NOVA

15-21

Authors: Carolina Andrea Infante Molina; Laura Marlen Mora Forero; Jenny C. Ortega Rojas; Carlos E. Arboleda-Bustos; William Fernández; Humberto Arboleda; Gonzalo Arboleda

Parkinson's disease is a complex neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons of the substance nigra pars compacta. It has been determined that factors both environmental and genetic contribute to its development. Mutations in the genes PINK1 and PARKIN have been associated with the early onset of disease and family history. The goal of this study was to identify mutations in the PINK1 genes (exons 4 and 6) and PARKIN (exons 2 and 7) in 22 Colombian patients with EP of early onset and/or family history, by PCR amplification and sequencing. The sequences were compared with the reference consensus sequence. A homozygous change mutation was detected in the reading frame (frame shift) c.155dela in exon 2 of the PAR-KIN gene in a patient with early onset of the disease and family history. In addition, the presence of a polymorphism in intron 2 of the PARKIN gene was identified in seven patients, one of them in homozygous state. Mutations were not found in exons 4 and 6 of the gene PINK1. A homozygous mutation c.155dela in exon 2 of PARKIN was found in a female patient with Parkinson's disease early onset with family history. No changes to the gene PINK1 were found.

37-43

Authors: Jorge Flavio Mendoza Rincón

The immune system is able to perform the detection and elimination of transformed cells by a mechanism known as physiological immune surveillance. This process involves the NKG2D receptor activator present in T lymphocytes and NK cells, both of paramount importance in the immune surveillance against cancer. To recognize the receptor NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) in cells that experience retransformation triggers the specific lithic response of the cytotoxic lymphoid cells. Also, soluble forms of NKG2DLs have been described in various types of cancer that have proven to be used for tumor evasion by saturating the NKG2D receptors present in the effector lymphoid cells thus avoiding their recognition and elimination, which makes them escape immune surveillance. Although this phenomenon of immune evasion, where some NKG2DLs participate, has already been described and corroborated, clinically, it has not been studied whether the receptor NKG2DL is present in the tumor cells per se because it could also be involved in reversing immune surveillance. This paper analyzes recent evidence that the expression of the NKG2D receptor is not lymphocyte T and NK exclusive it is already expressed by tumor epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. Consequences of this anomalous expression in nonlymphoid cells have widespread implications in carcinogenesis, which will be revised. Recent clinical studies to prove the participation of NKG2D receptor in several tumor pathologies are analyzed.

57-66

Authors: Yenni Mirella Vásquez Perea, Jean Carlos Villamil Poveda, Ligia Consuelo Sánchez Leal, Ana Graciela Lancheros Diaz

The goal of this research was to implement a microbiological method to reduce the concentrations of chromium (VI) of sewage sludge from tanneries through the combination of processes of environmental engineering and microbiology. A system of fixed medium was used, it contained a plastic support to which the lama of microorganisms adheres, performing the purification process under controlled physical conditions, this is demonstrated in vivo with measurements of chromium VI by atomic absorption of treated effluent and in vitro by isolation and identification of microorganisms in selective culture media with K2CrO4. The results show a 58% Cr (VI) reduction of the microorganisms: Bacillus cereus, Acinetobacter iwoffi, Lactobacillus agilis, Penicillium sp. and Cladosporium sp. Which are able to tolerate Cr (VI) concentrations of 300 ppm.

81-101

Authors: Ricardo Andrés Naranjo Flórez

Asperger syndrome is a pervasive developmental disorder; it was described by Hans Asperger in 1944. It is characterized by a marked social disruption, difficulties in communication, deficit in the ability to play and a range of interests and repetitive behavior, without a significant language or cognitive delay. Considering the current importance of the item, this is done in a comprehensive review on the subject that covers aspects such as: clinical features, alterations to the physical examination, and possible structural and functional alterations. Also the DSM-IV criteria and the differential diagnosis are specified. Finally, some of the aspects related to the genetics and treatment are discussed.

109-114

Authors: Gina Sofía Montaño Padilla, Paula Catalina Lancheros González, Luis Gustavo Celis

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease endemic to African, Asian, Latin America and South Pacific countries. It is caused by Mycobacterium leprae that manifests itself as varied as areas of hypo or anesthesia, macules hypochromic, with or without neura thickening. On some occasions, after having completed the course of therapy recommended by the World Health Organization, it can recur, showing new clinical lesions or increasing the bacillary index. These features can be confused with erythema nodosum leprosum, characterized by an antigenantibody reaction that secures a complement through which the immune system combats antigen cells. This text describes a case of recurrence of lepromatous leprosy and lesions compatible with erythema nodosum leprosum after it has been treated with combination chemotherapy.