Effect of supplementation of valine to chicken extender on sperm cryoresistance and post-thaw fertilization capacity.

Recent reports showed a positive correlation between frozen-thawed rooster sperm DNA integrity and the concentrations of valine in seminal plasma. The present study evaluated the effect of supplementing valine to semen extender for freezing sperm of 2 endangered local Spanish chicken breeds with different sperm cryoresistance: Red Villafranquina (VF) showing low sperm DNA integrity after cryopreservation and Quail Castellana that shows higher DNA integrity. One pool of semen per breed was obtained twice a week for 10 wk (n = 40, 20 per breed). Each pool was divided into 2 fractions. One of these fractions was frozen in presence of valine as additive in the extender (concentration 10 mmol), whereas the other was used as control. The evaluation of the samples before and after freezing-thawing included motility (CASA-Mot system), viability (propidium iodide and SYBR-14), DNA integrity (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling), and fertility rate (percentage of eggs with blastoderm development after artificial insemination). Supplementation of valine increased several motility variables of fresh semen. In VF breed, valine increased percentage of progressive motile sperm (P = 0.025), curvilinear velocity (P = 0.033), straight-line velocity (P = 0.040), and average path velocity (P = 0.033), whereas progressive motile sperm (P = 0.019), curvilinear velocity (P = 0.006), straight-line velocity (P = 0.003) and average path velocity (P = 0.004) were improved in the Quail Castellana breed. Valine addition increased the DNA integrity of cryopreserved semen (decreased post-thaw DNA fragmentation) in both breeds, with a significant effect (P = 0.002) in VF (36.3% VF-control vs 31%VF-valine). As expected, Quail Castellana cryopreserved sperm control showed higher fertility rate (34.4% ± 12.1) than VF cryopreserved sperm control (16.1% + 6.2). Supplementing valine to the freezing extender doubled (P = 0.026) the fertility rate of VF (32.6% ± 12.2) compared with the control (16.1% + 6.2). In conclusion, supplementation of valine to chicken freezing extenders shows a positive effect on DNA fragmentation and fertilizing ability of frozen-thawed sperm, with a better response in a breed considered as the lowest freezer in our conservatory.

Prevalence of aspirin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aspirin resistance has been recognised to occur in patients with cardiovascular disease and is associated with poor clinical prognosis. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of aspirin resistance in 172 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM-2). Platelet function of 172 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes on chronic aspirin therapy was evaluated. The effect of aspirin was assessed using the platelet function analyser (PFA-100) system, reporting platelet-dependent thrombus formation as the time required to close a small aperture in a biologically active membrane. Resistance to aspirin was defined as a normal collagen/epinephrine-induced closure time (82-165 s). Aspirin responders were defined when closure time was > or =300 s. Thirty-seven (21.5%) of the type 2 diabetic patients were found to be resistant to chronic aspirin therapy, 29 (16.9%) were semi-responders and 106 (61.6%) were responders. Univariate analysis revealed that aspirin non-responders were significantly younger (p<0.05) compared to aspirin responders. A significant number of type 2 diabetic patients are resistant to aspirin therapy. Aspirin resistance can be evaluated by point-of-care testing and should be recognised in diabetic patients that are treated for primary or secondary prevention.

Reduced beta3-endonexin levels are associated with enhanced urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor expression in ApoE-/- mice.

Proteolysis of extracellular matrix components is required for cell migration occurring in atherosclerotic lesion formation. In the present study, gene expression of the urokinase plasmingen activator receptor (uPAR) and underlying mechanisms were analyzed during the development of atherosclerosis in the aorta of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (apoE(-/-)). A significant increase of uPAR expression was detected in the atherosclerotic tissue with advancing plaque-dimension. As uPAR gene transcription involves the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), we analyzed nuclear NF-kappaB activity in vascular tissue of apoE-deficient mice. Congruent to uPAR, we could detect an increase in NF-kappaB activity, which underlines the chronic inflammatory component of the disease. Recently we reported that beta(3)-endonexin, a protein that modulates beta(3)-integrins, regulates uPAR expression through direct interaction with subunits of the NF-kappaB-complex. Herein we could show that beta(3)-endonexin protein is expressed in aortic tissue of mice. Moreover, in contrast to uPAR or NF-kappaB, the expression of beta(3)-endonexin was reduced in extracts of advanced atherosclerotic aortic tissue. The cytoplasmic protein beta(3)-endonexin regulates function of beta(3)-integrins. We revealed that integrin stimulation of endothelial cells led to an enhanced NF-kappaB activity and secretion of the NF-kappaB dependent chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). The beta(3)-integrin dependent increase in MCP-1 was notedly reduced in cells that overexpressed beta(3)-endonexin. These results provide strong evidence that beta(3)-endonexin acts as a regulating factor in the integrin-mediated signal transduction and the present findings imply a pathophysiological role of beta(3)-endonexin in atherogenesis.

Relevance of transient ischemic attack to early neurological recovery after nonlacunar ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that previous transient ischemic attack (TIA) had a favorable effect on early outcome after acute nonlacunar ischemic stroke. METHODS: Data of 1,753 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke collected from a prospective hospital-based stroke registry were studied. A comparison was made of the groups with and without previous TIA. Favorable outcome included spontaneous neurological recovery or grades 0-2 of the modified Rankin scale at hospital discharge. RESULTS: Previous TIA occurred in 55 (11.5%) of 484 patients with lacunar stroke and in 166 (13.1%) of 1,269 patients with nonlacunar stroke. The percentage of nonlacunar ischemic stroke patients with favorable outcome was 21.7% in those with a history of TIA compared to 15% without TIA (p < 0.03). In the lacunar stroke group, differences were not significant. In the multivariate analysis, TIA was an independent predictor of spontaneous in-hospital recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Prior TIA was associated with a favorable outcome in nonlacunar ischemic stroke, suggesting a neuroprotective effect of TIA possibly by inducing a phenomenon of ischemic tolerance allowing better recovery from a subsequent ischemic stroke.

Perfil asistencial de una pauta agrupada de inmunoterapia con extractos de pólenes absorbidos en hidróxido de aluminio / Assistential profile of a cluster immunotherapy schedule with aluminium hydroxide-absorbed pollen extracts

Fundamento: Las pautas convencionales de iniciación de inmunoterapia se utilizan ampliamente a causa de su seguridad bien conocida, pero no se ha demostrado que constituyan un procedimiento óptimo. En los últimos años se han publicado algunas experiencias que avalan la seguridad de pautas agrupadas. Objetivo: Conocer de forma práctica las ventajas asistenciales de una pauta agrupada para extractos de pólenes estandarizados biológicamente y absorbidos en hidróxido de aluminio, en las condiciones de administración controlada en unidades asistenciales de inmunoterapia. Métodos: 139 pacientes alérgicos a pólenes (Olea, gramíneas, Chenopodium, Plantago) se trataron con Pangramín Depot® (ALK-Abelló, España) mediante una pauta de 4 visitas y 10 dosis, siguiendo las recomendaciones de la EAACI en dos unidades de inmunoterapia de Andalucía. El 72 por ciento de ellos tenían rinoconjuntivitis y asma y el 28 por ciento restante sólo rinoconjuntivitis. Se perseguía alcanzar la dosis máxima recomendada por el fabricante. Resultados: Los pacientes hicieron un total de 585 visitas a las unidades de inmunoterapia y recibieron 1.433 dosis. Seis pacientes (4,3 por ciento) presentaron otras tantas reacciones locales inmediatas (0,4 por ciento de las inyecciones) y un paciente (0,7 por ciento) sufrió una reacción sistémica leve (0,07 por ciento de las dosis) consistente en exantema urticarial.Todos alcanzaron la dosis de mantenimiento propuesta por el fabricante, sin abandonos ni exclusiones. Conclusiones: La pauta analizada ahorra considerablemente visitas, es bien aceptada por los pacientes y muestra un perfil de seguridad que permite su utilización habitual. Se propone la realización de otros trabajos que investiguen su utilidad para mejorar la eficacia y conocer el mecanismo de acción (AU)

Búsqueda de una pauta idónea para iniciación de inmunoterapia con un extracto de Alternarla tenuis / Investigation of an adequate immunotherapy initiation schedule with an Alternarla tenues extract

Fundamento: No se ha establecido la pauta de iniciación óptima para un extracto de hongos. En este trabajo se estudia la seguridad de la iniciación con un extracto de Alternaria tenuis estandarizado biológicamente, mediante pautas agrupadas progresivas. en pacientes seleccionados de acuerdo con los criterios establecidos en las guías internacionales. Métodos: Se realiza un estudio de cohortes históricas con 108 pacientes (4 - 28 años: 97 por ciento asmáticos) que recibieron tratamiento con Pangrarnín Depot (A. tenuis) mediante los siguientes esquemas: pauta 1: 4 visitas/10 inyecciones (n=60): pauta 2: 4 visitas/8 inyecciones (n=9): pauta 3: 3 visitas/9 inyecciones (n=6) y pauta 4: 3 visitas/6 inyecciones (n=33). Se aplicaron las guías europeas de administración controlada en tres centros españoles de alergia y se procedió al registro de reacciones mediante la misma normativa. Resultados: Los 108 pacientes realizaron 402 visitas y recibieron 944 dosis. En la pauta 1 aparecieron una reacción local y dos sistémicas leves (grado II). dentro de los 30 minutos de observación y con rápida respuesta al tratamiento. No hubo reacciones en las otras tres pautas. Todos los pacientes alcanzaron la dosis de mantenimiento recomendada por el fabricante. Conclusiones: Las cuatro pautas valoradas han mostrado ser bien toleradas. La más sencilla de ellas (3 visitas/6 dosis) es una alternativa válida para el tratamiento de rutina de pacientes bien seleccionados. en condiciones controladas (AU)

Uso de la hormona de crecimiento humana como coadyuvante en el manejo de la sepsis en niños / Growth hormone as coadjuvant in the treatment of sepsis in children

Para evaluar el efecto de lahormona de crecimiento (GH) en los niños con sépsis se incluyeron 23 pacientes consepsis a quienes fueron asignados 2 grupos:uno que recibió GH despues del tratamiento convencional y otro grupo que solo recibión tratamiento convencional.Conclusión:el uso de GH en niños con sepsis mejora el balance nitrogenado, aumenta los niveles de IGF-1, disminuye los requerimientos de oxígeno y la estadía hospitalaria

Allergy to cow's milk with onset in adult life.

We report a 29-year-old patient with a history of asthma that is sometimes accompanied by urticaria, which is related to the ingestion of milk products. Once these were excluded from his diet no symptoms were observed. Skin tests, specific IgE, histamine release, and oral food challenges were positive to cow's milk and its fractions.