14 research outputs found
Thermal inactivation of Byssochlamys nivea in pineapple juice combined with preliminary high pressure treatments.
Somatostatin subtype-2 receptor-targeted metal-based anticancer complexes
Conjugates of a dicarba analogue of octreotide, a potent somatostatin agonist whose receptors are overexpressed on tumor cells, with [PtCl 2(dap)] (dap = 1-(carboxylic acid)-1,2-diaminoethane) (3), [(η 6-bip)Os(4-CO 2-pico)Cl] (bip = biphenyl, pico = picolinate) (4), [(η 6-p-cym)RuCl(dap)] + (p-cym = p-cymene) (5), and [(η 6-p-cym)RuCl(imidazole-CO 2H)(PPh 3)] + (6), were synthesized by using a solid-phase approach. Conjugates 3-5 readily underwent hydrolysis and DNA binding, whereas conjugate 6 was inert to ligand substitution. NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics calculations showed that conjugate formation does not perturb the overall peptide structure. Only 6 exhibited antiproliferative activity in human tumor cells (IC 50 = 63 ± 2 Ό in MCF-7 cells and IC 50 = 26 ± 3 Ό in DU-145 cells) with active participation of somatostatin receptors in cellular uptake. Similar cytotoxic activity was found in a normal cell line (IC 50 = 45 ± 2.6 Ό in CHO cells), which can be attributed to a similar level of expression of somatostatin subtype-2 receptor. These studies provide new insights into the effect of receptor-binding peptide conjugation on the activity of metal-based anticancer drugs, and demonstrate the potential of such hybrid compounds to target tumor cells specifically. © 2012 American Chemical Society
Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries
Background
Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres.
Methods
This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and lowâmiddle-income countries.
Results
In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of âsingle-useâ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for lowâmiddle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia.
Conclusion
This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both highâ and lowâmiddleâincome countries
Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries
Abstract
Background
Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres.
Methods
This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and lowâmiddle-income countries.
Results
In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of âsingle-useâ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for lowâmiddle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia.
Conclusion
This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both highâ and lowâmiddleâincome countries
TermorresistĂȘncia de fungos filamentosos isolados de nĂ©ctares de frutas envasados assepticamente.
O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a termorresistĂȘncia dos fungos mais termorresistentes, isolados de nĂ©ctares de maracujĂĄ e abacaxi comerciais pasteurizados, bem como verificar a produção de patulina por esses fungos, quando inoculados em tais nĂ©ctares. Os fungos mais termorresistentes isolados foram o Byssochlamys fulva em nĂ©ctar de maracujĂĄ e o Byssochlamys nivea em nĂ©ctar de abacaxi. O B. nivea, em nĂ©ctar de abacaxi, mostrou-se mais termorresistente, com base nos valores de D98°C e Z, os quais resultaram em 27 min e 5,4 °C, respectivamente, em comparação com 13,6 min e 5,5 °C encontrados para B. fulva, em nĂ©ctar de maracujĂĄ. A pasteurização comumente aplicada pela indĂșstria nĂŁo se mostrou suficiente para inativação dos fungos isolados. NĂŁo houve produção de patulina quando se inocularam os fungos diretamente nos nĂ©ctares estudados
Development of an epidermal growth factor derivative with EGFR blocking activity.
The members of the epidermal growth factor (EGF)/ErbB family are prime targets for cancer therapy. However, the therapeutic efficiency of the existing anti-ErbB agents is limited. Thus, identifying new molecules that inactivate the ErbB receptors through novel strategies is an important goal on cancer research. In this study we have developed a shorter form of human EGF (EGFt) with a truncated C-terminal as a novel EGFR inhibitor. EGFt was designed based on the superimposition of the three-dimensional structures of EGF and the Potato Carboxypeptidase Inhibitor (PCI), an EGFR blocker previously described by our group. The peptide was produced in E. coli with a high yield of the correctly folded peptide. EGFt showed specificity and high affinity for EGFR but induced poor EGFR homodimerization and phosphorylation. Interestingly, EGFt promoted EGFR internalization and translocation to the cell nucleus although it did not stimulate the cell growth. In addition, EGFt competed with EGFR native ligands, inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells. These data indicate that EGFt may be a potential EGFR blocker for cancer therapy. In addition, the lack of EGFR-mediated growth-stimulatory activity makes EGFt an excellent delivery agent to target toxins to tumours over-expressing EGFR
Development of an epidermal growth factor derivative with EGFR blocking activity.
The members of the epidermal growth factor (EGF)/ErbB family are prime targets for cancer therapy. However, the therapeutic efficiency of the existing anti-ErbB agents is limited. Thus, identifying new molecules that inactivate the ErbB receptors through novel strategies is an important goal on cancer research. In this study we have developed a shorter form of human EGF (EGFt) with a truncated C-terminal as a novel EGFR inhibitor. EGFt was designed based on the superimposition of the three-dimensional structures of EGF and the Potato Carboxypeptidase Inhibitor (PCI), an EGFR blocker previously described by our group. The peptide was produced in E. coli with a high yield of the correctly folded peptide. EGFt showed specificity and high affinity for EGFR but induced poor EGFR homodimerization and phosphorylation. Interestingly, EGFt promoted EGFR internalization and translocation to the cell nucleus although it did not stimulate the cell growth. In addition, EGFt competed with EGFR native ligands, inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells. These data indicate that EGFt may be a potential EGFR blocker for cancer therapy. In addition, the lack of EGFR-mediated growth-stimulatory activity makes EGFt an excellent delivery agent to target toxins to tumours over-expressing EGFR
Bacillus cereus in Brazilian Ultra High Temperature milk Bacillus cereus em leite UHT brasileiro
Brazilian Ultra High Temperature (UHT) milk consumption has increased during the last decade from 187 to 4,200 million liters. In the continuous UHT process, milk is submitted for 2-4 s to 130-150ÂșC, in a continuous flow system with immediate refrigeration and aseptical packing in hermetic packages. This research had the purpose to verify the incidence of B. cereus species from the B. cereus group, in UHT milk. In 1998 high indexes of these organisms were reported, reaching 34.14% of the analyzed samples. Beyond this fact, there was the need to establish methods and processes adjusted for correct identification of B. cereus. Thus, commercial sterility tests of 6,500 UHT milk packages were investigated in two assays, after ten days incubation at 37ÂșC and 7ÂșC to germinate all possible spores and/or to recuperate injured vegetative cells followed by pH measurement. Samples (1,300 packages each) from five Brazilian UHT plants of whole UHT milk processed by direct steam injection, packaged in carton were investigated for the presence of Bacillus cereus through phenotypic and genetic (PCR) tests. Values of pH were different for the samples, ranging between 6.57 and 6.73. After storage of the samples, only four packages with pH measurement below the lower limit of 6.5 were found and analyzed for the presence of B. cereus. This organism was not detected in any of the samples indicating that the five Brazilian UHT milk processors control pathogenic microorganisms and it can be said that the consumption of UHT milk does not present safety problems to consumers. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and PCR tests were efficient and must be adopted to confirm the biochemical series for B. cereus.<br>O consumo de leite ultra-alta temperatura (UHT) brasileiro aumentou, durante a Ășltima dĂ©cada, de 187 milhĂ”es de litros para 4,200 milhĂ”es de litros. No processo contĂnuo de leite UHT o leite Ă© submetido por 2-4 seg a 130-150ÂșC, em sistemas de escoamento contĂnuo com refrigeração imediata e envase assĂ©ptico em embalagens hermĂ©ticas. Esta pesquisa teve a finalidade de verificar a incidĂȘncia da espĂ©cie B. cereus, em leite UHT. Em 1998, foi reportado alto Ăndice destes organismos neste produto atingindo 34,14% das amostras analisadas. AlĂ©m deste fato, existia a necessidade de se estabelece mĂ©todos e processos adequados para correta identificação de B. cereus. Assim, a esterilidade comercial de 6.500 embalagens de leite UHT foi estudada, em dois ensaios, apĂłs incubação das amostras a 37ÂșC e 7ÂșC por dez dias para germinar todos os possĂveis esporos e/ou recuperar cĂ©lulas vegetativas injuriadas. ApĂłs a incubação, foi realizada a medida de pH. Neste sentido, hum mil e trezentas amostras de cada uma de cinco plantas Brasileiras de processo UHT, que operam com injeção direta de vapor produzindo leite integral em embalagens cartonadas, foram investigadas em relação Ă presença de Bacillus cereus, atravĂ©s de ensaios fenotĂpicos e genĂ©ticos (PCR). Os valores de pH foram diferentes para as amostras analisadas oscilando entre 6,57 e 6,73. ApĂłs a estocagem das amostras, somente quatro embalagens suspeitas, com medida de pH abaixo de 6,5 foram analisadas na procura por B. cereus. NĂŁo foi detectado B. cereus em nenhuma amostra indicando que o leite integral UHT Brasileiro, das cinco plantas processadoras, nĂŁo apresenta o microrganismo patogĂȘnico. Somente microrganismos deteriorantes foram isolados indicando que dentro do espaço amostral, o leite UHT analisado nĂŁo representa riscos e problemas de saĂșde aos consumidores. A Espectroscopia Infravermelha por Transformada de Fourier (FTIR) e a Reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) foram consideradas eficientes e devem ser adotadas para confirmar a sĂ©rie bioquĂmica de B. cereus