[Unicompartmental knee prosthesis]. / Prótesis unicompartimental de rodilla.

In a patient with severe unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis where conservative treatments have been exhausted, with painful symptoms located on the affected side and with a reducible axis, the unicompartmental knee prosthesis (UKP) is the first option for our work group. Within the study to confirm the diagnosis and plan the surgery, weight-bearing knee x-rays, Rosenberg x-rays, and teleradiographs of the lower extremities stand out. The objective of surgery is to replace the affected area, restoring the anatomy with an adequate balance of soft tissues. Regarding alignment, the challenge is not to overload the opposite side or that of the prosthesis. There are mobile and fixed plates and although the clinical and survival results are similar, in recent years with the incorporation of robotic surgery, the balance has tipped towards the use of fixed plates. The clinical and functional results are better and there are fewer complications than when total knee prostheses (TKP) are used in the same type of patients. The survival studied in registries is lower than for TKP, but when used in high-flow centers where the percentage of UKP is close to a third of the total with strict patient selection, the duration is as good as in PTR.

En un paciente con artrosis unicompartimental de rodilla grave, donde se agotaron los tratamientos conservadores que tiene clínica dolorosa localizada en el lado afectado y con alteración del eje reductible, la prótesis unicompartimenal de rodilla (PUR) es la primera opción para nuestro grupo de trabajo. Dentro del estudio para confirmar el diagnóstico y planificar la cirugía destacan las radiografías de rodillas con carga, radiografía de Rosenberg y telerradiografías de extremidades inferiores. El objetivo de la cirugía es reemplazar la zona afectada, restituyendo la anatomía con un adecuado balance de partes blandas. Respecto al alineamiento el desafío es no sobrecargar el lado contrario ni tampoco el de la prótesis. Existen de platillo móvil y fijo y aunque los resultados clínicos y de supervivencia son semejantes, en los últimos años con la incorporación de la cirugía robótica, la balanza se ha inclinado para el uso de los platillos fijos. En pacientes con artrosis unicompartimental los resultados clínicos y funcionales son mejores con PUR y tiene menos complicaciones que cuando se usan prótesis totales (PTR). La supervivencia estudiada en registros es menor que para PTR, pero cuando se usa en centros de alto flujo en que el porcentaje de PUR es cercano a un tercio del total con una estricta selección de pacientes, la duración es tan buena como en la PTR.

Prótesis unicompartimental de rodilla / Unicompartmental knee prosthesis

Resumen: En un paciente con artrosis unicompartimental de rodilla grave, donde se agotaron los tratamientos conservadores que tiene clínica dolorosa localizada en el lado afectado y con alteración del eje reductible, la prótesis unicompartimenal de rodilla (PUR) es la primera opción para nuestro grupo de trabajo. Dentro del estudio para confirmar el diagnóstico y planificar la cirugía destacan las radiografías de rodillas con carga, radiografía de Rosenberg y telerradiografías de extremidades inferiores. El objetivo de la cirugía es reemplazar la zona afectada, restituyendo la anatomía con un adecuado balance de partes blandas. Respecto al alineamiento el desafío es no sobrecargar el lado contrario ni tampoco el de la prótesis. Existen de platillo móvil y fijo y aunque los resultados clínicos y de supervivencia son semejantes, en los últimos años con la incorporación de la cirugía robótica, la balanza se ha inclinado para el uso de los platillos fijos. En pacientes con artrosis unicompartimental los resultados clínicos y funcionales son mejores con PUR y tiene menos complicaciones que cuando se usan prótesis totales (PTR). La supervivencia estudiada en registros es menor que para PTR, pero cuando se usa en centros de alto flujo en que el porcentaje de PUR es cercano a un tercio del total con una estricta selección de pacientes, la duración es tan buena como en la PTR.

Abstract: In a patient with severe unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis where conservative treatments have been exhausted, with painful symptoms located on the affected side and with a reducible axis, the unicompartmental knee prosthesis (UKP) is the first option for our work group. Within the study to confirm the diagnosis and plan the surgery, weight-bearing knee x-rays, Rosenberg x-rays, and teleradiographs of the lower extremities stand out. The objective of surgery is to replace the affected area, restoring the anatomy with an adequate balance of soft tissues. Regarding alignment, the challenge is not to overload the opposite side or that of the prosthesis. There are mobile and fixed plates and although the clinical and survival results are similar, in recent years with the incorporation of robotic surgery, the balance has tipped towards the use of fixed plates. The clinical and functional results are better and there are fewer complications than when total knee prostheses (TKP) are used in the same type of patients. The survival studied in registries is lower than for TKP, but when used in high-flow centers where the percentage of UKP is close to a third of the total with strict patient selection, the duration is as good as in PTR.

Administering copper reduces hyper-excitability generated by penicillin G in motor cortex neurons from rat brain slices.

Recording synaptic activity of layer III neurons from motor cortex slices, which was provoked by stimulating layer IV, generated synaptic responses of the field potential (FP) that went from mean 100 µV to 600 µV when the stimulus was increased up to twice the threshold. Administering 100 µM or 200 µM of copper, increased the responses to mean 800 µV and 820 µV, respectively. The response to 200 µM was not significantly greater than that to 100 µM. However, all FP responses were significantly lower to a copper concentration of 500 µM. The basal FP was slowly restored by removing the copper with Krebs-Ringer(K-R), resulting in similar characteristics to those observed before copper administration. Then, neurons were perfused with penicillin (2000 UI) to increase cortical excitability and to assess the depressing effect of high concentrations of copper. Administering 500 µM of copper significantly reduced the activity generated by penicillin, while removing by wash(K-R) penicillin and copper generated FP responses similar to those obtained at baseline. Our data indicate that depending on the concentration, copper can behave as an activating or blocking agent for cortical activity.

Guía de práctica clínica multidisciplinar española sobre la enfermedad de Anderson-Fabry en adultos. I: Método y recomendaciones / Spanish multidisciplinary clinical practice guidelines for Anderson-Fabry Disease in Adults. I. Method and recommendations

La enfermedad de Anderson-Fabry es una afección multisistémica progresiva y grave de origen genético que afecta tanto a hombres como a mujeres y que reduce sus expectativas y calidad de vida. La gran variabilidad en su expresión clínica, las dificultades para su diagnóstico y la disponibilidad actual de varias alternativas para su tratamiento suponen un gran reto que justifica la realización de una guía de práctica clínica basada en la evidencia que pueda ayudar a los profesionales sanitarios en la toma de decisiones en el manejo de estos pacientes. Para elaborarla se ha realizado una búsqueda sistemática en las principales bases de datos bibliográficas mediante estrategias adaptadas a cada una de las 32 preguntas clínicas consideradas. Se confeccionaron fichas para la síntesis y evaluación de la calidad de las evidencias para cada una de las preguntas. La metodología empleada se basa en el Manual metodológico español para la elaboración de guías de práctica clínica e incorpora en la evaluación de la evidencia científica y en la elaboración de las recomendaciones la metodología GRADE, considerando la calidad de la evidencia, el balance entre beneficios y riesgos, valores y preferencias de los pacientes, equidad y uso de recursos. Para la elaboración definitiva de las recomendaciones se llevó a cabo un proceso de consenso estructurado basado en la metodología Delphi-RAND en 2 rondas, con un panel de expertos propuesto por diferentes sociedades científicas, centros de investigación y asociaciones de pacientes. Finalmente, se han elaborado 92 recomendaciones específicas para el manejo de la enfermedad de Fabry

Anderson-Fabry disease is a severe progressive multisystem condition of genetic origin that affects men and women, reducing their life expectancy and quality of life. The considerable variability in its clinical expression, the difficulties in diagnosing the condition and the current availability of several alternatives for its treatment represent a considerable challenge that justifies the development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines that can help health professionals in the decision-making process for managing these patients. To develop these guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of the main reference databases using strategies adapted to each of the 32 clinical questions considered. We prepared documents to synthesise the evidence and assess its quality for each of the questions. The methodology employed is based on the Spanish methodology manual for preparing clinical practice guidelines, incorporating the GRADE methodology in the assessment of the scientific evidence and the preparation of the recommendations, considering the quality of the evidence, the risk-benefit balance, patient values and preferences, equity and use of resources. For the definitive preparation of the recommendations, we conducted a structured consensus process based on the Delphi-RAND methodology in 2 rounds, with an expert panel proposed by various scientific societies, research centres and patient associations. Ultimately, we developed 92 specific recommendations for managing Fabry disease

Spanish multidisciplinary clinical practice guidelines for Anderson-Fabry Disease in Adults. I. Method and recommendations. / Guía de práctica clínica multidisciplinar española sobre la enfermedad de Anderson-Fabry en adultos. I: Método y recomendaciones.

Anderson-Fabry disease is a severe progressive multisystem condition of genetic origin that affects men and women, reducing their life expectancy and quality of life. The considerable variability in its clinical expression, the difficulties in diagnosing the condition and the current availability of several alternatives for its treatment represent a considerable challenge that justifies the development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines that can help health professionals in the decision-making process for managing these patients. To develop these guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of the main reference databases using strategies adapted to each of the 32 clinical questions considered. We prepared documents to synthesise the evidence and assess its quality for each of the questions. The methodology employed is based on the Spanish methodology manual for preparing clinical practice guidelines, incorporating the GRADE methodology in the assessment of the scientific evidence and the preparation of the recommendations, considering the quality of the evidence, the risk-benefit balance, patient values and preferences, equity and use of resources. For the definitive preparation of the recommendations, we conducted a structured consensus process based on the Delphi-RAND methodology in 2 rounds, with an expert panel proposed by various scientific societies, research centres and patient associations. Ultimately, we developed 92 specific recommendations for managing Fabry disease.

UHPLC-MS and MALDI-MS study of aluminum phthalocyanine chloride and development of a bioanalytical method for its quantification in nanoemulsions and biological matrices.

Metal phthalocyanines are promising components in photodynamic therapy. Aluminum phthalocyanine chloride (AlClPc) has been used to treat oral cancer in mice, human carious tissue, lung cancer cells and other conditions. To overcome the high hydrophobicity of AlClPc, phthalocyanine is often encapsulated in nanoformulations. Despite increased usage, little is known about the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of AlClPc. The aim of this study was the development and validation of a UHPLC-MS method for the determination of AlClPc in solution after extraction from nanoformulations and biological matrices such as plasma and tissue. The described method has been assayed as to selectivity, linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision and recovery. The present study is the first to describe the behavior of AlClPc in biological matrices with mass spectrometry as well as the first to describe the chromatographic behavior of AlClPc contaminants. Molecular mass analysis identified dechlorination of AlClPc by both LC/MS and MALDI-MS and an adduct formation in LC/MS. The parameters observed indicated that the method has applicability and robustness for use in biodistribution studies.

Myasthenia gravis: descriptive analysis of life-threatening events in a recent nationwide registry.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Myasthenia gravis (MG) may become life-threatening if patients have respiratory insufficiency or dysphagia. This study aimed to determine the incidence, demographic characteristics, risk factors, response to treatment and outcome of these life-threatening events (LTEs) in a recent, population-based sample of MG patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of MG patients who presented with an LTE between 2000 and 2013 was performed. Participants were identified from a neuromuscular diseases registry in Spain that includes 648 patients with MG (NMD-ES). RESULTS: Sixty-two (9.56%) patients had an LTE. Thirty-two were classified as class V according to the MG Foundation of America, and 30 as class IVB. Fifty per cent were previously diagnosed with MG and median duration of the disease before the LTE was 24 months (3-406). The most common related factor was infection (n = 18). All patients received intravenous human immunoglobulin; 11 had a second infusion and six had plasma exchange. Median time to feeding tube removal was 13 days (1-434). Median time to weaning from ventilation was 12 days (3-176), and it was significantly shorter in late onset MG (≥50 years) (P = 0.019). LTEs improved <2 weeks in 55.8% but did not improve until after 1 month in 20% of patients. Four patients died. No other factors influenced mortality or duration of LTEs. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of LTEs in MG patients was low, particularly amongst those previously diagnosed and treated for the disease. The significant percentage of treatment-resistant LTEs indicates that more effective treatment approaches are needed for this vulnerable sub-population.

Dexamethasone modulates expression of genes involved in the innate immune system, growth and stress and increases susceptibility to bacterial disease in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup, 1858).

Cortisol, the main glucocorticoid in fish, undertakes pleiotropic biological effects in response to stressors to maintain homeostasis. It can exert several actions on the immune system, growth and cellular metabolism, establishing a fine-tune regulation stress response and cross-talk interactions with other regulatory pathways. In this study, we investigated a causal relationship between high levels of glucocorticoids and susceptibility to pathogens and modification of gene expression profiles in Senegalese sole. For this purpose, we carried out two experiments using post-metamorphic individuals (21 days after hatching) that were exposed to dexamethasone (DXM), a potent glucocorticoid, in order to mimic cortisol effects. We quantified transcript levels of a wide set of genes involved in innate immune system (g-type lysozyme and hepcidin (hamp1)), HPI axis (crf, crfbp, pomcα, pomcß, gr1 and gr2), HPT axis (tgb), cellular stress defense system (hsp70 and hsp90aa), GH/IGF axis (igf-I and igf-Ir) and the neuropeptide trh. Short-term exposure to 0.1, 1 and 10 ppm DXM provoked a reduction of pomcß transcripts and an increase of crfbp mRNAs in a dose-dependent manner at 48 and 72 h after treatment. Moreover, g-type lysozyme transcript levels decreased significantly at 72 h whereas hamp1 mRNA levels increased at 48 h after exposure. Long-term DXM treatment (10 ppm DXM) affected negatively weight of soles (~20% lower than controls). Moreover, reduced mRNA levels were observed for pomcß after 1 week and igf-I and hamp1 after 2 weeks. In contrast, crfbp and crf increased mRNA levels after 2 weeks. hsp70 exhibited a dual response increasing transcript levels at 1 week after treatment and reducing thereafter. No significant changes in gene expression were observed at any time during this study for tgb, trh, hsp90aa, pomcα, gr1 and gr2. Finally, a challenge experiment using the pathogen Photobacterium damselae subsp piscicida confirmed earlier and higher mortalities in DXM-treated animals. Taken together, these data indicate that a prolonged exposure to DXM increases the susceptibility to pathogens and reduces growth. Moreover, DXM can trigger a wide cellular response modulating the expression of genes involved in the innate immune system, HPI and GH/IGF axes as well as cellular stress defense. These results are highly valuable to evaluate responses associated to aquaculture stressful conditions and discriminate specific glucocorticoid-mediated effects.

Rabdomiolisis asociada a torniquete en cirugía de rodilla: importancia del estrés oxidativo y el rol del alopurinol en su prevención / Rhabdomyolysis associated with tourniquet in knee surgery: importance of oxidative stress and the role of allopurinol in the prevention

Orthopedic knee surgery using a tourniquet has allowed surgeons to operate with a bloodless field. Nevertheless, tourniquet application produces an ischemia-reperfusion cycle in the skeletal muscle. As a consequence of the reoxygenation of the muscle, an enhancement on the production of reactive oxygen species leads to cell dysfunction, apoptosis and necrosis. A mild rhabdomyolisis is ascertained from the average 7-fold increase in plasma creatine phosphokinase and myoglobin in these patients, with release of intracellular content such as uric acid and phosphate. Altogether, these factors ascertain a distant response, determined by systemic inflammation and renal involvement by means of glomerular and tubular damage. In contrast, it is likely that acute kidney injury remains under diagnosed due to the recent change in acute kidney failure diagnostic paradigm. As a plausible evidence-based intervention, a diminution on the production of reactive oxygen species seems the pathophysiological treatment. Indeed, allopurinol supplementation constitutes a reasonable, innocuous and cheap alternative for these patients, because of inhibition of xanthine oxidase, the latter being the main source of reactive oxygen species in the setting of ischemia-reperfusion. This review focuses on the pathophysiology of rhabdomyolisis and acute kidney injury in the context of tourniquet knee surgery and therapeutics on allopurinol.

A combined RT-PCR and dot-blot hybridization method reveals the coexistence of SJNNV and RGNNV betanodavirus genotypes in wild meagre (Argyrosomus regius).

AIMS: To detect the possible coexistence of striped jack nervous necrosis virus (SJNNV) and red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) genotypes in a single fish, a methodology based on the combination of PCR amplification and blot hybridization has been developed and applied in this study. METHODS AND RESULTS: The degenerate primers designed for the PCR procedure target the T4 region within the capsid gene, resulting in the amplification of both genotypes. The subsequent hybridization of these amplification products with two different specific digoxigenin-labelled probes resulted in the identification of both genotypes separately. The application of the RT-PCR protocol to analyse blood samples from asymptomatic wild meagre (Argyrosomus regius) specimens has shown a 46.87% of viral nervous necrosis virus carriers. The combination of RT-PCR and blot hybridization increases the detection rate up to 90.62%, and, in addition, it has shown the coexistence of both genotypes in 18 out of the 32 specimens analysed (56.25%). CONCLUSIONS: This study reports the coexistence of betanodaviruses belonging to two different genotypes (SJNNV and RGNNV) in wild fish specimens. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report demonstrating the presence of SJNNV and RGNNV genotypes in the same specimen. This study also demonstrates a carrier state in this fish species for the first time.

Detection of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) from asymptomatic redbanded seabream, Pagrus auriga Valenciennes, and common seabream, Pagrus pagrus (L.), using a non-destructive procedure.

A non-destructive procedure based on nested RT-PCR and dot-blot hybridization has been developed for the detection of asymptomatic IPNV-carrier fish. The pair of primers designed for RT-PCR amplified a 599-bp fragment of the pVP2 region within the polyprotein gene, resulting in the detection of IPNV genotype III.1. The use of a nested RT-PCR allowed the amplification of IPNV genotypes III.1 and I.2. In addition, a 191-bp probe was designed for hybridization studies used in combination with the nested RT-PCR. The application of the nested RT-PCR to analyse blood samples from asymptomatic redbanded seabream, Pagrus auriga, and common seabream, P. pagrus, specimens showed a 53.1% and 77.8% prevalence of IPNV-carriers, respectively. The combination of nested RT-PCR and dot-blot hybridization increased the detection rates up to 100% for redbanded seabream and 94.4% for common seabream. Therefore, the protocol described in this study is highly sensitive and specific for the detection of IPNV in asymptomatic carrier fish, and, in addition, the results demonstrate the carrier state in two newly cultured sparid species in southern Spain.

Correlación clínico-ecográfica en pacientes operados de reparación artroscópica del manguito rotator / Clinical and echographic correlationship between patients with rotator cuff tear arthroscopic repair

Rotator cuff (RC) is crucial in shoulder’s movement. Lesions due to degenerative changes because of aging and activity are frequent. Surgery is an adequate approach when conservative measures have failed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and echographic evolution of patients with RC surgical repair. Methods: patients with arthroscopic RC repair underwent pre and postsurgical clinical–echographic evaluation. Results: From 24 evaluated shoulders, 8 were found to have RC tear and 24 were found to not have tear. Clinical evaluation improve substantially in both groups, with no statistical differences among them. Conclusion: There is a significant amount of patients without RC tear after surgical repair. Although there are patients with RC tear on the echographic evaluation, therte are no clinical differences compared with patients with no RC tear. Older has higher risk of retear.

El manguito rotador (MR), es fundamental para el movimiento del hombro. Su lesión es frecuente debido a los cambios degenerativos que ocurren con la edad y la actividad. La cirugía es la alternativa cuando fracasan los tratamientos conservadores. Se plantea un estudio que permita evaluar la evolución clínica y ecográfica de pacientes a los que se le reparó el MR. Metodología: A pacientes operados mediante reparación artroscópica del MR se les realizó ecografías de control y evaluación clínica del dolor pre y postquirúrgico. Resultados: De 24 hombros evaluados se encontró 16 sin rotura y 8 con rotura. La evaluación clínica mejoró sustancialmente en ambos grupos, no encontrándose diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ellos. Conclusiones: Existe un porcentaje importante de pacientes con MR sin lesión completa posterior a reparación. A pesar de haber pacientes con rotura de MR en la evaluación ecográfica, no hay diferencias clínicas con respecto a los sin rotura. A mayor edad existe una mayor posibilidad de re-rotura.

Copper suppresses hippocampus LTP in the rat, but does not alter learning or memory in the morris water maze.

The objective of our study was to determinate the effect of copper on long-term potentiation (LTP) in hippocampus slices and a learning test in the Morris Water Maze (MWM). A group of adult Wistar rats received intraperitoneal (ip) injections of 1 mg/kg of CuSO(4) dissolved in saline for 30 consecutive days (Cu.R). A group of control rats (Sal.R), received saline by the same routes and duration. After this period, every individual of both groups was submitted to learning in MWM. Once the learning was completed, the LTP was studied in slices of hippocampus of both groups. The statistical assessment shows that the rats in both groups did not show significant differences in their progressive learning, notwithstanding that group Cu.R had 14.2 times more copper in their hippocampus and 16.7 times more in the visual cortices than in those of group Sal.R. On the other hand, the neurons of CA1 in hippocampus slices of Sal.R showed a significant development of LTP, but this was not observed in group Cu.R. In a second situation, 13 rats received training in MWM. Then, a group of 6 animals were injected with copper i.p. at the dose and time previously described. The 7 other animals were administered saline. Afterward, both groups were retrained in the MWM. The results obtained in Cu.R were similar to those obtained in Sal.R. Both groups maintained the concentrations of copper in the hippocampus indicated above, nonetheless, only the hippocampus slices of Cu.R did not show LTP. The spatial learning behavior of the rats was not affected by high copper concentration.

¿Es necesario reparar una rotura parcial degenerativa del manguito rotador? / Is it necessary to repair a partial degenerative rotator cuff tear?

Introduction: Rotator Cuff (RC) Impingement syndrome is the most common cause of shoulder pain. Partial RC tear diagnosis is difficult and treatment is controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical and echographically patients who underwent subacromial decompression as treatment for partial RC tear. Material and Methods: Two groups were evaluated, with fifteen operated shoulders each, the former without RC tear and the latter with partial RC tear. There were no differences regarding movement, functionality or pain among the groups before surgery. Results: After two years of follow up, both groups presented a similar satisfactory clinical progression. Additionally, there were no echographic differences between both groups. Conclusion: Favorable results in both groups are due to subacromial decompression. Degenerative partial RC tear would not be necessary to repair. The echographic control show a more benign pattern of injury after decompression in partial tear rotator cuff.

Introducción: El pinzamiento del manguito rotador (MR) es la causa más frecuente de consulta por dolor de hombro. El diagnóstico de una rotura parcial de éste es difícil y el tratamiento controversial. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es la evaluación clínico/ecográfica de pacientes sometidos a una descompresión del espacio subacromial como tratamiento de una rotura parcial. Material y Método: Se evalúan dos grupos de pacientes con 15 hombros operados mediante una descompresión subacromial, el primero sin rotura parcial y el segundo, con rotura parcial de MR, entre los cuales no existen diferencias en cuanto a movilidad, funcionalidad y dolor en el preoperatorio. No se realizó reparación en ningún caso de rotura parcial. Resultados: Luego de 2 años de seguimiento, se observó que ambos grupos presentan una evolución clínica similar y satisfactoria. Además, no existen diferencias significativas en cuanto a la evaluación ecográfica entre ambos. Conclusión: Las roturas parciales en un contexto degenerativo, tienen un resultado favorable y comparable a los que no tienen rotura con una descompresión subacromial. Incluso se observa en el control ecográfico postoperatorio una tendencia a disminuir la gravedad de la lesión.

Poly I:C induces Mx transcription and promotes an antiviral state against sole aquabirnavirus in the flatfish Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup).

Mx is an interferon-induced protein that protects against viral infections. In this study the absolute number of Mx transcripts after poly I:C injection (a synthetic dsRNA) or sole aquabirnavirus (solevirus) inoculation in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup) has been quantified. Mx expression profiles differed clearly in both experimental conditions; the induction response was faster and more intense after poly I:C injection than after solevirus inoculation. Moreover, pre-injection of soles with poly I:C prior to solevirus infection eliminated the induction of Mx expression associated with this virus. To evaluate the possible interference of poly I:C treatments on solevirus replication, the mRNA levels of the virus capsid protein (VP2) were determined by RT-PCR. VP2 transcripts were hardly detected in poly I:C pre-injected animals from 12 to 72 h after solevirus inoculation. All these data suggest that poly I:C is able to induce an antiviral state that interferes with solevirus replication, and support the suitability of Mx expression analysis as a marker to study the defensive response against solevirus.

Characterization of eight microsatellite markers in the white sea bream, Diplodus sargus (Teleostei, Sparidae).

The white sea bream, Diplodus sargus (Teleostei, Sparidae), is a species with a high commercial importance in Mediterranean aquaculture. There is currently little information available about the genetic characteristics of cultured populations. In this survey, we have developed eight polymorphic microsatellites for the white sea bream using an enriched genome library protocol. All of them were polymorphic in the 67 individuals tested, 32 of which were wild specimens, and 35 were individuals from a captive F(1) broodstock. These markers can potentially be useful tools for use in population genetic studies.

Viral infections as a cause of cancer (review).

In order to promote carcinogenesis multiple factors must be orchestrated. The alteration of the cellular genome after a carcinogenic exposure may result in malignancy if apoptosis is prevented and the immune surveillance fails to eliminate the transformed cell. Infectious agents may exert these properties and transform a host cell. Viruses associated with human cancer are known as 'tumor viruses'. Most of them are capable of integrating into the host genome and have the ability to immortalize the target cell in order to allow their own replication. The infected cell expresses the viral genes, which are able to induce cell growth, proliferation and prevent apoptosis. This review focuses on Epstein-Barr virus, human papilloma virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, human herpes virus 8 and human T-cell leukemia virus, since they have been already established as causative agents of human cancer. An understanding of the viral replication mechanism may provide new targets for the development of specified viral therapy that may have an impact not only on viral infections but in human cancer as well.