Absolute transcript expression signatures of Cyp and Gst genes in Mus spretus to detect environmental contamination.

We evaluated whether quantitation of mRNA molecules of key genes is a reliable biomonitoring end-point. We examined the Mus spretus expression levels of 19 transcripts encoding different cytochrome-P450s and glutathione transferases. Mice dwelling at the Doñana Biological Reserve were compared to those from an industrial settlement (PS).

[Reproducibility of optic nerve head and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements using optical coherence tomography].

Purpose: To evaluate the reproducibility of repeated quantitative measurements of optic nerve head topography and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness.

Methods: This study included 32 normal subjects, 41 patients with ocular hypertension and 33 patients with glaucoma. The study groups were defined by the intraocular pressure levels, optic disc stereo-photographs and perimetric performance.

[Esophageal atresia type I. Is impossible possible?].

Introduction: Treatment of esophageal atresia with "long gap" remains difficult and controversial. According to the idea that esophageal anastomosis is imposible in most cases, several esophageal substitution methods have been proposed, as esophagocoloplasty, gastric transposition or reversed gastric tube. Nevertheless reconstruction of native esophagus is accepted as the best option if posible.

Influence of APOE polymorphism on cognitive and behavioural outcome in moderate and severe traumatic brain injury.

Aim: To analyse the influence of apolipoprotein (APOE) epsilon4 status on the cognitive and behavioural functions usually impaired after moderate and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods: In all, 77 patients with TBI selected from 140 consecutive admissions were genotyped for APOE. Each patient was subjected to neuropsychological and neurobehavioural assessment at least 6 months after injury.

[Sector-based analysis of the distribution of the neuroretinal rim by confocal scanning laser in the diagnosis of glaucoma].

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic ability of the Moorfields regression analysis (MRA; neuroretinal rim sector-based analysis) by means of confocal scanning laser.

Methods: 200 eyes were included in this study: 101 normal subjects and 99 glaucoma patients (standard automated perimetry with glaucomatous defects -MD or CPSD with p<0.02 or a cluster of three or more points with p<0.

Nuclear DNA endoreduplication and expression of the mitotic inhibitor Ccs52 associated to determinate and lupinoid nodule organogenesis.

Lotus japonicus determinate nodules differ greatly from indeterminate nodules in their organogenesis and morphological characteristics, whereas Lupinus albus lupinoid nodules share features of determinate and indeterminate nodules. The mitotic inhibitor Ccs52A is essential for endoreduplication and ploidy-dependent cell enlargement during symbiotic cell differentiation in Medicago truncatula indeterminate nodules. ccs52A homolog genes were isolated from lupin and lotus nodules; the deduced Ccs52A proteins showed high sequence similarity with other Cdh-1-type activators of the anaphase-promoting complex and were grouped with A-type Ccs52 proteins from different plants.

CD4 cell recovery in treated HIV-2-infected adults is lower than expected: results from the French ANRS CO5 HIV-2 cohort.

In 61 antiretroviral-naive HIV-2-infected patients starting triple therapy at a median CD4 cell count of 136 cells/microl, the median increase was 41 cells/microl at month 12, which was no different among those on protease inhibitors or triple nucleoside analogues. Despite virological response, as the median plasma load was under the detectable threshold from month 3, CD4 cell recovery remained poor in treated HIV-2 infection. Our results raise the question of the optimal regimen to recommend in HIV-2-infected patients.

Abdominal and iliac arterial stenoses: comparative double-blinded randomized study of diagnostic accuracy of 3D MR angiography with gadodiamide or gadopentetate dimeglumine.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate accuracy of gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) angiography with gadodiamide and gadopentetate dimeglumine (0.1 mmol/kg), with intraarterial DSA as reference standard, for imaging abdominal and iliac arterial stenoses.

Materials And Methods: The study was approved by all institutional review boards; informed consent was obtained from each subject before procedures.

Colonisation of Pinus halepensis roots by Pseudomonas fluorescens and interaction with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Suillus granulatus.

Colonisation of Pinus halepensis roots by GFP-tagged Pseudomonas fluorescens Aur6 was monitored by epifluorescence microscopy and dilution plating. Aur6-GFP was able to colonise and proliferate on P. halepensis roots.

Tissue, species, and environmental differences in absolute quantities of murine mRNAs coding for alpha, mu, omega, pi, and theta glutathione S-transferases.

This article reports the first absolute quantitative analysis of expression patterns of murine transcripts (Gsta1/2, Gsta3, Gsta4, Gstm1, Gstm2, Gstm3, Gsto1, Gstp1/2, Gstt1, Gstt2) coding for most glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) of alpha, mu, omega, pi, and theta classes. We examine how the steady-state numbers of transcripts are modulated in association with: three animal organs (liver, kidney, and lung) where extensive detoxification occurs; two species (Mus musculus and Mus spretus) representing common laboratory and aboriginal mice; and two genetic and animal living conditions (wild-derived inbred animals and free-living mice). Moreover, quantitations performed examine how the pulmonary steady-state Gst mRNA amounts are affected in M.

Improved sensitivity of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 subtype B plasma viral load assay.

We developed a new assay for human immunodeficiency virus type 2 plasma RNA quantification based on a previous format. The new version performed significantly better than the original regarding the detection of subtype B, allowing the detection of 14 out of 36 plasma RNAs in the subtype B-infected patients not detected with the original version.

Parallels between the proximal-distal development of vertebrate and arthropod appendages: homology without an ancestor?

Evolutionary studies suggest that the limbs of vertebrates and the appendages of arthropods do not share a common origin. However, recent genetic studies show new similarities in their developmental programmes. These similarities might be caused by the independent recruitment of homologous genes for similar functions or by the conservation of an ancestral proximal-distal development programme.

Aldehyde oxidase (AO) in the root nodules of Lupinus albus and Medicago truncatula: identification of AO in meristematic and infection zones.

Phytohormones are involved in the organogenesis of legume root nodules. The source of the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in nodules has not been clearly determined. We studied the enzyme aldehyde oxidase (AO; EC 1.

Doxazosin GITS versus standard doxazosin in mild to moderate hypertension.

Background: The selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist doxazosin in both standard formulation and gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) controlled-release formulation is effective for hypertension without having a negative impact on serum lipids. This study was designed to compare the relative efficacy of these two formulations of doxazosin on clinic and ambulatory blood pressure and serum lipids in patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

Methods: Hypertensive patients aged 18-70 years (n = 335) were evaluated in a multi-center prospective randomized study.

[Vascular access guidelines for hemodialysis].

Quality of vascular access (VA) has a remarkable influence in hemodialysis patients outcomes. Dysfunction of VA represents a capital cause of morbi-mortality of these patients as well an increase in economical. Spanish Society of Neprhology, aware of the problem, has decided to carry out a revision of the issue with the aim of providing help in comprehensión and treatment related with VA problems, and achieving an homogenization of practices in three mayor aspects: to increase arteriovenous fistula utilization as first vascular access, to increment vascular access monitoring practice and rationalise central catheters use.

Early lung cancer detection using spiral computed tomography and positron emission tomography.

Rationale: Lung cancer screening using computed tomography (CT) is effective in detecting lung cancer in early stages. Concerns regarding false-positive rates and unnecessary invasive procedures have been raised.

Objective: To study the efficiency of a lung cancer protocol using spiral CT and F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET).

Absolute mRNA levels and transcriptional regulation of the mouse testis-specific thioredoxins.

Thioredoxins function as general protein disulphide reductases. Mammalian male germ cells are equipped with a set of three testis-specific thioredoxins (named Sptrx-1, -2, and -3, respectively) that are expressed either in different structures within the sperm cell or at different stages of sperm development. Previous studies based on qualitative northern-blot and in situ hybridization analyses restricted the presence of Sptrx mRNAs to adult testis, but nothing is known about their transcriptional regulation or relative expression levels in this tissue.

Transcript copy number of genes for DNA repair and translesion synthesis in yeast: contribution of transcription rate and mRNA stability to the steady-state level of each mRNA along with growth in glucose-fermentative medium.

We quantitated the copy number of mRNAs (NTG1, NTG2, OGG1, APN1, APN2, MSH2, MSH6, REV3, RAD30) encoding different DNA repair enzymes and translesion-synthesis polymerases in yeast. Quantitations reported examine how the steady-state number of each transcript is modulated in association with the growth in glucose-fermentative medium, and evaluate the respective contribution of the rate of mRNA degradation and transcription initiation to the specific mRNA level profile of each gene. Each transcript displayed a unique growth-related profile, therefore altering the relative abundance of mRNAs coding for proteins with similar functions, as cells proceed from exponential to stationary phase.

[HIV prevalence among individuals having had serology performed in eight Spanish cities following heterosexual exposure, 1992-2003].

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in Spain was characterized throughout the first few years by the predominance of infections among injected drug users (IDU's), but everything currently points to a progressive predominance of sexual transmission. This study is aimed at describing the trend in HIV infection among several heterosexual populations groups and at characterizing the situations in which the infections occurred.

Methods: Descriptive study of the individualls who had the test conducted for the first time at nine HIV diagnosis centres within the 1992-2003 period due to high-risk heterosexual exposures, not including injected drug users.

Polymorphism of the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) protease gene and selection of drug resistance mutations in HIV-2-infected patients treated with protease inhibitors.

We described the baseline polymorphism of the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) protease gene from 94 treatment-naive patients and the longitudinal follow-up of 17 protease inhibitor-treated patients. Compared to the HIV-2 consensus sequences, baseline polymorphism involved 47 positions. Substitutions selected under treatment were observed at positions corresponding to HIV-1 resistance mutations as well as at positions of currently unknown impact on HIV-1.

Individual patterns of dynamic QT/RR relationship in survivors of acute myocardial infarction and their relationship to antiarrhythmic efficacy of amiodarone.

Introduction: Amiodarone is an effective antiarrhythmic drug, but it has serious side effects and conducted trials did not support its prophylactic use in survivors of acute myocardial infarction. It is possible that the prophylactic use of the drug has not been tested effectively. To optimize therapy outcome, markers of drug efficacy might be developed to identify patients who, although at arrhythmic risk, would not benefit from amiodarone treatment.

Sensory and analytical study of rose sparkling wines manufactured by second fermentation in the bottle.

The sensory and analytical characteristics of five rose sparkling wines manufactured by the traditional method have been determined. Moreover, the changes that take place in the nitrogen and volatile fraction of the wines during the second fermentation and the aging with the yeasts have been studied. Each of these wines was made from a single industrial rose base wine of the Garnacha Tinta variety, with five selected yeasts strains.

Characterization of QT interval adaptation to RR interval changes and its use as a risk-stratifier of arrhythmic mortality in amiodarone-treated survivors of acute myocardial infarction.

A new method is proposed to evaluate the dynamics of QT interval adaptation in response to heart rate (HR) changes. The method considers weighted averages of RR intervals (RR) preceding each cardiac beat to express RR interval history accounting for the influence on repolarization duration. A global optimization algorithm is used to determine the weight distribution leading to the lowest regression residual when curve fitting the [QT, RR1 data using a patient-specific regression model.

High frequency of selection of K65R and Q151M mutations in HIV-2 infected patients receiving nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors containing regimen.

The objective of the study was to determine retrospectively which substitutions in the reverse transcriptase (RT) gene are selected in vivo during nucleoside RT inhibitors (NRTI) containing regimen in HIV-2 infected subjects. Thirty-four HIV-2 patients having received NRTI-containing regimen with available specimens and amplifiable RT gene were studied. Analyses of RT gene were undertaken after a median NRTI exposure of 51 months (range: 5-128).

An unusual infection mechanism and nodule morphogenesis in white lupin (Lupinus albus).

•  The infection of white lupin (Lupinus albus) roots and the early stages in organogenesis of the lupinoid nodule are characterized in detail in this work. •  Immunolabelling of Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus) ISLU16 and green fluorescent protein labelling of Mesorhizobium loti NZP2037, two strains that induce nodulation in L.