El cultivo celular en la investigación básica del cáncer de mama

Resumen La técnica del cultivo celular es la que ha permitido conocer el comportamientoin vitro de las células cancerosas. En esta revisión pretendemos introducir las peculiaridades básicas del cultivo celular, referido especialmente a líneas cancerosas mamarias, relacionar el origen de las líneas celulares más utilizadas en la investigación de este cáncer, mencionar las técnicas de laboratorio que pueden aplicarse sobre estos cultivos y ejemplificar la utilidad de las mismas, tomando como modelo diversos trabajos que estudian los efectos del factor de crecimiento epidérmico sobre líneas celulares hormonoindependientes de cáncer de mama.      

Efficacy of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in Type 1 diabetes: a 2-year perspective using the established criteria for funding from a National Health Service.

AIM: To determine the 2-year efficacy of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) following the current established criteria for funding of a National Health Service. METHODS: Longitudinal, prospective, observational unicentre study. Included in the study were 153 Type 1 diabetes (T1D) subjects, previously treated with multiple daily injections (MDI) of insulin, in whom CSII was started in accordance with the criteria for reimbursement of the Catalan National Health Service. At baseline, we recorded data on age, gender, duration of the disease, body mass index (BMI), insulin dose and indications for CSII. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) and the frequency of hypoglycaemic events were used to assess glycaemic control. Quality of life was assessed using three different self-report questionnaires. After 24 months, these same items were remeasured in all subjects. Serious adverse events and injection-site complications were also recorded. RESULTS: In 96% of subjects, CSII indication included less than optimal glycaemic control using MDI. HbA(1c) fell from 7.9 +/- 1.3 to 7.3 +/- 1.1% (P < or = 0.001) after 24 months of CSII. Insulin requirements were significantly lower at the end of follow-up (0.55 +/- 0.21 U/kg body weight) in comparison with before use of CSII (0.70 +/- 0.20, P < or = 0.001). BMI increased from 24.0 +/- 3.1 to 24.4 +/- 3.2 kg/m(2) after 24 months (P < or = 0.025). The rate of episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis per year remained unchanged. Mild and severe hypoglycaemic episodes were significantly reduced. The scores in all subsets of the Diabetes Quality-of-Life (DQoL) questionnaire significantly improved after 24 months of CSII. CONCLUSIONS: CSII, commenced according to the criteria for a nationally funded clinical programme, improves glycaemic control and quality-of-life outcomes with fewer hypoglycaemic episodes in T1D subjects previously conventionally treated with MDI.     

Analgesic and antipyretic effects of Ecballium elaterium (L.) A. Richard. Extract in rodents

The dried (elaterium) or fresh juice from Ecballium elaterium fruit is used in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions in popular medicine. In this study the elaterium is examined for its analgesic and antipyretic effects in several animal models. The elaterium exhibits both analgesic and antipyretic activities.     

Contribution to the knowledge of Hysterothylacium aduncum through electrophoresis of the enzymes glucose phosphate isomerase and phosphoglucomutase

A total of 163 Hysterothylacium aduncum specimens, obtained from two gadoids and one percid, were studied by electrophoresis of the enzymes glucose phosphate isomerase and phosphoglucomutase. The two loci deviated significantly from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, both when considering all specimens and when distinguishing the hosts. This could suggest that there is no single species in either case. Received: 16 June 1997 / Accepted: 11 July 1997     

Nicardipine improves motor tics

Calcium channel blockers can act on dopaminergic systems, and some reports suggest that they could be useful for the treatment of several movement disorders. In order to assess the efficacy of nicardipine in tics disorders we performed a prospective open non-controlled study which included 10 previously untreated patients. Our results suggest that nicardipine could be a useful and safe treatment for tics.     

A cystic fibrosis patient homozygous for the new frameshift mutation 936delTA: description and clinical data.

We report the identification of a new frameshift mutation (936delTA) in exon 6b of the CFTR gene. In the screening of 486 unrelated Spanish CF patients we found a patient homozygous for 936delTA (with consanguineous parents) and a patient heterozygous for delta F508 and 936delTA. Genotype-phenotype correlation studies showed that 936delTA is associated with pancreatic insufficiency and chronic pulmonary colonisation.     

A contribution to the model of biliary infection in rats.

The model of biliary tract infection induced in rats given suspension of E. coli into the bile duct is described. To prevent leakage of microorganisms after the administration, a temporary ligation of the bile duct followed. Contemporary groups of sham-operated and control rats (given saline by intrabiliary injection) were compared to assess the significance of the changes. The effect of biliary infection was concentration dependent. If 0.1 ml of the concentration containing 10(2), 10(3) and 10(6) colony-forming units/ml was injected, the mortality of rats reached 8%, 57% and 65%, respectively within 24 h. Blood and bile cultures from all dead animals grew E. coli. To evaluate the effect of chronic biliary infection, the concentration of 10(2) colony-forming units/ml was used. Serum concentrations of total and conjugated bilirubin, cholesterol and creatinine, activities of S-alanine-aminotransferase, S-aspartate-aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, the count of leucocytes in blood, total body weight with weight of the liver were investigated on days 1, 4 and 12 after the treatment. The results showed: an increase in leucocytes (21 +/- 4.2 10(9)/l, p less than 0.02 vs control animals) on day 4, an augmentation of serum cholesterol on day 1, (2.1 +/- 0.9 mmol/l, p less than 0.02 vs control animals), the presence of E. coli in blood on day 1 and its persistence in the bile on days 1, 4 and 12. Except the bile, all of the other symptoms were reversible by day 12.     

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy: a variant of incomplete Kawasaki disease

A 14-month-old girl presented with a 4-d history of fever and generalized exanthema. Four characteristic symptoms of incomplete Kawasaki disease (KD) were present on admission (fever, rash, non-purulent conjunctival injection, oropharyngeal changes) and then followed by oedema of the hands and feet and mild plantar desquamation. The typical laboratory features of KD, such as elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, and positive C-reactive protein were also seen. Ultrasound examination of the mediastinum revealed the presence of a lymph node, 30 mm in diameter, below the tracheal carina. Thoracic CT scan confirmed the mediastinal lymph node. The patient was treated with aspirin and intravenous γ -globulin. Ultrasound study of the mediastinum, which was carried out 6 weeks after hospital discharge, showed that the lymph node had disappeared. This case illustrates that lymph nodes other than cervical lymphadenopathy should be sought when the diagnosis of classical or atypical KD is suspected.