The effect of an anti-inflammatory pentapeptide produced by Entamoeba histolytica on gene expression in the U-937 monocytic cell line.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the Monocyte Locomotion Inhibitory Factor (MLIF) effect upon the expression of genes encoding human cytokines, receptors and related factors in the human cell line U-937. MLIF (Met-Gln-Cys-Asn-Ser) is an anti-inflammatory pentapeptide produced by Entamoeba histolytica that inhibits many human monocyte functions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: U-937 cell line cultured (24 hrs/RPMI). RNA extracted by Trizol method. 385 genes were analyzed on microarray membranes, complement by real-time RT-PCR and protein expression of some affected genes. RESULTS: MLIF had a preferentially inhibitory effect on gene expression; four genes were over-expressed and 13 underexpressed in MILF vs. simple medium - constitutive expression. Three genes are over-expressed and 19 under-expressed in MLIF/PMA vs. PMA - induced expression. CONCLUSIONS: Many modified genes are products regulated by the Nuclear Factor-kappaB and Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase pathways, suggesting MLIF involvement with these two major pathways for the modulation of the inflammation and immune responses.

[A retrospective study of the effectiveness of lamotrigine in monotherapy for the treatment of epileptic seizures. The ERELMO study]. / Estudio retrospectivo de la efectividad de la lamotrigina en monoterapia para el tratamiento de crisis epilépticas. Estudio ERELMO.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy and tolerability of lamotrigine (LTG) in monotherapy and in combination therapy have been demonstrated in clinical trials. The aim of the ERELMO study was to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of LTG, as monotherapy in the control of epileptic seizures in routine clinical practice in Spain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 446 clinical records were selected of patients with LTG treatment in the twelve months previously to the beginning of the study. The main endpoints retrospectively analyzed were effectiveness (percentage of patients with 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency, improvement in seizure control, percentage of patients remaining-seizure free at 2, 6 and 12 months of LTG monotherapy), and safety (adverse event profile reported and treatment withdrawal). RESULTS: The mean age was 41 years old, 57.8% were women. LTG monotherapy treatment (mean maintenance dose was 217.2 mg/day) reduced mean seizure frequency as compared with the basal condition at different study time points (2, 6, 12 months; p < 0.0001). At the end of the study 77% of the patients were seizure free. Loss of treatment effectiveness was shown in 8.5% of patients. Adverse reactions were reported by 15% of patients, the most frequent being insomnia, somnolence, headache and rash. At the end of the study, 88.8% patients were still receiving LTG monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The present study supports the use of LTG monotherapy due to its effectiveness and good tolerability to promote treatment compliance in usual clinical conditions in patients with epilepsy.

Effect of zinc upon human and murine cell viability and differentiation.

Most zinc studies show its benefits or changes that coincide with its deficiency, but some have reported damages by supplements. In this work, the effects of zinc in different cell lines (U-937, human monocytes, and murine bone marrow cells) were analyzed. The cells were put in their specific culture medium either alone or with a stimulant [1-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for U-937 and monocytes, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for bone marrow cells]. These preparations, with or without zinc (0.05 to 1.0 mM), were incubated and microscopically analyzed on days 3, 9, and 11. The viability of all cells cultivated with 0.05 and 0.1 mM of zinc was similar to that of the controls without zinc (90%). With 1.0 mM of zinc, the viability diminished (p < 0.005) to 80% in U-937 and to 50% in monocytes and bone marrow cells; the number of cells increased in the three lines, but there was no differentiation. We conclude that the effects observed with different doses of zinc vary not only among the different species but also according to the time the cells were exposed to the metal. The same doses of zinc can have either a stimulatory or an inhibitory effect.

[Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome with severe repercussions in the skin and kidneys due to carbamazepine]. / Síndrome de hipersensibilidad por antiepilépticos con repercusión cutánea y renal grave por carbamacepina.

INTRODUCTION: Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) is characterised by fever, skin rashes and involvement of the internal organs. Owing to the low frequency with which it appears and its high clinical heterogeneity, it is not always suspected. Moreover, the symptoms often overlap with those of a vasculitis or of an infection. The most commonly associated antiepileptic drugs (AED) are the aromatic agents. We report the case of a female patient who developed AHS with several different AED and presented an especially severe kidney and skin disorder due to carbamazepine (CBZ). CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a 26-year-old woman who, after being diagnosed as suffering from secondarily generalised partial seizures, began treatment with 200 mg/12 hours CBZ. A few weeks later, she developed itchy skins lesions compatible with exanthematic pustulosis, together with acute kidney failure requiring haemodialysis. A biopsy study of the kidney revealed immunoallergic tubulointerstitial nephropathy, which is a lesion that has only very occasionally been reported in relation to CBZ therapy. The patient also presented a moderate rise in the level of transaminases and leukocytosis with eosinophilia. She was discharged from hospital without AED but suffered new seizures and was treated with phenytoin and, later, with valproic acid, both as monotherapy. With these drugs she developed AHS consisting in fever, rashes, eosinophilia and subclinical hepatitis. In epicutaneous tests with anticonvulsants, the three AED presented a positive reading, as well as others. The patient was treated with tiagabine, and there were no further hypersensitivity phenomena and a good control of seizures was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: AHS is an infrequent, but potentially serious, clinical entity and must therefore be suspected in patients taking AED who develop fever, rashes or disorders affecting the internal organs.

Aprendizaje del cardinal numérico: conflicto cognitivo y cambio conceptual microgenetivo / Learning cardinal numbers: cognitive conflict and micro-genetic conceptual change

Uno de los primeros aprendizajes que realizan los niños en la infancia es el aprendizaje del cardinal numérico. El presente artículo sintetiza los resultados encontrados en la tesis doctoral del mismo título. Se parte de los hallazgos realizados en este campo por Bermejo y Lago (1990; 1991; 1994) y Bermejo (1996). Estos autores han encontrado seis niveles de comprensión en la adquisición de la respuesta de cardinal numérico. Asimismo se parte en este estudio de una concepción constructivista del aprendizaje. El objetivo de la investigación era facilitar en los niños la adquisición de una verdadera respuesta de cardinal numérico, un cambio conceptual microgenético, cuando partían de aplicar la regla del último numeral (nivel IV). Los resultados han puesto de manifiesto que los participantes del grupo experimental mostraron niveles más altos en la adquisición de la verdadera respuesta de cardinal numérico en una breve espacio de tiempo, cuando en condiciones normales se requieren varios meses (AU)

[beta-Endorphins and the male reproductive system]. / beta-Endorfinas y el aparato reproductor masculino.

In the antique Chinese culture, it was already known about opioide for therapeutic usage. On 1975, Hughes et al., identificated two endogen pentapetides with potent opiate activity Leu-enkephalin and Met-enkephalin, ever since beta-Endorphin have been considered involucrated in many biological functions. beta-Endorphin have found in testis, seminal vesicle and prostate in different species. It has been observed a paracrine effect between in Leydig and Sertoli cells and inhibit the basal release of LH in man by inhibiting its pulsatile discharge. In this paper is discussed, in a general way, localization and production sites of beta-Endorphin especially their participation in male reproductive tract-physiology. Finally, it is mentioned the experimental methodology to identify and quantify beta-Endorphin in blood plasma and semen.