Cholesterol-Related lncRNAs as Response Predictors of Atorvastatin Treatment in Chilean Hypercholesterolemic Patients: A Pilot Study

Statins are currently the treatment of choice for hypercholesterolemia. However, wide interindividual variability has been observed in the response to treatment. Recent studies have reported the role of lncRNAs in the metabolism of lipids; nevertheless, there are few studies to date that show their role in the response to treatment with statins. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the levels of expression of three lncRNAs (RP1-13D10.2; MANTIS; lncHR1) associated with genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis in leukocyte cells of hypercholesterolemic patients after treatment with atorvastatin and compare them with levels in subjects with normal cholesterol levels. A secondary aim was to assess the levels of expression in monocytic THP-1 cells differentiated to macrophages. The study included 20 subjects with normal cholesterol (NC) levels and 20 individuals with hypercholesterolemia (HC). The HC patients were treated with atorvastatin (20 mg/day/4 weeks). THP-1 cells were differentiated to macrophages with PMA and treated with different doses of atorvastatin for 24 h. Expression of lncRNAs was determined by RT-qPCR. The lncRNAs RP1-13D10.2 (p < 0.0001), MANTIS (p = 0.0013) and lncHR1 (p < 0.0001) presented increased expression in HC subjects compared with NC subjects. Furthermore, atorvastatin had a negative regulatory effect on the expression of lncHR1 (p < 0.0001) in HC subjects after treatment. In vitro, all the lncRNAs showed significant differences in expression after atorvastatin treatment. Our findings show that the lncRNAs tested present differential expression in HC patients and play a role in the variability reported in the response to atorvastatin treatment. Further research is needed to clarify the biological impact of these lncRNAs on cholesterol homeostasis and treatment with statins.

Early treatment with JNJ-46356479, a mGluR2 modulator, improves behavioral and neuropathological deficits in a postnatal ketamine mouse model of schizophrenia

Positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2), such as JNJ-46356479 (JNJ), may mitigate the glutamate storm during the early stages of schizophrenia (SZ), which could be especially useful in the treatment of cognitive and negative symptoms. We evaluated the efficacy of early treatment with JNJ or clozapine (CLZ) in reversing behavioral and neuropathological deficits induced in a postnatal ketamine (KET) mouse model of SZ. Mice exposed to KET (30 mg/kg) on postnatal days (PND) 7, 9, and 11 received JNJ or CLZ (10 mg/kg) daily in the adolescent period (PND 35-60). Mice exposed to KET did not show the expected preference for a novel object or for social novelty, but they recovered this preference with JNJ treatment. Similarly, KET group did not show the expected dishabituation in the fifth trial, but mice treated with JNJ or CLZ recovered an interest in the novel animal. Neuronal immunoreactivity also differed between treatment groups with mice exposed to KET showing a reduction in parvalbumin positive cells in the prefrontal cortex and decreased c-Fos expression in the hippocampus, which was normalized with the pharmacological treatment. JNJ-46356479 treatment in early stages may help improve the cognitive and negative symptoms, as well as certain neuropathological deficits, and may even obtain a better response than CLZ treatment. This may have relevant clinical translational applications since early treatment with mGluR2 modulators that inhibit glutamate release at the onset of critical phases of SZ may prevent or slow down the clinical deterioration of the disease.

Quality of life and persistent symptoms after hospitalization for COVID-19. A prospective observational study comparing ICU with non-ICU patients

Background

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients are prone to develop persistent symptoms and to show reduced quality of life following hospital admission.

Methods

Prospective cohort study of COVID-19 patients admitted to a hospital from March 1 to April 30, 2020. The primary outcome was to compare health related quality of life and persistent symptoms six months after hospital admission, of COVID-19 patients who required ICU admission with those who did not.

Results

Among the 242 patients hospitalized during the defined period of time, 44 (18.2%) needed ICU admission. Forty (16.5%) patients died during hospital admission. Two hundred and two (83.5%) patients were discharged alive from the hospital. At six months, 183 (75.6%) patients completed the questionnaires (32 ICU patients and 151 non ICU patients). Ninety-six (52.4%) reported decreased quality of life and 143 (78.1%) described persistent symptoms. More ICU patients showed worsening of their quality of life (71.9% vs 43.7%, P = 0.004). There were no differences in the proportion of patients with persistent symptoms between ICU and non ICU patients (87.5% vs 76.2%, P = 0.159). ICU patients showed more frequently dyspnea on exertion (78.1% vs 47.7%, P = 0.02), dyspnea on light exertion (37.5% vs 4.6%, P < 0.001), and asthenia (56.3 vs 29.1, P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Survivors of COVID-19 needing hospitalization had persistent symptoms and a decline in the quality of life. ICU patients referred a large decrease of their quality of life compared with non ICU patients.

Intraoperative irradiation in breast cancer: preliminary results in 80 patients as partial breast irradiation or anticipated boost prior to hypo-fractionated whole breast irradiation

Purpose

To present the first results of intraoperative irradiation (IORT) in breast cancer with a low-energy photon system used as partial breast irradiation (PBI) or as an anticipated boost before whole breast hypo-fractionated irradiation (IORT + WBI), concerning tolerance, side effects, quality of life, and patient-reported outcomes.

Materials and methods

Eighty patients treated with an Intrabeam^® system of 50 kV X-rays received a 20 Gy dose intraoperatively were included. Moderate daily hypofractionation of 2.7 Gy in 15 fractions up to 40.5 Gy was administered if high-risk factors were present. Acute post-operative toxicity, surgery complications, chronic toxicity, patient-reported cosmesis and Breast-Q questionnaire were performed at follow-up visits.

Results

Thirty-one patients were treated as PBI and the remaining 49 as IORT + WBI. Only the IORT + WBI group presented acute toxicity, mainly mild acute dermatitis (11 patients) and one subacute mastitis. A total of 20 patients presented fibrosis (18 patients grade I, 2 patients grade II), 15 (30.5%) patients in the IORT + WBI group and 3 (9.6%) patients in the group of PBI. The cosmesis evaluation in 73 patients resulted poor, fair, good or excellent in 2, 7, 38 and 26 patients, respectively. In PBI group Breast-Q scored higher, especially in terms of their psychosocial well-being (78 vs 65) and satisfaction with radiation-induced toxicity (77 vs 72, respectively) compared to IORT + WBI group.

Conclusion

IORT is a well-tolerated procedure with low toxicity, good cosmesis and favorable patient-reported outcomes mainly when administered as PBI.

A longitudinal study of gene expression in first-episode schizophrenia; exploring relapse mechanisms by co-expression analysis in peripheral blood

Little is known about the pathophysiological mechanisms of relapse in first-episode schizophrenia, which limits the study of potential biomarkers. To explore relapse mechanisms and identify potential biomarkers for relapse prediction, we analyzed gene expression in peripheral blood in a cohort of first-episode schizophrenia patients with less than 5 years of evolution who had been evaluated over a 3-year follow-up period. A total of 91 participants of the 2EPs project formed the sample for baseline gene expression analysis. Of these, 67 provided biological samples at follow-up (36 after 3 years and 31 at relapse). Gene expression was assessed using the Clariom S Human Array. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was applied to identify modules of co-expressed genes and to analyze their preservation after 3 years of follow-up or at relapse. Among the 25 modules identified, one module was semi-conserved at relapse (DarkTurquoise) and was enriched with risk genes for schizophrenia, showing a dysregulation of the TCF4 gene network in the module. Two modules were semi-conserved both at relapse and after 3 years of follow-up (DarkRed and DarkGrey) and were found to be biologically associated with protein modification and protein location processes. Higher expression of DarkRed genes was associated with higher risk of suffering a relapse and early appearance of relapse (p = 0.045). Our findings suggest that a dysregulation of the TCF4 network could be an important step in the biological process that leads to relapse and suggest that genes related to the ubiquitin proteosome system could be potential biomarkers of relapse.

P–488 Patients’ attitudes towards the anonymity of gamete donation in Spain

Study question

To what extent do infertility patients in Spain support different forms of anonymity for oocyte and sperm donation?

Summary answer

Most patients who undergo treatment with donated gametes in Spain consider that their children should not know the identity of the donors.

What is known already

Spain has a large tradition of gamete donation, probably influenced by its law that requires gamete donation to be anonymous for the donor and the recipient. Although there is a growing support for openness and identity-release in gamete donation, Spanish Society of Fertility has generated an Anonymity in Donations Framework Document which recommends revelation to the donor-conceived children their biological origin preserving the identity. However, there is no information on what the preferences of the patients are regarding the disclosure of the origins to their children.

Study design, size, duration

A prospective, cross-sectional multicenter study that includes all eleven clinics in Spain and involves women who had used donated gametes. From September to October 2020, a self-administered questionnaire was sent out to a total of 57 women which were asked to indicate their responses on a 7-point Likert. 57 (100%) women anonymously completed the questionnaire.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The participants were asking for their socio-demographic characteristics, their opinions concerning secrecy or disclosure of the method of conception towards the child, what type of information should the child have access to – identifying or non-identifying – and whether they intend to inform their child and relatives about his/her origin. Statistical analysis was performed with Chi square test for dichotomous variables and one-sample T-Student for Likert items. p &lt; 0.05 was considered significant.

Main results and the role of chance

Unlike homosexual or single women, 60% of heterosexual couples refuse to inform their offspring about the origin of their gametes and 47,5% would not tell anyone.

Patients do not want to know the identity of donors (0,276 p˂0,001) and they consider that knowledge about the origin of the gametes (0,278 p˂0,001) or the identity of the donor (0,178 p˂0,001) is not important to a child.

Patients do not believe that the donor has the right to know the identity of the offspring (0.098 p &lt; 0.001) but they agree with his/her right to anonymity (0.679).

Limitations, reasons for caution

While the multicenter study design and the extraction of a complete time series from the population under study strengthens validity, the study is limited to women, without being able to extrapolate the results to men or children born by gamete donation, which constitutes a limitation.

Wider implications of the findings: The findings of this study can be used as a basis for further discussion between regulators and professionals with respect to anonymity related to donor conception. These opinions should be considered carefully in legal and ethical discussions on gamete donation.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

Effects of radiation on toxicity, complications, revision surgery and aesthetic outcomes in breast reconstruction: An argument about timing and techniques

BACKGROUND

Radiotherapy (RT) combined with breast reconstruction can reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and increase the survival rate. However, this approach seems to worsen aesthetic outcomes and increase complication rates. The impact of breast reconstruction timing and techniques on clinical outcomes, however, remains unclear. For this reason, we aimed to perform a more comprehensive analysis of a series of patients undergoing RT and breast reconstruction.

METHODS

Patients were divided into 4 groups according to the timing of reconstruction (before RT and after RT) and surgical technique (heterologous reconstruction and autologous reconstruction (AR)). The median time between RT and reconstruction, number of revision surgeries, incidence of complications, toxicity, aesthetics and associated clinical risk factors were used to assess the clinical outcomes. An objective system of skin toxicity evaluation was performed.

RESULTS

Ninety-five patients were included in this study. No significant differences in the median time between RT and reconstruction, incidence of complications, toxicity or aesthetics were noted between different timings or techniques of reconstruction. Patients undergoing AR needed more revision surgeries to complete reconstruction. However, the total number of surgical procedures was similar between the groups. In a comparison between the treated and untreated breasts by an objective system, RT produced an increase in erythema and pigmentation and a decrease in elasticity in the treated breast (p<0.05 for all parameters). On multivariate analysis, smoking was a significant predictor associated with complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined breast reconstruction and RT seem to be successful regardless of the order of treatment or the type of reconstruction.

Long-term results of a randomized partial irradiation trial compared to whole breast irradiation in the early stage and low-risk breast cancer patients after conservative surgery

PURPOSE

To report long-term results of a randomized trial comparing accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) to whole-breast irradiation (WBI) in terms of efficacy, toxicity, and cosmesis.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

WBI group was treated with 3D conformal external irradiation, 2 Gy daily/fraction, 5 fractions/week, to a total dose of 50 Gy. APBI group was treated with 3D conformal external irradiation 3.75 Gy/fraction, twice a day, 5 fractions/week, to a total dose of 37.5 Gy in the APBI group. Patients were followed up every 6 months up to 5 years and yearly thereafter. During follow-up visits, the clinician evaluated chronic toxicity and scored cosmetic results with a four-scale system.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 10.3 years, 43 patients in each group (84%) are alive without disease. One patient died after disease progression in the APBI arm, and there was no death in the WBI arm. The rest of the patients died from another disease different than breast cancer, similarly between groups. There was greater fibrosis in the APBI group (9 patients grade 1 and one grade 2) compared to WBI (3 patients grade 1 and one grade 2); p = 0.18. Regarding cosmesis, in APBI group, 19 and 21 (43.2 and 47%) patients had excellent or good results, similar to the WBI group with 18 patients (40.9%) in each cosmesis outcome. The WBI group did not have any patient with poor cosmesis but the APBI had 3 (6.8%; p = 0.24).

CONCLUSION

After a follow-up of 10 years, there were no differences in efficacy between the 2 treatment arms. Despite slight greater toxicity in the APBI group, the cosmesis was similar and satisfactory in both groups.

Weekly radiotherapy in elderly breast cancer patients: a comparison between two hypofractionation schedules

PURPOSE

Weekly irradiation in breast cancer in elderly patients is a treatment option, whose tolerance may be influenced by the fractionation used. The objective of this study is to compare the tolerance and long-term side effects of two different fractionations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

47 elderly patients were recruited after conservative or radical treatment that also received irradiation with a dose per fraction of 6.25 Gy or 5 Gy for one session per week, 6 sessions in total. The long-term tolerance results are compared by assessing toxicity using CTCAE version 5.0 scales for dermatitis, telangectasia, fibrosis and pain of the irradiated breast. In addition, objective parameters of skin status (erythema, hyperpigmentation, elasticity and hydration) by a multi-probe MultiSkin Test-Center system were obtained and compared between groups.

RESULTS

After an average follow-up of 5 years, all patients were free of disease and with complete local control. A total of 20 patients with 6.25 Gy fractionation and 27 patients with 5 Gy fractionation have been included. Patients treated with lower fractionation had a lower incidence of dermatitis, telangectasia, fibrosis, or local pain. The decrease in elasticity measured by the multi-probe system was smaller with the fractionation of 5 Gy. No differences were observed in the other objective parameters.

CONCLUSION

Weekly irradiation with 5 Gy fractionation is better tolerated than with higher fractionation.

Personalized medicine begins with the phenotype: identifying antipsychotic response phenotypes in a first-episode psychosis cohort

AIMS

Here, we present a clustering strategy to identify phenotypes of antipsychotic (AP) response by using longitudinal data from patients presenting first-episode psychosis (FEP).

METHOD

One hundred and ninety FEP with complete data were selected from the PEPs project. The efficacy was assessed using total PANSS, and adverse effects using total UKU, during one-year follow-up. We used the Klm3D method to cluster longitudinal data.

RESULTS

We identified four clusters: cluster A, drug not toxic and beneficial; cluster B, drug beneficial but toxic; cluster C, drug neither toxic nor beneficial; and cluster D, drug toxic and not beneficial. These groups significantly differ in baseline demographics, clinical, and neuropsychological characteristics (PAS, total PANSS, DUP, insight, pIQ, age of onset, cocaine use and family history of mental illness).

CONCLUSIONS

The results presented here allow the identification of phenotypes of AP response that differ in well-known simple and classic clinical variables opening the door to clinical prediction and application of personalized medicine.

Transport and concentration of wealth: Modeling an amenities-based-theory

We derive a reaction-advection-diffusion equation based framework for analyzing the movement of wealth in urban environments. Gentrification is a core issue that affects many urban areas, and the dynamics of such are not fully understood. To understand the process using a few physically relevant variables, we develop an approach to model the interplay between local amenities and wealth from existing analyses of factors influencing gentrification. We conduct a linear stability analysis on model parameters that results in spatially homogeneous solutions and determine directions for parameter changes to induce instabilities. From these parameters, we determine quantities that lead to the formation of areas of wealth and amenity concentration in the long term on bounded and unbounded domains. We present a global bifurcation result in two dimensions, leading to the existence and stability of non-constant equilibrium solutions, which represents solutions with wealth and amenity hotspots. Finally, we present a theory for discerning the one-dimensional pattern formation in the transition between stability and instability and verify numerically through a weakly nonlinear analysis. The analysis provides a promising framework for further verification using publicly available geospatial data on the relevant variables.

Differential iron management in monocotyledon and dicotyledon plants from the Río Tinto basin

The study of plants adapted to an extreme environment with a high concentration of iron such as Río Tinto allowed the study of important elements for the development and control of plant growth including their localization, management, and storage. The absorption, transport, and accumulation of iron were studied in different species of dicotyledons (Sarcocornia pruinosa, Salicornia patula, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, and Halogeton sativus of the Chenopodiaceae family) and monocotyledons (Imperata cylindrica, Cynodon dactylon, and Panicum repens from the Poaceae family), all obtained from the Río Tinto banks in different sample collection campaigns. The results clearly show that phytoferritin is not observed in the chloroplast of monocotyledons, an important difference from what is observed in dicotyledons. The presence of plastids with a high concentration of iron in the sieve tubes of monocotyledons strongly suggests their possible role in the transport and accumulation of iron in these plants.

Clinical implications of the deregulated TP73 isoforms expression in cancer

TP73 is a member of the TP53 family whose expression has been observed altered in most human cancers and associated with the prognosis. TP73 translates into a complex number of isoforms with both oncogenic and tumour-suppressor functions and presents a complex cross-talk with other members of the family (TP53 and TP63). In this revision, we focus on the evidence that may support TP73 variants as prognostic markers in cancer. Nowadays, most publications in this topic highlight the association between overexpression of the oncogenic variants and failure to respond to chemotherapy and/or shorter survival. In addition, we comment on the putative possibilities that the detection through a liquid biopsy of TP73 variants may provide, and finally, the significance of determining the value of the combined alteration of the TP53 family members in the clinical setting.

Transfection of bovine fetal fibroblast with polyethylenimine (PEI) nanoparticles: effect of particle size and presence of fetal bovine serum on transgene delivery and cytotoxicity

The development of efficient transfection protocols for livestock cells is crucial for implementation of cell-based transgenic methods to produce genetically modified animals. We synthetized fully deacylated linear 22, 87 and 217 kDa polyethylenimine (PEI) nanoparticles and compared their transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity to commercial branched 25 kDa PEI and linear 58 kDa poly(allylamine) hydrochloride. We studied the effect of PEI size and presence of serum on transfection efficiency on primary cultures of bovine fetal fibroblasts and established cells lines (HEK 293 and Hep G2). We found that transfection efficiency was affected mainly by polymer/pDNA ratio and DNA concentration and in less extent by PEI MW. In bovine fibroblast, preincubation of PEI nanoparticles with fetal bovine serum (FBS) greatly increased percentage of cells expressing the transgene (up to 82%) while significantly decreased the polymer cytotoxic effect. 87 and 217 kDa PEI rendered the highest transfection rates in HEK 293 and Hep G2 cell lines (>50% transfected cells) with minimal cell toxicity. In conclusion, our results indicate that fully deacylated PEI of 87 and 217 kDa are useful DNA vehicles for non-viral transfection of primary cultures of bovine fetal fibroblast and HEK 293 and Hep G2 cell lines.

Aberrant gene methylation and bronchial dysplasia in high risk lung cancer patients

INTRODUCTION

The risk for lung cancer is incremented in high degree dysplasia (HGD) and in subjects with hypermethylation of multiple genes. We sought to establish the association between them, as well as to analyze the DNA aberrant methylation in sputum and in bronchial washings (BW).

METHODS

Cross sectional study of high risk patients for lung cancer in whom induced sputum and autofluorescence bronchoscopy were performed. The molecular analysis was determined on DAPK1, RASSF1A and p16 genes using Methylation-specific PCR.

RESULTS

A total of 128 patients were enrolled in the study. Dysplasia lesions were found in 79 patients (61.7%) and high grade dysplasia in 20 (15.6%). Ninety eight patients out of 128 underwent molecular analysis. Methylation was observed in bronchial secretions (sputum or BW) in 60 patients (61.2%), 51 of them (52%) for DAPK1, in 20 (20.4%) for p16 and in three (3.1%) for RASSF1A. Methylated genes only found in sputum accounted for 38.3% and only in BW in 41.7%, and in both 20.0%. In the 11.2% of the patients studied, HGD and a hypermethylated gene were present, while for the 55.1% of the sample only one of both was detected and for the rest of the subjects (33.6%), none of the risk factors were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data determines DNA aberrant methylation panel in bronchial secretions is present in a 61.2% and HGD is found in 15.6%. Although both parameters have previously been identified as risk factors for lung cancer, the current study does not find a significative association between them. The study also highlights the importance of BW as a complementary sample to induced sputum when analyzing gene aberrant methylation.

Prognosis of status epilepticus (SE): Relationship between SE duration and subsequent development of epilepsy

In animal models, SE duration is related to epileptogenesis. Data in humans are scarce, mainly in NCSE; therefore, we aimed to study the prognosis of SE de novo and which factors may influence subsequent development of epilepsy.

METHODS

We evaluated patients with SE without previous epilepsy at our hospital (February 2011-February 2014), including demographics, etiology, number of AEDs, duration of SE, mortality, and occurrence of seizures during follow-up.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine patients were evaluated. Median age was 69 (19-95) years old. Among them, 33.7% were convulsive. Regarding etiology, 59 were considered acute symptomatic (41 lesions, 18 toxic-metabolic), 17 remote or progressive symptomatic, and 13 cryptogenic. The median recovery time was 24h (30 min-360 h). In-hospital mortality was 29% (n = 26). After a median follow-up of 10 months, 58.7% of survivors (n = 37) showed seizures. Subsequently, we analyzed which factors might be related to the development of epilepsy, and we found that epilepsy development was more frequent with longer SE duration (37 vs. 23 h, p = 0.004); furthermore, patients with a toxic-metabolic etiology developed epilepsy less frequently (33% vs. 67%; p = 0.022). Epilepsy was also correlated (tendency) with focal SE (p = 0.073), a lesion in neuroimaging (p = 0.091), and the use of 2 or more AEDs (p = 0.098). Regarding SE duration, a cutoff of above 24h was clearly related to chronic seizures (p = 0.014); however, combining etiology and duration, the association of longer SE and epilepsy was significant in acute lesional SE (p = 0.034), but not in epilepsy with cryptogenic or remote/progressive etiology. After a logistic regression, only a duration longer than 24h (OR = 3.800 (1.277-11.312), p = 0.016) was found to be an independent predictor of the development of epilepsy.

CONCLUSION

In patients with SE, the longer duration is associated with an increased risk of subsequent epilepsy at follow-up, mainly in symptomatic SE due to an acute lesion. It is unclear if it might be the result of a more severe injury causing both prolonged seizures and subsequent epilepsy, and therefore whether more aggressive treatment in this group might avoid this possibility. Most of the patients with cryptogenic or remote/progressive SE developed epilepsy regardless of SE duration. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Status Epilepticus".

Anthropometric and somatotype characteristics of world class male roller skaters by discipline

AIM

The aim of this study was twofold: 1) to describe the anthropometric profile and somatotype of the elite male roller skaters; and: 2) to assess if there are any differences in these items by roller skating discipline (figures, freestyle, pair and dance).

METHODS

Eighty-eight male skater participants in the 51st Figure Roller Skating World Championship were selected for the study. The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocol was used to determine the anthropometric profile of the figure skaters. Additionally, Body Mass Index (BMI), sum of four and six skinfolds and somatotype were also analysed.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found for the sum of four and six skinfolds among disciplines. Significant differences were found for flexed arm (P≤0.05), forearm (P≤0.05) and wrist girths (P≤0.001) between artistic roller figure and pair skaters. Significant differences were found in waist girth (P≤0.05), flexed arm, forearm and wrist girths (P≤0.001) between artistic roller freestyle and pairs skaters. No differences were found in lower limbs girths among disciplines. Significant differences were found in humerus (P<0.05) and bistyloid (P<0.05) breadth among disciplines. The general somatotype is endo-mesomorphic for roller freestyle and figure skaters. In pair skaters the somatotype is ecto-mesomorphic, and for dance skaters it is balanced mesomorphic.

Adrenal response of male rats exposed to prenatal stress and early postnatal stimulation

Stress in pregnant rats caused by chronic immobilization alters the pattern of secretion of corticosterone and modifies the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) of the fetus. Early postnatal handling, however, may reverse the effects of increased secretion of corticosterone. We investigated the effects of prenatal stress and postnatal handling on the activity of the HPA axis of male offspring of stressed female rats. Male 90-day-old rats from four groups were investigated: prenatally stressed animals without postnatal handling, prenatally stressed animals with postnatal handling, unstressed control animals with postnatal handling, and unstressed control animals without postnatal handling. After sacrifice, the adrenal glands were weighed to determine the adrenal-somatic index. Apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL assay and active caspase-3 expression. We found that the adrenal gland cortex:medulla ratio increased in animals with prenatal stress and that eventually the stress caused apoptosis. Handling newborns to simulate maternal activity ameliorated some of the negative effects of prenatal stress.

Specific jarosite biomineralization by Purpureocillium lilacinum, an acidophilic fungi isolated from Río Tinto

Río Tinto (Huelva, southwestern Spain) is an extreme environment with a remarkably constant acidic pH and a high concentration of heavy metals, conditions generated by the metabolic activity of chemolithotrophic microorganisms thriving in the rich complex sulfides of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). Fungal strains isolated from the Tinto basin were characterized morphologically and phylogenetically. The strain identified as Purpureocillium lilacinum specifically induced the formation of a yellow-ocher precipitate, identified as hydronium-jarosite, an iron sulfate mineral which appears in abundance on the banks of Río Tinto. The biomineral was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and its formation was observed with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled to energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) microanalysis. Jarosite began to nucleate on the fungal cell wall, associated to the EPS, due to a local increase in the Fe(3+) /Fe(2+) ratio which generated supersaturation. Its formation has been also observed in non-viable cells, although with much less efficiency. The occurrence of P. lilacinum in an ecosystem with high concentrations of ferric iron and sulfates such as Río Tinto suggests that it could participate in the process of jarosite precipitation, helping to shape and control the geochemical properties of this environment.

331 OPTIMIZATION OF BRANCHED 25kDa POLYETHYLENIMINE FOR EFFICIENT GENE DELIVERY IN BOVINE FETAL FIBROBLASTS

Cost-effective, highly efficient, and noncytotoxic transfection of bovine fetal fibroblasts (BFF) has proven difficult to achieve by regular chemical and physical methods. The aims of this study were to evaluate transient transfection efficiency and toxicity of commercially available branched 25 kDa polyethylenimine (25 kDa PEI, Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) and to optimize the transfection conditions leading to high percentages of PEI-transfected fibroblasts with minimum cytotoxic effects. Bovine fetal fibroblast (BFF) cells were seeded a day before transfection in 24-well plates at a density of 3 × 104 cells per well in DMEM with antibiotics and 10% SFB. When 70 to 90% confluence was reached, cells were washed with PBS and incubated in DMEM without antibiotics or SFB. For the transfection-mix preparation, increasing amounts of plasmidic DNA (pZsGreen1; 2 to 6 µg) were added to 50 µL of DMEM without antibiotics or SFB, incubated for 5 min at room temperature, and complexed with 0.5 to 4 µg of PEI (from 1 mg mL–1 solution) in 50 µL of PBS for 10 min. This transfection mix was added to the cell cultures and, 2 h later, 500 µL of DMEM with antibiotics and 10% SFB was added to each well. Detection of green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression by flow cytometry (reported as percentage of green fluorescent cells) was performed 48 h after transfection. Results were analysed by ANOVA and Tukey test and expressed as mean ± SEM (P < 0.05). We found no significant difference between the percentage of GFP-positive cells transfected with 1 or 2 µg of 25 kDa PEI at 2 µg of DNA/well (15.2 ± 1.3 v. 16.9 ± 0.9%, respectively; P > 0.05), whereas cells transfected with 1 or 2 µg of low-molecular-weight PEI (2 kDa) showed extremely low transfection efficiencies. Increasing the DNA load up to 6 µg significantly enhanced cell transfection (3.5- and 6-fold comparing 2 µg v. 4 µg and 6 µg of DNA, respectively; P < 0.05) at 1 and 2 µg of 25 kDa PEI/well. In order to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of PEI, cell viability was determined using the MTT assay in 96-well plates (cells/well), with each condition scaled down to replicate the effect of 2 kDa or 25 kDa PEI in a 24-well plate. The MTT results (expressed as % of the control) indicated that PEI became cytotoxic at concentrations equivalent to 2 and 4 µg/well (54.7 ± 3.4 and 18.5 ± 5.7, respectively), whereas 1 µg/well produced a slight detrimental effect on cell viability (90.0 ± 2.6). No evidence of cytotoxicity was observed when the BFF were incubated with 0.5 µg/well of 25 kDa PEI and 1 or 2 µg/well of 2 kDa PEI. To study if a combination of low- and high-molecular-weight PEI could improve transfection efficiency and reduce toxicity, we tested a mixture (1 : 1) of 2 kDa and 25 kDa PEI. Even though the 1 : 1 mixture was less cytotoxic, the efficiency of gene delivery was not improved. We conclude that, under our experimental conditions, the highest percentage of GFP-expressing cells with good viability was obtained when 1 µg of 25 kDa PEI was added per well. Therefore, branched 25 kDa PEI transfection represents an efficient, simple, and cost-effective alternative for gene delivery in bovine fibroblast cells in culture.

Usefulness of consecutive biomarkers measurement in the management of community-acquired pneumonia

The aim of this study was to investigate whether procalcitonin (PCT), neopterin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and mid regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) levels at admission and during the clinical course can be useful for the management of patients with pneumonia. The study population consisted of 75 patients with clinical and radiological diagnosis of pneumonia. Serum samples were collected at admission and during hospitalization. Complications were defined as intensive care unit (ICU) admission or death. The levels of PCT were significantly higher in pneumonia of definite bacterial origin in comparison to probable bacterial or unknown origin. The PCT levels were higher in pneumococcal pneumonia. The PCT and MR-proANP levels increased significantly according to the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI). All biomarkers levels are higher in patients developing complications and who were dying. The serial levels of MR-proANP remain significantly elevated in patients developing complications and in patients classified in PSI and CURB-65 risk groups. In patients not developing complications, there is a significant decrease in the PCT levels. PCT can be useful for identifying pneumonia etiology. PCT and MR-proANP levels correlate with pneumonia severity rules. PCT and MR-proANP serial measurements can be useful for predicting short-term prognosis. Systemic biomarkers can provide additional information regarding clinical evolution, because these are dynamic and can be measured daily.

Chemokine response induced by Chlamydia trachomatis in prostate derived CD45+ and CD45- cells

The role of innate cells and their receptors within the male genital tract remains poorly understood. Much less is known about the relative contribution of different genital tract cells such as epithelial/stromal cells and resident leucocytes. In this study, we examined innate immune responses to Chlamydia trachomatis by prostate epithelial/stromal cells and prostate resident leucocytes. Murine prostate primary cultures were performed and leucocyte and epithelial/stromal cells were sorted based on surface protein expression of CD45 by magnetism-activated cell sorting or fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Prostate derived CD45- and CD45+ cells were infected with C. trachomatis and chemokine secretion assayed by ELISA. Similar experiments were performed using prostate CD45+ and CD45- cells from myeloid differentiation factor 88 (Myd88(-/-)) mice or toll-like receptor (Tlr2(-/-)) and Tlr4(mutant) double-deficient mice. Moreover, a TLR-signalling pathway array was used to screen changes in different genes involved in TLR-signalling pathways by real-time PCR. Prostate derived CD45- and CD45+ cells responded to chlamydial infection with the production of different chemokines. Both populations expressed genes involved in TLR signalling and required to respond to pathogen-associated molecular patterns and to C. trachomatis infection. Both populations required the adaptor molecule MYD88 to elicit chemokine response against C. trachomatis. TLR2-TLR4 was essential for chemokine production by CD45+ prostate derived cells, but in their absence, CD45- cells still produced significant levels of chemokines. We demonstrate that C. trachomatis is differentially recognised by prostate derived CD45+ and CD45- cells and suggest that diverse strategies are taking place in the local microenvironment of the host in response to the infection.

From Río Tinto to Mars: the terrestrial and extraterrestrial ecology of acidophiles

The recent geomicrobiological characterization of Río Tinto, Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), has proven the importance of the iron cycle, not only in generating the extreme conditions of the habitat (low pH, high concentration of toxic heavy metals) but also in maintaining the high level of microbial diversity, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic, detected in the water column and the sediments. The extreme conditions of the Tinto basin are not the product of industrial contamination but the consequence of the presence of an underground bioreactor that obtains its energy from the massive sulfide minerals of the IPB. To test this hypothesis, a drilling project was carried out to intersect ground waters that interact with the mineral ore in order to provide evidence of subsurface microbial activities and the potential resources to support these activities. The oxidants that drive the system appear to come from the rock matrix, contradicting conventional acid mine drainage models. These resources need only groundwater to launch microbial metabolism. There are several similarities between the vast deposits of sulfates and iron oxides on Mars and the main sulfide-containing iron bioleaching products found in the Tinto. Firstly, the short-lived methane detected both in Mars' atmosphere and in the sediments and subsurface of the IPB and secondly, the abundance of iron, common to both. The physicochemical properties of iron make it a source of energy, a shield against radiation and oxidative stress as well as a natural pH controller. These similarities have led to Río Tinto's status as a Mars terrestrial analogue.

Alternatives for biosurfactants and bacteriocins extraction from Lactococcus lactis cultures produced under different pH conditions

AIMS

Study of the potential of Lactococcus lactis CECT-4434 as a biosurfactants and nisin (the only bacteriocin allowed to be used in the food industry) producer for industrial applications, exploiting the possibility of recovering separately both metabolites, taking into account that L. lactis is an interesting micro-organism with several applications in the food industry because it is recognized as GRAS.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The results showed the ability of this strain to produce cell-bound biosurfactants, under controlled pH, and cell-bound biosurfactants and bacteriocins, when pH was not controlled. Three extraction procedures were designed to separately recover these substances.

CONCLUSIONS

The strain L. lactis CECT-4434 showed to be a cell-bound biosurfactants and bacterocins producer when fermentations were carried out under uncontrolled pH. Both products can be recovered separately.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Development of a convenient tool for the extraction of cell-bound biosurfactants and bacteriocins from the fermentation broth.

Spanish radiobiological pattern of care in lung cancer: a GOECP/SEOR study

INTRODUCTION

A survey regarding radiobiological questions in the treatment of lung cancer (LC) was done to study the clinical aspects of radiotherapy in Spain, in order to standardise treatment decisions.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From November 2007 to March 2008, a survey was performed among radiation oncologists in Spain specialising in LC treatment via e-mail, which included questions regarding different radiobiological aspects of radiotherapy LC treatment. The extent of the resulting material made it necessary to divide it into two parts; the first is presented in this article. The second, which includes items about alpha/beta-NTCP/TCP values and reirradiation criteria, will be reported elsewhere.

RESULTS

Thirty-one radiation therapists from 29 radiation oncology departments answered the survey. 77.4-93.5% of responders used the basic formula from the linear-quadratic model and/or computer software for radiobiological calculations; 100% used lung (mostly V20, median <30%) and spinal cord constraints (mostly a median of physical maximum dose <45.5 Gy); and 90.3% used heart and oesophagus constraints (very heterogeneous parameters in both organs).

CONCLUSIONS

Radiobiological considerations are clearly present in the planning process of radiotherapy of LC in Spain, with a high coincidence with the literature regarding lung and spinal cord constraints. The heterogeneity shown for oesophagus and heart results demonstrates the need for continuing investigation into the standardisation of clinical, dosimetric and radiobiologic aspects of the treatment of this cancer.