Cell-Tissue Interaction: The Biomimetic Approach to Design Tissue Engineered Biomaterials.

The advancement achieved in Tissue Engineering is based on a careful and in-depth study of cell-tissue interactions. The choice of a specific biomaterial in Tissue Engineering is fundamental, as it represents an interface for adherent cells in the creation of a microenvironment suitable for cell growth and differentiation. The knowledge of the biochemical and biophysical properties of the extracellular matrix is a useful tool for the optimization of polymeric scaffolds. This review aims to analyse the chemical, physical, and biological parameters on which are possible to act in Tissue Engineering for the optimization of polymeric scaffolds and the most recent progress presented in this field, including the novelty in the modification of the scaffolds' bulk and surface from a chemical and physical point of view to improve cell-biomaterial interaction. Moreover, we underline how understanding the impact of scaffolds on cell fate is of paramount importance for the successful advancement of Tissue Engineering. Finally, we conclude by reporting the future perspectives in this field in continuous development.

Multiple point mutations in cytochrome b gene of Babesia gibsoni - A possible cause for buparvaquone resistance.

The development and rise in drug-resistant Babesia gibsoni strain is a serious concern among veterinary practitioners. Of several therapeutic strategies followed, buparvaquone-azithromycin combination therapy is widely used to treat small Babesia infections in Asia. The present study focused on buparvaquone-induced mutations in B. gibsoni by analyzing its cytochrome b gene sequence. Among the 12 dogs that were administered with buparvaquone-azithromycin combination therapy, 8 of them were unresponsive to drug-resistant B. gibsoni infection. Hematological parameters were recorded before and after 10 day treatment plan and an improvement in these values was observed. Eight samples with persistent parasitemia after 10 day treatment plan was subjected to cytochrome b gene amplification and analyzed for mutations. On analysis, out of the 25 mutations only 9 were non-synonymous in nature; T15N, S48T, P152L, V167I, A217T, F258Y, M311I, S336G, A337S. Mutation P152L was seen near to Q01 (130-148) binding region and F258Y within the drug binding region Q02 (244-266).

Professional and ethical values in Nursing practice: An Indian Perspective.

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to examine professional and ethical values related to the profession from nurses' perspectives. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey carried out among 124 randomly selected nurses working at a tertiary care hospital in South India. The data was collected using Nursing Professional Values scale (NPVS-3). This tool consisted of 28 items to assess nurses' professional values in three domains namely; Caring (10 items), activism(10items), and professionalism (8items). The maximum range of scores is 28-140. The higher the score, the stronger the nurse's professional value orientation. RESULTS: The mean total score of the Professional Value scale was high (121.07±15.32). The mean score of the participants was higher in the caring domain (44.02±5.75) than activism (42.19±6.33) and professionalism domains (34.86±4.27). Pearson correlational analysis revealed that nurses with less experience had greater mean professional values score than nurses with higher experience (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that nurses have high professional and ethical values, although they perceive that the most important values are those related to direct patient care. Continuing education programs should be designed so that nurses understand that nonclinical professional values are also equally important in promoting the nursing profession.

Professional and ethical values in Nursing practice: An Indian Perspective / Valores profesionales y éticos en la práctica de la enfermería: Una perspectiva india / Valores profissionais e éticos na prática de enfermagem: uma perspectiva indiana

Objective. This study was carried out to examine professional and ethical values related to the profession from nurses' perspectives. Methods. This was a cross-sectional survey carried out among 124 randomly selected nurses working at a tertiary care hospital in South India. The data was collected using Nursing Professional Values scale (NPVS-3). This tool consisted of 28 items to assess nurses' professional values in three domains namely; Caring (10 items), activism(10items), and professionalism (8items). The maximum range of scores is 28­140. The higher the score, the stronger the nurse's professional value orientation. Results. The mean total score of the Professional Value scale was high (121.07±15.32). The mean score of the participants was higher in the caring domain (44.02±5.75) than activism (42.19±6.33) and professionalism domains (34.86±4.27). Pearson correlational analysis revealed that nurses with less experience had greater mean professional values score than nurses with higher experience (p<0.01). Conclusion. The present study showed that nurses have high professional and ethical values, although they perceive that the most important values are those related to direct patient care. Continuing education programs should be designed so that nurses understand that nonclinical professional values are also equally important in promoting the nursing profession

Objetivo. Este estudio se llevó a cabo para evaluar los valores profesionales y éticos relacionados con la profesión desde la perspectiva de los enfermeros. Métodos. Se trata de un estudio transversal realizado entre 124 enfermeras seleccionadas aleatoriamente quienes trabajan en un hospital de atención terciaria del sur de la India. Los datos se recogieron utilizando la escala de valores profesionales de enfermería (NPVS-3). Este instrumento consta de 28 ítems con respuesta tipo Likert de 1-5 que evalúa los valores profesionales de los enfermeros en tres dominios: cuidado (10 ítems), activismo (10 ítems) y profesionalismo (8 ítems). El rango máximo de las puntuaciones es de 28 a 140, cuanto mayor sea la puntuación, mayor será la orientación hacia los valores profesionales de enfermería. Resultados. La puntuación media total de la escala de valores profesionales fue alta (121.07±15.32). La puntuación media de los participantes fue más alta en el dominio de cuidado (44.02±5.75) que en el del activismo (42.19±6.33) y en el de profesionalismo (34.86±4.27). El análisis correlacional de Pearson reveló que las enfermeras con menos experiencia tenían una mayor puntuación media en valores profesionales que las enfermeras con mayor experiencia (p<0.01). Conclusión. El presente estudio mostró que las enfermeras tienen altos valores profesionales y éticos, aunque perciben que los valores más importantes son los relacionados con el cuidado directo al paciente. Deben diseñarse programas de formación continua para que las enfermeras comprendan que los valores profesionales no clínicos también son igualmente importantes para promover la profesión de enfermería

Objetivo. Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar os valores profissionais e éticos relacionados à profissão na perspectiva dos enfermeiros. Métodos. Este é um estudo transversal de 124 enfermeiras selecionadas aleatoriamente que trabalham em um hospital terciário no sul da Índia. Os dados foram coletados por meio da Nursing Professional Values Scale (NPVS-3). Esse instrumento é composto por 28 itens com resposta do tipo Likert de 1 a 5 que avaliam os valores profissionais do enfermeiro em três domínios: cuidado (10 itens), ativismo (10 itens) e profissionalismo (8 itens). A faixa máxima de pontuação é de 28 a 140, quanto maior a pontuação, maior a orientação para os valores do profissional de enfermagem. Resultados. A pontuação média total da escala de valores profissionais foi elevada (121.07±15.32). A pontuação média dos participantes foi maior no domínio cuidar (44.02±5.75) do que no ativismo (42.19±6.33) e no domínio profissionalismo (34.86±4.27). A análise correlacional de Pearson revelou que enfermeiras menos experientes tiveram uma pontuação média mais alta em valores profissionais do que enfermeiras mais experientes (p<0.01). Conclusão. O presente estudo mostrou que os enfermeiros possuem elevados valores profissionais e éticos, embora percebam que os valores mais importantes são aqueles relacionados ao cuidado direto ao paciente. Os programas de educação continuada devem ser planejados de forma que os enfermeiros entendam que os valores profissionais não clínicos também são igualmente importantes na promoção da profissão de enfermagem.

Molecular Identification of a Novel Species, Babesia panickeri sp. nov., from a Naturally Infected Domestic Cat of India and Its Comparison with Canine Babesia Isolates.

INTRODUCTION: Babesiosis is a tick-borne hemo-parasitic disease of domestic and wild animals. Parasites causing babesiosis are considered to infect only specific hosts but some sporadic reports in recent past are in strong disagreement with their host specificity. This is the first report of a domestic cat being naturally infected with a novel Babesia sp. in India. METHODS: Blood samples collected from dogs (n = 6) and a 3-month-old cat, with clinical symptoms of babesiosis, were submitted to two different laboratories for hematology analysis, light microscopical examination, and molecular confirmation of Babesia sp. using PCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: Hematological alterations noticed in canine and feline samples were severe anemia and thrombocytopenia. Pear-shaped merozoites were visualized on light microscopic examination of both canine and feline blood smears. Size of the merozoites in feline blood sample was smaller when compared to canine samples. Molecular analysis using Babesia species-specific primers showed that all canine samples were positive for B. vogeli and feline sample was negative for B. canis, B. rossi, and B. vogeli infecting dogs. Amplification and sequencing of full-length ssrRNA using universal apicomplexan primers followed by molecular and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Indian domestic cat was infected with a novel Babesia sp. CONCLUSION: This work presents the first molecular and phylogenetic evidence of a novel Babesia sp. causing feline babesiosis in a naturally infected domestic cat in India. We propose to name this novel species as Babesia panickeri sp. nov.

Essential role of HCMV deubiquitinase in promoting oncogenesis by targeting anti-viral innate immune signaling pathways.

Cancer is a multifactorial disease and virus-mediated carcinogenesis is one of the crucial factors, which is poorly understood. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a herpesvirus and its components have been evidenced to be associated with cancer of different tissue origin. However, its role in cancer remains unknown. Here, we identified a conserved herpesviral tegument protein known as pUL48 of HCMV, encoding deubiquitinase enzyme, as having a key role in carcinogenesis. We show using deubiquitinase sufficient- and deficient-HCMV that HCMV deubiquitinase is a key in inducing enhanced cellular metabolic activity through upregulation of several anti-apoptotic genes and downregulation of several pro-apoptotic genes expression. Furthermore, HCMV deubiquitinase acquires pro-tumor functions by inhibiting PRR-mediated type I interferon via deubiquitination of TRAF6, TRAF3, IRAK1, IRF7 and STING. Taken together, our results suggest that HCMV infection may promote oncogenesis by inhibiting innate immunity of the host.

Recombinant activated factor VII in the management of acute fatty liver of pregnancy: A case report.

A 20-year-old woman, primigravida at 36(+4) weeks' gestation presented with malaise, vomiting for 1 week, yellowish discoloration of the eyes for 3 days and loss of fetal movements. A clinical diagnosis of acute fatty liver with intrauterine fetal demise was made. Labor was induced with prostaglandin E2 gel and delivered vaginally. The post-partum period was complicated by atonic post-partum hemorrhage, an episode of seizure, recurrent hypoglycemic attack, hypokalemia and continuing coagulopathy. Supportive management in the intensive care unit using blood and blood products and injection recombinant activated factor VIIa to arrest the bleeding resulted in a successful outcome.