Release of cytokines by stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells in chronic periodontitis

The emergence of periodontal medicine increased interest in defining the behaviour of peripheral blood cells in periodontitis subjects in comparison with healthy group. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of interleukin (IL)-8, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6 and IL-10 released by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from the peripheral blood of chronic periodontitis subjects. Design: PBMC samples were isolated from 19 systemically healthy donors, divided into generalized chronic periodontitis (n = 10) and healthy (n = 9) subjects. Cells were incubated for 24-48 h in 500 μL wells containing RPMI 1640 and stimulated with 1.0 ng/mL of E. coli LPS. Supernatants were used to quantify the amounts of IL-8, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 released using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: PBMC cells from periodontitis subjects released higher levels of TNF-α and IL-6 than those from healthy subjects (P 0.05) between groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that E. coli LPS-stimulated PBMC from subjects with periodontitis present a different pattern of cytokine release when compared to PBMC from healthy subjects. This phenomenon could have implications locally, in periodontitis, as well as in systemic diseases.5512975980FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DA BAHIA - FAPESB031/200

Local Effectiveness And Complications Of Neoadjuvant Therapy In Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Radiotherapy Versus Chemoradiotherapy [eficácia Local E Complicações Da Terapêutica Neoadjuvante No Carcinoma Epidermóide Do Esôfago: Radioterapia Versus Radioterapia Associada à Quimioterapia]

Objective: To evaluate tumor responses to neoadjuvant therapy, according to the histopathological findings of surgical specimens of patients operated and treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the middle third and distal esophagus. Methods: We conducted a retrospective nonrandomized study including 97 patients distributed as follows: Group I - 81 (83.5%) underwent neoadjuvant radiation therapy, and group II - 16 (16.5%) underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A third group of 26 patients undergoing esophagectomy alone was used for comparison of postoperative complications. The characteristics of each patient (age, gender and race), tumor site, staging, and histological evaluation of treatment modalities were reviewed and analyzed. Tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy was evaluated by histopathology of the specimen. Results: There was no statistically significant differences regarding race, gender, age, staging and postoperative complications in patients in the three groups. Patients undergoing radiotherapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed more satisfactory tumor reduction, with improved local efficacy when compared to the group only submitted to neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Conclusion: The study suggests that radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy was more efficient in reducing tumor site when compared to the group treated with radiotherapy. In addition, neoadjuvant therapy did not increase the postoperative complications when compared to patients undergoing surgery alone.384227231(2007) Coordenação De Prevenção E Vigilância De Câncer, , http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/estimativa_incidencia_cancer_2008.pdf, Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Insti-tuto Nacional de Câncer, Estimativas 2008: Incidência de câncer no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: INCA, acessado em 25-02-2008Zacherl, J., Sendler, A., Stein, H.J., Ott, K., Feith, M., Jakesz, R., Current status of neoadjuvant therapy for adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus (2003) World J Surg, 27 (9), pp. 1067-74Pearson, J.G., The present status and future potential of radiotherapy in the management of esophageal cancer (1977) Cancer, 39 (2 SUPPL.), pp. 882-90Urba, S.G., Orringer, M.B., Turrisi, A., Iannettoni, M., Forastiere, A., Strawderman, M., Randomized trial of preoperative chemoradiation versus surgery alone in patients with locoregional esophageal carcinoma (2001) J Clin Oncol, 19 (2), pp. 305-13Ancona, E., Ruol, A., Santi, S., Merigliano, S., Sileni, V.C., Koussis, H., Only pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves significantly the long term survival of patients with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Final report of a randomized, controlled trial of preoperative chemotherapy versus surgery alone (2001) Cancer, 91 (11), pp. 2165-74Kesler, K.A., Helft, P.R., Werner, E.A., Jain, N.P., Brooks, J.A., Dewitt, J.M., A retrospective analysis of locally advanced esophageal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy followed by surgery or surgery alone (2005) Ann Thorac Surg, 79 (4), pp. 1116-21Berger, A.C., Farma, J., Scott, W.J., Freedman, G., Weiner, L., Cheng, J.D., Complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in esophageal carcinoma is associated with significantly improved survival (2005) J Clin Oncol, 23 (19), pp. 4330-4337Sobin, L.H., Wittekind, C., International Union Against Cancer (2002) TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours, , 6 th ed. New York: Wiley-LissPinotti, H.W., Subtotal esophagectomy by transmediastinal tunnel without thoracotomy (1977) AMB Rev Assoc Med Bras, 23 (11), pp. 395-398McKeown, K.C., Total three-stage oesphagectomy for câncer of the esophagus (1976) Br J Surg, 63 (4), pp. 259-62Donington, J.S., Miller, D.L., Allen, M.S., Deschamps, C., Nichols, F.C., Pairolero, P.C., Tumor response to induction chemoradiation: Influence on survival after esophagectomy (2003) Eur J Cardiothorac Surg, 24 (4), pp. 631-636. , discussion 636-7Malaisrie, S.C., Untch, B., Aranha, G.V., Mohideen, N., Hantel, A., Pickleman, J., Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced esophageal cancer (2004) Arch Surg, 139 (5), pp. 532-538. , discussion 538-9Danilo, G., Corsi, P.R., Frimm, C.E., Fava, J., Câncer do esôfago: Compli-cações pós-operatórias imediatas e letalidade hospitalar (2004) Rev Col Bras Cir, 31 (1), pp. 2-9Bosset, J.F., Gignoux, M., Triboulet, J.P., Tiret, E., Mantion, G., Elias, D., Chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery compared with surgery alone in squamous-cell cancer of the esophagus (1997) N Engl J Med, 337 (3), pp. 161-167Walsh, T.N., Noonan, N., Hollywood, D., Kelly, A., Keeling, N., Hennessy, T.P., A comparison of multimodal therapy and surgery for esophageal adenocarcinoma (1996) N Engl J Med, 335 (7), pp. 462-467Tercioti, V., Lopes, L.R., Coelho Neto, J.S., Andreollo, N.A., Aspectos atuais da terapêutica neoadjuvante no carcinoma epidermoide do esôfago. Revisão da literatura (2009) ABCD Arq Bras Cir Dig, 22 (1), pp. 33-40Tepper, J., Krasna, M.J., Niedzwiecki, D., Hollis, D., Reed, C.E., Goldberg, R., Phase III trial of trimodality therapy with cisplatin, fluorouracil, radiotherapy, and surgery compared with surgery alone for esophageal cancer: CALGB 9781 (2008) J Clin Oncol, 26 (7), pp. 1086-92Jones, D.R., Detterbeck, F.C., Egan, T.M., Parker, L.A., Bernard, S.A., Tepper, J.E., Induction chemoradiotherapy followed by esophagectomy in patients with carcinoma of the esophagus (1997) Ann Thorac Surg, 64 (1), pp. 185-91. , duscussion 191-2Hennequin, C., Gayet, B., Sauvanet, A., Blazy, A., Perniceni, T., Panis, Y., Impact on survival of surgery after concomitant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced cancers of the esophagus (2001) Int J Rad Oncol Biol Phys, 49 (3), pp. 657-64Makary, M.A., Kiernan, P.D., Sheridan, M.J., Tonnesen, G., Hetrick, V., Vaughan, B., Multimodality treatment for esophageal cancer: The role of surgery and neoadjuvant therapy (2003) Am Surg, 69 (8), pp. 693-700. , discussion 700-2Reynolds, J.V., Muldoon, C., Hollywood, D., Ravi, N., Rowley, S., O'Byrne, K., Long-term outcomes following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer (2007) Ann Surg, 245 (5), pp. 707-16Yano, M., Inoue, M., Shiozaki, H., Preoperative concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed by surgery for esophageal cancer (2002) Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 8 (3), pp. 123-30Kleinberg, L., Forastiere, A.A., Chemoradiation in the management of esophageal cancer (2007) J Clin Oncol, 25 (26), pp. 4110-4117Hyngstrom, J.R., Posner, M.C., Neoadjuvant strategies for the treatment of locally advanced esophageal cancer (2010) J Surg Oncol, 101 (4), pp. 299-30

Seleção de clones de batata-doce resistentes a Meloidogyne incognita raça 1 Selection of sweetpotato clones resistant to Meloidogyne incognita race 1

O objetivo deste trabalho foi selecionar clones de batata-doce (Ipomoea batatas) resistentes à raça 1 de Meloidogyne incognita e avaliar a eficiência do método de seleção empregado, pela estimação dos coeficientes de variação genética e ambiental e das herdabilidades no sentido amplo. Foram utilizados 123 genótipos de batata-doce, entre os quais quatro cultivares comerciais - Brazlândia Rosada, Brazlândia Roxa, Brazlândia Branca e Palmas -, e 119 acessos previamente selecionados no programa de melhoramento vegetal da Universidade Federal de Lavras. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos aumentados, com três tratamentos comuns: as cultivares de batata-doce Brazlândia Branca e Palmas, e a cultivar de tomate Santa Clara, suscetível ao nematoide. A classificação dos níveis de resistência foi realizada de acordo com o fator de reprodução do nematoide e o índice de reprodução relativo à cultivar Santa Clara, de tomateiro. A relação entre os coeficientes de variação genética e ambiental e as herdabilidades no sentido amplo foram altas, tanto para o fator de reprodução quanto para o índice de reprodução dos nematoides, o que demonstra a eficiência do método empregado para a seleção de genótipos resistentes. Foram identificados 57 genótipos promissores de batata-doce, resistentes à raça 1 de M. incognita, e selecionados para continuar no programa de melhoramento.<br>The objective of this work was to select sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) resistant clones to Meloidogyne incognita race 1, and to assess the efficiency of the selection method deployed, through the estimation of genetic and environmental coefficients of variation, and broad-sense heritabilities. Genotypes assessed comprised 123 sweetpotato entries altogether, including four commercial cultivars - Brazlândia Rosada, Brazlândia Roxa, Brazlândia Branca, Palmas - and 119 clones previously selected by the Universidade Federal de Lavras sweetpotato breeding program. The experimental setup was a an augmented block design, using three common treatments: the sweetpotato cultivars Brazlândia branca and Palmas, and the nematode-susceptible tomato cultivar Santa Clara. Nematode resistance levels were defined both by the nematode reproduction factor and by the nematode reproduction index relative to tomato cv. Santa Clara. The ratio between genetic and environmental coefficients of variation and the broad-sense heritability estimates were high, for both nematodes reproduction factor and reproduction index, indicating that the selection method deployed was efficient for the selection of resistant genotypes. Fifty-seven sweetpotato clones were identified as resistant to M. incognita race 1, and selected to continue in the sweetpotato breeding program

Maturação de frutos de Caesalpinia echinata Lam., pau-brasil Maturation of fruits of Caesalpinia echinata Lam. (Brasil wood)

Estudaram-se parâmetros indicativos da maturação de frutos de árvores de Caesalpinia echinata, visando determinar a melhor época de colheita para propagação. Foram utilizadas 10 plantas-matriz cultivadas em Mogi-Guaçu, SP, nas quais foram etiquetadas 250 inflorescências no pico da floração para acompanhamento da maturação. As coletas de frutos tiveram início a partir da 5ª semana após a antese, prolongando-se até a 9ª, com intervalos de sete dias. Em cada coleta, analisaram-se os parâmetros: comprimento, largura e teor de água dos frutos; teor de água das sementes (após três dias de exposição ao sol para deiscência do fruto e extração da semente); porcentagem de germinação e peso de matéria seca de frutos, sementes e plântulas. Observou-se, ainda, a coloração dos frutos como parâmetro visual de maturação das sementes. O experimento foi repetido por três anos. Os testes de germinação foram realizados em caixas Gerbox contendo vermiculita umedecida com água destilada. As sementes foram colocadas para germinar em câmara regulada para 30 ºC e fotoperíodo de 12 horas O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições de 25 sementes por parcela, nos anos de 1991, 1992 e 1993. As leituras de germinação foram realizadas nos 4º e 8º dias após a semeadura. Pelos resultados, conclui-se que o momento ideal para coleta dos frutos de C. echinata é no estádio de pré-dispersão (entre a 8º e 9º após a antese) visualizado através da coloração, quando estes mudam de verde para castanho.<br>Several indicative parameters regarding fruit maturity of Caesalpinia echinata were studied in order to establish the ideal harvest time. Ten matrix plants were cultivated in Moji-Guaçu, SP (22&deg;11' to 1022&deg;18' S and 47&deg;13' to 47&deg;20' WG), altitude between 600m and 730m. The climate of the region is classified as Cwa. Two hundred and fifty blossoms were tagged during the the peak blooming period for maturation analysis. Fruit-harvesting schedule ranged from the fifth to the ninth week after anthesis, with seven-day intervals. The following parameters where analyzed for each harvest: fruit length and width; fruit moisture content; seed moisture content (after natural pre-drying); germination percentage; seed, fruit and seedling dry matter weight. Fruit colors were also observed and used as a visual parameter of seed maturation. The experiment was repeated for three years. The germination tests were performed in Gerbox boxes, with vermiculite watered with distilled water. The seeds were set to germinate in B.O.D cameras, at 30&deg;C, with a 12-hour photoperiod. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications of 25 seeds per plot in 1991, 1992 and 1993. The germination was analyzed on the 4th and 8th days after seeding. The results showed that the ideal harvest time for Brazil-wood fruits is at the pre-dispersion stage, which can be identified visually through colors, when they change from green to chestnut-brown

Genome-wide study of DNA methylation shows alterations in metabolic, inflammatory, and cholesterol pathways in ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with an estimated heritability between 40 and 50%. DNA methylation patterns can serve as proxies of (past) exposures and disease progression, as well as providing a potential mechanism that mediates genetic or environmental risk. Here, we present a blood-based epigenome-wide association study meta-analysis in 9706 samples passing stringent quality control (6763 patients, 2943 controls). We identified a total of 45 differentially methylated positions (DMPs) annotated to 42 genes, which are enriched for pathways and traits related to metabolism, cholesterol biosynthesis, and immunity. We then tested 39 DNA methylation–based proxies of putative ALS risk factors and found that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, body mass index, white blood cell proportions, and alcohol intake were independently associated with ALS. Integration of these results with our latest genome-wide association study showed that cholesterol biosynthesis was potentially causally related to ALS. Last, DNA methylation at several DMPs and blood cell proportion estimates derived from DNA methylation data were associated with survival rate in patients, suggesting that they might represent indicators of underlying disease processes potentially amenable to therapeutic interventions