OVOL1 immunohistochemical expression is a useful tool to diagnose invasion in ocular surface squamous neoplasms.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: OVOL1 is a gene that negatively regulates mesenchymal transformation, which allows epithelial cells to invade the stroma. On the other hand, it negatively regulates c-Myc, which has a positive effect on cell proliferation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of OVOL1 and c-Myc in ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional cohort study of 36 samples including 6 squamous papillomas, 19 conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasms, 6 squamous carcinomas and 7 normal conjunctivae were evaluated using immunohistochemistry against OVOL1 and c-Myc. The expression of both markers was analysed using the H-score (intensity 1-3 multiplied by the percentage of positive cells). RESULTS: Percentages of 98 and 100 of the OSSN, and 57 and 71% of the normal conjunctivae expressed OVOL1 and c-Myc respectively, however, the mean H-score of OVOL1 and c-Myc was higher in the OSSN than in normal conjunctivae group (P=0.0001 in both). Within the OSSN, OVOL1 demonstrated a higher H-score in the conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasms and papilloma, compared to the squamous carcinoma (P<0.01) group. c-Myc did not show differences between the OSSN groups. An H-score lower than 35 differentiates a squamous cell carcinoma from other OSSN lesions with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of OVOL1 is a useful tool to differentiate between a squamous carcinoma of conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasms and papilloma. OVOL1 could play a role in the invasiveness of squamous neoplasms and places it as a potential therapeutic target.

Myths and realities in the management of the open abdomen with negative pressure systems. A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: The open abdomen is a useful resource for treating patients with abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome. Currently, early closure assisted with negative pressure devices is considered standard of treatment, and its use has demonstrated favorable outcomes and a decreased rate of complications. PRESENTATION OF A CASE: We present a case of a 32-year-old male patient with diagnosis of non-seminomatous germinal testicular tumor (Stage IIIB (T3-N3-M1), which was summited to surgery, as a complication he presented massive bleeding, that culminated in acute compartment syndrome. With the aforementioned findings the patient re entered the operating room and was managed with open abdomen combined with a medial retraction technique of the abdominal fascia. Currently, the patient has not presented recurrence or late complications after a year. DISCUSSION: The use of negative pressure techniques for open abdomen management began to be generalized in 1995. Subsequently, this technique evolved to V.A.C therapy (Vacuum-assisted closure therapy). Currently, these negative pressure techniques have become the most used method for the temporary closure and management of open abdomen. Controversies continue to limit its widespread use and effectiveness. CONCLUSION: Adequate application of negative pressure therapy in combination with techniques of medial retraction of the abdominal fascia, have proved to be useful in management for patients with open abdomen.

Intraperitoneal Immunization with Cry1Ac Protoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis Provokes Upregulation of Fc-Gamma-II/and Fc-Gamma-III Receptors Associated with IgG in the Intestinal Epithelium of Mice.

In humans, intestinal epithelial FcRn is expressed throughout life and mediates the bidirectional transport of IgG, but in mice, it is markedly expressed in neonatal intestine. In adults, its expression is only faintly upregulated after intestinal IgG induction such as that elicited by i.p. immunization with Cry1Ac protoxin (pCry1Ac) Bacillus thuringiensis. This led us to suggest that additional Fcγ receptors (Fcγ-R) may be participating in epithelial IgG uptake. So, first we determined whether CD16/32 [an epitope shared by Fcγ-RII (CD32) and Fcγ-RIII (CD16)] was expressed in the intestinal epithelia of mice. Using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, we detected co-localization of IgG and CD16/32 in epithelial cells, whose frequency was increased by immunization with pCry1Ac. Western blot and cross-immunoprecipitation results with anti-CD16/32 and IgG antibodies in epithelial cell extracts suggested that epithelial cells bear both Fcγ-RII and Fcγ-RIII and contained IgG associated with Fcγ-RII/RIII. Using anti-CD32 and anti-CD16 antibodies, we confirmed by Western blot, confocal microscopy and flow cytometry that both Fcγ-RII and Fcγ-RIII were expressed and suggested that upregulation occurred upon immunization in intestinal epithelia. Finally, we examined the in vitro effect of anti-CD16/32, anti-CD16 and anti-CD32 antibodies on IgG uptake and transport by intestinal epithelial cells and found that it was partially reduced. Although further studies are still required, our results suggest that Fcγ-RII and Fcγ-RIII might participate in the uptake and/or transport of IgG through the intestinal epithelia of adult mice.

Expression of toll-like receptor TLR-2, TLR-3, TLR-4 and TLR-9 is increased in placentas from patients with preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Few studies have examined the presence of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in term placentas from women with preeclampsia, such, have focused on TLR-4 and TLR-2 analysis. Whereas an increase in TLR-4 immunostaining has been observed in preeclampsia, it is even higher in placentas with chorioamnionitis compared with normal pregnancy. Expression of TLR-2 has not been associated with preeclampsia. The relationship of TLR-3 and TLR-9, which may recognize dsRNA or DNA, either derived either from microorganisms or from apoptotic cells and thus may be involved with this pathology, has not been studied in term placentas. We undertook this study to determine if there are changes in the expression and localization of TLR-2, TLR-4, TLR-3 and TLR-9 in preeclamptic term placentas as compared with normal placentas. METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional and comparative study was done in a group of ten patients with 38-40 gestation weeks, both in preeclamptic and control cases. Immunofluorescence detection of TLRs was performed in samples of placenta and analyzed by confocal microscopy. RESULTS: It was observed that TLR-2, TLR-3, TLR-4 and TLR-9 were expressed both in normal and preeclamptic placentas, in the trophoblast, at the vascular endothelium (where TLR-2 and TLR-9 staining was pronounced), and at placental villous stroma, although increased expression was detected in preeclampsia. In addition, co-localization of TLR-2 and TLR-4 as well as of TLR-3 and TL9 was found in the trophoblast. CONCLUSIONS: TLR-2, -3, -4 and -9 expressions are increased in preeclamptic placentas. However, more studies are required to determine the role of TLRs in pregnancy immunology and to establish its relationship with preeclampsia.

Immunization with Cry1Ac from Bacillus thuringiensis increases intestinal IgG response and induces the expression of FcRn in the intestinal epithelium of adult mice.

We have shown that Cry1Ac protoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis is a potent mucosal and systemic immunogen with adjuvant properties. Interestingly, we have observed that Cry1Ac preferentially induces high specific IgG responses in intestinal fluid when it is intraperitoneally administered to mice; therefore, in the present study, we used this protocol, as a model to address the influence of systemic immunization on the induction of the intestinal IgG response. The data shown indicate that upon intraperitoneal immunization with Cry1Ac, significant intestinal specific IgG cell responses were produced in the lamina propria, accompanied by an increased frequency of intestinal IgG+ lymphocytes and epithelial cells containing IgG. Considering that FcRn is the receptor responsible for the transport of IgG in neonatal intestinal epithelia, but it is developmentally downregulated in the rodent intestine, we analysed whether upon intestinal IgG induction, FcRn mRNA expression was induced in intestinal epithelial cells, of adult mice. Whereas in intestinal epithelia of unimmunized adult mice FcRn mRNA was not detected, in Cry1Ac immunized mice it was expressed, although the level was lower in comparison with that found in neonatal epithelia. Then using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence we confirmed that the expression of the protein FcRn was induced in the intestines of adult immunized mice especially in the large intestine. Finally, we found that Cry1Ac also increased FcRn expression in isolated intestinal epithelial cells stimulated in vitro. The outcomes suggest that the expression of FcRn in intestinal epithelium might be reactivated upon immunization, and possibly facilitate IgG transport.

Reaching teen farm workers with health and safety information: an evaluation of a high school ESL curriculum.

While childhood agricultural injury has long been recognized as an important public health issue, most research has focused on family farms and there have not been many interventions targeting hired youth. This study evaluated the impact of a high school English as a Second Language (ESL) curriculum, designed to provide teen agricultural workers with the knowledge and tools to protect their health and safety in the fields. Using a quasi-experimental design, the research consisted of two intervention groups and a comparison group, and included over 2,000 students from communities that lead California in agricultural production. The research findings revealed that the curriculum had significant impact in terms of increases in knowledge and attitudes, and nearly half of those interviewed after a summer of working in the fields reported implementing new behaviors to protect their health and safety. The curriculum also had extended effects in the broader community, as the majority of students reported sharing the new information with others. The study found that a school-based ESL curriculum is an effective intervention to reach and educate teen farm workers and that ESL classes can serve as a much-needed access point for young farm workers.

Posttraumatic stress disorder in victims of the March 11 attacks in Madrid admitted to a hospital emergency room: 6-month follow-up.

PURPOSE: To determine the change in prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in victims of the March 11 attacks and their relatives, 1 and 6 months after the attacks. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Evaluation of PTSD symptoms using the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) in a sample of 56 patients admitted to an emergency room of a general hospital, and assessment of PTSD symptoms in relatives of the patients. RESULTS: At Month 1, 41.1% of patients (31.3% of males and 54.2% of females) presented with PTSD. At Month 6, this figure was 40.9% (30.4% of males and 52.4% of females). There was a significant improvement in perception of health among females between Month 1 and Month 6. Relatives presented similar DTS scores at baseline and at 6 months. DISCUSSION: We verified that rates of PTSD did not vary substantively between the two evaluations. PTSD symptoms positively correlated with psychological health involvement. This correlation points out that both PTSD symptoms and subjective general health involvement are part of the psychological response to trauma. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PTSD symptoms was high and remained stable between Month 1 and Month 6, while subjective perception of health improved significantly.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women: bad news, good news, and next steps in prevention.

Chlamydia trachomatis causes largely asymptomatic infections that can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. Screening women routinely is critical to controlling the epidemic of this disease. Testing innovations now make diagnosis easier, and simple treatment regimens may improve compliance with medications and increase cure rates, but testing and treatment must be coupled with improved screening efforts and effective partner services. Ongoing research may point to other interventions that will increase our success in fighting chlamydial infections.

A human rotavirus with rearranged genes 7 and 11 encodes a modified NSP3 protein and suggests an additional mechanism for gene rearrangement.

A human rotavirus (isolate M) with an atypical electropherotype with 14 apparent bands of double-stranded RNA was isolated from a chronically infected immunodeficient child. MA-104 cell culture adaptation showed that the M isolate was a mixture of viruses containing standard genes (M0) or rearranged genes: M1 (containing a rearranged gene 7) and M2 (containing rearranged genes 7 and 11). The rearranged gene 7 of virus M1 (gene 7R) was very unusual because it contained two complete open reading frames (ORF). Moreover, serial propagation of virus M1 in cell culture indicated that gene 7R rapidly evolved, leading to a virus with a deleted gene 7R (gene 7RDelta). Gene 7RDelta coded for a modified NSP3 protein (NSP3m) of 599 amino acids (aa) containing a repetition of aa 8 to 296. The virus M3 (containing gene 7RDelta) was not defective in cell culture and actually produced NSP3m. The rearranged gene 11 (gene 11R) had a more usual pattern, with a partial duplication leading to a normal ORF followed by a long 3' untranslated region. The rearrangement in gene 11R was almost identical to some of those previously described, suggesting that there is a hot spot for gene rearrangements at a specific location on the sequence. It has been suggested that in some cases the existence of short direct repeats could favor the occurrence of rearrangement at a specific site. The computer modeling of gene 7 and 11 mRNAs led us to propose a new mechanism for gene rearrangements in which secondary structures, besides short direct repeats, might facilitate and direct the transfer of the RNA polymerase from the 5' to the 3' end of the plus-strand RNA template during the replication step.

Pesticide exposures to children from California's Central Valley: results of a pilot study.

In response to concerns about pesticide use and evidence that contaminants may accumulate in house dust, the California Department of Health Services (DHS) conducted a pilot study of pesticide contamination in rural children's home environments. House dust samples for pesticide analysis were collected from eleven homes, five of which had at least one farmworker (FW) resident. Handwipe samples were collected from one child at each residence (ages 1-3 years). Ten of 33 pesticides tested in house dust were detected. Excluding non-detects, concentrations for diazinon ranged from 0.7-169 ppm in four FW homes and 0.2-2.5 ppm in three non-farmworker (NFW) homes (overall median = 1 ppm), suggesting a difference between FW and NFW homes. Chlorpyrifos ranged from 0.2-33 ppm in three FW homes and < 1 ppm in two NFW homes (overall median < 0.5 ppm). All other pesticides were detected at < 2 ppm at four or fewer homes. The sources of these compounds could not be determined. Co-located samples were considerably different in concentration and loading, indicating intra-household variation. Of nine compounds tested, diazinon and chlorpyrifos were found on the hands of two or three FW children (20-220 ng/hand). Dust ingestion scenarios show child exposures could exceed the United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Program diazinon chronic reference dose (9 x 10(5) mg/kg/day). The results suggested that pesticide residues are present in the home environment of some California children and are likely to contribute to exposures. Additional research is feasible and needed to assess the magnitude and distribution of these risks.