KIR+ CD8+ T Lymphocytes in Cancer Immunosurveillance and Patient Survival: Gene Expression Profiling.

Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) are expressed by natural killer (NK) and effector T cells. Although KIR+ T cells accumulate in oncologic patients, their role in cancer immune response remains elusive. This study explored the role of KIR+CD8+ T cells in cancer immunosurveillance by analyzing their frequency at diagnosis in the blood of 249 patients (80 melanomas, 80 bladder cancers, and 89 ovarian cancers), their relationship with overall survival (OS) of patients, and their gene expression profiles. KIR2DL1+ CD8+ T cells expanded in the presence of HLA-C2-ligands in patients who survived, but it did not in patients who died. In contrast, presence of HLA-C1-ligands was associated with dose-dependent expansions of KIR2DL2/S2+ CD8+ T cells and with shorter OS. KIR interactions with their specific ligands profoundly impacted CD8+ T cell expression profiles, involving multiple signaling pathways, effector functions, the secretome, and consequently, the cellular microenvironment, which could impact their cancer immunosurveillance capacities. KIR2DL1/S1+ CD8+ T cells showed a gene expression signature related to efficient tumor immunosurveillance, whereas KIR2DL2/L3/S2+CD8+ T cells showed transcriptomic profiles related to suppressive anti-tumor responses. These results could be the basis for the discovery of new therapeutic targets so that the outcome of patients with cancer can be improved.

Overnight Polysomnographic Characteristics and Oxygen Saturation of Healthy Infants, 1 to 18 Months of Age, Born and Residing At High Altitude (2,640 Meters).

BACKGROUND: Approximately 8% of the world population resides above 1,600 m, with about 10 million people living above 2,500 m in Colombia. However, reference values for polysomnography (PSG) and oxygen saturation (Spo2) of children < 2 years old residing at high altitude are currently unavailable. METHODS: Healthy infants aged 1 to 18 months born and residing at high altitude (Bogotá: 2,640 m) underwent overnight PSG. Four age groups were defined: group 1, < 45 days; group 2, 3 to 4 months; group 3, 6 to 7 months; and group 4, 10 to 18 months. Of 122 children enrolled, 50 had three consecutive PSG tests and were analyzed as a longitudinal subcohort. RESULTS: A total of 281 PSG tests were performed in 122 infants (56% girls): group 1, 106 PSG tests; group 2, 89 PSG tests; group 3, 61 PSG tests; and group 4, 25 PSG tests. Active sleep diminished and quiet sleep increased with maturation. Apnea-hypopnea indexes (total, central, and obstructive) were highest in group 1 (21.4, 12.4, and 6.8/h total sleep time, respectively) and diminished with age (P < .001). Mean Spo2 during waking and sleep increased with age (P < .001). Nadir Spo2 values during respiratory events were lower in younger infants. Longitudinal assessments of 50 infants confirmed the temporal trends described for the cross-sectional dataset. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy infants (≤ 18 months old) born and residing at high altitude show preserved sleep architecture but higher apnea-hypopnea indexes and more prominent desaturation with respiratory events than do those living at low altitude. The current study findings can be used as reference values for infants at high altitude.

Riqueza y abundnncia de hesperioidea y papilionidea (lepidoptera) en la reservva natural las delicias, santa marta, magdalena, Colomiia / Species Richness and Abundance of Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea (Lepidoptera) in Las Delicias Natural Reserve, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia

Las formaciones de bosque seco tropical secundario que se encuentran en las estribaciones de la Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, albergan una fauna representativa de lepidópteros. Este grupo es usado ampliamente como bioindicador del estado de conservación de bosques, por su sensibilidad a la intervención y especificidad en el uso de recursos. En el presente estudio se evaluaron la variación de la riqueza y abundancia de las mariposas Papilionoidea y Hesperioidea en la reserva natural Las Delicias. Se seleccionaron dos sitios de muestreo con grados de intervención diferentes, ubicados a 200 msnm y entre los 400 y 550 msnm. Se realizaron cuatro faenas de registro y capturas, de abril a julio de 2008; se utilizaron dos redes entomológicas, con un esfuerzo muestral de 16 horas por faenas y 10 trampas van Someren-Rydon cebadas con macerado de frutas y calamar. Se capturaron 432 adultos que corresponden a 52 géneros y 66 especies. La familia Nymphalidae presentó mayor riqueza (42) y abundancia (250), destacándose la especie sombrófila Mechanitis lysimnia (Fabricius, 1793) con 41 ejemplares, la cual es común en bosques con amplia cobertura vegetal. El sitio 2, presentó mayor riqueza (48) y abundancia (236); que coincide con el espacio donde se presenta la cobertura arbórea más amplia y mayor variación en la estratificación vertical. Además, en este lugar la presencia del recurso hídrico fue permanente durante los muestreos. Con el aumento de las lluvias en junio y julio, se observaron mayor floración y fructificación de la vegetación en la zona; aumentando la disponibilidad de recursos y por consiguiente, una mayor riqueza y abundancia de Papilionoidea y Hesperioidea en el área de estudio.

In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, are formations of dry tropical secondary forest hosting a fauna representative of Lepidoptera, which can be used as an indicator of group condition, because of their sensitivity to intervention and specificity in the use of resources. In the present study the changes in richness and abundance of butterflies Hesperioidea Papilionoidea in nature reserve Las Delicias were evaluated. Two sampling sites with different degrees of intervention were selected. The first site is located between 400- 550m over sea level, while the second at 200m. We performed four samples, from April to July 2008, using two networks lepidopterist and 10van Someren Rydon traps baited with macerated fruit and fish. We captured 432 individuals belonging to 66 species, distributed in 52 genera. Nymphalidae were the most rich family (42) and abundance (250); highlighting the species Mechanitis lysimnia Fabricius (41 specimens), typical in forest with very good coverage. Site 2, was the most diverse (48) and abundance (236), because in this place there was a greater stratification and tree coverage, and the presence of water resources during the sampling. With the arrival of rain in June and July, there was greater flowering and fruiting of vegetation in the area, increasing the availability of resources and therefore a greater richness and abundance of Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea in the study area.

Cardiac rehabilitation programs improve metabolic parameters in patients with the metabolic syndrome and coronary heart disease.

This study was performed to determine the effectiveness of a cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training program on metabolic parameters and coronary risk factors in patients with the metabolic syndrome and coronary heart disease. The study involved 642 patients with coronary heart disease. Of them, 171 (26.7%) fulfilled criteria for the metabolic syndrome. Clinical data, laboratory tests, and exercise testing were performed before and after the program, which lasted 2 to 3 months. Except for waist circumference, there were no significant differences between groups; blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose improvements during the follow-up were higher in patients with the metabolic syndrome (all P<.001). At study end, in patients with the metabolic syndrome, functional capacity increased by 26.45% ( P<.001), as measured by metabolic equivalents, with a slight increase of 1.25% ( P=not significant) in the double product. Patients with the metabolic syndrome who took part in this secondary prevention program reported improvements in cardiovascular risk profile and functional capacity.

[Secondary prevention program: impact on cardiovascular risk]. / Programa de prevención secundaria: influencia sobre el riesgo cardiovascular.

The aims of this study were to determine the effect of a secondary prevention program on the treatment and control of coronary risk factors and to assess whether it improves functional capacity. The study involved 401 patients with coronary heart disease (mean age 57.1 years; 89% men). Clinical and anthropometric data, including blood pressure, were recorded, and electrocardiography, laboratory analysis and exercise testing were performed before and after the program, which lasted 2-3 months. The therapeutic intervention comprised pharmacological treatment of coronary risk factors and the encouragement of life-style changes, including a recommended medically supervised physical exercise regime. By the end of the program, lipid and lipoprotein levels had improved significantly (P< .001 for all). The proportion of smokers decreased from 37.4% to 3.6% (P< .001). Functional capacity increased by 26% (P< .001). In conclusion, patients who took part in the secondary prevention program experienced improvements in cardiovascular risk profile and functional capacity.

Programa de prevención secundaria: influencia sobre el riesgo cardiovascular / Secondary prevention program: impact on cardiovascular risk

Los objetivos de este estudio son evaluar los efectos de nuestro programa sobre el tratamiento y el control de los factores de riesgo y la mejoría de la capacidad funcional. Analizamos a 401 pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica (edad media, 57,1 años; 89%, varones). Se obtuvieron datos clínicos y antropométricos, así como los valores de la presión arterial, el electrocardiograma, la analítica y la ergometría, antes y después del programa, de 2-3 meses de duración. La intervención consistió en tratamiento farmacológico para el control de los factores de riesgo y la promoción de cambios terapéuticos del estilo de vida, e indicación de ejercicio físico programado con supervisión médica. Al final del programa mejoraron significativamente las concentraciones de lípidos y lipoproteínas (p < 0,001 para todos ellos). Los fumadores se redujeron del 37,4 al 3,6% (p < 0,001). La capacidad funcional aumentó un 26% (p < 0,001). En conclusión, los enfermos incluidos en el programa mejoraron el perfil de riesgo cardiovascular y aumentaron la capacidad funcional

The aims of this study were to determine the effect of a secondary prevention program on the treatment and control of coronary risk factors and to assess whether it improves functional capacity. The study involved 401 patients with coronary heart disease (mean age 57.1 years; 89% men). Clinical and anthropometric data, including blood pressure, were recorded, and electrocardiography, laboratory analysis and exercise testing were performed before and after the program, which lasted 2-3 months. The therapeutic intervention comprised pharmacological treatment of coronary risk factors and the encouragement of life-style changes, including a recommended medically supervised physical exercise regime. By the end of the program, lipid and lipoprotein levels had improved significantly (P<.001 for all). The proportion of smokers decreased from 37.4% to 3.6% (P<.001). Functional capacity increased by 26% (P<.001). In conclusion, patients who took part in the secondary prevention program experienced improvements in cardiovascular risk profile and functional capacity