Corticoids synergize with IL-1 in the induction of LCN2.

OBJECTIVE: Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is an adipokine that was first identified in neutrophil granules. In the last years it was recognized as a factor that could impair chondrocyte phenotype, cartilage homeostasis as well as growth plate development. Both pro-inflammatory cytokines and glucocorticoids (GCs) modulate LCN2 expression. Actually, GCs were found to be LCN2 inducers, suggesting that part of the negative actions exerted by these anti-inflammatory drugs at cartilage level could be mediated by this adipokine. So, in this study we wanted to investigate whether corticoids were able to act in synergy with IL-1 in the induction of LCN2 and the signaling pathway involved in this process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the realization of this work, ATDC5 mouse chondrogenic cell line was used. We determined the mRNA and protein expression of LCN2 by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot respectively, after GC or mineralcorticoid treatment. Different signaling pathways inhibitors were also used. RESULTS: GC and mineralcorticoid were able to induce the expression of LCN2 in ATDC5 cells. Interestingly, both corticoids synergized with IL-1 in the induction of LCN2. The effect of these corticoids on the expression of LCN2 occurred through GC or mineralcorticoid receptors and the kinases PI3K, ERK1/2 and JAK2. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged use of corticoids may have detrimental effects on cartilage homeostasis. Based on our results, we conclude that corticoids could increase the negative actions exerted by IL-1 by increasing the expression of LCN2.

3D dose distribution calculation in a voxelized human phantom by means of Monte Carlo method.

The aim of this work is to provide the reconstruction of a real human voxelized phantom by means of a MatLab program and the simulation of the irradiation of such phantom with the photon beam generated in a Theratron 780 (MDS Nordion) (60)Co radiotherapy unit, by using the Monte Carlo transport code MCNP (Monte Carlo N-Particle), version 5. The project results in 3D dose mapping calculations inside the voxelized antropomorphic head phantom. The program provides the voxelization by first processing the CT slices; the process follows a two-dimensional pixel and material identification algorithm on each slice and three-dimensional interpolation in order to describe the phantom geometry via small cubic cells, resulting in an MCNP input deck format output. Dose rates are calculated by using the MCNP5 tool FMESH, superimposed mesh tally, which gives the track length estimation of the particle flux in units of particles/cm(2). Furthermore, the particle flux is converted into dose by using the conversion coefficients extracted from the NIST Physical Reference Data. The voxelization using a three-dimensional interpolation technique in combination with the use of the FMESH tool of the MCNP Monte Carlo code offers an optimal simulation which results in 3D dose mapping calculations inside anthropomorphic phantoms. This tool is very useful in radiation treatment assessments, in which voxelized phantoms are widely utilized.

Comparison between voxelized, volumized and analytical phantoms applied to radiotherapy simulation with Monte Carlo.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparison between the different methods utilized for building up anthropomorphic phantoms in Radiotherapy Treatment Plans. A simplified model of the Snyder Head Phantom was used in order to construct an analytical, voxelized and volumized phantom, throughout a segmentation program and different algorithms programmed in Matlab code. The irradiation of the resulting phantoms was simulated with the MCNP5 (Monte Carlo N-Particle) transport code, version 5, and the calculations presented in particle flux maps inside the phantoms by utilizing the FMESH tool, superimposed mesh tally. The different variables involved in the simulation were analyzed, like particle flux, MCNP standard deviation and real simulation CPU time cost. In the end the volumized model resulted to have the largest computer time cost and bigger discrepancies in the particle flux distribution.

[Surgical stratification of renal carcinoma with extension into inferior vena cava]. / Estratégia quirúirgica en el carcinoma de células renales con extensión a la circulación venosa.

Renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava thrombus is relatively uncommon and complicates radical nefrectomy. During the past twenty years our hospital have substantially contributed to the surgical stratification of renal cell carcinoma with extension into inferior vena cava through different techniques. The reason for this article is to discuss the mote efficient and appropiate surgical technique for this pathology. We believe that the diagnosis of vena caval invasion and level of tumoral extension is based on radiological examinations and it is crucial for the success of the surgery. We consider that the use of vena caval filter applied preoperatively could prevent the risk of thromboembolism during and after the surgery. The use of prosthetic grafts is unusual, because the long standing obstruction caused by the tumor thrombus will develope extensive collateral circulation which works as a natural veno-venous bypass. Finally, we try to avoid the use of veno-venous and cardiopulmonar bypass with or without complete hypothermic circulatory arrest due to the high association with adverse outcomes and mortality.

Estratégia quirúrgica en el carcinoma de células renales con extensión a la circulación venosa / Surgical stratification of renal carcinoma with extension into inferior vena cava

El carcinoma de células renales con trombo en vena cava inferior es una patología relativamente rara, que complica la nefrectomía radical. Durante los pasados veinte años nuestro hospital ha contribuido sustancialmente a la estratificación quirúrgica del carcinoma de células renales con extensión a la vena cava a través de diferentes técnicas. El objetivo de este artículo es describir las diferentes estrategias quirúrgicas necesarias y más apropiadas para el tratamiento de los distintos niveles del trombo tumoral. Consideramos que el diagnóstico de la invasión de la vena cava por el tumor y el nivel de extensión tumoral están basados en exámenes radiológicos, los cuales son determinantes a la hora del planteamiento quirúrgico y éxito de la cirugía. Somos partidarios del uso de filtros de vena cava colocados. Preoperatoriamente para prevenir el riesgo de tromboembolismos pulmonares durante y después de la cirugía. El uso de prótesis de cava es excepcional, debido a que la obstrucción crónica producida por el trombo tumoral, permitirá el desarrollo de una extensa circulación colateral que actuará como un bypass veno-venoso. Por último, intentamos evitar el uso de bypass veno-venoso o bypass cardiopulmonar con o sin hipotermia y parada cardiocirculatoria, debido a la alta morbimortalidad que conllevan (AU)

Renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava thrombus is relatively uncommon and complicates radical nefrectomy. During the past twenty years our hospital have substantially contributed to the surgical stratification of renal cell carcinoma with extension into inferior vena cava through different techniques. The reason; for this article is to discuss the more efficient and appropiate surgical technique for this pathology. We believe that the diagnosis of vena caval invasion and level of tumoral extension is based on radiological examinations and it is crucial for the success of the surgery. We consider that the use of vena caval filter applied preoperatively could prevent the risk of thromboembolism during and after the surgery. The use of prosthetic; grafts is unusual, because the long standing obstruction caused by the tumor thrombus will develope extensive collateral circulation which works as a natural veno-venous bypass. Finally, we try to avoid the use of veno-venous and cardiopulmonar bypass with or without complete hypothermic circulatory arrest due to the high association with adverse outcomes and mortality (AU)

[Endocarditis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (author's transl)]. / Endocarditis por Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

A case of pseudomonas endocarditis of biliary origin with impairment of the mitral and tricuspid heart valves is reported. Former history of the patient did not reveal narcotic addiction or previous open-heart surgery. Osteomyelitis is an uncommon complication of pseudomonas endocarditis. Echocardiography was a useful diagnostic method in the present case, showing the vegetation on the tricuspid valve. The poor prognosis of cases with left valvular heart disease which are resistant to medical treatment is emphasized. Differential count of the colonies did not localize the affected heart valve in this case.