Author Correction: Antihypertensive treatment with calcium channel blockers and renal protection: focus on lercanidipine and lercanidipine/enalapril.

Correction to: European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 2022; 26 (20): 7482-7492. DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202210_30018-PMID: 36314318, published online on October 28, 2022. After publication, the authors applied some corrections to the text: - The section "Clinical Oharmacology of Lercanidipine" has been corrected into "Clinical Pharmacology of Lercanidipine" - The Legend of Figure 2 has been corrected as follows: Ca T-type channels vs. Ca L-type channels selectivity ratio. LAC, lacidipine, AML, amlodipine; MIB, mibefradil; LER, lercanidipine; *p<0.05, ** p<0.01 vs. LAC (low concentrations); †p<0.01 LAC vs. all other CCBs (high concentrations). Source: Modified from 25. - The reference 25 has been changed into: Hart P, Bakris GL. Calcium antagonists: Do they equally protect against kidney injury? Kidney Int 2008; 73: 795-796. There are amendments to this paper. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/30018.

How can clinicians choose between conflicting and discordant systematic reviews? A replication study of the Jadad algorithm.

INTRODUCTION: The exponential growth of published systematic reviews (SRs) presents challenges for decision makers seeking to answer clinical, public health or policy questions. In 1997, an algorithm was created by Jadad et al. to choose the best SR across multiple. Our study aims to replicate author assessments using the Jadad algorithm to determine: (i) if we chose the same SR as the authors; and (ii) if we reach the same results. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Epistemonikos, and Cochrane Database of SRs. We included any study using the Jadad algorithm. We used consensus building strategies to operationalise the algorithm and to ensure a consistent approach to interpretation. RESULTS: We identified 21 studies that used the Jadad algorithm to choose one or more SRs. In 62% (13/21) of cases, we were unable to replicate the Jadad assessment and ultimately chose a different SR than the authors. Overall, 18 out of the 21 (86%) independent Jadad assessments agreed in direction of the findings despite 13 having chosen a different SR. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the Jadad algorithm is not reproducible between users as there are no prescriptive instructions about how to operationalise the algorithm. In the absence of a validated algorithm, we recommend that healthcare providers, policy makers, patients and researchers address conflicts between review findings by choosing the SR(s) with meta-analysis of RCTs that most closely resemble their clinical, public health, or policy question, are the most recent, comprehensive (i.e. number of included RCTs), and at the lowest risk of bias.

Antihypertensive treatment with calcium channel blockers and renal protection: focus on lercanidipine and lercanidipine/enalapril.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to review the literature on clinical pharmacology of lercanidipine and experimental and clinical evidence and evaluate its ability to reduce proteinuria and preserve renal function when used as monotherapy or in combination with the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor enalapril. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MEDLINE/PubMed was searched for appropriate keywords. RESULTS: Lercanidipine, a third-generation calcium channel blocker, has been shown to have a unique pharmacological and clinical profile, which translates into favorable renal hemodynamic changes. The fixed-dose combination lercanidipine/enalapril has been proposed to overcome unmet therapeutic needs, often as the initial treatment in the high-risk patient. CONCLUSIONS: Lercanidipine may be regarded as an ideal antihypertensive drug for patients at renal risk and possibly the preferred choice among calcium channel blocker drugs.

Cucullanus carettae Baylis, 1923, in a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) from the Adriatic sea: first detection and molecular characterization.

Cucullanus carettae Baylis, 1923 (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) is found worldwide in loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). Regarding the Mediterranean, C. carettae has been identified in the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian Sea and a unique description of a Cucullanus sp. specimen in loggerheads from the Adriatic Sea has been reported in the literature so far. In the framework of a bio-monitoring project of the Abruzzo and Molise coasts, a parasitological survey was performed on stranded and by-caught sea turtles, at the Istituto Zooprofilattico of Abruzzo and Molise "G. Caporale." During necropsy, the gastrointestinal system of 72 stranded loggerhead turtles was analyzed for the presence of endoparasites and fecal samples were collected for coprological examination. Adult C. carettae (n = 123) was found in the upper intestine of one loggerhead turtle, associated with chronic lymphoplasmocytic enteritis. Additionally, five stool samples (6.9%) were positive for Cucullanus sp. eggs. Molecular characterization of adult nematodes was carried out to study phylogenetic relationships among the Cucullanus species. To our knowledge, this is the first morphological and molecular identification of C. carettae in loggerhead turtles from the Adriatic Sea. Additional studies on the distribution of this parasite in the Mediterranean are encouraged.

Depression and cardiovascular risk-association among Beck Depression Inventory, PCSK9 levels and insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND: Depression and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are among the most common causes of disability in high-income countries, depression being associated with a 30% increased risk of future CV events. Depression is twice as common in people with diabetes and is associated with a 60% rise in the incidence of type 2 diabetes, an independent CVD risk factor. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a key regulator of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, has been related to a large number of CV risk factors, including insulin resistance. Aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of depression could affect PCSK9 levels in a population of obese subjects susceptible to depressive symptoms and how these changes may mediate a pre-diabetic risk. RESULTS: In 389 obese individuals, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was significantly associated with PCSK9 levels. For every one-unit increment in BDI-II score, PCSK9 rose by 1.85 ng/mL. Depression was associated also with the HOMA-IR (homeostatic model assessment index of insulin resistance), 11% of this effect operating indirectly via PCSK9. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates a possible mechanism linking depression and insulin resistance, a well-known CV risk factor, providing evidence for a significant role of PCSK9.

Changes in circulating pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 levels - experimental and clinical approaches with lipid-lowering agents.

Regulation of pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) by drugs has led to the development of a still small number of agents with powerful activity on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, associated with a significant reduction of cardiovascular events in patients in secondary prevention. The Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects with Elevated Risk (FOURIER) and Evaluation of Cardiovascular Outcomes After an Acute Coronary Syndrome During Treatment With Alirocumab (ODYSSEY OUTCOMES) studies, with the two available PCSK9 antagonists, i.e. evolocumab and alirocumab, both reported a 15% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events. Regulation of PCSK9 expression is dependent upon a number of factors, partly genetic and partly associated to a complex transcriptional system, mainly controlled by sterol regulatory element binding proteins. PCSK9 is further regulated by concomitant drug treatments, particularly by statins, enhancing PCSK9 secretion but decreasing its stimulatory phosphorylated form (S688). These complex transcriptional mechanisms lead to variable circulating levels making clinical measurements of plasma PCSK9 for cardiovascular risk assessment a debated matter. Determination of total PCSK9 levels may provide a diagnostic tool for explaining an apparent resistance to PCSK9 inhibitors, thus indicating the need for other approaches. Newer agents targeting PCSK9 are in clinical development with a major interest in those with a longer duration of action, e.g. RNA silencing, allowing optimal patient compliance. Interest has been expanded to areas not only limited to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction but also investigating other non-lipid pathways raising cardiovascular risk, in particular inflammation associated to raised high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, not significantly affected by the present PCSK9 antagonists.

Lipid lowering drugs and inflammatory changes: an impact on cardiovascular outcomes?

Inflammatory changes are responsible for maintenance of the atherosclerotic process and may underlie some of the most feared vascular complications. Among the multiple mechanisms of inflammation, the arterial deposition of lipids and particularly of cholesterol crystals is the one responsible for the activation of inflammasome NLRP3, followed by the rise of circulating markers, mainly C-reactive protein (CRP). Elevation of lipoproteins, LDL but also VLDL and remnants, associates with increased inflammatory changes and coronary risk. Lipid lowering medications can reduce cholesterolemia and CRP: patients with elevations of both are at greatest cardiovascular (CV) risk and receive maximum benefit from therapy. Evaluation of the major drug series indicates that statins exert the largest LDL and CRP reduction, accompanied by reduced CV events. Other drugs, mainly active on the triglyceride/HDL axis, for example, PPAR agonists, may improve CRP and the lipid pattern, especially in patients with metabolic syndrome. PCSK9 antagonists, the newest most potent medications, do not induce significant changes in inflammatory markers, but patients with the highest baseline CRP levels show the best CV risk reduction. Parallel evaluation of lipids and inflammatory changes clearly indicates a significant link, both guiding to patients at highest risk, and to the best pharmacological approach. Key messages Lipid lowering agents with "pleiotropic" effects provide a more effective approach to CV prevention In CANTOS study, patients achieving on-treatment hsCRP concentrations ≤2 mg/L had a higher benefit in terms of reduction in major CV events The anti-inflammatory activity of PCSK9 antagonists appears to be of a minimal extent.

Knowledge and opinions of veterinary students in Italy toward animal welfare science and law.

Animal welfare (AW) is a growing concern worldwide and veterinary students are expected to demonstrate a high degree of professional interest in the welfare of animals. However, previous studies have highlighted gaps in the teaching of AW teaching in different countries, possibly impairing veterinary competency in the area. This survey aimed to assess the opinions of Italian veterinary students towards AW, as well as their knowledge on the issue. Questions were divided into different sections, investigating the definition of, and information on, AW, knowledge about AW legislation, and the level of tolerance towards AW in regard to the use of animals for different purposes. Results showed that behaviour was the most frequently used word to define AW. Italian students considered their own level of knowledge on AW as good, relying on their university training, websites and television. They requested more AW legislation, but when questioned on specifics of the current legislation, there was a general lack of knowledge. Although poultry, pigs and rabbits were considered the species experiencing the worst management conditions, the species that raised the most AW concerns were companion animals and cattle. Results from this investigation may allow the development of tailored actions aimed at appropriately implementing educational strategies, at national and international levels, to improve the role of future veterinarians as leaders in AW.

Development of a new welfare assessment protocol for practical application in long-term dog shelters.

In many European shelters, dogs may spend many years confined. A poor environment and inappropriate management may lead to a low quality of life. The absence of harmonised European regulatory frameworks defining the minimum requirements for shelter facilities makes the definition of welfare standards for kennelled dogs challenging. Here, a new protocol was developed and tested to help identify the main welfare issues for shelter dogs. Twenty-six indicators were identified including management, resource and animal based measures. Accuracy and interobserver reliability were checked between four assessors. The protocol was applied in 29 shelters (n=1308 dogs) in six European countries. Overall prevalence of poor health conditions was below 10%. Test-retest reliability and validity of the protocol were investigated with encouraging results. A logistic regression was carried out to assess the potential of the protocol as a tool to identify welfare hazards in shelter environments. Inappropriate space allowance, for example, was found to be a risk factor potentially affecting the animal's cleanliness, skin condition and body condition. The protocol was designed to be concise and easy to implement. Systematic data collection could help identify welfare problems that are likely to arise in certain shelter designs and thus determine improvement in animal care standards.

Cirugía del carcinoma mamario revisión de 20 años / Surgery of breast cancer twenty years review

Exponer los diferentes tratamientos quirúrgicos del carcinoma de mama realizados en los últimos veinte años y las características clínico-patológicas tumorales. Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo de pacientes vistos en el lapso comprendido entre junio de 1990 a diciembre de 2009. Se evaluó la procedencia, edad, mama afectada, cuadrante, forma de diagnóstico, tipo histológico, estadio clínico, tratamiento, intervalo libre de enfermedad, recidiva, tiempo de seguimiento. 446 casos, edad promedio 54,91 años (DS± 13,03, rango 22 - 91 años). La mama izquierda presentó lesión tumoral más frecuente. Predominó estadio II. Tipo histológico mayoritario fue carcinoma ductal infiltrante. Los casos avanzados recibieron quimioterapia neoadyuvante, la mayoría de los demás tratamiento adyuvante. El procedimiento quirúrgico fue variable entre mastectomía parcial oncológica, mastectomía radical modificada, cirugía oncoplástica, predominando la primera con 55,83%. El 4,41% de los pacientes presentó recidivas locales, intervalo libre de enfermedad fue 34,52 meses (DS ± 11,31 rango, 10 - 130) después del tratamiento quirúrgico. En relación al seguimiento, se mantienen 408 pacientes (91,47%), con una media de 54,34 meses (DS ± 48,21, rango 1-240 meses) fallecieron 78 pacientes, 22 por comorbilidad (5,39%) y 56 por el cáncer (13,72%), el tiempo de sobrevida fue 42,40 meses (DS ± 25,62, rango 10-132 m.). El carcinoma de mama presenta una historia natural variable, heterogénea, aún después del tratamiento quirúrgico y adyuvante, hay que evitar que la lesión neoplásica progrese a estadios avanzados, y podamos efectuar un diagnóstico temprano

Discuss the different surgical treatments of breast cancer conducted in the last twenty years and clinical and pathological tumor characteristics. We performed descriptive, retrospective study of patients by diagnosis of mammary carcinoma seen in June 1990 to December 2009. The variables were evaluated: origin, age, affected breast, quadrant, form of diagnosis, histological type, clinical stage, treatment, free interval of disease, recurrence, follow-up time. Review 446 cases, the average age was 54.91 years (STD +/- 13.03, range 22 to 91). The left breast made the tumor more frequently. More than half of patients were in stage II at diagnosis. The predominant histological type was infiltrating ductal carcinoma without other specification. More patients received neo-adjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. The surgicalprocedure varied between partial oncologic mastectomies, modified radical mastectomy, oncoplastic surgery, dominating the first one with 55.83 %. 4.41 % the patients had local relapses with a free interval disease of 34.52 months (STD +/- 11.31 r: 10-130) after surgical treatment. Follow-up has been achieving 408 patients (91.47 %), the average was 54.34 month (Std +/- 48.21, range 1-240 m). 78 patients died, 22 for comorbility (5.39 %) and 56 for the cancer (13.72%), the survival average time was 42.40 months (STD +/- 25.62, range 10-132 m). The breast cancer presents highly variable natural history even after surgical and the adjuvant treatment; we must prevent the neoplastic lesion to progress to advanced stages. Early diagnosis is very important

Perfil inmunohistoquímico y la caracterización molecular del carcinoma de mama en una población venezolana / Immunihistochemical profile and molecular characterized in venezuela population

Se planteó evaluar expresión de varios biomarcadores moleculares para exponer un perfil inmunohistoquímico que permita conocer y definir la caracterización molecular de esta neoplasia en una población venezolana. Se evaluó la expresión de varios biomarcadores moleculares en pacientes con carcinoma de glándula mamaria que se realizaron dicho análisis en el laboratorio de anatomía patológica del Hospital Metropolitano del Norte, en el lapso comprendido entre 1999 al 2007. Se clasificaron los tumores empleando los trabajos Wiechmann y Carey, Wiechman y su grupo. Se valoró la expresión de p53, Bcl2 y Ki-67 según los anteriores, se relacionaron con aspectos clínicos patológicos. Edad promedio de los casos fue 51,16 años. Se observó predominio de los luminal. El marcaje del p53 se observó en más del 60 % de los casos clasificados como Her-2+ y triple negativo, y el Bcl2 se expresó en menos del 50 % de los casos en ambos subtipos tumorales mencionados. En cuanto al Ki-67, los Her-2+ presentaron el menor porcentaje de casos que lo expresaron el relación al resto. Los tumores luminal correspondieron a lesiones estadio II y presentaron mayor afectación de la axila, los subtipos Her-2+ y triple negativo con estadios III. Lo obtenido en este estudio parece apuntar que hay diferencias entre los inmunofenotipos considerados, de tal forma que la clasificación mediante estos criterios permitiría discernir formas con diferente pronóstico en nuestras pacientes aunque son necesarios estudios de seguimiento para confirmar este punto

An evaluation was the expression of several molecular biomarkers with the goal of exposing an immunohistochemical profile that allows knowing and better defining the molecular characterization of the tumor in a Venezuelan population. We evaluated the expression of several molecular biomarkers in patients with carcinoma of the breast were performed this analysis at the laboratory of pathology, Hospital Metropolitan of North, Valencia - Carabobo State, Venezuela, in the period between 1999 to 2007. The tumors were classified using the work Wiechmann, and Carey, Wiechmann and group. We evaluated the expression of p53, Bcl2 and Ki-67 according to the above and related to the clinical disease. The average age of cases was 51.16 years. It was observed prevalence of luminal. The labeling of p53 was observed in more than 60% of cases classified as HER-2 + and triple negative, and Bcl2 was expressed in less than 50% of cases in both tumor subtypes above. As for Ki-67, theHer-2 + had the lowest percentage of cases that expressed relative to the rest. Luminal tumors corresponded to stage II lesions had a higher axils, subtypes Her-2 + and triple negative stage III. In particular what was obtained in this study seems to indicate that there are differences between the immunophenotypes considered, so that the classification by these criteria would discern shapes with different prognosis in our patients but followup studies are needed to confirm this point

Cáncer de mama e índice de masa corporal: en mujeres posmenopáusicas / Breast cancer and body mass index: in posmenopausal women

El cáncer de mama representa la segunda causa de muerte por neoplasias malignas en mujeres venezolanas. Sobrepeso y obesidad son factores de riesgo de esta patología, por la producción de estrógenos en el tejido adiposo por procesos enzimáticos. Comprobar la relación entre carcinoma mamario e índice de masa corporal en mujeres posmenopáusicas. Estudio cuantitativo con nivel correlacional, tipo casos y controles. La muestra de tipo no probabilística estuvo compuesta por 103 mujeres posmenopáusicas con cáncer de mama (casos), y 100 mujeres posmenopáusicas sin carcinoma mamario (controles) que acudieron a consulta de la Unidad de Mastología del Centro Médico “Dr. Rafael Guerra Méndez” en Valencia, Estado Carabobo entre 1992 y 2007. La recolección de datos se hizo mediante revisión de historias clínicas, representándose los resultados en mediana, rango intercuartil, prueba de Chi cuadrado, Chi cuadrado con corrección de Yates y la prueba de Wilcoxon. Se clasificaron a las pacientes con y sin cáncer de mama según su índice de masa corporal, el 44,66 por ciento tenían sobrepeso y 36,9 por ciento obesidad; y en los controles el 38 por ciento presentó sobrepeso, 36 por ciento obesidad y 1 por ciento desnutrición. No se estableció una asociación estadísticamente significativa al 95 por ciento de confianza entre el índice y cáncer de mama. No existe relación entre cáncer de mama y el índice de masa corporal en la muestra estudiada. Se sugiere realizar estudios similares en muestras más significativas para así obtener resultados más fidedignos.

Breast cancer is currently the second leading cause of death from malignant tumours in women’s. Recent investigations classified overweight and obesity as risk factors for this disease, the association is due to the production of estrogens in fatty tissue by enzymatic processes. In these work we can determine the relationship between breast carcinoma and body mass index in postmenopausal women. A quantitative correlation study, type cases and controls. The non-probability sample consisted of 103 postmenopausal women with breast cancer (cases), 100 postmenopausal women without breast carcinoma (controls) who came to consult at hospital “Dr. Guerra Mendez” mastology unit, in Valencia, Carabobo between 1992 and 2007. Data collection was done through review of medical records, representing the results in median, interquartile range, Chi square test, Chi square with Yates’ correction and the Wilcoxon test. Patients were classifying in two groups, with and without breast cancer, according to body mass index, noting that in the cases the 44.66 percent were overweight and the 36.9 percent were obese. In the other hand the controls had 38 percent of overweight people, 36 percent obese and 1 percent malnutrition. There was no a statistically significant 95 percent confidence association between index and breast cancer. There is no relationship between breast cancer and the body mass index in the sample studied. These studied suggested to make similar projects with a more samples, and let us to get meaningful and more reliable results.

Fluvastatin synergistically improves the antiproliferative effect of everolimus on rat smooth muscle cells by altering p27Kip1/cyclin E expression.

Multiple intracellular signaling pathways stimulate quiescent smooth muscle cells (SMCs) to exit from G(0) and re-enter the cell cycle. Thus, a combination of two drugs with different mechanisms of action may represent a suitable approach to control SMC proliferation, a prominent feature of in-stent restenosis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of everolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, in combination with fluvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, on proliferation of rat SMCs. The antiproliferative action of everolimus was amplified by 2.5-fold by the addition of subliminal concentrations of fluvastatin (5 x 10(-7) M), lowering the IC(50) value from 2.5 x 10(-9) to 1.0 x 10(-9) M. The increased antiproliferative effect of everolimus by fluvastatin was prevented in the presence of mevalonate, farnesol, or geranylgeraniol, suggesting the involvement of prenylated proteins. Cell cycle analysis and [3H]thymidine incorporation assay demonstrated that the two drugs synergistically interfered with the progression of G(1) phase. In particular, the drug combination significantly up-regulated p27(Kip1) levels by 47.0%, suppressed cyclin E by 43.0%, and it reduced retinoblastoma (Rb) hyperphosphorylation by 79.0%, compared with everolimus alone. Retroviral overexpression of cyclin E conferred a significant resistance of rat SMCs to the antiproliferative action of the drug combination, measured by cell counting, [3H]thymidine incorporation, and cell cycle analysis, with higher levels of hyperphosphorylated form of Rb. Taken together, these results demonstrated that everolimus acts synergistically with fluvastatin to inhibit SMC proliferation by altering the expression of cyclin E and p27(kip1), which affects Rb phosphorylation and leads to G(1) phase arrest.

Aplicación del protocolo de actuación para embarazadas con fenilcetonuria clásica: tres gestaciones con éxito / Application of a protocol for pregnant women with classic phenylketonuria: three successful pregnancies

El síndrome de fenilcetonuria materna (SFM) aparece en hijos de madres afectadas por hiperfenilalaninemia grave o moderada con concentraciones plasmáticas elevadas de fenilalanina(Phe) durante los meses previos y/o la gestación. Cursa con malformaciones similares al síndrome alcoholico fetal y es especialmente frecuente la aparición de microcefalia y retardomental y del desarrollo. La planificación y los controles estrictos de Phe durante el embarazo son fundamentales para evitar la aparición de SFM. Presentamos un protocolo de seguimiento y nuestra experiencia en tres embarazos que han finalizado con éxito

Maternal phenylketonuria syndrome(MPS)occurs in children whose mothers have severe or moderate hyperphenylalaninemia and present high plasma phenylalanine levels during the months prior to and/or throughout pregnancy. MPS presents with malformations similar to those associated with fetal alcohol syndrome, the most common of which are microcephaly, congenital heart defects and mental and developmental retardation. Planning and strict control of phenylalanine levels during pregnancy are essential for the prevention of the development of MPS. We present a follow-up protocol and our experience with three successful pregnancies in women with phenylketonuria

Isothiazoles. Part XV. A mild and efficient synthesis of new antiproliferative 5-sulfanylsubstituted 3-alkylaminoisothiazole 1,1-dioxides.

5-Sulfanyl-3-alkylaminoisothiazole dioxide derivatives have been identified as a new class of potent inhibitors of rat aortic myocite proliferation. They were prepared by applying a simple methodology able to introduce a heteroatom on C-5 of the 3-alkylaminoisothiazole dioxide system. 3-Aminosubstituted-5-chloroisothiazole dioxides react smoothly not only with S-nucleophiles but also with N- and O-nucleophiles affording the corresponding 5-heterosubstituted isothiazole dioxides through an addition-elimination reaction. The behavior of 3-alkylamino-4-bromo-isothiazole 1,1-dioxide with S-, N- and O-nucleophiles affording the same products has also been described. On the contrary, the 3-amino-4,5-unsubstituted isothiazole dioxide system reacts easily only with sulfur nucleophiles affording the corresponding 4,5-dihydro-5-sulfanylderivatives through a simple Michael addition reaction.

Lipid-modified proteins as biomarkers for cardiovascular disease: a review.

Lipid-modified proteins are classified based on the identity of the attached lipid, a post- or co-translational modification required for their biological function. At least five different lipid modifications of cysteines, glycines and other residues on the COOH- and NH(2)-terminal domains have been described. Cysteine residues may be modified by the addition of a 16-carbon saturated fatty acyl group by a labile thioester bond (palmitoylation) or by prenylation processes that catalyze the formation of thioether bond with mevalonate derived isoprenoids, farnesol and geranylgeraniol. The NH(2)-terminal glycine residues may undergo a quite distinct process involving the formation of an amide bond with a 14-carbon saturated acyl group (myristoylation), while glycine residues in the COOH-terminal may be covalently attached with a cholesterol moiety by an ester bond. Finally, cell surface proteins can be anchored to the membrane through the addition of glycosylphosphatidylinositol moiety. Several lines of evidence suggest that lipid-modified proteins are directly involved in different steps of the development of lesions of atherosclerosis, from leukocyte recruitment to plaque rupture, and their expression or lipid modification are likely altered during atherogenesis. This review will briefly summarize the different enzymatic pathways of lipid modification and propose a series of lipid-modified proteins that can be used as biomarkers for cardiovascular disease.

Varón joven con osteoporosis asociada a fenilcetonuria / Young male with phenylcetonuria associated osteoporosis

Se presenta el caso de un varón joven con osteoporosis asociada a fenilcetonuria.El diagnóstico y tratamiento precoz con el ajuste de la ingesta diaria de fenilalaninade la dieta ha mejorado la supervivencia de estos pacientes. Por ello, ladescripción de este caso clínico tiene como objetivo resaltar una de las principalescomplicaciones de esta entidad durante la juventud o en la edad adulta

We report a case of a young male with osteoporosis associated with phenylketonuria.The early diagnosis and treatment with phenylalanine restriction inthe diet has increased the survival of patients with this disease. The objectiveof this report is to increase the awareness of one of the main complications duringyouth or adult life

Electronic identification of cattle: interference in the reading of ceramic bolus transponders in the presence of ruminal magnets.

The authors assess the reading performances of electronic transponders encased in ceramic boluses, utilised as identification (ID) instruments for production ruminants, and the possible influence of the magnet, which is located in the fore-stomach of ruminants. Research has been conducted in free-range Friesian dairy herds in the Teramo Province. The use of the electronic bolus to identify cattle appears to provide better guarantees than the traditional methods used and meets the requirements of identifying individual animals at the farm level. Results demonstrate how the presence of both the magnet and the ceramic bolus, equipped with a transponder, makes it difficult, and sometimes impossible, to read the code. However, the electronic ID system is the best instrument currently available. The authors confirm the validity of this method and highlight some problems that still need to be solved.

Iodine supplementation restores fertility of sheep exposed to iodine deficiency.

The aims of the study were to monitor sheep iodine intake in different sheep breeding farms in Abruzzo and to evaluate the effects of iodine supplementation on ovine fertility. The urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) in animals of 8 out of the 11 breeding farms analyzed were borderline (UIC 100-150 microg/l) or very low (UIC < or = 50 microg/l). Only animals bred in 3 farms showed an adequate iodine intake with a mean UIC > or = 300 microg/l. Animals with very low iodine intake had lower T4 and T3 (p < 0.01) serum levels, compared to those with adequate iodine intake. To investigate the effects of iodine supplementation on ovine fertility, 32 ewes and 20 rams, characterized by low UIC, were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group (16 ewes and 10 rams) received a sc injection of 1 ml of Lipiodol, containing 480 mg of iodine, while the remaining animals were employed as control. This treatment was able to maintain UIC above 300 microg/l for 3 months and to increase T4 and T3 serum levels (p < 0.01). After 9 months, the fertility of control and treated animals was assessed by monitoring the rate of successful matings by ultrasonography. The results showed that 100% of treated ewes mated with treated rams were pregnant vs 37% of the control ewes mated with control rams (p = 0.007). The iodine content was 4-fold higher in milk from treated ewes (2393 +/- 453 microg/l), compared to controls (675 +/- 154 microg/l). The results demonstrated that iodine supplementation restores fertility of sheep living in iodine deficient areas and may represent a means to achieve a silent iodine prophylaxis of local populations.