DNA paternity tests in Spain without the mother's consent: the legal responsibility of the laboratories

It is technically feasible to perform paternity diagnosis testing solely involving an alleged father and his descendent. However, there are serious legal and ethical problems for forensic genetics laboratories when it comes to paternity testing cases for investigating the alleged father-child relationship if the biological mother has not given consent to access her genetic information. Based on the Spanish Constitution, the new Code of Ethics of the Spanish Medical Association includes several articles on studies about genetic information and their acceptance by all the individuals involved. This problem is greater when the child is a minor, mentally incapacitated or psychologically incapable, because current Spanish law requires informed consent from legal representatives, but the law does not typify what happens when one parent gives consent (the putative father) and the other parent (the mother) does not agree. The aim of this study is to put forward legal solutions to avoid potential legal problems.

Analytical formulation of directly modulated OOFDM signals transmitted over an IM/DD dispersive link

We provide an analytical study on the propagation effects of a directly modulated OOFDM signal through a dispersive fiber and subsequent photo-detection. The analysis includes the effects of the laser operation point and the interplay between chromatic dispersion and laser chirp. The final expression allows to understand the physics behind the transmission of a multi-carrier signal in the presence of residual frequency modulation and the description of the induced intermodulation distortion gives us a detailed insight into the diferent intermodulation products which impair the recovered signal at the receiver-end side. Numerical comparisons between transmission simulations results and those provided by evaluating the expression obtained are carried out for different laser operation points. Results obtained by changing the fiber length, laser parameters and using single mode fiber with negative and positive dispersion are calculated in order to demonstrate the validity and versatility of the theory provided in this paper. Therefore, a novel analytical formulation is presented as a versatile tool for the description and study of IM/DD OOFDM systems with variable design parameters.

[The 2013 Seville Consensus Document on alternatives to allogenic blood transfusion. An update on the Seville Document]

Since allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) is not harmless, multiple alternatives to ABT (AABT) have emerged, though there is great variability in their indications and appropriate use. This variability results from the interaction of a number of factors, including the specialty of the physician, knowledge and preferences, the degree of anemia, transfusion policy, and AABT availability. Since AABTs are not harmless and may not meet cost-effectiveness criteria, such variability is unacceptable. The Spanish Societies of Anesthesiology (SEDAR), Hematology and Hemotherapy (SEHH), Hospital Pharmacy (SEFH), Critical Care Medicine (SEMICYUC), Thrombosis and Hemostasis (SETH) and Blood Transfusion (SETS) have developed a Consensus Document for the proper use of AABTs. A panel of experts convened by these 6 Societies have conducted a systematic review of the medical literature and have developed the 2013 Seville Consensus Document on Alternatives to Allogeneic Blood Transfusion, which only considers those AABT aimed at decreasing the transfusion of packed red cells. AABTs are defined as any pharmacological or non-pharmacological measure aimed at decreasing the transfusion of red blood cell concentrates, while preserving patient safety. For each AABT, the main question formulated, positively or negatively, is: « Does this particular AABT reduce the transfusion rate or not?» All the recommendations on the use of AABTs were formulated according to the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology.

[The 2013 Seville Consensus Document on alternatives to allogenic blood transfusion. An update on the Seville Document]

Since allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) is not harmless, multiple alternatives to ABT (AABT) have emerged, though there is great variability in their indications and appropriate use. This variability results from the interaction of a number of factors, including the specialty of the physician, knowledge and preferences, the degree of anemia, transfusion policy, and AABT availability. Since AABTs are not harmless and may not meet cost-effectiveness criteria, such variability is unacceptable. The Spanish Societies of Anesthesiology (SEDAR), Hematology and Hemotherapy (SEHH), Hospital Pharmacy (SEFH), Critical Care Medicine (SEMICYUC), Thrombosis and Hemostasis (SETH) and Blood Transfusion (SETS) have developed a Consensus Document for the proper use of AABTs. A panel of experts convened by these 6 Societies have conducted a systematic review of the medical literature and have developed the 2013 Seville Consensus Document on Alternatives to Allogeneic Blood Transfusion, which only considers those AABT aimed at decreasing the transfusion of packed red cells. AABTs are defined as any pharmacological or non-pharmacological measure aimed at decreasing the transfusion of red blood cell concentrates, while preserving patient safety. For each AABT, the main question formulated, positively or negatively, is: "Does this particular AABT reduce the transfusion rate or not?" All the recommendations on the use of AABTs were formulated according to the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology.

The sedative effects of hops (Humulus lupulus), a component of beer, on the activity/rest rhythm

The hop (Humulus lupulus), a component of beer, is a sedative plant whose pharmacological activity is due principally to its bitter resins, especially to the α-acid component 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol. The mechanism of action of the resin of hop consists of increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric (GABA), inhibiting the central nervous system (CNS).

OBJECTIVES

To analyze in an experimental model of diurnal animal the sedative effect of hop, a component of beer, on the activity/rest rhythm.

METHODS

Experiments were performed with common quail (Coturnix coturnix) similar to humans in the sleep-wake rhythm, isolated in 25 × 25 × 25 cm methacrylate cages, with food and water ad libitum, in a room with artificial ventilation (22 ± 1 °C) and a lighting cycle of 12L/12D (n = 5). The doses administered, close to the content of non-alcoholic beer, were 1, 2 and 11 mg extract of hop as one capsule per day, at 18:00 h for one week. A control group received capsules only with a methylcellulose excipient and a basal group received no treatment. The chronobiological analysis of the animals' activity captured and logged by the software DAS24 was performed using the Ritme computer program (cosinor methods).

RESULTS

With the dose of 2 mg, there was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction of the arithmetic mean nocturnal activity (23 ± 3.0) with respect to the basal (38.56 ± 2.79), control (38.1 ± 2.8) and other doses groups 1 mg (52.04 ± 3.65) and 11 mg (47.47 ± 5.88). This dose of 2 mg, similar to the concentration in beer, was more effective in reducing nocturnal activity than the other doses of 1 and 11 mg, as well as preserving the circadian activity/rest rhythm.

CONCLUSION

The concentration of 2 mg of hop extract effectively decreased nocturnal activity in the circadian activity rhythm. On the basis of this investigation, administration of non-alcoholic beer would be recommended due to its hop content and consequent sedative action, which would be an aid to nocturnal sleep.

Enhanced expression of Rhizobium etli cbb₃ oxidase improves drought tolerance of common bean symbiotic nitrogen fixation

To investigate the involvement of Rhizobium etli cbb(3) oxidase in the response of Phaseolus vulgaris to drought, common bean plants were inoculated with the R. etli strain, CFNX713, overexpressing this oxidase in bacteroids (cbb(3)(+)) and subjected to drought conditions. The negative effect of drought on plant and nodule dryweight, nitrogen content, and nodule functionality was more pronounced in plants inoculated with the wild-type (WT) strain than in those inoculated with the cbb(3)(+) strain. Regardless of the plant treatment, bacteroids produced by the cbb(3)(+) strain showed higher respiratory capacity than those produced by the WT strain. Inoculation of plants with the cbb(3)(+) strain alleviated the negative effect of a moderate drought on the respiratory capacity of bacteroids and the energy charge of the nodules. Expression of the FixP and FixO components of the cbb(3) oxidase was higher in bacteroids of the cbb(3)(+) strain than in those of the WT strain under all experimental conditions. The decline in sucrose synthase activity and the decrease in dicarboxylic acids provoked by moderate drought stress were more pronounced in nodules from plants inoculated with the WT strain than in those inoculated with the cbb(3)(+) strain. Taken together, these results suggest that inoculation of plants with a R. etli strain having enhanced expression of cbb(3) oxidase in bacteroids reduces the sensitivity of P. vulgaris-R. etli symbiosis to drought and can modulate carbon metabolism in nodules.

Engorda de corderos Pelibuey con diferente nivel de alfalfa en la dieta

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de diferentes niveles de alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) en la dieta de corderos sobre el comportamiento productivo, durante 11 semanas. Se utilizaron 36 corderos machos Pelibuey de 5 meses de edad, en estabulación, con peso inicial promedio de 22 kg, distribuidos homogéneamente en cuatro grupos de 3 animales cada uno, con 3 repeticiones por grupo. Los grupos fueron asignados al azar a cada uno de cuatro tratamientos evaluados: 0, 20, 30 y 40 % de alfalfa (base seca). Se utilizó un diseño completamente al azar, utilizando el Proc GLM (SAS, 1999) y cuando se observaron diferencias estadísticas, se realizó una comparación de medias utilizando la prueba de Tukey. Se determinó consumo de alimento, ganancia de peso, conversión, eficiencia alimenticia, rendimiento de canal en caliente y frio, y pH de la canal; además de la degradabilidad in situ de la MS de las dietas. El consumo de MS aumentó (p0,05), promediando 271 g animal-1 día-1. Tampoco hubo variación (p>0,05) en el peso final, conversión y eficiencia alimenticia, promediando 38,0 kg animal-1,4,74 y 0,212, respectivamente. El peso (19,3 y 18,8 kg) y rendimiento (54,4 y 53,0 %) de canal en caliente y fría, fueron similares entre tratamientos. Incluir alfalfa en la dieta de corderos, no ofrece ventajas en la ganancia de peso, sin embargo hasta 40 %, podría ser atractivo económicamente para el productor, además de promover mayor consumo de MS.

[Resistance training reduces the metabolic acidosis and hepatic and renal hypertrophy caused by the consumption of a high protein diet in rats]

INTRODUCTION

High protein (HP) diet consumption may adversely affect metabolic acidosis and hepatic and renal health. Despite such potentially adverse effect, there are only few studies analyzing the effects of resistance training on the parameters that could be altered by such diets.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 32 adult male Wistar rats were randomly distributed in 4 experimental groups (n = 8): normoprotein or HP diets, with or without resistance training. Diets were based on a whey protein hydrolyzate, and the experimental period lasted for 90 days.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Consumption of HP diets and resistance training significantly affected food intake, body composition and plasmatic levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides. Consumption of HP diets led to a considerable increase in liver and kidney weight (P < 0.001), urinary volume and acidity, as well as in the urinary excretion of Ca, with a parallel reduction in the urinary excretion of citrate (P < 0.05). The buffering action of resistance training on such diet-induced alterations was especially evident in the levels of hepatic and plasma triglycerides, plasmatic urea, and in liver and kidney weight (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Resistance training had a protective action against alterations of hepatic and renal health status and some metabolic parameters like hepatic and plasma triglycerides.

Pharmacological effects of Lu AA21004: a novel multimodal compound for the treatment of major depressive disorder

1-[2-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl-sulfanyl)-phenyl]-piperazine (Lu AA21004) is a human (h) serotonin (5-HT)(3A) receptor antagonist (K(i) = 3.7 nM), h5-HT(7) receptor antagonist (K(i) = 19 nM), h5-HT(1B) receptor partial agonist (K(i) = 33 nM), h5-HT(1A) receptor agonist (K(i) = 15 nM), and a human 5-HT transporter (SERT) inhibitor (K(i) = 1.6 nM) (J Med Chem 54:3206-3221, 2011). Here, we confirm that Lu AA21004 is a partial h5-HT(1B) receptor agonist [EC(50) = 460 nM, intrinsic activity = 22%] using a whole-cell cAMP-based assay and demonstrate that Lu AA21004 is a rat (r) 5-HT(7) receptor antagonist (K(i) = 200 nM and IC(50) = 2080 nM). In vivo, Lu AA21004 occupies the r5-HT(1B) receptor and rSERT (ED(50) = 3.2 and 0.4 mg/kg, respectively) after subcutaneous administration and is a 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist in the Bezold-Jarisch reflex assay (ED(50) = 0.11 mg/kg s.c.). In rat microdialysis experiments, Lu AA21004 (2.5-10.0 mg/kg s.c.) increased extracellular 5-HT, dopamine, and noradrenaline in the medial prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus. Lu AA21004 (5 mg/kg per day for 3 days; minipump subcutaneously), corresponding to 41% rSERT occupancy, significantly increased extracellular 5-HT in the ventral hippocampus. Furthermore, the 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist, ondansetron, potentiated the increase in extracellular levels of 5-HT induced by citalopram. Lu AA21004 has antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects in the rat forced swim (Flinders Sensitive Line) and social interaction and conditioned fear tests (minimal effective doses: 7.8, 2.0, and 3.9 mg/kg). In conclusion, Lu AA21004 mediates its pharmacological effects via two pharmacological modalities: SERT inhibition and 5-HT receptor modulation. In vivo, this results in enhanced release of several neurotransmitters and antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like profiles at doses for which targets in addition to the SERT are occupied. The multimodal activity profile of Lu AA21004 is distinct from that of current antidepressants.

Chemotherapy sensitivity recovery of prostate cancer cells by functional inhibition and knock down of multidrug resistance proteins

BACKGROUND

In several cancer types, expression of multidrug resistance (MDR) proteins has been associated with lack of chemotherapy response. In advanced prostate cancer (PCa) the use of chemotherapy is mainly palliative due to its high resistance. Previously, we described that MDR phenotype in PCa could be related with high basal and drug-induced expression of MDR proteins P-Glycoprotein (P-Gp), MRP1, and LRP.

METHODS

Using primary cell cultures from PCa patients, we evaluated the effect of function and expression inhibition of P-Gp, MRP1, and LRP, on cell survival after chemotherapy exposure. Cells were treated with specific MDR protein substrates (docetaxel and mitoxantrone for P-Gp, methotrexate for MRP1 and cisplatin for LRP) and pharmacological inhibitors (cyclosporine A, genistein and 3-aminobenzamide), and cell survival was evaluated trough 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell cycle analysis. MRP1 activity was evaluated by FACS using the specific inhibitor MK571. Cells were transfected with MDR proteins siRNAs and treated with the corresponding substrates.

RESULTS

PCa cell resistance to MDR protein substrates was partially reversed, decreasing cell survival in around 20%, by treating primary cell cultures with specific pharmacological inhibitors. PCa cells transfected with siRNAs against MDR proteins decreased cell survival when treated with the corresponding drugs. Docetaxel was the most effective chemotherapeutic drug to induce cell death and decrease survival.

CONCLUSION

Low chemotherapy response in PCa could be explained, in part, by over-expression of functional MDR proteins. Expression and function of these proteins should be evaluated to enhance efficacy of docetaxel-based therapies of patients with hormone-resistant PCa.

[Automatic detection of microaneurysms in colour fundus images]

PURPOSE

We present the development of a tool for the automatic detection of microaneurysms and its clinical evaluation. The intention of this tool is to facilitate the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy in general screening programs.

METHOD

The designed and developed tool consists of three stages of processing: 1) Obtaining of the basic image of eye with the retinal camera, inverted image on the green channel, and a high-pass filter of the image. This phase enhances the microaneurysms. 2) Detection of the candidates for microaneurysms, by means of an adaptive prediction filter and regions growth. 3) Selection, among the candidates, of whom microaneurysms must be considered to fulfil the criteria of circular shape, high intensity in the inverted green channel and contrasts with respect to the surrounding pixels.

RESULTS

We selected to 20 retinal photographs of good quality and dimensions 600x600 pixels from patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. The ophthalmologists detected 297 microaneurysms in these images. The tool for automatic detection correctly located 252 microaneurysms, with a mean sensitivity of 89% and a false positives rate of 93%.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained seem to indicate that the tool developed will be very useful for its potential use in screening programs in primary care centres. On the other hand, more work is needed on the algorithm to decrease the rate of false positives.

[Usefulness of IPC continuous monitoring in shunt dysfunction]

Shunt dysfunction is a common situation in neurosurgery. Often symptoms, physical examination and radiology are not enough to set a diagnosis. ICP continuous monitoring is a safe and reliable tool that provides valuable information about CSF dynamics in these patients. Not only quantitative analysis is needed but also a qualitative one that enables pathological waves identification, because high amplitude B waves are strongly related to shunt dysfunction. In this paper experience about ICP continuous monitoring in patients with shunt dysfunction suspect is presented. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis led to a correct diagnosis, improving all the patients treated according to this criterion. An intraparenchymatous Camino® sensor and neuroPICture software (developed by first author) for data collection and graphic representation were used. Complications related to monitoring were absent and graphics obtained useful for qualitative analysis.

Molecular and flow cytometry characterization during the follow-up of three simultaneous lymphoproliferative disorders: hairy cell leukemia, monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis, and CD4(++) /CD8(+/- dim) T-large granular lymphocytosis--a case report

The simultaneous diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia and monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis with the characteristics of "indolent" chronic lymphocytic leukemia is rare but not unknown. However, an association with a third clonal lymphoproliferative disorder has not previously been described. We report the simultaneous presence of hairy cell leukemia, monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis, and alpha beta CD4(++) /CD8(+) T-cell large granular lymphocytosis in a 63-year-old man. After the diagnosis, the three lymphoproliferative disorders (i.e., two of B-cell lineage and one of T-cell lineage) were characterized by analysis of multiple sequential bone marrow and peripheral blood samples using flow cytometry and molecular techniques. We discuss these findings in the context of chronic antigen stimulation, immunosuppression, and apoptotic pathway alterations, which might be implicated in the accumulation of these abnormal clones in the same patient. Because the phenotype of the three clones is compatible with fully differentiated B lymphocytes (consistent with a postgerminal origin) and T-CD4(++) cells, we favor the possibility of an antigen-driven mechanism and a dysregulation of homeostatic apoptosis in this patient.