Model of Liver Fibrosis Induction by Thioacetamide in Rats for Regenerative Therapy Studies.

Hepatic fibrosis is caused by chronic injury due to toxic, infectious, or metabolic causes, and it may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is currently no antifibrotic therapy authorized for human use; however, there are promising studies using cell therapies. There are also no animal models that exactly reproduce human liver fibrosis that can be used to better understand the mechanisms of its regression and identify new targets for treatment and therapeutic approaches.

Multidose intramuscular allogeneic adipose stem cells decrease the severity of canine atopic dermatitis: A pilot study.

Aim: The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the therapeutic and safety performance of an intramuscular treatment protocol of multidose of allogeneic adipose stem cells (ASCs) isolated, characterized, and expanded from a healthy canine donor.

Materials And Methods: Twelve dogs diagnosed with canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) were intramuscularly treated with 0.5×10 of cryopreserved ASCs from a healthy immunized young canine free donor weekly for 6 weeks.

Drowning among fishing communities on the Tanzanian shore of lake Victoria: a mixed-methods study to examine incidence, risk factors and socioeconomic impact.

Objectives: To estimate the incidence of unintentional fatal drowning and describe associated risk factors among Lake Victoria fishing communities, and to assess perceived social, financial and other impacts among families and colleagues of persons who drowned.

Design: A retrospective, observational mixed-methods study, conducted between September 2017 and February 2018.

Setting: Eight Tanzanian fishing communities on Lake Victoria.

Application of an Environmental Phage-Based Assay (Sample6 Detect HT/L) for the Detection of spp. in Ice Cream.

Dairy products are common sources of outbreaks, and early detection of the pathogen is critical to prevent outbreaks of illnesses and financial losses for dairy producers. This study aimed to evaluate Sample6 Detect HT/L for effective detection of and in ice cream. Performance of the Sample6 DETECT HT/L was compared with U.

Rapid Detection of in Ice Cream in 13 Hours Using the Roka Detection Assay.

contamination is a major concern in the ice cream industry; therefore, early and accurate detection is vital. Current detection methods require about a 24 h enrichment period for detection. Enhance the early detection of in ice cream using the highly sensitive isothermal ribosomal RNA-based Roka/Atlas Detection Assay.

Higher prevalence of unrecognized kidney disease at high altitude.

Background: High altitude renal syndrome has been described in populations with excessive erythrocytosis. We evaluated whether high altitude (HA) dwellers might be at increased risk for kidney disease.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate differences in prevalence of kidney function and metabolic syndrome in healthy subjects living at HA vs.

The Rcs-Regulated Colanic Acid Capsule Maintains Membrane Potential in serovar Typhimurium.

The Rcs phosphorelay and Psp (phage shock protein) systems are envelope stress responses that are highly conserved in gammaproteobacteria. The Rcs regulon was found to be strongly induced during metal deprivation of serovar Typhimurium lacking the Psp response. Nineteen genes activated by the RcsA-RcsB response regulator make up an operon responsible for the production of colanic acid capsular polysaccharide, which promotes biofilm development.

Ethanol-induced stress response of Staphylococcus aureus.

Transcriptional profiles of 2 unrelated clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were analyzed following 10% (v/v) ethanol challenge (15 min), which arrested growth but did not reduce viability. Ethanol-induced stress (EIS) resulted in differential gene expression of 1091 genes, 600 common to both strains, of which 291 were upregulated. With the exception of the downregulation of genes involved with osmotic stress functions, EIS resulted in the upregulation of genes that contribute to stress response networks, notably those altered by oxidative stress, protein quality control in general, and heat shock in particular.

Tissue Engineering Therapy for Atrophic Maxilla Using Minimally Manipulated CD90 and CD105 Bone Marrow Stem Cells: A Case Report.

Bone deficiencies in the jaws of edentulous patients limit the possibility of successful placement and osseointegration of endosseous implants. Bone resorption is defined as a vertical and horizontal loss of quality and quantity in the residual bone ridges; lack of bone structure requires bone grafting procedures to enable implant placement and to improve the function, predictability, and longevity of implants. The objective of this case study was to demonstrate the feasibility of a novel cell therapy treatment for localized jaw bone defects with tissue repair cells composed of a mixture of bone marrow-derived cells, including CD90+ mesenchymal stem cells and CD105+ monocytes/macrophages, and xenograft blocks, in what would be a safe and efficacious approach to the regeneration of localized craniofacial bone defects.

Gracilis Muscle Interposition for Rectourethral Fistula After Laparoscopic Prostatectomy: A Prospective Evaluation and Long-term Follow-up.

Background: Postoperative rectourethral fistula after radical prostatectomy is an infrequent but very serious problem.

Objective: We aimed to describe our experience with transperineal repair and unilateral gracilis muscle interposition in patients with rectourethral fistula after radical prostatectomy in nonradiated prostate cancer.

Design: This was a cohort study.

An essential role for bacterial nitric oxide synthase in Staphylococcus aureus electron transfer and colonization.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a ubiquitous molecular mediator in biology. Many signalling actions of NO generated by mammalian NO synthase (NOS) result from targeting of the haem moiety of soluble guanylate cyclase. Some pathogenic and environmental bacteria also produce a NOS that is evolutionary related to the mammalian enzymes, but a bacterial haem-containing receptor for endogenous enzymatically generated NO has not been identified previously.

Application of Fast-Track Recovery Protocols in Single-Port Laparoscopic Surgery Versus Multiport Laparoscopic Surgery for Colon Resection.

Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze whether fast-track (FT) recovery protocols can be applied to single-port laparoscopic surgery for colon resection, as they are in multiport laparoscopic surgery.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective study comparing single-port laparoscopic surgery (SP-FT) versus multiport laparoscopic surgery (MP-FT) for colon resection, and the applicability of our FT recovery protocol in all patients between 2013 and 2014. Variables evaluated were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, tumor size, number of nodes, surgery performed, postoperative morbidity, and length of hospital stay.

[Antibiotic resistance of streptococcus pneumoniae among healthy nasopharyngeal carriers in seven regions of Peru].

Objectives: To determine the pattern of antibiotic susceptibility of isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae strains of healthy nasopharyngeal carriers younger than 2 years in seven regions of Peru.

Materials And Methods: Between 2007 and 2009, nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected among 2123 healthy children aged 2-24 months in growth and development medical practices (CRED) and vaccination offices of hospitals and health centers in Lima, Piura, Cusco, Abancay, Arequipa, Huancayo, and Iquitos. The resistance to ten antibiotics through disk diffusion sensitivity testing of isolated pneumococcus strains was determined.

Cardiovascular and renal effects of chronic exposure to high altitude.

Over 140 million people live at high altitude, defined as living at an altitude of 2400 m or more above sea level. Subjects living under these conditions are continuously living under hypoxic conditions and, depending on the population, various adaptations have developed. Interestingly, subjects living chronically at high altitude appear to have a decreased frequency of obesity, diabetes and coronary artery disease.

[Pneumococcal serotypes in carrier children prior to the introduction of anti-pneumococcal vaccines in Peru].

Objectives: To determine the carriage rate and serotype distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the nasopharynx of healthy children younger than 2 years prior to the universal use of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in Peru.

Materials And Methods: Between 2007 and 2009 we collected nasopharyngeal swab samples from 2,123 healthy children aged 2 to 24 months in the vaccination and healthy children consultation offices of pediatric hospitals and health centers in 7 cities in Peru: on the coast (Lima, Piura), highlands (Cusco, Abancay, Arequipa and Huancayo) and amazon basin (Iquitos). The pneumococcal strains were isolated and identified at the central laboratory of the project in Lima, and serotyped by Quellung reaction in the pneumococcal reference laboratory at the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC).

[Synovial sarcoma of the nasal cavity. A case report].

Synovial sarcoma is a rare tumour found in soft tissue; it is a mesenchymal spindle cell tumour that is not related to the synovial membrane. This tumour has a low incidence, the most frequent place of occurrence being the lower extremities in young adults. Synovial sarcoma of the head and neck accounts for 3-5% of sarcomas in this anatomical region.

Detection of protein secondary structures via the discrete wavelet transform.

We subject the primary sequence of proteins gathered from the Structural Classification of Proteins (SCOP) database to a discrete wavelet transform (DWT) analysis to search for predictors of secondary structures. We use proteins with both alpha helices and beta sheets (the A/B , A+B databases from SCOP). The amino acids composing the protein are converted to their hydrophobicity values using three hydrophobicity scales.

Increased myeloperoxidase activity and protein nitration are indicators of inflammation in patients with Chagas' disease.

In this study, we investigated whether inflammatory responses contribute to oxidative/nitrosative stress in patients with Chagas' disease. We used three tests (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immuno-flow cytometry, and STAT-PAK immunochromatography) to screen human serum samples (n = 1,481) originating from Chiapas, Mexico, for Trypanosoma cruzi-specific antibodies. We identified 121 subjects who were seropositive for T.

Dyspareunia in Puerto Rican middle-aged women.

Objective: Dyspareunia is a common sexual dysfunction. There is a lack of studies that address female sexual dysfunction in Puerto Rico. The present cross-sectional study characterized dyspareunia in a sample of Puerto Rican women aged 40 to 59 years and evaluated the relationship between reported dyspareunia with demographic, lifestyle, and health factors.

Clinical and cost effectiveness of sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence.

Background: Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) has better results and safety than other surgical procedures for faecal incontinence. This prospective study assessed the clinical effectiveness and costs of SNS at a single centre.

Methods: Patients who had experienced one or more episodes of faecal incontinence were studied for up to 5 years by continence diary, anorectal manometry and quality of life questionnaires.

Relationship between loss of libido and signs and symptoms of depression in a sample of Puerto Rican middle-aged women.

Female sexual dysfunction is a multi-causal and multidimensional problem combining sexual, physiological, physical, psychological, and interpersonal determinants. Loss of libido or loss of sexual desire, as a symptom of one of the primary sexual dysfunctions described in females, is highly prevalent in the general female population. Research on the psychological aspect associated with loss of libido among Hispanic female populations is limited.

Prevalence and factors associated to sexual behavior in Puerto Rican adolescents.

Sexual relations with intercourse (ASR-I) and high prevalence of teen pregnancies (19.2%, in 2002) among adolescents in Puerto Rico constitute a serious biopsychosocial problem. Studying the consequences and correlates of ASR-I in community and mental health samples of adolescents is important in designing and implementing sexual health programs.

Quantitative analysis of immunohistologic features of very early rheumatoid synovitis in disease modifying antirheumatic drug- and corticosteroid-naïve patients.

Objective: To describe the immunohistochemical features of very early rheumatoid synovitis in disease modifying antirheumatic drug- and corticosteroid-naïve patients.

Methods: Eight patients presenting with oligoarthritis or polyarthritis, who later met American Rheumatism Association criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), underwent needle synovial biopsies of a knee joint within the first 6 weeks after onset of disease symptoms. Using antibodies to CD3, CD8, L26, CD68, and von Willebrand factor, a detailed quantitative immunohistochemical analysis was done.

Renal flares are common in patients with severe proliferative lupus nephritis treated with pulse immunosuppressive therapy: long-term followup of a cohort of 145 patients participating in randomized controlled studies.

Objective: Immunosuppressive agents have become the standard of therapy for proliferative lupus nephritis, but some patients may relapse after discontinuing treatment. We reviewed the cases of renal flares in a cohort of patients who participated in 2 randomized controlled clinical trials at the National Institutes of Health and explored the prevalence, outcome, and predictive factors of renal flares.

Methods: Data were obtained on 145 patients treated with pulse cyclophosphamide, pulse methylprednisolone, or the combination of both.