Lanthanide-based peptide biosensor to monitor CDK4/cyclin D kinase activity

We describe a lanthanide biosensor that responds to CDK4 kinase activity in melanoma cell extracts through a significant and dose dependent increase in luminescence, thanks to sensitization of a DOTA[Tb3+] complex incorporated into a CDK4 substrate peptide by a unique tryptophan residue in an adjacent phosphoaminoacid binding moietyThis work was funded by the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) and a Marie-Curie fellowship EC-FP7 Framework (PIEF-GA-2013-623151) supporting JAGV. CB was funded by the INCA (PRTK-2014). Financial support from the Spanish MINECO (CTQ2015-70698-R), the Xunta de Galicia (Centro singular de investigacio´n de Galicia accreditation 2016–2019), and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund – ERDF), are gratefully acknowledgedS

Hypospadias: a review

Hypospadias is a congenital malformation of the male external genitalia, which includes: anomalous location proximal to the urethral meatus, in any portion of the glans penis and perineum, hooded dorsal foreskin, and inverted penile curvature on the dorsal side of the foreskin. The etiology has been considered multifactorial, secondary to the interaction of environmental factors with specific genetic background. It represents the second most frequent congenital defect in male newborns. It has increasing prevalence rates of 0.25 new cases per 10,000 newborns per year. Risk factors that have been identified include infants small for gestational age with weight below the 10th percentile, head length and/or circumference, intrauterine growth restriction, and placental insufficiency. Regarding environmental risk factors, maternal exposure to pesticides has been linked. Prenatal diagnosis has been described, however proximal hypospadias is usually detected, making it difficult to diagnose distal hypospadias using this method. So usually the diagnosis is made after birth during the physical examination. To date, more than 300 surgical techniques are known for the correction of hypospadias. The treatment of distal hypospadias is currently performed in one time; the management of proximal hypospadias is controversial; one group favors the one-stage procedure, while other groups choose to perform the two-stage procedure

Assesing heavy metals in the marine bivalve Pinna nobilis in the Balearic Islands (western Mediterranean)

Heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) concentration were determined in the marine bivalve Pinna nobilis along the Balearic Islands, comparing a protected area with two sites with strong anthropogenic influence. Analyses of Cabrera and Mallorca indicated that heavy metal concentration were generally higher in the most of samples, specially in Santa Maria bay (Cabrera, MPA), and Magaluf (Mallorca, with strong anthropogenic influence). Pinna nobilis appears to efficiently bioaccumulate heavy metals exhibiting large differences in a range of anthropic scenarios. The results on P. nobilis metal accumulation show that the concentrations decrease according to order: Zn > Cu >Pb> Cd > H

Pseudoaneurysm due to femoral artery puncture: a review

The femoral artery is the most used percutaneous access site for different endovascular therapeutic options, this being an excellent anatomical site to achieve adequate compression after its puncture, which frequently makes it the site with the highest incidence of complications associated with posterior to arterial puncture. The most frequent complications related to arterial puncture are: hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, retroperitoneal hematoma, and arterial occlusion. The pseudoaneurysm is defined as the interruption in the wall of the artery, product of the lesion of the wall, which causes blood leakage towards the surrounding tissues, remaining contained in a fibrin sac, therefore, the importance of an adequate diagnosis and treatment lies above all in the high risk of rupture or thromboembolism.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: a review

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XP), first described in 1916, is a rare form of chronic granulomatous inflammation. The etiology is still unclear; however, the development of the disease is associated with chronic urinary obstruction secondary to lithiasis, tumors and urological malformations, among others. This leads to the destruction of the renal parenchyma and its replacement by solid sheets of lipid-laden macrophages. Female gender, diabetes and obesity are attributed as predisposing factors to the development of XP. It is estimated that the incidence presents a maximum peak between 50 and 70 years, with a ratio of 2:1 women-men respectively. Computed tomography (CT) is described as the mainstay in the evaluation. However, the definitive diagnosis is made by histopathological study, where a mixture of lipid-laden foamy macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, giant cells, and plasma cells can be seen. Nephrectomy (open or laparoscopic) continues to be the first-line treatment. The laparoscopic approach is associated with an increase in operating time; however, the recovery time is shorter compared to the open approach. Given the natural history of the disease and the associated complications, this makes it a challenging approach for the surgeon. Therefore, a surgeon experienced in laparoscopic skills is necessary. This review seeks to synthesize existing information regarding the appropriate surgical approach in conjunction with the clinical context

Alto contenido de metales en el molusco Pinna nobilis en el Archipiélago Balear (Mediterráneo occidental) y una revisión de las concentraciones en bivalvos marinos (Pinnidae)

Summary: Concentrations of metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) in the marine bivalve Pinna nobilis at several coastal locations of Majorca and the Cabrera Islands (Mediterranean Sea) were investigated. The elevated concentrations of metals found in the soft tissues of P. nobilis indicate high bioaccumulation factors. All concentrations and the calculated metal pollution index showed significant differences between sites, with particularly high concentrations in the Cabrera Archipelago, a marine protected area (MPA). The datasets were evaluated with the limited information published in the literature for Pinnidae species worldwide. In benthic P. nobilis, concentrations of Cd, Cu and Zn are more than 30 times higher and Hg and Pb concentrations are 4 and 7 times higher, respectively, than concentrations in other bivalve species, such as Mytilus galloprovincialis (Mytilidae). These observations from species inhabiting nearby ecological habitats of the coastal environment (Pinnidae vs. Mytilidae) are also discussed in the context of current marine monitoring strategies and assessmentsResumen: Se investigaron las concentraciones de metales (Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb y Zn) en el bivalvo marino Pinna nobilis en diferentes localidades costeras de las Islas de Mallorca y Cabrera (Mar Mediterráneo). Las elevadas concentraciones de metales que se encontraron en los tejidos blandos de P. nobilis revelaron una elevada bioacumulación. Las concentraciones de metales estudiadas, así como el índice de contaminación por metales (ICM) mostraron diferencias significativas entre los sitios, con concentraciones particularmente altas en el archipiélago de Cabrera, un área marina protegida (AMP). Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de la escasa información publicada sobre las especies de la familia Pinnidae a nivel mundial. En comparación con otras especies de bivalvos, como Mytilus galloprovincialis (Mytilidae), la especie bentónica P. nobilis presentó concentraciones más de 30 veces superiores para Cd, Cu y Zn; y hasta 4 y 7 veces para Hg y Pb, respectivamente. La información recabada sobre estas especies que habitan en ecosistemas costeros (Pinnidae vs. Mytilidae) es discutida en el contexto de las actuales estrategias marinas de seguimiento y evaluaciónVersión del editor1,006

Propuesta de restauración y puesta en valor patrimonial de la ex hacienda San Agustín en el municipio de Jamay, Jalisco

ITESO, A.C

Biliary atresia: a review

Bile duct atresia (BA) is a severe, progressive cholangiopathy characterized by fibrous and inflammatory obliteration of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. It leads to liver failure, scarring, and end-stage cirrhosis if timely treatment is not achieved. It represents the number one indication for pediatric liver transplantation as a single disease worldwide. Various etiological factors have been associated with BA, such as structural malformations, viral, immune-mediated, and genetic infections. The incidence of BA varies around the world. Untreated BA patients have a 2-year mortality of nearly 100%. The clinical picture is characterized by jaundice, acholia, and jaundice that persists beyond the first 2 weeks of life. Direct or conjugated bilirubin remains the primary screening laboratory test for BA; elevated values ​​occur within the first 2 days of life. Currently, the primary treatment of choice is the Kasai portoenterostomy; the success of surgery has been based on the restoration of bile flow and the elimination of jaundice. However, more than 70% of patients develop liver cirrhosis secondary to persistent liver inflammation, which will require liver transplantation. The following review of the literature aims to collect relevant information from what has been published in recent years on bile duct atresia; focused on the study of etiology, pathophysiology, advances in genetics and immunology. As well as the results associated with surgical treatment and the requirement for liver transplantation

Staghorn renal stones: a review

Staghorn lithiasis is described as the presence of stones in the urinary tract that create a mold of the renal collecting system, with the characteristic of being branched. It has a strong association with urinary tract infections caused by urea-splitting organisms. The composition of the stone usually consists of pure magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite), or a mixture of struvite and calcium carbonate apatite. It is classified as complete and partial. In the complete one, the stones occupy the renal pelvis and the calyceal system, or more than 80% of the collecting system; unlike the partial ones that occupy the renal pelvis and at least two calyces. Computed tomography without intravenous contrast is the imaging method of choice for diagnosis and planning of surgical intervention. Allowing an accurate assessment of the morphology and location of the stones; that will set the standard for guiding percutaneous access. Complete stone cleaning is the cornerstone of staghorn lithiasis treatment. The guidelines of the European Association of Urology and the American Association of Urology mention that percutaneous nephrolithotomy continues to be the treatment of choice for large stones. Conservative management is related to renal loss and urosepsis, reporting a mortality of 28 % up to 30% within 10 years, as well as a 36% risk of developing chronic kidney disease

Modelización de los end-members para reconocer fuentes de aporte sedimentario en contornitas: un caso de estudio en el Mar de Alborán

Contourite drifts are one the main morphosedimentary features in the Alboran Sea and their sediments are important archives of the past oceanographic conditions and sedimentary processes. The end-member modelling approach lets to decompose multimodal grain-size distribution into genetically meaningful subpopulation that may be related to different sediment transport mechanisms and source areas. Three end-members have been identified in the contourite drift and moat system located at the southern side of the Dijbouti Ville seamount that have been interpreted in terms of sediment sources. Two end-members point to an eolian source and comprise fine silt (EM1) and coarse silt (EM2) as modal grain-sizes, characterized by high and low contents, respectively, of terrigenous elements (Al, Si, Ti and K). The third end-member (EM3) indicates a fluvial origin and is mainly defined by a clay modal grain-size of intermediate and homogeneous content in terrigenous elements. Downcore variation of the relative proportion of these EMs can be used to decipher paleocenographic and paleoclimatic conditions in the Alboran Sea.Versión del edito