Streptomycetes: a new model to study cell death

Colonies of streptomycetes are now viewed as multicellular entities containing morphologically and biochemically differentiated cell types which have specific functions and precise spatial relationships to one another. Like multicellular organisms, colony development in streptomycetes is also maintained by a tight balance between cell proliferation and cell death processes. This review describes the current state of knowledge concerning cell death in streptomycetes

Predictive value of angiogenesis-related gene profiling in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer treated with bevacizumab and weekly paclitaxel

Bevacizumab plus weekly paclitaxel improves progression-free survival (PFS) in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (mBC), but its use has been questioned due to the absence of a predictive biomarker, lack of benefit in overall survival (OS) and increased toxicity. We examined the baseline tumor angiogenic-related gene expression of 60 patients with mBC with the aim of finding a signature that predicts benefit from this drug. Multivariate analysis by Lasso-penalized Cox regression generated two predictive models: one, named G-model, including 11 genes, and the other one, named GCmodel, including 13 genes plus 5 clinical covariates. Both models identified patients with improved PFS (HR (Hazard Ratio) 2.57 and 4.04, respectively) and OS (HR 3.29 and 3.43, respectively). The G-model distinguished low and high risk patients in the first 6 months, whereas the GC-model maintained significance over timeThis work was supported by a grant from the Independent Clinical Research Program (EC10-342), Independent Clinical Research Program (EC10-342), ISCIII (Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Spanish Ministry of Health, and funded also from Roche Farma S.A.U

DATURA STRAMONIUM: Toxicología de una droga emergente

El estramonio (Datura stramonium L), al igual que la gran mayoría de las drogas alucinógenas vegetales, ha sido usado a lo largo de los siglos en un contexto místico-religioso chamánico. Sin embargo, fue en el verano de 2011 cuando se detecta su uso como droga de abuso en España tras el fallecimiento de dos jóvenes en una fiesta “rave” en Getafe (Madrid) y una intoxicación aguda de un joven en Badajoz, hechos que generaron una gran alarma social. Todo ello pone de manifiesto la constante variabilidad en la familia de las drogas perturbadoras usadas con fines recreativos. La disponibilidad de este vegetal y el desconocimiento sobre los riesgos de su consumo lo convierten en un serio problema de salud pública. El estramonio posee propiedades alucinógenas y anticolinérgicas debido a su contenido en alcaloides tropánicos, entre los que destacan tres: atropina (DL50= 10 mg en humanos, 400 mg/Kg ratón), hiosciamina y escopolamina (DL50= 2-4 mg en humanos, 619 mg/Kg ratón). Entre los efectos psíquicos y orgánicos destacan la alteración del estado mental con alucinaciones y la taquicardia, respectivamente. El tratamiento de las intoxicaciones agudas es sintomatológico y se dispone de un antídoto, la fisostigmina

Utilidad taxonómica de la determinación de actividades enzimáticas en Streptomyces

Investigación sobre la presencia de actividades enzimáticas en 25 especies de Streptomyces. Algunas de estas actividades ofrecen un gran interés taxonómico al no encontrarse presente en todas las especies. Se pone de manifiesto por primera vez la existencia de la vía del ácido b-cetoadípico en Streptomyces

Caracterización de enzimas plasmídicos modificadores de aminoglicósidos en un aislado clínico de Serratia marcescens

Estudio de la resistencia a 9 antibióticos en un aislado de Serratia por presencia de enzimas modificadoras

Estudios sobre el antibiótico fosfomicina : obtención de protoplastos y transmisión de la fosfomicín-resistencia en bacterias gram-negativas

Estudio del uso de la fosfomicina como inductor en la formación de protoplastos y de los tipos de resistencia bacteriana a la fosfomicina en aislados clínicos de S. marcescens y Ps. aeruginosa. En 10 cepas de S. marcescens se demuestra la aparición de una fosfomicín-resistencia portada por un plásmido transferible por conjugación

High-throughput 3-dimensional culture of epithelial ovarian cancer cells as preclinical model of disease

Background: Recent reports have identified distinct genomic patterns in ovarian carcinoma, including proliferative and mesenchymal-like groups, with worse outcome. The exact mechanisms driving the onset and progression of these tumors are still poorly understood. Additionally, researchers are concerned about the correct subtype stratification of the available cell line models, and the exploration of alternatives to monolayer culture. Identification of biomarkers to stratify cell lines, characterization of important processes as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the use of three-dimensional (3D) cultures as alternative models could be useful for cell line classification. Methods and Results: In this work, we present a descriptive analysis of 16 commonly used ovarian cancer cell lines. We have studied their morphology in 2- and 3D culture, and their response to cisplatin, observing in the majority of them an increased resistance in 3D. We have also performed an immunohistochemical analysis for proliferation marker Ki-67, and EMT related markers to establish phenotypes. Epithelial cells tend to show higher proliferative rates, and mesenchymal cells show an increase in EMT related markers, especially when cultured in 3D conditions. Conclusions: We have stated the complex heterogeneity of ovarian cancer models, resembling primary tumors, agreeing with the argument that the cell line model for in vitro experiments must be carefully chosen. Our results also support that tridimensional culture could be a very helpful alternative in ovarian cancer research. Regarding EMT, a very important process for the development of this disease, some related biomarkers might be further characterized for their role in this disease developmentThis work was funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), as part of PN I+D+I 2008–2011 Program (#PI10/630) and Fundación Mutua Madrileña Funding Program. VHS was supported by a phD fellowship program (#FI11/00538, ISCIII) and CIBERONC CB16/12/0039