A novel time-saving multiplex PCR assay for detecting and discriminating the most common canine Babesia species in Europe

In Europe, most cases of canine babesiosis are caused by Babesia canis, Babesia vogeli (large piroplasms) and Babesia vulpes (small piroplasm). Molecular diagnosis is recommended due to its high sensitivity. Species identification after sequencing allows applying a rapid and efficient treatment, leading to a better prognosis; however, it is expensive and time-consuming. Thus, the objective of the present study was to develop a time-saving multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for simultaneously detecting and discriminating between large and small forms without sequence analysis. A new multiplex PCR was designed and tested using blood samples from 79 dogs showing clinical signs compatible with babesiosis which were previously analysed using blood smears and molecular methods. Multiplex PCR successfully discriminated between both Babesia groups showing bands of 700 and 890 bp for B. canis/B. vogeli and B. vulpes, respectively. No significant differences in the results of both PCR were detected and a substantial agreement between protocols (κ = 0.64) was found. Our multiplex PCR represents a reliable tool for detecting infections by the major Babesia spp. in dogs from Europe. Since no sequence analysis is required for identifying the species involved, this PCR allows the rapid administration of an appropriate treatment, thus improving the survival rate of the infected animals. In addition, it will represent a helpful tool for unravelling the real prevalence and distribution of B. vulpes and its implication in clinical cases.

Profile changes in admissions to a psychiatric hospitalisation unit over 15 years (2006-2021), considering the impact of the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2

The objective of this current work was to explore whether modification of the diagnostic criteria upon the publication of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had influenced the diagnostic and sociodemographic profiles of mental health admissions. For that purpose, we designed an observational, longitudinal, and retrospective study of the data recorded in the discharge reports of the Brief Hospitalization Unit at Castellon (Spain), between January 2006 and December 2021. The sample consisted of 7,037 participants, with a mean age of 42.1 years. The mean age of admissions, number of women, and presentation of affective disorders, addictions, and dementias all increased significantly during the DSM-5 period. Beyond diagnoses, the reduction in readmissions before the pandemic could be attributed to the use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics. In contrast, the pandemic did not change the percentage of readmissions or the volume of admissions. Also, during the pandemic period, the significant results obtained indicate that the average stay was reduced, affective disorders decreased, and addictions increased. Therefore, clinicians should consider these diagnostic and sociodemographic fluctuations when adapting clinical care, taking into account gender perspective, ageing of patients and increasing of dual and affective disorders.

The influence of olive tree fertilization on the phenols in virgin olive oils. A review

The total phenols in virgin olive oil are highly dependent on cultivar, but also on ripening stage and other agronomic factors. The focus of most studies on agronomic factors has been irrigation, while fertilization has received less attention. Most of the fertilization works find that nitrogen over-fertilization leads to a decrease in phenol contents in virgin olive oil (VOO) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), under rain-fed or irrigation management. Ortho-diphenols also decrease with high doses of nitrogen, with no effect on secoiridoids. Phosphorous has a minor effect on irrigated trees; while the role of potassium is controversial, with a lack of trials with calcium and micro-nutrients. Due to the great impact of the fertilization on the phenol content and quality of VOO, new research is necessary with focus aimed at different cultivars and agronomic factors.

Indisulam targets RNA splicing and metabolism to serve as a therapeutic strategy for high-risk neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is the most common paediatric solid tumour and prognosis remains poor for high-risk cases despite the use of multimodal treatment. Analysis of public drug sensitivity data showed neuroblastoma lines to be sensitive to indisulam, a molecular glue that selectively targets RNA splicing factor RBM39 for proteosomal degradation via DCAF15-E3-ubiquitin ligase. In neuroblastoma models, indisulam induces rapid loss of RBM39, accumulation of splicing errors and growth inhibition in a DCAF15-dependent manner. Integrative analysis of RNAseq and proteomics data highlight a distinct disruption to cell cycle and metabolism. Metabolic profiling demonstrates metabolome perturbations and mitochondrial dysfunction resulting from indisulam. Complete tumour regression without relapse was observed in both xenograft and the Th-MYCN transgenic model of neuroblastoma after indisulam treatment, with RBM39 loss, RNA splicing and metabolic changes confirmed in vivo. Our data show that dual-targeting of metabolism and RNA splicing with anticancer indisulam is a promising therapeutic approach for high-risk neuroblastoma.

Glutamine Modulates Expression and Function of Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase via NRF2 in Colon Cancer Cells

Nucleotide pools need to be constantly replenished in cancer cells to support cell proliferation. The synthesis of nucleotides requires glutamine and 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate produced from ribose-5-phosphate via the oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway (ox-PPP). Both PPP and glutamine also play a key role in maintaining the redox status of cancer cells. Enhanced glutamine metabolism and increased glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) expression have been related to a malignant phenotype in tumors. However, the association between G6PD overexpression and glutamine consumption in cancer cell proliferation is still incompletely understood. In this study, we demonstrated that both inhibition of G6PD and glutamine deprivation decrease the proliferation of colon cancer cells and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, we unveiled that glutamine deprivation induce an increase of G6PD expression that is mediated through the activation of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2). This crosstalk between G6PD and glutamine points out the potential of combined therapies targeting oxidative PPP enzymes and glutamine catabolism to combat colon cancer.

Oxidative Pentose Phosphate Pathway Enzyme 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase Plays a Key Role in Breast Cancer Metabolism

The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) plays an essential role in the metabolism of breast cancer cells for the management of oxidative stress and the synthesis of nucleotides. 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) is one of the key enzymes of the oxidative branch of PPP and is involved in nucleotide biosynthesis and redox maintenance status. Here, we aimed to analyze the functional importance of 6PGD in a breast cancer cell model. Inhibition of 6PGD in MCF7 reduced cell proliferation and showed a significant decrease in glucose consumption and an increase in glutamine consumption, resulting in an important alteration in the metabolism of these cells. No difference in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production levels was observed after 6PGD inhibition, indicating that 6PGD, in contrast to glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, is not involved in redox balance. We found that 6PGD inhibition also altered the stem cell characteristics and mammosphere formation capabilities of MCF7 cells, opening new avenues to prevent cancer recurrance after surgery or chemotherapy. Moreover, inhibition of 6PGD via chemical inhibitor S3 resulted in an induction of senescence, which, together with the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, might be orchestrated by p53 activation. Therefore, we postulate 6PGD as a novel therapeutic target to treat breast cancer.

Influence of irrigation and fertilization on the sterol and triterpene dialcohol compositions of virgin olive oil

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of irrigation and fertilization with nitrogen and potassium on the sterol and triterpene dialcohol contents in two trials of cv. Arbequina in super-intensive orchards in Madrid and Lleida (Spain), using a completely randomized block design. No significant differences in total sterols between deficit and full irrigation treatments were observed. Under very dry conditions, the sterol levels from fully irrigated trees were higher than from rain-fed treatments and the triterpene dialcohol erythrodiol+ uvaol content was lower in the irrigated treatments in Lleida. In the fertilizer trial with full irrigation, total sterols were higher in the two N treatments compared to the unfertilized one; while erythrodiol + uvaol decreased. The application of K fertilizer had no effect on total sterol or triterpene dialcohol contents. A proper fertilization and irrigation are vital to obtain high quality EVOOs that meet the regulatory range in sterol and erythrodiol + uvaol contents.

β-Hydroxybutyrate Oxidation Promotes the Accumulation of Immunometabolites in Activated Microglia Cells

Metabolic regulation of immune cells has arisen as a critical set of processes required for appropriate response to immunological signals. While our knowledge in this area has rapidly expanded in leukocytes, much less is known about the metabolic regulation of brain-resident microglia. In particular, the role of alternative nutrients to glucose remains poorly understood. Here, we use stable-isotope (¹³C) tracing strategies and metabolomics to characterize the oxidative metabolism of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in human (HMC3) and murine (BV2) microglia cells and the interplay with glucose in resting and LPS-activated BV2 cells. We found that BHB is imported and oxidised in the TCA cycle in both cell lines with a subsequent increase in the cytosolic NADH:NAD⁺ ratio. In BV2 cells, stimulation with LPS upregulated the glycolytic flux, increased the cytosolic NADH:NAD⁺ ratio and promoted the accumulation of the glycolytic intermediate dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP). The addition of BHB enhanced LPS-induced accumulation of DHAP and promoted glucose-derived lactate export. BHB also synergistically increased LPS-induced accumulation of succinate and other key immunometabolites, such as α-ketoglutarate and fumarate generated by the TCA cycle. Finally, BHB upregulated the expression of a key pro-inflammatory (M1 polarisation) marker gene, NOS2, in BV2 cells activated with LPS. In conclusion, we identify BHB as a potentially immunomodulatory metabolic substrate for microglia that promotes metabolic reprogramming during pro-inflammatory response.

Tracing Nutrient Flux Following Monocarboxylate Transporter-1 Inhibition with AZD3965

The monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) is a key element in tumor cell metabolism and inhibition of MCT1 with AZD3965 is undergoing clinical trials. We aimed to investigate nutrient fluxes associated with MCT1 inhibition by AZD3965 to identify possible biomarkers of drug action. We synthesized an 18F-labeled lactate analogue, [18F]-S-fluorolactate ([18F]-S-FL), that was used alongside [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG), and 13C-labeled glucose and lactate, to investigate the modulation of metabolism with AZD3965 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma models in NOD/SCID mice. Comparative analysis of glucose and lactate-based probes showed a preference for glycolytic metabolism in vitro, whereas in vivo, both glucose and lactate were used as metabolic fuel. While intratumoral L-[1-13C]lactate and [18F]-S-FL were unchanged or lower at early (5 or 30 min) timepoints, these variables were higher compared to vehicle controls at 4 h following treatment with AZD3965, which indicates that inhibition of MCT1-mediated lactate import is reversed over time. Nonetheless, AZD3965 treatment impaired DLBCL tumor growth in mice. This was hypothesized to be a consequence of metabolic strain, as AZD3965 treatment showed a reduction in glycolytic intermediates and inhibition of the TCA cycle likely due to downregulated PDH activity. Glucose ([18F]FDG and D-[13C6]glucose) and lactate-based probes ([18F]-S-FL and L-[1-13C]lactate) can be successfully used as biomarkers for AZD3965 treatment.

Lactic acidosis induces resistance to the pan-Akt inhibitor uprosertib in colon cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Akt signalling regulates glycolysis and drives the Warburg effect in cancer, thus decreased glucose utilisation is a pharmacodynamic marker of Akt inhibition. However, cancer cells can utilise alternative nutrients to glucose for energy such as lactate, which is often elevated in tumours together with increased acidity. We therefore hypothesised that lactic acidosis may confer resistance to Akt inhibition.

METHODS

The effect of the pan-Akt inhibitor uprosertib (GSK2141795), on HCT116 and LS174T colon cancer cells was evaluated in the presence and absence of lactic acid in vitro. Expression of downstream Akt signalling proteins was determined using a phosphokinase array and immunoblotting. Metabolism was assessed using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, stable isotope labelling and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Lactic acid-induced resistance to uprosertib was characterised by increased cell survival and reduced apoptosis. Uprosertib treatment reduced Akt signalling and glucose uptake irrespective of lactic acid supplementation. However, incorporation of lactate carbon and enhanced respiration was maintained in the presence of uprosertib and lactic acid. Inhibiting lactate transport or oxidative phosphorylation was sufficient to potentiate apoptosis in the presence of uprosertib.

CONCLUSIONS

Lactic acidosis confers resistance to uprosertib, which can be reversed by inhibiting lactate transport or oxidative metabolism.

Ketogenic diet and metabolic regulation of brain microglia

Ketogenic diet (KD) has been proposed as a coadjuvant therapy in the treatment of brain tumours. Reduction of blood glucose and increase in ketone bodies concentration are amongst the most important changes induced by KD in patients. Preliminary data collected in our lab indicates that KD induces substantial changes in the immune system in mice bearing brain tumours. Microglia are brain-resident immune cells that account for around 30% of the tumour mass and play a major role in controlling tumour progression by adopting a protumour (M2 polarisation) or antitumour (M1 polarisation) phenotype. We are interested in understating the molecular and metabolic determinants of microglia polarisation and how these can be modulated by the metabolic microenvironment and KD. We report some initial findings that indicate microglia adapt to changes in the metabolic microenvironment and that nutrient availability can modulate microglia activation and polarisation. We believe that the study of microglia metabolism and nutritional interventions like KD can provide new knowledge about the regulation of the brain immune system and unveil novel routes for brain cancer treatment.

Hepatocellular carcinoma treatment: ablation and arterial embolization

Percutaneous and endovascular techniques take an important role in the therapeutic management of patients with hepatocarcinoma. Different techniques of percutaneous ablation, especially indicated in tumors up to 2cm diameter offer, at least, similar results to surgical resection. Taking advantage of double hepatic vascularization and exclusive tumor nutrition by the artery, several endovascular techniques of treating the tumor have been developed. Intra-arterial administration of embolizing particles, alone or charged with drug (chemoembolization), will produce ischemia and consequent necrosis with excellent results in selected patients. Certain types of particles may exclusively be carriers of a therapeutic agent when they incorporate a radioisotope that facilitates the direct intratumoral selective irradiation (radioembolization). This technique has demonstrated its efficacy in lesions not susceptible to be treated with other methods and should be considered, together with ablation and chemoembolization, in the therapeutic algorithms of hepatocarcinoma.

B-Cell-Activating Factor Levels Are Associated With Antibody-Mediated Histological Damage in Kidney Transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Along with death engraftment, in recent years, antibody-mediated damage has been identified as the leading cause of loss of kidney transplants. Despite the recognition of the role of the B-lymphocyte subpopulation in the development of both tolerance and rejection, little is known about the trigger mechanisms and effectors of this humoral response.

BACKGROUND

We analyzed the relationship between B lymphocyte subpopulations and levels of B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) with the histological findings in biopsies of renal transplantation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We selected 35 patients whose kidney transplant biopsy was performed between January and November 2015. The biopsy specimens were classified according to Banff criteria. At the moment of the biopsy BAFF levels and B-lymphocyte subpopulations in blood were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and using flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTS

Mean BAFF levels were 493 ± 245 pg/mL. The median performance of biopsy post-transplantation was 12.9 (11.7-23.9) months. BAFF levels correlated with pretransplantation antibodies (r = 0.523; P = .002) but not with kidney function. In biopsies performed more than 1 year after transplantation BAFF levels correlated with the severity of chronic glomerular (cg) involvement (r = 0.625; P = .003). Histological variables related to antibody-mediated injury selected by principal component analysis (glomerulitis, peritubular capillary, and chronic glomerulopathy) related to BAFF levels (B factor, 116; 95% confidence interval [CI], 12-220; P = .029). Biopsy specimens with transplant glomerulopathy (TG) showed lower levels of circulating naive CD19 + subpopulation, IgD+, and CD27- (32.7 ± 28.1 vs 87.9 ± 79.1; P = .017) compared with biopsy specimens without TG.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated levels of BAFF are associated with increased presence and severity of TG and a set of variables related to antibody-mediated histological damage. TG is associated with changes in circulating B-lymphocyte subpopulations that could contribute to its pathogenesis.

Improved detection of mixed P. falciparum-P. vivax infection at a rural health centre in Ethiopia using PCR

This study aims to this study is to compare the co-infection Plasmodium falciparum + Plasmodium vivax and compare the detection of cases of mixed-species malaria using light microscopy versus semi-nested multiplex PCR (sPCR). Investigators collected 3060 samples at a rural health centre in Ethiopia from December 2010 to October 2011. Two capillary blood specimens were taken from each patient, one for diagnosis of Plasmodium infection by light microscopy and the other for sPCR-based diagnosis. LM detected 627 positive cases; these samples, together with 582 negatives by LM, were also subjected to sPCR testing. Of the 627 positive samples by LM, 68.4% were positive for P. vivax, 30.5% for P. falciparum, and 1.1% for P. falciparum + P. vivax co-infection. Using the sPCR technique, we identified 788 samples positive for Plasmodium: 33.0% for P. vivax, 26.5% for P. falciparum, 3.7% for P. falciparum + P. vivax co-infection, 2.0% for P. ovale and 0.8% for P. vivax + P. ovale co-infection. In the case of P. falciparum + P. vivax co-infection, light microscopy diagnosis showed a sensitivity of 11.1%, a specificity of 99.8%, a positive predictive value of 71.4% and a negative predictive value of 96.6%. The concordance rate for identifying P. falciparum + P. vivax co-infection (kappa statistic) with microscopy and sPCR was 0.184. The LM approach has low sensitivity for the detection of mixed-species infections, while sPCR is more useful.

Synthesis and functionalization of dextran-based single-chain nanoparticles in aqueous media

Water-dispersible dextran-based single-chain polymer nanoparticles (SCPNs) were prepared in aqueous media and under mild conditions.

Is liver biopsy necessary in the evaluation of a living donor for liver transplantation?

BACKGROUND

The role of liver biopsy in the evaluation of a candidate for living liver donation is controversial. Some authors suggest doing it routinely, but others do it only in selected cases. The aim of this work was to evaluate the usefulness of protocol liver biopsy in the evaluation of candidates for living liver donation.

METHODS

Ninety potential candidates for living liver donation were evaluated. In 46 cases donation was contraindicated without the need of liver biopsy. In the remaining 44 candidates, liver biopsy was done on a protocol basis. The usefulness of protocol biopsy was compared with the use of biopsy according to the recommendations of the Vancouver Forum.

RESULTS

Fifteen of the 44 biopsies were indicated according to the recommendations of the Vancouver Forum. Twelve of them were normal, and 3 had liver steatosis or steatohepatitis. Of the 29 biopsies done per protocol, 28 were normal and 1 showed liver steatosis. Donation was contraindicated according to liver biopsy findings in 3 of the 15 patients with liver biopsy done according to the Vancouver Forum recommendations and in none of the 29 patients with biopsy done per protocol (P = .034).

CONCLUSIONS

Protocol liver biopsy has a limited utility in the evaluation of the candidates for living liver donation.

Hostile attributions in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia contribute to poor social functioning

OBJECTIVE

To compare the profile of attributional style of a group of out-patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ), and a group of healthy controls - along with other social cognition domains - such as emotion recognition and theory of mind (ToM).

METHOD

A total of 46 out-patients diagnosed with BD, 49 with SZ, and 50 healthy controls were assessed in attributional style (Ambiguous Intentions Hostility Questionnaire), facial emotion recognition (FEIT, FEDT, ER-40), and ToM (Hinting Task). Symptomatology, clinical variables and global functioning were also collected.

RESULTS

Both groups with SZ and BD showed hostile social cognitive biases, compared with the control group. Patients with BD also showed a capacity for emotional recognition similar to those with SZ and worse than control subjects. In contrast, patients with SZ showed poorer ToM. Subthreshold depressive symptoms and an attributional style toward hostility appeared as the factors with a strongest association to global functioning in BD. In SZ, PANSS score and a tendency to aggressiveness were the most relevant factors.

CONCLUSION

Attributional style (along with other domains of social cognition) is altered in out-patients with BD and SZ. The presence of residual symptoms and a hostile social cognitive bias may contribute to the functional impairment of both groups.

Spatial distribution and cluster analysis of a leishmaniasis outbreak in the south-western Madrid region, Spain, September 2009 to April 2013

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches

Totally laparoscopic right-lobe hepatectomy for adult living donor liver transplantation: useful strategies to enhance safety

The overriding concern in living donor liver transplantation is donor safety. A totally laparoscopic right hepatectomy without middle hepatic vein for adult living donor liver transplantation is presented. The surgical procedure is described in detail, focusing on relevant technical aspects to enhance donor safety, specifically the hanging maneuver and dynamic fluoroscopy-controlled bile duct division.

Mini-review: nucleus-targeted ribonucleases as antitumor drugs

Cancer is the leading cause of death in economically developed countries and the second leading cause of death in developing countries. This global burden of cancer continues to increase largely because of the aging and growth of the world population. Although very much progress has been attained in the development of new therapies, there is a clear need of more efficient and selective antitumor drugs for the effective treatment of many types of cancer. Among the different strategies developed to create new antitumor drugs, pleiotropic non-genotoxic effectors have gained interest since this approach is less susceptible to known resistance mechanisms. The cell nucleus is the subcellular compartment where the genetic information and the transcription machinery reside and accordingly where numerous therapeutic agents efficiently work. Hence, nuclear-targeted drugs are expected to kill cancer cells more directly and efficiently. In this review, we discuss the potential of nuclear-targeted drugs as antineoplastic therapeutics and reason the benefits of the strategy to endow ribonucleases with cytotoxic properties based on its targeting into the nucleus.

Social cognition and interaction training (SCIT) for outpatients with bipolar disorder

INTRODUCTION

Patients with bipolar disorder show social cognition deficits during both symptomatic and euthymic phases of the illness, partially independent of other cognitive dysfunctions and current mood. Previous studies in schizophrenia have revealed that social cognition is a modifiable domain. Social cognition and interaction training (SCIT) is an 18-week, manual-based, group treatment designed to improve social functioning by way of social cognition.

METHOD

37 outpatients with DSM-IV-TR bipolar and schizoaffective disorders were randomly assigned to treatment as usual (TAU)+SCIT (n=21) or TAU (n=16). Independent, blind evaluators assessed subjects before and after the intervention on Face Emotion Identification Task (FEIT), Face Emotion Discrimination (FEDT), Emotion Recognition (ER40), Theory of Mind (Hinting Task) and Hostility Bias (AIHQ).

RESULTS

Analysis of covariance revealed significant group effects for emotion perception, theory of mind, and depressive symptoms. The SCIT group showed a small within-group decrease on the AIHQ Blame subscale, a moderate decrease in AIHQ Hostility Bias, a small increase in scores on the Hinting Task, a moderate increase on the ER40, and large increases on the FEDT and FEIT. There was no evidence of effects on aggressive attributional biases or on global functioning.

LIMITATION

No follow up assessment was conducted, so it is unknown whether the effects of SCIT persist over time.

CONCLUSION

This trial provides preliminary evidence that SCIT is feasible and may improve social cognition for bipolar and schizoaffective outpatients.

[US-guided transhepatic drainage of a mediastinal abscess]

Anastomoses often leak after esophageal surgery; if they are not detected in time, leaks can give rise to complications like fluid collections, superinfections, and mediastinitis. Although these complications usually require surgical treatment, different series of patients successfully treated with conservative or minimally invasive approaches have been reported. We present the case of a patient who developed a mediastinal abscess after epiphrenic diverticulectomy. We treated the abscess with US-guided percutaneous transhepatic drainage to avoid surgical reintervention. Although other cases of a transhepatic approach to thoracic lesions have been reported, to our knowledge this is the first report of this technique in mediastinal abscesses. We recommend that transhepatic drainage be considered a therapeutic option in the management of these complications.

The distribution of immune cells in the lungs of classical and atypical ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma

Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) is a contagious tumour caused by infection of sheep with Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus. Two forms of OPA have been identified, classical and atypical, which can be distinguished clinically and pathologically. Most notably classical OPA is progressive until death, while atypical OPA remains subclinical. In the present study the local immune responses in the lungs of cases of atypical OPA were compared with those from classical cases by immunohistochemistry using a panel of mouse anti-sheep mAbs. Distinct differences in the distribution of immune cell subsets in the two forms of OPA were observed. In particular there was an intratumoural influx of T cell subsets and MHC Class II expression on the tumour cells in atypical OPA, neither of which was seen in classical OPA. It is possible that these differences may contribute, at least in part, to determining the progressive course of classical OPA compared with the subclinical nature of atypical OPA.

Genetic diversity of wild grapevine populations in Spain and their genetic relationships with cultivated grapevines

The wild grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi, considered as the ancestor of the cultivated grapevine, is native from Eurasia. In Spain, natural populations of V. vinifera ssp. sylvestris can still be found along river banks. In this work, we have performed a wide search of wild grapevine populations in Spain and characterized the amount and distribution of their genetic diversity using 25 nuclear SSR loci. We have also analysed the possible coexistence in the natural habitat of wild grapevines with naturalized grapevine cultivars and rootstocks. In this way, phenotypic and genetic analyses identified 19% of the collected samples as derived from cultivated genotypes, being either naturalized cultivars or hybrid genotypes derived from spontaneous crosses between wild and cultivated grapevines. The genetic diversity of wild grapevine populations was similar than that observed in the cultivated group. The molecular analysis showed that cultivated germplasm and wild germplasm are genetically divergent with low level of introgression. Using a model-based approach implemented in the software structure, we identified four genetic groups, with two of them fundamentally represented among cultivated genotypes and two among wild accessions. The analyses of genetic relationships between wild and cultivated grapevines could suggest a genetic contribution of wild accessions from Spain to current Western cultivars.

Carbon metabolism and the sign of control coefficients in metabolic adaptations underlying K-ras transformation

Metabolic adaptations are associated with changes in enzyme activities. These adaptations are characterized by patterns of positive and negative changes in metabolic fluxes and concentrations of intermediate metabolites. Knowledge of the mechanism and parameters governing enzyme kinetics is rarely available. However, the signs-increases or decreases-of many of these changes can be predicted using the signs of metabolic control coefficients. These signs require the only knowledge of the structure of the metabolic network and a limited qualitative knowledge of the regulatory dependences, which is widely available for carbon metabolism. Here, as a case study, we identified control coefficients with fixed signs in order to predict the pattern of changes in key enzyme activities which can explain the observed changes in fluxes and concentrations underlying the metabolic adaptations in oncogenic K-ras transformation in NIH-3T3 cells. The fixed signs of control coefficients indicate that metabolic changes following the oncogenic transformation-increased glycolysis and oxidative branch of the pentose-phosphate pathway, and decreased concentration in sugar-phosphates-could be associated with increases in activity for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase, and decrease for transketolase. These predictions were validated experimentally by measuring specific activities. We conclude that predictions based on fixed signs of control coefficients are a very robust tool for the identification of changes in enzyme activities that can explain observed metabolic adaptations in carbon metabolism.

[Permanent tunneled drainage for malignant ascites: initial experience with the PleurX® catheter]

OBJECTIVE

The most common treatment in recurrent malignant ascites is generally temporary peritoneal drainage. We present our experience in placing permanent tunneled catheters in a series of patients and analyze the safety and efficacy of the treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We used total aseptic measures in the interventional ultrasonography suite to place permanent tunneled catheters in 10 patients under ultrasonographic guidance and local anesthesia.

RESULTS

The catheters remained patent for a median of 52 days in the nine patients who died. In one of these, the catheter was withdrawn while still patent due to generalized sepsis. At the end of the study, one patient still had a permeable catheter 124 days after placement.

CONCLUSION

Although the low number of patients in our series precludes generalizations, tunneled peritoneal catheters seem to be a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for malignant ascites in terminal oncologic patients. This approach facilitates the draining of the ascites at home, obviating the need for repeated hospital visits and punctures and the risks involved therein. Nevertheless, further experience and prospective randomized trials are necessary.

Canine gastric carcinoma: immunohistochemical expression of cell cycle proteins (p53, p21, and p16) and heat shock proteins (Hsp27 and Hsp70)

Immunohistochemical staining for cell cycle proteins and heat shock proteins was performed on 17 canine gastric carcinomas. The immunoexpression of p53, p21, p16, Hsp27, and Hsp70 was investigated. A study was conducted to determine the histological type and parameters related to tumor malignancy. Possible associations and trends were assessed between the immunoexpression of each protein and tumor type as well as specific parameters of malignancy. High intratumor frequency of cellular p53 immunostaining was observed (61.96% average), but lower frequencies of p21 and p16 expression were present (34.65% and 10.41%, respectively). The p53 overexpression was associated with tumor infiltration (P = .0258). Expression of p21 was lower in undifferentiated carcinomas, and the loss of expression was associated with histopathological parameters characteristic of a poor prognosis such as lymphatic vessel invasion (P = .0258). The lack of p16 immunoreactivity was related to histopathological characteristics of malignancy such as the presence of evident and multiple nucleoli (P = .0475). In contrast, deep tumor infiltration was observed in those carcinomas with a high p16 index (P = .0475). Hsp70 appeared to be overexpressed in all gastric neoplasms included in this study. This is in contrast to Hsp27, because a group of tumors showed complete lack of Hsp27 immunoexpression, whereas the others displayed extensive Hsp27 immunostaining. The differences in Hsp27 did not correlate with any of the histopathological parameters, but Hsp27 immunoexpression was higher in the undifferentiated carcinoma. No significant differences in the expression of the proteins were found in canine gastric carcinomas according to their histological type. These findings may be useful for establishing a prognosis for canine gastric carcinoma.