Thyroxine (T4) promotes cell proliferation and tumor growth in prostate cancer models, but it is unknown if the increase in the triiodothyronine T3/T4 ratio could attenuate prostate tumor development. We assessed T3 effects on thyroid response, histology, proliferation, and apoptosis in the prostate of wild-type (WT) and TRAMP (transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate) mice. Physiological doses of T3 were administered in the drinking water (2.5, 5 and 15 µg/100 g body weight) for six weeks. None of the doses modified the body weight or serum levels of testosterone, but all of them reduced serum T4 levels by 50%, and the highest dose increased the T3/T4 ratio in TRAMP. In WT, the highest dose of T3 decreased cyclin D1 levels (immunohistochemistry) but did not modify prostate weight or alter the epithelial morphology. In TRAMP, this dose reduced tumor growth by antiproliferative mechanisms independent of apoptosis, but it did not modify the intraluminal or fibromuscular invasion of tumors. In vitro, in the LNCaP prostate cancer cell line, we found that both T3 and T4 increased the number of viable cells (Trypan blue assay), and only T4 response was fully blocked in the presence of an integrin-binding inhibitor peptide (RGD, arginine-glycine-aspartate). In summary, our data show that the prostate was highly sensitive to physiological T3 doses and suggest that in vivo, an increase in the T3/T4 ratio could be associated with the reduced weight of prostate tumors. Longitudinal studies are required to understand the role of thyroid hormones in prostate cancer progression.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. So, there is a need to identify AD early diagnosis and monitoring biomarkers in blood samples. The aim of this study was to analyse the utility of lipid peroxidation biomarkers in AD progression evaluation. Participants (n = 19) were diagnosed with AD at early stages (Time 0, T0), and they were re‐evaluated 2 years later (Time 1, T1). Plasma biomarkers from AD patients were determined at both times. Some analytes, such as dihomo‐isoprostanes (17‐epi‐17‐F2t‐dihomo‐IsoP, 17‐F2t‐dihomo‐IsoP, Ent‐7(RS)‐7‐F2t‐dihomo‐IsoP), and neuroprostanes (10‐epi‐10‐F4t‐NeuroP) showed very high probability of showing an increasing trend over time. Baseline values allowed to develop an affordable preliminary regression model to predict long‐term cognitive status. So, some lipid peroxidation biomarkers would deserve consideration as useful progression AD biomarkers. The developed prediction model would constitute an important minimally invasive approach in AD personalized prognosis and perhaps could have some interest also in experimental treatments evaluation.

Background: Differential diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex task due to the clinical similarity among neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies showed the role of lipid peroxidation in early AD development. However, the clinical validation of potential specific biomarkers in minimally invasive samples constitutes a great challenge in early AD diagnosis. Methods: Plasma samples from participants classified into AD (n = 138), non-AD (including MCI and other dementias not due to AD) (n = 70) and healthy (n = 50) were analysed. Lipid peroxidation compounds (isoprostanes, isofurans, neuroprostanes, neurofurans) were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Statistical analysis for biomarkers’ clinical validation was based on Elastic Net. Results: A two-step diagnosis model was developed from plasma lipid peroxidation products to diagnose early AD specifically, and a bootstrap validated AUC of 0.74 was obtained. Conclusion: A promising AD differential diagnosis model was developed. It was clinically validated as a screening test. However, further external validation is required before clinical application.

The use of alkaline surfactant polymer flooding techniques is becoming more commonplace, particularly in projects where heavier and more viscous crude oil is produced. While the efficacy of increasing recovery factors cannot be disputed, often there is little consideration given to the implications of these EOR chemicals breaking through into producer wells and entering the produced water handling system. The impact caused by EOR chemical breakthrough can be varied, but most commonly the efficacy of oil/water separation is seriously affected. The contribution that EOR chemicals can have on reservoir souring is often underestimated, as is the effect they can have upon standard production chemicals such as scale and corrosion inhibitors. The following paper discusses the oil in water and water in oil emulsion issues during an alkaline surfactant polymer flooding pilot in Asia.

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar cómo está siendo afectado el mercado de autopartes de repuesto en México por la introducción de autopartes chinas. El déficit de comercio entre México y China en el subsector de autopartes se ha incrementado en los últimos años y las autopartes chinas están integrándose a una estrategia de proveeduría que han implantado las empresas para bajar costos de fabricación, abrir nuevas líneas y evitar la escasez de productos. Todo esto es necesario en un mercado de repuesto que crecea tasas de 10% anual y ha tenido un aumento importante de marcas y modelos que obliga a la especialización de las empresas. Sin embargo, no existen normas sobre la calidad y desempeño de las autopartes que se introducen al país; hay problemas de piratería y se perciben en el mercado como autopartes de mala calidad.