Use of Decellularized Bio-Scaffolds for the Generation of a Porcine Artificial Intestine.

In recent years, great interest has been focused on the development of highly reproducible 3D in vitro models that are able to mimic the physiological architecture and functionality of native tissues. To date, a wide range of techniques have been proposed to recreate an intestinal barrier in vitro, including synthetic scaffolds and hydrogels, as well as complex on-a-chip systems and organoids. Here, we describe a novel protocol for the generation of an artificial intestine based on the creation of decellularized bio-scaffolds and their repopulation with intestinal stromal and epithelial cells.

Antibiotics and beyond: Unraveling the dynamics of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very preterm infants.

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a significant challenge in neonatal care. Prenatal inflammation and neonatal sepsis contribute to the multifactorial nature of BPD. A potential association between empirical antibiotic therapy and BPD risk has been proposed due to microbiota dysbiosis in very low birth weight premature infants.

Generation of Porcine and Rainbow Trout 3D Intestinal Models and Their Use to Investigate Astaxanthin Effects In Vitro.

Astaxanthin (AST) is a natural compound derived from shellfish, microorganisms, and algae, with several healthy properties. For this reason, it is widely used in the diet of humans and animals, such as pigs, broilers, and fish, where its addition is related to its pigmenting properties. Moreover, AST's ability to reduce free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage finds application during the weaning period, when piglets are exposed to several stressors.

Use of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) to shorten the generational interval in ruminants: current status and perspectives.

The challenges posed by climate change and increasing world population are stimulating renewed efforts for improving the sustainability of animal production. To meet such challenges, the contribution of genomic selection approaches, in combination with assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), to spreading and preserving animal genetics is essential. The largest increase in genetic gain can be achieved by shortening the generation interval.

Computed tomography versus ultrasound for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Some patients undergo both computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) sequentially as part of the same evaluation for acute cholecystitis (AC). Our goal was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the diagnostic performance of US and CT in the diagnosis of AC.

Materials And Methods: Databases were searched for relevant published studies through November 2023.

Diabetes as risk factor to severity of dengue in naïve patients.

Background: Dengue cases can progress to severe ant life-threating forms particularly in subsequent heterologous infections. However, recent studies had explored additional risk factors, including underlying health conditions, even in individuals without prior exposure to dengue, notably, in patients with endothelial dysfunction and chronic inflammation. This study examines the link between diabetes and the development of severe dengue disease in dengue-naive patients during the 2019 dengue outbreak in São Jose do Rio Preto, Brazil.

Generation of Artificial Blastoids Combining miR-200-Mediated Reprogramming and Mechanical Cues.

In vitro-generated blastocyst-like structures are of great importance since they recapitulate specific features or processes of early embryogenesis, thus avoiding ethical concerns as well as increasing scalability and accessibility compared to the use of natural embryos. Here, we combine cell reprogramming and mechanical stimuli to create 3D spherical aggregates that are phenotypically similar to those of natural embryos. Specifically, dermal fibroblasts are reprogrammed, exploiting the miR-200 family property to induce a high plasticity state in somatic cells.

Sperm fertilizing ability in vitro influences bovine blastocyst miRNA content.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small highly conserved non-coding RNA molecules that orchestrate a wide range of biological processes through post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. During development, miRNAs play a key role in driving embryo patterning and morphogenesis in a specific and stage-dependent manner. Here, we investigated whether sperm from bulls with different fertilizing ability in vitro influence blastocyst quality and miRNA content.

Rarγ -Foxa1 signaling promotes luminal identity in prostate progenitors and is disrupted in prostate cancer.

Retinoic acid (RA) signaling is a master regulator of vertebrate development with crucial roles in directing body axis orientation and tissue differentiation, including in the reproductive system. However, a mechanistic understanding of how RA signaling promotes cell lineage identity in different tissues is often missing. Here, leveraging prostate organoid technology, we demonstrated that RA signaling orchestrates the commitment of adult mouse prostate progenitors to glandular identity, epithelial barrier integrity, and ultimately, proper specification of the prostatic lumen.

The Role of Genistein in Mammalian Reproduction.

Genistein is a natural compound belonging to flavonoids, having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-neoplastic properties. Genistein is considered a phytoestrogen. As such, genistein can bind estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), although with a lower affinity than that of estradiol.

Influence of previous Zika virus infection on acute dengue episode.

Background: The co-circulation of flaviviruses in tropical regions has led to the hypothesis that immunity generated by a previous dengue infection could promote severe disease outcomes in subsequent infections by heterologous serotypes. This study investigated the influence of antibodies generated by previous Zika infection on the clinical outcomes of dengue infection.

Methodology/principal Findings: We enrolled 1,043 laboratory confirmed dengue patients and investigated their prior infection to Zika or dengue.

Emerging Insights into Molecular Mechanisms of Inflammation in Myelodysplastic Syndromes.

Inflammation impacts human hematopoiesis across physiologic and pathologic conditions, as signals derived from the bone marrow microenvironment, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, have been shown to alter hematopoietic stem cell (HSCs) homeostasis. Dysregulated inflammation can skew HSC fate-related decisions, leading to aberrant hematopoiesis and potentially contributing to the pathogenesis of hematological disorders such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Recently, emerging studies have used single-cell sequencing and muti-omic approaches to investigate HSC cellular heterogeneity and gene expression in normal hematopoiesis as well as in myeloid malignancies.

Clinical Characterization of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Adults: A Neglected Disease?

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs) are a significant cause of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) across all age groups, especially in children under 9 years of age, and adults over 75. The main causative agents are viruses, such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Viral LRIs in adults have historically received less attention.

Seasonal respiratory virus trends in pediatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Acute respiratory infections are a constant public health problem causing childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Reported cases of major respiratory infections decreased in 2020 after restrictive measures were adopted to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is little data on the impact after these measures were relaxed in the subsequent years. This study conducted molecular analysis to identify rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A virus, and adenovirus in SARS-CoV-2-negative samples taken from symptomatic pediatric patients during 2021 and 2022 to ascertain the impact of pandemic response measures within the broader epidemiological scenario.

Distinct Organotypic Platforms Modulate Rainbow Trout () Intestinal Cell Differentiation In Vitro.

In vitro organotypic cell-based intestinal platforms, able to faithfully recapitulate the complex functions of the organ in vivo, would be a great support to search for more sustainable feed ingredients in aquaculture. We previously demonstrated that proliferation or differentiation of rainbow trout intestinal cell lines is dictated by the culture environment. The aim of the present work was to develop a culture platform that can efficiently promote cell differentiation into mature enterocytes.

Development of a Rainbow Trout () Intestinal Platform for Profiling Amino Acid Digestion and Absorption of a Complete Diet.

The ever-increasing number and variation of raw materials utilized to provide alternative feed formulations continues to allow for a more sustainable and flexible approach. Testing all these options is still the most robust and reliable manner to pick the best raw material candidates, but it requires the use of large numbers of animals and is time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, we are developing an platform that can provide a reliable evaluation of new ingredients.

Light-Based 3D Printing of Gelatin-Based Biomaterial Inks to Create a Physiologically Relevant In Vitro Fish Intestinal Model.

To provide prominent accessibility of fishmeal to the European population, the currently available, time- and cost-extensive feeding trials, which evaluate fish feed, should be replaced. The current paper reports on the development of a novel 3D culture platform, mimicking the microenvironment of the intestinal mucosa in vitro. The key requirements of the model include sufficient permeability for nutrients and medium-size marker molecules (equilibrium within 24 h), suitable mechanical properties (G' < 10 kPa), and close morphological similarity to the intestinal architecture.

Use of Epigenetic Cues and Mechanical Stimuli to Generate Blastocyst-Like Structures from Mammalian Skin Dermal Fibroblasts.

Mammalian embryogenesis is characterized by complex interactions between embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues that coordinate morphogenesis, coupling bio-mechanical and bio-chemical cues, to regulate gene expression and influence cell fate. Deciphering such mechanisms is essential to understand early embryogenesis, as well as to harness differentiation disorders. Currently, several early developmental events remain unclear, mainly due to ethical and technical limitations related to the use of natural embryos.