Impact of A90P, F106L and H64V mutations on neuroglobin stability and ligand binding kinetics.

Human neuroglobin (Ngb) is a hexacoordinated globin which binds some small ligands. Its function is still not well-established, even though Ngb seems to be implicated in the protection against neurodegenerative diseases. It has been shown by molecular dynamics and crystallography that ligand binding could occur thanks to a haem sliding mechanism specific to Ngb. In this paper, we studied some regions which could participate in this mechanism. We used UV-visible spectroscopy, CD and NMR to have a look on the protein structure and NMR and stopped-flow to study the ligand binding properties of the proteins. In the haem environment we mutated the distal histidine H64, the alanine A90 which is on the proximal F helix and the phenylalanine F106 which is close to the haem. We showed that both H64V and A90P variants, which affect the haem coordination, seemed to be important to haem and protein secondary structure stabilities whereas F106L mutation did not affect those properties. Then we confirmed that the cyanide binding kinetics were isomer dependent on wild-type Ngb and A90P and F106L variants. H64V Ngb variant had a behavior similar to wild-type Mb or Hb with a loss of the haem kinetic differentiation. Moreover, our results suggested that one haem isomer was more sensitive to A90P and F106L mutations. Those results brought some evidence that the haem sliding mechanism could occur for the cyanide binding and could be haem isomer dependent. The isomer forms may play distinct roles for the potential function of Ngb in vivo.

Rentabilidad de la biopsia prostática y determinación de valores del PSA. Incidencia de cáncer prostático y complicaciones postbiopsia / Profitability of prostate biopsy and PSA values determination. Impact of prostate cancer and post-biopsy complications

OBJETIVO: Determinar la tasa diagnostica de cáncer prostático (CaP) de nuestro hospital mediante biopsia prostática (Bp), así como analizar si existen diferencias significativas entre las diferentes variables PSA y el resultado anatomo-patológico. De forma secundaria, analizar nuestra tasa de complicaciones postbiopsia. Material y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo descriptivo y analítico de los pacientes biopsiados en el año 2014, analizando las variables cuantitativas edad, PSA libre, PSA Total, Cociente PSA Libre/ Total y número de cilindros y analizando las variables cualitativas resultado de anatomía patológica y complicaciones. RESULTADOS: Incluimos en el estudio a 86 pacientes con una media de edad de 67,5 años [49-84]. La media del PSA total fue de 7,67 ng/dl [2,83- 29], PSA libre de 1,05 ng/dl [0,32-2,45] y cociente de 0,16 [0,05-0,31]. La media de cilindros extraídos por Bp fue de 10,5 cilindros [4-18]. La tasa de resultados positivos en Bp fue del 30,2% (26 pacientes). Al comparar los pacientes que tuvieron biopsia positiva vs biopsia negativas hallamos diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre valores de PSA libre (p = 0,039) y los del cociente de PSA (p = 0,015). Tras Bp precisaron ingreso por complicación 4 pacientes. CONCLUSIONES: Nuestra tasa diagnostica de CaP mediante Bp es similar a la de otras series descritas. El valor del cociente PSA libre/total es una herramienta fiable para indicar una biopsia. Nuestra tasa de complicaciones postbiopsia es similar a la de las guías Europeas, por lo que consideramos óptimo nuestro protocolo de profilaxis para la biopsia prostática

AIM: To determinate the diagnosis rate of prostate cancer (CaP) of our hospital through prostate biopsy (Pb) and to analyse whether there are significant differences between the diverse variables of PSA and the anatomic-pathology results. In addition an to a lesser extent, to study our rates of post-biopsy complications. Material and METHODOLOGY: retrospective research, both descriptive and analytical, of the patients who underwent biopsy in 2014, analysing the quantitative values of age, free PSA, total PSA, free/ total PSA quotient and number of cylinders, and analysis of the qualitative variables resulting from anatomic-pathology and further complications. RESULTS: The research includes 86 patients of 67.5 years old average [49-84]. The average total PSA was 7,67 ng/dl [2,83-29, free PSA 1,05 ng/dl [0,32-2,45] and PSA quotient of 0,16 [0,05-0,31]. The average cylinders obtained with Pb was 10.5 cylinders [4-18]. The rate of positive results in Bp was 30.2% (26 patients). When comparing patients with positive and negative Pbs, significant differences were found between free PSA values (p = 0,039) and those of PSA quotient (p = 0,015). Four patients required hospitalisation after Pb due to unforeseen complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our diagnosis rate of CaP through Pb is similar to the one of other described series. The PSA free/ total quotient is a reliable tool to indicate a biopsy. Our rate of post-biopsy complications is similar to the ones described in European guidelines which implies our prophylaxis protocol for prostate biopsy is optimum

Perinatal outcome associated with nuchal umbilical cord.

INTRODUCTION: Nuchal umbilical cord (NUC) is a possible complication of pregnancy which can be associated with adverse perinatal outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was done at the County Emergency Hospital Timisoara, Romania, between January 2009 and December 2010 and included cases with NUC at the time of delivery. Outcome variable related to the mothers and newborns were studied. RESULTS: The incidence of NUC in the studied period was 8%. Most were primiparous. There were no significant statistical differences between vaginal births and cesarean section with one minute Apgar scores higher than 8. Five percent of the studied group presented intrauterine fetal death. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of NUC implies more attention but are not associated with increased rate of operative vaginal or cesarean delivery. One minute Apgar scores in these cases are comparable. NUC can be a cause of IUFD.

Cáncer de mama y factores de riesgo en población aragonesa / Breast cancer and risk factors in Aragon (Spain)

Introducción: Se ha analizado diferentes factores de riesgo en el cáncer de mama, divididos por grupos de edad. Material y métodos: Se ha realizado un estudio epidemiológico de casos y controles en un área sanitaria de Zaragoza. Los casos (n = 81) provinieron de mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer de mama confirmada por biopsia. Los controles fueron personas que no lo tenían, pero con factores de riesgo similares. Resultados: En las mujeres que tienen menos de 45 años, los principales factores de riesgo encontrados han sido: la historia familiar (OR = 4,47; IC del 95%, 1,01-22,1), lugar de residencia rural (OR = 4,3; IC del 95%, 1,20-15,6), mastopatía fibroquística (OR = 3,5; IC del 95%, 0,75-17,45) y consumo de tabaco (OR = 2,13; IC del 95%, 0,46-10,16). En las mujeres mayores de 45 años destacan como factores de riesgo: la historia familiar de cáncer de mama (OR = 2,47; IC del 95%, 0,84-7,44), vivir en zona rural (OR = 3,38; IC del 95%, 1,54-7,45), mastopatía fibroquística (OR = 6,62; IC del 95%, 2,37-18,4). Conclusión: Mastopatía fibroquística, vivir en medio rural e historia familiar de cáncer de mama fueron significativos en las mujeres mayores de 45 años. Para todo el grupo de edad (mayores y menores de 45 años) los factores de riesgo más significativos fueron: mastopatía fibroquística, residencia en medio rural e historia familiar de cáncer de mama (AU)

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze different risk factors for breast cancer according to age groups. Material and methods: We conducted a case-control study in a health area of Zaragoza (Spain). Cases (n = 81) were women diagnosed with incident breast cancer, confirmed by biopsy. Controls (n = 154) consisted of participants without a diagnosis of breast cancer but with similar risk factors. Results: In women younger than 45 years old, the main risk factors were a familial history of the disease (OR = 4.47; 95% CI, 1.01-22.1), living in a rural area (OR = 4.3; 95% CI, 1.20-15.6), fibrocystic mastopathy (OR = 3.5; 95% CI, 0.75-17.45), and smoking (OR = 2.13; 95% CI, 0.46-10.16). In women older than 45 years old, the predominant risk factors were a family history of breast cancer (OR = 2.47; 95% CI, 0.84-7.44), living in a rural area (OR = 3.38; 95% CI, 1.54-7.45), and fibrocystic mastopathy (OR = 6.62; 95% CI, 2.37-18.4). Conclusion: The most significant factors among women over 45 years old were fibrocystic mastopathy, living in a rural area, and a familial history of breast cancer. For the whole sample, the most significant factors were fibrocystic mastopathy, living in a rural area, and a familial history of breast cancer (AU)

¿Cambia la edad en la incidencia y mortalidad del cáncer de mama? / Age and breast cancer

El número de casos de cáncer de mama ha aumentado, considerablemente en los últimos diez años. La casi totalidad de autores están de acuerdo en que existen dos picos en la edad de incidencia del cáncer de mama, uno alrededor de los 45 años, y otro en torno a los 62. En Aragón se observa la misma tendencia. Existe una notable elevación alrededor de los 45 años, posteriormente se mantiene en meseta y para terminar en una gran elevación alrededor de los 61 años. La pendiente, es decir, el aumento de las tasas de incidencia por grupos de edad en los años estudiados es máximo para el grupo de edad de 45-49 años, con unvalos de 18,77 y es la explicación al aparente traslado del comienzo del cáncer de mama a edades más jóvenes. Lo que ocurre, es que al haber aumentado en los últimos años el número de casos totales, el pico de edad, se ha visto afectado por mayores aumentos, precisamente en este grupo de edad, seguido del grupo entre 40-44 años, en el que la pendiente ha tenido un valor de 15,31. Por último del grupo de edad de 65-70 años, en el que la pendiente, aunque no es estadísticamente significativo su aumento, lo ha sido de 14,5, por lo tanto ligeramente menos que en los otros grupos de edad citados. Distinto comportamiento se observa en la tasa de mortalidad, y la tendencia ha ido aumentando paulatinamente, por cohorte de nacimiento, trasladándose la mortalidad por cáncer de mama a edades más avanzadas (AU)

Database for gynecological laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy is a wonderful tool for performing gynecologic surgery. Whether or not laparoscopic surgery is advisable to diagnose or treat a particular gynecologic problem requires a careful consultation with an experienced gynecologist, who can help the patient weight the pros and cons of laparoscopy versus other options. For the management of this kind of surgical intervention we realise a computer based patient record.

WEB-MO--a computer aided learning on WWW.

The paper presents an electronic textbook on World Wide Web (WWW), which present theoretical notions about the eyes' movements. It also contains clinical cases as example for the described notions. The application is being tested at the County Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Timisoara, Romania. The reaction of the educators and learners is quite positive. We think there will be a great learning tool for the future.

Educational program on neurosurgery.

The paper presents the application of a hypertext and an Electronic Patient Record to assist the pathology of the eye's motility teaching. It is a combination of a theoretical and practical training in this kind of pathology. The application is being tested at the County Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery from Timisoara, Romania.