Association of tyrosine hydroxylase 01 (TH01) microsatellite and insulin gene (INS) variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) with type 2 diabetes and fasting insulin secretion in Mexican population.

PURPOSE: A variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in the insulin gene (INS) control region may be involved in type 2 diabetes (T2D). The TH01 microsatellite is near INS and may regulate it. We investigated whether the TH01 microsatellite and INS VNTR, assessed via the surrogate marker single nucleotide polymorphism rs689, are associated with T2D and serum insulin levels in a Mexican population. METHODS: We analyzed a main case-control study (n = 1986) that used univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to calculate the risk conferred by TH01 and rs689 loci for T2D development; rs689 results were replicated in other case-control (n = 1188) and cross-sectional (n = 1914) studies. RESULTS: TH01 alleles 6, 8, 9, and 9.3 and allele A of rs689 were independently associated with T2D, with differences between sex and age at diagnosis. TH01 alleles with ≥ 8 repeats conferred an increased risk for T2D in males compared with ≤ 7 repeats (odds ratio, ≥ 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.95). In females, larger alleles conferred a 1.5-fold higher risk for T2D when diagnosed ≥ 46 years but conferred protection when diagnosed ≤ 45 years. Similarly, rs689 allele A was associated with T2D in these groups. In males, larger TH01 alleles and the rs689 A allele were associated with a significant decrease in median fasting plasma insulin concentration with age in T2D cases; the reverse occurred in controls. CONCLUSION: Larger TH01 alleles and rs689 A allele may potentiate insulin synthesis in males without T2D, a process disabled in those with T2D.

The immune response to Hymenolepis nana in mice decreases tumorigenesis induced by 7,12 dimethylbenz-anthracene.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a high-impact disease throughout the world. A negative correlation has been established between the development of cancer and the Th2 immune response. Infection by helminth parasites is characterized by the induction of a strong and long-lasting Th2 response. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the immune response induced by the infection with the helminth Hymenolepis nana, on the tumorigenesis induced by dimethylbenz-anthracene (DMBA) in mice. METHODOLOGY: Four different groups of 14 female BALB/c mice were formed; Group A, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (vehicle) was administered cutaneously, Group B infected with H. nana, group C, cutaneously DMBA and finally Group D infected with H. nana and cutaneous DMBA. The tumor load was determined in those animals that developed cancerous lesions. In all groups were determined: serum concentration of IgE, IFNγ, IL-10, IL-5 and malondialdehyde (MDA). The inflammatory infiltrate was analyzed from skin samples and the expression of the main eosinophilic protein and myeloperoxidase was determined. RESULTS: The group previously infected with H. nana had a reduced amount of tumors with smaller size, in comparison to the group that received only DMBA; this reduction was associated with lower levels of IFNγ and IL-10, while levels of IgE, IL-5 and MDA were higher. Further, the number of eosinophils and neutrophils was statistically higher in the animals that were previously infected with the helminth and developed less tumors. CONCLUSION: The immune response induced by H. nana infection is associated with the reduction of tumors probably due to the activity of eosinophils and neutrophils.

Reduction of respiratory infections in asthma patients supplemented with vitamin D is related to increased serum IL-10 and IFNγ levels and cathelicidin expression.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is a molecule that modulates the immune response and shows anti-inflammatory effects that are beneficial for the control of chronic diseases such as asthma. The trial aim was to explore the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the colonization of pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract of allergic asthmatic patients. METHODS: This study was conducted in 86 patients between 18 and 50 years of age who were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups received the treatment recommended by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). One group also received calcitriol (1,25-(OH)2D3), and the other group received a placebo. At baseline and 6 months, skin prick tests were conducted, pharyngeal bacterial cultures were performed, and cathelicidin LL-37 was measured in sputum. Serum levels of IgE, eosinophils, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, and IFNγ were quantified at the beginning and the end of the study. RESULTS: Serum levels of IL-10 and IFNγ increased significantly in the group of patients with vitamin D supplementation, while IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13 decreased significantly. At the end of the trial, IgE and eosinophil levels significantly decreased but allergen sensitivity did not show any changes from baseline. Respiratory infections were drastically reduced, and this decrease was related to the number of patients who had high serum levels of IL-10 and IFNγ and expressed LL-37 in their sputum. CONCLUSION: Treatment of asthma patients with vitamin D reduced respiratory infections, and this effect was related to the increase of cathelicidin LL-37.

Pharmacodynamic evaluation of a reference and a generic toltrazuril preparation in broilers experimentally infected with Eimeria tenella or E. acervulina.

Abstract 1. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on pigmentation, faecal oocyst output, immune responsiveness and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation following treatment with either the reference toltrazuril (Baycox) or a generic preparation (gen-TTZ), during an experimental Eimeria tenella (Et) or E. acervulina (Ea) infection of 210 Ross broiler chickens. 2. Results showed a significant difference on the anticoccidial efficacy 6 d after treating infected animals with Baycox (Et: 99.69% and Ea: 99.52%) or gen-TTZ (Et:85.71% and Ea 81.81%). 3. Gen-TTZ-treated animals were less strongly carotenoid-pigmented than Baycox-treated broilers. Mean plasma carotenoid concentrations were significantly higher in groups treated with Baycox than in broilers given gen-TTZ. 4. Treatment of animals with Baycox led to a significant decrease in ability of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells to produce ROS in contrast to gen-TTZ-treated groups. Baycox, but not generic toltrazuril, increased IL-10 and decreased tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) concentrations in chickens infected with E. tenella and E. acervulina. 5. It is suggested that differences in anticoccidial efficacy may be observed when using a generic toltrazuril product. Hence, in addition to plasma profiles of drugs, standardised clinical control tests may be necessary for generic formulations, particularly if other parameters are important to achieve a better control of coccidiosis.

Effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania mexicana.

The most active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D3 is a steroid hormone implicated in a wide range of cell functions such as differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. Leishmania mexicana causes two kinds of cutaneous leishmaniasis: localized or diffuse. In this work we explored the effect of treatment of 1,25(OH)2D3 on a susceptible leishmaniasis mice model. A significant reduction in the lesion size was found in animals treated with 1,25(OH)2D3. Well preserved tissue and presence of large numbers of eosinophils and fibroblasts was found in the group treated with 1,25(OH)2D3. By contrast, destroyed epidermis was observed with large amount of neutrophils and epithelioid macrophages, on infected groups without 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment. The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in mice infected and treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 was lower than the animals infected without 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment. Interestingly, there were no differences in the number of parasites in both groups. Finally, the amount of collagen was higher in animals with treatment compare with animals without 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment. In summary, mice treated with 1,25 (OH) 2D3 reflect a healing process without elimination of L. mexicana.

[Severe perioperative thrombocytosis in a patient undergoing lung resection]. / Trombocitosis severa perioperatoria en un caso de resección pulmonar.

Severe thrombocytosis (platelet count > 1,000,000 microL(-1)) is a rare, usually reactive, process and few perioperative cases have been reported. We describe the management of a patient who developed severe reactive thrombocytosis in the preoperative period before undergoing segmentectomy to remove a malignant nodule. A platelet count of 2,086,000 microL(-1) was observed during the first few days after surgery; we therefore started antiplatelet therapy to prevent thrombotic complications. We analyze the factors that might have contributed to the development of severe thrombocytosis in this case and discuss the different treatment options that may affect perioperative outcomes in these patients.

Trombocitosis severa perioperatoria en un caso de resección pulmonar / Severe perioperative thrombocytosis in a patient undergoing lung resection

La trombocitosis severa, definida como una cifra deplaquetas superior a 1.000.000 mL-1, es una entidad infrecuenteque generalmente tiene un origen reactivo, y de lacual se han publicado pocos casos relacionados con elperiodo perioperatorio. Describimos el manejo de unpaciente intervenido de resección pulmonar segmentariapor nódulo maligno que ya en el preoperatorio presentabatrombocitosis reactiva severa. En los primeros díastras la intervención alcanzó un máximo de 2.086.000 plaquetasmL-1, por lo que iniciamos tratamiento antiagregantepara intentar prevenir complicaciones trombóticas.Se analizan las causas que pudieron contribuir aldesarrollo de esta trombocitosis severa y las distintasopciones terapéuticas que pueden tener influencia en elresultado perioperatorio de los pacientes afectos de estaentidad clínica(AU)

Severe thrombocytosis (platelet count >1 000 000 mL-1)is a rare, usually reactive, process and few perioperativecases have been reported. We describe the managementof a patient who developed severe reactivethrombocytosis in the preoperative period beforeundergoing segmentectomy to remove a malignantnodule. A platelet count of 2 086 000 mL-1 was observedduring the first few days after surgery; we thereforestarted antiplatelet therapy to prevent thromboticcomplications. We analyze the factors that might havecontributed to the development of severe thrombocytosisin this case and discuss the different treatment optionsthat may affect perioperative outcomes in these patients(AU)

Decrease of muscarinic cholinergic receptors expression in placenta from rats exposed to methyl parathion.

Placental transfer of methyl parathion (MP), an organophosphate pesticide, could involve effects on cholinergic system. To analyze whether placental cholinergic system is altered by prenatal exposure to MP, expression of muscarinic cholinergic receptors (M1 and M2 subtypes; mAChR) was determined in pregnant rats exposed to MP at 0.0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg/kg. An immunohistochemical analysis for M1 and M2 mAChR was performed, and the density of the mAChR signal was measured by image analysis. M1 and M2 mAChR were found in the trophoblast present in the labyrinth, with an 18% predominance of M2 over M1 in the non-exposed group. The expression of M1 and M2 mAChR in placentas exposed to MP showed a decrease when compared with the non-exposed group (P < 0.05); a dose-response effect was not detected. These results demonstrate that prenatal exposure to MP causes changes in the placental expression of mAChR M1 and M2, suggesting that related placental cholinergic functions could be affected.

Entamoeba histolytica: inflammatory process during amoebic liver abscess formation involves cyclooxygenase-2 expression in macrophages and trophozoites.

It has been demonstrated that expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) isoform is induced by Entamoeba histolytica in macrophages and polymorphonuclear cells during amoebic liver abscess (ALA) formation in hamsters. Trophozoites present in the lesion were also positive for COX-2 signal. However, no cross reactivity of the anti-COX-2 antibody with protein extract of cultivated trophozoites was found. To clarify if trophozoites are involved in PGE(2) production during ALA development, COX-2 expression was detected by in situ hybridization and RT-PCR in liver tissue from intrahepatically infected hamsters. COX-2 mRNA was in polymorphonuclear cells since 4h postinfection, and subsequently, local macrophages expressed COX-2 mRNA in a similar way. Additionally, a positive signal for COX-2 mRNA expression was detected in E. histolytica trophozoites, suggesting that, in vivo, parasite COX expression may be an important mechanism to promote inflammation.

Entamoeba histolytica: induction of cyclooxygenase-2 expression during amoebic liver abscess formation in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus).

Experimental amoebic liver abscess in hamsters curses with an increase in both, systemic levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE(2)) and local cyclooxygenase activity in liver microsomes. The cellular source of PGE(2) and the isoform of cyclooxygenase responsible are not completely evidenced. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein and gene expression were demonstrated on macrophages and polymorphonuclear cells as a result of Entamoeba histolytica infection in hamsters at 2, 4, and 7 days postinfection by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. E. histolytica trophozoites located in the lesion showed a strong positive signal for COX-2, however the enzyme was not detected in cultured trophozoites by Western blot. Our results indicate that the increment in PGE(2) is the result of COX-2 activity from cells of the reticuloendothelial system and reinforce the possibility that PGE(2) production by enzyme induction in macrophages may be a mechanism by which E. histolytica modulates the host immune response in this parasitic infection.

Parathion, a cholinesterase-inhibiting plaguicide induces changes in tertiary villi of placenta of women exposed: a scanning electron microscopy study.

The objective of this work was to describe the anatomy of placentas from women who were at risk of exposure to parathion during their pregnancy, when examined with the light and scanning electron microscopes. Twenty term placentas were analyzed; 10 from women living in an agricultural area, who were at risk of exposure to parathion during their pregnancy, and 10 from women living in an urban area, not expressly exposed to pesticides. Each sample was examined with both light and scanning electron microscopes. Cholinesterase activity was significantly reduced in blood from women of the exposed group. In some placentas of women exposed to parathion, recent microinfarctions, microcalcifications and increased deposition of fibrinoid material were seen, along with a larger proportion of atypical characteristics of villi, such as bullous and balloon-like formations with nonhomogeneous surface, and other areas devoid of microvilli. These observations suggest that in chronic exposure to pesticides, the rate of atypical characteristics of placental villi increases, which could be related to changes in the fetus biology. In this study, one newborn from the exposed group showed intrauterine growth retardation and another one, some signs of hypoxia.

Liver function tests during amoebic liver abscess formation in indomethacin-treated hamsters.

Establishment of Entamoeba histolytica infection is facilitated through macrophage effector disruption by a prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-mediated mechanism. Infection severity may be measured by weight of abscess formed. Indomethacin (Indo) treatment of infected hamsters reduced abscess weight by 30% at 7 days post-infection presumably by inhibition of PGE2. To explain reductions in abscess development by Indo treatment, we determined liver functionality in Indo-treated or untreated animals, either healthy or infected. Determinations of serum glutamic oxaloacetic (SGOT) and glutamic pyruvic (SGPT) transaminases, serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP), total serum protein (TSP), and bilirubinemia were done. SGOT, SGPT, and SAP activities showed a significant increase in their values by 600% at seven days post-infection in infected animals in both conditions; nonstatistical differences were found between animals treated or not. This increase did not correlate with the percentage of damage. Infected nontreated hamsters showed TSP levels 30% below normal group (P < 0.05). Infected Indo-treated hamsters had no significant differences compared to normal values. Infected nontreated animals showed an increase in bilirubin, particularly in indirect bilirubin, whereas infected Indo-treated hamsters showed total bilirubin values lower than normals (P < 0.05), with a decrease in direct bilirubin levels. Our results demonstrated that E. histolytica infection in hamsters produces similar abnormalities in liver function as it does in humans, and that the beneficial effect of Indo treatment on amoebic abscess development is not related with an improvement of liver functionality.

[Thin-needle aspiration biopsy in thoracic lesions. Analysis of 60 cases in a General Zone Hospital]. / Biopsia por aspiración con aguja delgada en lesiones torácicas. Análisis de 60 casos en un Hospital General de Zona.

The intention of the study was to confirm the usefulness of the transthoracic fine needle biopsy aspiration (FNBA) procedure, in a second level hospital that did not have technologically advanced equipment to locate thoracic diseases, such as computerized tomography, fluoroscopy or ultrasonography. Employing a vertical and horizontal coordinate design and posteroanterior as well as lateral radiological studies, specimens were taken from 77 patients. Of this total only 60 (77.9%) were in proper conditions to be examined; in seven (11.6%) patients a second aspiration was required. Of the total suitable specimens, malignant neoplasms were found in 46 (76.7%), and inflammatory diseases were detected in 14 (23.3%). The most frequent diagnoses were squamous cell carcinoma in 20 (33.3%), undifferentiated carcinoma in seven (11.6%), and bronchoalveolar carcinoma in another seven (11.6%). In 12 patients, it was possible to obtain tissue samples and in two patients, autopsy was performed; in all of them, the FNBA diagnoses were confirmed. Four (6.6%) patients suffered complications like pneumothorax, three were cured spontaneously, and one was treated with tube drainage. FNBA demonstrated its usefulness in a hospital with limited technological resources; 77.9% of the patients were property diagnosed with reduced cost, minimal morbidity, and without mortality.

[Chronic endometriosis caused by Trichinella spiralis. Report of a case]. / Endometritis crónica por Trichinella spiralis. Presentación de un caso.

A case of endometrial trichinosis is reported; the patient lived rear Cd. Delicias, Chih., an endemic area for trichinosis. A 38 years old obese, diabetic woman, with high blood pressure, used to eat frequently pork meat and its products; she presented with abnormal genital bleeding, abdominal pain, and pelvic congestion. Histerectomy was performed. Pathological study of the uterus showed Trichinella spiralis larvae with microcalcifications, and lymphocytic infiltration in basal endometrium. As far as we know endometrial trichinosis has not been previously described.

[Acute appendicitis. A clinicopathological analysis of 200 cases]. / Apendicitis aguda. Análisis clinicopatológico de 200 casos.

OBJECTIVES: a) to carry out a prospective study of 200 cases of acute appendicitis in adult patients; b) to correlate clinical, laboratory, radiological, and pathological findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: clinical data were collected from all patients; every patient had hematic biometry, urine exam (UE), abdominal radiography, an histopathological study appendix. RESULTS: the patients were 98 males and 102 females; 66.5% were between 15 and 25 years old. All patients had abdominal pain, 56.5% nausea and vomit, 49% fever, 10.5% diarrhea, and 6% urinary symptoms. Post-operatory complications were seen in 24.5%. Leucocytosis greater than 10,000 was found in 82.5%, some alteration of UE in 45%, and abnormal radiography in 56.5%. Histopathological study showed simple appendicitis in 16.5%, hemorrhagic in 8%, purulent in 22%, hemo-purulent in 30.5%, an perforated in 21%. CONCLUSIONS: the diagnosis of appendicitis is basically a clinical one, since 17.5% showed normal white-cell count, and 43.5% normal radiography.

[Acute trichinosis. Epidemics of 166 cases in Delicias City, Chih. Diagnosis with tissue compression and staining]. / Triquinosis aguda. Epidemia de 166 casos en Ciudad Delicias, Chih. Diagnóstico por compresión tisular y tinción.

The purposes of this report are: a) To show outstanding clinicopathological characteristics from the largest outbreak of trichinosis in México. b) To describe a modification to the traditional trichinoscopy through the use of compressed muscle stained with ordinary dyes an immediate observation; we have called the procedure tissular compression and dyeing technique (TCDT). The outbreak occurred in Delicias, Chihuahua, and affected 166 inhabitants who ate a not well cooked pork sausage. All patients showed malaise, 85.5 percent myalgias, and 72.7 percent facial edema; leucocytosis was seen in 75 percent of the patients, 60 percent with eosinophilia. Electromyography was performed in 21 patients in the acute phase of the illness and it was found abnormal in 85.7 percent. Only one patient died (0.6%). From 59 patients who were considered very ill, muscle biopsies were taken, and the conventional histopathological study showed larvae in 88.1 percent. TCDT demonstrated worms in 90.3 percent out of 47 biopsies; larvae were seen free and into muscle fibers with or without capsule cells. In conclusion TCDT is a simple, fast and easy reproducible procedure.