Morphologic, Proliferative, and Cytogenetic Changes during In Vitro Propagation of Cat Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells.

Stem cell therapy in cat patients needs a high quantity of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) requiring in vitro propagation under culture conditions which may potentially impact cellular characteristics and genetic stability. This study aimed to assess the in vitro characteristics and cytogenetic stability of cat adipose tissue-derived MSCs (cAT-MSCs). For this purpose, morphological features, clonogenic potential, and proliferative capacity of cAT-MSCs were assessed at passages 2 (P), P, and P.

Fast topographic optical imaging using encoded search focal scan.

A central quest in optics is to rapidly extract quantitative information from a sample. Existing topographical imaging tools allow non-contact and three-dimensional measurements at the micro and nanoscales and are essential in applications including precision engineering and optical quality control. However, these techniques involve acquiring a focal stack of images, a time-consuming process that prevents measurement of moving samples.

Monitoring of recessive defects associated with low reproductive performance in dairy cattle in Uruguay.

Background: Most dairy cattle breeds originate show an average generational inbreeding rate of 1%, which favors the occurrence of recessive defects associated with low reproductive performance.

Aim: The objective of this study was to monitor recessive defects associated with low reproductive performance in dairy cattle.

Methods: To monitor bulls carrying the Holstein Friesian haplotype (HH) 1, HH3, and HH4 haplotypes, we analyzed the records of 3,028 national and imported Holstein Friesian bulls from the 2021 updated sires' catalog published by "Evaluaciones Genéticas Lecheras"; and to determine the presence of these mentioned haplotypes, as well as Jersey haplotype (JH) 1 and complex vertebral malformation (CVM), were genotype with the GeneTitan 2,500 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) bovine chip, estimate their frequencies and evaluate their impact on the fertility of 100 Holstein Friesian cows and 70 Holstein Friesian-Jersey crosses belonging to an experimental dairy.

Novel polymorphisms in the prion protein gene (PRNP) and stability of the resultant prion protein in different horse breeds.

Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders in which the main pathogenic event is the conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrP) into an abnormal and misfolded isoform known as PrP. Most prion diseases and their susceptibility and pathogenesis are mainly modulated by the PRNP gene that codes for PrP. Mutations and polymorphisms in the PRNP gene can alter PrP amino acid sequence, leading to a change in transmission efficiency depending on the place where it occurs.

Isolation and characterization of feline dental pulp stem cells.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to isolate feline dental pulp stem cells (fDPSCs) and characterize their clonogenic and proliferative abilities, as well as their multipotency, immunophenotype and cytogenetic stability.

Methods: Dental pulp was isolated by explant culture from two cats <1 year old at post mortem. Their clonogenicity was characterized using a colony-forming unit fibroblast assay, and their proliferative ability was quantified with a doubling time assay in passages 2, 4 and 6 (P, P and P, respectively).

Protein kinase B (AKT) upregulation and Thy-1-αβ integrin-induced phosphorylation of Connexin43 by activated AKT in astrogliosis.

Background: In response to brain injury or inflammation, astrocytes undergo hypertrophy, proliferate, and migrate to the damaged zone. These changes, collectively known as "astrogliosis", initially protect the brain; however, astrogliosis can also cause neuronal dysfunction. Additionally, these astrocytes undergo intracellular changes involving alterations in the expression and localization of many proteins, including αβ integrin.

Single-shot optical surface profiling using extended depth of field 3D microscopy.

The measurement of three-dimensional samples at high speed is essential for many applications, either due to the requirement for measuring samples that change fast over time, or due to the requirement of reducing the scanning time, and therefore inspection cost, in industrial environments. Conventionally, the measurement of surface topographies at high resolution typically requires an axial scanning of the sample. We report the implementation of a technique able to reconstruct surface topographies at high resolution, only from the acquisition of a single camera shot, dropping the need to perform an axial scan.

Occurrence and Effects on Weaning From Mechanical Ventilation of Intensive Care Unit Acquired and Diaphragm Weakness: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: Limb intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness (ICUAW) and ICU acquired diaphragm weakness (DW) occur frequently in mechanically ventilated (MV) patients; their coexistence in cooperative and uncooperative patients is unknown. This study was designed to (1) describe the co-occurrence of the two conditions (2) evaluate the impact of ICUAW and DW on the ventilator-free days (VFDs) at 28 days and weaning success, and (3) assess the correlation between maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and thickening fraction (TFdi) in patients with DW.

Methods: This prospective pilot study was conducted in a single-center on 73 critically ill MV patients.

COVID-19 pathophysiology and ultrasound imaging: A multiorgan review.

COVID-19 is a dynamic disease and may affect different tissues and organs as it progresses. Therefore, the impact generated by the disease in all its stages and organs requires a functional and versatile imaging technique able to detect particularities or artifacts dynamically. Ultrasonography fulfills all these requirements and exhibit several advantages relative to other imaging modalities, including portability, lower cost and biosafety.

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 and Adiponectin Are Associated With Metabolic Syndrome Components.

Background: We aimed to study the associations of adipocytokines, endothelial damage markers, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) components.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 202 subjects categorized into MetS and No-MetS according to Harmonizing Adult Treatment Panel III.

Results: Subjects with MetS showed higher levels of proinflammatory molecules but significantly lower adiponectin levels than subjects with No-MetS.

Rationale and study design of an early care, therapeutic education, and psychological intervention program for the management of post-intensive care syndrome and chronic pain after COVID-19 infection (PAIN-COVID): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Critically ill patients with COVID-19 are an especially susceptible population to develop post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Patients can suffer acute severe pain and may have long-term mental, cognitive, and functional health deterioration after discharge. However, few controlled trials are evaluating interventions for the prevention and treatment of PICS.

Duration of diaphragmatic inactivity after endotracheal intubation of critically ill patients.

Background: In patients intubated for mechanical ventilation, prolonged diaphragm inactivity could lead to weakness and poor outcome. Time to resume a minimal diaphragm activity may be related to sedation practice and patient severity.

Methods: Prospective observational study in critically ill patients.

Dynamic DNA methylation changes in early versus late adulthood suggest nondeterministic effects of childhood adversity: a meta-analysis.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with a high risk of developing chronic diseases and decreased life expectancy, but no ACE epigenetic biomarkers have been identified until now. The latter may result from the interaction of multiple factors such as age, sex, degree of adversity, and lack of transcriptional effects of DNA methylation changes. We hypothesize that DNA methylation changes are related to childhood adversity levels and current age, and these markers evolve as aging proceeds.

Maternal obesity is associated with a sex-specific epigenetic programming in human neonatal monocytes.

To determine changes in global DNA methylation in monocytes from neonates of women with obesity, as markers of an immune programming resulting from maternal obesity. Cord blood monocytes were obtained from neonates born to women with obesity and normal weight, genome-wide differentially methylated CpGs were determined using an Infinium MethylationEPIC-BeadChip (850K). No clustering of samples according to maternal BMI was observed, but sex-specific analysis revealed 71,728 differentially methylated CpGs in female neonates from women with obesity (p < 0.

Epigenetic mechanisms activated by childhood adversity.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) impair health and life expectancy and may result in an epigenetic signature that drives increased morbidity primed during early stages of life. This literature review focuses on the current evidence for epigenetic-mediated programming of brain and immune function resulting from ACE. To address this aim, a total of 88 articles indexed in PubMed before August 2019 concerning ACE and epigenetics were surveyed.

Stent optical inspection system calibration and performance.

Implantable medical devices, such as stents, have to be inspected 100% so no defective ones are implanted into a human body. In this paper, a novel optical stent inspection system is presented. By the combination of a high numerical aperture microscope, a triple illumination system, a rotational stage, and a CMOS camera, unrolled sections of the outer and inner surfaces of the stent are obtained with high resolution at high speed with a line-scan approach.

Clinico-Pathologic Subtypes of Breast Cancer Primary Tumors Are Related to Prognosis after Recurrence.

Background: Pathological factors, based mainly on immunohistochemistry (IHC) and histological differentiation, are mostly used to differentiate breast cancer (BC) subtypes. Our present aim was to describe the characteristics and survival of a relapsing BC patient cohort based on clinico-pathologic subtypes determined for the primary tumors. Methods: We used a clinico- pathological definition of BC subtypes based on histological grade (HG), estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR),and epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) expression assessed by IHC.

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in women with breast cancer: The first Chilean study.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of female death from malignancy worldwide. One factor that has been associated to a higher incidence and poor prognosis is a Vitamin D deficiency (measured as 25-Hydroxi-Vitamin D (25OHD)). Our aim was to determine 25OHD levels in serum samples of Chilean BC patients before endocrine therapy and its association to clinical parameters at the time of diagnosis.

Correlation between Ki67 and histological grade in breast cancer patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy.

Background And Aim: Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease and cell proliferation markers may help to identify subtypes of clinical interest. We here analyzed the correlation between cell proliferation determined by Ki67 and HG in BC patients undergoing preoperative chemotherapy (PCT).

Materials And Methods: We obtained clinical/pathological data from patients with invasive BC treated at our institution from 1999 until 2012.

Stable angina in Spain and its impact on quality of life. The AVANCE registry.

Introduction And Objectives: Mortality from acute coronary syndrome has fallen but a substantial number of chronic patients remain symptomatic. The present study was designed to determine the clinical characteristics and therapeutic treatment of patients with stable angina and its impact on their quality of life.

Methods: A cross-sectional, multicenter, observational study of 2039 patients with stable angina attended in outpatient clinics was performed.

Differences in outcome of heart failure with preserved or depressed systolic function in patients older than 70 years who receive beta blockers.

Introduction And Objectives: Most studies have shown that prognosis of heart failure with preserved systolic function is as poor as that of heart failure with depressed systolic function, although these results may be biased by the fact that these types of heart failure have different characteristics (age, comorbidity, treatment), which can influence prognosis. Our aim was to determine whether short-term morbidity and mortality differed in these 2 subgroups of heart failure patients when they were comparable in terms of age, associated comorbidity, and therapy.

Methods: We analyzed 2 groups of patients aged >70 years who were candidates to receive beta blockers (preserved systolic function, 245; depressed systolic function, 374), consecutively discharged from 53 participating Spanish hospitals with a diagnosis of heart failure, and compared cardiovascular morbidity and mortality 3 months after discharge.

[How beta-blockers are used in Spain? Analysis of limitations in their use in internal medicine and cardiology: CARACTER-BETA study].

Introduction And Objectives: Beta-blocker treatment has a class I indication, level of evidence A, in guidelines for the treatment of heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and atrial fibrillation. However, beta-blocker use continues to be less than optimal. In this study, beta blocker use in Spain is analyzed in patients with heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and atrial fibrillation.

Factors associated with blood pressure control in diabetic patients treated in nephrology units. PRESDIAB Study.

Background And Objective: Most hypertensive patients do not reach target blood pressure (BP), especially if they are diabetic. The objective of the study is to assess the percentage of tight BP control, defined as BP<130/80mm Hg and identify factors associated with it in diabetic type 2 (DM2) patients treated in nephrology units.

Patients And Methods: Observational and cross-sectional study; we included 526 patients with DM2 and arterial hypertension (AHT).

Safety of specific immunotherapy using a depigmented and polymerised extract of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in children under five years of age.

Background: Different opinion documents point to a patient age of under five years as a relative contraindication to specific immunotherapy, arguing that this age group has a greater risk of developing anaphylaxis, and that specially trained personnel are needed to deal with the problem if it occurs. However, insufficient evidence exists to support such an affirmation.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective follow-up observational study was made of patients aged 60 months or younger who had been subjected to specific immunotherapy.