Enolase from Trypanosoma cruzi is inhibited by its interaction with metallocarboxypeptidase-1 and a putative acireductone dioxygenase.

Purification of enolase (ENO) from the cytosol of Trypanosoma cruzi indicated that it may interact with at least five other proteins. Two of them were identified as metallocarboxypeptidase-1 (TcMCP-1) and a putative acireductone dioxygenase (ARDp). Subcellular localization studies confirmed the presence of ARDp in the cytosol, as is the case for ENO and TcMCP-1. Analysis of the ARDp sequence showed that this protein has two domains, an N-terminal ARD and a C-terminal TRP14 (thioredoxin-related protein) domain. The interactions between ENO, TcMCP-1 and ARDp were confirmed for the natural proteins from the trypanosome (using size-exclusion chromatography and co-immunoprecipitation from a cytosolic fraction) and recombinant forms (using ELISA ligand-binding assay and ENO activity assays). The ELISA ligand-binding assays permitted to verify the optimal physicochemical conditions for the interactions (representative for the physiological conditions) and to determine the affinity constants (Kd): ENO/ARDp: 9.54 ±â€¯0.82 nM, ARDp/ENO 10.05 ±â€¯1.11 nM, and ENO/TcMCP-1: 5.66 ±â€¯0.61 nM. The data also show that the interaction between TcMCP-1 and ARDp is mediated by ENO acting as a "bridge". Furthermore, considerable inhibition of the ENO activity, up to 85%, is observed when the enzyme interacts with TcMCP-1 and ARDp simultaneously. All these data confirm that the interaction between ENO, TcMCP-1 and ARDp, occurring in T. cruzi's cytosol, modulates the ENO activity and suggest a possible physiological mechanism for regulation of the ENO activity by the protein-protein interaction.

Análisis del valor de la biopsia del gangliocentinela en el melanoma cutáneo / Analysis in the meaning of sentinel lymph node biopsy in cutaneous melanoma

El melanoma cutáneo es una neoplasia cuya incidencia va en aumento en nuestro medio. Presentamos un estudio sobre 1023 casos de esta patología recogidos a lo largo de 20 años, distribuidos en 2 grupos: grupo A tratados antes del 2000, y grupo B tratados después del2000. Comparamos la supervivencia de ambos grupos en base al cambio de tratamiento por la introducción del estudio del ganglio centinela a partir del año 2000.No observamos diferencias significativas entre los 2grupos en la supervivencia de los pacientes con melanoma a pesar de realizar tratamientos más conservadores. Por tanto, gracias a la biopsia de ganglio centinela, se pueden evitar un 75% de linfadenectomías electivas realizadas en este tipo de patología sin modificar los índices de supervivencia (AU)

The incidence of cutaneous melanoma has increased in our country recently. We report our experience during 20 years in 1023cases, comparing the survival between 2 groups of patients: group A treated before 2000, and group B treated after 2000, based on the different treatment after the introduction of sentinel lymph node biopsy in 2000.There are no differences in survival rates between both groups in spite of being more conservative. Moreover,75% of the lymphadenectomy could be evitated (AU)

Linfedema escrotal gigante / Giant scrotal lymphedema

La elefantiasis escrotal es una condición que ha sido historicamente descrita en áreas endémicas de filariasis, siendo menos frecuente su presentación idiopática o asociada a otras entidades. Presentamos un caso de elefantiasis escrotal gigante de causa adquirida al que se le practicó exéresis de estructura linfadematosa con reconstrucción con colgajo local y autoinjerto cutáneo. El caso clínico presentado es raro, ya sea por la baja frecuencia o por su etiología, así como por la importante magnitud del problema. Por esta razón hemos decidido presentarlo para dar a conocer posibilidades terapéuticas y realizar una revisión del tema (AU)

Scrotal lymphedema (scrotal elephantiasis) is a condition that has historically been described in areas endemic to filariasis. We present a case of giant scrotal elephantiasis. The patient was treated with scrotal reconstruction with local flap and skin graft. We present a rare case report, because of its low frequency or its ethnology so as the big magnitude of the problem. That´s why we decided to present this case in order to show therapeutical possibilities and to do a bibliographic review about the theme (AU)

Use of angioscanning in the surgical planning of perforator flaps in the lower extremities.

BACKGROUND: This is one of the few studies in the literature to describe angio-computed tomography (CT) as a planning tool in perforator flap surgery in the lower extremities. METHODS: Eighteen consecutive patients undergoing a perforator flap for lower-extremity reconstruction underwent preoperative CT angiography between September 2007 and November 2009. Eleven received propeller-type flaps, four medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flaps, two lateral sural artery perforator (LSAP) flaps and one anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap. RESULTS: Preoperative CT angiography was highly specific (100%) and sensitive in mapping and visualising perforators in the lower limb. There were hardly any flap failures after angio-CT, and operative findings always correlated perfectly with preoperative imaging. Postoperative recoveries were uneventful except in three cases of peroneal artery perforator flaps that presented partial necrosis due to venous congestion. CONCLUSIONS: CT angiography is a valuable imaging tool for the preoperative assessment of the donor-site vascular supply for lower-extremity flaps. We recommend use of preoperative angio-CT for imaging vascular anatomy of the lower limb before defect reconstruction, especially in traumatic patients and patients with peripheral vascular disease. Its use can also reduce intra-operative dissection time and minimises surgical error in the identification of the vascular anatomy.