Lack of association between the kinetics of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) glycoprotein B (gB)-specific and neutralizing serum antibodies and development or recovery from HCMV active infection in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplant

The kinetics of the gB-specific and neutralizing antibody responses to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) were analyzed in 26 allogeneic stem-cell transplant recipients who either did (n = 20) or did not (n = 6) develop asymptomatic HCMV active infection during the study period. Antibody response profiles varied widely among individuals in both groups, irrespective of whether HCMV active infection did or did not occur. Development of HCMV active infection was not preceded by a decline in functional serum antibody levels. Neither the absence nor the presence of HCMV active infection correlated with either high or low serum levels of gB-specific and neutralizing antibodies, respectively. In most patients, episodes of HCMV replication were not followed by a marked increment in functional serum antibody titers. Therefore, resolution of an ongoing HCMV active infection was not associated with a vigorous antibody response to viral replication. In addition, this study supports previous data indicating that passive transfer of human immunoglobulins may result in an increment in gB-specific and neutralizing serum antibody levels, the magnitude of which varies among recipients; however, both patients with and without measurable increments in serum antibody levels developed HCMV active infections with comparable frequency.     

Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy. An inevitable late complication

Postlaryngectomy tumoral recurrence on the stoma is a terrible late complication that has a fatal outcome. In spite of advances in laryngeal surgery and modern reconstructive techniques, it is still a major cause of death in patients with laryngeal cancer. In a review of 500 patients who underwent surgery for laryngeal cancer in 1981-86 and 1995-97, we found no changes in the frequency of stomal recurrence between periods (4% in both periods). Stomal recurrence was associated in our study with subglottic extension and with transglottic lesions. Previous tracheotomy was not a decisive factor in the appearance of stomal recurrence in our patients.     

Análisis de resultados del Programa Externo de Control de Calidad SEIMC. Año 2008

The External Quality Control Program of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) include controls for bacteriology, serology, mycology, parasitology, mycobacteria and virology. This article present the most relevant conclusions and lessons from the 2008 controls. As a whole, the results obtained in 2008 confirm the excellent skill and good technical standards of the microbiology laboratories in Spain found in previous editions. However, a few deviations can be obtained in any laboratory, even in clinically relevant determinations. Once again, the results of this program highlighted the need to implement both internal an external controls in order to assure the maximal quality of the microbiological tests.     

Coronary disease protective factors: antioxidant effect of olive oil]

Alongside the French paradox, the REGICOR Study (Girona, Spain) has shown another paradox in the Mediterranean area: a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors with low incidence of myocardial infarction in the population of Girona, Spain. The antioxidant effects associated with olive oil consumption could explain part of this 'Mediterranean Paradox'. Virgin olive oils processed by two centrifugation phases and with low fruit ripeness have the highest levels of antioxidant content. The total content of phenolic compounds (PC) from virgin olive oil could delay LDL oxidation. The content and nature of olive oil PC have a high influence in the antioxidant capacity of an olive oil. PC from diet could bind human LDL in non-supplemented volunteers. PC from virgin olive oil could bind LDL and tyrosol is bioavailable in humans from ingestion of virgin olive oil in its natural form.     

Effect of High 131I Doses on the Bone Uptake and Retention of 90Sr and 90Y

The uptake and retention of ⁹⁰Sr and ⁹⁰Y in mouse bones after injections of the two nuclides in equilibrium were examined after beavy thyroid irradiations from ¹³¹I deposited in the glands. The radiation doses to the thyroid glands as well as the gross doses to the femurs and humeri of the mice were calculated. The radiation destruction of the thyroid tissues had no effect on the bone weights nor on the skeletal metabolism of ⁹⁰Sr. The uptake of ⁹⁰Y was, however, depressed after thyroidal irradiation but reached the same bone concentration as ⁹⁰Sr at about 30 days after the administration of the nuclides, i.e. at a time when the corresponding equilibrium between ⁹⁰Sr and ⁹⁰Y in the bones was reached in mice without a thyroidal irradiation.     

Acid phosphatase activity in mononuclear phagocytes and the U937 cell line: monocyte-derived macrophages express tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAcP) is used as a marker for osteoclasts, which are believed to be derived from phagocytic cells or phagocyte stem cell precursors. To further investigate the relationship between monocytic phagocytes and osteoclasts, acid phosphatase (AcP) activity was measured by three different techniques in human peripheral blood monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages, and the U937 cell line. We found that cytochemistry and gel electrophoresis led to similar results, but that the colorimetric assay was inconsistent. Normal human peripheral monocytes expressed both tartrate-sensitive and -resistant AcP. In culture these cells formed polykaryons and expressed TRAcP activity that was further identified as an isoenzyme associated with bone tissue. In contrast, the U937 cells did not express TRAcP activity as measured by gel electrophoresis. Both U937 cells and monocytes possess material that interferes with interpretation of the colorimetric assay of AcP. The presence of TRAcP in monocyte-derived macrophages further supports the relationship between phagocytic cells and bone osteoclasts.