Genetic polymorphism of GSTM1 in women with breast cancer and interact with reproductive history and several clinical pathologies

Due to the conflicting results regarding the association between breast cancer and the GSTM1 null mutation, our aim was to research this association in a Brazilian population and correlations with smoking, reproductive history and several clinical pathologies. A case-control study was performed on 105 women with breast cancer and 278 controls. Extraction of DNA was accomplished according to the protocol of the GFX kit and polymorphism analysis by the PCR technique. The control and experimental groups were compared and statistical analysis assessed by X2 or Fisher's exact test. The deletion in the GSTM1 gene in the breast cancer group had a prevalence of 32 (30.4%) individuals with the presence of null mutation. In the control group, the null mutation was present in 104 (37.4%) women. Upon comparison of the two groups, no statistically significant difference of the GSTM1 gene was observed, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.74, 95%, confidence interval (CI) 0.45 - 1.20, p = 0.277. The results conclusively show that single gene GSTM1 polymorphisms do not confer a substantial risk of breast cancer to its carriers. Furthermore, in this study no correlation was found between GSTs and smoking, reproductive history and several clinical pathologies with respect to cancer risk.     

Expanding roles of programmed cell death in mammalian neurodevelopment

Programmed cell death is an orchestrated form of cell death in which cells are actively involved in their own demise. During neural development in mammals, many progenitor cells, immature cells or differentiated cells undergo the most clearly characterized type of cell death, apoptosis. Several pathways of apoptosis have been linked to neural development, but according to the numerous and striking phenotypes observed when apoptotic genes are inactivated, the mitochondrial death-route is the most important pathway in this context. Here, we discuss the relative importance of pro-growth/pro-death factors in the control of neural tissue development. We also discuss the impact of studying programmed cell death in development in order to better understand the basis of several human diseases and embryonic defects of the nervous system.     

Characterization of an ecto-phosphatase activity in malpighian tubules of hematophagous bug Rhodnius prolixus

We have characterized a phosphatase activity present on the external surface of intact Malpighian tubules in Rhodnius prolixus. This phosphatase hydrolyses the substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate at a rate of 3.38 +/- 0.07 nmol Pi x mg(-1) x min(-1). Phosphatase activity decreased with the increase of the pH from 6.4 to 7.6 pH, a range in which tubules cellular integrity was maintained for at least 1 h. Classical inhibitors of acid phosphatase, such as ammonium molybdate, fluoride, vanadate, mpV-PIC, and bpV-PHEN, caused different patters of inhibition. The ecto-phosphatase present an apparent Km of 1.67 +/- 0.34 mM and Vmax of 5.71 +/- 0.37 nmol Pi x mg(-1) x min(-1) for p-NPP. Zinc chloride inhibited 78.2% of ecto-phosphatase activity, with Ki of 0.35 mM. Such inhibition was reversed by incubation with cysteine and GSH, but not DTT, serine, and GSSG, showing that cysteine residues are important for enzymatic activity. Phosphatase activity increased 141% three days after blood meal, and returned to basal levels 2 days later. These results suggest that ecto-phosphatase activity could be involved in a diuretic mechanism, essential in the initial days after a blood meal for the control of Rhodnius homeostasis.     

Le pollinosi da oleacee. Indagine aerobiologica nell'atmosfera della città di Palermo

Riassunto Sono stati effettuati tre anni (1984–86) di osservazioni epidemiologiche ed aerobiologiche per ricercare la relazione esistente tra concentrazione pollinica giornaliera delle Oleacee nell' atmosfera della città di Palermo e numero di casi di pollinosi dovute a tale polline. I dati aerobiologici sono stati ottenuti con un campionatore volumetrico VPPS 2000. Questi, elaborati con il metodo della media mobile su 7 giorni e correlati con i dati epidemiologici, hanno evidenziato che, nel nostro territorio, le famiglie di pollini che rivestono importanza clinica sono tre: Urticacee, prevalentemente Parietaria, Graminacee ed Oleacee, prevalentemente Olea europaéa. Le Oleacee occupano il terzo posto nel determinismo delle pollinosi (21,76% di tutte le pollinosi), mentre dal punto di vista aerobiologico sono al secondo posto. La mancanza di proporzionalità diretta è da mettere in relazione, verosimilmente, con il breve periodo sintomatologico e con un basso potere allergizzante di tale aeroallergene. E' stato registrato, negli ultimi dieci anni, anche in Sicilia, un aumento della frequenza di sensibilizzazione verso il polline delle Oleacee.      

A microbiological assay for sterigmatocystin,T-2 toxin and zearalenone

A survey was done to find microorganisms useful for assaying sterigmatocystin; T-2 toxin and zearalenone.Staphylococcus aureus was found to be sensitive to T-2 toxin and zearalenone;Bacillus cereus was found to be sensitive to T-2 toxin only; andEscherichia coli was sensitive to sterigmatocystin. The response of the organisms to sterigmatocystin; T-2 toxin and zearalenone was found to be linear between 4 and 100 μg with sterigmatocystin toE. coli; between 2 and 25 μg with T-2 toxin toStaph, aureus andB. cereus; and between 4 and 100 μg with zearalenone toStaph, aureus. The lower limits of sensitivity of the test were 2 μg T-2 toxin and zearalenone, and 4 μg sterigmatocystin. The assay is rapid (15–17 hrs); simple and inexpensive; and can be used to verify the toxicity of samples and to confirm thin layer chromatographic results.