Trichiasis removal using dermatological punch: A case report.

Entropion, a common malposition of the eyelid, can lead to trichiasis and corneal damage. This article presents a clinical case in which, following initial surgery to correct entropion, the use of a dermatological punch was chosen to definitively eliminate persistent trichiasis. This relatively unknown yet effective approach proved to be a quick and straightforward alternative with positive outcomes, emphasizing the importance of considering innovative approaches to recurrent challenges in clinical practice.

Discovery of serum biomarkers for diagnosis of tuberculosis by NMR metabolomics including cross-validation with a second cohort.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease with worldwide presence and a major cause of death in several developing countries. Current diagnostic methodologies often lack specificity and sensitivity, whereas a long time is needed to obtain a conclusive result. METHODS: In an effort to develop better diagnostic methods, this study aimed at the discovery of a biomarker signature for TB diagnosis using a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance based metabolomics approach. In this study, we acquired 1H NMR spectra of blood serum samples of groups of healthy subjects, individuals with latent TB and of patients with pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB. The resulting data were treated with uni- and multivariate statistical analysis. RESULTS: Six metabolites (inosine, hypoxanthine, mannose, asparagine, aspartate and glutamate) were validated by an independent cohort, all of them related with metabolic processes described as associated with TB infection. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study are according with the WHO Target Product Profile recommendations for a triage test to rule-out active TB.

Arte de cuidar milenar: crenças e saberes de idosos sobre a fitoterapia / Arte milenario de cuidar: creencias y saberes de los adultos mayores sobre la fitoterapia / Millennial art of caring: beliefs and knowledge of the elderly about phytotherapy

Existe uma vasta gama de terapias conhecidas no mundo e uma das principais, que faz parte de diversas culturas no mundo percorrendo a história da humanidade, é a utilização das plantas e ervas medicinais com finalidade terapêutica. No Brasil, deduz-se que as práticas de fitoterapia estejam presentes desde antes da colonização, quando os indígenas faziam o uso curativo de acordo com seus conhecimentos e suas experiências [Fragmento de texto] (AU)

Effects of condensed tannin-amended cassava silage blend diets on feeding behavior, digestibility, nitrogen balance, milk yield and milk composition in dairy goats.

Condensed tannins (CTs) are phenolic compounds derived from secondary plant metabolism that act as part of the plant's chemical defense system against pathogen invasion and herbivorous attack. This study aimed to evaluate the intake, digestibility, nitrogen (N) balance, production and composition of milk from goats fed cassava silage with added levels of CTs. Eight Anglo-Nubian goats with a mean BW of 40 ±â€¯2.0 kg were distributed in a double Latin square design with four levels of CTs (0, 25, 50 and 75 g/kg DM) with four 20-day periods with 15 days of adaptation and five evaluation days for each period. No differences were observed in DM, NDF, CP intake and feed conversion (grams of DM intake (DMI) per gram of milk produced); however, when expressed as percent of BW, DMI showed a quadratic increase to 29.1 g/kg. As the level of supplemented CTs increased in the diet, the CP digestibility (P = 0.023), NDF (P = 0.044), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC; P = 0.032) and total digestible nutrients (P = 0.033) exhibited a linear decrease. Furthermore, the addition of CTs to cassava silage induced a linear increase in N-fecal excretion (P = 0.014) and a positive quadratic effect on N-retained (P = 0.014) and N-balance (P = 0.024) as well as a positive quadratic trend in N-digested (P = 0.092). Milk urea N (P = 0.023) decreased linearly. The addition of CTs to cassava silage had a positive quadratic effect on ruminating time (P = 0.011). In addition, comparing the use or non-use from the orthogonal contrast test, the inclusion of CTs in goat diet increased water and N-intake, CP and NDF digestibility, spent time eating and ruminating and N-balance and decreased milk production corrected3.5%, fat milk content, milk urea N and dry defatted extract of milk. Thus, adding CTs to cassava silage at 25 g/kg total DM promoted goats' greater use of the diet without impairing feed conversion and the quality of goat milk produced. Dietary levels of 50 and 75 g/kg total DM are not recommended because under the conditions of this study, they reduced the productive efficiency of dairy goats.

Active and prospective latent tuberculosis are associated with different metabolomic profiles: clinical potential for the identification of rapid and non-invasive biomarkers.

Although 23% of world population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb), only 5-10% manifest the disease. Individuals surely exposed to M. tb that remain asymptomatic are considered potential latent TB (LTB) cases. Such asymptomatic M. tb.-exposed individuals represent a reservoir for active TB cases. Although accurate discrimination and early treatment of patients with active TB and asymptomatic M. tb.-exposed individuals are necessary to control TB, identifying those individuals at risk of developing active TB still remains a tremendous clinical challenge. This study aimed to characterize the differences in the serum metabolic profile specifically associated to active TB infected individuals or to asymptomatic M. tb.-exposed population. Interestingly, significant changes in a specific set of metabolites were shared when comparing either asymptomatic house-hold contacts of active TB patients (HHC-TB) or active TB patients (A-TB) to clinically healthy controls (HC). Furthermore, this analysis revealed statistically significant lower serum levels of aminoacids such as alanine, lysine, glutamate and glutamine, and citrate and choline in patients with A-TB, when compared to HHC-TB. The predictive ability of these metabolic changes was also evaluated. Although further validation in independent cohorts and comparison with other pulmonary infectious diseases will be necessary to assess the clinical potential, this analysis enabled the discrimination between HHC-TB and A-TB patients with an AUC value of 0.904 (confidence interval 0.81-1.00, p-value < 0.0001). Overall, the strategy described in this work could provide a sensitive, specific, and minimally invasive method that could eventually be translated into a clinical tool for TB control.

Avaliação clínica de ovinos após a ingestão de elevada quantidade de manga / Clinical evaluation of sheep after high ingestion of mango fruit

Objetivou-se avaliar clinicamente os efeitos da administração intrarruminal de duas quantidades distintas de manga em ovinos. Foram utilizados sete ovinos machos, hígidos, que não receberam carboidratos não fibrosos por, pelo menos, seis meses previamente ao período experimental, quando se avaliou pH ruminal, total de protozoários no suco de rúmen, pH urinário, pH sanguíneo estimado e parâmetros vitais nos tempos zero, 12, 16, 20 e 24 após a administração da manga. Os sete ovinos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos e receberam 0,625% ou 1,875% da MS de manga/kg/PV (M1 e M2, respectivamente), distribuídos em delineamento cross-over, com uma parcela perdida, e 30 dias de washout. Os ovinos M2 apresentaram valores médios para pH ruminal significativamente inferiores a M1 a partir do tempo T12 (5,1 e 6,9, respectivamente), o que indica ocorrência de acidose ruminal. Os animais tratados com M1 não apresentaram alterações sistêmicas, ao passo que os ovinos tratados com M2 apresentaram acidose metabólica leve, detectada por meio do pH urinário ácido (4,8). A ingestão apenas de manga in natura na quantidade de 1,875% da MS de manga/kg/PV mostrou-se capaz de provocar acidose ruminal em ovinos, levando-os a: ligeira depressão, aumento da frequência cardíaca, diminuição dos movimentos ruminais e diarreia em alguns casos.(AU)

The aim of this study is to clinically evaluate the effects of intra ruminal administration of two different amounts of mango in sheep. The sample was of seven male healthy sheep, which did not receive non-fibrous carbohydrates for at least six months prior to the trial. Rumen fluid pH, total of protozoa in the rumen fluid, urine pH, estimated blood pH, and vital parameters were evaluated at the following times: zero, 12, 16, 20 and 24 hours after administration of the mango. The seven sheep were randomly divided into two groups and received either 0.625% or 1.875% of the dry matter of the pulp and mango peel per kg body weight (M1 and M2, respectively), distributed in cross-over design with a lost portion and 30 days washout. Sheep treated with M2 showed significantly lower average values for ruminal pH than the M1 since T12 (5.1 and 6.9, respectively), indicating the occurrence of ruminal acidosis. The animals treated with M1 showed no systemic changes, while the sheep treated with M2 had mild metabolic acidosis, detected through the lower urinary pH (4.8). The in natura mango ingestion in the amount of 1.875% of the dry matter of mango per kg of body weight proved to provoke rumen acidosis in sheep, leading these animals to: slight depression, rise in heart rate, diminished rumen movement, and diarrhea in some cases.(AU)

Nosocomial infections with metallo-beta-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa: molecular epidemiology, risk factors, clinical features and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Metallo-ß-lactamases (MBLs) have emerged as one of the most important bacterial resistance mechanisms because of their ability to hydrolyse virtually all ß-lactam agents. MBL-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MBL-PA) are an important cause of nosocomial infections, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), where they are associated with serious infections and present a significant clinical risk. AIM: To assess the molecular epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of nosocomial infections caused by MBL-PA in a teaching hospital in Southern Brazil. METHODS: From January 2001 to December 2008, 142 carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from distinct clinical samples from hospitalized patients. These isolates were screened for MBLs, and underwent polymerase chain reaction, sequencing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Patients infected with carbapenem-resistant MBL-PA were considered as cases, and patients infected with non-MBL-PA were considered as controls. FINDINGS: Eighty-four of 142 patients with positive carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa cultures met the criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for infection. Fifty-eight patients were infected with MBL-PA (69%) and 26 patients were infected with non-MBL-PA (31%). Multi-variate analysis revealed that ICU stay [P = 0.003, odds ratio (OR) 4.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-14.01] and urinary tract infection (P = 0.001, OR 9.67, 95% CI 1.72-54.48) were important risk factors for MBL-PA infection. Patients infected with MBL-PA showed faster onset of infection (P = 0.002) and faster progression to death (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: These results showed the severity of MBL-PA infections, and demonstrated the urgent need for strategies to improve infection control measures to prevent an increase in these nosocomial infections.

GSK3-SCF(FBXW7) targets JunB for degradation in G2 to preserve chromatid cohesion before anaphase.

JunB, an activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor component, acts either as a tumor suppressor or as an oncogene depending on the cell context. In particular, JunB is strongly upregulated in anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) where it enhances cell proliferation. Although its overexpression is linked to lymphomagenesis, the mechanisms whereby JunB promotes neoplastic growth are still largely obscure. Here, we show that JunB undergoes coordinated phosphorylation-dependent ubiquitylation during the G2 phase of the cell cycle. We characterized a critical consensus phospho-degron that controls JunB turnover and identified GSK3 and SCF(FBXW7) as, respectively, the kinase and the E3 ubiquitin ligase responsible for its degradation in G2. Pharmacological or genetic inactivation of the GSK3-FBXW7-JunB axis induced accumulation of JunB in G2/M and entailed transcriptional repression of the DNA helicase DDX11, leading to premature sister chromatid separation. This abnormal phenotype due to dysregulation of the GSK3ß/JunB/DDX11 pathway is phenocopied in ALK-positive ALCL. Thus, our results reveal a novel mechanism by which mitosis progression and chromatid cohesion are regulated through GSK3/SCF(FBXW7)-mediated proteolysis of JunB, and suggest that JunB proteolysis in G2 is an essential step in maintaining genetic fidelity during mitosis.

Peptidylarginine deiminase type 2 is over expressed in the glaucomatous optic nerve.

PURPOSE: To determine levels of Peptidyl arginine deiminase 2 (PAD2) and its product protein-bound citrulline in cadaver eyes that suffered from normal tension glaucoma (NTG) compared to primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), and controls. METHODS: Western analysis, ELISA, and immunohistochemical analysis were performed with human tissues. RESULTS: We report over expression of PAD2 and higher levels of its product protein-bound citrulline in the optic nerve of normal tension glaucoma patients (NTG). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report demonstrating that like in POAG, NTG also possesses elevated levels of both PAD2 and protein-bound citrulline.

Serum metabolome analysis by 1H-NMR reveals differences between chronic lymphocytic leukaemia molecular subgroups.

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous disease exhibiting variable clinical course and survival rates. Mutational status of the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable regions (IGHVs) of CLL cells offers useful prognostic information for high-risk patients, but time and economical costs originally prevented it from being routinely used in a clinical setting. Instead, alternative markers of IGHV status, such as zeta-associated protein (ZAP70) or messenger RNA levels are often used. We report a (1)H-NMR-based metabolomics approach to examine serum metabolic profiles of early stage, untreated CLL patients (Binet stage A) classified on the basis of IGHV mutational status or ZAP70. Metabolic profiles of CLL patients (n=29) exhibited higher concentrations of pyruvate and glutamate and decreased concentrations of isoleucine compared with controls (n=9). Differences in metabolic profiles between unmutated (UM-IGHV; n=10) and mutated IGHV (M-IGHV; n=19) patients were determined using partial least square discriminatory analysis (PLS-DA; R(2)=0.74, Q(2)=0.36). The UM-IGHV patients had elevated levels of cholesterol, lactate, uridine and fumarate, and decreased levels of pyridoxine, glycerol, 3-hydroxybutyrate and methionine concentrations. The PLS-DA models derived from ZAP70 classifications showed comparatively poor goodness-of-fit values, suggesting that IGHV mutational status correlates better with disease-related metabolic profiles. Our results highlight the usefulness of (1)H-NMR-based metabolomics as a potential non-invasive prognostic tool for identifying CLL disease-state biomarkers.

ABACUS, a direct method for protein NMR structure computation via assembly of fragments.

The ABACUS algorithm obtains the protein NMR structure from unassigned NOESY distance restraints. ABACUS works as an integrated approach that uses the complete set of available NMR experimental information in parallel and yields spin system typing, NOE spin pair identities, sequence specific resonance assignments, and protein structure, all at once. The protocol starts from unassigned molecular fragments (including single amino acid spin systems) derived from triple-resonance (1)H/(13)C/(15)N NMR experiments. Identifications of connected spin systems and NOEs precede the full sequence specific resonance assignments. The latter are obtained iteratively via Monte Carlo-Metropolis and/or probabilistic sequence selections, molecular dynamics structure computation and BACUS filtering (A. Grishaev and M. Llinás, J Biomol NMR 2004;28:1-10). ABACUS starts from scratch, without the requirement of an initial approximate structure, and improves iteratively the NOE identities in a self-consistent fashion. The procedure was run as a blind test on data recorded on mth1743, a 70-amino acid genomic protein from M. thermoautotrophicum. It converges to a structure in ca. 15 cycles of computation on a 3-GHz processor PC. The calculated structures are very similar to the ones obtained via conventional methods (1.22 A backbone RMSD). The success of ABACUS on mth1743 further validates BACUS as a NOESY identification protocol.

Parotid mycobacteriosis is frequently caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in advanced AIDS.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is one of the leading infectious diseases in the world, with more than 2 million new cases annually. It is one of the main causes of death of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients, involving multiple organs and particularly the lungs. Nevertheless there are few consistent studies about tuberculosis involving the parotid of HIV patients. The objective of this work was to describe the histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of 10 cases of mycobacteriosis involving the parotid of autopsied patients with advanced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), including identification of the Mycobacterium species. METHODS: Detection of 'M. tuberculosis complex' was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ligase chain reaction (LCR) and Mycobacterium avium by PCR. RESULTS: All cases showed involvement of intraparotid lymph nodes, but the glandular parenchyma was affected in only three cases. Most of the cases (80%) presented a chronic non-caseating granulomatous inflammation, and in two cases predominated foamy macrophages, full of bacteria, and no granuloma formation. In areas of mycobacteriosis, macrophages predominated followed by TCD8, B and TCD4 lymphocytes. All cases were infected by Mycobacterium genus and 'M. tuberculosis complex' was detected in five cases by LCR and in eight by PCR, while M. avium was positive in one case only, which was also positive for M. tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: Parotid mycobacteriosis in advanced AIDS is characterized by intraparotid lymph node non-caseating inflammatory granulomatous lesion, caused mainly by M. tuberculosis.

[Interactions between foodstuffs and statins]. / Interacciones entre los alimentos y las estatinas.

The existence of interactions between different drugs or between drugs and the diet is becoming better and better known. Statins are medicines currently in widespread use for the treatment of hyperlipidaemias. Diet has a great influence on the prevention and/or treatment of these pathologies as the therapeutic strategy used comprises appropriate diet and, if this does not succeed, pharmacological therapy is begun in combination with dietary advice. For this reason it is necessary to be aware of the potential interactions between this kind of medication and foodstuffs in order to avoid alterations in the therapeutic benefits and even the onset of adverse side effects. All of the statins are absorbed orally, so the impact of food intake on administration is extremely important to achieve an appropriate therapeutic effect. Many of the interactions of statins lie in their metabolism through cytochrome P-450 (except for pravastatin), thus making them candidates for interaction with certain foodstuffs or compounds contained in them, such as in the case of grapefruit juice. This paper reviews the drug-nutrient interactions with special attention to the interactions specific to statins and the mechanism of these interactions is described so as to contribute to their avoidance and thus improve this form of treatment in individuals with hyperlipidaemia.

Interacciones entre los alimentos y las estatinas / Interactions between foodstuffs and statins

Cada vez es más conocida la existencia de interacciones de distintos fármacos entre sí y de éstos con la dieta. Las estatinas son medicamentos ampliamente utilizados en la actualidad para el tratamiento de las hiperlipemias. La dieta tiene gran influencia en la prevención y/o tratamiento de estas patologías ya que la estrategia terapéutica que se emplea consiste en una dieta adecuada, y si esto no da resultado se inicia la terapia farmacológica siempre en combinación con la dieta. Por este motivo es necesario el conocimiento de las posibles interacciones entre este tipo de fármacos y los alimentos con el fin de evitar alteraciones en los efectos terapéuticos e incluso la aparición de efectos adversos. Todas las estatinas se absorben por vía oral por lo que es muy importante la influencia de la ingesta a la hora de la administración para alcanzar un adecuado efecto terapéutico. Muchas de las interacciones de las estatinas residen en su metabolismo a través del citocromo P-450 (excepto pravastatina) lo que facilita su posible interacción con determinados alimentos o componentes de los mismos, como es el caso del zumo de pomelo. En este trabajo se hace una revisión de las interacciones fármaco-nutriente con especial atención a las propias de las estatinas y se describe el mecanismo de dichas interacciones para así poder contribuir a evitarlas y mejorar de este modo el tratamiento en personas con hiperlipemias (AU)

The existence of interactions between different drugs or between drugs and the diet is becoming better and better known. Statins are medicines currently in widespread use for the treatment of hyperlipidaemias. Diet has a great influence on the prevention and/or treatment of these pathologies as the therapeutic strategy used comprises appropriate diet and, if this does not succeed, pharmacological therapy is begun in combination with dietary advice. For this reason it is necessary to be aware of the potential interactions between this kind of medication and foodstuffs in order to avoid alterations in the therapeutic benefits and even the onset of adverse side effects. All of the statins are absorbed orally, so the impact of food intake on administration is extremely important to achieve an appropriate therapeutic effect. Many of the interactions of statins lie in their metabolism through cytochrome P-450 (except for pravastatin), thus making them candidates for interaction with certain foodstuffs or compounds contained in them, such as in the case of grapefruit juice. This paper reviews the drug-nutrient interactions with special attention to the interactions specific to statins and the mechanism of these interactions is described so as to contribute to their avoidance and thus improve this form of treatment in individuals with hyperlipidaemia (AU)

n-3 Fatty acids plus oleic acid and vitamin supplemented milk consumption reduces total and LDL cholesterol, homocysteine and levels of endothelial adhesion molecules in healthy humans.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Numerous studies suggest n -3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n -3 PUFA) and oleic acid intake have beneficial effects on health including risk reduction of coronary heart disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a commercially available skimmed milk supplemented with n -3 PUFA, oleic acid, and vitamins E, B(6), and folic acid (Puleva Omega3) on risk factors for cardiovascular disease. (CVD). METHODS: Thirty volunteers were given 500 ml/day of semi-skimmed milk for 4 weeks and then 500 ml/day of the n -3 enriched milk for 8 further weeks. Plasma and LDL lipoproteins were obtained from volunteers at the beginning of the study (T(pre)), and at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: The consumption of n -3 enriched milk produced a significant decrease in plasma concentration of total and LDL cholesterol accompanied by a reduction in plasma levels of homocysteine. Plasma and LDL oxidability and vitamin E concentration remained unchanged throughout the study. A significant reduction in plasma levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and an increase in plasma concentration of folic acid were also observed. CONCLUSION: Daily intake of n -3 PUFA and oleic acid supplemented skimmed milk plus folic acid and B-type vitamins has favourable effects on risk factors for CVD.

Estudo anatomotopográfico das vias biliares extrahepáticas e do trígono cistohepático / Anatomotopographic study of the extrahepatic biliary system and the cystichepatic trigonum

OBJETIVO: Estudar a morfologia do sistema biliar extra-hepático e do trígono cistohepático (triângulo de Calot) analisando a sua disposiçäo, variaçöes ou malformaçöes MÉTODOS: foram investigados 50 cadáveres adultos. RESULTADOS: em 47 casos (94 por cento) a junçäo hepato-cística se dava próxima ao hilo hepático. Em 3 casos (6 por cento), a junçäo entre esses ductos se dava distalmente, ao nível da ampola hepato-pancreática (ampola de Vater). O ângulo formado pela junçäo hepato-cística foi menor que 30 graus em 72,3 por cento dos casos; em 23,4 por cento , ficou entre 30 e 45 graus; em 2,1 por cento variou entre 45 e 60 graus e em 2,1 por cento foi maior do que 60 graus. A junçäo hepato-cística se fez, na maior parte dos casos, pela direita (59,6 por cento), seguida pela anterior (17 por cento), posterior (12,8 por cento) e esquerda (10,6 por cento). Em relaçäo aos componentes do trígono cistohepático, a artéria cística esteve presente em 56 por cento dos casos; a veia porta em 36 por cento; a artéria hepática direita em 34 por cento; a artéria hepática esquerda em 2 por cento e a artéria hepática própria em 2 por cento dos casos. O comprimento e o diâmetro do ducto cístico foi 2,53ñ 1,19cm e 0,29ñ 0,12cm, respectivamente. A prega espiral do ducto cístico ( válvula de Heister) foi observada em 80 por cento dos casos. O infundíbulo da vesícula biliar (bolsa de Hartmann) esteve presente em 74 por cento dos casos. Esses conhecimentos säo importantes, principalmente para os cirurgiöes que atuam nesta regiäo, através de videolaparoscopia. CONCLUSAO: No trígono cistohepático a artéria cística foi encontrada com mais freqüência.

Simultaneous occurrence of lymphoepithelial cysts, cytomegalovirus and mycobacterial infections in the intraparotid lymph nodes of a patient with AIDS.

We report the unusual simultaneous occurrence of lymphoepithelial cysts, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and mycobacterial infections in the intraparotid lymph nodes of a 52-year-old AIDS patient who died of disseminated mycobacteriosis. Although cytomegalovirosis is a common finding in the salivary glands of HIV patients, the association of CMV inclusions with lymphoepithelial cyst (LC) has not been previously reported. Parotid mycobacterial infection is an uncommon finding, despite its usual disseminated presentation in HIV patients. These data emphasize that in immunosuppressed patients, simultaneous diseases of the parotid gland may occur and should be considered for diagnosis and treatment.

1H NMR structural characterization of a nonmitogenic, vasodilatory, ischemia-protector and neuromodulatory acidic fibroblast growth factor.

A shortened genetically engineered form of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), that includes amino acids 28-154 of the full-length sequence (154 residues) plus Met in substitution of Leu27, does not induce cell division even though it is recognized by the cell membrane receptor, triggers the early mitogenic events, and retains the neuromodulatory, vasoactive, and cardio- and neuroprotective properties of the native full-length molecule. Taken together, these properties make this truncated aFGF a promising compound in the treatment of a wide assortment of neurological and cardiovascular pathologies where aFGF mitogenic activity is dispensable. Differences in biological activities between the shortened aFGF and the wild-type form have been attributed to lack of stability, and to the specific amino acid sequence missing at the N-terminus. Here we show that this shortened aFGF form has a three-dimensional structure even more stable than the wild-type protein at the mitogenic assay conditions; that this structure is similar to that of the wild type except at site 1 of interaction with the cell membrane receptor; that its lack of mitogenic activity cannot be attributed to the specific missing sequence; and that the vasodilatory activity of aFGF seems impaired by alterations of the three-dimensional structure of site 2 of interaction with the cell membrane receptor.