Extensive morphological and behavioural diversity among fourteen new and seven described species in Phytophthora Clade 10 and its evolutionary implications

During extensive surveys of global Phytophthora diversity 14 new species detected in natural ecosystems in Chile, Indonesia, USA (Louisiana), Sweden, Ukraine and Vietnam were assigned to Phytophthora major Clade 10 based on a multigene phylogeny of nine nuclear and three mitochondrial gene regions. Clade 10 now comprises three subclades. Subclades 10a and 10b contain species with nonpapillate sporangia, a range of breeding systems and a mainly soil- and waterborne lifestyle. These include the previously described P. afrocarpa, P. gallica and P. intercalaris and eight of the new species: P. ludoviciana, P. procera, P. pseudogallica, P. scandinavica, P. subarctica, P. tenuimura, P. tonkinensis and P. ukrainensis. In contrast, all species in Subclade 10c have papillate sporangia and are self-fertile (or homothallic) with an aerial lifestyle including the known P. boehmeriae, P. gondwanensis, P. kernoviae and P. morindae and the new species P. celebensis, P. chilensis, P. javanensis, P. multiglobulosa, P. pseudochilensis and P. pseudokernoviae. All new Phytophthora species differed from each other and from related species by their unique combinations of morphological characters, breeding systems, cardinal temperatures and growth rates. The biogeography and evolutionary history of Clade 10 are discussed. We propose that the three subclades originated via the early divergence of pre-Gondwanan ancestors > 175 Mya into water- and soilborne and aerially dispersed lineages and subsequently underwent multiple allopatric and sympatric radiations during their global spread. Citation: Jung T, Milenković I, Corcobado T, et al. 2022. Extensive morphological and behavioural diversity among fourteen new and seven described species in Phytophthora Clade 10 and its evolutionary implications. Persoonia 49: 1-57. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2022.49.01.

Assessment of humoral immune response to two mRNA SARS-CoV-2 VACCINES (Moderna and Pfizer) in healthcare workers fully vaccinated with and without a history of previous infection

Aims

Presence of anti‐S1 region of SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein was analysed, at two and eight months, in 477 immunocompetent healthcare workers in Zaragoza, Spain, vaccinated with mRNA‐1273 (Moderna) or BNT162b2 (Pfizer).

Methods and results

Antibody analysis was performed with Alinity i System (Abbott). At 2 months, 100% of vaccinated had anti‐S1 IgG (mean = 13,285 AU ml⁻¹). This value was significantly higher with Moderna (18,192 AU ml⁻¹) than with Pfizer (10,441 AU ml⁻¹). The mean value of anti‐S1 IgG after vaccination was significantly higher in patients with than without previous infection (18,539 vs. 7919 AU ml⁻¹); in both groups was significantly higher with Moderna than with Pfizer (21,881 vs. 15,733 AU ml⁻¹ and 11,949 vs. 6387 AU ml⁻¹), respectively. At 8 months, 100% of patients were IgG positive, with higher levels with Moderna than with Pfizer. Nevertheless, in ensemble of cases, a mean decrease of antibody levels of 11,025 AU ml⁻¹ was observed.

Conclusion

At 2 and 8 months after vaccination, IgG response persists with both vaccines but with important decrease which suggests the need for revaccination.

Significance and impact of study

The study contributes to know the immune status after vaccination with two of more used anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines. This knowledge is important for establishing the best vaccination strategy

OSA patients not treated with PAP - Evolution over 5 years according to the Baveno classification and cardiovascular outcomes

INTRODUCTION

The evolution of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) non-eligible for PAP-therapy at diagnosis is unknown. Currently, the severity of OSA is based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), but its prognostic relevance has raised concerns. The Baveno classification may allow a better stratification of severity and therapeutic guidance in OSA.

METHODS

Patients with AHI≥5/h in 2015, classified into Baveno groups A and B and non-eligible for PAP therapy at diagnosis and over 5 years, were analyzed. Patients were reclassified into Baveno groups (A-D) and changes in groups over 5 years were explored. Patients in Baveno groups C and D, who developed major cardiovascular comorbidities (CVC) or end-organ damage (EOD group), were compared with patients in Baveno groups A and B (non-EOD group). To identify predictors of the development of major CVC or EOD, a logistic regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

There were 76 patients, 58% male, mean age 51.9 ± 10.1 years, mean body mass index (BMI) of 30.3 ± 5.0 kg/m2 and median AHI of 8.9 (5.9-12.0) events/h. At diagnosis, 46% and 54% of patients were classified into Baveno group A and group B, respectively. In total, 21% of patients developed major CVC or EOD (Baveno group C or D); higher age (p = 0.011) and BMI (p = 0.004) and a higher percentage of central apneas (p = 0.012) at diagnosis significantly predicted it, while sex, sleepiness, insomnia, AHI, ODI and T90 were not.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant percentage of patients non-eligible for PAP-therapy at diagnosis of OSA developed CVC or EOD; higher age and BMI and a higher percentage of central apneas were significant predictors.

Local policy for managing the risk of the proliferation and spread of Legionella in the Girona area

Issue

The towns in the Girona area are mostly small (70% have fewer than 1.500 inhabitants) and employ few public health technicians. Difficulties exist in municipal facilities when it comes to carrying out self-assessment tests and fulfilling regulatory requirements.

Description

In 2009, Dipsalut designed a programme to offer support to local councils in the management and control of the sanitation of municipal facilities at risk of transmitting Legionella.

Main Objectives

To improve the control of the health risk, to ensure the technical capacitation of personnel and to achieve territorial equity in health protection. The programme methodology comprised: a service provision programme with structured actions, a network of public health stakeholders and an information system shared between the stakeholders. The programme includes the structural description of the facilities, the study of the risk factors for the proliferation and spread of Legionella, the drawing up of control plans based on the HACCP system, analyses to determine and quantify Legionella, preventive cleaning and disinfection, on-site advice for workers, and training courses.

Results

Regarding the improvement in the control of the health risk: - In 2019, 905 facilities were controlled in 105 towns. In the last 8 years, the refurbishment of 239 facilities has been carried out, involving a total investment of 2,075.857€.Reduction in the concentration of Legionella where more exhaustive sampling is carried out.

Regarding the technical capacitation of personnel: 2.012 people on courses and 10.121 people in visits on-site.

Lessons

Realising the importance of ensuring the co-responsibility of facility managers. Adapting actions to be carried out in facilities according to risk: the greater the risk, the greater the effort.

Key messages

The application of an area-wide programme improves facility risk management. Ensuring technical capacitation, incorporating improvements based on common experiences and optimising resources.

Impact of age on the use of adjuvant treatments in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer: patients with stage III colon or stage II/III rectal cancer

Background

Many older patients don’t receive appropriate oncological treatment. Our aim was to analyse whether there are age differences in the use of adjuvant chemotherapy and preoperative radiotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted in 22 hospitals including 1157 patients with stage III colon or stage II/III rectal cancer who underwent surgery. Primary outcomes were the use of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer and preoperative radiotherapy for stage II/III rectal cancer. Generalised estimating equations were used to adjust for education, living arrangements, area deprivation, comorbidity and clinical tumour characteristics.

Results

In colon cancer 92% of patients aged under 65 years, 77% of those aged 65 to 80 years and 27% of those aged over 80 years received adjuvant chemotherapy (χ²_trends < 0.001). In rectal cancer preoperative radiotherapy was used in 68% of patients aged under 65 years, 60% of those aged 65 to 80 years, and 42% of those aged over 80 years (χ²_trends < 0.001). Adjusting by comorbidity level, tumour characteristics and socioeconomic level, the odds ratio of use of chemotherapy compared with those under age 65, was 0.3 (0.1–0.6) and 0.04 (0.02–0.09) for those aged 65 to 80 and those aged over 80, respectively; similarly, the odds ratio of use of preoperative radiotherapy was 0.9 (0.6–1.4) and 0.5 (0.3–0.8) compared with those under 65 years of age.

Conclusions

The probability of older patients with colorectal cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and preoperative radiotherapy is lower than that of younger patients; many of them are not receiving the treatments recommended by clinical practice guidelines. Differences in comorbidity, tumour characteristics, curative resection, and socioeconomic factors do not explain this lower probability of treatment. Research is needed to identify the role of physical and cognitive functional status, doctors’ attitudes, and preferences of patients and their relatives, in the use of adjuvant therapies.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-5910-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Identical and Nonidentical Twins: Risk and Factors Involved in Development of Islet Autoimmunity and Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

There are variable reports of risk of concordance for progression to islet autoantibodies and type 1 diabetes in identical twins after one twin is diagnosed. We examined development of positive autoantibodies and type 1 diabetes and the effects of genetic factors and common environment on autoantibody positivity in identical twins, nonidentical twins, and full siblings.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Subjects from the TrialNet Pathway to Prevention Study (N = 48,026) were screened from 2004 to 2015 for islet autoantibodies (GAD antibody [GADA], insulinoma-associated antigen 2 [IA-2A], and autoantibodies against insulin [IAA]). Of these subjects, 17,226 (157 identical twins, 283 nonidentical twins, and 16,786 full siblings) were followed for autoantibody positivity or type 1 diabetes for a median of 2.1 years.

RESULTS

At screening, identical twins were more likely to have positive GADA, IA-2A, and IAA than nonidentical twins or full siblings (all P < 0.0001). Younger age, male sex, and genetic factors were significant factors for expression of IA-2A, IAA, one or more positive autoantibodies, and two or more positive autoantibodies (all P ≤ 0.03). Initially autoantibody-positive identical twins had a 69% risk of diabetes by 3 years compared with 1.5% for initially autoantibody-negative identical twins. In nonidentical twins, type 1 diabetes risk by 3 years was 72% for initially multiple autoantibody-positive, 13% for single autoantibody-positive, and 0% for initially autoantibody-negative nonidentical twins. Full siblings had a 3-year type 1 diabetes risk of 47% for multiple autoantibody-positive, 12% for single autoantibody-positive, and 0.5% for initially autoantibody-negative subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk of type 1 diabetes at 3 years is high for initially multiple and single autoantibody-positive identical twins and multiple autoantibody-positive nonidentical twins. Genetic predisposition, age, and male sex are significant risk factors for development of positive autoantibodies in twins.

Low-Dose Anti-Thymocyte Globulin (ATG) Preserves β-Cell Function and Improves HbA1c in New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

A pilot study suggested that combination therapy with low-dose anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and pegylated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) preserves C-peptide in established type 1 diabetes (T1D) (duration 4 months to 2 years). We hypothesized that 1) low-dose ATG/GCSF or 2) low-dose ATG alone would slow the decline of β-cell function in patients with new-onset T1D (duration <100 days).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A three-arm, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial was performed by the Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet Study Group in 89 subjects: 29 subjects randomized to ATG (2.5 mg/kg intravenously) followed by pegylated GCSF (6 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks for 6 doses), 29 to ATG alone (2.5 mg/kg), and 31 to placebo. The primary end point was mean area under the curve (AUC) C-peptide during a 2-h mixed-meal tolerance test 1 year after initiation of therapy. Significance was defined as one-sided P value < 0.025.

RESULTS

The 1-year mean AUC C-peptide was significantly higher in subjects treated with ATG (0.646 nmol/L) versus placebo (0.406 nmol/L) (P = 0.0003) but not in those treated with ATG/GCSF (0.528 nmol/L) versus placebo (P = 0.031). HbA_1c was significantly reduced at 1 year in subjects treated with ATG and ATG/GCSF, P = 0.002 and 0.011, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-dose ATG slowed decline of C-peptide and reduced HbA_1c in new-onset T1D. Addition of GCSF did not enhance C-peptide preservation afforded by low-dose ATG. Future studies should be considered to determine whether low-dose ATG alone or in combination with other agents may prevent or delay the onset of the disease.

CCR-CARESS score for predicting operative mortality in patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with outcomes after surgery for colorectal cancer and to design and internally validate a simple score for predicting perioperative mortality.

METHODS

Patients undergoing surgery for primary invasive colorectal cancer in 22 centres in Spain between June 2010 and December 2012 were included. Clinical variables up to 30 days were collected prospectively. Multiple logistic regression techniques were applied and a risk score was developed. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was applied and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC, with 95 per cent c.i.) was estimated.

RESULTS

A total of 2749 patients with a median age of 68·5 (range 24-97) years were included; the male : female ratio was approximately 2 : 1. Stage III tumours were diagnosed in 32·6 per cent and stage IV in 9·5 per cent. Open surgery was used in 39·3 per cent, and 3·6 per cent of interventions were urgent. Complications were most commonly infectious or surgical, and 25·5 per cent of patients had a transfusion during the hospital stay. The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 1·9 (95 per cent c.i. 1·4 to 2·4) per cent. Predictive factors independently associated with mortality were: age 80 years or above (odds ratio (OR) 2·76), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 3·62) and palliative surgery (OR 10·46). According to the categorical risk score, a patient aged 80 years or more, with COPD, and who underwent palliative surgery would have a 23·5 per cent risk of death within 30 days of the intervention.

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients with co-morbidity and palliative intention of surgery have an unacceptably high risk of death.

Predictors of 1- and 2-year mortality in patients with rectal cancer

AIM

Tools are needed to aid in the assessment of the prognosis of patients with rectal cancer regarding the risk of medium-term mortality. The aim of this study was to develop and validate clinical prediction rules for 1- and 2-year mortality in patients undergoing surgery for rectal cancer.

METHOD

A prospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with rectal cancer who underwent surgery was carried out. The main outcomes were mortality at 1 and 2 years after surgery. Background, clinical parameters and diagnostic test findings were evaluated as possible predictors. Multivariable survival models were used in the statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Predictors of 1-year mortality were being a current smoker [hazard ratio (HR) 4.98], having a Charlson index adjusted by age > 5 (HR 2.61), the presence of vascular, perineural or lymphatic invasion (HR 3.30), the presence of residual tumour at the operation (R-stage) (HR 8.64) and TNM stage (HR for TNM IV 5.10) [concordance index (C-index) 0.799 (95% CI: 0.71-0.89)]. Age greater than 80 years (HR 2.19), being a current smoker (HR 2.20), the pre-intervention haemoglobin level (HR 2.02), need for blood transfusion (HR 2.12), vascular, perineural or lymphatic invasion (HR 2.59), R-stage of the operation (HR 6.13) and TNM stage (HR for TNM IV 4.43) were predictors of 2-year mortality [C-index 0.779 (0.718-0.840)]. Adjuvant chemotherapy was an additional predictor at both outcome durations.

CONCLUSION

These clinical parameters show good predictive values and are easy and quick-to-use tools to help in clinical decision making.

The Behavior of Two Cell Lines Obtained from Murine (B16-F10) and Human (G-361) Melanomas Implanted into the Eyes of New Zealand White Rabbits, and their Microscopic, Immunohistochemical and Ultrastructural Appearances

A transcleral inoculation of 15x10(6) melanocytes of the B16-F10 and G-361 cell lines was carried out in the anterior chamber of one eye in New Zealand white rabbits. Tumor growth occurred in 24 eyes (77%) of the B16-F10 group and in 22 (73%) of the G-361 group. The tumors of the latter group were mostly amelanic and showed local aggression with ocular perforation and extrascleral growth one month post-implant, while the tumors of the B16-F10 group were intensely pigmented and grew over the iris although they did not perforate the eyeball. Microscopically, the tumors of both groups were of the mixed type, made up of epithelioid and fusiform melanocytes. S-100 protein and Nki C3 monoclonal immunohistochemical techniques showed a positive immunoreaction in all cases of tumor growth. Ultrastructurally, the G-361 melanocytes showed a few melanosomes corresponding to maturity state II and, occasionally, state III, while totally melanized state IV cells predominated in the B16-F10 group. Aberrant melanosomes were common in both groups. The inoculation of 15x10(6) melanocytes of either cell line was useful to produce ocular melanomas.

Reevaluation of the Incidence of Thromboembolic Complications in Congenital Factor XII Deficiency

To further elucidate the debated role of hereditary FXII deficiency as a thrombophilic risk factor this follow-up study on 65 subjects out of 12 Swiss families was undertaken (follow-up: 6 yrs). Fifteen severely FXII deficient subjects (FXII:C < 1%), 35 partially FXII deficient subjects (FXII:C ≥ 1-59%), 10 with normal FXII values (FXII:C ≥ 70%), and 5 non-classifiable subjects (FXII:C ≥ 60-69%) were reevaluated. Eight subjects (4 severely and 3 partially FXII deficient, 1 non-classifiable) were newly enrolled. Four instances of deep vein thrombosis, one superficial vein thrombosis and one myocardial infarction were noted in 2 out of 19 severely FXII deficient subjects during a total life-time period of 866.6 patient-years. In 38 partially FXII deficient subjects (1862.8 patient-years) one ischemic cerebrovascular stroke and one superficial vein thrombosis were recorded in 2 individuals. The 10 subjects with normal FXII values (498.2 patient-years) remained thrombosis-free. One superficial vein thrombosis occurred in an unclassifiable woman. None of the 3 different FXII gene defects revealed in our patients was specifically associated with thromboembolic complications. Kaplan-Meier analysis of thrombosis-free survival suggests that hereditary partial (and probably severe) FXII deficiency does not constitute a thrombophilic condition.

The Role of Clusterin in Carcinogenesis and its Potential Utility as Therapeutic Target

Clusterin is a glycoprotein that has been implicated in many processes, including apoptosis, cell cycle regulation and DNA repair. Since clusterin expression has also been associated with tumorigenesis and the progression of various malignancies including prevalent tumors like prostate, colon, bladder and breast, this protein has been proposed as a good candidate for future treatments. There have been numerous studies conducted in cell lines and xenograft models with successful results that, in general, justify the use of clusterin as a therapeutic target. However, it is still necessary to continue with these studies in order to achieve a better understanding of the role of this protein in carcinogenesis and to determine those specific situations in which its therapeutic use may be more favorable. In this review, we will make a brief description of clusterin structure and genetics, its implication in tumorigenesis and cancer progression and its prognosis utility. Finally, we will analyze the effects of clusterin inhibition in different types of cancer.

PDE7 inhibitor TC3.6 ameliorates symptomatology in a model of primary progressive multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

cAMP plays an important role in the transduction of signalling pathways involved in neuroprotection and immune regulation. Control of the levels of this nucleotide by inhibition of cAMP-specific PDEs such as PDE7 may affect the pathological processes of neuroinflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS). In the present study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of the selective PDE7 inhibitor, TC3.6, in a model of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), a rare and severe variant of MS.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelinated disease (TMEV-IDD) is one of the models used to validate the therapeutic efficacy of new drugs in MS. As recent studies have analysed the effect of PDE7 inhibitors in the EAE model of MS, here the TMEV-IDD model was used to test their efficacy in a progressive variant of MS. Mice were subjected to two protocols of TC3.6 administration: on the pre-symptomatic phase and once the disease was established.

KEY RESULTS

Treatment with TC3.6 ameliorated the disease course and improved motor deficits of infected mice. This was associated with down-regulation of microglial activation and reduced cellular infiltrates. Decreased expression of pro-inflammatory mediators such as COX-2 and the cytokines, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-6 in the spinal cord of TMEV-infected mice was also observed after TC3.6 administration.

CONCLUSION

These findings support the importance of PDE7 inhibitors, and specifically TC3.6, as a novel class of agents with therapeutic potential for PPMS. Preclinical studies are needed to determine whether their effects translate into durable clinical benefits.

The antiproliferative action of [D-Arg(1), D-Phe(5), D-Trp(7,9), LEU(11)] substance P analogue antagonist against small-cell- and non-small-cell lung cancer cells could be due to the pharmacological profile of its tachykinin receptor antagonist

It is known that in human lung cancer samples, both small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells express the neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor; that after binding to the NK-1 receptor the peptide substance P (SP) elicits tumour cell proliferation and an antiapoptotic effect. By contrast, it has been demonstrated that non-peptide NK-1 receptor antagonists, after binding to the NK-1 receptor and hence by blocking the SP action in SCLC/NSCLC, exert an antiproliferative action (inhibit lung cancer cell proliferation and induce the death of tumour cells by apoptosis). It is also known that SP peptide NK-1 receptor antagonists also called SP analogue antagonists (broad-spectrum GPCR antagonists, broad-spectrum neuropeptide antagonists or synthetic analogues of SP), also exert antiproliferative actions against SCLC/NSCLC. However, the underlying mechanisms involved in this antiproliferative action remain unknown. By using competition assays with SP, here we demonstrate that the antiproliferative action exerted by the [D-Arg(1), D-Phe(5), D-Trp(7,9), Leu(11)] SP analogue on human H-69 SCLC and COR-L23 NSCLC cell lines, occurs at least through the NK-1 receptor.

Phosphodiesterase 10 inhibitors: new disease modifying drugs for Parkinson's disease?

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs), as key regulators of cyclic nucleotides, and their inhibitors have been emerged as new pharmacological targets and promising drug candidates for many diseases, including central nervous system pathologies. The high level of PDE10A expression in the striatal medium spiny neurons suggests a prominent function role for the isoenzyme. Basal ganglia dysfunction is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and until recently the development of PDE10A inhibitors has been focused on schizophrenia. Currently, the pharmaceutical research on PDE10A inhibitors is moving to show the modulation of other functions associated with the basal ganglia such the motor control. Thus, PDE10A inhibitors may be important pharmacological agents for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. Recent data supporting new clues for PDE10A as therapeutic target together with a concise review of the chemical structures of its inhibitors are provided here. The goal of this manuscript is to provide new ideas for assistant pharmacologist and medicinal chemists in the search for PDE10A inhibitors as new disease modifying drugs for Parkinson's disease.

Comparative assessment of PDE 4 and 7 inhibitors as therapeutic agents in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

PDE4 inhibition suppresses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, side effects hinder PDE4 inhibitors clinical use. PDE7 inhibition might constitute an alternative therapeutic strategy, but few data about the anti-inflammatory potential of PDE7 inhibitors are currently available. We have used the EAE model to perform a comparative evaluation of PDE4 and PDE7 inhibition as strategies for MS treatment.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Two PDE7 inhibitors, the sulfonamide derivative BRL50481 and the recently described quinazoline compound TC3.6, were assayed to modulate EAE in SJL mice, in comparison with the well-known PDE4 inhibitor Rolipram. We evaluated clinical signs, presence of inflammatory infiltrates in CNS and anti-inflammatory markers. We also analysed the effect of these inhibitors on the inflammatory profile of spleen cells in vitro.

KEY RESULTS

TC3.6 prevented EAE with efficacy similar to Rolipram, while BRL50481 had no effect on the disease. Differences between both PDE7 inhibitors are discussed. Data from Rolipram and TC3.6 showed that PDE4 and PDE7 inhibition work through both common and distinct pathways. Rolipram administration caused an increase in IL-10 and IL-27 expression which was not found after TC3.6 treatment. On the other hand, both inhibitors reduced IL-17 levels, prevented infiltration in CNS and increased the expression of the T regulator cell marker Foxp3.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These results provide new information about the effects of Rolipram on EAE, underline PDE7 inhibition as a new therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases and show the value of TC3.6 to prevent EAE, with possible consequences for new therapeutic tools in MS.

Inhibition of endogenous phosphodiesterase 7 promotes oligodendrocyte precursor differentiation and survival

During the development of the central nervous system (CNS), oligodendrocyte precursors (OPCs) are generated in specific sites within the neural tube and then migrate to colonize the entire CNS, where they differentiate into myelin-forming oligodendrocytes. Demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) are characterized by the death of these cells. The CNS reacts to demyelination and by promoting spontaneous remyelination, an effect mediated by endogenous OPCs, cells that represent approximately 5-7 % of the cells in the adult brain. Numerous factors influence oligodendrogliogenesis and oligodendrocyte differentiation, including morphogens, growth factors, chemotropic molecules, extracellular matrix proteins, and intracellular cAMP levels. Here, we show that during development and in early adulthood, OPCs in the murine cerebral cortex contain phosphodiesterase-7 (PDE7) that metabolizes cAMP. We investigated the effects of different PDE7 inhibitors (the well-known BRL-50481 and two new ones, TC3.6 and VP1.15) on OPC proliferation, survival, and differentiation. While none of the PDE7 inhibitors analyzed altered OPC proliferation, TC3.6 and VP1.15 enhanced OPC survival and differentiation, processes in which ERK intracellular signaling played a key role. PDE7 expression was also observed in OPCs isolated from adult human brains and the differentiation of these OPCs into more mature oligodendroglial phenotypes was accelerated by treatment with both new PDE7 inhibitors. These findings reveal new roles for PDE7 in regulating OPC survival and differentiation during brain development and in adulthood, and they may further our understanding of myelination and facilitate the development of therapeutic remyelination strategies for the treatment of MS.

[Attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity: a pattern of evolution?]

INTRODUCTION

When the frequency of a gene in the general population exceeds 1%, is not considered a random mutation but a mutation that has been positively selected during evolution. The high prevalence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from 5-10% and its association with the seven-repeat allele of DRD4, which is positively selected in evolution, raising the possibility that ADHD increases the reproductive fitness of the individual and/or group. One of the main characteristics of ADHD is its diversity and is a well recognized fact that diversity confers many benefits to a population (eg. immunity).

DEVELOPMENT

This article discusses the various studies that support this hypothesis and offers further explanations on the prevalence, age distribution and sex distribution of the severity and heterogeneity of ADHD.

CONCLUSION

It is possible that the presence of altered gene combinations, as in ADHD, can bring concrete benefits to society but are detrimental to the individual.

CAPN10 alleles modify laryngeal cancer risk in the Spanish population

AIMS

Laryngeal carcinoma is a common upper respiratory tract cancer with different environmental and genetic factors involved in its development. To date, CAPN10 has been found to be extensively associated with hyperinsulinaemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus, by different groups. In addition, some reports have shown evidence that hyperinsulinaemia exerts a protective effect on laryngeal cancer risk. On the other hand, low circulating levels of IGF-1 have been recently found in patients with laryngeal carcinoma. Our objective was to examine the contribution of CAPN10 alleles to the development of laryngeal cancer.

METHODS

Cases and controls were recruited from central and southern Spain. Genotypes were determined using pyrosequencing technology. We analysed CAPN10 UCSNP-44, -43, -19, and -63 allelic distribution in 218 unrelated laryngeal cancer patients and 606 controls from the general population.

RESULTS

We found that the UCSNP-44 allele-C is significantly under-represented among patients with laryngeal cancer (OR=0.685, p=0.02).

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that some CAPN10 alleles may be exerting a protective effect on laryngeal cancer risk in the Spanish population.

Association between polymorphisms of folate-metabolizing enzymes and risk of prostate cancer

Polymorphisms of the genes 5'-10'-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR, 677CT and 1298AC), methionine synthase (MTR, 2756AC) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR, 66AC) provoke variations in enzyme activity, which can lead to alterations in the metabolism of folates and in the synthesis of S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM), the most active methyl donor in the body. This could play an important role in carcinogenesis through the degree of DNA methylation and of nucleotide synthesis. In the present study, four polymorphisms were studied, two of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene, and the other two of methionine synthase and methionine synthase reductase. Our aim was to study the association between prostate carcinoma susceptibility and these polymorphisms. A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in 182 patients (mean age: 70.7+/-7.29 years) with histologically confirmed prostate carcinoma and in 205 control subjects (mean age: 70.3+/-7.82 years) diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes. Comparison of the MTHFR CT and TT genotypes in patients and the controls revealed significant differences (0.57 vs 0.38) (OR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.46-3.30) and (0.06 vs 0.15) (OR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.17-0.73), respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between patients and controls with respect to the MTHFR 1298AC, the MTR 2756AC and the MTRR 66AC polymorphisms. However, among the patients, the MTR 2756 allele C was related to a high Gleason score. We conclude that the polymorphism MTHFR C677T is clearly related to prostatic carcinogenesis, on the contrary to the other polymorphisms studied, although the MTR 2756 allele C acts as a factor of tumor aggressiveness, this being found in tumors with high carcinogenic potential.

Malignant melanomas of the nasolacrimal duct

Two patients with a history of epistaxis who were both found to have a nasolacrimal duct melanoma are presented. A literature review revealed that no previous cases of primary nasolacrimal duct melanoma have been reported. Current therapeutic modalities are discussed.

Expression of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) in prostatic adenocarcinoma and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia

The prostatic membrane antigen (PSMA) is a protein that is expressed in the prostatic epithelium. We studied the expression of PSMA in a series of 55 patients with different stages of prostate cancer and we compared the PSMA staining in prostate cancer cells, in high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and in histologically benign prostatic epithelium for the same specimen. For this purpose archival paraffin-embedded specimens were studied by immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal antibody 7E11-C5.3 against PSMA using the streptavidin-biotin method. The mean percentage of PSMA immunoreactivity was 56.67% in prostate cancer (CaP) cells, and 48.6% in PIN cells, which was significantly higher than benign-appearing prostatic epithelium (5.72%) (for each pair, p<0.001). PSMA expression was greater in CaP with a higher Gleason score (p=0.01), but no relationship was found with serum PSA value. We conclude that PSMA overexpression is detected in high-grade PIN and is associated with a higher Gleason score of prostate cancer. It is a potential marker for studying carcinogenesis and progression of prostate cancer.

Lifestyles, environmental and phenotypic factors associated with lip cancer: a case-control study in southern Spain

The aim of this study was to identify factors related to lip cancer (LC) considering individual characteristics and sociodemographic factors. A case-control study was carried out in the province of Granada (Andalusia, southern Spain). The cases were 105 males with squamous-cell carcinoma of the lip, diagnosed between 1987 and 1989 (aged 20-70 years) and identified by means of a population-based Cancer Registry. As controls, a randomised populational sample of 239 males, stratified by age, was used. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that risk factors are lifetime cumulative tobacco consumption and alcohol consumption. An interaction was found between alcohol consumption and the smoking habit (leaving the cigarette on the lip): OR=23.6; 95% CI: 3.9-142.0. Other risk factors identified are clear eyes (OR=3.5; CI: 95% 1.5-8.0), sun exposure early in life and cumulative sun exposure during outdoor work (OR=11.9; 95%: CI: 1.3-108.9), and skin reaction to sun exposure (Fitzpatrick levels). Another interaction was found between skin reaction and a previous history of common sporadic warts (OR=4.4; 95% CI: 1.01-19.1). We conclude that LC is related to phenotype, skin reaction to sun exposure, cumulative and early sunlight exposure, and tobacco and alcohol consumption, as well as a low educational level. Leaving the cigarette on the lip is predictive of LC risk irrespective of cumulative tobacco consumption.