Prevalence of markers of celiac disease in Colombian children with diabetes mellitus type 1 / Prevalencia de marcadores de enfermedad celíaca en niños Colombianos con diabetes mellitus tipo 1

Abstract Introduction: Although the association between diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM) and celiac disease (CD) is well established; there are only a few studies that focus on South American children, haplotypes and their possible associations. Objective: To determine the prevalence of CD markers in a group of children with T1DM and to analyze the associated clinical, immunological and genetic manifestations. Methods: A prevalence study focusing on children with T1DM who were assessed based on variables including sociodemographics, anthropometric information, disease characteristics, laboratory results and family medical history. In partitipants a positive tTG2 (Ig A anti-transglutaminase), a duodenal biopsy and genotype were performed. The proportion of children with T1DM and CD was estimated (CI 95%). Determinations of central tendency, univariate and bivariate analysis, were also performed; p <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Thirteen (8.4%) of the 155 children (53.6% girls, 11.0 ±3.6 years, 2-18 years) with T1DM were tTG2 positive, four had CD (2.6%), seven had potential CD (4.5%) and nine were HLA DQ2/DQ8 positive (5.8%). Children with T1DM and CD had their last ketoacidotic episode (21.5 ±30.4 months versus 69.5 ±38.8 months, p= 0.0260) earlier than children with T1DM and potential CD. There were no differences with anthropometry or with the laboratory results regarding glycemic control. Conclusions: The prevalence of CD in these children with T1DM is higher than that reported in other South American countries. The prevalence of CD was found to be associated with the time of presentation of T1DM and its main allele, the DQ2/DQ8. These findings are different from what has been described in other places around the world.

Resumen Introducción: A pesar que la asociación entre diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DMT1) y enfermedad celíaca (EC) está bien establecida; hay pocos estudios en niños suramericanos sobre haplotipos y sus posibles asociaciones. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de marcadores de EC en un grupo de niños con DMT1, analizando las manifestaciones clínicas, inmunológicas y genéticas. Métodos: Estudio de prevalencia en niños con DMT1 a quienes se les tomaron variables sociodemográficas, antropométricas, de la enfermedad, paraclínicas y familiares metabólicas. A los niños con IgA anti-transglutaminasa (tTG2) positivos, se les realizó biopsia duodenal y genotipo. Se estimó la proporción de niños con DMT1 y EC y su IC 95%; medidas de tendencia central, análisis univariado y bivariado, siendo significativa una p <0.05. Resultados: Trece (8.4%) de los 155 niños (53.6% niñas, de 11.0 ±3.6 años, 2-18 años) con DMT1 fueron tTG2 positivos, cuatro presentaron EC (2.6%), siete EC potencial (4.5%) y nueve HLA DQ2/DQ8 (5.8%). Los niños con DMT1 y EC presentaron más pronto su último episodio cetoacidótico (21.5 ±30.4 meses versus 69.5 ±38.8 meses, p= 0.0260) que los niños con DMT1 y EC potencial. No hubo diferencias con la antropometría ni con los paraclínicos del control glicémico. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de EC en estos niños con DMT1 es superior a la de otros países suramericanos; estando asociada al tiempo de presentación de la DMT1 y su principal alelo el DQ2/DQ8, hallazgos diferentes a lo descrito a nivel mundial.

Prevalence of markers of celiac disease in Colombian children with diabetes mellitus type 1.

INTRODUCTION: Although the association between diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM) and celiac disease (CD) is well established; there are only a few studies that focus on South American children, haplotypes and their possible associations. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of CD markers in a group of children with T1DM and to analyze the associated clinical, immunological and genetic manifestations. METHODS: A prevalence study focusing on children with T1DM who were assessed based on variables including sociodemographics, anthropometric information, disease characteristics, laboratory results and family medical history. In partitipants a positive tTG2 (Ig A anti-transglutaminase), a duodenal biopsy and genotype were performed. The proportion of children with T1DM and CD was estimated (CI 95%). Determinations of central tendency, univariate and bivariate analysis, were also performed; p <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Thirteen (8.4%) of the 155 children (53.6% girls, 11.0 ±3.6 years, 2-18 years) with T1DM were tTG2 positive, four had CD (2.6%), seven had potential CD (4.5%) and nine were HLA DQ2/DQ8 positive (5.8%). Children with T1DM and CD had their last ketoacidotic episode (21.5 ±30.4 months versus 69.5 ±38.8 months, p= 0.0260) earlier than children with T1DM and potential CD. There were no differences with anthropometry or with the laboratory results regarding glycemic control. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CD in these children with T1DM is higher than that reported in other South American countries. The prevalence of CD was found to be associated with the time of presentation of T1DM and its main allele, the DQ2/DQ8. These findings are different from what has been described in other places around the world.

INTRODUCCIÓN: A pesar que la asociación entre diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DMT1) y enfermedad celíaca (EC) está bien establecida; hay pocos estudios en niños suramericanos sobre haplotipos y sus posibles asociaciones. OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de marcadores de EC en un grupo de niños con DMT1, analizando las manifestaciones clínicas, inmunológicas y genéticas. MÉTODOS: Estudio de prevalencia en niños con DMT1 a quienes se les tomaron variables sociodemográficas, antropométricas, de la enfermedad, paraclínicas y familiares metabólicas. A los niños con IgA anti-transglutaminasa (tTG2) positivos, se les realizó biopsia duodenal y genotipo. Se estimó la proporción de niños con DMT1 y EC y su IC 95%; medidas de tendencia central, análisis univariado y bivariado, siendo significativa una p <0.05. RESULTADOS: Trece (8.4%) de los 155 niños (53.6% niñas, de 11.0 ±3.6 años, 2-18 años) con DMT1 fueron tTG2 positivos, cuatro presentaron EC (2.6%), siete EC potencial (4.5%) y nueve HLA DQ2/DQ8 (5.8%). Los niños con DMT1 y EC presentaron más pronto su último episodio cetoacidótico (21.5 ±30.4 meses versus 69.5 ±38.8 meses, p= 0.0260) que los niños con DMT1 y EC potencial. No hubo diferencias con la antropometría ni con los paraclínicos del control glicémico. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de EC en estos niños con DMT1 es superior a la de otros países suramericanos; estando asociada al tiempo de presentación de la DMT1 y su principal alelo el DQ2/DQ8, hallazgos diferentes a lo descrito a nivel mundial.

AA-NAT, MT1 and MT2 Correlates with Cancer Stem-Like Cell Markers in Colorectal Cancer: Study of the Influence of Stage and p53 Status of Tumors.

The characterization of colon cancer stem cells (CSCs) may help to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. p53 loss increases the pool of CSCs in colorectal cancer (CRC). Recent reports suggest that the oncostatic effects of melatonin could be related to its ability to kill CSCs. Although there are no data linking the loss of p53 function and melatonin synthesis or signaling in cancer, melatonin does activate the p53 tumor-suppressor pathway in this disease. In this work, we analyze whether the expression of melatonin synthesis and signaling genes are related to the expression of CSC markers and the implication of p53 status in samples from patients with CRC. Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT), MT1, and MT2 expression decreased in tumor samples versus normal mucosa samples in mutated p53 (mtp53) tumors versus those with wild-type p53 (wtp53). Further, AA-NAT and MT2 expression were lower in advanced stages of the disease in wtp53 tumors. On the contrary, CD44 and CD66c expression was higher in tumor versus normal mucosa in wtp53 tumors. Additionally, CD44 expression was higher in advanced stages of the disease regardless of the p53 status. Patients with CD44highCD66chigh and wtp53 tumors in advanced stages showed low expression of AA-NAT and MT2 in wtp53 tumors. These results could indicate a possible interaction of these pathways in CRC.

Expression and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of Poly (ADPRibose) Polymerase-1 in Gastrointestinal Tumours: Clinical Involvement.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a nuclear enzyme that plays a critical role in diverse cellular functions, such as DNA damage detection and repair, transcriptional regulation and cell death. Furthermore, PARP-1 has emerged as a key player in the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory diseases and has become a promising target for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. An increasing body of evidence has linked alterations in the expression levels of PARP-1, enzymatic activity and presence of polymorphism to gastrointestinal malignancies, including oesophageal, gastric, pancreas, liver and colorectal cancers. PARP inhibition has been proposed as a valuable strategy for treating these gastrointestinal disorders. This paper summarises the most significant current literature on the involvement of PARP-1 in gastrointestinal cancer, focusing in particular on its role in the development and occurrence of tumours, providing information about clinical trials and exploring therapeutic possibilities.

[Hepatitis C during pregnancy, vertical transmission and new treatment possibilities]. / Hepatitis C durante la gestación, transmisión vertical y nuevas posibilidades de tratamiento.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been recognised as a worldwide health problem. HCV is the most common cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver transplantation. The HCV prevalence reported in pregnant women is similar to that found among the general population and does not appear to have an adverse effect on the course of pregnancy. The vertical transmission of HCV (HCV-VT) is a major route of HCV infection in children in the developed countries (>90%). The overall rate of mother-to-child transmission and chronification is about 3%-8%; however, this rate is higher for mothers who are co-infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (15-20%). In this review, we analyse the course of HCV infection during gestation, the risk factors associated with HCV-VT, the diagnostic methods/clinical monitoring recommended and the new possibilities of treatment in the era of direct-acting antiviral agents, which are essential to guide future public health efforts appropriately.

Impact of torticollis associated with plagiocephaly on infants' motor development.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether torticollis (congenital or acquired) in infants with plagiocephaly affects the achievement of specific gross motor milestones. METHODS: A total of 175 infants affected by plagiocephaly with or without torticollis were recruited and included in this prospective trial. Anthropometric and clinical variables were recorded at baseline. The infants were included in a physiotherapy treatment program, and they were monthly assessed until hospital discharge. RESULTS: Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in the achievement of rolling over, crawling, and standing skills depending on the specific profile (plagiocephaly and plagiocephaly with congenital or acquired torticollis). After adjusting for the severity of the plagiocephaly and the age at referral, the torticollis was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with crawling and standing skills. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the presence or absence of congenital or acquired torticollis is an important factor that affects gross motor development in infants with plagiocephaly.

Synergistic cytotoxicity of the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor ABT-888 and temozolomide in dual-drug targeted magnetic nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a poor prognosis because of a lack of effective treatment options. The objective of this study was to examine a new strategy for HCC treatment, namely the use of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) inhibitor (ABT-888) together with Temozolomide (TMZ) incorporated onto magnetic nanoparticles. METHODS: Magnetic Fe3 O4 /Fe cores were encapsulated within a silica shell to facilitate the simultaneous incorporation of ABT-888 and TMZ. In vitro tests were performed with HepG2, Hep3B and PLC-PRF-5 liver tumoural cell lines and with WRL-68 liver non-tumoural cells. RESULTS: The magnetic nanocarriers were loaded simultaneously with ABT-888 and TMZ. High stability and extended release were achieved in culture medium. Confocal microscopy images showed that drug-loaded particles were uptaken and accumulated into the cytoplasm of liver tumoural cells, inducing the following effects: G2/M cell cycle arrest (P < 0.05), accumulation of DNA damage (P < 0.05), mitochondrial depolarization (P < 0.01), reduction in BCL-xL, FOS, JUND gene expression (P < 0.05), PARP-1 fragmentation, Caspase-3 activation and apoptotic cell death (P < 0.05). Interestingly, drugs loaded onto nanoparticles exhibited better efficiency than free drugs (cell death triggered by drug delivery nanosystem: 53.5% vs. 34.5% by free drugs, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These magnetic nanocompounds are able to incorporate both drugs simultaneously, enter the tumour cells and release them. ABT-888/TMZ/NPs decrease the transcription of key genes involved in tumour survival and induce apoptotic cell death in a more effective manner than is achieved by free drugs.

Analysis of perinatal mortality in newborn infants with a birth weight of less than 1000 grams in Hospital San Cecilio in Granada (Spain) over the 1991-2010 period / Análisis de la mortalidad perinatal en nacidos con peso menor de 1000 gramos en el Hospital San Cecilio de Granada (España) durante el período 1991-2010

Introduction. Perinatal mortality has significantly decreased over the last decades. Low birth weight and prematurity are amongst the strongest predictors of neonatal death. The main objective is to analyze the evolution of perinatal mortality and its causes in newborn infants with a birth weight of less than 1000 grams over the last 20 years (1991-2010). Population and Methods. Observational, descriptive, longitudinal and ecological study. A total of 264 infants weighing less than 1000 g out of a total of 56 024 births during the study period. Different specific perinatal mortality rates by weight were calculated. The Spearman's Rho correlation coefficient was applied to assess the relationship between mortality rates and years of study, and ANOVA and Mann-Whitney test were used to compare five-year periods and ten-year periods, respectively. Results. There were 131 perinatal deaths, 82 stillbirths and 49 early neonatal deaths; 64.1% of them occurred before 27 weeks of gestation. Only the fetal mortality rate was statistically significant, although perinatal mortality showed a downward trend, without reaching significance. The main immediate causes of death were extreme prematurity, intrauterine hypoxia and infection. The underlying causes related to death in this group of newborn infants were infection caused by premature rupture of membranes, maternal hypertension, uncontrollable preterm labor and twin pregnancy. Conclusions. The reduction in mortality rates in this group of newborn infants is undergoing a slowdown.

Introducción. La mortalidad perinatal ha disminuido sustancialmente en las últimas décadas. La prematuridad y el bajo peso al nacer son los factores predictivos más fuertemente asociados a esta mortalidad. El objetivo es analizar la evolución de la mortalidad perinatal en los nacidos con peso menor de 1000 g en los últimos 20 años (1991-2010) y sus causas. Población y métodos. Estudio observacional-descriptivo de tipo ecológico longitudinal, sobre 264 nacidos con peso menor de 1000 g de un total de 56 024 nacidos durante el período estudiado. Se calculan las diferentes tasas de mortalidad perinatal específicas por peso. Se aplica el coeficiente de correlación Rho de Spearman para evaluar la relación entre las tasas de mortalidad y los años de estudio, y las pruebas ANOVA y de Mann- Whitney para comparación de quinquenios y decenios, respectivamente. Resultados. Se han producido 131 muertes perinatales, 82 de ellas muertes fetales y 49 neonatales precoces. El 64,1% sucede antes de la semana de gestación 27. Sólo la tasa de mortalidad fetal presenta una disminución estadísticamente significativa, aunque la mortalidad perinatal presenta una tendencia al descenso, pero sin alcanzar la significación. Las principales causas inmediatas de óbito son la inmadurez extrema, la hipoxia intrauterina y la infección. Las causas fundamentales relacionadas con la muerte de este grupo de nacidos son la infección por rotura prematura de membranas, la hipertensión materna, la amenaza de parto pretérmino incontrolable y la gemelaridad. Conclusiones. La disminución de las tasas de mortalidad en este grupo de nacidos está sufriendo un enlentecimiento.

Importance of IL-10 and IL-6 during chronic hepatitis C genotype-1 treatment and their relation with IL28B.

UNLABELLED: This paper investigates serum levels of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 (CHC-GT1), the relation of each with clinical and virological characteristics, how they affect the response to combined therapy and their relation with the IL28B polymorphisms rs12979860. Serum level expression and the polymorphism of IL-10, IL-6 and IL28B were determined in 138 CHC-GT1 patients, treated with pegylated interferon/ribavirin (pegIFN-α/RBV) for 48 weeks, in the following samples: baseline, week-12 (during treatment) and week-72 (post-treatment). 77 patients (56%) presented Sustained Virological Response (SVR) and 61 (44%) were non-SVR. Multivariate logistic regression showed that age ≤ 40 years (aOR=3.7, 95%CI=1.5-8.9, P=0.004), low activity of gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) (aOR=0.9, 95%CI=0.98-0.99, P=0.028), CC genotype of IL28B polymorphism (aOR=2.7, 95%CI=1.0-7.2, P=0.044) and low IL-6 (aOR=0.5, 95%CI=0.3-1.0, P=0.038) were predictor factors of virological response. In all patients, following treatment, IL-6 decreased at week-12 (P=0.004) from baseline and had returned to basal values at week-72. Serum IL-10 concentration was significantly decreased at week-72 only in SVR patients (P ≤ 0.001). When patients were stratified by IL28B polymorphisms rs12979860 CC vs non-CC patients, a statistically significant decrease in IL-10 at week-72 in both groups was observed (P=0.003 and P ≤ 0.001, respectively). None of the polymorphisms of IL-10 or IL-6 studied were associated with SVR. CONCLUSIONS: CC genotype of IL28B and low IL-6 serum concentration are factors associated independently with SVR. Moreover, decreased IL-10 at week-72 is associated with SVR in both CC and non-CC patients, and both factors are important to determine the effectiveness of treatment.

Factors associated with hepatic steatosis in obese children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is associated with high prevalence of hepatic steatosis. We speculate that determinant factors of susceptibility to hepatic steatosis in obesity could differ between children and adolescents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood biochemical parameters, systemic oxidative stress markers, proinflammatory cytokines, and adipokine levels were determined in 157 obese children and adolescents. The subjects were divided into 2 groups: children and adolescents, identified as such in accordance with Tanner stage and the measured level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. Steatosis was evaluated by ultrasonography in 127 subjects. RESULTS: Steatosis prevalence was 44.8%. In the "children" group, those with hepatic steatosis presented higher levels of erythrocyte oxidised glutathione (GSSG) and resistin, lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and lower enzymatic activities of erythrocyte glutathione reductase (GRd) and glutathione oxidase (GPx). In the "adolescents" group, those with hepatic steatosis presented higher values for body mass index z score (BMIz), insulin, peptide C, homeostatic model assessment index (HOMA-IR), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglycerides, GSSG, and leptin. These subjects also presented lower values for soluble leptin receptor, GRd, and GPx. In the "children" group, the only independent factor of steatosis was a decrease in GRd activity (odds ratio [OR] 0.165, 95% CI 0.03-0.84, P = 0.030). Moreover, in the "adolescent" group, the independent factors were higher for GSSG (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.6-28.7, P = 0.010) and HOMA-IR (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.17-3.1, P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with hepatic steatosis differ between obese children and adolescents. Oxidative stress is seen to be the main process in children, whereas in adolescents oxidative stress and insulin resistance are significant factors for steatosis.

Hepatic expression of adiponectin receptors increases with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression in morbid obesity in correlation with glutathione peroxidase 1.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obesity is very high. The role of adiponectin receptors in NAFLD progression remains still unclear. We speculate that changes in the hepatic expression levels of the two adiponectin receptors may be associated with the expression of oxidative stress-related genes. METHODS: We studied 60 morbidly obese patients with NAFLD, who underwent liver biopsy at the time of bariatric surgery. We measured the hepatic messenger-RNA concentration of adiponectin receptors (ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), glutathione reductase (GRd) and inducible oxide nitric synthase. Additionally, biochemical parameters and oxidative stress markers were determined in blood samples. According to the Kleiner score, the patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (25 patients without steatohepatitis) and group 2 (25 patients with probable steatohepatitis and ten patients with steatohepatitis). RESULTS: The messenger-RNA concentration of all genes analysed in the study was higher among the patients in group 2. However, no differences in blood oxidative stress markers were observed. Strong correlations were found among the expression levels of ADIPOR1, ADIPOR2 and GPx1. The multivariate analysis showed that the only independent variable associated with NAFLD progression was the increase in GPx1 expression levels. CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD progression in morbid obesity is associated with increase in hepatic adiponectin receptor and oxidative stress-related genes. The linear correlations suggest that ADIPOR1, ADIPOR2 and GPx1 share key molecular factors in the regulation of the genetic expressions.

Inhibition of poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase decreases hepatocellular carcinoma growth by modulation of tumor-related gene expression.

UNLABELLED: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a poor prognosis due to a lack of effective treatment options. In HCC a significant role is played by DNA damage and the inflammatory response. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is an important protein that regulates both these mechanisms. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of pharmacology PARP-1 inhibition on the reduction of tumor volume of HCC xenograft and on the hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethyl-nitrosamine (DEN). Pharmacologic PARP-1 inhibition with DPQ greatly reduces tumor xenograft volume with regard to a nontreated xenograft (394 mm(3) versus 2,942 mm(3), P < 0.05). This observation was paralleled by reductions in xenograft mitosis (P = 0.02) and tumor vasculogenesis (P = 0.007, confirmed by in vitro angiogenesis study), as well as by an increase in the number of apoptotic cells in DPQ-treated mice (P = 0.04). A substantial difference in key tumor-related gene expression (transformed 3T3 cell double minute 2 [MDM2], FLT1 [vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1, VEGFR1], epidermal growth factor receptor [EPAS1]/hypoxia-inducible factor 2 [HIF2A], EGLN1 [PHD2], epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR], MYC, JUND, SPP1 [OPN], hepatocyte growth factor [HGF]) was found between the control tumor xenografts and the PARP inhibitor-treated xenografts (data confirmed in HCC cell lines using PARP inhibitors and PARP-1 small interfering RNA [siRNA]). Furthermore, the results obtained in mice treated with DEN to induce hepatocarcinogenesis showed, after treatment with a PARP inhibitor (DPQ), a significant reduction both in preneoplastic foci and in the expression of preneoplastic markers and proinflammatory genes (Gstm3, Vegf, Spp1 [Opn], IL6, IL1b, and Tnf), bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, and NF-kappaB activation in the initial steps of carcinogenesis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that PARP inhibition is capable of controlling HCC growth and preventing tumor vasculogenesis by regulating the activation of different genes involved in tumor progression.