Dysbiosis by Eradication of Helicobacter pylori Infection Associated with Follicular Gastropathy and Pangastropathy.

Dysbiosis plays an important role in the development of bacterial infections in the gastric mucosa, particularly Helicobacter pylori. The international guidelines for the treatment of H. pylori infections suggest standard triple therapy (STT). Nevertheless, because of the increasing resistance rates to clarithromycin, metronidazole has been widely considered in several countries. Unfortunately, the non-justified administration of antibiotics induces dysbiosis in the target organ. We characterized the gastric microbiota of patients diagnosed with follicular gastropathy and pangastropathy attributed to H. pylori infection, before and after the administration of STT with metronidazole. Dominant relative abundances of Cutibacterium were observed in pre-treatment patients, whereas H. pylori was observed at <11%, suggesting the multifactor property of the disease. The correlation of Cutibacterium acnes and H. pylori with gastric infectious diseases was also evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The dominance of C. acnes over H. pylori was observed in gastritis, gastropathies, and non-significant histological alterations. None of the microorganisms were detected in the intestinal metaplasia. Post-treatment alterations revealed an increase in the relative abundances of Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and Klebsiella. Non-H. pylori gastrointestinal bacteria can be associated with the initiation and development of gastric diseases, such as pathobiont C. acnes.

A Multicenter Prospective Study on the Use of a Mandibular Advancement Device in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

The main objective of this prospective study was the evaluation of 1 mm step titration of mandible advancement in the success of treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). For that, a multicenter prospective study was designed to recruit patients with OSA who were eligible to receive a mandibular advancement device. Gradual titration of mandibular advancement (steps of 1 mm) from maximum intercuspidation was performed to determine the optimal mandibular advancement (highest reduction in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)). The principal variable was the percentage of patients where a reduction ≥50% of the AHI was achieved at the end of the titration phase. A total of 102 patients participated in this study. Fifty-six percent of the participants were males and 67% had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Most of the patients (79%) had an age ≥ 50 years and the majority (74%) were either non-smokers or ex-smokers. Excessive daytime sleepiness was reported by 40% of the patients. The mean AHI at baseline was 20.6 ± 12.7 events/h. The mean advancement of the mandible was 3.1 ± 1.6 mm. The device achieved a reduction in the AHI in 93% of the patients and success (≥50% reduction in the AHI) in 69% of the patients. Success was achieved in 50%, 81.6%, and 73.3% of the patients with mild, moderate, and severe OSA, respectively. Decreasing the magnitude of mandibular advancement could be possible by controlling the vertical mouth opening and step-by-step titration.

Clinicopathological and molecular approaches to the diagnosis of oral lesions in Mpox: Case report.

Mpox virus infection (MPXV) has recently been recognized as a public health emergency by the World Health Organization. While several studies have described the clinical characteristics of MPXV-oral lesions, there remains a dearth of information regarding the histological and ultrastructural oral findings. A 24-year-old HIV-positive man presented with a shallow ulcer, covered by a fibrinoid membrane, and surrounded by an erythematous halo in the hard and soft palate. The clinical appearance of the lesion raised suspicion of a viral infection; thus, the diagnosis was based on histological and electronic microscopy findings and confirmed by RT-PCR testing in the skin specimen. This case report aims to offer comprehensive insights into the clinical, histopathological, and ultrastructural features of oral lesions caused by MPXV in an individual with HIV. This report provides valuable information about the characteristics of MPXV infection in the oral mucosa, particularly in people living with HIV.

Is Your Kid Actin Out? A Series of Six Patients With Inherited Actin-Related Protein 2/3 Complex Subunit 1B Deficiency and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 1B deficiency is characterized clinically by ear, skin, and lung infections, bleeding, eczema, food allergy, asthma, skin vasculitis, colitis, arthritis, short stature, and lymphadenopathy. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the clinical, laboratory, and genetic features of six patients from four Mexican families. METHODS: We performed exome sequencing in patients of four families with suspected actinopathy, collected their data from medical records, and reviewed the literature for reports of other patients with actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 1B deficiency. RESULTS: Six patients from four families were included. All had recurrent infections, mainly bacterial pneumonia, and cellulitis. A total of 67% had eczema whereas 50% had food allergies, failure to thrive, hepatomegaly, and bleeding. Eosinophilia was found in all; 84% had thrombocytopenia, 67% had abnormal-size platelets and anemia. Serum levels of IgG, IgA, and IgE were highly increased in most; IgM was normal or low. T cells were decreased in 67% of patients, whereas B and NK cells were increased in half of patients. Two of the four probands had compound heterozygous variants. One patient was successfully transplanted. We identified 28 other patients whose most prevalent features were eczema, recurrent infections, failure to thrive, bleeding, diarrhea, allergies, vasculitis, eosinophilia, platelet abnormalities, high IgE/IgA, low T cells, and high B cells. CONCLUSION: Actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 1B deficiency has a variable and heterogeneous clinical spectrum, expanded by these cases to include keloid scars and Epstein-Barr virus chronic hepatitis. A novel deletion in exon 8 was shared by three unrelated families and might be the result of a founder effect.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome in pediatric patients: experience in a tertiary care institution in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disease characterized by the development of polyps in the gastrointestinal tract, mucocutaneous pigmentation, and the risk of developing malignant neoplasms. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, and histopathological data of patients with PJS treated in a tertiary pediatric hospital. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study to describe the epidemiological, clinical, endoscopic, and histological characterization of patients with PJS treated in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Mexico. RESULTS: We included 13 cases with a male-female ratio of 1.16:1. Abdominal pain was the main reason for consultation, followed by rectorrhagia. Patients showed mucocutaneous pigmentation and polyps in the gastrointestinal tract, frequently of the hamartomatous type, although inflammatory polyps, follicular hyperplasia, and adenomatous polyps were also found. Among the complications, there was a high prevalence of emergency surgery secondary to abdominal obstructive processes, the main reason for first-time consultation in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: The main clinical manifestations were mucocutaneous pigmentation, abdominal pain, and rectorrhagia. PJS should be included in the differential diagnosis in the presence of intestinal obstruction. The diagnosis of PJS should not be excluded if hamartomatous polyps are not evident on the first endoscopy. Nutritional assessment should be included due to the risk of presenting some degree of malnutrition.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El síndrome de Peutz-Jeghers es una enfermedad hereditaria autosómica dominante poco frecuente, caracterizada por el desarrollo de pólipos en el tubo digestivo, pigmentación mucocutánea y riesgo de desarrollar neoplasias malignas. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los datos epidemiológicos, clínicos e histopatológicos de los pacientes con SPJ atendidos en un hospital pediátrico de tercer nivel. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional retrospectivo, para describir las características epidemiológicas, clínicas, endoscópicas e histopatológicas de los pacientes con SPJ atendidos en un hospital pediátrico de tercer nivel de atención en México. RESULTADOS: Se recopilaron 13 casos con una relación masculino-femenino de 1.16:1. El dolor abdominal fue el principal motivo de consulta, seguido por rectorragia. Los pacientes presentaban pigmentación mucocutánea y pólipos en el tubo digestivo, la mayoría del tipo hamartomatoso, aunque también se hallaron pólipos inflamatorios, hiperplasia folicular y adenomatosos. Dentro de las complicaciones se encontró una alta prevalencia de cirugías de emergencia secundarias a procesos obstructivos abdominales, motivo principal de consulta de primera vez en estos pacientes. CONCLUSIONES: Las principales manifestaciones clínicas fueron pigmentación mucocutánea, dolor abdominal y rectorragia. Ante un cuadro de obstrucción intestinal se debe considerar el SPJ en el diagnóstico diferencial. No se debe excluir el diagnóstico de SPJ si no se evidencian pólipos hamartomatosos en la primera endoscopia. Se debe incluir la valoración nutricional por el riesgo de presentar algún grado de desnutrición.

Ganglioneuromatosis intestinal difusa a lo largo del tubo digestivo.

BACKGROUND: Ganglioneuromas are histologically benign neoplasms derived from the sympathetic nervous system, whose occurrence in the gastrointestinal tract is rare and often syndromic. According to the injury pattern and extension, lesions are divided into polypoid ganglioneuroma, ganglioneuromatous polyposis, and diffuse ganglioneuromatosis. This work aimed to present the incidental post mortem finding of diffuse ganglioneuromatosis of the gastrointestinal tract in a patient without syndromic involvement. CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a two-year-old female patient with surgically corrected type III tracheoesophageal atresia and fistulous recanalization, multiple episodes of aspiration pneumonia, and septic shock. During the last admission, she developed massive pulmonary hemorrhage and multi-organ failure. Post mortem histopathological study identified hypertrophy of the pylorus and enlarged enteric nerve trunks and plexuses with intermingled mature ganglion cells. We identified ganglioneuromatosis affecting all gastrointestinal tract segments with the predominance of the myenteric plexuses. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal ganglioneuromatosis is a rare disease with a spectrum of lesions ranging from isolated to syndromic with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is necessary to know the condition, investigate systematically when it is suspected, and rely on genetic studies to confirm or rule out any syndromic association.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los ganglioneuromas son neoplasias histológicamente benignas derivadas del sistema nervioso simpático, cuya ocurrencia en el tubo digestivo es rara y comúnmente sindromática. De acuerdo con el patrón de la lesión y la extensión se dividen en ganglioneuroma polipoide, poliposis ganglioneuromatosa y ganglioneuromatosis difusa. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar el hallazgo incidental post mortem de ganglioneuromatosis difusa del tubo digestivo en una paciente sin afectación sindromática. CASO CLÍNICO: Se describe el caso de un paciente de sexo femenino de 2 años con atresia traqueoesofágica tipo III corregida quirúrgicamente que cursó con recanalización fistulosa, múltiples episodios de neumonía por aspiración y choque séptico. Durante el último ingreso cursó con hemorragia pulmonar masiva y falla multiorgánica. En el estudio post mortem se identificó hipertrofia del píloro y de los troncos y plexos nerviosos entéricos con células ganglionares maduras entremezcladas. Se identificó ganglioneuromatosis que afectaba todos los segmentos del tubo digestivo, con predominio de los plexos mientéricos. CONCLUSIONES: La ganglioneuromatosis intestinal es una rara enfermedad que presenta un espectro de lesiones desde una forma aislada hasta sindromática con morbimortalidad elevada. Por ello, es necesario conocer la enfermedad, indagar sistemáticamente cuando se sospeche y apoyarse de estudios genéticos que confirmen o descarten alguna asociación sindromática.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome in pediatric patients: experience in a tertiary care institution in Mexico / Síndrome de Peutz-Jeghers en pacientes pediátricos: experiencia en una institución de tercer nivel de atención en México

Abstract Background: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disease characterized by the development of polyps in the gastrointestinal tract, mucocutaneous pigmentation, and the risk of developing malignant neoplasms. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, and histopathological data of patients with PJS treated in a tertiary pediatric hospital. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study to describe the epidemiological, clinical, endoscopic, and histological characterization of patients with PJS treated in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Mexico. Results: We included 13 cases with a male-female ratio of 1.16:1. Abdominal pain was the main reason for consultation, followed by rectorrhagia. Patients showed mucocutaneous pigmentation and polyps in the gastrointestinal tract, frequently of the hamartomatous type, although inflammatory polyps, follicular hyperplasia, and adenomatous polyps were also found. Among the complications, there was a high prevalence of emergency surgery secondary to abdominal obstructive processes, the main reason for first-time consultation in these patients. Conclusions: The main clinical manifestations were mucocutaneous pigmentation, abdominal pain, and rectorrhagia. PJS should be included in the differential diagnosis in the presence of intestinal obstruction. The diagnosis of PJS should not be excluded if hamartomatous polyps are not evident on the first endoscopy. Nutritional assessment should be included due to the risk of presenting some degree of malnutrition.

Resumen Introducción: El síndrome de Peutz-Jeghers es una enfermedad hereditaria autosómica dominante poco frecuente, caracterizada por el desarrollo de pólipos en el tubo digestivo, pigmentación mucocutánea y riesgo de desarrollar neoplasias malignas. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los datos epidemiológicos, clínicos e histopatológicos de los pacientes con SPJ atendidos en un hospital pediátrico de tercer nivel. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional retrospectivo, para describir las características epidemiológicas, clínicas, endoscópicas e histopatológicas de los pacientes con SPJ atendidos en un hospital pediátrico de tercer nivel de atención en México. Resultados: Se recopilaron 13 casos con una relación masculino-femenino de 1.16:1. El dolor abdominal fue el principal motivo de consulta, seguido por rectorragia. Los pacientes presentaban pigmentación mucocutánea y pólipos en el tubo digestivo, la mayoría del tipo hamartomatoso, aunque también se hallaron pólipos inflamatorios, hiperplasia folicular y adenomatosos. Dentro de las complicaciones se encontró una alta prevalencia de cirugías de emergencia secundarias a procesos obstructivos abdominales, motivo principal de consulta de primera vez en estos pacientes. Conclusiones: Las principales manifestaciones clínicas fueron pigmentación mucocutánea, dolor abdominal y rectorragia. Ante un cuadro de obstrucción intestinal se debe considerar el SPJ en el diagnóstico diferencial. No se debe excluir el diagnóstico de SPJ si no se evidencian pólipos hamartomatosos en la primera endoscopia. Se debe incluir la valoración nutricional por el riesgo de presentar algún grado de desnutrición.

Ganglioneuromatosis intestinal difusa a lo largo del tubo digestivo / Diffuse intestinal ganglioneuromatosis along the gastrointestinal tract

Resumen Introducción: Los ganglioneuromas son neoplasias histológicamente benignas derivadas del sistema nervioso simpático, cuya ocurrencia en el tubo digestivo es rara y comúnmente sindromática. De acuerdo con el patrón de la lesión y la extensión se dividen en ganglioneuroma polipoide, poliposis ganglioneuromatosa y ganglioneuromatosis difusa. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar el hallazgo incidental post mortem de ganglioneuromatosis difusa del tubo digestivo en una paciente sin afectación sindromática. Caso clínico: Se describe el caso de un paciente de sexo femenino de 2 años con atresia traqueoesofágica tipo III corregida quirúrgicamente que cursó con recanalización fistulosa, múltiples episodios de neumonía por aspiración y choque séptico. Durante el último ingreso cursó con hemorragia pulmonar masiva y falla multiorgánica. En el estudio post mortem se identificó hipertrofia del píloro y de los troncos y plexos nerviosos entéricos con células ganglionares maduras entremezcladas. Se identificó ganglioneuromatosis que afectaba todos los segmentos del tubo digestivo, con predominio de los plexos mientéricos. Conclusiones: La ganglioneuromatosis intestinal es una rara enfermedad que presenta un espectro de lesiones desde una forma aislada hasta sindromática con morbimortalidad elevada. Por ello, es necesario conocer la enfermedad, indagar sistemáticamente cuando se sospeche y apoyarse de estudios genéticos que confirmen o descarten alguna asociación sindromática.

Abstract Background: Ganglioneuromas are histologically benign neoplasms derived from the sympathetic nervous system, whose occurrence in the gastrointestinal tract is rare and often syndromic. According to the injury pattern and extension, lesions are divided into polypoid ganglioneuroma, ganglioneuromatous polyposis, and diffuse ganglioneuromatosis. This work aimed to present the incidental post mortem finding of diffuse ganglioneuromatosis of the gastrointestinal tract in a patient without syndromic involvement. Case report: We describe the case of a two-year-old female patient with surgically corrected type III tracheoesophageal atresia and fistulous recanalization, multiple episodes of aspiration pneumonia, and septic shock. During the last admission, she developed massive pulmonary hemorrhage and multi-organ failure. Post mortem histopathological study identified hypertrophy of the pylorus and enlarged enteric nerve trunks and plexuses with intermingled mature ganglion cells. We identified ganglioneuromatosis affecting all gastrointestinal tract segments with the predominance of the myenteric plexuses. Conclusions: Intestinal ganglioneuromatosis is a rare disease with a spectrum of lesions ranging from isolated to syndromic with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is necessary to know the condition, investigate systematically when it is suspected, and rely on genetic studies to confirm or rule out any syndromic association.

Classic infantile-onset Pompe disease with histopathological neurologic findings linked to a novel GAA gene 4 bp deletion: A case study.

Pompe disease (PD) is an autosomal recessive disorder by a deficiency of acid α-glucosidase (GAA) with intralysosomal glycogen accumulation in multiple tissues. We present the case of a 5-month-old male with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hypotony, feeding difficulties, and oxygen requirement since birth. At 3 months of age, he develops heart failure, respiratory impairment, and neurological deterioration. The echocardiogram revealed concentric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with left-diastolic dysfunction. We found increased creatine-phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and urinary glucose tetrasaccharide levels, 50% of PAS-positive vacuolated lymphocytes in the peripheral blood smear, and low GAA activity. Sequencing of coding exons and flanking intronic sequences revealed a novel homozygous 4 bp deletion in exon 15 of the GAA gene (c.2066_2069delAGCC/p.Glu689Glyfs*6). IOPD was diagnosed. At 5 months old, we started enzyme replacement therapy with an alpha-alglucosidase of 20 mg/kg weekly and immunomodulation with intravenous immunoglobulin. He developed two cardiorespiratory arrests with subsequent neurologic deterioration, convulsive crisis, and respiratory failure and died at 9 months old. We found the usual PD hallmarks in the heart, striated muscle, and liver but also we found neuronal lesions characterized by cytoplasm vacuolization with PAS-positive granules in the central nervous system and myenteric plexus. We describe a novel GAA gene pathogenic variant with a particular phenotype characterized by classic IOPD and neurologic histopathological findings. Enhancing the knowledge of lysosomal diseases is critical to improving the diagnosis and treatment of these patients.

The interplay between estrogen receptor beta and protein kinase C, a crucial collaboration for medulloblastoma cell proliferation and invasion.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common and aggressive pediatric intracranial tumor. Estrogen receptor ß (ERß) expression correlates with MB development and its phosphorylation modifies its transcriptional activity in a ligand-dependent or independent manner. Using in silico tools, we have identified several residues in ERß protein as potential targets of protein kinases C (PKCs) α and δ. Using Daoy cells, we observed that PKCα and PKCδ associate with ERß and induce its phosphorylation. The activation of ERß promotes MB cells proliferation and invasion, and PKCs downregulation dysregulates these steroid receptor mediated processes. Our data suggest that these kinases may play a crucial role in the regulation of the ERß transcriptional activity. Overexpression of both PKCα and PKCδ in MB biopsies samples supports their relevance in MB progression.

Role of Helicobacter pylori and Other Environmental Factors in the Development of Gastric Dysbiosis.

Microbiomes are defined as complex microbial communities, which are mainly composed of bacteria, fungi, and viruses residing in diverse regions of the human body. The human stomach consists of a unique and heterogeneous habitat of microbial communities owing to its anatomical and functional characteristics, that allow the optimal growth of characteristic bacteria in this environment. Gastric dysbiosis, which is defined as compositional and functional alterations of the gastric microbiota, can be induced by multiple environmental factors, such as age, diet, multiple antibiotic therapies, proton pump inhibitor abuse, H. pylori status, among others. Although H. pylori colonization has been reported across the world, chronic H. pylori infection may lead to serious consequences; therefore, the infection must be treated. Multiple antibiotic therapy improvements are not always successful because of the lack of adherence to the prescribed antibiotic treatment. However, the abuse of eradication treatments can generate gastric dysbiotic states. Dysbiosis of the gastric microenvironment induces microbial resilience, due to the loss of relevant commensal bacteria and simultaneous colonization by other pathobiont bacteria, which can generate metabolic and physiological changes or even initiate and develop other gastric disorders by non-H. pylori bacteria. This systematic review opens a discussion on the effects of multiple environmental factors on gastric microbial communities.

Histomorphometry evaluation of bone anabolism promoted by prostaglandin E1 and its relation to hypercalcemia / Evaluación histomorfométrica del anabolismo óseo en la reparación promovida por la prostaglandina E1 y su relación con la hipercalcemia

Abstract Background: At present, parathyroid hormone is the only existing anabolic bone therapy but produces hypercalcemia. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has been suggested as a bone anabolic agent that allows bone modeling formation without producing hypercalcemia. This study aimed to corroborate these PGE1 properties. Methods: For 22 days, rabbits (n = 30) were divided into three groups (n = 10 each group) and received intravenous solutions: vehicle (control group), palate disjunction + vehicle (sham group), and palate disjunction + 50 mg of PGE1 (PGE1 group). On days 1, 3, and 22, palatine suture X-rays were taken. On day 22, bone formation markers were analyzed, and the rabbits were sacrificed. Bone palate undecalcified samples were processed. Histomorphometry software was used to analyze bone parameters, and the mineralization front was stained with toluidine blue. Scalloped lines reflect remodeling-based bone formation (RBF), and smooth lines reflect modeling-based formation (MBF). Results: X-rays showed more significant palatal disjunction in the PGE1 group; this group exhibited significant calcitriol serum increments. Hypercalciuria was observed in the PGE1 group, and resorption markers (N-telopeptides) remained stable. Sutural bones in the PGE1 group exhibited significant anabolism in structural parameters. RBF was 20%, and MBF was 6% in the sham group; in the PGE1 group, RBF was 8.6%, and MBF was 17%. In the PGE1 group, mineralization was significantly accelerated, but resorption remained stable. Conclusions: This model suggests that PGE1 favors palate disjunction, calcitriol synthesis, and shortens the mineralization. Therefore, PGE1 is an important bone anabolic molecule predominantly of modeling-based form and no hypercalcemia.

Resumen Introducción: La hormona paratiroidea es la única molécula anabólica ósea, pero ocasiona hipercalcemia. La prostaglandina E1 (PGE1) sugiere ser un anabólico óseo con formación por modelación predominante y generalmente no ocasiona hipercalcemia. El objetivo de este estudio fue corroborar estas propiedades de la PGE1. Métodos: Por 22 días, 30 conejos divididos en tres grupos (n = 10 cada grupo) recibieron una solución por vía intravenosa: vehículo (grupo control), disyunción palatina más vehículo (grupo sham) y disyunción palatina más 50 mg de PGE1 (grupo PGE1). A los días 1, 3 y 22 se obtuvieron radiografías de la sutura palatina. En el día 22 se analizaron los marcadores bioquímicos de formación ósea y se sacrificó a los conejos. Las suturas y los huesos suturales se procesaron sin descalcificar. La evaluación histomorfométrica fue digitalizada y el frente de mineralización ósea se tiñó con azul de toluidina. Las líneas irregulares reflejan resorción (remodelación) y las líneas rectas no resorción (modelación). Resultados: Radiográficamente, la disyunción palatina fue mayor en el grupo PGE1. Este grupo mostró una hipercalcitonemia significativa, pero la calcemia y los marcadores resortivos (N-telopéptidos) se mantuvieron estables. Por histomorfometría, los huesos suturales del grupo PGE1 mostraron anabolismo significativo en parámetros estructurales. En el grupo sham, la remodelación ósea fue del 20% y la modelación fue del 6%; en el grupo PGE1, la remodelación fue del 8.6% y la modelación fue del 17%. En este mismo grupo, la mineralización fue significativamente acelerada, pero la resorción se mantuvo igual. Conclusiones: Este modelo sugiere que la PGE1 favorece la disyunción palatina y el aumento del calcitriol, y acelera la mineralización y el anabolismo óseo por modelación predominante sin hipercalcemia.

Histomorphometry evaluation of bone anabolism promoted by prostaglandin E1 and its relation to hypercalcemia.

BACKGROUND: At present, parathyroid hormone is the only existing anabolic bone therapy but produces hypercalcemia. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has been suggested as a bone anabolic agent that allows bone modeling formation without producing hypercalcemia. This study aimed to corroborate these PGE1 properties. METHODS: For 22 days, rabbits (n = 30) were divided into three groups (n = 10 each group) and received intravenous solutions: vehicle (control group), palate disjunction + vehicle (sham group), and palate disjunction + 50 µg of PGE1 (PGE1 group). On days 1, 3, and 22, palatine suture X-rays weretaken. On day 22, bone formation markers were analyzed, and the rabbits were sacrificed. Bone palate undecalcified samples were processed. Histomorphometry software was used to analyze bone parameters, and the mineralization front was stained with toluidine blue. Scalloped lines reflect remodeling-based bone formation (RBF), and smooth lines reflect modeling-based formation (MBF). RESULTS: X-rays showed more significant palatal disjunction in the PGE1 group; this group exhibited significant calcitriol serum increments. Hypercalciuria was observed in the PGE1 group, and resorption markers (N-telopeptides) remained stable. Sutural bones in the PGE1 group exhibited significant anabolism in structural parameters. RBF was 20%, and MBF was 6% in the sham group; in the PGE1 group, RBF was 8.6%, and MBF was 17%. In the PGE1 group, mineralization was significantly accelerated, but resorption remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: This model suggests that PGE1 favors palate disjunction, calcitriol synthesis, and shortens the mineralization. Therefore, PGE1 is an important bone anabolic molecule predominantly of modeling-based form and no hypercalcemia.

Mandibular movement analisys by means of a kinematic model applied to the design of oral appliances for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are one of the treatment options used for the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). At present, MADs are designed with standard titration systems, without considering each patient's anatomical characteristics of the temporomandibular joint and mandible shape. The main objective of this study is to evaluate if a variability in mandibular morphology will influence the displacement of the jaw with a MAD. Such knowledge will be of help to find optimal mandibular positions with MAD even when opening the mouth. METHODS: By using a mandibular movement model, the movement patterns of different points on the chin have been analyzed. The influence of different skeletal mandibular shapes on these movements have also been studied. The results show differences in the movement patterns of the lower front teeth depending on its distance to the center of the condyle, with a more horizontal direction in those in which there is a greater distance. RESULTS: Variations in mandibular morphology imply differences in movement patterns of the analyzed points of the mandible. Consequently, MADs should be designed according to each patient's anatomy to avoid mandibular retrusion in those areas that may narrow the upper airways. CONCLUSIONS: This study may help to understand why not all patients move their lower jaws forwards equally with the same degree of mandibular protrusion measured in relation to the teeth. These results might also partially explain why airway obstruction is more severe in certain untreated sleep apnea subjects than in others when opening their mouth during sleep.

Curli of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Enhance Urinary Tract Colonization as a Fitness Factor.

Curli, a type of fimbriae widely distributed in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), are involved in adhesion to human bladder cell surfaces and biofilm development. The role of UPEC curli was evaluated in a murine model of urinary tract infection. The aim of this study was to establish the role of curli in C57BL/6 mice transurethrally infected with curli-producing and non-curli-producing UPEC strains. We confirmed that curli enhanced UPEC colonization in the urinary tract, resulting in damage to both the bladder and kidney. Intranasal immunization with recombinant CsgA protein protected against colonization by curli-producing UPEC in the urinary tract. Quantification of cytokines from urinary tract organs showed increases in interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) release in the kidneys 48 h postinfection with curli-producing UPEC. By contrast, mice infected with non-curli-producing UPEC showed the highest release of interleukin-6, -10, and -17A and TNF. Curli may obscure other fimbriae and LPS, preventing interactions with Toll-like receptors. When intranasal immunization with recombinant FimH and PapG proteins and subsequent infection with this strain were performed, cytokine quantification showed a decrease in the stimulation and release by the uroepithelium. Thus, curli are amyloid-like fimbriae that enhances colonization in the urinary tract and a possible fitness factor.

Inference from the analysis of genetic structure of Helicobacter pylori strains isolates from two paediatric patients with recurrent infection.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori recurrence after successful eradication is an important problem. Children are particularly vulnerable to reinfection, by intrafamilial transmission which facilitates the acquisition or recombination of new genetic information by this bacterium. We investigated the evolutionary dynamics of 80 H. pylori strains isolated from two paediatric patients with recurrent infection (recrudescence and reinfection). RESULTS: We characterized the virulence genes vacA (s1, m1, s2, and m2), cagA, cagE, and babA2 and performed multilocus sequence typing (MLST) on 7 housekeeping genes (atpA, efp, ureI, ppa, mutY, trpC, and yphC) to infer the evolutionary dynamics of the H. pylori strains through phylogenetic and genealogic inference analyses, genetic diversity analysis and the exploration of recombination events during recurrent infections. The virulence genotype vacAs1m1/cagA+/cagE+/babA2 was present at a high frequency, as were the EPIYA motifs EPIYA-A, -B and -C. Furthermore, the housekeeping genes of the H. pylori strains exhibited high genetic variation, comprising 26 new alleles and 17 new Sequence Type (ST). In addition, the hpEurope (76.5%) and hspWAfrica (23.5%) populations predominated among the paediatric strains. All strains, regardless of their ancestral affiliation, harboured western EPIYA motifs. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of the evolutionary dynamics of the H. pylori strains in two paediatric patients during recrudescence and reinfection events. In particular, our study shows that the strains changed during these events, as evidenced by the presence of different STs that emerged before and after treatment; these changes may be due to the accumulation of mutations and recombination events during the diversification process and recolonization of the patients by different genotypes.

Niemann-Pick disease A or B in four pediatric patients and SMPD1 mutation carrier frequency in the Mexican population.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Niemann-Pick disease type A (NPD-A) and B (NPD-B) are lysosomal storage diseases with a birth prevalence of 0.4-0.6/100,000. They are caused by a deficiency in acid sphingomyelinase, an enzyme encoded by SMPD1. We analyzed the phenotype and genotype of four unrelated Mexican patients, one with NPD-A and three with NPD-B. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four female patients between 1 and 7 years of age were diagnosed with NPD-A or NPD-B by hepatosplenomegaly, among other clinical characteristics, and by determining the level of acid sphingomyelinase enzymatic activity and sequencing of the SMPD1 gene. Additionally, a 775bp amplicon of SMPD1 (from 11:6393835_6394609, including exons 5 and 6) was analyzed by capillary sequencing in a control group of 50 unrelated healthy Mexican Mestizos. RESULTS: An infrequent variant (c.1343A>G p.Tyr448Cys) was observed in two patients. One is the first NPD-A homozygous patient reported with this variant and the other a compound heterozygous NPD-B patient with the c.1829_1831delGCC p.Arg610del variant. Another compound heterozygous patient had the c.1547A>G p.His516Arg variant (not previously described in affected individuals) along with the c.1805G>A p.Arg602His variant. A new c.1263+8C>T pathogenic variant was encountered in a homozygous state in a NPD-B patient. Among the healthy control individuals there was a heterozygous carrier for the c.1550A>T (rs142787001) pathogenic variant, but none with the known pathogenic variants in the 11:6393835_6394609 region of SMPD1. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides further NPD-A or B phenotype-genotype correlations. We detected a heterozygous carrier with a pathogenic variant in 1/50 healthy Mexican mestizos.

Differential expression of miRNA-146a and miRNA-155 in gastritis induced by Helicobacter pylori infection in paediatric patients, adults, and an animal model.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is a major aetiologic agent associated with gastritis. H. pylori infections increase the expression of the Toll-like receptor (TLR), which in turn modulates the expression of microRNA (miRNA)-146a and miRNA-155. The objective of this study was to compare the expression of miRNA-146a and miRNA-155 in gastric lesions of paediatric and adult patients with different pathologies and in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) infected with H. pylori 26,695. METHODS: Quantification of miRNA expression was performed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) of paraffin-embedded gastric lesions of children with or without an infection (n = 25), adults with follicular gastritis and metaplasia (n = 32) and eight-week-old M. unguiculatus males (Hsd:MON) infected with H. pylori 26,695 for 0, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months (n = 25). The genes RNU48 and RNU6 were used as endogenous controls for data normalization. Statistical analyses were performed using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, ANOVA and Student's t-test. RESULTS: The expression of miRNA-146a and miRNA-155 in infected children increased by 247.6- and 79.4-fold (on average), respectively, compared to that observed in the control group. However, these results were not significant (p = 0.12 and p = 0.07 respectively). In some children a gradual increase in expression was observed, while in others, expression was very high. Additionally, the expression levels of miRNA-146a and miRNA-155 increased by an average of 21.7- and 62-fold, respectively, in adult patients with follicular gastritis when compared to those of the controls. In M. unguiculatus infected with H. pylori 26,695, the expression of both miRNAs increased as the infection progressed. CONCLUSION: This is the first report to show differences in the expression of miRNA-146a and miRNA-155 in paediatric and adult patients with gastritis who were infected with H. pylori. In addition, in M. unguiculatus infected with H. pylori, miRNA expression was associated with the progression of infection and the ability of the bacteria to adapt to the host.