Kinematic Locomotion Changes in C57BL/6 Mice Infected with Toxoplasma Strain ME49

Chronic infection with the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii produces an accumulation of cysts in the brain and muscle, causing tissue damage. The cysts in the brain motor regions affect some kinematic locomotion parameters in the host. To localize the brain cysts from Toxoplasma gondii and study the changes in kinematic locomotion in C57BL/6 mice. Female adult C57BL/6 mice were infected orally with 30 ME-49 Toxoplasma gondii cysts. An uninfected group (n = 7) and two infected groups, examined 15 and 40 days postinfection, were used for this study. To evaluate kinematic locomotion, the mice were marked with indelible ink on the iliac crest, hip, knee, ankle, and phalangeal metatarsus of the left and right hindlimbs. At least three recordings were carried out to obtain videos of the left and right hindlimbs. Mice were video recorded at 90 fps at a resolution of 640 × 480 pixels while walking freely in a transparent Plexiglass tunnel. We measured the hindlimb pendular movement and the hindlimb transfer [linear displacement] curves for each step and evaluated them statistically with Fréchet dissimilarity tests. Afterward, the mice were sacrificed, and the brain, heart, skeletal muscle, lung, liver, and kidney were obtained. The different tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for analysis with optical microscopy. Topographic localization of the cysts was made using bregma coordinates for the mouse brain. The cysts were distributed in several brain regions. In one mouse, cyst accumulation occurred in the hippocampus, coinciding with an alteration in foot displacement. The step length was different among the different studied groups

IFN-γR2 is strongly expressed on endothelial cells of gingival tissues from patients with chronic periodontitis

Chronic periodontitis (CP) is characterized by gingival inflammation and bone destruction. It has been reported that interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels are high in CP patients; however, the IFN-γ receptor (IFN-γR) has not been studied in gingival tissue from these patients. Objective: To evaluate IFN-γ levels and IFN-γR expression in gingival tissue biopsies from chronic periodontitis patients compared with healthy subjects (HS). Material and Methods: Gingival tissues were obtained from all study subjects, CP (n = 18) and healthy subjects (HS) (n = 12). A tissue section of each study subject was embedded in paraffin blocks to determine the expression of IFN-γ R (IFN-γR1 and IFN-γR2) through immunohistochemistry. Another section of the tissue was homogenized and IFN-γ was measured by the ELISA technique. Results: No significant differences were found in the IFN-γR1 expression within the cell layers of the gingival tissue of the study groups. When analyzing the IFN-γR2 expression it was found that IFN-γR2 is strongly expressed in the endothelial cells of CP patients when compared to HS (p<0.05). IFN-γ concentrations in the gingival tissue were significantly higher in CP patients than in HS. No significant correlation between IFN-γ levels and the expression of IFN-γR1 and IFN-γR2 was found. However, a positive correlation between IFN-γ levels and clinical parameters [probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL)] was found. Conclusion: The study of IFN-γR expression in gingival tissue samples from patients with CP showed an increase only in the IFN-γR2 chain in endothelial cells when compared to HS

IFN-γR2 is strongly expressed on endothelial cells of gingival tissues from patients with chronic periodontitis

Abstract Chronic periodontitis (CP) is characterized by gingival inflammation and bone destruction. It has been reported that interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels are high in CP patients; however, the IFN-γ receptor (IFN-γR) has not been studied in gingival tissue from these patients. Objective: To evaluate IFN-γ levels and IFN-γR expression in gingival tissue biopsies from chronic periodontitis patients compared with healthy subjects (HS). Material and Methods: Gingival tissues were obtained from all study subjects, CP (n = 18) and healthy subjects (HS) (n = 12). A tissue section of each study subject was embedded in paraffin blocks to determine the expression of IFN-γ R (IFN-γR1 and IFN-γR2) through immunohistochemistry. Another section of the tissue was homogenized and IFN-γ was measured by the ELISA technique. Results: No significant differences were found in the IFN-γR1 expression within the cell layers of the gingival tissue of the study groups. When analyzing the IFN-γR2 expression it was found that IFN-γR2 is strongly expressed in the endothelial cells of CP patients when compared to HS (p<0.05). IFN-γ concentrations in the gingival tissue were significantly higher in CP patients than in HS. No significant correlation between IFN-γ levels and the expression of IFN-γR1 and IFN-γR2 was found. However, a positive correlation between IFN-γ levels and clinical parameters [probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL)] was found. Conclusion: The study of IFN-γR expression in gingival tissue samples from patients with CP showed an increase only in the IFN-γR2 chain in endothelial cells when compared to HS

<i>HLA-G</i> 14 bp Ins/Del (rs66554220) Variant Is Not Associated with Breast Cancer in Women from Western Mexico

HLA-G is a physiology and pathologic immunomodulator detrimentally related to cancer. Its gene is heavily transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally regulated by variants located in regulator regions like 3′UTR, being the most studied Ins/Del of 14-bp (rs66554220), which is known to influence the effects of endogen cell factors; nevertheless, the reports are discrepant and controversial. Herein, the relationship of the 14-bp Ins/Del variant (rs66554220) with breast cancer (BC) and its clinical characteristics were analyzed in 182 women with non-familial BC and 221 disease-free women as a reference group. Both groups from western Mexico and sex–age-matched (sm-RG). The rs66554220 variant was amplified by SSP-PCR and the fragments were visualized in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The variant rs66554220 was not associated with BC in our population. However, we suggest the Ins allele as a possible risk factor for developing BC at clinical stage IV (OR = 3.05, 95% CI = 1.16–7.96, p = 0.01); nevertheless, given the small stratified sample size (n = 11, statistical power = 41%), this is inconclusive. In conclusion, the 14-bp Ins/Del (rs66554220) variant of HLA-G is not associated with BC in the Mexican population, but might be related to advanced breast tumors. Further studies are required

La pentoxifilina en la hepatitis fulminante: Reporte de dos casos

Introduction. Acute Hepatitis as a clinical entity caused mainly by viruses or chemical agents. Its prognostic is generally fatal, reaching up to 70-90% mortality. It is well known that in this pathology, the oxidative stress and proinflamatory cytokines (TNF α, IL-1 and IL-6) are very important factors that contribute to the negative prognostic of the disease. On the other hand, besides the haemorrhogical effects of pentoxyphillin, it also shows anti-oxidant activity and is a strong inhibitor of the proinflamatory cytokines secretion. This paper reports two paediatric cases of subacute hepatitis, caused by the hepatitis virus type A. Clinic Cases. Hepatitis virus A, diagnosed according to the criteria of the British King’s College. Both cases were submitted for medical treatment with anti-ammonium measures with 1.5 gr of Ornitate-L-L-Aspartate by nasogastric tube, vitamin K 2 mg/12 h iv, mannitol 0.4 mg/kg/12 h iv sodium diphenylhydantoinate 3 mg/kg/8 h iv omeprazole 10 mg/12 h iv, metronidazole 210 mg, fresh plasma, parenteral solutions with glucose at 10%, O2 3 litres/minute and hypercaloric diet based on vegetal fiber by nasogastric tube. Based on the foregoing, pentoxyphillin was added at of 70 mg iv/8 h. Both cases responded successfully to that and after 15 days of treatment, the patients were sent home safely. Commentaries: Although this report is not definitive, results show the potential of pentoxyphillin to encourage its use in a future study for the treatment of acute hepatitis.Introducción. La hepatitis fulminante es causada principalmente por virus o agentes químicos. Su pronóstico generalmente es fatal, alcanzando entre 70 y 90 % de mortalidad. Se conoce que en esta patología juegan un papel importante el estrés oxidativo y las citoquinas proinflamatorias (TNFα, IL-1β e IL-6), factores que contribuyen al mal pronóstico de la enfermedad. Por otra parte, la pentoxifilina, aparte de sus efectos hemorreológicos, presenta actividad antioxidante y es un potente inhibidor de la secreción de las citoquinas proinflamatorias. Casos Clínicos. Tomando en cuenta los criterios de diagnóstico y severidad del British King’s College, se reportan dos casos pediátricos con diagnóstico de hepatitis fulminante subaguda, causada por virus de la hepatitis A. Ambos casos fueron sometidos a tratamiento médico, con medidas anti-amonio con L-ornitato-L-aspartato 1.5 g por sonda nasogástrica, vitamina K 2 mg/12 hr iv, manitol 0.4 mg/Kg de peso/12 hr iv, difenilhidantoinato de sodio 3 mg/ Kg de peso cada 8 hr iv, omeprazol 10 mg/2 hr iv, metronidazol 210 mg, plasma fresco, soluciones parenterales con glucosa al 10%, oxígeno tres litros por minuto y dieta hipercalórica a base de fibra de origen vegetal por sonda nasogástrica. Se añadió pentoxifilina a dosis de 70 mg iv/8 h Ambos casos respondieron favorablemente después de 15 días de tratamiento y se les dio de alta sin complicaciones. Comentarios. Este reporte no es concluyente; sin embargo, anima a probar en un futuro estudio la posible utilidad de la pentoxifilina para el tratamiento de la hepatitis fulminante

Renal Tissue Expression of BAFF and BAFF Receptors Is Associated with Proliferative Lupus Nephritis

Background: The B-cell activating factor (BAFF) controls the maturation and survival of B cells. An imbalance in this cytokine has been associated with systemic autoimmunity in SLE and lupus nephritis (LN). However, few investigations have evaluated the tissular expression of BAFF in LN. This study aimed to associate BAFF system expression at the tissular level with the proliferative LN classes. Methods: The analysis included eighteen kidney tissues, with sixteen LN (class III = 5, class IV = 6, class III/IV+V = 4, and class V = 1), and two controls. The tissular expression was evaluated with an immunochemistry assay. A Cytation5 imaging reader and ImageJ software were used to analyze the quantitative expression. A p-value p p < 0.05). Conclusions: The expression of BAFF and BAFF receptors is mainly associated with LN class IV, emphasizing the participation of these receptors as an essential pathogenic factor in kidney involvement in SLE patients

Prolactin and Prolactin Receptor Expression In Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Cancer

Prolactin receptor (PRLR) overexpression could play a role in tumorigenesis. The aim of this study was to determine prolactin (PRL) and PRLR expression in biopsies from patients with precursor lesions and uterine cervical cancer. PRLR expression was analyzed in 63 paraffin-embedded biopsies of uterine cervical tissue. In total, eleven low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), 23 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), 21 uterine cervical cancers (UCC) and 8 normal epithelium (NE) were examined using immunoperoxidase staining and Western blot analysis. Additionally, PRL expression was identified in human cervical cancer serum and tissues. The PRLR expression was found to be significantly increased in cervical cancer in comparison with normal tissue and precursor lesions (P < 0.0003). The presence of the long isoform of the PRLR was observed only in cervical cancer tissues. Serum PRL levels were normal in all samples and local prolactin expression was similar in precursor lesions and cervical cancer by Western blot analysis. Our data suggest a possible role for PRLR in the progression of cervical cancer

Efecto de la Pentoxifilina en hepatitis colestásica aguda: reporte de dos casos

Introduction. Cholestatic hepatitis is a rare entity characterized by a bile flow obstruction,and it has a multi-factorial etiology. It can be acute or chronic and occasionally triggers fibrosis, cirrhosis and severe hepatitis. The current pharmacological management is based on corticosteroids and azathioprine or other drugs, such as, methotrexate, cyclosporine, budesonide, ursodeoxycholic acid, mefenamic acid, and pentoxifylline (PTX). We report two patients with autoimmune cholestatic hepatitis treated with pentoxifylline. Clinical cases. Two cases with diagnosis of cholestatic hepatitis confirmed by ultrasound and serological and histological studies. In both cases, corticosteroids were used as a pharmacological treatment without a favorable response. The therapy was replaced by pentoxifylline plus symptomatic treatment at base of ursodeoxycholic acid, vitamin E and cholestyramine. Both patients showed a remarkable improvement after two weeks of treatment. One of the patients showed a total bilirubin of 22.30 mg/dL with a decreased of direct bilirubin from 22.23 mg/dL to 2.10 mg/ dL; meanwhile, the second patient showed a total bilirubin of 63.7 mg/dL with a decreased of direct bilirubin levels from 60.2 mg/dL to 2.33 mg/ dL. In both patients the levels of transaminases decreased and an improvement of their clinical conditions were observed. Discussion. Our results showed that there was a favorable response in two patients treated with pentoxifylline. This drug has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-fibrotic effects as well as inhibitors effects of the transcription factor NF- κβ, so that it could be considered as an alternative treatment in patients with cholestatic hepatitis after validating its actual effectiveness.Introducción. La hepatitis colestásica es una entidad poco frecuente que se caracteriza por obstrucción del flujo biliar y presentar etiología multifactorial; puede ser aguda o crónica y, ocasionalmente, desencadena fibrosis, cirrosis y hepatitis grave. El manejo farmacológico habitual es a base de corticoides y azatioprina, así como otros medicamentos como el metotrexate, la ciclosporina, la budesonida, el ácido ursodesoxicólico, el ácido micofenólico y la pentoxifilina (PTX); dentro de los medicamentos citados, utilizamos pentoxifilina en dos pacientes con hepatitis colestásica autoinmune. Casos clínicos. Se reportan dos casos con diagnóstico de hepatitis colestásica, corroborada a través de estudios ecosonográfico, serológicos e histológicos. Se utilizaron corticoides para el tratamiento farmacológico en ambos casos; sin embargo, al no obtener resultados favorables, la terapia fue sustituida por pentoxifilina, más tratamiento sintomático a base de ácido ursodesoxicólico, vitamina E y colestiramina. Ambos pacientes mostraron una mejoría después de dos semanas de tratamiento; una paciente con bilirrubina total (BT) de 22.30 mg/dL disminuyó bilirrubina directa (BD) de 22.23 mg/dL a 2.10 mg/dL; en el segundo caso con BT de 63.7 mg/ dL disminuyó sus cifras de BD de 60.2 mg/dL a 2.33 mg/dL; además, redujo transaminasemia y las condiciones de ambas pacientes presentaron mejoría. Discusión. Nuestros resultados mostraron que hubo respuesta favorable en los dos pacientes tratados con pentoxifilina; considerando que este fármaco ha demostrado efectos antiinflamatorios, antioxidantes, antifibróticos e inhibidores del factor de transcripción NF-κβ, podría ser utilizado como un tratamiento alternativo en los pacientes con hepatitis colestásica, aclarando que se necesitan más estudios clínicos para validar su real eficacia