Characterization of the organellar genomes of Mazzaella laminarioides and Mazaella membranacea (Gigartinaceae, Rhodophyta).

Mazzaella, a genus with no genomic resources available, has extensive distribution in the cold waters of the Pacific, where they represent ecologically and economically important species. In this study, we aimed to sequence, assemble, and annotate the complete mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes from two Mazzaella spp. and characterize the intraspecific variation among them. We report for the first time seven whole organellar genomes (mitochondria: OR915856, OR947465, OR947466, OR947467, OR947468, OR947469, OR947470; chloroplast: OR881974, OR909680, OR909681, OR909682, OR909683, OR909684, OR909685) obtained through high-throughput sequencing for six M. laminarioides sampled from three Chilean regions and one M. membranacea. Sequenced Mazzaella mitogenomes have identical gene number, gene order, and genome structure. The same results were observed for assembled plastomes. A total of 52 genes were identified in mitogenomes, and a total of 235 genes were identified in plastomes. Although the M. membranacea plastome included a full-length pbsA gene, in all M. laminarioides samples, the pbsA gene was split in three open reading frames (ORFs). Within M. laminarioides, we observed important plastome lineage-specific variations, such as the pseudogenization of the two hypothetical protein-coding genes, ycf23 and ycf45. Nonsense mutations in the ycf23 and ycf45 genes were only detected in the northern lineage. These results are consistent with phylogenetic reconstructions and divergence time estimation using concatenated coding sequences that not only support the monophyly of M. laminarioides but also underscore that the three M. laminarioides lineages are in an advanced stage of divergence. These new results open the question of the existence of still undisclosed species in M. laminarioides.

Introducing the READY Study: DHH Young people's Well-Being and Self-Determination.

READY is a self-report prospective longitudinal study of deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) young people aged 16 to 19 years on entry. Its overarching aim is to explore the risk and protective factors for successful transition to adulthood. This article introduces the cohort of 163 DHH young people, background characteristics and study design. Focusing on self-determination and subjective well-being only, those who completed the assessments in written English (n = 133) score significantly lower than general population comparators. Sociodemographic variables explain very little of the variance in well-being scores; higher levels of self-determination are a predictor of higher levels of well-being, outweighing the influence of any background characteristics. Although women and those who are LGBTQ+ have statistically significantly lower well-being scores, these aspects of their identity are not predictive risk factors. These results add to the case for self-determination interventions to support better well-being amongst DHH young people.

[Pancreatic lipomatous hamartoma: A case report and literature review]. / Hamartoma lipomatoso pancreático: Reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura.

Pancreatic hamartomas (PH) are extremely unusual non-neoplastic tumor-like lesions and accounts for <1% of all hamartomas. Moreover, there is a distinct variant of PH denominated Pancreatic lipomatous hamartoma (PLH), that is even rarer, with only 5 cases, including the present case, reported in the literature. PLH lacks well-defined features and clinically can be mistaken with other lipomatous lesions of the pancreas, including lipoma, pancreatic lipomatosis, PEComa, liposarcoma, and malignant tumors with lipomatous components. Here, we describe a case of PLH in a 70-year-old male with abdominal pain and a lesion, which was preoperatively diagnosed as a pancreatic no functional low-grade neuroendocrine tumor, and subsequent underwent a laparoscopic enucleation of the tumor. The postoperative pathology and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed the diagnosis of PLH.

Heterochronic reproductive developmental processes between diploid and tetraploid cytotypes of Paspalum rufum.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Apomixis is an asexual reproductive mode via seeds that generate maternal clonal progenies. Although apomixis in grasses is mainly expressed at the polyploid level, some natural diploid genotypes of Paspalum rufum produce aposporous embryo sacs in relatively high proportions and are even able to complete apomixis under specific conditions. However, despite the potential for apomixis, sexuality prevails in diploids, and apomixis expression is repressed for an as yet undetermind reason. Apomixis is thought to derive from a deregulation of one or a few components of the sexual pathway that could be triggered by polyploidy and/or hybridization. The objectives of this work were to characterize and compare the reproductive development and the timing of apospory initial (AI) emergence between diploid genotypes with potential for apomixis and facultative apomictic tetraploid cytotypes of P. rufum. METHODS: Reproductive characterization was performed by cytoembryological observations of cleared ovaries and anthers during all reproductive development steps and by quantitative evaluation of the ovule growth parameters. KEY RESULTS: Cytoembryological observations showed that in diploids, both female and male reproductive development is equally synchronized, but in tetraploids, megasporogenesis and early megagametogenesis are delayed with respect to microsporogenesis and early microgametogenesis. This delay was also seen when ovary growth was taken as a reference parameter. The analysis of the onset of AIs revealed that they emerge during different developmental periods depending on the ploidy level. In diploids, the AIs appeared along with the tetrad (or triad) of female meiocytes, but in tetraploids they appeared earlier, at the time of the megaspore mother cell. In both cytotypes, AIs can be seen even during megagametogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Overall observations reveal that female sexual reproductive development is delayed in tetraploids as compared with diploid genotypes, mainly at meiosis. In tetraploids, AIs appear at earlier sexual developmental stages than in diploids, and they accumulate up to the end of megasporogenesis. The longer extension of megasporogenesis in tetraploids could favour AI emergence and also apomixis success.

Evaluation of Glycosyl-Hydrolases, Phosphatases, Esterases and Proteases as Potential Biomarker for NaCl-Stress Tolerance in Solanum lycopersicum L. Varieties.

Salinity stress limited the production in over 30% of irrigated crops and 7% of dryland agriculture worldwide. The objective was to evaluate the effects of NaCl-stress on the enzymatic activity in tomato. Two experiments were carried out in germination and early vegetative growth stages. The activity of proline and peroxidase of eight varieties (Missouri, Yaqui, Vita, Feroz, Rio Grande, Tropic, Ace, and Floradade) submitted to NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM de NaCl) and the semi-quantitative activity of 19 enzymes APY ZYM® were measured under a completely randomized design with four replications. Data were analyzed using univariate-multivariate analysis of variance, Tukey's HSD (p = 0.05), canonical discriminant and cluster analysis. The results showed significant differences between varieties and NaCl in proline content. Proline increased as the NaCl concentration increased. Peroxidase did no show significant differences. Eight enzymes were included within the model to properly classify the varieties and NaCl. In shoots, varieties and NaCl showed that enzymatic activity was higher in the order of alkaline-phosphatase > leucine arylamidase > acid phosphatase > naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase > n-acetyl-ß-glucosaminidase > ß-galactosidase, while in roots was higher in the order of alkaline-phosphatase > naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase > acid phosphatase > n-acetyl-ß-glucosaminidase. Acid and alkali phosphatase, lipase, esterase, ß-galactosidase, and trypsin can be a potential biomarker for NaCl-stress tolerance in tomato.

[Association between chronic periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis. A systematic review]. / ¿La periodontitis crónica modifica la morbilidad de la artritis reumatoide?: Aspectos clínicos y moleculares. Una revisión sistemática.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic periodontitis (CP) may be related due to a bidirectional etiology. The evidence shows that CP could alter the clinical course of RA. We performed a systematic search to determine if CP alters the morbidity of RA, analyzing its clinical and molecular aspects. Of 552 initial articles found, 16 were selected for a thorough review. There is a greater prevalence of CP in patients with RA. Patients with RA have significantly higher values of periodontal clinical parameters than healthy controls. Arthritis activity is significantly greater in patients who suffer from CP and decreases with nonsurgical periodontal treatment. There is a significant relationship between the severity of CP and RA activity.

[Implementation of an early rheumatoid athritis unit for the early recognition and treatment of the disease]. / Implementación de una unidad de artritis reumatoide temprana en pacientes chilenos derivados desde centros de atención primaria de salud.

BACKGROUND: Early recognition of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) provides clinical benefits in terms of remission induction, reduced disease progression, and eventually treatment free remission. AIM: To describe the setting of a Unit devoted exclusively to the recognition and treatment of early RA in patients referred from primary healthcare centers (PHC) in Chile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were referred from nine participating PHC from 2014 through 2016. PHC physicians received a formal training to enhance criteria recognition and program adherence. Mandatory referral criteria were an age above 17 years, and arthralgia of less than 1-year duration, plus at least one of the following: morning stiffness of more than 30 minutes, swelling involving more than 3 joints for more than 1 month, a positive squeeze test or abnormal inflammatory serum markers. RESULTS: One hundred twenty patients aged 45 ± 12 years (90% women) were assessed at the early rheumatoid arthritis unit. Median time to referral from PHC to the Unit was 14.6 days. The median duration of symptoms for the overall sample of patients was 10.8 months. RA was identified in 43 patients (36%), with a delay between onset of symptoms and diagnosis of 8.3 months. Regarding the performance of referral criteria, the most sensitive was morning stiffness (80%, sensitivity 95% confidence intervals (CI) 64-89%) and synovitis was the most specific (specificity 83%, 95% CI 72-90%). The positive predictive value of the three clinical criteria altogether was 68.1% (95% CI 47-83%). CONCLUSIONS: Institution of an early RA unit was feasible within the Chilean healthcare system enabling the identification of early RA in one-third of patients.

[Prognostic value of lymph node ratio (LNR) in patients who underwent radical gastrectomy]. / Valor pronóstico de la razón de ganglios metastásicos en pacientes con cáncer gástrico operados.

The study objective was to evaluate the prognostic value of lymph node ratio (LNR) in patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical gastrectomy D2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively 498 medical records of patients with gastric cancer who were attended at the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases (INEN) between 2008 and 2011and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were distributed into 4 groups according to their LNR, LNR0: 0, LNR1: 0-0.13, LNR2: 0.14-0.4 and LNR3: = 0.4. RESULTS: The median of resected lymph nodes was 42 [range; 8.153] and 494 (99.2%) patients had more than 15 lymph nodes retrieved. 340 (68.5%) patients had lymph node involvement and 175 (35.1%) cases (35.1%) were classified as pN3, 94 (18.5%) pN2 and 72 (14.5%) were pN1. 285 (57.2%) patients had stage III disease. There was a significant difference between groups of LNR in overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) curves (p <0.05). According to the LNR groups there was significant differences according to age, lesion size, lymph node involvement (pN), Lauren classification, vascular invasion and lymphatic invasion (p <0.05). LNR is an important prognostic factor to explain the time of death (LNR3: HR: 6.77, 95% CI: 3.346-13.706, p <0.05) and recurrence time (LNR3: 95% CI: 2.104-13.439, p <0.05). CONCLUSION: LNR remains as an important independent prognostic factor in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer.

Handgrip strength measured by a dynamometer connected to a smartphone: a new applied health technology solution for the self-assessment of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to analyse the accuracy of a hand dynamometer connected to a smartphone to assess RA disease activity through the measurement of handgrip strength (HGS). METHODS: Eighty-two RA patients participated in this prospective study. Three types of HGS were assessed: power (Po), pinch (Pi) and tripod (T). An interactive mobile application was developed to capture grip measures. A unilinear regression analysis between HGS and DAS28 was performed. A multivariate regression analysis to identify independent variables related to HGS was also conducted. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (76.8%) were female. Mean age was 61.3 years. At baseline, a negative correlation between the three HGS measures and DAS28 score was found, as follows: Po, r = -0.65 (95% CI: -0.76, -0.51, P < 0.001); Pi, r= -0.42 (95% CI: -0.59, -0.23, P < 0.001); and T, r = -0.47 (95% CI: -0.63, -0.29, P < 0.001). In a longitudinal analysis of 32 patients, a negative correlation between ΔPo grip and ΔDAS28 was found (r = -0.76, 95% CI: -0.88, -0.56). Po grip was independently correlated with male sex (95% CI: 1.49, 4.14, P = 0.002), whereas variables inversely correlated with Po grip were disease duration (95% CI: -2.71, -1.34, P = 0.03), patient global assessment (95% CI: -2.41, -1.1, P < 0.001) and CRP level (95% CI: -3.56, -1.08, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: HGS assessed by a hand dynamometer connected to a smartphone represents an innovative health technology solution that could prompt the self-assessment of RA disease activity in an outpatient setting.

[Overview and perspectives of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in intensive care medicine]. / Escenario actual y perspectivas de la terapia con células madre mesenquimales en medicina intensiva.

Development of innovative therapies in intensive care medicine is particularly important since diseases as sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute renal injury (AKI) have an elevated morbidity and mortality in spite of current gold-standard approaches. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) may have a promising role due to their properties in immunomodulation, tissue reparation and microbial clearance. Preclinical data and results of a systematic review of PubMed, PMC and ClinicalTrials.gov have been included to review the role of MSC therapy in sepsis, ARDS and AKI. A description of MSC biology, sources and benefits in preclinical models was included. A phase I/II clinical trial (RCT) is recruiting neutropenic patients with septic shock. In ARDS, the START trial (Stem cells in ARDS Treatment) is a phase I/II study of bone marrow-derived human MSC (hMSC) that is currently recruiting patients. In AKI, a phase I study has demonstrated the safety of hMSCs infusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with high risk to develop AKI. A phase II study is still active. The results of these studies will determine the real feasibility of MSC therapy in critically ill patients.

Genetic response of Paspalum plicatulum to genome duplication.

Paspalum plicatulum is a perennial rhizomatous grass with natural diploid and polyploid cytotypes. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of sequence polymorphisms arising immediately after genome autoduplication in this species. Two mixoploid plants (4C and 7D) were previously obtained through colchicine treatment of seeds generated by open pollination of a diploid plant (H14-2x). Diploid and tetraploid sectors from both mixoploids were dissected to generate two ploidy series (4C-2x/4C-4x and 7D-2x/7D-4x). Molecular fingerprints were generated from the maternal plant H14-2x, both ploidy series (4C-2x/4C-4x and 7D-2x/7D-4x), and a tetraploid plant (C1) produced by selfing 7D-4x. Our results indicate that immediately after polyploidization P. plicatulum suffers genetic rearrangements affecting ~28-38 % of the genome. Band gain and loss were equally prevalent at a statistically significant level. At least 5.62 % of the genome experimented recurrent genetic variation in a non-random basis with a confidence of 94.88 %. A significant proportion of novel bands (36 out of 195; 18.4 %) was detected in the C1 tetraploid plant. Half of these bands were not amplified in either H14-2x or 7D-4x, while the remainders were present in H14-2x but absent in 7D-4x. Our results indicate the occurrence of a considerable number of genetic changes in P. plicatulum immediately after polyploidization, some of which were recurrently detected in different independent events. Moreover, we confirmed that after polyploidization, lost ancestral alleles were spontaneously recovered in further generations, a phenomenon previously reported by other research groups.

Analysis of variation for apomictic reproduction in diploid Paspalum rufum.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The diploid cytotype of Paspalum rufum (Poaceae) reproduces sexually and is self-sterile; however, recurrent autopolyploidization through 2n + n fertilization and the ability for reproduction via apomixis have been documented in one genotype of the species. The objectives of this work were to analyse the variation in the functionality of apomixis components in diploid genotypes of P. rufum and to identify individuals with contrasting reproductive behaviours. METHODS: Samples of five individuals from each of three natural populations of P. rufum (designated R2, R5 and R6) were used. Seeds were obtained after open pollination, selfing, conspecific interploidy crosses and interspecific interploidy self-pollination induction. The reproductive behaviour of each plant was determined by using the flow cytometric seed screen (FCSS) method. Embryo sacs were cleared using a series of ethanol and methyl salicylate solutions and observed microscopically. KEY RESULTS: In open pollination, all genotypes formed seeds by sexual means and no evidence of apomeiotic reproduction was detected. However, in conspecific interploidy crosses and interspecific interploidy self-pollination induction, variations in the reproductive pathways were observed. While all plants from populations R2 and R6 formed seeds exclusively by sexual means, three genotypes from the R5 population developed seeds from both meiotic and aposporous embryo sacs, and one of them (R5#49) through the complete apomictic pathway (apospory + parthenogenesis + pseudogamy). Cytoembryological observations revealed the presence of both meiotic and aposporous embryo sacs in all the genotypes analysed, suggesting that parthenogenesis could be uncoupled from apospory in some genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The results presented demonstrate the existence of variation in the functionality of apomixis components in natural diploid genotypes of P. rufum and have identified individuals with contrasting reproductive behaviours. Genotypes identified here can be crossed to generate segregating populations in order to study apomixis determinants at the diploid level. Moreover, analysis of their expression patterns, quantification of their transcript levels and an understanding of their regulation mechanisms could help to design new strategies for recreating apomixis in a diploid genome environment.

Political participation among deaf youth in Great Britain.

Variations in political participation are linked to demographic factors, socioeconomic disparities, and cultural-ethnic diversity. Existing research has primarily explored reduced political involvement among individuals with disabilities, particularly in electoral politics. However, little research has attended the involvement of deaf people specifically. This is of interest because deaf youth are at an intersection of disability, language and cultural identity with their language affiliations and rejection or acceptance of disability evolving through childhood. This study draws from original data collected via an online survey, comprising 163 deaf young respondents aged 16-19 in Great Britain. We compare their levels of political participation with those of general population peers to explore how sociodemographic factors, alongside variations in self-identification as deaf, and meaningful interactions with other deaf people contribute to explain their political engagement. The results challenge conventional wisdom by demonstrating that deaf youth participate more actively in politics than their hearing peers in various forms of political involvement, including collective, contact, and institutional activism. We also recognize differences among deaf youth and propose that social aspects of identity formation, particularly embracing a deaf identity and having deaf friends, can boost certain forms of political engagement. In summary, this study underscores the importance of acknowledging the diversity of deaf youth in terms of affiliation with various forms of deaf identity, rendering their experience different from both disabled and hearing youth. By identifying the factors driving heightened political participation, policymakers and advocates can develop strategies to enhance political engagement among all young people, regardless of their hearing status.

Impact of persistent barrier to gene flow and catastrophic events on red algae evolutionary history along the Chilean coast.

Historical vicariance events, linked to the existence of stable physical barriers to gene flow, generate concordant genetic breaks in co-distributed species while stochastic processes (e.g., costal uplift) could cause species-specific genetic breaks as a result of local strong demographic bottlenecks or extinction. In Chile, previous studies show that the area of the 30°S-33°S could correspond to a stable barrier to gene flow that have affected the genetic structure of various algae and marine invertebrates. Here we sequenced two organellar genes (COI and rbcL) in four taxonomically accepted co-distributed red seaweeds species characterized by a low dispersal potential: Mazzaella laminarioides, M. membranacea, Asterfilopsis disciplinalis, and Ahnfeltiopsis vermicularis. Our results revealed the existence of ten strongly differentiated linages in the taxa studied. Strong genetic breaks, concordant in both space and time (divergence estimated to have occurred some 2.9-12.4 million years ago), were observed between taxa distributed across the 33°S. Conversely, in the Central/South part of the Chilean coast, the localization of the genetic breaks/sub-structure observed varied widely (36°S, 38°S, 39°S, and 40°S). These results suggest that a major historical vicariance event has modeled the genetic structure of several Chilean marine organisms in the north of the Chilean coast during the mid-Miocene, while more recent stochastic events and genetic drift could be the driving forces of genetic divergence/structuration in the central-southern part of the coast.

A Phase I Dose-Escalation Clinical Trial to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Knee Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are promising cell-based therapy for OA. However, there is still a need for additional randomized, dose-dependent studies to determine the optimal dose and tissue source of MSC for improved clinical outcomes. Here, we performed a dose-dependant evaluation of umbilical cord (UC)-derived MSC (Celllistem) in a murine model and in knee OA patients. For the preclinical study, a classical dose (200.000 cells) and a lower dose (50.000 cells) of Cellistem were intra-articularly injected into the mice knee joints. The results showed a dose efficacy response effect of Cellistem associated with a decreased inflammatory and degenerative response according to the Pritzker OARSI score. Following the same approach, the dose-escalation phase I clinical trial design included 3 sequential cohorts: low-dose group (2 × 106 cells), medium-dose group (20 × 106), and high-dose group (80 × 106). All the doses were safe, and no serious adverse events were reported. Nonetheless, 100% of the patients injected with the high-dose experienced injection-related swelling in the knee joint. According to WOMAC total outcomes, patients treated with all doses reported significant improvements in pain and function compared with baseline after 3 and 6 months. However, the improvements were higher in patients treated with both medium and low dose as compared to high dose. Therefore, our data demonstrate that the intra-articular injection of different doses of Cellistem is both safe and efficient, making it an interesting therapeutic alternative to treat mild and symptomatic knee OA patients. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03810521.

Effects of active exergames on physical performance in older people: an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysis.

This overview assessed the available body of published peer-reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses related to the effects of active exergames compared with active/passive control on physical performance outcomes in older people. The methodological quality and certainty of evidence were assessed using PRISMA, AMSTAR 2, and GRADE. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (code: CRD42023391694). The main outcomes indicate that 4,477 records, five systematic reviews, and 10 meta-analyses were included. The AMSTAR-2 reported six meta-analyses with high methodological quality, four moderate quality, two systematic reviews with low quality, and three very-low quality. Meta-analysis was performed on balance using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) tests, on cardiorespiratory fitness using the 6-min walk test, and on upper and lower limbs muscle strength using the handgrip strength, knee extension, and 30-s chair stand tests. Significant differences in favor of the active exergames groups concerning active/passive groups were reported in BBS (SMD = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.12-1.58; I2 = 96%; p = 0.02), TUG (SMD = 1.44; 95% CI = 0.71-2.16; I2 = 97%; p < 0.0001), and 30-s chair stand test (SMD = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.33-1.25; I2 = 88%; p = 0.0008). However, no significant differences were reported in favor of the active exergames groups in 6-min walk (SMD = 0.93; 95% CI = -0.64 to 2.50; I2 = 95%; p = 0.24), handgrip strength (SMD = 0.67; 95% CI = -0.04 to 1.38; I2 = 84%; p = 0.06), and knee extension tests (SMD = 0.20; 95% CI = -0.05 to 0.44; I2 = 95%; p = 0.12) compared to active/passive control. However, it was impossible to perform a meta-analysis for the variables of walking speed as a fall risk due to the diversity of instruments and the small number of systematic reviews with meta-analysis. In conclusion, interventions utilizing active exergames have shown significant improvements in the static and dynamic balance and lower limb muscle strength of apparently healthy older people, compared to control groups of active/inactive participants, as measured by BBS, TUG, and 30-s chair stand tests. However, no significant differences were found in the 6-min walk, HGS, and knee extension tests. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, CRD42023391694.

Effects of combat sports on cognitive function in older people: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: This systematic review aimed to analyze the available body of published peer-reviewed studies on the effects of combat sports compared with active/passive control on cognitive function and electrophysiological markers of brain activity in older people. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The studies were searched in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases from deadline to June 2023. The PRISMA, TESTEX, RoB, and GRADE scales assessed the evidence's methodological quality and certainty of evidence. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (code: CRD42022361695). EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: After reviewing 3768 studies, seven combat sports interventions (score ≥60% in methodological quality) were selected, composed of 381 older people (63% female), with a mean age of 66 years. In the selected studies, interventions based on judo, karate, and taekwondo were carried out, where it was not possible to verify the benefits of combat sports in cognitive function and electrophysiological markers of brain activity regarding active/passive control groups, although the individual results of the analyzed studies indicate that the practice of combat sports favor selective attention, divided attention, executive function, visual perception, and cognitive processing speed in older people. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence does not allow a definite recommendation regarding combat sports as an effective cognitive function intervention in older people.

Harnessing apomictic reproduction in grasses: what we have learned from Paspalum.

BACKGROUND: Apomixis is an alternative route of plant reproduction that produces individuals genetically identical to the mother plant through seeds. Apomixis is desirable in agriculture, because it guarantees the perpetuation of superior genotypes (i.e. heterotic hybrid seeds) by self-seeding without loss of hybrid vigour. The Paspalum genus, an archetypal model system for mining apomixis gene(s), is composed of about 370 species that have extremely diverse reproductive systems, including self-incompatibility, self-fertility, full sexual reproduction, and facultative or obligate apomixis. Barriers to interspecific hybridization are relaxed in this genus, allowing the production of new hybrids from many different parental combinations. Paspalum is also tolerant to various parental genome contributions to the endosperm, allowing analyses of how sexually reproducing crop species might escape from dosage effects in the endosperm. SCOPE: In this article, the available literature characterizing apomixis in Paspalum spp. and its use in breeding is critically reviewed. In particular, a comparison is made across species of the structure and function of the genomic region controlling apomixis in order to identify a common core region shared by all apomictic Paspalum species and where apomixis genes are likely to be localized. Candidate genes are discussed, either as possible genetic determinants (including homologs to signal transduction and RNA methylation genes) or as downstream factors (such as cell-to-cell signalling and auxin response genes) depending, respectively, on their co-segregation with apomixis or less. Strategies to validate the role of candidate genes in apomictic process are also discussed, with special emphasis on plant transformation in natural apomictic species.

[Pregnancy during dialysis: experience in six patients]. / Embarazos exitosos en hemodiálisis crónica: experiencia de un único centro.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of pregnancies during dialysis is increasing. This condition requires changes in the dialysis schedule and nutritional approach. AIM: To report the experience in six patients with terminal kidney disease who became pregnant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records of women with terminal kidney disease in dialysis who became pregnant in a period of 27 years. RESULTS: We recorded six successful pregnancies among women in hemodialysis treatment aged 32 ± 4 years. The mean dialysis-time per week was 19.5 ± 2.7 hours and Kt/V was 1.55 ± 0.17. The mean systolic blood pressure was 130 ± 13.3 mmHg. The mean packed cell volume of the group increased from 22.7% during pre-gestational stage to 30.2% during third trimester of pregnancy. All patients received an intensive treatment for anemia. The most common symptom of pregnancy was hyperemesis. The mean gestational age (GA) at diagnosis was 13.4 ± 4.7 weeks. All patients had preterm deliveries at a GA of 33 ± 1.7 weeks, and 66% of offspring were appropriate for gestational age. CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary approach allows high rate of successful pregnancies during hemodialysis.

Safety and efficacy of clinical-grade, cryopreserved menstrual blood mesenchymal stromal cells in experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Background: Treatment for critical care conditions, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), requires ready-to-administer injectable mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). A validated cryopreserved therapy based on MSCs derived from menstrual blood (MenSCs) is an attractive option that offers advantages over freshly cultured cells and allows its use as an off-the-shelf therapy in acute clinical conditions. The main goal of this study is to provide evidence on the impact of cryopreservation on different biological functions of MenSCs and to determine the optimal therapeutic dose, safety, and efficacy profile of clinical-grade, cryopreserved (cryo)-MenSCs in experimental ARDS. Methods: Biological functions of fresh versus cryo-MenSCs were compared in vitro. The effects of cryo-MenSCs therapy were evaluated in vivo in ARDS-induced (Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide) C57BL/6 mice. After 24 h, the animals were treated with five doses ranging from 0.25×105 to 1.25×106 cells/animal. At 2 and 7 days after induction of ARDS, safety and efficacy were evaluated. Results: Clinical-grade cryo-MenSCs injections improved lung mechanics and reduced alveolar collapse, tissue cellularity, and remodelling, decreasing elastic and collagen fiber content in alveolar septa. In addition, administration of these cells modulated inflammatory mediators and promoted pro-angiogenic and anti-apoptotic effects in lung-injured animals. More beneficial effects were observed with an optimal dose of 4×106 cells/Kg than with higher or lower doses. Conclusion: From a translational perspective, the results showed that clinical-grade cryopreserved MenSCs retain their biological properties and exert a therapeutic effect in mild to moderate experimental ARDS. The optimal therapeutic dose was well-tolerated, safe, and effective, favouring improved lung function. These findings support the potential value of an off-the-shelf MenSCs-based product as a promising therapeutic strategy for treating ARDS.