Osteoprogenitor-GMP crosstalk underpins solid tumor-induced systemic immunosuppression and persists after tumor removal

Remote tumors disrupt the bone marrow (BM) ecosystem (BME), eliciting the overproduction of BM-derived immunosuppressive cells. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Herein, we characterized breast and lung cancer-induced BME shifts pre- and post-tumor removal. Remote tumors progressively lead to osteoprogenitor (OP) expansion, hematopoietic stem cell dislocation, and CD41- granulocyte-monocyte progenitor (GMP) aggregation. The tumor-entrained BME is characterized by co-localization between CD41- GMPs and OPs. OP ablation abolishes this effect and diminishes abnormal myeloid overproduction. Mechanistically, HTRA1 carried by tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles upregulates MMP-13 in OPs, which in turn induces the alterations in the hematopoietic program. Importantly, these effects persist post-surgery and continue to impair anti-tumor immunity. Conditional knockout or inhibition of MMP-13 accelerates immune reinstatement and restores the efficacies of immunotherapies. Therefore, tumor-induced systemic effects are initiated by OP-GMP crosstalk that outlasts tumor burden, and additional treatment is required to reverse these effects for optimal therapeutic efficacy.

Ten years since the introduction of therapeutic hypothermia in neonates with perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy in Spain

INTRODUCTION

More than a decade has passed since therapeutic hypothermia (TH) was introduced in Spain; this is the only neuroprotective intervention that has become standard practice in the treatment of perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). This article aims to provide a current picture of the technique and to address the controversies surrounding its use.

DEVELOPMENT

In the last 10 years, TH has been successfully implemented in the vast majority of tertiary hospitals in Spain, and more than 85% of newborns with moderate or severe HIE currently receive the treatment. The factors that can improve the efficacy of TH include early treatment onset (first 6hours of life) and the control of comorbid factors associated with perinatal asphyxia. In patients with moderate HIE, treatment onset after 6hours seems to have some neuroprotective efficacy. TH duration longer than 72hours or deeper hypothermia do not offer greater neuroprotective efficacy, but instead increase the risk of adverse effects. Unclarified aspects are the sedation of patients during TH, the application of the treatment in infants with mild HIE, and its application in other scenarios. Prognostic information and time frame are one of the most challenging aspects.

CONCLUSIONS

TH is universal in countries with sufficient economic resources, although certain unresolved controversies remain. While the treatment is widespread in Spain, there is a need for cooling devices for the transfer of these patients and their centralisation.

Rapid TB diagnostic service and community action to FIND.TREAT.ALL#EndTB, Maputo, Mozambique, 2013-2018

Finding and treating all tuberculosis (TB) patients is crucial for ending TB. We investigated whether rapid diagnostic turnaround time (TAT) and patient tracking could increase TB treatment initiation in Maputo, Mozambique. Among 3329 TB patients newly diagnosed by the University Eduardo Mondlane-Anti-Persoonsmijnen Ontmijnende Product Ontwikkeling/Anti-Personnel Landmines Detection Product Development (APOPO) Laboratory between 2013 and 2018, on average 61% were verifiably linked to care. This proportion increased from 54% (first half 2013) to 79% (second half 2018) after introducing a 24-hour TAT in 2015 and patient tracking conducted by a community-based partner, Associação Kenguelekezé, in 2017. Rapid, well-connected TB diagnostic services can reduce pre-treatment loss to follow-up and support the joint initiative of WHO, Stop TB and Global Fund to 'FIND.TREAT.ALL.#EndTB'.

[Severe apparent life-threatening event during "skin-to-skin": treatment with hypothermia]

'Skin-to-skin' in healthy newborn infants is currently routine practice in Spanish maternity wards. This practice has shown benefits in increasing the duration of breast-feeding and maternal bonding behaviour with no significant adverse events. Early sudden deaths and severe apparent life-threatening events (ALTE) during the first 24 hours of life are infrequent, but well recognised. Risk factors during 'skin to skin' have been established. These events can lead to high neonatal morbidity and mortality. Hypothermia is now the standard of care for moderate to severe hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and has shown to reduce mortality and neurological morbidity in children with hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury. Although there are no clinical trials that evaluate hypothermia after a severe ALTE, neonates who suffer it should be considered for this treatment. We present a case of a healthy newborn who had an ALTE during skin-to-skin with his mother and was treated with hypothermia.

[Neuroprotection with hypothermia in the newborn with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. Standard guidelines for its clinical application]

Standardisation of hypothermia as a treatment for perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy is supported by current scientific evidence. The following document was prepared by the authors on request of the Spanish Society of Neonatology and is intended to be a guide for the proper implementation of this therapy. We discuss the difficulties that may arise when moving from the strict framework of clinical trials to clinical daily care: early recognition of clinical encephalopathy, inclusion and exclusion criteria, hypothermia during transport, type of hypothermia (selective head or systemic cooling) and side effects of therapy. The availability of hypothermia therapy has changed the prognosis of children with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and our choices of therapeutic support. In this sense, it is especially important to be aware of the changes in the predictive value of the neurological examination and the electroencephalographic recording in cooled infants. In order to improve neuroprotection with hypothermia we need earlier recognition of to recognise earlier the infants that may benefit from cooling. Biomarkers of brain injury could help us in the selection of these patients. Every single infant treated with hypothermia must be included in a follow up program in order to assess neurodevelopmental outcome.

Characteristics of Ryan White and non-Ryan White funded HIV medical care facilities across four metropolitan areas: results from the antiretroviral treatment and access studies site survey

The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act 1990 (CARE Act) is one of the largest federal programmes funding medical and support services for individuals with HIV disease. Data that report services and gaps in service coverage from the organizational perspective are very limited. The Antiretroviral Treatment and Access Studies included a mail survey of 176 HIV medical care facilities in four US inner cities on clinic characteristics, services and practices, and patient characteristics. Characteristics of 143 (85%) responding Ryan White (RW) funded and non-RW funded facilities are described. RW funded facilities reported offering more services than non-funded facilities including evening/weekend hours (49% vs. 18%), transportation (71% vs. 22%), and on-site risk reduction counselling (88% vs. 55%). More RW funded facilities reported offering on-site adherence support services, such as support groups (44% vs. 12%), formal classes (20% vs. 2%), and pillboxes (83% vs. 43%), and served a larger proportion of uninsured patients (41% vs. 4%) than non-funded facilities. Our analysis showed that the RW funded HIV care facilities offered more clinic, non-clinic, and adherence support services than non-RW funded facilities, indicating that the disparities in services were still related to CARE Act funding, controlling for private-public facility type.

Lumbar ontogenetic allometry and dimorphism in humans. A case for comparison between interspecific and intraspecific scaling

The ontogenetic allometry of the lumbar region of 1913 humans (1228 females and 685 males), ranging from newborn to 21-year-old individuals, was studied by means of length, width, projected surface area and bone mineral density of the segment L2 - L4, obtained by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). All these parameters were regressed to body mass and height of the individuals, considered alternatively as the independent variable. Firstly, we addressed the comparison between the results obtained on both sexes in order to elucidate whether ontogenetic differences existed. Length of the segments increased significantly faster in females than in males, independently whether the regression was made against body mass or height, while in both types of regression width scaled in males faster than in females. Regarding bone mineral density, although males increased bone mineral density faster than females, slope differences were not significant. However, y-interception was significantly higher in females than in males when bone mineral density was regressed to body mass. Results on length and width are compared with others from previous research on allometry. Finally, global results are discussed as regards the slope predictions for interspecific scaling.

Postnatal adaptation of brain circulation in preterm infants

Global and regional postnatal cerebral circulatory changes in stable preterm infants were studied, and their relation to brain injury was assessed. Thirty-five preterm infants were studied on the first and second days of age. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) (mL/hg per min) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) (mL/hg) were measured using near-infrared spectroscopy. The cerebral blood flow velocity (cm/second) (peak systolic, diastolic flow, mean flow) and resistance index (RI) were determined in the internal carotid, anterior cerebral, and striate arteries by color Doppler flow imaging. Serial cerebral ultrasound studies were performed to detect changes in brain parenchymal echogenicity or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH); the maximum severity of these findings was considered. CBF and cerebral blood flow velocity increased significantly with time, and such changes were independent of mean blood pressure, PO(2), PCO(2), hematocrit, or glycemia. In contrast, CBV and RI remained unchanged. According to the results of sonograms, no differences were found in postnatal CBF and cerebral blood flow velocity changes, regardless of whether patients had or did not have parenchymal lesions or IVH. However, higher CBV values were found on the second day in infants with IVH compared with infants without IVH. Early coupling of CBF and metabolic demands is independent of blood pressure. Improved venous return, instead of vasodilation, could be important in this adaptation.

Intestinal permeability in adult patients with growth hormone deficiency

Pathological disruption of the intestinal mucosa increases the paracellular pathway, leading to an increase in the penetration of large molecules. Since growth hormone (GH) has a trophic intestinal effect, we used a double marker test to enable examination of intestinal permeability, which reflects the state of integrity of the intestinal mucosa. We recruited 22 adult patients, mean age 54+/-13.3 years, with GH deficiency due to partial or total hypopituitarism. None had received GH treatment at any time, although they were all in optimized replacement therapy. A control group was composed of 19 healthy age-matched relatives. The intestinal permeability test was performed with lactulose (5 g) and mannitol (1 g) after an oral load of 100 ml of aqueous solution. The urinary lactulose/mannitol ratio and the percentages of lactulose and mannitol excreted were determined on a 5-h urine collection. There were no significant differences between the patients and the control group in the lactulose/mannitol ratio (0.087+/-0.059 vs 0.077+/-0.064, respectively) or in the urinary excretion percentages of lactulose (0.067+/-0.048% vs 0.073+/-0.070%, respectively) or mannitol (5.127+/-3.269% vs 5.068+/-2.985%, respectively). In conclusion, no increase in intestinal permeability was detected in patients with GH deficiency, so that in spite of the known trophic effects of GH on the epithelial crypt cells, there was no intestinal hyperpermeability in these patients.

[Non-invasive monitoring of cerebral hemodynamics in the newborn]

INTRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT

The regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) is a determinant factor amongst the mechanisms involved in the development of neonatal brain lesions. Therefore it has been the main objective of many investigators in recent decades, seeking reliable techniques for measurement of cerebral haemodynamic parameters. However, the use of different techniques to assess brain haemodynamics has been limited by various factors including: harmlessness of the technique, its ease of use and accuracy of measurement. In this paper we aim to show how, using these techniques, together with sufficient understanding of neonatal pathophysiology, we can obtain better understanding of antenatal and perinatal factors responsible for cerebral damage, and the effect of this lesion on development. Besides using these findings to prevent specific disorders, we will obtain the advantage of an appropriate medical and neurosurgical treatment, with lower risk of neurological sequelae.

Sex differences on the electrocardiographic pattern of cardiac repolarization: possible role of testosterone

BACKGROUND

Cardiac repolarization has been shown to be shorter and faster in men compared with women. In this study, we examined the electrocardiographic pattern of repolarization in patients with abnormal plasma levels of testosterone to gain insight into the role that this hormone plays in modulating repolarization.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Repolarization was measured in 27 castrated men, 26 women with virilization, and 53 control subjects pair-matched for age and sex. Repolarization in castrated men was slower and longer than that of normal men. Women with virilization exhibited a shorter and faster repolarization than normal women and castrated men. These differences are the opposite of those found in the normal population. Finally, the changes observed in castrated men may be reverted by testosterone.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that testosterone plays an important role in modulating cardiac repolarization.

Lichen scrofulosorum

A 12-month-old boy with pulmonary tuberculosis developed a papular lichenoid eruption which showed epithelioid granulomas on histology, consistent with lichen scrofulosorum. Stains and cultures for mycobacteria in the skin were negative, and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis failed to detect the DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a skin biopsy specimen, thus making lichen scrofulosorum one of the remaining manifestations of M. tuberculosis infection in which evidence of the bacillus has not been found to date. Lichen scrofulosorum is now considered a rare form of tuberculid but should not be neglected.

Sex-dependent electrocardiographic pattern of cardiac repolarization

BACKGROUND

Although sex-dependent differences in cardiac repolarization have been known for many years, few attempts have been carried out to define the individual contribution of each electrocardiographic (ECG) repolarization variable to the sex-dependent pattern.

METHOD AND RESULTS

We analyzed several ECG repolarization variables that reflect both the duration and the rate of repolarization in 500 normal healthy subjects between the ages of 20 and 80 years (250 men and 250 women) and distributed into 5 groups according to age. Cardiac repolarization, measured in the precordial lead exhibiting the highest T-wave amplitude, was found to be shorter and faster in normal men compared with normal women (P <.001). The parameters with the highest individual weight in determining these sex differences were the J point and the ST angle, as indicated by nonlinear (logistic) multivariate regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that changes in the duration and rate of early repolarization are determinants for these sex-dependent ECG pattern differences.

Effect of the cyclo-oxygenase blocker ibuprofen on cerebral blood volume and cerebral blood flow during normocarbia and hypercarbia in newborn piglets

Indomethacin modifies baseline cerebral haemodynamics and metabolism, as well as vasomotor adaptive responses. However, the significance of arachidonic acid metabolites in the regulation of cerebral circulation remains unclear. A study was made of the effect of inhibition of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway on baseline cerebral haemodynamics and CO2-induced vasodilation using the more specific cyclo-oxygenase blocker ibuprofen in a neonatal pig model. Two methods were used: radiolabelled microspheres to measure cerebral blood flow and near infrared spectroscopy to calculate absolute changes in cerebral blood volume. The relationship between CO2-induced changes in these two haemodynamic parameters was evaluated. Fifteen newborn piglets <7 d old received an i.v. infusion of either ibuprofen (30 mg/kg) (IB group, n = 8) or saline (control group, n = 7). Cerebral blood flow and absolute changes in cerebral blood volume were measured while the piglets were breathing room air at baseline and 30 min after infusion of ibuprofen or saline, and 15 min and 30 min after inducing hypercarbia. Global and regional cerebral blood flow (ml/hg/min) and absolute changes in cerebral blood volume (ml/hg) did not vary between baseline and 30 min after infusion of ibuprofen or saline. During hypercarbia, global and regional cerebral blood flow and absolute changes in cerebral blood volume increased significantly in both the ibuprofen and control groups (p < 0.01). The mean percentage increases in blood flow and blood volume at each measurement were almost identical, with approximately 90% of the increase in both parameters occurring after 15 min of hypercarbia, then reaching a plateau. However, we found no agreement between cerebral blood flow changes and absolute changes in cerebral blood volume. We conclude that ibuprofen did not alter either baseline cerebral circulation or physiological CO2-induced vasodilation in newborn pigs. We speculate that hypercarbic cerebral vasodilation could be caused either by mediators other than the cyclo-oxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid or by a direct effect on vessel walls.

Informativeness of polymorphic markers for prenatal diagnosis of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa in Spanish families at risk

DNA polymorphic markers are useful for the prenatal diagnosis of generalized recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (GRDEB) in families with at least one child affected with the disease. It is our policy to investigate families at risk using DNA polymorphic markers before a new pregnancy is intended, to inform about the real chances of offering an accurate prenatal diagnosis based on such DNA markers. We have analysed 10 Spanish families with at least one child affected with GRDEB with three different markers linked to the type VII collagen gene: the intragenic PvuII RFLP, and two markers mapped close to the COL7A1 gene, an MspI polymorphism belonging to the anonymous marker D3S2, and the microsatellite D3S1100. The PvuII marker was partially informative in two of 10 families, and was fully informative in three additional families; The MspI marker was partially informative in two of 10 families, and was fully informative in three additional families; it was not informative in five families. The D3S1100 microsatellite was partially informative in two out of 10 families, and fully informative in the other eight families. Combination of all three markers was shown to be partially informative in one family and fully informative in the remaining nine families. Using this combination of markers, we have inferred an accurate linkage-based prenatal diagnosis of GRDEB in four pregnancies. Surprisingly, the intragenic marker PvuII had a very limited usefulness, despite the results of previous studies; the microsatellite D3S1100 offered the best results for an eventual prenatal diagnosis of GRDEB. However, families at risk should be informed that extragenic markers may fail due to the possibility of recombination, estimated as 5% for D3S1100.

An immunocytochemical and ultrastructural study of the larval anterior intestine of the frog Rana temporaria, with especial reference to endocrine cells

Endocrine cells of the larval intestine of Rana temporaria tadpoles have been identified by argyrophilic, immunocytochemical and electron-microscopical techniques. Scarce endocrine cells have been found in both the short non-absorptive zone immediately following the stomach, and in the rest of the anterior intestine. Endocrine cells are frequently seen to extend a cytoplasmic process towards the lumen. Immunoreactivity for serotonin, somatostatin, bombesin and cholecystokinin-8 has been detected. According to the ultrastructural traits of the endocrine granules, three larval intestinal endocrine populations have been differentiated.

An immunocytochemical and ultrastructural study of the larval anterior intestine of the frog Rana temporaria, with especial reference to endocrine cells

Endocrine cells of the larval intestine of Rana temporaria tadpoles have been identified by argyrophilic, immunocytochemical and electron-microscopical techniques. Scarce endocrine cells have been found in both the short non-absorptive zone immediately following the stomach, and in the rest of the anterior intestine. Endocrine cells are frequently seen to extend a cytoplasmic process towards the lumen. Immunoreactivity for serotonin, somatostatin, bombesin and cholecystokinin-8 has been detected. According to the ultrastructural traits of the endocrine granules, three larval intestinal endocrine populations have been differentiated.

Lipid, protein, and calorie content of different Atlantic and Mediterranean fish, shellfish, and molluscs commonly eaten in the south of Spain

We undertook a systematic evaluation of the lipid, protein, calorie, and fatty acid composition in 35 species of fish, shellfish and molluscs commonly consumed throughout the four seasons of the year in Andalusia, Spain. Using a portion of muscle tissue the following were measured in each study unit: total lipids (extraction using Folch's method and gravimetry), protein concentration (Kjehldal's method), total calories (direct calorimetry), and composition of fatty acids (gas chromatography). The lipid, protein, and different fatty acid concentrations found are presented in table form. There was a high degree of inter-species variability in the concentration of lipids and the various fatty acids. There was also a high degree of intra-species seasonal variability in some cases. The relative proportion of fatty acids was not independent of the total concentration of lipids, independently of the season studied. This systematic study of a large group of species shows that the cataloguing of fish as 'white' or 'blue' depends especially on the time of year they are captured. For example, in spring the mackerel (Scomber scombrus), a fish considered traditionally to be 'blue' (fatty), has the same lipid concentration as the dover sole (Solea vulgaris), commonly considered to be 'white' (little fat), and the sea pike (Merluccius merluccius) has a higher lipid concentration in autumn than the jack mackerel (Trachurus trachurus). Even greater differences existed when the fish were classified according to their richness in n-3 fatty acids. These differences in the total lipid concentration and the composition of fatty acids, as well as the inter-relations between them, may, under certain circumstances, be important for the calculation of dietary calories and nutritional values, and may explain the differences found between the various tables of food composition, as well as the divergent results in epidemiological studies on the association between fish in diets and various diseases, such as diabetes or ischaemic cardiopathy.

Central nervous system vasculopathy in neonatal lupus erythematosus

Central nervous system involvement in neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) has not been previously reported. We report four patients with NLE, all with complete congenital heart block and three with cerebral ultrasound and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) studies demonstrating evidence of associated vasculopathy in the gangliothalamic vasculature. CDFI confirmed blood flow through the affected vessels, indicating that blood flow was not compromised at this early stage. Short-term follow-up revealed no signs of progression of the vasculopathy, focal ischemia, gangliothalamic atrophy, or neurological impairment. Nevertheless, the implications of this finding with respect to the natural history of NLE remain to be defined, particularly in cases in which the disease develops into systemic lupus erythematosus later in life. Besides specific diagnostic studies for NLE, cerebral ultrasound, and CDFI studies are mandatory in all cases of complete congenital heart block, regardless of whether mothers are diagnosed as having connective-tissue disease or not. Neonates with signs of vasculopathy in the gangliothalamic region should be examined for NLE.

[Fat, protein and caloric content of different fish, seafood and mollusks, Atlantic and Mediterranean habitually consumed in the south of Spain]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate in a systematic manner, the fat, protein, caloric, and fatty acids contents of 35 species of fish, seafood and mollusks, usually consumed in Andalucía (Spain).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

35 different species, representative of those usually consumed in Andalucía in the course of the four seasons of the year, are studied. In all units of the study, in a portion of the muscle tissue, measurements were taken to evaluate the total fat (extraction by the Folch method and by gravimetry), protein concentration (Kjehldal method), total calories (gas chromatography).

RESULTS

A table shows the concentration of fat, protein and different fatty acids found in the studied species. There is a great interspecies variability in the fat concentration and in that of the different fatty acids. In the same way there is a great interspecies seasonal variety for some of those studied. Independently of the season studied, the relative proportion of fatty acids was not independent of the total concentration of fat.

DISCUSSION

From the nutritional, culinary and gastronomic point of view, in the Mediterranean area it is common to classify the fish as "white" (low fat) and "blue" (fat). However, the systematic study of a large number of species shows that the categorization of "white" or "blue" depends on the time of year in which they are captured. For example, in spring the horse-mackerel (Scomber scombrurus), a fish traditionally considered "blue" (fat), has the same fat concentration as the sole (Soles vulgaris), generally considered "white" (low fat). And the hake (Merluccius merluccius), in autumn, has a fat concentration which is greater than that of the carangoid sea-fish (Trachurus trachurus). Even greater differences can be seen if we classify the fish according to their richness in n-3 fatty acids. These differences in the total fat concentration and in the composition of fatty acids, as well as the inter-relations between both, may be important in determining the circumstances for the caloric and nutritional calculation of a diet, and may explain the differences found between the different tables of food composition, as well as the divergent results found in the epidemiological studies on the association between the fish of the diet and the different diseases such as diabetes or ischemic heart disease.

Semiparametric approach to match probability calculations using single locus probes

A semiparametric approach to match probability calculations using single locus probes has been developed and compared graphically with other standard methods by a one-sample simulation. The density functions obtained using this method are closer to the real distributions than those obtained by conventional approaches. Our method does not need to establish an arbitrary match threshold, which has been a source of problems in practical applications of standard methods. Moreover, it can be adjusted to any particular conditions by setting the experimental error and correlation of each laboratory. To assess the practical performance of this method we carried out a comparison experiment using a sample of 229 individuals analysed in duplicate.

Population data on the loci LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8, and GC in three southwest European populations

Three Southwest European populations: Galicia (NW Spain), a mixed Spanish population from the rest of Spain (outside Galicia), and a population sample from the Coimbra area (Centre of Portugal) have been studied for the Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor (LDLR), Glycophorin A (GYPA), Hemoglobin G Gammaglobin (HBGG), D7S8 and Group Specific Component (GC). The allele and genotype frequencies found have been compared with other previously published data. All loci meet Hardy-Weinberg expectations in the three sampled populations. There was no evidence of association in any of the three population samples, between the five loci studied. No significant differences were found with Caucasian populations, nevertheless, significant differences were observed between our three population studies and the US SW Hispanic and African populations. The AmpliType PM DNA test greatly facilitates DNA testing in forensic laboratories, providing quick results and a good discrimination power from a single test.

Metamorphic changes in the stomach of the frog Rana temporaria tadpoles

The histological transformation of amphibian stomach during metamorphosis was studied in the frog Rana temporaria. The earliest metamorphic changes occur shortly before regression of the cloacal piece of tail and appearance of forelegs. Autolysis of primary, larval epithelial cells and activity of phagocytes lead to regression of the apical mucosa, which is shed into the gastric lumen. Histogenesis takes place from the very beginning of metamorphosis in the basal region of the mucosa; undifferentiated, regenerative cells, arranged in small compact cords and surrounded by a thick basement membrane, give rise to secondary lining epithelium and glands. Lining epithelial cells differentiate into a typical mucosecretory epithelium. Oxyntic cells present in larval glands are substituted by both ion- and protein-secreting oxyntic-peptic cells. During metamorphosis, connective and muscular tissues markedly increase, a submucosa, not present in larval tadpoles, gradually develops. A muscularis mucosae is also formed and the muscular propria becomes thicker. At late metamorphosis, folded structures involving both mucosa and submucosa develop, increasing the luminal surface as in adults. Removal of the larval gastric mucosa and its replacement by a new, adult-type definitive one, together with development of peripheral connective and muscular tissues, account for metamorphosis of tadpole stomach.

Allele frequency distribution of four PCR-amplified loci in the Spanish population

The allele frequency distributions of four VNTR loci amplified by PCR have been studied in a population of 205 individuals from Spain. The loci analysed are D1S80 and three STRs: HUMTH01, HUMFES/FPS and HUMACTBF2 (SE33). The former was visualized in Metaphor agarose gels, and the STRs in sequencing polyacrylamide gels under denaturing conditions which could separate alleles with differences of a single base. This is of particular importance in the HUMTH01 locus, a tetrameric STR in which two alleles (9.3 and 10) were detected differing in a single base. Furthermore, HUMACTBP2 has at least 30 alleles, some of which may vary by as little as one base. At this locus a variation in the allele mobility was observed, depending on the electrophoretic conditions. For this reason, there should be careful consideration before this marker is accepted and validated as a common interlaboratory system. This paper does not include any comparison of the frequencies obtained for this locus with other recent studies. For the rest of the loci, the frequencies found have been compared with other published population studies; they show a degree of difference, particularly in the D1S80 locus. Finally, the systems were tested for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and some statistical parameters of forensic interest were calculated.

Possible implications of doxycycline-rifampin interaction for treatment of brucellosis

We studied the possible interaction between rifampin and doxycycline in 20 patients with brucellosis treated randomly with either doxycycline and streptomycin or doxycycline and rifampin. The doxycycline levels in the plasma of patients in the group treated with rifampin were significantly lower than those in the plasma of patients treated with doxycycline and streptomycin. Furthermore, clearance in patients treated with rifampin was significantly higher than that in patients treated with doxycycline and streptomycin, and consequently, the elimination half-life and the area under the concentration-time curve were significantly lower. There was no therapeutic failure or relapse in the group treated with doxycycline and streptomycin, whereas 2 of 10 patients in the group treated with doxycycline and rifampin had a therapeutic failure or relapse. The plasma doxycycline levels had an inverse correlation with plasma rifampin levels. In the group treated with rifampin, those who were rapid acetylators had lower levels of doxycycline. In conclusion, combined treatment with rifampin reduces the levels of doxycycline in plasma. These data suggest that therapeutic failures or relapses may result from this interaction.

Structural study of the frog Rana temporaria larval stomach

The gastric wall of Rana temporaria tadpoles consists of a well-developed mucosa and thin muscular and serosa layers. Three cellular types--mucous, ciliated and endocrine cells--make up the lining epithelium. Different types of endocrine cells exist. Argyrophylic endocrine cells can be recognized in semithin sections of plastic-embedded material while non-argyrophylic endocrine cells can only be identified under the electron microscope. Glands are composed mainly of well-differentiated oxyntic cells and, occasionally, scarce endocrine cells. Oxyntic cells show abundant mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, but do not contain zymogen granules as do those present in adults. Secretory canaliculi with microvilli are also well-developed. The lamina propria contains numerous vascular sinuses and nerve bundles which innervate the endothelium and some endocrine cells. The neuroendocrine regulation of frog gastric functions seems therefore to have developed in young tadpoles. Nerve fibers also innervate the muscular propria, which is composed of a single layer of smooth muscle cells. Underlying the muscle, connective fibers and a flattened layer of mesothelial cells make up the serosa. In summary, the structure of the frog larval stomach shows a well-differentiated histological pattern, especially referring to surface epithelium and glands. Some of the histological traits will also be present in adult frogs while others are characteristic of the tadpole's stage.

Population genetics of three VNTR polymorphisms in two different Spanish populations

Two different Spanish populations, one from Galicia (NW Spain) and the other from the rest of Spain, have been analyzed at three different hypervariable loci (YNH24, MS43a and MS31) using the EDNAP electrophoretic protocol and HinfI as restriction enzyme. Although the "rest of Spain" population is a clearly stratified population using classical blood groups, no evidence of stratification for these loci has been found and the differences to the Galician population were not significant, which suggests that a common Spanish population data-base could be possible. A semiparametric model is proposed for estimating frequencies, using the smoothed cross-validation of Hall et al. (1992) to calculate the size of the window utilized.

Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural characterization of endocrine cells and nerves in the intestine of Rana temporaria

Endocrine cells have been identified in the intestine of the frog Rana temporaria after application of the Grimelius and Masson-Fontana techniques. These endocrine cells were examined using immunocytochemical techniques on paraffin and semithin sections for light microscopy. After testing 19 antisera, 12 immunoreactivities were identified. Numerous serotonin-, somatostatin- and GLP-1-immunoreactive cells; a moderate number of PYY-, glucagon-, VIP-, gastrin/CCK-immunoreactive cells and few human PP-, bombesin-, substance P- and neurotensin-immunoreactive cells were found. VIP- and met-enkephalin were identified in nerve fibers of the muscular layer. Using semithin-thin sections five types of endocrine cells (serotonin-, somatostatin-, gastrin/CCK-, glucagon- and bombesin-immunoreactive cells) have been characterized according to their immunocytochemical reaction and the ultrastructure of the secretory granules.

Cell mediated immunity in perennial allergic rhinitis

The authors studied a group of 72 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. The following parameters were determined: the distribution of T total and T active and B lymphoid populations, non-specific T suppressor activity induced by concanavalin-A, response indices to stimulation by phytohaemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen and levels of serum IgE. Comparison with 100 healthy controls showed a diminution with respect to the T total lymphoid subpopulation (p less than 0.001) and the suppressor activity (p less than 0.001). There was no significant change regarding the T active and B values and the lymphoproliferative response to the phytohaemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen. A correlation was seen between the IgE levels (elevated in 62.5% of patients) with the T suppressor activity which was statistically significant (p less than 0.01).

An in vitro study of lymphocytes in patients with atopic dermatitis

The authors studied the T- and B-lymphocyte sub-populations, the stimulation of the lymphocytes with phytohaemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen, the non-specific T suppressor activity and the amounts of serum IgE in a group of thirty-four patients with atopic dermatitis. Comparison with a group of 100 healthy controls revealed a diminution in the T sub-population, an increase in the B sub-population, no change in the response index to stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin or pokeweed mitogen, a diminished T-suppressor activity and an increase in the level of serum IgE.

T-lymphocytes and nonspecific T-suppressor activity in patients with extrinsic asthma

The authors studied the distribution of T-lymphocytes (T-Et and T-Ea) and the nonspecific T-suppressor activity induced by ConA in a group of 104 patients (adults and children) with extrinsic asthma. Comparison with the control group revealed a diminution in the T-Et population (p less than 0.01), no significant change in the T-Ea population and a diminished nonspecific T-suppressor activity (p less than 0.001). The possible role of the T functional deficiency in the development of allergic diathesis is discussed.

In vitro stimulation of lymphocytes in patients with chronic urticaria induced by additives and food

We studied the stimulation of lymphocytes in 258 patients with urticaria and/or angioedema using a series of food extracts and additives. Of this group, 238 revealed a positive response index (RI). There was a positive RI to additives in 18.4% of the cases, to food extracts in 35.2% and to both extracts and additives in 46.6% of the cases. A positive RI to both aspirin and tartrazine was revealed in 25% and to all the additives tested in 11% of the cases. Diets from which food extracts and additives were excluded achieved total remission in 159 (61.1%), partial remission in fifty-seven cases (22%) and no remission in forty-two (16.2).

In vitro response of lymphocytes in patients with allergic tension-fatigue syndrome

The authors studied the stimulation of lymphocytes in 44 patients with histories of allergic tension-fatigue syndrome using a series of food extracts and additives. Of a total of 44 patients studied, 42 produced a positive response (RI), 18.1% produced a positive response to additives, 40.9% to food and 36.6% to both. The elimination diets prescribed in accordance with the in vitro results obtained produced a total remission of the tension-fatigue syndrome in 38 patients (86.3%), partial remission in two (4.5%) and no change in four (9.0%).