Blastoma pleuropulmonar: Presentación de un caso / Pleuropulmonary Blastoma: Case Report

El blastoma pleuropulmonar es una neoplasia mesenquimal rara que se debe considerar siempre en el escenario de una masa pulmonar sólida o quística en niños menores de 5 años. Se localiza usualmente en la periferia del pulmón; sin embargo, puede existir compromiso extrapulmonar de mediastino, diafragma y pleura. Se clasifica según su patrón histológico e imagenológico en tres tipos: quístico, mixto (sólido-quístico) y sólido. La cirugía radical es el tratamiento de elección y la única que ha demostrado disminución en la tasa de recurrencia. Se indica el uso de la quimioterapia neoadyuvante y la radioterapia según el tipo histológico y las márgenes libres de tumor. Se estudia el caso de una niña de 3 años con hallazgos, en radiografía convencional y tomografía de tórax, de masa sólida con diagnóstico histopatológico de blastoma pleuropulmonar.

Pleuropulmonary blastoma is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm that should always be considered in the setting of a solid or cystic lung mass in children under 5 years old. It is usually located in the periphery of the lung. However extra pulmonary involvement of the mediastinum, diaphragm, and pleura can exist. It is classified according to its histological and imaging pattern in three types: cystic, mixed (solidcystic) and solid. Radical surgery is the treatment of choice and the only one that has demonstrated a decrease in the rate of recurrence. The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy are defined according to the histological type and presence of tumor-free margins. We present the case of a 3-year-old female patient with findings on conventional radiography and thoracic tomography of a solid mass with histopathological diagnosis of pleuropulmonary blastoma.

Detection of emerging rotavirus G12P[8] in Sonora, México.

Rotavirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children up to five years of age worldwide. The aim of the present study was to analyze the genotypes of rotavirus strains isolated from children with gastroenteritis, after the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in México. Rotavirus was detected in 14/100 (14%) fecal samples from children with gastroenteritis, using a commercial test kit. The viral genome was purified from these samples and used as a template in RT-PCR amplification of the VP4 and VP7 genes, followed by gene cloning and sequencing. Among the rotavirus strains, 4/14 (28.5%) were characterized as G12P[8], 2/14 (14.3%), as G12P (not typed), and 3/14 (21.42%) as G (not typed) P[8]. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP7 gene showed that G12 genotypes clustered in lineage III. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that VP4 genotype P[8] sequences clustered in lineage V, whereas other P[8] sequences previously reported in Mexico (2005-2008) clustered in different lineages. Rotavirus genotype G12 is currently recognized as a globally emerging rotavirus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this emerging rotavirus strain G12P[8] in México. Ongoing surveillance is recommended to monitor the distribution of rotavirus genotypes and to continually reassess the suitability of currently available rotavirus vaccines.

Are we overestimating the niche? Removing marginal localities helps ecological niche models detect environmental barriers.

Correlative ecological niche models (ENMs) estimate species niches using occurrence records and environmental data. These tools are valuable to the field of biogeography, where they are commonly used to infer potential connectivity among populations. However, a recent study showed that when locally relevant environmental data are not available, records from patches of suitable habitat protruding into otherwise unsuitable regions (e.g., gallery forests within dry areas) can lead to overestimations of species niches and their potential distributions. Here, we test whether this issue obfuscates detection of an obvious environmental barrier existing in northern Venezuela - that of the hot and xeric lowlands separating the Península de Paraguaná from mainland South America. These conditions most likely promote isolation between mainland and peninsular populations of three rodent lineages occurring in mesic habitat in this region. For each lineage, we calibrated optimally parameterized ENMs using mainland records only, and leveraged existing habitat descriptions to assess whether those assigned low suitability values corresponded to instances where the species was collected within locally mesic conditions amidst otherwise hot dry areas. When this was the case, we built an additional model excluding these records. We projected both models onto the peninsula and assessed whether they differed in their ability to detect the environmental barrier. For the two lineages in which we detected such problematic records, only the models built excluding them detected the barrier, while providing additional insights regarding peninsular populations. Overall, the study reveals how a simple procedure like the one applied here can deal with records problematic for ENMs, leading to better predictions regarding the potential effects of the environment on lineage divergence.

Utilidad de la resonancia magnética cardíaca en casos de ecocardiografía no concluyente / Utility of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Cases of Inconclusive Echocardiography

En la actualidad la evaluación no invasiva de los pacientes con patología cardiaca se realiza a través de múltiples modalidades diagnósticas que cumplen un papel complementario entre sí. La ecocardiografía (EC) sigue siendo la modalidad diagnóstica no invasiva más utilizada en la evaluación de los pacientes con sospecha de patología cardiaca, pues permite una evaluación precisa de la morfología y la función del corazón. Además, es una modalidad accesible, económica y segura. A pesar de las múltiples ventajas descritas previamente de la EC, esta modalidad diagnóstica también tiene limitaciones. El propósito de esta revisión académica es ilustrar, a través de casos clínicos en equipos de RM de 1,5 y 3 Teslas, el valor de la resonancia magnética cardiaca (RMC) en aquellos casos en los que la EC, por sus limitaciones, no fue concluyente.

Currently, the non-invasive evaluation of patients with cardiac disease is performed through multiple diagnostic modalities, which together play a complementary role to each other. Echocardiography (EC) remains the most used noninvasive diagnostic modality in the evaluation of patients with suspected heart disease, allowing an accurate assessment of the morphology and function of the heart. In addition, it is accessible, economical and safe. Despite the previously described advantages of EC, this modality also has limitations. The purpose of our academic review is to illustrate through clinical cases from our experience with RM of 1.5 and 3 Tesla equipment, the value of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMRI) in cases where EC was inconclusive.

Divertículos y pseudodivertículos del tracto digestivo superior: Hallazgos por tomografía computarizada multidetector (TCMD): Serie de casos / Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Diverticulum and Pseudodiverticulosis: Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) Findings: Case series

En diferentes estudios diagnósticos realizados en la práctica clínica encontramos de manera incidental divertículos o pseudodivertículos del tracto gastrointestinal. Este artículo presenta una revisión detallada de la patología diverticular del tracto digestivo superior y se analizan sus aspectos clínicos, epidemiológicos y los diferentes hallazgos por imagen, haciendo hincapié en su apariencia por tomografía computarizada multidetector (TCMD).

Diverticulum and pseudodiverticula of the gastrointestinal tract are incidentally found in different diagnostic studies performed in clinical practice. This article presents a detailed review of the diverticular disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract and its clinical, epidemiological aspects are discussed, as well as different imaging findings are discussed. A special emphasis is made on its appearance through Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT).

Eventracion congenita de diafragma, a proposito de un caso / Congenital eventration of diaphragm, a purpose of a case

La eventración diafragmática es una anomalía poco frecuente, que se caracteriza por una elevación anormal del músculo diafragma, pudiendo ser de causa congénita o adquirida. El diafragma afectado presenta movilidad paradójica, con afectación respiratoria de intensidad variable; se ha considerado como causa del defecto una falla en el proceso de muscularización del diafragma embrionario. Se presenta el caso de una recién nacida, sin antecedentes obstétricos de importancia, que presentó síntomas respiratorios leves desde el nacimiento; en este caso se realizó el diagnóstico por imágenes con una radiografía y tomografía de tórax. La resolución quirúrgica fue mediante técnica de plicatura diafragmática.

The diaphragmatic eventration is a rare anomaly, which is characterized by an abnormal elevation of the diaphragm muscle, can be congenital or acquired. The affected diaphragm displays paradoxical mobility, with respiratory insufficiency of variable intensity; it has been considered as a cause of the defect of a failure in the process of muscularization of the embryonic diaphragm. This is the case of a newly born, without obstetric history of importance, who presented mild respiratory symptoms from birth; in this case, the diagnosis was performed with an X-ray and CT scan of the chest. The surgical resolution was through a technique of diaphragmatic plication.

Identifying D-positive donors using a second automated testing platform.

Because of the variability of D expression, one method may be inadequate to correctly classify donors with variant RHD alleles. We evaluated the use of a solid -phase automated platform (ImmucorGamma Galileo) to confirm D- test results obtained on first-time donors on the Beckman Coulter PK7300 automated microplate test system. Samples with discordant results were analyzed by serologic tube methods, RHD genotyping using the BLOODchip platform (Progenika) and, if necessary, sequencing. We estimated the number of cases of alloimmunization in women younger than 50 years likelyto be prevented by the addition of Galileo testing. From May 2011 to May 2012, 910,220 donor samples were tested; 15,441 were first-time donors with concordant D- results. Five donors tested D- on the PK7300 and weak D+ on the Galileo; one was found to be a false positive on further testing. On manual testing, the other four donors had positive indirect antiglobulin test results with one to three of the antisera used and were C+. On BLOODchip testing, two donors were classified as D+, and two were assigned a "no call". D variants included weak D type 67, weak D type 9, and two novel variants. Approximately 10 percent of D- units are transfused to women younger that 50 years. Assuming an alloimmunization rate of 30 percent, use of the Galileo would prevent approximately one alloimmunization every 5 to 6 years in this patient group. We conclude that the yield of preventing alloimmunization in this population by adding a second automated seologic testing platform is very low.

Protein-losing enteropathy in a dog with lymphangiectasia, lymphoplasmacytic enteritis and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

This is a report of seven-year-old male Akita mixed dog, with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). He had a history of chronic vomiting and diarrhea with anorexia/hyporexia. Previously he suffered acute abdomen about eight months prior to this visit. Our dog showed uncommon combination of diseases that could cause PLE since it was affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL), and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). The dog had most of the abnormalities found in IL, as well as hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, lymphopenia, hypocalcemia, and hypercholesterolemia. During endoscopy exam, we found changes characteristic of IL such as irregular small white spots. We took biopsies from stomach, duodenum, and cecum. These biopsies showed infiltration by lymphocytes and plasmatic cells in the lamina propria also, the duodenal biopsies showed moderate dilation of the lymphatic vessels. The patient had 2.1 µg/mL of TLI, this result was compatible with EPI. We assume that the first pathology in this animal was IBD, which caused chronic pancreatitis (CP) that in turn progressed to EPI. It is also possible that IL was secondary to IBD. We have reported for the first time the correlation of IBD and EPI in dogs. This should change our approach to treating chronic diarrhea in dogs. Therefore, we propose that dogs diagnosed with EPI should also be subjected to endoscopy and intestinal biopsy. Similarly, to rule out secondary EPI, TLI should be measured routinely in dogs with IBD.

Evolución de la capacidad antioxidante durante almacenamiento refrigerado de sistemas modelo de salchichas tipo frankfurt adicionadas con extracto de cereza (Prunus avium L. ) / Evolution of the antioxidant capacity of frankfurter sausage model systems with added cherry extract (Prunus avium L. ) during refrigerated storage

Con el objetivo de determinar la evolución de la capacidad antioxidante de sistemas modelo de salchichas Tipo Frankfurt adicionadas con extracto de cereza, se monitoreó el contenido de fenoles totales, antocianinas totales, el poder reductor y la actividad captadora de radicales, empleando los métodos de Folin Ciocalteu, pH diferencial, FRAP, ABTS y DPPH, respectivamente, durante dos meses de almacenamiento a4 ± 1ºC. Se aplicó un diseño factorial con dos factores (extracto de cereza y tiempo de almacenamiento) y se realizaron evaluaciones comparativas respecto a un producto testigo de igual formulación y proceso, pero sin inclusión del extracto y con presencia de ascorbato de sodio (0,05%). Los resultados mostraron que no existe diferencia significativa (p > 0,05) en el contenido de antocianinas totales para ninguna de las dosis de extracto en las salchichas; mientras que los fenoles totales, el poder reductor y la actividad captadora de radicales fueron significativamente mayores (p < 0,05) en las salchichas con extracto decereza (para las tres dosis), respecto a las salchichas testigo; además, el tiempo de almacenamiento fue significativo en todos los casos, mostrándose una disminución de todas las variables con el tiempo de almacenamiento.

["Free" iron, transferrin and ferritin levels in serum and their relation with severe malnutrition]. / Hierro libre, transferrina y ferritina séricas en desnutrición aguda grave.

INTRODUCTION: "Free" serum iron has been associated with the development of edema in Kwashiorkor-type severe acute malnutrition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive, cross sectional study was performed. Twenty-four children with edematous malnutrition, 22 with marasmus and 20 without malnutrition were compared. "Free" iron, transferrin, saturation index and attachment capacity of iron, ferritin, total protein, albumin, total iron, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined in serum. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between malnourished children with "free" serum iron and the control group in which "free" iron was not found. However, no significant differences were found in "free" serum iron levels between marasmatic and edematous children. Transferrin was negatively correlated with "free" iron (r=-0.519; p=0.000). Total proteins, albumin and transferrin were all significantly lower in children with edema than in those with marasmus. A low transferrin level and a high saturation index could be used to estimate the probability of edema in 67.5% of cases (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Severe acute malnutrition was associated with the presence of "free" serum iron both in children with marasmus and in those with edema. "Free" iron does not explain the presence of edema but, as with severe hypoalbuminemia, the concurrence of a low transferrin level and a high saturation index may contribute to the etiology of edema.

Análisis de la concordancia y validación de las ecuaciones de Framingham-REGICOR y DORICA en la población diabética de un Centro de Salud seguida durante 10 años / Analysis of the concordance and validation of the Framingham-REGICOR and DORICA equations in diabetic population in a Health Care Center followed-up for 10 years

INTRODUCCIÓN. Analizar la concordancia y validación a diez años de dos ecuaciones de riesgo coronario que utilizan la función de Framingham calibrada para población española (REGICOR y DORICA) en pacientes diabéticos tipo 2. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS. Estudio descriptivo, longitudinal, de seguimiento de una cohorte durante 10 años. Un total de 131 pacientes diabéticos de un centro de salud urbano, de 35 a 64 años de edad, sin antecedentes de cardiopatía isquémica, a quienes se les pudo calcular el riesgo coronario antes del 1-01-1995. RESULTADOS. El porcentaje real de eventos coronarios fue del 9,9% (8,8% en varones y 11,1% en mujeres). El riesgo coronario global calculado en la ecuación de Framingham-REGICOR fue del 8,9%, ajustándose perfectamente al riesgo coronario en varones (8,8%) e infraestimándolo en mujeres (9,0%). En cambio, la ecuación de Framingham-DORICA sobreestimó el riesgo global de la cohorte (17,3% frente al 9,9% de eventos), tanto en varones (19,7%) como en mujeres (14,8%), siendo sus riesgos significativamente distintos (p < 0,05). La concordancia entre las dos funciones fue aceptable (índice Kappa = 0,5). La aplicación inicial de la función de Framingham-DORICA, con un umbral para riesgo coronario alto ≥ 10%, y posteriormente la de Framingham-REGICOR a los pacientes catalogados como de riesgo coronario no alto (< 10%), permitieron clasificar correctamente el riesgo coronario de los pacientes diabéticos. CONCLUSIONES. La concordancia entre las funciones de Framingham-REGICOR y DORICA es aceptable, siendo REGICOR la que más se aproximó al riesgo real de la cohorte. La aplicación secuencial de ambas ecuaciones clasifica correctamente el riesgo coronario de los pacientes diabéticos

INTRODUCTION. Analyze the concordance and validation at ten years of two coronary risk equations that use the calibrated Framingham function for Spanish population (REGICOR and DORICA) in type 2 diabetic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS. Descriptive, longitudinal, follow-up study of a cohort over 10 years. A total of 131 diabetic patients from an urban health care center, from 35 to 65 years of age, without a background of ischemic heart disease, in whom coronary risk could be calculated before 1-01-1995. RESULTS. The real percentage of coronary events was 99% (8.8% in males and 11.1% in women). Global coronary risk calculated in the Framingham-REGICOR equation was 8.9%, it being perfectly adjusted to coronary risk in males (8.8%) and underestimated in women (9.0%). On the contrary, the Framingham-DORICA equation overestimated the global risk of the cohort (17.3% versus 9.9% of events) in both males (19.7%) and women (14.8%), their risks being significantly different (p < 0.05). Concordance between the two functions was acceptable (Kappa index = 0.5). Initial application of the Framingham-DORICA function with a threshold for high coronary risk ≥ 10% and then the Framingham-REGICOR to patients listed as not high coronary risk (< 10%) made it possible to correctly classify the coronary risk of the diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS. Concordance between the Framingham-REGICOR and DORICA is acceptable, the REGICOR being that which approached the real risk of the cohort most. The sequential application of both equations correctly classified the coronary risk of diabetic patients

Hierro libre, transferrina y ferritina séricas en desnutrición aguda grave / 'Free' iron, transferrin and ferritin Levels in serum and their relation with severe malnutrition

Introducción El hierro libre en suero se ha asociado con el desarrollo del edema en la desnutrición aguda grave tipo kwashiorkor. Materiales y métodos Estudio descriptivo, de corte, tipo cross-sectional, comparó 24 niños con desnutrición edematosa, 22 con marasmo y 20 sin desnutrición. Se determinó en suero: hierro libre, transferrina, índice de saturación y capacidad de fijación de hierro, ferritina, proteínas totales, albúmina, hierro total y proteína C reactiva (PCR). Resultados Se halló diferencia significativa entre los niños desnutridos que tuvieron hierro libre en suero y el grupo control en el cual no se detectó, sin embargo no hubo diferencia significativa en la concentración sérica de hierro libre entre marasmáticos y edematosos. La transferrina correlacionó negativamente con el hierro libre (r = -0,519; p = 0,000). Las proteínas totales, albúmina y transferrina fueron significativamente más bajas en los niños con edema que con marasmo. Una baja concentración de transferrina y un alto índice de saturación, podrían estimar la probabilidad del edema en un 67,5 % (p = 0,001). Conclusiones La desnutrición aguda grave se asoció con la presencia de hierro libre en suero tanto en los niños con marasmo como con edema. El hierro libre no explica la presencia de edema, pero la concomitancia de una baja concentración de transferrina y un alto índice de saturación podrían contribuir a su etiología, lo mismo que la hipoalbuminemia grave

Introduction 'Free' serum iron has been associated with the development of edema in Kwashiorkor-type severe acute malnutrition. Material and methods A descriptive, cross sectional study was performed. Twenty-four children with edematous malnutrition, 22 with marasmus and 20 without malnutrition were compared. 'Free' iron, transferrin, saturation index and attachment capacity of iron, ferritin, total protein, albumin, total iron, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined in serum. Results A significant difference was found between malnourished children with 'free' serum iron and the control group in which 'free' iron was not found. However, no significant differences were found in 'free' serum iron levels between marasmatic and edematous children. Transferrin was negatively correlated with 'free' iron (r = -0.519; p = 0.000). Total proteins, albumin and transferrin were all significantly lower in children with edema than in those with marasmus. A low transferrin level and a high saturation index could be used to estimate the probability of edema in 67.5 % of cases (p = 0.001). Conclusions Severe acute malnutrition was associated with the presence of 'free' serum iron both in children with marasmus and in those with edema. 'Free' iron does not explain the presence of edema but, as with severe hypoalbuminemia, the concurrence of a low transferrin level and a high saturation index may contribute to the etiology of edema

[Bronchial nodules produced by Strongyloides stercoralis as the cause of bronchial obstruction]. / Nódulos bronquiales producidos por Strongyloides stercoralis como causa de obstrucción bronquial.

Infection by Strongyloides stercoralis can cause asthma-like symptoms through mechanisms that have not yet been clarified. A 55-year-old male farm worker with a 2-year history of illness diagnosed as asthma and treated unsuccessfully with bronchodilators and corticosteroids was referred to our hospital with severe dyspnea. The initial chest radiograph showed mild air trapping, and pulmonary function tests detected airway obstruction that did not respond to salbutamol. Bronchoscopy revealed multiple nodules protruding into the airway lumen. S. stercoralis larvae were detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and stool samples. Although treatment with albendazole was initiated, the patient's condition worsened over the next 3 days, hemoptysis presented, and the process ended in death. Autopsy demonstrated Strongyloides larvae in the bronchial nodules. Infection by S. stercoralis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of asthmatic-like symptoms refractory to treatment. In such cases nodules may be responsible for obstruction.

Nódulos bronquiales producidos por Strongyloides stercoralis como causa de obstrucción bronquial / Bronchial Nodules produced by strongyloides stercoralis as the cause of bronchial obstruction

La infección por Strongyloides stercoralis puede ocasionar síntomas parecidos al asma, pero su mecanismo de producción no se ha esclarecido. Un campesino de 55 años de edad, con enfermedad de dos años de evolución diagnosticada como asma y tratada sin éxito con broncodilatadores y corticoides, fue enviado a nuestro hospital por disnea grave. La radiografía inicial de tórax mostró leve atrapamiento aéreo y las pruebas de función pulmonar detectaron obstrucción de las vías aéreas que no mejoró con salbutamol. La broncoscopia reveló múltiples nódulos que se proyectaban hacia la luz de las vías aéreas. En el lavado broncoalveolar y en las heces se identificaron larvas de S. stercoralis. Se inició tratamiento con albendazol, pero en los siguientes tres días el estado de salud del paciente empeoró, presentó hemoptisis y, finalmente, falleció. La autopsia demostró larvas de Strongyloides dentro de los nódulos bronquiales. La infección por S. stercoralis debe considerarse en el diagnóstico diferencial de síntomas asmatiformes refractarios al tratamiento, y en estos casos la producción de nódulos podría ser el mecanismo de obstrucción (AU)

Amphiphysin 1 binds the cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) 5 regulatory subunit p35 and is phosphorylated by cdk5 and cdc2.

Amphiphysin 1 is a phosphoprotein expressed at high levels in neurons, where it participates in synaptic vesicle endocytosis and neurite outgrowth. It is a substrate for cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) 5, a member of the cyclin-dependent protein kinase family, which has been functionally linked to neuronal migration and neurite outgrowth via its action on the actin cytoskeleton. The yeast homologue of amphiphysin, Rvs167, functions in endocytosis and actin dynamics, is phosphorylated by the cdk5 homologue Pho85, and binds the Pho85 regulatory subunit Pcl2. We show here that amphiphysin 1 interacts with the cdk5-activating subunit p35 and that this interaction is mediated by the conserved NH2-terminal region of amphiphysin. Amphiphysin 1 colocalizes with p35 in the growth cones of neurons and at actin-rich peripheral lamellipodia in transfected fibroblasts. Amphiphysin is phosphorylated by cdk5 in a region including serines 272, 276, and 285. Amphiphysin 1 is also phosphorylated by the cdc2/cyclin B kinase complex in the same region and undergoes mitotic phosphorylation in dividing cells. These data indicate that phosphorylation by members of the cyclin-dependent kinase family is a conserved property of amphiphysin and suggest that this phosphorylation may play an important physiological role both in mitosis and in differentiated cells.

A functional link between dynamin and the actin cytoskeleton at podosomes.

Cell transformation by Rous sarcoma virus results in a dramatic change of adhesion structures with the substratum. Adhesion plaques are replaced by dot-like attachment sites called podosomes. Podosomes are also found constitutively in motile nontransformed cells such as leukocytes, macrophages, and osteoclasts. They are represented by columnar arrays of actin which are perpendicular to the substratum and contain tubular invaginations of the plasma membrane. Given the similarity of these tubules to those generated by dynamin around a variety of membrane templates, we investigated whether dynamin is present at podosomes. Immunoreactivities for dynamin 2 and for the dynamin 2-binding protein endophilin 2 (SH3P8) were detected at podosomes of transformed cells and osteoclasts. Furthermore, GFP wild-type dynamin 2aa was targeted to podosomes. As shown by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, GFP-dynamin 2aa and GFP-actin had a very rapid and similar turnover at podosomes. Expression of the GFP-dynamin 2aa(G273D) abolished podosomes while GFP-dynamin(K44A) was targeted to podosomes but delayed actin turnover. These data demonstrate a functional link between a member of the dynamin family and actin at attachment sites between cells and the substratum.

Distribution of tubulin, kinesin, and dynein in light- and dark-adapted octopus retinas.

Cephalopod retinas exhibit several responses to light and dark adaptation, including rhabdom size changes, photopigment movements, and pigment granule migration. Light- and dark-directed rearrangements of microfilament and microtubule cytoskeletal transport pathways could drive these changes. Recently, we localized actin-binding proteins in light-/dark-adapted octopus rhabdoms and suggested that actin cytoskeletal rearrangements bring about the formation and degradation of rhabdomere microvilli subsets. To determine if the microtubule cytoskeleton and associated motor proteins control the other light/dark changes, we used immunoblotting and immunocytochemical procedures to map the distribution of tubulin, kinesin, and dynein in dorsal and ventral halves of light- and dark-adapted octopus retinas. Immunoblots detected alpha- and beta-tubulin, dynein intermediate chain, and kinesin heavy chain in extracts of whole retinas. Epifluorescence and confocal microscopy showed that the tubulin proteins were distributed throughout the retina with more immunoreactivity in retinas exposed to light. Kinesin localization was heavy in the pigment layer of light- and dark-adapted ventral retinas but was less prominent in the dorsal region. Dynein distribution also varied in dorsal and ventral retinas with more immunoreactivity in light- and dark-adapted ventral retinas and confocal microscopy emphasized the granular nature of this labeling. We suggest that light may regulate the distribution of microtubule cytoskeletal proteins in the octopus retina and that position, dorsal versus ventral, also influences the distribution of motor proteins. The microtubule cytoskeleton is most likely involved in pigment granule migration in the light and dark and with the movement of transport vesicles from the photoreceptor inner segments to the rhabdoms.

Tandem arrangement of the clathrin and AP-2 binding domains in amphiphysin 1 and disruption of clathrin coat function by amphiphysin fragments comprising these sites.

Amphiphysin 1 and 2 are proteins implicated in the recycling of synaptic vesicles in nerve terminals. They interact with dynamin and synaptojanin via their COOH-terminal SH3 domain, whereas their central regions contain binding sites for clathrin and for the clathrin adaptor AP-2. We have defined here amino acids of amphiphysin 1 crucial for binding to AP-2 and clathrin. Overexpression in Chinese hamster ovary cells of an amphiphysin 1 fragment that binds both AP-2 and clathrin resulted in a segregation of clathrin, which acquired a diffuse distribution, from AP-2, which accumulated at patches also positive for Eps15. These effects correlated with a block in clathrin-mediated endocytosis. A fragment selectively interacting with clathrin produced a similar effect. These results can be explained by the binding of amphiphysin to the NH(2)-terminal domain of clathrin and by a competition with the binding of this domain to the beta-subunit of AP-2 and AP180. The interaction of amphiphysin 1 with either clathrin or AP-2 did not prevent its interaction with dynamin, supporting the existence of tertiary complexes between these proteins. Together with previous evidence indicating a direct interaction between amphiphysin and membrane lipids, these findings support a model in which amphiphysin acts as a multifunctional adaptor linking the membrane to coat proteins and coat proteins to dynamin and synaptojanin.

Conversion of N-acyl-4-acyloxy-beta-lactams into 1,3-oxazin-6-ones: two consecutive pseudopericyclic processes

N-Acyl-4-acyloxy-beta-lactams are converted into 1,3-oxazin-6-ones under basic conditions. This transformation is believed to proceed via N-acylazetones, which rearrange to the final products by a sequence of two electrocyclic processes. The calculated (RHF and B3LYP) transition structures of both concerted reactions are shown to present characteristic pseudopericyclic orbital topologies.

[Dry powdered formoterol, twice a day versus aerosolized salbutamol, four times a day, in patients with stable asthma]. / Formoterol en polvo seco, dos veces al día versus salbutamol aerosol, cuatro veces al día, en pacientes con asma estable.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The objective of this multicenter, open randomized study was to compare the effect of inhaled formoterol (dry powder with ISF system) 12 mcg twice daily versus salbutamol (200 mg qid) in patients with bronchial asthma. A total of 160 patients were evaluated with such diagnosis in four specialized centers; the main variable was the maximal respiratory flow (MEF) assessed prior to drug administration (morning and afternoon). In addition to this, vital capacity (VC), forced respiratory volume over one second (FEV-1), and other safety variables were also determined. RESULTS: With regard to MEF the administration of formoterol showed better results (P < 0.05) ever since the first month of treatment. The frequency of adverse events was similar between treatment groups; the formoterol group had fewer nightly wake up periods. CONCLUSIONS: That formoterol is a safe, efficacious and long-acting Beta 2 agonist which can be administered twice daily.