Utilidad del antígeno prostático específico total y del índice de antígeno prostático específico libre para detectar cáncer de próstata en el paciente asintomático / Utility of total prostate-specific antigen and free prostate- specific antigen index to detect prostate cancer in the asymptomatic patient

Resumen El antígeno prostático específico (PSA) en circulación se encuentra ligado a la alfa-1-quimiotripsina y una pequeña fracción circula de manera libre (PSAl). Se valoró la utilidad clínica del PSA total (PSAt) y el índice de PSA libre para la detección de cáncer prostático en pacientes asintomáticos. Se cuantificó el PSAt, el PSAl y el índice de PSAl en 364 pacientes estratificados por grupo de edad. La frecuencia de valores anormales de PSAt fue del 8,79% (32/364). El grupo de 50-59 años presentó la mayor incidencia de resultados anormales (19/32). No hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre PSAt y el índice de PSAl (p<0,05). El índice PSAl puede potencializar el valor del PSAt para determinar la presencia o ausencia de cáncer prostático. Un índice superior a 0,24 ng/mL puede ayudar a evitar o posponer la indicación de biopsia, principalmente cuando los valores de PSAt están entre 4 y 10 ng/mL.

Abstract Circulating prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is bound to alpha-1-chymotrypsin and a small fraction is free (PSAl). The clinical utility of the total PSA (PSAt) and the PSAl index for prostate cancer screening in asymptomatic patients was assessed. PSAt, PSAl and the PSAl index were quantified in 364 patients stratified by age group. The frequency of abnormal PSAt values was 8.79% (32/364). The 50-59 year-old group presented the highest incidence of abnormal results (19/32). There was no statistically significant difference between PSAt and the PSAl index (p<0.05). The PSAl index can potentiate the PSAt value to determine the presence or absence of prostate cancer. An index greater than 0.24 ng/mL can help to avoid or postpone the indication for a biopsy, especially when the PSAt values are between 4 and 10 ng/mL.

Resumo O antígeno prostático específico (PSA) em circulação é ligado à alfa-1-quimotripsina e a uma pequena fração circula livremente (PSAl). A utilidade clínica do PSA total (PSAt) e do índice de PSAl livre para o rastreamento do câncer de próstata em pacientes assintomáticos foi avaliada. PSAt, PSAl e o índice de PSAl foram quantificados em 364 pacientes estratificados por faixa etária. A frequência de valores anormais de PSAt foi de 8,79% (32/364). O grupo de 50-59 anos apresentou a maior incidência de resultados anormais (19/32). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre o PSAt e o índice PSAl (p<0,05). O índice PSAl pode potencializar o valor do PSAt para determinar a presença ou ausência de câncer de próstata. Um índice superior a 0,24 ng/mL pode ajudar a evitar ou adiar a indicação de biópsia, principalmente quando os valores de PSAt estão entre 4 e 10 ng/mL.

Síndrome de Netherton: el caso de un recién nacido con insuficiencia respiratoria / Netherton syndrome: A neonatal case with respiratory insufficiency

El síndrome de Netherton (SN) es una enfermedad autosómica recesiva, muy poco frecuente, que se caracteriza por la presencia de eritrodermia ictiosiforme congènita, anomalías capilares y manifestaciones atópicas. Este síndrome es consecuencia de una mutación recesiva en el gen SPINK5. Las manifestaciones del síndrome de SN varían considerablemente entre las personas que lo padecen. Aquí informamos el caso de un recién nacido que presentaba insuficiencia respiratoria grave, hipotermia y eritrodermia, al que se le diagnosticó SN, confirmado mediante pruebas genéticas moleculares.

Netherton syndrome (NS) is a rare, autosomal recessive disease characterized with congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, hair abnormality and atopic manifestations. This syndrome is caused by recessive mutation in the SPINK5 gene. Disease manifestations vary considerably among NS individuals. We report a newborn presented with severe respiratory insufficiency, hypothermia and erythroderma, was diagnosed as having NS and confirmed with molecular genetic testing.

T Helper 1 and T Helper 2 Cytokines Differentially Modulate Expression of Filaggrin and its Processing Proteases in Human Keratinocytes / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by defective skin barrier and imbalance in T helper 1/T helper 2 (Th1/Th2) cytokine expression. Filaggrin (FLG) is the key protein to maintaining skin barrier function. Recent studies indicated that Th1/Th2 cytokines influence FLG expression in keratinocytes. However, the role of Th1/Th2 cytokines on FLG processing is not substantially documented. Our aim was to investigate the impact of Th1/Th2 cytokines on FLG processing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HaCaT cells and normal human keratinocytes were cultured in low and high calcium media and stimulated by either interleukin (IL)-4, 13 or interferon-γ (IFN-γ). FLG, its major processing proteases and key protease inhibitor lymphoepithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI) were measured by both real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Their expression was also evaluated in acute and chronic AD lesions by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IL-4/13 significantly reduced, while IFN-γ significantly up-regulated FLG expression. IL-4/13 significantly increased, whereas IFN-γ significantly decreased the expression of kallikreins 5 and 7, matriptase and channel-activating serine protease 1. On the contrary, IL-4/13 significantly decreased, while IFN-γ increased the expression of LEKTI and caspase-14. Similar trends were observed in AD lesions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our results suggested that Th1/Th2 cytokines differentially regulated the expression of major FLG processing enzymes. The imbalance between Th1 and Th2 polarized immune response seems to extend to FLG homeostasis, through the network of FLG processing enzymes.</p>