Cell signalling-mediating insulin increase of mRNA expression for cationic amino acid transporters-1 and -2 and membrane hyperpolarization in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Insulin induces vasodilatation in human subjects and increases l-arginine transport and NO synthesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Cell signalling events associated with insulin effects on activity and mRNA expression of the human cationic amino acid transporters 1 (hCAT-1) and 2B (hCAT-2B) are unknown. l-Arginine transport and eNOS activity were determined in HUVEC exposed to insulin. mRNA levels for hCAT-1, hCAT-2B and eNOS were quantitated by real time RT-PCR and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein was identified by Western blot analysis. Intracellular Ca²⁺, l-arginine and l-citrulline levels, l-[³H]citrulline formation from l-[³H]arginine, cGMP formation, nitrite level, ATP release and membrane potential were determined. Insulin increased l-arginine transport and the mRNA levels for hCAT-1 and hCAT-2B and eNOS expression and activity. Insulin also induced membrane hyperpolarization and increased intracellular Ca²⁺, l-[³H]citrulline, cGMP and nitrite formation. Insulin-mediated stimulation of the l-arginine/NO pathway is thus associated with increased hCAT-1 and hCAT-2B mRNA, and eNOS expression, via mechanisms involving membrane hyperpolarization, mitogen-activated protein kinases p42 and p44, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, NO and protein kinase C. We have characterized a cell signalling pathway by which hyperinsulinaemia could lead to vasodilatation in human subjects, and which could have implications in patients in whom plasma insulin levels are altered, such as in diabetes mellitus.     

Evolution of MHC-G in humans and primates based on three new 3'UT polymorphisms

MHC-G is a class Ib (non-classical) major histocompatibility complex (MHC) whose functional and evolutionary characteristics are still under scrutiny. The study of noncoding sequences in the MHC genes may provide important phylogenetic information. In this work we have sequenced the MHC-G exon 8, which encodes for the 3'UT region, in different species of primates. It has been shown that: (1) a previously described 14 base pair (bp) deletion polymorphism is human-specific and the HLA-G alleles may be classified according to its absence or presence; (2) another newly described 3 bp deletion/insertion polymorphism is also human-specific; and (3) another newly described 51 bp deletion polymorphism is common to Pongidae and humans, but is not found in other primates belonging to the Cercopithecinae family. A hypothesis on the evolutionary pathway of this gene is put forward in the light of these findings.     

Evaluation of the mutagenic and cytotoxic effects of mercurous chloride by the micronuclei technique in golden Syrian hamsters

The aims of this study were to evaluate the mutagenic and cytotoxic activity of mercurous chloride by the micronucleus technique in vivo on the bone marrow of golden Syrian hamsters after a single i.p. drug administration. Forty male golden Syrian hamsters were classified into eight groups: negative control, positive control and six groups treated with different doses of mercurous chloride (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg). The negative control was injected with physiological saline i.p. and the positive control with cyclophosphamide at a dose of 80 mg/kg i.p. With respect to mutagenic effect, the average number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPE) in hamsters treated with different doses of mercurous chloride was not significant compared with the negative control. With respect to cytotoxic effect, the average polychromatic erythrocyte/red blood cell ratio showed a significant decrease when the doses were higher than the 2.5 mg/kg dose compared with the negative control. In conclusion, this preliminary study shows a cytotoxic effect but not a mutagenic effect of calomel in vivo at one time point (24 h).     

Interaction between KIR3DL1 and HLA-B*57 supertype alleles influences the progression of HIV-1 infection in a Zambian population

KIR and HLA loci are both highly polymorphic, and some HLA class 1 products bind and trigger cell-surface receptors specified by KIR genes. We examined whether KIR genes act in concert with HLA-B locus to control HIV-1 infection in a sample of Zambian patients. DNA samples from 88 Zambian patients with HIV-1 were examined. Patients were classified as either slow progressors (SP; n = 54) or rapid progressors (RP; n = 34) to AIDS. All were typed for HLA-B and KIR genes. Our results reveal an association between B*57 supertype (B*57s, which includes B*57 and B*58 alleles) and delayed progression to AIDS (p = 0.0007 by pc = 0.015; OR = 5.25). We also observed an increase incidence of Bw4-I80 in patients with slow progression (p = 0.001 by pc = 0.003, OR = 5). This increase was found to be secondary to B*57s. The presence of both KIR3DL1 and B*57S has a significant effect on progression to AIDS (p = 0.0008; OR = 5.61). B*57s genotypes with another HLA-B allele different from those in the trans position, which also had a specificity different to Bw4-I80 (Bw4-T80 or Bw6), was also greater in the SP than in the RP group (p = 0.00003; OR = 10.11). The presence of the inhibitory allele KIR3DL1 in combination with the HLA-B*57s alleles that contain the Bw4-I80 epitope, has a highly protective effect against progression to AIDS in Zambian patients.     

The stage-specific 90-kilodalton surface antigen of metacyclic trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi

The 90-kDa antigen, previously identified by the monoclonal antibody 1G7 to be a stage-specific surface protein of metacyclic trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, has been further characterized in this study. Experiments of metabolic labeling with [35S]methionine, [2H]mannose and [3H]galactose revealed that the 90-kDa antigen is the main glycoprotein synthesized by metacyclic forms (G strain). Through pulse-chase experiments with [35S]methionine-labeled metacyclic trypomastigotes, it was found that the antigen is synthesized as a 75-kDa precursor polypeptide that is rapidly processed to the mature 90-kDa molecule. When metacyclic trypomastigotes were treated with tunicamycin, the production of 90-kDa antigen was greatly diminished, and the 75-kDa species, which was also expressed on the cell surface, accumulated. Concanavalin A bound strongly to the 90-kDa antigen, but failed to recognize the 75-kDa polypeptide. Treatment of neuraminidase had no effect on the 90-kDa antigen, whereas digestion by endoglycosidase H generated a polypeptide of 82 kDa. Altogether these data indicate that the 90-kDa antigen is a glycoprotein containing N-linked oligosaccharide side chains of the high-mannose type. The 90-kDa glycoprotein may be involved in the process of host cell invasion, since the internalization of metacyclic forms into Vero cells was partially inhibited by monoclonal antibody 1G7.     

Laminar distribution and morphology of NADPH-diaphorase containing neurons in the superior colliculus and underlying periaqueductal gray of the rat

Summary We have studied the laminar distribution of reduced nicotinamide dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity and the morphology of positive neurons in the superior colliculus (SC) and the underlying periaqueductal gray (PAG) of the rat. The morphology of NADPH-d-positive neurons has been compared to that of Golgi-impregnated cells. The highest activity occurs in the stratum zonale and stratum griseum superficiale, contrasting with the pale neuropil in the stratum opticum, where only a few positive neurons are found. In the stratum griseum intermedium positive neurons are grouped in patches separated by narrow, NADPH-d-negative bands. In the deeper layers, the neuropil is NADPH-d-negative, and few neurons show enzymatic activity. In contrast, numerous neurons in the dorsolateral part of the PAG are intensely positive. They are continuous with the positive neurons in the stratum album profundum, with no clear border between the two centers. In both SC and PAG, only small and medium sized neurons are NADPH-d-positive. In comparison with Golgi material, all types of small neurons in the superficial layers show NADPH-d activity; NADPH-d histochemistry, however, does not visualize the characteristic dendritic appendages of these neurons. The large neurons of the SC and PAG, probably representing the long-projecting neurons of these centers, do not contain the enzyme.     

The fat nose

The fat or sebaceous nose,^* with its thick, bulky skin filled with prominent sebaceous glands, is often improved surgically only by the use of external excisions of this tissue. The author describes several variations of this technique with representative cases.     

Active and sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improved quality of life in female patients with fibromyalgia

Quality of Life Research - Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome with a strong impact on quality of life (QoL). Treatment of this condition remains a challenge, due to the scarce evidence...     

Estudio de las infecciones relacionadas con la asistencia sanitaria tras la realización de cistectomía radical

Introduction and objectiveRadical cystectomy is a complex surgery with a high rate of complications including infections, which lead to increased morbidity and mortality, longer hospital stay and higher costs. The aim of this work is to evaluate health care-associated infections (HAIs) in these patients, as well as associated microorganisms, antibiotic resistance profiles and risk factors.Material and methodsProspective study from 2012 to 2017. Epidemiologic variables, comorbidities and surgical variables are collected. The microorganisms involved and antibiotic susceptibility patterns are analyzed.Results122 patients. Mean age 67 (SD:18,42). Mean hospital stay 23.5 days (18.42). HAIs rate of 45%, with predominant urinary tract infections (43%) and surgical wound infections (31%). Positive cultures in 78.6% of cases. Increased isolation of Enterococcus (18%) and Escherichia coli (13%). Forty-three percent of microorganisms were resistant to amoxicillin/ampicillin, 23% to beta-lactamases and 36% to quinolones. Empirical treatment was adequate in 87.5%. Hospital stay is increased (17 days, p< 0.05) due to HAIs. Lower rate of infectious complications in the laparoscopic vs. open approach (p< 0.001) and in orthotopic vs. ileal conduit diversion (p = 0.04)ConclusionsWe found a high rate of HAIs in our radical cystectomy series, with predominant urinary tract and surgical wound infections. E.coli and Enterococcus spp. are the most frequently isolated microorganisms, with high rates of resistance to some commonly used antibiotics.