Supraspinal modulation of neuronal synchronization by nociceptive stimulation induces an enduring reorganization of dorsal horn neuronal connectivity

KEY POINTS

The state of central sensitization induced by the intradermic injection of capsaicin leads to structured (non-random) changes in functional connectivity between dorsal horn neuronal populations distributed along the spinal lumbar segments in anaesthetized cats. The capsaicin-induced changes in neuronal connectivity and the concurrent increase in secondary hyperalgesia are transiently reversed by the systemic administration of small doses of lidocaine, a clinically effective procedure to treat neuropathic pain. The effects of both capsaicin and lidocaine are greatly attenuated in spinalized preparations, showing that supraspinal influences play a significant role in the shaping of nociceptive-induced changes in dorsal horn functional neuronal connectivity. We conclude that changes in functional connectivity between segmental populations of dorsal horn neurones induced by capsaicin and lidocaine result from a cooperative adaptive interaction between supraspinal and spinal neuronal networks, a process that may have a relevant role in the pathogenesis of chronic pain and analgesia.

ABSTRACT

Despite a profusion of information on the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the central sensitization produced by intense nociceptive stimulation, the changes in the patterns of functional connectivity between spinal neurones associated with the development of secondary hyperalgesia and allodynia remain largely unknown. Here we show that the state of central sensitization produced by the intradermal injection of capsaicin is associated with structured transformations in neuronal synchronization that lead to an enduring reorganization of the functional connectivity within a segmentally distributed ensemble of dorsal horn neurones. These changes are transiently reversed by the systemic administration of small doses of lidocaine, a clinically effective procedure to treat neuropathic pain. Lidocaine also reduces the capsaicin-induced facilitation of the spinal responses evoked by weak mechanical stimulation of the skin in the region of secondary but not primary hyperalgesia. The effects of both intradermic capsaicin and systemic lidocaine on the segmental correlation and coherence between ongoing cord dorsum potentials and on the responses evoked by tactile stimulation in the region of secondary hyperalgesia are greatly attenuated in spinalized preparations, showing that supraspinal influences are involved in the reorganization of the nociceptive-induced structured patterns of dorsal horn neuronal connectivity. We conclude that the structured reorganization of the functional connectivity between the dorsal horn neurones induced by capsaicin nociceptive stimulation results from cooperative interactions between supraspinal and spinal networks, a process that may have a relevant role in the shaping of the spinal state in the pathogenesis of chronic pain and analgesia.

First Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Neurocognitive Correlates of Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia

Previous works highlight the neurocognitive differences between apathetic and disinhibited clinical presentations of the behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). However, little is known regarding how the early presentation (i.e., first symptom) is associated to the neurocognitive correlates of the disease's clinical presentation at future stages of disease. We analyzed the neurocognitive correlates of patients with bvFTD who debuted with apathy or disinhibition as first symptom of disease. We evaluated the neuropsychological, clinical and neuroanatomical (3 T structural images) correlates in a group of healthy controls (n = 30) and two groups of bvFTD patients (presented with apathy [AbvFTD, n = 18] or disinhibition [DbvFTD, n = 16]). To differentiate groups according to first symptoms, we used multivariate analyses. The first symptom in patients described the evolution of the disease. AbvFTD and DbvFTD patients showed increased brain atrophy and increased levels of disinhibition and apathy, respectively. Whole brain analyzes in AbvFTD revealed atrophy in the frontal, insular and temporal areas. DbvFTD, in turn, presented atrophy in the prefrontal regions, temporoparietal junction, insula and temporoparietal region. Increased atrophy in DbvFTD patients (compared to AbvFTD) was observed in frontotemporal regions. Multivariate analyses confirmed that a set of brain areas including right orbitofrontal, right dorsolateral prefrontal and left caudate were enough to distinguish the patients’ subgroups. First symptom in bvFTD patients described the neurocognitive impairments after around three years of disease, playing an important role in the early detection, disease tracking, and neuroanatomical specification of bvFTD, as well as in future research on potential disease-modifying treatments.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

[Long-term effect of policosanol on the functional recovery of non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke patients: a one year study]

INTRODUCTION

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability. Policosanol has been effective in brain ischemia models. The aim of this study is to investigate whether policosanol, added to aspirin therapy within 30 days of stroke onset, is better than placebo + aspirine for the long-term recovery of non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke subjects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Eighty patients (mean age: 69 years) within 30 days of onset, with a modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) 2 to 4, were included. They were randomized in two groups (policosanol + aspirine or placebo + aspirine) for 12 months.

RESULTS

Policosanol + aspirine decreased significantly mean mRS from the first interim check-up (1.5 months). The treatment even improved after long-term therapy. More policosanol + aspirin (87.5%) than placebo + aspirine (0%) patients achieved mRSs <= 1. Policosanol + aspirine increased significantly Barthel Index, lowered LDL-cholesterol and increased HDL-cholesterol versus placebo + aspirin.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term (12 months) administration of policosanol + aspirin given after suffering non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke was shown to be better than placebo + aspirin in improving functional outcomes when used among patients with non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke of moderate severity.

Assessment of food offerings and marketing strategies in the food-service venues at California Children's Hospitals

OBJECTIVE

Marketing strategies and food offerings in hospital cafeterias can impact dietary choices. Using a survey adapted to assess food environments, the purpose of this study was to assess the food environment available to patients, staff, and visitors at the food-service venues in all 14 California children's hospitals.

METHODS

We modified a widely-used tool to create the Nutritional Environment Measures Survey for Cafeterias (NEMS-C) by partnering with a hospital wellness committee. The NEMS-C summarizes the number of healthy items offered, whether calorie labeling is present, if there is signage promoting healthy or unhealthy foods, pricing structure, and the presence of unhealthy combination meals. The range of possible scores is zero (unhealthy) to 37 (healthy). We directly observed the food-service venues at all 14 tertiary care children's hospitals in California and scored them.

RESULTS

Inter-rater reliability showed 89% agreement on the assessed items. For the 14 hospitals, the mean score was 19.1 (SD = 4.2; range, 13-30). Analysis revealed that nearly all hospitals offered diet drinks, low-fat milk, and fruit. Fewer than one-third had nutrition information at the point of purchase and 30% had signs promoting healthy eating. Most venues displayed high calorie impulse items such as cookies and ice cream at the registers. Seven percent (7%) of the 384 entrees served were classified as healthy according to NEMS criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Most children's hospitals' food venues received a mid-range score, demonstrating there is considerable room for improvement. Many inexpensive options are underused, such as providing nutritional information, incorporating signage that promotes healthy choices, and not presenting unhealthy impulse items at the register.

[Interpretation of proverbs and Alzheimer's disease]

AIM

To evaluate the performance of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the mild-moderate stage in a verbal material abstraction task that involves interpreting the implicit meaning of proverbs and sayings.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A qualitative-quantitative analysis was carried out of the performance of 30 patients with AD and 30 controls, paired by age, gender and level of education.

RESULTS

Patients had significantly greater difficulties than the controls when it came to interpreting proverbs. A high correlation was found between subjects' years of schooling and the overall score on the proverb interpretation test. Results suggest that the processes that may be predominantly affected in patients with AD are the investigation of the conditions of the problem, together with selecting an alternative and formulating a cognitive plan to resolve the task.

CONCLUSIONS

The results help to further our knowledge of the characteristics of performance of patients with AD in a test involving the interpretation of the implicit meaning of proverbs and also provide information about the processes that may be predominantly affected. Further research is needed, however, on this subject area in order to obtain more conclusive explanations.

Sex differences in the effect of prepubertal GALP infusion on growth, metabolism and LH secretion

The hypothalamic neuropeptide, galanin-like peptide (GALP), is known to have an effect on energy expenditure and reproduction in adult male rats, but little work has been done on prepubertal rats. We hypothesized that hypothalamic GALP is involved in physiological changes associated with the onset of puberty. To test this hypothesis, we first determined the postnatal ontogeny of GALP gene expression via in situ hybridization of developing male and female rat pups through adulthood. GALP gene expression was not observed in either male or female rat pups until after postnatal day (PND) 10 and did not reach adult-like levels until after weaning (PND25). To determine if exogenous GALP could induce the onset of puberty, PND25 male and female rats were implanted with lateral ventricular cannulas connected to an osmotic minipump that delivered either GALP or vehicle. GALP infusion significantly (p<0.05) increased body weight, food intake, and metabolic rate in male but not female rats compared to control infusion. After 2 weeks, GALP infusion had no significant effect on the onset of puberty, percent body fat, nor plasma levels of insulin, FSH or gonadal steroids in either sex; however, GALP did significantly (p<0.05) increase plasma levels of LH and leptin in male but not female rats and increased plasma growth hormone (GH) in both sexes. Our observations further demonstrate a sex difference in GALP responsiveness in prepubertal rats. These data suggest that GALP may be involved with the prepubertal increase in circulating leptin, LH, and GH resulting in an increase in metabolic rate and lean growth associated with puberty.

Effects of rivastigmine on cognitive function in patients with traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and safety of rivastigmine (3 to 6 mg/day) vs placebo over 12 weeks in patients with traumatic brain injury and persistent cognitive impairment.

METHODS

This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 157 patients at least 12 months after injury. The primary efficacy measures were the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVIP) A' subtest and the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT). The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of patients who demonstrated 1.0 SD or greater improvement from baseline at week 12 on CANTAB RVIP A' or HVLT.

RESULTS

The percentage of responders at week 12 on either the CANTAB RVIP A' or HVLT was 48.7% for rivastigmine and 49.3% for placebo (p = 0.940). Furthermore, for the overall study population, there were no significant differences for any of the secondary efficacy variables. In a subgroup of patients with moderate to severe memory impairment (n = 81), defined as 25% impairment or greater on HVLT at baseline, rivastigmine was significantly better than placebo for a number of measures, including the proportion of HVLT responders and CANTAB RVIP mean latency.

CONCLUSIONS

Rivastigmine was safe and well tolerated in patients with traumatic brain injury with cognitive deficits. Rivastigmine shows promising results in the subgroup of patients with traumatic brain injury with moderate to severe memory deficits.

Muscle weakness is a significant problem in older patients receiving chemotherapy

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Background: Accurate prediction of toxicities from chemotherapy in the elderly could lead to improved decision making and supportive care. Methods: A large prospective multicentric cohort study of older cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is underway to document the occurrence of chemotherapy toxicity and to develop a predictive score: the CRASH score (Chemotherapy Risk Assessment Score for High Age patients). Toxicity, including muscle weakness, is assessed using the Common Toxicity Criteria v.3.0. Results: An analysis of the first 200 patients entered in the study revealed an infrequently highlighted side effect: muscle weakness. Twenty patients were not evaluable for this analysis. Muscle weakness was reported by 22 patients. This represented 12.2% of the patients, of whom 13 (7.2%) had grade 3 muscle weakness. There was no grade 4 muscle weakness. This side effect appears to be independent from fatigue: only 4/22 patients reported concomitant severe (grade 3–4) fatigue, and among the 24 patients with severe fatigue, only 4 reported any muscle weakness. Muscle weakness occurred fairly early during the treatment: median 30 days (range 6–126 days). The muscle weakness was predominantly of two types: a generalized muscle weakness, or a weakness affecting the lower extremities. It was accompanied by falls in two patients. That weakness was present across tumor types, chemotherapy types, individual physicians, and oncology centers. Like the rest of the study population, the majority of these patients had advanced disease. Other frequent severe side effects were: grade 4 neutropenia 31.7%; grade 3–4: hypokalemia 8.8%, hyperglycemia 8.3%, hyponatremia 7.2%, febrile neutropenia 7.2%, diarrhea 7.2%, infection with neutropenia 6.7%. Conclusion: Muscle weakness is a frequent and clinically significant side effect of chemotherapy in the elderly, distinguishable from fatigue. This could be targeted by a preventive physical therapy intervention to prevent muscle deconditioning.

[Table: see text]

Effects of perinatal asphyxia on cell proliferation and neuronal phenotype evaluated with organotypic hippocampal cultures

The present report summarizes studies combining an in vivo and in vitro approach, where asphyxia is induced in vivo at delivery time of Wistar rats, and the long term effects on hippocampus neurocircuitry are investigated in vitro with organotypic cultures plated at postnatal day seven. The cultures preserved hippocampus layering and regional subdivisions shown in vivo, and only few dying cells were observed when assayed with a viability test at day in vitro 27. When properly fixed, cultures from asphyxia-exposed animals showed a decreased amount of microtubule-associated protein-2 immunocytochemically positive cells (approximately 30%), as compared with that from controls. The decrease in microtubule-associated protein-2 immunocytochemistry was particularly prominent in Ammon's horn 1 and dentate gyrus regions (approximately 40%). 5-Bromo-2'deoxyuridine labeling revealed a two-fold increase in cellular proliferation in cultures from asphyxia-exposed, compared with that from control animals. Furthermore, confocal microscopy and quantification using the optical disector technique demonstrated that in cultures from asphyxia-exposed animals approximately 30% of 5-bromo-2'deoxyuridine-positive cells were also positive to microtubule-associated protein-2, a marker for neuronal phenotype. That proportion was approximately 20% in cultures from control animals. Glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunocytochemistry and Fast Red nuclear staining revealed that the core of the hippocampus culture was surrounded by a well-developed network of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells and glial fibrillary acidic protein-processes providing an apparent protective shield around the hippocampus. That shield was less developed in cultures from asphyxia-exposed animals. The increased mitotic activity observed in this study suggests a compensatory mechanism for the long-term impairment induced by perinatal asphyxia, although it is not clear yet if that mechanism leads to neurogenesis, astrogliogenesis, or to further apoptosis.

[All-trans retinoic acid induces apoptosis in human mesangial cells: involvement of stress activated p38 kinase]

All-trans retinoic acid (AR-t) is used for treating acute promyelocytic leukemia and renal cell carcinoma and it also has therapeutic value in several animal models of renal disease. Among its renal targets, mesangial cells have been widely studied: they have both retinoic acid receptors (RAR) and retinoid X receptors (RXR) and the cell growth is inhibited when human mesangial cells are incubated with 1-10 microM AR-t. Although his effect has been related with the antiproliferative action of AR-t, there are no studies on the involvement of apoptosis in AR-t induced cell growth when higher concentrations of retinoid are used. Our studies show that 25 microM AR-t triggers mesangial cell apoptosis assessed by light and fluorescence microscopy (Giemsa stain and acridine orange stain, respectively), DNA electrophoresis, flow cytometry (annexin-V) and immunocytochemistry (TUNEL). AR-t induced apoptosis was not inhibited by preincubation with the RXR pan-antagonist HX531 nor with the RAR pan-antagonist AGN 193109, this suggesting RAR and RXIR are not involved in AR-t induced cell death. Previous results of our group showed that ERK (extracellular regulated kinase) and INK (c-Jun kinase), two members of the MAP (mitogen activated protein) kinase family, are involved in non apoptotic effects of AR-t on mesangial cells. Therefore we focussed on the stress activated p38 kinase, the third member of the MAPK family, to investigate its involvement in AR-t induced apoptosis. The results confirmed a role of p38 since: 1) preincubation with B5203589, a p38 inhibitor, inhibited ARA induced apoptosis; 2) incubation with AR-t induced p38 phosphorilation after few minutes and p38 remained phosphorilated for at least 8 hours and 3) AR-t induced p38 phosphorilation was inhibited by SB203589. These data suggest that AR-t might have toxic side effects on the kidney but also suggest that AR-t could be an useful inhibitor of pathological mesangial cell expansion.

Reduction of group delay ripple of multi-channel chirped fiber gratings using adiabatic UV correction

We demonstrate reduction of group delay ripple (GDR) from 24 ps to 9 ps peak to peak in a four channel 43 Gb/s dispersion compensating chirped fiber grating by adiabatic UV post processing. The eye opening penalty due to the grating GDR was improved from ~2dB to <1dB for all of the channels over a range of carrier frequencies of 15GHz. Our results demonstrate that at 43 Gb/s, the adiabatic UV correction technique is sufficient to substantially improve multi-channel fiber grating performance. We also discuss three limitations of the correction technique which cause GDR to vary from channel to channel: Noise in the sampling function, cladding mode loss, and varying channel reflectivity. While these limitations are visible in our results they do not reduce the effectiveness of the adiabatic correction for our gratings.

Retinoids as a potential treatment for experimental puromycin-induced nephrosis

1 Puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-induced nephrosis is a model of human minimal change disease. In rats, PAN induces nephrotic-range proteinuria, renal epithelial cell (podocyte) damage, infiltration of mononuclear leukocytes, and apoptosis of several renal cell types. 2 Retinoic acid (RA) modulates a wide range of biological processes, such as inflammation and apoptosis. Since renal damage by PAN is characterized by inflammatory infiltration and epithelial cell death, the effect of treatment with all-trans RA (tRA) was examined in the PAN nephrosis model and in the cultured differentiated podocyte. 3 Treatment with tRA 4 days after PAN injection did not inhibit the proteinuria peak but reversed it significantly. However, treatment with tRA both before and 2 days after the injection of PAN protected the glomerular epithelial cells, diminishing the cellular edema and diffuseness of the foot process effacement. Preservation of the podocyte architecture correlated with the inhibition of proteinuria. The anti-inflammatory effect of tRA was evidenced by the inhibition of PAN-induced interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration and the decreased renal expression of two molecules involved in monocyte infiltration: fibronectin and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. TUNEL assays showed that tRA inhibited the PAN-induced apoptosis of cultured differentiated mouse podocytes. 4 We conclude that tRA treatment may prevent proteinuria by protecting the podocytes from injury and diminishing the interstitial mononuclear infiltrate in the model of PAN nephrosis. Retinoids are a potential new treatment for kidney diseases characterized by proteinuria and mononuclear cell infiltration.

Richter's syndrome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia successfully treated by withdrawal of immunosuppression, and donor lymphocyte infusion

Development of high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a possible complication of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, known as Richter's syndrome (RS). Treatment for RS includes systemic chemotherapy and, recently, allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). We describe a patient with B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia who developed RS 4 months after allogeneic SCT from an HLA-identical sibling. The RS presented with systemic symptoms, lymphadenopathy, pancytopenia and serum lactate dehydrogenase elevation. The patient was treated with immunosuppressive drug withdrawal and a donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) of 1 x 10(7) CD3/kg, leading to the disappearance of all symptoms and the attainment of complete donor chimerism. After 18 months of the therapeutic DLI, the patient continues in complete remission.

Highly tunable birefringent microstructured optical fiber

We demonstrate a method for introducing and dynamically tuning birefringence in a microstructured optical fiber. Waveguide asymmetry in the fiber is obtained by selective filling of air holes with polymer, and tunability is achieved by temperature tuning of the polymer's index. The fiber is tapered such that the mode field expands into the cladding and efficiently overlaps the polymer that has been infused into the air holes, ensuring enhanced tunability and low splice loss. Experimental results are compared with numerical simulations made with the beam propagation method and confirm birefringence tuning that corresponds to a phase change of 6pi for a 1-cm length of fiber.

Ultraviolet photosensitive response in an antimony-doped optical fiber

A silica optical fiber doped with Sb is fabricated with a refractive-index profile that is comparable with standard single-mode fiber. In D(2)-loaded samples, we observe UV photosensitivity with an initial refractive-index-modulation growth rate six times higher than that of the equivalent Ge-doped standard fibers. Enhanced temperature stability of the Bragg grating strength up to 200 degrees C is also observed. Grating growth kinetics in the Sb-doped fiber is compared with those of other Ge-doped photosensitive fibers.

[Pain in children: a pediatrician's point of view]

The interest in the topic of pain in children is increasing within the paediatric community after a long period of misrecognition, often under-valuation, sometimes negligent or even denial. A lack of knowledge concerning pharmacology and toxicity of antalgic drugs and poorly adapted galenic presentations induced delay and complications in their use in children. The recent progress is supported by a better semiology, development of adequate pain scales, availability of adapted drugs, an effort at education of caregivers and public sensitization. In primary care the objective is to lead the practitioner to identify and consider pain in his/her preventive and curative strategies. In hospitals efforts are needed to improve the use of protocols and evaluations, the systematic practice of preventive analgesia and the quality of interprofessional cooperation within care teams. Managed care organizations are today an effective system to promote these practices.

Low flow veno-venous ECMO via subclavian dialysis catheter for severe respiratory failure

BACKGROUND

We present the case of a 12-year-old female with severe postoperative bacterial pneumonia unresponsive to conventional treatment following a failed renal transplant.

CASE REPORT

The patient was placed on low flow veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as an adjuvant treatment to antibiotic therapy and maximal ventilatory support. Venous ECMO resulted in rapid improvement and the patient was successfully weaned after 48 hours of circulatory assistance. Two days later, the patient was extubated and safely discharged from the intensive care unit. Eighteen months later, she remains stable on peritoneal dialysis and is awaiting a new donor kidney.

CONCLUSIONS

Low flow veno-venous ECMO represents a new therapeutic alternative for critically ill patients whose condition does not meet the conventional ECMO criteria. Further clinical experience is still needed.

Photocatalytic degradation of pentachlorophenol on TiO2 sol-gel catalysts

The photocatalytic degradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in aqueous solution was investigated using TiO2 catalysts. The samples were prepared by the sol-gel method using different gelation pH and different calcination temperatures. The solids were characterized by specific surface area, X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis absorbance, FTIR and pentachlorophenol adsorption. The catalytic activity of the solids was evaluated in a conventional photoreactor at 298 K using 30 ppm of pentachlorophenol. It was found that the reaction follows a first-order reaction and the kinetic constant values change slightly with the pH of gelation and more significantly with the calcination temperature.

[Validity of clinical tests to confirm or to exclude the diagnosis of acute appendicitis]

AIMS

The clinical usefulness of the diagnostic tests (usually employed to diagnose an acute appendicitis in a group of patients in which this diagnosis is clinically highly suspected).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross sectional study was designed. The sample (n = 116) was randomly selected by term and specific days from the patients attending the Emergency Service at Elda General Hospital in a year period. The method used was is a validity study making 2 x 2 tables. We have cross matched the habitual routine tests with: a) the clinical outcome if the patient was not surgically treated, or b) the result of the biopsy for those operated. Being these the gold standard. The validity indexes studied were sensibility (S), specificity (E). The 95% confidence index of the CF were calculated.

RESULTS

Acute appendicitis clinical suspicion was confirmed in 29.4% (IC 95%: 20.8-38). The best validity indexes were: a) kind of pain (S = 81.3; E = 33.8); b) peritoneal inflammatory signs (S = 78.5%, E = 45.9%); c) presence of leucocytosis in blood exam (S = 100%, E = 54.5%), and d) a greater difference in axillary-rectum temperature (S = 13.6%, E = 96.6%). Only leucocytosis reached 0 for PP- and CP-; the blood leucocytosis (PP+ = 47.8%, CP+ = 2.20) and the axillary-rectum temperature (PP+ = 60%, CP+ = 4.0) dissociation were the test with most valuable indexes.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis in a group of patients having a great probability of suffering it over estimates this diagnosis. The symptoms or signs routinely used in the diagnosis did not reach high validity indexes in these patients. They are a poor help to stress or reject the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. To be careful is the main tool the doctors have. Blood leucocytosis is the test that has the best agreement indexes of clinical usefulness and it has the best countence with the gold standard.

Mesenchymal stem cells from osteoporotic patients produce a type I collagen-deficient extracellular matrix favoring adipogenic differentiation

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), precursor cells resident in the bone marrow, have the capacity to differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat, and connective tissue. We have recently reported that MSCs from "healthy" donors differ from cells obtained from osteoporotic postmenopausal women in their proliferation rate, mitogenic response to osteogenic growth factors, and potential to mineralize. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that explain the differential capacity of MSCs derived from "healthy" control and osteoporotic postmenopausal women to support mineralization. In addition, we examined the factors that regulate the differentiation of osteoporotic cells into adipocytes. For this purpose, we isolated MSCs from bone marrow of donors and analyzed the synthesis and deposition of type I collagen, the main component of bone extracellular matrix, the time course of gelatinolytic activity expression, the deposition of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), and the ability of cells to differentiate into adipocytes. Our results indicate that cells derived from osteoporotic donors synthesized 50% less type I collagen than normal cells and maintained higher levels of gelatinolytic activity under differentiation conditions (70% versus 15% after 14 days in culture). MSCs derived from osteoporotic women produced 60-65% less TGF-beta and expressed higher adipogenic capacity. We conclude that the capacity of MSCs derived from osteoporotic postmenopausal women to generate and maintain type I collagen-rich extracellular matrix is decreased, favoring their adipogenic differentiation. These observations may explain the decreased mineralization previously observed in these types of cells.

DNA sequencing of HLA-B alleles in Mexican patients with Takayasu arteritis

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is characterized by a 'pulseless' condition and occurs frequently in young females from Asian and South American countries. It has been associated with Mayor Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes in different populations. Recent data indicate direct participation of HLA-B alleles in the susceptibility to the disease. This fact was explored in an associative study with TA to establish if some region in the exon 2, intron 2 or in the exon 3 of HLA-B alleles is common in the alleles associated with TA and at the same time to know if a specific sequence or an epitope, more than an allele, would be responsible for the susceptibility to this vasculitis. We studied HLA-B alleles of 12 Mexican patients with TA using PCR-SSP and sequencing. The analysis by PCR-SSP in 12 patients showed that five of them showed the B*15 allele, three the B*40 allele and two the B*39 allele, the remaining two presented the B*44 allele. Sequence analysis enabled us to define that the B*39 subtypes are B*3908; B*15 subtypes are B*1510, B*1515, B*1522 and B*1531; and the B*40 subtypes are B*4005 and B*4008. An individual with B*51 (B*5107) and another with B*52 (B*5201) alleles were also identified. The sequences of the intron 2 seem be heterogeneous. Analysis at the 63 and 67 positions of HLA-B alleles showed that 9 of them have similarity in some of these positions with the residues detected in the B*5201 and B*3902 alleles associated with TA in Asian populations. The results indicate that there is heterogeneity in the alleles associated with TA in Mexicans but, in spite of that heterogeneity, the alleles associates can be separated into three groups: B*39, B*15 and B*40, whose subtypes are rare and apparently of recent generation in Mexico, probably by recombination events at intron 2 level. The sequences analysis also shows that most of the alleles detected in the Mexican patients share two epitopes described in the susceptibility alleles in Asian populations, suggesting that these epitopes could be responsible for the susceptibility to develop the disease in spite of the allele in which are found.