Small Extracellular Vesicles and Oxidative Pathophysiological Mechanisms in Retinal Degenerative Diseases.

This review focuses on the role of small extracellular vesicles in the pathophysiological mechanisms of retinal degenerative diseases. Many of these mechanisms are related to or modulated by the oxidative burden of retinal cells. It has been recently demonstrated that cellular communication in the retina involves extracellular vesicles and that their rate of release and cargo features might be affected by the cellular environment, and in some instances, they might also be mediated by autophagy.

Association of carbohydrate 125 antigen with sepsis mortality in critical patients.

Introduction: The increased synthesis of CA125 in mesothelial cells is connected with pathophysiological processes, also present in sepsis, that link inflammation with systemic congestion. We propose to evaluate serum levels of this biomarker in patients with sepsis and to study its association with the severity and evolution of the disease.

Methods: Longitudinal retrospective observational study, which included 126 patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit with sepsis criteria.

Hepatic and renal metallothionein concentrations in Commerson's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) from Tierra del Fuego, South Atlantic Ocean.

The Commerson's dolphin is the most common endemic odontocete of subantarctic waters of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina incidentally caught in fishing nets. The species is classified as "Data Deficient" by the IUCN. Metallothioneins (MTs) are considered as suitable biomarkers for health and environmental monitoring.

FACS analysis of the planarian stem cell compartment as a tool to understand regenerative mechanisms.

Planarians provide a relatively simple model system in which to study stem cell dynamics and regenerative phenomena. As with other systems understanding the dynamics of stem cell and stem cell progeny is crucial in order to get at the molecular mechanisms orchestrating stem cell biology. Planarians have an abundant adult stem cell population that can be observed using Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS).

Chronic alcohol feeding induces biochemical, histological, and functional alterations in rat retina.

Aims: Ethanol consumption originates a wide spectrum of disorders, including alteration of visual function. Oxidative stress is included among the mechanisms by which alcohol predisposes nervous tissue to injury. Retina, which is the neurosensorial eye tissue, is particularly sensitive to oxidative stress.

Role of oxygen and nitrogen species in experimental uveitis: anti-inflammatory activity of the synthetic antioxidant ebselen.

This study was aimed at examining the role of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species in a model of experimental uveitis upon intravitreal injection of bacterial endotoxin to albino New Zealand rabbits. The inflammatory response was evaluated in terms of: (i) the integrity of the blood aqueous barrier (protein and cell content in samples of aqueous humor), (ii) histopathological changes of the eyes, (iii) clinical evaluation (with a score index based on clinical symptoms), and (iv) the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), in aqueous humor, as a marker of oxidative stress. Betamethasone was used as reference treatment, superoxide dismutase as quencher of superoxide anion, L-N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-esther (L-NAME) and chlorpromazine as nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, and ebselen, a glutathione peroxidase mimic, as peroxynitrite reductant.

Serum malondialdehyde correlates with therapeutic efficiency of high activity antiretroviral therapies (HAART) in HIV-1 infected children.

Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels are increased in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children, as it happens also in infected adult individuals. Introduction of high activity antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has promoted an intense decline in morbidity and mortality of these patients. Here we present data on the effect of HAART on serum MDA of HIV+ children and compare them with levels prior to HAART.