Subclinical atherosclerosis and incipient regional myocardial dysfunction in asymptomatic individuals: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine whether increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is related to reduced regional myocardial function in participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). BACKGROUND: Carotid artery IMT is an established index of subclinical atherosclerosis, and tagged magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect incipient alterations of segmental function that precede overt myocardial failure. METHODS: The MESA study is a prospective observational study including four ethnic groups free from clinical cardiovascular disease. Peak midwall systolic circumferential strain (ECC) and regional strain rates were calculated by harmonic phase from tagged MRI data of 500 participants. Systolic ECC and diastolic strain rate were regressed on IMT of the common carotid artery defined by ultrasound, with adjustments for body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, left ventricular hypertrophy, C-reactive protein, age, and gender. RESULTS: The mean participant age was 66 +/- 10 years (mean +/- SD). Among the 58 participants, 4% were male and the interquartile (25th to 75th percentile) range for IMT was 0.25 mm. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that increased IMT was related to reduced systolic regional function (less shortening ECC) in all myocardial regions (p < 0.05), except in the inferior wall. The analyses also showed that greater IMT was associated with a lower diastolic strain rate (diastolic reduced function) in all regions (p < 0.01), except in the anterior wall. CONCLUSIONS: Greater carotid IMT is associated with alterations of myocardial strain parameters reflecting reduced systolic and diastolic myocardial function. These observations indicate a relationship between subclinical atherosclerosis and incipient myocardial dysfunction in a population free of clinical heart disease.     

Characterization of a new subpopulation of mouse CD8alpha+ B220+ dendritic cells endowed with type 1 interferon production capacity and tolerogenic potential

We describe a new B220+ subpopulation of immaturelike dendritic cells (B220+ DCs) with low levels of expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and costimulatory molecules and markedly reduced T-cell stimulatory potential, located in the thymus, bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes. B220+ DCs display ultrastructural characteristics resembling those of human plasmacytoid cells and accordingly produce interferon-alpha after virus stimulation. B220+ DCs acquired a strong antigen-presenting cell capacity on incubation with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides, concomitant with a remarkable up-regulation of MHC and costimulatory molecules and the production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-10. Importantly, our data suggest that nonstimulated B220+ DCs represent a subset of physiological tolerogenic DCs endowed with the capacity to induce a nonanergic state of T-cell unresponsiveness, involving the differentiation of T regulatory cells capable of suppressing antigen-specific T-cell proliferation. In conclusion, our data support the hypothesis that B220+ DCs represent a lymphoid organ subset of immature DCs with a dual role in the immune system-exerting a tolerogenic function in steady state but differentiating on microbial stimulation into potent antigen-presenting cells with type 1 interferon production capacity.     

Immunohistochemical Analysis of Cyclooxygenase-2 and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha in Periapical Lesions

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in periapical granuloma (PG) and radicular cyst (RC) samples and to correlate it with the type of lesion, the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate, and the thickness of the epithelial lining.

Anatomical study of the maxillary tuberosity using cone beam computed tomography

Objectives

To examine the dimensions (width, length, and height) of the maxillary tuberosity (MT) and their correlations with age and sex, and to identify different anatomical types for adequate positioning of miniscrews in this area.

Methods

The study enrolled 39 patients attending the University of Valencia. The patients comprised 21 males and 18 females with a mean age of 39.7 ± 8.4 years. The dimensions of all 78 MTs were measured on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images using Invivo Dental 5 software.

Results

The intraobserver and interobserver errors were good for all measurements. A total of 858 MT measurements were taken. The widths were greater in men than in women, with significant differences. The MT dimensions showed correlations with patient age, whereby older patients presented with greater widths and lengths, but reduced heights. Three different anatomical types were detected according to patient age.

Conclusions

The dimensions (width, length, and height) of the MT vary according to patient age and sex. The MT dimensions conform to particular anatomical types, which should be taken into account when placing miniscrews in this region.

     

Metadherin exon 11 skipping variant enhances metastatic spread of ovarian cancer

Metastatic ovarian cancer has a dismal prognosis and current chemotherapeutic approaches have very limited success. Metadherin (MTDH) is expressed in human ovarian cancer tissue and its expression inversely correlates with patients overall survival. Consistent with these studies, we observed MTDH expression in tissue specimens of FIGO Stage III ovarian carcinomas (72/83 cases). However, we also observed this in normal human ovarian epithelial (OE) cells, which raised the question of whether MTDH‐variants with functional differences exist. We identified a novel MTDH exon 11 skipping variant (MTDHdel) which was seen at higher levels in ovarian cancer compared to benign OE cells. We analyzed MTDH‐binding partner interactions and found that 12 members of the small ribosomal subunit and several mRNA binding proteins bound stronger to MTDHdel than to wildtype MTDH which indicates differential effects on gene translation. Knockdown of MTDH in ovarian cancer cells reduced the amount of distant metastases and improved the survival of ovarian cancer‐bearing mice. Selective overexpression of the MTDHdel enhanced murine and human ovarian cancer progression and caused a malignant phenotype in originally benign human OE cells. MTDHdel was detectable in microdissected ovarian cancer cells of some human tissue specimens of ovarian carcinomas. In summary, we have identified a novel MTDH exon 11 skipping variant that shows enhanced binding to small ribosomal subunit members and that caused reduced overall survival of ovarian cancer bearing mice. Based on the findings in the murine system and in human tissues, MTDHdel must be considered a major promalignant factor for ovarian cancer.     

Analysis of the Ectomycorrhizal Enzymatic Functional Diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus mexicana</Emphasis>

In forest ecosystems, ectomycorrhizal symbiosis is able to produce a large range of extracellular and cell wall-bound enzymes which hydrolyze compounds contained in soil organic matter. Enzymatic activity profiles of individual ectomycorrhiza have value of functional traits to characterize the diversity of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) communities. Fagus mexicana is an endemic and only species that has restricted distribution to cloud forest of Sierra Madre Oriental in México and there are few works focused to the relationship between this forest species and ectomycorrhizal, which enhance its growth and development. This work analyzes the enzyme functional diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi associated to F. mexicana trees of different ages. In this study, the ECM species: Cantharellus cibarius Fr., Laccaria amethystina Cook, Lactarius subdulcis (Pers.) gray and Xathoconium separans (Peck) Halling & Both, were founded near these trees and the influence of the niche on the mean catabolic activity of ectomycorrhizal community, varied according to the dominant substrate; where L. amethystina and X. separans presented the highest β-glucosidase and acid phosphatase activities in F. mexicana tips. The enzymatic profiles demonstrated a functional plasticity of the ectomycorrhizal species associated to the age of trees tested and also could be a trait of their capability of adaptation to the cloud forest ecosystem.     

The effects of inspiratory muscle training based on the perceptions of patients with advanced lung disease: a qualitative study

Background

Advanced lung disease is a chronic non-neoplastic disease that compromises activities of daily living. Treatment includes pulmonary rehabilitation and inspiratory muscle training. Studies have shown the effectiveness of inspiratory muscle training in lung disease patients, but literature is scarce on the patients’ perceptions about this topic.

Can diaphragmatic breathing modify chest wall volumes during inspiratory loaded breathing in patients with heart failure?

Background

Some inspiratory muscle training protocols for patients with heart failure report the request of diaphragmatic breathing during inspiratory loaded breathing. However, it is unclear whether this condition modifies the chest wall volumes.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs attenuate the vascular responses in aging metabolic syndrome rats

Aim:

Metabolic syndrome (MS) and aging are low-grade systemic inflammatory conditions, and inflammation is a key component of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) upon the vascular reactivity in aging MS rats.

Methods:

MS was induced in young male rats by adding 30% sucrose in drinking water over 6, 12, and 18 months. When the treatment was finished, the blood samples were collected, and aortas were dissected out. The expression of COX isoenzymes and PLA₂ in the aortas was analyzed using Western blot analysis. The contractile responses of aortic rings to norepinephrine (1 μmol/L) were measured in the presence or absence of different NSAIDs (10 μmol/L for each).

Results:

Serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β) in control rats were remained stable during the aging process, whereas serum IL-6 in MS rats were significantly increased at 12 and 18 months. The levels of COX isoenzyme and PLA₂ in aortas from control rats increased with the aging, whereas those in aortas from MS rats were irregularly increased with the highest levels at 6 months. Pretreatment with acetylsalicylic acid (a COX-1 preferential inhibitor), indomethacin (a non-selective COX inhibitor) or meloxicam (a COX-2 preferential inhibitor) decreased NE-induced contractions of aortic rings from MS rats at all the ages, with meloxicam being the most potent. Acetylsalicylic acid also significantly reduced the maximum responses of ACh-induced vasorelaxation of aortic rings from MS rats, but indomethacin and meloxicam had no effect.

Conclusion:

NSAIDs can directly affect vascular responses in aging MS rats. Understanding the effects of NSAIDs on blood vessels may improve the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and MS in the elders.