Enhancing scaffold-free spheroid models: 3D cell bioprinting method for metastatic HSC3-Oral squamous carcinoma cell line.

3D in vitro systems offer advantages over the shortcomings of two-dimensional models by simulating the morphological and functional features of in vivo-like environments, such as cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, as well as the co-culture of different cell types. Nevertheless, these systems present technical challenges that limit their potential in cancer research requiring cell line- and culture-dependent standardization. This protocol details the use of a magnetic 3D bioprinting method and other associated techniques (cytotoxicity assay and histological analysis) using oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line, HSC3, which offer advantages compared to existing widely used approaches. This protocol is particularly timely, as it validates magnetic bioprinting as a method for the rapid deployment of 3D cultures as a tool for compound screening and development of heterotypic cultures such as co-culture of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells with cancer-associated fibroblasts (HSC3/CAFs).

Open and Closed Endotracheal Suction Systems Divergently Affect Pulmonary Function in Mechanically Ventilated Subjects.

BACKGROUND: In mechanically ventilated subjects, intra-tracheal secretions can be aspirated with either open suction systems (OSS) or closed suction systems (CSS). In contrast to CSS, conventional OSS require temporarily disconnecting the patient from the ventilator, which briefly diminishes PEEP and oxygen supply. On the other hand, CSS are more expensive and less effective at aspirating secretions. Thus, it was hypothesized that the 2 procedures differentially affect pulmonary and cardiovascular parameters after suction. METHODS: Subjects in the ICU (N = 66) were quasi-randomized for initial treatment with OSS or CSS in a crossover design. To compare the potential for these suction systems to compromise cardiorespiratory stability, changes in cardiopulmonary physiology were assessed from before to just after use of each suction system (three 10-s aspirations). RESULTS: For most pulmonary and cardiovascular parameters (ie, peak inspiratory pressure, airway resistance, pressure plateau, heart rate, and arterial pressures), the effects of aspiration inversely correlated with baseline values for that parameter, with a similar regression slope between suction systems. However, when controlling for baseline values, OSS caused significantly greater increases in airway resistance and peak inspiratory pressure (P < .001 and < .01 vs CSS, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated airway resistance prior to endotracheal suction may justify use of a CSS and contraindicate a conventional OSS in mechanically ventilated subjects. Adoption of this approach into clinical guidelines may prevent suction-induced pulmonary injury in subjects, especially for those with underlying diseases involving increased airway resistance or increased alveolar pressure. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT03256214.).

Rooting of black sage cuttings according to different indole butyric acid concentrations and number of leaves / Enraizamento de estacas de erva-baleeira em função de diferentes concentrações de ácido indol butírico e número de folhas

Varronia curassavica Jacq., black sage, is a medicinal plant with commercial interest due its anti-inflammatory properties. This species can be propagated by seeds, via vegetative propagation enabling the achievement of more uniform crops in relation to the agronomic and phytochemicals aspects. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of indole butyric acid (IBA) and different leaf numbers in softwood stem cuttings of black sage plants. The experiment was conducted in august (winter season) in a factorial arrangement 3x2, with three different concentrations of IBA (0, 1500 and 3000 mg L-1) and two numbers of leaves (two leaves or one leaf). The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse under intermittent mist conditions. At 60 days after planting, the rooting percentage, number of roots per cutting, length of the three longest roots, percentage of cuttings with callus, percentage of live cuttings without roots nor callus, percentage of dead cuttings and percentage of cuttings with shoots were evaluated. There were significant differences for number of roots per cutting, which was higher at a concentration of 3000 mg L-1 compared to treatment without application of IBA (32.5%), and for percentage of cuttings with callus (15.0%), also higher were cuttings with two leaves at a concentration of 3000 mg L-1 IBA. For other factors there were [...](AU)

Varronia curassavica Jacq. (Boraginaceae), ervabaleeira, é uma planta medicinal com interesse comercial devido sua atividade anti-inflamatória. A espécie pode ser propagada por sementes, todavia a propagação vegetativa possibilita a obtenção de plantios mais uniformes em relação aos aspectos agronômicos e fitoquímicos. Nesse sentido, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho, avaliar o efeito da aplicação de diferentes concentrações de ácido indol butírico (AIB) e a confecção de estacas caulinares com diferentes números de folhas, na indução da rizogênese da espécie. O experimento foi conduzido no mês de agosto (estação de inverno), em arranjo fatorial 3x2, com três concentrações de AIB (0, 1500 e 3000 mg L-1) e dois tipos de estacas (estacas confeccionadas com duas folhas ou uma folha). O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação com nebulização intermitente. Após 60 dias avaliouse a porcentagem de estacas enraizadas, número de raízes por estaca, comprimento das três maiores raízes por estaca, porcentagem de estacas com calos, porcentagem de estacas vivas não enraizadas, porcentagem de estacas mortas e porcentagem de estacas com brotação. Houve diferença significativa para número de raízes por estaca, que foi maior na concentração de 3000 mg L-1 em relação ao tratamento sem aplicação de AIB (32,5%), e para porcentagem de estacas com calos (15,0%), também maior para estacas [...](AU)

Rooting of black sage cuttings according to different indole butyric acid concentrations and number of leaves / Enraizamento de estacas de erva-baleeira em função de diferentes concentrações de ácido indol butírico e número de folhas

Varronia curassavica Jacq., black sage, is a medicinal plant with commercial interest due its anti-inflammatory properties. This species can be propagated by seeds, via vegetative propagation enabling the achievement of more uniform crops in relation to the agronomic and phytochemicals aspects. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of indole butyric acid (IBA) and different leaf numbers in softwood stem cuttings of black sage plants. The experiment was conducted in august (winter season) in a factorial arrangement 3x2, with three different concentrations of IBA (0, 1500 and 3000 mg L-1) and two numbers of leaves (two leaves or one leaf). The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse under intermittent mist conditions. At 60 days after planting, the rooting percentage, number of roots per cutting, length of the three longest roots, percentage of cuttings with callus, percentage of live cuttings without roots nor callus, percentage of dead cuttings and percentage of cuttings with shoots were evaluated. There were significant differences for number of roots per cutting, which was higher at a concentration of 3000 mg L-1 compared to treatment without application of IBA (32.5%), and for percentage of cuttings with callus (15.0%), also higher were cuttings with two leaves at a concentration of 3000 mg L-1 IBA. For other factors there were [...]

Varronia curassavica Jacq. (Boraginaceae), ervabaleeira, é uma planta medicinal com interesse comercial devido sua atividade anti-inflamatória. A espécie pode ser propagada por sementes, todavia a propagação vegetativa possibilita a obtenção de plantios mais uniformes em relação aos aspectos agronômicos e fitoquímicos. Nesse sentido, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho, avaliar o efeito da aplicação de diferentes concentrações de ácido indol butírico (AIB) e a confecção de estacas caulinares com diferentes números de folhas, na indução da rizogênese da espécie. O experimento foi conduzido no mês de agosto (estação de inverno), em arranjo fatorial 3x2, com três concentrações de AIB (0, 1500 e 3000 mg L-1) e dois tipos de estacas (estacas confeccionadas com duas folhas ou uma folha). O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação com nebulização intermitente. Após 60 dias avaliouse a porcentagem de estacas enraizadas, número de raízes por estaca, comprimento das três maiores raízes por estaca, porcentagem de estacas com calos, porcentagem de estacas vivas não enraizadas, porcentagem de estacas mortas e porcentagem de estacas com brotação. Houve diferença significativa para número de raízes por estaca, que foi maior na concentração de 3000 mg L-1 em relação ao tratamento sem aplicação de AIB (32,5%), e para porcentagem de estacas com calos (15,0%), também maior para estacas [...]

Prepartum and postpartum nutritional management to optimize fertility in beef cattle

Background: The cow-calf sector of the beef industry has a constant challenge to provide cattle with the proper nutritional profile to optimize reproductive performance. Reproduction and nutrition are the two most important factorswhen considering profitability in this sector of cattle production. Feed costs account for 63% of the total annual cowcost, and, thus, it is evident that nutritional management plays a major role in the financial viability of beef enterprises.Female infertility and other reproductive diseases account for an estimated yearly cost between $441 and $502 millionfor beef producers.Review: There is evidence suggesting that prepartum nutrition affects subsequent postpartum reproduction in beef cattle.The energy balance of the cows and energy profile of their diet are crucial to reproductive success. Prepartum nutritionis important in ensuring cows remain in a positive energy balance and return to estrus efficiently. Cows grazing nativerange grass pastures and supplemented (0.3 kg of 41% Crude Protein cottonseed meal) to lose body weight (BW) for5 months during gestation, had reduced pregnancy rates (29.5% lower) when compared with cows that were fed (1.4kg of 41% Crude Protein cottonseed meal) to maintain BW. This result suggests that cows that lose weight and energyreserves during gestation may suffer from reduced reproductive performance and pregnancy rates when compared withcows that maintain BW and body condition score (BCS). Postpartum nutrition is an important factor in reducing thepostpartum interval to pregnancy and increasing reproductive efficiency in beef cows. When cattle enter a negativeenergy balance during gestation, they tend to mobilize energy reserves and consequently suffer a reduction in BCS. Ithas been shown that when cows calve at a poor BCS (4 or less on a 9 point scale), increasing postpartum dietary energycan decrease the interval from calving to pregnancy and increase conception rates...(AU)

Prepartum and postpartum nutritional management to optimize fertility in beef cattle

Background: The cow-calf sector of the beef industry has a constant challenge to provide cattle with the proper nutritional profile to optimize reproductive performance. Reproduction and nutrition are the two most important factorswhen considering profitability in this sector of cattle production. Feed costs account for 63% of the total annual cowcost, and, thus, it is evident that nutritional management plays a major role in the financial viability of beef enterprises.Female infertility and other reproductive diseases account for an estimated yearly cost between $441 and $502 millionfor beef producers.Review: There is evidence suggesting that prepartum nutrition affects subsequent postpartum reproduction in beef cattle.The energy balance of the cows and energy profile of their diet are crucial to reproductive success. Prepartum nutritionis important in ensuring cows remain in a positive energy balance and return to estrus efficiently. Cows grazing nativerange grass pastures and supplemented (0.3 kg of 41% Crude Protein cottonseed meal) to lose body weight (BW) for5 months during gestation, had reduced pregnancy rates (29.5% lower) when compared with cows that were fed (1.4kg of 41% Crude Protein cottonseed meal) to maintain BW. This result suggests that cows that lose weight and energyreserves during gestation may suffer from reduced reproductive performance and pregnancy rates when compared withcows that maintain BW and body condition score (BCS). Postpartum nutrition is an important factor in reducing thepostpartum interval to pregnancy and increasing reproductive efficiency in beef cows. When cattle enter a negativeenergy balance during gestation, they tend to mobilize energy reserves and consequently suffer a reduction in BCS. Ithas been shown that when cows calve at a poor BCS (4 or less on a 9 point scale), increasing postpartum dietary energycan decrease the interval from calving to pregnancy and increase conception rates...

Environmental health and household demographics impacting biosand filter maintenance and diarrhea in Guatemala: an application of structural equation modeling.

In rural health development practice, engineers and scientists must recognize the complex interactions that influence individuals' contact with disease-causing pathogens and understand how household habits may impact the adoption and long-term sustainability of new technology. The goal of this study was to measure the effect of various environmental health factors and household demographics on the operation and maintenance of the Biosand filter (Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology, Calgary, Alberta, Canada) and diarrhea health burden in the region. In July and August 2010, randomized household surveys (n = 286) were completed in rural Guatemala detailing water access, sanitation availability, hygiene practice, socio-economic status, education level, filter operation and maintenance, and diarrhea health burden of the home. A hypothesized structural equation model was developed based on a review of published research and tested using the surveyed data. Model-derived parameter estimates indicated that: (a) proper personal hygiene practices significantly promote proper filter operation and maintenance; and (b) higher household education level, proper filter operation and maintenance, and improved water supply significantly reduce diarrhea health burden. Additionally, a high level of unexplained variance in diarrhea indicated the filter, though protective of health, is not the only factor influencing diarrhea.