Accidente isquémico y ¿transitorio? Resonancia magnética en el AIT: experiencia de 106 casos / Ischaemic or transient attack? Magnetic resonance imaging in transient ischaemic attack: a review of 106 cases

Introducción: El accidente isquémico transitorio (AIT) clásicamente se ha definido como un episodio de déficit focal neurológico autolimitado con duración máxima de 24 horas, sin evidencia en la neuroimagen de lesión isquémica aguda establecida. Sin embargo, la definición de esta entidad está variando y se está adaptando a los nuevos tiempos y técnicas diagnósticas, incluida la resonancia magnética (RM) con secuencias en difusión. Es importante un abordaje íntegro y precoz del AIT, con RM cerebral, para descartar ictus isquémicos establecidos recuperados clínicamente, y así optimizar el manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico de los pacientes. Pacientes y métodos: Se identificó a los pacientes ingresados en un período de seis meses como sospecha de AIT en nuestra unidad de ictus, y se estudió el diagnóstico definitivo y su abordaje basándose en las pruebas realizadas. Resultados: Se estudiaron 106 sospechas de AIT en las que se realizó una RM precoz. De ellas, 43 (40,57%) fueron ictus isquémicos clínicamente recuperados (IICR); 31 (29,24%), otras patologías (nueve trastornos funcionales, seis crisis epilépticas, cinco auras migrañosas, dos amyloid spells y nueve otras causas); 26 (24,52%), AIT; y seis (5,66%), ictus hemorrágicos. De 43 IICR, ocho (18,6%) fueron cardioembólicos; ocho (18,6%), aterotrombóticos; ocho (18,6%), ictus embólico de origen desconocido; seis (13,95%), lacunares; cinco (11,62%) de causa infrecuente; cuatro (9,3%) microangiopáticos y cuatro (9,3%), de causa indeterminada. Los IICR recibieron un manejo terapéutico significativamente más individualizado respecto a los pacientes con AIT. Conclusiones: El uso de RM precoz en la sospecha clínica de AIT permite evidenciar la existencia de IICR y optimizar el abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico de los pacientes.(AU)

Introduction: Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) has classically been defined as an episode of self-limited focal neurological deficit lasting up to 24 hours, with no neuroimaging evidence of established acute ischaemic injury. However, the definition of this entity is changing, and is adapting to new times and new diagnostic techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with diffusion sequences. An early and comprehensive approach to TIA, including MRI, is important to rule out clinically recovered established ischaemic strokes, in order to optimise the diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients. Patients and methods: Patients admitted to our stroke unit over a six-month period with suspected TIA were identified, and the definitive diagnosis and approach was studied based on the tests performed.Results: A sample of 106 suspected cases of TIA were studied, in which early MRI was performed. Of these, 42 (39.62%) were clinically recovered ischaemic strokes (CRIS); 32 (30.18%), other pathologies (six epileptic seizures, five migraine auras, nine functional disorders, two amyloid spells and nine other causes, totalling 31); 26 (24.52%), TIAs; and six (5.66%), haemorrhagic stroke. Of 43 CRIS, eight (18.6%) were cardioembolic; eight (18.6%), atherothrombotic; eight (18.6%), embolic stroke of unknown origin; six (13.95%), lacunar stroke; five (11.62%) of infrequent cause; and four (9.3%), totalling 39, of undetermined cause. CRIS patients received significantly more individualised therapeutic management than TIA patients. Conclusions: The early use of MRI in the clinical suspicion of TIA makes it possible to gather evidence of CRIS and optimises the diagnostic and therapeutic approach for patients.(AU)

[Ischaemic or transient attack? Magnetic resonance imaging in transient ischaemic attack: a review of 106 cases]. / Accidente isquémico y ¿transitorio? Resonancia magnética en el AIT: experiencia de 106 casos.

INTRODUCTION: Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) has classically been defined as an episode of self-limited focal neurological deficit lasting up to 24 hours, with no neuroimaging evidence of established acute ischaemic injury. However, the definition of this entity is changing, and is adapting to new times and new diagnostic techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with diffusion sequences. An early and comprehensive approach to TIA, including MRI, is important to rule out clinically recovered established ischaemic strokes, in order to optimise the diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients admitted to our stroke unit over a six-month period with suspected TIA were identified, and the definitive diagnosis and approach was studied based on the tests performed. RESULTS: A sample of 106 suspected cases of TIA were studied, in which early MRI was performed. Of these, 42 (39.62%) were clinically recovered ischaemic strokes (CRIS); 32 (30.18%), other pathologies (six epileptic seizures, five migraine auras, nine functional disorders, two amyloid spells and nine other causes, totalling 31); 26 (24.52%), TIAs; and six (5.66%), haemorrhagic stroke. Of 43 CRIS, eight (18.6%) were cardioembolic; eight (18.6%), atherothrombotic; eight (18.6%), embolic stroke of unknown origin; six (13.95%), lacunar stroke; five (11.62%) of infrequent cause; and four (9.3%), totalling 39, of undetermined cause. CRIS patients received significantly more individualised therapeutic management than TIA patients. CONCLUSIONS: The early use of MRI in the clinical suspicion of TIA makes it possible to gather evidence of CRIS and optimises the diagnostic and therapeutic approach for patients.

TITLE: Accidente isquémico y ¿transitorio? Resonancia magnética en el AIT: experiencia de 106 casos.Introducción. El accidente isquémico transitorio (AIT) clásicamente se ha definido como un episodio de déficit focal neurológico autolimitado con duración máxima de 24 horas, sin evidencia en la neuroimagen de lesión isquémica aguda establecida. Sin embargo, la definición de esta entidad está variando y se está adaptando a los nuevos tiempos y técnicas diagnósticas, incluida la resonancia magnética (RM) con secuencias en difusión. Es importante un abordaje íntegro y precoz del AIT, con RM cerebral, para descartar ictus isquémicos establecidos recuperados clínicamente, y así optimizar el manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico de los pacientes. Pacientes y métodos. Se identificó a los pacientes ingresados en un período de seis meses como sospecha de AIT en nuestra unidad de ictus, y se estudió el diagnóstico definitivo y su abordaje basándose en las pruebas realizadas. Resultados. Se estudiaron 106 sospechas de AIT en las que se realizó una RM precoz. De ellas, 43 (40,57%) fueron ictus isquémicos clínicamente recuperados (IICR); 31 (29,24%), otras patologías (nueve trastornos funcionales, seis crisis epilépticas, cinco auras migrañosas, dos amyloid spells y nueve otras causas); 26 (24,52%), AIT; y seis (5,66%), ictus hemorrágicos. De 43 IICR, ocho (18,6%) fueron cardioembólicos; ocho (18,6%), aterotrombóticos; ocho (18,6%), ictus embólico de origen desconocido; seis (13,95%), lacunares; cinco (11,62%) de causa infrecuente; cuatro (9,3%) microangiopáticos y cuatro (9,3%), de causa indeterminada. Los IICR recibieron un manejo terapéutico significativamente más individualizado respecto a los pacientes con AIT. Conclusiones. El uso de RM precoz en la sospecha clínica de AIT permite evidenciar la existencia de IICR y optimizar el abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico de los pacientes.

Performance-advantaged ether diesel bioblendstock production by a priori design.

Lignocellulosic biomass offers a renewable carbon source which can be anaerobically digested to produce short-chain carboxylic acids. Here, we assess fuel properties of oxygenates accessible from catalytic upgrading of these acids a priori for their potential to serve as diesel bioblendstocks. Ethers derived from C2 and C4 carboxylic acids are identified as advantaged fuel candidates with significantly improved ignition quality (>56% cetane number increase) and reduced sooting (>86% yield sooting index reduction) when compared to commercial petrodiesel. The prescreening process informed conversion pathway selection toward a C11 branched ether, 4-butoxyheptane, which showed promise for fuel performance and health- and safety-related attributes. A continuous, solvent-free production process was then developed using metal oxide acidic catalysts to provide improved thermal stability, water tolerance, and yields. Liter-scale production of 4-butoxyheptane enabled fuel property testing to confirm predicted fuel properties, while incorporation into petrodiesel at 20 vol % demonstrated 10% improvement in ignition quality and 20% reduction in intrinsic sooting tendency. Storage stability of the pure bioblendstock and 20 vol % blend was confirmed with a common fuel antioxidant, as was compatibility with elastomeric components within existing engine and fueling infrastructure. Technoeconomic analysis of the conversion process identified major cost drivers to guide further research and development. Life-cycle analysis determined the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 to 271% relative to petrodiesel, depending on treatment of coproducts.

Expression of Foxp3, CD25 and IL-2 in the B16F10 cancer cell line and melanoma is correlated with tumor growth in mice.

The forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) transcription factor is one of the most studied markers used to identify CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), and has been identified as a key regulator in the development and function of Tregs. Foxp3 expression has been reported in a variety of solid human tumors, including melanoma. The aims of the present study were to analyze Foxp3 expression in B16F10 melanoma cells in vitro, to determine whether this expression was affected during tumor growth in a murine melanoma model and to correlate Foxp3 expression with CD25 expression, interleukin (IL)-2 production and tumor weight. Foxp3 expression was analyzed with quantitative (q)PCR, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. CD25 expression was analyzed by flow cytometry, and cytokine production was measured by ELISA [IL-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß and IL-10] and flow cytometry (IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-5). Foxp3 and CD25 expression was detected in the B16F10 cells in culture and in the intratumoral B16F10 cells. An increase in Foxp3 and CD25 expression was observed in a time-dependent manner during tumor growth at 7, 14 and 21 days. The production of the IL-2, IL-10, IFN-γ and TGF-ß cytokines was observed in the B16F10 cells and also detected in the tumoral microenvironment during tumor growth (7, 14 and 21 days). An increase in IL-2 and IL-10 production was observed, whereas IFN-γ production decreased in a time-dependent manner. The production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was not observed in culture, but was detected during tumor growth, whereas the production of IL-4 and IL-5 was not detected. These data showed a positive correlation between the expression of Foxp3, CD25 and IL-2 and tumor weight in murine melanoma. From these data, it may be suggested that Foxp3 participates in melanoma growth, the modulation of the IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α cytokines and CD25 expression, and that it also plays a possible role in immunosuppression.

Human papillomavirus 16/18 infections in lung cancer patients in Mexico.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an epitheliotropic, double-stranded DNA virus, and its high-risk genotypes are associated with human cancer. HPV genome has been detected in lung carcinomas in certain places around the world, including Mexico; however, the prevalence of this is unclear. In this study, we examine the frequency of high-risk HPV 16/18 in lung cancer tissues from a Mexican population. METHODS: 39 lung cancer specimens were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using HPV GP5+/GP6+ primers and then were genotyped using specific primers to HPV 16/18. Additionally, in situ hybridization (ISH) was performed using BIO-labeled oligonucleotide probes. RESULTS: Our results identified 15 positive cases (38.46%) for HPV 16 and 1 positive case (2.56%) for HPV 18 by PCR. ISH showed the presence of HPV DNA in 13 of 16 (81%) samples, in agreement with the PCR results. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we detected HPV 16/18 gene sequences in lung cancer samples obtained from Mexican patients by PCR and ISH. We found the highest prevalence of HPV 16 infection in lung adenocarcinomas, suggesting that HPV infection may be associated with lung cancer. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the role of HPV in lung carcinogenesis.

Analysis of patients referred to a lung transplantation unit.

This cross-sectional, concurrent and descriptive study presents the decisions regarding patients referred to our Lung Transplantation Unit (LTxU). Each patient is discussed in a multidisciplinary clinical session (phase I), rejecting some and accepting others for assessment in our LTxU (phase II) according to criteria of the National and International Guidelines for Transplantation. A protocol assessment in phase II, leads to a decision to reject, accept, or follow-up the candidate for LTx. Among 214 evaluation requests received in our unit from May 2008 to December 2011, 37 patients (17%) were rejected based on the information sent to our LTxU. Among the patients evaluated in phase II, 62 (28.9%) were put on the waiting list, 125 (58.4%) were rejected, and twenty-seven (12.6%) were postponed for future reconsideration, results that were similar to those described in the literature. The main disease referred for LTx was obstructive airflow (n = 98; 45.7%), followed by interstitial lung disease (ILD; n = 66; 30.8%), cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis (n = 20; 9.3%), or primary pulmonary hypertension group 1 (n = 20; 9.3%). Ten patients (4.6%) were diagnosed with other respiratory diseases. Most patients (n = 165; 77.1%) lived in the region of our hospital (Madrid). The main reasons to reject patients for LTx were malnutrition, severe disease in other organs, toxic habits, and refusal of treatment. Finally, one out of four referred patients was accepted for LTx. In addition to serious comorbidities in various organs, a high percentage of patients who were not accepted for LTx because of these factors might have been of accepted had these conditions been corrected before patient referral.

First Report of Meloidogyne incognita Infecting Corn in Western Spain.

During the 2009 to 2010 corn-growing (Zea mays L. cv. Alexandria) seasons, severely stunted and yellowing corn plants in several commercial fields at Aldearrubia (Salamanca Province) were observed in western Spain. The disease incidence ranged from 80 to 100%. Early symptoms consisted of severely reduced growth of the plants coupled with extensive leaf yellowing. Occurrence of the disease was estimated to cause near complete loss of the crop yields since the corn produced in affected fields was unmarketable. Disease surveys revealed high parasitism in the main and feeder roots and a large soil population of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne spp. The nematode population was extracted and quantified from soil and root samples according to Barker (1). It was identified as the southern root-knot nematode M. incognita race 1, by female perineal pattern, host-differential test, and multiplex PCR using forward primers H-18S, CF-ITS, I-ITS, and reverse primer HCFI-28S (3,4). ITS products cloned and assayed using the ABI PRISM 3100 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems, Salamanca, Spain) were subjected to a database search using BLAST (National Centre for Biotechnology Information) to confirm the identification. These sequences exhibited 99.0% similarity with that of an M. incognita isolate from France (GenBank Accession No. AF402309.1). M. incognita was found in 80% of soil samples collected from the areas where the disease was observed and 83.5% of root samples with nematode population densities ranging from 26 to 269 eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2s) per 100 cm3 of soil and 234 to 1,634 eggs and J2s per 5 g of fresh roots. In glasshouse proofs of pathogenicity, a mix of 1,500 eggs and J2s of these populations of M. incognita were inoculated in 20-cm-diameter pots with 10 replicates with a single pregerminated seed of corn cv. Alexandria as host plant; another 10 replicates without inoculation were established as control plants. After 6 weeks, all plants inoculated were severely stunted and yellowing; infected roots showed galls on root tips and secondary feeder roots. Galling of root tips that cause stubby root symptoms prevented further root growth into deeper soil layers and induced proliferation of secondary roots, which confirmed the nematodes' pathogenicity. The severe infections in roots of corn plants suggest that parasitism of corn roots by the root-knot nematode must contribute to stunting, yellowing, and decline of corn, reducing yield by restricting access to water and nutrients that are needed for plant growth and development, and can result in the death of younger plants as previously reported (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. incognita infecting corn in Spain. References: (1) K. R. Barker. Nematode extraction and bioassays. Page 19 in: An Advanced Treatise on Meloidogyne. Vol. II, Methodology. K. R. Barker et al., eds. North Carolina State University Graphics, Raleigh, 1985. (2) T. P. Heffes et al. Nematropica 22:139, 1992. (3) L. Robertson et al. Crop Prot. 25:440, 2006. (4) C. Zijlstra. Fund. Appl. Nematol. 20:505, 1997.

Increased excretion of urinary podocytes in lupus nephritis.

Podocytes are highly specialized epithelial cells that form part of the filtration barrier in the kidney, and their loss reflects a malfunction in glomerular filtration, which is usually associated with the progression of the disease. Glomerulonephritis is a serious complication that develops in about 50% of the lupus patients and is characterized by proteinuria arising from direct or indirect podocyte injury. To assess the possible role of podocytes in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN). Urinary and glomerular podocytes were detected in the kidney biopsies of patients (n = 17) with lupus nephritis, and from control biopsies obtained during autopsies. The WT-1 protein was used as a podocyte marker. The cumulative excretion of urinary podocytes was detected in the urinary sediments of LN patients and normal healthy controls, and the specimens were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The apoptotic index was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling. Gross proteinuria in lupus patients was determined via 24-hour urine samples, and the results were analyzed by Student t test. Biopsy specimens from 17 patients with class-III or IV LN had lower levels of glomerular WT-1 expression than the levels found in normal kidneys (P < 0.0001). The reduction of glomerular podocytes in patients with lupus nephritis correlated with the cumulative excretion of urinary podocytes (P < 0.0001) and proteinuria. There was no correlation between the urinary podocytes and the apoptotic index in the LN urinary sediments. A decrease in glomerular podocytes is associated with their cumulative excretion in urinary sediments; therefore, such findings correlate with proteinuria in lupus nephritis patients.

First Report of Cylindrocarpon pauciseptatum Associated with Grapevine Decline from Castilla y León, Spain.

During a survey for grapevine decline, 10 young grapevines (cvs. Tempranillo and Verdejo) with low vigor and little foliage were collected between June 2008 and August 2009. Small pieces of vascular and brown wood were placed onto malt extract agar supplemented with 0.25 g/liter of chloramphenicol and incubated at 25°C. Fifteen resulting colonies were transferred to potato dextrose agar in petri dishes (90 mm). Colonies with white mycelium covered the dishes after 10 days of incubation at 25°C in darkness; mycelium gradually became yellowish with some brownish aspect. Macroconida were predominantly three septate (40 to 45 to 50 × 8.6 to 9 to 9.5 µm with a length and width ratio of 4.7 to 5 to 5.4), straight, and cylindrical with both ends broadly rounded. Chlamydospora and ovoidal microconidia were observed on synthetic nutrient-poor agar (1). Cylindrocarpon pauciseptatum was not easy to distinguish from other Cylindrocarpon species based on morphological characteristics. Ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region sequences of single-spore cultures confirmed the morphological identification and revealed 100% genetic identity with other isolates of C. pauciceptatum present in GenBank (EF607090), a sequence of the fragment was deposited with Accession No. EU983277. Pathogenicity tests were conducted with two isolates. The inoculations were done on 110R rootstock wood of four different young plants and 15 detached canes of current-season growth (cv. Tempranillo). Plants were inoculated with an agar plug containing C. pauciceptatum; controls were treated with agar only. Grapevines were maintained in a greenhouse at 20 to 25°C. After 3 to 4 months, C. pauciceptatum was reisolated from brown tissues and internal vascular lesions in 45% of inoculated samples, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Control plants were asymptomatic and C. pauciceptatum was not recovered. To our knowledge, this is the first report implicating C. pauciceptatum as a cause of grapevine black foot disease in Spain with potentially significant impact on grapevine nurseries. Reference: (1) H. J. Schroers et al. Mycol. Res. 112:82, 2008.

WT1 gene silencing by aerosol delivery of PEI-RNAi complexes inhibits B16-F10 lung metastases growth.

The Wilms' tumor gene 1 (WT1) is a universal tumor antigen and consequently a good therapeutic target for the development of gene therapy strategies. Earlier, we reported the in vitro efficacy of WT1 RNAi in the inhibition of B16F10 murine melanoma cell line growth. In this study, we used an aerosol system to deliver WT1 RNAi complexes, polyethyleneimine (PEI)-WT1-1 or PEI-WT1-2, to the lungs of mice with B16F10 lung metastasis. This treatment produced a statistically significant (P=0.020) reduction in the number and size of lung tumor foci, resulting in decreased lung weight and tumor index in treated mice compared with controls. The WT1 RNAi treatment also reduced the number and size of tumor blood vessels, suggesting decreased angiogenesis. Furthermore, the treated lung tissue showed cells in the tumor infiltrations undergoing apoptosis and elevated expression of the proapoptotic genes Bcl-xS and Bax, suggesting an activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Overall, WT1-1 treatment prolonged the mean survival time of tumor-bearing mice in comparison with the control and WT1-2-treated mice. Our data show that WT1 gene silencing in vivo by aerosol delivery of PEI-WT1 RNAi complexes is an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of lung metastases.

Relationship between bone quantitative ultrasound and mortality: a prospective study.

UNLABELLED: In a cohort of 5,201 women [72.3 +/- 5.3 years] from 58 primary care centers in Spain, followed for three years, no relationship between heel QUS parameters and overall mortality was found. However, a significant relationship between a low speed of sound (SOS) and vascular mortality was observed. INTRODUCTION: An inverse relationship between mortality and bone mineral density measured by dual-energy absorption densitometry or quantitative bone ultrasound (QUS) has been described. The aim of the present study was to test this relationship in the ECOSAP cohort, a 3-year prospective study designed to assess the ability of heel QUS and clinical risk factors to predict non-vertebral fracture risk in women over 64. METHODS: A cohort of 5,201 women [72.3 +/- 5.3 years] was studied. QUS was assessed with the Sahara(R) bone sonometer. Women attended follow-up visits every 6 months. Physicians recorded if the patient died and cause of death. Hazard rates (HR) of all-cause and vascular mortality per one standard deviation reduction in QUS parameters were determined. RESULTS: One hundred (1.9%) women died during a median of 36.1 months follow-up, for a total of 14,999 patient-years, 42 because of vascular events (both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular). After adjusting for age, none of the QUS variables showed statistically significant differences between the patients who died and the survivors. In the final multivariate model, adjusted for age, current thyroxine and hypoglycaemic drug use, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and decreased visual acuity, SOS was marginally non-significant: (HR: 1.19; 0.97-1.45). However, each 1 SD reduction in SOS was associated with a 39% increase in vascular mortality (HR: 1.39; 1.15-1.66). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, SOS was related with vascular mortality, but not overall mortality.

IMMUNEPOTENT CRP (bovine dialyzable leukocyte extract) adjuvant immunotherapy: a phase I study in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: IMMUNEPOTENT CRP is a mixture of low molecular weight substances, some of which have been shown to be capable of modifying the immune response. We evaluated the response and adjuvant effect of IMMUNEPOTENT CRP on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in a phase I clinical trial. METHODS: Twenty-four NSCLC patients were included in the study and divided into two groups. Group 1 received a conventional treatment of 5400 cGy external radiotherapy in 28 fractions and chemotherapy consisting of intravenous cisplatin (40 mg/m(2)) delivered weekly for 6 weeks. Group 2 received the conventional treatment plus IMMUNEPOTENT CRP (5 U) administered daily. We performed clinical evaluation by CT scan and radiography analysis, and determined the quality of life of the patients with the Karnofsky performance scale. A complete blood count (red and white blood cell tests), including flow cytometry analysis, blood work (alkaline phosphatase test) and a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin test for PPD, Varidase and Candida were performed. RESULTS: The administration of IMMUNEPOTENT CRP induced immunomodulatory activity (increasing the total leukocytes and T-lymphocyte subpopulations CD4(+), CD8(+), CD16(+) and CD56(+), and maintaining DHT) and increased the quality of the patients' lives, suggesting immunologic protection against chemotherapeutic side-effects in NSCLC patients. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest the possibility of using IMMUNEPOTENT CRP alongside radiation and chemotherapy for maintaining the immune system and increasing the quality of life of the patients.

Bovine dialyzable leukocyte extract modulates AP-1 DNA-binding activity and nuclear transcription factor expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: We have previously demonstrated that bovine dialyzable leukocyte extract (bDLE) induces death through an apoptosis mechanism in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Depending on the cell type and stimulus, activating protein-1 (AP-1) has been shown to regulate cell proliferation and differentiation, the stress response, apoptosis and survival. It remains unknown whether AP-1 and other transcription factors are mechanisms by which bDLE induces cell death. METHODS: To determine whether bDLE modulates the AP-1 DNA binding and gene expression, MCF-7 breast cancer cells were treated with bDLE (0, 1, 5, 10 U) for 72 h and evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assays. RESULTS: bDLE induced inhibition of cell growth, suppressed the AP-1 DNA-binding activity, decreased c-Jun protein expression and modulated NFATx, NFATc, NFkappaB, c-Jun and c-Fos transcription factor gene expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. DISCUSSION: The present data indicate that bDLE can block the AP-1 DNA-binding activity and expression of several transcriptions factors in breast cancer cells, which will have great potential in improving cancer therapy.

Estudio epidemiológico de incidencia de tuberculosis en la consulta hospitalaria de Neumología del Hospital 12 de Octubre / Epidemiologic study of tuberculosis incidence in hospital consultation of pneumology of the Hospital 12 de Octubre

Objetivo: Conocer las características clínico-epidemiológicas de los pacientes diagnosticados de tuberculosis (TBC) en la consulta externa de Neumología en el Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre en los tres últimos años.Material y Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de los casos nuevos de enfermedad TBC de la consulta externa de Neumología en nuestro hospital entre 01/2004 y 12/2006. Los datos se recogieron de la base de datos de codificación diagnóstica de la consulta, la revisión exhaustiva de las historias clínicas y los registros de enfermería. Elaboramos una base de datos enla que se incluyeron todos los datos demográficos, clínicos, relacionados con el diagnóstico y relacionados con el tratamiento.Resultados: Se diagnosticaron 90 casos nuevos, 61,1% varones, de enfermedad TBC. La media de edad fue de 38,6 años con el pico de mayor incidencia entre los 20 y 40 años. Un 38,9% de los casos eran inmigrantes. La edad media al diagnóstico de los inmigrantes fue 31,5 años, significativamente inferior (p = 0,02) a la de los españoles (43,1 años). El 15,6% de casos teníanalgún tipo de inmunosupresión. La forma clínica más frecuente de presentación fue la pulmonar con un 65,6% y el método diagnóstico más frecuente fue el microbiológico. La pauta de tratamiento más utilizada fue de cuatro fármacos, con 2 meses de rifampicina (R), isoniacida (H), pirazinamida (Z) y etambutol (E) y 4 meses con HR, que fue empleada en el 61,1% de los casos. En 13 pacientes se detectó alguna resistencia a fármacos de primera línea siendo la más frecuente a isoniacida (8 casos). Las complicaciones por el tratamiento ocurrieron en el 13,3% y la evolución fue hacia la curación en un91%. El registro de casos nuevos de TBC en nuestra consulta durante los años 2004, 2005 y 2006 refleja un mayor número de casos nuevos respecto a las tasas globales de la CAM y respecto a años anteriores en nuestra propia consulta.Conclusión: Se observa una mayor incidencia de enfermedad tuberculosa en la consulta externa del Hospital 12 de Octubre respecto al último registro. Este aumento de incidencia, dado el elevado porcentaje de población extranjera en los enfermos de TBC de nuestro estudio (38,9%), puede deberse a las mayores tasas de inmigración de la población del área 11 (21,3%) en relación con los datos generales de CAM (13,1%)

Objective: To know the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed of tuberculosis (TBC) in Pneumology outpatient clinic in the University Hospital 12 de Octubre during the last three years.Material and methods: Retrospective study of new cases of TBC disease in the outpatient pneumology clinic in our hospital between 01/2004 and 12/2006. The data were gathered from the diagnostic coding database of the consultation, thorough review of the clinical histories and registries of the nursing department. We elaborated a database that included demographic, clinical data related with the diagnosis and with the treatment.Results: A total of 90 new cases were diagnosed, 61.1% of whom were men, of TBC disease. Mean age was 38.6 years with a greater peak incidence between 20 and 40 years. A total of 38.9% of the cases were immigrants. Mean age on diagnosis of the immigrants was 31.5 years, significantly lower (p = 0.02) than that of the Spaniards (43.1 years). Some type of immunosuppression was found in 15.6% of the cases. The most frequent clinical presentation form was pulmonary with 65.6% and the most frequent diagnostic method was microbiological. Treatment regime used most was that of four drugs, with 2 months of rifamipicin (R), isoniacid (H), pyrazinamide (Z) and etambutol (E) and 4 months of HR, which was used in 61.1% of the cases. In 13 patients, some resistance to first line drugs was detected, the most frequent being to isoniazide (8 cases). The complications due to the treatment occurred in 13.3% and course was toward cure in 91%. Recording of new cases of TBC in our consultation during the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 reflected a greater number of new cases regarding the overall rates of the Regional Community of Madrid and regarding previous years in our consultation.Conclusion: A greater incidence of tuberculosis disease is observed in the outpatient clinic of the Hospital 12 de Octubre regarding the last record. This increase in incidence, given the elevated percentage of foreign population in TBC patients of our study (38.9%), may be due to the higher rates of immigration of the area 11 population (21.3%) in relationship with the general data of the regional community of Madrid (13.1%)

Mouse mammary tumor virus-like gene sequences in breast cancer samples of Mexican women.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports related the presence of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-like gene sequences to human breast carcinoma. The aim of this study was to determine whether MMTV-like env gene sequences are present in breast cancer samples of Mexican women and in breast and lung cancer cell lines. METHODS: Using specific primers for MMTV, we tested 3 breast cancer cell lines, 4 non-small lung cancer cell lines and 119 breast cancer samples from Mexican women. RESULTS: MMTV-like gene sequences were amplified in the lung cancer cell INER-51, but not in the MCF-7 cell line that has been used as a positive control in other reports and in 5 of 119 (4.2%) breast cancer biopsy tissues. Furthermore, the identity of sequences of PCR products from INER-51 and a breast cancer-positive sample are 98 and 99% when compared with the env region of MMTV (GenBank accession No. AY161347). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that MMTV-like gene sequences are present in the Mexican population.

In vitro effects of bovine dialyzable leukocyte extract (bDLE) in cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Bovine dialyzable leukocyte extract (bDLE) is a dialyzate of a heterogeneous mixture of low molecular weight substances released from disintegrated blood leukocytes or lymphoid tissue obtained from homogenized bovine spleen. The purpose of this study was to determine if bDLE had cytotoxic effects and modulated apoptosis gene expression in breast cancer cells. METHODS: The MCF-7, BT-474, MDA-MB-453, A-427, Calu-1, U937 and L5178Y cancer cell lines and PBMC human cells were treated with bDLE (0-0.66 U/mL) for 72 h. The bDLE effect on cell growth proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, and the MCF-7 was evaluated by ethidium bromide-acridine orange staining; total DNA was evaluated for DNA fragmentation, and total RNA was isolated for p53, bag-1, c-myc, bim, bax, bcl-2 and bad mRNA expression. RESULTS: The bDLE had dose-dependent cytotoxic effects and demonstrated an IC50 at a dosage of 0.06 U/mL (P<0.05). The bDLE did not affect the viability of normal human PBMC. The bDLE induced DNA fragmentation at doses of 0.06 and 0.13 U/mL in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The bDLE induced cytotoxic effects and suppressed the p53, bag-1, c-myc, bax, bcl-2, and bad mRNA expression that influences apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Bim mRNA expression was not detected. DISCUSSION: This may open up interesting prospects for the treatment of human breast cancer.

Stable low molecular weight RNA analyzed by staircase electrophoresis, a molecular signature for both prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms.

Low-molecular weight RNA (LMW RNA) analysis using staircase electrophoresis was performed for several species of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms. According to our results, the LMW RNA profiles of archaea and bacteria contain three zones: 5S RNA, class 1 tRNA and class 2 tRNA. In fungi an additional band is included in the LMW RNA profiles, which correspond to the 5.8S RNA. In archaea and bacteria we found that the 5S rRNA zone is characteristic for each genus and the tRNA profile is characteristic for each species. In eukaryotes the combined 5.8S and 5S rRNA zones are characteristic for each genus and, as in prokaryotes, tRNA profiles are characteristic for each species. Therefore, stable low molecular weight RNA, separated by staircase electrophoresis, can be considered a molecular signature for both prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. Analysis of the data obtained and construction of the corresponding dendrograms afforded relationships between genera and species; these were essentially the same as those obtained with 16S rRNA sequencing (in prokaryotes) and 18S rRNA sequencing (in eukaryotes).

Characterization of beet necrotic yellow vein furovirus from Spanish sugar beets.

Rhizomania is a viral disease, caused by beet necrotic yellow vein furovirus (BNYVV), which was detected in Spanish sugar beets in 1988, it being focused on the Castilla y León region. BNYVV has five RNA fragments with specific functions, and the different composition and proportion of RNA in the virions allow their separation and the characterization of their activities during the development of the disease. Thirty-six samples of sugar beet rootlets and frozen pulps from three different sugar beet zones of Castilla y León were analyzed by DAS-ELISA and Immunocapture-Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (IC-RT-PCR) using specific primers. The identity of the cDNA products was confirmed by nested-PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The uniformity of the patterns obtained by RFLP analyses with nine endonucleases showed the existence of a unique strain of BNYVV in 80,000 Ha of crop surface which could be explained by a recent arrival of the rhizomania disease to this region. The isolates studied were more similar to type A, which has been previously described in BNYVV, but a non-expected cleavage site for this molecular group was observed with endonuclease HincII on the RNA-2 IC-RT-PCR product (nt 2133-3293) in the thirty-six Spanish samples and also in a North American strain taken as reference. The use of frozen pulps obtained as a previous step to the industrial extraction of sugar avoids problems due to erratic distribution of the virus in the roots, provides repetitive results for a particular sample, and facilitates epidemiological and distributional studies on rhizomania disease.

Seroprevalence of HTLV-I/II in blood donors in Monterrey, Mexico.

The prevalence of antibodies against human T-cell lymphotrophic virus (HTLV-I/II) in blood donors from the city of Monterrey, Mexico was investigated. We found that 4 out of 1017 sera (0.39%) reacted against HTLV-I/II, as determined by a passive agglutination test (PA). However, none of PA-positive sera reacted to HTLV-I/II specific polypeptides as demonstrated by Western blot. These findings indicate that the population of Monterrey has very low or no seroprevalence for HTLV-I/II.