Primary Subcutaneous Synovial Sarcoma: First Reported Subcutaneous Case Showing TLE1 Immunoreactivity.

Synovial sarcoma (SS) accounts for 5%-10% of all soft tissue sarcomas. It is a well-defined soft tissue neoplasm with biphasic and monophasic histologic subtypes and unknown histogenesis. It usually occurs in the extremities, especially the thigh-knee region of young adults. Recurrences are frequent and distant metastasis developed in approximately half of the patients. SSs are characterized by a recurrent nonrandom chromosomal translocation, t(X; 18) (p11; q11), which is considered the primary genetic event in more than 90% of cases. Only 4 cases of cutaneous and subcutaneous SSs have been published in the literature so far. We report a case of primary subcutaneous SS in the forearm of a young woman and discuss the histopathologic differential diagnosis with other similar neoplasms. This is the first reported case of primary cutaneous SS showing immunoreactivity for TLE1 in the nuclei of neoplastic cells, supporting the use of this marker for diagnosis of this rare cutaneous neoplasm.

Potential capacity of an emergency dispatch center to predict COVID-19-related hospital and intensive care unit admissions. / Capacidad potencial de un centro coordinador de urgencias y emergencias para predecir ingresos hospitalarios y en unidades de cuidados intensivos por COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the association between the perceived care demand in the emergency call center of Castilla La Mancha (and hospital and ICU admissions for COVID-19, as well as their temporal characteristics, to explore its potential capacity as a predictive tool for COVID hospital admissions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study on the daily calls made to the emergency call center of Castilla La Mancha, both calls to 112 and those made to COVID line, in the period between March 1 and October 14, 2020. The data were analyzed by codes "diarrhea", "dyspnea", "fever" and "general discomfort" that were used as predictor variables, and their relationship with hospital admissions and ICU admissions. RESULTS: A total of 831,943 calls were received at the CLM emergency call center through 112, with a maximum on March 13, 2020 with 10,582 calls. On COVID line, a total of 208,803 calls were received in that period, with a maximum on March 15 with 23,744. A statistically significant relationship was found between the regulation codes studied (specific symptoms) and the number of calls with hospital admissions and ICU admissions, with a predictive capacity of 2 weeks in relation to occupancy peaks. The codes with the greatest relationship were "general malaise" and "diarrhea". CONCLUSION: We have found an association between the number of calls to a CCUE due to dyspnea, fever, general discomfort, diarrhea and the number of calls with hospital admissions and ICU for COVID-SARS-2 2 weeks in advance, mainly due to general discomfort and diarrhea. The design of predictive expert systems and their automation using artificial intelligence could be part of the preparation, planning and anticipation programs of health systems in the near future in the event of future pandemics.

OBJETIVO: Analizar la asociación entre la demanda asistencial percibida en el Centro Coordinador de Urgencias y Emergencias (CCUE) de Castilla La Mancha (CLM) y los ingresos hospitalarios y en unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) por COVID-19, así como sus características temporales, para valorar la potencial aplicación como herramienta predictiva de ingresos por COVID-19. METODO: Estudio observacional retrospectivo de las llamadas diarias realizadas al CCUE de CLM entre el 1 de marzo y el 14 de octubre de 2020. Se analizaron los códigos "diarrea", "disnea", "fiebre" y "malestar general" que fueron usados como variables predictoras, y su relación con los ingresos hospitalarios y en UCI. RESULTADOS: A través del 112 se recibieron 831.943 llamadas (máximo el 13 de marzo: 10.582 llamadas). En la línea 900 fueron 208.803 llamadas (máximo el 15 de marzo: 23.744 llamadas). Se encontró una relación estadísticamente significativa entre los códigos de regulación estudiados y el número de llamadas con los ingresos hospitalarios y en UCI, con una capacidad predictora de 2 semanas en relación a los picos de ocupación. Los códigos con mayor relación fueron "malestar general" y "diarrea". CONCLUSIONES: Se encontró una asociación entre el número de llamadas a un CCUE por disnea, fiebre, malestar general y diarrea y el número de llamadas con los ingresos hospitalarios y en UCI por COVID-19 con una antelación de 2 semanas, principalmente por malestar general y diarrea. El diseño de sistemas expertos predictivos y su automatización mediante inteligencia artificial podría formar parte de los programas de preparación, planificación y anticipación de los sistemas de salud ante futuras pandemias.

17beta-Estradiol affects osmoregulation in Fundulus heteroclitus.

The effect of 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) on osmoregulatory performance was examined in the euryhaline killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus. Fish were injected once with 1, 2 and 5 microg g(-1) E(2) and, 6 h after injection, transferred from 1 ppt seawater (SW) to full strength SW (40 ppt) or from SW to 1 ppt SW. In another set of experiments, fish were injected four times on alternate days with 2 microg g(-1) E(2) and then, 6 h after the last injection, transferred from 1 ppt SW to SW or from SW to 1 ppt SW. Fish were sampled 18 h after transfer (i.e., 24 h post-injection), and plasma osmolality, Na(+) and Cl(-) concentration and gill K(+)-pNPPase activity (a reflection of the sodium pump) were examined. Transfer from 1 ppt SW to SW resulted in significantly increased plasma osmolality, but did not affect gill K(+)-pNPPase activity. A single dose of E(2) (1, 2 and 5 microg g(-1)) prior to transfer from 1 ppt SW to SW increased plasma osmolality and decreased gill K(+)-pNPPase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Prolonged treatment with E(2) increased plasma osmolality and decreased gill K(+)-pNPPase activity in 1 ppt SW-adapted fish. Transfer of fish thus treated from 1 ppt SW to SW increased plasma osmolality and did not alter gill K(+)-pNPPase activity. Transfer from SW to 1 ppt SW had no significant effect on plasma osmolality or gill K(+)-pNPPase activity. Only the highest single dose of E(2) (5 microg g(-1)) prior to transfer from SW to 1 ppt SW decreased gill K(+)-pNPPase activity. Prolonged treatment with 2 microg g(-1) E(2) decreased gill K(+)-pNPPase activity only following transfer from SW to 1 ppt SW. The results substantiate an inhibitory action of E(2) on hypoosmoregulatory capacity in this euryhaline teleost.

[Cytosolic cathepsin D levels in squamous carcinomas of the lung]. / Significado de la concentración citosólica de catepsina D en el carcinoma escamoso de pulmón.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cathepsin D is an aspartyl proteinase involved in tumoral invasion. The aim of this work was to study cathepsin D cytosolic levels in squamous carcinomas of the lung and their correlation with several clinical and biological parameters. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The study group included 95 squamous lung carcinomas and 38 normal tissue samples from the same patients. Cathepsin D cytosolic concentrations were determined using an immunoradiometric assay (CIS BioInternational. France). EGFR, erbB2 protein, CD44s, CD44v5 and CD44v6 levels at cell surfaces were determined. The clinical stage, histological grade, ploidy and S-phase cellular fraction (SP) were also considered as variables of the study. RESULTS: Cathepsin D cytosolic levels oscillated between 7.7 and 576 (median: 38.8) pmol/mg protein and were lower (p = 0.001) than those observed in 38 normal lung samples from the same patients. When tumors were classified according to different clinical and biological parameters, we noticed that cathepsin D levels were higher in carcinomas with lower proliferation rates and no nodal involvement, reaching statistical significance in both cases. Moreover, when lung carcinomas were classified according to cathepsin D concentrations, tumors with higher cathepsin D concentrations had lower EGFR levels (p = 0.011) and small global SP values (p = 0.025) and DNA index (p = 0.023). Likewise, they were found to be CD44s positive more frequently (p = 0.001) and SP positive less frequently (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: These results lead us to suggest the following: a) in squamous carcinomas of the lung, cathepsin D cytosolic levels are lower than those observed in normal lung samples from the same patients, and b) in this subtype of lung carcinomas, high cathepsin D levels are associated with tumors without nodal involvement, with low proliferation rates, lower EGFR levels, and a reduced positivity for CD44s, pointing to a possible role of this proteinase as a parameter of good outcome.

Effects of 17beta-estradiol and 4-nonylphenol on osmoregulation and hepatic enzymes in gilthead sea bream (Sparus auratus).

Sexually immature Sparus auratus were injected intraperitoneally with coconut oil either alone (control) or containing 17beta-estradiol (E2, 10 microg/g body mass) or 4-nonyphenol (4-NP, 100 and 200 microg/g body mass) and sampled 10 days later. Gill and kidney Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activities, plasma levels of E2 and cortisol, plasma osmolites (osmolality, sodium and chloride) and metabolites (glucose, lactate, proteins and triglycerides) were examined. Livers were used for measuring hepatosomatic index (HSI) and determinations of the activities of antioxidant defences catalase (CAT) and total glutatione peroxidase (t-GPX), the CYP1A-dependent, 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). HSI and plasma levels of E2 were significantly increased in E2 -treated fish. E2 treatment enhanced plasma osmolality, glucose, triglycerides and proteins, but had no effect on plasma cortisol, and gill and kidney Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activities. Hepatic activities of EROD, GST and CAT were significantly decreased after E2 administration, whereas t-GPX remained unaffected. Treatment with 200 microg/g 4-NP caused a slight increase in plasma E2 relative to the control group. Plasma glucose and protein levels were not affected by 4-NP, while triglycerides were increased. Fish treated with the higher dose of 4-NP displayed a clear reduction in kidney Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, together with increases in plasma osmolality, relative to the control group. High 4-NP also caused a significant decrease in EROD and an increase in GST activity. Our results confirm the regulation of the natural estrogen E2 and the weak xenoestrogen 4-NP on osmoregulation and biotransformation enzymes in a partially similar manner. The actions of xenoestrogens on critical physiological processes may have an ecological significance as it can reduce adaptability and capacity to metabolise xenobiotics under stressful conditions.

Osmoregulatory action of 17beta-estradiol in the gilthead sea bream Sparus auratus.

The osmoregulatory action of 17beta-estradiol (E2) was examined in the euryhaline teleost Sparus auratas. In a first set of experiments, fish were injected once with vegetable oil containing E2 (1, 2 and 5 microg/g body weight), transferred 12h after injection from sea water (SW, 38 ppt salinity) to hypersaline water (HSW, 55 ppt) or to brackish water (BW, 5 ppt salinity) and sampled 12h later (i.e. 24 h post-injection). In a second experiment, fish were injected intraperitoneally with coconut oil alone or containing E2 (10 microg/g body weight) and sampled after 5 days. In the same experiment, after 5 days of treatment, fish of each group were transferred to HSW, BW and SW and sampled 4 days later (9 days post-implant). Gill Na+,K+ -ATPase activity, plasma E2 levels, plasma osmolality, and plasma levels of ions (sodium and calcium), glucose, lactate, protein, triglyceride, and hepatosomatic index were examined. Transfer from SW to HSW produced no significant effects on any parameters assessed. E2 treatment did not affect any parameter. Transfer from SW to BW resulted in a significant decrease in plasma osmolality and plasma sodium but did not affect gill Na+,K+ -ATPase activity. A single dose of E2 attenuated the decrease in these parameters after transfer from SW to BW, but was without effect on gill Na+,K+ -ATPase activity. An implant of E2 (10 microg/g body weight) for 5 days significantly increased plasma calcium, hepatosomatic index, plasma metabolic parameters, and gill Na+,K+ -ATPase activity. In coconut oil-implanted (sham) fish, transfer from SW to HSW or BW during 4 days significantly elevated gill Na+,K+ -ATPase. Gill Na+,K+ -ATPase activity remained unaltered after transfer of E2-treated fish to HSW or BW. However, in E2-treated fish transferred from SW to SW (9 days in SW after E2-implant), gill Na+,K+ -ATPase activity decreased with respect to HSW- or BW-transferred fish. Shams transferred to HSW showed increased levels of lactate, protein, and trygliceride in plasma, while those transferred to BW only displayed increased trygliceride levels. E2-treated fish transferred to HSW showed higher protein levels without any change in other plasmatic parameters, while those transferred to BW displayed elevated plasma glucose levels but decreased osmolality and protein levels. These results substantiate a chronic stimulatory action of E2 on gill Na+,K+ -ATPase activity in the euryhaline teleost Sparus auratas.