Plasmodium berghei ookinetes glide and release Pbs25 and circumsporozoite thrombospondin-related protein on solid surface substrata.

Plasmodium spp. development within mosquito vectors includes invasive ookinete and sporozoites stages, which display gliding movements during invasion of the midgut and salivary glands, respectively. Sporozoite gliding has been well documented, and several proteins released during sporozoite's locomotion have been described. However, proteins on the ookinete gliding trails are poorly described. In the present study, we documented that 2 proteins, Pbs25 and circumsporozoite thrombospondin-related protein (CTRP), are released during Plasmodium berghei ookinete gliding on a solid surface substrate.

Engineering of cholera toxin A-subunit for carriage of epitopes at its amino end.

The cholera toxin A-subunit (CTA) was genetically engineered at its amino end and tested for carriage of epitopes by fusion of the STa heat-stable enterotoxin analogue CAELCCNPAC. Efficient holotoxin formation by complementation in trans with cholera toxin B-subunit (CTB) indicated no decrease in affinity for CTB but evidence of reduced toxicity suggests steric interference by the decapeptide with the active site. The holotoxin was stable, able to bind to GM1 and was recognized by anti-STa and anti-CTA antibodies. The use of a full-length CTA might have been a key step for successful genetic fusions. Based on these findings, it seems worthwhile pursue the development of CTA for construction of recombinant mucosal immunoadjuvants.

[Neuroendocrine cell tumor of the stomach (carcinoid). Clinico-pathological experience with 4 patients and demonstration of its ultrastructure]. / Tumor de células neuroendocrinas del estómago (carcinoide). Experiencia clínico patológica en cuatro pacientes y demostración de su ultraestructura.

Neuroendocrine cell tumours of the stomach (carcinoid) are uncommon, low potential for malignancy, lesions grow slowly and produce hormonal substances in contrast with others malignant neoplasias of the gastrointestinal tract. Early diagnosis is important because the curative treatment could not be done in advanced stage with disseminated metastases. In small lesions less than 2 cm without invasion to lymph node, the local wedge resection is reasonable and definitive curative treatment. Neuroendocrine differentiation, in doubtful cases, becomes established by a characteristic silver affinity, by the ultrastructurally observed presence of "endocrine" secretion granules, and by immunohistochemically detectable biogenic amines, neurohormonal peptides and "panNE markers".

[Acute pancreatitis and diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography]. / Pancreatitis aguda y pancreatocolangiografía endoscópica retrógrada diagnóstica y terapéutica.

Urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in acute pancreatitis allows to detect associated biliary disease, display the bilio-pancreatic anatomy to plan optional early surgery and offer an alternative in the treatment with endoscopic sphincterotomy and/or infundibulotomy, in cases of choledocholithiasis and impacted stone at the ampulla of Vater. In relation to the prevalence of biliary lesions in the etiology of acute pancreatitis, the urgent ERCP is a safe and useful procedure that offer diagnosis and treatment, so therefore, it must be considered during the evaluation of patients with acute pancreatitis.