Determination of metabolic equivalents during low- and high-intensity resistance exercise in healthy young subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes

The purpose of this study was to quantify the metabolic equivalents (METs) of resistance exercise in obese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and healthy young subjects and to evaluate whether there were differences between sessions executed at low- versus high-intensity resistance exercise. Twenty obese patients with T2DM (62.9±6.1 years) and 22 young subjects (22.6±1.9 years) performed two training sessions: one at vigorous intensity (80% of 1-repetition maximum (1RM)) and one at moderate intensity (60% of 1RM). Both groups carried out three strength exercises with a 2-day recovery between sessions. Oxygen consumption was continuously measured 15 min before, during and after each training session. Obese T2DM patients showed lower METs values compared with young healthy participants at the baseline phase (F= 2043.86; P<0.01), during training (F=1140.59; P<0.01) and in the post-exercise phase (F=1012.71; P<0.01). No effects were detected in the group x intensity analysis of covariance. In this study, at both light-moderate and vigorous resistance exercise intensities, the METs value that best represented both sessions was 3 METs for the obese elderly T2DM patients and 5 METs for young subjects.     

Biosynthesis and bioactivity of Cynara cardunculus L. guaianolides and hydroxycinnamic acids: a genomic,biochemical and health-promoting perspective

Phytochemistry Reviews - Cynara cardunculus health benefits have aroused much interest, leading to the discovery of valuable bioactive compounds with a crucial role in plant defence. Guaianolides...     

Intraoperative breast radiotherapy: survival,local control and risk factors for recurrence

BackgroundWhole breast irradiation reduces loco-regional recurrence and risk of death in patients submitted to breast-conserving treatment. Data show that radiation to the index quadrant alone may be enough in selected patients.AimTo report the experience with intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT) with Electron-beam Cone in Linear Accelerator (ELIOT) and the results in overall survival, local control and late toxicity of patients submitted to this treatment.Materials and Methods147 patients treated with a median follow up of 6.9 years (0.1?11.5 years). The actuarial local control and overall survival probabilities were estimated using the Kaplan Meier method. All tests were two-sided and p ? 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsOverall survival of the cohort in 5 years, in the median follow up and in 10 years was of 98.3%, 95.1% and 95.1%, respectively, whereas local control in 5 years, in the median follow up and in 10 years was of 96%, 94.9% and 89.5%, respectively. Two risk groups were identified for local recurrence depending on the estrogen or progesterone receptors, axillary or margin status and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (p = 0.016).ConclusionsIORT is a safe and effective treatment. Rigorous selection is important to achieve excellent local control results.     

Taurine modulates hepatic oxidative status and gut inflammatory markers of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed plant feedstuffs-based diets

Amino Acids - This study aimed to evaluate the effect of taurine (tau) supplementation to low fishmeal (FM) diets on growth performance, oxidative status, and immune response of European seabass...     

Analysis of a new flavodiiron core structural arrangement in Flv1-ΔFlR protein from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803

Flavodiiron proteins (FDPs) play key roles in biological response mechanisms against oxygen and/or nitric oxide; in particular they are present in oxygenic phototrophs (including cyanobacteria and gymnosperms). Two conserved domains define the core of this family of proteins: a N-terminal metallo-β-lactamase-like domain followed by a C-terminal flavodoxin-like one, containing the catalytic diiron centre and a FMN cofactor, respectively. Members of the FDP family may present extra modules in the C-terminus, and were classified into several classes according to their distribution and composition. The cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 contains four Class C FDPs (Flv1-4) that include at the C-terminus an additional NAD(P)H:flavin oxidoreductase (FlR) domain. Two of them (Flv3 and Flv4) have the canonical diiron ligands (Class C, Type 1), while the other two (Flv1 and Flv2) present different residues in that region (Class C, Type 2). Most phototrophs, either Bacterial or Eukaryal, contain at least two FDP genes, each encoding for one of those two types. Crystals of the Flv1 two core domains (Flv1-ΔFlR), without the C-terminal NAD(P)H:flavin oxidoreductase extension, were obtained and the structure was determined. Its pseudo diiron site contains non-canonical basic and neutral residues, and showed anion moieties, instead. The presented structure revealed for the first time the structure of the two-domain core of a Class C-Type 2 FDP.     

Modulation of immune response to induced‐arthritis by low‐level laser therapy

As low‐level laser therapy immune cells responses are not always clarified, this study aimed to evaluate cytokines and immune cells profile after low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) on arthritis‐induced model. Arthritis was induced in C57BL/6 mice divided into five groups: euthanized 5 hours after inflammation induction; untreated; dexamethasone treated; LLLT at 3 Jcm^?2; LLLT at 30 Jcm^?2. Cytokine measurements by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and mRNA cytokine relative levels by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed with arthritic ankle (IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, IL‐10 and TGF‐β). Macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, lymphocytes CD4⁺, CD8⁺, Treg and costimulatory proteins were quantified in proximal lymph node by flow cytometry. Data showed decrease in all cytokine levels after LLLT and alteration in mRNA relative levels, depending on the energy density used. LLLT was able to increase of immune cell populations analyzed in the lymph node as well as costimulatory proteins expression on macrophages and dendritic cells. Treg TCD4⁺ and TCD8⁺ population enrichment were observed in LLLT at 3 and 30 Jcm^?2 groups, respectively. Furthermore, Treg TCD8⁺ cells expressing higher levels of CD25 were observed at LLLT at 30 Jcm^?2 group. Our results indicate that LLLT could change the inflammatory course of arthritis, tending to accelerate its resolution through immune cells photobiostimulation.      

Heme induces neutrophil migration and reactive oxygen species generation through signaling pathways characteristic of chemotactic receptors

Hemolysis or extensive cell damage can lead to high concentrations of free heme, causing oxidative stress and inflammation. Considering that heme induces neutrophil chemotaxis, we hypothesize that heme activates a G protein-coupled receptor. Here we show that similar to heme, several heme analogs were able to induce neutrophil migration in vitro and in vivo. Mesoporphyrins, molecules lacking the vinyl groups in their rings, were not chemotactic for neutrophils and selectively inhibited heme-induced migration. Moreover, migration of neutrophils induced by heme was abolished by pretreatment with pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of Galpha inhibitory protein, and with inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, phospholipase Cbeta, mitogen-activated protein kinases, or Rho kinase. The induction of reactive oxygen species by heme was dependent of Galpha inhibitory protein and phosphoinositide 3-kinase and partially dependent of phospholipase Cbeta, protein kinase C, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and Rho kinase. Together, our results indicate that heme activates neutrophils through signaling pathways that are characteristic of chemoattractant molecules and suggest that mesoporphyrins might prove valuable in the treatment of the inflammatory consequences of hemorrhagic and hemolytic disorders.     

Studies on the cytotoxicity of miscellaneous compounds from Eupatorium betonicaeforme (D.C.) Baker (Asteraceae)

A detailed study on the cytotoxic effects of five known constituents isolated from the flowers and roots of Eupatorium betonicaeforme is reported, including 2,2-dimethyl-6-vinylchroman-4-one (1), 2-senecioyl-4-vinylphenol (2), 6-acetyl-2,2-dimethylchroman-4-one (3), (4E)-8beta-angeloyloxy-9beta,10beta-dihydroxy-1-oxogermacra-4,11(13)-dien-12,6alpha-olide (4), and 3beta-hydroxyicosan-1,5beta-olide (5). The sesquiterpene lactone 4 exhibited the highest cytotoxicity, with IC50 values ranging from 3.9 to 9.9 microM, showing some degree of cell selectivity. The antiproliferative activity of 4 was examined towards HL-60 cells, and found to diminish cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, at all concentrations tested, there was a decrease in the number of cells capable of incorporating 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), indicating disruption of DNA synthesis. The morphological changes induced by 4 were compatible with apoptotic cell death. This work, thus, corroborates the anticancer potential of Eupatorium secondary metabolites.