Autoimmune interstitial lung disease in Latin-America.

Information about the prognosis and natural history of autoimmune interstitial lung diseases (Ai-ILD) is limited. The aim of the study was to evaluate the characteristics of patients diagnosed with Ai-ILD in Latin-America. We conducted an ambispective multicenter cohort study in 25 centers of Argentina, Colombia, and Uruguay between January 2015 and April 2018. Participants were included in the study if they had diagnosis of Ai-ILD performed by a multidisciplinary team. Patients were classified into the following sub-groups: connective tissue disease-associated ILD (ILD-CTD), interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF), and positive antineutrophils cytoplasmatic antibodies associated ILD (ILD-ANCA). All images were reviewed by a blinded thoracic radiologist. Out of the 381 patients included during the study period, 282 (74%; 95% CI; 69.39-78.16) were women. Mean age was 58 years old (SD 16). Three-hundred and twenty-five (85.1%; 95% CI 81.39-88.5) patients were classified as ILD-CTD (rheumatoid arthritis 31%, systemic sclerosis 29%, dermatomyositis 15%). Thirty-six patients were classified as IPAF (9.5%; 95% CI 6.9-12.8), and 13 (3.5%; 95% CI 2-5.75) as ILD-ANCA. Fifty percent of patients (95% CI 45.12-55.43) had a mild decrease of the forced vital capacity at the time of diagnosis. The most common treatment strategy was the combination of steroids and cyclophosphamide (30.1%; 95% CI 25.32-35.34) followed by azathioprine (20,3%; 95% CI 16.32-25.14). In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the characteristics and treatment strategies used in patients affected by Ai-ILD in Latin-America. Future studies should to evaluate the prognosis and impact of current treatment strategies in patients with Ai-ILD.

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Approach to Investigate Plant-Fungal Interactions.

Plants interact with a broad range of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. In plant roots, complex microbial communities participate in plant nutrition and development as well as in the protection against stresses. The establishment of the root microbiota is a dynamic process in space and time regulated by abiotic (e.g., edaphic, climate, etc.) and biotic factors (e.g., host genotype, root exudates, etc.). In the last 20 years, the development of metabarcoding surveys, based on high-throughput next-generation sequencing methods, identified the main drivers of microbial community structuration. However, identification of plant-associated microbes by sequencing should be complemented by imaging techniques to provide information on the micrometric spatial organization and its impact on plant-fungal and fungal-fungal interactions. Laser scanning confocal microscopy can provide both types of information and is now used to investigate communities of endophytic, endomycorrhizal, and ectomycorrhizal fungi. In this chapter, we present a protocol enabling the detection of fungal individuals and communities associated to the plant root system.

Results of laparoscopic intragastric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Technological and operative advancements have allowed laparoscopic intragastric surgery (LIGS) to be applied in the treatment of superficial gastric or submucosal lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes following LIGS. METHODS: From 2000 to 2013, 25 LIGSs were performed for superficial gastric lesions. Clinical records were reviewed retrospectively for peri-operative course and long-term outcomes with particular attention to the oncological follow-up for patients with malignant lesions. RESULTS: Nineteen (76%) lesions were located close to the EGJ, three (12%) in the lesser curvature, two (8%) in the posterior wall and one (4%) in the prepyloric-antral region. A multiport technique was used in 15 (60%) patients and a single-access approach in 10 (40%) patients. The median operative time was 140 (50-210) minutes. No conversion to open or conventional laparoscopic surgery was needed. Mortality was nil, and severe morbidity occurred in one (4%) patient. The median length of stay was 6 (3-10) days. Indications of LIGS were adenocarcinoma in 11 (44%) patients, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) in 6 (24%) patients and benign lesions in eight (32%) patients. En bloc resection was obtained in 24 (96%) patients with R0 margins in 23 (92%) patients. After a median follow-up of 76 (26-171) months, recurrence was detected in 4 (36%) patients with advanced malignant adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: LIGS provides an interesting alternative to major gastric and EGJ resection when endoscopic resection is not suitable for highly selected patients with superficial gastric lesions.

Measurement of the heat flux normalized spin Seebeck coefficient of thin films as a function of temperature.

The spin Seebeck effect (SSE) has generated interest in the thermoelectric and magnetic communities for potential high efficiency energy harvesting applications and spintronic communities as a source of pure spin current. Understanding the underlying mechanisms requires characterization of potential materials across a range of temperatures; however, for thin films, the default measurement of an applied temperature gradient (across the sample) has been shown to be compromised by the presence of thermal resistances. Here, we demonstrate a method to perform low temperature SSE measurements where, instead of monitoring the temperature gradient, the heat flux passing through the sample is measured using two calibrated heat flux sensors. This has the advantage of measuring the heat loss through the sample as well as providing a reliable method to normalize the SSE response of thin film samples. We demonstrate this method with an SiO2/Fe3O4/Pt sample where a semiconducting-insulating transition occurs at the Verwey transition, TV, of Fe3O4 and quantify the thermomagnetic response above and below TV.

Sonochemical hydrogenation of metallic microparticles.

We report the sonochemical synthesis of hydrogenated metallic microparticles through room-temperature ultrasonic irradiation of aqueous metallic slurries. The role of saturating gases and of reduction-oxidation mechanism on promoting the hydride formation is investigated. The method is then applied to study the synthesis of different metallic hydrides (Mn, Ti) and the hydrogenation of La(Fe,Mn,Si)13, an intermetallic compound with magnetocaloric properties used in magnetic refrigeration applications. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction to identify the presence of hydrogenated phases, by differential scanning calorimetry to evaluate hydrogen release and temperature stability of the hydrides and by electron microscopy to identify morphological modifications induced by acoustic cavitation. The hydrogenation of metallic microparticles and intermetallic compounds is reported for the first time by means of this experimental technique which could represent a new tool for fast and cheap hydrogenation of materials for different technological applications, such as hydrogen storage and magnetic refrigeration.

Cigarette smoking and ambulatory blood pressure: a case-control study in normotensives.

The aim of our study was the evaluation of the effects of cigarette smoking on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in normotensive subjects participating to a cardiovascular prevention program. All subjects were followed up for an average time of 97+/-42 months to assess the event of hypertension development. Prevalence of hypertension development was higher in smokers even if regression logistic analysis was not able to predict hypertension development.

Alu RNA accumulation induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by modulating miR-566 and is associated with cancer progression.

Alu sequences are the most abundant short interspersed repeated elements in the human genome. Here we show that in a cell culture model of colorectal cancer (CRC) progression, we observe accumulation of Alu RNA that is associated with reduced DICER1 levels. Alu RNA induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by acting as a molecular sponge of miR-566. Moreover, Alu RNA accumulates as consequence of DICER1 deficit in colorectal, ovarian, renal and breast cancer cell lines. Interestingly, Alu RNA knockdown prevents DICER1 depletion-induced EMT despite global microRNA (miRNA) downregulation. Alu RNA expression is also induced by transforming growth factor-ß1, a major driver of EMT. Corroborating this data, we found that non-coding Alu RNA significantly correlates with tumor progression in human CRC patients. Together, these findings reveal an unexpected DICER1-dependent, miRNA-independent role of Alu RNA in cancer progression that could bring mobile element transcripts in the fields of cancer therapeutic and prognosis.

Longitudinal spin Seebeck coefficient: heat flux vs. temperature difference method.

The determination of the longitudinal spin Seebeck effect (LSSE) coefficient is currently plagued by a large uncertainty due to the poor reproducibility of the experimental conditions used in its measurement. In this work we present a detailed analysis of two different methods used for the determination of the LSSE coefficient. We have performed LSSE experiments in different laboratories, by using different setups and employing both the temperature difference method and the heat flux method. We found that the lack of reproducibility can be mainly attributed to the thermal contact resistance between the sample and the thermal baths which generate the temperature gradient. Due to the variation of the thermal resistance, we found that the scaling of the LSSE voltage to the heat flux through the sample rather than to the temperature difference across the sample greatly reduces the uncertainty. The characteristics of a single YIG/Pt LSSE device obtained with two different setups was (1.143 ± 0.007) 10-7 Vm/W and (1.101 ± 0.015) 10-7 Vm/W with the heat flux method and (2.313 ± 0.017) 10-7 V/K and (4.956 ± 0.005) 10-7 V/K with the temperature difference method. This shows that systematic errors can be considerably reduced with the heat flux method.

Bilitranslocase is the protein responsible for the electrogenic movement of sulfobromophthalein in plasma membrane vesicles from rat liver: immunochemical evidence using mono- and poly-clonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies raised against bilitranslocase, may display either inhibitory or enhancing activity on the electrogenic transport of sulfobromophthalein, evoked in rat liver plasma-membrane vesicles by the addition of valinomycin in the presence of K+. In both cases, the target protein is identified with a 37 kDa band in SDS-mercaptoethanol gel electrophoresis of solubilized membranes. The electrophoretically homogeneous protein isolated by ion-exchange chromatography, corresponds in all respects to the 37 kDa protein band of bilitranslocase, obtained in the past by different techniques. Using this protein as antigen, a polyclonal monospecific antibody preparation has been obtained. As expected, the antibody preparation inhibits the electrogenic movement of sulfobromophthalein in plasma membrane vesicles from rat liver. It is concluded that the 37 kDa protein of bilitranslocase is at least a necessary component of the transport system involved in the sulfobromophthalein movement in plasma membrane.

Asociación entre meningitis y punción dural en ratas bacterémicas. Un análisis crítico / The Association between meningitis and dural puncture in bacteremic rats. A critical análisis

INTRODUCTION: The presence of an active bacteremia has been considered a relative contraindication to perform an intrathecal puncture due to the risk of causing meningitis or epidural abscess. However, a clear and definite causal relationship has not yet been demonstrated. OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between intrathecal puncture and the development of meningitis in sub-jects with bacteremia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental study in rats with chronic bacteremia to which dural puncture was performed. Meningitis was then evaluated by direct drainage of the cisterna magna and histopathological studies of brain tissue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 12 of 40 bacteremic rats that underwent intrathecal puncture developed meningitis. Previous administration of antibiotics seems to reduce this risk.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Se ha considerado la presencia de una bacteremia activa como contraindicación relativa para realizar una punción intratecal por el riesgo de provocar meningitis o absceso peridural. Sin embargo, aún no se ha podido demostrar una relación causal clara y definida. OBJETIVOS: Determinar la relación entre punción intratecal y el desarrollo de meningitis en sujetos con bacteremia. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio experimental en ratas con bacteremia crónica a las que se les realizó punción dural, luego se evaluó la presencia o no de meningitis mediante drenaje directo de la cisterna magna y estudios histopatológicos de tejido cerebral. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIÓN: 12 de 40 ratas bacterémicas a las que se le realizó punción intratecal desarrollaron meningitis. La adminis-tración previa de antibiótico parece disminuir este riesgo.

Functional integration approach to hysteresis.

A general formulation of scalar hysteresis is proposed. This formulation is based on two steps. First, a generating function g(x) is associated with an individual system, and a hysteresis evolution operator is defined by an appropriate envelope construction applied to g(x), inspired by the overdamped dynamics of systems evolving in multistable free-energy landscapes. Second, the average hysteresis response of an ensemble of such systems is expressed as a functional integral over the space G of all admissible generating functions, under the assumption that an appropriate measure mu has been introduced in G. The consequences of the formulation are analyzed in detail in the case where the measure mu is generated by a continuous, Markovian stochastic process. The calculation of the hysteresis properties of the ensemble is reduced to the solution of the level-crossing problem for the stochastic process. In particular, it is shown that, when the process is translationally invariant (homogeneous), the ensuing hysteresis properties can be exactly described by the Preisach model of hysteresis, and the associated Preisach distribution is expressed in closed analytic form in terms of the drift and diffusion parameters of the Markovian process. Possible applications of the formulation are suggested, concerning the interpretation of magnetic hysteresis due to domain wall motion in quenched-in disorder and the interpretation of critical state models of superconducting hysteresis.