Mapping of gene loci in the Q13–Q15 region of chromosome 12

The gene loci CDK4, GLI, CHOP and MDM2 have been mapped to the q13–q15 region of chromosome 12. Using fluorescencein situ hybridization onto simultaneously DAPI-banded metaphase chromosomes and interphase nuclei, we have more precisely mapped and ordered these loci, together with a number of Genethon microsatellite markers. GLI and CHOP localize to 12q13.3–14.1, CDK4 to 12q14 and MDM2 to 12q14.3–q15, and the gene order is cen-GLI/CHOP-CDK4-MDM2. The Genethon microsatellites D12S80 and D12S83 flank MDM2.     

The mammalian testis-specific thioredoxin system

Redox control of cell physiology is one of the most important regulatory mechanisms in all living organisms. The thioredoxin system, composed of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase, has emerged as a key player in cellular redox-mediated reactions. For many years, only one thioredoxin system had been described in higher organisms, ubiquitously expressed in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. However, during the last decade, we and others have identified and characterized novel thioredoxin systems with unique properties, such as organelle-specific localization in mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum, tissue-specific distribution mostly in the testis, and features novel for thioredoxins, such as microtubule-binding properties. In this review, we will focus on the mammalian testis-specific thioredoxin system that comprises three thioredoxins exclusively expressed in spermatids (named Sptrx-1, Sptrx-2, and Sptrx-3) and an additional thioredoxin highly expressed in testis, but also present in lung and other ciliated tissues (Txl-2). The implications of these findings in the context of male fertility and testicular cancer, as well as evolutionary aspects, will be discussed.     

Polymorphisms of toll-like receptor 2 and 4 genes in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

Human toll-like receptors (TLRs) participate in the innate response and signal the activation of adaptive immunity. Therefore, these TLRs may be important in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We investigated, by using a polymerase chain reaction restriction-fragment length polymorphism method, the possible association between the polymorphisms of TLR2 (Arg677Trp and Arg753Gln) and TLR4 (Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile) genes with the susceptibility or severity of RA and SLE. Our study population consisted of 122 patients with SLE, 224 patients with RA, and a control group of 199 healthy individuals. The TLR2 polymorphisms were very rare in our population; no individual carrying the TLR2-Arg677Trp polymorphism was observed, whereas the TLR2-Arg753Gln polymorphism was present in only 1% of the total population. We found no statistically significant differences in the TLR4-Asp299Gly and the TLR4-Thr399Ile genotype or allele distribution between SLE patients, RA patients, and control individuals. Similarly, no association was found with any of the demographic and clinical parameters tested either in RA or in SLE patients. In conclusion, a case-control study was used to analyze, for the first time, the influence of TLR2 and TLR4 gene polymorphism on the predisposition and clinical characteristics of SLE and RA but provided no evidence for association of TLR2 or TLR4 gene polymorphism with either disease in the population under study.     

Resecciones pulmonares anatómicas por vía robótica: análisis de la curva de aprendizaje

IntroductionRobotic surgery has become a safe and effective approach for the treatment of pulmonary surgical pathology. However, the adoption of new surgical techniques requires the evaluation of the learning curve. The objective of this study is to analyze the learning curve of robotic anatomical lung resections.MethodsRetrospective analysis of all robotic anatomical lung resections performed by the same surgeon between June 2018 and March 2020. The learning curve was evaluated using CUSUM charts to estimate trend changes in surgical time, surgical failure and the occurrence of post-operative cardiorespiratory complications throughout the sequence of cases.ResultsThe study included a total of 73 cases. The median duration of all complications was 120 min (interquartile range: 90-150 min), the prevalence of surgical failure was 23.29%, while 4/73 patients had any postoperative cardiorespiratory complication. Based on the CUSUM analysis, the learning curve was divided into 3 different phases: phase i (from the first to the 14th intervention), phase ii (between the 15th and 30th intervention) and phase iii (from the 31st intervention).ConclusionsThe learning curve for robotic anatomical lung resections can be divided into 3 phases. The technical competence that guarantees satisfactory perioperative outcomes was achived in phase iii from the 31st intervention.     

Low-dose Thymoglobulin vs Basiliximab Induction Therapy in Low-Risk Living Related Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Prospective Randomized Trial

ContextThymoglobulin is used effectively as induction agent in kidney transplantation but the optimal dose is not well established.ObjectiveDemonstrate that low-dose thymoglobulin (3 mg/kg) has similar efficacy and safety compared to basiliximab induction in low-risk kidney transplantation under standard maintenance immunosuppressionDesign, Setting, ParticipantsProspective randomized study in kidney transplant patients (12/2016-05/2018). Inclusion criteria: Recipients > 18 years, first living donor transplant. Exclusion criteria: Second and multiorgan transplant, ABO incompatibility, positive cross-match, panel reactive antibodies (PRA) > 30%, positive donor-specific antibody, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C virus positive, white blood cells < 2000 cells/mm³, platelets < 75,000 cells/mm³ and malignancy.InterventionGroup A: basiliximab (20 mg D0 and D4). Group B: thymoglobulin (3 mg/kg total). Maintenance immunosuppression: tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids.Main Outcome MeasuresBiopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR), delayed graft function, slow graft function, leukopenia, infections, adverse events, graft loss, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and death within 12 months.Results100 patients (basiliximab, n = 53) (thymoglobulin, n = 47) were included. Donor and recipient characteristics were similar except for longer dialysis (basiliximab), PRA class I (1.2% basiliximab, 4.5% thymoglobulin), HLA match (basiliximab 2.8, thymoglobulin 2.2), and cytomegalovirus status. BPAR rate was basiliximab 3.8% and thymoglobulin 6.4% (P = ns). Delayed graft function (basiliximab 3.8%; thymoglobulin 4.3%), slow graft function, and 12-month leukopenia (basiliximab 11.3%, thymoglobulin 21.3%) were similar between groups (P = ns). There was no difference in infections and adverse events between groups. Patient and graft survival were as follows: basiliximab 98.1% and 92.5%, thymoglobulin 100% and 93.6% (P = ns).ConclusionLow-dose thymoglobulin induction (3 mg/kg) can be used effectively and safely in low-risk kidney transplantation with good results during the first year post-transplant.     

Testing Women’s Trust in Other Women and Same-Sex Attracted Males in Three Cultures

Heterosexual women trust mating-relevant advice received from gay men more than that received from heterosexual women. This trust is predicated on women’s perception that gay men lack ulterior sexual motives and romantically pursue other gay men. However, this trust may not hold in all cultures. For example, in both Samoa and the Istmo Zapotec of Southern Mexico, women take part in mate competition against feminine same-sex attracted males—referred to as fa’afafine and muxe, respectively—who regularly engage in sexual activity with masculine men. The present studies sought to replicate and extend research on women’s trust in males who are same-sex attracted. Experiments were conducted in Canada, Samoa, and the Istmo Zapotec, with women randomly assigned to consider the likelihood of various mate-poaching behaviors performed by either a rival woman or a same-sex attracted male. In Canada, women were more trusting of cisgender gay men than other women. Similarly, Samoan women were more trusting of fa’afafine than other women. In the Istmo Zapotec, women were equally distrustful of women and feminine muxe gunaa, whereas more masculine muxe nguiiu were rated as more trustworthy than women and muxe gunaa. These results illustrate that women’s trust in same-sex attracted males varies both between and within cultural contexts, perhaps impacted by the relative femininity of the male in question.

     

Pristane (2,6,10,14-Tetramethyl-pentadecane) inhibits disease progression in Leishmania-infected Balb/c mice

The course of Leishmania infection in pristane-primed BALB/c mice infected with either Leishmania major or Leishmania donovani was examined. Pristane-primed L. donovani infected mice had spleen parasite-loads that were 13 times less than controls. Likewise pristane-primed L. major infected animals had significantly smaller footpad lesion areas than controls. Pristane-primed mice had an atypical haematology compared to controls. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate that pristane inhibits progression of disease in Leishmania-infected BALB/c mice.