Bacterial Quorum-Sensing Regulation Induces Morphological Change in a Key Host Tissue during the Euprymna scolopes-Vibrio fischeri Symbiosis.

Microbes colonize the apical surfaces of polarized epithelia in nearly all animal taxa. In one example, the luminous bacterium Vibrio fischeri enters, grows to a dense population within, and persists for months inside, the light-emitting organ of the squid Euprymna scolopes. Crucial to the symbiont's success after entry is the ability to trigger the constriction of a host tissue region (the "bottleneck") at the entrance to the colonization site. Bottleneck constriction begins at about the same time as bioluminescence, which is induced in V. fischeri through an autoinduction process called quorum sensing. Here, we asked the following questions: (i) Are the quorum signals that induce symbiont bioluminescence also involved in triggering the constriction? (ii) Does improper signaling of constriction affect the normal maintenance of the symbiont population? We manipulated the presence of three factors, the two V. fischeri quorum signal synthases, AinS and LuxI, the transcriptional regulator LuxR, and light emission itself, and found that the major factor triggering and maintaining bottleneck constriction is an as yet unknown effector(s) regulated by LuxIR. Treating the animal with chemical inhibitors of actin polymerization reopened the bottlenecks, recapitulating the host's response to quorum-sensing defective symbionts, as well as suggesting that actin polymerization is the primary mechanism underlying constriction. Finally, we found that these host responses to the presence of symbionts changed as a function of tissue maturation. Taken together, this work broadens our concept of how quorum sensing can regulate host development, thereby allowing bacteria to maintain long-term tissue associations. IMPORTANCE Interbacterial signaling within a host-associated population can have profound effects on the behavior of the bacteria, for instance, in their production of virulence/colonization factors; in addition, such signaling can dictate the nature of the outcome for the host, in both pathogenic and beneficial associations. Using the monospecific squid-vibrio model of symbiosis, we examined how quorum-sensing regulation by the Vibrio fischeri population induces a biogeographic tissue phenotype that promotes the retention of this extracellular symbiont within the light organ of its host, Euprymna scolopes. Understanding the influence of bacterial symbionts on key sites of tissue architecture has implications for all horizontally transmitted symbioses, especially those that colonize an epithelial surface within the host.

MUSCLE INFARCTION AND SEVERE DETERIORATION OF RENAL FUNCTION IN A PATIENT WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS AND CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE.

CONTEXT: Spontaneous muscle infarction is a rare complication of diabetes mellitus, mainly affecting women and patients with long-lasting type 1 diabetes. OBJECTIVE: This report is aimed to describe the case of a patient with type 1 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy in whom a severe deterioration of renal function was triggered by a muscle infarction. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Subject of the study was a 33-years-old woman with an 18 years history of type 1 diabetes mellitus, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy at stage 3 chronic kidney disease, somatic sensory-motor polyneuropathy and autonomic neuropathy. RESULTS: The patient presented with severe pain and dysfunction of the left thigh without prior trauma plus progressive deterioration of the renal function. Nuclear magnetic resonance of the thigh showed inflammatory changes in the external vastus with hyperintensity on T2 sequence and edema of the subcutaneous cellular tissue. After other possible etiologies were ruled out, a clinical diagnosis of spontaneous muscle infarction was established. The patient needed hospital admission for two months, during which the renal function worsened until she required hemodialysis. No other possible triggers of kidney injury were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Up to our knowledge, this is the first described case where muscle infarction is suspected to have caused exacerbation of an existing chronic kidney failure. Monitoring the renal function should be considered in patients with diabetic nephropathy presenting with this rare complication of diabetes.

Perfil antigénico celular de cepas aisladas de Leptospira en León y Chinandega, Nicaragua / No disponible

Objetivo. El siguiente trabajo se desarrollo con el objetivo de determinar los perfiles antigénicos celulares que sean reconocidos por el suero de personas vacunados con vax-SPIRAL® de cepas obtenidas de los departamentos de León y Chinandega.Métodos. Se analizaron cepas aisladas de hemocultivos tomadas de casos con sospecha clínica de leptospirosis, determinándose los perfiles antigénicos mediante electroforesis de células enteras y western blotting usando como anticuerpos, sueros provenientes de personas vacunadas con vax-SPIRAL®.Resultados y conclusiones. Se evidenció una gran homología antigénica entre todas las cepas estudiadas. Los resultados del presente estudio sugieren que en los departamentos de León y Chinandega circulan cepas de L. interrogans con un fuerte reconocimiento antigénico frente a sueros provenientes de personas vacunadas con vax-SPIRAL®(AU)

Objective.The following work was development with the objective of determining the profiles cellular antigenics that are recognized by the serum of people vaccinated with vax-SPIRAL® of obtained strains of the León and Chinandega departments. Methods. Blood cultures samples were analyzed taken in sharp phase to cases with suspicion leptospirosis clinic, being determined the profiles antigenics by means of electrophoresis of whole cells and western blotting using as antibodies, serums coming from people vaccinated with vax-SPIRAL®. Results and conclusions. A great antigenic homology was evidenced among all the studied strains. The present study results suggest that in León and Chinandega departments circulate L. interrogans strains with a strong antigenic recognition front of serums of people vaccinated with vax-SPIRAL®(AU)

Impacto de los cambios realizados en la etapa de multiplicación celular durante la obtención de la Sustancia Sensibilizante de Eritrocitos utilizada en el diagnóstico serológico de la Leptospirosis / No disponible

Introducción: En Cuba desde 1981 se tiene implementada la hemoaglutinación indirecta como técnica diagnostica de Leptospirosis de forma alternativa en ausencia de otras que pueden ser más costosas pero efectivas en los diferentes estadios de la enfermedad. Para el desarrollo de la técnica se hace necesaria la sustancia sensibilizante de eritrocitos (SSE), asumiendo su producción el Instituto Finlay en el año 2009, a partir de una tecnología obsoleta en la etapa de multiplicación celular.Objetivo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar cambios en esta etapa para obtener la SSE con los medios de cultivos disponibles en la planta de producción para el óptimo rendimiento del producto, sin afectar la actividad biológica como parámetro fundamental de calidad.Métodos. Fueron formados 8 grupos experimentales teniendo en cuenta: cepa productora (cepa LABIOFAM y cepa Finlay) medio de cultivo (MK y EMJH) y condiciones de cultivos (estático o agitado).Resultados y conclusión. Se obtuvo como resultado que la mejor variante fue en la que se utilizó la cepa de LABIOFAM, crecimiento en medio MEJH y agitado, con una disminución considerable en el tiempo de obtención de la SSE mediante esta nueva tecnología, con un título consistente con las exigencias de calidad. Permitiendo así comenzar los diferentes diseños de estudios de estabilidad y registro del producto(AU)

Introduction: In Cuba since 1981 has implemented the indirect hemagglutination as an alternative technique of Leptospirosis diagnosed, in the absence of others that may be more costly but effective at different stages of the disease. For the development of the technique requires the Erythrocytes Sensitize Substance (ESS), assuming the production Finlay Institute in 2009, from obsolete technology in the process of cell multiplication.Objective: The aim of this study was to make changes at this stage to obtain the ESS with the culture media available at the plant for optimum product performance, without affecting the biological activity as the basic parameter of quality.Methods: Eight experimental groups were formed according to multifactorial design, taking into account: production strain (LABIOFAM or Finlay strain of L. biflexa Patoc I), culture medium (MK and MEJH) and culture conditions (static or agitated).Results and conclusion: We obtained as a result that the best variant was the combination (LABIOFAM strain, growth in MEJH and agitated), with a considerable decrease in the time of the ESS obtaining by means of this new technology, with a consistent title with the demands of quality. This work allowed to use the best variant to begin the different designs of stability studies of the product(AU)

One year oral Toxicity of D-004, a lipid extract from Roystonea regia fruits, in Sprague Dawley rats.

D-004, a lipid extract of royal palm (Roystonea regia) fruits that contains a reproducible mixture of fatty acids, has been shown to prevent testosterone and phenylephrine-induced prostate hyperplasia in rodents. This study investigated the long-term oral toxicity of D-004 in rats. Rats from both sexes were randomized into four groups (20 rats sex/group): a control and three treated with D-004 (800, 1500 or 2000 mg/kg/day, respectively). At study completion, rats were sacrificed under anaesthesia. Determinations of blood biochemical and haematological parameters and organ weight were done. Also, necropsy and histopathological studies were performed. Four of 160 rats died before study completion. No clinical signs of toxicity were observed throughout the study. Food and water consumption, bodyweight, blood biochemical and haematological parameters, organ weight ratios and histopathological findings were similar in control and treated groups. The histological lesions found in treated animals are commonly present in this specie and strain according to literature and our historical data. In conclusion, long-term (12 months) oral treatment of rats with D-004 (800-2000 mg/kg/day) did not show evidences of D-004-related toxicity under our conditions. The highest dose tested (2000 mg/kg) was a no-observed adverse effect level in this study.

Esthesioneuroblastoma recurrence presenting as a syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion.

BACKGROUND: Esthesioneuroblastoma is an uncommon intranasal tumor. These neuroendocrine neoplasms are rarely associated with excess hormone syndromes, and only nine cases of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone syndrome (SIADH) secondary to an esthesioneuroblastoma have been described. In all these cases, electrolyte abnormalities were seen when the tumor initially developed. We report a unique case of esthesioneuroblastoma recurrence manifesting as SIADH as the solely presenting feature. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 34-year-old woman was referred to us for evaluation for hyponatremia. She had undergone resection of an esthesioneuroblastoma at age 18 with radiotherapy. The patient had undergone annual CT of the nasal area and was considered to be disease free. The study of the hyponatremia was consistent with a SIADH, and MRI revealed an intranasal mass. The resection of the tumor reversed the hyponatremia, and pathologic analysis revealed a recurrence of esthesioneuroblastoma. CONCLUSIONS: Biochemical analysis should be performed in the follow-up of patients with esthesioneuroblastoma. In our case, the biochemical abnormality led to the diagnosis of the recurrence.

Utilidad del cortisol plasmático nocturno en el diagnóstico del síndrome de cushing / Utility of nocturnal plasma cortisol in the diagnosis of cushing's syndrome

La determinación del cortisol plasmático nocturno se ha propuesto como una alternativa en el diagnóstico del síndrome de Cushing, principalmente para diferenciar entre pacientes con síndrome de Cushing y sujetos con estados de seudosíndrome de Cushing. Se analizaron retrospectivamente las medidas de cortisol plasmático a medianoche en 28 pacientes con sospecha clínica de síndrome de Cushing y elevación de la excreción de cortisol libre urinario (20 pacientes con síndrome de Cushing y 8 con seudosíndrome de Cushing). No se realizaron estudios endocrinológicos el día del ingreso. En los 2 días posteriores se tomaron muestras para cortisol sérico a las 8.00 y a las 24.00 h. Los resultados se compararon con otras pruebas diagnósticas realizadas simultáneamente (cortisol libre urinario y test de supresión con 1 mg de dexametasona). El cortisol plasmático a las 24.00 h fue el único parámetro que distinguió a todos los pacientes con síndrome de Cushing de aquellos con seudosíndrome de Cushing. Su valor más bajo entre los pacientes con síndrome de Cushing fue de 11,9 µg/dl, sin que se apreciaran diferencias entre los resultados obtenidos el segundo y el tercer día de ingreso. En el grupo de pacientes con seudosíndrome de Cushing, 3 casos presentaron un cortisol nocturno no suprimido durante el segundo día de hospitalización (6,1-10,2 µg/dl), mientras que todas las determinaciones obtenidas 24 horas más tarde proporcionaron valores menores de 5 µg/dl. Estos datos indican que el estudio del cortisol a medianoche puede requerir de un ingreso de al menos 48 h cuando se evalúa a pacientes con seudosíndrome de Cushing (AU)

[Effectiveness of treatment with metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus poorly controlled with insulin treatment]. / Eficacia del tratamiento con metformina en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 pobremente controlada con insulinoterapia.

Combined treatment with insulin plus metformin could be a good alternative to improve the glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus poorly controlled with insulin therapy. We retrospectively studied 21 obese insulin-treated type 2 diabetic patients with deficient metabolic control (HbA1c 9.2 +/- 1.2%) who were treated with metformin for a minimum of 8 months. After 4 months of treatment, a significant decrease in the percentage of HbA1c was observed (delta HbA1c -1.07 +/- 1.12%; p < 0.01), with maintained values since then. Non changes in body weight or insulin requirement were noted. Our results suggest that the addition of metformin to insulin treatment is a safe and effective strategy for the improvement of glycemic control among obese type 2 diabetic patients.