Concurrent Ascaris infection modulates host immunity resulting in impaired control of Salmonella infection in pigs.

Ascaris is one of the most widespread helminth infections, leading to chronic morbidity in humans and considerable economic losses in pig farming. In addition, pigs are an important reservoir for the zoonotic salmonellosis, where pigs can serve as asymptomatic carriers. Here, we investigated the impact of an ongoing Ascaris infection on the immune response to Salmonella in pigs. We observed higher bacterial burdens in experimentally coinfected pigs compared to pigs infected with Salmonella alone. The impaired control of Salmonella in the coinfected pigs was associated with repressed interferon gamma responses in the small intestine and with the alternative activation of gut macrophages evident in elevated CD206 expression. Ascaris single and coinfection were associated with a rise of CD4-CD8α+FoxP3+ Treg in the lymph nodes draining the small intestine and liver. In addition, macrophages from coinfected pigs showed enhanced susceptibility to Salmonella infection in vitro and the Salmonella-induced monocytosis and tumor necrosis factor alpha production by myeloid cells was repressed in pigs coinfected with Ascaris. Hence, our data indicate that acute Ascaris infection modulates different immune effector functions with important consequences for the control of tissue-invasive coinfecting pathogens.IMPORTANCEIn experimentally infected pigs, we show that an ongoing infection with the parasitic worm Ascaris suum modulates host immunity, and coinfected pigs have higher Salmonella burdens compared to pigs infected with Salmonella alone. Both infections are widespread in pig production and the prevalence of Salmonella is high in endemic regions of human Ascariasis, indicating that this is a clinically meaningful coinfection. We observed the type 2/regulatory immune response to be induced during an Ascaris infection correlates with increased susceptibility of pigs to the concurrent bacterial infection.

Vaginal peritoneum fistula through pouch of Douglas during peritoneal dialysis: Case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Peritoneal dialysis is the preferred approach for kidney replacement therapy. A peritoneal-vaginal fistula is a rare complication associated with peritoneal dialysis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old woman with a history of type two diabetes and systemic arterial hypertension for twenty years is scheduled to undergo the surgical placement of a Tenckoff catheter to begin renal replacement therapy. After having thirty dialysis sessions, she was discharged to continue therapy at home. Five days later, she observed a notable rise in vaginal discharge after peritoneal dialysis. This case report investigates the etiology, diagnosis, and management of peritoneal vaginal fistula and analyzes current medical literature. DISCUSSION: Factors associated with the formation of peritoneum-vaginal fistula include increased intra-abdominal pressure due to dialysis, anatomical predisposition, peritonitis, and malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal vaginal fistula is an uncommon consequence of peritoneal dialysis. Diagnosis entails demonstrating the movement of dialysis fluid from the peritoneum to the vagina. Treatment should be customized according to the etiology of the fistula and the individual needs of each patient.

Changes in wider field swept-source OCT angiography vascular metrics with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in central retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of anti-VEGF therapy on vascular metrics in eyes with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) using wider field swept-source OCT angiography (WF SS-OCTA). METHODS: We included 23 eyes with macular edema associated with non-ischemic CRVO from 22 patients treated with anti-VEGF therapy (median number of injections: 5 [2-9]). Changes in vessel density (VD), vessel skeletonized density (VSD), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters were measured using WF SS-OCTA. Visual acuity (VA) and central subfield thickness (CST) were also measured. RESULTS: Median CST decreased significantly from 369 µm (305-531) to 267 µm (243-300, p < 0.001). VD and VSD parameters in 12 × 12 mm images showed significant reductions. For instance, VSD in the whole retina decreased from a median of 13.37 (11.22-13.74) to 11.29 (9.36-12.97, p = 0.013). Additionally, a significant increase in FAZ circularity was found, suggesting improved microvascular integrity. Significant inverse correlations were found between the number of anti-VEGF injections and all VSD and VD parameters on the 12 × 12 mm images (p < 0.05). Notably, the reductions in VSD and VD on 12 × 12 mm angiograms in the deep capillary plexus (DCP) after each injection significantly correlated with increased logMAR VA (worse VA). CONCLUSION: Anti-VEGF therapy in CRVO patients not only mitigates macular edema but also alters the overall microvascular morphology and functionality as revealed by WF SS-OCTA.

Utility of multimodal molecular imaging in the diagnosis and decision-making in arterial diseases.

Arterial diseases are prevalent in the general population, particularly in the elderly, and they are among the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Nuclear imaging is a useful tool in diagnosis and follow-up in different areas of medicine, and over the last 2 decades, these study modalities have become more relevant in the field of angiology and vascular surgery due to their potential benefit in the interpretation of pathophysiological mechanisms associated with the natural history and severity of diseases that affect the circulation such as vasculitis, degenerative aortic aneurysms (AA), peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and complications following reconstructive procedures such as graft infections. The literature has shown evidence of an important number of radiotracers for specific molecules involved in the activity of these entities and their utility as predictors during surveillance and possible therapeutic targets. The present narrative review aims to describe the use of nuclear medicine, imaging methods, and radiotracers that have been applied in arterial diseases, as well as the advantages and considerations, their importance in the diagnosis and follow-up of these complex groups of patients, and future perspectives.

Rac inhibition as a novel therapeutic strategy for EGFR/HER2 targeted therapy resistant breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Even though targeted therapies are available for cancers expressing oncogenic epidermal growth receptor (EGFR) and (or) human EGFR2 (HER2), acquired or intrinsic resistance often confounds therapy success. Common mechanisms of therapy resistance involve activating receptor point mutations and (or) upregulation of signaling downstream of EGFR/HER2 to Akt and (or) mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. However, additional pathways of resistance may exist thus, confounding successful therapy. METHODS: To determine novel mechanisms of EGFR/HER2 therapy resistance in breast cancer, gefitinib or lapatinib resistant variants were created from SKBR3 breast cancer cells. Syngenic therapy sensitive and resistant SKBR3 variants were characterized for mechanisms of resistance by mammosphere assays, viability assays, and western blotting for total and phospho proteins. RESULTS: Gefitinib and lapatinib treatments reduced mammosphere formation in the sensitive cells, but not in the therapy resistant variants, indicating enhanced mesenchymal and cancer stem cell-like characteristics in therapy resistant cells. The therapy resistant variants did not show significant changes in known therapy resistant pathways of AKT and MAPK activities downstream of EGFR/HER2. However, these cells exhibited elevated expression and activation of the small GTPase Rac, which is a pivotal intermediate of GFR signaling in EMT and metastasis. Therefore, the potential of the Rac inhibitors EHop-016 and MBQ-167 to overcome therapy resistance was tested, and found to inhibit viability and induce apoptosis of therapy resistant cells. CONCLUSIONS: Rac inhibition may represent a viable strategy for treatment of EGFR/HER2 targeted therapy resistant breast cancer.

Targeting Rac and Cdc42 GEFs in Metastatic Cancer.

The Rho family GTPases Rho, Rac, and Cdc42 have emerged as key players in cancer metastasis, due to their essential roles in regulating cell division and actin cytoskeletal rearrangements; and thus, cell growth, migration/invasion, polarity, and adhesion. This review will focus on the close homologs Rac and Cdc42, which have been established as drivers of metastasis and therapy resistance in multiple cancer types. Rac and Cdc42 are often dysregulated in cancer due to hyperactivation by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), belonging to both the diffuse B-cell lymphoma (Dbl) and dedicator of cytokinesis (DOCK) families. Rac/Cdc42 GEFs are activated by a myriad of oncogenic cell surface receptors, such as growth factor receptors, G-protein coupled receptors, cytokine receptors, and integrins; consequently, a number of Rac/Cdc42 GEFs have been implicated in metastatic cancer. Hence, inhibiting GEF-mediated Rac/Cdc42 activation represents a promising strategy for targeted metastatic cancer therapy. Herein, we focus on the role of oncogenic Rac/Cdc42 GEFs and discuss the recent advancements in the development of Rac and Cdc42 GEF-interacting inhibitors as targeted therapy for metastatic cancer, as well as their potential for overcoming cancer therapy resistance.

In vitro and in vivo biological characterization of poly(lactic acid) fiber scaffolds synthesized by air jet spinning.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most promising renewable and biodegradable polymers for mimic extracellular matrix for tissue engineering applications. In this work, PLA spun membrane scaffold were successfully prepared by air jet spinning technology. Morphology, mechanical properties, in vitro biocompatibility, and in vitro and in vivo degradation of PLA fibrous scaffold were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Morphological results assessed by SEM analyses indicated that PLA scaffolds possessed an average fiber diameter of approximately 0.558 ± 0.141 µm for 7% w/v of PLA and approximately 0.647 ± 0.137 µm for 10% w/v. Interestingly, our results showed that the nanofiber size of PLA scaffold allow structural stability after 100 days of in vitro degradation in Ringer solution where the average fiber diameter were of approximately 0.633 ± 0.147 µm for 7% w/v and approximately 0.645 ± 0.140 µm for 10% w/v of PLA. Mechanical properties of PLA fibers scaffold after in vitro degradation showed decrease in terms of flexibility elongation, and less energy was needed to achieve maximal elastic deformation. The fiber size exerts an influence on the biological response of human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as confirmed by MTT assay after 9 days of cell culture and the in vivo degradation assay of 7% w/v and 10% w/v of PLA scaffold, did not demonstrate evidence of toxicity with a mild inflammatory respond. In conclusion, airbrushing technology promises to be a viable and attractive alternative technique for producing a biocompatible PLA nanofiber scaffold that could be considered for tissue engineering regeneration. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2435-2446, 2018.

El índice de masa corporal como predictor de morbimortalidad y consumo de recursos en pacientes internados en la unidad de terapia intensiva / The body mass index as a predictor of morbimortality and resource use in the patients in the intensive care unit / O índice de massa corporal como prognóstico da morbidade e mortalidade e o consumo de recursos em pacientes hospitalizados na unidade de terapia intensiva

Resumen: Introducción: No hay acuerdo en los reportes de la literatura sobre si un índice de masa corporal por arriba de 25 kg/m(2) incrementa, no modifica o disminuye la mortalidad en pacientes en estado crítico. Objetivo: Comparar la mortalidad, morbilidad y consumo de recursos entre individuos con peso normal o bajo (índice de masa corporal IMC < 25 kg/m(2)) versus sujetos con sobrepeso u obesidad (IMC > 25 kg/m(2)). Diseño: Estudio de cohorte prolectiva en una unidad de terapia intensiva. Pacientes: Se incluyeron 159 personas en el estudio. Método: Se colectaron variables demográficas y clínicas, incluyendo peso y talla para calcular el índice de masa corporal. Se registraron datos de escalas de gravedad de la enfermedad SAPS-3, de falla orgánica Bruselas y de intervención terapéutica NEMS (como subrogado de consumo de recursos). El análisis estadístico fue multivariado; fue considerada significativa una p < 0.05. Resultados: Al comparar individuos con IMC < 25 kg/m(2) con aquellos con un IMC mayor no hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa en mortalidad y consumo de recursos. Sin embargo, al replantear el estudio y comparar sujetos con IMC < a 30 kg/m(2) con aquellos con un IMC mayor, se encontró diferencia significativa en mortalidad entre ambos grupos y un tamaño del efecto considerable en cuanto a consumo de recursos en personas con un IMC > 30 kg/m(2). Conclusiones: En México debemos cambiar el punto de corte del índice de masa corporal a 30 kg/m(2) cuando comparemos mortalidad y consumo de recursos en los enfermos internados en la UTI. Este estudio abre la posibilidad de realizar un estudio multicéntrico para confirmar estos resultados.

Abstract: Introduction: There is disagreement over if a body mass index (BMI) above 25 kg/m(2) increases, decreases or does not alter the mortality in critically ill patients. Objective: To compare the mortality, morbidity and resource use among patients with normal or low body mass index (< 25 kg/m(2)) versus patients with overweight or obesity (> 25 kg/m(2)). Design: Study of a prolective cohort in an intensive care unit. Patients: One hundred fifty-nine patients were included in the study. Methods: Demographic and clinical data (including weight and height for the calculation of the body mass index) were collected, as well as scores of severity of illness SAPS-3, organic failure (Brussels) and therapeutic intervention NEMS (as a surrogate marker of resource use). The statistical analysis was multivariate, with a significance of p < 0.05. Results: When we compared patients with a BMI < 25 kg/m(2) versus those with BMI above 25 kg/m(2), we did not find statistical differences in mortality and resource use. However, when we changed the cutoff point of BMI to 30 kg/m(2), we found statistically significant differences in mortality and an important effect size in the resource use between both groups. Conclusions: In México we should change the cutoff point of the body mass index to 30 kg/m(2) when we compare mortality and resource use in those patients in the ICU. This study suggests the possibility of making a multicenter study to confirm these findings.

Resumo: Introdução: Não há nenhum acordo nos relatos da literatura se um índice de massa corporal acima de 25 kg/m(2) incrementa, não altera ou diminui a mortalidade em pacientes em estado crítico. Objetivo: Comparar a mortalidade, morbidade e consumo de recursos entre os pacientes com peso normal ou baixo (índice de massa corporal IMC < 25 kg/m(2)) versus pacientes com sobrepeso e obesidade (IMC > 25 kg /m(2)). Desenho: Estudo prospectivo de coorte. Pacientes: 159 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo. Método: Foram coletadas variáveis demográficas clínicas, incluindo peso e altura para calcular o índice de massa corporal. Foram coletados dados da escala de gravidade da doença SAPS-3, a falha orgânica Bruselas e a intervenção terapêutica NEMS (como o consumo de recursos sub-rogado). A análise estatística foi multivariada considerando significativa uma p < .05. Resultados: Ao comparar os pacientes com IMC < 25 kg/m(2) com aqueles com um IMC superior não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa na mortalidade e consumo de recursos. No entanto, ao reformular o estudo e comparar pacientes com IMC < 30 kg/m(2) com aqueles com um IMC superior, se encontrou uma diferença significativa na mortalidade entre os dois grupos e um impacto significativo em termos de consumo de recursos em pacientes com IMC > 30 kg/m(2). Conclusões: No México temos que mudar o ponto de corte do índice de massa corporal à 30 kg/m(2) quando comparamos a mortalidade e o consumo de recursos em pacientes internados na UTI. Este estudo abre a possibilidade de um estudo multicêntrico para confirmar estes resultados.

Esbozo histórico de la Radiología en Cienfuegos / Historical Outline of Radiology in Cienfuegos

La elevada importancia que ha tenido el desarrollo y utilización adecuada de la radiología (actualmente imagenología) para el diagnóstico de diversas afecciones médicas en el presente siglo, especialmente en las últimas décadas, unida a la ausencia de investigaciones relacionadas con el surgimiento y evolución de dicha especialidad en nuestra localidad, sustenta la necesidad de brindar un mayor conocimiento de la historia de la Radiología en Cienfuegos. El objetivo de este estudio es exponer los elementos relacionados con el surgimiento y desarrollo de la Radiología en Cuba, particularmente en Cienfuegos, así como los beneficios que ha traído a la población de esta ciudad. Para ello se realizó un estudio cualitativo, de perfil histórico y descriptivo. Se exponen aspectos relacionados con la asistencia y la docencia del personal no médico y se hace alusión a diversas personalidades relevantes vinculadas a esta actividad. El surgimiento de la Radiología en la provincia se remonta a los primeros años de la segunda década del 1900, sin embargo, no fue hasta después del triunfo de la revolución en 1959, que experimentó un verdadero avance tecnológico.

The need of providing a better understanding of Radiology in Cienfuegos, is founded on the importance the development and the adequate use of Radiology (currently imaging) has had for the diagnosis of diverse medical conditions in the present century, specially in the last decades, so as the absence of research associated to the origin and evolution of this specialty in the locality. The objective of this paper is to present the elements related with the emergence and development of Radiology in Cuba, particularly in Cienfuegos, and the benefits it has brought about for the population of this city. Aimed at that, a qualitative study was carried out, with a historical and descriptive profile. Aspects related to non medical personnel assistance and teaching are presented and it is alluded to diverse relevant personalities linked to this activity. The emergence of Radiology in the province dates back to the early years of the second decade of 1900, however, it was not until after the triumph of the revolution in 1959, which experienced true technological advances.

Hormonas tiroidaas en pequeños rumiantes: artíclo de revisión y actualización de la literatura / Thyroid hormones in small ruminants: review article and literature update

Objetivo: actualizar conceptos sobre el funcionamiento de las hormonas tiroideas en pequeños rumiantes. Materiales y Métodos: mediante la revisión de la literatura disponible de los últimos 50 años en las bases de datos BBCS-LILACS, Fuente Académica, IB-PsycINFO, IB-SSCI, IB-SciELO, SCOPUS y SCIRUS, al igual que artículos históricos, textos y referencias citadas en trabajos. Resultados: la información obtenida relacionada con los objetivos propuestos en la presente revisión, permite clasificar en cinco secciones a saber: funciones de las hormonas tiroideas; hormonas tiroideas y la reproducción de pequeños rumiantes; las hormonas tiroideas y el desarrollo fetal; hormonas tiroideas, preñez y lactancia; y factores que alteran los niveles de hormonas tiroideas. Conclusión: el buen funcionamiento de las vías metabólicas depende en gran parte de las hormonas tiroideas, por sus efectos específicos sobre diferentes órganos, manteniendo la homeostasis entre todos los tejidos.

Objective: To update concepts on thyroid hormones functioning in small ruminants. Materials and methods: Through available literature review from the last 50 years in the BBCS-LILACS, Fuente Académica, IB-PsycINFO, IB-SSCI, IB-SciELO, SCOPUS, and SCIRUS data bases as well as historical articles, texts and references cited in published work. Results: Information obtained related to the objectives proposed in the present review allows to classify into five sections as follows: thyroid hormones functioning; thyroid hormones and reproduction of small ruminants; thyroid hormones and fetal development; thyroid hormones, pregnancy and lactation; and factors that alter thyroid hormones levels. Conclusion: The proper functioning of metabolic pathways depends largely of thyroid hormones due to their specific effects on different organs, maintaining the homeostasis among all tissues.

Species-level assessment of the molecular basis of fluoroquinolone resistance among viridans group streptococci causing bacteraemia in cancer patients.

Viridans group streptococci (VGS) are a major cause of bacteraemia in neutropenic cancer patients, particularly those receiving fluoroquinolone prophylaxis. In this study, we sought to understand the molecular basis for fluoroquinolone resistance in VGS causing bacteraemia in cancer patients by assigning 115 VGS bloodstream isolates to specific species using multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA), by sequencing the quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) of gyrA, gyrB, parC and parE, and by testing strain susceptibility to various fluoroquinolones. Non-susceptibility to one or more fluoroquinolones was observed for 78% of isolates, however only 68.7% of patients were receiving fluoroquinolone prophylaxis. All but one of the determinative QRDR polymorphisms occurred in GyrA or ParC, yet the pattern of determinative QRDR polymorphisms was significantly associated with the fluoroquinolone prophylaxis received. By combining MLSA and QRDR data, multiple patients infected with genetically indistinguishable fluoroquinolone-resistant Streptococcus mitis or Streptococcus oralis strains were discovered. Together these data delineate the molecular mechanisms of fluoroquinolone resistance in VGS isolates causing bacteraemia and suggest possible transmission of fluoroquinolone-resistant S. mitis and S. oralis isolates among cancer patients.

Factores de riesgo de síndrome metabólico en estudiantes de la universidad Pablo Guardado Chávez, año 2013 / Risk factors of metabolic syndrome among students from Pablo Guardado Chávez University, 2013

Introducción: en México el síndrome metabólico afecta a más del 25 % de la población, lo cual se atribuye a la combinación de factores genéticos y ambientales. Objetivo: conocer la prevalencia de factores de riesgo de síndrome metabólico en una muestra de estudiantes de la Universidad Pablo Guardado Chávez de la ciudad de Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal a 190 estudiantes de 17 a 28 años de edad, 99 del sexo femenino y 91 del masculino. Se realizaron mediciones antropométricas: índice de masa corporal y circunferencia de la cintura. Se determinó tensión arterial, frecuencia cardíaca y niveles séricos de colesterol, triglicéridos y glucosa. Resultados: nueve estudiantes fueron diagnosticados con síndrome metabólico, según los criterios del ATP-III. Los factores de riesgo de síndrome metabólico más frecuentes fueron: obesidad androide, hiperglucemia, hipertrigliceridemia, hipercolesterolemia e hipertensión arterial. De la muestra estudiada el 51 % presentaron algunos de los factores de riesgo de síndrome metabólico. El 35,26 % padece sobrepeso y el 15,80 % obesidad. El 78 % poseen antecedentes heredofamiliares de cardiopatía isquémica, hipertensión arterial, dislipidemias, diabetes mellitus tipo 2 y obesidad. El 100 % de los obesos y con sobrepeso son sedentarios y poseen hábitos dietéticos no saludables. Conclusiones: en la muestra estudiada 1 de cada 21 presenta síndrome metabólico y 1 de cada 2, factores de riesgo de síndrome metabólico; a quienes se les ha brindado seguimiento y consejería.

Introduction: metabolic syndrome affects more than 25% of the Mexican population. This is attributable to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Objective: determine the prevalence of risk factors of metabolic syndrome in a sample of students from Pablo Guardado Chávez University in the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted of 190 students (99 female and 91 male) aged 17-28. Anthropometric measurements were taken: body mass index and waist circumference. Determination was made of blood pressure, heart rate, and levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose. Results: nine students were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome based on ATP-III criteria. The most common risk factors of metabolic syndrome were android obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. Of the sample studied, 51 % presented risk factors of metabolic syndrome. 35.26 % were overweight and 15.80 % were obese. 78 % had a family history of ischemic heart disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. 100 % of obese and overweight subjects were sedentary and had unhealthy eating habits. Conclusions: in the sample studied, 1 in 21 had metabolic syndrome, and 1 in 2 presented risk factors of metabolic syndrome. Follow-up and counseling have been provided.

Oxygen gas-filled microparticles provide intravenous oxygen delivery.

We have developed an injectable foam suspension containing self-assembling, lipid-based microparticles encapsulating a core of pure oxygen gas for intravenous injection. Prototype suspensions were manufactured to contain between 50 and 90 ml of oxygen gas per deciliter of suspension. Particle size was polydisperse, with a mean particle diameter between 2 and 4 µm. When mixed with human blood ex vivo, oxygen transfer from 70 volume % microparticles was complete within 4 s. When the microparticles were infused by intravenous injection into hypoxemic rabbits, arterial saturations increased within seconds to near-normal levels; this was followed by a decrease in oxygen tensions after stopping the infusions. The particles were also infused into rabbits undergoing 15 min of complete tracheal occlusion. Oxygen microparticles significantly decreased the degree of hypoxemia in these rabbits, and the incidence of cardiac arrest and organ injury was reduced compared to controls. The ability to administer oxygen and other gases directly to the bloodstream may represent a technique for short-term rescue of profoundly hypoxemic patients, to selectively augment oxygen delivery to at-risk organs, or for novel diagnostic techniques. Furthermore, the ability to titrate gas infusions rapidly may minimize oxygen-related toxicity.

A single gene target of an ETS-family transcription factor determines neuronal CO2-chemosensitivity.

Many animals possess neurons specialized for the detection of carbon dioxide (CO(2)), which acts as a cue to elicit behavioral responses and is also an internally generated product of respiration that regulates animal physiology. In many organisms how such neurons detect CO(2) is poorly understood. We report here a mechanism that endows C. elegans neurons with the ability to detect CO(2). The ETS-5 transcription factor is necessary for the specification of CO(2)-sensing BAG neurons. Expression of a single ETS-5 target gene, gcy-9, which encodes a receptor-type guanylate cyclase, is sufficient to bypass a requirement for ets-5 in CO(2)-detection and transforms neurons into CO(2)-sensing neurons. Because ETS-5 and GCY-9 are members of gene families that are conserved between nematodes and vertebrates, a similar mechanism might act in the specification of CO(2)-sensing neurons in other phyla.

Cancer progression mediated by horizontal gene transfer in an in vivo model.

It is known that cancer progresses by vertical gene transfer, but this paradigm ignores that DNA circulates in higher organisms and that it is biologically active upon its uptake by recipient cells. Here we confirm previous observations on the ability of cell-free DNA to induce in vitro cell transformation and tumorigenesis by treating NIH3T3 recipient murine cells with serum of colon cancer patients and supernatant of SW480 human cancer cells. Cell transformation and tumorigenesis of recipient cells did not occur if serum and supernatants were depleted of DNA. It is also demonstrated that horizontal cancer progression mediated by circulating DNA occurs via its uptake by recipient cells in an in vivo model where immunocompetent rats subjected to colon carcinogenesis with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine had increased rate of colonic tumors when injected in the dorsum with human SW480 colon carcinoma cells as a source of circulating oncogenic DNA, which could be offset by treating these animals with DNAse I and proteases. Though the contribution of biologically active molecules other than DNA for this phenomenon to occur cannot be ruled out, our results support the fact that cancer cells emit into the circulation biologically active DNA to foster tumor progression. Further exploration of the horizontal tumor progression phenomenon mediated by circulating DNA is clearly needed to determine whether its manipulation could have a role in cancer therapy.

Comparación de los métodos directo y de friedewald para la determinación de los niveles de colesterol LDL en el equino / Comparison of direct versus friedewald methods for determing LDL cholesterol levels in the horse

Objetivo. Comparar el método Directo con el método de precipitación de Friedewald para la determinación de colesterol LDL en una especie con patrón metabólico HDL. Materiales y métodos. Fueron tomadas en estado de ayuno, muestras de sangre de 200 equinos de diferente edad, raza y sexo. Luego de extraer el suero, fueron determinados los niveles de colesterol LDL mediante el método directo, posteriormente fueron determinados los niveles de colesterol LDL utilizando el método de Friedewald. Los resultados fueron analizados estadísticamente mediante ANOVA de una vía. Resultados. El método directo reportó valores (mg/dl) de promedio, mínimo, máximo, rango y desviación estándar de 27.9; 14; 51; 37; 6.4 respectivamente, mediante el método de Friedewald se obtuvieron valores (mg/dl) de promedio, mínimo, máximo, rango y desviación estándar de 29; 11.2; 54.2; 43; 7.0 respectivamente. El valor de P en el test F fue mayor o igual a 0.05, por lo cual no se evidenció diferencia significativa a un nivel de confidencia del 95% entre los valores obtenidos por los dos métodos. Conclusiones. Pueden ser utilizados cualquiera de los dos métodos analizados para la determinación del colesterol LDL en especies con patrón HDL.

[Diagnosis of perioperative myocardial infarction within the first seventy-two hours after cardiac surgery]. / Diagnóstico de infarto miocárdico perioperatorio dentro de las primeras 72 horas posteriores a la cirugía cardiaca.

UNLABELLED: One of the most frequent complications of cardiac surgery is the perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI). Incidence of PMI shows a wide variation because an accurate detection of this complication is difficult in the early postoperative stage. The objectives of the present study were to determine in our population of patients the incidence of PMI during the first seventy two hours after cardiac surgery as well as associations among the accepted criteria to diagnose this complication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred sixty four adults patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were studied. With baselines preoperative studies, serial electrocardiographic, enzymatic [(determination of serum creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB)] and echocardiographic studies were performed during the first 72 hours after cardiac surgery. Diagnosis of PMI was established with two or all the three positive criteria [electrocardiographic (ECG), enzymatic (CK-MB) and echocardiographic (ECHO)]. RESULTS: In 24 (15%) patients PMI was diagnosed. In this group 13 (54%) all the three criteria were positive. In 8 (33%) patients CK-MB and ECHO were positive. In 3 (13%) patients CK-MB and ECG were positive. CONCLUSIONS: In our population the incidence of PMI (15%) is agree with the reported in previous studies. In most of cases of PMI all the three diagnostic criteria are positive. When diagnosis is established only with two criteria, in most of cases these are CK-MB and ECHO.

Role of the disease in the psychological impact of pre-symptomatic testing for SCA2 and FAP ATTRV30M: Experience with the disease, kinship and gender of the transmitting parent.

To identify possible factors affecting the psychological impact of pre-symptomatic testing for spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) and familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP ATTRV30M), we studied (1) the effect of previous experience with the disease in the family, (2) kinship with the closest affected relative and (3) gender of affected parent, when adapting to test results; as well as (4) differences in the course of psychological wellbeing in 63 subjects ( 28 at-risk for FAP ATTRV30M, and 35 at risk for SCA2), who pursued predictive testing for these diseases, in Cuba and in Portugal. Our research shows that individuals with little or no experience with the disease in their family exhibited more anxiety; at-risk subjects for SCA2 or FAP ATTRV30M who had a first degree relative with the disease showed lower levels of anxiety and depression during pre-symptomatic testing. Also those with an affected mother had lower levels of depression, either immediately, or one year after receipt of test results. Adaptation to pre-symptomatic testing results differed for subjects at-risk for the two different conditions. Unlike the FAP ATTRV30M families, carriers for SCA2 reported pathological levels of depression immediately after-testing (3 weeks), although those levels had returned to normal levels at 6 months. Subjects at-risk for FAP ATTRV30M tended to have less anxiety than those tested for SCA2, at the one-year follow-up. Overall, depression levels improved over time, while anxiety remained more constant. A longer awareness of the disease in the family, closer kinship, and a transmitting mother all lessened the impact of pre-symptomatic testing, as expressed by the post-test levels of anxiety and depression.

Diagnóstico de infarto miocárdico perioperatorio dentro de las primeras 72 horas posteriores a la cirugía cardiaca / Diagnosis of perioperative myocardial infarction within the first seventy-two hours after cardiac surgery

One of the most frequent complications of cardiac surgery is the perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI). Incidence of PMI shows a wide variation because an accurate detection of this complication is difficult in the early postoperative stage. The objectives of the present study were to determine in our population of patients the incidence of PMI during the first seventy two hours after cardiac surgery as well as associations among the accepted criteria to diagnose this complication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred sixty four adults patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were studied. With baselines preoperative studies, serial electrocardiographic, enzymatic [(determination of serum creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB)] and echocardiographic studies were performed during the first 72 hours after cardiac surgery. Diagnosis of PMI was established with two or all the three positive criteria [electrocardiographic (ECG), enzymatic (CK-MB) and echocardiographic (ECHO)]. RESULTS: In 24 (15%) patients PMI was diagnosed. In this group 13 (54%) all the three criteria were positive. In 8 (33%) patients CK-MB and ECHO were positive. In 3 (13%) patients CK-MB and ECG were positive. CONCLUSIONS: In our population the incidence of PMI (15%) is agree with the reported in previous studies. In most of cases of PMI all the three diagnostic criteria are positive. When diagnosis is established only with two criteria, in most of cases these are CK-MB and ECHO.