Nano-encapsulation of essential amino acids: ruminal methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and fermentation.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nano-encapsulation of four essential amino acids (AA), threonine, methionine, tryptophan, and lysine on in vitro ruminal total gas, methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide production as well as the rumen fermentation profile in cattle. The highest (P < 0.001) rate and asymptotic gas production after 48 h of incubation was observed in the diets that had threonine, followed by lysine, methionine, and tryptophan.

Spanish validation of the short version of the racing and crowded thoughts questionnaire (RCTQ-13).

Background: The Racing and Crowded Thoughts Questionnaire (RCTQ-13) is the most widely used specific scale for the measurement of racing thoughts, but there is currently no Spanish version that allow the evaluation in Spanish-speaking patients. The objective of this study is to translate, adapt, and validate the RCTQ-13 in a Colombian population with affective disorders.

Methods: The questionnaire was translated and back-translated, and corrections were implemented following a pilot test to improve comprehensibility.

Mutation in Chek2 triggers von Hippel-Lindau hemangioblastoma growth.

Purpose: Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) is a rare inherited disease mainly characterized by the growth of tumours, predominantly hemangioblastomas (Hbs) in the CNS and retina, and renal carcinomas. The natural history of VHL disease is variable, differing in the age of onset and its penetrance, even among relatives. Unfortunately, sometimes VHL shows more severe than average: the onset starts in adolescence, and surgeries are required almost every year.

Biosynthesis of triacsin featuring an N-hydroxytriazene pharmacophore.

Triacsins are an intriguing class of specialized metabolites possessing a conserved N-hydroxytriazene moiety not found in any other known natural products. Triacsins are notable as potent acyl-CoA synthetase inhibitors in lipid metabolism, yet their biosynthesis has remained elusive. Through extensive mutagenesis and biochemical studies, we here report all enzymes required to construct and install the N-hydroxytriazene pharmacophore of triacsins.

Programmed Cell Death 2-Like () Is Required for Mouse Embryonic Development.

Globozoospermia is a rare form of male infertility where men produce round-headed sperm that are incapable of fertilizing an oocyte naturally. In a previous study where we undertook a whole exome screen to define novel genetic causes of globozoospermia, we identified homozygous mutations in the gene Two brothers carried a p.(Leu225Val) variant predicted to introduce a novel splice donor site, thus presenting as a potential regulator of male fertility.

Moebius syndrome: Craniofacial clinical manifestations and their association with prenatal exposure to misoprostol.

Background: A growing link between prenatal exposure to misoprostol (PEM) and Moebius syndrome (MS) or sequence has been reported. Our objectives were to describe the craniofacial clinical manifestations associated with MS and to determine the frequency of PEM, comparing cases of exposure and nonexposure.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study of 140 patients with MS.

Targeting β2-Adrenergic Receptors Shows Therapeutical Benefits in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma from Von Hippel-Lindau Disease.

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL), is a rare autosomal dominant inherited cancer in which the lack of VHL protein triggers the development of multisystemic tumors such us retinal hemangioblastomas (HB), CNS-HB, and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). ccRCC ranks third in terms of incidence and first in cause of death. Standard systemic therapies for VHL-ccRCC have shown limited response, with recurrent surgeries being the only effective treatment.

Microscopic and submicroscopic Plasmodium infections in indigenous and non-indigenous communities in Colombia.

Background: The indigenous population is considered a highly susceptible group to malaria because individuals usually live in areas with high exposure to Anopheles and poverty, and have limited access to health services. There is a great diversity of indigenous communities in Colombia living in malaria-endemic areas; however, the burden of infection in these populations has not been studied extensively. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Plasmodium infections in indigenous and non-indigenous communities in two malaria-endemic areas in Colombia.

Initial Experience in Chile with Stent Implantation in the Right Ventricle Outflow Tract in High-Risk Patients with Tetralogy of Fallot.

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) treatment is difficult in patients with surgical risk factors or unfavorable anatomy. Stent implantation in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) is an option for these patients. We report our initial experience in Chile with RVOT stenting in patients with ToF.

Validation of the sixth version of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI-6) for patients in a clinical population of Colombia.

Introduction: The Addiction Severity Index (ASI-6) is recommended for identifying the needs of addicted patients and assessing the effectiveness of a program. Objective: To develop a version of the ASI-6 suitable for Colombia and trans-linguistically and trans-culturally equivalent to the original. Additionally, this study also sought to assess the reliability and construct validity of the resulting version.

Evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of oral propranolol in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease and retinal hemangioblastomas: phase III clinical trial.

Background: von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) is a multisystem cancer syndrome caused by mutations in the gene. Retinal hemangioblastoma is one of the most common tumours, and when it appears near the optic nerve, its treatment is challenging and risky. To date, no treatment has proven effective in changing the course of the disease.

Use of Intracardiac Compared With Transesophageal Echocardiography for Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion in the Amulet Observational Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare patient and procedural characteristics, clinical events, and left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion rates among implantation procedures guided either by intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) or by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the Amulet Observational Study.

Background: TEE is standard for intraprocedural imaging during LAA occlusion. ICE is an alternative enabling local rather than general anesthesia.

Surgical treatment of thalamic tumors in children.

OBJECTIVE In the past, the outcome of surgical treatment for thalamic tumor was poor. These lesions were often considered inoperable. However, contemporary microsurgical techniques, together with improvements in neuroimaging that enable accurate presurgical planning, allow resection to be accomplished in a safer way.

Political transition and emergent forest-conservation issues in Myanmar.

Political and economic transitions have had substantial impacts on forest conservation. Where transitions are underway or anticipated, historical precedent and methods for systematically assessing future trends should be used to anticipate likely threats to forest conservation and design appropriate and prescient policy measures to counteract them. Myanmar is transitioning from an authoritarian, centralized state with a highly regulated economy to a more decentralized and economically liberal democracy and is working to end a long-running civil war.

Single trans-septal access technique for left atrial intracardiac echocardiography to guide left atrial appendage closure.

Objective: This registry aimed to describe the safety and feasibility of a single trans-septal (TS) access technique for left intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) guidance of left-atrial appendage (LAA) closure procedure.

Background: LAA closure is currently accepted as an alternative to oral anticoagulation (OAC) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who are at high-risk for bleeding. Currently, LAA closure procedure is typically performed under trans-esophageal echocardiogram (TEE) guidance.

Composition and Interactions among Bacterial, Microeukaryotic, and T4-like Viral Assemblages in Lakes from Both Polar Zones.

In this study we assess global biogeography and correlation patterns among three components of microbial life: bacteria, microeukaryotes, and T4-like myoviruses. In addition to environmental and biogeographical considerations, we have focused our study on samples from high-latitude pristine lakes from both poles, since these simple island-like ecosystems represent ideal ecological models to probe the relationships among microbial components and with the environment. Bacterial assemblages were dominated by members of the same groups found to dominate freshwater ecosystems elsewhere, and microeukaryotic assemblages were dominated by photosynthetic microalgae.

SCATTER DOSE VALUES IN LOWER EXTREMITIES FOR STAFF DURING PAEDIATRIC INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY PROCEDURES: AN EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH.

The aim of this study was to determine experimentally the scatter dose at the cardiologist's lower extremities in 10 common types of paediatric interventional cardiology procedures and categorised in four age groups of simulated patients, on the basis of measurements taken from characterisation of X-ray systems together with average fluoroscopy time values and the number of cine frames used as references. The highest scattered dose rates recorded during the simulations were 700 and 4000 µSv h-1 for the low fluoroscopy and cine modes, respectively. Scattered dose at cardiologist's lower extremities for the four age groups of simulated patients and procedures ranged from 1 to 28 µSv (aged below 1 y), 6 to 58 µSv (below 5 y), 13 to 155 µSv (below 10 y) and 29 to 375 µSv (below 15 y).

Recurrent adult-type fibrosarcoma of the frontal bone in a child.

Introduction: Primary, adult-type bone fibrosarcoma is an uncommon, malignant spindle-cell tumor of fibroblastic origin, rarely affecting children. Most frequently diagnosed among bone malignancies in the past, improved diagnostic techniques and further restrictive classification criteria have currently made the diagnosis of fibrosarcoma very unusual.

Case Report: We hereby report the case of a 7-year-old child with a right frontal swelling mass.

Patient and staff doses in paediatric interventional cardiology derived from experimental measurements with phantoms.

The aim of this paper was to determine experimentally the entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) and kerma-area product (KAP) levels to patients and scatter doses at the cardiologist's eyes during paediatric interventional cardiology (IC) procedures for Chile, on the basis of measurements taken from X-ray systems characterization for different thicknesses of polymethyl methacrylate, together with the average values of fluoroscopy time and number of cine frames for ten paediatric IC procedures. The range of cumulative ESAK values when the different clinical procedures were simulated was from 2 to 1100 mGy. KAP values ranged from 0.

Cerebral sparganosis: case report and review of the European cases.

Sparganosis is a severe parasitic infection caused by the larvae of Spirometra mansoni, also called "sparganum." In human hosts, the Spirometra mansoni larva commonly targets the subcutaneous tissue or muscle. Sometimes it can also migrate into the brain, resulting in cerebral sparganosis, mainly characterized by focal neurological symptoms such as seizures and radiological "wandering lesions" on magnetic resonance images (MRIs).

Use of the amplatzer vascular plug II device to occlude different types of patent ductus arteriosus in pediatric patients.

Introduction: Transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure is difficult in small patients in part due to the diverse PDA morphology. We describe a multicenter pediatric experience using the Amplatzer Vascular Plug II device (AVP II) to occlude PDA.

Methods: All patients undergoing transcatheter closure of PDA with AVP II from April 2008 until May 2012 were included.

A novel live vector group A streptococcal emm type 9 vaccine delivered intranasally protects mice against challenge infection with emm type 9 group A streptococci.

The availability of a protective vaccine against Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus [GAS]) is a priority for public health worldwide. Here, we have generated six live vaccine strains, each engineered to express an N-terminal M protein peptide from one of six of the most prevalent emm types of GAS (M1, M2, M4, M9, M12, and M28). The vaccine strains are based on a food-grade Lactococcus lactis strain and do not bear any antibiotic resistance.

Butyrylated starch increases colonic butyrate concentration but has limited effects on immunity in healthy physically active individuals.

Background: Butyrate delivery to the large bowel may positively modulate commensal microbiota and enhance immunity.

Objective: To determine the effects of increasing large bowel butyrate concentration through ingestion of butyrylated high amylose maize starch (HAMSB) on faecal biochemistry and microbiota, and markers of immunity in healthy active individuals.

Design: Male and female volunteers were assigned randomly to consume either two doses of 20 g HAMSB (n = 23; age 37.

Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect with the Amplatzer(®) membranous VSD occluder 2: initial world experience and one-year follow-up.

Objectives: To describe the initial world experience and mid-term follow-up of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD) closure with a newly designed occluder.

Background: Transcatheter closure of pmVSDs has been associated with a substantial risk of complete heart block, prompting many centers to abandon this intervention.

Methods: A prospective multicenter cohort study was conducted on patients with pmVSD undergoing catheter closure using the Amplatzer(®) Membranous VSD Occluder 2 in the initial 4 pilot centers.