Loss of lineage antigens is a common feature of apoptotic lymphocytes

The analysis of apoptosis in cell populations involves the detection of their specific lineage antigen (LAg) expression. This experimental approach relies on their assumed constant expression, but it is unclear whether such expression is actually maintained during cell death. We examined whether the loss of LAgs is a common feature of apoptotic lymphocytes and whether some might completely lose their LAgs. The changes in the expression of CD3, CD5, CD8, CD4, CD28, CD56, and CD19 were monitored in highly purified lymphocyte populations obtained by negative selection in a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. These were cultured for 24 h with or without phytohemagglutinin or staurosporin. For each LAg-positive subset studied, apoptosis was consistently more common among cells showing partial or total loss of LAg expression compared with cells maintaining their initial LAg levels. The kinetics of expression loss was rapid for CD8, CD56, and CD28, and more than 80% of initial expression was lost in the early stages of apoptosis but was slower for CD3, CD5, and CD4. For CD3 and CD5, expression was dependent on the apoptotic stimulus used. It is interesting that loss of antigen expression was independent of cell size. This phenomenon was also found in nonmanipulated, highly pure CD19 B lymphocytes of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from B chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. Loss of LAg expression appeared to be a common feature of apoptotic lymphocytes under all the conditions assayed. The different kinetic patterns of LAg loss suggest apoptotic cells might actively regulate this process.     

Cutaneous angiomyolipoma: a case report and literature review

Angiomyolipoma is a lesion usually observed in the kidney of patients with tuberous sclerosis. Extrarenal sites are very unusual with sporadic cases in internal organ, soft tissue and skin (fifteen cases have been described in this site). Herein we describe an adding case located on the ear in 58-year-old man reviewing the pertinent literature. The main diagnostic differential criteria are also discussed.     

Determinants of the Consumption of Regular Soda,Sport, and Energy Beverages in Spanish Adolescents

Increasing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) consumption and associated health impacts warrant health-policy action. We assessed associations of socioeconomic and lifestyle variables with adolescents’ consumption of regular soda (RSD), sport (SD), and energy (ED) drinks. Cross-sectional study of 3930 Spanish adolescents (2089 girls, 1841 boys) aged 13–18 years). We compared frequency of consuming each SSB type (European Food Safety Authority questionnaire) with sociodemographic and lifestyle variables (standardized questions). RSD, SD, and ED were consumed at least weekly by 72.7%, 32.3%, and 12.3% of participants, respectively, and more frequently (p < 0.001) by boys, compared to girls. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression showed inverse association between RSD, SD, and ED consumption and parental occupation-based socioeconomic status (p < 0.01). Daily smoking was associated (p < 0.001) with higher ED (OR 3.64, 95% CI 2.39–5.55) and RSD (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.56–2.97) consumptions. SD intake was associated inversely with smoking (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.40–0.89, p = 0.012) and directly with physical activity (OR 2.93, 95% CI 2.18–3.95, p < 0.001). School performance was lower among ED (OR 2.14, 95% CI, 1.37–3.35, p = 0.001) and RSD (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.24–2.64, p = 0.002) consumers, compared to SD. Maleness and low socioeconomic status predicted SSB consumption. Smoking and low school performance were associated with higher ED and RSD intakes.     

HCV seroconversion among never-injecting heroin users at baseline: No predictors identified other than starting injection

BACKGROUND: Heroin users who do not inject constitute a large pool of drug users with a potentially important impact on public health. We aimed to estimate the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among heroin users who had never injected (NIDUS) at baseline, and the effect of starting injecting during follow-up, other percutaneous exposures, sharing snorting paraphernalia, cocaine/crack use, and risky sexual behaviour on HCV-seroconversion. METHODS: Prospective cohort of 305 HCV-negative NIDUs at baseline, aged 18-30 and street-recruited in three Spanish cities in 2001-2003. Computer-assisted personal interviews were conducted and dried blood-spot samples were collected. Bivariate and multivariable Poisson models were used. RESULTS: Among the 305 never-injectors who were HCV-negative at baseline, 197 (64.6%) were followed-up and 21 seroconverted [HCV-incidence rate=5.8/100 person-years at risk (pyar) (95% CI: 3.6-8.9)]. HCV incidence in new-injectors was 28.4/100pyar [(95% CI, 14.7-49.7) vs. 2.8/100pyar (95% CI, 1.3-5.4)] among NIDUs. Of the risk exposures considered, starting injecting was the only predictor of HCV-seroconversion [adjusted relative risk=10.1, 95% CI: 3.8-26.7]. CONCLUSION: The HCV-seroconversion rate was 10 times higher among new-injectors than never-injectors. No predictors other than starting injecting were found for HCV-seroconversion. Harm reduction interventions to prevent HCV infection should include prevention of drug injection.     

A clinical trial of neoadjuvant hyperthermic intravesical chemotherapy (HIVEC) for treating intermediate and high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Purpose: Ths paper reports a pilot/feasibility trial of neoadjuvant hyperthermic intravesical chemotherapy (HIVEC) prior to transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Materials and methods: A pilot/feasibility clinical trial was performed and 15 patients with intermediate to high-risk NMIBC received HIVEC prior to TURBT. HIVEC consisting of eight weekly instillations of intravesical MMC (80?mg in 50?mL) delivered with the novel Combat BRS® system at a temperature of 43?°C for 60?min. Treatment-related adverse effects were measured and patients were followed for 2 years for disease recurrence. Results: A total of 119 HIVEC treatments occurred. Grade 1 adverse events consisted of irritative bladder symptoms (33%), bladder spasms (27%), pain (27%), haematuria (20%) and urinary tract infection (UTI; 14%). Grade 2 adverse events were bladder calcification (7%) and reduced bladder capacity (7%). No grade 3 or higher toxicity was observed. At TURBT, eight patients (53%) were complete responders (pT0) while seven (47%) were partial responders. With a median follow-up of 29 months, the 3-year cumulative incidence of recurrence was 15%. Conclusions: The Combat BRS® system achieved target bladder temperatures and delivered HIVEC with a favourable side-effect profile. Our pilot trial also provides preliminary evidence of treatment efficacy.     

Minimally Invasive Otoplasty: Technical Details and Long-Term Results

Background  

Aesthetic correction of the ears requires thorough diagnosis and subsequent treatment of the affected areas. The authors’ technique addresses every deformity that might need correction through separate incisions, minimal scars, and conservative dissection without the use of permanent sutures. Correction of the eventual discrepancy between cartilage height and the skin envelope is particularly observed and addressed by means of scaphal reduction. The technical details, long-term results, and complications are evaluated in this article.     

Variceal ligation plus nadolol compared with ligation for prophylaxis of variceal rebleeding: a multicenter trial

beta-Blockers and endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) have proven to be valuable methods in the prevention of variceal rebleeding. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of EVL combined with nadolol versus EVL alone as secondary prophylaxis for variceal bleeding. Patients admitted for acute variceal bleeding were treated during emergency endoscopy with EVL or sclerotherapy and received somatostatin for 5 days. At that point, patients were randomized to receive EVL plus nadolol or EVL alone. EVL sessions were repeated every 10 to 12 days until the varices were eradicated. Eighty patients with cirrhosis (alcoholic origin in 66%) were included (Child-Turcotte-Pugh A, 15%; B, 56%; C, 29%). The median follow-up period was 16 months (range, 1-24 months). The variceal bleeding recurrence rate was 14% in the EVL plus nadolol group and 38% in the EVL group (P = .006). Mortality was similar in both groups: five patients (11.6%) died in the combined therapy group and four patients (10.8%) died in the EVL group. There were no significant differences in the number of EVL sessions to eradicate varices: 3.2 +/- 1.3 in the combined therapy group versus 3.5 +/- 1.3 in the EVL alone group. The actuarial probability of variceal recurrence at 1 year was lower in the EVL plus nadolol group (54%) than in the EVL group (77%; P = .06). Adverse effects resulting from nadolol were observed in 11% of the patients. In conclusion, nadolol plus EVL reduces the incidence of variceal rebleeding compared with EVL alone. A combined treatment could lower the probability of variceal recurrence after eradication.