Transcriptional Profiles of California Sea Lion Peripheral NK and CD T Cells Reflect Ecological Regionalization and Infection by Oncogenic Viruses.

The California sea lion is one of the few wild mammals prone to develop cancer, particularly urogenital carcinoma (UGC), whose prevalence is currently estimated at 25% of dead adult sea lions stranded along the California coastline. Genetic factors, viruses and organochlorines have been identified as factors that increase the risk of occurrence of this pathology. Given that no cases of UGC have as yet been reported for the species along its distribution in Mexican waters, the potential relevance of contaminants for the development of urogenital carcinoma is highlighted even more as blubber levels of organochlorines are more than two orders of magnitude lower in the Gulf of California and Mexican Pacific than in California.

Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) on California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) lymphocyte functions upon in vitro exposure.

Polychorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners are a cause for concern due to their persistence in the environment, their lipophilic properties that cause them to bio-accumulate in top predators, and their adverse effects on mammalian health. For example, the common urogenital carcinoma reported in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) (CSL) is associated with high tissue levels of PCBs, but the mechanisms responsible for this association are unknown. This study investigated the effect of exposure to six PCB congeners and a congener mix at low and environmentally relevant concentrations on NK cell-like and T cell activity using in vitro assays on cryopreserved lymph node mononuclear cells isolated from dead CSL.

Paradoxical reaction of raynaud phenomenon following the repeated administration of iloprost in a patient with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis.

Objective: To report a paradoxical reaction of Raynaud phenomenon following the repeated administration of iloprost in a patient with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis with vascular involvement.

Case Summary: In January 2006, a 40-year-old male was diagnosed with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis with pulmonary, esophageal, cutaneous, and vascular involvement (Raynaud phenomenon, with digital ulcers on his hands). In December 2008, treatment with iloprost was started due to worsening disease.

[Treatment with iloprost of critical ischemia of the lower limbs associated with cardiac insufficiency. Study of the interaction with pharmacokinetics of digoxin].

Twelve patients with critical ischaemia of the lower limbs were treated with iloprost. The purpose of this study was to investigate for a possible iloprost-digoxin interaction and to evaluate the clinical benefit provided by short- or long-term iloprost therapy. The pharmacokinetics of digoxin were studied before and during iloprost treatment.