Four glycoproteins are expressed in the cat zona pellucida.

The mammalian oocyte is surrounded by a matrix called the zona pellucida (ZP). This envelope participates in processes such as acrosome reaction induction, sperm binding and may be involved in speciation. In cat (Felis catus), this matrix is composed of at least three glycoproteins called ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4. However, recent studies have pointed to the presence of a fourth protein in several mammals (rat, human, hamster or rabbit), meaning that a reevaluation of cat ZP is needed. For this reason, the objective of this research was to analyze the protein composition of cat ZP by means of proteomic analysis. Using ZP from ovaries and oocytes, several peptides corresponding to four proteins were detected, yielding a coverage of 33.17%, 71.50%, 50.23%, and 49.64% for ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4, respectively. Moreover, the expression of four genes was confirmed by molecular analysis. Using total RNA isolated from cat ovaries, the complementary deoxyribonucleic acids encoding cat ZP were partially amplified by reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, ZP1 was totally amplified for the first time in this species. As far as we are aware, this is the first study that confirms the presence of four proteins in cat ZP.

Inyección intraoperatoria de trombina como método de prevención de fugas tipo II en el tratamiento endovascular de los aneurismas de aorta abdominal / Thrombin injection during endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair as a method for preventing type II endoleaks

OBJETIVO: Evaluar si la inyección de trombina intrasaco durante el tratamiento endovascular (EVAR) de los aneurismas de aorta abdominal (AAA) reduce el porcentaje de fugas tipo II . MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Elaboramos un estudio de cohortes históricas de pacientes intervenidos mediante EVAR entre 2005 y 2012. Comparamos 2 grupos, uno formado por pacientes a los que realizamos EVAR de forma convencional (A) y otro al que añadimos la inyección de trombina (B). Las variables principales fueron: el porcentaje de fugas tipo II, el tiempo quirúrgico y las complicaciones relacionadas con la trombina. Analizamos los siguientes factores de control: permeabilidad de la arteria mesentérica inferior (AMI), oclusión con la endoprótesis de renales accesorias, número de lumbares permeables y antiagregación/anticoagulación postoperatoria. Calculamos los test estadísticos Chi cuadrado de Pearson, de Fisher y t de Student y como medidas de efecto, el riesgo relativo (RR) y la reducción absoluta del riesgo (RAR) con intervalos de confianza (IC) al 95%. RESULTADOS: El porcentaje de fugas tipo II en el grupo A fue de 27% comparado con 16% en el grupo B (p = 0,268; RR: 0,6 [IC 95%: 0,22-1,59]; RAR de 0,1% [IC 95%: −0,01-0,28]; NNT: 10). El tiempo quirúrgico fue en el grupo A de 270 + 65 min y en el grupo B de 290 + 66 min (p = 0,156). No observamos ninguna complicación relacionada con la inyección de trombina. Detectamos como factor de interacción la permeabilidad de AMI. CONCLUSIONES: La inyección de trombina intrasaco es una técnica sencilla y segura que podría ser útil en la prevención de fugas tipo II , pero es conveniente realizar nuevos estudios para confirmar nuestra hipótesis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether thrombin injection into the aneurysm sac during endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair reduces the percentage of type II endoleaks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An historical cohort study was conducted on patients who underwent endovascular repair (EVAR) between 2005 and 2012. Two groups were compared; the first consistin gof those who underwent conventional EVAR (A), and the second with those who had thrombin injection during the EVAR (B). The main endpoints were: the percentage of type II endoleaks, the surgical time and complications related to the thrombin injection. The control factors that were taken into account were: inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) patency, accessory renal arteries occlusion, number of lumbar arteries, and post-operative anti-platelet/anticoagulation treatment. The Pearson chi-squared, Fisher exact, and Student t tests were performed, as well as effect measurements such as, relative risk (RR), absolute risk reduction (ARR), with confidence intervals (CI) of 95%. RESULTS: The percentage of type II endoleaks in group A was 27% versus 16% in group B (P=0.268; RR: 0.6 [95% CI: 0.22-1.59]; ARR 0.1% [95% CI:−0,01-0.28]; NNT: 10). Surgical time was not significantly increased with the addition of the injection technique (NT: 270 + 65 min; T: [A: 270 + 65 min; B: 290 + 66 min. (p = 0.156)]]. No complications were observed with the thrombininjection. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombin injection into the aneurysm sac is a simple and safe technique, and could be useful to prevent type II endoleaks, but more studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis

Rabbit zona pellucida composition: a molecular, proteomic and phylogenetic approach.

The zona pellucida (ZP) participates in sperm-egg interactions during the first steps of fertilization. Recent studies have shown that the ZP matrix of oocytes in several species is composed of four glycoproteins, designated as ZP1, ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4, rather than the three described in mouse, pig and cow. In this study, investigations were carried out to unveil a fourth glycoprotein in the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) ZP. Using total RNA isolated from rabbit ovaries, the complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) encoding rabbit ZP1 was amplified by reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The ZP1 cDNA contains an open reading frame of 1825 nucleotides encoding a polypeptide of 608 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of rabbit ZP1 showed high identity with other species: 70% identity with human and horse ZP1, and 67% identity with mouse and rat ZP1. At the proteomic level, peptides corresponding to the four proteins were detected by mass spectrometry. In addition, a molecular phylogenetic analysis of ZP1 showed that pseudogenization of this gene has occurred at least four times during the evolution of mammals. The data presented in this manuscript provide evidence, for the first time, that the rabbit ZP is composed of four glycoproteins.

Pharmacokinetics of dexketoprofen trometamol in healthy volunteers after single and repeated oral doses.

The pharmacokinetics of dexketoprofen trometamol were evaluated in two studies using healthy volunteers. In the first study, the relative bioavailability of a single oral capsule of dexketoprofen free acid 25 mg or dexketoprofen trometamol 25 mg (given as 37 mg of the trometamol salt) was compared to ketoprofen 50 mg in 18 healthy volunteers. In the second study, the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of oral dexketoprofen trometamol in tablet form were evaluated after either a single 25 mg dose (24 volunteers) or a repeated dose of 25 mg twice daily for 7 days (12 volunteers). The absorption of dexketoprofen from dexketoprofen trometamol capsules was bioequivalent to that of ketoprofen. On the other hand, the extent of absorption of dexketoprofen free acid was significantly lower than that for ketoprofen. Dexketoprofen trometamol showed the most rapid absorption rate, with highest Cmax and shortest t(max) values, whereas dexketoprofen free acid had the slowest absorption rate, and ketoprofen had an intermediate absorption rate. After repeated-dose administration of dexketoprofen trometamol, the pharmacokinetic parameters were similar to those obtained after single doses, indicating that no drug accumulation occurred. Dexketoprofen trometamol was well tolerated, with no clinically relevant adverse events reported.

No sex-related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences of captopril.

Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) used in the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure and has demonstrated its cardiovascular effects in experimental animal models, healthy volunteers and patients. The aim of this study was to find out whether or not differences in the pharmacokinetic profile and the haemodynamic response of a 100-mg single oral dose of captopril appeared between subjects of both sexes. Twenty-four young healthy volunteers (12 males and 12 females) took part in the trial. Blood samples to assess captopril plasma concentrations, determined by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), as well as haemodynamic variables, were obtained before and at different times following drug intake. Pharmacokinetic parameters did not show significant sex differences. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure exhibited a statistically significant decrease between 0.5 and 8 h in both sexes. No significant sex-related differences were found. The drug exhibited a good tolerability.