Boosting cytotoxicity of adoptive allogeneic NK cell therapy with an oncolytic adenovirus encoding a human vIL-2 cytokine for the treatment of human ovarian cancer

Despite good results in the treatment of hematological malignancies, Natural killer (NK) cells have shown limited effectiveness in solid tumors, such as ovarian cancer (OvCa). Here, we assessed the potential of an oncolytic adenovirus expressing a variant interleukin-2 (vIL-2) cytokine, Ad5/3-E2F-d24-vIL2 (vIL-2 virus), also known as TILT-452, to enhance NK cell therapy efficacy in human OvCa ex vivo. Human OvCa surgical specimens were processed into single-cell suspensions and NK cells were expanded from healthy blood donors. OvCa sample digests were co-cultured ex vivo with NK cells and vIL-2 virus and cancer cell killing potential assessed in real time through cell impedance measurement. Proposed therapeutic combination was evaluated in vivo with an OvCa patient-derived xenograft (PDX) in mice. Addition of vIL-2 virus significantly enhanced NK cell therapy killing potential in treated OvCa co-cultures. Similarly, vIL-2 virus in combination with NK cell therapy promoted the best in vivo OvCa tumor control. Mechanistically, vIL-2 virus induced higher percentages of granzyme B in NK cells, and CD8+ T cells, while T regulatory cell proportions remained comparable to NK cell monotherapy in vivo. Ad5/3-E2F-d24-vIL2 virus treatment represents a promising strategy to boost adoptive NK cell therapeutic effect in human OvCa.

Improving the cytotoxic response of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes towards advanced stage ovarian cancer with an oncolytic adenovirus expressing a human vIL-2 cytokine

While the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) associates with improved survival prognosis in ovarian cancer (OvCa) patients, TIL therapy benefit is limited. Here, we evaluated an oncolytic adenovirus coding for a human variant IL-2 (vIL-2) cytokine, Ad5/3-E2F-d24-vIL2 (vIL-2 virus), also known as TILT-452, as an immunotherapeutic strategy to enhance TIL responsiveness towards advanced stage OvCa tumors. Fragments of resected human OvCa tumors were processed into single-cell suspensions, and autologous TILs were expanded from said samples. OvCa tumor specimens were co-cultured with TILs plus vIL-2 virus, and cell killing was assessed in real time through cell impedance measurement. Combination therapy was further evaluated in vivo through a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) ovarian cancer murine model. The combination of vIL-2 virus plus TILs had best cancer cell killing ex vivo compared to TILs monotherapy. These results were supported by an in vivo experiment, where the best OvCa tumor control was obtained when vIL-2 virus was added to TIL therapy. Furthermore, the proposed therapy induced a highly cytotoxic phenotype demonstrated by increased granzyme B intensity in NK cells, CD4+ T, and CD8+ T cells in treated tumors. Our results demonstrate that Ad5/3-E2F-d24-vIL2 therapy consistently improved TILs therapy cytotoxicity in treated human OvCa tumors.

PR and QRS intervals in basal electrocardiogram as a useful tool in screening family members for diagnosis of Brugada Syndrome

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Diagnosis of Brugada Syndrome (BrS) requires documentation of a spontaneous or pharmacologically induced type 1 Brugada pattern. In individuals with normal basal electrocardiography, screening methods could be challenging. The aim of the study was to detect if other parameters in basal ECG could be a tool to predict the diagnosis of BrS in family members.

Methods

Prospective analysis of 78 patients with family history of BrS and referenced for screening. Basal electrocardiogram was performed in all patients. Patients with spontaneous type 1 Brugada pattern in basal ECG were initially excluded. Definitive diagnosis required a presence of a type 1 ECG pattern or conversion of a type 2 to type 1 following provocative test. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for median comparison between groups as univariate analysis. Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were performed to evaluate the predictive values of ECG parameters.

Results

6% (n=5) had spontaneous type 1 Brugada syndrome. 53% were male (n=41); mean age of 28,9±15,3 years. 31% (n=24) had confirmative diagnosis of BrS. 27% (n=21) were carriers of SCN5A mutation. Mean duration of intervals on basal ECG were: RR 871,2±156,0ms; PR 159,3±34,1ms; QRS 91,4±13,4ms; QTc 404,2±32,0. Syncope occurred in 5% of patients (n=5), 94% were asymptomatic.

By univariate analysis the distribution of PR and QRS intervals was significantly different. Wider PR interval was found in patients with BrS (p<0,01) with a median of 200ms (variance of 1269) versus healthy individuals (median of 150ms and variance of 601). Wider QRS intervals were also found in BrS patients compared with healthy individuals (p<0,01) (100ms (288) versus 80ms (204)). The cut-off point, with the most sensitivity (S) and specificity (E) obtained using the Youden index (YI) for PR interval was 170ms (YI 0,5389; Sensitivity (S)≈65% and Specificity(E)≈89%) and for QRS interval was 97ms (YI 0,5148; Sensitivity (S)≈70% and Specificity(E)≈82%).

Conclusion

Higher PR and QRS intervals were associated with BrS diagnosis comparing to healthy family members which may pose a cost-effective screening tool. More studies are needed to validate this hypothesis.

A new ratio with PaO2/FiO2 and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure in the prognosis of intermediate high risk pulmonary embolism

Background

Intermediate high (IH) risk pulmonary embolism (PE) defines a category of patients (P) at increased risk of haemodynamic decompensation. Therefore, it is important to develop tools to identify P who will have an unfavourable outcome. The ratio between arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) to fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) – P/F ratio - is associated with in-hospital mortality (IHM) in PE. Pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) is another prognostic factor, related with right ventricular (RV) pressure overload. This study evaluates the usefulness of a new ratio with P/F divided by PASP (P/F:PASP), reflecting both severity of respiratory failure and pressure overload, in the prognosis of P with IH risk PE.

Methods

All P admitted for IH risk PE in an Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU) for 10 years were included. P/F ratio was calculated with admission blood gas analysis and PASP was obtained with echocardiography at admission in ICCU. P/F:PASP ratio was considered low if inferior to its median. Need for fibrinolysis and IHM were assessed. Follow-up (FU) of 2 years for all-cause mortality was done. Statistical analysis used chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests, binary logistic regressions and Kaplan-Meier curves.

Results

101 P were studied (mean age 63±17 years; 35.6% male). Mean P/F, PASP and P/F:PSAP were 264±68, 45±15 mmHg and 6.7±3.3, respectively. P/F:PASP was considered low if inferior to 5.9.

There was no difference in age, gender, comorbidities or Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) between P with low or high P/F:PASP. However, low P/F:PASP ratio was associated with tachypnea at admission (p=0.034), higher BNP level (p=0.011), right precordial leads T-wave inversion (p=0.029), presence of echocardiographic right ventricle dilation (p=0.002) and lower TAPSE (p=0.002).

Among P who underwent fibrinolysis, 60.4% had low P/F:PASP and 39.6% had high P/F:PASP ratio (χ2=3.32, p=0.05). P/F:PASP ratio was a predictor of fibrinolysis (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72–0.96, p=0.011), with lower ratio increasing the probability of fibrinolysis. This result was independent from PESI (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72–0.97, p=0.015). P/F:PASP ratio was also a predictor of IHM (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.38–1, p=0.05).

During FU, there was no difference in mortality between P with low or high P/F:PASP ratio (8.5% vs. 10.4%, respectively; Kaplan-Meier χ2=0.095; p=0.758).

Conclusions

In IH risk PE, low P/F:PASP ratio was associated with analytical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic risk features. In this study, P/F:PASP ratio was a predictor of short term prognosis, allowing identification of P at higher risk of fibrinolysis and IHM, but it was not useful for long term prognosis, as 2-year mortality was similar between the groups. Therefore, this ratio, as a measure of both respiratory failure and pressure overload, might allow refinement in risk stratification of P with IH risk PE.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Underdiagnosis of psychiatric disorders in people with intellectual disabilities: Differences between psychiatric disorders and challenging behaviour

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess the level of mental disorders and challenging behaviour in individuals with intellectual disability (ID) supported by specialized services, but without a prior psychiatric diagnosis, and to compare the levels of different disorders depending on the severity of ID.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study (N = 142) of population with ID. Inclusion criteria were the following: adult patients with ID and with no previous psychiatric diagnosis prior to this survey. The Wechsler Adults Intelligence Scale-II, the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with Developmental Disability checklist and clinical interview, the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped scale and the Inventory for Client and Agency Planning were the assessment tools.

RESULTS

A previously undiagnosed mental disorder was found in 29.6% of the sample. The most prevalent mental disorders were major depressive and anxiety disorders. An association between psychiatric comorbidity and challenging behaviour was found only for mild/moderate ID, especially for affective disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of a psychiatric as well as a medical comorbidity is associated with severe ID, unlike challenging behaviour. Clinical limitations of the study have been discussed.

Does whole body vibration exercise improve oxidative stress markers in women with fibromyalgia?

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of whole body vibration (WBV) exercise on oxidative stress markers in a group of women with fibromyalgia (FM) compared to a group of healthy women (CT). Twenty-one women diagnosed with FM and 21 age- and weight-matched healthy women were enrolled the study. Plasma oxidative stress markers (primary outcomes) were evaluated at rest and after WBV, and included thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), iron reduction capacity (FRAP), superoxide dismutase antioxidant enzymes activity (SOD), and catalase (CAT). At rest, the FM group had higher TBARS (P<0.001) and FRAP (P<0.001), and lower CAT (P=0.005) compared to the CT. In the CT group, the WBV had no effect on TBARS (P=0.559) and FRAP (P=0.926), whereas it increased both SOD (P<0.001) and CAT (P<0.001). In the FM group, the WBV reduced TBARS (p <0.001), FRAP (P<0.001), and CAT (P=0.005), while it increased SOD (P=0.019). There was an interaction effect (moments vs groups) in the TBARS (effect size=1.34), FRAP (effect size=0.93), CAT (effect size=1.45), and SOD (effect size=1.44) (P<0.001). A single trial of WBV exercise improved all oxidant and antioxidant parameters towards a greater adaptation to the stress response in FM women.

Effects of leptin on the follicular development and mitochondrial activity of ovine isolated early antral follicles cultured in vitro

This study evaluated the effect of leptin on the in vitro culture of isolated sheep early antral follicles. Early antral follicles (300-450 μm) were isolated and cultured for 12 days in tissue culture medium 199 (TCM 199) supplemented with glutamine, hypoxanthine, transferrin, insulin, selenium, ascorbic acid, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) (TCM 199⁺: control medium) or TCM 199⁺ supplemented with 2 or 10 ng/mL leptin. After culture, oocytes were subjected to in vitro maturation (IVM). The parameters analyzed were morphology, extrusion rate, follicular diameter, growth and fully-grown oocytes (oocytes ≥110 μm) rates. After IVM, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial activity, meiotic stages and meiotic resumption rates were also analyzed. After 12 days of culture, the concentration of 2 ng/mL of leptin showed a higher percentage of morphologically normal follicles, fully-grown oocytes (≥110 μm), active mitochondria and meiotic resumption compared to the control medium (TCM 199⁺; P < 0.05) but did not differ when compared to leptin concentration of 10 ng/mL (P > 0.05). After culturing, no significant differences existed among treatments in terms of the follicle diameter and ROS levels. In conclusion, the addition of 2 ng/mL leptin to the base culture medium is capable of improving follicular survival, oocyte growth, mitochondrial activity and meiotic resumption after the in vitro culture of isolated sheep early antral follicles.

In vitro survival, growth, and maturation of sheep oocytes from secondary follicles cultured in serum-free conditions: impact of a constant or a sequential medium containing recombinant human FSH

This study evaluated the in vitro development and maturation of ovine oocytes from secondary follicles cultured in serum-free medium containing fixed or sequential concentrations of recombinant human FSH (rhFSH). Follicles were cultured in α-MEM⁺ alone or with constant (500, 750, or 1,000 ng/mL) or sequential concentrations of rhFSH (seq. 1: day 6 = 500; day 12 = 750; day 18 = 1,000 ng/mL and seq. 2: day 6 = 100; day 12 = 500; day 18 = 1,000 ng/mL). At the end of the experiment, follicular survival was higher (P < 0.05) in 750 ng/mL rhFSH than the control and 1,000 ng/mL rhFSH. As early as day 6 of culture, antral cavity formation was observed in all treatments. Follicular diameter increased progressively and significantly in all treatments throughout 18 d of culture. Furthermore, addition of rhFSH to the medium promoted a significant increase in the percentage of fully grown oocytes in all treatments compared to α-MEM⁺. Mitochondrial activity was higher in rhFSH treatments than in the control, except in rhFSH seq. 2 (P < 0.05). Maturation rates increased in oocytes from intact follicles cultured in 750 ng/mL rhFSH compared to the control (P < 0.05). In conclusion, rhFSH at 750 ng/mL maintained the survival of secondary follicles cultured in serum-free medium, improved oocyte growth, mitochondrial activity, and oocyte maturation.

The effect of hypoxia and flow decrease in macroinvertebrate functional responses: A trait-based approach to multiple-stressors in mesocosms

River ecosystems are most often subject to multiple co-occurring anthropogenic stressors. Mediterranean streams are particularly affected by water scarcity and organic loads that commonly lead to a simultaneous reduction in flow and increasing depletion of dissolved oxygen. In the present study, the single and combined effects of water scarcity (flow velocity reduction) and dissolved oxygen depletion were used to evaluate alterations of drifting macroinvertebrates on a channel mesocosm system, by employing a multiple trait-based approach. Our main findings confirmed that the impact of the two combined stressors can be implicated in alterations of ecosystem functions as result of the changes in proportions of biological traits. Overall, our results showed that, individually, flow velocity reduction and a severe oxygen depletion promoted a shift in community traits. In more detail, biological traits describing the dispersal of organisms and their respiration showed the strongest responses. The respiration mode responded to low flow with drift increase of gill breathers and decrease of individuals with tegument, whereas dispersal was clearly affected by the combination of stressors. Resistance through eggs was higher with the single effect of flow reduction, while swimmers´ relative abundance increased in individuals that drift after exposure to the combination of stressors. Thus, while flow reduction alone is expected to specifically filter out the gill breathers and the egg producers, the combination of stressors will impact more drastically organism's dispersal and swimmers. Such changes in biological traits can result in variations in ecosystem functioning through, for example, local changes in biomass, secondary production, stream metabolism as well as resulting in biodiversity losses or alterations of its distribution patterns.

TNFa and IL-2 armed adenoviruses enable complete responses by anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade

Releasing the patient's immune system against their own malignancy by the use of checkpoint inhibitors is delivering promising results. However, only a subset of patients currently benefit from them. One major limitation of these therapies relates to the inability of T cells to detect or penetrate into the tumor resulting in unresponsiveness to checkpoint inhibition. Virotherapy is an attractive tool for enabling checkpoint inhibitors as viruses are naturally recognized by innate defense elements which draws the attention of the immune system. Besides their intrinsic immune stimulating properties, the adenoviruses used here are armed to express tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). These cytokines result in immunological danger signaling and multiple appealing T-cell effects, including trafficking, activation and propagation. When these viruses were injected into B16.OVA melanoma tumors in animals concomitantly receiving programmed cell-death protein 1 (PD-1) blocking antibodies both tumor growth control (p < 0.0001) and overall survival (p < 0.01) were improved. In this set-up, the addition of adoptive cell therapy with OT-I lymphocytes did not increase efficacy further. When virus injections were initiated before antibody treatment in a prime-boost approach, 100% of tumors regressed completely and all mice survived. Viral expression of IL2 and TNFa altered the cytokine balance in the tumor microenvironment towards Th1 and increased the intratumoral proportion of CD8+ and conventional CD4+ T cells. These preclinical studies provide the rationale and schedule for a clinical trial where oncolytic adenovirus coding for TNFa and IL-2 (TILT-123) is used in melanoma patients receiving an anti-PD-1 antibody.

Inflammatory biomarkers responses after acute whole body vibration in fibromyalgia

The aims of this study were 1) to characterize the intensity of the vibration stimulation in women diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM) compared to a control group of healthy women (HW) matched by age and anthropometric parameters, and 2) to investigate the effect of a single session of whole body vibration (WBV) on inflammatory responses. Levels of adipokines, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (sTNFr1, sTNFr2), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was estimated by a portable gas analysis system, heart rate (HR) was measured using a HR monitor, and perceived exertion (RPE) was evaluated using the Borg scale of perceived exertion. Acutely mild WBV increased VO2 and HR similarly in both groups. There was an interaction (disease vs vibration) in RPE (P=0.0078), showing a higher RPE in FM compared to HW at rest, which further increased in FM after acute WBV, whereas it remained unchanged in HW. In addition, there was an interaction (disease vs vibration) in plasma levels of adiponectin (P=0.0001), sTNFR1 (P=0.000001), sTNFR2 (P=0.0052), leptin (P=0.0007), resistin (P=0.0166), and BDNF (P=0.0179). In conclusion, a single acute session of mild and short WBV can improve the inflammatory status in patients with FM, reaching values close to those of matched HW at their basal status. The neuroendocrine mechanism seems to be an exercise-induced modulation towards greater adaptation to stress response in these patients.

The role of epigenetic modifiers in extended cultures of functional hepatocyte-like cells derived from human neonatal mesenchymal stem cells

The development of predictive in vitro stem cell-derived hepatic models for toxicological drug screening is an increasingly important topic. Herein, umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hnMSCs) underwent hepatic differentiation using an optimized three-step core protocol of 24 days that mimicked liver embryogenesis with further exposure to epigenetic markers, namely the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA), the cytidine analogue 5-azacytidine (5-AZA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). FGF-2 and FGF-4 were also tested to improve endoderm commitment and foregut induction during Step 1 of the differentiation protocol, being HHEX expression increased with FGF-2 (4 ng/mL). DMSO (1%, v/v) when added at day 10 enhanced cell morphology, glycogen storage ability, enzymatic activity and induction capacity. Moreover, the stability of the hepatic phenotype under the optimized differentiation conditions was examined up to day 34. Our findings showed that hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) acquired the ability to metabolize glucose, produce albumin and detoxify ammonia. Global transcriptional analysis of the HLCs showed a partial hepatic differentiation degree. Global analysis of gene expression in the different cells revealed shared expression of gene groups between HLCs and human primary hepatocytes (hpHeps) that were not observed between HepG2 and hpHeps. In addition, bioinformatics analysis of gene expression data placed HLCs between the HepG2 cell line and hpHeps and distant from hnMSCs. The enhanced hepatic differentiation observed was supported by the presence of the hepatic drug transporters OATP-C and MRP-2 and gene expression of the hepatic markers CK18, TAT, AFP, ALB, HNF4A and CEBPA; and by their ability to display stable UGT-, EROD-, ECOD-, CYP1A1-, CYP2C9- and CYP3A4-dependent activities at levels either comparable with or even higher than those observed in primary hepatocytes and HepG2 cells. Overall, an improvement of the hepatocyte-like phenotype was achieved for an extended culture time suggesting a role of the epigenetic modifiers in hepatic differentiation and maturation and presenting hnMSC-HLCs as an advantageous alternative for drug discovery and in vitro toxicology testing.

Implementation of the new multichannel X-mode edge density profile reflectometer for the ICRF antenna on ASDEX Upgrade

A new multichannel frequency modulated continuous-wave reflectometry diagnostic has been successfully installed and commissioned on ASDEX Upgrade to measure the plasma edge electron density profile evolution in front of the Ion Cyclotron Range of Frequencies (ICRF) antenna. The design of the new three-strap ICRF antenna integrates ten pairs (sending and receiving) of microwave reflectometry antennas. The multichannel reflectometer can use three of these to measure the edge electron density profiles up to 2 × 10¹⁹ m^-3, at different poloidal locations, allowing the direct study of the local plasma layers in front of the ICRF antenna. ICRF power coupling, operational effects, and poloidal variations of the plasma density profile can be consistently studied for the first time. In this work the diagnostic hardware architecture is described and the obtained density profile measurements were used to track outer radial plasma position and plasma shape.

Epidemiologic patterns of disease expression in sarcoidosis: age, gender and ethnicity-related differences

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the influence of age, gender and ethnicity in the clinical presentation of sarcoidosis in a cohort of Spanish patients.

METHODS

We analysed 175 consecutive patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis between 1990 and 2014 in the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Spain. Sarcoidosis was diagnosed according to the 1999 WASOG criteria. Organ involvement was defined using the 2014 WASOG organ assessment instrument.

RESULTS

There were 110 women and 65 men, with a mean age at diagnosis of 47.31 ± 15.46 years (range, 16-92); 23% of patients were born outside Spain. Women had a higher mean age (p=0.027), a higher frequency of cutaneous (OR=2.28) and musculoskeletal (OR=2.73) symptoms at diagnosis, and a lower frequency of cumulated WASOG involvements including renal involvement (OR=0.17), hypercalcaemia (OR=0.20) and raised ACE levels (OR=0.30). Patients aged ≥65 years had a lower frequency of cutaneous (OR=0.23) and musculoskeletal (OR=0.13) symptomatology at diagnosis and a higher frequency of cumulated WASOG involvements including renal involvement (OR=18.70) and calcium/vitamin D abnormalities (OR=5.31). According to ethnicity, non-Spanish-born patients had a lower mean age (40 vs. 49 years, p=0.001), a higher predominance of females (68% vs. 54%, p=0.036) and a higher frequency of radiographic stages I/II at diagnosis (97% vs. 78%, p=0.041) in comparison with Spanish-born patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the new 2014 WASOG organ assessment instrument, we found that epidemiological features (age at diagnosis, gender and ethnicity) play a significant role in the presentation of sarcoidosis. Variations in these epidemiological features may aid early diagnostic suspicion, the search for histopathological confirmation and the prompt introduction of the appropriate therapy.

Sodium calcium exchanger operates in the reverse mode in metastatic human melanoma cells

Cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) is important in the regulation of several cellular functions involved in metastasis. We hypothesize that distinct [Ca2+]cyt regulation explains the acquisition of a more metastatic phenotype. To test this hypothesis, we used highly and lowly metastatic human melanoma cells and [Ca2+]cyt was monitored using Fura&mdash;2AM and fluorescence spectroscopy. Stimulation with ATP elicited a sustained increase in [Ca2+]cyt in highly metastatic cells, but a transient increase in lowly metastatic cells. Na+ substitution revealed Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) activity in reverse mode in highly, but not in lowly metastatic cells. In highly metastatic cells, addition of Na+ in the plateau phase of [Ca2+]cyt increase elicited with ATP, in the absence of Na+, resulted in a rapid return to basal, indicating that NCX can operate in both reverse and forward modes. Inhibition and knockdown of NCX, using KB&mdash;R7943 and siRNA NCX&mdash;1 respectively, supported the significance of NCX in [Ca2+]cyt regulation in highly metastatic cells. Stimulation with UTP triggered a rapid increase in highly metastatic cells [Ca2+]cyt, but not in lowly metastatic cells suggesting that highly and lowly metastatic cells exhibit distinct purinergic receptors. These data indicate that following agonist&mdash;stimulation, NCX operates preferentially in the reverse mode to enable a sustained [Ca2+]cyt increase in highly metastatic cells. The forward mode of NCX operation to extrude Ca2+ is preferred in lowly metastatic cells. The acquisition of a more metastatic phenotype involves a switch in NCX activity from forward to reverse mode that is favorable to maintain elevated [Ca2+]cyt in response to agonist stimulation.

Dorsal periaqueductal gray post-stimulation freezing is counteracted by neurokinin-1 receptor antagonism in the central nucleus of the amygdala in rats

Electrical stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) in rats generates defensive responses that are characterized by freezing and escape behaviors, followed by post-stimulation freezing that resembles symptoms of panic attacks. dPAG post-stimulation freezing involves the processing of ascending aversive information to prosencephalic centers, including the amygdala, which allows the animal to evaluate the consequences of stressful situations. The basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) is thought to act as a filter for innate and learned aversive information that is transmitted to higher structures. The central (CeA) and medial (MeA) nuclei of the amygdala constitute an output for the expression of fear reactions through projections to limbic and brainstem regions. Neurokinin (NK) receptors are abundant in the CeA, MeA, and BLA, but their role in the expression of defensive responses and processing of aversive information that is evoked by electrical stimulation of the dPAG is still unclear. In the present study, we examined the role of NK1 receptors in these amygdala nuclei in the expression of defensive responses induced by electrical stimulation of the dPAG in rats and fear memory of this aversive stimulation. Rats were implanted with an electrode into the dPAG for electrical stimulation and one cannula in the CeA, MeA, or BLA for injections of vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline) or the NK1 receptor antagonist spantide (SPA; 100 pmol/0.2 μl). Injections of SPA into the CeA but not BLA or MeA reduced the duration of post-stimulation freezing evoked by electrical stimulation of the dPAG, without changing the aversive thresholds of freezing or escape. Twenty-four hours later, exploratory behavior was evaluated in the elevated plus maze test (EPM) in the CeA group of rats. Electrical stimulation of the dPAG rats that received vehicle exhibited higher aversion to the open arms of the EPM than sham rats that did not receive any dPAG stimulation. SPA injections into the CeA prevented the proaversive effects of electrical stimulation of the dPAG assessed in the EPM 24 h later. The present results suggest that neurokininergic modulation via NK1 receptors in the CeA but not BLA or MeA is involved in the processing of aversive information derived from dPAG stimulation. The long-lasting consequences of electrical stimulation of the dPAG may be prevented by NK1 receptor antagonism in the CeA.

Genetic variability in the ITS and IGS regions of the ribosomal DNA of Acremonium cavaraeanum exhibiting antimicrobial activity

Endophytic microorganisms represent promising alternatives for obtaining new drugs of biotechnological importance. In this study, the endophytic species Acremonium cavaraeanum (A1a) isolated from Cocos nucifera was cultivated for the production of secondary metabolites, and its extracts and fractions were evaluated by the dilution method (MIC). The EtOAc extracts and MeOH fractions were tested against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, and had an MIC of 125 µg/mL when evaluated in the EtOAc extract (EBI). The EtOAc extract (EBII) had an MIC of 62.25 µg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus and an MIC between 125 and 250 µg/mL for Gram-negative bacteria. The methanolic fractions showed activity with MIC between 125 and 250 µg/mL for all bacteria tested. The IGS region of the rDNA repeat unit of genomic DNA was analyzed by PCR/RFLPs, including endonucleases PstI, BamHII, HinfI, and EcoRI. The physical maps showed different restriction sites for the 6 Acremonium sp isolates, and revealed 5 RFLP patterns. The results showed that isolates of the same Acremonium species exhibited variation in this specific region. The sequences of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 regions were aligned by Clustal W using the neighbor joining method, which grouped the isolates into 5 distinct clusters. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of A. cavaraeanum crops exhibiting antibacterial activity. The results of this study indicate that different fungal genetic isolates have biotechnological potential for the production of active bio-compounds against several human pathogens.

Trends in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity according to socioeconomic status: Spain, 1987-2007

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To ascertain trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Spanish children and adolescents according to the socioeconomic status of the family household and area of residence across the period 1987-2007.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

For study purposes, data were drawn from the 1987, 1995, 1997, 2001 and 2007 Spanish National Health Surveys. Overweight and obesity were estimated on the basis of body mass index. The following indicators of socioeconomic status were used: educational level of primary household earner and per capita income of province of residence. The statistical significance of the trend in the prevalence of overweight and obesity was assessed for each category of socioeconomic status. The χ2 test for trend was used in the case of educational level and a linear regression in the case of per capita income of province of residence.

RESULTS

Although the prevalence of overweight and obesity had levelled off among boys and girls aged 5 to 9 years, it nevertheless showed a significant upward trend among those aged 10 to 15 years from families whose primary household earner had a lower educational level. The prevalence of overweight among boys in this last group was 13.1% in 1987 and 31.5% in 2007. From 1997 onwards, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among boys and girls aged 10 to 15 years increased in both the richest and the remaining provinces, although the magnitude of this increase was greater in the latter. Specifically, in these provinces the prevalence increased from 18 to 28.9% over the period of study.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the childhood population in Spain has stabilised, except among adolescents, whether from lower-income families or lower-income areas, among whom a rising trend is in evidence.

Participation of NK1 receptors of the amygdala on the processing of different types of fear

The amygdala, medial hypothalamus, dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG), superior and inferior colliculus together constitutes the encephalic aversion system which has been considered the main neural substrate for the integration of unconditioned aversive behavioral states. Within the amygdala the basolateral nucleus (BLA) is thought to act as a filter for innate and learned aversive information to higher structures, whereas the central nucleus (CeA) is considered the main output for the expression of fear reactions through projections to limbic and brainstem regions. Although neurokinin (NK) receptors are abundant in the amygdala, their role in the processing and expression of fear is yet unclear. In this study, we examined the role of SP/NK1 receptor system of the CeA and BLA on the expression of defensive responses elaborated by Wistar rats submitted to elevated plus maze (EPM) and to electrical stimulation (ES) of the dPAG. For EPM test, cannulae were implanted in the CeA and BLA for injections of substance P (SP - 10 and 100pmol/0.2μL) and spantide (SPA - 10, 100 and 500pmol/0.2μL). For ES of dPAG, aversive thresholds for freezing and escape responses as well as post-stimulation freezing (PSF) were measured in rats treated with PBS and SPA (100pmol/0.2μL) in CeA. Injections of SP into the CeA, but not the BLA, produced anxiogenic-like effects in the EPM test. SPA injected into the CeA had no effect on the exploratory behavior of rats submitted to the EPM but blocked the effects of SP. The duration of dPAG-PSF was also reduced significantly following injection of SPA in CeA but had no effect on thresholds for freezing and escape responses. The EPM gives the animal a control over its environment i.e. the option to choose or not to enter into the open arm and dPAG-PSF is thought to reflect a period when the animal evaluates the significance of dPAG-evoked aversion once the unconditioned responses of freezing and escape were elicited. The data indicate that SP may be involved in mediating responses of the animal in only certain types of aversive behavior and suggests a differential participation of the NK1 receptors in the processing of distinct types of fear in the amygdala.

Depression but not seizure factors or quality of life predicts suicidality in epilepsy

The objective of this study was to determine prevalence and predictive risk factors of suicidality in a large sample of epilepsy outpatients. We prospectively examined 193 consecutive adult epilepsy outpatients for depression, including suicidal ideation. Demographic and epilepsy factors, medication toxicity and health-related quality of life were also evaluated. The prevalence of suicidal ideation within the past two weeks was 11.9%. Although medication toxicity, health-related quality of life and BDI scores were each associated with suicidal ideation in the bivariate analyses, only the BDI remained significant in the logistic regression analysis. About one-fourth of the subjects with suicidal ideation had no significant symptoms of depression. Recent thoughts of suicide are a common occurrence in the outpatient epilepsy clinic setting, but these are not predicted by gender, age, seizure factors, medication toxicity or self-perceived quality of life. Although depression is associated with suicidal ideation, about one-fourth of the suicidal subjects were euthymic or only mildly depressed.

[Brain neuroplasticity in occipital areas in blind teenagers]

INTRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT

Neuroplasticity is a process by which neurons increase their connectivity with other neurons in a stable fashion as a consequence of experience, learning and both sensitive and cognitive stimulation. Different authors have shown a huge process of brain plasticity in blind subjects towards other sensorial areas, mainly auditive and visual ones. From an anatomical standpoint many data show significant differences in blind subjects brains, mainly in visual pathways and structures as a result of lack of activity on those areas. This brings a lesser neuroplasticity and, therefore, a decrease in structural volumes. They have also found differences in subcortical structures volumes related to vision, such as splenium or corpus callosum istmus.

METHODOLOGY

An adolescent was administered passive tactile stimulation with an 1,500 taxels stimulator. This was carried out daily for an hour, for three months, and stimulation consisted of vertical, horizontal and oblique lines. The results obtained in an adolescent indicate a clear progression of EEG activity from tactile sensory parietal areas to visual occipital ones as stimulation progresses.

CONCLUSION

Therefore one can speculate if systematic and organized repetition of tactile stimuli in blind subjects leads to a greater neuroplasticity which expands towards occipital areas, largely responsible for human vision.

Investigation of CBS, MTR, RFC-1 and TC polymorphisms as maternal risk factors for Down syndrome

Recent evidence shows that almost 92% of the DS children are born from young mothers, suggesting that other risk factors than advanced maternal age must be involved. In this context, some studies demonstrated a possible link between DS and maternal polymorphisms in genes involved in folate metabolism. These polymorphisms, as well as low intake of folate could generate genomic instability, DNA hypomethylation and abnormal segregation, leading to trisomy 21. We compared the frequency of CBS 844ins68, MTR 2756A>G, RFC-1 80G&gt A and TC 776C>G polymorphisms among 114 case mothers and 110 matched controls, in order to observe whether these variants act as risk factors for DS. The genotype distributions revealed that there were not significant differences between both samples. However, when we proceed the multiplicative interaction analyses between the four polymorphisms described above together with the previously studied MTHFR 677C>T, MTHFR 1298A>C and MTRR 66A>G polymorphisms, our results show that the combined genotype TC 776CC / MTHFR 677TT and TC 776CC / MTR 2756AG were significantly higher in the control sample. Nevertheless, there was no significant association after Bonferroni correction. Our results suggest that maternal folate-related polymorphisms studied here have no influence on trisomy 21 susceptibility in subjects of Brazilian population.

Clinical and sociodemographic variables associated with the onset of posttraumatic stress disorder in road traffic accidents

Our objective was to identify variables related to the onset of acute posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a road traffic accident. We evaluated 60 victims of a motor vehicle accident (MVA) in 2004 at 2 months postaccident. Thirty of them had developed PTSD; the other 30 had not developed PTSD. Clinical data, physical injuries, and sociodemographic characteristics were determined in 60 victims. The Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS) and a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) were used to evaluate PTSD occurrence. PTSD scores assessed by DTS and SCID at 2 months were significantly and positively associated with female sex, severe physical injuries, perceived social deprivation, and loss of job activity due to the accident. Female sex, severe physical injury, perceived social deprivation, and sick leave were related to the diagnosis of PTSD 2 months after the accident.

Bovine meroanencephaly and gastroschisis: a macro and microscopic study

Congenital malformations correspond to one of the main causes of embryonic loss during the gestational process. They result from interaction of several factors such as multifactor heredity, chromosomal and genetic alterations and environmental agents; however, unknown aetiology also can be present. In this article, we have used 10 embryos, from a frigorific area of Dracena, SP, Brazil, which were fixed in Bouin solution for a macro- and micro-scopic description. We could verify the presence of an encephalic tissue mass on the embryo's dorsal cranial area, resulting from the non-formation of part of the cranial cap and from the non-closing of cephalic neuropore and consequent neuroepithelial cells disorganization. In the abdominal area, the embryos did not show the complete fusion of the body lateral pleats during the abdominal wall formation, and the liver extruded into the amniotic cavity without involvement of the intestine.

Modelling hydrogen sulphide emission in a WWTP with UASB reactor followed by aerobic biofilters

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) represents one of the main odorant gases emitted from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and a mathematical model can be a fast and low cost tool to estimate its emission. In this work H2S emission rates in a WWTP, composed of an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor and an aerobic biofilter (BF), are estimated using four mathematical models available in the literature (AP-42, GPC, TOXCHEM + and WATER8). The results show that the GPC model leads to the best agreement with the experimental data, except for the biofilter due to its lack of capability to include biodegradation as a H2S removal process. On the other hand, the AP-42 and WATER8 models showed a slightly better ability to predict H2S removal in the biofilter than the TOXCHEM + model, as all models underestimate the H2S concentration decay.

Correlation between symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome and the response to the food extract skin prick test

The relationship between the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and food intolerance is not clear. We studied the cutaneous response to food antigens in 43 volunteers who were students and employees of the Faculty of Medicine of Universidade Federal Fluminense. Subjects were divided into 3 groups after evaluation for Roma II criteria for functional disease of the gastrointestinal tract: group I, 14 volunteers with IBS; group II, 15 volunteers with functional dyspepsia; group III, 14 volunteers without habitual gastrointestinal symptoms. The subjects were submitted to the skin prick test with 9 food antigen extracts, for a total of 387 skin tests (9 per volunteer). Of the 126 tests applied to group I, 24 (19.4%) were positive (a 3-mm wider papule than the negative control) and of the 135 tests applied to group II, 3 (2.3%) were positive. Of the 126 tests applied to group III, 6 (4%) were positive. The number of positive responses obtained in group I (IBS) differed significantly from the other 2 groups (P < 0.01). None of the volunteers with IBS reported intolerance to any isolated food. The higher reactivity to food antigens in group I compared to groups II and III suggests that intestinal permeability may be increased in patients with IBS.

Comparison of intravenous flecainide, propafenone, and amiodarone for conversion of acute atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm

In a prospective, single-blind trial, we randomized 150 consecutive symptomatic patients with acute (< or = 48 hours' duration) atrial fibrillation to receive intravenous flecainide, propafenone, or amiodarone. Flecainide and propafenone were administered as a bolus dose of 2 mg/kg in 20 minutes. A second bolus dose of 1 mg/kg in 20 minutes was administered if conversion to sinus rhythm was not achieved after 8 hours. Amiodarone was administered as a bolus of 5 mg/kg in 20 minutes followed by a continuous infusion of 50 mg/hour. By the end of a 12-hour observation period, conversion to sinus rhythm was achieved in 45 patients (90%) in the flecainide group, 36 (72%) in the propafenone group, and 32 (64%) in the amiodarone group (p = 0.008 for the overall comparison, p = 0.002 for flecainide vs amiodarone, p = 0.022 for flecainide vs propafenone, and p = 0.39 for propafenone vs amiodarone). When compared with amiodarone, this higher reversion rate with flecainide was present from the first hour of the study period. However, only after administering the second bolus was there a significant difference between flecainide and propafenone. Median time to conversion to sinus rhythm was different among groups (p < 0.001), and it was lower in the flecainide (25 minutes; range 4 to 660) and propafenone (30 minutes; range 10 to 660) groups than in the amiodarone group (333 minutes; range 15 to 710; p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Flecainide, at the doses administered in this study, is more effective than propafenone and amiodarone for conversion of acute atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. Propafenone and amiodarone have similar conversion rates, although propafenone was faster in achieving the conversion to sinus rhythm.

Nicotiana tabacum as an Experimental Host for the Study of Plant-Xylella fastidiosa Interactions

Xylella fastidiosa causes citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC). Information generated from the X. fastidiosa genome project is being used to study the underlying mechanisms responsible for pathogenicity. However, the lack of an experimental host other than citrus to study plant-X. fastidiosa interaction has been an obstacle to accelerated progress in this area. We present here results of three experiments that demonstrated that tobacco could be an important experimental host for X. fastidiosa. All tobacco plants inoculated with a citrus strain of X. fastidiosa expressed unequivocal symptoms, consisting of orange leaf lesions, approximately 2 months after injection of the pathogen. CVC symptoms were observed in citrus 3 to 6 months after inoculation. The pathogen was readily detected in symptomatic tobacco plants by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and phase contrast microscopy. In addition, X. fastidiosa was reisolated on agar plates in 4 of 10 plants. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of cross sections of stems and petioles revealed the presence of rod shaped bacteria restricted to the xylem of inoculated plants. The cell size was within the limit typical of X. fastidiosa.

Flow properties of fast three-dimensional sequences for MR angiography

To reduce the scan time of time of flight or phase contrast angiography sequences, fast three-dimensional k-space trajectories can be employed. The best 3D trajectory depends on tolerable scan time, readout time, geometric flexibility, flow/motion properties and others. A formalism for flow/motion sensitivity comparison based on the velocity k-space behavior is presented. It consists in finding the velocity k-space position as a function of the spatial k-space position. The trajectories are compared graphically by their velocity k-space maps, with simulations and with an objective computed index. The flow/motion properties of various 3D trajectories (cones, spiral-pr hybrid, spherical stack of spirals, 3DFT, 3D echo-planar, and shells) were determined. In terms of flow/motion sensitivity the cones trajectory is the best, however, it is difficult to use it for anisotropic resolutions or fields of view. Tolerating more flow sensitivity, the stack of spirals trajectory offers more geometric flexibility.

The role of Escherichia coli RNase E and RNase III in the processing of the citQRP operon mRNA from Lactococcus lactis biovar diacetylactis

Citrate transport in Lactococcus lactis biovar diacetylactis (L. diacetylactis) is catalyzed by citrate permease P (CitP), which is encoded by the plasmidic citP gene. Two partial overlapping open reading frames citQ and citR are located upstream of citP. These two genes, together with citP, constitute the citQRPoperon. In this report it was shown that in L. diacetylactis and Escherichia coli, cit mRNA is subject to the same specific cleavages at a complex secondary structure which includes the central region of citQ and the 5'-end of citR. The role of ribonucleases in the fate of the cit mRNA processing was investigated in E. coli RNase mutant strains. The results obtained indicate that both endoribonucleases RNase E and RNase III are involved in the generation of mRNA processed species. RNase E is responsible for the major cleavages detected within citQ and upstream of citR, whereas RNase III cleaves citR within its ribosomal binding site. Preliminary results indicate the existence of a RNaselll-like enzyme in L. diacetylactis. Based on these results, a model for the role of cit mRNA processing in the expression of citP is presented.

The stationary-phase morphogene bolA from Escherichia coli is induced by stress during early stages of growth

The Escherichia coli morphogene bolA causes round morphology when overexpressed. The expression of bolA is mainly regulated by a sigmas-dependent gearbox promoter bolA1p. Such regulation results in increased relative levels of expression at slow growth rates, as seen with those attained at the onset of stationary phase. We demonstrate that bolA1p is also induced during early logarithmic growth in response to several forms of stress, and that this induction can be partially sigmas independent. Sudden carbon starvation results in a 17-fold increase in mRNA levels derived from bolA1p 1 h after stress imposition. Increased osmolarity results in a more than 20-fold increase after the same period. Considerable increases in bolA1p mRNA levels were also detected as a result of heat shock, acidic stress and oxidative stress, which has been shown to inhibit sigmas translation. The orders of magnitude of bolA1p induction in log phase due to sudden starvation, osmotic shock and oxidative stress surpass the levels reached in stationary phase. Under sudden carbon starvation and osmotic shock, the cells changed their morphology, resembling those cells in which bolA is overexpressed in stationary phase. Increased expression and morphological changes due to sudden carbon starvation and osmotic shock still occur when sigmaS is not present in a rpoS- background. The results show that expression of bolA is not confined to stationary phase, but it can also play an important role in general stress response. We propose that bolA1p stress induction overrides the normal regulation imposed by growth rate, which is strictly the result of sigmaS-directed transcription.

A comparative analysis of the citrate permease P mRNA stability in Lactococcus lactis biovar diacetylactis and Escherichia coli

The role of ribonucleases in the control of gene expression remains unknown in lactic acid bacteria. In the present work, we analysed the expression of the citP gene, which encodes the lactococcal citrate permease P, through the stability of the citQRP messenger in both Lactococcus lactis biovar diacetylactis (L. diacetylactis) and Escherichia coli. The chemical half-life for citQRP mRNA observed in L. diacetylactis wild-type strain was abnormally long for bacteria. It was even longer than that detected in E. coli RNase E or RNase III mutant strains. A model of processing and fate of RNA species containing citP gene is presented.

[Chlamydia pneumoniae and arteriosclerosis]

INTRODUCTION

The relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae and atherosclerosis has been assessed in several studies. Development and conclusions. Their results suggest a possible role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the origin and development of the disease, while the actual link between them are still unknown. However, the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with atherosclerosis could be just a coincidence.

Ecologic observations on anopheline vectors of malaria in the Brazilian Amazon

Human intervention in the Brazilian Amazon region promotes contacts between humans and vectors that may favor the propagation of anopheline mosquitoes and the spread of malaria in the absence of planning and infrastructure to control this disease. Vector ecology studies were carried out to determine the risk areas. These data should help in designing appropriate malaria control measures. Data from 14 different regions are reported. Vectors are able to adapt to different environments, which made it necessary to study each area. The parameters studied were Anopheles breeding sites, species distribution, incidence, feeding preferences, hours of maximum activity of adult mosquitoes, seasonality, resting places, and the presence of Plasmodium. Species complexes were also studied. Anopheles darlingi may be responsible for maintaining malaria in human populations in this region. A reduction in the population density of A. darlingi in a particular geographic area can sometimes cause the disappearance of malaria. This species feeds at night but has a peak of activity at the beginning of the evening and another at dawn. Other species are mainly crepuscular and all anophelines demonstrated pronounced exophilia. The timing of feeding activities was found to vary in areas altered by human intervention and also depended on the time of the year and climatic conditions. The larvae were more abundant in the rivers with a less acidic pH and rural areas showed the highest larval index.

[Severe thrombocytopenia associated with Abciximab therapy--apropos a clinical case]

The authors present the case of a 52-year-old male patient with severe coronary artery disease, submitted to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty on a type C right coronary artery lesion. The use of a platelet glycoprotein receptor IIb-IIIa inhibitor, Abciximab, led to severe thrombocytopenia, treated only with platelet concentrate transfusions and with complete recovery. We also review the principal characteristics of the drug, its main indications and side effects. Severe thrombocytopenia has rarely been described in the literature.

[The evaluation of personality disorders among inmates by IPDE and MMPI]

The prevalence of personality disorders in penal population was studied with two instruments, the classic MMPI and the recently published IPDE, authorized by the WHO for the diagnosis of personality disorders in both, DSM-IV and ICD-10 versions. A sample of 56 prisoners from a Spanish prison was studied, mean age 22, all male, 98% of them had never requested psychiatric help. The crimes most frequently committed were related to drug traffic and drug abuse (thefts, robberies, crimes against public health). There were also cases of homicide, homicide attempt, rape and kidnapping. 91% of the studied sample presented one or more personality disorders, being the most frequent: Antisocial (79%), Paranoid (52%) and Borderline (41%). The MMPI scales most frequently obtained were: Psychopathic deviation (59%), Paranoia (46%) and Schizophrenia (41%). There was a good clinical correlation between the IPDE and the MMPI results.

RNA processing is involved in the post-transcriptional control of the citQRP operon from Lactococcus lactis biovar diacetylactis

The importance of Lactococcus lactis biovar diacetylactis (L. diacetylactis) in the dairy industry is due to its ability to produce aroma compounds, such as acetoin and diacetyl, from citrate. The first step in citrate utilization is its uptake by the cells. In L. diacetylactis, the citrate transport system is encoded by the citQRP operon. We have previously proposed that expression of citQRP operon is regulated at the post-transcriptional level. In this paper, we show that the cit mRNA is processed at a complex secondary structure in L. diacetylactis and Escherichia coli. This secondary structure includes the 5'-terminal two-thirds of citQ and the overlap between citQ and citR. Primer-extension analysis revealed that the major cleavage sites are located upstream of citR and within citQ. In an attempt to identify the enzyme(s) responsible for this cleavage, we have analyzed this processing in E. coli mutants deficient in endoribonucleases. A comparative analysis of cit mRNA degradation was performed in RNase E and RNase III mutants and in wild-type strains using Northern blot hybridization. This analysis revealed that the cit transcript is degraded into several breakdown products, which are significantly stabilized in the mutant lacking RNase III. Our results indicate that the complex secondary structure has a critical role in the control of the expression of cit mRNA. A model for processing is discussed.

Pharmacological evidence supporting a role for IL-1, IL-2 and serotonin in the inflammation induced by Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen (SEA) in rat paws

THIS study intended to characterize pharmacologically the mediator(s) released in the inflammation induced by Soluble Egg Antigen (SEA), the main antigen released from eggs of Schistosoma mansoni, in rat hindpaws. A single intraplantar injection of 0.1-100 microg SEA at day zero induced a dose-dependent increase in the volume of rat hindpaws characterizing an oedema of quick onset (within 15 min) and 4h-duration, which was confirmed by histopathological analysis of the paws. A second injection of SEA in the same paw (1-10 microg) 28 days later induced an increased dose-dependent oedematogenic response. The early oedematogenic response following SEA sensitization was derived from serotonin release and interleukin-1 (IL-1), since treatment with either pizotifen or an antibody against IL-1, reduced the response by 60% and 48%, respectively. The increased oedematogenic response derived from SEA-challenge (10 microg) of rat paws derived from a local rather than systemic reaction, since it was not observed if the sensitization was in the contralateral paw or the peritoneal cavity of the animals. Chronic treatment with inhibitors of IL-2 synthesis/release such as cyclosporin or dexamethasone during the sensitization phase reduced the oedematogenic response due to SEA challenge by 51% and 55%, respectively. These data suggested that SEA-challenge was immune-derived and dependent of IL-2 release. It is discussed the association between cytokine release and the resistance of rats to S. mansoni infection.

Determinant role of E. coli RNase III in the decay of both specific and heterologous mRNAs

A comparative analysis of mRNA decay was carried out in Escherichia coli using the wild-type and an isogenic RNase III deletion strain. We have studied the mRNA degradation from the Escherichia coli gene bolA, the Lactococcus lactis biovar diacetylactis citQRP operon and the Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough gene cyc. As seen by a dramatic stabilization of the specific mRNAs in the mutant strain, RNase III was crucial for the decay process of these three messages. Since RNase III, unlike RNase E, is not essential for bacterial viability we think that there is potential for using RNase III mutant strains to modulate gene expression.

[The white coat effect in primary care. Analysis of patients with newly diagnosed arterial hypertension]

BACKGROUND

In a non-selected group of hypertensive patients with a new diagnosis at primary care, blood pressures obtained in the office (oBP) are compared to ambulatory ones (aBP). White coat hypertension (WCH) and white coat phenomenon (WCP) are estimated to evaluate a white coat effect on such population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

An ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed to 91 hypertensive patients (55 females) from 21 to 70 years-old, with consecutive diagnosis in 4 office rooms in an health center (oBP mean > or = 140 mmHg for systolic blood pressure and/or 90 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure during three measures at least). WCH was defined by systolic aBP < or = 135 mmHg and diastolic < or = 85 mmHg, simultaneously, and WCP by oBP-aBP differences > or = 20 and/or 10 mmHg (for respective systolic and diastolic blood pressure).

RESULTS

oBP systematically exceeded aBP with wide variations for each subject (difference mean +/- SD: 15 +/- 13/7 +/- 9 mmHg for systolic/diastolic), sex (female: 19 +/- 12/11 +/- 9, male 8 +/- 11/2 +/- 9) and depending on the observer who made the measure. WCH was detected in 27 patients (22 females), and WCP in 47 (37 females), so 30% (confidence interval [CI]: 21-40%) and 52% (CI: 41-62%) respective prevalences are supposed.

CONCLUSIONS

Within primary care, white coat effect causes a substantial hypertension sobrediagnosis as quantitative as qualitatively. Confirming measures made by nurses and additionally, ABPM for women, seem to lessen this effect.

[Effect of enalaprilat on cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin]

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether the enalaprilat, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, was able to prevent the myocardial damage induced by doxorubicin (DOX).

METHODS

Four groups composed of 10 Wistar rats each were followed for seven weeks: control (CONT); treated with enalaprilat (ENA, 1mg/kg/d/sc) treated with doxorubicin (DOX, 25 mg/kg/d/sc), and treated with doxorubicin plus enalaprilat (DOX+ENA). In eight animals of each group, the left ventricle (LV) was prepared for morphometric study and stained with HE and picro-sírius for identifying muscle fibers and collagen. In each group three fragments of the LV were examined with electronic microscopy (EM). For statistical analysis: the one-way analysis of variance was performed and was followed by multiple comparisons test when the difference between groups were detected p values < or = 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

Light microscopy-it was not found any significant difference among the groups for muscle fibers patterns and proportion of collagen fibers of left ventricle. Electronic microscopy-the cristolysis index (proportion between normal and damage mitochondria) demonstrated significant difference between DOX and DOX+ENA groups (30.1 vs 11.6, p < or = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

ENA prevented cardiotoxic alterations induced by DOX minimizing the aggression to the mitochondria and these findings, if confirmed in anima nobilis, may open a new clinical use for this type of drug.

[Tuberculosis and hypercalcemia]

The authors present a case of disseminated tuberculosis in a patient under dialysis with endstage renal disease. Fever, nocturnal sweating, anorexia, asthenia, ascites, lymph node involvement and granulomatous involvement of the bone marrow were observed. In the twenty nine months of renal failure which preceded the beginning of the tuberculosis, serum calcium levels were normal or low-normal and there was a secondary hyperparathyroidism. During that period the patient was treated with calcium carbonate and calcitriol. At the onset of tuberculosis, serum calcium levels rose above normal. Treatment with calcium and calcitriol was withdrawn but hypercalcemia remained unchanged. Serum concentration of parathormone fell significantly. Antituberculosis drugs were started. The resolution of active tuberculosis was accompanied by normalization of serum calcium levels and by elevation above normal of serum concentration of parathormone.