UNA DINÁMICA EXPERIMENTAL EDUCATIVA E INTERACTIVA EN EL MUSEO DE HISTORIA NATURAL “VERA ALLEMAN HAEGHEBAERT ”: LÍNEA DE TIEMPO

El Día Internacional de los Museos se celebra cada año el 18 de mayo, fecha para la cual el Museo de Historia Natural “Vera Alleman Haeghebaert”, de la Universidad Ricardo Palma organiza diversas actividades, desde conferencias para el alumnado hasta dinámicas de rigor social que involucren la difusión del conocimiento a diferentes niveles educativos. Es así que se crea la dinámica denominada “Línea de Tiempo”, con una visión educativa apoyada en el conocimiento científico y transformada en una actividad con opción a variaciones según el grado académico de las personas participantes, y que otorga accesibilidad a información sobre la historia de nuestro planeta. Recibiendo cada participante un número de imágenes de especies deflora y fauna extinta, este deberá clasificarlo en el periodo geológico correcto luego de haber recibido la explicación correspondiente en la visita al museo, reforzando así lo expuesto, creando identidad con los fósiles peruanos incluidos en la dinámica y dando a conocer la importancia de la protección de los yacimientos paleontológicos que nos permiten tener este conocimiento.

Twist1-induced activation of human fibroblasts promotes matrix stiffness by upregulating palladin and collagen α1(VI)

The transcription factor Twist1 is involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and contributes to cancer metastasis through mostly unknown mechanisms. In colorectal cancer, Twist1 expression is mainly restricted to the tumor stroma. We found that human fibroblast cell lines stably transfected with Twist1 acquired characteristics of activated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), such as hyperproliferation, an increased ability to migrate and an alignment of the actin cytoskeleton. Further, Twist1-activated fibroblasts promoted increased matrix stiffness. Using quantitative proteomics, we identified palladin and collagen α1(VI) as two major mediators of the Twist1 effects in fibroblast cell lines. Co-immunoprecipitation studies indicated that palladin and Twist1 interact within the nucleus, suggesting that palladin could act as a transcription regulator. Palladin was found to be more relevant for the cellular biomechanical properties, orientation and polarity, and collagen α1(VI) for the migration and invasion capacity, of Twist1-activated fibroblasts. Both palladin and collagen α1(VI) were observed to be overexpressed in colorectal CAFs and to be associated with poor colorectal cancer patient survival and relapse prediction. Our results demonstrate that Twist1-expressing fibroblasts mimic the properties of CAFs present at the tumor invasive front, which likely explains the prometastatic activities of Twist1. Twist1 appears to require both palladin and collagen α1(VI) as downstream effectors for its prometastatic effects, which could be future therapeutic targets in cancer metastasis.

Diagnosis of sarcoidosis in the endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration era

BACKGROUND

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disorder of unknown etiology. Its diagnosis is based on compatible clinical and radiological features and supported by histological demonstration of epithelioid cell noncaseating granulomas with exclusion of other causes. Endobronchial ultrasound combined with transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has been proposed as a valuable tool in obtaining suitable tissue sample. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of EBUS-TBNA to the diagnosis of stages I and II thoracic sarcoidosis in a community-based hospital.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted in patients with suspected stages I and II pulmonary sarcoidosis, based on clinical and radiological data, who were being followed in our Interstitial Lung Disorders Outpatient Clinic or sent from other hospitals to our Respiratory Endoscopy Unit for diagnostic procedures. All suitable and fit patients underwent EBUS-TBNA between March 2010 and June 2013. We assessed demographic characteristics, radiological stages, cytological/histological examination and diagnostic techniques performed.

RESULTS

In the period considered 39 patients underwent EBUS-TBNA for suspected stages I and II thoracic sarcoidosis and adequate samples were obtained in 38 (97.4%). Within this population, 33 (84.6%) patients had a definite diagnosis of sarcoidosis, of which 31 patients (93.9%) were confirmed to have epithelioid noncaseating granulomas by EBUS-TBNA. Four patients were submitted to surgical procedures (three to mediastinoscopy and one to open surgical lung biopsy). Data analysis allowed to calculate a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of 93.9%, 100%, 100%, 75.0% and 94.8%, respectively. No complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

EBUS-TBNA is a valuable tool in the diagnostic workup of patients with suspected stages I and II thoracic sarcoidosis providing a substantial number of pathological confirmations and with few complications. Its high diagnostic accuracy precludes the need for more invasive procedures such as surgical biopsy.