Correction to: Ultrasound resistive index,power Doppler,and clinical parameters in established rheumatoid arthritis

Clinical Rheumatology - The original version of this article, unfortunately, contained an error. One of the author's name on this article was incorrectly spelled as “José Alexandre...     

DOSE RESPONSE EFFECT OF Paracoccidioides brasiliensis IN AN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF ARTHRITIS

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) and corresponds to prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the dose response effect of the fungal yeast phase for the standardization of an experimental model of septic arthritis. The experiments were performed with groups of 14 rats that received doses of 10³, 10⁴ or 10⁵ P. brasiliensis (Pb18) cells. The fungi were injected in 50 µL of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) directly into the knee joints of the animals. The following parameters were analyzed in this work: the formation of swelling in knees infused with yeast cells and the radiological and anatomopathological alterations, besides antibody titer by ELISA. After 15 days of infection, signs of inflammation were evident. At 45 days, some features of damage and necrosis were observed in the articular cartilage. The systemic dissemination of the fungus was observed in 11% of the inoculated animals, and it was concluded that the experimental model is able to mimic articular PCM in humans and that the dose of 10⁵ yeast cells can be used as standard in this model.     

Glioblastoma invasion and cooption depend on IRE1α endoribonuclease activity

IRE1α is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident transmembrane signaling protein and a cellular stress sensor. The protein harbors a cytosolic dual kinase/endoribonuclease activity required for adaptive responses to micro-environmental changes. In an orthotopic xenograft model of human glioma, invalidation of IRE1α RNase or/and kinase activities generated tumors with remarkably distinct phenotypes. Contrasting with the extensive angiogenesis observed in tumors derived from control cells, the double kinase/RNase invalidation reprogrammed mesenchymal differentiation of cancer cells and produced avascular and infiltrative glioblastomas with blood vessel co-option. In comparison, selective invalidation of IRE1α RNase did not compromise tumor angiogenesis but still elicited invasive features and vessel co-option. In vitro, IRE1α RNase deficient cells were also endowed with a higher ability to migrate. Constitutive activation of both enzymes led to wild-type-like lesions. The presence of IRE1α, but not its RNase activity, is therefore required for glioblastoma neovascularization, whereas invasion results only from RNase inhibition. In this model, two key mechanisms of tumor progression and cancer cell survival are functionally linked to IRE1α.     

Acquisition of the mcr-1 gene by a high-risk clone of KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST437/CC258, Brazil

We identified one clinical isolate of K. pneumoniae harboring the mcr 1 (plasmid of IncX4 family) and bla_KPC-2 (plasmid of IncFIB family) genes in southern Brazil. These findings highlight that K. pneumoniae isolates carrying both mcr-1 and bla_KPC-2 may emergence as a serious threat to antimicrobial therapy.     

CRIPTO overexpression promotes mesenchymal differentiation in prostate carcinoma cells through parallel regulation of AKT and FGFR activities

Members of the EGF-CFC (Cripto, FRL-1, Cryptic) protein family are increasingly recognized as key mediators of cell movement and cell differentiation during vertebrate embryogenesis. The founding member of this protein family, CRIPTO, is overexpressed in various human carcinomas. Yet, the biological role of CRIPTO in this setting remains unclear. Here, we find CRIPTO expression as especially high in a subgroup of primary prostate carcinomas with poorer outcome, wherein resides cancer cell clones with mesenchymal traits. Experimental studies in PCa models showed that one notable function of CRIPTO expression in prostate carcinoma cells may be to augment PI3K/AKT and FGFR1 signaling, which promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and sustains a mesenchymal state. In the observed signaling events, FGFR1 appears to function parallel to AKT, and the two pathways act cooperatively to enhance migratory, invasive and transformation properties specifically in the CRIPTO overexpressing cells. Collectively, these findings suggest a novel molecular network, involving CRIPTO, AKT, and FGFR signaling, in favor of the emergence of mesenchymal-like cancer cells during the development of aggressive prostate tumors.     

Influence of Oxynitrided Surface in the Production of a Less Susceptible Titanium Surface to Skin‐Borne Bacterial Adhesion

There is a growing quest for an ideal biomaterial that shows appropriate cellular response and is not susceptible to microbial adhesion. In this study, commercial grade II titanium was submitted to RF/DC plasma surface modification at 2.2 mbar, using gas mixtures of argon, nitrogen, and oxygen at proportions 4:1:2 and 4:1:3. The surfaces were physically and chemically characterized. In order to evaluate bacterial response, the surfaces were exposed to Staphylococcus epidermidis. Oxynitrided samples, although having a higher roughness as compared with untreated samples, exhibited lower bacterial growth. This observation is probably due to the formation of different crystalline phases of nitrides and oxides caused by plasma treatment. The surface with highest contact angle and highest surface tension showed lower bacterial adhesion. These results were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The role of nitrogen in reducing bacterial adhesion is clear when this material is compared with untreated titanium, on which only an oxide film is present.