Ultrasonografía Doppler de arterias uterinas como predictor de preeclampsia y de resultados adversos maternos y perinatales / Doppler ultrasound of uterine arteries as a predictor of preeclampsia and adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes

Introducción: El ultrasonido Doppler es una herramienta muy útil para medir el flujo de las arterias uterinas en el segundo trimestre del embarazo. Objetivo: Determinar la relación existente entre los resultados adversos maternos y perinatales con los encontrados en el Doppler de arterias uterinas e identificar en qué grupos de riesgo este constituye un mejor predictor de preeclampsia. Método: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y prospectivo, de corte longitudinal. Muestra conformada por 243 pacientes con factores de riesgo y dividida en dos grupos, según el resultado normal o patológico del Doppler a las 20 y a las 26 semanas. Se aplicó prueba de la estadística inferencial y estimación de parámetros. Resultados: En el grupo de Doppler patológico hubo mayor incidencia de hematoma retroplacentario (HRP), parto pretérmino, restricción del crecimiento intrauterino (RCIU) y cesárea, mostrando una elevada especificidad para descartar eventos adversos. Los grupos de riesgo más beneficiados con el Doppler de arterias uterinas son: las enfermedades autoinmunes e historia anterior de preeclampsia. Conclusiones: El Doppler de arterias uterinas en el segundo trimestre constituye una prueba útil en la predicción de preeclampsia y sus complicaciones maternos-perinatales en pacientes de alto riesgo.(AU)

Introduction: Doppler ultrasound is a very useful tool for measuring the flow of uterine arteries in the second trimester of pregnancy. Objective: Determining the relationship between maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes with those found in the Doppler of uterine arteries, and to identify in which risk groups this constitutes a better predictor of preeclampsia. Method: Observational, descriptive and prospective study, with a longitudinal cut. The sample consisted of 243 patients with risk factors, and divided into two groups according to the normal or pathological outcome of the Doppler at 20 and 26 weeks. Inferential statistics and parameter estimation test were performed. Results: In the pathological Doppler group there was increased incidence of retro-placental haematoma, preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, and caesarean section, showing high specificity to rule out adverse events. The risk groups most benefited from uterine artery Doppler were autoimmune diseases and previous history of preeclampsia. Conclusions: The Doppler of uterine arteries in the second trimester is a useful test in the prediction of preeclampsia and its maternal- perinatal complications in high-risk patients.

Retinoblastoma: la importancia de su diagnóstico precoz / Retinoblastoma: The importance of early diagnosis

INTRODUCCIÓN: El retinoblastoma es el tumor intraocular maligno más frecuente en la infancia y tanto su curación como las secuelas derivadas del mismo dependen fundamentalmente de un diagnóstico precoz. En la actualidad, no existe consenso en su manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, no aleatorizado, de serie de casos (39 pacientes-58 ojos), tratados durante el período 2006-2013 en nuestro servicio, nombrado centro de Referencia Regional de Tumores por la Agencia de Calidad del SNS. RESULTADOS: El signo más frecuente de comienzo es la leucocoria (71,8%), seguido de estrabismo (17,9%). Todos los casos de tumoración bilateral presentaban mutación germinal del gen RB1 y un 20% tenían antecedentes familiares. El 55% de los pacientes presentaron estadio E, y el 90% precisó tratamiento quimioterápico. Un 57% de los que presentaban estadios leves, conservaron su ojo respecto al 43% que lo conservó en estadios avanzados. CONCLUSIONES: Este análisis consta de 58 ojos, sin que existan estudios previos en nuestra comunidad y pocas series tan numerosas en todo el país. Basado en tratamiento no estandarizados, eligiendo el más adecuado según las características del tumor. El manejo multidisciplinar, formado por oftalmología, oncología pediátrica, oncología radioterápica y radiofísica, es fundamental para la elección de tratamiento más correcta. La quimiorreducción junto a tratamientos de consolidación ofrece resultados esperanzadores en el control de los mismos, sobre todo en los de menor severidad. La enucleación continúa siendo de elección en las estadificaciones más avanzadas con afectación vítrea, poniendo de manifesto la importancia de su diagnóstico precoz

INTRODUCTION: Retinoblastoma is the most frequent malignant intraocular tumour in childhood, and both its cure and the sequelae arising from it, mainly depend on an early diagnosis. There is currently no consensus on its diagnostic and therapeutic management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective, and non-randomised study was conducted on a series of cases (39 patients -58 eyes), treated during the period 2006-2013, in the Regional Reference Centre for Tumours of the National Health Service Quality Agency. RESULTS: The most frequent presentation sign is leukocoria (71.8%), followed by strabismus (17.9%). All cases of bilateral tumour had a germline mutation of the RB1 gene, and 20% had a family history. Stage E was observed in 55% of the patients, and 90% required chemotherapy treatment. The eye was maintained in 57% of those who had mild stages, compared to 43% who maintained it in advanced stages. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis included 58 eyes. There are no previous studies in our community and there are few series so numerous throughout the country. Based on non-standardised treatment, the most appropriate is chosen according to the characteristics of the tumour. The multidisciplinary management, formed by ophthalmology, paediatric oncology, radiotherapy, and radiophysical oncology, is fundamental for the selection of the most appropriate treatment. Chemo-reduction, along with consolidation treatments, offers encouraging results in the control of these tumours, especially in those of less severity. Enucleation continues to be the method of choice in the most advanced staging with vitreous involvement, with the importance of early diagnosis being highlighted

Retinoblastoma: The importance of early diagnosis. / Retinoblastoma: la importancia de su diagnóstico precoz.

INTRODUCTION: Retinoblastoma is the most frequent malignant intraocular tumour in childhood, and both its cure and the sequelae arising from it, mainly depend on an early diagnosis. There is currently no consensus on its diagnostic and therapeutic management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective, and non-randomised study was conducted on a series of cases (39 patients -58 eyes), treated during the period 2006-2013, in the Regional Reference Centre for Tumours of the National Health Service Quality Agency. RESULTS: The most frequent presentation sign is leukocoria (71.8%), followed by strabismus (17.9%). All cases of bilateral tumour had a germline mutation of the RB1 gene, and 20% had a family history. Stage E was observed in 55% of the patients, and 90% required chemotherapy treatment. The eye was maintained in 57% of those who had mild stages, compared to 43% who maintained it in advanced stages. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis included 58 eyes. There are no previous studies in our community and there are few series so numerous throughout the country. Based on non-standardised treatment, the most appropriate is chosen according to the characteristics of the tumour. The multidisciplinary management, formed by ophthalmology, paediatric oncology, radiotherapy, and radiophysical oncology, is fundamental for the selection of the most appropriate treatment. Chemo-reduction, along with consolidation treatments, offers encouraging results in the control of these tumours, especially in those of less severity. Enucleation continues to be the method of choice in the most advanced staging with vitreous involvement, with the importance of early diagnosis being highlighted.

El desarrollo del lenguaje enfermero produce avances / Nursing language development achieves breakthroughs

La importancia de los lenguajes enfermeros estandarizados (LEE) ya no se pone en duda en nuestro país. Utilizar un lenguaje normalizado para documentar la práctica permite comparar y evaluar la efectividad de los cuidados suministrados en múltiples situaciones y por distintos profesionales de la enfermería. Además, en el ámbito educativo en España, los currículos recogen la necesidad de que las enfermeras tengan competencias específicas respecto a los LEE y el proceso enfermero. En este sentido, habría que destacar el papel de la NANDA- I, que comenzó a codificar, agrupar y dar nombre a los diagnósticos de enfermería dentro de una taxonomía lógica. El lenguaje del cuidado, del aprendizaje del autocuidado, de la autonomía del otro, supuso un cambio también en la percepción que tenían de la enfermería otros profesionales de la salud y la población en general. En los últimos veinticinco años, se ha tratado el desarrollo teórico y práctico de los cuidados de enfermería y de su lenguaje preciso y unificado. En España, en estas aportaciones, destacaron especialmente numerosas profesoras de las escuelas de enfermería que han abierto las puertas a conocimientos nuevos e impulsado la renovación de la enfermería, y también un gran número de enfermeras clínicas de centros conosanitarios que, en los distintos niveles de atención, han tenido el empeño de trabajar con procesos de enfermería, con diagnósticos enfermeros y, ahora, con las nuevas taxonomías enfermeras (NOC, NIC). Juntas, han hecho un buen trabajo para estimular la utilización de un lenguaje común y para impulsar el despliegue práctico de las nuevas aportaciones teóricas para mejorar los cuidados de enfermería. El empleo de terminologías estandarizadas se considera un requisito previo imprescindible para la historia clínica electrónica (HCE), de la cual forma parte el plan de cuidados de enfermería. El progreso de la profesión enfermera pasa necesariamente por la insistencia en la formación y el trabajo moderno de la enfermería, y la investigación con los LEE (AU)

The importance of standardised nursing languages (SNLs) is no longer questioned in our country. Using a standardised language to document practice enables comparison and assessment of the effectiveness of care provided in multiple situations and by different nursing professionals. In addition, curriculums in the Spanish educational field pick up on the need for nurses to possess specific competence with regard to SNLs and the nursing process. Accordingly, it is necessary to highlight the role of NANDA-I, which is starting to codify, group and give a name to nursing diagnoses within a logical taxonomy. The language used in care, in the learning process of self-care, and for the autonomy of the other, represents a change too in how nursing is perceived by other health professionals and the population. In the past 25 years, the theoretical and practical development of nursing care and its precise, unified language have been addressed. In Spain, this input particularly comes from numerous teachers in nursing schools that have opened the doors to new knowledge and fostered the renewal of nursing. It also includes a large number of clinical nurses from health centres who, in the different levels of care, are committed to working with the nursing process, nursing diagnoses and now with the new nursing taxonomies (NOC, NIC). Together, they have done a good job in stimulating the use of a common language and fostering the practical deployment of the new theoretical contributions for the improvement of nursing care. The use of standardised terminology is considered an absolute prerequisite for the electronic medical record (EMR) of which the nursing care plan forms part of. Nursing profession’s progress necessarily involves persisting with training, modern nursing work and research on SNLs (AU)

Dos tipos histológicos diferentes en un tumor de ovario. A propósito de un caso / Two histological types in the same ovarian cyst. A case report

El cistoadenoma mucinoso y el tumor de Brenner benigno se originan ambos del epitelio celómico que recubre el ovario, por eso es poco frecuente encontrar estas 2 entidades en un mismo tumor. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 43 años de edad que se valora en el servicio de ginecología con tumoración abdominal. Se realizaron exámenes clínicos y complementarios con los cuales se llegó al diagnóstico de quiste gigante de ovario. Se dio solución quirúrgica y se observaron en la anatomía patológica 2 tipos histológicos en un mismo tumor de ovario

Mucinous cystadenoma and benign Brenner tumor both arise from the celomic epithelium, which covers the ovary. However, it is very rare to find both entities in the same tumor. We report the case of a 43-year-old woman with an abdominal tumor who was evaluated in the gynecology service. Clinical examination and routine examinations were performed, leading to a diagnosis of giant ovarian cyst. Surgical treatment was carried out and histological analysis revealed 2 histologic types in the same ovarian tumor

Evaluación de la intervención grupal avanzada en una muestra de fumadores / Evaluation of advanced group intervention in a sample of smokers

Introducción y objetivo. Nos planteamos un análisis de los resultados de la intervención grupal en los primeros meses de rodaje del programa en nuestro centro de salud. Método. Se seleccionaron todas las historias que ingresaron en el programa desde octubre del 2011 hasta junio del 2012. El seguimiento se realizó hasta junio del 2013. Las variables fueron: edad, sexo, Fageström, Richmond, tasa de cigarrillos diarios, intentos previos, coximetría inicial, entorno fumador y, finalmente, el método seguido para la deprivación tabáquica. Esta última variable contemplaba tres categorías: nicotina más terapia grupal, fármacos más terapia grupal y terapia grupal solamente. Resultados. Se obtuvieron un total de 84 historias pertenecientes a 35 varones y 49 mujeres. La distribución de los tratamientos fue la siguiente: 24 personas (28,57%) con fármacos y terapia grupal, 15 personas (17,86%) con substitutivos de la nicotina y terapia grupal y 45 personas (53,57%) solo con terapia grupal. Al final del seguimiento se observó que 23 pacientes estaban en abstinencia tabáquica (27,38% del total de la muestra). La única variable con significación predictiva en los modelos de regresión logística multivariante fue el test de Richmond (OR= 1,5; p<0,05, IC= 1,063-2,123). Conclusión. La terapia grupal en solitario o acompañada de fármacos y/o de terapia substitutiva con nicotina ha mostrado una efectividad de más del 27% en los pacientes de nuestra muestra a los doce meses de seguimiento (AU)

Introduction and objective. We propose an analysis of the results of the group intervention in the first months of running the program in our primary health care center. Method. All the records that were admitted from October 2011 to June 2012 were selected. Patients were followed until June 2013. The variables were: age, sex, Fageström, Richmond, daily cigarette rate, previous attempts, initial cooximetry, smoking environment and finally the method used for smoking deprivation. The latter variable contained three categories: group therapy more nocotine, group therapy more drugs and group theraphy only. Results. A total of 84 stories were collected belonging to 35 men and 49 women. The distribution of treatments was as follows: 24 persons (28.57%) and drug therapy group, 15 persons (17.86%) with nicotine substitutes and group therapy and 45 people (53, 57%) group therapy only. At end of follow it was observed that 23 patients were in smoking abstinence (27, 38% of the total sample). The only variable with predictive significance in multivariate logistic regression models was the Richmond test (OR = 1.5, p <0.05, CI = 1.063 to 2.123). Conclusion. Group therapy alone or accompanied by drugs and / or nicotine replacement therapy has shown effectiveness of over 27% in the patients in our sample at twelve month follow-up (AU)

Probiotics for human lactational mastitis.

The use of culture-dependent and -independent techniques to study the human milk microbiota and microbiome has revealed a complex ecosystem with a much greater diversity than previously anticipated. The potential role of the milk microbiome appears to have implications not only for short- and long-term infant health but also for mammary health. In fact, mammary disbiosis, which may be triggered by a variety of host, microbial and medical factors, often leads to acute, subacute or subclinical mastitis, a condition that represents the first medical cause for undesired weaning. Multiresistance to antibiotics, together with formation of biofilms and mechanisms for evasion of the host immune response, is a common feature among the bacterial agents involved. This explains why this condition uses to be elusive to antibiotic therapy and why the development of new strategies for mastitis management based on probiotics is particularly appealing. In fact, selected lactobacilli strains isolated from breast milk have already shown a high efficacy for treatment.

WIP is a negative regulator of neuronal maturation and synaptic activity.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) -interacting protein (WIP) is an actin-binding protein involved in the regulation of actin polymerization in cells, such as fibroblasts and lymphocytes. Despite its recognized function in non-neuronal cells, the role of WIP in the central nervous system has not been examined previously. We used WIP-deficient mice to examine WIP function both in vivo and in vitro. We report here that WIP(-)(/-) hippocampal neurons exhibit enlargement of somas as well as overgrowth of neuritic and dendritic branches that are more evident in early developmental stages. Dendritic arborization and synaptogenesis, which includes generation of postsynaptic dendritic spines, are actin-dependent processes that occur in parallel at later stages. WIP deficiency also increases the amplitude and frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents, suggesting that WIP(-)(/-) neurons have more mature synapses than wild-type neurons. These findings reveal WIP as a previously unreported regulator of neuronal maturation and synaptic activity.

Layer-specific alterations to CA1 dendritic spines in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Why memory is a particular target for the pathological changes in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) has long been a fundamental question when considering the mechanisms underlying this disease. It has been established from numerous biochemical and morphological studies that AD is, at least initially, a consequence of synaptic malfunction provoked by Amyloid ß (Aß) peptide. APP/PS1 transgenic mice accumulate Aß throughout the brain, and they have therefore been employed to investigate the effects of Aß overproduction on brain circuitry and cognition. Previous studies show that Aß overproduction affects spine morphology in the hippocampus and amygdala, both within and outside plaques (Knafo et al., (2009) Cereb Cortex 19:586-592; Knafo et al., (in press) J Pathol). Hence, we conducted a detailed analysis of dendritic spines located in the stratum oriens and stratum radiatum of the CA1 hippocampal subfield of APP/PS1 mice. Three-dimensional analysis of 18,313 individual dendritic spines revealed a substantial layer-specific decrease in spine neck length and an increase in the frequency of spines with a small head volume. Since dendritic spines bear most of the excitatory synapses in the brain, changes in spine morphology may be one of the factors contributing to the cognitive impairments observed in this AD model.

Circulating tumour cells demonstrate an altered response to hypoxia and an aggressive phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Tumours contain hypoxic regions that select for an aggressive cell phenotype; tumour hypoxia induces metastasis-associated genes. Treatment refractory patients with metastatic cancer show increased numbers of circulating tumour cells (CTCs), which are also associated with disease progression. The aim of this study was to examine the as yet unknown relationship between hypoxia and CTCs. METHODS: We generated human MDA-MB-231 orthotopic xenografts and, using a new technology, isolated viable human CTCs from murine blood. The CTCs and parental MDA-MB-231 cells were incubated at 21 and 0.2% (hypoxia) oxygen, respectively. Colony formation was assayed and levels of hypoxia- and anoxia-inducible factors were measured. Xenografts generated from CTCs and parental cells were compared. RESULTS: MDA-MB-231 xenografts used to generate CTCs were hypoxic, expressing hypoxia factors: hypoxia-inducible factor1 alpha (HIF1alpha) and glucose transporter protein type 1 (GLUT1), and anoxia-induced factors: activating transcription factor 3 and 4 (ATF3 and ATF4). Parental MDA-MB-231 cells induced ATF3 in hypoxia, whereas CTCs expressed it constitutively. Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) expression was also higher in CTCs. Hypoxia induced ATF4 and the HIF1alpha target gene apelin in CTCs, but not in parental cells. Hypoxia induced lower levels of carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), GLUT1 and BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19-KD protein-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) proteins in CTCs than in parental cells, supporting an altered hypoxia response. In chronic hypoxia, CTCs demonstrated greater colony formation than parental cells. Xenografts generated from CTCs were larger and heavier, and metastasised faster than MDA-MB-231 xenografts. CONCLUSION: CTCs show an altered hypoxia response and an enhanced aggressive phenotype in vitro and in vivo.

Analysis of stromal signatures in the tumor microenvironment of ductal carcinoma in situ.

Recent advances in the study of the tumor microenvironment have revealed significant interaction between tumor cells and their surrounding stroma in model systems. We have previously shown that two distinct stromal signatures derived from a macrophage (CSF1) response and a fibroblastic (DTF-like) response are present in subsets of invasive breast cancers and show a correlation with clinical outcome. In the present study we explore whether these signatures also exist in the stroma of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). We studied the signatures by both gene expression profile analysis of a publically available data set of DCIS and by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on a tissue microarray of DCIS and invasive breast cancer cases. Both the gene expression and immunohistochemical data show that the macrophage response and fibroblast expression signatures are present in the stroma of subsets of DCIS cases. The incidence of the stromal signatures in DCIS is similar to the incidence in invasive breast cancer that we have previously reported. We also find that the macrophage response signature is associated with higher grade DCIS and cases which are ER and PR negative, whereas the fibroblast signature was not associated with any clinicopathologic features in DCIS. A comparison of 115 matched cases of DCIS and invasive breast cancer found a correlation between the type of stromal response in DCIS and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) within the same patient for both the macrophage response and the fibroblast stromal signatures (P = 0.03 and 0.08, respectively). This study is a first characterization of these signatures in DCIS. These signatures have significant clinicopathologic associations and tend to be conserved as the tumor progresses from DCIS to invasive breast cancer.

Discovery of molecular subtypes in leiomyosarcoma through integrative molecular profiling.

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a soft tissue tumor with a significant degree of morphologic and molecular heterogeneity. We used integrative molecular profiling to discover and characterize molecular subtypes of LMS. Gene expression profiling was performed on 51 LMS samples. Unsupervised clustering showed three reproducible LMS clusters. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) was performed on 20 LMS samples and showed that the molecular subtypes defined by gene expression showed distinct genomic changes. Tumors from the 'muscle-enriched' cluster showed significantly increased copy number changes (P=0.04). A majority of the muscle-enriched cases showed loss at 16q24, which contains Fanconi anemia, complementation group A, known to have an important role in DNA repair, and loss at 1p36, which contains PRDM16, of which loss promotes muscle differentiation. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on LMS tissue microarrays (n=377) for five markers with high levels of messenger RNA in the muscle-enriched cluster (ACTG2, CASQ2, SLMAP, CFL2 and MYLK) and showed significantly correlated expression of the five proteins (all pairwise P<0.005). Expression of the five markers was associated with improved disease-specific survival in a multivariate Cox regression analysis (P<0.04). In this analysis that combined gene expression profiling, aCGH and IHC, we characterized distinct molecular LMS subtypes, provided insight into their pathogenesis, and identified prognostic biomarkers.

[Distribution of met-enkephalin expression in the visual pathway. Experimental study by inmunocytochemistry]. / Distribución de la metencefalina en la vía óptica. Estudio experimental inmunocitoquímico.

PURPOSE: The localization and distribution of neuropeptide expression in the cat visual pathway can provide information about the function of that pathway. METHOD: Study of optic pathway in eight cats. Following extraction of the brain, slices were prepared using a microkeratome. The slices were examined by indirect immunocytochemistry using anti-metenkephalin as antibody to determine the presence or absence of this pentapeptide in the visual pathway. RESULTS: Met-enkephalin receptors in both cortical and subcortical regions of the brain were detected. This suggests that met-enkephalin could be involved in the visual mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of met-enkephalin receptors in both cortical and subcortical regions of the brain suggests that this pentapeptide could be involved in the visual mechanism.

Ror2, a developmentally regulated kinase, promotes tumor growth potential in renal cell carcinoma.

Inappropriate kinase expression and subsequent promiscuous activity defines the transformation of many solid tumors including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Thus, the expression of novel tumor-associated kinases has the potential to dramatically shape tumor cell behavior. Further, identifying tumor-associated kinases can lend insight into patterns of tumor growth and characteristics. Here, we report the identification of the RTK-like orphan receptor 2 (Ror2), a new tumor-associated kinase in RCC cell lines and primary tumors. Ror2 is an orphan receptor tyrosine kinase with physiological expression normally seen in the embryonic kidney. However, in RCC, Ror2 expression correlated with expression of genes involved at the extracellular matrix, including Twist and matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP2). Expression of MMP2 in RCC cells was suppressed by Ror2 knockdown, placing Ror2 as a mediator of MMP2 regulation in RCC and a potential regulator of extracellular matrix remodeling. The suppression of Ror2 not only inhibited cell migration, but also inhibited anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and growth in an orthotopic xenograft model. These findings suggest a novel pathway of tumor-promoting activity by Ror2 within a subset of renal carcinomas, with significant implications for unraveling the tumorigenesis of RCC.

Distribución de la metencefalina en la vía óptica. Estudio experimental inmunocitoquímico / Distribution o met-enkephalin expression in the visual pathway. Experimental study by inmunocytochemstry

Objetivo: Conocer la localización y distribución deneuropéptidos en la vía óptica, concretamente, ladeterminación de inmunorreactividad a met-encefalina,clave para la funcionalidad de dicha vía.Método: Se analizó la vía óptica de ocho gatos.Tras extracción quirúrgica; cortes con microqueratomoy procesamiento mediante inmunocitoquímicaindirecta, utilizando como anticuerpo la antimetencefalina,con el fín de detectar la presencia oausencia del pentapéptido en la vía óptica del gato.Resultados: Se detectaron receptores a met-encefalinaen áreas del encéfalo tanto corticales como subcorticales.Así, se considera la posible implicaciónde dicho pentapéptido en la funcionalidad de la víaóptica.Conclusiones: La presencia de receptores a metencefalinaen áreas del encéfalo tanto corticalescomo subcorticales, muestra la posible implicaciónde dicho neurotransmisor en la funcionalidad de lavía óptica (AU)

Purpose: The localization and distribution of neuropetideexpression in the cat visual pathway can provideinformation about the function of that pathway.Method: Study of optic pathway in eight cats.Following extraction of the brain, slices were preparedusing a microkeratome. The slices were examinedby indirect immunocytochemistry using antimetenkephalinas antibody to determine the presenceor absence of this pentapeptide in the visualpathway.Results: Met-enkephalin receptors in both corticaland subcortical regions of the brain were detected.This suggests that met-enkephalin could be involvedin the visual mechanism.Conclusions: The presence of met-enkephalinreceptors in both cortical and subcortical regions ofthe brain suggests that this pentapeptide could beinvolved in the visual mechanism(AU)

Widespread changes in dendritic spines in a model of Alzheimer's disease.

The mechanism by which dementia occurs in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not known. We assessed changes in hippocampal dendritic spines of APP/PS1 transgenic mice that accumulate amyloid beta throughout the brain. Three-dimensional analysis of 21,507 dendritic spines in the dentate gyrus, a region crucial for learning and memory, revealed a substantial decrease in the frequency of large spines in plaque-free regions of APP/PS1 mice. Plaque-related dendrites also show striking alterations in spine density and morphology. However, plaques occupy only 3.9% of the molecular layer volume. Because large spines are considered to be the physical traces of long-term memory, widespread decrease in the frequency of large spines likely contributes to the cognitive impairments observed in this AD model.

Activation of the NF-kappaB signalling pathway in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: clinical implications.

AIM: To characterize the activation of the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB pathway in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) by immunohistochemistry. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-six DLBCLs treated with anthracycline-containing chemotherapy were evaluated with antibodies against phosphorylated p65 (P-p65), p65, p50, p52, IKK alpha, and phosphorylated I kappaB (P-I kappaB). NF-kappaB activation was based on the expression of P-p65, P-I kappaB, and nuclear expression of p65 or p52 in the tumour cells. P-p65 and P-I kappaB were expressed in 13 (20%) and 17 cases (26%), respectively. p65, p52 and IKK alpha were found in the cytoplasm. A correlation was found between expression of P-p65 and P-I kappaB (P < 0.0001), but not between the two subtypes of DLBCL [germinal centre B cell and non-germinal centre (GC)]. P-p65+ tumours showed a better response to chemotherapy (P = 0.025) and a trend to increased event-free survival (P = 0.08). However, P-I kappaB expression was not associated with either clinical response or survival. Bcl-2 was not preferentially expressed on DLBCL tumours with NF-kappaB activation, as determined by expression of P-p65 and P-I kappaB proteins. CONCLUSIONS: NF-kappaB activation in DLBCL is preferentially mediated through the classical pathway and a novel mechanism involving phosphorylation of p65. Activation of NF-kappaB by P-p65 is associated with good prognosis. NF-kappaB activation is not confined to non-GC DLBCL exclusively.

[Listeria monocytogenes: report of a rise in pregnant women and literature review]. / Listeria monocytogenes: Informe de un aumento de casos en mujeres embarazadas y revisión de la literatura.

Listeria monocytogenes, rare pathogen in the general population, causes serious infections in patients at the extreme ages of life, pregnant woman, and those with immunosuppression. The clinical manifestations are essential to suspect the disease in patients at risk, allowing an early prescription of antimicrobial therapy, before the results of the cultures are available. Clinical course and prognosis depends on how early treatment is started and, in pregnant women, the gestational age. In Clínica Alemana, at Santiago, we detected a 15 fold rate rise of neonatal listeriosis between year 2007 and 2008. Ten cases were diagnosed between January and July 2008 and the seven cases occurring in pregnant women are reported here. All these patients were in their first pregnancy, which could be associated with similar lifestyle and food habits. Considering this new epidemiological scenario, it is important to educate the population, and to conduct an epidemiological study in order to determine the national situation of Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Listeria monocytogenes: informe de un aumento de casos en mujeres embarazadas y revisión de la literatura / Listeria monocytogenes: report of a rise in pregnant women and literature review

Listeria monocytogenes, rare pathogen in the general population, causes serious infections in patients at the extreme ages of life, pregnant woman, and those with immunosuppression. The clinical manifestations are essential to suspect the disease in patients at risk, allowing an early prescription of antimicrobial therapy, before the results of the cultures are available. Clinical course and prognosis depends on how early treatment is started and, in pregnant women, the gestational age. In Clínica Alemana, at Santiago, we detected a 15 fold rate rise of neonatal listeriosis between year 2007 and 2008. Ten cases were diagnosed between January and July 2008 and the seven cases occurring in pregnant women are reported here. All these patients were in their first pregnancy, which could be associated with similar lifestyle and food habits. Considering this new epidemiological scenario, it is important to educate the population, and to conduct an epidemiological study in order to determine the national situation of Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Listeria monocytogenes, es un patógeno poco frecuente en la población general, causante de infecciones graves en pacientes en edades extremas de la vida, mujeres embarazadas e inmunodeprimidos. La sospecha de la enfermedad en pacientes de riesgo se basa principalmente en el cuadro clínico, lo que permite iniciar un tratamiento empírico antes de contar con los resultados de los cultivos. La evolución y pronóstico dependen de la precocidad con que se inicia la terapia y de la edad gestacional. En Clínica Alemana de Santiago detectamos un aumento de 15 veces en la tasa de listeriosis comparando el año 2007 con el 2008. Entre enero y julio 2008, se diagnosticaron 10 casos, de los cuales siete fueron en primigestas, lo que podría tener relación con un hábito alimentario y características de vida similar. Es fundamental, a la vista de esta nueva realidad epidemiológica, educar a la población en hábitos alimentarios y de higiene, como también realizar un estudio epidemiológico que determine la situación nacional de infección por L. monocytogenes.