The challenge for Cuba

The restrictions of a U.S. trade embargo and the collapse of the Soviet Union marked the beginning of a period of extreme economic hardship in Cuba. Economic adversity has had tremendous effects, both positive and negative, on all aspects of life on the Island, including environmental and public health.     

The role of pRb2/p130 protein in diagnosing lung carcinoma on fine needle aspiration biopsies

The retinoblastoma gene family is composed of three members: the retinoblastoma gene, one of the most studied tumor suppressor genes, and two related genes: p107 and pRb2/p130. These proteins are also known as the pocket proteins due to a unique structural and functional domain composed of subdomains A and B separated by a spacer region that is highly conserved among each of the proteins. These proteins exhibit unique growth suppressive properties that are cell type specific, suggesting that although the pocket proteins may complement each other, they are not fully functionally redundant. With the development of antibodies recognizing these three proteins it is now possible to detect expression in formalin-embedded specimens. Recent studies on 235 lung cancers, using immunohistochemical techniques, suggested an independent role for Rb2/p130 in the development and/or progression of human lung carcinoma. We found a statistically significant inverse relationship between the histological grading (degree of malignant potential) and the expression of pRb/p105, p107 and pRb2/p130 in squamous cell carcinomas, meaning that an increase in grading resulted in a significant decrease in protein expression. This phenomenon was particularly evident for pRb2/p130 (p < .0001) which had the highest percentage of undetectable levels in all the specimens examined and the tightest inverse correlation (p value) with both the histological grading and PCNA expression in the most aggressive tumor types, suggesting an important role for pRb2/p130 in the pathogenesis and progression of certain lung cancers. We further explored the expression of pRb2/p130 protein in routine archival FNAB cytological material from 30 Patients with lung cancer using immunocytochemical techniques, comparing protein expression with tumor type. Two pathologists evaluated the staining pattern and scored the percentage of positive cells. Of the 30 neoplasms, 27 displayed a positive staining for pRb2/p130. In particular, we detected pRb2/p130 in 9 (100%) squamous carcinomas, 11 (84%) adenocarcinomas, 5 (100%) BAC, and 2 (66%) SCC. The percentage of positive nuclei varied in different tumors with the highest expression level in adenocarcinomas. Immunocytochemistry represents a sensitive method for detection of pRb2/p130 expression in cytological or archival specimens, and the level of detection seems to be comparable to paraffin sections. Therefore, this methodology could be used in the preoperative evaluation of routine cytological specimens in order to improve the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of lung cancer patients.     

Potential of Gene Therapy in Bone Marrow Transplantation

Gene therapy, initiated as a treatment for inherited disorders such as adenosine deaminase deficiency, is now a promising therapeutic strategy for malignancies and other acquired diseases. In particular, in the field of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for haematological malignancies, the gene transfer of the suicide gene HSV-TK into donor lymphocytes allows control of the severe complication graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). The transfer of the HSV-TK suicide gene confers selective sensitivity to the drug ganciclovir, allowing in vivo elimination of the donor T-cells if severe GvHD occurs. In Italy, the first pilot study on delayed infusion of genetically engineered donor lymphocytes after T-depleted allogeneic BMT documented efficacy of engineered donor lymphocytes in terms of anti-tumour activity and efficiency of the suicide system. GvHD developed in 3 out of 8 patients and was successfully treated by ganciclovir administration.     

Clinicopathological study of familial late infantile Hallervorden-Spatz disease: a particular form of neuroacanthocytosis

The cases of two sisters with late infantile Hallervorden-Spatz disease are reported, one of whom has died. Autopsy of the deceased patient showed typical pallidal lesions, such as axonal spheroids and iron deposits, without involvement of the substantia nigra. Ultrastructural examination revealed that pallidal axonal enlargements consisted of collecition of mitochondria, dense bodies, vesicles and amorphous material. In the living patient, brain MRI showed the classical tiger's eye appearance of the globus pallidus. Retinitis pigmentosa, acanthocytosis and slight neuromuscular involvement with an increase in serum creatine kinase were observed in both subjects. The appearance of the globus pallidus on MRI was in line with the pathological abnormalities. Ultrastructural differences between the principal disorders characterized by neuroaxonal dystrophy are compared and the clinical spectrum and similarities of the different forms of neuroacanthocytosis analysed.     

Caustic ingestion in childhood: current treatment possibilities and their complications

In a review of 15 pediatric patients who had ingested caustic substances, the authors describe the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to be followed as well as the complications that may occur with their use. The cases reported include 1 esophageal rupture caused by balloon dilatation and 1 recurrent stenosis treated with a silastic tutor.     

Effects of heroin,alone or in combination with other drugs,on the locomotor activity in two inbred strains of mice

The locomotor activity of C57B1/6J and DBA/2J mice was studied, under the influences of heroin, amphetamine, strychnine, or ethanol, and of combinations of the opiate with each one of the other drugs. Heroin treatment was followed by the typical running fit in the C57 mice, while the DBA strain was unaffected. Amphetamine enhanced the activity in the C57 strain only. The combination of heroin with amphetamine or ethanol increased the locomotor activity only in the DBA strain, while heroin + strychnine exerted a clear stimulating effect on the activity of the C57 mice. The strychnine + heroin mixture was more toxic than heroin alone when the lethal doses (LD50) were determined in the 2 strains.     

Effects of nicotine on discrimination learning,consolidation and learned behaviour in two inbred strains of mice

DBA/2J and C57BL/6J mice were injected with nicotine, and tested in a Y water maze in two procedures: the L procedure, corresponding to innate behavior, in which the animals must swim towards the light, and the D procedure, corresponding to the acquisition of a new pattern of behavior, in which they must swim toward the dark. Three sets of experiments were carried out:

1. In the pre-trial experiments, nicotine administration improved the innate tendencies of both strains, while the acquisition of a new behavior was facilitated in the C57 and impaired in the DBA mice.
2. In the post-trial experiments (D procedure), nicotine administration induced clear facilitating effects on the consolidation processes of the C57, while impairing these processes in the DBA strain.
3. The only effect evident, following nicotine administration, before the highest doses were reached, in the trained mice of both strains, was a performance impairment of the DBA mice trained in the L procedure.