In vitro 3D co-culture model of human endothelial and smooth muscle cells to study pathological vascular remodeling. / Modelo de cocultivo 3D in vitro de células endoteliales y vasculares de músculo liso humanas para el estudio del remodelado vascular patológico.

Pathological vascular remodeling of the vessel wall refers to the structural and functional changes of the vessel wall that occur in response to injury that eventually leads to cardiovascular disease. The vessel wall is composed of two main types of cells, endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells, whose communication is crucial in both the development of the vasculature and the homeostasis of mature vessels. Changes in the dialogue between endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells are associated with various pathological states that triggers remodeling of the vascular wall. For many years, considerable efforts have been made to develop effective diagnoses and treatments for these pathologies by studying their mechanisms in both in vitro and in vivo models. Compared to animal models, in vitro models can provide great opportunities to obtain data in a more homogeneous, economical and massive way, providing an overview of the signaling pathways responsible for these pathologies. The implementation of three-dimensional in vitro co-culture models for the study of other pathologies has been postulated as a potentially applicable methodology, which determines the importance of its application in studies of cardiovascular diseases. In this article we present a method for culturing human endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells, grown under non-adherent conditions, that generate three-dimensional spheroidal structures with greater physiological equivalence to in vivo conditions. This in vitro modeling could be used as a study tool to identify cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathological processes underlying vascular remodeling.

Comparative Clinical Study of Two Tooth Whitening Protocols. A Randomized Clinical Trial. Part 2.

This study aimed to clinically evaluate the efficacy of two different home whitening protocols and to determine which is more effective: applying the whitening gel every 48 hours or every 72 hours for 6 weeks. The differences in terms of tooth sensitivity are also analyzed. A sample of 72 patients was randomly divided into 3 groups of 24 (N=24). Group A: 16% carbamide peroxide applied every 48h for 6 weeks. Group B: 16% carbamide peroxide applied every 72h for 6 weeks. Group C (control group): a placebo gel without peroxide (glycerin gel) was applied every 48h for 6 weeks. To compare the groups, color measurements were made using a spectrophotometer and ANOVA test and Bonferroni test was used. The confidence level was set at 95% (p ≤ 0.05) and no statistically significant differences between applying 16% carbamide peroxide every 48h or every 72h for 6 weeks (p> 0.05) were found. The study concluded that carbamide peroxide 16% is equally effective applied with both protocols, obtaining the same results.

Taxonomic distinctness and diversity patterns of a polychaete (Annelida) community on the continental shelf of the Southern Gulf of Mexico.

The spatial patterns of taxonomic diversity of annelid polychaete species from the continental shelf in the Southern Gulf of Mexico were examined in this study. We used taxonomic distinctness and its spatial variations to explore the diversity patterns and how they change between Southern Gulf of Mexico regions. In addition, using taxonomic distinctness as a dissimilarity measure and Ward's Clustering, we characterized three distinct faunal assemblages. We also investigated patterns of richness, taxonomic distinctness, and distance decay of similarity between sampling stations as a ß-diversity measure. Finally, we examined the spatial relationships between polychaete assemblages and environmental variables to test the relative importance of spatial and environmental components in annelid polychaete community structure from the Southern Gulf of Mexico. We used a combination of eigenvector-based multivariate analyses (dbMEMs) and distance-based redundancy analysis (dbRDA) to quantify the relative importance of these explanatory variables on the spatial variations of taxonomic distinctness. The significance level of spatial and environmental components to the distribution of polychaete species showed that the combined effect of spatial processes and sediment characteristics explained a higher percentage of the variance than those parameters could alone.

Conventional Radiography Assessment of the Pediatric Knee: Pearls and Pitfalls.

Knee pain is one of the most common indications for radiography in the evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders in children and adolescents. According to international guidelines, knee radiographs should be obtained when there is the suspicion of an effusion, limited motion, pain to palpation, inability to bear weight, mechanical symptoms (such as "locking"), and persistent knee pain after therapy. When indicated, radiographs can provide crucial information for the clinical decision-making process. Because of the developmental changes occurring in the knee during growth, the assessment of knee radiographs can be challenging in children and adolescents. Radiologists unfamiliar with the appearance of the knee on radiographs during skeletal maturation risk overcalling or overlooking bone lesions. Image acquisition techniques and parameters should be adapted to children. This article describes the most common challenges in distinguishing pathology from the normal appearance of knee radiographs in the pediatric population, offering some pearls and pitfalls that can be useful in clinical practice.

The beauty of pediatric musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Ultrasound is a powerful technique in pediatric imaging and musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging in many specific clinical scenarios. This article will feature some common and less common spot diagnoses in pediatric musculoskeletal ultrasound.Cases were collected by members of the Educational Committee of the ESSR (European Society of musculoSkeletal Radiology) and the Pediatric Subcommittee of the ESSR with expertise in musculoskeletal ultrasound.Fifteen clinical entities are discussed based on the features that allow diagnosis by ultrasound.Clinical history, location, and ultrasound appearance are the keys to spot diagnoses when performing pediatric musculoskeletal ultrasound. · Ultrasound in pediatric musculoskeletal imaging can achieve a diagnosis in specific clinical settings.. · Clinical history, location, and ultrasound appearance are keys to spot diagnoses.. · Knowledge of spot diagnoses in pediatric musculoskeletal ultrasound facilitates daily clinical practice..

Nanosilver-based materials as feed additives: Evaluation of their transformations along in vitro gastrointestinal digestion in pigs and chickens by using an ICP-MS based analytical platform.

The use of a new nanomaterial in the feed chain requires a risk assessment that involves in vitro gastrointestinal digestions to predict its degradation and oral exposure to nanoparticles. In this study, a nanosilver-based material was incorporated into pig and chicken feed as a growth-promoting additive and subjected to the corresponding in vitro gastrointestinal digestions. An inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) analytical platform was used to obtain information about the silver released in the different digestion phases. It included conventional ICP-MS for total silver determination, but also single particle ICP-MS and coupling to hydrodynamic chromatography for detection of dissolved and particulate silver. The bioaccessible fraction in the intestinal phase accounted for 8-13% of the total silver, mainly in the form of dissolved Ag(I) species, with less than 0.1% as silver-containing particles. Despite the additive behaving differently in pig and chicken digestions, the feed matrix played a relevant role in the fate of the silver.

Innate biosignature of treatment failure in human cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The quality and magnitude of the immune and inflammatory responses determine the clinical outcome of Leishmania infection, and contribute to the efficacy of antileishmanial treatments. However, the precise immune mechanisms involved in healing or in chronic immunopathology of human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) are not completely understood. Through sequential transcriptomic profiling of blood monocytes (Mo), neutrophils (Nφ), and eosinophils (Eφ) over the course of systemic treatment with meglumine antimoniate, we discovered that a heightened and sustained Type I interferon (IFN) response signature is a hallmark of treatment failure (TF) in CL patients. The transcriptomes of pre-treatment, mid-treatment and end-of-treatment samples were interrogated to identify predictive and prognostic biomarkers of TF. A composite score derived from the expression of 9 differentially expressed genes (common between Mo, Nφ and Eφ) was predictive of TF in this patient cohort for biomarker discovery. Similarly, machine learning models constructed using data from pre-treatment as well as post-treatment samples, accurately classified treatment outcome between cure and TF. Results from this study instigate the evaluation of Type-I IFN responses as new immunological targets for host-directed therapies for treatment of CL, and highlight the feasibility of using transcriptional signatures as predictive biomarkers of outcome for therapeutic decision making.

Spin-Orbit Torque in Single-Molecule Junctions from ab Initio.

The use of electric fields applied across magnetic heterojunctions that lack spatial inversion symmetry has been previously proposed as a nonmagnetic means of controlling localized magnetic moments through spin-orbit torques (SOT). The implementation of this concept at the single-molecule level has remained a challenge, however. Here, we present first-principles calculations of SOT in a single-molecule junction under bias and beyond linear response. Employing a self-consistency scheme invoking density functional theory and nonequilibrium Green's function theory including spin-orbit interaction, we compute the change of the magnetization with the bias voltage and the associated current-induced SOT. Within the linear regime our quantitative estimates for the SOT in single-molecule junctions yield values similar to those known for magnetic interfaces. Our findings contribute to an improved microscopic understanding of SOT in single molecules.

Measured and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate to Evaluate Rapid Progression and Changes over Time in Autosomal Polycystic Kidney Disease: Potential Impact on Therapeutic Decision-Making.

Autosomal polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common genetic form of kidney failure, reflecting unmet needs in management. Prescription of the only approved treatment (tolvaptan) is limited to persons with rapidly progressing ADPKD. Rapid progression may be diagnosed by assessing glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decline, usually estimated (eGFR) from equations based on serum creatinine (eGFRcr) or cystatin-C (eGFRcys). We have assessed the concordance between eGFR decline and identification of rapid progression (rapid eGFR loss), and measured GFR (mGFR) declines (rapid mGFR loss) using iohexol clearance in 140 adults with ADPKD with ≥3 mGFR and eGFRcr assessments, of which 97 also had eGFRcys assessments. The agreement between mGFR and eGFR decline was poor: mean concordance correlation coefficients (CCCs) between the method declines were low (0.661, range 0.628 to 0.713), and Bland and Altman limits of agreement between eGFR and mGFR declines were wide. CCC was lower for eGFRcys. From a practical point of view, creatinine-based formulas failed to detect rapid mGFR loss (-3 mL/min/y or faster) in around 37% of the cases. Moreover, formulas falsely indicated around 40% of the cases with moderate or stable decline as rapid progressors. The reliability of formulas in detecting real mGFR decline was lower in the non-rapid-progressors group with respect to that in rapid-progressor patients. The performance of eGFRcys and eGFRcr-cys equations was even worse. In conclusion, eGFR decline may misrepresent mGFR decline in ADPKD in a significant percentage of patients, potentially misclassifying them as progressors or non-progressors and impacting decisions of initiation of tolvaptan therapy.

What Is Considered Healthy Eating? An Exploratory Study among College Students of Nutrition and Food Science.

In modern industrialized societies, the focus on healthy eating has increased significantly across multiple sectors, including the media, public policy, expert opinion, and public awareness. The aim of this research was to explore the perceptions of healthy eating and the barriers to adopting a healthy diet among undergraduate students in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (HND) and Food Science and Technology (FST) degrees in Spain. An exploratory and descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a qualitative and quantitative methodology and convenience sampling. Two focus groups and a questionnaire were utilized (300 participants from all academic years completed the survey). Differences in definitions of healthy eating and perceived barriers were found between genders and students at different stages of training (p < 0.05). In their understanding of healthy eating, the students placed importance on balance, variety, moderation, and individual factors. Although students considered it easy to follow a healthy diet, family's eating habits, time availability, and emotional states were found to be the main barriers to the implementation of healthy practices. The obtained data supports the need to critically address perceptions of healthy eating throughout the training of nutrition and food science professionals. The insights obtained on the perceived barriers highlight the importance of considering both individual and environmental factors.

Reducing Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Women with MV140 Impacts Personal Burden of Disease: Secondary Analyses of a Randomized Placebo-controlled Efficacy Study.

Background: Recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) remains a major health burden for women. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RCT; NCT02543827) reported that female patients with rUTI receiving a sublingual vaccine, MV140, had a reduction in rUTI and increase in UTI-free rate compared with placebo. Objective: To determine the impact of MV140 on the personal burden of disease in women with rUTI using secondary endpoint data from the pivotal RCT evaluating MV140. Design setting and participants: In the primary RCT, female patients with rUTI enrolled in Spain and UK (from October 2015 to April 2019) were randomized to placebo (6 mo) or MV140 (3 or 6 mo), and followed for 12 mo. Individuals analyzed in this secondary analysis included those in the placebo and 3-mo (recommended dose) groups. Intervention: A polybacterial sublingual vaccine, MV140 (four inactivated whole-cell bacteria-Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, and Enterococcus faecalis), or placebo. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Symptom severity scoring, antibiotic use, safety, and multiple aspects of quality of life (QoL; Short-Form Questionnaire [SF-36]) were assessed. Results and limitations: Compared with the placebo group (n = 76), the 3-mo vaccinated group (n = 74) experienced fewer overall UTI symptoms (mean symptom score 102.2 ± 222.9 vs 194.2 ± 178.8; p = 0.0002), fewer days on antibiotics (12.4 ± 17.7 vs 28.7 ± 25.2; p = 0.0001), and improved total, general, and physical SF-36 QoL improvement (differences in means for total SF-36 score 15.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.80, 22.64; p < 0.0001), with only social function QoL showing no impact (4.07; 95% CI -4.93, 13.08; p = 0.3744). Conclusions: Three months of MV140 is associated with a reduction of the personal burden of UTI by reducing overall UTI symptoms and antibiotic use, improving QoL in women with rUTI. Patient summary: Three months of MV140 vaccine, which has previously been shown to reduce the risk of urinary tract infection safely, is associated with a reduction in the personal burden of disease.

sRAGE levels are decreased in plasma and sputum of COPD secondary to biomass-burning smoke and tobacco smoking: Differences according to the rs3134940 AGER variant.

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and its gene (AGER) have been related to lung injury and inflammatory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to evaluate the association of rs2071288, rs3134940, rs184003, and rs2070600 AGER single-nucleotide variants and the soluble-RAGE plasma and sputum levels with COPD secondary to biomass-burning smoke (BBS) and tobacco smoking. Four groups, including 2189 subjects, were analyzed: COPD secondary to BBS exposure (COPD-BBS, n = 342), BBS-exposed subjects without COPD (BBES, n = 774), tobacco smoking-induced COPD (COPD-TS, n = 434), and smokers without COPD (SWOC, n = 639). Allelic discrimination assays determined the AGER variants. The sRAGE was quantified in plasma (n = 240) and induced-sputum (n = 72) samples from a subgroup of patients using the ELISA technique. In addition, a meta-analysis was performed for the association of rs2070600 with COPD susceptibility. None of the studied genetic variants were found to be associated with COPD-BBS or COPD-TS. A marginal association was observed for the rs3134940 with COPD-BBS (p = 0.066). The results from the meta-analysis, including six case-control studies (n = 4149 subjects), showed a lack of association of rs2070600 with COPD susceptibility (p = 0.681), probably due to interethnic differences. The sRAGE plasma levels were lower in COPD-BBS compared to BBS and in COPD-TS compared to SWOC. The sRAGE levels were also lower in sputum samples from COPD-BBS than BBES. Subjects with rs3134940-TC genotypes exhibit lower sRAGE plasma levels than TT subjects, mainly from the COPD-BBS and SWOC groups. The AGER variants were not associated with COPD-BBS nor COPD-TS, but the sRAGE plasma and sputum levels are related to both COPD-BBS and COPD-TS and are influenced by the rs3134940 variant.

No evidence tube entrapment distresses rodents in typical empathy tests.

In the first two experiments an empty tube open at one end was placed in different locations. Male hamsters, tested one at a time, tended to stay close to the tube or in it. During the first minute of the first 4 sessions of Experiment 3, the hamster was unrestrained. If it entered the tube, it was locked within the tube. If it did not enter the tube during the first min, it was placed in it, and the tube was locked. Fifteen min later, the tube was opened, and the hamster was unrestrained for a further 20 min. The tube remained open during Session 5. Hamsters spent more time near the tube than predicted by chance and continued to enter the tube although tube-occupancy duration did not differ from chance levels. In Experiment 4, male rats were tested in two groups: rats in one group had been previously trapped in a tube and rats in the other group allowed to freely explore the test space. For the first two min of each of four 20-min sessions, trapped-group subjects were permitted to move about the chamber unless they entered the tube. In that case, they were locked in for the remainder of the session. If, after two min, they did not enter the tube, they were locked in it for the remaining 18 min. Free rats were unrestricted in all sessions. In Session 5, when both groups were permitted to move freely in the chamber, trapped and free rats spent more time in and near the tube than predicted by chance. These data show tube restraint does not seem to distress either hamsters or rats.

Clinical characteristics, imaging findings, management, and outcomes of patients with scimitar syndrome at a tertiary referral healthcare center in Colombia.

Scimitar Syndrome is part of a complex spectrum of congenital cardiovascular anomalies related to anomalous pulmonary venous return. Depending on the extent of involvement, treatment can be either expectant or surgical. Prognosis and survival have been controversial, with some results supporting early surgical management. This research aims to disclose the outcomes and describe the management, clinical and imaging characteristics of patients diagnosed with Scimitar Syndrome treated in a tertiary referral healthcare center. Longitudinal descriptive observational study. The study included all patients diagnosed with scimitar syndrome in our institution between January/2011 and December/2022. A description of the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, diagnostic tools used, treatment features, and patient outcomes is provided. Eleven patients were included, with a mean age at diagnosis of five years (CI 0-17), six of which were female (54.55%). Nine (81.82%) patients had evidence of a scimitar vein on the chest radiograph, six (54.55%) cardiac dextroposition, six (54.55%) pulmonary hypoplasia, five (45.45%) right pulmonary artery hypoplasia, and three (27.27%) had aortopulmonary collaterals. Four (36.36%) patients had horseshoe lungs, and four (36.36%) had bronchopulmonary sequestration. In the associations, two (18.18%) patients were found to have an atrial septal defect, three (27.27%) ventricular septal defect, and one (9%) had Tetralogy of Fallot. Pulmonary hypertension was demonstrated in two (18.18%) patients. Seven (63.64%) required surgical management to correct the scimitar vein, and two patients died due to unrelated complications. Scimitar syndrome presents diagnostic and treatment challenges, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach for timely care. Chest radiography and CT scans are primary diagnostic tools, with surgical intervention often warranted alongside other heart defects or significant hemodynamic repercussions. Medical management is effective for mild to moderate cases. Long-term patient outcomes remain uncertain due to study limitations, but improved life expectancy is anticipated with ongoing care.

Feasibility of a capacity building organizational intervention for worker safety and well-being in the transportation industry: Pivoting to address the COVID-19 pandemic and social and political unrest in Chile.

OBJECTIVE: This study developed, implemented, and evaluated the feasibility of executing an organizational capacity building intervention to improve bus driver safety and well-being in a Chilean transportation company. METHOD: Through an implementation science lens and using a pre-experimental mixed methods study design, we assessed the feasibility of implementing a participatory organizational intervention designed to build organizational capacity. RESULT: We identified contextual factors that influenced the intervention mechanisms and intervention implementation and describe how the company adapted the approach for unexpected external factors during the COVID-19 pandemic and social and political unrest experienced in Chile. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention enabled the organization to create an agile organizational infrastructure that provided the organization's leadership with new ways to be nimbler and more responsive to workers' safety and well-being needs and was robust in responding to strong external forces that were undermining worker safety and well-being.

Autochthonous Wheat Grown in Organic and Conventional Systems: Nutritional Quality of Flour and Bread.

A growing interest in the recovery and enhancement of crops, particularly local varieties such as 'Caaveiro' wheat, has been observed. This study aims to investigate the impact of cultivation systems (organic versus conventional) on the nutritional quality of 'Caaveiro' flour and breads protected by the PGI "Pan Galego," employing two fermentation methods (sourdough versus sourdough and biological yeast). Organic flour exhibited significantly higher levels of moisture, fat, sucrose, phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), and copper (Cu) while also exhibiting a lower total starch and zinc (Zn) content. Organic bread, produced using both fermentation methods, demonstrated significantly higher protein, carbohydrate, total, resistant, and rapidly digestible starch, ash, Na, P, iron (Fe), and Cu content. Additionally, they contained less moisture compared to conventional bread. Despite variations in nutritional characteristics based on the cultivation system, the organic approach proved effective at producing high-quality products with a positive environmental impact, which is highly appreciated by consumers.

Conformational Defects in the Limbs of Menorca Purebred Horses and Their Relationship to Functionality.

Limb-conformation defects significantly influence equine performance and welfare, necessitating thorough investigation for effective management. This study examines the prevalence and genetic parameters of 14 limb-conformation defects in Menorca Purebred horses using data from 1120 records (509 animals with an average age of 101.87 ± 1.74 months) collected between 2015 and 2023. Defects were evaluated using a three-class scale by three appraisers, and a Bayesian approach via Gibbs sampling was employed to estimate genetic parameters including gender, birth period, stud selection criteria, evaluation age and appraiser as fixed effects. Splay-footed forelimb and closed hocks were the most prevalent defects (67.20% and 62.53%, respectively). Horses with any of the defects analyzed have been observed to obtain significantly lower scores for both walk and trot. Heritability estimates range from 0.12 (s.d.: 0.025) for closed hock to 0.30 (s.d.: 0.054) for base narrow, confirming the genetic influences on the expression of limb conformation defects. The divergent defect in hind limbs showed the highest genetic correlations with forelimb defects (camped under, -0.69; s.d: 0.32 and camped out, 0.70; s.d: 0.27). The significant genetic correlations between defects highlight the complexity of the relationships, which requires careful consideration.

Tobramycin Systemic Absorption in Lung Transplant Recipients Treated With Inhaled Tobramycin: A Cohort Study.

Inhaled tobramycin treatment has been associated with nephrotoxicity in some case reports, but limited data are available about serum levels and its possible systemic absorption in lung transplant recipients (LTR). We conducted a single-center, observational and retrospective study of all adult (>18 years old) LTR treated with inhaled tobramycin for at least 3 days between June 2019 and February 2022. Trough serum levels were collected and >2 µg/mL was considered a high drug level. The primary outcome assessed the presence of detectable trough levels, while the secondary outcome focused on the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in individuals with detectable trough levels. Thirty-four patients, with a median age of 60 years, were enrolled. The primary indications for treatment were donor bronchial aspirate bacterial isolation (18 patients) and tracheobronchitis (15 patients). In total, 28 patients (82%) exhibited detectable serum levels, with 9 (26%) presenting high levels (>2 µg/mL). Furthermore, 9 patients (26%) developed acute kidney injury during the treatment course. Median trough tobramycin levels were significantly elevated in invasively mechanically ventilated patients compared to non-ventilated individuals (2.5 µg/mL vs. 0.48 µg/mL) (p < 0.001). Inhaled tobramycin administration in LTRs, particularly in those requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, may result in substantial systemic absorption.