La-related Protein 1 (LARP1) Represses Terminal Oligopyrimidine (TOP) mRNA Translation Downstream of mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1)

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a critical regulator of protein synthesis. The best studied targets of mTORC1 in translation are the eukaryotic initiation factor-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) and ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1). In this study, we identify the La-related protein 1 (LARP1) as a key novel target of mTORC1 with a fundamental role in terminal oligopyrimidine (TOP) mRNA translation. Recent genome-wide studies indicate that TOP and TOP-like mRNAs compose a large portion of the mTORC1 translatome, but the mechanism by which mTORC1 controls TOP mRNA translation is incompletely understood. Here, we report that LARP1 functions as a key repressor of TOP mRNA translation downstream of mTORC1. Our data show the following: (i) LARP1 associates with mTORC1 via RAPTOR; (ii) LARP1 interacts with TOP mRNAs in an mTORC1-dependent manner; (iii) LARP1 binds the 5'TOP motif to repress TOP mRNA translation; and (iv) LARP1 competes with the eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4G for TOP mRNA binding. Importantly, from a drug resistance standpoint, our data also show that reducing LARP1 protein levels by RNA interference attenuates the inhibitory effect of rapamycin, Torin1, and amino acid deprivation on TOP mRNA translation. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that LARP1 functions as an important repressor of TOP mRNA translation downstream of mTORC1.

[Gluteal artery based perforator flaps for sacral pressure sore reconstruction in children]

INTRODUCTION

Children have much lower incidence of pressure sores (PS) than adults and furthermore, they are diagnosed in earlier stages. Therefore, the reported experience with surgical treatment of advanced pediatric PS is scarce.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We present the surgical treatment of 2 chronic PS stage IV in children aged 11 and 14 years, by means of perforator flaps based on the gluteal arteries: in the first case we used a free-style flap based on a left medial gluteal perforator and in the second a large reusable rotation-advancement flap based on both right superior and inferior gluteal artery perforators.

RESULTS

In both patients we achieved a rapid cure with 100% survival of the flaps and a stable cover over a 6 month and 1 year follow-up respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Gluteal artery perforator flaps can produce excellent and durable results in the reconstructive treatment of sacral pressure sores in children. These flaps carry lower morbidity than musculocutaneous flaps and are more reliable than traditional fasciocutaneous flaps. Furthermore they preserve more reconstructive options in case of recurrence during the children's lifetime.

[Genetics and Alzheimer's disease]

INTRODUCTION

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the first cause of dementia (60-80%). The causal genes with autosomal dominant inheritance in the early onset forms (APP, PSEN-1, PSEN-2) and one susceptibility gene in the late onset forms (APOE) are described.

DEVELOPMENT

Causal genes involved in the early onset forms account for approximately 5% of the total. Among all the susceptibility genes, only the APOE gene, involved in the late onset forms, has been replicated in all the studies. However, it has not been possible to replicate the more than 200 genes in family or case-control studies. Nonetheless, the genetics of Alzheimer's disease is very complex. The models that have the most influence in its most frequent phenotypes are multifactorial ones (genetics and environmental ones).

CONCLUSIONS

AD is a disease with a complex inheritance. The early onset forms have supposed a great advance in the knowledge of the ethiopathogeny of the disease. However, especially valuable information could be extrapolated from knowledge on the late onset forms given its similarities with the most prevalence forms, that is, the sporadic ones.

Treatment of animal carcasses in poultry farms using sealed ditches

Several hen carcass elimination experiments were conducted by isolating corpses in a sealed ditch and adding different doses of lime. The aim was to evaluate the viability of this method as an alternative to other elimination techniques, as required in the European regulation CE 1774/2002 [Reglamento CE 1774/2002, de 3 de octubre por el que se establecen las normas sanitarias aplicables a los subproductos animales no destinados a consumo humano]. The experiments were carried out at a natural scale, in a 200m3 ditch located in a livestock enterprise, using a proportion of 200g of lime/kg of carcass. We observed a high degradation of carcasses after six months, the method being also safe from a microbiological point of view. The material extracted from the ditch had a high calcium content (330.7gkg(-1)), which makes it an ideal product for soil lacking this element, or as an acidity corrector in acid soils due to its basic (pH 8.48) nature. It also contains a significant amount of mineral nutrients (17.0gkg(-1) N, 2.4gkg(-1) P and 4.9gkg(-1) K) and organic matter (101.5gkg(-1)). We also analysed the material extracted from the ditch prior to its renovation for the experiments and followed the processes taking place in the ditch during the first six months, when lime doses of 100, 200 and 300 gkg(-1) of treated carcass were applied. Simultaneously, we carried out laboratory experiments in cylindrical 25L deposits to evaluate the gas release of the three (100, 200 and 300g of lime/kg carcass) doses of lime used. After the tenth week, we observed CO2 concentrations ranging from 5% for the lower lime doses to very low levels for the 300g lime/kg carcass dose. As regards methane, in the three series of experiments, the release was highest during the first weeks, began to decrease in the eighth week and reached its lower value during the fourteenth week. Emissions of NO2 were not observed, and the levels of NH3 and SH2 were usually so high that they exceeded the detection level of the apparatus used to register them.

Oocyte structure and ultrastructure in the Mexican silverside fish Chirostoma humboldtianum (Atheriniforme: Atherinopsidae)

The structural and ultrastructural features of gonads from endemic Mexican fish have received scarce attention. This study describes the histological and ultrastructural characteristics of oocyte from Chirostoma humboldtianum. The ovary is asynchronic, and as such, most phases of oocyte development are found in the same ovary. The complete process of oogenesis was divided in five stages: oogonium and folliculogenesis, primary growth, cortical alveoli and lipid inclusions, vitellogenesis, and maturation. The presence of big filaments, which appear at the end of primary growth, induces some common follicular adaptation. During primary growth, abundant ribosomes, the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria are grouped in the cytoplasm. At the end of this stage, the Z1 layer of the chorion is developed, while microvilli start to be evident. In the cortical alveoli and lipid droplets phase, intense PAS positive vesicles, some of them containing nucleoid material, are observed in the peripheral cytoplasm and the lipid droplets take a more central position. In vitellogenesis, the proteic yolk accumulates in a centripetal way while the chorion is completely formed. During maturation, the germinal vesicle migrates to the animal pole, meiosis is restored, and there is nuclear breakdown. The oocyte increases its size and holds some oil droplets and a big fluid mass of yolk. On the outside, filaments completely surround the oocyte.

Amino acid production from a sunflower wholemeal protein concentrate

A study was undertaken to investigate the influence of protein concentration and the addition of different doses of endopeptidase (Alcalase) and exopeptidase (Flavourzyme) on the sequential enzymatic hydrolysis of a protein concentrate obtained from defatted sunflower wholemeal. The results show that the greatest degree of hydrolysis (37.8%) is achieved by hydrolyzing an aqueous substrate with a 5% protein concentrate, and using a 0.02 g Alcalase/g of protein concentrate of the substrate. The aminograms performed reveal that the free amino acid found in the highest proportion in the hydrolysate was aspartic acid, which accounted for over 50% of the free amino acids present, regardless of the substrate concentration and the enzyme dosage used. Finally, the hydrolysate obtained from a substrate containing a 5% protein concentrate and a 0.02 g Alcalase/g of protein concentrate displayed characteristics that indicate its suitability for use as a vegetable-origin plant growth regulator.

Placental immaturity and hyperinsulinaemia in full-term newborns

BACKGROUND

Evidence from large studies suggests that low birthweight is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and glucose metabolism disorders in adulthood, but the physiological mechanisms involved in intrauterine growth conditioning low birthweight are not completely understood. The objectives of this study were to determine whether placental immaturity (PI), defined as the lower quartile of placental maturity index (PMI), is associated to hyperinsulinaemia at birth and to identify the risk factors associated with PI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study conducted at medical research units of two Mexican general hospitals. A total of 272 full-term newborns with gestational age >/= 38 and < 41 weeks were allocated into the corresponding group according to the quartile distribution of PMI. Data from the lower (PMI < 13.3) and higher quartile (PMI >/= 24.3) were compared. The PMI was estimated by dividing the number of epithelial plates by the average thickness of the epithelial plate. Serum measures included cord glucose and insulin levels of the newborns at birth.

RESULTS

A total of 74 (27.2%) children had hyperinsulinaemia at birth, of them 47 (63.5%) with PI. The adjusted multiple regression analysis showed a strong association between PI and hyperinsulinaemia at birth [odds ratio (OR) 2.6; CI 95% 1.3-4.3). Additional adjusted analysis showed that both mother's age </= 16 years (OR 1.75; CI95% 1.2-9.1) and maternal cigarette smoking (OR 2.7; CI95% 1.3-8.9) are associated to PI.

CONCLUSIONS

The PI is independently associated with hyperinsulinaemia at birth: smoking and mother's age lower than 16 years are risk factors for development of PI.

[Clinical management of terrorist bomb explosions]

At 07:39 on 11 March 2004 terrorist bomb explosions ocurred in 4 trains in Madrid killing 177 people instantly and 14 more later in the hospital. This report describes the organization, clinical management and patterns of injuries in casualties who were taken to our chil-patients were taken to the Gregorio Marañon hospital and 12 to the children's one. The mean age was 16 years (14-21), Two of them were critically ill and needed intensive care (ITP 5). Tympanic perforations occurred in 81% victims with moderate to severe trauma, shrapnel wounds in 36% and eye lesions in 27%. Among critically ill patients blast lung injury, cranial and abdominal trauma were the most important lesions. Training in AITP courses and hospital logistics were essential in clinical management of these casualties.

Randomized phase III study of 3-weekly versus weekly docetaxel in pretreated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a Spanish Lung Cancer Group trial

BACKGROUND

Docetaxel is a widely accepted second-line treatment in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a risk of myelotoxicity. This study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity profile of two docetaxel regimens in NSCLC patients who had failed first-line non-docetaxel-based chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 259 patients from 33 Spanish centers were randomized to receive either docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) administered every 3 weeks (3W arm) or docetaxel 36 mg/m(2) given weekly (1W arm) for 6 weeks followed by 2 weeks of rest. The primary end point was 1-year survival; secondary end points were median survival, time to progression, response and toxicity.

RESULTS

One-year survival was 27% in the 3W and 22% in the 1W arm. Median time to progression was also similar in the two arms. Median survival was 6.6 months in the 3W arm versus 5.4 months in the 1W arm (P = 0.075). Response rates were 9.3% in the 3W arm and 4.8% in the 1W arm. More patients in the 1W arm experienced mucositis [1W, nine patients (7.2%); 3W, two patients (1.6%); P = 0.032], while febrile neutropenia was significantly higher in the 3W arm [3W, 10 patients (7.8%); 1W, one patient (0.8%); P = 0.010].

CONCLUSIONS

Both weekly and 3-weekly docetaxel were effective and well-tolerated, with different toxicity profiles. In general, there was no indication to recommend the weekly schedule. However, the significant lower rate of febrile neutropenia observed in the weekly schedule makes it a good alternative for patients at risk of severe neutropenia.

Characterization of a phosphorus-potassium solution obtained during a protein concentrate process from sunflower flour. Application on rye-grass

The process that permits the ability to obtain a protein extract from defatted sunflower flour also produces a solution very rich in phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), which also contains small concentrations of humic substances. The aim of this study has been to determine the possible agricultural use of this extract. Therefore the phosphorus-potassium solution (experimental solution) was analyzed to determinate its pH and its content of nitrogen, proteins, organic carbon, humic substances potassium and phosphorous. The experimental solution was applied on rye-grass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and afterwards the results were analyzed we calculated the germination percentage and the fresh and dry weights that were obtained after each cut throughout the duration of the experiment. In addition the different pigment types (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids) were quantified. The conclusions of the study examine how this time-stable experimental solution improves the long-term effects and also the level of pigments, especially carotenoids, of the plants that have been treated.

Assessment of service use patterns in out-patients with schizophrenia: a Spanish study

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to describe and characterize patterns of service use by out-patients with schizophrenia in Spain.

METHOD

A representative treated prevalence sample of cases with schizophrenia was selected from four Spanish health areas. The evaluation included health service use, clinical severity, functioning and disability. Statistical analysis was based on hierarchical clustering methods.

RESULTS

A total of 356 patients were included in the analysis. Five patterns of health service use were defined: heavy out-patient mental health users; mental health and general health service users; heavy hospital service users; nursing service users; low users of mental health services. Patients in each group showed differences in clinical and disability status. Patterns of health service use showed consistency, but also variability, among the geographical areas.

CONCLUSION

Development and organization of mental health services should take into account the combinations of services patients most frequently use.

The fertilizer value of pig slurry. I. Values depending on the type of operation

151 samples of pig slurries were taken from 83 operations in the Castile-Leon region of Spain. Analysis of them enabled comparison of slurries coming from pig farming operations located in different Spanish and European regions. These operations were classified into three groups, namely maternity (64 samples), closed cycle (35 samples) and fattening (52 samples). For each sample 27 parameters were analysed. Data obtained from each kind of operation were compared. Finally, the fertilizer value of slurries was determined with regard to the relationship between their major elements, N/P2O5/K2O (1/0.6/0.4).

Improving postharvest resistance in fruits by external application of trans-resveratrol

As it is well-known, one of the main problems of modern agriculture is the postharvest fruit losses due to pathogen's attack and natural senescence during storage. Well established solutions to improve this situation, such as, for example, storage under controlled conditions and the use of synthetic pesticides, are not free of problems due to human health risks and environmental effects caused by chemical pesticides. A new strategy to solve these problems consists of developing methods to improve the natural plant resistance by using, upon their identification, the plant's own defense molecules, in other words, applying methods based on the plant's own natural processes of pest suppression to control spoilage. This requires the identification of components of the natural defense response in plants, which, in turn, demands highly sensitive, fast, and versatile analytical methods especially for trace, nonvolatile, compounds. In this work a laser-based technique has been applied for screening the postharvest elicitation of resveratrol by Botrytis cinerea in grapes. Besides antifungal character, resveratrol is known to present important antioxidant properties, which could also have positive effects on fruit conservation during storage. Consequently, several experiments were carried out in which exogenous application of resveratrol to several fruits maintained their postharvest quality. The quality of both resveratrol-treated and untreated fruits has been studied by the assessment of the biochemical composition and sensory analysis. Indeed, the present work demonstrates that the external application of resveratrol does not alter the sensorial and biochemical properties of the fruit.

Study of the degradation of the herbicides 2,4-D and MCPA at different depths in contaminated agricultural soil

Two phenoxyacid herbicides (2,4-D and MCPA) and their six corresponding phenols were determined in soil by using gas chomatography with electron impact mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for confirmation/quantitation. An automatic extraction (leaching), preconcentration, and cleanup (sorption) module was developed to extract the eight compounds from soil. The average recovery of all species, spiked to soil at microg/kg-mg/kg levels, was 95% (average standard deviation +/- 5%). A plot of agricultural clayey soil (approximately 12 m2) was contaminated with both herbicides (approximately 96 g/m3, depth 10 cm, density 1.23 g/cm3) and irrigated with (17 mm) at variable time intervals. Both herbicides and their corresponding phenol compounds were monitored at different soil depths over a 50 day period. The degradation of both herbicides in the surface layer (t(1/2) approximately 5 days) is a result of photodecomposition and microbial action; in the deeper layers, the degradation products occur in lower proportions by effect of leaching and are also the result of microbial action. The six phenol metabolites are only detected in the surface layer as they form preferentially by photodecomposition. The main metabolites (viz. 2,4-DCP for 2,4-D and 4-C-2-MP for MCPA) are formed within 24 h after the soil is contaminated; their concentration peaks are at day 8 in the absence of irrigation.

Obtaining a protein concentrate from integral defatted sunflower flour

Proteins which are found in integral defatted sunflower flour (27% of protein in dry weight) allow us to produce a protein concentrate by means of extraction of proteins with a basic pH solution, followed by their precipitation with an acid pH solution. Once the suitable conditions for pH and temperature were fixed in order to carry out these processes, a solid proteic concentrate (71% of protein in dry weight) was obtained which was rich in glutamic and aspartic acids, with a liquid supernatant very rich in phosphorus and potassium, which might be used as an agricultural fertilizer.

SC-1, an antimycotic spirostan saponin from Solanum chrysotrichum

A new antimycotic steroidal saponin named SC-1 has been isolated from the leaves of Solanum chrysotrichum by bioassay-guided fractionation. The structure of SC-1 was characterized as 3-O-[beta-quinovopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta- glucopyranosyl]chlorogenin on the basis of spectral analyses and chemical evidence.

Quality of life among stroke survivors evaluated 1 year after stroke: experience of a stroke unit

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We sought to study overall and domain-specific quality of life in stroke survivors 1 year after stroke and to identify variables that could predict quality of life after stroke.

METHODS

We followed up for 1 year a cohort of 118 patients consecutively admitted to our stroke unit at San Carlos University Hospital in Madrid, Spain. The final series at 1-year follow-up consisted of 90 survivors (41 women and 49 men; mean age, 68 years; range, 32 to 90 years). A cross-sectional, descriptive design was developed. Patients completed a questionnaire that included socioeconomic variables, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), Short Form 36, Frenchay Index, Barthel Index, Rankin Scale, and Scandinavian Stroke Scale. Independent variables were sex, age, functional status, motor impairment, and depression. We developed an ANOVA model for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

We interviewed 79 patients with ischemic and 11 with hemorrhagic stroke. Thirty-eight percent of patients scored in the depressed range. Variables related to depression were status as a housewife, female sex, inability to work because of disability, and diminished social activity (P:<0.0001). Mean total SIP (24.3), SIP psychosocial dimension (27.5), and SIP physical dimension (21.2) were correlated with disability, female sex, motor impairment, and depression (P:<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Functional status and depression were identified as predictors of quality of life. Patients independent in their activities of daily living suffered from a deterioration of the psychosocial dimension of the SIP.

[Data on the safety of antihistaminics obtained from published clinical trials]

BACKGROUND

We studied H1 antihistaminic safety, with respect to CNS, and clinical trial validity to determine its adverse effects and generalize the results.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We employed clinical trials published between 1990-94, selecting them according to several quality criterion to obtain reliable and extrapolable conclusions. Patients that use modern antihistaminics have less adverse effects (32.5%), than those patients that use classics ones (78.6%) and similar to placebo (27.7%). Loratadine (28.4%) and noberastine (22.3%) are the antihistaminics with less adverse effects. Sedation (13.2%) and fatigue (4.9%) are the adverse effects more frequently produced by antihistaminics. Headache (6.7%) that is a frequent adverse effect, has a doubtful causality relationship with the use of antihistaminic.

CONCLUSIONS

Second generation antihistaminics have less adverse effects and similar efficacy than classics ones. Noberastine and loratadine are the antihistaminics with less adverse effects in this study.

[Blood flow in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. Does there exist the associated hypoperfusion? A transcranial Doppler study]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate, using transcranial Doppler, changes in parameters in patients with cerebral hematoma, as compared with controls, for detection of possible regional hypoperfusion.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We studied 24 patients with cerebral hematomas and 15 healthy volunteers. The volume of the hematoma and the hypodense area was determined by computerized axial tomography of the skull at the time of admission. The average speed and index of pulsation of the anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries were measured in both hemispheres using transcranial Doppler within the first 100 hours. The differences between the averages were analysed using the ANOVA test and the correlations with Pearson's coefficient of correlation.

RESULTS

The average speeds, except in the anterior cerebral artery, were lower in both hemispheres in the patients than in the controls (p < 0.001). There were interhemispherical differences in the average speeds in the patients (p = 0.06). The indices of pulsatility were greater in both hemispheres in the patients than in the controls (p < 0.001). These differences were independent of age, sex and arterial blood pressure. The average speed in the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery showed excellent correlation with the size of the hypodense area (r = -0.92) and the hematoma (r = -0.89). The indices of pulsatility showed little correlation with the size of the lesion. There was moderate correlation between transcranial Doppler and clinical scales.

CONCLUSION

Transcranial Doppler detects cerebral hypoperfusion in patients with hematoma. The excellent correlation of the average speed in the middle cerebral artery with the size of the lesion and the low correlation of the indices of pulsatility, which did not show interhemispherical asymmetry, suggest that the mechanisms of hipoperfusion are different from the intracranial hypertension.

[Food poisoning outbreak due to the consumption of spaghetti a la carbonara caused by Salmonella enteritidis]

INTRODUCTION

This paper reports a clinico-epidemiological and microbiological investigation conducted into an outbreak of gastrointestinal infection due to Salmonella enteritidis, where the most likely food vehicle was spaghetti a la carbonara.

METHODS

An historic cohort study was conducted out among persons exposed to menus at a school canteen. Data were gathered on age, sex, foods consumed and clinical symptoms. School premises and menus were inspected, food samples obtained (spaghetti and meat balls), and stool samples taken from 30 affected subjects and 8 food handlers. Isolated strains were studied using pulsed-field electrophoresis. Attack rates were computed, and the odds ratio adjusted for the remaining foodstuffs (ORa) used to calculate the independent contribution made by the respective foods to risk of infection.

RESULTS

Study coverage was 75.7% (140/185). The overall attack rate was 72.1% (101/140), with 12.9% of those affected requiring hospitalisation. The multivariate analysis showed that, while the spaghetti maintained its association (ORa = 8.4; 95% CI 1.4-51.8), the meat balls registered a reduction in risk (ORa = 1.8; 95% CI 0.4-7.5). S. enteritidis was isolated in stool cultures from 28 affected subjects, and in 2 blood and 6 stool cultures from food handlers (5 of whom were classed as cases). Moreover, S. enteritidis was also isolated in the food samples. On pulsed-field electrophoresis, the strains registered the same electrophoresis pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

This outbreak serves to underscore the gravity of Salmonella spp. food poisoning, the danger of using inadequately cooked eggs, and the importance of interviewing food handlers to ensure proper classification (i.e., as patients or carriers). Existing recommendations as to the use of pasteurised egg products ought to be extended in scope.

[Effect of oral contraceptive administration on the frequency of estrogen receptor and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia]

A study of 56 sexual active women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was conducted in Mexico City, to determine wether the risk for this condition is altered by using oral contraceptives. Responses of a standardized questionnaire compared 29 patients under oral contraceptive (OC) treatment and 27 control subjects selected from the same screening program, though which the cases were detected. Estrogen receptor (ER) levels were determined in each hyperplastic tissue. The ER frequency was approximately the same in women under oral contraceptive (OC) treatment and in women without it. (P > 0.05). Among other risk factors, first intercourse at an early age, first pregnancy age, number of pregnancies and multiple sexual partners were consistently no significant (p > 0.05) when both groups were compared. In this study, we have found no evidence of an etiologic relationship between neither oral contraceptive usage or non usage and CIN.

Expressive writing and the role of alexythimia as a dispositional deficit in self-disclosure and psychological health

Psychology students were randomly assigned to a condition in which they had to write for 20 min on 3 days or for 3 min on 1 day a factual description of disclosed traumas, undisclosed traumas, or recent social events. In the case of undisclosed traumatic events, intensive writing about these events showed a beneficial effect on affect and on the affective impact of remembering the event and appraisal. Participants who wrote briefly about an undisclosed traumatic event showed a more negative appraisal. Participants who wrote intensively about a traumatic event and had a dispositional deficit in self-disclosure, measured by a Toronto Alexithymia Scale subscale, showed a positive effect on self-reported measures of affect. Difficulty in describing feelings, an alexythimia dimension, correlated with psychological health problems, emotional inhibition, and a less introspective content of written essays about the emotional events.

Expressive writing and the role of alexythimia as a dispositional deficit in self-disclosure and psychological health

Psychology students were randomly assigned to a condition in which they had to write for 20 min on 3 days or for 3 min on 1 day a factual description of disclosed traumas, undisclosed traumas, or recent social events. In the case of undisclosed traumatic events, intensive writing about these events showed a beneficial effect on affect and on the affective impact of remembering the event and appraisal. Participants who wrote briefly about an undisclosed traumatic event showed a more negative appraisal. Participants who wrote intensively about a traumatic event and had a dispositional deficit in self-disclosure, measured by a Toronto Alexithymia Scale subscale, showed a positive effect on self-reported measures of affect. Difficulty in describing feelings, an alexythimia dimension, correlated with psychological health problems, emotional inhibition, and a less introspective content of written essays about the emotional events.

[Intraventricular neurocytoma. Report of 2 cases and analysis of the therapeutic possibilities]

Intraventricular or central neurocytoma is a recently described unusual benign cerebral tumor. Common features include: predominant occurrence in young adults, septum pellucidum and fornix localization, and signs of intracranial hypertension due to obstructive hydrocephalus. Histopathologically, this tumor is characterized by a uniform neoplastic cell population with features of neuronal differentiation. Radiologic findings such as calcification, well-circumscribed tumor mass and confinement to the lateral and third ventricles are common. An anterior transcallosal neurosurgical approach yielded good outcomes. Radiotherapy should be considered for residual and recurrent neurocytomas. However, the radiation sensitivity of intraventricular neurocytoma has not been established and further studies are required to determine susceptibility to irradiation.

[Oculocerebral syndrome: an infrequent pathological manifestation of carotid occlusion]

INTRODUCTION

The simultaneous occurrence of impaired visual and ipsilateral hemisphere symptoms is uncommon. It is associated with carotid pathology.

CLINICAL CASES

We present three cases under the name of oculocerebral syndrome, in which there were symptoms of monocular ischemia and ipsilateral cerebral ischemia. In two of these cases the monocular vision loss was transient, and in the third case it was permanent due to occlusion of the central retinal artery. In all three cases there was evidence of obstruction of the internal carotid artery.

CONCLUSION

The pathological process involved may be mixed, embolic-hemodynamic.

Sex differences in estrogenic regulation of preproenkephalin mRNA levels in the medial preoptic area of prepubertal rats

Opioids have been implicated in sexual differentiation of the brain and in the regulation of reproductive behavior and endocrinology of mammals. Previous studies have indicated that estrogen administration in adults regulates preproenkephalin MRNA levels in several hypothalamic brain nuclei. We have determined preproenkephalin mRNA levels in estrogen-treated juvenile male and female rats to investigate the developmental pattern of estrogenic regulation of enkephalinergic neurons in the medial preoptic area. Rats were treated with estradiol benzoate (20 microgram/kg/day) or oil from day 21 to 23. Sections of the medial preoptic area (mPOA) were studied by in situ hybridization histochemistry at the single cell level and quantified with the assistance of an image analysis system. Our data indicate that males contain higher levels of preproenkephalin mRNA per neuron than females. In addition, our results indicate that estrogen causes an upward shift in the amount of mRNA expressed per cell, females demonstrating a greater response to estrogen than males. An increase in soma cell area following estrogen treatment was observed only in female mPOA enkephalinergic neurons. Taken together, these results indicate a sex difference in total preproenkephalin levels and in estrogenic regulation of preproenkephalin mRNA in the POA of juvenile rats. These results are discussed in relation to the differential role opioids may play in male and female reproductive physiology.

Colorectal sarcoma: analysis of failure patterns

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Colorectal sarcomas (CRS) are rare and their treatment remains controversial, especially for those located in the rectum. The aim of this paper is to evaluate our experience, with special emphasis on the failure pattern after surgical therapy alone or combined with postoperative radiotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical records and histological slides of 13 CRS patients treated between 1986 and 1996 were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The patients included eight males and five females, with a median age of 54 years; nine of their primary tumors were located in the rectum, and four in the colon. The histologies were leiomyosarcoma in nine cases and malignant fibrous histiocytoma in four cases. Surgical treatment consisted of anatomical colectomy (four); local excision (three); abdominoperineal resection (APR)(two); low anterior resection (LAR)(two); LAR en bloc with the prostate (one), and total pelvic exenteration (one). One operative death occurred. The median size of the tumors was 8 cm (range, 5-40). The tumors were graded as low, three, and high, ten. The median follow-up was 24 months. Eight patients in the overall group developed recurrences as follows: local, three; local and distant, three, and distant, two. Five out of nine patients with rectal sarcoma received adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy (PRT). Local recurrence occurred in 20% (1/5) of those who received PRT, and in 100% (3/3) of those who did not. The overall 5-year survival was 40%, and the 5-year survival for patients with low-grade tumors was 66%, as compared with 22% for those with high-grade tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

The patterns of failure in CRS are combined in both local and distant sites. However, our results suggest that in rectal sarcoma, the use of surgery + PRT may reduce the local recurrence rate; in selected patients, it may allow for anal sphincter preservation.

[The one and a half vertical syndrome as the only evidence of bilateral thalamo-subthalamic infarction]

INTRODUCTION

The one and a half vertical syndrome consists of paralysis of upward vertical conjugated gaze and monocular paralysis of downward gaze or vice-versa. It occurs as a consequence of a mesencephalodiencephalic lesion, either unilaterally or bilaterally, due to effects on structures such as the interstitial nucleus of Cajal, posterior commissure and rostral interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal bundle. The arterial supply of the structures involved in the supranuclear control of vertical gaze depends on the paramedian thalamic arteries (or posterior thalamo-subthalamic arteries) and the paramedian peduncular arteries.

CLINICAL CASE

We present the case of a 58 year old woman with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus who presented with sudden onset of diplopia of vertical gaze. On examination there was paralysis of superior vertical conjugated gaze and monocular paralysis of ocular infraversion (one and a half syndrome) with no other pathological findings. Cerebral angioresonance and Doppler studies of the territory supplied by the posterior cerebral artery were normal.

CONCLUSIONS

Both unilateral and bilateral mesencephalodiencephalic infarcts usually present clinically as disorders of consciousness and of conduct (the almost universal form of presentation), involvement of the pyramidal tract, the third cranial nerves and a supranuclear disorder of vertical gaze. The unusual feature of the case we present is a bilateral thalamo-subthalamic infarct which presented solely as a one and a half vertical syndrome with no clinically apparent effect on anatomically adjacent structures. We have not found any similar cases in the literature.

Birthdate and cell marker analysis of scrambler: a novel mutation affecting cortical development with a reeler-like phenotype

The reeler mutation in mice produces an especially well characterized disorder, with systematically abnormal migration of cerebral cortical neurons. The reeler gene encodes a large protein, termed Reelin, that in the cortex is synthesized and secreted exclusively in the Cajal-Retzius neurons of the cortical marginal zone (D'Arcangelo et al., 1995). In reeler mutant mice, loss of Reelin protein is associated with a systematic loss of the normal, "inside-out" sequence of neurogenesis in the cortex: neurons are formed in the normal sequence but become localized in the cortex in a somewhat inverted, although relatively disorganized "outside-in" pattern. Here we show that the scrambler mutant mouse exhibits a loss of lamination in the cortex and hippocampus that is indistinguishable from that seen in the reeler mouse. We use BrdU birthdating studies to show that scrambler cortex shows a somewhat inverted "outside-in" sequence of birthdates for cortical neurons that is similar to that previously described in reeler cortex. Finally, we perform staining with the CR-50 monoclonal antibody (Ogawa et al., 1995), which recognizes the Reelin protein (D'Arcangelo et al., 1997). We show that Reelin immunoreactivity is present in the scrambler cortex in a normal pattern, suggesting that Reelin is synthesized and released normally. Our data suggest that scrambler is a mutation in the same gene pathway as the reeler gene (Relnrl) and is most likely downstream of Relnrl.

Aberrant splicing of a mouse disabled homolog, mdab1, in the scrambler mouse

Although accurate long-distance neuronal migration is a cardinal feature of cerebral cortical development, little is known about control of this migration. The scrambler (scm) mouse shows abnormal cortical lamination that is indistinguishable from reeler. Genetic and physical mapping of scm identified yeast artificial chromosomes containing an exon of mdab1, a homolog of Drosophila disabled, which encodes a phosphoprotein that binds nonreceptor tyrosine kinases. mdab1 transcripts showed abnormal splicing in scm homozygotes, with 1.5 kb of intracisternal A particle retrotransposon sequence inserted into the mdab1 coding region in antisense orientation, producing a mutated and truncated predicted protein. Therefore, mdab1 is most likely the scm gene, thus implicating nonreceptor tyrosine kinases in neuronal migration and lamination in developing cerebral cortex.

[Dolichoectasia of multiple cranial arteries. Findings on neuroimaging and transcranial Doppler]

INTRODUCTION

Dolichoectasia of the intracranial arteries may give rise to ischaemic or haemorragic pathology and to compression phenomena. Joint dolichoectasia of the whole circle of Willis, in both the anterior and basilar portions extending to the main basal arteries is an unusual finding.

CLINICAL CASE

We describe a 76 year old man who presented with vertigo with vertically downward nystagmus. On neuroimaging studies there was aneurysmal dilation of the left vertebral, basilar and both carotid arteries (in their supra-clinoid portion) and of both medial cerebral arteries. Transcraneal Doppler showed marked reduction in flow rate with normal morphology and pulsation.

CONCLUSION

The combination of non-invasive techniques allows full, reliable evaluation of the swollen arteries and possible complications.

The G-cells in the dog: a light and electron microscope immunocytochemical study

An immunohistochemical study has been performed to analyse the distribution of gastrin cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the dog. This study revealed that G-cells immunoreactive for gastrin were almost exclusively present in the pyloric antral mucosa, mainly in the middle third of the pyloric mucosa. The calculated number of G-cells per surface unit area was 8.5 x 10(3)-1.2 x 10(4) cells cm-2. Some gastrin-immunopositive cells were found in the first 10 mm of the proximal duodenum, mainly in the villous region. The fundic area of the dog stomach, the oesophagus, small intestine, caecum, colon, rectum, salivary glands, liver and pancreas were all immunonegative for gastrin. At the ultrastructural level, three different types of granules (150-400 nm) were evident in G-cells: electron-dense, electron-lucent and intermediate forms. Most of them were located in the subnuclear region of the cell. The effect of fixation of the antral mucosa at different pH levels was studied. In samples fixed with acid solutions, most of the G-cell granules were of the electron-dense type and were strongly immunopositive for gastrin. Fixation of samples at a basic pH resulted in most of the gastrin granules losing their contents into the cytoplasm, and the positive reaction to gastrin was then located in the cytoplasm and at the periphery of the electron-lucent granules.

Antibody response in dogs experimentally infected with Leishmania infantum: infection course antigen markers

Five-month-old beagle dogs were experimentally infected with amastigotes of Leishmania infantum and kept for 14 months. Infection course was monitored by clinical examination, serum protein variations, and levels of specific antibodies against Leishmania estimated by indirect immunofluorescence test and Western blotting (WB). Infected animals developed notable changes in serum protein levels reaching maximum protein concentrations 2-3 months postinfection (p.i.) related to the gamma-globulin fraction. Specific antibody titers were in good agreement with the serum protein rise, reaching immunofluorescence values of over 1:800 3 months p.i. Serial Western blotting analysis with L. infantum promastigotes protein showed a strong response against immunodominant antigens of 50-57, 42, and 29 kDa during most of the studied period with immunofluorescence titers of over 1:100 and in addition the response was remarkably homogeneous among the infected dogs. Immunoreactivity patterns displayed time-related variations; the response against 29 and 50-57 kDa was seen very early, followed by the reaction around 42, 76, and 86 kDa. In addition the recognition of peptides around 34-35.4 and 26 kDa was restricted to the acute phase of the experimental infection. Preliminary results obtained in naturally infected dogs seem to support the predictive value of the WB.

[Value of the transcranial Doppler examination in the diagnosis of brain death]

BACKGROUND

Transcranial Doppler examination (TCD) is a non invasive method capable of detecting the interruption of cerebral flow in patients with criteria of brain death. Its recognition as an alternative to isoelectric EEG for the diagnosis of brain death requires previous validation.

METHODS

Twenty-six patients in profound coma were examined by TCD. Of 23 patients with technically adequate study 13 manifested clinical criteria and EEG of brain death. Of these patients 9 had received barbiturate treatment and 4 had not.

RESULTS

Changes in the flow waves of the TCD were observed in the form of diastolic reflux or systolic points of slight amplitude without diastolic flow in at least 2 arteries in 12 of 13 patients with criteria of brain death (sensitivity = 92%) and in none of the 10 patients without criteria of brain death (specificity = 100%). The use of barbiturates did not modify the normal anterograde flow detected by TCD in the absence of criteria of brain death.

CONCLUSIONS

Transcranial Doppler is a good method for confirming the clinical diagnosis of brain death, fundamentally in patients undergoing treatment with drugs depressing the central nervous system.

[Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with variable doses: an alternative to conventional PCA?]

We have prospectively studied the effects of three types of patient controlled anesthesia (PCA) in 30 patients who underwent elective upper abdominal surgery. Patients were allocated into three groups of 10. The first group received postoperative anesthesia by means of intravenous conventional PCA at fixed demand doses (PCADF). A second group was treated with demand doses that were varied in each bolus according to the intensity of pain (PCADV). A third group received continuous infusion with additional demand doses in variable bolus (PCAC + DV). The analgesic agent used in this study was morphine chloride. The total accumulated doses of morphine in PCADV group were lower than those of the other two groups. These differences were statistically significant when they were compared with PCADF group (p less than 0.01 at 2 and 6 hours; p less than 0.05 at 12 and 24 hours) and with PCAC + DV group (p less than 0.01 at 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours). Differences in morphine consumption during the different time intervals were markedly significant between 0 and 2 hours after the onset of PCA. PCADV required lower doses (p less than 0.01). After the first 2 hours, patients of PCADV group continued using lower morphine doses, but these differences were not significant when compared with PCADF group, although were present with respect to patients of PCAC + DV group (p less than 0.01). The incidence of secondary effects was not significantly different among the three groups. Based on these results we propose a modification in present PCA pumps.

Evaluation of thermodynamic ionization constants by computation of spectrophotometric and potentiometric experimental data obtained simultaneously from a flow system

A method is proposed for the direct and simultaneous determination of the thermodynamic ionization constants of bifunctional substances, with (microscopic) and without overlap in the ionizations, with computational treatment of spectrophotometric and potentiometric experimental data obtained simultaneously in a flow system. For monofunctional substances, potentiometric data are enough. The data are obtained at very low values of ionic strength, which is variable throughout the experiment because no inert electrolyte is added. The MICROTER program, written in FORTRAN 77, is based on an algorithm of mathematical optimization with a controlled-descent movement. The ionization constants of the following substances of pharmacological interest were determined: cysteine, penicillamine, ofloxacin, and norfloxacin (bifunctional with overlap); cephalexin and cephapirin (bifunctional without overlap); and tolazoline, naphazoline, and oximetazoline (monofunctional).

Erosive colitis in experimental canine Leishmaniasis

Six 4 month-old beagles were inoculated with Leishmania infantum, three of them intraperitoneally (Group A) and the other three intravenously (Group B). The animals from Group A were killed at 109, 433 and 592 days after inoculation and animals from Group B 109, 171 and 334 days after inoculation. At 350 days (Group A) and 275 days (Group B) after inoculation, dogs started to develop a chronic large bowel diarrhoea. At necropsy a diffuse colonic and rectal wall thickening of gradually increasing severity was observed. Histological examination of the colon showed a diffuse inflammatory infiltration of the mucosa and submucosa by macrophages with amastigotes, lymphocytes, plasma cells and some neutrophils and eosinophils. The surface epithelium developed increasingly extensive degeneration, which caused the development of erosions on the mucosal surface. The crypts of Lieberkühn decreased in number and showed degeneration of the crypt epithelium.

[Effect produced by the alkaloid fraction of Mimosa tenuiflora (tepescohuite) on the peristaltic reflex of the guinea pig ileum]

An alkaloidal fraction was obtained from Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir (tepescohuite) trunk bark. The product contained mainly an indolealkylamine and three minor alkaloids. This fraction inhibited the peristaltic reflex in the guinea-pig isolated ileum in vitro.

[Pharmacological properties in vitro of various extracts of Mimosa tenuiflora (tepescohuite)]

The in vitro biological effects of polar extracts of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir. trunk bark (tepescohuite) were studied. Ethyl acetate extract, with a high tannin content, inhibited the growth of different microorganisms. Alkaloids were particularly abundant in the butanol extract and this product strongly inhibited the intestinal peristalsis and produced contraction of uterine and gastric strips of rat and guinea pig. Saponins were detected in butanol and methanol extracts producing hemolysis. The screenings performed showed the diversity of bioactive compounds present in this plant product.

Amyloidosis in adrenal glands of hamsters experimentally infected with Leishmania infantum

Thirty 10-week-old hamsters were inoculated intraperitoneally with leishmania infantum amastigotes and were serially killed after 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 89-90 days. The adrenal glands of each of them were examined by means of light and electron microscopy. The cortex and medulla of the adrenal gland showed a progressive deposition of amyloid, selectively identified by both optical and ultrastructural techniques. It has been suggested that adrenal amyloidosis during visceral leishmaniasis is directly related to a stimulation of the phagocitary mononuclear system due to the persistence of the antigenic stimulation of the parasite. In addition to these deposits, the presence of inflammatory infiltrates containing lymphocytes, plasmocytes and macrophages with leishmanias confirmed the establishment of leishmaniasis. The deposition of the amyloid fibrils finally leads to the partial destruction of the adrenal parenchyma.

Pharmacologic modulation of vascular permeability in ocular allergy in the rat

Evans blue (EB) dye extravasation has been used as a reliable and objective parameter of the increased vascular permeability of an allergic conjunctivitis experimental rat model that closely mimics human ocular allergy. Five male Wistar rats, previously immunized (Group 1), had DL-dithiothreitol (DTT) applied topically to one eye 15 min prior to topical challenge with egg albumin (EA). The fellow eye (control) received phosphate buffered saline (PBS) 15 min prior to receiving EA. Immediately prior to challenge, the rats were injected intravenously with EB. After 30 min, the animals were killed and the dye extracted from the eyes. The intensity of EB extravasation was determined by spectrophotometry at 620 nm. EB extravasation was significantly higher in the eyes that received DTT than in those that received PBS. Groups 2, 3 and 4 of nonimmunized rats served as additional controls: Group 2 for DTT toxicity, Group 3 as a proof of the reaginic antibody mediation and Group 4 as a control of EB extravasation under normal conditions. Five additional groups of five rats each were immunized and both eyes of each rat received DTT 15 min before EA challenge. One eye of each rat received 0.1% dexamethasone sodium phosphate topically (Group 5), 0.1% pyrilamine maleate (Groups 6 and 7), and 2% disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) (Groups 8 and 9). The fellow eye received the solvent of each drug topically (control). In the eyes treated with antiallergic drugs, EB extravasation decreased 40% for dexamethasone, 44.1% and 10.4% for pyrilamine, and 51.4% and 51.2% for DSCG.

Choline acetyltransferase activity in the rat brain cortex homogenate, synaptosomes, and capillaries after lesioning the nucleus basalis magnocellularis

Stereotaxic lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis were made unilaterally in male Wistar rats with either kainic or ibotenic acid, using the contralateral side as control. Differences in behavior, body weight, and survival were observed between the kainic and ibotenic acid-treated rats. One week after surgery, the rats were sacrificed and the effect of the lesions on choline acetyltransferase activity was measured in brain cortex homogenate, synaptosomes, and capillaries. In kainic acid-lesioned rats, choline acetyltransferase activity decreased in homogenate and synaptosomes of the ipsilateral side with respect to that of the contralateral side; but the ibotenic acid lesion, which also reduced the ipsilateral choline acetyltransferase activity in homogenate, showed a rather different effect on the enzymatic activity of the synaptosomes. There were also differences between the effect of kainic and ibotenic acid lesions on choline acetyltransferase activity in the capillaries of the ipsilateral side with respect to that of the contralateral one. However, capillary choline acetyltransferase activity of the treated rats was in both sides three times higher than that of unoperated rats.

Synthesis of acetylcholine by endothelial cells isolated from rat brain cortex capillaries

Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity was measured in a fraction of endothelial cells obtained by collagenase digestion from previously isolated rat brain cortex capillaries. ChAT specific activity in the dissociated cells (0.264 nmol X mg protein-1 X min-1) was nearly 7 times higher than the activity measured in 'capillary-forming' cells (0.038 nmol X mg protein-1 X min-1). It is not known whether this increase was caused by ChAT enrichment of the former cellular fraction, and/or by a change in the specific activity of the enzyme during the isolation procedure, but the finding would be in favor of the intrinsic localization of cerebrovascular ChAT in endothelial cells. This would support the hypothesis of a role for locally synthesized ACh in the vasodilating response to noxious stimuli.