Tumor collagenase stimulatory factor (TCSF) expression and localization in human lung and breast cancers.

Tumor cell-derived collagenase stimulatory factor (TCSF) stimulates in vitro the biosynthesis of various matrix metalloproteinases involved in tumor invasion, such as interstitial collagenase, gelatinase A, and stromelysin 1. The expression of TCSF mRNAs was studied in vivo, using in situ hybridization and Northern blotting analysis, in seven normal tissues and in 22 squamous cell carcinomas of the lung, and in seven benign proliferations and in 22 ductal carcinomas of the mammary gland. By in situ hybridization, TCSF mRNAs were detected in 40 of 44 carcinomas, in pre-invasive and invasive cancer cells of both lung and breast cancers. TCSF mRNAs and gelatinase A mRNAs were both visualized in the same areas in serial sections in breast cancers, and were expressed by different cells, tumor cells, and fibroblasts. The histological results were confirmed by Northern blot analysis, which showed a higher expression of TCSF mRNAs in cancers than in benign and normal tissues. These observations support the hypothesis that TCSF is an important factor in lung and breast tumor progression

Beach Certification Schemes in Latin America: Are They Applicable to the Brazilian Context?

Beaches are multidimensional ecosystems that develop relevant natural functions and host tourist activities of great economic value. Therefore, they are currently being subjected to severe human pressure and natural impacts often enhanced by climate change. Beach certification schemes (BCSs) were designed to bridge the gap between recreation and conservation uses. The aim of this paper is to assess the compatibility and potential contribution of nine Beach Classification Schemes (BCSs) used in Latin America with the Orla Project implemented in Brazil to optimize land use planning of coastal zones, including beaches. The weaknesses and strengths of each BCSs were assessed according to the criteria for integrated coastal zone management. As a result, four of the nine BCSs were found to be the most compatible with the context of Brazilian beaches (Ecuadorian, Colombian, Cuban, and Argentinean BCSs), indicating that BCSs can contribute to specific aspects of beach management, but they should not be the only management strategy. In conclusion, the strengths of the four BCSs identified in this study can be used to build a new management tool for Brazilian beaches aligned with the Orla Project-the main coastal planning and management instrument currently used.National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq); PAI Research Group RNM-32

Análise de Desempenho Dos Processos de Gestão em Praias Urbanas Arenosas: Montevideo (Playa de los Pocitos)

As condições em que serviços e atividades direcionadas ao lazer são oferecidas em praias turísticas afeta diretamente o seu  desempenho como destino. O gerenciamento nesses ambientes pode ter uma administração efetiva por meio da aplica ção de normativas, tal como a ISO/TC 228/WG 5. Essa norma busca auxiliar na prestação de serviços, garantindo a sa tisfação pelo melhor desempenho das atividades de serviço de forma geral. Este trabalho objetiva analisar o desempenho  dos serviços e atividades oferecidos na Playa de los Pocitos (Montevideo, Uruguai), a fim de verificar o desempenho da  gestão turística local. Na metodologia aplicou-se um formulário para avaliação de desempenho, adaptado aos critérios da  ISO/TC 228/WG 5, em que se avaliaram condicionantes por meio da descrição de quatro diferentes cenários, variando  de ruim a muito bom. Os avaliadores selecionaram o cenário que condizia à realidade local no momento da pesquisa.  Com intuito de servir de base para um processo de diagnóstico da gestão turística vigente, foi observado que ambientes  turísticos costeiros ainda não são geridos de forma efetiva e otimizada, e necessitam da aplicação de ferramentas de  análise para localizar os quesitos que merecem atenção para, assim, alcançar a melhoria da gestão. Foram constatadas  algumas debilidades na gestão turística da Playa de los Pocitos, principalmente em categorias essenciais como Serviços  Sanitários, Limpeza e Informação

Prediction of residual stress fields after shot-peening of TRIP780 steel with second-order and artificial neural network models based on multi-impact finite element simulations

Shot-peening is a mechanical surface treatment widely employed to enhance the fatigue life of metallic components by generating compressive residual stress fields below the surface. These fields are mainly impacted by the selection of the process parameters. The aim of this work is to propose a hybrid approach to conduct two predictive models: second-order model and feed-forward artificial neural network model. For this purpose, a 3D multiple-impact finite element model coupled to a central composite design of experiments was employed. A parametric analysis was also conducted to investigate the effect of the shot diameter, the shot velocity, the coverage, and the impact angle on the induced residual stress profile within a TRIP780 steel. It was found that both models predict with good agreement, the residual stress profile as a function of the process parameters and can be used in shot-peening optimization due to their responsiveness

Stimulation of MMP-11 (stromelysin-3) expression in mouse fibroblasts by cytokines, collagen and co-culture with human breast cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are central to degradation of the extracellular matrix and basement membrane during both normal and carcinogenic tissue remodeling. MT1-MMP (MMP-14) and stromelysin-3 (MMP-11) are two members of the MMP family of proteolytic enzymes that have been specifically implicated in breast cancer progression. Expressed in stromal fibroblasts adjacent to epithelial tumour cells, the mechanism of MT1-MMP and MMP-11 induction remains unknown. METHODS: To investigate possible mechanisms of induction, we examined the effects of a number of plausible regulatory agents and treatments that may physiologically influence MMP expression during tumour progression. Thus NIH3T3 and primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were: a) treated with the cytokines IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and TGF-β for 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours; b) grown on collagens I, IV and V; c) treated with fibronectin, con-A and matrigel; and d) co-cultured with a range of HBC (human breast cancer) cell lines of varied invasive and metastatic potential. RESULTS: Competitive quantitative RT-PCR indicated that MMP-11 expression was stimulated to a level greater than 100%, by 48 hour treatments of IL-1β, IL-2, TGF-β, fibronectin and collagen V. No other substantial changes in expression of MMP-11 or MT1-MMP in either tested fibroblast culture, under any treatment conditions, were observed. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated significant MMP-11 stimulation in mouse fibroblasts using cytokines, matrix constituents and HBC cell lines, and also some inhibition of MT1-MMP. Our data suggest that the regulation of these genes in the complex stromal-epithelial interactions that occur in human breast carcinoma, is influenced by several mechanisms

Regulation of MMP-9 by p53 in first trimester cytotrophoblastic cells

BACKGROUND: The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family is known to play a key role in tissue remodelling during embryonic development and in pathological conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis and cancer metastasis. It has been shown previously that p53 regulates positively or negatively the expression of different MMPs. Because of p53 overexpression in trophoblastic cells, and its potential role in regulating MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in different cell lines, we hypothesized that the expression of MMP-9 could also be regulated by p53 in first trimester cytotrophoblasts (CTB). METHODS and RESULTS: Transfection experiments in CTB demonstrated that wild-type p53 down-regulates the -670 (P < 0.001) but not the -531 and -90 human MMP-9 promoter/CAT reporter plasmid activity, whereas p53 mutants partially lost this repressive activity. However, endogenous p53 is not able to regulate MMP-9 expression in CTB. The presence of high molecular weight complexes of p53 in CTB suggests a potential mechanism of inactivation of p53 transcriptional activity towards MMPs in these cells. CONCLUSIONS: Although p53 is mutated in trophoblast, it is functionally incompetent towards MMPs in these cells

SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL DIAGNOSIS OF THE ARTISANAL FISHERMEN COMMUNITIES OF THE CENTER-NORTH SANTA CATARINA COASTAL ZONE.

A pesca artesanal é uma atividade tradicional na Zona Costeira do Estado de Santa Catarina, exercendo um importante papel histórico, social e econômico nesta região. Este estudo foi realizado no litoral Centro-Norte do Estado de Santa Catarina, incluindo 10 municípios: Barra Velha, Piçarras, Penha, Navegantes, ltajaí, Balneário Camboriú, Itapema, Porto Belo, Bombinhas e Tijucas, onde um diagnóstico e planejamento ambiental foi produzido. Para realizar este diagnóstico, foram realizadas 482 entrevistas com pescadores artesanais. Os resultados indicaram que a pesca de arrasto de camarão é a principal atividade pesqueira artesanal da área. Verificou-se também que, em geral, a pesca artesanal apresenta problemas importantes como a falta de fiscalização da atuação da frota industrial próxima à costa e a falta de uma política de apoio à pesca artesanal. Um outro sério problema é o desenvolvimento desordenado da orla marítima, anti¬gamente dominada por comunidades pesqueiras. Isto resultou numa diminuição do número de pescadores na comunidade e uma diminuição da rentabilidade da pesca. Soluções imediatas, como por exemplo, programas de extensão universitária, educação ambiental e uma reavaliação da política pesqueira devem ser realizadas antes que esta atividade desapareça do litoral Centro-Norte do Estado de Santa Catarina.The artisanal fishery is a traditional activity in the coastal Zone of Santa Catarina State, playing an important historical-social and economic role in this region. This study was conducted in the central and Northern part of Santa Catarina coastal zone, which included ten municipalities: Barra Velha, Piçarras, Penha, Navegantes, Itajaí, Balneário Camboriú, Itapema, Porto Belo, Bombinhas and Tijucas. A diagnosis of artisanal fishery in this area was achieved through 482 questionnairy interviews with fishermen and their families. The results indicated that artisanal shrimp fishery is the main activity in this area. It was also verified that the artisanal fisheries as a whole has serious problems such as the lack of fiscalization of the industrial fleet near the coastline, and 'he lack of supporting policies for these fishery sector. Another serious problem is the non planned urbanisation in the beaches formely dominated by fishermen settlement. As a result, it was verified a decrease of the number of fishermen and a decrease in the economical benefits of the artisanal fishing activity. lmmediate solutions, such as universitary extension programs such as environmental education and revaluation of the fishery policies must be taken before this culturally and historically important activity disappears from Center North Santa Catarina coastal zone

On the theory of tumor self-seeding: implications for metastasis progression in humans

Metastasis remains the leading cause of death among cancer patients because few effective treatment options are available. A recent paper proposes a new twist on metastasis. The paper shows that circulating tumor cells can return to the primary tumor, a process termed tumor self-seeding or cross-seeding, and that this helps breeding tumor cells that give rise to aggressive metastatic variants. A viewpoint presented here addresses the implications of these studies for human cancer metastasis

Quantum Dots for Multiplexed Detection and Characterisation of Prostate Cancer Cells Using a Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscope

In this study scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) has been utilised in conjunction with quantum dot labelling to interrogate the biomolecular composition of cell membranes. The technique overcomes the limits of optical diffraction found in standard fluorescence microscopy and also yields vital topographic information. The technique has been applied to investigate cell-cell adhesion in human epithelial cells. This has been realised through immunofluorescence labelling of the cell-cell adhesion protein E-cadherin. Moreover, a dual labelling protocol has been optimised to facilitate a comparative study of the adhesion mechanisms and the effect of aberrant adhesion protein expression in both healthy and cancerous epithelial cells. This study reports clear differences in the morphology and phenotype of healthy and cancerous cells. In healthy prostate epithelial cells (PNT2), E-cadherin was predominantly located around the cell periphery and within filopodial extensions. The presence of E-cadherin appeared to be enhanced when cell-cell contact was established. In contrast, examination of metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma cells (PC-3) revealed no E-cadherin labelling around the periphery of the cells. This lack of functional E-cadherin in PC-3 cells coincided with a markedly different morphology and PC-3 cells were not found to form close cell-cell associations with their neighbours. We have demonstrated that with a fully optimised sample preparation methodology, multiplexed quantum dot labelling in conjunction with SNOM imaging can be successfully applied to interrogate biomolecular localisation within delicate cellular membranes