Contamination of tissue allografts from a multiorgan-multitissue donor colonized by Candida auris.

Standards on tissue banking determine the need of microbiological monitoring during critical steps (recovery, processing, storage, and transplantation). This information will be useful for both discarding contaminated tissues or risk analysis (in case of recipient infection). In this study, we show the case of a multiorgan-multitissue donor colonized by Candida auris. This microorganism is characterized by multidrug resistance, with higher transmissibility and severe outcome. Some of the microbiological cultures from arteries tested positive for this microorganism, but it was not cultured in samples from musculoskeletal tissues and corneas. No recipient case of infection transmission by Candida species was observed (organs and cornea). The implementation of active surveillance protocol for C. auris detection in critical care units (as source of tissue donors) has been suggested as a part of our hospitals' infection control policy.

Autologous CXCR4+ Hematopoietic Stem Cells Injected into the Scar Tissue of Chronic Myocardial Infarction Patients Normalizes Tissue Contractility and Perfusion.

BACKGROUND: Chronic myocardial infarction (CMI), represents a public health and a financial burden. Since stem cell transplant is used to regenerate cardiac tissue after acute myocardial infarction. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine if autologous CXCR4 stem cells could restore damaged myocardial tissue in patients with CMI lesions. METHODS: 20 NYHA grade III male patients with CMI defined by clinical, biochemical, ECG and echocardiographic parameters were included. Patients were treated with G-CSF for 6 d before isolating their autologous stem cells from PBMCs. Cell phenotyping was done by cytofluorometry using monoclonal antibodies (anti-CXCR4, -CD34, -48, -117, -133, -Ki67, -SDF1 and CXCR4); CXCR4 cell subpopulations isolated by sorting were adjusted to 1 × 108 cells by subpopulation and injected in a circular pattern into the cicatrix previously defined by echocardiography. RESULTS: Patients were followed for 6 and 12 months. Six months after cell implant improvements in left ventricle ejection fraction (from 33-50%), stress rate values (from -3/-9% to -18/-22%), stress tests (from 4-12 METS), and the quantity of left ventricle affected segments (3-9) disappeared according to the G-SPECT images. 12 months evaluations did not show significant differences. Interestingly, 3 months after cell implant the ECG showed normal electrical activity in 9 patients whereas after 6 months it was normal in all the patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results ratify that locally injected autologous CXCR4+ bone marrow-derived stem cells have a physiological and a clinical impact in patients with CMI.

A Malinchismo Scale for Use among Adolescents / Escala de Malinchismo para Adolescentes

Abstract Malinchismo is a recently documented concept referring to preferencing the culture, ideas, tastes and behaviors of another nation/culture over one's own. First, we introduce this new concept in relation to post-colonial theory, social identity theory, and remote acculturation theory, explaining its relevance to adolescent development. We then introduce and validate a new Malinchismo scale using a derivative sequential method among two samples of adolescents in Mexico (n = 560 total). Our Malinchismo Scale is more comprehensive than existing alternatives and is the first to be validated for use among adolescents. We assessed 1) content validity using the responses of content experts who served as judges, 2) construct validity using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA, respectively), and 3) convergent and discriminant validity using participant responses to the Ingroup Interethnic Bias Test. In total, 366 adolescents were in the EFA sample (M=16.18 years, SD=0.74, 62% female) and 194 adolescents were in the CFA sample (M=16.17, SD=1.06, 57% female). Results revealed excellent psychometric properties on all indices, supporting the Malinchismo Scale as a valid and reliable measure for adolescents.

Resumen El malinchismo es un concepto que hace referencia a la actitud de privilegiar la cultura, ideas, gustos y comportamientos que provienen de países o culturas diferentes de la persona que les elige. Si bien, el concepto remite a la conquista española del continente americano, la literatura científica considera que es aplicable a otros países y culturas. Es debido a esto que el constructo se aborda desde la teoría poscolonial, la teoría de la identidad social y la concerniente a la aculturación remota, con base en ellas se explica la importancia del estudio en las nuevas juventudes mexicanas. El método empleado para la validación de la escala de Malinchismo es uno secuencial derivativo, inicialmente evaluando los ítems con jueces para la obtención de la validez de contenido, posteriormente con una muestra total de 560 participantes se buscó la validez de constructo mediante Análisis Factorial Exploratorio, seguido de un Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio. Una vez obtenido el modelo definitivo se procedió hacia la obtención de validez concurrente y divergente, empleando el cuestionario de sesgo intergrupal interétnico. La muestra para el Análisis Factorial Exploratorio fue de 336 participantes (M=16.18 años, DE=0.74, 62% mujeres 38% hombres) y para el Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio se trabajó con194 adolescentes (M=16.17, DE=1.06, 57% mujeres y 43% hombres). Los resultados muestran una escala con excelentes propiedades psicométricas en todos los elementos del modelo factorial confirmatorio, así como de validez y confiabilidad de cada una de las dimensiones que le componen, haciendo de la escala de malinchismo una ideal para la medición de dicho fenómeno en adolescentes. La escala de malinchismo puede abordar cuatro factores que consisten en el privilegiar o preferir: comida, productos, personas o entretenimiento proveniente de otros países. La escala permitirá reconocer fenómenos sociales migratorios, de consumo y transformación cultural en las nuevas juventudes mexicanas.

Tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assay values are associated with antimicrobial peptides expression in polymorphonuclear cells during latent tuberculous infection.

It has been reported that patients with progressive tuberculosis (TB) express abundant amounts of the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) cathelicidin (LL-37) and human neutrophil peptide-1 (HNP-1) in circulating cells, whereas latent TB infected donors showed no differences when compared with purified protein derivative (PPD) and QuantiFERON®-TB Gold (QFT)-healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to determine whether LL-37 and HNP-1 production correlates with higher tuberculin skin test (TST) and QFT values in TB household contacts. Twenty-six TB household contact individuals between 26-58 years old TST and QFT positive with at last two years of latent TB infection were recruited. AMPs production by polymorphonuclear cells was determined by flow cytometry and correlation between TST and QFT values was analysed. Our results showed that there is a positive correlation between levels of HNP-1 and LL-37 production with reactivity to TST and/or QFT levels. This preliminary study suggests the potential use of the expression levels of these peptides as biomarkers for progression in latent infected individuals.

Tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assay values are associated with antimicrobial peptides expression in polymorphonuclear cells during latent tuberculous infection

It has been reported that patients with progressive tuberculosis (TB) express abundant amounts of the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) cathelicidin (LL-37) and human neutrophil peptide-1 (HNP-1) in circulating cells, whereas latent TB infected donors showed no differences when compared with purified protein derivative (PPD) and QuantiFERON®-TB Gold (QFT)-healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to determine whether LL-37 and HNP-1 production correlates with higher tuberculin skin test (TST) and QFT values in TB household contacts. Twenty-six TB household contact individuals between 26-58 years old TST and QFT positive with at last two years of latent TB infection were recruited. AMPs production by polymorphonuclear cells was determined by flow cytometry and correlation between TST and QFT values was analysed. Our results showed that there is a positive correlation between levels of HNP-1 and LL-37 production with reactivity to TST and/or QFT levels. This preliminary study suggests the potential use of the expression levels of these peptides as biomarkers for progression in latent infected individuals.

Performance of tuberculin skin test compared to QFT-IT to detect latent TB among high-risk contacts in Mexico.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We undertook this study to compare the performance of tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB-Gold In-tube assay (QFT-IT) to identify latent TB infection (LTBI) among close contacts of pulmonary TB cases. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in north central Mexico. Thirty nine TB index cases diagnosed between 2008 and 2010 and 123 corresponding close contacts were interviewed regarding their exposure time to the index case prior to TB diagnosis and relevant sociodemographic factors. TST (induration ≥5 and ≥10 mm) and QFT-IT (≥0.35 IU/mL) were tested to determine LTBI status. Kappa coefficients were used to assess the agreement between TST and QFT-IT. Multivariate logistic regression modeling using TST and QFT-IT as dependent variables, and cumulative exposure time and sociodemographic variables associated with LTBI were used as independent variables. RESULTS: LTBI prevalence in adult contacts was 53.6 and 34.1% when TST cut-offs were set at ≥5 mm and ≥10, respectively, and 41.4% according to QFT-IT. Agreement between TST and QFT-IT was 73.1 and 74.8%, and kappa coefficients 0.47 and 0.46, for TST ≥5 and ≥10 mm, respectively, although these were higher when data were stratified by cumulative exposure, reaching 84.9% and 0.70 for TST ≥5 mm if exposure was ≥500 h/month. None of the predictive variables analyzed for LTBI using multivariate regression was significantly associated. CONCLUSIONS: TST ≥5 mm appears to be a useful test to identify LTBI among closely exposed contacts in this geographic setting.

Disruption of apical-basal polarity of human embryonic stem cells enhances hematoendothelial differentiation.

During murine development, the formation of tight junctions and acquisition of polarity are associated with allocation of the blastomeres on the outer surface of the embryo to the trophoblast lineage, whereas the absence of polarization directs cells to the inner cell mass. Here, we report the results of ultrastructural analyses that suggest a similar link between polarization and cell fate in human embryos. In contrast, the five human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines displayed apical-basal, epithelial-type polarity with electron-dense tight junctions, apical microvilli, and asymmetric distribution of organelles. Consistent with these findings, molecules that are components of tight junctions or play regulatory roles in polarization localized to the apical regions of the hESCs at sites of cell-cell contact. The tight junctions were functional, as shown by the ability of hESC colonies to exclude the pericellular passage of a biotin compound. Depolarization of hESCs produced multilayered aggregates of rapidly proliferating cells that continued to express transcription factors that are required for pluripotency at the same level as control cells. However, during embryoid body formation, depolarized cells differentiated predominantly along mesenchymal lineage and spontaneously produced hematoendothelial precursors more efficiently than control ESC. Our findings have numerous implications with regard to strategies for deriving, propagating, and differentiating hESC.

First derivation in Spain of human embryonic stem cell lines: use of long-term cryopreserved embryos and animal-free conditions.

The first two human embryonic stem cell lines (VAL-1 and VAL-2) have been derived in Spain with long-term cryopreserved embryos under animal-free conditions. In the first series, 40 human embryos that had been cryopreserved at day 2 of development were thawed after >5 years. A derivation efficiency of 5% per frozen embryo or 12.5% per blastocyst was obtained.