Demineralized Bone Matrix Coating Si-Ca-P Ceramic Does Not Improve the Osseointegration of the Scaffold.

The aim of this study was to manufacture and evaluate the effect of a biphasic calcium silicophosphate (CSP) scaffold ceramic, coated with a natural demineralized bone matrix (DBM), to evaluate the efficiency of this novel ceramic material in bone regeneration. The DBM-coated CSP ceramic was made by coating a CSP scaffold with gel DBM, produced by the partial sintering of different-sized porous granules. These scaffolds were used to reconstruct defects in rabbit tibiae, where CSP scaffolds acted as the control material.

Multi-Objective Evolutionary Rule-Based Classification with Categorical Data.

The ease of interpretation of a classification model is essential for the task of validating it. Sometimes it is required to clearly explain the classification process of a model's predictions. Models which are inherently easier to interpret can be effortlessly related to the context of the problem, and their predictions can be, if necessary, ethically and legally evaluated.

Hexokinase 2 is dispensable for T cell-dependent immunity.

Background: T cells and cancer cells utilize glycolysis for proliferation. The hexokinase (1-4) family of enzymes catalyze the first step of glycolysis. Hexokinase 2 (HK2) is one of the most highly upregulated metabolic enzymes in both cancer and activated T cells.

EVALUATION OF ENEMAS CONTAINING SUCRALFATE IN TISSUE CONTENT OF MUC-2 PROTEIN IN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF DIVERSION COLITIS.

Background: The effects of topical application of sucralfate (SCF) on the tissue content of MUC-2 protein have not yet been evaluated in experimental models of diversion colitis.

Aim: To measure the tissue content of MUC-2 protein in the colonic mucosa diverted from fecal stream submitted to the SCF intervention.

Methods: Thirty-six rats underwent derivation of intestinal transit through proximal colostomy and distal mucous fistula.

2017 WSES guidelines on colon and rectal cancer emergencies: obstruction and perforation.

ᅟ: Obstruction and perforation due to colorectal cancer represent challenging matters in terms of diagnosis, life-saving strategies, obstruction resolution and oncologic challenge. The aims of the current paper are to update the previous WSES guidelines for the management of large bowel perforation and obstructive left colon carcinoma (OLCC) and to develop new guidelines on obstructive right colon carcinoma (ORCC).

Methods: The literature was extensively queried for focused publication until December 2017.

Preclinical Studies of the Biosafety and Efficacy of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Pre-Seeded into β-TCP Scaffolds after Transplantation.

: Cell-Based Therapies (CBT) constitute a valid procedure for increasing the quantity and quality of bone in areas with an inadequate bone volume. However, safety and efficacy should be investigated prior to clinical application. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biodistribution, safety and osteogenic capacity of bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) pre-seeded into β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and implanted into NOD/SCID mice at subcutaneous and intramuscular sites.

Voxel-Wise Longitudinal Parametric Response Mapping Analysis of Chest Computed Tomography in Smokers.

Rationale And Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a heterogeneous disease characterized by small airway abnormality and emphysema. We hypothesized that a voxel-wise computed tomography analytic approach would identify patterns of disease progression in smokers.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed 725 smokers in spirometric GOLD stages 0-4 with two chest CTs 5 years apart.

Safety and immunogenicity of the Cuban heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in healthy infants. Results from a double-blind randomized control trial Phase I.

Background: Cuba has a new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidate (PCV7-TT). This study evaluates the safety and immunogenicity in healthy infants using 2p+1 vaccination schedule.

Methods: A phase I, controlled, randomized and double blind clinical trial was designed.

NT-proBNP in stable COPD and future exacerbation risk: Analysis of the SPIROMICS cohort.

Background: High N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) during COPD exacerbations is associated with worse clinical outcomes. The prognostic value of NT-proBNP measured during clinical stability has not been well characterized.

Methods: We studied SPIROMICS participants 40-80 years of age with COPD GOLD spirometric stages 1-4.

Visual Estimate of Coronary Artery Calcium Predicts Cardiovascular Disease in COPD.

Background: COPD is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), and coronary artery calcification (CAC) provides additional prognostic information. With increasing use of nongated CT scans in clinical practice, this study hypothesized that the visual Weston CAC score would perform as well as the Agatston score in predicting prevalent and incident coronary artery disease (CAD) and CVD in COPD.

Methods: CAC was measured by using Agatston and Weston scores on baseline CT scans in 1,875 current and former smokers enrolled in the Genetic Epidemiology of COPD (COPDGene) study.

Long Time from Diagnosis to Surgery May Increase Postoperative Complication Rates in Elective CD Intestinal Resections: An Observational Study.

Background: There is lack of data analyzing short-term postoperative complications and time from diagnosis to surgery in Crohn's disease (CD).

Aim: To compare complication rates after elective abdominal operations in CD patients with different durations of disease.

Methods: Retrospective observational study with CD patients who submitted to elective intestinal resections.

Thirteen-year trend in the persistence with vitamin K antagonists for venous thromboembolism in the UK: a cohort study.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) comprises deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) and is associated with significant recurrence and mortality risk. Standard VTE treatment includes at least 3 months anticoagulation. The objective was to describe time trends in the duration of oral anticoagulation in patients initially treated with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs).

Role of Kupffer cells in the progression of CRC liver metastases after the first stage of ALPPS.

Associated liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) has been suggested as a potential therapy for extensive bilobar liver tumors, although in some circumstances this technique may induce tumor progression, a fact still not well studied. Our aim was to study tumor hepatic progression induced by the first step of ALPPS in a WAG/Rij rat syngenic model of metastatic colorectal carcinoma by subcapsular CC531 cell line inoculation. ALPPS induced: tumor progression on deportalized lobe and metastases; expression of hepatic vasculogenic factors (HIF1-α and VEGF); and a dramatic increase of Kupffer cells (KCs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs).

Pectoralis muscle area and mortality in smokers without airflow obstruction.

Background: Low muscle mass is associated with increased mortality in the general population but its prognostic value in at-risk smokers, those without expiratory airflow obstruction, is unknown. We aimed to test the hypothesis that reduced muscle mass is associated with increased mortality in at-risk smokers.

Methods: Measures of both pectoralis and paravertebral erector spinae muscle cross-sectional area (PMA and PVMA, respectively) as well as emphysema on chest computed tomography (CT) scans were performed in 3705 current and former at-risk smokers (≥10 pack-years) aged 45-80 years enrolled into the COPDGene Study between 2008 and 2013.

Genomic Selection Outperforms Marker Assisted Selection for Grain Yield and Physiological Traits in a Maize Doubled Haploid Population Across Water Treatments.

To increase genetic gain for tolerance to drought, we aimed to identify environmentally stable QTL in and testcross combination under well-watered (WW) and drought stressed (DS) conditions and evaluate the possible deployment of QTL using marker assisted and/or genomic selection (QTL/GS-MAS). A total of 169 doubled haploid lines derived from the cross between CML495 and LPSC7F64 and 190 testcrosses (tester CML494) were evaluated in a total of 11 treatment-by-population combinations under WW and DS conditions. In response to DS, grain yield (GY) and plant height (PHT) were reduced while time to anthesis and the anthesis silking interval (ASI) increased for both lines and hybrids.

Reliability of coded data to identify earliest indications of cognitive decline, cognitive evaluation and Alzheimer's disease diagnosis: a pilot study in England.

Objectives: Evaluate the reliability of using diagnosis codes and prescription data to identify the timing of symptomatic onset, cognitive assessment and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) among patients diagnosed with AD.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). The study cohort consisted of a random sample of 50 patients with first AD diagnosis in 2010-2013.

Optimizing the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a Latin America perspective.

Prostate cancer is a significant burden and cause of mortality in Latin America. This article reviews the treatment options for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and provides consensus recommendations to assist Latin American prostate cancer specialists with clinical decision making. A multidisciplinary expert panel from Latin America reviewed the available data and their individual experience to develop clinical consensus opinions for the use of life-prolonging agents in mCRPC, with consideration given to factors influencing patient selection and treatment monitoring.

Inhibition of enzymes involved in collagen cross-linking reduces vascular smooth muscle cell calcification.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) transdifferentiate into osteoblast-like cells during vascular calcification, inducing active remodeling and calcification of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Intracellular and extracellular enzymes, such as lysyl hydroxylase 1 (PLOD1) and lysyl oxidase (LOX), contribute to ECM maturation and stabilization. We assessed the contribution of these enzymes to hyperphosphatemia-induced calcification.

Splenic hematoma as a consequence of pneumoperitoneum.

Splenic injury is a rare but serious complication of bariatric surgical procedures. Given that the need for dissection of the gastrosplenic ligament during bariatric surgical procedures, splenic injury is not unfathomable. While most subcapsular splenic hematomas may be self-limiting, continued expansion may result in splenic rupture and should, therefore, be handled with great care.

Comparison of time until elective intestinal resection regarding previous anti-tumor necrosis factor exposure: a Brazilian study on patients with Crohn's disease.

Background/aims: The use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents seems to reduce surgical rates and delay surgical procedures in prospective trials and population-based studies in the management of Crohn's disease (CD). This study aimed to identify whether preoperative anti-TNF agents influence the time from diagnosis to surgery.

Methods: An observational retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with CD submitted to intestinal resections due to complications or medical therapy failure in a period of 7 years.

Differences in Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Structure Between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Smokers: A Comparative Study.

Prior studies have demonstrated that U.S. Hispanic smokers have a lower risk of decline in lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with non-Hispanic whites (NHW).

Challenging Behavior, Parental Conflict and Community Violence in Students with Aggressive Behavior.

The effects of the presence of challenging behavior problems, parental conflict and violence in the community were determined by the probability of occurrence of bullying behaviors in elementary students. 664 students participated in the study, of whom 80 (12.04%) were identified as aggressors.

Validation of a Visual-Spatial Secondary Task to Assess Automaticity in Laparoscopic Skills.

Introduction: Our objective was to assess reliability and validity of a visual-spatial secondary task (VSST) as a method to measure automaticity on a basic simulated laparoscopic skill model. In motor skill acquisition, expertise is defined by automaticity. The highest level of performance with less cognitive and attentional resources characterizes this stage, allowing experts to perform multiple tasks.