Role of 5-HT2 receptors family in the allergy-induced increased aorta contractile responses to 5-HT.

Asthma poses an increased risk for cardiovascular disorders, suggesting that allergy, which is an underlying process in asthma, causes atypical functioning of organs other than lungs. In a previous study in a guinea pig asthma model, we concluded that allergic sensitization increased aorta contractile responses to 5-HT. To further characterize these responses, here we explored the role of the 5-HT2 receptors family. We found that TCB-2 (5-HT2A agonist) and WAY161503 (5-HT2C agonist) induced aorta contractions resembling those elicited by 5-HT but less intense (~43 % and ~25 %, respectively). In these experiments, aortas from sensitized guinea pigs showed increased contractions to TCB-2, but not to WAY161503. In turn, MDL 100907 (5-HT2A antagonist) and RS-102221 (5-HT2C antagonist) caused a notably and a mild reduction of the 5-HT-induced contractions, respectively, with no differences seen between sensitized and non-sensitized tissues. BW723C86 (5-HT2B agonist) did not induce contractile responses and RS-127445 (5-HT2B antagonist) did not modify the contractile responses to 5-HT. In non-sensitized aortas, the pattern of protein expression of receptors was 5HT2B>5-HT2A=5-HT2C, which did not change in sensitized animals. In conclusion, we found that allergic sensitization increased the aorta contractile responses to 5-HT, partly mediated by enhanced responses of 5-HT2A receptors, which was unrelated to changes in the expression of these receptors.

Comparative pattern of genetic structure in two Mediterranean killifishes Aphanius fasciatus and Aphanius iberus inferred from both mitochondrial and nuclear data.

In this study, genetic variation was assessed in Aphanius fasciatus and Aphanius iberus characterized by similar ecological traits but with very different distribution ranges in the Mediterranean area. Five populations of A. iberus and five of A. fasciatus were analysed using five polymorphic microsatellite loci and partial mitochondrial control region (D-loop) sequences. Congruent results were found with both nuclear and mitochondrial molecular markers. The results showed that similar levels of genetic divergence, based on mitochondrial control region sequences, are present among populations of A. iberus and among populations of A. fasciatus despite the very different geographic distance existing among the examined populations of the two species (low geographic distance in A. iberus and high in A. fasciatus). A possible explanation could be that the populations of A. iberus were isolated for a longer time than the populations of A. fasciatus supporting the hypothesis that the split in the lineage leading to A. iberus is older than the split in the lineage leading to A. fasciatus. The possibility that the wide circum-Mediterranean distribution of A. fasciatus ensures the high connectivity of its populations, preventing, in some cases, local differentiation, however, cannot be ruled out.

Human adipose tissue from normal and tumoral breast regulaltes the behavior of mammary ephithelial cells

INTRODUCTION: Stromal-epithelial interactions mediate both breast development and breast cancer progression. In the present work, we evaluated the effects of conditioned media (CMs) of human adipose tissue explants from normal (hATN) and tumor (hATT) breast on proliferation, adhesion, migration and metalloproteases activity on tumor (MCF-7 and IBH-7) and non-tumor (MCF-10A) human breast epithelial cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human adipose tissues were obtained from patients and the conditioned medium from hATN and hATT collected after 24 h of incubation. MCF-10A, MCF-7 and IBH-7 cells were grown and incubated with CMs and proliferation and adhesion, as well as migration ability and metalloprotease activity, of epithelial cells after exposing cell cultures to hATN- or hATT-CMs were quantified. The statistical significance between different experimental conditions was evaluated by one-way ANOVA. Tukey's post hoc tests were performed. RESULTS: Tumor and non-tumor breast epithelial cells significantly increased their proliferation activity after 24 h of treatment with hATT-CMs compared to control-CMs. Furthermore, cellular adhesion of these two tumor cell lines was significantly lower with hATT-CMs than with hATN-CMs. Therefore, hATT-CMs seem to induce significantly lower expression or less activity of the components involved in cellular adhesion than hATN-CMs. In addition, hATT-CMs induced pro-MMP-9 and MMP-9 activity and increased the migration of MCF-7 and IBH-7 cells compared to hATN-CMs. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the microenvironment of the tumor interacts in a dynamic way with the mutated epithelium. This evidence leads to the possibility to modify the tumor behavior/phenotype through the regulation or modification of its microenvironment. We developed a model in which we obtained CMs from adipose tissue explants completely, either from normal or tumor breast. In this way, we studied the contribution of soluble factors independently of the possible effects of direct cell contact (AU)

[Helicobacter pylori eradication frequency with the conventional triple therapy in adult patients at the Centro Médico Issemym]. / Frecuencia de erradicación del Helicobacter pylori con triple esquema convencional en pacientes adultos del Centro Médico Issemym.

BACKGROUND: In Mexico, the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is high. The bacterial eradication rate with the administration of antibiotic regimens recommended by international guidelines is not yet clear. AIMS: To determine the eradication frequency of H. pylori infection in the adult Mexican population that underwent treatment with the conventional triple regimen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out that evaluated the effectiveness of the triple regimen in individuals with confirmed infection that received consensual treatment and then underwent tests to corroborate eradication. RESULTS: From a total of 249 potential case records, 26 did not meet the inclusion criteria. Two hundred and twenty-three patients were enrolled for analysis, 64,00% women and 36,00% men, with a mean age of 49,4 years (range 17-86). Comorbidities presented in 55,60% of the patients and 28,60% referred to chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Bacterial eradication with the triple regimen was 65,50% (146/223); of the 77 patients with no eradication, 11 received a quadruple regimen as second-line treatment resulting in bacterial eradication in 5/11 (45,45%) patients, for an overall eradication of 67,70%. CONCLUSIONS: The eradication rate in our study population was suboptimal due to the probability of multiple factors that are difficult to identify, given the retrospective design of the study. A prospective and controlled evaluation of the recommended regimens needs to be carried out in order to determine their true effectiveness.

Permanent genetic resources added to Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 December 2010-31 January 2011.

This article documents the addition of 238 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Alytes dickhilleni, Arapaima gigas, Austropotamobius italicus, Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, Cobitis lutheri, Dendroctonus ponderosae, Glossina morsitans morsitans, Haplophilus subterraneus, Kirengeshoma palmata, Lysimachia japonica, Macrolophus pygmaeus, Microtus cabrerae, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Pallisentis (Neosentis) celatus, Pulmonaria officinalis, Salminus franciscanus, Thais chocolata and Zootoca vivipara. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Acanthina monodon, Alytes cisternasii, Alytes maurus, Alytes muletensis, Alytes obstetricans almogavarii, Alytes obstetricans boscai, Alytes obstetricans obstetricans, Alytes obstetricans pertinax, Cambarellus montezumae, Cambarellus zempoalensis, Chorus giganteus, Cobitis tetralineata, Glossina fuscipes fuscipes, Glossina pallidipes, Lysimachia japonica var. japonica, Lysimachia japonica var. minutissima, Orconectes virilis, Pacifastacus leniusculus, Procambarus clarkii, Salminus brasiliensis and Salminus hilarii.

Polymorphic microsatellite markers for the critically endangered Balearic shearwater, Puffinus mauretanicus.

Ten novel polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from the Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus), a critically endangered seabird. The developed loci revealed a relatively low number of alleles per locus, as well as low levels of polymorphism (H(O)  = 0.377 ± 0.241). One of the loci appeared to be W-linked. All polymorphic loci were successfully amplified in its closely related species, the Yelkouan shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan). These microsatellite markers would be useful for assessing population structure in the Balearic shearwater and the possible hybridization process between both shearwaters species.

Localization in the frontal plane is not susceptible to manipulation of afferent feedback via the Jendrassik Maneuver.

We have previously shown that registered vergence eye position is altered while participants perform the Jendrassik Maneuver (JM). We proposed that the altered eye position signal registration is due to the effect of the JM which changes the gain of the sensory feedback from the eye muscles, possibly via the activity of non-twitch motoneurons. We conducted two studies to further extend and clarify one of our previous findings by examining whether the JM also affects registered eye position during localization in the frontal plane. Since the non-twitch motoneurons do not receive premotor input from areas involved in the programming of saccades, we hypothesized that localization responses associated with the saccadic system should not be affected by the JM. The data confirmed our prediction. We propose that the non-twitch motoneurons are involved in parametric adjustment of the proprioceptive feedback loops of the vergence but not the version eye movements.

Manipulation of extraocular muscle afference has no effect on higher order perceptual judgments.

Observers perceive targets as farther while performing the Jendrassik Maneuver (JM) suggesting that eye position is registered as more divergent. We examined the effects of the JM perturbation in three studies of perceptual judgment that rely on accurate registration of absolute distance: size constancy, stereoscopic depth, and the magnitude of the Pulfrich illusion. The data showed no significant differences between the JM and control conditions. The lack of an effect may be due to the fact that vergence is not a perfect cue to distance. Furthermore, the relative contribution of extraocular muscle afference to registered eye position may be less significant for higher order perceptual judgments.

Absorción de grasa proveniente de tres fuentes dietarias en ratas con diarrea inducida con lactosa / Absorption of fat from three dietary sources in rats with lactose induced diarrhea

Low energy intake is one the most important factors related to nutritional wasting during diarrheal episodes and fat is the macronutrient with the highest energy value. So we intended to seek dietary fat sources, with the highest bioavailability during diarrheal episodes. Three basal (control) and three 42.8 lactose containing diets, used to induce diarrhea, were prepared with corn oil, butterfat or lard. The assay included 48 Sprague-Dawley rats, 28 d of age, initial weights of 65.5 +/- 5.2 g, distributed in 6 groups that received the diets during 15 d. The different types of fat did not affect diet intake, weight gain or fecal losses in rats without diarrhea (control). Low weight gain was found in rats with diarrhea regardless of the type of fat consumed and was related to low diet consumption. Mean fat absorption during diarrhea was as follows: butterfat 84, lard 87 and corn oil 91. The latter was related to lower fecal losses and higher fat absorption during the 15 d study. Considering that the three fat sources evaluated are easily purchased and widely accepted, and that nutritional management of subjects with diarrhea includes the intake of energy dense diets, it seems that the use of corn oil in these formulations could offer greater advantages.

[Absorption of fat from three dietary sources in rats with lactose induced diarrhea]. / Absorción de grasa proveniente de tres fuentes dietarias en ratas con diarrea inducida con lactosa.

Low energy intake is one the most important factors related to nutritional wasting during diarrheal episodes and fat is the macronutrient with the highest energy value. So we intended to seek dietary fat sources, with the highest bioavailability during diarrheal episodes. Three basal (control) and three 42.8% lactose containing diets, used to induce diarrhea, were prepared with corn oil, butterfat or lard. The assay included 48 Sprague-Dawley rats, 28 d of age, initial weights of 65.5 +/- 5.2 g, distributed in 6 groups that received the diets during 15 d. The different types of fat did not affect diet intake, weight gain or fecal losses in rats without diarrhea (control). Low weight gain was found in rats with diarrhea regardless of the type of fat consumed and was related to low diet consumption. Mean fat absorption during diarrhea was as follows: butterfat 84%, lard 87% and corn oil 91%. The latter was related to lower fecal losses and higher fat absorption during the 15 d study. Considering that the three fat sources evaluated are easily purchased and widely accepted, and that nutritional management of subjects with diarrhea includes the intake of energy dense diets, it seems that the use of corn oil in these formulations could offer greater advantages.

Egocentric localization: visually directed alignment to projected head landmarks in binocular and monocular observers.

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy and precision with which humans align moving, non-moving, point-like and linear stimuli to three head landmarks projected to a frontal plane. Monocularly enucleated and binocularly normal subjects, performing monocularly, were tested. METHODS: Experimental tasks consisted of aligning the stimulus, a luminescent target, using a remote steering wheel control, to three projected landmarks; the nose, and the outside edge of each ear. Experiments were performed with a fixed [static] linear stimulus and a small dynamic stimulus, and then with a fixed stimulus at both a very close and an intermediate distance. RESULTS: The data from the monocular enucleated observers showed better accuracy in some conditions but their variable errors were larger than those of the controls. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that, for the alignments of the enucleated monocular subjects, a) the increase in accuracy is consistent with a shift of the egocenter in the direction of the remaining eye, and b) the decrease in precision may be due to the fact that the egocenter does not correspond to the mid-sagittal or median plane. This disparity would require adjustments to be learned in order to perform tasks involving visually directed alignments to the self.

Microbial sensor for new-generation cephalosporins based in a protein-engineered beta-lactamase.

A protein-engineered beta-lactamase, constructed by site-directed mutagenesis in Escherichia coli (E104M/G238S), and having broadened specificity, was able to degrade cephalosporins of first, second, and third generations. Manipulations of culture conditions allowed an increase in beta-lactamase specific activity by up to twofold. The resultant bacteria were used to construct an immersable whole-cell biosensor for the detection of new-generation cephalosporins. Cells were immobilized on agar membranes, which in turn were attached to the surface of a flat pH electrode, thus constituting a biosensor based on the detection of pH changes. The sensor was able to detect second- and third-generation cephalosporins: cefamandole (0.4-4 mM), cefotaxime (0.4-3.5 mM), and cefoperazone (0.3-1.85 mM). Response times were between 3.5 and 11 min, depending on the kind of cephalosporin tested. The biosensor was stable for at least 7 d, time during which up to 100 tests were performed.

[Noise and machine failures: determining factors in the acceptance and behavior of O2 concentrator. The Asturias project]. / Ruidos y averías: factores determinantes en la aceptación y comportamiento del concentrador de O2. Proyecto Asturias.

PURPOSE: Prospective study of compliance and performance with De Vilbiss concentrator (De Vo/44), in patients with COLD and domiciliary O2 therapy. METHODS: 54/136 severe COLD patients who used de Vo/44 concentrator were followed-up for 1 year, with home interviews every 2 months. Physiological measurements: FVC, FEV1, PF, Hemoglobin, ECG, blood gas tension(breathing air), smoking habits, drug therapy, and De Vo/44 performance(machine failure, flow rate and oxygen concentration accuracy). RESULTS: During the 1 year study 9 patients (16.6%) died and 16 (29.6%) refused the concentrator. 18 devices needed to be changed due to machine failure. Flow rates measured at De Vo/44 were 58.15 +/- 12.9 l/hour vs a theorical of 56.60 +/- 15.4 l/hour, and the purity of O2 was 94.19 +/- 0.3%. The power consumption was 1.9 +/- 0.01/ampers/hour. CONCLUSION: Almost 1/3 of COLD patients refused O2 concentrators due to excessive noise, and 1/3 of the machines needed to be replaced due to malfunction. Thus level of noise and proper functioning of concentrator are two important factors, affecting compliance and performance of these machines.

[A technical evaluation of 5 brands of O2 concentrators. The Asturias Project]. / Evaluación técnica de 5 marcas de concentradores de O2. Proyecto Asturias.

To check the technical specifications of 5 O2 concentrators pertaining to 5 different brands: Mark 4, Zefir, Puritan-Bennet, Drager and MHF prototype. The concentrators worked continuously for 37 days. External filters were cleaned after 400 hours and measurements were taken when theoretical flows were between 1 and 3 l/min. One-way analysis of variance and Scheffe's method were used to compare the different brands. Flow measurements were taken with Costrema and Drager debitmeters. O2 concentrations were measured with Drager, Cepo and Oxidig oximeters. Emitted sound was measured with Cel, Spyri Ag Thun, Bruel Kjaer and General Radio meters. Electrical consumption was determined with a Siemens counter. All the concentrators produced flows that were under theoretical values, though the Zefir and MHF models came the closest. Accuracy and precision of flow varied from 1% to -32%, and from 1.1% to 11.7%, respectively. The value of 4 expressing linearity of flows oscillated between 0.959 and 0.991. When flow was 2 l/min or less, all achieved O2 concentrations greater than 90%, but this level was reached only by the Drager and MHF concentrators when flows were 3 l/min. With the exception of the MHF prototype, all the models emitted noise over 50 dB, the Drager machine being the noisiest. Electrical consumption was similar in all models. O2 concentrators can be recommended as sources of oxygen supply, but they have their limitations. Improvements must be made in accuracy of flow and monitoring of the apparatus ability to concentrate; noise must be reduced as well.

Electrical stimulation effect on extensor lag and length of hospital stay after total knee arthroplasty.

The effects of electrical stimulation in conjunction with traditional physical therapy, on knee extensor lag and length of hospital stay among patients recovering from total knee arthroplasty were assessed. Forty patients who underwent total knee replacement (TKR) were randomly assigned to either an electrical stimulation group (16 females, 5 males), or a control group (15 females, 4 males). Both groups received conventional physical therapy including continuous passive motion (CPM) to the affected limb, ambulation training, range of motion exercises, and activities of daily living (ADL) training. The experimental group additionally received electrical stimulation during CPM treatment. Experimental group subjects reduced their extensor lag from 7.5 to 5.7 degrees, whereas control group extensor lag increased from 5.3 to 8.3 degrees. These trends were significantly different (p < .01). Rehabilitation discharge criteria were reached in 6.7 days in the experimental group and 7.4 days in the control group. These differences were also significant (p < .05). The results of this study indicate that the application of electrical stimulation during recovery from TKR can effectively reduce extensor lag and decrease the length of hospital stay.

The use of somatosensory evoked potential during revision or reoperation for total hip arthroplasty.

Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) was used to continuously monitor the sciatic nerve intraoperatively during revision or reoperation for total hip arthroplasty. Of 25 cases monitored, eight patients (32%) exhibited 12 instances of SSEP deterioration, indicating neurologic compromise. These neurologic problems were due to retraction in seven cases and limb positioning in five. No postoperative neurologic deficits were noted in this group. Two of 35 patients (5.7%) not monitored had postoperative neurologic deficits. SSEP monitoring is a useful method for minimizing the intraoperative risks of clinical neurologic deficits during revisions or difficult reoperations.

Cortical somatosensory evoked potentials: effects of positional changes.

Supine and sitting lower extremity cortical somatosensory evoked potential (CSEP) examinations were performed in 30 healthy volunteers to establish normal values and to determine variations in SEP parameters caused by positional changes, side of stimulation, and the influence of height. CSEPs were recorded at Cz'-Fz (10-20 international EEG system) after stimulation of the saphenous, peroneal, and sural nerves at the ankle. Each nerve was tested in the supine and sitting positions. CSEP P1, N1 latencies and P1 - N1 amplitudes were recorded. The mean values of these parameters and side-to-side differences were determined for both positions. Parameter changes between the two positions were also determined. No statistically significant difference was found when comparing supine and sitting, or side-to-side values (p greater than 0.05). Regression analyses of P1 latency vs height revealed a significant positive correlation for both positions (p less than 0.0001-0.0045). Mean P1 and N1 latencies (msec) +/- 1SD, and mean P1 - N1 amplitudes (microV) +/- 1SD are as follows: peroneal nerve (n = 119) P1 = 39.5 +/- 2.98, N1 = 48.2 +/- 3.79, P1 - N1 = 1.41 +/- 0.81; sural nerve (n = 119) P1 = 41.3 +/- 4.03, N1 = 50.9 +/- 4.57, P1 - N1 = 1.31 +/- 0.61; saphenous nerve (n = 119) P1 = 41.5 +/- 4.02, N1 = 50.4 +/- 4.10, P1 - N1 = 0.87 +/- 0.30. The normative data generated by this study will help clinicians to distinguish normal variations in lower extremity CSEP parameters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)