Different approaches to understanding methodological adequacy in ecophysiological studies on small ectotherms.

Body temperature (Tb) variation and environmental temperature gradients are more intense in small individuals because their body size allows for a more intimate relationship between Tb and the environment. To contribute to a methodological consensus on the ecophysiology of small ectotherms, we aimed to investigate whether different approaches and methodological techniques affect the measurement of critical temperatures in a small lizard (Coleodactylus meridionalis, Sphaerodactylidae) from the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, Brazil, and subsequently its vulnerability assessment. We measured two metrics of thermal physiology: critical thermal minimum (CTmin) and critical thermal maximum (CTmax). In total, four types of temperature measurements (protocols) were defined. In the first protocol, we estimated CTmax/CTmin without heating/cooling rate by directly measuring the lizard's midbody temperature. In the other three protocols, we used a ramping assay with a heating/cooling rate to estimate CTmax/CTmin in the chamber (height: 11.3 cm), substrate, and Tb of the lizard, respectively. In total 116 individuals of Coleodactylus meridionalis were collected, of which 177 CTmax and 131 CTmin were performed. C. meridionalis showed a mean CTmax of 41 °C and a mean CTmin of 8.9 °C when considering the Tb protocol, which is intermediate compared to the other protocols. The substrate temperature protocol was the closest to Tb, and for this, the best method for the small lizards using an infrared thermometer.

MIG-6 is essential for promoting glucose metabolic reprogramming and tumor growth in triple-negative breast cancer.

Treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains challenging due to a lack of effective targeted therapies. Dysregulated glucose uptake and metabolism are essential for TNBC growth. Identifying the molecular drivers and mechanisms underlying the metabolic vulnerability of TNBC is key to exploiting dysregulated cancer metabolism for therapeutic applications. Mitogen-inducible gene-6 (MIG-6) has long been thought of as a feedback inhibitor that targets activated EGFR and suppresses the growth of tumors driven by constitutive activated mutant EGFR. Here, our bioinformatics and histological analyses uncover that MIG-6 is upregulated in TNBC and that MIG-6 upregulation is positively correlated with poorer clinical outcomes in TNBC. Metabolic arrays and functional assays reveal that MIG-6 drives glucose metabolism reprogramming toward glycolysis. Mechanistically, MIG-6 recruits HAUSP deubiquitinase for stabilizing HIF1α protein expression and the subsequent upregulation of GLUT1 and other HIF1α-regulated glycolytic genes, substantiating the comprehensive regulation of MIG-6 in glucose metabolism. Moreover, our mouse studies demonstrate that MIG-6 regulates GLUT1 expression in tumors and subsequent tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, this work reveals that MIG-6 is a novel prognosis biomarker, metabolism regulator, and molecular driver of TNBC.

Broiler responses to copper levels and sources: growth, tissue mineral content, antioxidant status and mRNA expression of genes involved in lipid and protein metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Five hundred 8-d old male broilers Cobb500 were randomly allotted into 10 treatments in factorial arrangement with 5 Cu levels (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 mg/kg), and 2 sources (Cu proteinate, CuPro and Cu sulphate, CuSO4.5H2O) for a 10-d-experiment. RESULTS: Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better (P < 0.05) in CuPro fed chicks compared with CuSO4.5H2O group. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) decreased linearly (P < 0.05) as dietary Cu increased. A quadratic response (P < 0.05) to Cu levels was found for FCR, being optimized at 9.87 and 8.84 mg Cu/kg in CuPro and CuSO4.5H2O diets, respectively. Copper supplementation linearly increased liver Cu content (P < 0.05) and tended to linearly increase (P = 0.07) phosphorus (P) and copper in tibia. Manganese and zinc were higher (P < 0.05) in tibia of CuPro fed birds. Broilers fed CuPro exhibited lower liver iron (P < 0.05) content, lower activities of Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) in breast muscle and liver, and glutathione peroxidase in liver. Glutathione peroxidase reduced linearly (P < 0.05) with CuPro levels and increased linearly (P < 0.05) with CuSO4.5H2O levels and were lower (P < 0.05) in all CuPro levels in breast muscle. Breast muscle malondialdehyde concentration tended to be higher (P = 0.08) in broilers fed CuSO4.5H2O. Copper levels linearly increased (P < 0.05) metallothionein (MT) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) expression in liver, and six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate-1 (STEAP-1) in the intestine. Copper elicited a quadratic response (P < 0.050) in AKT-1 and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in breast muscle, CuZnSOD in liver and antioxidant 1 copper chaperone (ATOX 1) in intestine. Broilers fed CuPro exhibited higher mRNA expression of mTOR in muscle breast and lower CuZnSOD in liver and ATOX 1 in intestine. Interaction (P < 0.05) between levels and sources was found in mRNA expression for GSK-3ß, MT, and CuZnSOD in breast muscle, FAS and LPL in liver and MT and CTR1 in intestine. CONCLUSIONS: CuPro showed beneficial effects on feed conversion and bone mineralization. Organic and inorganic Cu requirements are 9.87 and 8.84 mg Cu/kg, respectively.

Update on the Roles of Oral Hygiene and Plaque Control on Periodontal Disease.

AIM: to provide an update of the evidence on the effect of oral hygiene instructions (OHI), dental plaque control and in the prevention and treatment of periodontitis. METHODS: Literature searches were performed using MeSH terms, keywords and free words and were published between 2015 and November 2020. The data from the articles were summarized in a narrative review. RESULTS: Data concerning the influence of OHI on periodontal features, the impact of OHI before periodontitis non-surgical treatment, its efficacity on periodontitis prevention and maintenance of healthy periodontium were summarized in the tables of the present narrative review. CONCLUSION: as prevention is better than a cure, it is relevant to bring in light the role of oral hygiene instructions, the patient self-control of dental plaque as well as the professional mechanical plaque removal in the prevention of periodontitis.

Successful pregnancy after ovulation induction with human chorionic gonadotropin in a woman with selective luteinising hormone deficiency.

Selective LH deficiency has been described in several men, but only in two women who presented normal pubertal development but secondary amenorrhoea due to anovulation. Despite its rarity, this condition represents a valuable model for studying the processes regulated by FSH or LH during late folliculogenesis and ovulation in humans. A woman previously diagnosed with selective LH deficiency due to a homozygous germline splice site mutation in LHB (IVS2 + 1G→C mutation) was submitted to an individualised ovarian induction protocol, first with recombinant LH and then with highly purified urinary hCG. Ovarian follicle growth and ovulation were achieved, and a healthy baby was born after an uneventful term pregnancy. The treatment described herein demonstrates that the clinical actions of exogenous LH or hCG in inducing late-stage follicular development in women with deficient LH production or performance might be interchangeable or inevitable, once FSH-dependent early follicular growth is assured.

Analysis of the Safety and Efficacy of the Endovascular Treatment for Acute Limb Ischemia with Percutaneous Pharmacomechanical Thrombectomy Compared with Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the rates of limb salvage, survival, and perioperative mortality in patients with acute limb ischemia (ALI) submitted to endovascular revascularization with pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (PMT) and catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT). METHODS: This was a retrospective consecutive cohort study of patients with ALI who were submitted to endovascular treatment with PMT or fibrinolysis at the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual (São Paulo, Brazil), between July 2015 and December 2018. The limb salvage rate and survival rate at 720 days were analyzed in both the PMT (group 1) and CDT treatment (group 2), as well as the perioperative mortality rate (PMR) at 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: One hundred twelve patients were admitted to the emergency department with ALI between July 2015 and December 2018. Seventeen patients diagnosed with Rutherford III irreversible ALI and 46 patients submitted to open surgery were excluded. Thus, 49 patients were submitted to endovascular surgery; 18 (36.7%) were classified into group 1, and 31 (63.3%) were classified into group 2. The clinical data were equal between the 2 groups, but there was a higher prevalence of thrombophilia in group 1 (3 cases; P < 0.001). The limb salvage rate and the overall survival rate at 720 days were similar between groups 1 and 2 (87.8% vs. 89.7%, P = 0.78 and 84.7% vs. 69.2%, P = 0.82, respectively). There was no statistical difference regarding secondary patency rates at 720 days between groups 1 and 2 (group 1, 81.9% and group 2, 78.8%; P = 0.66). The PMR was 16.7% (8 patients) within the first 30 days. Group 2 had a higher overall mortality rate (OMR) (6 patients, 19.3%, P = 0.03). Regarding the PMT group, there was a higher rate of complications such as myoglobinuria, hematuria, acute renal failure, and death in the subgroup of patients in whom there were performed more than 150 cycles/sec during the surgery (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the PMT and CDT endovascular procedures had similar limb salvage, overall survival, and secondary patency rates. However, the OMR was higher in the CDT group. Another important finding was related to the number of cycles/sec performed in the PMT group, in whom patients with more than 150 cycles/sec have presented with higher rates of hematuria, myoglobinuria, acute renal failure, and death.

Chromium supplementation improves glucose metabolism and vaginal temperature regulation in Girolando cows under heat stress conditions in a climatic chamber.

This study aimed to evaluate chromium supplementation on productive, reproductive, and metabolic parameters at lactating Girolando cows subjected to heat stress conditions in a climatic chamber. Thirty-six lactating Girolando cows were subjected to two sequential trials. In trial 1 (thermoneutral environment), the effect of chromium supplementation was evaluated (0 vs. 0.50 mg/kg of dry matter). In trial 2, the cows were fed the same diets, but they were divided into three environmental conditions: heat stress conditions in climatic chamber, fed ad libitum (HS); thermoneutral environment, fed ad libitum (TN); and thermoneutral environment, pair-fed (PF). In thermoneutral conditions, chromium supplementation did not affect productive or metabolic parameters, although supplemented cows had lower viability of oocytes (65.11 ± 0.08% vs. 76.86 ± 0.08%). During heat stress, chromium supplementation lowered plasma glucose levels (61.17 ± 1.90 vs. 67.11 ± 1.90 mg/dL), and increased the insulin:glucose ratio (0.39 ± 0.04 vs. 0.27 ± 0.04). Cows fed the control diet in the HS group had higher vaginal temperature values (39.40 ± 0.10 °C) than the cows in the TN group and PF group (38.89 ± 0.10 °C and 38.85 ± 0.11 °C, respectively). However, supplemented cows heat-stressed maintained the same vaginal temperature as cows in thermoneutral conditions. In conclusion, chromium supplementation improved glucose metabolism and prevented body temperature increases under heat stress conditions.

Analysis of the results of endovascular and open surgical treatment of acute limb ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term estimates of limb salvage and survival in patients with acute limb ischemia (ALI) receiving open surgery or endovascular revascularization. METHODS: This was a retrospective consecutive cohort study of patients with ALI who underwent open surgery or endovascular treatment at the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Unit, Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual (São Paulo, Brazil), between July 2010 and July 2016. The overall mortality, limb salvage, and survival rates at 720 days were analyzed in both the open surgery (group 1) and endovascular treatment (group 2) groups. RESULTS: A total of 69 patients were admitted for a limb salvage procedure. The mean follow-up period was 822 ± 480.5 days. All of the analyses were performed at 720 days. Of the 69 patients, 46 (66.6%) were in group 1 and 23 (33.4%) in group 2. The clinical characteristics were similar between the groups, except for higher rates of chronic kidney disease (P = .04) and arrhythmia (P = .01) in group 1. Group 1 had a higher postoperative ankle-brachial index (P = .03). Concerning the Rutherford classification, group 1 had a higher prevalence of Rutherford IIB ALI (P = .003). The preoperative creatine kinase level was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (780 [range, 198-6546] mg/dL and 245 [65-78] mg/dL, respectively). A creatine kinase level >200 mg/dL was seen in 65.2% and 47.8% of patients in group 1 and group 2, respectively (P = .028). The limb salvage and overall survival estimates at 720 days were similar between group 1 and group 2 (79.2% vs 90.6% [P = .27] and 53% vs 60.8% [P = .45], respectively). The overall mortality rate was 10.1% (seven patients) within the first 30 days, and it was higher in group 1 (six patients [13.0%]; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Both open surgery and endovascular procedures are safe treatments of patients with ALI, with acceptable limb salvage and survival rates. No previous study has suggested the preferred treatment of ALI. However, based on this study and the overall literature, endovascular treatment may be the preferred treatment of patients with Rutherford I and IIA ALI; open surgery may be the best option for ALI due to arterial embolism and for Rutherford IIB acute arterial thrombosis because of a greater urgency to restore blood flow.

Pharyngeal Airway Modifications in Skeletal Class III Patients Undergoing Bimaxillary Advancement Surgery.

PURPOSE: The purposes were to study the pharyngeal airway in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion submitted to surgical orthodontic treatment and to correlate the alterations with bone movements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of multislice computed tomography images from 13 patients obtained before and 6 months after maxillomandibular advancement surgery. The following measurements were obtained using Dolphin Imaging software (Dolphin Imaging, Chatsworth, CA): volume and area of the oropharynx, nasopharynx, and total airway, as well as the most constricted area, anteroposterior and lateral dimensions of the narrowest axial cross-sectional area, and airway length. The paired t test was applied at a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Sagittal displacement of the maxilla and mandible was correlated with airway alterations using the Pearson correlation test. Alterations in airway measurements were observed in all patients after surgery. We noted a significant increase (P < .05) in total airway area, oropharyngeal area, and anteroposterior dimension of the most constricted area, as well as a significant reduction (P < .05) in airway length. A significant correlation (P < .05) was observed between nasopharyngeal area and maxillary movement and between airway length and mandibular movement (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest significant alterations in pharyngeal airway measurements when preoperative and postoperative periods of bimaxillary advancement surgery were compared.

The impact of household connection to public network wastewater systems: regulatory impact assessment.

Brazil faces a severe lack of wastewater coverage. Even in urban areas, wastewater is directly disposed of in watercourses without any treatment for a large part of the population. Although the federal, state, and local governments have invested in water and wastewater services (WWS), the expected results have not been achieved. To overcome this problem, the present paper provides an opportunity to observe an ex-ante regulatory impact assessment (RIA) as a policy tool in Brazil. The regulatory policy options will be appraised through the multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) according to the following objectives: (i) protect the customers with respect to social aspects; (ii) safeguard the economic, operational and infrastructure sustainability; and (iii) protect the environment. The results show that by making decisions based on evidence, policy makers should reduce the households not connected to wastewater services by 75% and for that they should incur BRL 33 million to the year 2023. Hence, the extra revenues to be obtained with these new connections are capable of making a surplus estimated as BRL 42 million for the same period. This study promotes the use of RIA as a rational, robust and transparent decision framework by the regulatory agencies worldwide.

Milk production and composition, food consumption, and energy balance of postpartum crossbred Holstein-Gir dairy cows fed two diets of different energy levels.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the production, consumption, and energy balance parameters of primiparous 3/4 and 7/8 Holstein × Gir (HG) dairy cows fed two diets of differing energy levels during the postpartum period. At the beginning of the study, 28 days prepartum, the average weight of both genetic groups was 498 ± 12 kg and body condition score (BCS) was 3.5 ± 0.05. At the end of the study, 61 days postpartum, the 3/4 HG cows had higher weight and body condition scores than the 7/8 HG (456 ± 8 and 429 ± 8 kg and 3.13 ± 0.03 and 2.94 ± 0.03 BCS for 3/4 HG and 7/8 HG, respectively). Milk from cows fed the high-energy diet had higher percentages of fat, protein, lactose, and total dry extract than cows fed the low-energy diet. Cows fed the high-energy diet had higher net energy intake (95.3 ± 1.9 vs. 88.1 ± 2.1 MJ/day) and higher energy balance (3.64 ± 2.13 vs - 6.02 ± 2.30 MJ/day). The 3/4 HG cows displayed higher energy for maintenance (33.1 ± 0.4 MJ/day) than the 7/8 HG (31.5 ± 0.5 MJ /day). In conclusion, although the primiparous 3/4 HG were heavier than the 7/8 HG and had a higher body condition score, no differences in milk produced up to 60 days postpartum were observed. The higher energy diet during the postpartum period increased energy balance, resulting in higher production of milk fat, protein, and lactose.

Urinary biomarkers of exposure to 57 xenobiotics and its association with oxidative stress in a population in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Oxidative stress arises from excessive free radicals in the body and is a trigger for numerous diseases, such as cancer and atherosclerosis. Elevated exposure to environmental chemicals can contribute to oxidative stress. The association between exposure to xenobiotics and oxidative stress, however, has rarely been studied. In this study, urinary concentrations of 57 xenobiotics (antimicrobials, parabens, bisphenols, benzophenones, and phthalates metabolites) were determined in a population from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to delineate association with the oxidative stress biomarker, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHDG). We collected 130 urine samples and analyzed for 57 xenobiotics using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) methods. The association between unadjusted and creatinine- or specific gravity-adjusted concentrations of xenobiotics and 8OHDG was examined by Pearson correlations and multiple regression analysis. High concentrations of mCPP (a metabolite of di-n-octyl phthalate; DnOP) and mCMHP (a metabolite of diethylhexyl phthalate; DEHP) were found in urine. In addition, the concentrations of bisphenol S (BPS) were higher than those of bisphenol A (BPA). The concentrations of metabolites of DEHP, phthalic acid, BPA, BPS, and methyl-protocatechuic acid were significantly associated with 8OHDG. This is the first biomonitoring study to report exposure of the Saudi population to a wide range of environmental chemicals and provides evidence that environmental chemical exposures contribute to oxidative stress.

Laparoscopic interval isthmocervical cerclage with cardiac tape in a patient with previous cervical amputation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To show the technique of interval laparoscopic isthmocervical cerclage using cotton cardiac tape. DESIGN: Case report (Canadian Task Force Classification III). SETTING: A private practice hospital in Brasília, Brazil. PATIENT: A 36-year-old female patient with primary infertility for 2 years caused by previous amputation of the cervix because of intraepithelial neoplasia. There was no other suspected factor for infertility. Before undergoing in vitro fertilization, she was referred for interval cerclage because of anticipated cervical insufficiency during an eventual pregnancy. The patient's clinical history was unremarkable, except for the fact that she had developed secondary dysmenorrhea since the amputation, which prompted her to undergo cervical dilatation on 2 occasions. During the physical examination, we noted the absence of the exocervix, a mobile and normal-sized uterus and adnexa, and no pain. Informed consent was obtained from the patient for this case report. The local institutional review board considered this report exempt from approval. INTERVENTIONS: The procedure was performed according to the technique described by Pereira et al. We incised the visceral peritoneum in the anterior cul-de-sac and developed the vesicouterine space for complete exposure of the uterine isthmus. Then, we incised the posterior leaf of both broad ligaments superiorly to the uterosacral ligaments and medially to the ureter and uterine vessels. We aimed to identify the bifurcation of the uterine artery and to create a "window" between them and the isthmus to place the cerclage tape. For this purpose, we used a 5-mm 36-cm blunt tip retractor for gastric banding (ref 30623G; Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) to transfix the broad ligament, anteriorly to posteriorly, under direct vision. We tied 2-0 Vicryl (Ethicon, Sommerville, NJ) sutures to the tips of 0.3 × 80 cm cotton cardiac tape (reference FAB-46; Ethicon) and pulled both edges of the tape through the windows in the broad ligament. The final position of the tape was inferior and medial to the main ascending branch of the uterine artery, right over the isthmus, and without any vessels interposed between them. This is to avoid any possible compression and congestion with uterine progressive enlargement as pregnancy proceeds. We then made 6 square knots in the anterior cul-de-sac and adjusted the tension-free tape firmly enough to give the uterine corpus support during pregnancy evolution. Finally, we closed the visceral peritoneum with a 3-0 PDS running suture (Ethicon). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The surgery lasted 70 minutes, and bleeding was minimal. The patient was discharged the following day. She is currently undergoing her 18th week of pregnancy resulting from in vitro fertilization treatment, and we wait for her obstetric results. CONCLUSION: Cotton cardiac tape is feasible for laparoscopic cerclage and can be used as an alternative to the commonly used Mersilene tape (Ethicon). Laparoscopy safely allows tape placement medial to the uterine vessels. Additional cases are necessary to establish the obstetric effectiveness of cotton cardiac tape for laparoscopic cerclage.

Decompressive craniectomy for massive internal carotid artery infarction after pediatric penetrating neck trauma.

Pediatric penetrating carotid arterial trauma is a rare unreported cause of malignant cerebral infarction. Despite increasing evidence of benefit of decompressive hemicraniectomy (DCH) in pediatric malignant stroke, indications and predictors of outcome remain controversial. We report a 4-year-old boy with penetrating zone II neck trauma with laceration of the right internal carotid artery who developed malignant cerebral infarction requiring DCH. Impressive neurological recovery and excellent functional outcome was observed with good psychomotor development and quality of life. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pediatric malignant ICA infarction due to penetrating arterial trauma with good neurologic outcome after DCH.

Biological performance of a novel bovine hydroxyapatite in a guided bone regeneration model: A preclinical study in a mandibular defect in dogs.

OBJECTIVES: This preclinical model study aims to evaluate the performance and safety of a novel hydroxyapatite biomaterial (Wishbone Hydroxyapatite, WHA) on guided bone regeneration compared to a commercially available deproteinized bovine bone mineral (Bio-Oss, BO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four beagle dogs were allocated to three timepoint cohorts (4, 12, and 26 weeks) of eight animals each. In all animals, four critical-sized, independent wall mandibular defects were created (32 defects/cohort). Each animal received all four treatments, allocated randomly to separated defects: WHA + collagen membrane (M), BO + M, no treatment (Sham, Sh), and Sh + M. At each timepoint, the specimens were harvested for histologic and histomorphometric analyses to determine the newly formed bone and osteoconductivity. RESULTS: At 4 weeks, bone regeneration was significantly higher for WHA + M (46.8%) when compared to BO + M (21.4%), Sh (15.1%), and Sh + M (23.1%) (p < 0.05); at 12 and 26 weeks, regeneration was similar for WHA and BO. Bone-to-material contact increased over time similarly for WHA + M and BO + M. From a safety point of view, inflammation attributed to WHA + M or BO + M was minimal; necrosis or fatty infiltrate was absent. CONCLUSIONS: WHA + M resulted in higher bone regeneration rate than BO + M at 4 weeks. Both BO + M and WHA + M were more efficient than both Sh groups at all timepoints. Safety and biocompatibility of WHA was favorable and comparable to that of BO.

Influence of physicochemical characteristics of calcium phosphate-based biomaterials in cranio-maxillofacial bone regeneration. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of preclinical models.

Objectives: Calcium phosphate-based biomaterials (CaP) are the most widely used biomaterials to enhance bone regeneration in the treatment of alveolar bone deficiencies, cranio-maxillofacial and periodontal infrabony defects, with positive preclinical and clinical results reported. This systematic review aimed to assess the influence of the physicochemical properties of CaP biomaterials on the performance of bone regeneration in preclinical animal models. Methods: The PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched to retrieve the preclinical studies investigating physicochemical characteristics of CaP biomaterials. The studies were screened for inclusion based on intervention (physicochemical characterization and in vivo evaluation) and reported measurable outcomes. Results: A total of 1532 articles were retrieved and 58 studies were ultimately included in the systematic review. A wide range of physicochemical characteristics of CaP biomaterials was found to be assessed in the included studies. Despite a high degree of heterogeneity, the meta-analysis was performed on 39 studies and evidenced significant effects of biomaterial characteristics on their bone regeneration outcomes. The study specifically showed that macropore size, Ca/P ratio, and compressive strength exerted significant influence on the formation of newly regenerated bone. Moreover, factors such as particle size, Ca/P ratio, and surface area were found to impact bone-to-material contact during the regeneration process. In terms of biodegradability, the amount of residual graft was determined by macropore size, particle size, and compressive strength. Conclusion: The systematic review showed that the physicochemical characteristics of CaP biomaterials are highly determining for scaffold's performance, emphasizing its usefulness in designing the next generation of bone scaffolds to target higher rates of regeneration.

First pregnancy and live birth from ex vivo-retrieved metaphase II oocytes from a woman with bilateral ovarian carcinoma: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: To report pregnancy and live birth resulting from intracytoplasmic sperm injection of ex vivo-retrieved mature oocytes from a woman with bilateral ovarian carcinoma. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Fertility clinic. PATIENT: A 34-year-old nulliparous woman with bilateral ovarian tumor, with a risk of malignancy of 96.1% according to International Ovarian Tumor Analysis Group recommendations for adnexal tumors, who desired fertility preservation before definitive surgical treatment. INTERVENTION(S): Cryopreservation of ex vivo-retrieved mature metaphase II oocytes is followed by fertilization with donor sperm and embryo transfer to a gestational carrier. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Fertility preservation. RESULTS: After controlled ovarian stimulation, 12 metaphase II oocytes were retrieved from oophorectomized specimens and vitrified. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection with donor sperm was performed in remission, resulting in 9 cleavage-stage embryos, 2 of which were transferred to a gestational carrier, resulting in a normal, healthy singleton pregnancy, and the live birth of a healthy infant. CONCLUSION(S): Ex vivo oocyte retrieval after oophorectomy may be a safe alternative to standard oocyte retrieval for fertility preservation in women with ovarian malignancies.

Diet crude protein reduction on follicular fluid and cumulus-oocyte complexes of mid-lactating Girolando cows.

This study evaluated the effect of crude protein (CP) reduction in four diets (156, 139, 132, and 127 g Kg-1 DM) maintaining constant metabolizable protein (188 g/day) on the follicular fluid and cumulus-oocyte complexes of mid-lactating Girolando cows. Twenty-two Girolando cows with average of 21.55 ±3.19 L daily milk yield, 105.30 ±22.62 days in lactation and 3.22 ±0.03 body condition score were selected. To reduce CP in diets and maintain constant metabolizable protein, urea and soybean meal were gradually replaced by lignosulfonate-treated soybean meal (SoyPass®, Cargill), resulting in an increase in rumen-undegradable protein and a reduction in rumen degradable protein. A linear and quadratic reduction was observed in the plasma and follicular fluid urea nitrogen concentration following CP reduction, with the most intense reduction occurring in the 127 g Kg-1 DM group (p<0.001). As CP reduced, there was a tendency for a linear increase in the follicular growth rate (P=0.0696), on the number and proportion of viable oocytes (P<0.09), and also a linear increase for the number (P=0.0397) and proportion (P<0.09) of grade I viable oocytes. Plus, there was a linear effect for the number of cumulus oophorus cells. Cows fed with the lowest amount of CP had cumulus-oocyte complexes with higher numbers of cumulus oophorus cells (P=0.0238). Also, the reduction of diet crude protein was followed by a decrease in the probability of oocytes' DNA degradation. In conclusion, the reduction of CP in the diet of mid-lactating Girolando cows, reduces urea nitrogen concentration in both blood plasma and follicular fluid, and, as a consequence, increases the viability of oocytes and the number of cumulus oophorus cells while reducing oocytes' DNA degradation of follicular included cumulus-oocyte complex. The reduction on dietary CP may improve in vivo oocytes' embryo development impacting fertility of lactating dairy cows.

Conservative treatment of odontogenic myxoma.

Odontogenic myxomas (OMs) are nonencapsulated rare benign tumors that can occur in gnathic bones. They are locally invasive and have a high recurrence rate. Radiologically, OMs show a multilocular (in the majority of cases) or unilocular radiolucency, with either distinct or poorly defined margins. Histopathologically, OMs are characterized by spindle-, wedge-, or stellate-shaped cells loosely arranged in an abundant mucoid background. Myxomas are mainly asymptomatic. Radical surgery, excision, and enucleation followed by curettage of the surrounding bony tissue have all been advocated as treatment options. This study presents a successful case of conservative treatment of OMs with a 5-year follow-up.

The ubiquitin ligase RNF8 regulates Rho GTPases and promotes cytoskeletal changes and motility in triple-negative breast cancer cells.

The ubiquitin ligase RNF8 is known to induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) transition and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Besides EMT, Rho GTPases have been shown as key regulators in metastasis. In this study, we investigated the role of RNF8 in regulating Rho GTPases and cell motility. We find that RNF8 knockdown in TNBC cells attenuates the protein and mRNA levels of Ras homolog family member A (RHOA) and cell division cycle 42 (CDC42). We show that the formation of filopodia, focal adhesions, and the association of focal adhesions to stress fibers is impaired upon RNF8 knockdown. Cell migration is significantly inhibited by RNF8 knockdown. Our study suggests a potential novel role for RNF8 in mediating cell migration in TNBC through regulation of the Rho GTPases RHOA and CDC42.