Expression of Basement Membrane Molecules by Wharton Jelly Stem Cells (WJSC) in Full-Term Human Umbilical Cords, Cell Cultures and Microtissues.

Wharton's jelly stem cells (WJSC) from the human umbilical cord (UC) are one of the most promising mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in tissue engineering (TE) and advanced therapies. The cell niche is a key element for both, MSC and fully differentiated tissues, to preserve their unique features. The basement membrane (BM) is an essential structure during embryonic development and in adult tissues. Epithelial BMs are well-known, but similar structures are present in other histological structures, such as in peripheral nerve fibers, myocytes or chondrocytes. Previous studies suggest the expression of some BM molecules within the Wharton's Jelly (WJ) of UC, but the distribution pattern and full expression profile of these molecules have not been yet elucidated. In this sense, the aim of this histological study was to evaluate the expression of main BM molecules within the WJ, cultured WJSC and during WJSC microtissue (WJSC-MT) formation process. Results confirmed the presence of a pericellular matrix composed by the main BM molecules-collagens (IV, VII), HSPG2, agrin, laminin and nidogen-around the WJSC within UC. Additionally, ex vivo studies demonstrated the synthesis of these BM molecules, except agrin, especially during WJSC-MT formation process. The WJSC capability to synthesize main BM molecules could offer new alternatives for the generation of biomimetic-engineered substitutes where these molecules are particularly needed.

Influence of Oxidative Stress-Related Genes on Susceptibility to Fibromyalgia.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex syndrome to diagnose and treat because of its unknown etiology. However, previous studies reported that patients with FM experience oxidative stress. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding enzymes involved in oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], catalase, and NADPH oxidase [CYBA]) in patients with FM and in healthy subjects, as well as the possible relation with demographic and clinical manifestations of FM. METHODS: A total of 141 patients with FM and 73 healthy subjects participated in this case-control study. For DNA extraction, buccal swabs were collected from patients with FM, and a peripheral blood sample was extracted from controls. We analyzed SNPs in genes related to oxidative stress (rs10432782 in SOD1, rs1001179 in catalase, and rs4673 in CYBA) using TaqMan probes. In patients with FM, severity of FM, fatigue, and pain were assessed by Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), respectively. Physical (PCS-12) and mental (MCS-12) health statuses were evaluated by the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey. RESULTS: The selected SNPs did not show significant differences between patients with FM and controls. The rs10432782 (SOD1) was associated with Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores in patients with FM, whereas the rs4673 (CYBA) was associated with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory score, MCS-12 score, and duration of the disease. DISCUSSION: We have identified significant correlations between SOD1 and CYBA variants with clinical manifestations of FM. These results provide new insights into the pathogenesis of FM that could be useful for guiding future studies along the way to find the cause(s) of this syndrome.

Effects of Olive Oil Consumption on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Fibromyalgia.

We have recently reported that patients with fibromyalgia (FM) may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Olive oil reportedly has cardioprotective effects. We examined the influence of olive oil consumption on cardiovascular risk factors in FM. This preliminary study was performed on blood samples of women with FM who consumed 50 mL of organic olive oil daily for 3 weeks. Patients were randomized into two groups: 15 women ingested extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and 15 refined olive oil (ROO). Cardiovascular risk markers were measured at baseline (pre measure) and after consumption of olive oil (post measure). Red blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; both p < 0.05) declined significantly post-treatment in the EVOO group. Consumption of ROO increased mean platelet volume and reduced platelet distribution width (PDW), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, ESR and fibrinogen (all p < 0.05). Significant differences were found in pre-post change between the EVOO and ROO groups for cortisol and PDW (both p < 0.05). Our results have shown that consumption of olive oil may have antithrombotic and antiinflammatory properties in patients with FM, thereby improving a number of cardiovascular risk markers. Both EVOO and ROO may be useful as adjuvants for the prevention and/or treatment of cardiovascular disorders in these patients.

Are Patients With Fibromyalgia in a Prothrombotic State?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate thrombosis-related parameters (blood coagulation parameters, platelet indices, red blood cell [RBC] count, and inflammatory markers) in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). METHOD: We carried out a case-control study with 35 women with FM and 12 age-matched healthy volunteers to analyze fibrinogen levels, prothrombin time, cephaline time, platelet count, platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), RBC count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). RESULTS: The results showed significantly increased fibrinogen levels ( p < .05), platelet count ( p < .05), PDW ( p = .059), RBC count ( p < .05), and PLR ( p < .05) in women with FM versus the healthy volunteers. Prothrombin time ( p < .05) and MPV ( p < .05) were significantly lower in patients with FM than in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated platelet and RBC counts, PDW values, and fibrinogen levels as well as decreased prothrombin time are all indicative of a prothrombotic state in FM patients, which may be enhanced by an increased inflammatory tone. This prothrombotic state may increase the risk of thrombosis-related cardiovascular disease in patients with FM.

Wharton's jelly stem cells: a novel cell source for oral mucosa and skin epithelia regeneration.

Perinatal stem cells such as human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly stem cells (HWJSCs) are excellent candidates for tissue engineering because of their proliferation and differentiation capabilities. However, their differentiation potential into epithelial cells at in vitro and in vivo levels has not yet been reported. In this work we have studied the capability of HWJSCs to differentiate in vitro and in vivo to oral mucosa and skin epithelial cells using a bioactive three-dimensional model that mimics the native epithelial-mesenchymal interaction. To achieve this, primary cell cultures of HWJSCs, oral mucosa, and skin fibroblasts were obtained in order to generate a three-dimensional heterotypical model of artificial oral mucosa and skin based on fibrin-agarose biomaterials. Our results showed that the cells were unable to fully differentiate to epithelial cells in vitro. Nevertheless, in vivo grafting of the bioactive three-dimensional models demonstrated that HWJSCs were able to stratify and to express typical markers of epithelial differentiation, such as cytokeratins 1, 4, 8, and 13, plakoglobin, filaggrin, and involucrin, showing specific surface patterns. Electron microscopy analysis confirmed the presence of epithelial cell-like layers and well-formed cell-cell junctions. These results suggest that HWJSCs have the potential to differentiate to oral mucosa and skin epithelial cells in vivo and could be an appropriate novel cell source for the development of human oral mucosa and skin in tissue engineering protocols.

Espolón calcáneo de la adolescencia / Calcaneal spur in adolescence

Se presentó un paciente adolescente portador de espolones calcáneos bilateral, rara patología a esta edad en nuestro país. Se expuso el cuadro clínico y la terapéutica adecuada. Se revisó la literatura.

An adolescent patient presented with bilateral calcareal spurs, which is very rare pathology at this age in our country. The clinical chart was exponed and the therapy was carried out. The literatura was consulted.

Adaptive branchial mechanisms in the sturgeon Acipenser naccarii during acclimation to saltwater.

Variations of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity and fatty-acid composition in the gills of the sturgeon Acipenser naccarii subjected to progressive acclimation to full seawater (35 ppt) were determined in relation to the hypo-osmoregulatory capacity of this species in the hyperosmotic medium. Blood samples were taken and gills arches were removed at intermediate salinity levels between 0 and 35 ppt and after 20 days at constant salinity (35 ppt). Plasma osmolality and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity increased significantly with growing environmental salinity. Total saturated fatty acids (SFAs) decreased, while total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) increased significantly with increasing salinity due mainly to changes in n-3 PUFAs (20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3). The n-3/n-6 ratio increased significantly during the acclimation process. The results show a direct relationship between salinity, increased gill Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity and ultrastructural changes of the gill chloride cells. Changes in the fatty-acid composition in gills of A. naccarii during progressive acclimation to full seawater suggest that variations of gill fatty acids may also have a role in osmoregulatory mechanisms.

Quiste de colédoco: Informe de dos pacientes / Choledochal cyst: Report of two patients

Objetivo. Informar de dos pacientes femeninas con quiste de colédoco. Sede. Servicio de Cirugía del Hospital General de Zona "Aragón" 29 IMSS. Descripción de los casos: Caso 1. Mujer de 29 años, con antecedente de colecistectomía 10 años antes de su ingreso, acude al hospital por dolor abdominal, náusea, vómito, fiebre e ictericia. Con leucocitosis de 16,700 y 93 por ciento de neutrófilos, con pruebas de funcionamiento hepático con patrón obstructivo tipo extrahepático. Se efectuó ultrasonido abdominal y colangiografía retrógrada endoscópica que confirmó el diagnóstico de quiste de colédoco tipo 1; interviniéndose quirúrgicamente con resección completa del quiste y reconstrucción tipo hepático yeyuno anastomosis. Fue dada de alta en buenas condicioens y actualmente en control en consulta externa. Caso II. Mujer de 20 años, con embarazo de 22 semanas, con antecedente de dolor abdominal desde la edad de 6 años, ingresó por exacerbación del cuadro doloroso, náusea, vómito y fiebre; se le efectuó ultrasonografía abdominal y colangiografía retrógrada endoscópica que demostraron quistes de colédoco tipo I. Presentó evolución clínica tórpida, por lo que fue intervenida quirúrgicamente, efectuándose colecistostomía; evolucionó satisfactoriamente, fue dada de alta en buenas condiciones. Cuatro semanas posteriores a la resolución del embarazo, se intervino quirúrgicamente, se hizo resección completa del quiste y hepatoyeyuno anastomosis. La evolución fue satisfactoria, actualmente bajo control y vigilancia en consulta externa

Colangitis infecciosa aguda / Acute infectious cholangitis

Objetivo: Conocer los resultados en el tratamiento de la colangitis infecciosa aguda (CIA) e identificar factores de riesgo relacionados con el desarrollo de complicaciones muerte. Material y métodos: Se revisaron los expedientes de pacientes con CIA atendidos en un período de 7 años. Se analizaron el cuadro clínico, enfermedades asociadas, métodos diagnósticos y tratamientos aplicados. Resultados: Se incluyeron 85 pacientes (61 por ciento mujeres y 39 por ciento hombres). Los datos clínicos más frecuentes fueron dolor abdominal, fiebre e ictericia. La causa de obstrucción fue coledocolitiasis en 75 por ciento, neoplasia en 12 por ciento y otras causas en 13 por ciento. Todos los pacientes recibieron antibióticos, además de alguna forma de drenaje de la vía biliar en 74 por ciento. Se observaron complicaciones en 32 por ciento de los casos y 14 por ciento murieron. La presencia de neoplasia como causante de obstrucción biliar se asoció a un riesgo significativo de muerte (RM 11.1). Conclusiones: La CIA es un padecimiento potencialmente fatal, principalmente en grupos de alto riesgo, como los pacientes con obstrucción biliar de origen maligno.