Proteomic study of Galectin-1 expression in human mesenchymal stem cells.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to interact with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and immune cells, and are of potential interest to be used as therapeutic agents for enhancing allogenic hematopoietic engraftment and preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Galectin 1 (Gal1) belongs to a family of structurally related molecules expressed in many vertebrate tissues that exert their functions both by binding to glycoconjugates, and by interaction with protein partners. In this work using a proteomic approach, we looked for the presence and the localization of Gal1 in short- and long-term culture of human (h) hMSC. We first determined, that Gal1 is one of the major proteins expressed in hMSC. We futher demonstrated that its expression is maintained when hMSC are expanded through a subculturing process up to five passages. Moreover, Gal1 is secreted and found at the cell surface of MSC, participating in extra cellular matrix (ECM)-cell interactions. Given the immunomodulatory properties of Gal1, its potential involvement in immunological functions of hMSC could be suggested.

Terapia e evoluçäo do candidato a receptor do transplante cardíaco / Therapy and evolution of the candidate to heart transplantation

As doenças mais comuns que acometem o candidato a transplante cardíaco säo as cardiomiopatias, a doença coronária e, menos frequentemente, a doença cardíaca congênita e a rejeiçäo do enxerto. No Estudo de Framingham, foi demonstrado que a sobrevivência do paciente com insuficiência cardíaca é menor que 50 por cento em cinco anos após o início dos sintomas. Em outros estudos, na insuficiência cardíaca com sintomas avançados a sobrevivência chega a ser de 40 por cento - 60 por cento após um ano. O coecimento da fisiopatologia da insuficiência cardíaca, principalmente dos mecanismos neuro-hormonais e dos fatores prognósticos, tem proporcionado abordagens terapêuticas mais adequadas para melhorar os sintomas, a qualidade de vida e a sobrevivência dese grupo de pacientes. Apesar da melhora na sobrevida, o prognóstico ainda continua pobre; por isso, novas abordagens devem ser encontradas. A abordagem terapêutica de que dispomos no momento serve para retardar a evoluçäo da doença e controlar o paciente oo ponte para o transplante cardíaco.

[Acute myocardial infarction in patients over 70 years of age. Study of 51 cases]. / Infarto agudo do miocárdio em pacientes acima de 70 anos. Estudo de 51 casos.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinic evolution during admission of a group of patients over age 70, who experienced acute myocardial infarction (AMI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients, over age 70, with confirmed diagnosis of AMI, were studied. Thirty-six (70.6%) males and 15 (29.4%) females. RESULTS: Near half (49.1%) were admitted before four hours of beginning of pain. The complications were divided into mechanical, electrical, persistent ischemia and others, not related with coronary heart disease. In the coronary care unit (CCU), 84.3% of patients complicated, and 50.0% at the ward. AMI of the anterior wall complicated more frequently with tachiarrhythmia, and inferior wall with atrioventricular block. There were not statistical difference in the incidence of mechanical complications, according to the affected wall. There was statistical significance (p less than 0.05) comparing mortality and the time elapsed between beginning of pain and hospital admission, but not comparing mortality and the wall involved. The patients with congestive heart failure and cardiogenic shock died in 93.3%. Mortality at the CCU was mostly related to complications of AMI, but mortality at ward to other complications not directly related with coronary heart disease. CONCLUSION: Myocardial infarction over age 70 implies high mortality and morbidity, with significantly, better prognosis with earlier arrival of the patient to the hospital.

[The porcine valve prosthesis and pregnancy]. / Prótese valvar porcina e gravidez.

Anticoagulation is the chief problem during pregnancy of women with mechanical prosthetic valves. Many studies have investigated a nonthrombogenic valve. Since 1978 we have used a biological porcine prosthetic valves in 16 pregnancies, 11 patients with regular clinical electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and chest roentgenographic follow-up. The patients' ages were 19 to 32 years during pregnancy. Nine had mitral, one aortic and one mitro-aortic prosthesis. Two patients dropped out during the study so we completed it with 14 pregnancies. Six patients coursed with grade I heart failure (HYHA), five grade II and three grade IV. All of them were treated clinically. Four valves had dysfunction and calcification during pregnancy and two before pregnancy. The pregnancies resulted in three abortions, seven normal deliveries and four caesarean section with obstetric indication. Fetal distress was not observed during or after delivery. The physiopathology of valve dysfunction during pregnancy was discussed and it was concluded that the biologic porcine prosthetic valve allows hemodynamic stabilization. If dysfunction appears it may be clinically controlled without need of anticoagulation, risk of calcification nor dysfunction during pregnancy. The biologic valves are best indicated for women who wish to become pregnant after valve substitution.