Genetic characterisation of the murciano-granadina goat with microsatellites

It have been studied 92 animals of the Murciano-Granadina caprine breed with 22 microsatellites in order to get the genetic characterisation of this Spanish breed. Ovine and bovine microsatellites recommended by FAO, ISAG and other authors in the bibliography have been used. These markers were amplified by mean of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique and to get the size separation of the obtained fragments we have developed electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel in an automatic sequencer ABI377XL. In future studies the genetic relationships between this breed an others Spanish and Latin-American caprine breeds will be established. The paternity and maternity have been checked with these microsatellites and this has been used to make a paternity panel with 10-12 markers and an a priori exclusion probability higher than 99,9 percent. This panel is useful to check paternity in this emblematic caprine breed from the South of Spain.Se estudian 92 animales pertenecientes a la raza caprina Murciano-Granadina, mediante 22 marcadores microsatélites con objeto de caracterizar esta raza peninsular española. Se han empleado microsatélites recomendados por la FAO, por la ISAG (International Society of Animal Genetics) y por la bibliografía para este tipo de estudios. Los microsatélites se han amplificado mediante la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) y los fragmentos amplificados se han separado mediante electroforesis en un secuenciador automático ABI 377XL. En próximos estudios se establecerán las relaciones genéticas de esta raza con otras razas caprinas españolas e iberoamericanas. Se ha llevado a cabo también la comprobación de paternidades y maternidades con estos microsatélites, lo que ha servido para establecer una batería de 10-12 microsatélites con una probabilidad de exclusión a priori superior al 99,9 p.100 que puede resultar muy útil para realizar controles de filiación en esta raza caprina emblemática del sur de España

Biomarkers of Multiple Sclerosis

The search for an ideal multiple sclerosis biomarker with good diagnostic value, prognostic reference and an impact on clinical outcome has yet to be realized and is still ongoing. The aim of this review is to establish an overview of the frequent biomarkers for multiple sclerosis that exist to date. The review summarizes the results obtained from electronic databases, as well as thorough manual searches. In this review the sources and methods of biomarkers extraction are described; in addition to the description of each biomarker, determination of the prognostic, diagnostic, disease monitoring and treatment response values besides clinical impact they might possess. We divided the biomarkers into three categories according to the achievement method: laboratory markers, genetic-immunogenetic markers and imaging markers. We have found two biomarkers at the time being considered the gold standard for MS diagnostics. Unfortunately, there does not exist a single solitary marker being able to present reliable diagnostic value, prognostic value, high sensitivity and specificity as well as clinical impact. We need more studies to find the best biomarker for MS.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Dietary α‐Linolenic Acid, Marine ω‐3 Fatty Acids, and Mortality in a Population With High Fish Consumption: Findings From the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) Study

Background: Epidemiological evidence suggests a cardioprotective role of α‐linolenic acid (ALA), a plant‐derived ω‐3 fatty acid. It is unclear whether ALA is beneficial in a background of high marine ω‐3 fatty acids (long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) intake. In persons at high cardiovascular risk from Spain, a country in which fish consumption is customarily high, we investigated whether meeting the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids recommendation for dietary ALA (0.7% of total energy) at baseline was related to all‐cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. We also examined the effect of meeting the society's recommendation for long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (≥500 mg/day). Methods and Results: We longitudinally evaluated 7202 participants in the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) trial. Multivariable‐adjusted Cox regression models were fitted to estimate hazard ratios. ALA intake correlated to walnut consumption (r=0.94). During a 5.9‐y follow‐up, 431 deaths occurred (104 cardiovascular disease, 55 coronary heart disease, 32 sudden cardiac death, 25 stroke). The hazard ratios for meeting ALA recommendation (n=1615, 22.4%) were 0.72 (95% CI 0.56–0.92) for all‐cause mortality and 0.95 (95% CI 0.58–1.57) for fatal cardiovascular disease. The hazard ratios for meeting the recommendation for long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n=5452, 75.7%) were 0.84 (95% CI 0.67–1.05) for all‐cause mortality, 0.61 (95% CI 0.39–0.96) for fatal cardiovascular disease, 0.54 (95% CI 0.29–0.99) for fatal coronary heart disease, and 0.49 (95% CI 0.22–1.01) for sudden cardiac death. The highest reduction in all‐cause mortality occurred in participants meeting both recommendations (hazard ratio 0.63 [95% CI 0.45–0.87]). Conclusions: In participants without prior cardiovascular disease and high fish consumption, dietary ALA, supplied mainly by walnuts and olive oil, relates inversely to all‐cause mortality, whereas protection from cardiac mortality is limited to fish‐derived long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.Controlled-trials.com/. Unique identifier: ISRCTN35739639

A functional transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel is expressed in human endothelial progenitor cells

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are mobilized into circulation to replace damaged endothelial cells and recapitulate the vascular network of injured tissues. Intracellular Ca2+ signals are key to EPC activation, but it is yet to be elucidated whether they are endowed with the same blend of Ca2+-permeable channels expressed by mature endothelial cells. For instance, endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs), the only EPC subset truly committed to acquire a mature endothelial phenotype, lack canonical transient receptor potential channels 3, 5 and 6 (TRPC3, 5 and 6), which are widely distributed in vascular endothelium; on the other hand, they express a functional store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). The present study was undertaken to assess whether human circulating EPCs possess TRP vanilloid channel 4 (TRPV4), which plays amaster signalling role inmature endothelium, by controlling both vascular remodelling and arterial pressure.Wefound thatEPCs express both TRPV4 mRNA and protein. Moreover, both GSK1016790A (GSK) and phorbol myristate acetate and, two widely employed TRPV4 agonists, induced intracellular Ca2+ signals uniquely in presence of extracellular Ca2+. GSK- and PMA-induced Ca2+ elevations were inhibited by RN-1734 and ruthenium red, which selectively target TRPV4 in mature endothelium. However, TRPV4 stimulation with GSK did not cause EPC proliferation, while the pharmacological blockade of TRPV4 only modestly affected EPC growth in the presence of a growth factor-enriched culture medium. Conversely, SOCE inhibition with BTP-2, La3+ and Gd3+ dramatically decreased cell proliferation. These data indicate that human circulating EPCs possess a functional TRPV4 protein before their engraftment into nascent vessels

Central nervous system paracoccidioidomycosis. Report of a case successfully treated with Itraconazol Paracoccidioidomicose do sistema nervoso central. Apresentação de um caso tratado com êxito com itraconazole

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a primary pulmonary infection that often disseminates to other organs and systems. Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) is rare and due to the fact that both clinical alertness and establishment of the diagnosis are delayed, the disease progresses causing serious problems. We report here a case of neuroparacoccidioidomycosis (NPCM), observed in a 55 year-old male, who consulted due to neurological symptoms (left hemiparesis, paresthesias, right palpebral ptosis, headache, vomiting and tonic clonic seizures) of a month duration. Upon physical examination, an ulcerated granulomatous lesion was observed in the abdomen. To confirm the diagnosis a stereotactic biopsy was taken; additionally, mycological tests from the ulcerated lesion and a bronchoalveolar lavage were performed. In the latter specimens, P. brasiliensis yeast cells were visualized and later on, the brain biopsy revealed the presence of the fungus. Treatment with itraconazole (ITZ) was initiated but clinical improvement was unremarkable; due to the fact that the patient was taking sodium valproate for seizure control, drug interactions were suspected and confirmed by absence of ITZ plasma levels. The latter medication was changed to clonazepam and after several weeks, clinical improvement began to be noticed and was accompanied by diminishing P. brasiliensis antigen and antibody titers. In the PCM endemic areas, CNS involvement should be considered more often and the efficacy of itraconazole therapy should also be taken into consideration.<br>A paracoccidioidomicose (PCM) é infecção pulmonar primária que algumas vezes pode se disseminar a outros órgãos e sistemas. O envolvimento do sistema nervoso central (SNC) é raro e devido ao fato que a alerta clínica e o estabelecimento do diagnóstico são tardios, a doença progride e o paciente piora. Aquí apresentamos caso de neuroparacoccidioidomicose (NPCM) observada em homem de 55 anos de idade que referia sintomas neurológicos (hemiparalisia esquerda, parestesias, ptose pálpebral direita, dor de cabeça, vômito e convulsões) de um mes de duração. Ao exame físico, foi achada lesão ulcerada e granulomatosa no abdômen. Como o diagnóstico era duvidoso, foi indicada biopsia estereotáxica; além disso provas micológicas a partir da lesão ulcerada e um lavado broncoalveolar foram realizados. Nas últimas amostras P. brasiliensis foi observado e depois a biopsia do cérebro revelou a presença do fungo. O tratamento com itraconazol foi iniciado mas a melhoria clínica não foi detectável; devido ao fato que o paciente estava tomando valproato de sódio para o controle das convulsôes, foi suspeita interação entre os dois medicamentos, que foi confirmada pela ausência do nível plasmático do antimicótico. Este último medicamento foi trocado por clonazepam e depois de algumas semanas a melhoria clínica foi percebida e acompanhada pela diminuição dos títulos de antígenos e anticorpos do P. brasiliensis. Em áreas endêmicas, o envolvimento do SNC deve ser considerado em doentes com PCM e a eficácia do itraconazole deve ser considerada