Unlocking the secrets of galectins: a challenge at the frontier of glyco-immunology

Over the last decade, we have witnessed an explosion of information regarding the function of glycoconjugates, carbohydrate-binding proteins, and the elucidation of the sugar code. This progress has yielded not only important insights into fundamental areas of glycobiology but has also influenced other fields such as immunology and molecular medicine. A family of galactoside-binding proteins, called galectins, has emerged recently as a novel kind of bioactive molecules with powerful, immunoregulatory functions. Different members of this family have been shown to modulate positively or negatively multiple steps of the inflammatory response, such as cell-matrix interactions, cell trafficking, cell survival, cell-growth regulation, chemotaxis, and proinflammatory cytokine secretion. To introduce a comprehensive overview of these new advances, here we will explore the molecular mechanisms and biochemical pathways involved in these functions. We will also examine the role of these proteins in the modulation of different pathological processes, such as chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, infection, allergic reactions, and tumor spreading. Understanding the intimate mechanisms involved in galectin functions will help to delineate selective and novel strategies for disease intervention and diagnosis.     

Seroprevalence of human herpesvirus-8 in blood donors from different geographical regions of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile

Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) causes Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and lymphoproliferative disorders in both HIV-infected and uninfected patients. HHV-8 has a worldwide occurrence but infection rates vary according to a combination of geographic and behavioral risks. The main transmission route seems to be sexual, nevertheless, nasal secretions, saliva, blood, and organ graft have been proposed. HHV-8 was postulated as a new infectious agent for screening in blood donors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies against HHV-8 antigens in blood donors of South America. Serum samples from 2,470 blood donors from Argentina, Brazil, and Chile corresponding to five geographic regions were studied by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Seroprevalence rate was 3.7% (92/2,470; 95% CI 2.9-4.5) in the entire blood donor population distributed as follows: Argentina, 4.0% (Buenos Aires city, 4.3%; Bahia Blanca, 2.4%; and Córdoba, 4.0%), Campinas (Brazil), 2.8%; and Santiago de Chile, 3.0%. There was no difference (P>0.05) between men and women or age related, except in Brazil where positive cases were 30-49-year-old males. The present study, which includes different geographical areas of multiple countries from South America, has not been done before. The results show similar prevalence rates among the studied zones corresponding to low-prevalence regions. South America is a large sub-continent with a wide spectrum of population and geographical characteristics, thus, more HHV-8 prevalence studies should be necessary to establish possible regional differences.     

Recurrent cervical carcinoma after radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection: a study of 32 cases

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To investigate the characteristics of patients with recurrent cervical carcinoma after radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection (RHND), and to evaluate the effect of clinical and surgical pathologic factors on the outcome of these patients. METHODS: Data from the files of 32 patients with recurrent cervical carcinoma after RHND managed at the Soroka Medical Center from 1962 through 2005 were analyzed. RESULTS: These 32 patients represent a recurrence rate of 25.4%. The median recurrence-free interval was 19.3 (range, 1-106) months. The prevailing signs and symptoms were obstructive nephropathy, sacral pain and bowel obstruction. Sixteen (50%) patients had loco-regional recurrence alone, 12 (27.5%) loco-regional plus distant recurrence, and four (12.5%) distant recurrence alone. Treatment modalities included radiotherapy, chemotherapy and various surgical procedures. The 5-year survival rate was 35%, with 22 (68.7%) of the patients dead of disease at the end of follow-up. Univariate analysis demonstrated a significant worsening in survival with each of the following factors: loco-regional plus distant recurrence (p = 0.010), positive pelvic lymph nodes (p = 0.010), tumor size > or = 3 cm (p = 0.013), positive lymph vascular space involvement (p = 0.017) and RHND without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (p = 0.042). In a multivariate analysis, extent of recurrent disease (locoregional alone versus loco-regional plus distant recurrence) and pelvic lymph node status (negative vs positive) at RHND were the only significant predictors of survival. Uremia was the most common cause of death. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent cervical carcinoma after RHND is a grave disease with unfavorable prognosis. In both univariate and multivariate analyses, extent of recurrent disease and pelvic lymph node status at RHND were significant predictors of survival.     

The search for new antiparasitic agents. 10. The synthesis, toxicological and antimalarial properties of nitrogen-containing heterocycles with a 4-(4-alkylpiperazinyl-1) phenylamine substituent (the preparation quinoprazine)]

Synthesis is described and acute toxicity and antimalaria action is studied in new derivatives of quinoline and benzo(g)quinoline containing a 4-(4-alkylpiperazinyl-1)phenylamine substitute. Only the derivatives of benzo(g)quinoline were found to have a high antimalaria effect and to have advantages over the standard agent chloroquine on their tolerance and protective action. One of the compounds, 4-[4-(4-ethylpiperazinyl-1)phenylamino] benzo(g)quinoline, named QUINOPRAZINE, showed some action against Plasmodium berghei chloroquine--resistant infection (isolate LN-K65). This agent was elected for further tests.