Interleukin-6 as a key player in systemic inflammation and joint destruction

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine that can facilitate autoimmune phenomena, amplify acute inflammation and promote the evolution into a chronic inflammatory state. In addition, it is a major promoter of bone resorption in pathological conditions. In particular, IL-6 has a pivotal role in synovitis, bone erosions and in the systemic features of inflammation. This cytokine specifically binds to IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), forming the IL-6/IL-6R complex that binds to gp130, a membrane-bound protein, which is involved in non-ligand-binding signal transduction. Targeting IL-6R in both animal models of arthritis and in rheumatoid arthritis patients with a humanized anti IL-6R monoclonal antibody (tocilizumab) effectively controls local and systemic inflammatory manifestations and blocks cartilage and bone destruction. Given the pleiotropic function of IL-6 it can be anticipated that other inflammatory diseases and bone metabolic conditions might benefit from selective IL-6 signaling inhibition.

The basolateral domain of the hepatocyte plasma membrane bears receptors for the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites

Minutes after injection into the circulation, malaria sporozoites enter hepatocytes. The speed and specificity of the invasion process suggest that it is receptor mediated. We show here that recombinant Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CS) binds specifically to regions of the plasma membrane of hepatocytes exposed to circulating blood in the Disse space. No binding has been detected in other organs, or even in other regions of the hepatocyte membrane. The interaction of CS with hepatocytes, as well as sporozoite invasion of HepG2 cells, is inhibited by synthetic peptides representing the evolutionarily conserved region II of CS. We conclude that region II is a sporozoite ligand for hepatocyte receptors localized to the basolateral domain of the plasma membrane. Our findings provide a rational explanation for the target cell specificity of malaria sporozoites.

Peroxisomal membrane ghosts in Zellweger syndrome--aberrant organelle assembly

Peroxisomes are apparently missing in Zellweger syndrome; nevertheless, some of the integral membrane proteins of the organelle are present. Their distribution was studied by immunofluorescence microscopy. In control fibroblasts, peroxisomes appeared as small dots. In Zellweger fibroblasts, the peroxisomal membrane proteins were located in unusual empty membrane structures of larger size. These results suggest that the primary defect in this disease may be in the mechanism for import of matrix proteins.

The adolescent as forgiver

A social cognitive developmental model of forgiveness is described and tested in two studies, the second being a replication of the first. In study 1, 59 subjects in grades 4, 7, 10, college and in adulthood were given a forgiveness interview that assessed six stages of forgiveness development, Rest's DIT measure of justice development, and a religiosity scale. As predicted, there were strong age trends for forgiveness and justice. Both forgiveness and justice were related but distinct constructs. The more one practiced one's faith, the higher one was in forgiveness stage. Study 2, with 60 subjects, replicated the above findings. The studies give strong evidence that people's understanding of forgiveness develops with age. Implications for adolescent development are drawn.

Sterol carrier protein-2 is involved in cholesterol transfer from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane in human fibroblasts

The cellular mechanism of cholesterol transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane is currently unknown. To assess the possibility that sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2) is involved in this transport, we studied the time course of newly synthesized cholesterol incorporation in the plasma membrane of normal and SCP-2-deficient (Zellweger syndrome) human fibroblasts. Cholesterol transfer was rapid, cytoskeleton-independent, and Golgi-independent in normal cells, but it was slower, cytoskeleton-dependent, and Golgi-dependent in SCP-2-deficient cells. After SCP-2 antisense oligonucleotides treatment of normal fibroblasts, the rapid transport was reduced by 81% with a simultaneous increase of the slower one. These results suggest that in normal fibroblasts the major fraction of newly synthesized cholesterol is transported to the plasma membrane by a SCP-2-dependent mechanism. In contrast, in SCP-2-deficient cells, newly synthesized cholesterol leaves the endoplasmic reticulum by a cytoskeleton/Golgi-dependent mechanism.

Modulation of intrahepatic cholesterol trafficking: evidence by in vivo antisense treatment for the involvement of sterol carrier protein-2 in newly synthesized cholesterol transport into rat bile

Biliary cholesterol represents one of the two major excretory pathways for sterol elimination from the body and plays a central role in cholesterol gallstone formation. Biliary cholesterol originates from a precursor pool of preformed and newly synthesized free cholesterol. Although it has been suggested that newly synthesized and preformed biliary cholesterol are secreted by independent pathways, the specific cellular and molecular mechanisms are unknown. We used male Wistar rats to study the time-course of the appearance of newly synthesized cholesterol, phosphatidylcholine and protein into bile. The specific role of sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2) in the transport of newly synthesized biliary cholesterol was evaluated by an in vivo antisense oligonucleotide approach. In contrast to [14C]phosphatidylcholine and [35S]proteins, the time-course of [14C]cholesterol appearance into bile was rapid, and microtubule- and Golgi-independent. In vivo SCP-2 antisense treatment reduced and delayed the appearance of biliary [14C]cholesterol. Furthermore, hepatic SCP-2 expression increased more than 3-fold over control values in rats that had been treated with diosgenin to increase biliary secretion of newly synthesized cholesterol. These results suggest that SCP-2 is necessary for the rapid transport of newly synthesized cholesterol into bile and that hepatocytes can induce SCP-2 expression according to the rate of biliary secretion of newly synthesized cholesterol.

Assessment of salivary gland function in Sjögren's syndrome: the role of salivary gland scintigraphy

Salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS) is a non invasive method of salivary gland function assessment. This technique is easy to perform, reproducible and well tolerated by patients. Additionally, an abnormal salivary gland scintigraphy result is accepted by the American-European consensus group as a criterion for the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome. Scintigraphic evaluation of salivary gland function also plays an important role in therapeutic decision and patient follow-up. Schall's categorical classification is usually considered the standard method for salivary scintigraphy interpretation, though subjective and with limited capacity to discriminate borderline results. In order to improve the diagnostic accuracy of SGS, there has been an increasing interest in the quantification of glandular function. However, the debate on the most reliable and suitable parameters for the diagnosis of SS persists.

Peroxisomal organization in normal and cerebrohepatorenal (Zellweger) syndrome fibroblasts

The reported absence of morphologically detectable peroxisomes in liver and kidney tissue cells from patients affected by the autosomic recessive, inherited metabolic disease known as cerebrohepatorenal, or Zellweger, syndrome was studied in fibroblasts, assuming it to be a generalized defect. Normal cultured fibroblasts were shown to contain peroxisomes according to morphological, biochemical, and subcellular fractionation criteria: particle-bound catalase and fatty acyl-CoA oxidase copurify in subcellular fractionation by differential centrifugation or isopycnic equilibrium in continuous density gradients and peroxidase-positive organelles of approximately equal to 0.1 micron in diameter are detected in the cytoplasm. In Zellweger cultured fibroblasts, these peroxisomal enzymes are present; however, they behave as cytosolic enzymes in the different subcellular fractionation procedures employed and peroxisomes are not detected cytochemically. These findings support the hypothesis that the lack of peroxisomes in this genetic disease is the consequence of a defect in the assembly of the peroxisomal constituents. Furthermore, the value of fibroblasts for subcellular analysis of peroxisomal defects is illustrated.

Undifferentiated connective tissue disease: a seven-center cross-sectional study of 184 patients

The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical and serological features of a large cohort of patients with antinuclear antibody (ANA) positive undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD). Consecutive patients with UCTD, followed up at the Rheumatology Clinic of the participating centers, were included. Data from these patients were obtained by clinical evaluation and chart review. All patients were diagnosed as having UCTD on basis of the following criteria: positive ANA plus at least one clinical feature of connective tissue disease, but not fulfilling classification criteria for any differentiated connective tissue disease. One hundred eighty-four patients were studied (female patients-94.5%; mean age at time of evaluation-47 years). The most prevalent manifestations were arthralgia (66%), arthritis (32%), Raynaud's phenomenon (30%), sicca symptoms (30%), and leukopenia (19%). The prevalence of ANA was 100%, anti-SSA 20%, anti-dsDNA 14%, and anti-SSB 7%. Patients with anti-dsDNA/anti-Sm, anticentromere/anti-Scl70, or anti-SSA/anti-SSB antibodies more frequently presented a set of manifestations close to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis, or Sjögren syndrome, respectively. We analyze a large cohort of UCTD. Seventy-two percent of these UCTD patients present lupus-, scleroderma-, or Sjögren-like features but do not fulfill classification criteria and mostly present a mild disease.

Clinical features and long-term outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus: comparative data of childhood, adult and late-onset disease in a national register

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects predominantly women at reproductive age but may present at any age. Age at disease onset has a modulating effect on presentation and course of disease, but controversies persist regarding its impact on long-term outcome. Our aims were to characterize clinical features, co-morbidities and cumulative damage in childhood-onset, adult-onset and late-onset SLE. Patients with childhood-onset SLE fulfilling ACR 1997 criteria were identified in a nationwide register-Reuma.pt/SLE (N = 89) and compared with adult-onset and late-onset counterparts matched 1:1:1 for disease duration. 267 SLE patients with mean disease duration of 11.9 ± 9.3 years were analyzed. Skin (62 %), kidney (58 %), neurological (11 %) and hematologic involvement (76 %) were significantly more common in childhood-onset SLE and disease activity was higher in this subset than in adult- and late-onset disease (SLEDAI-2K 3.4 ± 3.8 vs. 2.2 ± 2.7 vs. 1.6 ± 2.8, respectively; p = 0.004). Also, more childhood-onset patients received cyclophosphamide (10 %) and mycophenolate mofetil (34 %). A greater proportion of women (96 %), prevalence of arthritis (89 %) and anti-SSA antibodies (34 %) were noted in the adult-onset group. There was a significant delay in the diagnosis of SLE in older ages. Co-morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and thyroid disease were significantly more frequent in late-onset SLE, as well as the presence of irreversible damage evaluated by the SLICC/ACR damage index (20 vs. 26 vs. 40 %; p < 0.001). Greater organ involvement as well as the frequent need for immunosuppressants supports the concept of childhood-onset being a more severe disease. In contrast, disease onset is more indolent but co-morbidity burden and irreversible damage are greater in late-onset SLE, which may have implications for patients' management.

Peroxisome assembly mutations in humans: structural heterogeneity in Zellweger syndrome

Empty membrane ghosts of peroxisomes were found in fibroblasts from a patient with Zellweger's syndrome, a genetic disease of humans (Santos et al: Science 239:1536-1538, 1988). Import of soluble matrix proteins into the organelle was defective. We have now studied fibroblasts from seven patients representing five complementation groups of the syndrome (defined by complementation for peroxisome enzyme function). We find that empty peroxisome ghosts are present in all seven cell samples. Three patients, representing three complementation groups, give the same membrane pattern by immunofluorescence: few large ghosts. Three other patients, representing two complementation groups, give a second pattern: many large ghosts. The seventh patient's pattern is distinct. Thus, all seven of these patients exhibit Peroxisome IMport (PIM) mutations. Since membrane assembly occurs in these cells, the results indicate that biogenesis of organelle content and membrane proteins proceed by different mechanisms. Growth and division of the empty peroxisomal membrane must occur, but are modified by the mutations (ghost size and abundance vary). Cell fusion and immunofluorescence analyses of peroxisome size and catalase packaging formally demonstrate genetic complementation groups for peroxisome assembly in Zellweger syndrome.

Prognostic value of TP53 Pro47Ser and Arg72Pro single nucleotide polymorphisms and the susceptibility to gliomas in individuals from Southeast Brazil

The TP53 tumor suppressor gene codifies a protein responsible for preventing cells with genetic damage from growing and dividing by blocking cell growth or apoptosis pathways. A common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in TP53 codon 72 (Arg72Pro) induces a 15-fold decrease of apoptosis-inducing ability and has been associated with susceptibility to human cancers. Recently, another TP53 SNP at codon 47 (Pro47Ser) was reported to have a low apoptosis-inducing ability; however, there are no association studies between this SNP and cancer. Aiming to study the role of TP53 Pro47Ser and Arg72Pro on glioma susceptibility and oncologic prognosis of patients, we investigated the genotype distribution of these SNPs in 94 gliomas (81 astrocytomas, 8 ependymomas and 5 oligodendrogliomas) and in 100 healthy subjects by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism approach. Chi-square and Fisher exact test comparisons for genotype distributions and allele frequencies did not reveal any significant difference between patients and control groups. Overall and disease-free survivals were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test was used for comparisons, but no significant statistical difference was observed between the two groups. Our data suggest that TP53 Pro47Ser and Arg72Pro SNPs are not involved either in susceptibility to developing gliomas or in patient survival, at least in the Brazilian population.

Infliximab attenuates inflammatory osteolysis in a model of periodontitis in Wistar rats

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease related to tooth loss in adults. Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody against TNF-α and is prescribed for the treatment of systemic inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate the role of infliximab on experimental periodontal disease (EPD). EPD was induced by passing a 3.0 nylon thread around the upper left second molar in Wistar rats. Animals were either treated with intravenous infliximab (1, 5, 7, and 10 mg/kg) or saline solution 30 min before the periodontitis induction and were followed until they were sacrificed on the 11th day. A subset of rats was euthanized on the third day for analysis of gingival myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the blood MPO granulocyte index. In addition, we analyzed the bone loss index (BLI), the periodontal histopathological score, and the periodontal collagen network using confocal microscopy. We also analyzed metalloproteinase-1/-8, RANK, RANK-L, and osteoprotegerin in maxillary tissue by immunohistochemistry Gingival MPO, IL-1β, TNF-α were measured by ELISA. EPD caused leukocytosis, significant increases in BLI and gingival pro-inflammatory cytokines and cell infiltrates, with worse histopathological scores and periodontal collagen derangement. Infliximab (5 mg/kg) reduced granulocyte blood counts, gingival IL-1β, TNF-α, and MPO levels, diminished MMP-1/-8, RANK, and RANK-L bone immunolabeling with better periodontal histopathological scores and collagen network in comparison with the challenged saline group. We concluded that infliximab had significant anti-inflammatory and bone-protective effects in Wistar rats challenged by periodontitis.

Peroxisomal integral membrane proteins in livers of patients with Zellweger syndrome, infantile Refsum's disease and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy

Livers from seven patients with peroxisome disorders, three with Zellweger syndrome, one with infantile Refsum's syndrome and three with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, were analysed by immunoblotting. The bifunctional protein catalysing two peroxisomal beta-oxidation reactions was deficient in all Zellweger livers and in the infantile Refsum's liver, consistent with the absence of morphologically recognizable peroxisomes. Three peroxisomal integral membrane proteins (IMPs) (69, 53 and 22 kDa) were present in normal amounts in all the Zellweger and adrenoleukodystrophy samples and they sedimented in a membrane fraction. These membrane proteins were also present in the infantile Refsum's liver. We suggest, on the basis of these results, that aberrant peroxisomal membranes may be present in Zellweger syndrome and that the defect is in the transport of matrix proteins into the organelle.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients after Initiation of a New Biologic Agent: Trajectories of Disease Activity in a Large Multinational Cohort Study

Background

Response to disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often heterogeneous. We aimed to identify types of disease activity trajectories following the initiation of a new biologic DMARD (bDMARD).

Methods

Pooled analysis of nine national registries of patients with diagnosis of RA, who initiated Abatacept and had at least two measures of disease activity (DAS28). We used growth mixture models to identify groups of patients with similar courses of treatment response, and examined these patients' characteristics and effectiveness outcomes.

Findings

We identified three types of treatment response trajectories: ‘gradual responders’ (GR; 3576 patients, 91·7%) had a baseline mean DAS28 of 4·1 and progressive improvement over time; ‘rapid responders’ (RR; 219 patients, 5·6%) had higher baseline DAS28 and rapid improvement in disease activity; ‘inadequate responders’ (IR; 103 patients, 2·6%) had high DAS28 at baseline (5·1) and progressive worsening in disease activity. They were similar in baseline characteristics. Drug discontinuation for ineffectiveness was shorter among inadequate responders (p = 0.03), and EULAR good or moderate responses at 1 year was much higher among ‘rapid responders’ (p < 0.001).

Interpretation

Clinical information and baseline clinical characteristics do not allow a reliable prediction of which trajectory the patients will follow after bDMARD initiation.

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This study examined disease activity trajectories in a multinational cohort of 3898 rheumatoid arthritis patients.

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Growth mixture models identified three groups: gradual, rapid, and inadequate responders (GR: 91·7%, RR: 5·6%, IR: 2·6%).

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At baseline, groups were similar in demographic and clinical characteristics, and moderately different in function and disease activity.

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The groups had large difference in drug retention and in good or moderate response rate.

Using nine national registries, this study of 3898 established RA patients initiating a new bDMARD identified distinct types of responders: gradual, rapid and inadequate responders. Neither socio-demographic nor clinical characteristics at baseline allowed the prediction of the type of response trajectory after treatment initiation, but effectiveness outcomes strongly differed, suggesting that these empirically derived subgroups have clinical relevance.

As a major aim of precision medicine is to make anti-rheumatic therapy more personalized, the detection of responder types following initiation of a specific bDMARD underscores the need to find reliable predictors of trajectories to identify patients needing a distinct treatment strategy.

Effect of Resin Luting Systems and Alumina Particle Air Abrasion on Bond Strength to Zirconia

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different primer/resin luting agent combinations and alumina air abrasion on the adhesion to zirconia. Eighty blocks (4×4×3 mm) of Lava Frame Zirconia (3M ESPE) were produced and randomly assigned into eight groups (n=10) according to two zirconia surface treatments (untreated or air abrasion with 50-μm alumina particles) and four luting systems (SU: Scotchbond Universal/RelyX Unicem 2; ZP: Z-Prime Plus/Duo-link Universal; MB: Monobond Plus/Variolink II; and AP: Alloy Primer/ED Primer II/Panavia F 2.0). After the conditioning and primer applications, resin luting agents were manipulated and applied on the zirconia, using a matrix, to form a cylinder (2 mm in diameter×2 mm high), followed by photoactivation for 40 seconds. After that, the specimens were stored in distilled water (37 °C) for 120 days and then submitted to shear bond strength testing, followed by failure mode evaluation under an optical microscope (30×). A two-way analysis of variance and Tukey test (α=0.05) were used for data analysis. Alumina air abrasion (Al) promoted higher bond values for the three luting systems, except for SU, which showed the best results without air abrasion, while with air abrasion, Al-SU, Al-ZP, and Al-MB presented higher values compared to Al-AP. We concluded that the alumina air abrasion of zirconia surfaces seemed to be dispensable for the SU group, while air abrasion (topographical alterations) enhanced the adhesion of the ZP, MB, and AP groups.

International multi-center evaluation of a novel chemiluminescence assay for the detection of anti-dsDNA antibodies

OBJECTIVE

Anti-double stranded desoxyribonucleic acid (anti-dsDNA) antibodies are considered fairly specific for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their quantification is useful for the clinical management of SLE patients. We assessed the diagnostic performance of the QUANTA Flash dsDNA chemiluminescent immunoassay (CIA) in comparison to an ELISA, using patients from five participating countries. The main focus was to evaluate the correlation between anti-dsDNA antibody results from the CIA and global SLE disease activity, as measured by the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 1431 samples (SLE, n = 843; disease controls, n = 588) from five countries (Canada, USA, Portugal, Sweden and Spain) were tested with QUANTA Flash dsDNA (Inova Diagnostics, San Diego, CA, USA). Data obtained with the QUANTA Lite dsDNA SC ELISA (Inova Diagnostics) were available for samples from three sites (Canada, USA and Sweden, n = 566). The SLEDAI-2K scores were available for 805 SLE patients and a cut-off of > 4 was used to define active disease.

RESULTS

QUANTA Flash dsDNA had a sensitivity of 54.3% for the diagnosis of SLE, combined with 89.8% specificity. Anti-dsDNA antibody levels were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in active SLE (SLEDAI-2K > 4; n = 232; median value 83.0 IU/mL) versus the inactive patients (n = 573; median value 22.3 IU/mL), and the SLEDAI-2K scoring correlated with their dsDNA antibody levels (Spearman's rho = 0.44, p < 0.0001). Similar but less pronounced findings were also found for the ELISA, in relation to disease activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The QUANTA Flash dsDNA assay showed good clinical performance in a large international multi-center study. Additionally, the strong correlation between anti-dsDNA antibody results and SLEDAI-2K scores supported the potential utility of QUANTA Flash dsDNA for monitoring disease activity.

Characterization of damage in Portuguese lupus patients: analysis of a national lupus registry

Background: Although the survival rate has considerably improved, many patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) develop irreversible organ damage. Objectives: The objectives of this paper are to characterize cumulative damage in SLE patients and identify variables associated with its presence and severity. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of SLE patients from the Portuguese Lupus register Reuma.pt/SLE in whom damage assessment using the SLICC/ACR-Disability Index (SDI) was available was performed. Predictor factors for damage, defined as SDI ≥ 1, were determined by logistic regression analyses. A sub-analysis of patients with severe damage (SDI ≥ 3) was also performed. Results: In total, 976 patients were included. SDI was ≥1 in 365 patients, of whom 89 had severe damage. Musculoskeletal (24.4%), neuropsychiatric (24.1%) and ocular (17.2%) domains were the most commonly affected. Older age, longer disease duration, renal involvement, presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and current therapy with steroids were independently associated with SDI ≥ 1. The subpopulation with severe damage had, in addition, a greater interval between the first manifestation attributable to SLE and the clinical diagnosis as well as and more frequently early retirement due to SLE. Conclusions: This large lupus cohort confirmed that demographic and clinical characteristics as well as medication are independently associated with damage. Additionally, premature retirement occurs more often in patients with SDI ≥ 3. Diagnosis delay might contribute to damage accrual.

Variation in DNA repair gene XRCC3 affects susceptibility to astrocytomas and glioblastomas

The gene XRCC3 (X-ray cross complementing group 3) has the task of repairing damage that occurs when there is recombination between homologous chromosomes. Repair of recombination between homologous chromosomes plays an important role in maintaining genome integrity, although it is known that double-strand breaks are the main inducers of chromosomal aberrations. Changes in the XRCC3 protein lead to an increase in errors in chromosome segregation due to defects in centrosomes, resulting in aneuploidy and other chromosomal aberrations, such as small increases in telomeres. We examined XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism using PCR-RFLP in 80 astrocytoma and glioblastoma samples. The individuals of the control group (N = 100) were selected from the general population of the São Paulo State. Odds ratio and 95%CI were calculated using a logistic regression model. Patients who had the allele Met of the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism had a significantly increased risk of tumor development (odds ratio = 3.13; 95% confidence interval = 1.50-6.50). There were no significant differences in overall survival of patients. We suggest that XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism is involved in susceptibility for developing astrocytomas and glioblastomas.

Effect of vitamin E on chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes from patients with Down's syndrome

A possible protective effect of vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopherol) on chromosomal damage was evaluated in lymphocytes from patients with Down's syndrome (DS) and from controls. This included the analysis of the basal and G2 chromosomal aberration frequencies in lymphocytes cultured with and without 100 microM vitamin E. The chromosomal damage in G2 was determined by scoring the number of chromosomal aberrations in lymphocyte cultures treated with 5 mM caffeine, 2 h before harvesting. Vitamin E treatment decreased the basal and G2 chromosomal aberrations both in control and DS lymphocytes. In DS cells, this protective effect, expressed as a decrease in the chromosomal damage, was greater (50%) than in controls (30%). These results suggest that the increment in basal and G2 aberrations yield in DS lymphocytes may be related to the increase in oxidative damage reported in these patients.

Life cycle inference and phylogeny of Ortholinea labracis n. sp. (Myxosporea: Ortholineidae), a parasite of the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax (Teleostei: Moronidae), in a Portuguese fish farm

Ortholinea labracis n. sp. is described and its life cycle is inferred from a Southern Portuguese fish farm, with basis on microscopic and molecular procedures. This myxosporean parasite infects the urinary bladder of the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax and the intestinal epithelium of a marine oligochaete of the genus Tectidrilus. Myxospores subspherical in valvular view and ellipsoidal in sutural view measuring 7.6 ± 0.3 (6.8-8.7) μm in length, 7.2 ± 0.2 (6.7-7.7) μm in width and 6.5 ± 0.4 (5.8-7.7) μm in thickness. Two polar capsules, 3.0 ± 0.2 (2.6-3.4) μm long and 2.4 ± 0.1 (2.0-2.9) μm wide, located at the same level, but with divergent orientation and opening to opposite sides of the suture line. Sequencing of the SSU rRNA gene revealed a similarity of 100% between the analysed myxospores and triactinomyxon actinospores. The phylogenetic setting of O. labracis n. sp. shows subgrouping in correlation with tissue tropism, but identifies this parasite as another exception to the main division of Myxosporea into the main freshwater and marine lineages.

Analysis of the polymorphisms XRCC1Arg194Trp and XRCC1Arg399Gln in gliomas

XRCC genes (X-ray cross-complementing group) were discovered mainly for their roles in protecting mammalian cells against damage caused by ionizing radiation. Studies determined that these genes are important in the genetic stability of DNA. Although the loss of some of these genes does not necessarily confer high levels of sensitivity to radiation, they have been found to represent important components of various pathways of DNA repair. To ensure the integrity of the genome, a complex system of DNA repair was developed. Base excision repair is the first defense mechanism of cells against DNA damage and a major event in preventing mutagenesis. Repair genes may play an important role in maintaining genomic stability through different pathways that are mediated by base excision. In the present study, we examined XRCC1Arg194Trp and XRCC1Arg399Gln polymorphism using PCR-RFLP in 80 astrocytoma and glioblastoma samples. Patients who had the allele Trp of the XRCC1Arg194Trp polymorphism had an increased risk of tumor development (OR = 8.80; confidence interval at 95% (95%CI) = 4.37-17.70; P < 0.001), as did the allele Gln of XRCC1Arg399Gln (OR = 1.01; 95%CI = 0.53-1.93; P = 0.971). Comparison of overall survival of patients did not show significant differences. We suggest that XRCC1Arg194Trp and XRCC1Arg399Gln polymorphisms are involved in susceptibility for developing astrocytomas and glioblastomas.

Clinical Evaluation of Ceramic Inlays and Onlays Fabricated With Two Systems: Five-Year Follow-Up

This study evaluated the five-year clinical performance of ceramic inlays and onlays made with two systems: sintered Duceram (Dentsply-Degussa) and pressable IPS Empress (Ivoclar Vivadent). Eighty-six restorations were placed by a single operator in 35 patients with a median age of 33 years. The restorations were cemented with dual-cured resin cement (Variolink II, Ivoclar Vivadent) and Syntac Classic adhesive under rubber dam. The evaluations were conducted by two independent investigators at baseline, and at one, two, three, and five years using the modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria. At the five-year recall, 26 patients were evaluated (74.28%), totalling 62 (72.09%) restorations. Four IPS restorations were fractured, two restorations presented secondary caries (one from IPS and one from Duceram), and two restorations showed unacceptable defects at the restoration margin and needed replacement (one restoration from each ceramic system). A general success rate of 87% was recorded. The Fisher exact test revealed no significant difference between Duceram and IPS Empress ceramic systems for all aspects evaluated at different recall appointments (p&gt;0.05). The McNemar chi-square test showed significant differences in relation to marginal discoloration, marginal integrity, and surface texture between the baseline and five-year recall for both systems (p&lt;0.001), with an increased percentage of Bravo scores. However, few Charlie or Delta scores were attributed to these restorations. In conclusion, these two types of ceramic materials demonstrated acceptable clinical performance after five years.