Application of label-free quantitative peptidomics for the identification of urinary biomarkers of kidney chronic allograft dysfunction.

The advent of quantitative proteomics opens new opportunities in biomedical and clinical research. Although quantitative proteomics methods based on stable isotope labeling are in general preferred for biomolecular research, biomarker discovery is a case example of a biomedical problem that may be better addressed by using label-free MS techniques. As a proof of concept of this paradigm, we report the use of label-free quantitative LC-MS to profile the urinary peptidome of kidney chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD).

Fluorescence lifetime optical projection tomography.

We describe a quantitative fluorescence projection tomography technique which measures the 3-D fluorescence lifetime distribution in optically cleared specimens up 1 cm in diameter. This is achieved by acquiring a series of wide-field time-gated images at different relative time delays with respect to a train of excitation pulses, at a number of projection angles. For each time delay, the 3-D time-gated intensity distribution is reconstructed using a filtered back projection algorithm and the fluorescence lifetime subsequently determined for each reconstructed horizontal plane by iterative fitting to a mono-exponential decay.

[Recomendation for the management of the brain arteriovenous malformations].

Intracranial arteriovenous malformations constitute an heterogeneous group of lesions that represent a real challenge to the neurosurgeon. Their variability in size, topography, angioarchitecture, angioarchitecture, etc., and also the multiple clinical presentations, lead to varied therapeutic approaches.

Maternal pregestational BMI is associated with methylation of the PPARGC1A promoter in newborns.

We explored peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma co-activator 1alpha gene (PPARGC1A), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma gene (PPARG), and transcription factor A mitochondrial gene (Tfam) promoter DNA methylation in newborns between both extremes of abnormal fetal growth: Small (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) in relation to the mother's characteristics. We further sought for the association of rs9930506 variant at FTO gene and the promoter patterns of DNA methylation in the aforementioned genes, in relation to the offspring's birth weight. In a cross-sectional study, 88 healthy pregnant women and their babies were included.

Reference charts for weight gain and body mass index during pregnancy obtained from a healthy cohort.

Objective: To create reference charts for weight gain and body mass index (BMI) in pregnancy derived from longitudinal data obtained in a representative sample of the Argentinean population.

Methods: A prospective cohort of 1439 healthy pregnant women was selected from antenatal clinics in seven different urban regions in Argentina. Serial anthropometric measurements were made at weeks 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 and in the last pre-natal control.

The effect of self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffolds on mouse embryonic fibroblast implantation and proliferation.

Development of new materials for tissue engineering can be facilitated by the capacity to efficiently monitor in vivo the survival, proliferation and differentiation behaviour of cells implanted in different target tissues. We present here the application of a previously developed platform that allows to monitor in real time the survival and proliferative behaviour of implanted cells in two anatomical sites: subcutaneous and intramuscular. Basically, the system is based on the use of a non-invasive bioluminescence imaging (BLI) technique to detect luciferase expressing C57BL/6 cells, mouse embryonic fibroblasts, seeded in two sets of scaffolds: 1, a RAD16-I self-assembling peptide nanofiber matrix and 2, a composite consisted of the same RAD16-I nanofibers contained into a microporous biorubber scaffold.

Morphogenetic and regulatory mechanisms during developmental chondrogenesis: new paradigms for cartilage tissue engineering.

Cartilage is the first skeletal tissue to be formed during embryogenesis leading to the creation of all mature cartilages and bones, with the exception of the flat bones in the skull. Therefore, errors occurring during the process of chondrogenesis, the formation of cartilage, often lead to severe skeletal malformations such as dysplasias. There are hundreds of skeletal dysplasias, and the molecular genetic etiology of some remains more elusive than of others.

Urine proteomics to detect biomarkers for chronic allograft dysfunction.

Despite optimal immunosuppressive therapy, more than 50% of kidney transplants fail because of chronic allograft dysfunction. A noninvasive means to diagnose chronic allograft dysfunction may allow earlier interventions that could improve graft half-life. In this proof-of-concept study, we used mass spectrometry to analyze differences in the urinary polypeptide patterns of 32 patients with chronic allograft dysfunction (14 with pure interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy and 18 with chronic active antibody-mediated rejection) and 18 control subjects (eight stable recipients and 10 healthy control subjects).

Early tissue patterning recreated by mouse embryonic fibroblasts in a three-dimensional environment.

Cellular self-organization studies have been mainly focused on models such as Volvox, the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum, and animal (metazoan) embryos. Moreover, animal tissues undergoing regeneration also exhibit properties of embryonic systems such as the self-organization process that rebuilds tissue complexity and function. We speculated that the recreation in vitro of the biological, biophysical, and biomechanical conditions similar to those of a regenerative milieu could elicit the intrinsic capacity of differentiated cells to proceed to the development of a tissue-like structure.

Sexual and seasonal plasticity in the emission of social electric signals. Behavioral approach and neural bases.

Behavior in electric fish includes modulations of a stereotyped electric organ discharge (EOD) in addition to locomotor displays. Gymnotiformes can modulate the EOD rate to produce signals that participate in different behaviors. We studied the reproductive behavior of Brachyhypopomus pinnicaudatus both in the wild and laboratory settings.

Twice- vs. thrice-weekly MPD PUVA in psoriasis: a randomized-controlled efficacy study.

Background: Oral psoralen-ultraviolet A (PUVA) has been the treatment of choice of moderate to severe forms of psoriasis, however there is no standardized worldwide protocol. Twice- and thrice-weekly regimens had been used. In this study we compare the efficacy of these regimens.

Mitochondrial DNA depletion in small- and large-for-gestational-age newborns.

Objective: To investigate whether mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content may be associated with clinical features, anthropometric variables, and laboratory findings in both extremes of abnormal fetal growth: small and large size for gestational age.

Research Methods And Procedures: Eighty-eight pregnant women and their infants were included in a cross-sectional study. According to the offspring birthweight, normalized by sex and gestational age, there were 57 newborns with appropriate weight for gestational age (AGA) and 31 with abnormal weight for gestational age: 17 small for gestational age (SGA) and 14 large for gestational age (LGA).

Funding of pilot projects in Latin America: a tool for capacity building in occupational health research.

There is a global need for trained researchers who can address the increasing burden of illness and injury and prepare future generations of researchers. Developing countries have a special need for practical, action-oriented interventions to address workplace problems, based on identification of needs and priorities, development of locally available solutions, and consideration of the sociopolitical context of work and how best to translate research findings into policies. Effective translation and application of research products from industrialized nations to developing countries is essential, but differences in the contexts and local realities of other nations limit extrapolating such research.

[Baclofen-associated encephalopathy in a hemodialysis patient with hiccups].

Baclofen is a centrally acting gamma-ammino butyric acid agonist that is used like muscular relaxant in disorders with spasticity and intractable hiccups. Although encouraging and safe results were provided 5 mg/day in hemodialysis patients, his pharmacokinetic and pharmacodinamic properties are not well known in end stage renal disease. We present here the case of a hemodialysis patient with intractable hiccups who developed baclofen-associated encephalopathy with this recommended dose.

Identification of chitotriosidase isoforms in plasma of Gaucher disease patients by two dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Chitotriosidase protein (ChT) is the most important biochemical marker described for Gaucher disease (GD). ChT activity is increased several hundred-fold in plasma of GD patients and shows a strong positive correlation with the severity of the disease. However, a recessively inherited enzyme deficiency, with an incidence of about 6% in the Caucasian population, means that not all patients with GD can be monitored by measuring ChT activity.

A coding polymorphism in the 12-lipoxygenase gene is associated to essential hypertension and urinary 12(S)-HETE.

The arachidonic acid-derived metabolite 12-(S)hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE), catalyzed by 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX, ALOX12), exhibits a variety of biological activities with implications in cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have shown higher urinary excretion of this metabolite in essential hypertension. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of polymorphisms in ALOX12 with hypertension and urinary levels of 12(S)-HETE.

Tuberculous osteomyelitis of the knee: a case report.

Introduction: With the resurge of tuberculosis, due to the pandemic of the human immunodeficiency virus and the increase in the number of immunocompromised patients, osteoarticular tuberculosis has increased too.

Materials And Methods: We report of a 55-year-old patient, with chronic renal failure on haemodialysis, who presented with a painful knee and fever. Culture on Lowënstein-Jensen medium of joint liquid revealed a tuberculous affectation of the proximal tibia.

[Treatment with the placement of carotid stent of jugular-carotid fistula after the insertion of hemodialysis catheter].

The use of jugular temporary catheters as vascular access for hemodialysis, entails a risk of various complications. The most frequent problems are the arterial puncture and haematoma. However, there are other less frequent potentially serious complications, which constitute a therapeutic and diagnostic challenge for the nephrologists.

[Recurrent vascular access trombosis associated with the prothrombin mutation G20210A in a adult patient in haemodialysis].

Vascular access-related complications are a frequent cause of morbidity in haemodialysis patients and generate high costs. We present the case of an adult patient with end-stage renal disease and recurrent vascular access thrombosis associated with the prothrombin mutation G20210A and renal graft intolerance. The clinical expression of this heterozygous gene mutation may have been favoured by inflammatory state, frequent in dialysis patients.

[Cytomegalovirus esophagitis in a patient on peritoneal dyalisis].

Symptomatic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection usually affects immunocompromised patients, such as transplant recipients. From that point of view, the patient with endstage renal disease under maintenance dialysis is considered as immunocompetent. Thus, opportunistic infections, such as CMV infection, is not systematicaly searched in these patients, despite that an impaired cellular immunity has been reported in dialysis patients.

Temperature induces gonadal maturation and affects electrophysiological sexual maturity indicators in Brachyhypopomus pinnicaudatus from a temperate climate.

In contrast to most of the previous studies in gymnotiform reproduction, which have been conducted in the tropical region, this study examines a gymnotid from the temperate region in both the natural habitat and the laboratory. The gonadal histology of Brachyhypopomus pinnicaudatus is described for the first time. The male had a paired, lobular testis of the unrestricted spermatogonial type, and females a paired saccular cystovary.

Environmental and hormonal influences upon EOD waveform in gymnotiform pulse fish.

Temperature is a major variable that affects all biological systems. Environmental temperature determines animal geographical distribution and activity, and influences their reproductive cycle, particularly within the temperate zone. Temperature, as a physical parameter, also strongly affects excitable tissues.

Cloning of a unique lipase from endothelial cells extends the lipase gene family.

A new lipoprotein lipase-like gene has been cloned from endothelial cells through a subtraction methodology aimed at characterizing genes that are expressed with in vitro differentiation of this cell type. The conceptual endothelial cell-derived lipase protein contains 500 amino acids, including an 18-amino acid hydrophobic signal sequence, and is 44% identical to lipoprotein lipase and 41% identical to hepatic lipase. Comparison of primary sequence to that of lipoprotein and hepatic lipase reveals conservation of the serine, aspartic acid, and histidine catalytic residues as well as the 10 cysteine residues involved in disulfide bond formation.