Liposomal co-encapsulation of a novel gemini lipopeptide and a CpG-ODN induces a strong Th1 response with the co-activation of a Th2/Th17 profile and high antibody levels.

A successful vaccine depends on its capacity to elicit a protective immune response against the target pathogen. The adjuvant used plays an important role in enhancing and directing the immune response. Liposomes are vaccine adjuvants that allow the co-encapsulation of antigens and immunostimulants. Our aim was to evaluate the adjuvanticity of a cationic liposome (Lip) formulated with a novel gemini lipopeptide (AG2-C16) alone or in combination with CpG-ODN as immunostimulants. To achieve this, we used the recombinant clumping factor of Staphylococcus aureus (rClfA) as a model antigen, in a murine model. We characterized the formulations by DLS, Cryo-SEM, and TEM, and analyzed the humoral and cellular immune responses induced in BALB/c and C57BL/6J mice injected with free rClfA and three formulations: Lip + CpG-ODN + rClfA, Lip + AG2-C16 + rClfA and Lip + AG2-C16 + CpG-ODN + rClfA. The addition of immunostimulants to the liposomes did not change the membrane diameter but affected their hydrodynamic diameter, z-potential, and homogeneity. All liposomal formulations were able to stimulate a specific humoral response, with high serum IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a or IgG2c titers in BALB/c or C57BL/6J mice, respectively. In addition, increased vaginal IgG levels were detected after injection, with no specific IgA. The cellular immunity induced by Lip + AG2-C16 + CpG-ODN + rClfA was characterized by a predominant Th1 profile, with the co-induction of Th2 and Th17 cells, and IFN-γ+ cytotoxic T cells. Furthermore, we studied the capacity of the different formulations to stimulate murine keratinocytes and fibroblasts in vitro. While no formulation activated keratinocytes, Lip + AG2-C16 + CpG-ODN increased the expression of CXCL9 in fibroblasts. These results suggest Lip + AG2-C16 + CpG-ODN as a promising adjuvant candidate to be used in vaccines against pathogens that require Th1/Th2/Th17 combined profiles, like S. aureus. Additionally, based on the IFN-γ+ cytotoxic T cells stimulation and the CXCL9 production by fibroblasts, we propose the use of this adjuvant formulation for the stimulation of a Th1 profile.

Antibodies to SARS-CoV2 induced by vaccination and infection correlate with protection against the infection.

The COVID-19 pandemic remained worldwide for almost three years, but little is known about the dynamics of humoral immune response to the third dose over time and its protection from infection. Our aim was to assess the humoral immune response after the third dose of the different vaccines administered to SARS-CoV-2 naive and previously infected individuals, and its correlation with protection in an academic community. For each person studied (185), three blood samples were taken between December 2021 and July 2022, one month apart. Anti-S antibodies were quantified by ELISA, while anti-N antibody levels were determined by ECLIA. Most of the participants had received two doses of viral vector-based, mRNA-based and virus-inactivated vaccines. Although anti-N antibody levels revealed that 80% of the individuals had been exposed to the virus before or during the study, only 42% reported having been diagnosed. When anti-S IgG levels were measured 3-5 months after the second dose of any vaccine, they were higher in those previously infected individuals. The same results were observed for anti-N IgG levels in those who received 2 doses of the virus-inactivated vaccine. When analyzing the dynamics of anti-S antibodies we observed that, although positive IgG antibody levels were detected 5-6 months after the second dose administration, those observed 30-60 days after the third dose were significantly higher and remained so for at least 8 months. Higher levels of anti-S IgG antibodies at the first sampling were associated with a lower incidence of subsequent infection. The same association was seen in people who received the booster compared with those who received two doses. This study provides further evidence that anti-S IgG antibodies remained at high levels over time, and both anti-S levels and the third dose of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine correlate with protection against the infection. It also shows that infection acts as a booster of immunization, increasing levels of both anti-N and anti-S IgG.

Heterologous prime-boost vaccination based on Polymorphic protein D protects against intravaginal Chlamydia trachomatis infection in mice.

The control of the worldwide spread of sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection urgently demands the development of a preventive vaccine. In this work, we designed a vaccine based on a fragment of polymorphic protein D (FPmpD) that proved to be immunogenic enough to generate a robust systemic and mucosal IgG humoral immune response in two strains of mice. We used a heterologous prime-boost strategy, including simultaneous systemic and mucosal administration routes. The high titers of anti-PmpD antibodies elicited by this immunization scheme did not affect murine fertility. We tested the vaccine in a mouse model of Ct intravaginal infection. Anti-PmpD antibodies displayed potent neutralizing activity in vitro and protective effects in uterine tissues in vivo. Notably, the humoral immune response of PmpD-vaccinated mice was faster and stronger than the primary immune response of non-vaccinated mice when exposed to Ct. FPmpD-based vaccine effectively reduced Ct shedding into cervicovaginal fluids, bacterial burden at the genitourinary tract, and overall infectivity. Hence, the FPmpD-based vaccine might constitute an efficient tool to protect against Ct intravaginal infection and decrease the infection spreading.

The influence of teaching variables in the educational processes of students with rare diseases.

Introduction: Teachers have a key role in their students' educational inclusion processes. Numerous variables influence their professional work and determine how they approach teaching. Methods: In this study, 574 teachers teaching non-university educational stages in the Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha were queried about their knowledge and perceptions regarding students with rare diseases, examining the extent to which there were personal variables that could have an impact on that. Results: The results indicate the need to expand training to increase levels of knowledge in the educational arena about rare diseases, especially about how they are conceptually described and their categorization and prevalence. All of the teaching variables evaluated were statistically significant, with p < 0.001 in most of the elements evaluated according to each of the following variables: sex, age, job position, teaching experience, and higher qualifications. This shows that there are teaching variables that influence the inclusion of students with rare diseases. Being aware of them should be a priority in order to increase teacher empowerment for the delivery of inclusive educational processes. Discussion: All students exhibit distinctive characteristics and teachers play an essential role in offering them quality individualized education. The full inclusion of all students is something educational systems have yet to achieve, and this study aimed to contribute to that goal, in this case for schoolchildren with rare diseases.

Gemini lipopeptides as vaccine adjuvants: a new role for these versatile carriers.

The design of subunit vaccines requires new adjuvant systems. We designed and synthesized new lipopeptides (cysteine-based) of low molecular weight with different hydrophobic chains that dimerize becoming gemini lipopeptides. They were characterized and their adjuvant capacity was tested in mice by the inoculation of a protein antigen formulated with the lipopeptides, with and without the addition of CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides. Formulations were able to induce an immune response and produced no adverse effects. An adjuvant ability is described for the first time for this type of molecules.

In silico prediction of T- and B-cell epitopes in PmpD: First step towards to the design of a Chlamydia trachomatis vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection globally. Currently, there are no vaccines available despite the efforts made to develop a protective one. Polymorphic membrane protein D (PmpD) is an attractive immunogen candidate as it is conserved among strains and it is target of neutralizing antibodies. However, its high molecular weight and its complex structure make it difficult to handle by recombinant DNA techniques. Our aim is to predict B-cell and T-cell epitopes of PmpD. METHOD: A sequence (Genbank AAK69391.2) having 99-100% identity with various serovars of C. trachomatis was used for predictions. NetMHC and NetMHCII were used for T-cell epitope linked to MHC I or MHC II alleles prediction, respectively. BepiPred predicted linear B-cell epitopes. For three dimensional epitopes, PmpD was homology-modeled by Raptor X. Surface epitopes were predicted on its globular structure using DiscoTope. RESULTS: NetMHC predicted 271 T-cell epitopes of 9-12aa with weak affinity, and 70 with strong affinity to MHC I molecules. NetMHCII predicted 2903 T-cell epitopes of 15aa with weak affinity, and 742 with strong affinity to MHC II molecules. Twenty four linear B-cell epitopes were predicted. Raptor X was able to model 91% of the three-dimensional structure whereas 57 residues of discontinuous epitopes were suggested by DiscoTope. Six regions containing B-cell and T-cell epitopes were identified by at least two predictors. CONCLUSIONS: PmpD has potential B-cell and T-cell epitopes distributed throughout the sequence. Thus, several fragments were identified as valuable candidates for subunit vaccines against C. trachomatis.

Immune mediators associated to male infertility in a mouse model of DNA immunization with the sperm protease proacrosin.

The immune response has relevant physiological functions both in the male and female reproductive system, and must be tightly controlled to achieve a successful pregnancy. Several immune factors have been related to infertility, among them humoral and cellular immune responses triggered by sperm antigens. The present study was aimed at evaluating the immune profile induced by DNA immunization against the sperm protease proacrosin in CF1 male mice and its effect upon fertility. Immunized animals exhibited higher anti-proacrosin antibodies levels than controls (indirect ELISA), both in serum (p<0.01) and in seminal vesicle fluid (SVF; p<0.05). IgG2a levels were higher than IgG1 in serum (p<0.01) and similar in SVF. IL-10 and TGF-ß1 mRNA levels were lower in testis (p<0.05), whereas TNF-α and IFN-γ transcript levels were increased in SV tissue (p<0.05). Immunized mice showed a trend toward higher IFN-γ concentration in serum and SVF than controls. Male fertility rate was diminished in immunized mice (p<0.01) and inversely correlated with serum and SVF anti-proacrosin IgG levels (p<0.001). Immunized animals also had fewer pups born than controls (p<0.01). To our knowledge, this is the first report on DNA immunization done in CF1 mice. Injection of proacrosin DNA induces an immune response in the male reproductive tract characterized by high levels of specific antibodies and cytokine changes. These factors may alter the crucial balance of the genital tract microenvironment required for adequate fertilization and pregnancy.

Serologically silent, occult equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) infections in horses.

Molecular and serological techniques for Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV) diagnosis were compared using samples from 59 clinically normal horses stabled on five farms in the Santa Fe Province of Argentina. Of these 26 (44.1%) were positive in official AGID tests and/or gp45/gp90-based ELISA. Surprisingly 18 of the 33 seronegative horses were positive in a PCR against viral sequences encoding gp45 (PCR-positive/AGID-negative) with all but one remaining EIAV-antibody negative throughout a two year observation period. The gp45 PCR results are supported by fact that 7/18 of these horses were positive in the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) recommended EIAV gag gene specific PCR plus 2 of this 7 also reacted in a PCR directed predominantly against the 5' untranslated region of the viral genome. Furthermore sufficient quantities of serum were available from 8 of these horses to verify their seronegative status in sensitive Western Blot tests and demonstrate by ELISA the absence of EIAV-specific antibodies was not attributable to abnormalities in total IgG concentration. Studies involving 7 of the PCR-positive/AGID-negative horses to measure lymphocyte proliferation in the presence of PHA showed no significant differences between this group and control animals. In addition, lymphocytes from 2 of these 7 horses responded to peptides derived from gp90 and gp45. Together these results demonstrate that apparently clinically normal horses with no gross signs of immunodeficiency in terms of total IgG concentration or T helper-cell function can remain seronegative for at least 24 months while harboring EIAV specific nucleic acid sequences.

[Tasks, roles and expectations of safety practitioners at free-standing occupational health and safety services in Spain]. / Tareas, roles y expectativas en los profesionales de servicios de prevención.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the professional activities commonly performed by occupational health and safety professionals and their level of satisfaction. METHODS: We conducted a survey in a sample of 236 health and safety practitioners employed in free-standing occupational health services located in the Balearic Islands, Andalusia and Madrid between November 2009 and May 2010. The survey instrument was based on the questionnaire proposed by the International Social Security Association and the European Network of Safety & Health Practitioner Organisations (ISSA-ENSHPO). FINDINGS: The tasks most frequently performed by health and safety professionals in our sample (described as being performed at least monthly by 80% or more of respondents) are risk assessment, proposing preventive measures, providing information and training. Certain tasks, such as establishing staff selection criteria or performing cost-benefit analyses, are generally considered (by more than 50% of respondents) to be outside the scope of work for health and safety practitioners. Respondents would like to devote more time to their tasks, especially those related to their own continuing education and communication within the company. CONCLUSIONS: Health and safety professionals in our sample mostly perform tasks related to technical assessments of the workplace, worker training and information dissemination. There is a desire for greater involvement in professional knowledge management and human relations in the company.

Objetivos: Conocer las actividades profesionales que realizan habitualmente los prevencionistas y su grado de satisfacción con las mismas. Métodos: Se accedió a una muestra de 236 técnicos de prevención con actividad en servicios de prevención ajenos de las comunidades autónomas de Baleares, Andalucía y Madrid a los que se les administró un cuestionario entre noviembre de 2009 y mayo de 2011 basado en el cuestionario propuesto por la Asociación Internacional de la Seguridad Social y la Red Europea de Organizaciones Profesionales en Salud y Seguridad (ISSA-ENSHPO). Resultados: Las tareas más frecuentemente realizadas por los prevencionistas en nuestra muestra (80% o más las realizan como mínimo una vez al mes) son la evaluación de riesgos, la formulación de recomendaciones preventivas, la información y la formación. Algunas tareas, como la fijación de criterios de selección del personal o la realización de análisis coste-beneficio, son mayoritariamente (por más del 50% de los encuestados) consideradas como impropias de los profesionales de la prevención. Los encuestados desearían dedicar más tiempo a la mayoría de las tareas que llevan a cabo, especialmente a las relacionadas con la propia formación y con la interacción en el seno de la empresa. Conclusiones: En el patrón de actividad de los profesionales entrevistados predominan las tareas relacionadas con el asesoramiento técnico en el puesto de trabajo, la formación de trabajadores y la difusión de informaciones, siendo los ámbitos de la gestión del propio conocimiento y el de las relaciones humanas en la empresa los que generan un deseo de mayor dedicación.

Evaluación del estado nutricional en pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica en tratamiento de hemodiálisis / Nutritional assessment in patients with chronic renal failure under hemodialysis

Introduction: Several factors involved in the development of malnutrition in Hemodialysis patients, given the impact of malnutrition in the forecast, it is extremely important to monitor the protein energy status of these patients. Objective: 10 assess the nutritional status of patients with chronic kidney disease (ERC5) stage 5 on hemodialysis (HD). Methods: Patients over 18 years, of both sexes, tri-weekly dialysis. Nutritional diagnosis was used as the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold (PT), arm muscle circumference (AMC), and biochemical parameters (alburnin, cholesterol, protein catabolic rate, phosphorus). Results: According to SGA, 5% of patients had reiterate malnutrition by BMI 28% had malnutrition, according to the PT showed 12% depletion of their fat mass and was significantly higher in females (p = 0.015). According to the AMC showed 42% depletion of their muscle mass and was significantly higher in males (p = 0.029). According to the values of albumin, 41% were at nutritional risk and cholesterol levels by 55%. The 75% had inadequate protein intake. AMC depletion was significantly correlated with low protein intake (p = 0.02). 62% of the population showed altered phosphorus values. Conclusions: From this study it appears that no single method of nutritional assessment and need a combination of subjective and objective methods in order to identify those patients who require specific nutritional interventions.

Introducción: Varios son los factores implicados en el desarrollo de la mal nutrición de los pacientes en hemodiálisis, dado el impacto de la desnutrición en el pronóstico, es de suma importancia supervisar el estado energético proteico de estos pacientes. Objetivo: Valorar el estado nutricional de los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC5) estadio 5 en tratamiento de hemodiálisis (HD). Metodología: Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años, de ambos sexos, que realizaran diálisis trisemanal. Como diagnóstico nutricional se utilizó la Valoración Global Subjetiva (VGS modificada por kalantar), Indice de Masa Corporal (IMC), el pliegue tricipital (PT), Circunferencia muscular del brazo (CMB), y parámetros bioquímicos (albúmina, colesterol, índice de catabolismo proteico, fósforo). Resultados: Según la VGS, el 5% de los pacientes presentó desnutrición moderada, según el IMC el 28 % presentó desnutrición, según el PT un 12 % presentó depleción de su masa grasa, siendo significativamente mayor en el sexo femenino (p=0.015). Según la CMB el 42% presentó depleción de su masa muscular, siendo significativamente mayor en el sexo masculino (p=0.029). Según los valores de albúmina el 41% presentó riesgo nutricional y según los valores de colesterol el 55%. El 75% presentó ingesta proteica inadecuada. La depleción de la CMB se correlacionó significativamente con la baja ingesta proteica (p=0.02). El 62 % de la población presentó valores de fósforo alterados. Conclusiones: Del presente estudio se infiere que no existe un único método de valoración nutricional y es necesaria una combinación de métodos subjetivos y objetivos para lograr identificar a aquellos pacientes que requieran de intervenciones nutricionales específicas.

Evaluación del estado nutricional en pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica en tratamiento de hemodiálisis / Nutritional assessment in patients with chronic renal failure under hemodialysis

Introduction: Several factors involved in the development of malnutrition in Hemodialysis patients, given the impact of malnutrition in the forecast, it is extremely important to monitor the protein energy status of these patients. Objective: 10 assess the nutritional status of patients with chronic kidney disease (ERC5) stage 5 on hemodialysis (HD). Methods: Patients over 18 years, of both sexes, tri-weekly dialysis. Nutritional diagnosis was used as the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold (PT), arm muscle circumference (AMC), and biochemical parameters (alburnin, cholesterol, protein catabolic rate, phosphorus). Results: According to SGA, 5% of patients had reiterate malnutrition by BMI 28% had malnutrition, according to the PT showed 12% depletion of their fat mass and was significantly higher in females (p = 0.015). According to the AMC showed 42% depletion of their muscle mass and was significantly higher in males (p = 0.029). According to the values of albumin, 41% were at nutritional risk and cholesterol levels by 55%. The 75% had inadequate protein intake. AMC depletion was significantly correlated with low protein intake (p = 0.02). 62% of the population showed altered phosphorus values. Conclusions: From this study it appears that no single method of nutritional assessment and need a combination of subjective and objective methods in order to identify those patients who require specific nutritional interventions.(AU)

Introducción: Varios son los factores implicados en el desarrollo de la mal nutrición de los pacientes en hemodiálisis, dado el impacto de la desnutrición en el pronóstico, es de suma importancia supervisar el estado energético proteico de estos pacientes. Objetivo: Valorar el estado nutricional de los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC5) estadio 5 en tratamiento de hemodiálisis (HD). Metodología: Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años, de ambos sexos, que realizaran diálisis trisemanal. Como diagnóstico nutricional se utilizó la Valoración Global Subjetiva (VGS modificada por kalantar), Indice de Masa Corporal (IMC), el pliegue tricipital (PT), Circunferencia muscular del brazo (CMB), y parámetros bioquímicos (albúmina, colesterol, índice de catabolismo proteico, fósforo). Resultados: Según la VGS, el 5% de los pacientes presentó desnutrición moderada, según el IMC el 28 % presentó desnutrición, según el PT un 12 % presentó depleción de su masa grasa, siendo significativamente mayor en el sexo femenino (p=0.015). Según la CMB el 42% presentó depleción de su masa muscular, siendo significativamente mayor en el sexo masculino (p=0.029). Según los valores de albúmina el 41% presentó riesgo nutricional y según los valores de colesterol el 55%. El 75% presentó ingesta proteica inadecuada. La depleción de la CMB se correlacionó significativamente con la baja ingesta proteica (p=0.02). El 62 % de la población presentó valores de fósforo alterados. Conclusiones: Del presente estudio se infiere que no existe un único método de valoración nutricional y es necesaria una combinación de métodos subjetivos y objetivos para lograr identificar a aquellos pacientes que requieran de intervenciones nutricionales específicas.(AU)

Detection of Mycobacterium bovis-infected dairy herds using PCR in bulk tank milk samples.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic and zoonotic disease due to Mycobacterium bovis. The tuberculosis eradication campaign carried out in Argentina has considerably improved the health situation of the herds. Here we evaluated a strategy to detect M. bovis-infected herds by Touch-Down IS6110 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in bulk tank raw milk from dairy farms. We evaluated 177 samples from herds with the official tuberculosis free certificate (TFC) and 80 from herds without the certificate, non-tuberculosis-free certificate (NTFC), from 10 departments of Santa Fe province, Argentina. To avoid the effect of Taq polymerase inhibitors, a dilution of DNA template was performed. Positive PCR results were obtained in 102 (40%) of the samples, whereas negative ones were obtained in 155 (60%) of the samples. Importantly, 44% of NTFC and 38% of TFC samples were positive. All samples were subjected to culture in Löwenstein Jensen and Stonebrink media with no positive isolation. The negative predictive value (NPV) of PCR in the TFC group was 95%, while the positive predictive value (PPV) of PCR in the NTFC group was 51%. Based on these results, this work proposes a method that should be applied regularly to detect M. bovis--infected dairy herds, complementary to the official test of tuberculin, or purifed protein derivative (PPD), to control dairy herds, especially those free of tuberculosis.

Inhibition of the Rho GTPase, Rac1, decreases estrogen receptor levels and is a novel therapeutic strategy in breast cancer.

Rac1, a Rho GTPase, modulates diverse cellular processes and is hyperactive in some cancers. Estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) in concert with intracellular signaling pathways regulates genes associated with cell proliferation, tumor development, and breast cancer cell survival. Therefore, we examined the possibility of Rac1 and ERα crosstalk in breast cancer cells. We found that Rac1 enhanced ERα transcriptional activity in breast cancer cells. Vav3, a Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor that activates Rac1, was an upstream mediator, and P21/Cdc42/Rac1 activating kinase-1 (Pak-1) was a downstream effector of Rac1 enhancement of ERα activity. These results suggest that Rac1 may prove to be a therapeutic target. To test this hypothesis, we used a small molecule Rac inhibitor, EHT 1864, and found that EHT 1864 inhibited ERα transcriptional activity. Furthermore, EHT 1864 inhibited estrogen-induced cell proliferation in breast cancer cells and decreased tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cell growth. EHT 1864 decreased activity of the promoter of the ERα gene resulting in down-regulation of ERα mRNA and protein levels. Therefore, ERα down-regulation by EHT 1864 is the likely mechanism of EHT 1864-mediated inhibition of ERα activity and estrogen-stimulated breast cancer cell proliferation. Since ERα plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer and the Rac inhibitor EHT 1864 down-regulates ERα expression and breast cancer cell proliferation, further investigation of the therapeutic potential of Rac1 targeting in the treatment of breast cancer is warranted.

Percepción sobre las condiciones y medioambiente de trabajo, su impacto sobre la salud y la prevención en enfermería: el caso de tres hospitales provinciales interzonales del Gran La Plata / Understanding about conditions and enviroment of working, his impact on the health and the prevention in nursing: the case of the Gran La Plata three Interzonals Provincials Hospitals

Contenido: Fundamentación. Reseña del contexto local en salud y seguridad en el trabajo. Tema. Problema. Objetivos. Definición de variables. Tipo de estudio. Población estudiada. Fuentes de datos. Organización y análisis de los datos. Salud y trabajo. Las Condiciones y Medio Ambiente de Trabajo (CyMat). Enfoque de género y trabajo. Mujeres en el sector social.

Lactancia materna: causas de su abandono / Breastfeeding: causes of abandonment

Se presenta un estudio realizado a 60 madres de los niños nacidos durante el período comprendido de enero a diciembre del 2006 en 11 Consultorios de un área de salud perteneciente al Policlínico Docente Doctor Mario Escalona Reguera. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las causas del abandono de la lactancia materna exclusiva en los primeros cuatro meses de vida de los lactantes y conocer los factores que más frecuentemente se asocian al mismo, para lo cual se realizó una encuesta individual donde se analizan estas causas...

Activation of Stat3 transcription factor by Herpesvirus saimiri STP-A oncoprotein.

The saimiri transforming protein (STP) oncogene of Herpesvirus saimiri subgroup A strain 11 (STP-A11) is not required for viral replication but is required for lymphoid cell immortalization in culture and lymphoma induction in primates. We previously showed that STP-A11 interacts with cellular Src kinase through its SH2 binding motif and that this interaction elicits Src signal transduction. Here we demonstrate that STP-A11 interacts with signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) independently of Src association and that the amino-terminal short proline-rich motif of STP-A11 and the central linker region of Stat3 are necessary for their interaction. STP-A11 formed a triple complex with Src kinase and Stat3 where Src kinase phosphorylated Stat3, resulting in the nuclear localization and transcriptional activation of Stat3. Consequently, the constitutively active Stat3 induced by STP-A11 elicited cellular signal transduction, which ultimately induced cell survival and proliferation upon serum deprivation. Furthermore, this activity was strongly correlated with the induction of Fos, cyclin D1, and Bcl-XL expression. These results demonstrate that STP-A11 independently targets two important cellular signaling molecules, Src and Stat3, and that these proteins cooperate efficiently to induce STP-A11-mediated transformation.

Intoxicaçöes na cidade do Panamá / Poisoning in the Panamá city

Analisa os diferentes tipos de intoxicaçöes causadas por medicamentos, produtos químicos de uso domiciliar e industrial, pesticidas, animais peçonhentos, alimentos, drogas e bebidas alcoolicas. Foram analisados os prontuários dos pacientes com diagnóstico de intoxicaçäo segundo a CID-9, no período de junho a dezembro de 1993, no "Hospital del Niño" e "Caja del Seguro Social", e de junho de 1993 a maio de 1994 no "Hospital Santo Tomas", na Cidade do Panamá, República do Panamá. A seguir, os resultados mais relevantes: o sexo masculino foi o que apresentou um maior número de intoxicaçöes, acompanhando os índices de outros países; o sexo feminino apresentou a maior freqüência de casos de tentativas de suicídio em todas as idades e o maior número de intoxicaçöes por medicamentos; nos Hospitais "del Niño" e o da "Caja del Seguro Social" as intoxicaçöes por agente desconhecido ocuparam o primeiro lugar; os produtos químicos ocuparam o primeiro lugar como agente conhecido no "Hospital del Niño"; os medicamentos ocuparam o segundo lugar dentro dos agentes conhecidos e o primeiro lugar entre todos os tipos de agente tóxico incluídos neste estudo; a maioria dos casos ocorreram no ambiente domiciliar urbano; no Hospital Santo Tomás os acidentes por animais peçonhentos ocuparam o primeiro lugar das intoxicaçöes

Estudo crítico da contagem "GUT" em relaçäo ao índice de Risco I de Castelli / GUT score related to Castelli's risk factor I: a critical appraisal

Os autores fizeram uso da casuística de seus arquivos para testar a validade da proposta apresentada por Philippi e Barret-Connor (1984) de que uma contagem de pontos atribuídos a faixas de valores de glicose, ácido úrico e triglicerídeos poderia ser täo bom indicador de risco coronariano como o Indice de Risco de Castelli I, representado pelo coeficiente Colesterol total/HDL. Foram selecionados ao acaso uma amostragem de 107 fichas para estudo retrospectivo na abordagem descrita. Os seguintes parâmetros foram tabulados: glicose (mg/dl), ácido úrico (mg/dl), colesterol (mg/dl), triglicerídeos (mg/dl), HDL (mg/dl), LDL (mg/dl), "gut" e índices de Risco I e II, tendo sido calculados as médias e desvios padröes correspondentes. O valor RHO de correlaçäo entre os valores de GUT e IRI foi de 0,45, conforme era de se antecipar pela literatura referida. Com o intuito de se conhecer as "origens" desta correlaçäo, foram testados novos pares, pelo mesmo teste: GUT x HDL, GUT x Colesterol, GUT x Triglicerídeos, IRI x Triglicerídeos, IRI x Glicose, IRI x Acido Urico e Triglicerídeos x HDL. As únicas correlaçöes significativas encontradas foram GUT x triglicerídeos e IRI x triglicerídeos. O coeficiente de correlaçäo GUT x IRI näo foi significativo e os autores concluíram contra o uso da contagem GUT como parâmetro prognóstico de coronariopatia

Atención de enfermería domiciliaria / Nursing domiciliary care

En este artículo se destacan las particularidades de la atención de enfermería domiciliaria. Dichas características se analizan a través del proceso de enfermería en base a la experiencia acumulada en 7 años por el Servicio Profesional de Enfermeras Universitarias, SERPROEN. Producto de la misma, se plantean sugerencias para abordar la formación de las futuras enfermeras y el ejercicio privado de la profesión a futuro