Valor de la expresión del ARN mensajero de la isocitrato deshidrogenasa (IDH1) como predictor de agresividad en gliomas

Los gliomas son el tipo más común de tumor cerebral primario. En humanos, cinco genes codifican para la isocitrato deshidrogenasa: IDH1/2/3A/3B/3G. Mutaciones somáticas puntuales en el gen IDH1 son frecuentes en gliomas, la mayoría transiciones de una sola base: 395G-A y están asociadas a una mayor supervivencia de esos pacientes con glioma cuando los comparamos con aquellos que no tienen la mutación. Entre las consecuencias funcionales de la mutación de la IDH1, estudios demuestran un fuerte descenso en la producción de NADPH reducido dependiente de isocitrato en las células. Investigamos la expresión del ARNm del IDH1 y la presencia o ausencia de la mutación G395A en una serie de gliomas. En particular, estudiamos 38 casos de gliomas y 7 metástasis analizando el centro y la periferia de muestras en fresco y resección en bloque. No encontramos diferencias entre las regiones central y periférica con respecto a la expresión del ARNm y la mutación de IDH1. Sin embargo, podemos observar una mayor expresión del ARNm de IDH1 y una menor incidencia de la mutación en tumores de alto grado cuando los comparamos con aquellos de bajo grado. Este estudio muestra que los gliomas con IDH1 normal tienen una mayor expresión de ARNm independientemente de la zona del tumor. Esto podría conducir a un aumento en la actividad enzimática y mayor presencia de NADPH, lo cual se necesita para el crecimiento celular. Así, el mayor poder de reducción de estas células podría explicar la mayor agresividad de estos gliomas.Gliomas, are the most common type of primary brain tumors. In humans, five genes encode for isocitrate dehydrogenase: IDH1, IDH2, IDH3A, IDH3B, and IDH3G. Somatic point mutations in IDH1 are frequent in gliomas. Most mutations for IDH1 are single base transition substitutions: 395G_A and are associated with longer survival in patients with glioma when compared with those gliomas without IDH1 mutations. Among the functional consequences of IDH1 mutation, some studies have shown a strong decrease in the isocitrate dependent production of reduced NADPH production in the cells. We investigated mRNA expression of IDH1 and the presence or absence of the G395A mutation in a subset of gliomas. Specifically, we studied 38 cases of glioma and 7 methastasis analyzing central and peripheral regions from fresh and en block resection specimens. We found no differences between central and peripheral regions, in regard to IDH1 mRNA expression and G395A IDH1 mutation. However, we identified a significantly higher expression of IDH1 mRNA and a lesser incidence of mutation in high grade gliomas when compared with low grade ones. This study shows that those gliomas with IDH1 WT are associated with higher expression of IDH1 mRNA, independently of the tumor area. This could in turn lead to an increase in enzyme activity and more presence of NADPH which is needed for cellular growth. The greater reducing power in these cells could account for the greater aggressiveness of these gliomas

Pentobarbital versus thiopental in the treatment of refractory intracranial hypertension in patients with traumatic brain injury: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Experimental research has demonstrated that the level of neuroprotection conferred by the various barbiturates is not equal. Until now no controlled studies have been conducted to compare their effectiveness, even though the Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines recommend that such studies be undertaken. The objectives of the present study were to assess the effectiveness of pentobarbital and thiopental in terms of controlling refractory intracranial hypertension in patients with severe traumatic brain injury, and to evaluate the adverse effects of treatment. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, cohort study comparing two treatments: pentobarbital and thiopental. Patients who had suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score after resuscitation ≤ 8 points or neurological deterioration during the first week after trauma) and with refractory intracranial hypertension (intracranial pressure > 20 mmHg) first-tier measures, in accordance with the Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines. Results: A total of 44 patients (22 in each group) were included over a 5-year period. There were no statistically significant differences in ' baseline characteristics, except for admission computed cranial tomography characteristics, using the Traumatic Coma Data Bank classification. Uncontrollable intracranial pressure occurred in 11 patients (50%) in the thiopental treatment group and in 18 patients (82%) in the pentobarbital group (P = 0.03). Under logistic regression analysis - undertaken in an effort to adjust for the cranial tomography characteristics, which were unfavourable for pentobarbital - thiopental was more effective than pentobarbital in terms of controlling intracranial pressure (odds ratio = 5.1, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 21.9; P = 0.027). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the incidence of arterial hypotension or infection. Conclusions: Thiopental appeared to be more effective than pentobarbital in controlling intracranial hypertension refractory to first-tier measures. These findings should be interpreted with caution because of the imbalance in cranial tomography characteristics and the different dosages employed in the two arms of the study. The incidence of adverse effects was similar in both groups

O6-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase protein expression by immunohistochemistry in brain and non-brain systemic tumours: systematic review and meta-analysis of correlation with methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction

Background: The DNA repair protein O6-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) confers resistance to alkylating agents. Several methods have been applied to its analysis, with methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) the most commonly used for promoter methylation study, while immunohistochemistry (IHC) has become the most frequently used for the detection of MGMT protein expression. Agreement on the best and most reliable technique for evaluating MGMT status remains unsettled. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the correlation between IHC and MSP. Methods A computer-aided search of MEDLINE (1950-October 2009), EBSCO (1966-October 2009) and EMBASE (1974-October 2009) was performed for relevant publications. Studies meeting inclusion criteria were those comparing MGMT protein expression by IHC with MGMT promoter methylation by MSP in the same cohort of patients. Methodological quality was assessed by using the QUADAS and STARD instruments. Previously published guidelines were followed for meta-analysis performance. Results Of 254 studies identified as eligible for full-text review, 52 (20.5%) met the inclusion criteria. The review showed that results of MGMT protein expression by IHC are not in close agreement with those obtained with MSP. Moreover, type of tumour (primary brain tumour vs others) was an independent covariate of accuracy estimates in the meta-regression analysis beyond the cut-off value. Conclusions Protein expression assessed by IHC alone fails to reflect the promoter methylation status of MGMT. Thus, in attempts at clinical diagnosis the two methods seem to select different groups of patients and should not be used interchangeably

Factores pronósticos en astrocitomas anaplásicos

[spa] Los gliomas anaplásicos (grado III de la OMS) son gliomas infiltrativos y malignos que afectan fundamentalmente a pacientes adultos, y cuyo comportamiento y evolución clínica son especialmente heterogéneos. El avance en el conocimiento de la biología molecular acontecido en los últimos años, ha permitido demostrar que muchas de las variables clínicas, radiológicas o histológicas clásicas pierden su valor pronóstico si se analizan conjuntamente con los nuevos factores moleculares. En la primera parte de la presente tesis se analizó el valor pronóstico de la expresión inmunohistoquímica de la proteína O6-Metilguanina ADN-metiltransferasa (MGMT) y de la metilación del promotor del gen (MGMT) en una serie homogénea de pacientes con diagnóstico de glioma anaplásico, tratados de acuerdo a un protocolo preestablecido común. La ausencia de inmunoexpresión de MGMT resultó factor pronóstico independiente de supervivencia global en aquellos pacientes que recibieron tratamiento quimioterápico. Sin embargo, el estado de metilación del promotor determinado mediante PCR específica de metilación (MSP) no demostró influencia pronóstica. Contrariamente a lo esperado, los resultados de la serie estudiada no corroboraron la existencia de una buena correlación entre los datos de la inmunohistoquímica y los de la MSP, es decir, no se halló una asociación firme entre la presencia de metilación del promotor del gen y la ausencia de expresión de la proteína. Por ello, en la segunda parte de la tesis se realizó una Revisión Sistemática y un Meta-análisis sobre la precisión diagnóstica de la inmunohistoquímica como técnica de estudio y valoración de MGMT. Los resultados del mismo parecen confirmar la hipótesis de que el grado de expresión de MGMT no siempre refleja el estado de metilación del promotor y a la inversa. Por ello ambos métodos diagnósticos no deben considerarse como intercambiables, ni emplearse indistintamente en la práctica clínica diaria ya que no seleccionan el mismo subgrupo de pacientes. La tercera parte de la tesis se centró en el subgrupo de gliomas anaplásicos con componente oligodendroglial (oligodendrogliomas anaplásicos y oligoastrocitomas anaplásicos). En ella se analizó la heterogeneidad regional de los parámetros moleculares valorando la asociación entre el perfil genético de los tumores y determinadas características radiológicas. La pérdida de heterocigosidad de 1p, 19q y 1p19q se hallaron fuertemente asociadas a la localización frontal de los tumores. Aunque las pruebas de neuroimagen nunca reemplazarán al análisis histológico, la identificación de aspectos clínicos o características radiológicas que se asocien a determinados aspectos moleculares puede resultar de enorme utilidad en la práctica clínica diaria. El objetivo fundamental de clasificar los gliomas es definir subgrupos de pacientes con un pronóstico similar. Para alcanzar este objetivo además del análisis histológico e inmunohistoquímico convencionales, el estudio genético-molecular proporciona información muy valiosa. Los esfuerzos deben por tanto dirigirse hacia la utilización combinada de todos los recursos disponibles en nuestro entorno.[eng] The general term for the activities of donor screening, retrieval, processing, storage and distribution of bone allografts is “Bone Banking". The Hospital Clínic of Barcelona Bone Bank was instituted in 1987. From December 1987 to December 1992 a total of 475 bone allografts were obtained of 270 bones; they belonged to 53 donors, all of them multi-organic or tissular donors. The grafts were obtained under strictly aseptic conditions and bacteriological cultures were performed of each bone. The grafts were packed in two sterile plastic bags and then stored by freezing in electrical freezers (-40°C / -80°C). The parameters studied have been: age and sex of the donor, cause of death, hospital of extraction, number of persons of the bone procurement team, previous organ procurements from the same donor, type of bone, culture of the bone, fragmentation, type of fragment, culture of the fragment, time of storage, hospital of implantation, diagnostic of the recipient, culture of the allograft, culture of the recipient bed, and clinical and radiographic results of the allograft. The aim of this thesis is to optimize the results of a Regional Bone Bank. The conclusions are: (1) Number of contaminated bones has been significantly higher in extractions outside of the main hospital, and in the procurements with more than 4 team members. (2) The age and sex of the donor, the cause of death, the number of previous organ procurements from the same donor and the type of bone weren't determinative factors contributing to bacterial contamination of the bones. (3) We justify fragmentation of the obtained bones. (4) The chronological evolution has been a determinative factor of the different distribution of the allogratts of the Hospital Clínic Bone Bank. (5) Cancellous allograft is the type of fragment more implant. (6) Lang time of storage is a determinative factor to decrease de number of complications of the allografts. (7) Addition osteotomies have shown the best results of the bone allografts, and exposed fractures and lumbar arthrodeses the worst. (8) Age and sex of the donor, type of fragment, cultures of the allograft and the recipient bed aren’t determinative factors in the clinical and radiographic results of the bone allografts.[cat] Un Banc d'Ossos és la organització encarregada de la selecció de donants, obtención, processament, emmagatzemament i distribució d'al.loempelts d'aparell locomotor per a la seva posterior utilització mèdica. El principi bàsic és obtenir teixit segur i eficaç per als pacients. Un al.loempelt és aquell empelt realitzat entre individus de la mateixa espècie. però amb genotip diferent. La difusió dels al.loempelts ossis es va iniciar amb Inclan (1942), qui publicà la primera gran sèrie utilitzant ossos conservats per a un període de fins dos mesos. A França, Andrè Sicard estableix al 1946 una "reserva d'empelts" a l'Hospital de Beaujon. El centre més important d'utilització dels al.loempelts, però, ha estat als Estats Units de l'Amèrica del Nord. Mankin inicia l'any 1971, a l'Hospital General de Massachussets, una llarga sèrie de resseccions tumorals amb substitució per empelts massius obtinguts de cadàvers i congelats a -80º. També als Estats Units, Malinin (1976), a la Universitat de Miami, inicia una llarga sèrie de més de 900 al.loempelts massius, obtinguts de cadàvers i conservats en nitrògen líquid, a -150°. A fi d'unificar criteris i crear unes normes, el Consell Musculoesquelètic de la Societat Americana de Bancs de Teixits (AATB) publica la primera guia el 1979 per als bancs de teixits musculoesquelètics. Als Estats Units hi ha actualment 220.000 receptors anuals d'al.loempelts ossis o de parts toves, que provénen de 5000 donants/any. A Europa, de manera semblant a l'AATB dels Estats Units apareixen la Societat Europea de Bancs de Teixits (EATB) l'any 1991 i la Societat Europea de Transplantament Musculo-esquelètic (EAMST) l'any 1992. L'any 1951 es crea el primer banc d'ossos d'Espanya a l'Hospital Provincial de Madrid (Sanchis Olmos, 1953). Poc després, l'any 1953, es constitueix per Ordre Ministerial el Banco Nacional de Huesos (González Sánchez 1956). Els primers Bancs d'ossos que segueixen la metodologia establerta per l' AATB i els grans bancs americans sorgeixen en la dècada dels vuitanta. L'any 1992 L'Organización Nacional de Trasplantes (ONT) publica unes recananacions per unificar els criteris de funcionament dels bancs d'ossos a Espanya. Per a la realització d’aquesta tesi doctoral s'han valorat els 53 donants multiorganics generats per l'Hospital Clínic de Barcelona i per altres centres coordinats amb aquest, des del desembre de 1987 fins al desembre de 1992, dels quals s'ha practicat l'extracció de teixit esquelètic. El nombre total d'ossos obtinguts ha estat 270, i el d' al.loempelts 475. Els paràmetres estudiats han estat els següents: edat i sexe del donant, causa de mort, hospital d’extracció, equips extractors d'altres òrgans i teixits previs, nombre de membres de l'equip extractor de teixit esquelètic, tipus d’os, cultiu de l’os a l'extracció, fragmentació, tipus de fragment, cultiu del fragment, temps d'emmagatzemament, centre d'implantació, diagnòstic del receptor, cultiu del al.loempelt i del llit receptor, i resultat clínic i radiològic de l' empelt. L’objectiu general d’aquesta tesi és optimitzar el funcionament, el rendiment i els resultats d'un Banc d’Ossos que anomenem "Regional", és a dir, que obté els al.loempelts esquelètics de donants multiorgànics i tissulars, en contraposició als Bancs d’Ossos quirúrgics, que es nodreixen bàsicament de caps de fèmur. Per obtenir aquest objectiu general hem establert els següents objectius particulars: (1) Avaluació dels factors que poden ser significatius en el resultat dels cultius realitzats en els ossos després de la seva obtenció: I’hospital d'extracció, les extraccions prèvies d'òrgans I eixits, el nombre d'equips extractors previs, el nombre de membres de l'equip extractor de teixit esquelètic, la causa de mort, l'edat i el sexe del donant, i el tipus d'os obtingut. (2) Valoració de les possibles causes de contaminació dels al.loempelts obtinguts després de la fragmentació dels ossos, analitzant l’os d'origen i el tipus de fragment. (3) Anàlisi de la distribució geogràfica dels centres en els quals s'implanten els empelts generats pel Banc d'Ossos de l'Hospital Clínic, i el nivell d'utilització dels diversos tipus de fragments. (4) Examen dels diferents paràmetres que poden determinar el comportament dels al.loempelts: edat i sexe del donant, tipus d'os d'origen, tipus de fragment, temps d'emmagatzemament, cultiu de l'al.loempelt, cultiu del llit receptor, i tipus d'intervenció. Les conclusions són: (1) Els factors que s'han mostrat determinants en la contaminació dels ossos obtinguts de donants multiorgànics són: l'hospital d’extracció (menys mltius positius en els ossos obtinguts a l'hospital on està ubicat el Banc amb relació als explantats en un altre centre), i el nombre de membres de l'equip extractor d’aparell locomotor (més contaminació quan hi ha 4 o més membres). (2) Les extraccions prèvies dels diferents òrgans i teixits, el nombre d'equips extractors previs a l'obtenció del teixit esquelètic, la causa de mort, l'edat i el sexe del donant, i el tipus d’os, no han presentat diferències significatives en la contaminació dels ossos obtinguts de donants multiorgànics. (3) Justifiquem la fragmentació dels ossos obtinguts, realitzada en condicions adequades, pel baix percentatge de contaminació dels segments, amb relació al benefici que aporta, ja que permet que més receptors puguin gaudir dels avantatges dels al.loempelts. (4) L'evolució cronclògica ha estat un factor determinant en la diferent distribució geogràfica de la utilització dels al.loempelts generats pel Banc d'Ossos de l'Hospital Clínic, i s'ha convertit en la pròpia d'un Banc regional. (5) El tipus d'al.loempelt més sol.licitat i utilitzat és el fragment esponjós. (6) El temps d' emnagatzernament, amb un mètode de conservació i d'embalatge idonis, no és un factor determinant en la contaminació dels al.loempelts, i quant més prolongat és, menors són les complicacions dels implants. (7) El millor resultat de les osteotomies metafisàries d‘addició per un costat i l'augment de les complicacions en les fractures obertes i les artrodesis lumbars per l’altra, indiquen que la qualitat del llit receptor i les condiciones biomecàniques són altres determinants en el comportament dels al.loempelts. (8) L'edat i el sexe del donant (amb una adequada selecció), el tipus d'os i de fragment (amb una correcta indicació), els cultius de l'al.loempelt i del receptor, i la resta d’indicacions analitzades no són determinants en l'aparició de complicacions del comportament dels al.loempelts

Ready-to-Use Methods for the Detection of Clouds, Cirrus, Snow, Shadow, Water and Clear Sky Pixels in Sentinel-2 MSI Images

Classification of clouds, cirrus, snow, shadows and clear sky areas is a crucial step in the pre-processing of optical remote sensing images and is a valuable input for their atmospheric correction. The Multi-Spectral Imager on board the Sentinel-2’s of the Copernicus program offers optimized bands for this task and delivers unprecedented amounts of data regarding spatial sampling, global coverage, spectral coverage, and repetition rate. Efficient algorithms are needed to process, or possibly reprocess, those big amounts of data. Techniques based on top-of-atmosphere reflectance spectra for single-pixels without exploitation of external data or spatial context offer the largest potential for parallel data processing and highly optimized processing throughput. Such algorithms can be seen as a baseline for possible trade-offs in processing performance when the application of more sophisticated methods is discussed. We present several ready-to-use classification algorithms which are all based on a publicly available database of manually classified Sentinel-2A images. These algorithms are based on commonly used and newly developed machine learning techniques which drastically reduce the amount of time needed to update the algorithms when new images are added to the database. Several ready-to-use decision trees are presented which allow to correctly label about 91 % of the spectra within a validation dataset. While decision trees are simple to implement and easy to understand, they offer only limited classification skill. It improves to 98 % when the presented algorithm based on the classical Bayesian method is applied. This method has only recently been used for this task and shows excellent performance concerning classification skill and processing performance. A comparison of the presented algorithms with other commonly used techniques such as random forests, stochastic gradient descent, or support vector machines is also given. Especially random forests and support vector machines show similar classification skill as the classical Bayesian method

O6-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase protein expression by immunohistochemistry in brain and non-brain systemic tumours: systematic review and meta-analysis of correlation with methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction

Background: The DNA repair protein O6-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) confers resistance to alkylating agents. Several methods have been applied to its analysis, with methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) the most commonly used for promoter methylation study, while immunohistochemistry (IHC) has become the most frequently used for the detection of MGMT protein expression. Agreement on the best and most reliable technique for evaluating MGMT status remains unsettled. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the correlation between IHC and MSP. Methods A computer-aided search of MEDLINE (1950-October 2009), EBSCO (1966-October 2009) and EMBASE (1974-October 2009) was performed for relevant publications. Studies meeting inclusion criteria were those comparing MGMT protein expression by IHC with MGMT promoter methylation by MSP in the same cohort of patients. Methodological quality was assessed by using the QUADAS and STARD instruments. Previously published guidelines were followed for meta-analysis performance. Results Of 254 studies identified as eligible for full-text review, 52 (20.5%) met the inclusion criteria. The review showed that results of MGMT protein expression by IHC are not in close agreement with those obtained with MSP. Moreover, type of tumour (primary brain tumour vs others) was an independent covariate of accuracy estimates in the meta-regression analysis beyond the cut-off value. Conclusions Protein expression assessed by IHC alone fails to reflect the promoter methylation status of MGMT. Thus, in attempts at clinical diagnosis the two methods seem to select different groups of patients and should not be used interchangeably

O6-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase protein expression by immunohistochemistry in brain and non-brain systemic tumours: systematic review and meta-analysis of correlation with methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction

Background: The DNA repair protein O6-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) confers resistance to alkylating agents. Several methods have been applied to its analysis, with methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) the most commonly used for promoter methylation study, while immunohistochemistry (IHC) has become the most frequently used for the detection of MGMT protein expression. Agreement on the best and most reliable technique for evaluating MGMT status remains unsettled. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the correlation between IHC and MSP. Methods A computer-aided search of MEDLINE (1950-October 2009), EBSCO (1966-October 2009) and EMBASE (1974-October 2009) was performed for relevant publications. Studies meeting inclusion criteria were those comparing MGMT protein expression by IHC with MGMT promoter methylation by MSP in the same cohort of patients. Methodological quality was assessed by using the QUADAS and STARD instruments. Previously published guidelines were followed for meta-analysis performance. Results Of 254 studies identified as eligible for full-text review, 52 (20.5%) met the inclusion criteria. The review showed that results of MGMT protein expression by IHC are not in close agreement with those obtained with MSP. Moreover, type of tumour (primary brain tumour vs others) was an independent covariate of accuracy estimates in the meta-regression analysis beyond the cut-off value. Conclusions Protein expression assessed by IHC alone fails to reflect the promoter methylation status of MGMT. Thus, in attempts at clinical diagnosis the two methods seem to select different groups of patients and should not be used interchangeably

Direct observation of human microcirculation during decompressive craniectomy after stroke

Objectives: Most knowledge related to the pathophysiology of microcirculation in ischemic stroke comes from experimental research. Unfortunately, data on microcirculation in the human brain are limited, partially as a result of the lack of appropriate investigational techniques. The objective of our study was to test the hypothesis that cortical microcirculatory alterations in the brain, in terms of blood flow and vessel density, occur in patients with stroke who require surgical decompression compared with a control group. Design: Prospective and observational study. Setting: Third-level university hospital. Patients: Six patients who had undergone decompressive surgery as a result of a space-occupying hemispheric infarction. These patients were compared with five patients who had undergone craniotomy for a disease not affecting the cortex. Interventions: Cortical microcirculation in the brain was directly observed using sidestream dark-field imaging. All images were analyzed offline. Measurements and Main Results: In patients with stroke with a space-occupying hemispheric infarction, 18 good-quality movie images were compared with 25 control group images. In the control group, cortical vessels showed a continuous flow in small, medium, and large vessels compared with patients with stroke who presented intermittent or no flow in all vessels. The proportion of perfused vessels was near 100% in control subjects and 63.44% in patients with stroke. The perfused vessel density index was also higher in control subjects (6.16 1/mm; interquartile range, 5.65-7.56) than in patients with stroke (2.77 1/mm; interquartile range, 1.75-3.86). Conclusion: Sidestream dark-field imaging allowed direct visualization of cerebral microcirculatory alterations in the operating room. This technique allowed the documentation of a significant blood flow reduction in the cortical microvascular and a decreased vascular density in patients with stroke compared with control subjects. (Crit Care Med 2011; 39:1126-1129