Myiasis gastrointestinal humana por Eristalis tenax Gastrointestinal human myiasis for Eristalis tenax

Son caracterizadas las myiasis registradas en Bariloche y establecidas las condiciones probables bajo las cuales se produjeron las infestaciones. Las larvas obtenidas a partir de heces de 2 pacientes fueron identificadas como Eristalis tenax (Diptera: Syrphidae) de acuerdo a las claves de Hartley (1961) y Organización Panamericana de la Salud (1962). Estos 2 casos de myiasis gastrointestinal humana constituyen los primeros registrados en Bariloche (Patagonia, Argentina) y sus características responden a las registradas para esta especie de Díptera en otras partes del mundo. La falta de control específico en el sistema domiciliario de suministro de agua ha sido la causa más probable de la infestación. Este registro extiende la distribución de E. tenax y de las myiasis gastrointestinales humanas en América del Sur hasta los 41º 03' S.<br>Foram caracterizadas as miasis registradas em Bariloche (Patagonia, Argentina) e estabelecidas as prováveis condições sob as quais são produzidas as infestações. As larvas obtidas a partir das fezes de dois pacientes foram identificadas como Eristalis tenax (Diptera: Syrphdae). Esses dois casos de miasis gastrointestinal humana foram os primeiros registrados em Bariloche, Argentina, e suas características respondem às registradas para esta espécie de Diptera em outras partes do mundo. A falta de controle específico no sistema domiciliário de abastecimento de água tem sido a causa mais provável de infestação. Este registro amplia a distribuição de E. tenax e das miasis gastrointestinais humanas em América do Sul até os 41º 03's.<br>The myiasis observed in Bariloche are characterized and the probable conditions under which the infestations took place established. The larvae obtained from faeces of 2 patients were identified as Eristalis tenax (Diptera: Syrphidae) according to Hartley (1961) and Organización Panamericana de la Salud keys (1962). These 2 cases of human gastrointestinal myiasis were the first to be registered in Bariloche (Patagonia, Argentina) and their characteristics were similar to those described for this species in other parts of the world. The lack of specific control measures in the domestic water supply system was the most probable cause of the infestation. This event extends the distribution of E. tenax and human gastrointestinal myiasis in South America to 41º 03' S

The Portuguese Society of Rheumatology position paper on the use of biosimilars - 2017 update

Biosimilars are new and more affordable similar versions of previously approved reference biological drugs. Following the approval of the first monoclonal antibody biosimilar in 2013, the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology issued a position paper on the use of biosimilars in rheumatic conditions covering efficacy, safety, extrapolation, interchangeability, substitution and pharmacovigilance. However, as this is a rapidly evolving field, it was felt that the knowledge and evidence gathered since then justified an update of these statements. Literature searches on these issues were performed and the search results were presented and discussed in a national meeting. Portuguese rheumatologists considered that affordability should be taken into consideration when initiating a biological drug, but other factors were equally important. In patients already on reference biological treatment, switch to a more affordable biosimilar is desirable, provided a set of conditions is rigorously met. Automatic substitution is not acceptable and current evidence is insufficient to support interchangeability. Extrapolation of clinical indications is endorsed by Portuguese rheumatologists, and the statements on safety, pharmacovigilance and traceability are in accordance with the previous position paper.publishersversionpublishe

Hypoxic Regulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor mRNA Stability Requires the Cooperation of Multiple RNA Elements

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of developmental, physiological, and tumor angiogenesis. Upregulation of VEGF expression by hypoxia appears to be a critical step in the neovascularization of solid cancers. The VEGF mRNA is intrinsically labile, but in response to hypoxia the mRNA is stabilized. We have systematically analyzed the regions in the VEGF mRNA that are responsible for its lability under normoxic conditions and for stabilization in response to hypoxia. We find that the VEGF mRNA not only contains destabilizing elements in its 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR), but also contains destabilizing elements in the 5′UTR and coding region. Each region can independently promote mRNA degradation, and together they act additively to effect rapid degradation under normoxic conditions. Stabilization of the mRNA in response to hypoxia is completely dependent on the cooperation of elements in each of the 5′UTR, coding region, and 3′UTR. Combinations of any of two of these three regions were completely ineffective in responding to hypoxia, whereas combining all three regions allowed recapitulation of the hypoxic stabilization seen with the endogenous VEGF mRNA. We conclude that multiple regions in the VEGF mRNA cooperate both to ensure the rapid degradation of the mRNA under normoxic conditions and to allow stabilization of the mRNA in response to hypoxia. Our findings highlight the complexity of VEGF gene expression and also reveal a mechanism of gene regulation that could become the target for strategies of therapeutic intervention