A non-digestible fraction of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis during early carcinogenesis.

We have previously demonstrated that the non-digestible fraction (NDF) from common cooked beans (P. vulgaris L., cv Negro 8025) inhibits azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon cancer and influences the expression of genes involved in the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through the action of butyrate. The objective of this study was to identify cell cycle alterations and morphological changes induced by treatment with AOM and to examine the formation of colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in male Sprague Dawley rats fed with these beans. Rats were fed control diets upon arrival and were randomly placed into four groups after one week of acclimatization: control, NDF (intragastric administration), NDF + AOM and AOM. Rats treated with NDF + AOM exhibited a significantly lower number of total colonic ACF with a notable increase in the number of cells present in the G1 phase (83.14%); a decreased proliferation index was observed in the NDF + AOM group when compared to AOM group. NDF + AOM also displayed a higher number of apoptotic cells compared to AOM group. NDF of cooked common beans inhibited colon carcinogenesis at an early stage by inducing cell cycle arrest of colon cells and morphological changes linked to apoptosis, thus confirming previous results obtained with gene expression studies.

[Early virologic response value as predictive factor of sustained virologic response to treatment with interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C patients with or without HIV coinfection]. / Valor de la respuesta virológica precoz como factor predictivo de respuesta virológica sostenida al tratamiento con interferón alpha-2b y ribavirina en pacientes con hepatitis crónica C con o sin coinfección por el VIH.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The most effective currently available therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection is the combination of interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin both, in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection and in patients without coinfection. In an attempt to avoid morbidity and health costs we searched for an indicator of early virologic response (EVR). We evaluated the EVR efficiency at 4 and 12-weeks after the initiation of antiviral combination therapy. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A total of consecutive 127 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection treated with combination therapy for 12 months in genotypes 1 and 4 and for 6 months in genotypes 2 and 3, were studied, 62 HIV-coinfected and 65 non-coinfected. They were evaluated for sustained virologic response and EVR at 4 and 12-weeks to initial therapy. RESULTS: Sustained virologic response was greater in the non-coinfected group than coinfected group; these differences were significant for genotypes 1 and 4. In both groups EVR had a 100% predictive negative value at 12-weeks after the initiation of therapy in genotypes 1 and 4, however came down in 79% at 4-weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The EVR at 12-weeks after the initiation of therapy has a 100% predictive negative value in coinfected and non-coinfected patients. Patient adherence to prescribed antiviral therapy is a predictive value of response.

Investigación en especialidades quirúrgicas / Surgical Research

En este artículo los autores revisan las características específicas de la investigación en las especialidades quirúrgicas, sus problemas y diferencias en relación al resto de la investigación biomédica. Hacen especial hincapié en los temas más frecuentes a investigar en cirugía, sus defectos y la metodología. Argumentan que los estudios prospectivos randomizados a doble ciego no deben ser sobredimensionados, ya que presentan problemas metodológicos y bioéticos al aplicarlos a la cirugía. Los estudios prospectivos son los más utilizados por los cirujanos para el avance de las especialidades quirúrgicas (AU)

In this article authors review the specific characteristics of surgical research. Its problems and differences from other biomedical research. Specially they specify the main topics for surgical investigation, its pitfalls and methodologies. They argue that randomised prospective double blind studies must not be over dimensioned, as for surgery they present many difficulties, specially ethical and practical. Prospective studies are been more used by surgeons for the advance of the different surgical specialities (AU)

Valor de la respuesta virologica precoz como factor predictivo de respuesta virologica sostenida al tratamiento con interferon alfa-2b y ribavirina en pacientes con hepatitis cronica C con o sin coinfeccion por el VIH / Early virologic response value as predictive factor of sustained virologic response to treatment with interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C patients with or without HIV coinfection

Fundamento y objetivo: El tratamiento combinado de la hepatitis crónica por el virus de la hepatitis C con interferón alfa-2b más ribavirina es el más adecuado hoy día tanto en pacientes coinfectados con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) como en los que no lo están. En un intento de evitar efectos secundarios a los pacientes y costes sanitarios al Estado, se está buscando indicadores de respuesta virológica precoz (RVP). En este estudio se pretende valorar la eficacia de la RVP a las 4 y 12 semanas del inicio del tratamiento combinado. Pacientes y método: Se ha estudiado a 127 pacientes consecutivos con hepatitis crónica por el virus C que recibieron tratamiento combinado durante 12 meses en los genotipos 1 y 4, y durante 6 meses en los genotipos 2 y 3. De ellos, 62 estaban coinfectados por el VIH y 65 no presentaban coinfección. Se valoraron la respuesta virológica sostenida al final del seguimiento y la RVP a las 4 y 12 semanas del inicio del tratamiento. Resultados: La respuesta virológica sostenida fue mayor en ambos grupos para los genotipos 2 y 3. En los genotipos 1 y 4 fue mayor en el grupo de los no coinfectados que en el de los coinfectados. La RVP tuvo un valor predictivo negativo del 100% en ambos grupos a las 12 semanas de tratamiento para los genotipos 1 y 4, y disminuyó a un 79% cuando se valoró a las 4 semanas. En los genotipos 2 y 3 no se observaron diferencias. Conclusiones: La RVP a las 12 semanas del inicio del tratamiento tiene un valor predictivo negativo del 100% tanto en coinfectados como en no coinfectados por el VIH. El cumplimiento del tratamiento es un valor predictivo de respuesta a éste

Background and objective: The most effective currently available therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection is the combination of interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin both, in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection and in patients without coinfection. In an attempt to avoid morbidity and health costs we searched for an indicator of early virologic response (EVR). We evaluated the EVR efficiency at 4 and 12-weeks after the initiation of antiviral combination therapy. Patients and method: A total of consecutive 127 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection treated with combination therapy for 12 months in genotypes 1 and 4 and for 6 months in genotypes 2 and 3, were studied, 62 HIV-coinfected and 65 non-coinfected. They were evaluated for sustained virologic response and EVR at 4 and 12-weeks to initial therapy. Results: Sustained virologic response was greater in the non-coinfected group than coinfected group; these differences were significant for genotypes 1 and 4. In both groups EVR had a 100% predictive negative value at 12-weeks after the initiation of therapy in genotypes 1 and 4, however came down in 79% at 4-weeks. Conclusions: The EVR at 12-weeks after the initiation of therapy has a 100% predictive negative value in coinfected and non-coinfected patients. Patient adherence to prescribed antiviral therapy is a predictive value of response