee. Fifty-five pituitary endocrinologists, all members of the Pituitary Society, were invited to participate in two Delphi rounds and rate their extent of agreement with statements pertaining to perioperative endocrine evaluation and management, using a Likert-type scale. Anonymized data on the proportion of panelists' agreeing with each item were summarized. A list of items that achieved consensus, based on predefined criteria, was tabulated. Results: Strong consensus (≥ 80% of panelists rating their agreement as 6-7 on a scale from 1 to 7) was achieved for 68.6% (24/35) items. If less strict agreement criteria were applied (ratings 5-7 on the Likert-type scale), consensus was achieved for 88% (31/35) items. Conclusions: We achieved consensus on a large majority of items pertaining to perioperative endocrine evaluation and management using a Delphi process. This provides an international real-world clinical perspective from an expert group and facilitates a framework for future guideline development. Some of the items for which consensus was not reached, including the assessment of immediate postoperative remission in acromegaly or Cushing's disease, represent areas where further research is needed

Three new chondrosarcoma cell lines: one grade III conventional central chondrosarcoma and two dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas of bone

BackgroundChondrosarcoma is the second most common primary sarcoma of bone. High-grade conventional chondrosarcoma and dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma have a poor outcome. In pre-clinical research aiming at the identification of novel treatment targets, the need for representative cell lines and model systems is high, but availability is scarce.MethodsWe developed and characterized three cell lines, derived from conventional grade III chondrosarcoma (L835), and dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma (L2975 and L3252) of bone. Proliferation and migration were studied and we used COBRA-FISH and array-CGH for karyotyping and genotyping. Immunohistochemistry for p16 and p53 was performed as well as TP53 and IDH mutation analysis. Cells were injected into nude mice to establish their tumorigenic potential.ResultsWe show that the three cell lines have distinct migrative properties, L2975 had the highest migration rate and showed tumorigenic potential in mice. All cell lines showed chromosomal rearrangements with complex karyotypes and genotypic aberrations were conserved throughout late passaging of the cell lines. All cell lines showed loss of CDKN2A, while TP53 was wild type for exons 5–8. L835 has an IDH1 R132C mutation, L2975 an IDH2 R172W mutation and L3252 is IDH wild type.ConclusionsBased on the stable culturing properties of these cell lines and their genotypic profile resembling the original tumors, these cell lines should provide useful functional models to further characterize chondrosarcoma and to evaluate new treatment strategies

Evaluation of alternative preservation treatments (water heat treatment, ultrasounds, thermosonication and UV-C radiation) to improve safety and quality of whole tomato

Previously optimised postharvest treatments were compared to conventional chlorinated water treatment in terms of their effects on the overall quality of tomato (‘Zinac’) during storage at 10 °C. The treatments in question were water heat treatment (WHT = 40 °C, 30 min), ultrasounds (US = 45 kHz, 80 %, 30 min), thermosonication (TS =40 °C, 30 min, 45 kHz, 80 %) and ultraviolet irradiation (UV-C: 0.97 kJ m−2). The quality factors evaluated were colour, texture, sensorial analysis, mass loss, antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, peroxidase and pectin methylesterase enzymatic activities, and microbial load reduction. The results demonstrate that all treatments tested preserve tomato quality to some extent during storage at 10 °C. WHT, TS and UV-C proved to be more efficient on minimising colour and texture changes with the additional advantage of microbial load reduction, leading to a shelf life extension when compared to control trials. However, at the end of storage, with exception of WHT samples, the antioxidant activity and phenolic content of treated samples was lower than for control samples. Moreover, sensorial results were well correlated with instrumental colour experimental data. This study presents alternative postharvest technologies that improve tomato (Zinac) quality during shelf life period and minimise the negative impact of conventional chlorinated water on human safety, health and environment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sintomas Cardiopulmonares Pós-COVID-19: Preditores e Características de Imagem de Pacientes após a Alta Hospitalar

Resumo Fundamento A maioria da evidência sobre o impacto da síndrome COVID pós-aguda (PACS, do inglês, post-acute COVID-19 syndrome) descreve sintomas individuais sem correlacioná-los com exames de imagens. Objetivos Avaliar sintomas cardiopulmonares, seus preditores e imagens relacionadas em pacientes com COVID-19 após alta hospitalar. Métodos Pacientes consecutivos, que sobreviveram à COVID-19, foram contatados 90 dias após a alta hospitalar. A equipe de desfechos clínicos (cega quanto aos dados durante a internação) elaborou um questionário estruturado avaliando sintomas e estado clínico. Uma análise multivariada foi realizada abordando a evolução da COVID-19, comorbidades, ansiedade, depressão, e estresse pós-traumático durante a internação, e reabilitação cardíaca após a alta. O nível de significância usado nas análises foi de 5%. Resultados Foram incluídos 480 pacientes (idade 59±14 anos, 67,5% do sexo masculino) que receberam alta hospitalar por COVID-19; 22,3% necessitaram de ventilação mecânica. A prevalência de pacientes com sintomas cardiopulmonares relacionados à PACS (dispneia, cansaço/fadiga, tosse e desconforto no peito) foi de 16,3%. Vários parâmetros de tomografia computadorizada do tórax e de ecocardiograma foram similares entre os pacientes com e sem sintomas cardiopulmonares. A análise multivariada mostrou que sintomas cardiopulmonares foram relacionados de maneira independente com sexo feminino (OR 3,023; IC95% 1,319-6,929), trombose venosa profunda durante a internação (OR 13,689; IC95% 1,069-175,304), nível elevado de troponina (OR 1,355; IC95% 1,048-1,751) e de proteína C reativa durante a internação (OR 1,060; IC95% 1,023-1,097) e depressão (OR 6,110; IC95% 2,254-16,558). Conclusão Os sintomas cardiopulmonares relacionados à PACS 90 dias após a alta hospitalar são comuns e multifatoriais. Além dos marcadores trombóticos, inflamatórios e de lesão miocárdica durante a internação, sexo feminino e depressão foram associados independentemente com sintomas cardiopulmonares relacionados à PACS. Esses resultados destacaram a necessidade de uma abordagem multifacetada direcionada a pacientes susceptíveis