Description of a New Monoclonal Antibody, FC-2.15, Reactive with Human Breast Cancer and other Human Neoplasias

FC-2.15 is an IgM monoclonal antibody (MAb) obtained by immunizing Balb/c mice with tumor epithelial cells from a human undifferentiated primary breast carcinoma. FC-2.15 reacts with 93.9% (31/33) of human breast primary tumors, independently of their histology and hormone receptor content. Moreover, FC-2.15 reacts with 79.6 ± 13.8% (mean ± SD) of total breast malignant tumor cells and with 88.7 ± 9.9% of proliferating tumor cells. It recognizes other neoplasia such as colon cancer, squamous carinoma and melanoma. Among the normal tissues examined, strong cross-reactivity was found with kidney proximal convolute tubules, bone marrow myeloid progeny, peripheral granulocytes and large bowel epithelium. Through Western blots, FC-2.15 recognizes three major bands of Mr 160 kDa, 130 kDa and 115 kDa in membrane extracts of MCF-7 cells grown in nude mice and of human breast carcinoma and three major bands of 250 kDa, 185 kDa and 105 kDa in membrane extracts of peripheral granulocytes. This MAb mediates complement- cytotoxicity against malignant cells, reducing the clonogenic capacity of breast primary tumor cells and MCF-7 cells to 35.6 ± 41.2% and 11.7 ± 4.8 % of control values respectively, whereas that of normal bone marrow cells is not affected (104.7 ± 17.4%).

X-linked congenital ptosis and associated intellectual disability, short stature, microcephaly, cleft palate, digital and genital abnormalities define novel Xq25q26 duplication syndrome

Submicroscopic duplications along the long arm of the X-chromosome with known phenotypic consequences are relatively rare events. The clinical features resulting from such duplications are various, though they often include intellectual disability, microcephaly, short stature, hypotonia, hypogonadism and feeding difficulties. Female carriers are often phenotypically normal or show a similar but milder phenotype, as in most cases the X-chromosome harbouring the duplication is subject to inactivation. Xq28, which includes MECP2 is the major locus for submicroscopic X-chromosome duplications, whereas duplications in Xq25 and Xq26 have been reported in only a few cases. Using genome-wide array platforms we identified overlapping interstitial Xq25q26 duplications ranging from 0.2 to 4.76 Mb in eight unrelated families with in total five affected males and seven affected females. All affected males shared a common phenotype with intrauterine- and postnatal growth retardation and feeding difficulties in childhood. Three had microcephaly and two out of five suffered from epilepsy. In addition, three males had a distinct facial appearance with congenital bilateral ptosis and large protruding ears and two of them showed a cleft palate. The affected females had various clinical symptoms similar to that of the males with congenital bilateral ptosis in three families as most remarkable feature. Comparison of the gene content of the individual duplications with the respective phenotypes suggested three critical regions with candidate genes (AIFM1, RAB33A, GPC3 and IGSF1) for the common phenotypes, including candidate loci for congenital bilateral ptosis, small head circumference, short stature, genital and digital defects.

[Study of association between the magnitude of sphincter hypotonia and esophageal motor disorders]

BACKGROUND

One of the most important factors involved in the pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the lower esophageal sphincter rest pressure (LESRP), but these patients can have esophageal motor disorders (EMD).

AIM

To assess an association between LESRP and the appearance of EMD in patients with GERD.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 229 patients with GERD and 49 healthy controls. Forty five patients with LESRP < 6 mmHg and a mean age of 49 years were assigned to group 1, 128 patients with a LESRP between 6 and 12 mmHg and mean age of 47 years were assigned to group 2, 56 patients with a a LESRP > 12 mmHg and a mean age of 47 years were assigned to group 3 and group 4 was conformed by 49 healthy subjects aged 40 years old. Esophageal manometry was performed using previously published techniques.

RESULTS

There was a significant association between LESRP, waves amplitude and the frequency of tertiary waves.

CONCLUSIONS

Resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure is inversely proportional to the presence of esophageal motor disorders in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Use of alpha-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) as powders and as an aqueous dispersion to modify processing, microstructure, and mechanical properties of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cements and to produce bone-substitute compounds

Addition of tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) powders as an aqueous dispersion to a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement is shown to produce a class of composites that due to their microstructure and mechanical properties may be suitable for application as bone substitutes. The PMMA forms a solid cellular matrix with open cells about 100 micrometer in size and incorporating TCP clusters. The TCP aggregates inside the cells form a porous network, with average mesopore diameters of about 0.1 micrometer, that is accessible from the outer surface. If TCP is added to PMMA in the form of dried powders, the composites are not applicable as bone substitutes. The dynamic elastic modulus (DEM) and compressive and tensile strengths were measured and discussed for both classes of composites. The mechanical properties of the bone-substitute composites, although lower than the other class of composites, are still competitive with those properties of a porous ceramic matrix of hydroxyapatite and with those of natural bones.

Delayed apical healing after apexification treatment of non-vital immature tooth: a case report

We report the endodontic treatment of a non-vital permanent immature tooth in which unexpected complications such as exacerbation of apical periodontitis followed by external root resorption occurred after that the initial stages of the healing process were clinically and radiographically evident. After continued treatment stable repair was obtained.

Salivary gland-specific gene expression in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae

Molecular studies on the tissue-specific gene expression in the salivary glands of Anopheles gambiae may provide useful tools for the development of new strategies for the control of the most efficient malaria vector in the sub-Saharan Africa. We summarize here the results of a recent investigation focused on the isolation of secreted factors and putative receptors from the salivary glands of An. gambiae. Using the Signal Sequence Trap technique we have identified the first cDNAs specifically expressed in the An. gambiae salivary glands. Among these, four are exclusively expressed in female glands and encode factors presumably involved in blood-feeding, whereas two other cDNAs seem to be expressed both in male and in female glands and are likely implicated in sugar-feeding. Homologues of genes previously identified in the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti, like the apyrase and D7, as well as novel salivary gland-specific cDNAs, were identified. The isolation and characterization of promoter sequences from the corresponding genes may prove useful for the expression of anti parasitic agents in the salivary glands of transgenic mosquitoes.

A case of severe vestibular root angulation

In this article, we describe the appearance and management of an impacted permanent tooth with severe vestibular root angulation. In addition, the possible origin of this type of root malformation as well as some of their epidemiologic aspects are discussed.

[Primary ciliary dyskinesia. Electron microscopy study of ciliary ultrastructure]

A 75 year old patient with respiratory infections since childhood, bronchiectasis and situs inversus is presented. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed obtaining samples of bronchial mucosa which allowed the observation of the existence of ultrastructural lesions such as ciliary fusion, changes in the form of the cilia, microtubular changes and changes of the dynein arms by electronic microscopic study. Diagnosis of Kartagener's syndrome was established. In the case presented moderate clinical involvement was present which allowed the survival of the patient despite his advanced age.

[Massive hemoptysis in a patient with an aortic pseudoaneurysm]

We present a case of non-fistulated, non-fissured arteriosclerotic pseudoaneurysm of the aorta in a patient with massive hemoptysis. The condition was resolved by resection, with the breach repaired with a Dacron patch. The diagnosis of thrombotic false aneurysm of the aorta was suspected after inspection of the digital angiograph and aortograph obtained by computed axial tomography. A review of the literature revealed 89 cases of non-surgically removable thoracic aortic aneurysm with hemoptysis; 72 of these cases involved aortobronchial fistulas. In only 1 case was the wall of the aneurysm intact, showing no fissures in spite of hemoptysis. The absence of fissuring or tearing in our patient may be accounted for by the delay of 10 days between the last bout of hemoptysis and surgical resection.

[Oxygen therapy at a hospital. A routine treatment?]

We have studied the use of Oxygen (O2) in our hospital, evaluating the prescription criteria and also the control and degree of therapeutic compliance. The study was completed with an opinion survey to physicians and nurses on different aspects of oxygen-therapy at the hospital. 50 inpatients under treatment with O2 have been studied. Clinical records and therapeutic prescriptions were reviewed. 47 patients had a previous gasometry, of them 44 had Respiratory Insufficiency (RI). 26 patients were controlled during oxygen-therapy: 15 were still on RI and two had their treatment modified. The compliance of treatment was evaluated through a visit in a non regular hour, 18 patients (36%) were not following oxygen therapy. When a new gasometry was performed it was observed that 21 patients (42%) continued in RI. The survey showed that a high number of physicians and nurses consider that oxygen therapy is done inadequately, being this fact attributed to several factors. There are errors in the handling of O2 at the hospital, possible related with the routine associated to an established therapy and also because O2 is a continuous therapy which requires a permanent level of attention both from the health care personnel and from the patient.