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Obesity remains nowadays one of the main threats to human health, being a problem of worldwide proportions. It is characterized by augmented storage of fatty acids in an enlarged adipose tissue. This process is possible thanks to a rich capillary network, supported by a mechanism that has also a crucial role on cancer: angiogenesis. Given that several studies point obesity as a risk factor for cancer development, angiogenesis may be approached as the missed link between these two pathologies. Understanding the different pathways behind angiogenesis becomes essential to break this link by developing new anti-angiogenic therapies or improving the actual ones. In the first phase, this paper will focus the structural and cellular changes that adipose tissue suffers in obesity. Then, the main pro-angiogenic players will be reviewed, taking into account the pathways that explain their putative role in obesity–cancer link. Finally, the clinical implications of the presented mechanisms will also be regarded, being the main focus on the anti-angiogenic therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by a group of metabolic disturbances which lead to an enhanced risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. MS constitutes a preoccupant issue with elevated prevalence in the western countries and is often related with cancer development. Elucidating the mechanisms linking these two pathologies is, therefore, essential to identify potential therapeutic molecular targets for cancer treatment in MS patients. The main goals of this review are, to identify the relation between MS and cancer development, handling specifically each one of the main players on this process: insulin and IGF system, estrogen, pro-inflammatory cytokines and others; and, given that colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer in MS patients, we intend to particularly highlight the mechanisms that promote colorectal cancer development in MS individuals. Finally, we will also focus on the clinical implications of the presented mechanisms on cancer therapy and care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hybrids of fish obtained by crossing commercial species of the family Serrasalmidae (Pacu, Pirapitinga, and Tambaqui) have been produced on a large scale by the Brazilian aquaculture industry. However, because juvenile stages are morphologically indistinguishable, pure species and hybrid stocks may be easily mixed in breeding facilities, which may ultimately reduce production on farms and could have adverse impacts on native populations, through escape of fertile hybrids to the wild. We established molecular markers using mitochondrial and nuclear genes to identify hybrid lineages of Serrasalmids and characterize them in relation to their parental species, Colossoma macropomum, Piaractus mesopotamicus, and Piaractus brachypomus. Using these diagnostic molecular tools, we then examined fish purchased from two seed producers and detected substantial admixture of pure stocks and their various hybrids. Further application of these diagnostic genetic tools is needed to assess the impacts of hybridization and stock admixture, both in the aquaculture industry and in the environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The insecticidal activities of extracts and oils of seventeen medicinal plants of Brazil have been determined using an Aedes aegypti larvicidal bioassay. Oils from Anacardium occidentalis, Copaifera langsdorffii, Carapa guianensis, Cymbopogon winterianus and Ageratum conyzoides showed high activities with LC50 values of 14.5, 41, 57, 98 and 148 μg/l, respectively. The most active ethanolic extract tested was that from the stem of Annona glabra which presented an LC50 value of 27 μg/l. The potential application of cashew nut oil, an industrial by-product with low commercial value, in the control of the vector of dengue and yellow fever, may be proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Morphological identification in the field can be extremely difficult considering fragmentation of species for trade or high similarity between congeneric species. In this context, the shark group belonging to the genus Squatina is composed of three species distributed in the southern part of the western Atlantic. These three species are classified in the IUCN Red List as endangered, and they are currently protected under Brazilian law, which prohibits fishing and trade. Molecular genetic tools are now used for practical taxonomic identification, particularly in cases where morphological observation is prevented, e.g., during fish processing. Consequently, DNA barcoding was used in the present study to track potential crimes against the landing and trade of endangered species along the São Paulo coastline, in particular Squatina guggenheim (n = 75) and S. occulta (n = 5), as well as the Brazilian guitarfish Pseudobatos horkelii (n = 5). DNA barcoding revealed the continuous fishing and trafficking of these protected species, thus giving clear evidence that the current conservation models and methods of monitoring are not working. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with environmental factors, especially tobacco and alcohol consumption. Most of the carcinogens present in tobacco smoke are converted into DNA-reactive metabolites by cytochrome P450 (CYPs) enzymes and detoxification of these substances is performed by glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). It has been suggested that genetic alterations, such as polymorphisms, play an important role in tumorigenesis and HNSCC progression. The aim of this study was to investigate CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2E1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 polymorphisms as risk factors in HNSCC and their association with clinicopathologic data. The patients comprised 153 individuals with HNSCC (cases) and 145 with no current or previous diagnosis of cancer (controls). Genotyping of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP2E1 genes was performed by PCR-RFLP and the GSTM1 and GSTT1 copy number polymorphisms (CNPs) were analyzed by PCR-multiplex. As expected, a significant difference was detected for tobacco and alcohol consumption between cases and controls (P <0.001). It was observed that the CYP1A2*1D (OR=16.24) variant and GSTM1 null alleles (OR=0.02) confer increased risk of HNSCC development (P <0.001). In addition, head and neck cancer alcohol consumers were more frequently associated with the CYP2E1*5B variant allele than control alcohol users (P <0.0001, OR=190.6). The CYP1A2*1C polymorphism was associated with tumor recurrence (log-rank test, P =0.0161). The CYP2E1*5B and GSTM1 null alleles were significantly associated with advanced clinical stages (T3+T4; P =0.022 and P =0.028, respectively). Overall, the findings suggested that the genetic polymorphisms studied are predictors of risk and are also associated with tumor recurrence, since they are important for determining the parameters associated with tumor progression and poor outcomes in HNSCC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Wastewater reuse in agriculture is recognized worldwide as an alternative water and/or nutrient source. In this study, secondary treated wastewater (STW) from an anaerobic/facultative pond system at the city of Lins (São Paulo State, Brazil) was used over 3 years and 7 months to irrigate coffee (Coffea arabica L.). The soil type was Typic Haplustox and the crops were fertilized according to regional agronomical recommendations. Soil and leaf samples from three sampling campaigns were used to study effects on chemical quality parameters, macronutrients and Na within the soil–plant system. Due to high Na contents of the STW applied, Na concentrations showed increases throughout the soil profile compared to untreated soil conditions. Both, low C/N ratio of STW and fertilizer amendments stimulated soil microbial activity and encouraged nitrification and mineralization of wastewater organic components and soil organic matter (SOM) causing significant decreases of SOM and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Over time exchangeable sodium percentages (ESP) in the topsoil decreased due to Na exchange mainly by Ca and Mg, resulting in increasing exchangeable calcium percentage (ECP) and exchangeable magnesium percentage (EMP) associated with lower soil sodicity. Exchanged Na and available soluble Na from STW led to both elevated ESP at depth by soil migration and high plant uptake. The superficial increase of ECP and EMP favored continuous replenishment of Ca and Mg in the soil solution leading to increasing plant contents over time. The plant Ca, Mg and K contents remained high after fertilization stop and continued STW irrigation. This is expected to be rather a short-lived effect due to a reduction of the essential cation store through constantly provided Na and insufficient supply of essential cations via STW, associated with decrease of SOM and CEC and higher sodicity risk, suggesting the need of continued fertilizer use for soil maintenance. On the other hand, the plant contents of P, N and S dropped back to deficient values when irrigated solely with STW mainly due to insufficient replenishment by STW and the anion exchange complex (AEC) indicating moreover the need to continue fertilization to maintain anion levels in soil for optimum plant growth. The study revealed that STW can effectively increase water resources for irrigation, however, innovative and adapted fertilizer/STW management strategies are needed to diminish sodicity risks and to sustain adequate and balanced nutritional conditions in the soil–plant system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]