A lower prevalence of malignant lymphoma in Sjögren's syndrome patients: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with lymphoma in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on pSS patients who were registered into the Integrated Data Repository (IDR) at the University of Florida (UF) Health Shands Hospital. The parameters, such as age, sex, race, and smoking status, were included. Lymphoma types in pSS were categorized. The clinical and laboratory features were compared between pSS patients with and those without lymphoma by utilizing the items in the EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI). RESULTS: Among 1,211,343 patients, we found 6799 patients (0.56%) with lymphomas and 2562 patients (0.21%) with pSS. Out of the 2562 pSS patients, 67 patients (2.6%) were diagnosed with lymphoma. The difference in the clinical and laboratory features listed under the ESSDAI domains between pSS patients with lymphomas and pSS without it was significant (p < 0.05 or 0.01): fever, weight loss, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, lacrimal gland diseases, cough, shortness of breath, hematuria, cerebrovascular accident diseases, peripheral nerve involvement due to vasculitis, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSION: We report 2.6% of lymphoma prevalence in pSS, lower than previously reported in the literature.

Association of TNF-α G-308 a Promoter Polymorphism with the Course and Outcome of COVID-19 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-ɑ (TNF-ɑ) is one of the most important cytokines that manage the host defense mechanism, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 patients. The work aims to study the association of TNF-ɑ G-308 A gene polymorphism with the course and outcome of COVID-19 patients in Mansoura University Hospital. METHODS: 900 patients with COVID-19 infection and 184 controls were tested for TNF-ɑ G-308 A promoter polymorphism. Different genotypes of TNF-ɑ G-308 A were compared as regards the severity and prognosis of the disease. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between patients and controls as regards the demographic data. The AA genotype of TNF-ɑ showed a higher incidence of the disease in comparison to the other genotypes. As regards the demographic and laboratory characters, no statistically significant difference was found between the different genotypes except for age, lymphopenia, CRP, and serum ferritin levels. In 336(80.0%) cases of the AA genotype, the disease was severe in comparison to 90(41.7%) cases in the GA genotype and no cases in the GG genotype with P = .001. CONCLUSION: People who carry the A allele of TNF-ɑ polymorphism are more prone to COVID-19 infection. The AA genotype of TNF-ɑ is associated with a more aggressive pattern of the disease. In those patients, the use of anti - TNF therapy may be promising.

Characterisation of stemness and multipotency of ovine muscle-derived stem cells from various muscle sources.

Muscle stem cells (MSCs) are a promising tool for cell-based therapy and tissue regeneration in veterinary medicine. Evaluation of MSCs from muscles of different origins improves our understanding of their regenerative potential. The present study compared the stemness, cell proliferation, migration potential, myogenic differentiation (MD), and multipotency of MSCs for four developmentally different muscles of ovine origin. MSCs were isolated from the hind limb (HL), diaphragm (DI), extraocular (EO), and masseter (MS) muscles. Cell proliferation, migration, and stemness were examined using sulforhodamine B, and colony formation assays. Evaluation of multipotency was examined using histological and morphometric analyses, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and the expression of myogenic, adipogenic, and osteogenic markers using RT-qPCR. Data were statistically analysed using analysis of variance. The results revealed that all experimental groups expressed stem cell markers paired box transcription factor Pax7, α7-integrin, CD90, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha. DI and HL muscle cells displayed higher proliferation, migration, and colony formation capacities compared to the EO and MS muscle cells. HL and DI muscle cells showed increased MD, as indicated by myotube formation and relative expression of MyoD at day 7 and Myogenin at day 14. Although MS and EO muscle cells displayed impaired MD, these cells were more prone to adipogenic differentiation, as indicated by Oil Red O staining and upregulated fatty acid-binding protein 4 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma expression. DI muscle cells demonstrated a higher osteogenic differentiation capability, as shown by the upregulation of osteopontin expression and an elevated ALP activity. Our data indicate that ovine HL and DI MSCs have a higher regenerative and multipotent potential than the EO and MS muscle cells. These results could be valuable for regional muscle biopsies and cell-based therapies.

Clinical recommendations in the management of advanced prostate cancer: International Gastrointestinal, Liver and Uro-oncology (IGILUC 2019) experts.

PURPOSE: Advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer (PC) have rapidly progressed through the past years. Various factors should be taken into account while treating individual patients to ensure optimal and careful decision making. The purpose of this consensus review is to summarize the current practice patterns when managing patients with advanced prostate cancer (APC) as there is still a lack of or very limited evidence on its clinical management in some areas. METHODS: Pre-defined questions were shared with experts prior to the consensus session that took place in Cairo, Egypt in April 2019 during the 8th International gastrointestinal, liver and uro-oncology conference (IGILUC). Voting was based mainly on the expert opinions of the panel after a thorough discussion and review of available evidence from guidelines or best evidence available concerning the topic at hand. RESULTS: A strong consensus or unanimity was reached on 47% of the proposed questions. Notably, the panelists reached consensus on several topics based on high-level expert opinion. These findings contribute in several ways to our understanding of the management of PC and provide a basis for future recommendations. There was also a lack of consensus on other several topics, which suggests the need for further supporting data addressing these knowledge gaps. CONCLUSION: This review offers a thorough understanding of APC practice and offers insight on the various opinions shared amongst experts in the field that can serve as guidance regionally and deepens our understanding of disease management globally.

The effect of high-fat diet on the morphological properties of the forelimb musculature in hypertrophic myostatin null mice.

Obesity is a worldwide nutritional disorder affecting body performance, including skeletal muscle. Inhibition of myostatin not only increases the muscle mass but also it reduces body fat accumulation. We examined the effect of high-fat diet on the phenotypic properties of forelimb muscles from myostatin null mice. Male wild-type and myostatin null mice were fed on either a normal diet or a high-fat diet (45% fat) for 10 weeks. Musculus triceps brachii Caput longum; M. triceps brachii Caput laterale; M. triceps brachii Caput mediale; M. extensor carpi ulnaris and M. flexor carpi ulnaris were processed for fiber type composition using immunohistochemistry and morphometric analysis. Although the muscle mass revealed no change under a high-fat diet, there were morphometric alterations in the absence of myostatin. We show that high-fat diet reduces the cross-sectional area of the fast (IIB and IIX) fibers in M. triceps brachii Caput longum and M. triceps brachii Caput laterale of both genotypes. In contrast, increases of fast fiber areas were observed in both M. extensor carpi ulnaris of wild-type and M. flexor carpi ulnaris of myostatin null mice. Meanwhile, a high-fat diet increased the area of the fast IIA fibers in wild-type mice; myostatin null mice display a muscle-dependent alteration in the area of the same fiber type. The combined high-fat diet and myostatin deletion shows no effect on the area of slow type I fibers. Although a high-fat diet causes a reduction in the area of the peripheral IIB fibers in both genotypes, only myostatin null mice show an increase in the area of the central IIB fibers. We provide evidence that a high-fat diet induces a muscle-dependent fast to slow myofiber shift in the absence of myostatin. The data suggest that the morphological alterations of muscle fibers under a combined high-fat diet and myostatin deletion reflect a functional adaptation of the muscle to utilize the high energy intake.

Exosomes isolation and identification from equine mesenchymal stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells are used for different therapeutic approaches, e.g. for osteoarthritis, lesions of the tendon as well as for bone defects. Current research on the mechanism of stem cells on the repair of damaged tissue suggest an important role of a cell-to-cell communication through secreted extracellular vesicles, mainly represented by exosomes. To enhance the scarce knowledge on the functional role of exosomes we compared as a first step different techniques to isolate and identify exosomes from the supernatant of equine adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells for further characterization and usage in functional assays. RESULTS: It was possible to obtain exosomes secreted from equine adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells with three common techniques: a stepwise ultracentrifugation at 100.000 g, an ultrafiltration with 3 kDa exclusion membranes and a charge-based precipitation method. The mean sizes and amounts of exosomes isolated with the different techniques were measured by the nanoparticle tracking analysis. The diameter ranged between 116.2 nm (ultracentrifugation), 453.1 nm (precipitation) and 178.7 nm (ultrafiltration), the counts of particles / ml ranged between 9.6 × 108 (ultracentrifugation), 2.02 × 109 (precipitation) and 52.5 × 109 (ultrafiltration). Relevant marker for exosomes, tetraspanins CD9, CD63 and CD81 were detectable by immunofluorescence staining of the investigated exosomes secreting mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, transmission electron microscopy and immunogold labeling with CD9 and CD90 was performed to display the morphological shape of exosomes and existence of marker relevant for exosomes (CD9) and mesenchymal stem cells (CD90). Western blot analysis of CD9 and CD90 of exosomes ensured the specificity of the rare available respectively cross reacting antibodies against equine antigens. CONCLUSION: Exosomes generated by equine mesenchymal stem cells can be obtained by ultrafiltration and ultracentrifugation in an equal quality for in vitro experiments. Especially for later therapeutic usage we recommend ultrafiltration due to a higher concentration without aggregation of extracellular vesicles in comparison to exosomes obtained by ultracentrifugation.

Effect of storage conditions on the quality of equine and canine mesenchymal stem cell derived nanoparticles including extracellular vesicles for research and therapy.

Nanoparticles including extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells are of increasing interest for research and clinical use in regenerative medicine. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including also previously named exosomes, provide a promising cell-free tool for therapeutic applications, which is probably a safer approach to achieve sufficient healing. Storage of EVs may be necessary for clinical applications as well as for further experiments, as the preparation is sometimes laborious and larger quantities tend to be gained. For this purpose, nanoparticles were obtained from mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue (AdMSC) of horses and dogs. The EVs were then stored for 7 days under different conditions (- 20 °C, 4 °C, 37 °C) and with the addition of various additives (5 mM EDTA, 25-250 µM trehalose). Afterwards, the size and number of EVs was determined using the nano tracking analyzing method. With our investigations, we were able to show that storage of EVs for up to 7 days at 4 °C does not require the addition of supplements. For the other storage conditions, in particular freezing and storage at room temperature, the addition of EDTA was found to be suitable for preventing aggregation of the particles. Contrary to previous publications, trehalose seems not to be a suitable cryoprotectant for AdMSC-derived EVs. The data are useful for processing and storage of isolated EVs for further experiments or clinical approaches in veterinary medicine.

Nano Iron Versus Bulk Iron Forms as Functional Feed Additives: Growth, Body Indices, Hematological Assay, Plasma Metabolites, Immune, Anti-oxidative Ability, and Intestinal Morphometric Measurements of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

The current study aimed to compare the utilization efficiency of iron (Fe) feed additives from either bulk or nano sources in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus diets on growth, haematological, immunity, anti-oxidative, and intestinal topography capacities. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were performed; the basal diet served as a control with no Fe added, whereas the experimental diets were shaped by adding bulk-Fe2O3 and nano-Fe2O3 to the basal diet to preserve Fe levels at 0.2 and 0.4 mg kg-1, respectively. Results indicated that superior growth performance was recorded in fish-fed diets supplemented with 0.4 nano-Fe2O3 mg kg-1 diet. In addition, the highest (P ≤ 0.05) survival rate, absorption area of villous (AAV), mucosal to serosal amplification ratio (MSR), and villi parameters (height and width) were noticed in fish fed diet enrichment with either bulk or nano-Fe2O3 source. However, the superiority observed in nano-Fe2O3 fish groups. Also, the highest values of plasma albumin, total protein, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), white blood cells (WBCs), and lymphocyte absolute count (LYM) (P ≤ 0.05) recorded in fish fed a diet supplemented with nano-Fe2O3 versus the basal diet. Moreover, the highest values of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and plasma lysozyme activity (P ≤ 0.05) were observed in fish fed 0.4 mg/kg-1 nano-Fe2O3, while the lowest value was recorded in fish fed the control diet. The best value of malondialdehyde activity (P ≤ 0.05) recorded in a fish-fed diet supplemented with 0.4 mg/kg-1 nano-Fe2O3. The current findings emphasize the importance of including Fe to improve fish growth, immunity, antioxidant capabilities, and intestinal structure, primarily with a nano-Fe source, which demonstrated a more effective function in satisfying Nile tilapia dietary Fe requirements and improving the aforementioned parameters.

A rare presentation of a mucocele in a separate compartment of maxillary sinus.

Maxillary sinus is frequently presented as a single space within each maxilla. It drains directly into the nose through the middle meatus. We are reporting the second rare case of a mucocele in a separate compartment of maxillary sinus in a 26-year-old patient without a history of facial trauma. The non-contrast computed tomography of paranasal sinuses showed an expansile right infraorbital cystic lesion developed in an upper lateral position of the maxillary sinus. An excision biopsy was performed, which showed histopathological findings of a maxillary sinus mucocele.

Optimizing the Adipogenic Induction Protocol Using Rosiglitazone Improves the Physiological Parameters and Differentiation Capacity of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Horses, Sheep, Dogs, Murines, and Humans.

The investigation of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) has received considerable interest in regenerative medicine. A nontoxic adipogenic induction protocol valid for cells of different mammalian species has not been described. This study aims to establish an adipogenic differentiation protocol suitable for horses, sheep, dogs, murines, and human cells. An optimized rosiglitazone protocol, consisting of 5% fetal calf serum in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium, 10 µg/mL insulin, 0.55 µg/mL transferrin, 6.8 ng sodium selenite, 1 µM dexamethasone, and 1-5 µM of rosiglitazone, is compared to the 3-isobutyl-1-methylxantine (IBMX) protocol, where rosiglitazone was replaced with 0.5 mM IBMX and 0.2 mM indomethacin. Cell viability, cytotoxicity, a morphometric analysis of the lipid, and the expression of adipogenic markers for 14 days were assessed. The data revealed that using 5 µM of rosiglitazone promotes the adipogenic differentiation capacity in horse, sheep, and dog cells compared to IBMX induction. Meanwhile, marked reductions in the cell viability and cell number with the IBMX protocol were detected, and rosiglitazone increased the cell number and lipid droplet size, prevented apoptosis, and upregulated FABP-4 and Leptin expression in the cells of most of the species. Our data revealed that the rosiglitazone protocol improves the adipogenesis of ASCs, together with having less toxicity, and should be considered for cell reproducibility and clinical applications targeting obesity.

Comparative Study of DNA ploidy and BRAF Immunohistochemistry between Colonic Adenocarcinoma and Inflammatory Colonic Lesions.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction (SPF) in non-Lynch colonic adenocarcinoma, ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn disease (CD) which are known as risk factors, and colitis. We correlated ploidy and SPF with tumor grading, staging and BRAF expression. METHODS: All studied adenocarcinomas have intact mismatch repair genes as proved by immunohistochemistry. All were assessed for ploidy by automated image-based DNA cytometry and histograms were drawn. Immunostaining by anti-BRAF V600E was performed. Diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) was done as a preliminary step for staging GI cancers. RESULTS: there is significant difference in DNA ploidy between groups; 77.5% and 17.5% of aneuploid cases are adenocarcinoma and UC. Groups are compared in terms of 2C, 4C, above 4C DNA content and SPF and significant difference is principally found between adenocarcinoma group and others. In adenocarcinomas, DNA ploidy is significantly correlated with tumor staging and grading. Regarding BRAF expression, there is significant difference between groups; all adenocarcinomas, 83.33% of UC were positive, while all cases of colitis, bilharzial colitis, CD were negative. There is significant relation between BRAF and SPF among all diploid cases including adenocarcinoma, and among non-neoplastic diploid cases. There is direct significant relation between BRAF intensity and adenocarcinoma staging. There is no significant difference between BRAF and ploidy among UC cases, although 75% of aneuploid UC are positive. DL helps in GI cancer staging. Routine laparoscopy before laparotomy, especially in cancers which have equivocal operability helps to avoid unnecessary laparotomies. CONCLUSION: Based on significant difference in ploidy between adenocarcinoma and UC and between SPF and ploidy, assessment of ploidy by DNA cytometry for UC and other colitis could therefore predict impending malignant transformation before development of colonic dysplasia. Also measuring SPF in adenocarcinoma helps to select patients who could greatly benefit from chemotherapy. DL has vital role in staging GI cancers.

Correlation of serum biochemical characteristics and ABCG8 genetic variant (rs 11887534) with gall stone compositions and risk of gallstone disease in Egyptian patients.

BACKGROUND: The overexpression of the cholesterol transporter: ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABCG8) due to the effect of ABCG8 genetic variant (rs11887534) leads to the precipitation of cholesterol crystals and gallstone disease (GSD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the chemical composition of gallstones and the role of ABCG8 (rs11887534) in the susceptibility to GSD. METHODS: We enrolled 77 patients with GSD treated with standard laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy and 75 age and sex-matched healthy controls. Chemical analysis of the extracted gallstones was performed. Analysis of the rs11887534 was performed by real-time PCR TaqMan technique for both cases and controls. RESULTS: Pure cholesterol stones were the main type of stones in GSD patients. The CC genotype carriers of rs11887534 were more prone to gallstone formation than other genotypes. The CC genotype carriers were 100 folds at increased risk to develop pure cholesterol stones. CONCLUSION: The most prevalent type of gallbladder stones is pure cholesterol stone. ABCG8 (rs11887534) could be associated with increased risk for cholesterol gallstones formation, this risk was more pronounced in female patients.

Characterisation of connective tissue from the hypertrophic skeletal muscle of myostatin null mice.

Myostatin is a potent inhibitor of muscle development. Genetic deletion of myostatin in mice results in muscle mass increase, with muscles often weighing three times their normal values. Contracting muscle transfers tension to skeletal elements through an elaborate connective tissue network. Therefore, the connective tissue of skeletal muscle is an integral component of the contractile apparatus. Here we examine the connective tissue architecture in myostatin null muscle. We show that the hypertrophic muscle has decreased connective tissue content compared with wild-type muscle. Secondly, we show that the hypertrophic muscle fails to show the normal increase in muscle connective tissue content during ageing. Therefore, genetic deletion of myostatin results in an increase in contractile elements but a decrease in connective tissue content. We propose a model based on the contractile profile of muscle fibres that reconciles this apparent incompatible tissue composition phenotype.

Exercise training attenuates the hypermuscular phenotype and restores skeletal muscle function in the myostatin null mouse.

Myostatin regulates both muscle mass and muscle metabolism. The myostatin null (MSTN(-/-)) mouse has a hypermuscular phenotype owing to both hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the myofibres. The enlarged muscles display a reliance on glycolysis for energy production; however, enlarged muscles that develop in the absence of myostatin have compromised force-generating capacity. Recent evidence has suggested that endurance exercise training increases the oxidative properties of muscle. Here, we aimed to identify key changes in the muscle phenotype of MSTN(-/-) mice that can be induced by training. To this end, we subjected MSTN(-/-) mice to two different forms of training, namely voluntary wheel running and swimming, and compared the response at the morphological, myocellular and molecular levels. We found that both regimes normalized changes of myostatin deficiency and restored muscle function. We showed that both exercise training regimes increased muscle capillary density and the expression of Ucp3, Cpt1α, Pdk4 and Errγ, key markers for oxidative metabolism. Cross-sectional area of hypertrophic myofibres from MSTN(-/-) mice decreased towards wild-type values in response to exercise and, in this context, Bnip3, a key autophagy-related gene, was upregulated. This reduction in myofibre size caused an increase of the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio towards wild-type values. Importantly, both training regimes increased muscle force in MSTN(-/-) mice. We conclude that impaired skeletal muscle function in myostatin-deficient mice can be improved through endurance exercise-mediated remodelling of muscle fibre size and metabolic profile.

The effect of hypoxia on myogenic differentiation and multipotency of the skeletal muscle-derived stem cells in mice.

BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle-derived stem cells (SC) have become a promising approach for investigating myogenic differentiation and optimizing tissue regeneration. Muscle regeneration is performed by SC, a self-renewal cell population underlying the basal lamina of muscle fibers. Here, we examined the impact of hypoxia condition on the regenerative capacity of SC either in their native microenvironment or via isolation in a monolayer culture using ectopic differentiation inductions. Furthermore, the effect of low oxygen tension on myogenic differentiation protocols of the myoblasts cell line C2C12 was examined. METHODS: Hind limb muscles of wild type mice were processed for both SC/fiber isolation and myoblast extraction using magnetic beads. SC were induced for myogenic, adipogenic and osteogenic commitments under normoxic (21% O2) and hypoxic (3% O2) conditions. SC proliferation and differentiation were evaluated using histological staining, immunohistochemistry, morphometric analysis and RT-qPCR. The data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. RESULTS: The data revealed enhanced SC proliferation and motility following differentiation induction after 48 h under hypoxia. Following myogenic induction, the number of undifferentiated cells positive for Pax7 were increased at 72 h under hypoxia. Hypoxia upregulated MyoD and downregulated Myogenin expression at day-7 post-myogenic induction. Hypoxia promoted both SC adipogenesis and osteogenesis under respective induction as shown by using Oil Red O and Alizarin Red S staining. The expression of adipogenic markers; peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) were upregulated under hypoxia up to day 14 compared to normoxic condition. Enhanced osteogenic differentiation was detected under hypoxic condition via upregulation of osteocalcin and osteopontin expression up to day 14 as well as, increased calcium deposition at day 21. Hypoxia exposure increases the number of adipocytes and the size of fat vacuoles per adipocyte compared to normoxic culture. Combining the differentiation medium with dexamethasone under hypoxia improves the efficiency of the myogenic differentiation protocol of C2C12 by increasing the length of the myotubes. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoxia exposure increases cell resources for clinical applications and promotes SC multipotency and thus beneficial for tissue regeneration.

Axon and muscle spindle hyperplasia in the myostatin null mouse.

Germline deletion of the myostatin gene results in hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the tension-generating (extrafusal) fibres in skeletal muscle. As this gene is expressed predominantly in myogenic tissues it offers an excellent model with which to investigate the quantitative relationship between muscle and axonal development. Here we show that skeletal muscle hyperplasia in myostatin null mouse is accompanied by an increase in nerve fibres in major nerves of both the fore- and hindlimbs. We show that axons within these nerves undergo hypertrophy. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the age-related neural atrophic process is delayed in the absence of myostatin. Finally, we show that skeletal muscle hyperplasia in the myostatin null mouse is accompanied by an increase in the number of muscle spindles (also called stretch receptors or proprioceptors). However, our work demonstrates that the mechanisms regulating intrafusal fibre hyperplasia and hypertrophy differ from those that control the aetiology of extrafusal fibres.

Pre and retroperitoneal necrotizing fasciitis after COVID-19 infection: A case report.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a serious infection that originates in the subcutaneous tissues. We present a case of 52 years old male patient who developed preperitoneal and retroperitoneal necrotizing fasciitis 2 weeks after the start of Coronavirus-19 infection. Preoperative abdominal computed tomography with intravenous and oral contrast revealed pre and retroperitoneal spread of air loculi with turbid fluid patches within necrotic tissues. After surgical excision of the lesion, histopathological and microbiological examinations of the samples revealed necrotizing fasciitis. This is the first report of preperitoneal and retroperitoneal necrotizing fasciitis after Coronavirus-19 infection in 52 years old male with no history of trauma or immunocompromised condition. Coronavirus-19 infection may increase the liability of patients to develop overwhelming infection and it may also delay the patient presentation causing serious health-related emergencies. The findings of necrotizing fasciitis on clinical grounds or imaging studies can help in diagnosis as well as the surgical intervention and appropriate antibiotics can highly impact the prognosis and survival of the patient.

Is COVID-19 infection triggering oral herpes zoster? A case report.

Patients affected with COVID-19 are at risk of developing serious and life-threatening conditions. The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 were detected in asymptomatic cases to severe clinical symptoms with a major impact on the respiratory system. A few cases of cutaneous as well as an oral lesion of herpes zoster in patients with COVID-19 were reported in the literature. We present a case of the rapid appearance of the oral lesion as a manifestation of herpes zoster associated with COVID-19 infection. Our case highlights the importance of oral examination as well as oral care in patients with COVID-19 infection.

Combined macromolecule biomaterials together with fluid shear stress promote the osteogenic differentiation capacity of equine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Combination of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and biomaterials is a rapidly growing approach in regenerative medicine particularly for chronic degenerative disorders including osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. The present study examined the effect of biomaterial scaffolds on equine adipose-derived MSC morphology, viability, adherence, migration, and osteogenic differentiation. METHODS: MSCs were cultivated in conjunction with collagen CultiSpher-S Microcarrier (MC), nanocomposite xerogels B30 and combined B30 with strontium (B30Str) biomaterials in osteogenic differentiation medium either under static or mechanical fluid shear stress (FSS) culture conditions. The data were generated by histological means, live cell imaging, cell viability, adherence and migration assays, semi-quantification of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and quantification of the osteogenic markers runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression. RESULTS: The data revealed that combined mechanical FSS with MC but not B30 enhanced MSC viability and promoted their migration. Combined osteogenic medium with MC, B30, and B30Str increased ALP activity compared to cultivation in basal medium. Osteogenic induction with MC, B30, and B30Str resulted in diffused matrix mineralization. The combined osteogenic induction with biomaterials under mechanical FSS increased Runx2 protein expression either in comparison to those cells cultivated in BM or those cells induced under static culture. Runx2 and ALP expression was upregulated following combined osteogenic differentiation together with B30 and B30Str regardless of static or FSS culture. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the data revealed that FSS in conjunction with biomaterials promoted osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. This combination may be considered as a marked improvement for clinical applications to cure bone defects.

Canine Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (cAdMSCs) as a "Trojan Horse" in Vaccinia Virus Mediated Oncolytic Therapy against Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas.

Several oncolytic viruses (OVs) including various human and canine adenoviruses, canine distemper virus, herpes-simplex virus, reovirus, and members of the poxvirus family, such as vaccinia virus and myxoma virus, have been successfully tested for canine cancer therapy in preclinical and clinical settings. The success of the cancer virotherapy is dependent on the ability of oncolytic viruses to overcome the attacks of the host immune system, to preferentially infect and lyse cancer cells, and to initiate tumor-specific immunity. To date, several different strategies have been developed to overcome the antiviral host defense barriers. In our study, we used canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (cAdMSCs) as a "Trojan horse" for the delivery of oncolytic vaccinia virus Copenhagen strain to achieve maximum oncolysis against canine soft tissue sarcoma (CSTS) tumors. A single systemic administration of vaccinia virus-loaded cAdMSCs was found to be safe and led to the significant reduction and substantial inhibition of tumor growth in a CSTS xenograft mouse model. This is the first example that vaccinia virus-loaded cAdMSCs could serve as a therapeutic agent against CSTS tumors.