Health status and morphometrics of Galápagos magnificent frigatebirds () determined by hematology, biochemistry, blood gas, and physical examination.

The magnificent frigatebird ( MFB) is a widely distributed seabird. It has breeding areas in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean (extending along Central America up to Baja California) (Schreiber & Burger, 2001). The (MFB-Gal) subspecies is native to the Galápagos Islands.

Impact of peritoneal dialysis strategy on technique and patient survival.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of peritoneal dialysis (PD) strategy on technique and patient survival.

Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study conducted on consecutive patients with chronic kidney disease who underwent PD between January 2009 and December 2019. The study sample was stratified into four different groups according to PD technique [automated (APD) or manual (CAPD)] and icodextrin use (yes versus no).

Health status of the red-billed tropicbird () determined by hematology, biochemistry, blood gases, and physical examination.

The red-billed tropicbird, , is a species of seabird native to the Galápagos archipelago, and widely distributed across the neotropics. General health, blood chemistry, and haematology parameters have not been published for this species. Blood analyses were performed on samples drawn from 51 clinically healthy red-billed tropicbirds captured from their burrows at Islote Pitt on San Cristóbal Island in July, 2016 (21) and Daphne Major Island in June, 2017 (30).

Vitamin D Treatment Prevents Uremia-Induced Reductions in Aortic microRNA-145 Attenuating Osteogenic Differentiation despite Hyperphosphatemia.

In chronic kidney disease, systemic inflammation and high serum phosphate (P) promote the de-differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) to osteoblast-like cells, increasing the propensity for medial calcification and cardiovascular mortality. Vascular microRNA-145 (miR-145) content is essential to maintain VSMC contractile phenotype. Because vitamin D induces aortic miR-145, uremia and high serum P reduce it and miR-145 directly targets osteogenic osterix in osteoblasts, this study evaluated a potential causal link between vascular miR-145 reductions and osterix-driven osteogenic differentiation and its counter-regulation by vitamin D.

Baseline haematology, biochemistry, blood gas values and health status of the Galapagos swallow-tailed gull ().

The swallow-tailed gull, , is a seabird endemic to the Galápagos archipelago. In general health, blood chemistry and haematology, parameters have not been published for this species. Blood analyses were run on samples drawn from 58 clinically healthy swallow-tailed gulls captured at Islote Pitt on San Cristóbal Island in July 2016 (28) and South Plaza Island in June 2017 (30).

HEALTH STATUS OF NAZCA BOOBIES () ON DAPHNE MAJOR ISLAND IN THE GALÁPAGOS DETERMINED BY HEMATOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY, AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION.

Island species are particularly vulnerable to environmental disturbances and introduced pathogens. Conducting health assessments of wild populations in the Galápagos improves the ability of wildlife managers and veterinarians to detect deteriorations in health status. Seabirds in particular are useful species to monitor due to their colonial breeding and wide migration range.

Novel Immune Cell Subsets Exhibit Different Associations With Vascular Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients-Identifying Potential Biomarkers.

Alterations in novel immune cell subsets, such as angiogenic T cells (Tang), senescent T cells (CD4CD28), and monocyte subsets are associated with impaired vascular homeostasis in several inflammatory conditions. However, mediators underlying vascular deterioration in chronic kidney disease (CKD) are poorly characterized. This study assessed their role in the vascular deterioration of CKD using a broad spectrum of surrogate markers ranging from altered functionality to overt calcification.

Profiling of Serum Oxylipins During the Earliest Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: Eicosanoids modulate inflammation via complex networks involving different pathways and downstream mediators, including oxylipins. Although altered eicosanoids are linked to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), suggesting that metabolization is enhanced, the role of oxylipins in disease stratification remains unexplored. This study was undertaken to characterize oxylipin networks during the earliest stages of RA and evaluate their associations with clinical features and treatment outcomes.

GlycA Levels during the Earliest Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Potential Use as a Biomarker of Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease.

This study aimed at evaluating the clinical relevance of glycoprotein profiles during the earliest phases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as biomarkers of cardiovascular (CV) risk and treatment response. Then, GlycA and GlycB serum levels were measured using 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance in 82 early RA patients, 14 clinically-suspect arthralgia (CSA), and 28 controls. Serum glycosyltransferase activity was assessed by a colorimetric assay.

HEALTH STATUS AND BASELINE HEMATOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY, AND BLOOD GAS VALUES OF GALAPAGOS SHEARWATERS ().

The Galápagos shearwater, , is a seabird endemic to the Galápagos archipelago. Hematology, blood chemistry, and general health parameters have not been published for this species. Analyses were run on blood samples drawn from 20 clinically healthy Galápagos shearwaters captured by hand at their nests at Islote Pitt on San Cristóbal Island in July 2016.

Barley-ß-glucans reduce systemic inflammation, renal injury and aortic calcification through ADAM17 and neutral-sphingomyelinase2 inhibition.

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperphosphatemia-induced inflammation aggravates vascular calcification (VC) by increasing vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) osteogenic differentiation, ADAM17-induced renal and vascular injury, and TNFα-induction of neutral-sphingomyelinase2 (nSMase2) to release pro-calcifying exosomes. This study examined anti-inflammatory β-glucans efficacy at attenuating systemic inflammation in health, and renal and vascular injury favoring VC in hyperphosphatemic CKD. In healthy adults, dietary barley β-glucans (Bβglucans) reduced leukocyte superoxide production, inflammatory ADAM17, TNFα, nSMase2, and pro-aging/pro-inflammatory STING (Stimulator of interferon genes) gene expression without decreasing circulating inflammatory cytokines, except for γ-interferon.

A subset of low density granulocytes is associated with vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease patients.

Inflammation is central to chronic kidney disease (CKD) pathogenesis and vascular outcomes, but the exact players remain unidentified. Since low density granulocytes (LDGs) are emerging mediators in inflammatory conditions, we aimed to evaluate whether LDGs may be altered in CKD and related to clinical outcomes as biomarkers. To his end, LDGs subsets were measured in peripheral blood by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy in 33 CKD patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis and 15 healthy controls (HC).

Health Status of Great Frigatebirds () Determined by Haematology, Biochemistry, Blood Gases, and Physical Examination.

The great frigatebird, , is a widely distributed seabird native to the Galápagos archipelago. Haematology and blood chemistry parameters have been published for this species but not from the San Cristóbal and North Seymour great frigatebird breeding colonies. Analyses were run on blood samples drawn from 25 great frigatebirds captured by hand at their nests at Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal Island and 30 birds on North Seymour Island, Galápagos Islands.

HEALTH STATUS OF RED-FOOTED BOOBIES ( SULA SULA) DETERMINED BY HEMATOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY, BLOOD GASES, AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION.

The red-footed booby ( Sula sula) is a widely distributed sulid native to the Galápagos archipelago. Hematology and blood chemistry parameters have been published for this species, but not from the San Cristóbal rookery. Analyses were run on blood samples drawn from 31 manually restrained red-footed boobies that were captured by hand from their nests at Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal Island.

In vitro Activity of Cefditoren against Middle Ear Fluid Isolates from Costa Rican Children with Otitis Media.

Otitis media (OM) is one of the most common infections in children, Streptococcus pneumoniae and nontypable Haemophilus influenzae being the two most common pathogens isolated in the middle ear fluid (MEF) of children with OM. Cefditoren is a third-generation cephalosporin with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, including activity against those pathogens commonly causing OM, with enhanced stability against common β-lactamases. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of cefditoren against pathogens collected from the MEF of Costa Rican children with OM between 2006 and 2011.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition can suppress major attributes of human epithelial tumor-initiating cells.

Malignant progression in cancer requires populations of tumor-initiating cells (TICs) endowed with unlimited self renewal, survival under stress, and establishment of distant metastases. Additionally, the acquisition of invasive properties driven by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical for the evolution of neoplastic cells into fully metastatic populations. Here, we characterize 2 human cellular models derived from prostate and bladder cancer cell lines to better understand the relationship between TIC and EMT programs in local invasiveness and distant metastasis.