Association of CAPN1 316, CAPN1 4751 and TG5 markers with bovine meat quality traits in Mexico

We examined allele and genotype frequencies for the molecular markers CAPN1 316, CAPN1 4751 and TG5, and determined whether they are associated with beef quality traits in Mexican cattle. One hundred and twenty-four longissimus dorsi muscle samples were collected from cattle from north, central and southern Mexico. CAPN1 316 and CAPN1 4751 frequencies were determined using the allelic discrimination assay and the TG5 marker was typed by PCR-RFLP. Meat quality traits included intramuscular fat content (IMF) and tenderness determined by Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) at 24 h postmortem. The association test was made using a mixed model, including genotypes, genetic group, and sampling location as fixed effects. Least squares means and significant interactions were compared using least significant differences based on the mixed procedure. CAPN1 316 CC was found at a low frequency (0.03) and has been reported as a favorable genotype associated with tenderness meat. Genotype frequencies for CAPN1 4751 were similar in favorable (CC) and unfavorable (TT) genotypes (0.26 and 0.28, respectively). The TG5 CC genotype had a frequency of 0.73, while the TT genotype frequency was 0.01. The means for WBSF and IMF were 4.08 ± 1.35 kg and 5.23 ± 2.14%, respectively. Sampling site and the CAPN1 316 genotypes significantly affected WBSF (P < 0.05). Samples collected from Hermosillo, Sonora, had the lowest WBSF (P < 0.05), while those collected in Veracruz were toughest (WBSF = 5.267 kg). The effect of GG and TG5 genotypes on IMF was significant (P < 0.05). CAPN1 316 and TG5 markers were found to be significantly associated with beef quality traits and thus will be useful for Mexican beef characterization.

Malnutrition alters the rates of apoptosis in splenocytes and thymocyte subpopulations of rats

Malnutrition continues to be a major public health problem throughout the developing world. Nutritional deficiencies may be the most common cause of secondary immunodeficiency states in humans. It has been suggested that nutritional imbalances can induce apoptosis in a variety of cell types. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of severe malnutrition on cell subsets and the frequency of spontaneous and/or dexamethasone-induced cell death in vivo in the thymus and spleen from severely malnourished, lactating rats. Apoptosis frequency was estimated by flow cytometry using annexin-V and terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling assay assays. The results obtained in the present study indicate that malnutrition is associated with a significant increase of spontaneously apoptotic cells in the thymus (9.8-fold) and spleen (2.4-fold). Increase in apoptosis was associated largely with CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive thymocytes. Unexpectedly, similar frequencies of spontaneous apoptosis of these cells were found in both well-nourished and malnourished rats. In contrast, consistent increases in the apoptosis of CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative thymocytes were observed in malnourished rats. In addition, single-positive CD8(+) and single-positive CD4(+) thymocytes had higher frequencies of apoptosis in malnourished rats. The frequency of total dexamethasone-induced apoptosis was found to be similar in both groups of animals. Nevertheless, in malnourished dexamethasone-treated animals, the percentage of apoptotic double-negative thymocytes was significantly higher than in well-nourished animals, while the rate of apoptosis was lower among double-positive cells. In general, the thymus appears more sensitive to the effects of malnutrition and dexamethasone than the spleen. Furthermore, double-negative thymocytes appear to be the most affected.

Rate of Recanalization and Safety of Endovascular Embolization of Intracranial Saccular Aneurysms Framed with GDC 360 Coils

SUMMARY

Coil compaction and recanalization of cerebral aneurysms treated with coil embolization continue to be of great concern, especially in patients that presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The incidence of recanalization reported by previous studies ranges from 12 to 40 percent in experienced centers. We reviewed the incidence of recanalization requiring retreatment in patients treated with GDC 360 framing coils. A retrospective review of every patient who underwent coil embolization with GDC 360 coils for saccular aneurysms at our institution from December 2004 to March 2008 was performed. We studied the patients' demographics, clinical presentation, aneurysm size and configuration, type of coils used to embolize the aneurysm, the percentage of coils that were GDC 360 in any given aneurysm, the need for remodeling techniques like stent and/or balloon for embolization, immediate complications, cases in which we were unable to frame with the GDC 360 coil, and rate of recanalization on follow- up. A total of 110 patients (33 men, 77 women) and 114 aneurysms were treated with GDC 360 coils. Ninety-eight aneurysms were framed with the GDC 360 coils. There were two patients in whom the initial GDC 360 coil intended for framing had to be pulled out and exchanged for another type of coil. There were five procedure related complications (4.4%). Four patients required intra-arterial abciximab due to thrombus formation. One patient that presented with a grade III subarachnoid hemorrhage had aneurysm rupture while the coil was being advanced. A total of 50 patients (15 men and 35 women) underwent follow-up femoral cerebral angiograms at least six months after coiling (mean follow-up was 15 months). Forty-four of the patients with follow-up had the GDC 360 coil used as a framing coil. Three patients (6%) required retreatment due to recanalization. Every patient with recanalization requiring treatment had aneurysms of the anterior communicating complex that presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The rate of recanalization of cerebral aneurysms embolized with GDC 360 framing coils was lower in our case series compared to the existing literature reports. Patients with aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery were at increased incidence of recanalization in our patient cohort.

Treatment of pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphomas in a country with limited resources: results of the first national protocol in Nicaragua

We report the results of a protocol for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) conducted in Nicaragua in the context of an international collaborative program. Fifty-three children with NHL treated between 1996 and 2003 were retrospectively evaluated. Therapy was designed based on local drug availability and affordability with dose and schedule adaptations for Burkitt and lymphoblastic lymphomas. With a median follow-up of 3 years, the projected 9-year overall survival was 63% and event-free survival 53%. The treatment was efficacious, feasible, and well tolerated in spite of the local socio-economical conditions.

Effect of leptin on activation and cytokine synthesis in peripheral blood lymphocytes of malnourished infected children

Malnutrition compromises immune function, resulting in reduced resistance to infection. Recent animal and human studies have suggested that leptin is capable of modulating the immune response and that its levels, which are regulated by nutritional status, fall rapidly during starvation. Leptin deficiency is associated with impaired cell-mediated immunity, an increased incidence of infectious disease and an associated increase in mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of leptin on activation and cytokine production in peripheral blood T cells from malnourished children. The data obtained in the present study demonstrate that leptin produced an increase in the percentage of CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells producing interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma in 24-h cultures. Moreover, leptin decreased the percentage of CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells producing IL-4 and IL-10, and enhanced activation of circulating T cells when co-stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate (PMA)-ionomycin. Leptin enhanced the expression of activation markers CD69 and CD25 in both CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells after 5 h of stimulation. In conclusion, the results obtained show that leptin modulates CD4(+) and CD8(+) cell activation towards a T helper 1 (Th1) phenotype by stimulating the synthesis of IL-2 and IFN-gamma. In contrast, leptin decreases IL-4 and IL-10 production. Moreover, leptin enhanced the expression of CD69 and CD25 on CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells after stimulation with PMA-ionomycin.

Synthesis, structure, and nuclease properties of several binary and ternary complexes of copper(II) with norfloxacin and 1,10 phenantroline

Three new binary Cu(II) complexes of norfloxacin have been synthesized and characterized. We also report the synthesis, characterization and X-ray crystallographic structures of a new binary compound, [Cu(HNor)(2)]Cl(2).2H(2)O (2) and two new ternary complexes norfloxacin-copper(II)-phen, [Cu(Nor)(phen)(H(2)O)](NO(3)).3H(2)O (4), and [Cu(HNor)(phen)(NO(3))](NO(3)).3H(2)O (5). The structure of 2 consists of two crystallographically independent cationic monomeric units of [Cu(HNor)(2)](2+), chloride anions, and uncoordinated water molecules. The Cu(II) ion is placed at a center of symmetry and is coordinated to two norfloxacin ligands which are related through the inversion center. The structures of 4 and 5 consist of cationic units ([Cu(Nor)(phen)(H(2)O)](+) for 4 and [Cu(HNor)(phen)(NO(3))](+) for 5), nitrate counteranions, and lattice water molecules that provide crystalline stability through a network of hydrogen-bond interactions. The complexes exhibit a five coordinated motif in a square pyramidal environment around the metal center. The ability of compounds 4 and 5 to cleave DNA has also been studied. Mechanistic studies with different inhibiting reagents reveal that hydroxyl radicals, singlet oxygen, and superoxide radicals are all involved in the DNA scission process mediated by these compounds.

Effector T lymphocytes in well-nourished and malnourished infected children

The mechanisms involved in impaired immunity in malnourished children are not well understood. CD4(+) CD62L(-) and CD8(+) CD28(-) do not express the naive cell markers CD62L and CD28, suggesting that they function as effector T cells. Using a flow cytometry-based analysis we examined the proportions of CD4(+) CD62L(-) and CD8(+) CD28(-) T cell subsets in well-nourished infected (WNI) and malnourished infected (MNI) children. Here we report that WNI children had a higher percentage of CD4(+) CD62L(-) (11.1 +/- 1.0) and CD8(+) D28(-) (40.2 +/- 5.0) T cell subsets than healthy (6.5 +/- 1.0 and 23.9 +/- 4.8) and MNI children (7.4 +/- 1.1 and 23.1 +/- 6.2, respectively) (P < 0.5). Data suggest that WNI children respond efficiently against pathogenic microbes. In contrast, relatively low numbers of circulating of CD4(+) CD62L(-) and CD8(+) CD28(-) T cells in MNI children may represent an ineffective response to infection. Levels of effector T cells in children with gastrointestinal infections versus those suffering from respiratory infections were also significantly different within the WNI group. While WNI children with gastrointestinal infections had higher absolute and relative values of CD8(+), and CD8(+) CD28(-) T subsets, by those with respiratory infections had higher values of CD4(+) lymphocytes. However, due to the small number of subjects examined, our results in WNI children should be interpreted with caution and confirmed using a larger sample size. Our data suggest that altered expression of CD62L and CD28 receptors may contribute to impaired T cell function observed in MNI children.

Fine structural and cytochemical analysis of the processes of cell death of oocytes in atretic follicles in new born and prepubertal rats

The process of cell death of oocytes was studied in atretic ovarian follicles of rats aged from 1 to 28 days using light and electron microscope and cytochemical methods. These methods were TUNEL procedure for DNA breaks, active caspase-3 and lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP-1) immunolocalizations. The structural features of the process of oocyte death are mainly characterized by the presence of abundant clear vacuoles and autophagosomes, as well as by the absence of large clumps of compact chromatin associated to the nuclear envelope and apoptotic bodies. These features are common to oocytes in all types of follicles studied. Cytochemical features consisting in positive reactions to TUNEL method, active caspase-3 and LAMP-1 immunolocalizations, are common to the cell death of oocytes in all types of follicles. Particular features of the process of cell death of oocytes are found in different types of follicles. Two morphological patterns of cell death occur in pre-follicular oocytes of the new born and in primordial follicles in 1 to 5 days old rats. One is distinguished by clear nucleoli and moderate compaction of chromatin in clumps frequently resembling meiotic bivalents. The second pattern is characterized by nucleolar condensation and by the absence of compact chromatin. The process of cell death of oocytes in antral follicles is characterized by ribonucleoprotein ribbon-like cytoplasmic structures, pseudo-segmentation, and loss of contact with granulosa cells.