Estudio del dermatoglifo en 530 pacientes esquizofrénicos del Hospital Psiquiátrico de La Habana / Dermatoglyphic study of 530 schizophrenic patients of the psychiatric hospital of Havana

Se han descrito alteraciones dermatoglíficas en la esquizofrenia, especialmente en el número de crestas en el espacio interdigital a-b. El propósito de nuestra investigación fue determinar si existen estas alteraciones en una población de esquizofrénicos cubanos (N=530) en relación con controles sanos (N=530) con iguales características étnicas y sociodemográficas. En este sentido se realizaron determinaciones a ciegas de los conteos de líneas en el espacio a-b de la mano derecha, y se aplicó un programa de análisis computarizado de las imágenes obtenidas mediante escáner. Los resultados que informan un menor número de crestas en el espacio a-b de la mano derecha coinciden con los reportados en estudios anteriores en otras latitudes y en poblaciones con características étnicas y sociodemográficas diferentes de la nuestra, lo que sugiere un origen común de la enfermedad independientemente de la influencia de estos factores. Se analizan los resultados obtenidos a la luz de la teoría del neurodesarrollo haciendo énfasis en los factores medioambientales, específicamente los virus, dados los elementos aportados en la literatura en este sentido y los hallazgos nuestros en estudios anteriores en esquizofrénicos adultos, fetos de madres esquizofrénicas y animales experimentalmente inoculados con líquido cefalorraquídeo. Se sugiere la posibilidad de un estudio de las células del líquido amniótico mediante técnicas de microscopia electrónica en mujeres con riesgo de tener una descendencia con esquizofrenia con el objetivo de aplicar medidas preventivas, interrupción del embarazo o tratamiento antiviral temprano, en caso de demostrarse la presencia de una infección viral en etapas tempranas del neurodesarrollo en las células del líquido amniótico(AU)

Dermatogly phic alterations in schizophrenia especially in the number of ridges in a-b interdigital space have been described. This research was aimed to determine if these anomalies are present in a schizophrenic Cuban population (n=530) related to heal thy controls (n=530) with similar ethnic and socio demographic characteristics .In his sence, blind determination of line counts in the a-b space of the right hand were carried out and a computerized analysis program of images obtained by scanner was also applied. The obtained results, giving a smaller number of ridges in the a-b space of the right hand coincide with those reported in previous studies at other latitudes and populations with ethnic and socio demographic characteristics different from ours. Thus, a common origin of the illness is suggested, independtly of the influence of these factor. The results are analyzed through the neuro developmental theory making emphasis on the environmental factors, especially viruses. These elements were given to literature in this sense, as well as taking in to account findings from our previous studies on adult schizophrenic patients, foetuses of schizophrenic mothers and animals, experimentally inoculated with cerebrospinal fluid. The possibility of a study on amniotic fluid cells is suggested , using electro-microscopic techniques in women at a risk of having a schizophrenia off spring in order to apply preventive measures , pregnancy interruptions or early antiviral treatment of a viral infections present in early neurodevelopment al stages in amniotic fluid cells(AU)

Nuclear localization of nucleocapsid-like particles and HCV core protein in hepatocytes of a chronically HCV-infected patient.

Little is known about the life cycle of hepatitis C virus. Determination of the subcellular localization of HCV proteins may contribute to our understanding of the in vivo functions of the viral proteins. HCV core protein regulates multiple functions in host cells and it has been detected both in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus using different expression systems. In this study, nucleocapsid-like particles were observed in the nucleus of hepatocytes from a chronically HCV-infected patient. They were similar in size and shape to those of HCV core-like particles purified from recombinant Pichia pastoris cells. In addition the HCV core protein was detected not only in the cytoplasm but also in the nucleus and nucleolus of hepatocytes by immunoelectron microscopy. This is the first report showing nuclear localization of HCV core protein and nucleocapsid-like particles in hepatocytes during in vivo HCV infection.