Public attitudes value interpretability but prioritize accuracy in Artificial Intelligence.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) proliferates across important social institutions, many of the most powerful AI systems available are difficult to interpret for end-users and engineers alike. Here, we sought to characterize public attitudes towards AI interpretability. Across seven studies (N = 2475), we demonstrate robust and positive attitudes towards interpretable AI among non-experts that generalize across a variety of real-world applications and follow predictable patterns. Participants value interpretability positively across different levels of AI autonomy and accuracy, and rate interpretability as more important for AI decisions involving high stakes and scarce resources. Crucially, when AI interpretability trades off against AI accuracy, participants prioritize accuracy over interpretability under the same conditions driving positive attitudes towards interpretability in the first place: amidst high stakes and scarce resources. These attitudes could drive a proliferation of AI systems making high-impact ethical decisions that are difficult to explain and understand.

First report of a primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the bladder in a newborn.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is part of the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors. The present case reports a primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of rare location in the bladder in a newborn. It was evaluated with prenatal ultrasound and postnatal tomography that revealed a mass in the posterior wall of the bladder. The patient underwent partial cystectomy with subsequent analysis of the surgical piece removed, the histopathological study indicated a tumor of mesenchymal origin, and immunohistochemical staining confirmed the diagnosis of PNET of the bladder. Satisfactory result and short-term follow-up.

Higroma quístico y la importancia de su diagnóstico prenatal: a propósito de un caso / Cystic hygroma and the importance of the prenatal diagnosis: about a case

RESUMEN El higroma quístico es la malformación del sistema linfático que más frecuentemente se observa en el período prenatal y que se ubica principalmente en el cuello y/o la nuca. Su tasa de detección ha aumentado desde la implementación de la translucencia nucal fetal (TN) en el primer trimestre de embarazo, y su presencia se ha relacionado con anomalías congénitas, aneuploidías, pérdida del embarazo y trastornos en el desarrollo. El objetivo de la presentación de este caso es resaltar la importancia del diagnóstico antenatal del higroma quístico, con el fin de realizar una intervención precoz y evitar la muerte fetal. Se recibe para estudio anatomopatológico, feto de sexo indeterminado producto del primer embarazo de una madre de 19 años de edad sin previos controles prenatales, con presencia de una gran masa quística que se extiende desde el rostro hasta la nuca. Mediante el estudio histológico se confirma el diagnóstico de higroma quístico. Al carecer de análisis de cariotipo no fue posible establecer la preexistencia de alguna anomalía genética. El también conocido como linfangioma quístico, es un tumor vascular benigno cuyo diagnóstico antenatal mediante la ultrasonografía resulta fundamental en la evolución y pronóstico de la enfermedad. Desafortunadamente en nuestro caso, la falta de controles prenatales y la ausencia de estudios ultrasonográficos que permitieran conocer las características de este linfangioma, pudo impactar significativamente en el desenlace fatal.

ABSTRACT The cystic hygroma is the malformation of the lymphatic system that is most frequently observed in the prenatal period and is located mainly in the neck and/or the nape of the neck. Its detection rate has increased since the implementation of fetal nuchal translucency (NT) in the first trimester of pregnancy and its presence has been associated with congenital abnormalities, aneuploidies, pregnancy loss, and developmental disorders. The aim of this case is to highlight the importance of antenatal diagnosis of cystic hygroma in order to perform early intervention and avoid fetal death. It is received, for anatomopathological study, a fetus of undetermined sex product of the first pregnancy of a 19 year-old mother without previous prenatal controls, with the presence of a large cystic mass that extends from the face to the neck. The histological study confirms the diagnosis of cystic hygroma. As there was no karyotype analysis, it was not possible to establish the preexistence of any genetic abnormality. Also known as cystic lymphangioma, is a benign vascular tumor whose antenatal diagnosis by ultrasonography is essential in the evolution and prognosis of the disease. Unfortunately in our case, the lack of prenatal controls and the absence of ultrasonographic studies that would allow knowing the characteristics of this lymphangioma, could significantly impact in the fatal outcome.

The effect of transmission variance on observer placement for source-localization.

Detecting where an epidemic started, i.e., which node in a network was the source, is of crucial importance in many contexts. However, finding the source of an epidemic can be challenging, especially because the information available is often sparse and noisy. We consider a setting in which we want to localize the source based exclusively on the information provided by a small number of observers - i.e., nodes that can reveal if and when they are infected - and we study where such observers should be placed. We show that the optimal observer placement depends not only on the topology of the network, but also on the variance of the node-to-node transmission delays. We consider both low-variance and high-variance regimes for the transmission delays and propose algorithms for observer placement in both cases. In the low-variance regime, it suffices to only consider the network-topology and to choose observers that, based on their distances to all other nodes in the network, can distinguish among possible sources. However, the high-variance regime requires a new approach in order to guarantee that the observed infection times are sufficiently informative about the location of the source and do not get masked by the noise in the transmission delays; this is accomplished by additionally ensuring that the observers are not placed too far apart. We validate our approaches with simulations on three real-world networks. Compared to state-of-the-art strategies for observer placement, our methods have a better performance in terms of source-localization accuracy for both the low- and the high-variance regimes.

Biogas production in an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor by using tequila vinasses: effect of pH and temperature.

In recent years, anaerobic digestion has been recognized as a suitable alternative for tequila vinasses treatment due to its high energy recovery and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency. However, key factors such as the lack of suitable monitoring schemes and the presence of load disturbances, which may induce unstable operating conditions in continuous systems, have limited its application at full scale. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (AnSBR) configuration in order to provide a low cost and easy operation alternative for the treatment of these complex effluents. In particular, the AnSBR was evaluated under different pH-temperature combinations: 7 and 32 °C; 7 and 38 °C; 8 and 32 °C and 8 and 38 °C. Results showed that the AnSBR configuration was able to achieve high COD removal efficiencies (around 85%) for all the tested conditions, while the highest methane yield was obtained at pH 7 and 38 °C (0.29 L/g COD added). Furthermore, high robustness was found in all the AnSBR experiments. Therefore, the full-scale application of the AnSBR technology for the treatment of tequila vinasses is quite encouraging, in particular for small and medium size tequila industries that operate under seasonal conditions.

Biofilm development during the start-up of a sulfate-reducing down-flow fluidized bed reactor at different COD/SO4(2-) ratios and HRT.

In sulfate-reducing reactors, it has been reported that the sulfate removal efficiency increases when the COD/SO4(2-) ratio is increased. The start-up of a down-flow fluidized bed reactor constitutes an important step to establish a microbial community in the biofilm able to survive under the operational bioreactor conditions in order to achieve effective removal of both sulfate and organic matter. In this work the influence of COD/SO4(2-) ratio and HRT in the development of a biofilm during reactor start-up (35 days) was studied. The reactor was inoculated with 1.6 g VSS/L of granular sludge, ground low density polyethylene was used as support material; the feed consisted of mineral medium at pH 5.5 containing 1 g COD/L (acetate:lactate, 70:30) and sodium sulfate. Four experiments were conducted at HRT of 1 or 2 days and COD/SO4(2-) ratio of 0.67 or 2.5. The results obtained indicated that a COD/SO4(2-) ratio of 2.5 and HRT 2 days allowed high sulfate and COD removal (66.1 and 69.8%, respectively), whereas maximum amount of attached biomass (1.9 g SVI/L support) and highest sulfate reducing biofilm activity (10.1 g COD-H2S/g VSS-d) was achieved at HRT of 1 day and at COD/sulfate ratios of 0.67 and 2.5, respectively, which suggests that suspended biomass also played a key role in the performance of the reactors.

EVALUACIÓN DEL POLICULTIVO DE BOCACHICO Prochilodus magdalenae Y TILAPIA Oreochromis niloticus UTILIZANDO SUPERFICIES FIJADORAS DE PERIFITON: EVALUATION OF THE POLYCULTURE OF BOCAChICO Prochilodus magdalenae AND TILAPIA Oreochromis niloticus USING PERIPHYTON FIXING SURFACES

La piscicultura es una actividad importante para satisfacer la demanda alimenticia de una población en crecimiento y en su práctica es necesario desarrollar tecnologías responsables con el ambiente. El policultivo de tilapia-bocachico es relevante por la importancia de estas especies a nivel nacional; tilapia por sus características zootécnicas, y bocachico por su hábito alimentario detritívoro-iliófago, recientemente visto como un pez ecológico. El cultivo basado en perifiton permitiría un sistema altamente eficiente y más limpio, pues aporta alimento natural a los peces y mejora la calidad del agua. Para evaluar el efecto del perifiton sobre el desempeño del policultivo tilapia-bocachico, se ejecutó un experimento durante ocho meses en 18 estanques de 90 m², con 2,6 tilapias/m² y 0,7 bocachicos/m², sin fertilización; como sustrato para perifiton se instalaron de forma vertical tubos plásticos (3,3 tubos/m²), que se constituyeron en una variable por evaluar. Adicionalmente, tres estrategias alimentarias fueron evaluadas: 0 (sin alimento), alimentación con ración del 20% de proteína bruta (PB) y alimentación con ración del 25% de PB. Se utilizó un diseño factorial 2x3 en bloques completos al azar con tres repeticiones por tratamiento y se analizaron datos productivos mediante ANOVA con un modelo lineal general (P < 0,05). No fueron encontrados efectos del sustrato sobre los parámetros estudiados. Hubo efectos simples de la estrategia alimentaria sobre el desempeño de los peces. Por lo pronto, puede ser concluido que la producción basada en perifiton no genera problemas en el sistema ni en los peces y que se requiere más investigación para consolidar la tecnología.

Fishculture is very important to satisfy human food demand. However, the ignorance in more efficient and environment-friendly systems is a big problem for fish farming activities. Tilapia-Bocachico polyculture is of great interest; tilapia, for the excellent productive characteristics, and bocachico for being a bottom-feeder specie, beside of the great socio-cultural value in this region. An alternative approach is the adoption of periphyton-based pond systems; periphyton can: be a food source for fish and improve water quality, thus becoming into a highly efficient and cleaner system. With the aim to evaluate the periphyton effects on performance of Tilapia-Bocachico polyculture, a trial was carried out for 8 months. Eighteen 90 m² earthen ponds were used under polyculture conditions at low stocking density (2.6 tilapia/m², 0.7 bocachico/m²). These ponds were not fertilized during the experimental period. Plastic tubes of 1.2 m and 6 cm in diameter were used vertically as periphyton substrate at 3.3 tubes/m² rate. Three alimentary strategies were used: 0 (without food), fish feed (20% protein) and fish feed (25% protein); thereby constituting a factorial experiment 2x3 in a randomized complete block with three replications per treatment. They were analyzed using ANOVA with a general linear model (GLM) (p < 0.05). There were no effects of substrates on the study variables, but simple effects of alimentary strategies on the productive parameters. Other parameters are being analyzed and it is still premature to conclude.

Validation of the INNO-LiPA HBV DR assay (version 2) in monitoring hepatitis B virus-infected patients receiving nucleoside analog treatment.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) antiviral drug resistance mutations prevent successful outcome of treatment and lead to worsening of liver disease. Detection of its emergence permits opportune treatment with alternative drugs. Unfortunately, the use of newly approved antivirals, including adefovir dipivoxil, emtricitabine, and telbivudine, is also associated with the development of drug resistance, albeit to a lesser extent than the use of lamivudine. The objectives of this work were to assess the performance characteristics (sensitivity and accuracy) of an updated drug resistance test, the INNO-LiPA HBV DR v2, which includes detection of mutations associated with lamivudine, adefovir, emtricitabine, and telbivudine resistance, and to compare the results with consensus sequencing of serum samples from patients treated with HBV antivirals. Diagnostic sensitivity, defined as detection of a positive amplification line on the line probe assay (LiPA) strip, was 94.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89.7 to 97.9) after initial testing, increasing to 96.3% (95% CI, 91.6 to 98.8) after repeat test 1 and to 100% (95% CI, 97.3 to 100.0) after repeat test 2. In diagnostic accuracy determinations, full concordance was observed between sequencing and LiPA for 77.0% of the codons tested (620/805 codons [95% CI, 74.0 to 79.9]), whereas LiPA and sequencing were partially concordant 22% of the time (177/805 codons). In 167 out of 177 cases, LiPA detected a wild-type/mutant mixture whereas sequencing detected only one of the two results. Performance testing of the new LiPA test, the INNO-LiPA HBV DR v2, showed convincing diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy. The ability of the test to detect mixed infections and minority viral populations associated with resistance to the current generation of antivirals, including adefovir, emtricitabine, and telbivudine, makes it a useful tool for HBV therapy monitoring.

Torsión intraútero de un quiste ovárico. Presentación neonatal atípica / Intrauterine torsion of ovarian cyst. Atypical neonatal presentation

La ecografía prenatal y posnatal nos ha permitido conocer realmente los datos sobre la frecuencia y la evolución de los quistes ováricos fetales. Aunque la mayoría de estos quistes involucionan en el transcurso de los primeros meses de vida, pueden presentar complicaciones durante el periodo fetal o posnatal, entre las cuales la torsión ovárica es la más frecuente. Presentamos el caso de una niña de 5 meses de edad, remitida a nuestro servicio de cirugía pediátrica por una tumoración intraabdominal, que resultó ser una autoamputación ovárica, complicación derivada de un quiste ovárico fetal que provocó una torsión ovárica intraútero. Revisamos los conocimientos actuales sobre los quistes ováricos fetales, haciendo especial hincapié en su manejo médico y quirúrgico posnatal (AU)

Pre- and postnatal echographies have allowed us to know reliable data about frequency and evolution of fetal ovarian cysts. Though most of these cysts involute during the first months of life, sometimes complications may appear during fetal or neonatal periods, being the ovarian torsion the most frequent. We present a case report of a 5 months-old female patient referred to our Pediatric Surgery Service with an intraabdominal tumoration. This tumoration resulted to be an ovarian autoamputation, which is a complication derived from a fetal ovarian cyst which caused an intrauterine ovarian torsion. We revise the current knowledge about fetal ovarian cysts emphasizing its postnatal surgical and clinical management (AU)

Importancia de la resonancia magnética en el síndrome del acueducto vestibular dilatado en la infancia / Importance of the magnetic resonance in the enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome in children

El síndrome del acueducto vestibular dilatado es la patología de herencia autosómica recesiva en la que se produce una hipoacusia progresiva o fluctuante desde la infancia por detención del desarrollo del oído interno, lo que provoca un aumento del saco endolinfático y una ligera displasia coclear. Presentamos 2 casos clínicos cuya peculiaridad es que ambos son unilaterales, ya que suelen ser bilaterales en el 90%de los casos. Una tomografía computarizada (TC) de cortes finos (1 mm)identifica al acueducto vestibular aumentado, pero una TC normal no excluye este diagnóstico, por lo que se debe realizar una resonancia magnética a todo paciente con hipoacusia neurosensorial unilateral para descartar ésta y otras alteraciones que pueden estar asociadas (AU)

Enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome is a clinical condition characterized for an autosomal recessive inheritance and a progressive perceptive deafness linked to a broadening of vestibular great aqueduct and a cochlear dysplasia. We report two clinical cases which peculiarity is that though they are usually bilateral in 90% of the cases, both cases which have been presented are unilateral. The enlarged vestibular aqueduct is detected by a CAT Scan (Computerized axial Tomography) of thin cuts (1 mm), but a normal CAT scan does not exclude this diagnosis. So a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is needed in the diagnosis of unilateral neurosensorial hypoacusia to rule out this malformation and others that might be related (AU)

Pérdida de glutatión desde pulmones de conejo en solución de preservación para trasplante: efectos clínicos y funcionales a corto plazo / Loss of glutathione from rabbit lungs in transplant preservation solution

Introduction: Ischemia-reperfusion injury causes morbidity and mortality in lung transplant patients. It is unknown if the usual lung preservation solution favors antioxidant deficiency and thus, increased oxidative stress in the receptor. Objective: To evaluate if there is any loss of glutathione from rabbit lungs to the preservation solution. Results: We found a decrease in lung total glutathione content, without an increase in the oxidized form of this antioxidant. At the same time, we were able to measure increasing levels of glutathione in the preservation solution from 30 min on. Conclusions: There is loss of glutathione from the lung to the preservation solution that is not mediated by glutathione oxidation and likely due to passage of the reduced form along the concentration gradient, rendering the tissue vulnerable to oxidative stress once in the receptor.

El daño por isquemia-reperfusión es causa de morbimortalidad en pacientes con trasplante pulmonar. Se desconoce si la solución de preservación habitual del pulmón puede contribuir a la deficiencia de antioxidantes, favoreciendo el estrés oxidativo en el receptor. Objetivo: Evaluar si existe pérdida de glutatión desde pulmones de conejo a la solución de preservación para trasplante. Resultados: Encontramos una disminución en el contenido de glutatión total del pulmón, sin aumento en el contenido de glutatión oxidado. Esto se asoció a la aparición y aumento sostenido de glutatión en la solución de preservación desde los 30 min. Conclusiones: Existe salida de glutatión desde el pulmón no mediada por oxidación de éste y posiblemente favorecida por el gradiente de concentración de glutatión reducido. Esta pérdida deja al tejido vulnerable frente a las condiciones de estrés oxidativo en el receptor.

Magnitud del enfisema inducido por elastasa: posible relación con el tipo de daño agudo pulmonar / Elastase induced emphysema: possible relationship with the type of acute lung injury

Introduction: Intratracheal instillation of elastase induces diffuse alveolar damage and emphysema development. However, the Syrian Golden hamster develops more severe emphysema than the Sprague-Dawley rat. Although it is known that early events after elastase instillation determine the magnitude of emphysema development, it is not known if there are species differences in the initial pattern of lung response to elastase. Objective: To evaluate whether rats and hamster differ in the early lung response to elastase, using biochemical markers of acute lung injury. Results: Whereas the rat shows a large increase in alveolar-capillary permeability and few hemorrhagic changes, the hamster shows significant amount of hemorrhage and a small increase in alveolar capillary permeability. Conclusions: There are differences between rats and hamsters in the initial lung response to elastase that could influence the magnitude of emphysema development.

Introducción: El modelo de instilación intratraqueal de elastasa induce daño alveolar difuso y destrucción de la matriz extracelular con desarrollo de enfisema. Sin embargo, el hámster Syrian Golden desarrolla enfisema más severo que el de la rata Sprague-Dawley. Si bien se sabe que los eventos tempranos después de la instilación de elastasa determinan la magnitud del enfisema, se desconoce si existen diferencias entre especies en la respuesta pulmonar temprana. Objetivo: Evaluar si existen diferencias entre ratas y hamsters en la respuesta pulmonar inicial después de la elastasa, mediante el uso de marcadores bioquímicos de daño pulmonar agudo. Resultados: Mientras la rata experimenta un gran aumento de permeabilidad alvéolo-capilar y pocos fenómenos hemorrágicos, el hamster presenta abundante hemorragia y escaso aumento de la permeabilidad. Conclusiones: Existen diferencias entre ratas y hamsters en la respuesta pulmonar inicial frente a la elastasa, que podrían tener relación con las diferencias en magnitud del enfisema.

Valoración del sedimento de orina en pacientes que consultan por dolor abdominal en urgencia / Value of urinalysis for the diagnosis of acute abdominal pain

Introducción: El sedimento de orina (SO) es un método útil para el diagnóstico de condiciones que se presentan con dolor abdominal. Sin embargo, frecuentemente no es utilizado adecuadamente. Los objetivos de este trabajo son: evaluar el impacto del SO en el diagnóstico diferencial del dolor abdominal, analizar la concordancia entre el diagnóstico y las alteraciones del SO y evaluar si el resultado del SO predijo un cambio de conducta en el manejo del paciente. Material y Método: Se analizó los SO de los pacientes que consultaron por dolor abdominal en nuestro servicio de urgencia durante 30 días consecutivos (Abril de 2005) y se evaluó la concordancia entre la hipótesis diagnóstica y diagnóstico definitivo sugerido por las características del SO mediante test de Kappa. Resultados: Consultaron 6.930 pacientes en el servicio de urgencia durante el periodo de estudio, 1.106 por dolor abdominal, solicitándose SO a 283 pacientes (25,6 por ciento). La distribución por sexo de pacientes a quienes se solicitó SO fue: 25,7 por ciento hombres,74,2 por ciento mujeres. Las hipótesis diagnósticas realizadas por el cirujano o médico del servicio de urgencia, al momento de solicitar el SO fueron, 10,9 por ciento apendicitis, 41,3 por ciento dolor abdominal inespecífico, 21,5 por ciento cólico renal, 24 por ciento ITU, 2,1 por ciento otras patologías quirúrgicas. Los patrones del SO fueron, 156/283 (55,1 por ciento) normal, 29/283 (10,2 por ciento) contaminación, 45/283 (15,9 por ciento) ITU y 42/283 (14,8 por ciento) hematuria. Al comparar la hipótesis diagnóstica con el diagnóstico de egreso (con el que el paciente fue enviado a su hogar) se encontró una buena concordancia (índice Kappa= 0,607). Sin embargo, al comparar la hipótesis diagnóstica con el diagnóstico definitivo (diagnóstico real dado por el SO y conducta definitiva como la quirúrgica, por ejemplo apendicitis) se encontró una concordancia marginal (índice Kappa= 0,265). Conclusiones: El SO, es un examen...

Building novel binding ligands to B7.1 and B7.2 based on human antibody single variable light chain domains.

Ligands specific for B7.1 (CD80) and B7.2 (CD86) have applications in disease indications that require inhibition of T-cell activity. As we observed significant sequence and structural similarity between the B7-binding ligand, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4 (CTLA-4), and antibody variable light chain domains (VLs), we have explored the possibilities of making novel B7 binding molecules based on single VL domains. We first describe the "rational" design and construction of a VL/CTLA-4 hybrid molecule in which we have grafted both the CDR1 and CDR3-like loops of CTLA-4 onto a single VL light chain, at sites determined by sequence and structure-based alignment. This molecule was secreted as a soluble product from Escherichia coli, but did not show any binding to B7.1 and B7.2. In a second approach we constructed a VL library in which human VL genes derived from B-cells were spiked with the CDR3-like loop of CTLA-4 and further diversified by DNA shuffling. This library was displayed on phage, and after selection gave B7.1 binding ligands which competed with CTLA-4. In order to evaluate the possible general utility of VL domains as binding ligands, we have constructed a non-biased VL library. From this DNA-shuffled human VL library we have selected single VL domains specific for B7.1, B7.2 or human IgG. Two B7.1-specific VL ligands and one B7.2-specific VL ligand showed competition with CTLA-4. One candidate VL domain-specific for B7.1 was affinity matured by simultaneous randomisation of all CDR loops using DNA shuffling with degenerate CDR-spiking oligonucleotides. From this library, a single VL domain with affinity of 191 nM for B7.1 was obtained, which also showed binding to B7.1 in situ. This VL had mutations in CDR1 and CDR3, indicating that antigen recognition for this single VL is most likely mediated by the same regions as in the VL domain of whole antibodies. The B7.1 and B7.2-specific VL domains described in this study may form the basis of a new family of immunomodulatory recombinant molecules. Furthermore, our studies suggest that it is feasible to create specific single VL domains to diverse targets as is the case for single VH domains.

Expression and purification of monospecific and bispecific recombinant antibody fragments derived from antibodies that block the CD80/CD86-CD28 costimulatory pathway.

The development of recombinant techniques for rapid cloning, expression, and characterization of cDNAs encoding antibody (Ab) subunits has revolutionized the field of antibody engineering. By fusion to heterologous protein domains, chain shuffling, or inclusion of self-assembly motifs, novel molecules such as bispecific Abs can be generated that possess the subset of functional properties designed to fit the intended application. We describe the engineering of Ab fragments produced in bacteria for blocking the CD28-CD80/CD86 costimulatory interaction in order to induce tolerance against transplanted organs. We designed single-chain Fv antibodies, monospecific and bispecific diabodies, and a bispecific tetravalent antibody (BiTAb) molecule directed against the CD80 and/or CD86 costimulatory molecules. These recombinant Ab molecules were expressed in Escherichia coli, followed by purification and evaluation for specific interaction with their respective antigen in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A specific sandwich ELISA confirmed the bispecificity of the bispecific diabodies and the BiTAb.

Clonal expansion of mycobacterial heat-shock protein-reactive T lymphocytes in the synovial fluid and blood of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the reactivity pattern and T cell receptor (TCR) characteristics of mycobacterial heat-shock protein 65 (hsp65)-reactive T cells generated from paired synovial fluid (SF) and peripheral blood (PB) samples obtained from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and from healthy subjects. METHODS: The reactivity pattern of hsp65-reactive T cell clones generated under limiting-dilution conditions was analyzed in 3H-thymidine incorporation assays. The TCR variable regions of these hsp65-reactive T cells were characterized by polymerase chain reaction with TCR AV- and BV-specific primers and by DNA sequence analysis of the third complementarity-determining region (CDR3). RESULTS: The hsp65-reactive T cells derived both from RA patients and controls preferentially recognized the 1-170 and 303-540 regions of hsp65 and did not cross-react with human hsp60. The hsp65-reactive T cell clones derived from RA patients displayed a restricted TCR AV and BV gene usage, which can be attributed to the limited clonal origin(s) of the independent T cell clones, as evidenced by CDR3 sequence analysis. These clonally expanded T cells were found in both PB and SF and in different inflamed joints of RA patients. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that there is in vivo clonal activation and expansion of mycobacterial hsp65-reactive T cells in patients with RA.

[Capillary testicular hemangioma: a case report]. / Hemangioma capilar testicular. A propósito de un caso.

Testicular tumors in infants are rare and most of them are malignant. Hemangioma of the testis is an extremely rare tumor in infants. We report on an intratesticular capillary hemangioma that appeared in a 10 month-old child subsequently undergoing orchidectomy and on the patient's evolution at 4 years. The histological characteristics showed proliferation of small blood vessels, lined with endothelial cells. Mitoses and atypias were not found. Permitting differential diagnosis with other vascular tumors: Masson's vegetant intravascular hemangio-endothelioma and angiosarcoma.

Nuclear extracts enhance the interaction of fusion proteins containing the DNA-binding domain of the androgen and glucocorticoid receptor with androgen and glucocorticoid response elements.

Comparable fragments of the androgen receptor (AR) (amino acids 540-607) and of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) (amino acids 412-515) were expressed in E. coli as fusion proteins with protein A. Both fusion proteins, denoted ARF1 and GRF1, contain the DNA-binding domain and some flanking amino acids. In vitro binding assays have shown that both fusion proteins interact with androgen/glucocorticoid response elements (ARE/GREs) in an intron fragment of the C3(1) gene of the androgen-regulated rat prostatic binding protein and in the typically glucocorticoid-responsive long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter of mouse mammary tumour virus. Present results indicate that the interaction of both ARF1 and GRF1 with the C3(1) as well as the LTR fragments is enhanced in the presence of nuclear extract. The factor that gives rise to this enhancement appears to be ubiquitous and sensitive to trypsin and temperature treatment. In the C3(1) fragment, the enhancing effect requires the presence of an intact functional ARE/GRE (Core II) as well as a region spanning the ARE/GRE half-site Core I.

Proteins interacting with an androgen-responsive unit in the C3(1) gene intron.

The expression of the three genes encoding the components C1, C2 and C3 of prostatic binding protein (PBP) is under androgen control and restricted to the rat ventral prostate. The SstI-PvuII fragment of the first intron of the C3(1) gene displays two binding sites for ubiquitous transcription factors and one for a tissue-specific factor in a 80-bp region upstream of its androgen response element (ARE). The octamer transcription factor 1 (OTF-1) binds to the most distal element (site 1) while a member of the nuclear factor I (NF-I) family recognizes site 2. A third unidentified prostate-specific factor, which also occurs in castrated rats, interacts with the proximal element (site 3). In T-47D cells, both the OTF-1 and the NF-I-like factor can modulate the androgen response of the promoter in a reporter gene construct containing the C3(1) intronic fragment.