In mouse embryonic fibroblasts, neither caspase-8 nor cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (FLIP) is necessary for TNF to activate NF-κB, but caspase-8 is required for TNF to cause cell death, and induction of FLIP by NF-κB is required to prevent it.

Binding of TNF to TNF receptor-1 can give a pro-survival signal through activation of p65/RelA NF-κB, but also signals cell death. To determine the roles of FLICE-inhibitory protein (FLIP) and caspase-8 in TNF-induced activation of NF-κB and apoptosis, we used mouse embryonic fibroblasts derived from FLIP and caspase-8 gene-deleted mice, and treated them with TNF and a smac-mimetic compound that causes degradation of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (cIAPs). In cells treated with smac mimetic, TNF and Fas Ligand caused wild-type and FLIP(-/-) MEFs to die, whereas caspase-8(-/-) MEFs survived, indicating that caspase-8 is necessary for death of MEFs triggered by these ligands when IAPs are degraded. By contrast, neither caspase-8 nor FLIP was required for TNF to activate p65/RelA NF-κB, because IκB was degraded, p65 translocated to the nucleus, and an NF-κB reporter gene activated normally in caspase-8(-/-) or FLIP(-/-) MEFs. Reconstitution of FLIP(-/-) MEFs with the FLIP isoforms FLIP-L, FLIP-R, or FLIP-p43 protected these cells from dying when treated with TNF or FasL, whether or not cIAPs were depleted. These results show that in MEFs, caspase-8 is necessary for TNF- and FasL-induced death, and FLIP is needed to prevent it, but neither caspase-8 nor FLIP is required for TNF to activate NF-κB.

Coronas en odontopediatría: revisión bibliográfica / No disponible

Objetivos: El objetivo de esta revisión bibliográfica consiste en exponerlas características, indicaciones, ventajas, inconvenientes y técnicas de cada una de las coronas utilizadas en dentición temporal. Material y métodos: Hemos realizado una revisión bibliográfica y justificada de la literatura para exponer los distintos tipos de coronas que se utilizan en Odontopediatría; además de describir paso por paso la técnica necesaria de cada tipo de coronas. Resultados: Las coronas en Odontopediatría forman parte del grupo de materiales de restauración más utilizados en los últimos tiempos gracias a su gran durabilidad. Hallamos numerosas referencias bibliográficas sobre distintos tipos de coronas. Entre ellas, las primeras que se fabricaron fueron las de acero inoxidable para el sector posterior; más tarde, debido a necesidades estéticas, las coronas se modificaron añadiéndoles un frente estético. Posteriormente se fabricaron un nuevo grupo destinado a mejorar la estética del frente anterior con las coronas de acetato, policarbonato, resina acrílica y las de composite. Debemos recordar, que cada tipo de corona necesita una preparación específica. Conclusiones: Es de gran importancia conocer las indicaciones de cada tipo de corona así como la técnica a utilizar para la preparación y colocación de cada una. Un diagnóstico acertado y una técnica correcta serán las bases de nuestro éxito en el tratamiento con coronas en dentición temporal (AU)

Objetives: The objective of this review of the literature is explain the characteristics, advantages, disadvantages and technique for collocation of crowns in temporary teeth and present the different kinds of crowns that we can find in the actual market. Material and methods: We have done a research with Medline to make a review of the literature and expound all types of preformed stainless steel crowns in paediatric dentistry. Results: The crowns in paediatric dentistry, take part of the group of restoration materials more used in paediatric dentistry in the latest years mainly for its durability. We have found many different bibliographic references about all types of crowns. Firstly, the stainless steel crowns for posterior sector arise, then because of aesthetic demand the stainless steel crowns were modified with an aesthetic front. Finally to improve even more the aesthetic in the front teeth, appear acetate crows, acrylic resin crowns and composite resin crowns. Conclusions: It is important to know the indications of every kind of crown, the tooth preparation technique and its collocation. As we know, the work time and durability of the treatment are the keys of success in our specialty (AU)

Aplicaciones clínicas del MTA en odontopediatría / No disponible

Desde su aparición en 1993, numerosos artículos han sido publicados en la literatura describiendo las distintas utilidades del MTA enodontología. El objetivo de este artículo es realizar una revisión de las principales publicaciones aparecidas respecto a este material y de esta forma, poder clarificar y describir sus aplicaciones en la práctica clínica odontopediátrica (AU)

From its appearance in 1993, numerous articles have been published in literature describing the different utilities from MTA in dentistry. The objective of this article is to make a revision of main publications appeared with respect to this material and of this form, to be able to clarify and to describe to its applications in pediatric dentistry clinical practice (AU)

Comparative study of sequential combinations of paclitaxel and methotrexate on a human bladder cancer cell line.

We investigated the cytotoxic effect of different sequential combinations of paclitaxel (Taxol, TX), an antimicrotuble agent, and methotrexate (MTX), a potent inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase, on a human bladder cancer cell line (T24). The results obtained with a colony-forming assay 5 days after 24 hr of exposure to TX alone showed a strong decline in colony growth up to a concentration of 6 nM. There was a plateau phase at TX concentrations ranging from 6 to 10 nM. The IC50 values found with the different dosing sequences and 24-hr exposure to the drugs were 0.24 microM for MTX alone, 3.49 nM for TX alone, 3.84 nM for TX followed by MTX, 3.75 nM for TX and MTX simultaneously, and 2.10 nM for MTX followed by TX. The cytotoxic effect due to drug interactions in the different sequential combinations was evaluated by an algebraic method. All the combination sequences were found to be synergistic (combination index [CI] < 1) at low TX concentrations. An antagonistic effect (CI > 1) was obtained at higher TX concentrations. Our data demonstrate that the T24 cell line is sensitive to TX and that the cytotoxic effect is enhanced to different degrees depending on the treatment sequence when TX is combined with MTX. These findings could have implications in the design of appropriate administration schedules of these two drugs for the treatment of bladder cancer.

Enhanced DNA binding and activation of transcription factors NF-kappa B and AP-1 by acetaldehyde in HEPG2 cells.

Because transcription factors NF-kappaB and activator protein-1 (AP-1) are known to regulate gene expression, we have analyzed the role of acetaldehyde in the activation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 in HepG2 cells. Binding activity and transactivation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 were determined by gel retardation assays and transfection of a luciferase reporter construct controlled by kappaB and AP-1 binding sites, respectively. Acetaldehyde enhanced the DNA binding of NF-kappaB and AP-1 by 1 and 4 h, respectively, increasing the kappaB- and AP-1-dependent luciferase expression. Supershift assays revealed the presence of NF-kappaB heterodimers p65/p50 and p50/p52, whereas nuclear c-Jun levels correlated with the DNA binding of AP-1. The enhanced binding of NF-kappaB to DNA by acetaldehyde in intact cells was accompanied by the proteolytic degradation of IkappaB-alpha. However, the addition of acetaldehyde to cytostolic extracts from untreated Hep G2 cells did not affect the DNA binding of AP-1 but activated the NF-kappaB heterodimer p65/p50 in the absence of IkappaB-alpha degradation. Preincubation of HepG2 cells with protein kinase C inhibitors abolished the enhanced DNA binding of NF-kappaB and AP-1 caused by acetaldehyde. Hence, these findings uncover a previously unrecognized role for acetaldehyde in the activation of NF-kappaB and AP-1, which may be of relevance in the alcohol-induced liver disease.

[The evaluation of the self-financing capacity within the territorial compass of a primary care management]. / Evaluación de la capacidad de autofinanciación en el ámbito territorial de una dirección de atención primaria. GRAP Tortosa.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to calculate the point of financial balance in the geographical setting of the Tortosa PC Area, to evaluate the business results, and to reflect on the side-effects and potential problems of self-management. DESIGN: Retrospective and descriptive study. SETTING: The units studied were the seven base health districts operating during 1997. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The products or services considered for the calculation of income are included in the Order of 29/9/97. The overall result meant a deficit of 0.019 milliards. Pharmaceutical prescription accounted for 58.45% of the total cost. 96.26% of the total activity was products or services undertaken in the PCC, where 95.95% of the income was obtained. All the points of balance, except for in-home activity of nursing personnel, were above the activity recorded. The products with greatest volume were the most profitable overall for the business. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The overall result meant a subsidy to running costs of 0.019 milliards. 2. If it did not occur otherwise, our systems for recording activity would have to be adapted to the products financed and accountancy information at the operational unit level. 3. Given that what is measured can be improved, we can identify problems and synergically involve the clinics in improving service efficiency and at the same time achieving a higher level of responsibility for services in a new context of self-management both for each operational unit and overall. 4. Defining the point of financial balance has to enable a framework of target incentives to be established by means of simultaneous information on cost and profit elements in the activity undertaken.

[Zenker's diverticulum. The clinical manifestations and treatment]. / Diverticulo de Zenker. Manifestaciones clínicas y tratamiento.

Clinical manifestations and surgical results are analyzed in a retrospective study of 16 patients with a Zenker's diverticulum. Pharyngoesophageal diverticulum are an uncommon anomaly, producing cervical dysphagia and recurrent airway infections. Treatment should be surgical, as earliest as possible. Morbidity is very low and mortality very rare.