Nivel de conocimiento y autocuidado de las pacientes con cáncer de mama sometidas a quimioterapia. Instituto Regional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas IREN Norte -Trujillo, 2017

Investigación de tipo descriptivo - correlacional, diseño no experimental se realizó durante los meses de Julio – Setiembre del 2017 en el Hospital Instituto Regional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas IREN Norte - Trujillo La Libertad, en el Servicio de Quimioterapia. El propósito fue determinar la relación entre el nivel de conocimiento y autocuidado de las pacientes con cáncer de mama sometidos a quimioterapia en el Instituto Regional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas IREN Norte - Trujillo, 2017. Participaron 40 pacientes de diferentes etapas de vida con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama que reciben quimioterapia ambulatoria. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron: Un cuestionario orientado al nivel de conocimientos sobre cáncer de mama y el otro sobre autocuidado de las pacientes. En relación a la variable nivel conocimiento el 65.0% posee nivel alto y el 12.5% bajo. En la variable autocuidado, se encontró que un 98% tienen adecuado autocuidado y el 2% inadecuado. Además, existe relación significativa entre el nivel de conocimiento y autocuidado, de las pacientes con cáncer de mama sometidas a quimioterapia encontrándose X2=17,024 y una probabilidad p= 0.000 (p<0.05)

Glucocorticoids and androgens up-regulate the Zn-α 2-glycoprotein messenger RNA in human breast cancer cells

Se trata de una publicación que detalla los trabajos realizados para conocer los mecanismos que regulan la expresión de la Zn-α2-glicoproteina (Zn-α2-gp) en células de cáncer de mama y verificar si existe un antagonismo entre la proliferación celular y la producción de Zn-α2-gp. Esta glicoproteína es una de las proteínas mayoritarias identificadas en la enfermedad quística mamaria. Además, estudios realizados en nuestro laboratorio han puesto en evidencia su presencia en citosoles de carcinomas mamarios y su potencial utilidad como marcador tumoral. Se desconoce el papel biológico de esta proteína, pero dado que su secuencia de aminoácidos tiene una extensa similitud estructural con los antígenos del complejo mayor de histocompatibilidad (HLA) humano se especula su posible función en la respuesta inmune como un HLA soluble. Los resultados muestran que tanto la dexametasona como La 5 α-dihidrotestosterona indujeron fuertemente la acumulación de ARNm de Zn-α2-gp en células de cáncer de mama humano T-47D. Además, observamos que el efecto de estas dos hormonas fue aditivo, ya que su combinación produjo una estimulación del ARNm de Zn-α2-gp 3 veces mayor que la producida por cualquiera de las dos hormonas por separado. Por el contrario, la adición de 5-beta-dihidrotestosterona, 17-beta-estradiol o progesterona no logró inducir la expresión de Zn-α2-gp. El efecto estimulador de los glucocorticoides y andrógenos sobre la expresión de Zn-a2-gp se produjo de manera dependiente del tiempo y la dosis, sin afectar significativamente la tasa de proliferación celular. Estos resultados nos han permitido proponer que la Zn-α2-gp puede ser útil como marcador bioquímico de carcinomas de mama con un patrón específico de capacidad de respuesta hormonal en cuyo desarrollo los glucocorticoides y/o los andrógenos pueden desempeñar un papel importante.Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología, Plan Nacional de I + D

Silencing of WNK2 is associated with upregulation of MMP2 and JNK in gliomas

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that degrade extracellular matrix (ECM), thus assisting invasion. Upregulation of MMPs, frequently reported in gliomas, is associated with aggressive behavior. WNK2 is a tumor suppressor gene expressed in normal brain, and silenced by promoter methylation in gliomas. Patients without WNK2 exhibited poor prognosis, and its downregulation was associated with increased glioma cell invasion. Here we showed that MMP2 expression and activity are increased in glioma cell lines that do not express WNK2. Also, WNK2 inhibited JNK, a process associated with decreasing levels of MMP2. Thus, WNK2 promoter methylation and silencing in gliomas is associated with increased JNK activation and MMP2 expression and activity, thus explaining in part tumor cell invasion potential.This work was supported by a Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) projects PTDC/SAU-TOX/114549/2009, and PTDC-SAU-ONC/112511/2009. AMC is a Post-doc Fellow (PTDC/SAU-TOX/114549/2009), and FP is a PhD Fellow (SFRH/BD/81369/2011) from FCT. OM is a Post-doc Fellow from QREN (UMINHO/BPD/32/2013). MJO is an Investigator FCT recipient

The Rewiring of Ubiquitination Targets in a Pathogenic Yeast Promotes Metabolic Flexibility, Host Colonization and Virulence

Funding: This work was funded by the European Research Council [http://erc.europa.eu/], AJPB (STRIFE Advanced Grant; C-2009-AdG-249793). The work was also supported by: the Wellcome Trust [www.wellcome.ac.uk], AJPB (080088, 097377); the UK Biotechnology and Biological Research Council [www.bbsrc.ac.uk], AJPB (BB/F00513X/1, BB/K017365/1); the CNPq-Brazil [http://cnpq.br], GMA (Science without Borders fellowship 202976/2014-9); and the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research [www.nc3rs.org.uk], DMM (NC/K000306/1). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Acknowledgments We thank Dr. Elizabeth Johnson (Mycology Reference Laboratory, Bristol) for providing strains, and the Aberdeen Proteomics facility for the biotyping of S. cerevisiae clinical isolates, and to Euroscarf for providing S. cerevisiae strains and plasmids. We are grateful to our Microscopy Facility in the Institute of Medical Sciences for their expert help with the electron microscopy, and to our friends in the Aberdeen Fungal Group for insightful discussions.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Inhibitory Effects of Leptin on Pancreatic α-Cell Function

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)OBJECTIVE-Leptin released from adipocytes plays a key role in the control of food intake, energy balance, and glucose homeostasis. In addition to its central action, leptin directly affects pancreatic beta-cells, inhibiting insulin secretion, and, thus, modulating glucose homeostasis. However, despite the importance of glucagon secretion in glucose homeostasis, the role of leptin in a-cell function has not been studied in detail. In the present study, we have investigated this functional interaction. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-The presence of leptin receptors (ObR) was demonstrated by RT-PCR analysis, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry. Electrical activity was analyzed by patch-clamp and Ca(2+) signals by confocal microscopy. Exocytosis and glucagon secretion were assessed using fluorescence methods and radioimmunoassay, respectively. RESULTS-The expression of several ObR isoforms (a-e) was detected in glucagon-secreting alpha TC1-9 cells. ObRb, the main isoform involved in leptin signaling, was identified at the protein level in alpha TC1-9 cells as well as in mouse and human alpha-cells. The application of leptin (6.25 nmol/l) hyperpolarized the alpha-cell membrane potential, suppressing the electrical activity induced by 0.5 mmol/l glucose. Additionally, leptin inhibited Ca(2+) signaling in alpha TC1-9 cells and in mouse and human alpha-cells within intact islets. A similar result occurred with 0.625 nmol/l leptin. These effects were accompanied by a decrease in glucagon secretion from mouse islets and were counteracted by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin, suggesting the involvement of this pathway in leptin action. CONCLUSIONS-These results demonstrate that leptin inhibits alpha-cell function, and, thus, these cells are involved in the adipo-insular communication. Diabetes 58:1616-1624, 200958716161624Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia [BFU2007-67607, PCI2005-A7-0131, BFU2008-01492, SAF2006-07382]Ministerio de Ciencia a InnovacionFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia [BFU2007-67607, PCI2005-A7-0131, BFU2008-01492, SAF2006-07382]FAPESP [2008/53811-8

The role of glucocorticoids in the induction of zinc-α2-glycoprotein expression in adipose tissue in cancer cachexia

Loss of adipose tissue in cancer cachexia in mice bearing the MAC16 tumour arises from an increased lipid mobilisation through increased expression of zinc-α2-glycoprotein (ZAG) in white (WAT) and brown (BAT) adipose tissue. Glucocorticoids have been suggested to increase ZAG expression, and this study examines their role in cachexia and the mechanisms involved. In mice bearing the MAC16 tumour, serum cortisol concentrations increased in parallel with weight loss, and the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU38486 (25 mg kg−1) attenuated both the loss of body weight and ZAG expression in WAT. Dexamethasone (66 μg kg−1) administration to normal mice produced a six-fold increase in ZAG expression in both WAT and BAT, which was also attenuated by RU38486. In vitro studies using 3T3-L1 adipocytes showed dexamethasone (1.68 μM) to stimulate lipolysis and increase ZAG expression, and both were attenuated by RU38486 (10 μM), anti-ZAG antibody (1 μgml−1), and the β3-adrenoreceptor (β3-AR) antagonist SR59230A (10 μM). Zinc-α2-glycoprotein also increased its own expression and this was attenuated by SR59230A, suggesting that it was mediated through the β3-AR. This suggests that glucocorticoids stimulate lipolysis through an increase in ZAG expression, and that they are responsible for the increase in ZAG expression seen in adipose tissue of cachectic mice

2005- 2008 UNLV McNair Journal

Journal articles based on research conducted by undergraduate students in the McNair Scholars Program Table of Contents Biography of Dr. Ronald E. McNair Statements: Dr. Neal J. Smatresk, UNLV President Dr. Juanita P. Fain, Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. William W. Sullivan, Associate Vice President for Retention and Outreach Mr. Keith Rogers, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach McNair Scholars Institute Staf

Acute exacerbations of COPD are associated with significant activation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 irrespectively of airway obstruction, emphysema and infection

BACKGROUND: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AE-COPD) are associated with accelerated aggravation of clinical symptoms and deterioration of pulmonary function. The mechanisms by which exacerbations may contribute to airway remodeling and declined lung function are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated if AE-COPD are associated with differential expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). METHODS: COPD patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy, with either stable disease (n = 53) or AE-COPD (n = 44), matched for their demographics and lung function parameters were included in this study. Protein levels of MMP-2,-9,-12 and of TIMP-1 and -2 in BAL were measured by ELISA. Enzymatic activity of MMP-2 and -9 was assessed by gelatin zymography. RESULTS: We observed that MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were significantly increased in BAL during AE-COPD. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 with FEV1% predicted and a significant positive correlation of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 with RV% predicted in AE-COPD. None of MMPs and TIMPs correlated with DLCO% predicted, indicating that they are associated with airway remodeling leading to obstruction rather than emphysema. In AE-COPD the gelatinolytic activity of MMP-2 was increased and furthermore, MMP-9 activation was significantly up-regulated irrespective of lung function, bacterial or viral infections and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that during AE-COPD increased expression of TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and MMP-9 and activation of MMP-9 may be persistent aggravating factors associated with airway remodeling and obstruction, suggesting a pathway connecting frequent exacerbations to lung function decline

N-α-PGP and PGP, potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for COPD

© 2009 O&apos;Reilly et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens