Mammalian AT2 receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes couple to endogenous chloride channels and stimulate germinal vesicle break down.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A comparative analysis was performed of the properties of cloned AT1 and AT2 receptors and their ability to induce ion currents and oocyte maturation. METHODS: Frog oocytes were injected with cRNA that codes for rat AT1A and AT2 and bovine AT1 receptors and membrane currents were recorded by using the two-microelectrode voltage-clamp technique. Oocyte maturation was scored by observation of the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). RESULTS: Xenopus oocytes expressing AT1 or AT2 generated oscillatory chloride currents by coupling to the diacylglycerol/inositol-3-phosphate (DAG/IP(3)) cascade. Ang II activation of collagenase-defolliculated oocytes expressing rat AT1A yielded larger chloride currents (9.2+/-3.4 A) than those generated by oocytes expressing bovine AT1 (3.78+/-2.6 A). Oocytes expressing rat AT1A were recovered from desensitization after 0.5 h and completely after 10.5 h; whereas oocytes expressing bovine AT1 receptors were unable to do so. Expression of rat AT2 generated smaller chloride currents (32-210 nA). Expression of AT2 receptors triggered GVBD whereas AT1 did not. The proportion of oocytes developing GVBD was greater for folliculated oocytes than for oocytes that were defolliculated. Furthermore, oocytes injected with AT2 secreted into the media, a heat-resistant factor(s) that stimulated GVBD of oocytes. This media elicited inward and outward membrane currents when applied to non-injected oocytes. CONCLUSION: Activation of AT1 and AT2 receptors couple to similar metabolic cascades in Xenopus laevis oocytes. However, the pathway activated by AT2 diverges to induce oocyte maturation.

Intervención comunitaria capacitante sobre asma bronquial infantil / Community intervention about children bronquial asthma

Se realiza una intervención comunitaria capacitante sobre asma bronquial infantil en la costa sur de san antonio del sur, para determinar el conocimiento de los niños, niñas, familiares y maestros sobre el tema y con ellos mejorar su calidad de vida a través de una estrategia de intervención que dió salida a una multimedia. Se tomó una muestra de 50 niños y niñas asmáticos de 5- 14 años por el método aleatorio simple, con sus respectivos padres y maestros. Se aplicaron algunas variables tales como: edad, sexo, escolaridad, factores de riesgo asociados, nivel de conocimiento, conducta ante crisis y la inter crisis. Se procedió a la estrategia, con predominio el sexo masculino, grupo etario 5–10 años, edad de aparición de la enfermedad antes de los 2 años como factor de riesgo más importante (AU)

Craneosinostosis y neurofibromatosis tipo I: informe de un caso / Craneosinostosis and neurofibromatosis type I: a case report

Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 10 años, mestizo, procedente del área rural, portador de neurofibromatosis tipo I que fue diagnosticada al mes de edad, con presencia de más de 6 manchas color café con leche localizadas en el tronco y el cierre precoz de la fontanela anterior, adoptando el cráneo forma de quilla de barco. Fue operado de craneosinostosis, malformación ósea que puede acompañar a esta enfermedad (AU)

Presence and release of bovine sperm histone H1 during chromatin decondensation by heparin-glutathione.

During spermatogenesis, changes in sperm nuclear morphology are associated with the replacement of core somatic histones by protamines. Although protamines are the major nucleoproteins of mature sperm, not all species totally replace the histones. Histone H1, along with protamines, mediates chromatin condensation into an insoluble complex that is transcriptionally inactive. In vitro, heparin-reduced glutathione causes sperm decondensation, and the structures formed are morphologically similar to the in vivo male pronucleus. To study the participation of histone H1 in bovine sperm chromatin remodelling, we measured the presence and release of histone H1 by immunofluorescence, acetic acid-urea-triton-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and immunoblotting. Nuclear decondensation was induced by 80 microM heparin and 15.0 mM reduced glutathione (GSH) for 7, 14, and 21 h at 37 degrees C. Additionally, nucleons, composed of nuclei isolated from the sperm, were decondensed with 20.0 microM heparin and 5.0 mM GSH for 4.0 h at 37 degrees C. Controls were incubated in buffer for similar periods of time. Immunofluorescent localization of histone H1 was carried out with mouse monoclonal antibody, and DNA localization was visualized by 0.001% quinacrine staining. Chromatin decondensation was accompanied by increased sperm nuclei and nucleon surface area. We observed that histone H1 was localized exclusively in the nuclei of intact sperm and nucleons. Histone H1 immunofluorescent intensity did not change in control samples but decreased over time in samples treated with heparin-GSH. There was a negative correlation between the surface area of sperm nuclei and immunohistochemical intensity of histone H1 (P < 0.05). Nucleon decondensation showed a similar relationship. By electrophoresis and immunoblotting, we verified the loss of histone H1 from the sperm and nucleons and its release into the incubation media. Based on these results, we propose that histone H1 is present in the bovine sperm nuclei. H1 depletion may participate in chromatin decondensation and nuclear swelling induced by heparin-GSH.

Filariosis humana en la selva peruana: reporte de tres casos / Human filariosis in peruvian jungle: report of three cases

Se presenta tres casos de filariosis de pacientes varones procedentes de la selva peruana (Junín, San Martín y Pucallpa). Un caso presentó filarias en el globo ocular y frotís sanguíneo, que según morfología, serología y biología molecular se determinó como un posiblecaso de filariosis zoonótica por Onchocerca spp. Los otros dos casos fueron causados por Dirofilaria spp. uno presentó un nódulo en el pómulo y sensación de movilidad en la zona y fue diagnosticado por serología y el último caso se le extrajo una filaria del dedo pulgar de la mano y fue identificado como tal por morfología y biología molecular. Estos casos son los primeros reportes en el Perú por Dirofilariaspp. y Onchocerca spp.

We present three cases of male patients with filariasis from the Peruvian jungle (Junin, San Martin and Pucallpa). One case presented filariae in the eyeball and blood smears, which according to morphology, serology and molecular biology was established as a possiblecase of zoonotic filariasis by Onchocerca spp. The other two cases were caused by Dirofilaria spp. introduced a cheekbone in a lump sensation and mobility in the area and was diagnosed by serology and the last case was extracted filaria a thumb of the hand and was identified as such by morphology and molecular biology. These cases are the first reports in Peru by Dirofilaria spp. and Onchocerca spp.

Heparin effect on in vitro nuclear maturation of bovine oocytes.

Oocytes undergo numerous biochemical and morphological changes during their development from preantral to preovulatory phases. In vitro studies have suggested several compounds that might induce oocyte maturation. Heparin is a natural component of ooplasm, follicular fluid and uterine fluid and previous studies indicated that it might act as a chromatin maturation factor in bovine oocytes. We tested this hypothesis in vitro by timing germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and first polar body (PB) formation without any other natural or introduced factors that might influence the rate of oocyte maturation. We also determined if these oocytes could be fertilized. Bovine oocytes were incubated in a salt medium and TCM 199 supplemented with different concentrations of heparin for 24 h at 37.5 degrees C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2. With 1.0 and 6.5 mg/ml heparin, the time of GVBD was reduced from 4.7+/-1.1 h to about 1.5 h and the time of first PB formation was reduced from 22.0+/-1.1 h to 9.0-11.0 h in salt medium. In TCM 199, only 6.5 mg/ml heparin significantly reduced the time of PB formation. In both incubation media, 1.0 and 6.5 mg/ml heparin induced GVBD, extrusion of the first PB and formation of the metaphase II nucleus. Moreover, heparin did not interfere with the fertilization of oocytes matured in TCM 199. Based on the results, we propose that heparin plays an important role in the rearrangement of the oocyte chromatin and acts as an oocyte maturation factor.

Human papillomavirus detection: verification with cervical cytology.

OBJECTIVE: Thirteen specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV), classified as high-risk for the development of cervical cancer, have been reported in 99.7% of all cervical cancers. For this reason, and because of the reported lack of sensitivity of the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear for detecting HPV, some experts believe that the use of papillomavirus DNA testing may replace cytology for routine gynecological screening. Our goal was to validate a commercial assay, the Digene Hybrid Capture-2 for the detection of human papillomavirus by comparing the results to cytological detection of cervical abnormalities. DESIGN: Cytology results of concurrent liquid-based Papanicolaou smears were compared to the Hybrid Capture-2 results. Correlation was assessed and discordant cytology results were reviewed. SETTING: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Department of Pathology, HPV Diagnostic Laboratory. PATIENTS: All liquid cytology specimens submitted for HPV testing between November 1, 2000 and April 1, 2001. RESULTS: Of the 291 cases tested by Hybrid Capture-2, 12% and 28% were positive with the low-risk and high-risk probes, respectively, and 265 had concurrent cytology results. Fourteen specimens testing positive only with the low-risk probe were not included in this comparison. Thus, the results for 251 of the 291 (86%) specimens tested for human papillomavirus DNA were compared to the original cytology report. Overall concordance between Hybrid Capture-2 and the original smear cytology result was 78%. Slide review reduced the number of discordant specimens from 22% to 12%. CONCLUSION: Based upon these data, we find the HPV assay to be useful as a routine screen for Human papillomavirus.