Secondary metabolites of plants have important biological functions, which often depend on their localization in tissues. Ideally, a fresh untreated material should be directly analyzed to obtain a ...realistic view of the true sample chemistry. Therefore, there is a large interest for ambient mass-spectrometry-based imaging (MSI) methods. Our aim was to simplify this technology and to find an optimal combination of desorption/ionization principles for a fast ambient MSI of macroscopic plant samples. We coupled a 405 nm continuous wave (CW) ultraviolet (UV) diode laser to a three-dimensionally (3D) printed low-temperature plasma (LTP) probe. By moving the sample with a RepRap-based sampling stage, we could perform imaging of samples up to 16 × 16 cm2. We demonstrate the system performance by mapping mescaline in a San Pedro cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi) cross section, tropane alkaloids in jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) fruits and seeds, and nicotine in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) seedlings. In all cases, the anatomical regions of enriched compound concentrations were correctly depicted. The modular design of the laser desorption (LD)-LTP MSI platform, which is mainly assembled from commercial and 3D-printed components, facilitates its adoption by other research groups. The use of the CW-UV laser for desorption enables fast imaging measurements. A complete tobacco seedling with an image size of 9.2 × 15.0 mm2 was analyzed at a pixel size of 100 × 100 μm2 (14 043 mass scans), in less than 2 h. Natural products can be measured directly from native tissues, which inspires a broad use of LD-LTP MSI in plant chemistry studies.
Evidence regarding differences in survival associated with the site of metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains limited. Our aim was to analyze the overall survival (OS), distant ...relapse free survival (DRFS), and survival since the diagnosis of the relapse (MS), according to the side of metastasis.
This was a retrospective study of TNBC patients with distant metastases at the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas (Lima, Peru) from 2000 to 2014. Prognostic factors were determined by multivariate Cox regression analysis.
In total, 309 patients were included. Regarding the type of metastasis, visceral metastasis accounted for 41% and the lung was the most frequent first site of metastasis (33.3%). With a median follow-up of 10.2 years, the 5-year DRFS and OS were 10% and 26%, respectively. N staging (N2-N3 vs. N0, HR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.04-2.14), metastasis in visceral sites (vs. bone; HR = 1.55, 95%CI: 0.94-2.56), the central nervous system (vs. bone; HR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.10-3.22), and multiple sites (vs. bone; HR = 2.55, 95%CI:1.53-4.25) were prognostic factors of OS whereas multiple metastasis (HR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.42-3.72) was a predictor of MS. In terms of DRFS, there were no differences according to metastasis type or solid organ.
TNBC patients with multiple metastasis and CNS metastasis have an increased risk of death compared to those with bone metastasis in terms of OS and MS.
Dietary Fructose Promotes Prostate Cancer Growth Carreño, Daniela V; Corro, Néstor B; Cerda-Infante, Javier F ...
Cancer research (Chicago, Ill.),
06/2021, Letnik:
81, Številka:
11
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Clinical localization of primary tumors and sites of metastasis by PET is based on the enhanced cellular uptake of 2-deoxy-2-
F-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG). In prostate cancer, however, PET-FDG imaging ...has shown limited clinical applicability, suggesting that prostate cancer cells may utilize hexoses other than glucose, such as fructose, as the preferred energy source. Our previous studies suggested that prostate cancer cells overexpress fructose transporters, but not glucose transporters, compared with benign cells. Here, we focused on validating the functional expression of fructose transporters and determining whether fructose can modulate the biology of prostate cancer cells
and
. Fructose transporters, Glut5 and Glut9, were significantly upregulated in clinical specimens of prostate cancer when compared with their benign counterparts. Fructose levels in the serum of patients with prostate cancer were significantly higher than healthy subjects. Functional expression of fructose transporters was confirmed in prostate cancer cell lines. A detailed kinetic characterization indicated that Glut5 represents the main functional contributor in mediating fructose transport in prostate cancer cells. Fructose stimulated proliferation and invasion of prostate cancer cells
. In addition, dietary fructose increased the growth of prostate cancer cell line-derived xenograft tumors and promoted prostate cancer cell proliferation in patient-derived xenografts. Gene set enrichment analysis confirmed that fructose stimulation enriched for proliferation-related pathways in prostate cancer cells. These results demonstrate that fructose promotes prostate cancer cell growth and aggressiveness
and
and may represent an alternative energy source for prostate cancer cells. SIGNIFICANCE: This study identifies increased expression of fructose transporters in prostate cancer and demonstrates a role for fructose as a key metabolic substrate supporting prostate cancer cells, revealing potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers.
•Zn/AgPs composites coatings were formed for electrodeposition.•CTAB promotes occlusion of silver particles in the coating.•Zn/AgPs coatings present very good antibacterial activity.
Composite ...coatings consisting of zinc and silver particles (Zn/AgPs) with antibacterial activity were prepared using an electrodeposition technique. The morphology, composition, and structure of the Zn/AgPs composite coatings were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The antibacterial properties of the coatings against the microorganisms Escherichia coli as a model Gram-negative bacterium and Staphylococcus aureus as a model Gram-positive bacterium were studied quantitatively and qualitatively. The results revealed that the dispersant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) assisted in the formation of a stable suspension of Ag particles in the electrolytic bath for 24h. Likewise, a high concentration of CTAB in the electrolytic bath promoted an increase in the number of Ag particles occluded in the Zn/AgPs coatings. The Zn/AgPs coatings that were obtained were compact, smooth, and shiny materials. Antimicrobial tests performed on the Zn/AgPs coatings revealed that the inhibition of bacterial growth after 30min of contact time was between 91% and 98% when the AgPs content ranged from 4.3 to 14.0mgcm−3.
Seed coating is an alternative delivery system for beneficial plant microorganisms into the soil. Although seed coats are widely used for the application of agrochemicals, the incorporation of ...beneficial microorganisms has not been explored deeply and their survival on seeds while in storage is unknown. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the coating process on microbial survival and on plant growth promotion. Two coating formulations were designed, and assessed by two coating processes: rotating drum and fluidized bed. The rotating drum process resulted in more uniform coatings than in the fluidized bed process. In addition, with this coating technique, lower viability losses over time were observed. The rotatory drum prototype containing a biopolymer and a clay mineral derivate (P90) showed the best behavior at the three temperatures evaluated, with superior viabilities compared to the other prototypes and the lowest loss of viability after 12 months. The formulation of this coating prototype may preserve the viability of
Trichoderma koningiopsis
Th003 up to 15 months at 8 °C, 9 months at 18 °C, and 3 months at 28 °C, which are very promising shelf-life results. Regarding the effect of seed coating on plant growth, prototypes showed higher yields > 16% than the control, comparable to the conventional use of Tricotec® WG, which may reduce the number of applications and water consumption for dissolution of the inoculant. The results demonstrated that the formulation composition, as well as the coating process may impact the microbial survival on seeds.
This study deals with the extraction, optimization, and evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of bioactive compounds obtained from the seeds of annatto using microwave-assisted ...extraction as compared to leaching. Annatto seeds were subjected to a microwave treatment of 2450 MHz and power of 700 watts using a response surface design involving four factors: pH (4⁻11), solvent concentration (ethanol) (50⁻96 %), solvent-to-seed ratio (2⁻10), and microwave exposure time (0⁻5 min). The contents of polyphenol compounds and bixin were taken as response variables. Subsequently, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were assessed at the optimal processing conditions predicted by the experimental design. Microwaves, solvent concentration, and the solvent-to-seed ratio showed a statistically significant effect for the extraction of polyphenol compounds and bixin. Thus, microwaves accelerated the extraction of those compounds and the slight increase in temperature caused some degradation of the polyphenol compounds. The microwave-assisted extraction increased the contents of polyphenols and bixin along with their antioxidant activity as compared to leaching extraction. However, this technique does not significantly improve the antimicrobial activity against
and
.
The photochromism of poly methyl methacrylate–TiO
2
composites have been investigated in this research. Amorphous titanium oxide was synthesized by sol–gel using titanium isopropoxide. The titanium ...solution was mixed with a dissolved polymer. The composite shows photo-response under UV radiation by changing, generally, to a dark brown tonality. This effect was reversible in different time ranges according to the intensity and exposure time. The mechanism for this photochromic change was proposed as a reduction of TiOOH domains to Ti
3+
and not directly from amorphous TiO
2
, which provide electron-hole pairs after absorbing UV. The backscattered electrons image shows the clusters or domains of titanium compounds as white dots, ranging from 0.1 to 1 μm. The electron spin resonance spectroscopy signals indicated a titanium valence change from Ti(IV) to Ti(III). The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy peaks positions for Ti 2p1/2 and Ti 2p3/2 were assigned as Ti
4+
. The values were obtained for Ti 2p3/2 and the identified species were Ti
4+
and Ti
3+
, that correspond to TiO
2
, Ti
2
O
3
, and Ti(OOH). Few and small crystalline domains were identified by Transmission Electron Microscope as orthorhombic TiO
2
.’
Graphical Abstract
In healthy pregnancies, components of the Renin-Angiotensin system (RAS) are present in the placental villi and contribute to invasion, migration, and angiogenesis. At the same time, soluble fms-like ...tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) production is induced after binding of ANG-II to its receptor (AT-1R) in response to hypoxia. As RAS plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, we hypothesized that angiogenic marker (sFlt-1) and RAS components (ANG-II and ACE-2) may be related to adverse outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19; Methods: Prospective cohort study. Primary outcome was severe pneumonia. Secondary outcomes were ICU admission, intubation, sepsis, and death. Spearman's Rho test was used to analyze the correlation between sFlt-1 and ANG-II levels. The sFlt-1/ANG-II ratio was determined and the association with each adverse outcome was explored by logistic regression analysis and the prediction was assessed using receiver-operating-curve (ROC); Results: Among 80 pregnant women with COVID-19, the sFlt-1/ANG-II ratio was associated with an increased probability of severe pneumonia (odds ratio OR: 1.31;
= 0.003), ICU admission (OR: 1.05;
= 0.007); intubation (OR: 1.09;
= 0.008); sepsis (OR: 1.04;
= 0.008); and death (OR: 1.04;
= 0.018); Conclusion: sFlt-1/ANG-II ratio is a good predictor of adverse events such as pneumonia, ICU admission, intubation, sepsis, and death in pregnant women with COVID-19.
Atmospheric pollution in Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) represents a serious social and economic concern due to the very high population density. The most important industrial activities are ...the main responsible of the production of particulate matter PM10 that can damage seriously the human respiratory system. In the present study we investigate the dynamical properties of the time series of PM10 emissions recorded from 2005 to 2016 by the Automatic Atmospheric Monitoring Network (RAMA) in five zones of MCMA (NW, NE, CE, SW and SE). Several methods (periodogram, multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis and the Fisher–Shannon method) were applied to get the most exhaustive description of the dynamical characteristics of the series. Our findings point out to: (1) the existence of a twofold power law behavior in the power spectrum of all the series, indicating the co-existence of two different mechanisms underlying the time dynamics of PM10; (2) the emergence of the 7-day periodicity of anthropogenic nature; (3) the multifractal behavior of all the series, dominated by small fluctuations; (4) the identification of NE zone, which is also the most polluted one as characterized by the larger disorder.
•PM10 time series in five zones of Mexico City Metropolitan Area were investigated.•A twofold power law behavior in the power spectrum was detected.•The 7-day periodicity in PM10 series suggest the anthropogenic nature of the pollution source.•The PM10 of the more polluted zone is less multifractal.•The PM10 of the more polluted zone shows higher level of disorder.
The increased need for water resources in urban sprawls and intense droughts has forced more aggressive groundwater extraction resulting in numerous urban areas undergoing land subsidence. In most ...cases, only some large metropolitan areas have been well-characterized for subsidence. However, there is no existing country-wide assessment of urban areas, population, and households exposed to this process. This research showcases a methodology to systematically evaluate urban localities with land subsidence higher than − 2.8 cm/year throughout Mexico. We used Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) tools with a dataset of 4611 scenes from European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 A/B SAR sensors acquired from descending orbits from September 2018 through October 2019. This dataset was processed at a supercomputer using InSAR Scientific Computing Environment and the Miami InSAR Time Series software in Python software. The quality and calibration of the resulting velocity maps are assessed through a large-scale comparison with observations from 100 continuous GPS sites throughout Mexico. Our results show that an urban area of 3797 km
2
, 6.9 million households, and 17% of the total population in Mexico is exposed to subsidence velocities of faster than − 2.8 cm/year, in more than 853 urban localities within 29 land subsidence regions. We also confirm previous global potential estimations of subsidence occurrence in low relief areas over unconsolidated deposits and where groundwater aquifers are under stress. The presented research demonstrates the capabilities for surveying urban areas exposed to land subsidence at a country-scale level by combining Sentinel-1 velocities with spatial national census data.
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