Interaction of Shiga toxin 2 with complement regulators of the factor H protein family

Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) is believed to be a major virulence factor of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) contributing to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The complement system has recently been found to be involved in the pathogenesis of EHEC-associated HUS. Stx2 was shown to activate complement via the alternative pathway, to bind factor H (FH) at short consensus repeats (SCRs) 6–8 and 18–20 and to delay and reduce FH cofactor activity on the cell surface.     

Nanoscale magnetic and charge anisotropies at manganite interfaces

Strong correlated manganites are still under intense research owing to their complex phase diagrams in terms of Sr-doping and their sensitivity to intrinsic and extrinsic structural deformations. Here, we performed X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements of manganite bilayers to explore the effects that a local Sr-doping gradient produce on the charge and antiferromagnetic anisotropies. In order to gradually tune the Sr-doping level along the axis perpendicular to the samples we have grown a series of bilayers with different thicknesses of low-doped manganites (from 0 nm to 6 nm) deposited over a La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ metallic layer. This strategy permitted us to resolve with high accuracy the thickness region where the charge and spin anisotropies vary and the critical thickness t_c over which the out of plane orbital asymmetry does not have any further modifications. We found that the antiferromagnetic spin axis points preferentially out of the sample plane regardless the capping layer thickness. However, it tilts partially into the sample plane far from this critical thickness, owing to the combined contributions of the external structural strain and electron doping. Furthermore, we found that the doping level of the capping layer strongly affects the critical thickness, giving clear evidence of the influence exerted by the electron doping on the orbital and magnetic configurations. These anisotropic changes induce subtle modifications on the domain reorientation of La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃, as evidenced from the magnetic hysteresis cycles.

Nanoscale variation of antiferromagnetic and charge anisotropies has been found at manganite interfaces with an artificially created Sr-doping.     

Caloric beverage drinking patterns are differentially associated with diet quality and adiposity among Spanish girls and boys

The present study assesses the impact of beverage consumption pattern on diet quality and anthropometric proxy measures for abdominal adiposity in Spanish adolescents. Data were obtained from a representative national sample of 1,149 Spanish adolescents aged 10–18 years. Height, weight, and waist circumferences were measured. Dietary assessment was performed with a 24-h recall. Beverage patterns were identified by cluster analysis. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was measured by the KIDMED index. Three beverage clusters were identified for boys—“whole milk” (62.5 %), “low-fat milk” (17.5 %) and “soft drinks” (20.1 %)—and for girls—^“whole milk” (57.8 %), “low-fat milk” (20.8 %) and juice (21.4 %), accounting for 8.3, 9.6, 13.9, 8.6, 11.5 and 12.9 % of total energy intake, respectively. Each unit of increase in the KIDMED index was associated with a 14.0 % higher (p?=?0.004) and 11.0 % lower (p?=?0.048) probability of membership in the “low-fat milk” and “soft drinks” cluster in girls and boys, respectively, compared with the “whole milk” cluster. Boys in the “soft drinks” cluster had a higher risk of 1-unit increase in BMI z score (29.0 %, p?=?0.040), 1-cm increase in waist circumference regressed on height and age (3.0 %, p?=?0.027) and 0.1-unit increase in waist/height ratio (21.4 %, p?=?0.031) compared with the “whole milk” cluster. Conclusion: A caloric beverage pattern dominated by intake of “soft drinks” is related to general and abdominal adiposity and diet quality in Spanish male adolescents.     

Synthesis of natural 1-O-alkylglycerols: a study on the chemoselective opening of the epoxide ring by onium quaternary salts (N and P) and ionic liquids

A chemoselective route for the synthesis of 1-O-alkylglycerols chimyl (1), batyl (2), and selachyl (3) is reported. These compounds can be naturally isolated from shark liver oil and the skin of animals such as stingrays and chimeras and exhibit potential anti-fouling activity. The synthetic approach developed in this work included two distinct methods of preparation. The first was based on solvent-free reactions catalyzed by onium quaternary salts (N and P) and ionic liquids; the second methodology was based on a series of one-pot reactions.

A chemoselective route for the synthesis of 1-O-alkylglycerols chimyl (1), batyl (2), and selachyl (3) is reported.     

Validation of a differential PCR and an ELISA procedure in studying HER-2/neu status in breast cancer

HER-2/neu oncogene status and total cellular p185^HER-2 content were simultaneously analyzed in 415 invasive breast-cancer specimens by differential PCR and ELISA respectively. Mathematical analysis of the data led us to establish a cut-off value of 1.7 for the ratio between the intensity of the HER-2/neu gene band and the reference gene band, to consider the HER-2/neu gene amplified, and of 260 fmol/mg protein, to consider p185^HER-2 over-expressed. Of the 415 tumors studied, 15% showed a diverse degree of HER-2/neu gene amplification. Of these tumors, 87% showed over-expression of the p185^HER-2. Of the remaining 352 specimens that did not display HER-2/neu gene amplification, 97% showed no p185^HER-2 over-expression (p < 0.0001). In 40 selected samples with a p185^HER-2 level lower than 260 fmol/mg protein, the degree of p185^HER-2 phosphorylation was very low or undetectable. Conversely, 38 of 46 selected tumors with a p185^HER-2 level higher than 260 fmol/mg protein exhibited a considerable degree of p185^HER-2 phosphorylation (p < 0.0001). Our data suggest that: (i) differential PCR and ELISA, which are relatively simple procedures, give similar information on HER-2/neu status in breast cancer; and (ii) given the large series analyzed, the cutoff values established can be considered as safe values for determining whether, in a given tumor, the HER-2/neu oncogene is amplified or p185^HER-2 is over-expressed. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effects of tenidap on canine experimental osteoarthritis i. morphologic and metalloprotease analysis

Objective. To examine the effects of tenidap and diclofenac on osteoarthritic lesions and metalloprotease activity in experimental osteoarthritis (OA). Methods. The anterior cruciate ligament of the right stifle joint of 25 mongrel dogs was sectioned by a stab wound. Seven dogs received no treatment, 6 were treated with oral omeprazole (20 mg/day), another 6 were treated with diclofenac (0.25 mg/kg/twice daily) plus omeprazole (20 mg/day), and 6 received oral tenidap (3 mg/kg/twice daily) plus omeprazole (20 mg/day). The dogs received medication for 8 weeks; all dogs were killed at the end of this period. Eight normal dogs were used as controls. Lesions were evaluated macroscopically for the incidence and size of osteophytes and the area and grade of cartilage erosions on the condyles and plateaus, along with histologic evaluation of the severity of the cartilage lesions and synovial inflammation. Stromelysin and collagenase activities and the collagenase messenger RNA (mRNA) level were measured in cartilage and synovial membrane. Results. Compared with the untreated or omeprazole-treated OA groups, the dogs treated with tenidap exhibited significant reduction in the incidence (P < 0.001) and size (P < 0.0001) of osteophytes. Tenidap also significantly decreased the size and grade of cartilage macroscopic lesions, as well as the histologic severity of cartilage lesions on both condyles and plateaus. The histologic severity of synovial inflammatory reaction was also significantly reduced (P < 0.003) in the tenidap group. Tenidap markedly decreased stromelysin and collagenase activity in both cartilage (stromelysin P < 0.003; collagenase P < 0.01) and synovial membrane (stromelysin P < 0.003; collagenase P < 0.005). Moreover, tenidap also decreased the collagenase mRNA level in cartilage (P < 0.005) and synovial membrane (P < 0.002). Diclofenac slightly reduced the incidence and size of osteophytes and cartilage lesions, but these changes were not statistically significant. Diclofenac had no effect on the severity of synovial inflammation, metalloprotease activity, or collagenase expression. Conclusion. This study showed that tenidap had a more potent anti-osteoarthritic effect than diclofenac in this model. The effect of the drug in suppressing metalloprotease synthesis, a process known to play a major role in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritic lesions, may explain its mechanism of action.     

Importancia del compromiso del personal sanitario para la satisfacción de los pacientes en Atención Primaria

Conocer en qué medida el compromiso organizativo de los profesionales sanitarios de Atención Primaria es importante para la satisfacción de los pacientes. Estudio observacional, de corte transversal, cuantitativo, retrospectivo, y no controlado. Cuarenta centros de Atención Primaria pertenecientes al área de salud de Gran Canaria. Atención primaria. Seiscientos diecisiete profesionales sanitarios (46% médicos y 54% enfermeros) y 1.537 usuarios de los centros de Atención Primaria (35,39% hombres y 64,60% mujeres). Muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. Para evaluar el compromiso organizativo se usó un cuestionario autoadministrado a profesionales sanitarios de centros de Atención Primaria. La satisfacción de los pacientes se obtuvo mediante encuesta telefónica y las variables de control a partir de fuentes secundarias. Los datos se analizaron mediante regresión lineal múltiple. Para profundizar en los resultados se usaron también entrevistas semiestructuradas. El entorno socioeconómico de los centros de salud no influye en la satisfacción de los pacientes. El compromiso organizativo de los trabajadores influye positivamente en la satisfacción de los usuarios de los centros de salud. También se encontró que los profesionales más comprometidos tienen menos disponibilidad en sus agendas para citas a corto plazo. Las entrevistas sugieren que se debe a que dedican más tiempo a sus pacientes, lo cual hace que estén más satisfechos. El compromiso organizativo afectivo de los profesionales sanitarios es una actitud que permite mejorar la satisfacción de los pacientes, por ello, los gestores sanitarios deberían emplear prácticas dirigidas a fortalecer dicha actitud.Palabras clave: Satisfacción del paciente, Compromiso organizativo, Calidad asistencial, Atención primaria, Gestión de personal     

Clinical differentiation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Latin America and the Caribbean

The aim of the present study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including medical and surgical treatments, in several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.IBD is recognized as a global health problem because its incidence and prevalence have increased significantly over the last few years.This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 4714 patients with IBD diagnosed from 9 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean: Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela.Crohn disease (CD) was more frequent in Puerto Rico (71.9%), the Dominican Republic (61.0%), and Peru (53.1%). Ulcerative colitis was more frequent in Colombia (78.6%), Venezuela (78.2%), Mexico (75.5%), Cuba (69.9%), Ecuador (64.1%), and Uruguay (60.9%). The following clinical characteristics were more frequent in the Caribbean: penetrating behavior in CD, steroid dependence, steroid resistance, intolerance to thiopurines, extraintestinal manifestations, surgeries, hospitalizations due to IBD, and family history of IBD. The factors associated with the use of biological therapy were pancolitis in ulcerative colitis, penetrating behavior in CD, steroid resistance and dependence, presence of extraintestinal manifestations, and the need for surgery.This study from Latin America and the Caribbean demonstrated the different epidemiological and clinical characteristics of IBD.