Vaginal delivery versus caesarean section in preterm breech delivery: a systematic review.

There is controversy on the preferred mode of delivery (vaginal delivery (VD) versus caesarean section (CS)) in preterm breech delivery in relation to neonatal outcome. While CS is supposed to be safer for the fetus, arguments against CS can be the increased risk of maternal morbidity, risks for future pregnancies, and costs. Moreover, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome occurs more frequently after CS compared to VD. In the past, several RCTs have been started on this subject, but they were all preliminary and stopped due to recruitment difficulties. As the Cochrane review of these RCT's reported on 116 women only, knowledge on the effectiveness of CS and VD can at present only be obtained from non-randomized studies. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of non-randomized studies that assessed the association between mode of delivery and neonatal mortality in women with preterm breech presentation. We searched Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane library for articles comparing neonatal mortality after VD versus CS in preterm breech presentation (gestational age 25(+0) till 36(+6) weeks). Seven studies, involving a total of 3557 women, met the eligibility criteria and were included in this systematic review. The weighted risk of neonatal mortality was 3.8% in the CS group and 11.5% in the VD group (pooled RR 0.63 (95% CI 0.48-0.81)). We conclude that cohort studies indicate that CS reduces neonatal mortality as compared to VD.

[Relation between leptin serun with weight and body fat distribution in postmenopausal women]. / Leptina sérica, su relación con peso y distribución de grasa corporal en mujeres posmenopáusicas.

UNLABELLED: Leptin is a peptidic hormone secreted by the fat tissue and plays an important role in body weight regulation. After menopause, weight gain increases as well as android-like obesity. Previous studies suggest a relationship between leptin level, body mass index (BMI) and fat distribution. OBJECTIVE: To establish the relationships between serum leptin, BMI, waist circumference (WC), and waist/hip ratio (WHR). METHODOLOGY: 48 women under the age of 60 years and with amenorrhea for longer than one year were assessed. Leptin and estradiol (ELISA) levels were determined; normal values: 3.63-11.09 ng/mL and 0-65 pg/Ml. BMI (WHO), WC > 88 cm, and WHR > 0.80 were considered as indicators of cardiometabolic risk. RESULTS: Mean age for the group was 54 +/- 3.9 years; leptin: 8.4 +/- 3.7 ng/mL, and estradiol: 17.6 +/- 10.0 pg/mL; BMI: 27.0 +/- 4.9 kg/m(2); WC: 86.2 +/- 8.6 cm; and WHR: 0.84 +/- 0.06. Twenty percent of the women had hyperleptinemia, 58.4% malnourishment due to excessive intake, 35% presented WC cardiovascular risk. The highest leptin value was found in obese women. There was no association between serum leptin levels and anthropometrical variables. There was a significantly positive correlation between weight, height, BMI, WC, hip circumference, and estradiol. CONCLUSIONS: Postmenopausal women presented a high prevalence of overweight/obesity, android-like body fat distribution and normal serum leptin levels. The group assessed is considered to be at risk for cardiometabolic diseases according to anthropometrical indicators.

Leptina sérica, su relación con peso y distribución de grasa corporal en mujeres posmenopáusicas / Relation between leptin serun with weight and body fat distribution in postmenopausal women

La leptina es una hormona peptídica secretada por el tejido adiposo, juega un papel importante en la regulación del peso corporal. Después de la menopausia se incrementa la ganancia de peso y la obesidad de tipo androide. Estudios previos sugieren una relación entre concentración de leptina, índice de masa corporal (IMC) y distribución de grasa. Objetivo: Establecer relaciones entre leptina sérica, IMC, circunferencia de cintura (CCi) e índice cintura/cadera (ICC). Metodología: Se evaluaron 48 mujeres menores de 60 años de edad, con amenorrea de un año o más. Se determinó leptina sérica y estradiol (ELISA) vn: 3,63-11,09 ng/mL y 0-65 pg/mL; IMC (OMS), CCi > 88cm e ICC > 0,80 se consideraron riesgo cardiometabólico. Resultados: La edad promedio del grupo fue 54 ± 3,9 años; leptina: 8,4 ± 3,7 ng/ml y estradiol: 17,6 ± 10,0 pg/ml; IMC: 27,0 ± 4,9 kg/m2, CCi: 86,2 ± 8,6 cm e ICC: 0,84 ± 0,06. 20% de las mujeres presentaron hiperleptinemia, 58,4% malnutrición por exceso, 35% estaban en situación de riesgo cardiovascular CCi. Los valores más altos de leptina se observaron en las mujeres obesas. No hubo asociación entre niveles séricos de leptina y variables antropométricas. Encontrándose correlación positiva y significativa entre peso, talla, IMC, CCi, circunferencia de cadera (CCa) y estradiol. Conclusiones: Las mujeres posmenopáusicas presentaron una alta prevalencia de sobrepeso/obesidad, distribución de grasa tipo androide y niveles normales de leptina sérica. El grupo evaluado se considera en riesgo para enfermedades cardiometabólicas según indicadores antropométricos (AU)

Leptin is a peptidic hormone secreted by the fat tissue and plays an important role in body weight regulation. After menopause, weight gain increases as well as android-like obesity. Previous studies suggest a relationship between leptin level, body mass index (BMI) and fat distribution. Objective: To establish the relationships between serum leptin, BMI, waist circumference (WC), and waist/hip ratio (WHR). Methodology: 48 women under the age of 60 years and with amenorrhea for longer than one year were assessed. Leptin and estradiol (ELISA) levels were determined; normal values: 3.63-11.09 ng/mL and 0-65 pg/Ml. BMI (WHO), WC > 88 cm, and WHR > 0.80 were considered as indicators of cardiometabolic risk. Results: Mean age for the group was 54 ± 3.9 years; leptin: 8.4 ± 3.7 ng/mL, and estradiol: 17.6 ± 10.0 pg/mL; BMI: 27.0 ± 4.9 kg/m2; WC: 86.2 ± 8.6 cm; and WHR: 0.84 ± 0.06. Twenty percent of the women had hyperleptinemia, 58.4% malnourishment due to excessive intake, 35% presented WC cardiovascular risk. The highest leptin value was found in obese women. There was no association between serum leptin levels and anthropometrical variables. There was a significantly positive correlation between weight, height, BMI, WC, hip circumference, and estradiol. Conclusions: Postmenopausal women presented a high prevalence of overweight/obesity, android-like body fat distribution and normal serum leptin levels. The group assessed is considered to be at risk for cardiometabolic diseases according to anthropometrical indicators (AU)

Homocisteína, ácido fólico y vitamina B12 en adultos mayores venezolanos / Serum homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in venezuelan elderly

Los cambios anatomo-fisiológicos propios del envejecimiento hacen de los adultos mayores un grupo vulnerable a los estados de malnutrición y deficiencias específicas de nutrientes como la vitamina B12 y el folato. El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer la relación existente entre la vitamina B12, folato, homocisteína y el consumo y adecuación de estos nutrientes. Se evaluaron 55 adultos mayores de 60 años de edad, de ambos sexos, no institucionalizados, a quienes se les determinó homocisteína sérica por inmunoensayo de polarización de fluorescencia, vitamina B12 y folato sérico por radioensayo (RIA); consumo de nutrientes según recordatorio de 24 h y frecuencia de consumo de alimentos y estado nutricional antropométrico según Indice de Masa Corporal (IMC). Se encontraron niveles séricos de vitamina B12 y folato dentro de los valores de referencia (423,3± 227,6 pmol/l y 6,4 ± 4,5 mg/ml); sin embargo, 17,5% se encontraban deficitarios de B12 y 12% de ácido fólico, la homocisteína sérica estuvo por encima de los valores de referencia (15,8±4,4 mmol/l). Del grupo de estudio, 47,5% presentaban hiperhomocisteinemia (>15mmol/L), siendo significativamente más alta para el sexo masculino (p: 0,01). El consumo de nutrientes fue inadecuado por déficit. Según IMC, 11,8% de los adultos mayores se encontraban en déficit nutricional, 29,4% con sobrepeso y 20,6% en obesidad. Se observó una correlación inversa y negativa entre homcisteína y folato sérico. Todo esto sugiere la presencia de una deficiencia bioquímica de B12 y folato, que se traduce en la homocisteína elevada, lo que constituye un factor de riesgo cardiovascular en este grupo de adultos mayores.

Serum homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in Venezuelan elderly. The anatomical and physiological changes of aging make elderly people a vulnerable group to malnutrition and specific deficiencies of nutrients such as vitamin B12 and folate. This study was aimed to establish relationships among serum vitamin B12, folate, homocysteine concentrations and dietary intake and adequacy. Fifty five male and female elderly (60 and more years), free-living, were assessed. Measurements were: serum vitamin B12 and folate by radioimmunoanalysis (RIA), homocysteine by polarized fluorescence immunoassay, nutrient intake by three 24 hours recalls and food frequency questionnaire. Nutritional status was determined by Body Mass Index (BMI). Serum vitamin B12 and folate were at normal range (423,3±227,6 pmol/l and 6,4 ± 4,5 mg/ml), but 17,5% of elderly had B12 deficiency and 12% had folate deficiency. Serum homocysteine was higher than reference values (15,8±4,4 mmol/l), but 47,5% showed concentrations above 15mmol/L, male population showed higher mean value (p: 0,01). Nutrient intake was inadequate by deficiency. BMI indicated 11,8% of undernutrition, 29,4% of overweight and 20,6% of obesity A negative and inverse correlation between homocysteine and serum folate was found. Results suggest a biochemical deficiency of B12 and folate that is expressed as elevated homocysteine levels. These finding represent a high cardiovascular risk factor for this elderly group.

The tax protein from the primate T-cell lymphotropic virus type 3 is expressed in vivo and is functionally related to HTLV-1 Tax rather than HTLV-2 Tax.

Human T-cell leukemia virus and simian T-cell leukemia virus (STLV) form the primate T-cell lymphotropic viruses group. Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 and type 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2) encode the Tax viral transactivator (Tax1 and Tax2, respectively). Tax1 possesses an oncogenic potential and is responsible for cell transformation both in vivo and in vitro. We and others have recently discovered the existence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 3. However, there is currently no evidence for the presence of a Tax protein in HTLV-3-infected individuals. We show that the serum of an HTLV-3 asymptomatic carrier and the sera of two STLV-3-infected monkeys contain specific anti-Tax3 antibodies. We also show that tax3 mRNA is present in the PBMCs obtained from an STLV-3-infected monkey, demonstrating that Tax3 is expressed in vivo. We further demonstrate that Tax3 intracellular localization is very similar to that of Tax1 and that Tax3 binds to both CBP and p300 coactivators. Using purified Tax3, we show that the protein increases transcription from a 4TxRE G-free cassette plasmid in an in vitro transcription assay. In all cell types tested, including transiently transfected lymphocytes, Tax3 activates its own promoter STLV-3 long terminal repeat (LTR), which contains only two Tax Responsive Elements (TREs), and activates also HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 LTRs. In addition, Tax3 also activates the NF-kappaB pathway. We also show that Tax3 possesses a PDZ-binding sequence at its C-terminal end. Our results demonstrate that Tax3 is a transactivator, and that its properties are more similar to that of Tax1, rather than of Tax2. This suggests the possible occurrence of lymphoproliferative disorders among HTLV-3-infected populations.

Human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus type 1-associated infective dermatitis in Africa: a report of five cases from Senegal.

BACKGROUND: Infective dermatitis (ID) is a rare dermatological condition of childhood that has been linked to human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus type 1 (HTLV-1). Most cases have been reported in the Caribbean. Although several million people are estimated to be infected by HTLV-1 in sub-Saharan Africa, no case of ID has been reported in this area. OBJECTIVES: To identify and to describe cases of HTLV-1-associated ID in Senegal, West Africa. METHODS: Over a 3-year period, a serological test for HTLV-1 was performed at a dermatological centre in Dakar, Senegal, in children who presented with a picture suggestive of ID. Complementary haematological, immunological and virological investigations were performed in infected children and in their mothers. RESULTS: Five patients with typical HTLV-1-associated ID were identified, of ages 17, 5, 4, 3 and 3 years; two patients belonged to the same family. They all presented with repeated flares of superinfected dermatitis involving typical sites of ID (mainly the scalp, external ears, nares and eyelids), associated with nasal discharge, and less commonly with a nonspecific papular rash on the face or trunk. Although oral antibiotic therapy always gave effective control of the symptoms, recurrences were constant. A persisting dry dermatitis of the retroauricular folds was common between flares. Infection in the oldest patient was associated with a chronic adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma. The mothers of three patients, and the grandmother of another, were all infected by HTLV-1 strains belonging to the Cosmopolitan molecular subtype, with a perfect nucleotide identity of long-terminal repeat and env gp21 genomic regions within each family. CONCLUSIONS: We present the clinical and virological features of the first reported African cases of HTLV-1-associated ID. When compared with data from the Caribbean, infectious features seemed particularly prominent. ID appears to be overlooked in sub-Saharan Africa, where it might be easily confused with common pyoderma. Breast feeding appears to be the origin of HTLV-1 contamination of the children.

A novel, divergent simian T-cell lymphotropic virus type 3 in a wild-caught red-capped mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus torquatus) from Nigeria.

We present here a novel, distinct simian T-cell lymphotropic virus (STLV) found in a red-capped mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus) (CTO-NG409), wild-caught in Nigeria, that showed an HTLV-2-like Western blot (WB) seroreactivity. The complete genome (8920 bp) of CTO-NG409 STLV was related to but different from STLV-3/PHA-PH969 (13.5 %) and STLV-3/PPA-F3 (7.6 %), and STLV-3/CTO604 (11.3 %), found in Eritrean and Senegalese baboons, and red-capped mangabeys from Cameroon, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of a conserved tax (180 bp) sequence and the env gene (1482 bp) confirmed the relatedness of STLV-3/CTO-NG409 to the STLV-3 subgroup. Molecular clock analysis of env estimated that STLV-3/CTO-NG409 diverged from East and West/Central African STLV-3s about 140,900+/-12,400 years ago, suggesting an ancient African origin of STLV-3. Since phylogenetic evidence suggests multiple interspecies transmissions of STLV-1 to humans, and given the antiquity and wide distribution of STLV-3 in Africa, a search for STLV-3 in human African populations with HTLV-2-like WB patterns is warranted.

Molecular and phylogenetic analyses of 16 novel simian T cell leukemia virus type 1 from Africa: close relationship of STLV-1 from Allenopithecus nigroviridis to HTLV-1 subtype B strains.

A serological survey searching for antibodies reacting with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) antigens was performed on a series of 263 sera/plasma obtained from 34 monkey species or subspecies, originating from different parts of Africa. Among them, 34 samples exhibited a typical HTLV-1 Western blot pattern. Polymerase chain reaction was performed with three primer sets specific either to HTLV-1/STLV-1 or HTLV-2 and encompassing gag, pol, and tax sequences, on genomic DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 31 animals. The presence of HTLV-1/simian T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (STLV-1) related viruses was determined in the 21 HTLV-1 seropositive animals tested but not in the 10 HTLV-1 seronegative individuals. Proviral DNA sequences from the complete LTR (750 bp) and a portion of the env gene (522 bp) were determined for 16 new STLV-1 strains; some of them originating from species for which no STLV-1 molecular data were available as Allenopithecus nigroviridis and Cercopithecus nictitans. Comparative and phylogenetic analyses revealed that these 16 new sequences belong to five different molecular groups. The A. nigroviridis STLV-1 strains exhibited a very strong nucleotide similarity with HTLV-1 of the subtype B. Furthermore, four novel STLV-1, found in Cercocebus torquatus, C. m. mona, C. nictitans, and Chlorocebus aethipos, were identical to each other and to a previously described Papio anubis STLV-1 strain (PAN 503) originating from the same primate center in Cameroon. Our data extend the range of the African primates who could be permissive and/or harbor naturally STLV-1 and provide new evidences of cross-transmission of African STLV-1 between different monkey species living in the same environment and also of STLV-1 transmissions from some monkeys to humans in Central Africa.

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of a human T cell leukemia virus type 2 strain from French Guiana.

Extensive studies have been carried out on native Amerindian populations living in French Guiana in an attempt to detect human T cell leukemia virus type 2 (HTLV-2). However, the first strain of this virus identified in this region was not detected in these populations, but in a Brazilian woman of Amerindian origin. Comparative analyses of the nucleotide sequences of 589 bp of the gp21 env gene and of 625 bp of the long terminal repeat (LTR) showed that this new HTLV-2 strain (HTLV-2 GUY) was of subtype A. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that HTLV-2 GUY was closely related to a group of distinct variants of HTLV-2 subtype A strains originating mostly from Brazilian inhabitants and formerly called HTLV-2 subtype C. As there is a high level of immigration from Brazil in French Guiana, we carried out a seroepidemiological study of 175 Brazilians, mostly women (obtained from a serum databank) and 72 female Brazilian prostitutes living in French Guiana to determine whether HTLV-2 is likely to become an emerging infection in this area. No HTLV-2 infection was detected, indicating that this virus is unlikely to become prevalent in the near future.

Serological, epidemiological, and molecular differences between human T-cell lymphotropic virus Type 1 (HTLV-1)-seropositive healthy carriers and persons with HTLV-I Gag indeterminate Western blot patterns from the Caribbean.

To investigate the significance of serological human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HLTV-1) Gag indeterminate Western blot (WB) patterns in the Caribbean, a 6-year (1993 to 1998) cross-sectional study was conducted with 37,724 blood donors from Guadeloupe (French West Indies), whose sera were routinely screened by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the presence of HTLV-1 and -2 antibodies. By using stringent WB criteria, 77 donors (0.20%) were confirmed HTLV-1 seropositive, whereas 150 (0.40%; P < 0.001) were considered HTLV seroindeterminate. Among them, 41.3% (62) exhibited a typical HTLV-1 Gag indeterminate profile (HGIP). Furthermore 76 (50.7%) out of the 150 HTLV-seroindeterminate subjects were sequentially retested, with a mean duration of follow-up of 18.3 months (range, 1 to 70 months). Of these, 55 (72.4%) were still EIA positive and maintained the same WB profile whereas the others became EIA negative. This follow-up survey included 33 persons with an HGIP. Twenty-three of them (69.7%) had profiles that did not evolve over time. Moreover, no case of HTLV-1 seroconversion could be documented over time by studying such sequential samples. HTLV-1 seroprevalence was characterized by an age-dependent curve, a uniform excess in females, a significant relation with hepatitis B core (HBc) antibodies, and a microcluster distribution along the Atlantic coast of Guadeloupe. In contrast, the persons with an HGIP were significantly younger, had a 1:1 sex ratio, did not present any association with HBc antibodies, and were not clustered along the Atlantic façade. These divergent epidemiological features, together with discordant serological screening test results for subjects with HGIP and with the lack of HTLV-1 proviral sequences detected by PCR in their peripheral blood mononuclear cell DNA, strongly suggest that an HGIP does not reflect true HTLV-1 infection. In regard to these data, healthy blood donors with HGIP should be reassured that they are unlikely to be infected with HTLV-1 or HTLV-2.

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 gag indeterminate western blot patterns in Central Africa: relationship to Plasmodium falciparum infection.

To gain insight on the significance of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) indeterminate serological reactivities, we studied villagers of South Cameroon, focusing on a frequent and specific HTLV-1 Gag indeterminate profile (HGIP) pattern (gag p19, p26, p28, and p30 without p24 or Env gp21 and gp46). Among the 102 sera studied, 29 from all age groups had a stable HGIP pattern over a period of 4 years. There was no epidemiological evidence for sexual or vertical transmission of HGIP. Seventy-five percent of HGIP sera reacted positively on MT2 HTLV-1-infected cells by immunofluorescence assay. However, we could not isolate any HTLV-1 virus or detect the presence of p19 Gag protein in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from individuals with strong HGIP reactivity. PCR experiments conducted with primers for HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 (HTLV-1/2 primers) encompassing different regions of the virus did not yield HTLV-1/2 proviral sequences from individuals with HGIP. Using 11 peptides corresponding to HTLV-1 or HTLV-2 immunodominant B epitopes in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, one epitope corresponding to the Gag p19 carboxyl terminus was identified in 75% of HGIP sera, while it was recognized by only 41% of confirmed HTLV-1-positive sera. A positive correlation between HTLV-1 optical density values and titers of antibody to Plasmodium falciparum was also demonstrated. Finally, passage of sera through a P. falciparum-infected erythrocyte-coupled column was shown to specifically abrogate HGIP reactivity but not the HTLV-1 pattern, suggesting the existence of cross-reactivity between HTLV-1 Gag proteins and malaria-derived antigens. These data suggest that in Central Africa, this frequent and specific Western blot is not caused by HTLV-1 infection but could instead be associated with P. falciparum infection.

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analyses of a new simian T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 in a wild-caught african baboon (Papio anubis) with an indeterminate STLV type 2-like serology.

STLV-1 viruses are closely related to HTLV-1 and infect many African monkey species. Seroreactivities of monkeys infected by STLV-1 are nearly identical to those of HTLV-1-infected individuals. In some cases, STLV-1 are, sequence-wise, indistinguishable from HTLV-1, and cannot be separated from them on the basis of phylogenetic analyses. HTLV-2-related simian viruses have been rarely reported. Such STLV-2 viruses, present in African bonobo (Pan paniscus), possess a genomic organization related to but different from all known HTLV-2 subtypes. We report here the molecular characterization and the subtyping of a new STLV-1 in a wild-caught baboon (Papio anubis) whose serum exhibited an indeterminate STLV-2-like serology (p24, GD21, MTA-1 with no p19). In the env and LTR regions, this virus is phylogenetically related to the large African STLV-1 group, but does not cluster with any STLV-1 baboon sequence. The complete p19 sequence reveals amino acid changes at critical positions. This is the first report of an African STLV-1 virus leading to an STLV-2-like serological profile in its host.

A mitochondrial ketogenic enzyme regulates its gene expression by association with the nuclear hormone receptor PPARalpha.

Mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase (mHMG-CoAS) is a key enzyme in ketogenesis, catalyzing the condensation of acetyl-CoA and acetoacetyl-CoA to generate HMG-CoA, which is eventually converted to ketone bodies. Transcription of the nuclear-encoded gene for mHMG-CoAS is stimulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha, a fatty acid-activated nuclear hormone receptor. Here we show that the mHMG-CoAS protein physically interacts with PPARalpha in vitro, and potentiates PPARalpha-dependent transcriptional activation via the cognate PPAR response element of the mHMG-CoAS gene in vivo. Immunofluorescence of transiently transfected cells demonstrated that in the presence of PPARalpha, mHMG-CoAS is translocated into the nucleus. Binding to PPARalpha, stimulation of PPARalpha activity and nuclear penetration require the integrity of the sequence LXXLL in mHMG-CoAS, a motif known to mediate the interaction between nuclear hormone receptors and coactivators. These findings reveal a novel mechanism of gene regulation whereby the product of a PPARalpha-responsive gene, normally resident in the mitochondria, directly interacts with this nuclear hormone receptor to autoregulate its own nuclear transcription.

Receptor-interacting protein 140 interacts with and inhibits transactivation by, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and liver-X-receptor alpha.

Receptor interacting protein 140 (RIP140), a previously identified putative ligand-dependent coactivator of nuclear hormone receptors, was isolated by yeast two-hybrid cloning as a factor that interacts with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha). This interaction in yeast required the integrity of the carboxyl-terminal, ligand-dependent activation domain of PPARalpha. However, protein binding studies carried out in vitro showed that full-length RIP140 bound efficiently to PPARalpha in the absence of exogenously added ligand. RIP140 also bound strongly to the liver-X-receptor (LXRalpha) in the absence of an activator for this receptor. In contrast, a strong interaction of RIP140 with the PPARalpha and LXRalpha heterodimerization partner retinoid-X-receptor alpha (RXRalpha) required the presence of its cognate ligand, 9-cis retinoic acid. Transfection analysis in mammalian cells demonstrated that RIP140 antagonized PPARalpha/RXRalpha- and LXRalpha/RXRalpha-mediated signaling. Our findings identify RIP140 as a novel modulator of transcriptional activation mediated by PPARalpha and LXRalpha and indicate that RIP140 can also bind to nuclear hormone receptors in a ligand-independent manner and repress their activity.

[Zinc status evaluation in an elderly institutionalized population]. / Evaluación del estado de zinc en adultos mayores institucionalizados.

Elderly people is at high nutritional risk for zinc, specially marginal deficit, which could contribute to complications of chronic diseases and undernutrition. The aim of study was to know the zinc status of 83 elderly people (older than 60), from both sexes, living in geriatric home. Zinc serum levels, alkaline phosphatase serum levels; albumin serum levels, energy, proteins and zinc dietary intake and gustative sensitivity were determined. Results expressed as mean +/- DS are the following: serum zinc: 90.89 +/- 19.0 micrograms/dl, alkaline phosphatase: 125.41 +/- 24.2 IU/L, albumin serum: 3.9 +/- 0.76 g/dl energy intake: 1643 +/- 309.9 Kcal/day, protein intake: 59.96 +/- 13.2 g/day, zinc intake 7.9 +/- 3.0 mg/day, only energy and zinc intake were deficient. 18.1% had zinc values under 70 micrograms/dl. There was 54% of positive responses to the taste acuity tests. This results qualify this group as at risk, specially for zinc nutritional.

The appearance of "Katayama Syndrome" in St. Lucia

A case history of a seventeen-year-old girl with the Katayama Syndrome due to Schistosoma Mansoni infection is given. This is the first recorded case from St. Lucia (AU)