Cellular-mediated inflammatory response, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes are increasingly being recognised as having an important role in tumorigenesis and carcinogenesis. In this context, ...studies have suggested that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can be used as an independent prognostic factor in a variety of cancers. Particularly in breast cancer, several studies have shown that a high NLR is associated with shorter survival. Because the NLR can be easily determined from the full blood count, it could potentially provide a simple and inexpensive test cancer prognosis. This review addresses the possibilities and limitations of using the NLR as a clinical tool for risk stratification helpful for individual treatment of breast cancer patients. The potential underlying phenomena and some perspectives are discussed.
Mimosa caesalpiniifolia (Sansão-do-Campo) is a native species of the caatinga in northeastern Brazil that has been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory and antidepressant activity. It is ...popularly consumed as a medicinal plant and its pharmacological benefits are evidenced in the literature.
The present work was carried out to promote the chemical profile and evaluate the pharmacological activity of the dry extract and the ethyl acetate fraction obtained from the dry leaves of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia.
The leaves were collected in the municipality of Alfenas-MG and subjected to drying, followed by division in a knife mill. The preparation of the dry extract was carried out by the extraction method using simple percolation and the fraction was obtained by liquid-liquid partition. Part of the extractive solution was concentrated in a rotary evaporator followed by a drying process using the spray technique with the addition of colloidal silicon dioxide. The dry extract (33.33%) showed a higher yield in mass when compared to the yield of the ethyl acetate fraction (19.67%). The in vivo pharmacological evaluation was conducted with a total of 82 male Wistar rats that underwent cecal ligation and perforation surgery to induce the inflammatory process. One week after surgery, these animals were treated for 7 days with the dry extract and the ethyl acetate fraction and submitted to behavioral tests (open field and forced swimming).
The chemical results were obtained through analysis by HPLC-PDA coupled to a mass spectrometer, enabling the verification of the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids, aglycones, and glycosides, in addition to tannins. This corroborates with data present in the literature for the genus Mimosa sp. Some compounds had their structure determined, where they were identified as catechin (m/z 288.97), cassiaocidentalin A (m/z 560.75), and procyanidin B2 (epi)catechin-(epi)catechin; m/z 576.83). It was found that the animals that were submitted to the treatment did not present statistically significant results, demonstrating that the pharmacological action evaluated in the test was not highlighted in this type of experiment. The groups that underwent treatment had an aggravated locomotor activity.
The results found with the chemical study contributed to the knowledge of the plant species studied. On the other hand, further studies are needed to provide a better understanding of the pharmacological evaluation of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia.
ABSTRACT
The concept of growth rings is little discussed in the literature and their treatment remains somewhat confusing in terms of the diversity of structures described. This situation has a major ...impact on the study of growth rings in tropical species, in which variations and complexity are greater and accuracy of identification less good. The rigid conceptual delimitations used by dendrochronologists and wood anatomists of temperate regions cannot be applied to the study of growth rings in most tropical species, which has led to neglect of this subject. With the objective of discussing the concept of growth rings, the present study consists of a survey of anatomical, periodicity, causal and evolutionary aspects of the treatment of these structures as evidenced in previous studies, and the evaluation of their application and limitations to the development of this concept. Anatomical aspects arise through radial integrity, or the presence of early and late wood; the degree of distinction of the rings, which may vary from well to poorly defined; and tangential continuity, meaning that rings may form a complete circle in the transverse section of the trunk, or instead be tangentially discontinuous, lens‐shaped or in wedges. In addition there are a diversity of anatomical markers which enable us to recognize growth rings. Regarding periodicity, the rings may be annual, infra‐annual or supra‐annual. Causal aspects include genetic, endogenous and environmental components. Evolutionary aspects continue to be insufficiently investigated, and although most comparative studies treat growth rings recognized by different markers as though they were a single character, it remains questionable whether they can be regarded as homologous or the result of homoplasy. We conclude that the elaboration of a robust but broad definition which can include all the variation observed in growth rings of tropical species is a complex task, which is only possible by overcoming the restrictions adopted by dendrochronologists and wood anatomists of temperate regions for whom growth rings are essentially annual, strongly demarcated, tangentially continuous and restricted to the most pronounced markers.
FeSbO4 powder was prepared using the solid-state reaction method in this work. Afterward, the dense and porous ceramics were obtained by sintering the pressed powder calcined at temperatures of 900 ...and 1000 °C for 4 h. Rietveld profile analysis of the X-ray powder diffraction data showed that FeSbO4 adopts the trirutile-type structure (space group P42/mnm, with a ≅ 4.63 Å and c ≅ 9.23 Å). SEM images showed that the powder calcined at 900 °C after being sintered at 1200 °C resulted in ceramics of higher crystallinity, larger grains, and consequently, low porosity. The dielectric properties were measured in the frequency range of 10−1 Hz–1 MHz as a function of temperature (25–250 °C). The real (σ′) and imaginary (σ″) parts of the complex conductivity increase with rising annealing temperature for both samples. The real conductivity in the AC region for = 100 kHz was 1.59×10−6 S·cm−1 and 7.04×10−7 S·cm−1 for the ceramic samples obtained from the powder calcined at 900 (C-900) and 1000 °C (C-1000), respectively. Furthermore, the dielectric constants (k′) measured at room temperature and f=100 kHz were 13.77 (C-900) and 6.27 (C-1000), while the activation energies of the grain region were Ea = 0.53 eV and Ea = 0.49 eV, respectively. Similar activation energy (Ea = 0.52 eV and 0.49 eV) was also obtained by the brick-layer model and confirmed by the adjustment of activation energy by DC measurements which indicated an absence of the porosity influence on the parameter. Additionally, loss factor values were obtained to be equal to 3.8 (C-900) and 5.99 (C-1000) for measurements performed at 100 Hz, suggesting a contribution of the conductivity originated from the combination or accommodation of the pores in the grain boundary region. Our results prove that the microstructural factors that play a critical role in the electrical and dielectric properties are the average grain size and the porosity interspersed with the grain boundary region.
Single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) are small-sized artificial constructs composed of the immunoglobulin heavy and light chain variable regions connected by a peptide linker. We have previously ...described an anti-fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) monoclonal antibody (mAb), named 3F12E7, with notable antitumor potential revealed by preclinical assays. FGF2 is a known angiogenesis-associated molecule implicated in tumor progression. In this report, we describe a recombinant scFv format for the 3F12E7 mAb. The results demonstrate that the generated 3F12E7 scFv, although prone to aggregation, comprises an active anti-FGF2 product that contains monomers and small oligomers. Functionally, the 3F12E7 scFv preparations specifically recognize FGF2 and inhibit tumor growth similar to the corresponding full-length IgG counterpart in an experimental model. In silico molecular analysis provided insights into the aggregation propensity and the antigen-recognition by scFv units. Antigen-binding determinants were predicted outside the most aggregation-prone hotspots. Overall, our experimental and prediction dataset describes an scFv scaffold for the 3F12E7 mAb and also provides insights to further engineer non-aggregated anti-FGF2 scFv-based tools for therapeutic and research purposes.
Acute myeloid leukemia patients are at high risk for infections, which contribute to increased mortality rates of up to 70%. The use of antimicrobial prophylaxis has been shown to significantly lower ...rates of infection. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to evaluate the effect of two agents that showed effective results in the literature, levofloxacin and fluconazole, as prophylaxis strategies in AML patients.
A total of 85 AML patients’ medical records treated with a 7+3 induction chemotherapy protocol in the Cancer Hospital of Uberlândia from 2017 to 2021 were screened and their data was collected. Within these patients, groups for analysis were created based on whether the acting physician included an antibacterial or antifungal prophylaxis protocol during induction. Contingency tables with χ² and odds ratio tests were realized to verify associations between prophylaxis and infection. Additionally, Kaplan-Meier curves with Cox regression were developed to analyze survival.
The use of prophylaxis with either fluconazole or levofloxacin did not lower rates of infection, as those who with prophylaxis did not demonstrate significant differences when compared to those without (20.3–29.7%, and 12.3–23.3%, respectively). Patients who suffered a bacterial infection during induction were shown to have lower overall survival, with a similar trend seen in fungal infections.
Bacterial and fungal infections were associated with higher rates of induction mortality and lower overall survival, and prophylaxis using fluconazole and levofloxacin did not present any significant difference in preventing these infections in this study, contrasting results found in the literature. The individuality of each treatment center should be taken into consideration and future studies should be realized to better determine the most effective methods and agents for prophylaxis.
•Levofloxacin and fluconazole were unable to lower rates of infections in AML patients.•Patients who suffered infections had decreased survival even with empiric treatments, demonstrating how critical prevention is in patients undergoing chemotherapy.•The results of this study contrasts the literature and establishes a possible profile of microbial resistance.
Acute liver failure is a critical medical condition defined as rapid development of hepatic dysfunction associated with encephalopathy. The prognosis in these patients is highly variable and depends ...on the etiology, interval between jaundice and encephalopathy, age, and the degree of coagulopathy. Determining the prognosis for this population is vital. Unfortunately, prognostic models with both high sensitivity and specificity for prediction of death have not been developed. Liver transplantation has dramatically improved survival in patients with acute liver failure. Still, 25% to 45% of patients will survive with medical treatment. The identification of patients who will eventually require liver transplantation should be carefully addressed through the combination of current prognostic models and continuous medical assessment. The concerns of inaccurate selection for transplantation are significant, exposing the recipient to a complex surgery and lifelong immunosuppression. In this challenging scenario, where organ shortage remains one of the main problems, alternatives to conventional orthotopic liver transplantation, such as living-donor liver transplantation, auxiliary liver transplant, and ABO-incompatible grafts, should be explored. Although overall outcomes after liver transplantation for acute liver failure are improving, they are not yet comparable to elective transplantation.
Estrogen is a hormone responsible for modulating several physiological processes such as immune response and bone homeostasis. Physiological fluctuations of estrogen concentration are one of the ...defining principles behind its mechanism. In cases of estrogen deficiency, such as in menopausal women, a more intense bone resorption may occur due to an increase in osteoclast activity. One of the main factors that influence osteoclast formation and response is the immune system, mainly through cytokines secreted by B and T cells. The purpose of this review is to highlight how estrogen can modulate the secretion of cytokines that can alter bone physiology, thereby establishing an axis between estrogen, immune cells, and osteoclastogenesis.
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Anti-inflammatories, immunosuppressants, and immunobiological are commonly used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. However, some patients do not present an adequate response or lose ...effective response during the treatment. A recent study found a potential anti-inflammatory effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in Wistar rats.
To evaluate the effects of M. caesalpiniifolia pre-formulation on the intestinal barrier using dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis model.
Leaf extracts were prepared in 70% ethanol and dried with a Buchi B19 Mini-spray dryer using 20% Aerosil® solution. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: basal control, untreated colitis, pre-formulation control (125 mg/kg/day), and colitis treated with pre-formulation (125 mg/kg/day). Clinical activity index was recorded daily and all rats were euthanized on the ninth day. Colon fragments were fixed and processed for histological and ultrastructural analyses. Stool samples were collected and processed for analysis of the short-chain fatty acid.
Treatment with the pre-formulation decreased the clinical activity (bloody diarrhea), inflammatory infiltrate, and the ulcers. Pre-formulation did not repair the epithelial barrier and there were no significant differences in the goblet cells index. There was a significant difference in butyrate levels in the rats treated with the pre-formulation.
The pre-formulation minimized the clinical symptoms of colitis and intestinal inflammation, but did not minimize damage to the intestinal barrier.
In the present study, poly (ethylene terephthalate)-based composites were produced and characterized. These composites were composed by poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) reinforced with geopolymer ...concrete waste (GCW). Both untreated (U-GCW) and treated with oleic acid (OA) geopolymer concrete waste (T-GCW) were used in the production of the composites. The PET/GCW ratios used for either treated or untreated GCW bodies were 80/20 (wt%), 60/40 (wt%) and 50/50 (wt%). Chemical compositions were assessed by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), crystallinity by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal stability by thermogravimetry (TGA), microstructure by field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and mechanical properties were assessed by compression tests. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to check the efficiency of the treatment with OA, as well as the interaction between PET and GCW. The T-GCW PET composites showed better thermal, physical, and mechanical properties, for non-structural applications, when compared to U-GCW.
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