Ethinylestradiol and its effects on the macrophages in the prostate of adult and senile gerbils

Prenatal and neonatal exposure to estrogenic compounds, such as ethinylestradiol (EE), promotes a variety of developmental disorders, including malformations and alterations in the morphology of glands, such as the prostate gland. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological effects of neonatal exposure to EE on prostatic tissue and on the identification and quantification of gerbil gland macrophages in adult and senile Mongolian gerbils. The animals were exposed to EE (10 μg/kg/day) and to the vehicle, mineral oil (100 μL) (control group) during the first 10 days of postnatal life (lactation period). Adult gerbils were euthanized at 120 days and senile gerbils at 12 months of age. Our findings permitted verification of the presence of areas with proliferative foci in the prostate glandular portions in the adult and senile animals exposed to EE. There was also an increase in macrophages in the prostate tissue of adult and senile gerbils; these cell types alter the stromal microenvironment and possibly modify the interactions between the epithelium and stroma. Neonatal exposure to EE changes the pattern of prostatic development, leading to alterations in the arrangement of cells, including macrophages, and may be related to the onset of proliferative disorders in the prostate of adult gerbils and during aging.     

From endosperm to triploid plants: a stepwise characterization of the de novo shoot organogenesis and morpho-agronomic aspects of an ornamental passion fruit (Passiflora foetida L.)

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - Somaclonal variation during in vitro culture is often an undesirable phenomenon but may also be a source of genetic variation useful for breeders. The...     

Molecular Identification of Candida Species in the Oral Microbiota of Individuals with Down Syndrome: A Case–Control Study

Mycopathologia - Candida species are common in the human oral microbiota and may cause oral candidiasis (OC) when the microbiota equilibrium is disturbed. Immunosuppressed individuals are...     

Microfilariae infection in wild birds from the Brazilian cerrado

We report the occurrence of microfilariae in wild birds of a cerrado area in northern Brazil (Tocantins State). Analyses of 166 passerine birds belonging to 46 species and 17 families captured between 2006 and 2008 revealed that 11 individuals (6.6%) were hosts for microfilariae. Two bird species, Formicivora grisea and Formicivora rufa (Thamnophilidae), were identified as hosts for microfilariae for the first time, and had high intensities of microfilaremia (65 and 107 in 100 microscopic fields, respectively). The prevalence and intensity of microfilariae described in the present study are among the highest reported for wild bird communities in the neotropics.     

Inhibition of Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain in the Brain of Adult Rats After Acute and Chronic Administration of Methylphenidate

Methylphenidate (MPH) is frequently prescribed for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It was previously demonstrated that MPH altered brain metabolic activity. Most cell energy is obtained through oxidative phosphorylation, in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. However, there are still few studies about MPH effects on the brain of adult rats. Thus, in the present study we evaluated the effect of acute or chronic administration of MPH on the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I–IV in the brain of adult rats. For acute administration, a single injection of MPH was given to 60-day-old rats. For chronic administration, MPH injections were given to 60-day-old rats once daily for 28 days. Our results showed that complexes I, II, III and IV were inhibited after acute or chronic MPH administration in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, striatum and cerebral cortex. On the other hand, cerebellum was not affected.     

A survey of ontogeny pericarp features as contribution to the infratribal characterization of Myrteae (Myrtaceae)

With the aim of correlating the pericarp structure with current phylogenies of Myrteae, this study describes the ontogeny in five species included in five out of the six South American clades of the tribe. In these taxa, the outer and inner ovarian epidermis gives rise to the exocarp and the endocarp, respectively, both with 1 layer. In the mesocarp, derived from the ovarian mesophyll, secretory cavities are arranged into a circle just below the exocarp and near the endocarp in Campomanesia adamantium; only below the exocarp in Eugenia pitanga and Myrcia multiflora; more internally in Myrciaria cuspidata, and below the exocarp and throughout the mesophyll in Myrceugenia alpigena. The promising traits for phylogenetic studies in the group include: direction of elongation of pericarp layers, regions that develop most in relation to the circle of larger vascular bundles, differentiation of spongy and sclerenchymatous tissues and position of secretory cavities.     

The rational modulation of autophagy sensitizes colorectal cancer cells to 5-fluouracil and oxaliplatin

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common and deadliest cancer globally. Regimens using 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and Oxaliplatin (OXA) are the first-line treatment for CRC, but tumor recurrence is frequent. It is plausible to hypothesize that differential cellular responses are triggered after treatments depending on the genetic background of CRC cells and that the rational modulation of cell tolerance mechanisms like autophagy may reduce the regrowth of CRC cells. This study proposes investigating the cellular mechanisms triggered by CRC cells exposed to 5FU and OXA using a preclinical experimental design mimicking one cycle of the clinical regimen (i.e., 48 h of treatment repeated every 2 weeks). To test this, we treated CRC human cell lines HCT116 and HT29 with the 5FU and OXA, combined or not, for 48 h, followed by analysis for two additional weeks. Compared to single-drug treatments, the co-treatment reduced tumor cell regrowth, clonogenicity and stemness, phenotypes associated with tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis in clinics. This effect was exerted by the induction of apoptosis and senescence only in the co-treatment. However, a week after treatment, cells that tolerated the treatment had high levels of autophagy features and restored the proliferative phenotype, resembling tumor recurrence. The pharmacologic suppression of early autophagy during its peak of occurrence, but not concomitant with chemotherapeutics, strongly reduced cell regrowth. Overall, our experimental model provides new insights into the cellular mechanisms that underlie the response and tolerance of CRC cells to 5FU and OXA, suggesting optimized, time-specific autophagy inhibition as a new avenue for improving the efficacy of current treatments.     

A draft of the human septin interactome

Background

Septins belong to the GTPase superclass of proteins and have been functionally implicated in cytokinesis and the maintenance of cellular morphology. They are found in all eukaryotes, except in plants. In mammals, 14 septins have been described that can be divided into four groups. It has been shown that mammalian septins can engage in homo- and heterooligomeric assemblies, in the form of filaments, which have as a basic unit a hetero-trimeric core. In addition, it has been speculated that the septin filaments may serve as scaffolds for the recruitment of additional proteins.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here, we performed yeast two-hybrid screens with human septins 1–10, which include representatives of all four septin groups. Among the interactors detected, we found predominantly other septins, confirming the tendency of septins to engage in the formation of homo- and heteropolymeric filaments.

Conclusions/Significance

If we take as reference the reported arrangement of the septins 2, 6 and 7 within the heterofilament, (7-6-2-2-6-7), we note that the majority of the observed interactions respect the “group rule”, i.e. members of the same group (e.g. 6, 8, 10 and 11) can replace each other in the specific position along the heterofilament. Septins of the SEPT6 group preferentially interacted with septins of the SEPT2 group (p<0.001), SEPT3 group (p<0.001) and SEPT7 group (p<0.001). SEPT2 type septins preferentially interacted with septins of the SEPT6 group (p<0.001) aside from being the only septin group which interacted with members of its own group. Finally, septins of the SEPT3 group interacted preferentially with septins of the SEPT7 group (p<0.001). Furthermore, we found non-septin interactors which can be functionally attributed to a variety of different cellular activities, including: ubiquitin/sumoylation cycles, microtubular transport and motor activities, cell division and the cell cycle, cell motility, protein phosphorylation/signaling, endocytosis, and apoptosis.     

β-Glucan Induces Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Human Neutrophils to Improve the Killing of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata Isolates from Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is among the most prevalent vaginal diseases. Candida albicans is still the most prevalent species associated with this pathology, however, the prevalence of other Candida species, such as C. glabrata, is increasing. The pathogenesis of these infections has been intensely studied, nevertheless, no consensus has been reached on the pathogenicity of VVC. In addition, inappropriate treatment or the presence of resistant strains can lead to RVVC (vulvovaginal candidiasis recurrent). Immunomodulation therapy studies have become increasingly promising, including with the β-glucans. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated microbicidal activity, phagocytosis, intracellular oxidant species production, oxygen consumption, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and the release of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-1β, and IL-1Ra in neutrophils previously treated or not with β-glucan. In all of the assays, human neutrophils were challenged with C. albicans and C. glabrata isolated from vulvovaginal candidiasis. β-glucan significantly increased oxidant species production, suggesting that β-glucan may be an efficient immunomodulator that triggers an increase in the microbicidal response of neutrophils for both of the species isolated from vulvovaginal candidiasis. The effects of β-glucan appeared to be mainly related to the activation of reactive oxygen species and modulation of cytokine release.