Estrés oxidativo y osteonecrosis de la cabeza femoral

La osteonecrosis no traumática de la cabeza femoral representa un problema clínico importante, ya que hasta un 80% de los casos terminan en un colapso osteocondral con gran destrucción ósea y daño articular, con dolor y pérdida de la función de la cadera, necesitando finalmente una intervención de prótesis de sustitución a una edad temprana. La patogénesis de esta enfermedad es multifactorial y se conocen diversidad de factores etiológicos asociados a ella: consumo de alcohol y tabaco, uso de costicosteroides, alteraciones hemostáticas, alteraciones en el metabolismo lipídico y presencia de ciertos polimorfismos genéticos. Sin embargo, un gran número están descritas como idiopáticas y no presentan factores de riesgo. Recientes estudios en modelos animales de ONF inducida por esteroides sugieren que el estrés oxidativo podría estar involucrado en el desarrollo de la enfermedad. Estos estudios muestran que la administración de sustancias oxidantes aumenta el riesgo de padecer la enfermedad y que la administración de antioxidantes podría prevenir el desarrollo de la misma.Non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head represents a significant clinical problem. Chondral collapse occurs in up to 80% of the untreated cases resulting in bone destruction, pain and loss of joint function and prosthetic hip replacement at an early age is needed. The pathogenesis of the disease is likely multifactorial and seve- ral etiologic factors are known to be associated with it: alcohol intake, smoking, corticosteroid use, impaired hemos- tasis and lipid metabolism, and the presence of certain polymorphisms. However, a significant number are described, as idiopathic and do not present any risk factor. Recent studies in steroid-induced ONF animal models suggest that oxidative stress could be involved in the development of the disease. These studies show that the administration of pro-oxidant substances increase the risk of disease and antioxidants administration might prevent the development thereo

Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus detection by Polymerase Chain Reaction and their relation to dental caries in 12 and 15 year-old schoolchildren in Valencia (Spain)

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus and the association of the two in a random sample (n=614) of the child population of the region of Valencia (Spain). Saliva samples were analyzed by the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to study the relation of these bacteria to caries prevalence and the DMFT index. The prevalence of S. mutans was 35.4% at age 12 and 22.9% at age 15, that of S. sobrinus 18.9% and 8.4% and that of the S. mutans-S. sobrinus association 18.2% and 6.8% respectively. At both 12 and 15 years of age, the caries prevalence rates were lower in the Streptococcus-free group of children (37.6% and 48.5% respectively) and higher in the S.mutans-only group (67.3% and 74.0%). At the age of 12, the DMFT index was significantly higher in the mutans-only carriers (2.1) than in the Streptococcus-free and S. mutans-S. sobrinus association groups (both 0.9). At the age of 15, the DMFT index was significantly higher in the S. mutans-S. sobrinus association (3.71) and mutans-only (3.1) carrier groups than in the Streptococcus-free group (1.4). Determination of S. mutans and S. sobrinus by real-time quantitative PCR can provide valuable information for caries risk assessment in epidemiological studies

Prevalence of fimA genotypes of Porphyromonas gingivalis and other periodontal bacteria in a Spanish population with chronic periodontitis

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the different fimA genotypes of Porphyromonas gingivalis in adult Spanish patients with chronic periodontitis, patients with gingivitis and periodontally healthy subjects, and the relationship between these genotypes and other periodontopathogenic bacteria. Study design: Samples of subgingival plaque were taken from 86 patients (33 with chronic periodontitis, 16 with gingivitis, and 37 periodontally healthy) in the course of a full periodontal examination. PCR was employed to determine the presence of the 6 fimA genotypes of Porphyromonas gingivalis (I-V and Ib) and of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythia and Treponema denticola. Results: Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA genotypes II and Ib were present in significantly higher percentages in periodontal patients (39.4% and 12.1% respectively) than in healthy or gingivitis subjects. The prevalence of Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola , and Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA genotype IV was significantly higher in the group that presented bleeding greater than 30%. A positive correlation was found between Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA genotype IV and Treponema denticola . Conclusions: A strong association between Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA genotypes II and Ib and chronic periodontitis exists in the Spanish population. The most prevalent genotype in periodontal patients is I

Proceedings of the 2nd BEAT-PCD conference and 3rd PCD training school: part 1

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare heterogenous condition that causes progressive suppurative lung disease, chronic rhinosinusitis, chronic otitis media, infertility and abnormal situs. 'Better Experimental Approaches to Treat Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia' (BEAT-PCD) is a network of scientists and clinicians coordinating research from basic science through to clinical care with the intention of developing treatments and diagnostics that lead to improved long-term outcomes for patients. BEAT-PCD activities are supported by EU funded COST Action (BM1407). The second BEAT-PCD conference, and third PCD training school were held jointly in April 2017 in Valencia, Spain. Presentations and workshops focussed on advancing the knowledge and skills relating to PCD in: basic science, epidemiology, diagnostic testing, clinical management and clinical trials. The multidisciplinary conference provided an interactive platform for exchanging ideas through a program of lectures, poster presentations, breakout sessions and workshops. Three working groups met to plan consensus statements. Progress with BEAT-PCD projects was shared and new collaborations were fostered. In this report, we summarize the meeting, highlighting developments made during the meeting

Knowledge of Rare Respiratory Diseases among Paediatricians and Medical School Student.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) are underdiagnosed rare diseases showing a median diagnostic delay of five to ten years, which has negative effects on patient prognosis. Lack of awareness and education among healthcare professionals involved in the management of these patients have been suggested as possible causes. Our aim was to assess knowledge of these diseases among paediatricians and medical school students to determine which knowledge areas are most deficient. A survey was designed with questions testing fundamental aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of AATD and PCD. A score equal to or greater than 50% of the maximum score was set as the level necessary to ensure a good knowledge of both diseases. Our results indicate a profound lack of knowledge of rare respiratory diseases among paediatric professionals and medical students, suggesting that it is necessary to increase rare respiratory diseases training among all physicians responsible for suspecting and diagnosing them; this will allow early diagnosis and the setup of preventive measures and appropriate early-stage treatment. The first step in closing this knowledge gap could be to include relevant material in the medical syllabus

Accelerated telomere attrition in children and teenagers with α1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Numerous studies have shown that oxidative stress accelerates telomere shortening in several lung pathologies. Since oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of α1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), we hypothesised that telomere shortening would be accelerated in AATD patients. This study aimed to assess telomere length in AATD patients and to study its association with α1-antitrypsin phenotypes.Telomere length, telomerase activity, telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression and biomarkers of oxidative stress were measured in 62 children and teenagers (aged 2-18 years) diagnosed with AATD and 18 controls (aged 3-16 years).Our results show that intermediate-risk (MZ; SZ) and high-risk (ZZ) AATD patients have significantly shorter telomeres and increased oxidative stress than controls. Correlation studies indicate that telomere length was related to oxidative stress markers in AATD patients. Multiple hypothesis testing revealed an association between telomere length, telomerase activity, hTERT expression and AATD phenotypes; high-risk patients showed shorter telomeres, lower hTERT expression and decreased telomerase activity than intermediate-risk and low-risk patients.AATD patients show evidence of increased oxidative stress leading to telomere attrition. An association between telomere and α1-antitrypsin phenotypes is observed suggesting that telomere length could be a promising biomarker for AATD disease progression

Knowledge of Rare Respiratory Diseases among Paediatricians and Medical School Students

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) are underdiagnosed rare diseases showing a median diagnostic delay of five to ten years, which has negative effects on patient prognosis. Lack of awareness and education among healthcare professionals involved in the management of these patients have been suggested as possible causes. Our aim was to assess knowledge of these diseases among paediatricians and medical school students to determine which knowledge areas are most deficient. A survey was designed with questions testing fundamental aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of AATD and PCD. A score equal to or greater than 50% of the maximum score was set as the level necessary to ensure a good knowledge of both diseases. Our results indicate a profound lack of knowledge of rare respiratory diseases among paediatric professionals and medical students, suggesting that it is necessary to increase rare respiratory diseases training among all physicians responsible for suspecting and diagnosing them; this will allow early diagnosis and the setup of preventive measures and appropriate early-stage treatment. The first step in closing this knowledge gap could be to include relevant material in the medical syllabus

Real time quantification in plasma of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA in patients with colorectal cancer

Background: Increased telomerase activity can be found in almost 90% of colorectal tumours. We aim to describe the preliminary results for quantification in plasma of hTERT mRNA in colorectal cancer patients. Materials and methods: Fifty patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and a control group of 50 healthy volunteers were prospectively studied. Pre-operative venous blood samples were taken from all cancer patients and volunteers. Plasma hTERT expression was determined from peripheral blood based on real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) method normalized to the amount of RNA input using 18S rRNA gene expression. Plasma pre-operative CEA levels were also determined. Results: Median values for normalized hTERT (hTERT(N)) gene expression were higher in colorectal cancer patients (11.62, range 0.23-47.67) than healthy volunteers (0.29, range 0.00-4.63) (P 0.05). No significant correlation was found between hTERT(N) expression and CEA values (Spearman's rank test = 0.136, P = 0.348). Conclusions: These results show that detection of mRNA based on the qRT-PCR of the telomerase hTERT(N) gene in plasma clearly differentiates between healthy and colorectal cancer patients and that hTERT(N) can be detected and quantified in plasma. This opens up a new field as a noninvasive blood test for colorectal cancer diagnosis

New Laboratory Protocol to Determine the Oxidative Stress Profile of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells Using Flow Cytometry

Several studies have shown the importance of oxidative stress (OS) in respiratory disease pathogenesis. It has been reported that the nasal epithelium may act as a surrogate for the bronchial epithelium in several respiratory diseases involving OS. However, the sample yields obtained from nasal biopsies are modest, limiting the number of parameters that can be determined. Flow cytometry has been widely used to evaluate cellular OS profiles. It has the advantage that analyses can be performed using a small amount of sample. Therefore, we aimed to set up a new method based on flow cytometry to assess the oxidative profile of human nasal epithelial cells which could be used in research on respiratory diseases. Levels of total nitric oxide, superoxide anion, peroxynitrite, and intracellular peroxides were measured. Reduced thiol levels, such as antioxidant-reduced glutathione and oxidative damaged lipids and proteins, were also analysed. The intracellular calcium levels, plasma membrane potential, apoptosis, and percentage of live cells were also studied. Finally, a strategy to evaluate the mitochondrial function, including mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, mitochondrial mass, and membrane potential, was set up. Using small amounts of sample and a non-invasive sampling technique, the described method enables the measurement of a comprehensive set of OS parameters in nasal epithelial cells, which could be useful in research on respiratory diseases