Protein arginine methyltransferase 8 modulates mitochondrial bioenergetics and neuroinflammation after hypoxic stress.

Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are a family of enzymes involved in gene regulation and protein/histone modifications. PRMT8 is primarily expressed in the central nervous system, specifically within the cellular membrane and synaptic vesicles. Recently, PRMT8 has been described to play key roles in neuronal signaling such as a regulator of dendritic arborization, synaptic function and maturation, and neuronal differentiation and plasticity. Here, we examined the role of PRMT8 in response to hypoxia-induced stress in brain metabolism. Our results from liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate, and protein analyses indicate that PRMT8(-/-) knockout mice presented with altered membrane phospholipid composition, decreased mitochondrial stress capacity, and increased neuroinflammatory markers, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1, a specific marker for microglia/macrophage activation) after hypoxic stress. Furthermore, adenovirus-based overexpression of PRMT8 reversed the changes in membrane phospholipid composition, mitochondrial stress capacity, and neuroinflammatory markers. Together, our findings establish PRMT8 as an important regulatory component of membrane phospholipid composition, short-term memory function, mitochondrial function, and neuroinflammation in response to hypoxic stress.

Protein Arginine Methyltransferases in Cardiovascular and Neuronal Function.

The methylation of arginine residues by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) is a type of post-translational modification which is important for numerous cellular processes, including mRNA splicing, DNA repair, signal transduction, protein interaction, and transport. PRMTs have been extensively associated with various pathologies, including cancer, inflammation, and immunity response. However, the role of PRMTs has not been well described in vascular and neurological function. Aberrant expression of PRMTs can alter its metabolic products, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA). Increased ADMA levels are recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. Recent studies have provided considerable advances in the development of small-molecule inhibitors of PRMTs to study their function under normal and pathological states. In this review, we aim to elucidate the particular roles of PRMTs in vascular and neuronal function as a potential target for cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

Historical Pollution of an Urban Watershed Based in Geochemical, Geoacumulation, and EROD Activity in PLHC-1 Analyses in Sediment Cores.

In the present study, the environmental changes over the past 100 years in the Cambé River watershed in Southern Brazil were investigated. For this, a sediment core was collected to examine the distribution of metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and ecotoxicological markers. The core corresponds from 1914 to 2012, which was obtained by the decay of 210Pb. Changes in the study area also were examined by: Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF), sediment quality guidelines (SGQs), and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in Poeciliopsis lucida hepatocellular carcinoma (PLHC-1) cells line. The Σ16 PAHs ranged from 242.6 to 40,775 ng g-1, with pyrogenic source at the beginning of the core, which likely corresponds to the burning of forests to establish the city and the later use of fossil fuels from 1960 to 2012. In the 1930s, most of metals presented a concentration below the background. After the 1930s, high concentrations can be associated with the intense use of fertilizers (Cd, Cu, Zn, Hg) and increases in urban traffic (Zn and Pb). Igeo showed that the distribution of Cu is considered moderately to strongly polluted, and the EF of Pb was considered as moderately polluted. Statistical analyses showed a strong relation between the presence of the ANP, FLU, PHE, BaP, IND, and Bghi compounds and the induction of EROD activity, and no correlation with heavy metals. A prediction model for the linear regression was obtained between the ANP and BaP concentrations and the EROD activity, with an accuracy of 99%.

Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos no Brasil: revisão integrativa da literatura / Long-stay Institutions in Brasil: an integrative literature review / Instituciones de largo plazo para ancianos en Brasil: una revisión integradora de literatura

Objetivou-se levantar e analisar a produção científica acerca do delineamento dos trabalhos publicados e temas estudados sobre as instituições de longa permanência para idosos no Brasil, produção essa arrolada no LILACS, MEDLINE, BDENF e SciELO no período de 2013 a 2017. O corpus constitui-se por 88 artigos. Nota-se um número insipiente de pesquisas com intervenções, visto que os pesquisadores ainda buscam descrever o perfil dos idosos institucionalizados, segundo critérios de saúde e doença.

It was aimed to review the literature about Brazilian nursing homes for seniors published at LILACS, MEDLINE, BDENF and SciELO between 2013 and 2017. The corpus consists of 90 articles. There is an incipient amount of papers about intervention research, as long as the researchers still seek to describe the profile of the resident seniors, according to health and disease criteria.

El objetivo fue encuestar y analizar la producción científica sobre la delineación de los trabajos publicados y los temas estudiados sobre las instituciones de atención a largo plazo para ancianos en Brasil. El corpus consta de 88 artículos. Existe un número incipiente de investigaciones con intervenciones, ya que los investigadores todavía buscan describir el perfil de los ancianos institucionalizados, de acuerdo con los criterios de salud y enfermedad.

Apresentação exuberante de caso de esclerose sistêmica / Exuberant presentation in a case of systemic sclerosis

A esclerose sistêmica (ES) é doença autoimune do tecido conjuntivo de etiologia desconhecida, caracterizada pela esclerose (fibrose), que afeta a pele, vasos sanguíneos e órgãos internos. O diagnóstico é firmado pelo quadro clínico compatível, pesquisa de autoanticorpos e capilaroscopia do leito ungueal. Destaca-se neste relato a importância do médico dermatologista frente ao diagnóstico de doenças sistêmicas. Na observação da pele, visível e palpável em todas as suas dimensões e na interpretação de todos os seus sinais, conclui-se que é possível revelar precocemente problemas internos que poderiam evoluir de forma oculta.

Systemic sclerosis (SE) is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue. Of unknown etiology, it is characterized by sclerosis (fibrosis), which affects the skin, blood vessels and internal organs. The diagnosis is confirmed by a compatible clinical picture, autoantibody research and capillaroscopy of the nail bed. The present report highlights the importance of the dermatologist physician in the diagnosis of systemic diseases. Based on the observation of the skin ­ which is visible and palpable in all of its dimensions ­ and in the interpretation of all its signs, it is possible to conclude that it can reveal early internal disorders that could develop unnoticeably.

Medicinal plants used in Brazil Public Health System with neuroprotective potential: a systematic review / Plantas medicinales utilizadas en el Sistema de Salud Pública de Brasil con potencial neuroprotector: una revisión sistemática

Current pharmacological therapies to treat neurological diseases are at best palliative and manage only the symptoms. Unfortunately, few therapies can affect diseases outcomes and alternative strategies such as stem cell therapy, neurotransplantation and deep brain stimulation are still in progress. Diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease become major public health challenge worldwide. In this way, the interest in the development of neuroprotective drugs of natural origin grows. Hence, this systematic review has quantified the studies that refer neuroprotective potential of plants listed in the Brazilian National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to the Unified Health System (RENISUS). Searches were performed in two scientific databases (PubMed and Science Direct) from 2010 to 2016. A total of 4.532 articles met the inclusion criteria. 445 studies were considered eligible and were reviewed as full text. Following full analysis, 63 studies were included in this review. The studies covered 12 of the 71 plants belonging to RENISUS. In addition, two species are currently available in the Brazilian public health system as herbal medicine. This review may encourage and contribute to the proper use of medicinal plants in public health system.

Las terapias farmacológicas actuales para tratar enfermedades neurológicas son, en el mejor de los casos, paliativas y sólo controlan los síntomas. Desafortunadamente, pocas terapias pueden afectar los avances de las enfermedades y las estrategias alternativas tales como terapia con células madre, neurotransplantate y la estimulación profunda del cerebro están todavía en curso. Enfermedades como el Alzheimer y la enfermedad de Parkinson se convierten en un reto importante para la salud pública en todo el mundo. De esta manera, crece el interés en el desarrollo de fármacos neuroprotectores de origen natural. Por lo tanto, esta revisión sistemática ha cuantificado los estudios que hacen referencia al potencial neuroprotector de las plantas incluidas en la Lista Nacional Brasileña de Plantas Medicinales de Interés para el Sistema Único de Salud (RENISUS). Las búsquedas se realizaron en dos bases de datos científicas (PubMed y Science Direct) de 2010 a 2016. Un total de 4,532 artículos cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. 445 estudios se consideraron elegibles y se revisaron como texto completo. Después del análisis completo, se incluyeron 63 estudios en esta revisión. Los estudios abarcaron 12 de las 71 plantas pertenecientes a RENISUS. Además, actualmente hay dos especies disponibles en el sistema de salud pública brasileño como medicina herbaria. Esta revisión puede alentar y contribuir al uso adecuado de las plantas medicinales en el sistema de salud pública.

Utilizing the Modified T-Maze to Assess Functional Memory Outcomes After Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: Evaluating mild to moderate cognitive impairment in a global cerebral ischemia (i.e. cardiac arrest) model can be difficult due to poor locomotion after surgery. For example, rats who undergo surgical procedures and are subjected to the Morris water maze may not be able to swim, thus voiding the experiment. New Method: We established a modified behavioral spontaneous alternation T-maze test. The major advantage of the modified T-maze protocol is its relatively simple design that is powerful enough to assess functional learning/memory after ischemia. Additionally, the data analysis is simple and straightforward. We used the T-maze to determine the rats' learning/memory deficits both in the presence or absence of mild to moderate (6 min) asphyxial cardiac arrest (ACA). Rats have a natural tendency for exploration and will explore the alternate arms in the T-maze, whereas hippocampal-lesioned rats tend to adopt a side-preference resulting in decreased spontaneous alternation ratios, revealing the hippocampal-related functional learning/memory in the presence or absence of ACA. RESULTS: ACA groups have higher side-preference ratios and lower alternations as compared to control. Comparison with Existing Method(s): The Morris water and Barnes maze are more prominent for assessing learning/memory function. However, the Morris water maze is more stressful than other mazes. The Barnes maze is widely used to measure reference (long-term) memory, while ACA-induced neurocognitive deficits are more closely related to working (short-term) memory. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a simple, yet effective strategy to delineate working (short-term) memory via the T-maze in our global cerebral ischemia model (ACA).

Índice diagnóstico de neoplasia cutânea em campanha de combate ao câncer da pele em serviço dermatológico no interior do estado de São Paulo / Diagnostic index of cutaneous neoplasia in a campaign to fight skin cancer at a dermatologic service located in the Brazilian State of São Paulo's midlands

Introdução: O câncer de pele é o tipo mais comum de câncer no mundo. Divide-se em melanoma, representando 4% dos casos, e não melanoma: carcinomas basocelular (CBC), 70 a 80%, e espinocelular (CEC) 25% dos casos. A Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia realiza anualmente a Campanha Nacional de Combate ao Câncer da Pele, visando ao diagnóstico e ao tratamento precoce da neoplasia. Objetivo: Demonstrar a incidência de lesões cutâneas suspeitas de neoplasia em pacientes selecionados pela Campanha de Prevenção do Câncer da Pele em 2016, em um serviço universitário de dermatologia no interior de São Paulo. Métodos: Foram examinados 230 pacientes e selecionados 24, dos quais 22 foram submetidos a biópsia de lesões suspeitas. Resultados: Foram comprovados por exame anatomopatológico 16 casos de CBC, um de CEC e um de melanoma. Conclusões: Concluiu-se que, apesar de a amostra ser pequena, os resultados encontrados são compatíveis com os da literatura revisada. Há grande importância na realização da campanha como forma de acesso mais rápido da população ao médico dermatologista, com consequente diagnóstico e tratamento precoces das neoplasias de pele.

Introduction: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world. It is classified into melanoma (corresponding to 4% of cases) and non-melanoma types: basal cell carcinomas (70 to 80% of cases) and squamous cell carcinoma (25% of cases). The Brazilian Society of Dermatology conducts the National Campaign Against Skin Cancer on a yearly basis, aiming at diagnosing and providing early treatment to the neoplasia. Objective: To demonstrate the incidence of lesions suspicious of skin cancer in selected patients originated from the 2016 National Campaign Against Skin Cancer, at the dermatologic clinic of a university hospital located in the Brazilian State of São Paulo's midlands. Methods: Two hundred and thirty patients were examined, of which 24 were selected with 22 undergoing biopsy of the suspected lesions. Results: Sixteen basal cell carcinoma cases, one squamous cell carcinoma and one melanoma were confirmed through anatomopathology. Conclusions: Notwithstanding the small sample, it was possible to conclude that the results found are compatible with those of the literature reviewed. It is of paramount importance to carry out the campaign as a way to streamline the population's access to a dermatologist, which results in the early diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers.

Revisão sistemática das plantas de Interesse ao Sistema Único de Saúde com potencial terapêutico cardiovascular / Revisión sistemática de las plantas de interés para el Sistema de Salud con potencial terapéutico cardiovascular / Systematic review of the plants of interest to the National Health System with cardiovascular therapeutic potential

Introdução: doenças cardiovasculares constituem uma das principais causas de mortalidade, pois muitos são os fatores de risco associados ao seu desenvolvimento. Estudos vêm demonstrando que moléculas extraídas de plantas medicinais podem reduzir o risco de doenças crônicas. Assim, o Ministério da Saúde, publicou em fevereiro de 2009, a Relação Nacional de Plantas Medicinais de Interesse ao SUS. Objetivos: quantificar os estudos clínicos que referem potencial terapêutico sobre doenças cardiovasculares a partir da utilização de Plantas da Medicinais de Interesse ao SUS, publicados entre 2010 e fevereiro de 2013 em três bases de dados científicas (SciELO, Science Direct e Springer). Métodos: os descritores utilizados na busca inicial foram o nome científico das 71 plantas da Relação Nacional de Plantas Medicinais de Interesse ao SUS. Considerou-se todos os artigos científicos gratuitos, disponibilizados sob forma de texto completo nas bases de pesquisa, independente do idioma. A busca inicial resultou na seleção de 21,357 artigos encontrados nas bases de dados. A análise foi realizada inicialmente a partir da leitura do título da publicação. Os artigos selecionados foram avaliados através da leitura do Abstratc. Por fim, foi lido integralmente o texto dos artigos selecionados após a avaliação do Abstract, tendo sido selecionados estudos pré-clínicos e clínicos, in vitro e in vivo, que comprovam potencial terapêutico sobre doenças cardiovasculares. Resultados: esta seleção resultou em 34 artigos de interesse, dos quais, 17 estudos foram realizados com a planta Curcuma longa. Infarto do miocárdio, isquemia cerebral e hipertensão arterial foram as morbidades com a maior quantidade de estudos terapêuticos. Conclusões: os resultados deste estudo fornecem subsídios teóricos para discussões na Saúde Pública sobre tratamentos alternativos para doenças cardiovasculares(AU)

Introducción: las enfermedades cardiovasculares constituyen una de las principales causas de mortalidad, al existir muchos factores de riesgo asociados a su aparición. Hay estudios que demuestran que moléculas extraídas de plantas medicinales pueden reducir el riesgo de enfermedades crónicas. De esta forma, el Ministerio de Salud, publicó en febrero de 2009, la Lista Nacional de Plantas Medicinales de Interés para el SUS. Objetivos: cuantificar los estudios clínicos que refieren potencial terapéutico sobre las enfermedades cardiovasculares a partir de la utilización de Plantas da Medicinais de Interesse ao SUS, publicados entre 2010 y febrero de 2013 en tres bases de datos científicas (SciELO, Science Direct y Springer). Métodos: los descriptores utilizados en la búsqueda inicial fueron el nombre científico de 71 plantas de Plantas da Medicinais de Interesse ao SUS. Se consideraron todos los artículos científicos gratuitos, disponibles en texto completo en las bases de investigación, independiente del idioma. Primero se seleccionaron 21,357 artículos encontrados en las bases de datos. El análisis fue realizado a partir de la lectura del título de publicación. Los artículos seleccionados fueron evaluados a través de la lectura del Abstract. Por último, fueron leídos de forma íntegra el texto de los artículos seleccionados después de la evaluación del Abstract, fueron seleccionados estudios pre-clínicos y clínicos in vitro e in vivo, que comprueban el potencial terapéutico sobre las enfermedades cardiovasculares. Resultados: esta selección resultó de 34 artículos de interés, de los cuales, 17 estudios fueron realizados con la planta Curcuma longa. Infarto de miocardio, isquemia cerebral e hipertensión arterial fueron las comorbilidades con la mayor cantidad de estudios terapéuticos. Conclusiones: los resultados de este estudio ofrecen subsidios teóricos para discusiones en Salud Pública sobre tratamientos alternativos para las enfermedades cardiovasculares(AU)

Introduction: cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of mortality, because there are many risk factors associated with its development. Studies have shown that molecules extracted from medicinal plants can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Thus, the Ministry of Health, published in February 2009, the National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to SUS. Objective: to quantify the clinical studies that relate therapeutic potential of cardiovascular disease from the use of the National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to SUS, published between 2010 and February 2013 in three scientific databases (SciELO, Science Direct and Springer). Methods: the descriptors used in the initial search were the scientific name of the 71 plants from the National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to SUS. It considered all free papers made available in the form of full text search in databases, regardless of the language. The initial search resulted in the selection of 21 357 articles found in databases. The analysis was initially performed from reading the title of the publication. The articles were evaluated by reading the Abstratc. Finally, it was fully read the text of the articles selected after evaluation of the Abstract and was selected pre-clinical and clinical studies, in vitro and in vivo, that show therapeutic potential for cardiovascular disease. Results: this selection resulted in 34 articles of interest, of which 17 studies were conducted with the Curcuma longa plant. Myocardial infarction, cerebral ischemia and hypertension were morbidities with the greatest amount of therapeutic studies. Conclusions: the results of this study provide theoretical basis for discussions at the Public Health on alternative treatments for cardiovascular disease(AU)

Video-assisted surgery implementation in the public health system of a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Over the last two decades, video-assisted surgery has become the preferential access route for many procedures. Despite cholecystectomy being the laparoscopic procedure most frequently performed in Brazilian public hospitals from 2008 to 2012, the lack of population-based studies led us to conduct a survey on the prevalence of video-assisted surgery in the treatment of patients using the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) (Unified Health System), which is the universal, free, and public healthcare system of Brazil. METHODS: By analyzing the DATASUS (national public health registry database), the prevalence of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open cholecystectomy (OC) was calculated in the period from January to December in 2008, 2010 and 2012, taking into consideration their geographic distribution throughout Brazil. RESULTS: At the end of the study period, an increase in the number of laparoscopic cholecystectomies was observed, with a variation of 125.7%. However, OC was more prevalent despite an increase in the use of video-assisted surgery over the 5-year study period, increasing from 12 to 25% in 2012. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of a trend toward increased use of video-assisted surgery for treating SUS patients during the period under study, the data from 2012 are still far from being ideal. For this population, OC via laparotomy is still the most prevalent option in all regions. This information must encourage the Brazilian surgical societies to push for an improvement in the supply of the treatment provided by the public health system.

Plasma steroid hormone levels in female flounder Platichthys flesus and the influence of fluctuating hydrostatic pressure.

The reproductive cycle in teleosts is timed to guarantee that eggs hatch in the right place at the right time, with environmental factors playing important roles in entraining and controlling the entire process. The effects of some environmental factors, like temperature and photoperiod, are now well understood. There are only a few studies regarding the effects of hydrostatic pressure (HP) on the reproductive cycle, in spite of its importance as a ubiquitous factor in all biological environments and affecting all living organisms. Hydrostatic pressure is of particular importance in fish because they can also experience rapid and cyclic changes in HP due to vertical movements in the water column. The aim of the present research was to investigate the effects of vertical migrations on the reproductive steroids of maturing female flounder. After a 14 day exposure to cyclic hydrostatic pressure (with a period of 12.4h and with a maximum peak of 800 kPa of absolute hydrostatic pressure), fish showed significantly lower plasmatic concentrations of "5ß,3α" steroids, metabolites of the putative maturation-inducing steroid in flounder (17α,20ß-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one). Results indicate that environmentally realistic cyclic changes of hydrostatic pressure can influence the metabolism of reproductive steroids. This suggests a physiological role of tidally-associated vertical migrations, affecting oocyte maturation and retarding the reproductive cycle in this species until the spawning ground is attained.

Correlation between periodontal disease, inflammatory alterations and pre-eclampsia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Several studies have hypothesized that periodontal disease may increase the risk of pre-eclampsia. The correlation between the two diseases would probably be based on hypertension-related cytokine release in the local periodontal environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between periodontal disease and pre-eclampsia, and the correlation of the two conditions with interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNFα) mRNA expression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-control analysis of 116 pregnant women, 58 with pre-eclampsia (cases) and 58 normotensive pregnant women (controls) was performed. In addition to collection of socio-demographic data and periodontal evaluation, peripheral blood samples were collected for laboratory analysis of IL-6 and TNFα mRNA expression by real-time PCR. RESULTS: There was an association between periodontitis and pre-eclampsia (adjusted odds ratio 3.73; 95% confidence interval 1.32-10.58). Increased TNFα mRNA expression was observed in pre-eclamptic women; however, there was no correlation between periodontitis and systemic cytokine expression. In the case group, systemic cytokine mRNA levels were similar in pregnant women with and without periodontitis (means±SD): 0.73±0.24 vs. 0.82±0.38 for TNFα and 1.31±1.49 vs. 1.09±0.74 for IL-6, respectively. CONCLUSION: Periodontitis was clinically related to pre-eclampsia; however, the supposed mechanism that correlates the two diseases, i.e. a systemic inflammatory process involving cytokines TNFα and IL-6 in the presence of periodontal disease, could not be confirmed in this study.

Mediterranean dietary pattern and cancer risk in the EPIC cohort.

BACKGROUND: Although several studies have investigated the association of the Mediterranean diet with overall mortality or risk of specific cancers, data on overall cancer risk are sparse. METHODS: We examined the association between adherence to Mediterranean dietary pattern and overall cancer risk using data from the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and nutrition, a multi-centre prospective cohort study including 142,605 men and 335,873. Adherence to Mediterranean diet was examined using a score (range: 0-9) considering the combined intake of fruits and nuts, vegetables, legumes, cereals, lipids, fish, dairy products, meat products, and alcohol. Association with cancer incidence was assessed through Cox regression modelling, controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS: In all, 9669 incident cancers in men and 21,062 in women were identified. A lower overall cancer risk was found among individuals with greater adherence to Mediterranean diet (hazard ratio=0.96, 95% CI 0.95-0.98) for a two-point increment of the Mediterranean diet score. The apparent inverse association was stronger for smoking-related cancers than for cancers not known to be related to tobacco (P (heterogeneity)=0.008). In all, 4.7% of cancers among men and 2.4% in women would be avoided in this population if study subjects had a greater adherence to Mediterranean dietary pattern. CONCLUSION: Greater adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern could reduce overall cancer risk.

Fermi gamma-ray imaging of a radio galaxy.

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has detected the gamma-ray glow emanating from the giant radio lobes of the radio galaxy Centaurus A. The resolved gamma-ray image shows the lobes clearly separated from the central active source. In contrast to all other active galaxies detected so far in high-energy gamma-rays, the lobe flux constitutes a considerable portion (greater than one-half) of the total source emission. The gamma-ray emission from the lobes is interpreted as inverse Compton-scattered relic radiation from the cosmic microwave background, with additional contribution at higher energies from the infrared-to-optical extragalactic background light. These measurements provide gamma-ray constraints on the magnetic field and particle energy content in radio galaxy lobes, as well as a promising method to probe the cosmic relic photon fields.

Estimates of heritable and environmental components of familial breast cancer using family history information.

Using the Swedish Family-Cancer Database, the increased risk of breast cancer in women with relatives with the disease did not vary with paternal/maternal lineage. Familial breast cancer heritable component was 73% and the environmental proportion 27%. Familial aggregation of breast cancer in women below age 51 years is mainly due to heritable causes.

Association of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with cancers in family members.

Children whose twins have had leukaemia have a higher risk of contracting acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), confirming a prenatal origin of the disease. This association was not true when considering other types of affected first-degree relatives. Children whose fathers were diagnosed with testicular cancer have a higher risk of ALL.

Consenso sobre las pruebas de sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos en Enterobacteriaceae / Consensus for antimicrobial susceptibility testing for Enterobacteriaceae

En este documento se elaboraron una serie de recomendaciones para el ensayo, lectura, interpretación e informe de las pruebas de sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos para las enterobacterias aisladas con mayor frecuencia de especímenes clínicos. Se adoptaron como base las recomendaciones del National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) de los EEUU, los de la subcomisión de Antimicrobianos, de la Sociedad Argentina de Bacteriología Clínica (SADEBAC), división de la Asociación Argentina de Microbiología (AAM) y de un grupo de expertos invitados. En él se indican las resistencias naturales de los diferentes miembros que integran la familia Enterobacteriaceae y se analiza la actividad de las diferentes beta-lactamasas cromosómicas, propias de cada especie, sobre las penicilinas, cefalosporinas y carbapenemes. Se recomiendan los antimicrobianos que se deberían ensayar, ubicados estratégicamente, para detectar los mecanismos de resistencia más frecuentes y cuales se deberían informar de acuerdo a la especie aislada, el sitio de infección y el origen de la cepa (intra o extrahospitalario). Se detallan los métodos de "screening" y de confirmación fenotipíca para detectar beta-lactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE) que son más adecuados a nuestra realidad. Por último, se mencionan patrones infrecuentes de sensibilidad/resistencia que deberían verificarse y los perfiles de sensibilidad que pueden hallarse en las distintas enterobacterias en relación con los probables mecanismos de resistencia. Se debe resaltar que el contenido de este documento debe ser considerado como recomendaciones realizadas por expertos argentinos basadas en una revisión de la literatura y datos personales.

Taking into account previous recommendations from the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS), the Antimicrobial Committee, Sociedad Argentina de Bacteriología Clínica (SADEBAC), Asociación Argentina de Microbiología (AAM), and the experience from its members and some invited microbiologists, a consensus was obtained for antimicrobial susceptibility testing and interpretation in most frequent enterobacterial species isolated from clinical samples in our region. This document describes the natural antimicrobial resistance of some Enterobacteriaceae family members, including the resistance profiles due to their own chromosomal encoded beta-lactamases. A list of the antimicrobial agents that should be tested, their position on the agar plates, in order to detect the most frequent antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, and considerations on which antimicrobial agents should be reported regarding to the infection site and patient characteristics are included. Also, a description on appropriate phenotypic screening and confirmatory test for detection of prevalent extended spectrum beta-lactamases in our region are presented. Finally, a summary on frequent antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and their probably associated resistance mechanisms, and some infrequent antimicrobial resistance profiles that deserve confirmation are outlined.

Sistema automatizado de hemocultivos Bact-Alert: 5 vs 7 dias de incubación. Primer estudio multicéntrico argentino / [Bact-Alert automatized system for blood cultures: 5 vs 7 days of incubation. First Argentine multicentre study]

Bact-Alert automatized system for blood cultures: 5 vs 7 days of incubation. First Argentine multicentre study. Between January and December 2001, we analyzed 80,141 blood cultures by the Bact-Alert system (14,960 FAN aerobics, 3,855 FAN anaerobic, 11,114 standards aerobics, 11,367 standards anaerobic, 12,054 pediatrics and 26,791 FAN pediatrics bottles) and 44.235 series from 27.615 patients at eight hospitals of Buenos Aires city, one of La Plata city and three of the Buenos Aires province. A total of 13,657 blood cultures yielded a positive result. Only 181 of them had been detected as positive between the 5th and 7th day of incubation and only 26 (0.19

) had clinical significance (Staphylococcus aureus 3; coagulase negative staphylococci 2; Enterococcus faecalis 1; Streptococcus pneumoniae 2; Campylobacter spp 1; Escherichia coli 1; Enterobacter cloacae 1; Enterobacteraerogenes 1; Citrobacter freundii 1; Klebsiella pneumoniae 1; Proteus mirabilis 1; Serratia marcescens 4; yeasts 7, including one strain of Cryptococcus neoformans). Of the total of contaminants, 38

were isolated by the anaerobic standard (65

were Propionibacterium spp and 29

by the FAN aerobic (33.3

difphteroids and 28.9

by the pediatric, 9

by aerobic standard and 1.4

by FAN anaerobic bottle. Our results show that the prolonged incubation of blood cultures for more than 5 days using the Bact-Alert system is unnecessary.

Consenso sobre las pruebas de sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos en cocos gram-positivos / Consensus for antimicrobial susceptibility testing for gram-positive cocci

El antibiograma por difusión en agar con discos se encuentra ampliamente difundido en nuestro medio y se basa primariamente en las recomendaciones del National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). En este documento se elaboraron una serie de recomendaciones para el ensayo, lectura, interpretación e informe de las pruebas de sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos en cocos gram-positivos, adaptadas a la realidad argentina. En esta primera etapa se redactaron las consideraciones generales para la realización de la prueba por difusión, los controles de calidad internos para todos los microorganismos y una actualización sobre las pruebas de sensibilidad en cocos gram-positivos. Se debe resaltar que el contenido de este documento debe ser considerado como recomendaciones realizadas por expertos argentinos y que son el resultado de reuniones de consenso organizadas por la Subcomisión de Antimicrobianos de la Sociedad Argentina de Bacteriología Clínica, división de la Asociación Argentina de Microbiología. Se formó un equipo de trabajo integrado por expertos en antimicrobianos y a partir de una propuesta inicial, basada en una revisión de la literatura se fueron elaborando diversos documentos de trabajo que fueron mejorados después de ser debatidos por los miembros del grupo de trabajo hasta llegar al documento final. El criterio general fue elaborar recomendaciones acordes a las necesidades de nuestro país que puedan utilizarse en la práctica diaria con el objeto de colaborar en la adecuada elección del tratamiento antibiótico según la especie bacteriana aislada y la localización de la infección.