Pannexin-1 expression in tumor cells correlates with colon cancer progression and survival.

AIMS: Pannexin-1 (PANX1) is a hemichannel that releases ATP upon opening, initiating inflammation, cell proliferation, and migration. However, the role of PANX1 channels in colon cancer remains poorly understood, thus constituting the focus of this study. MAIN METHODS: PANX1 mRNA expression was analyzed using multiple cancer databases. PANX1 protein expression and distribution were evaluated by immunohistochemistry on primary tumor tissue and non-tumor colonic mucosa from colon cancer patients. PANX1 inhibitors (probenecid or 10Panx) were used to assess colon cancer cell lines viability. To study the role of PANX1 in vivo, a subcutaneous xenograft model using HCT116 cells was performed in BALB/c NOD/SCID immunodeficient mice to evaluate tumor growth under PANX1 inhibition using probenecid. KEY FINDINGS: PANX1 mRNA was upregulated in colon cancer tissue compared to non-tumor colonic mucosa. Elevated PANX1 mRNA expression in tumors correlated with worse disease-free survival. PANX1 protein abundance was increased on tumor cells compared to epithelial cells in paired samples, in a cancer stage-dependent manner. In vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that blocking PANX1 reduced cell viability and tumor growth. SIGNIFICANCE: PANX1 can be used as a biomarker of colon cancer progression and blocking PANX1 channel opening could be used as a potential therapeutic strategy against this disease.

Thrombotic Event Prevention in Patients Undergoing Posterior Lumbar Arthrodesis: our experiencie. A retrospective case series study. / Prevención de eventos trombóticos en pacientes sometidos a cirugía de artrodesis lumbar por vía posterior: experiencia en nuestro centro. Estudio retrospectivo de casos.

INTRODUCTION: There is no generalized consensus regarding perioperative prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE), either on using or timing it in patients undergoing spine surgery. VTE is a current concern because, even though being an uncommon event, it can cause serious complications. The aim of the present study is to propose guidelines for the prevention of thrombotic events in posterior spinal surgery, either as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary thromboembolism. If the number of patients getting prophylaxis drugs is reduced a subsequent reduction of the incidence of epidural hematoma can be expected. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A number of 235 patients who had undergone posterior spinal arthrodesis in the previous five years were studied. Mechanical thromboprophylaxis measures consisting of compression stockings were applied in all of them. Anticoagulant drugs were also applied whenever risk factors for thrombosis were observed. Early weight-bearing was resumed immediately after surgery. Demographic, clinical, and surgical variables were collected, as well as complications appearing during the follow-up period, that was scheduled at one, two, four, six and twelve months after the surgery. Thrombotic events, if present, were diagnosed by clinical and imaging tests such as ultrasound and CT angiography. RESULTS: From the total 235 patients of this series, one hundred and fifty-three cases met the study inclusion criteria. A total of four thrombotic events appeared, one in the form of deep vein thrombosis and other three in the form of pulmonary thromboembolism. These last patients suffering an embolism died because of it. None of the variables studied had statistical significance for the occurrence of a thrombotic event. All four patients who suffered thrombotic events were receiving anticoagulant drugs, in addition to mechanical compression stockings, because of the presence of risk factors for thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: By applying the fore mentioned protocol, adequate prevention of thromboembolic events was achieved in this study population of patients undergoing posterior spinal surgery.

Dilated cardiomyopathy of possible dietary origin in a cat.

An 11-year-old spayed female domestic shorthaired cat was diagnosed with severe dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and congestive heart failure. The cat had been eating cat foods that were high in pulses (e.g. peas, lentils, chickpeas). Neither plasma nor whole blood taurine concentrations were deficient. Primary treatment included furosemide, pimobendan, and clopidogrel, and changing to diets that did not contain pulses (a taurine supplements was not administered). The cat's clinical signs improved, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I concentrations decreased, and echocardiographic measurements stayed relatively stable for over one year after initiating cardiac medications and changing the diet. Ultimately, the cat was euthanized for worsening congestive heart failure 374 days after the diagnosis of DCM. Infectious disease testing during the time of clinical surveillance was negative. Routine histopathology of the heart was unremarkable, but electron microscopy of the left ventricle showed large numbers of mitochondria of variable size and structure. A moderate number of lamellar bodies and autophagic vacuoles also were noted. This case report illustrates an unusual case of a cat with DCM unrelated to taurine deficiency. The relative roles of diet change, cardiac medications, and a dedicated owner are unclear, but this cat's relatively long survival time is similar to that seen after diet change in dogs and cats with DCM eating high-pulse diets.

Stability, change, and reliable individual differences in electroencephalography measures: A lifespan perspective on progress and opportunities.

Electroencephalographic (EEG) methods have great potential to serve both basic and clinical science approaches to understand individual differences in human neural function. Importantly, the psychometric properties of EEG data, such as internal consistency and test-retest reliability, constrain their ability to differentiate individuals successfully. Rapid and recent technological and computational advancements in EEG research make it timely to revisit the topic of psychometric reliability in the context of individual difference analyses. Moreover, pediatric and clinical samples provide some of the most salient and urgent opportunities to apply individual difference approaches, but the changes these populations experience over time also provide unique challenges from a psychometric perspective. Here we take a developmental neuroscience perspective to consider progress and new opportunities for parsing the reliability and stability of individual differences in EEG measurements across the lifespan. We first conceptually map the different profiles of measurement reliability expected for different types of individual difference analyses over the lifespan. Next, we summarize and evaluate the state of the field's empirical knowledge and need for testing measurement reliability, both internal consistency and test-retest reliability, across EEG measures of power, event-related potentials, nonlinearity, and functional connectivity across ages. Finally, we highlight how standardized pre-processing software for EEG denoising and empirical metrics of individual data quality may be used to further improve EEG-based individual differences research moving forward. We also include recommendations and resources throughout that individual researchers can implement to improve the utility and reproducibility of individual differences analyses with EEG across the lifespan.

Short report: Self-compassion and satisfaction with life in Danish adolescents with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD): `We are all in the same boat´.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) are at risk of emotional health problems and low self-esteem. However, little is known about their self-compassion (SC) and satisfaction with life (SWL). The present study compared self-compassion and satisfaction with life reported by Danish adolescents with DLD compared to typically developing (TD) peers, and whether severity of language difficulty is associated with SC and SWL. METHODS: Results were obtained from 10 Danish adolescents with DLD compared with 14 age-matched TD adolescents and 132 TD peers, aged 15 years. RESULTS: For SC and SWL results showed that adolescents with DLD reported more positive feelings compared to the TD adolescents. Interestingly for SC, the negative, but not the positive, domain differentiated the two groups, as adolescents with DLD reported less symptoms on self-judgment, isolation and overidentification. SC and SWL was strongly correlated with language abilities for the DLD group, but not for the TD group. CONCLUSIONS: Results from our pilot study showed that Danish adolescents with DLD reported being less harsh on themselves. Language abilities were associated with self-compassion for the DLD, but not for the TD group. Whether these group differences are due to environmental factors such as the specific Danish school setting of the DLD group or internal factors are discussed and requires further research.

The HAPPE plus Event-Related (HAPPE+ER) software: A standardized preprocessing pipeline for event-related potential analyses.

Event-Related Potential (ERP) designs are a common method for interrogating neurocognitive function with electroencephalography (EEG). However, the traditional method of preprocessing ERP data is manual-editing - a subjective, time-consuming processes. A number of automated pipelines have recently been created to address the need for standardization, automation, and quantification of EEG data pre-processing; however, few are optimized for ERP analyses (especially in developmental or clinical populations). We propose and validate the HAPPE plus Event-Related (HAPPE+ER) software, a standardized and automated pre-processing pipeline optimized for ERP analyses across the lifespan. HAPPE+ER processes event-related potential data from raw files through preprocessing and generation of event-related potentials for statistical analyses. HAPPE+ER also includes post-processing reports of both data quality and pipeline quality metrics to facilitate the evaluation and reporting of data processing in a standardized manner. Finally, HAPPE+ER includes post-processing scripts to facilitate validating HAPPE+ER performance and/or comparing to performance of other preprocessing pipelines in users' own data via simulated ERPs. We describe multiple approaches with simulated and real ERP data to optimize pipeline performance and compare to other methods and pipelines. HAPPE+ER software is freely available under the terms of GNU General Public License at https://www.gnu.org/licenses/#GPL.

HAPPILEE: HAPPE In Low Electrode Electroencephalography, a standardized pre-processing software for lower density recordings.

Lower-density Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings (from 1 to approximately 32 electrodes) are widely-used in research and clinical practice and enable scalable brain function measurement across a variety of settings and populations. Though a number of automated pipelines have recently been proposed to standardize and optimize EEG pre-processing for high-density systems with state-of-the-art methods, few solutions have emerged that are compatible with lower-density systems. However, lower-density data often include long recording times and/or large sample sizes that would benefit from similar standardization and automation with contemporary methods. To address this need, we propose the HAPPE In Low Electrode Electroencephalography (HAPPILEE) pipeline as a standardized, automated pipeline optimized for EEG recordings with lower density channel layouts of any size. HAPPILEE processes task-free (e.g., resting-state) and task-related EEG (including event-related potential data by interfacing with the HAPPE+ER pipeline), from raw files through a series of processing steps including filtering, line noise reduction, bad channel detection, artifact correction from continuous data, segmentation, and bad segment rejection that have all been optimized for lower density data. HAPPILEE also includes post-processing reports of data and pipeline quality metrics to facilitate the evaluation and reporting of data quality and processing-related changes to the data in a standardized manner. Here the HAPPILEE steps and their optimization with both recorded and simulated EEG data are described. HAPPILEE's performance is then compared relative to other artifact correction and rejection strategies. The HAPPILEE pipeline is freely available as part of HAPPE 2.0 software under the terms of the GNU General Public License at: https://github.com/PINE-Lab/HAPPE.

PIPAC (Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy) en el tratamiento de la carcinomatosis peritoneal: primeros casos en Chile / PIPAC (Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy) in the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis: first cases in Chile

Resumen Introducción: PIPAC (Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy) Es una técnica que, vía laparoscopía, permite administrar quimioterapia en aerosol intraperitoneal, para el tratamiento de la carcinomatosis, ya sea para disminuir masa tumoral y aumentar la resecabilidad, o como paliación sintomática. Objetivo: Presentar los dos primeros casos de PIPAC en Chile, las consideraciones técnicas y revisión de la literatura. Pacientes y Método: Se describe la forma en que un programa PIPAC fue implementado en Clínica Las Condes. Se describe la técnica. Este procedimiento se realizó en dos pacientes, ambas portadoras de carcinomatosis con ascitis refractaria. Resultados: No hubo complicaciones. Alta a las 24 h. Ambas pacientes presentaron disminución de la ascitis, la que se ha mantenido a los seis meses de seguimiento. Discusión: PIPAC es una técnica emergente, que ha demostrado ser segura, con escasas complicaciones, cuya indicación incluye carcinomatosis por cáncer de colon y ovario y que se está extendiendo a páncreas, vía biliar y estómago. Su rol exacto está por definirse. Conclusiones: PIPAC es una técnica factible de realizar en nuestro país; sus resultados preliminares son alentadores y exentos de complicaciones.

Introduction: PIPAC (Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy is a technique that allows laparoscopic administration of aerosol chemotherapy in the peritoneum. This procedure is utilized for treatment of carcinomatosis, for debulk abdominal tumors, increasing resectability, or for palliation of abdominal symptoms. Aim: To present the first two cases of PIPAC performed in Chile, technical considerations and review of the literature. Patients and Method: The way this program was started at Clínica Las Condes is presented. The technique is described. This procedure was performed in two females, both with refractory ascites due to carcinomatosis. Results: The procedure was uneventfully and patients were discharged 24 hours later. Both patients showed important reduction of ascites, maintained at 6 months of followup. Discussion: PIPAC is a safe emerging technique, with low complication rate. It is indicated in carcinomatosis of colonic and ovarían origin and in selected cases of pancreatic, bile duct and gastric carcinomatosis. More prospective, randomized studies should be done to stablish its exact role. Conclusions: PIPAC is a feasible technique to perform in our country. Preliminary results are encouraging and no complications were observed.

Cryogenic spectrometer for measuring the far-IR to millimeter-wave absorptivity of cosmic analog dusts.

We report on the design, construction, and performance of a custom apparatus built to measure the frequency- and temperature-dependent absorptivity of millimeter-wave light by cosmic analog dusts. We highlight the unique challenges faced as well as a few key innovations that are part of the instrument. Among those is an ultra-compact Fourier transform spectrometer. We have measured its effective frequency range and FWHM resolution to be 150-2100 GHz and ∼45GHz, respectively. Another innovation is a cold sample positioner whose temperature can be controlled within the range of 3.7-50 K. The use of a pulse-tube cryocooler results in a pulse-synchronous signal that dominates the detector (bolometer) signal. Methods used to address that challenge are also presented.

Spin-valley locking and bulk quantum Hall effect in a noncentrosymmetric Dirac semimetal BaMnSb2.

Spin-valley locking in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides has attracted enormous interest, since it offers potential for valleytronic and optoelectronic applications. Such an exotic electronic state has sparsely been seen in bulk materials. Here, we report spin-valley locking in a Dirac semimetal BaMnSb2. This is revealed by comprehensive studies using first principles calculations, tight-binding and effective model analyses, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements. Moreover, this material also exhibits a stacked quantum Hall effect (QHE). The spin-valley degeneracy extracted from the QHE is close to 2. This result, together with the Landau level spin splitting, further confirms the spin-valley locking picture. In the extreme quantum limit, we also observed a plateau in the z-axis resistance, suggestive of a two-dimensional chiral surface state present in the quantum Hall state. These findings establish BaMnSb2 as a rare platform for exploring coupled spin and valley physics in bulk single crystals and accessing 3D interacting topological states.

Punica granatum L.-derived omega-5 nanoemulsion improves hepatic steatosis in mice fed a high fat diet by increasing fatty acid utilization in hepatocytes.

Pomegranate seed oil (PSO) is mainly composed of punicic acid (PA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid also known as omega-5 (ω-5), a potent antioxidant associated with a variety of metabolic and cellular beneficial effects. However, the potential benefits of a nanoemulsified version of ω-5 (PSOn) have not been evaluated in a pathological liver condition. Here, we examined whether PSOn had beneficial effects on C57BL/6N mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), specifically on hepatic steatosis. We observed that PSOn supplementation decreased body weight and body fat mass in control mice, whereas glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, energy expenditure, and hepatic steatosis were improved in both control mice and in mice fed a HFD. Interestingly, PSOn increased fatty acid oxidation in primary hepatocytes and antioxidant gene expression. Altogether, our data indicate that PSOn effectively reduces some of the HFD-derived metabolic syndrome indicators by means of an increase in fatty acid oxidation within hepatocytes.

Características y factores asociados a trastornos de la esfera mental en estudiantes de medicina de la costa, sierra y selva peruana / Characteristics and factors associated with disorders of the mental sphere in medical students of the coast, mountains and Peruvian jungle

Resumen Introducción: Los trastornos de la esfera mental son cada vez más frecuentes, estos deben ser medidos en los estudiantes que están sometidos a gran presión y según el lugar de influencia. Objetivos: Determinar las características y factores asociados a trastornos de la esfera mental en estudiantes de medicina de la costa, sierra y selva peruana. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico preliminar, a través de la aplicación del Inventario Clínico Multiaxial de Millon (MCMI-II), a 105 estudiantes, dicha encuesta midió los distintos trastornos de la esfera mental; a los cuales se les asoció con variables socio-educativas. Resultados: Grandes porcentajes de encuestados tuvieron compulsividad (29%) y narcisismo elevado (28%). En el análisis multivariado se encontró que las mujeres tuvieron menor frecuencia de trastorno esquizoide (p=0,027); conforme aumentó la edad también hubo mayor frecuencia de trastornos evitativo (p=0,049) y ansiedad (p= 0,043); a mayor año académico se encontró menor frecuencia de trastorno dilusional (p=0,010); los estudiantes de la universidad de la sierra tuvieron más narcisismo (p=0,011), compulsividad (p=0,018) y paranoide (p=0,041); los estudiantes de la universidad de la selva tuvieron más agresividad-sádica (p=0,021), narcisismo (p=0,020) y compulsividad (p=0,005); estas dos últimas fueron comparados versus los que estudiaban en la costa. Conclusión: Se encontró gran frecuencia de algunos trastornos, así como algunos factores asociados, lo que puede ser útil como análisis situacional, lo que debería generar mayores trabajos en la materia.

Introduction: The disorders of the mental sphere are increasingly frequent, these should be measured in students who are under great pressure and according to the place of influence. Objectives: To determine the characteristics and factors associated with disorders of the mental sphere in medical students of the coast, mountains and Peruvian jungle. Methodology: A preliminary analytical cross-sectional study was carried out, through the application of the Millon Multiaxial Clinical Inventory (MCMI-II), to 105 students, said survey measured the different disorders of the mental sphere; to which they were associated with socio-educational variables. Results: Large percentages of respondents had compulsivity (29%) and high narcissism (28%). In the multivariate analysis it was found that women had a lower frequency of schizoid disorder (p = 0.027); as age increased there was also a higher frequency of avoidance disorders (p = 0.049) and anxiety (p = 0.043); the higher the academic year, the lower the frequency of dilution disorder (p = 0.010); the students of the Universidad de la Sierra had more narcissism (p = 0.011), compulsivity (p = 0.018) and paranoid (p = 0.041); the students of the jungle university had more aggressive-sadistic (p = 0.021), narcissism (p = 0.020) and compulsivity (p = 0.005); These last two were compared versus those studying on the coast. Conclussion: We found a high frequency of some disorders, as well as some associated factors, which can be useful as a situational analysis, which should generate more work in the field.

Kids N Fitness: A Group-based Pediatric Weight Management Curriculum Adapted for a Clinical Care Model.

BACKGROUND: The current AAP clinical practice guidelines for the management of pediatric obesity recommend a structured, comprehensive, multi-disciplinary clinical intervention. However, there is a gap in the current literature on standardized curriculums for implementation of such programs. The objective of the present study is to adapt an evidenced-based, family- centered, weekly, weight management curriculum that addresses nutritional, physical activity and behavioral topics for a clinical care model at a tertiary care children's hospital. METHODS: The curriculum was adapted for use in six individual sessions offered monthly by a multidisciplinary team, including a health educator, physician, dietitian, physical therapist and psychologist. Each provider offered specific feedback and curriculum adaptation based on their specialty. All team members completed training with scheduled treatment fidelity monitoring during implementation. To evaluate the effectiveness of the adapted curriculum, 60 adolescents, ages 14-18 years, with overweight or obesity, and at least one family member, will complete the six month intervention. The primary outcome is mean change in zBMI and %BMIp95 at six month and 18 months. Secondary outcomes include retention, satisfaction, effect on metabolic factors and activity level. CONCLUSION: There is a paucity of literature on utilizing a standard curriculum in clinical weight management programs. Drawing from evidenced-based curriculum to strengthen clinical care creates an opportunity to improve existing clinical programs and potentially increase access and implementation of the current treatment recommendations for this high risk population.

Ancient Egyptian health: the prevalence of anemia at the origins of agriculture and state level society.

Ancient Egyptians experienced a vast increase in population size following the Neolithic Revolution. Nomadic hunter-gatherer groups gradually adopted agriculture as their primary food subsistence strategy. Analyses of human societies shifting from foragers to farmers have provided evidence which suggests this transition is linked with an increase in disease and allostatic load. This paper presents an examination of cribra orbitalia and porotic hyperostosis prevalence in Predynastic and Dynastic Egyptians using public health evidence as a means to interpret the skeletal findings. The sample included 219 individuals from the regions of Naga-ed-Dêr, Mesheikh, Giza, and potentially El-Ahaiwah. The aim of this study was to identify significant differences of cribra orbitalia and porotic hyperostosis across time and sex. Application of a Fisher-Freeman-Halton's test indicated there were no differences in prevalence of cribra orbitalia or porotic hyperostosis between the Predynastic and Dynastic, nor were there differences between the sexes. The results of this study did not produce any evidence for an epidemiological shift to have occurred in post-agricultural Egypt. Further, the most likely explanation of the pattern of disease stems from a parasitic model of infection.

Sustained rescue of prefrontal circuit dysfunction by antidepressant-induced spine formation.

The neurobiological mechanisms underlying the induction and remission of depressive episodes over time are not well understood. Through repeated longitudinal imaging of medial prefrontal microcircuits in the living brain, we found that prefrontal spinogenesis plays a critical role in sustaining specific antidepressant behavioral effects and maintaining long-term behavioral remission. Depression-related behavior was associated with targeted, branch-specific elimination of postsynaptic dendritic spines on prefrontal projection neurons. Antidepressant-dose ketamine reversed these effects by selectively rescuing eliminated spines and restoring coordinated activity in multicellular ensembles that predict motivated escape behavior. Prefrontal spinogenesis was required for the long-term maintenance of antidepressant effects on motivated escape behavior but not for their initial induction.

Prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis: A multicenter study on a pediatric population evaluated at thirty-six Latin American gastroenterology centers. / Prevalencia de esofagitis eosinofílica: estudio multicéntrico en población pediátrica evaluada en 36 centros de gastroenterología de América Latina.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease described in case series and publications worldwide. Over the past twenty years, the authors of different studies have attempted to evaluate its incidence and prevalence. The objetive of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis in a group of children seen at 36 pediatric gastroenterology centers in ten Latin American countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted that estimated the period prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis in children seen at outpatient consultation and that underwent diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for any indication at 36 centers in 10 Latin American countries, within a 3-month time frame. RESULTS: Between April and June 2016, 108 cases of eosinophilic esophagitis were evaluated. Likewise, an average of 29,253 outpatient consultations and 4,152 diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopies were carried out at the 36 participating centers. The period prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis in the population studied (n=29,253) was 3.69 cases×1,000 (95% CI: 3.04 to 4.44), and among the children that underwent routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (n=4,152), it was 26x1,000 (95% CI: 22.6 to 29.4). CONCLUSIONS: The general period prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis in a group of children evaluated at 36 Latin American pediatric gastroenterology centers was 3.69×1,000, and in the children that underwent endoscopy, it was 26×1,000. There was important prevalence variability between the participating countries and centers. The present analysis is the first study conducted on the prevalence of pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis in Latin America.

Evidencia clínica y microscópica de la degradación de hilos de dermosustentación de polidioxanona en presencia de ácido hialurónico: reporte de caso / Microscopic and clinical evidence of the degradation of polydioxanone lifting threads in the presence of hyaluronic acid: a case report

Se expone el caso de una paciente remitida por complicaciones posteriores a la implantación superficial en el tercio medio facial de hilos de polidioxanona espiculados. Presentaba edema, equimosis, palpación superficial del hilo y plicación dérmica. Para el tratamiento planteamos un novedoso protocolo de degradación clínica de hilos de polidioxanona, empleando ácido hialurónico inyectándolo en el área de su implantación. Se infiltró ácido hialurónico no reticulado en el trayecto a lo largo del recorrido del hilo. El seguimiento a los siete, 21 y 45 días evidenció disminución del edema, de los pliegues e irregularidades dérmicas por la tracción del hilo y atenuación de rítides secundarias. Una muestra del hilo en ácido hialurónico fue observado en campana de flujo laminar evidenciándose degradación a las 72 horas. Administrar ácido hialurónico fue efectivo para inducir la biodegradación clínica del hilo. La hipótesis derivada sugiere que el ácido hialurónico no reticulado es un poderoso catalizador de la degradación hidrolítica de la polidioxanona.

We present the case of a female patient with complications from superficial implantation of polydioxanone spiculated threads in the facial middle third. The manifestations were edema, ecchymosis, superficial palpation of the thread and skin plication. For the treatment we propose a novel protocol of clinical degradation of polydioxanone threads, using hyaluronic acid injecting it into the implantation area of the polydioxanone threads. Non-cross linked hyaluronic acid was infiltrated along the path of the thread. The follow-up at seven, 21 and 45 days showed decreased edema, folds and skin irregularities due to wire traction and attenuation of secondary rhytides. A sample of the thread in hyaluronic acid was observed in a laminar flow campaign evidencing degradation at 72 hours. Administering hyaluronic acid was effective in inducing clinical biodegradation of the thread suggesting that non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid is a powerful catalyst for the hydrolytic degradation of polydioxanone.

The relationship between chemokines CCL2, CCL3, and CCL4 with the tumor microenvironment and tumor-associated macrophage markers in colorectal cancer.

A complex network of chemokines can influence cancer progression with the recruitment and activation of hematopoietic cells, including macrophages to the supporting tumor stroma promoting carcinogenesis and metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between tissue and plasma chemokine levels involved in macrophage recruitment with tumor-associated macrophage profile markers and clinicopathological features such as tumor-node-metastases stage, desmoplasia, tumor necrosis factor-α, and vascular endothelial growth factor plasma content. Plasma and tumor/healthy mucosa were obtained from Chilean patients undergoing colon cancer surgery. Chemokines were evaluated from tissue lysates (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, and CX3CL1) by Luminex. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon match-paired test ( p < 0.05). Macrophage markers (CD68, CD163, and iNOS) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry samples derived from colorectal cancer patients. Correlation analysis between chemokines and macrophage markers and clinicopathological features were performed using Spearman's test. Plasmatic levels of chemokines and inflammatory mediators' vascular endothelial growth factor and tumor necrosis factor-α were evaluated by Luminex. Tumor levels of CCL2 (mean ± standard deviation = 530.1 ± 613.9 pg/mg), CCL3 (102.7 ± 106.0 pg/mg), and CCL4 (64.98 ± 48.09 pg/mg) were higher than those found in healthy tissue (182.1 ± 116.5, 26.79 ± 22.40, and 27.06 ± 23.69 pg/mg, respectively p < 0.05). The tumor characterization allowed us to identify a positive correlation between CCL4 and the pro-tumor macrophages marker CD163 ( p = 0.0443), and a negative correlation of iNOS with desmoplastic reaction ( p = 0.0467). Moreover, we identified that tumors with immature desmoplasia have a higher CD163 density compared to those with a mature/intermediated stromal tissue ( p = 0.0288). Plasmatic CCL4 has shown a positive correlation with inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor) that have previously been associated with poor prognosis in patients. In conclusion High expression of CCL4 in colon cancer could induce the infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages and specifically a pro-tumor macrophage profile (CD163+ cells). Moreover, plasmatic chemokines could be considered inflammatory mediators associated to CRC progression as well as tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor. These data reinforce the idea of chemokines as potential therapeutic targets or biomarker in CRC.

Situating Culturally Embodied Play Ecologies of Preschool Children: Lost in Transition.

This article contributes as a commentary to Min's critical evaluation of the challenges and resistances that have presented themselves during the recent process of changing the pedagogical practices ofChinese preschools to more closely resemble those seen in Scandinavian. The focus is on how decisions of how to structure the particular environment in preschool settings have direct and indirect implications for children's learning and learning possibilities, and the importance of understanding these as mediated signifiers of the particular culture values. The discussions stress the importance of weighing cross-cultural pedagogical practices in terms of the functions they each serve in themselves, and in regard to the sociocultural history from which they have emerged and serve within. This means enculturation of new didactic practices should be understood as a gradual, smooth processes that allows itself to merge useful aspects of new educational models and practices with existing practices and cultural values.