Distribution and virulence of Escherichia coli harboring cyclomodulins and supplementary virulence genes isolates from clinical and environmental samples.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cyclomodulins (cdt, cnf, pks and cif) in Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from clinical and environmental samples, the presence of supplementary virulence genes (SVG), antibiotic resistance, and in vitro cytotoxicity. 413 E. coli were isolated from clinical (stool from obese subjects, normal weight subjects, children with diarrhea, and children without diarrhea; and urine from pregnant and non-pregnant women with urinary tract infections) and environmental (water and different foods) samples. PCR was performed to identify E. coli pathotypes, the four cyclomodulins, and 18 SVG; virulence score, cytotoxic assay, and antibiotic resistance assay were performed. Fifteen percent of E. coli were positive for cyclomodulins and were found in all isolation sources; however, in children with diarrhea, they were more frequent. The most frequent cyclomodulin was cdt. More DEC strains harbor cyclomodulins than non-DEC, and cyclomodulins were most frequent among aEPEC pathotype. SVG ehaC was associated with cyclomodulin-positive strains. Cyclomodulin-positive E. coli had a higher virulence score but no significant cytotoxic activity. They were slightly more resistant to antibiotics. In conclusion, cyclomodulins-positive E. coli was widely distributed in humans, food, and the environment, and they were associated with SVG ehaC, suggesting that these genes may play a role in the pathogenesis of the cyclomodulins. However, more research is needed.

Serodiversity, antibiotic resistance, and virulence genes of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters collected in coastal areas of northwestern Mexico between 2012 and 2020.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of V. parahaemolyticus in oysters from the northwestern coast of Mexico and to identify the serotypes, virulence factors, and antibiotic resistance of the strains. Oyster samples were collected from 2012 to 2020 from the northwest coast of Mexico; biochemical and molecular methods were used to identify V. parahaemolyticus from oysters; antiserum reaction to determine V. parahaemolyticus serotypes, and PCR assays were performed to identify pathogenic (tdh and/or trh) or pandemic (toxRS/new, and/or orf8) strains and antibiotic resistance testing. A total of 441 oyster samples were collected and tested for V. parahaemolyticus. Forty-seven percent of oyster samples were positive for V. parahaemolyticus. Ten different O serogroups and 72 serovars were identified, predominantly serotype O1:KUT with 22.2% and OUT:KUT with 17.3%. Twenty new serotypes that had not been previously reported in our region were identified. We detected 4.3% of pathogenic clones but no pandemic strains. About 73.5% of strains were resistant to at least one antibiotic, mainly ampicillin and ciprofloxacin; 25% were multi-drug resistant. In conclusion, the pathogenic strains in oysters and antibiotic resistance are of public health concern, as the potential for outbreaks throughout northwestern Mexico is well established.

Antitumor activity of bovine lactoferrin and its derived peptides against HepG2 liver cancer cells and Jurkat leukemia cells.

Liver cancer and leukemia are the fourth and first causes, respectively, of cancer death in children and adults worldwide. Moreover, cancer treatments, although beneficial, remain expensive, invasive, toxic, and affect the patient's quality of life. Therefore, new anticancer agents are needed to improve existing agents. Because bovine lactoferrin (bLF) and its derived peptides have antitumor properties, we investigated the anticancer effect of bLF and LF peptides (LFcin17-30, LFampin265-284 and LFchimera) on liver cancer HepG2 cells and leukemia Jurkat cells. HepG2 and Jurkat cells were incubated with bLF and LF peptides. Cell proliferation was quantified by an MTT assay, and cell morphology and damage were visualized by light microscopy or by phalloidin-TRITC/DAPI staining. The discrimination between apoptosis/necrosis was performed by staining with Annexin V-Alexa Fluor 488 and propidium iodide, and the expression of genes related to apoptosis was analyzed in Jurkat cells. Finally, the synergistic interaction of bLF and LF peptides with cisplatin or etoposide was assessed by an MTT assay and the combination index. The present study demonstrated that bLF and LF peptides inhibited the viability of HepG2 and Jurkat cells, inducing damage to the cell monolayer of HepG2 cells and morphological changes in both cell lines. bLF, LFcin17-30, and LFampin265-284 triggered apoptosis in both cell lines, whereas LFchimera induced necrosis. These results suggested that bLF and LF peptides activate apoptosis by increasing the expression of genes of the intrinsic pathway. Additionally, bLF and LF peptides synergistically interacted with cisplatin and etoposide. In conclusion, bLF and LF peptides display anticancer activity against liver cancer and leukemia cells, representing an alternative or improvement in cancer treatment.

Virulence-associated genes and antimicrobial resistance patterns in bacteria isolated from pregnant and nonpregnant women with urinary tract infections: the risk of neonatal sepsis.

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is classified as the major causative agent of urinary tract infections (UTIs). UPEC virulence and antibiotic resistance can lead to complications in pregnant women and (or) newborns. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the etiological agents of UTIs, as well as to identify genes related to virulence factors in bacteria isolated from pregnant and nonpregnant women. A total of 4506 urine samples were collected from pregnant and nonpregnant women. Urine cultures were performed, and PCR was used to identify phylogroups and virulence-related genes. Antibiotic resistance profiles were determined. The incidence of UTIs was 6.9% (pregnant women, n = 206 and nonpregnant women, n = 57), and UPEC belonging to phylogroup A was the most prevalent. The presence of genes related to capsular protection, adhesins, iron acquisition, and serum protection in UPEC was associated with not being pregnant, while the presence of genes related to adhesins was associated with pregnancy. Bacteria isolated from nonpregnant women were more resistant to antibiotics; 36.5% were multidrug resistant, and 34.9% were extensively drug resistant. Finally, UTIs were associated with neonatal sepsis risk, particularly in pregnant women who underwent cesarean section while having a UTI caused by E. coli. In conclusion, UPEC isolated from nonpregnant women carried more virulence factors than those isolated from pregnant women, and maternal UTIs were associated with neonatal sepsis risk.

Bovine lactoferrin and lactoferrin peptides affect endometrial and cervical cancer cell lines.

Cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers are the most common malignancies of the female genital tract worldwide. Despite advances in prevention, early diagnosis, effective screening, and treatment programs, mortality remains high. Consequently, it is important to search for new treatments. The activity of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) and LF peptides against several types of cancer has been studied; however, only a few studies report the effect of bLF and LF peptides against cervical and endometrial cancers. In this study, we explored the effect of bLF as well as LF chimera and its constituent peptides LFcin17-30 and LFampin265-284 on the viability of cervical (HeLa, SiHa) and endometrial (KLE, HEC-1A) cancer cell lines. Cell proliferation was quantified with an MTT assay, cell morphological changes and damage were determined by Giemsa and phalloidin-TRITC and DAPI staining, and apoptotic and necrotic cells were identified by Alexa Fluor® 488 Annexin V and propidium iodide staining. Additionally, the effect of combinations of bLF and LF peptides with cisplatin was assessed. bLF and LF peptides inhibited the proliferation of uterine cancer cells and caused cellular morphological changes and damage to cell monolayers. bLF induced apoptosis, LFcin17-30 and LFampin265-284 induced apoptosis and necrosis, and LF chimera induced necrosis. Additionally, bLF and LF chimera showed an additive interaction with cisplatin against uterine cancer cells.

Non-diarrheagenic and diarrheagenic E. coli carrying supplementary virulence genes (SVG) are associated with diarrhea in children from Mexico.

Escherichia coli strains, including diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC), are among the most important causes of childhood diarrhea in developing countries. Since these strains also colonize healthy children, additional factors leading to diarrhea remains to be discovered. We therefore conducted a comprehensive study to investigate if supplementary virulence genes (SVG) carried by DEC strains and non-DEC strains, contribute to diarrhea in Mexican children. E. coli strains were isolated from n = 317 children between 6 and 12 years, n = 114 with diarrhea and n = 203 asymptomatic children from Northwestern Mexico, PCR was used to identify SVG, then virulence score and cytotoxic assay in HT-29 cells were performed to evaluate virulence of E. coli strains. DEC prevalence was 18.6% and its presence was significantly associated with diarrhea cases. aEPEC, tEAEC, ETEC, DAEC, aEAEC, tEPEC, and EIEC pathotypes were identified. aEPEC strains were significantly associated with asymptomatic children, whereas ETEC was only identified in children with diarrhea. E. coli strains carrying colonization-related SVG and/or proteolysis-related SVG were significantly associated with diarrhea. DEC strains were associated to diarrhea if strains carried SVG ehaC, kps, nleB, and/or espC. Virulence score was significantly higher in E. coli from diarrhea cases than asymptomatic. In addition, DEC strains carrying SVG+ were more virulent, followed by non-DEC SVG+ strains, and correlated with the cytotoxicity assay. Nearly 50% of DEC strains were MDR, and ~10% were XDR. In conclusion the findings of this work provide evidence that the presence of E. coli strains (regardless if strains are DEC or non-DEC) with SVG were associated with diarrhea in Mexican children.

Changes in expression of orphan receptors GPR99 and GPR107 during the development and establishment of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Hypertension is a disease, which in spite of existing treatments continues to have high morbidity and mortality, which suggests that there are other mechanisms involved in this pathology. In this sense, the orphan receptors are G protein-coupled receptor associated with various pathologies such as GPR99 which has been linked to mice develop left ventricular hypertrophy induced by blood pressure overload while GPR107 with patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. For this reason, the aim of this work was to study if the expression of the orphan receptors GPR99 and GPR107 are modified by arterial hypertension. Male SHR and WKY rats of 6-8 and 10-12 weeks old were used. The weight, systolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured, as well as the mRNA of the receptors GPR99 and GPR107 in the aorta, kidney, heart and brain by RT-PCR, also was realized an in silico analysis to predict which G protein could be coupled the orphan receptor GPR107. Our results showed that receptors GPR99 and GPR107 are expressed in the analyzed tissues and their expression profile tends to change at different ages and with the development of hypertension, for the other hand, the bioinformatics analysis for GPR107 showed that is coupled to Gi protein. Therefore, we do not rule out that GPR99 and GPR107 could be involved in the pathophysiology of hypertension and could be used as targets therapeutic in hypertension.

Intestinal amoebiasis: 160 years of its first detection and still remains as a health problem in developing countries.

Amoebiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica), an extracellular enteric protozoan. This infection mainly affects people from developing countries with limited hygiene conditions, where it is endemic. Infective cysts are transmitted by the fecal-oral route, excysting in the terminal ileum and producing invasive trophozoites (amoebae). E. histolytica mainly lives in the large intestine without causing symptoms; however, possibly as a result of so far unknown signals, the amoebae invade the mucosa and epithelium causing intestinal amoebiasis. E. histolytica possesses different mechanisms of pathogenicity for the adherence to the intestinal epithelium and for degrading extracellular matrix proteins, producing tissue lesions that progress to abscesses and a host acute inflammatory response. Much information has been obtained regarding the virulence factors, metabolism, mechanisms of pathogenicity, and the host immune response against this parasite; in addition, alternative treatments to metronidazole are continually emerging. An accesible and low-cost diagnostic method that can distinguish E. histolytica from the most nonpathogenic amoebae and an effective vaccine are necessary for protecting against amoebiasis. However, research about the disease and its prevention has been a challenge due to the relationship between E. histolytica and the host during the distinct stages of the disease is multifaceted. In this review, we analyze the interaction between the parasite, the human host, and the colon microbiota or pathogenic microorganisms, which together give rise to intestinal amoebiasis.

[Unilateral congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia in a preterm infant]. / Linfangiectasia pulmonar congénita unilateral en un neonato prematuro.

Unilateral congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia (CPL) is an extremely rare disease of the pulmo nary lymphatic vessels. OBJECTIVE: to present a case of CPL in a premature newborn. CLINICAL CASE: premature male newborn with severe respiratory failure at 2 hours of extrauterine life was treated with exogenous surfactant, catecholamines and high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). Chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed bullae and air trapping of the left lung; the histopathological study showed cystic dilation of the bronchoalveolar lymphatic channels. The diagnosis of secondary unilateral CPL was made. The clinical course up to 19 months of age was normal and the chest CT scan showed few emphysematous bullae. CONCLUSIONS: CPL must be one of the differential diagnoses in neonates with unexplained respiratory distress. The prognosis will depend on the type of CPL and lung involvement.

Antibacterial and cell penetrating effects of LFcin17-30, LFampin265-284, and LF chimera on enteroaggregative Escherichia coli.

Lactoferrin (LF) is a protein with antimicrobial activity, which is conferred in part by 2 regions contained in its N-terminal lobe. These regions have been used to develop the following synthetic peptides: lactoferricin17-30, lactoferrampin265-284, and LF chimera (a fusion of lactoferricin17-30 and lactoferrampin265-284). We have reported that these LF peptides have antibacterial activity against several pathogenic bacteria; however, the exact mechanism of action has not been established. Here, we report the effects of LF peptides on the viability of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) and the ability of these peptides to penetrate into the bacteria cytoplasm. The viability of EAEC treated with LF peptides was determined via enumeration of colony-forming units, and the binding and internalization of the LF peptides was followed via immunogold labeling and electron microscopy. Treatment of EAEC with 20 and 40 µmol/L LF peptides reduced bacterial growth compared with untreated bacteria. Initially the peptides associated with the plasma membrane, but after 5 to 30 min of incubation, the peptides were found in the cytoplasm. Remarkably, bacteria treated with LF chimera developed cytosolic electron-dense structures that contained the antimicrobial peptide. Our results suggest that the antibacterial mechanism of LF peptides on EAEC involves their interaction with and penetration into the bacteria.

Parasiticidal effect of synthetic bovine lactoferrin peptides on the enteric parasite Giardia intestinalis.

Giardia intestinalis is the most common infectious protozoan parasite in children. Despite the effectiveness of some drugs, the disease remains a major worldwide problem. Consequently, the search for new treatments is important for disease eradication. Biological molecules with antimicrobial properties represent a promising alternative to combat pathogens. Bovine lactoferrin (bLF) is a key component of the innate host defense system, and its peptides have exhibited strong antimicrobial activity. Based on these properties, we evaluated the parasiticidal activity of these peptides on G. intestinalis. Trophozoites were incubated with different peptide concentrations for different periods of time, and the growth or viability was determined by carboxyfluorescein-succinimidyl-diacetate-ester (CFDA) and propidium iodide (PI) staining. Endocytosis of peptides was investigated by confocal microscopy, damage was analyzed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and the type of programmed cell death was analyzed by flow cytometry. Our results showed that the LF peptides had giardicidal activity. The LF peptides interacted with G. intestinalis and exposure to LF peptides correlated with an increase in the granularity and vacuolization of the cytoplasm. Additionally, the formation of pores, extensive membrane disruption, and programmed cell death was observed in trophozoites treated with LF peptides. Our results demonstrate that LF peptides exhibit potent in vitro antigiardial activity.

Iron responsive-like elements in the parasite Entamoeba histolytica.

In Entamoeba histolytica, iron modulates virulence and gene expression via unknown regulatory mechanisms. The existence of a posttranscriptional iron regulatory system parallel with the iron-responsive element (IRE)/iron regulatory protein (IRP) system in the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis has recently been reported. Due to their evolutionary closeness and the importance of iron for growth and virulence in these protozoa, we hypothesized the existence of an IRE/IRP-like mechanism in E. histolytica. To determine the presence of IRE-like elements in some mRNAs from this parasite, we performed in silico analyses of the 5'- and 3'-UTRs of mRNAs encoding virulence factors and cytoskeleton, ribosomal and metabolism proteins. The Zuker mfold software predicted IRE-like secondary structures in 52 of the 135 mRNAs analysed. However, only nine structures shared sequence similarity with the apical loop sequence (CAGUGN) of the previously reported human IRE-ferritin, whereas the GUU/UUG protozoan-specific motif was detected in 23 stem-loop structures. A new motif, AUU/AUUU, was also observed in 23 structures, suggesting the possible existence of an amoeba-specific motif. Additionally, cross-linking and RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed specific RNA-protein interactions, using as a model two amoebic IRE-like elements from iron-regulated mRNAs and HeLa, T. vaginalis and E. histolytica cytoplasmic proteins. Our data suggest the presence of a posttranscriptional iron regulatory IRE/IRP-like mechanism in E. histolytica.

A combined linkage and association strategy identifies a variant near the GSTP1 gene associated with BMI in the Mexican population.

Obesity is a major public health concern in Mexico and worldwide. Although the estimated heritability is high, common variants identified by genome-wide association studies explain only a small proportion of this heritability. A combination of linkage and association strategies could be a more robust and powerful approach to identify other obesity-susceptibility variants. We thus sought to identify novel genetic variants associated with obesity-related traits in the Mexican population by combining these methods. We performed a genome-wide linkage scan for body mass index (BMI) and other obesity-related phenotypes in 16 Mexican families using the Sequential Oligogenic Linkage Analysis Routines Program. Associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were tested for associations in an independent cohort. Two suggestive BMI-linkage peaks (logarithm of odds ⩾1.5) were observed at chromosomal regions 11q13 and 13q22. Only rs614080 in the 11q13 region was significantly associated with BMI and related traits in these families. This association was also significant in an independent cohort of Mexican adults. Moreover, this variant was significantly associated with GSTP1 gene expression levels in adipose tissue. In conclusion, the rs614080 SNP near the GSTP1 gene was significantly associated with BMI and GSTP1 expression levels in the Mexican population.

Recurrence of infection and diversity of Helicobacter pylori strains in an adult population in Mexico treated with empirical standard triple therapy.

BACKGROUND: After eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori, infection could recur due to recrudescence or re-infection. The objective of this study was to determine the recurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection and identify virulent Helicobacter pylori strains one year after eradication with standard triple therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was performed that included a patient population with digestive diseases associated with Helicobacter pylori who had received standard triple therapy. Cultures and Polymerase Chain Reaction was performed on gastric biopsies for strain identification in all patients prior to eradication treatment and those with a positive carbon 14 breath test one year after eradication treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using the student T test and Fisher's exact test, statistical significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: 128 patients were studied, 51 (39.8%) were male and 77 (60.2%) were female with an average age of 54.8 years (DE 13.8). There was an annual recurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection in 12 (9.3%) patients. An annual re-infection and recrudescence occurred in 9 (7 %) and 3 (2.3%) patients respectively. The recrudescence rate for cagA was 1/30 (3.3%) patients and 2/112 (1.8%) patients for vacA. The re-infection rate for cagA was 3/30 (10%) patients and 6/112 (5.3%) patients for vacA. CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence of infection in this study was higher than that recorded in developed countries with a low prevalence of H. pylori and lower than that recorded in developing countries with a higher prevalence of H. pylori. The cagA or vacA s2/m2 strains were isolated after re-infection and recrudescence.

[Concordance among invasive diagnostic procedures for Helicobacter pylori infection in adults]. / Concordancia entre procedimientos diagnósticos invasivos para la infección por Helicobacter pylori en adultos.

OBJECTIVE: Compare the strength of concordance between culture, histology, rapid urease test for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection and histopathological findings relationship and frequency of positivity among such diagnostic procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diagnostic test study. The study population were subjects with endoscopy and take samples of gastric antral. Rapid urease test (one sample), histology (two samples) and culture (two samples), and histopathological findings of gastric mucosa were performed. Statistical design with Student's t, Fisher exact test, Kappa coefficient. RESULTS: We reviewed 108 subjects, 28 (25.9%) men, 80 (74.1%) women, mean age was 49.1 years (SD 15.1). The Kappa coefficient was 0.729 and 0.377 between culture with histology and rapid urease test, respectively; likewise the Kappa coefficient was 0.565 between histology and rapid urease test. CONCLUSIONS: The strength of concordance was higher between histology with culture and rapid urease test; the most recommended being histology in clinical practice for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Bactericidal effect of bovine lactoferrin and synthetic peptide lactoferrin chimera in Streptococcus pneumoniae and the decrease in luxS gene expression by lactoferrin.

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is responsible for nearly one million child deaths annually. Pneumococcus causes infections such as pneumonia, otitis media, meningitis, and sepsis. The human immune system includes antibacterial peptides and proteins such as lactoferrin (LF), but its activity against pneumococcus is not fully understood. The aim of this work was to evaluate the bactericidal effect of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) and the synthetic LF-peptides lactoferricin (LFcin17-30), lactoferrampin (LFampin265-284), and LFchimera against S. pneumoniae planktonic cells. The mechanism of damage was also investigated, as well as the impact of these peptides on the transcription levels of genes known to encode important virulence factors. S. pneumoniae planktonic cells were treated with bLF, LFcin17-30, LFampin265-284 and LFchimera at different time points. The viability of treated planktonic cells was assessed by dilution and plating (in CFU/ml). The interaction between LF and LF-peptides coupled to fluorescein was visualized using a confocal microscope and flow cytometry, whereas the damage at structural levels was observed by electron microscopy. Damage to bacterial membranes was further evaluated by membrane permeabilization by use of propidium iodide and flow cytometry, and finally, the expression of pneumococcal genes was evaluated by qRT-PCR. bLF and LFchimera were the best bactericidal agents. bLF and peptides interacted with bacteria causing changes in the shape and size of the cell and membrane permeabilization. Moreover, the luxS gene was down-regulated in bacteria treated with LF. In conclusion, LF and LFchimera have a bactericidal effect, and LF down-regulates genes involved in the pathogenicity of pneumococcus, thus demonstrating potential as new agents for the treatment of pneumococcal infections.

Maxillary mucormycosis and aspergillosis in post-COVID-19 patients in Mexico: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Fungal infections, during or as a consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, associated with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and indiscriminate use of corticosteroids have been reported. In the jaw, mostly mucormycosis has been diagnosed in hospitals. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study of the clinical, imaging, and histopathologic characteristics of maxillary invasive fungal infection in post-COVID-19 patients diagnosed in a private non-hospital oral pathology service in Mexico during 2020-2022 was conducted. RESULTS: We found 20 cases of maxillary invasive fungal infections in post-COVID-19 patients, 75% including a diagnosis of mucormycosis and 25% diagnosed as probable aspergillosis. The most common signs and symptoms were exposed necrotic bone followed by tooth mobility, discharge, and pain. On imaging, unilateral maxillary sinus involvement was observed in 6 cases (30%), and bilateral maxillary sinus involvement was observed in 3 cases (15%). CONCLUSIONS: It is essential to consider the association of osteonecrosis of the jaw in post-COVID-19 patients, with aspergillosis, not only mucormycosis, for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

The anticancer activity of bovine lactoferrin is reduced by deglycosylation and it follows a different pathway in cervix and colon cancer cells.

Bovine lactoferrin (bLF) is a glycosylated protein with purported beneficial properties. The aim of this work was to determine the role of bLF glycosylation in the adhesion, internalization, and growth inhibition of cancer cells. The viability of cervix (HeLa) and colon (Caco-2) cancer cells (MTT assay and epifluorescence microscopy) was inhibited by bLF, while deglycosylated bLF (bLFdeg) had no effect. Adhesion to cell surfaces was quantified by immunofluorescence assay and showed that bLF was able to bind more efficiently to both cell lines than bLFdeg. Microscopic observations indicated that bLF glycosylation favored bLF binding to epithelial cells and that it was endocytosed through caveolin-1-mediated internalization. In addition, the mechanism of action of bLF on cancer cell proliferation was investigated by determining the amount of phosphorylated intermediates of signaling pathways such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (known as Akt). Chemoluminescence immunoassay of phosphorylated intermediates showed that bLF inhibited Akt phosphorylation, consistent with its growth inhibiting activity. This assay also indicated that the bLF receptor/signaling pathways may be different in the two cell lines, Caco-2 and HeLa. This work confirmed the effect of glycosylated bLF in inhibiting cancer cell growth and that glycosylation is required for optimal surface adhesion, internalization, and inhibition of the ERK/Akt pathway of cell proliferation through glycosylated cell surface receptors.

Bovine Aortic Arch with an Aberrant Left Vertebral Artery in a 3-Year-Old Boy with VACTERL Association: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND The VACTEREL association is an acronym that includes vertebral malformations (V), anal atresia (A), cardiac defects (C), tracheoesophageal fistula (TE), renal defects (R), and limb malformations (L). The aortic arch is the section between the ascending aorta and the descending aorta, where some variants have been described, such as the right aortic arch and bovine aortic arch, among others. A rare presentation in the Natsis classification is the "type X" where a bovine aortic arch and anomalous origin of the left vertebral artery are present. Several structural cardiac malformations have been described in the VACTEREL association. Still, there is no bovine arch or an anomalous left vertebral artery. CASE REPORT Our patient was a 3-year-old boy with a diagnosis of VACTEREL association (type III esophageal atresia, congenital hip dislocation, scoliosis, bilateral clubfoot, and grade IV biliary ureteral reflux). Echocardiographic findings showed changes in the aortic arch, and angiotomography and magnetic resonance angiography showed a bovine aortic arch and an anomalous left vertebral artery. At the time of diagnosis, there were no clinical manifestations or complications due to the anomalous origin of the left vertebral artery. CONCLUSIONS This is the first description of a bovine type X arch according to the Natsis classification in a VACTEREL association. In general, knowledge of the anatomical variants of the aortic arch and the origin and course of the vertebral arteries is of great clinical and interventional importance, mainly because of the risk of cerebral ischemia.