Caffeine ingestion attenuates diurnal variation of lower-body ballistic performance in resistance-trained women.

ABSTRACTThe present study investigates the effect of an acute intake of caffeine on the diurnal variation of neuromuscular performance in resistance-trained women. A total of 15 resistance-trained women participated in the current triple-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover experimental study. We assessed neuromuscular performance (i.e. ballistic (countermovement jump [CMJ] height and bench press throw [BPT] peak velocity), maximal strength (squat and bench press [BP] one-repetition maximum [1RM]), and strength-endurance [average velocity of the set during squat and number of repetitions-to-failure in BP]) four times at within 7 days. The participants ingested an acute dose of caffeine (3 mg/kg) or a placebo at 9-11 am and/or 17-19 pm. CMJ height (P = .016) and BP peak velocity (P = .012) were higher in the afternoon than in the morning. Compared to placebo, caffeine intake increased CMJ height by 3.1% in the morning and 1.6% in the afternoon (P = .035), but it had no effect on BPT peak velocity (P = .381). Maximal strength and strength-endurance performances were not affected by the time-of-day or caffeine intake (all P > .3). No significant interaction (time-of-day x substance) was observed in any of the above-mentioned outcomes (all P > .1). In conclusion, an acute dose of caffeine in the morning was effective to restore CMJ performance to levels found in the afternoon, while this effect was not observed neither in BPTpeak velocity nor in lower- and upper-body maximal strength and strength-endurance performance. Moreover, lower- and upper-body ballistic performance were greater in the afternoon than in the morning in resistance-trained women, while the acute intake of caffeine was only effective to increase CMJ height.HighlightsBallistic performance is probably higher in the afternoon than in the morning in resistance-trained women.An acute intake of caffeine is effective to increase countermovement jump performance.The ingestion of an acute dose of caffeine in the morning restored countermovement jump performance to levels found in the afternoon.

Comorbilidades y características clínicas asociadas a la mortalidad hospitalaria por COVID-19 en el estado de Hidalgo, México / Comorbidities and clinical characteristics associated with hospital mortality, due to COVID-19, in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico / Comorbidades e características clínicas associadas à mortalidade hospitalar por COVID-19, no estado de Hidalgo, México

Resumen: Introducción: La enfermedad por COVID-19 ha tenido gran impacto en nuestro país; aunque se han documentado diversas variables que contribuyen al pronóstico sobre la mortalidad y/o enfermedad grave en pacientes, es necesario generar información que dé cuenta de las especificidades estatales para contribuir a la toma de decisiones ante una inminente saturación hospitalaria. Objetivo: Identificar las comorbilidades y características clínicas asociadas a la mortalidad por COVID-19, en pacientes hospitalizados en el estado de Hidalgo, México. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo. Como fuente de información se utilizó la base de datos abiertos COVID-19 de la Dirección General de Epidemiología de la Secretaría de Salud de México para realizar tres tipos de regresión: probit, logit y Gauss. El modelo gaussiano fue el de mejor ajuste. Resultados: Se analizaron 3,880 casos (1,696 defunciones y 2,184 recuperados) y se identificaron cuatro comorbilidades asociadas a la mortalidad por COVID-19: obesidad, hipertensión, diabetes e insuficiencia renal crónica (IRC) así como dos características clínicas: sexo y edad. Conclusiones: La hipertensión, obesidad, diabetes e IRC aumentan la probabilidad de defunción. Entre las comorbilidades la IRC es la de mayor peso. De las características clínicas analizadas, se encontró asociación con el sexo y la edad, donde la edad es la variable de mayor peso en el modelo.

Abstract: Introduction: The COVID-19 disease has had a great impact on our country; Although various variables that contribute to the prognosis of mortality and/or serious illness in patients have been documented, it is necessary to generate information that accounts for state specificities to contribute to decision-making in the face of imminent hospital saturation. Objective: To identify the comorbidities and clinical characteristics associated with mortality from COVID-19, in hospitalized patients in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. Material and method: A descriptive and retrospective study was carried out. As a source of information, the COVID-19 open database of the General Directorate of Epidemiology of the Mexican Ministry of Health was used to perform three types of regression: probit, logit and Gaussian. The Gaussian model was the one with the best fit. Results: 3,880 cases (1,696 deaths and 2,184 recovered) were analyzed and 4 comorbidities associated with mortality from COVID-19 were identified: obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney failure (CRF), as well as 2 clinical characteristics: sex and age. Conclusions: Hypertension, obesity, diabetes and CRF increase the probability of death. Among the comorbidities, CRF is the one with the greatest weight. Of the clinical characteristics analyzed, an association was found with sex and age, where age is the variable with the greatest weight in the model.

Resumo: Introdução: A doença COVID-19 teve um grande impacto no nosso país; Embora tenham sido documentadas diversas variáveis ​​que contribuem para o prognóstico de mortalidade e/ou doença grave em pacientes, é necessário gerar informações que contemplem as especificidades estaduais para contribuir na tomada de decisão diante da iminente saturação hospitalar. Objetivo: Identificar as comorbidades e características clínicas associadas à mortalidade por COVID-19, em pacientes hospitalizados no estado de Hidalgo, México. Material e métodos: Foi realizado um estudo descritivo e retrospectivo. Como fonte de informação, o banco de dados aberto COVID-19 da Direção Geral de Epidemiologia do Ministério da Saúde do México foi usado para realizar três tipos de regressão: probit, logit e gaussiana. O modelo gaussiano foi o que melhor se ajustou. Resultados: foram analisados 3,880 casos (1,696 óbitos e 2,184 recuperados) e identificadas 4 comorbidades associadas à mortalidade por COVID-19: obesidade, hipertensão, diabetes e insuficiência renal crônica (IRC), além de 2 características clínicas: sexo e idade. Conclusões: Hipertensão, obesidade, diabetes e IRC aumentam a probabilidade de morte. Dentre as comorbidades, a IRC é a de maior peso. Das características clínicas analisadas, foi encontrada associação com sexo e idade, sendo a idade a variável com maior peso no modelo.

COVID-19, las enfermedades no transmisibles y el envejecimiento saludable en México / COVID-19, Noncommunicable Diseases and Healthy Aging in Mexico

Resumen Introducción. La pandemia de COVID-19 ha visibilizado la situación actual de los sistemas y las condiciones de salud de la población en todo el mundo. Objetivo. Analizar las condiciones de salud de la población en México, sobre todo en el grupo de 45 a 59 años, y cómo las enfermedades no transmisibles y la edad son factores de mal pronóstico para COVID-19, a fin de mostrar al envejecimiento saludable como una alternativa para replantear las políticas públicas. Argumentos para la discusión. Se requiere que el grupo etario de 45 a 59 años sea considerado como objetivo dentro de la cobertura del Paquete Garantizado de Servicios de Salud, cuyas acciones se aplican en todo el sector a manera de medicina preventiva; esto, porque actualmente está incluido en un grupo etario más amplio y se debe tomar en cuenta el incremento de la mortalidad asociada con la edad y la comorbilidad ocurrida por la pandemia. Conclusiones. México demanda un replanteamiento sobre la política pública de envejecimiento saludable, mediante la implementación de estrategias y acciones en todo el curso de vida, pero de forma urgente durante la segunda mitad, después de los 45 años, con medidas de prevención secundaria de enfermedades no transmisibles, ya que es a partir de esta edad y hasta los 79 años donde se han presentado la mayor cantidad de defunciones por COVID-19; de tal modo, se busca enfrentar con mejores condiciones de salud de la población las siguientes pandemias que se presenten.

Abstract Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed the current situation of health systems and the health conditions of the population throughout the world. Objective. Analyze the health conditions of the population in Mexico, especially in the 45 to 59 age group, and how non-communicable diseases and age are poor prognostic factors for COVID-19, showing healthy aging as an alternative to rethink public policies. Arguments for discussion. The age group from 45 to 59 years is required to be considered as a target group for the coverage of the Guaranteed Package of Health Services, whose actions are applied throughout the sector as preventive medicine actions, since it is currently included in a broader age group, taking into account the increase in mortality associated with age and comorbidity caused by the pandemic. Conclusions. Mexico requires a rethinking of the public policy of healthy aging, with the application of strategies and actions throughout the life course, seeking to apply urgent measures from the second half of life, starting at age 45, with secondary prevention actions of non-communicable diseases, since it is from this age and up to 79 years where the highest number of deaths has occurred in Mexico due to COVID-19, thus seeking to face the following pandemics with better health conditions of the population they come forward.

Asociación de comorbilidades con infección sintomática y síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico por SARS-CoV-2 en niños / Association of comorbidities and symptomatic infection and multisystemic inflammatory syndrome due to SARS-CoV-2 in children

INTRODUCCIÓN: En niños, la infección por el nuevo coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) habitualmente cursa asintomática o con síntomas leves; sólo una proporción menor presenta síntomas graves o un conjunto de signos y síntomas postinfecciosos descritos como síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico pediátrico (SIMP). OBJETIVO: Describir la asociación de comorbilidades con la infección sintomática y SIMP por SARS-CoV-2 en niños. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal analítico, se incluyeron pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados. Mediante reacción de la polimerasa en cadena y/o pruebas antigénicas se diagnosticó la infección activa y con la definición propuesta por la Organización Mundial de la Salud se identificaron pacientes con SIMP. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 375 pacientes, la mediana de edad fue de 3,8 años. El 47,7% (n: 179) presentó comorbilidades, siendo las más frecuentes: neoplasias sólidas y/o enfermedades hematológicas 17,1% (n: 64), obesidad 13,3% (n: 48) y neumopatías crónicas 9,3% (n: 35). Presentaron infección por SARS-CoV-2 el 16,5% (n: 62/375) y SIMP el 10,4% (n. 39/375). Los niños con obesidad mostraron mayor riesgo de infección sintomática (OR 2,21, IC 95% 1,05-4,6) y en aquellos con cáncer (OR 0,15, IC 95% 0,03-0,68) el riesgo de SIMP fue menor. CONCLUSIONES: La presencia de comorbilidades modifica el riesgo de infección por SARS-CoV-2 y SIMP.

BACKGROUND: In children, infection by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) usually occurs asymptomatic or with mild clinical data, only a minor proportion have severe symptoms or a set of post-infectious signs and symptoms described as Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystemic Syndrome (PIMS). AIM: To describe the association of comorbidities with symptomatic infection and PIMS due to SARS-CoV-2 in children. METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional study, pediatric patients hospitalized were included. Active infection was diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction and/or antigenic tests. Patients with PIMS were identified by the definition proposed by the World Health Organization. RESULTS: 375 patients were studied, the median age was 3.8 years. 47.7% (n: 179) had comorbidities, the most frequent were: solid neoplasms and/or hematological diseases 17.1% (n: 64), obesity 13.3% (n: 48) and chronic pneumopathies 9, 3% (n: 35). SARS-CoV-2 infection was present in 16.5% (n: 62/375) and PIMS in 10.4% (n. 39/375). Children with obesity showed a higher risk of infection (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.05-4.6) and in those with cancer (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03-0.68) the PIMS risk was lower. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of comorbidities modifies the risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2 and PIMS.

Expresión de infección por SARS-CoV-2 en niños: infección aguda sintomática y síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico.

No disponible.

[Association of comorbidities and symptomatic infection and multisystemic inflammatory syndrome due to SARS-CoV-2 in children]. / Asociación de comorbilidades con infección sintomática y síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico por SARS-CoV-2 en niños.

BACKGROUND: In children, infection by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) usually occurs asymptomatic or with mild clinical data, only a minor proportion have severe symptoms or a set of post-infectious signs and symptoms described as Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystemic Syndrome (PIMS). AIM: To describe the association of comorbidities with symptomatic infection and PIMS due to SARS-CoV-2 in children. METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional study, pediatric patients hospitalized were included. Active infection was diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction and/or antigenic tests. Patients with PIMS were identified by the definition proposed by the World Health Organization. RESULTS: 375 patients were studied, the median age was 3.8 years. 47.7% (n: 179) had comorbidities, the most frequent were: solid neoplasms and/or hematological diseases 17.1% (n: 64), obesity 13.3% (n: 48) and chronic pneumopathies 9, 3% (n: 35). SARS-CoV-2 infection was present in 16.5% (n: 62/375) and PIMS in 10.4% (n. 39/375). Children with obesity showed a higher risk of infection (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.05-4.6) and in those with cancer (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03-0.68) the PIMS risk was lower. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of comorbidities modifies the risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2 and PIMS.

Hydrogen Production through Glycerol Photoreforming on TiO2/Mesoporous Carbon: Influence of the Synthetic Method.

This article explores the effect of the synthetic method of titanium dioxide (TiO2)/C composites (physical mixture and the water-assisted/unassisted sol-gel method) on their photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production through glycerol photoreforming. The article demonstrates that, apart from a high surface area of carbon and the previous activation of its surface to favor titania incorporation, the appropriate control of titania formation is crucial. In this sense, even though the amount of incorporated titania was limited by the saturation of carbon surface groups (in our case, ca. 10 wt.% TiO2), the sol-gel process without water addition seemed to be the best method, ensuring the formation of small homogeneously-distributed anatase crystals on mesoporous carbon. In this way, a ca. 110-fold increase in catalyst activity compared to Evonik P25 (expressed as hydrogen micromole per grams of titania) was achieved.

Food-grade titanium dioxide (E171) by solid or liquid matrix administration induces inflammation, germ cells sloughing in seminiferous tubules and blood-testis barrier disruption in mice.

Food-grade titanium dioxide labeled as E171 has been approved for human consumption by the Food and Drug Administration (USA) and by the European Union for five decades. However, titanium dioxide has been classified as a possible carcinogen for humans by the International Agency of Research in Cancer raising concerns of its oral intake and the translocation to bloodstream, which could disturb barriers such as the blood-testis barrier. There is evidence that titanium dioxide by intragastric/intraperitoneal/intravenous administration induced alterations on testosterone levels, testicular function and architecture, but studies of the E171 effects on the testicle structure and blood-testis barrier are limited. E171 is contained not only in foods in liquid matrix but also in solid ones, which can exert different biological effects. We aimed to compare the effects of E171 consumption in a solid matrix (0.1%, 0.5% and 1% in pellets) and liquid suspension (5 mg/kg body weight) on testis structure, inflammation infiltrate and blood-testis barrier disruption of male BALB/c mice. Results showed that none of the administration routes had influence on body weight but an increase in germ cell sloughing and the infiltrate of inflammatory cells in seminiferous tubules, together with disruption of the blood-testis barrier were similar in testis of both groups even if the dose received in mice in liquid matrix was 136 or 260 times lower than the dose reached by oral intake in solid E171 pellets in 0.5% E171 and 1% E171, respectively. This study highlights the attention on matrix food containing E171 and possible adverse effects on testis when E171 is consumed in a liquid matrix.

Prebiotic-Like Condensations of Cyanamide and Glyoxal: Revisiting Intractable Biotars.

We report a detailed investigation into the nature of products that are generated by the reactions of cyanamide and glyoxal, two small molecules of astrochemical and prebiotic significance, under different experimental conditions. The experimental data suggest that the formation of oligomeric structures is related in part to the formation of insoluble tholins in the presence of oxygen-containing molecules. Although oligomerization proceeds well in water, product isolation turned out to be impractical. Instead, solid precipitates were obtained easily in acetone. Crude mixtures have been thoroughly scrutinized by spectroscopic methods, in particular NMR and mass spectroscopy (ESI mode), which are all consistent with the generation of a few functional groups that are embedded into regular chains of five- and six-membered rings, thereby pointing to a supramolecular organization. Three different models of cross-condensation and chain growth are suggested. These synthetic explorations provide further insights into the formation of complex organic matter in interstellar scenarios and extraterrestrial bodies that might have played a pivotal role in chemical evolution.

MicroRNAs-10a and -10b contribute to retinoic acid-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cells and target the alternative splicing regulatory factor SFRS1 (SF2/ASF).

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an emerging class of non-coding endogenous RNAs involved in multiple cellular processes, including cell differentiation. Treatment with retinoic acid (RA) results in neural differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. We wanted to elucidate whether miRNAs contribute to the gene expression changes induced by RA in neuroblastoma cells and whether miRNA regulation is involved in the transduction of the RA signal. We show here that RA treatment of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells results in profound changes in the expression pattern of miRNAs. Up to 42 different miRNA species significantly changed their expression (26 up-regulated and 16 down-regulated). Among them, the closely related miR-10a and -10b showed the most prominent expression changes. Induction of miR-10a and -10b by RA also could be detected in LA-N-1 neuroblastoma cells. Loss of function experiments demonstrated that miR-10a and -10b are essential mediators of RA-induced neuroblastoma differentiation and of the associated changes in migration, invasion, and in vivo metastasis. In addition, we found that the SR-family splicing factor SFRS1 (SF2/ASF) is a target for miR-10a -and -10b in HeLa and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. We show here that changes in miR-10a and -10b expression levels may regulate SFRS1-dependent alternative splicing and translational functions. Taken together, our results give support to the idea that miRNA regulation plays a key role in RA-induced neuroblastoma cell differentiation. The discovery of SFRS1 as direct target of miR-10a and -10b supports the emerging functional interaction between two post-transcriptional mechanisms, microRNAs and splicing, in the neuronal differentiation context.

Pax-6 is expressed early in the differentiation of a corneal epithelial model system.

Pax-6 is a regulatory gene with a major role during visual system development, but its association with corneal epithelial differentiation is not clearly established. Using the RCE1-(5T5) cell line, which mimics corneal epithelial differentiation, we analyzed Pax-6 biological role. Immunostaining of proliferating colonies and confluent sheets showed that Pax-6-positive cells were also K3 keratin-positive, suggesting that Pax-6 is expressed in differentiating cells. Pax-6 mRNA was barely expressed in early cell cultures; but after confluence, its levels raised up to fivefold as demonstrated by Northern blot and RT-qPCR. The raise in Pax-6 expression preceded for 9 h the increase in LDH-H and LDH-M mRNAs, previously shown as early markers of corneal epithelial cell differentiation. The full-length mRNAs encoding for the two major Pax-6 isoforms were found at very low levels in proliferating cells, and abundantly expressed in the confluent stratified epithelia; Pax-6 mRNA was 2- to 2.5-fold more abundant than Pax-6(5a) mRNA. The ectopic expression of Pax-6 or Pax-6(5a) decreased proliferative ability leading to the formation of abortive, non-proliferative colonies. In contrast, culture conditions that delay or block corneal epithelial cell differentiation reduced or inhibited the expression of Pax-6. Collectively, results show that Pax-6 is the earlier differentiation marker expressed by corneal epithelial cells, and open the possibility for a major role of Pax-6 as the main driver of the differentiation of corneal epithelial cells.

Estrogens and human papilloma virus oncogenes regulate human ether-à-go-go-1 potassium channel expression.

Ether-à-go-go-1 (Eag1) potassium channels are potential tools for detection and therapy of numerous cancers. Here, we show human Eag1 (hEag1) regulation by cancer-associated factors. We studied hEag1 gene expression and its regulation by estradiol, antiestrogens, and human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogenes (E6/E7). Primary cultures from normal placentas and cervical cancer tissues; tumor cell lines from cervix, choriocarcinoma, keratinocytes, and lung; and normal cell lines from vascular endothelium, keratinocytes, and lung were used. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) experiments and Southern blot analysis showed Eag1 expression in all of the cancer cell types, normal trophoblasts, and vascular endothelium, in contrast to normal keratinocytes and lung cells. Estradiol and antiestrogens regulated Eag1 in a cell type-dependent manner. Real-time RT-PCR experiments in HeLa cells showed that Eag1 estrogenic regulation was strongly associated with the expression of estrogen receptor-alpha. Eag1 protein was detected by monoclonal antibodies in normal placenta and placental blood vessels. Patch-clamp recordings in normal trophoblasts treated with estradiol exhibited potassium currents resembling Eag1 channel activity. Eag1 gene expression in keratinocytes depended either on cellular immortalization or the presence of HPV oncogenes. Eag1 protein was found in keratinocytes transfected with E6/E7 HPV oncogenes. Cell proliferation of E6/E7 keratinocytes was decreased by Eag1 antibodies inhibiting channel activity and by the nonspecific Eag1 inhibitors imipramine and astemizole; the latter also increased apoptosis. Our results propose novel oncogenic mechanisms of estrogen/antiestrogen use and HPV infection. We also suggest Eag1 as an early indicator of cell proliferation leading to malignancies and a therapeutic target at early stages of cellular hyperproliferation.

Potassium channels lost during harvesting of epithelial cells are restored with a kinetics that depends on channel species.

The polarized distribution of K(+) channels in MDCK cells is lost upon harvesting and restored upon re-seeding. Using semi-quantitative PCR, in the present work we find that (i) Cells do not "wait" for the normal recycling of membrane proteins to restore their lost channels, but trigger their replacement, suggesting that the membrane has a way of engaging the nucleus. (ii) Replacement channels do not come from an internal reservoir, as it is the case with Na(+), K(+)-ATPase, but requires a de novo synthesis. (iii) Replacement is not an all-or-none response, since mRNA for MaxiK channels increases by 8-fold after re-seeding, but those for Kv1.6 and Kv1.7 are not affected by harvesting/re-seeding. (iv) TEA, charybdotoxin and iberiotoxin fail to trigger the replacement response in mature monolayers, suggesting that replacement is not due to suppression of channel function. (v) MDCK cells have a typical transporting epithelial phenotype (TEP) consisting of tight junctions (TJs) plus polarity. Although the polarized distribution of K-channels is a prominent attribute of TEP, blocking their function does not perturb the development of TEP, as gauged through the development of TJs, nor level of expression (Western blot) and distribution (confocal microscopy) of occludin, and claudins 1, 3 and 7.

[Clinical control after diabetic and hypertension therapy group sessions]. / Control clínico posterior a sesiones grupales en pacientes con diabetes e hipertensión.

INTRODUCTION: To get good results in the treatment of chronic diseases, we need the participation of patients who take decisions, where education is the most relevant factor. We analyze the limits and impact of an educational strategy during six group sessions through a month. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical control in patients with diabetes and hypertension after group sessions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was included a group of 172 patients with diabetes and hypertension who went to a help group in 2003; There were two groups, a Group A with 88 patients who finished the educational strategy and a group B with 88 patients who left after the second session. RESULTS: The group A diminish glucose average -82 mg/dL (p<0.0001) and also lowered the systolic arterial tension -11.7 mm Hg (p<0.0001) and the diastolic tension -6.9 mm Hg (p<0.0001); there were not significant changes in group B. We used a repeated measured model 4 months before, during and 4 months after educational strategy, and there was a difference between the groups (p=0.008) and also the persistent effect after the educative strategy. CONCLUSION: We consider that improvement in clinical control was associated with the strategy used, because education motivate patients to take decisions to face real problematic situations, and helps them to think over life circumstances, and to have health live styles to control both diabetes and hypertension.

Ether a go-go potassium channels as human cervical cancer markers.

Ether a go-go (EAG) potassium channels display oncogenic properties. In normal tissues, EAG mRNA is almost exclusively expressed in brain, but it is expressed in several somatic cancer cell lines, including HeLa, from cervix. Antisense experiments against eag reduce cell proliferation in some cancer cell lines, and inhibition of EAG-mediated currents has been suggested to decrease cell proliferation in a melanoma cell line. Because of the potential clinical relevance of EAG, we investigated EAG mRNA expression in the following fresh samples from human uterine cervix: 5 primary cultures obtained from cancerous biopsies, 1 cancerous fresh tissue, and 12 biopsies of control normal tissue. All of the control cervical samples came from patients with negative pap smears. Reverse transcription-PCR and Southern-blot experiments revealed eag expression in 100% of the cancerous samples and in 33% of the normal biopsies. Immunochemistry experiments showed the presence of EAG channel protein in cells from the primary cultures and in cervical cancer biopsies sections from the same patients. In addition, we looked for EAG-mediated currents in the cultures from cervical cancer cells. Here we show for the first time EAG channel activity in human tumors. Patch-clamp recordings showed typical EAG-mediated currents modulated by magnesium and displaying a pronounced Cole-Moore shift. Because EAG expression and channel activity have been suggested to be important in cell proliferation, our findings strongly support the idea of considering EAG as a tumor marker as well as a potential membrane therapeutic target for cervical cancer.

AKAP79 increases the functional expression of skeletal muscle Ca2+ channels in Xenopus oocytes.

The actions of the kinase A anchoring protein, AKAP79, a key element in the regulation of the cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel, were assessed on skeletal muscle Ca2+ channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The channels were reconstituted by expressing the pore forming alpha1s subunit and its accessory subunits, alpha2-delta, beta, and gamma. We report, for the first time, that peak Ca2+ channel currents are greatly increased (3.5-fold) by AKAP79 when co-expressed with the truncated form of the alpha1s subunit. Immunoblots revealed that the increase in current amplitude is not accompanied by a corresponding increase in the membrane levels of the alpha1s subunit. This suggests that AKAP79 does not increase the trafficking of the channel. In addition, we show that the transcript of AKAP150, the rat ortholog of the human AKAP79, is expressed in rat skeletal muscle and propose that AKAP79/150 modulates Ca2+ channel function.