Augmented serum level of major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A (MICA) protein and reduced NKG2D expression on NK and T cells in patients with cervical cancer and precursor lesions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. NK and cytotoxic T cells play an important role in the elimination of virus-infected and tumor cells through NKG2D activating receptors, which can promote the lysis of target cells by binding to the major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A (MICA) proteins. Increased serum levels of MICA have been found in patients with epithelial tumors. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of soluble MICA (sMICA) and NKG2D-expressing NK and T cells in blood samples from patients with cervical cancer or precursor lesions with those from healthy donors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Peripheral blood with or without heparin was collected to obtain mononuclear cells or sera, respectively. Serum sMICA levels were measured by ELISA and NKG2D-expressing immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Also, a correlation analysis was performed to associate sMICA levels with either NKG2D expression or with the stage of the lesion.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significant amounts of sMICA were detected in sera from nearly all patients. We found a decrease in the number of NKG2D-expressing NK and T cells in both cervical cancer and lesion groups when compared to healthy donors. Pearson analysis showed a negative correlation between sMICA and NKG2D-expressing T cells; however, we did not find a significant correlation when the analysis was applied to sMICA and NKG2D expression on NK cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results show for the first time that high sMICA levels are found in sera from patients with both cervical cancer and precursor lesions when compared with healthy donors. We also observed a diminution in the number of NKG2D-expressing NK and T cells in the patient samples; however, a significant negative correlation between sMICA and NKG2D expression was only seen in T cells.</p

Loaned self-measurement equipment model compared with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

Objective: To compare the correspondence between the loaned self-measurement equipment model (LSEM), 24 h awake ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and clinic blood pressure (CBP). Design: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 90 hypertensive and normotensive subjects. Methods: We used a variation of home measurement, the loaned self-measurement equipment model (LSEM), that consisted of lending a number of sphygmomanometers, the property of the clinic, to patients for 3-day periods. The correspondence of results from LSEM was measured against the difference between the two averages, the correlation coefficients and the average unweighted absolute differences. Results: The average difference between CBP and ABPM was 6.1/2.5 mmHg (P<0.001, r = 0.54/0.63). Between CBP and LSEM, it was 6.6/1.4 mmHg (P<0.001/ 0.08, r = 0.52/0.63), and between the ABPM and LSEM 0.5/-1.0 mmHg (P = 0.70/0.14, r = 0.71/0.75). The average unweighted absolute differences between LSEM and ABPM readings were 5.5 and 1.5 mmHg for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, whereas the average difference between CBP and ABPM means was much higher, at 6.8 mmHg for systolic and 2.7 mmHg for diastolic pressure. Agreement in the diagnosis of systolic hypertension between LSEM and ABPM was found in 78.8% of the individuals, and of diastolic hypertension in 76.7%. Conclusion: Blood pressure readings taken using LSEM have a better correspondence than CBP in predicting the awake ABPM value, although the disagreement in terms of diagnosing hypertension should be noted. © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Lung cancer histological types and diagnostic methods in a tertiary care facility [Tipos histológicos y métodos diagnósticos en cáncer pulmonar en un centro hospitalario de tercer nivel]

Objective: To describe the histological frequencies, diagnostic methods, gender and age of lung cancer patients in a third level care hospital in western Mexico. Methods: A retrospective and descriptive study (2002 to 2005) was undertaken. From all reviewed cases, 242 patients had a diagnosis compatible with lung cancer. We analyzed the histological type, gender, age group, and diagnostic method. Results: The histological type frequencies of lung cancer were as follows: 63.6% adenocarcinoma, 19.0% squamous cell carcinoma, 15.2% small cell carcinoma, and 2.2% large-cell carcinoma. Among these patients, a male-female ratio of 2:1 with a mean age of 63 years was found. Regarding the diagnostic methods followed, the most common included: transthoracic needle aspiration, bronchial biopsy, and bronchial washing. Conclusions: Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent histological type in the sample studied, an association between female gender and risk of developing adenocarcinoma was detected

[Lung cancer histological types and diagnostic methods in a tertiary care facility]

OBJECTIVE: To describe the histological frequencies, diagnostic methods, gender and age of lung cancer patients in a third level care hospital in western Mexico. METHODS: A retrospective and descriptive study (2002 to 2005) was undertaken. From all reviewed cases, 242 patients had a diagnosis compatible with lung cancer. We analyzed the histological type, gender, age group, and diagnostic method. RESULTS: The histological type frequencies of lung cancer were as follows: 63.6% adenocarcinoma, 19.0% squamous cell carcinoma, 15.2% small cell carcinoma, and 2.2% large-cell carcinoma. Among these patients, a male-female ratio of 2:1 with a mean age of 63 years was found. Regarding the diagnostic methods followed, the most common included: transthoracic needle aspiration, bronchial biopsy, and bronchial washing. CONCLUSIONS: Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent histological type in the sample studied, an association between female gender and risk of developing adenocarcinoma was detected

[Lung cancer histological types and diagnostic methods in a tertiary care facility]

OBJECTIVE: To describe the histological frequencies, diagnostic methods, gender and age of lung cancer patients in a third level care hospital in western Mexico. METHODS: A retrospective and descriptive study (2002 to 2005) was undertaken. From all reviewed cases, 242 patients had a diagnosis compatible with lung cancer. We analyzed the histological type, gender, age group, and diagnostic method. RESULTS: The histological type frequencies of lung cancer were as follows: 63.6% adenocarcinoma, 19.0% squamous cell carcinoma, 15.2% small cell carcinoma, and 2.2% large-cell carcinoma. Among these patients, a male-female ratio of 2:1 with a mean age of 63 years was found. Regarding the diagnostic methods followed, the most common included: transthoracic needle aspiration, bronchial biopsy, and bronchial washing. CONCLUSIONS: Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent histological type in the sample studied, an association between female gender and risk of developing adenocarcinoma was detected

Incidence and Predictive Factors for Cytomegalovirus Infection in Renal Transplant Recipients

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a common cause of morbidity, graft loss, and mortality among kidney recipients due to its direct and indirect influences on organs and systems, namely, immunomodulation, which favors the appearance of opportunistic infections, vasculopathy, and decreased graft and patient survival. In Mexico the dimensions of this infection are unknown in kidney transplant recipients. We evaluated the incidence and predictive factors for CMV infection among renal transplant recipients of the Mexican Institute of Social Security in Guadalajara. Methods: This prospective cohort analysis of patients ?16 years of age of both genders, included transplantations from May 2006 to July 2007. Two hundred twenty-five patients were followed over 6 months to evaluate CMV infection or disease. We evaluated demographic, clinical, and paraclinical aspects, such as total lymphocyte count and quantitative CMV polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Results: The overall incidence of CMV infection was 17.8%. CMV infections were associated with lymphopenia (relative risk [RR] 14.75; confidence interval [CI] 95%, 3.46-62.77), serostatus D+/R- (RR 5.53; CI 95%, 2.18-14.05), and fever (RR 4.57; CI 95%, 1.50-13.95). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves for lymphopenia versus PCR showed a sensitivity of 27% and a specificity of 98%. Conclusion: In our study, lymphopenia, serostatus D+/R-, and fever were good predictors of CMV infections among renal transplant recipients. � 2009