Cerebral nasitremiasis in a Blainville's beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) stranded in the Canary Islands.

Ten species within the genus Nasitrema (subfamily Nasitrematinae, family Brachycladiidae) have been reported infecting a wide variety of odontocetes worldwide, although there is still a lack of information about their presence in beaked whales (BWs). Nasitrema spp. are commonly described inhabiting the pterygoid sinus, the tympanic cavities, and the middle and inner ear; although aberrant migrations through the brain have been also reported. This trematode may cause different type of lesions, ranging from mild to severe saculitis, neuritis, otitis, and/or meningoencephalitis that may impede cetaceans to survive in the wild, resulting in incoordination, loss of equilibrium, and echolocation dysfunction ending in a stranding event. The presence of Nasitrema sp. was found in an adult female Blainville beaked whale stranded death in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, on November 2016. The most relevant gross finding was a severe chronic-active multifocal pyogranulomatous and necrotizing encephalitis. Histologically, multiple areas of necrosis, pyogranulomatous and eosinophilic inflammation, haemorrhages and occasional cholesterol crystals were found associated with parasitic structures compatible with an adult trematode and its eggs. Molecular analysis, based on a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of the brain tissue sample detected 99% homology with a partial sequence of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 (ND3) gene of Nasitrema delphini. In addition, liver, kidney, prescapular lymph node and brain samples were positive to herpesvirus (conventional nested PCR). Evidence of the presence of this parasite was not found in any of the 54 beaked whales (n = 54) stranded on the Canary Islands between 1999 and 2017, specifically 35 Cuvier's BWs and 19 specimens belonging to the Mesoplodon genus. To our knowledge, the current study represents the first description of a nasitremiasis in a member of the Ziphiidae family.

Respuesta serológica a las vacunas frente a SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal / Serological response to vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Objetivo: Estudiar la respuesta serológica (RS) y tolerabilidad frente a la vacuna contra la COVID-19 en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII) y su relación con el tratamiento de la EII y tipo de vacuna. Métodos: Estudio observacional, transversal en pacientes con EII vacunados contra la COVID-19 sin infección previa conocida. La RS se analizó mediante la determinación de anticuerpos IgG frente a la subunidad S1. La seguridad se estudió mediante cuestionario para identificación de efectos adversos (EA). Resultados: Se incluyó a 280 pacientes con EII. Tipo de vacunas: Comirnaty® 68,8%; Spikevax® 10,8%, Vaxzevria® 18,3%, Ad26.COV2-S® 2,2%. Un 51,3% tuvo EA, siendo el 100% leves. Un 65% desarrolló anticuerpos IgG tras la vacunación. La RS fue superior para vacunas con tecnología ARNm (100% Spikevax®, 68,5% Comirnaty®) frente a las basadas en vector con adenovirus (38,0% Vaxzevria®, 33,3% Ad26.COV2-S®) (p <0,001). En el análisis multivariante la RS se relacionó con la edad (< 60 años; OR: 3,8, IC del 95%, 1,9-7,0; p <0,001). La RS en pacientes con aminosalicilatos fue del 65,4%, 61,4% con inmunosupresor, 65,8% con anti-TNF y 68,7% con biológicos no anti TNF (p = 0,9). Conclusiones: Un tercio de pacientes con EII no desarrolló anticuerpos con la pauta vacunal inicial frente al SARS-CoV-2. La RS a las vacunas basadas en tecnología ARNm fue superior y estuvo relacionada con la edad (mayor en pacientes más jóvenes). Los inmunosupresores y biológicos no disminuyeron la RS. Más de la mitad de los pacientes presentaron EA, leves en todos los casos.(AU)

Objective: To study the serological response (SR) and tolerability of COVID-19 vaccine in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its relation with IBD treatment and type of vaccine. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study in patients with IBD vaccinated against COVID-19 without known previous infection. SR was analyzed by the determination of IgG antibodies against the S1 subunit. Safety was studied using a questionnaire to identify adverse effects (AE). Results: 280 patients with IBD were included. Type of vaccines: Comirnaty® 68.8%; Spikevax® 10.8%, Vaxzevria® 18.3%, Ad26.COV2-S® 2.2%. 51.3% had AE, being 100% mild. 65% developed IgG antibodies after vaccination. The SR was higher for vaccines with mRNA technology (100% Spikevax®, 68.5% Comirnaty®) compared to those based on adenovirus vector (38.0% Vaxzevria®, 33.3% Ad26.COV2-S®) (P<.001). In the multivariate analysis, SR was related to age (<60 years; OR: 3.8, 95% CI 1.9–7.0; P<.001). The SR in patients with aminosalicylates was 65.4%, 61.4% with immunosuppressants, 65.8% with anti-TNF, and 68.7% with non-anti-TNF biologicals (P=.9). Conclusions: One third of patients with IBD did not develop antibodies with the initial vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The SR to vaccines based on mRNA technology was higher, and it was related to age (higher in younger patients). Immunosuppressants and biologicals did not decrease SR. More than half of the patients presented AD, being mild in all cases.(AU)

Serological response to vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. / Respuesta serológica a las vacunas frente a SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal.

OBJECTIVE: To study the serological response (SR) and tolerability of COVID-19 vaccine in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its relation with IBD treatment and type of vaccine. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study in patients with IBD vaccinated against COVID-19 without known previous infection. SR was analyzed by the determination of IgG antibodies against the S1 subunit. Safety was studied using a questionnaire to identify adverse effects (AE). RESULTS: 280 patients with IBD were included. Type of vaccines: Comirnaty® 68.8%; Spikevax® 10.8%, Vaxzevria® 18.3%, Ad26.COV2-S® 2.2%. 51.3% had AE, being 100% mild. 65% developed IgG antibodies after vaccination. The SR was higher for vaccines with mRNA technology (100% Spikevax®, 68.5% Comirnaty®) compared to those based on adenovirus vector (38.0% Vaxzevria®, 33.3% Ad26.COV2-S®) (P<.001). In the multivariate analysis, SR was related to age (<60 years; OR: 3.8, 95% CI 1.9-7.0; P<.001). The SR in patients with aminosalicylates was 65.4%, 61.4% with immunosuppressants, 65.8% with anti-TNF, and 68.7% with non-anti-TNF biologicals (P=.9). CONCLUSIONS: One third of patients with IBD did not develop antibodies with the initial vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The SR to vaccines based on mRNA technology was higher, and it was related to age (higher in younger patients). Immunosuppressants and biologicals did not decrease SR. More than half of the patients presented AD, being mild in all cases.

Comparison of Chromatic and Spectrophotometric Properties of White and Red Wines Produced in Galicia (Northwest Spain) by Applying PCA.

Wine is a complex matrix composed of numerous substances and color has an important influence on its quality and consumer acceptance. Color is affected by numerous factors such as pre-fermentation and fermentation operations, ageing, contact or addition of certain substances. In this study, different chromatic parameters were determined in 99 wines (58 red and 41 white) made from Galician (Northwest Spain) grape varieties. These parameters were obtained by using simple, rapid, and inexpensive spectrophotometric methodologies: color intensity, hue, total polyphenols content (Total Polyphenol Index TPI, Folin-Ciocalteu index, FCI), total anthocyans, total tannins, and color coordinates measured by the CIELab system. The influence of ageing in barrels (red wines) or using chips (white and red wines) on these parameters was also studied. A principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to characterize the wines according to their chromatic characteristics. Application of PCA to the experimental data resulted in satisfactory classifications of studied white and red wines according to the cited enological practices.

Non Coding RNAs as Regulators of Wnt/ß-Catenin and Hippo Pathways in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy.

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited cardiomyopathy histologically characterized by the replacement of myocardium by fibrofatty infiltration, cardiomyocyte loss, and inflammation. ACM has been defined as a desmosomal disease because most of the mutations causing the disease are located in genes encoding desmosomal proteins. Interestingly, the instable structures of these intercellular junctions in this disease are closely related to a perturbed Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Imbalance in the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling and also in the crosslinked Hippo pathway leads to the transcription of proadipogenic and profibrotic genes. Aiming to shed light on the mechanisms by which Wnt/ß-catenin and Hippo pathways modulate the progression of the pathological ACM phenotype, the study of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) has emerged as a potential source of actionable targets. ncRNAs comprise a wide range of RNA species (short, large, linear, circular) which are able to finely tune gene expression and determine the final phenotype. Some share recognition sites, thus referred to as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), and ensure a coordinating action. Recent cancer research studies regarding the key role of ceRNAs in Wnt/ß-catenin and Hippo pathways modulation pave the way to better understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying ACM.

Colocación de pulseras identificativas y de grupo sanguíneo en quirófano de ortopedia / Use of identification and blood type wristbands at the orthopedic surgery operating room

OBJETIVO: determinar si es correcta la identificación a través de las pulseras identificativas y de grupo sanguíneo en los pacientes intervenidos de cirugía ortopédica. MÉTODO: estudio descriptivo transversal. La población de estudio fueron los pacientes intervenidos de cirugía ortopédica de prótesis de rodilla y cadera en el Hospital Universitario de Burgos. Técnica de recogida de los datos: observación directa. Variables de estudio: sexo; edad; tipo de cirugía; lado de la cirugía; colocación de pulseras; portador de vía venosa; canalización de vía en quirófano; calibre; retirada de las pulseras; sustitución de las pulseras; tiempo sin pulseras; vía y pulsera en el mismo brazo y planta de origen. RESULTADOS: se analizaron 153 casos. El 100% de los pacientes contaba con una pulsera identificativa y el 98% tenía pulsera de grupo sanguíneo. Fue necesario retirar por colocación incorrecta el 27% de las pulseras identificativas y el 29% de las de grupo sanguíneo; todas fueron sustituidas. La media del tiempo que el paciente pasó en el quirófano sin pulsera con datos personales fue de 51,62 minutos y sin la pulsera de grupo sanguíneo de 50,36 minutos. CONCLUSIONES: la gran mayoría de los pacientes se encontraban correctamente identificados a través de las dos pulseras, aunque por necesidades de la cirugía en algunos casos debían retirarse quedando los pacientes sin identificar durante aproximadamente una hora. La comunicación e información con las enfermeras resulta fundamental para mejorar la calidad de los cuidados y la seguridad del enfermo

OBJECTIVE: to determine if there is an adequate use of identification and blood type wristbands in patients undergoing ortophedic surgery. METHOD: a cross-sectional descriptive study. The study population consisted of patients who had undergone orthopedic surgery for knee and hip prosthesis at the Hospital Universitario de Burgos. Data collection technique: direct observation. Study variables: gender, age, type of surgery, side of surgery, wristband placement, central venous line, IV line catheterization at the operating room, gauge, wristband removal, wristband replacement, time without wristbands, IV line and wristband in the same arm, and ward of origin. RESULTS: the study analyzed 153 cases; 100% of patients had an identification wristband, and 98% had blood type wristbands. It was necessary to remove 27% of the identification wristbands and 29% of the blood type wristbands due to incorrect placement; all of them were replaced. The mean time that the patient stayed at the operating room without a personal data wristband was 51.62 minutes, and 50.36 minutes without blood type wristband. CONCLUSIONS: the vast majority of patients were adequately identified through the two wristbands; though, for surgical requirements, in some cases these had to be removed, and patients were unidentified during approximately one hour. Communication and information with nurses becomes essential in order to improve the quality of care and patient safety

Morbimortalidade de câncer de próstata / Morbimortality of prostate cancer

Objetivo: Analisar o perfil epidemiológico da mortalidade por câncer da próstata, identificando fatores de risco para a pato- gênese. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, populacional. Os dados analisados foram coletados do Sistema de Informação sobre Mor- talidade e Informações de Saúde. O desfecho foi definido como C-61, como descrito na CID-10. Foram incluídos pacientes do sexo masculino acima de 40 anos. As variáveis para o desfecho estudado foram: zona de residência, faixa etária, cor, escolaridade e local de óbito. Na análise e na associação entre as variáveis e o desfecho, foi usado o teste qui-quadrado (p<0,05) com o método de Mantel-Haenszel (intervalo de confiança de 95%). Resultados: Foram identificados 1.254 casos de óbito por neoplasias malignas, sendo 15% de neoplasia maligna prostática e demais 85% por outras neoplasias. As variáveis que influenciaram no desfecho foram: faixa etária 60 ou mais anos (97,3%) comparada com 40 a 59 anos (2,7%), com razão de chance de 18,1, intervalo de con- fiança de 95% 0,7-0,8 e p<0,05; escolaridade com zero a 3 anos de estudo (75%) como influenciadora e 4 anos ou mais de estudo (25%), com razão de chance de 2,5, intervalo de confiança de 95% 1,6-3,0 e p<0,05; local de óbito, com significância estatística mos- trada na comparação entre hospital, com números de mortes de 76,6% e domicílio e via pública de 23,4%, com razão de chance de 0,5, intervalo de confiança de 95% 0,4-0,8 e p<0,05. Conclusão: Nas mortes por neoplasia maligna da próstata, mostraram-se associados ao desfecho idade acima de 60 anos, ambientes intra ou extra-hospitalares e escolaridade até 3 anos de estudo.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of mortality due to prostate neoplasia, identifying the risk factors for its pathoge- nesis. Methods: This is a retrospective, population-based study. The data analyzed were collected from the information system of mortality and health information. The outcome was defined as described in the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision, C-61. The subjects included were male patients over 40 years of age. The variables for the outcome studied were: residen- ce area; age group; color; schooling; place of death. In the analy- sis and association among the variables and the outcome, the chi-square test (p<0.05) was used with the Mantel-Haenszel me- thod (95% Confidence Interval). Results: A total of 1,254 cases of death was identified from malignant neoplasms, with 15% of pros- tate malignant neoplasia, and 85% of other neoplasms. The varia- bles influencing the outcome were; mean age of 60 years or more (97.3%), compared to 40 to 59 years (2.7%), (Odds Ratio=18.1), 95% confidence interval (0.7-0.8), (p<0.05); level of education of 0-3 years (75%) of study as an influencer, and 4 years or more years of study (25%) (Odds Ratio= 2.5), 95% confidence interval (1.6-3.0), (p<0.05); place of death, with statistical significance shown in the comparison between hospital, with number of deaths of 76.6%, and at home and in the streets(23,4%), (Odds Ratio=0.5), 95% confidence interval (0.4-0.8), (p <0.05). Conclusion: In the deaths from malignant neoplasia of the prostate, age over 60 years, place of death inside or outside hospitals, and level of education of up to 3 years of study were associated with the outcome.

Preventing unsafe abortion: Achievements and challenges of a global FIGO initiative.

FIGO established a Working Group on the Prevention of Unsafe Abortion in 2007 and a parallel program or "Initiative" with the same name. The initiative involved 46 FIGO member societies from seven regions: South-Southeast Asia, Eastern-Central Europe and Central Asia, North Africa and Eastern Mediterranean, Eastern-Central-Southern Africa, Western-Central Africa, Central America and Caribbean, and South America. Each society working in collaboration with the corresponding Ministry of Health and other agencies conducted a situational analysis and prepared a plan of action based on the findings. Such plans of action are continuously monitored by annual evaluation of the progress in the implementation at regional workshops. A substantial progress has been achieved in providing legal and safe abortion services, replacing curettage for manual vacuum aspiration or misoprostol and introducing and expanding postabortion contraception with emphasis on long-acting methods, such as IUDs and contraceptive implants.

Electrospun poly(hydroxybutyrate) scaffolds promote engraftment of human skin equivalents via macrophage M2 polarization and angiogenesis.

Human dermo-epidermal skin equivalents (DE) comprising in vitro expanded autologous keratinocytes and fibroblasts are a good option for massive burn treatment. However, the lengthy expansion time required to obtain sufficient surface to cover an extensive burn together with the challenging surgical procedure limits their clinical use. The integration of DE and biodegradable scaffolds has been proposed in an effort to enhance their mechanical properties. Here, it is shown that poly(hydroxybutyrate) electrospun scaffolds (PHB) present good biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo and are superior to poly-ε-caprolactone electrospun scaffolds as a substrate for skin reconstruction. Implantation of PHB scaffolds in healthy rats polarized macrophages to an M2-type that promoted constructive in vivo remodelling. Moreover, implantation of DE-PHB composites in a NOD/SCID mouse xenograft model resulted in engraftment accompanied by an increase in angiogenesis that favoured the survival of the human graft. Thus, PHB scaffolds are an attractive substrate for further exploration in skin reconstruction procedures, probably due in part to their greater angiogenic and M2 macrophage polarization properties. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Bone marrow transplantation improves motor activity in a mouse model of ataxia.

Ataxias are locomotor disorders that can have an origin both neural and muscular, although both impairments are related. Unfortunately, ataxia has no cure, and the current therapies are aimed at motor re-education or muscular reinforcement. Nevertheless, cell therapy is becoming a promising approach to deal with incurable neural diseases, including neuromuscular ataxias. Here, we have used a model of ataxia, the Purkinje Cell Degeneration (PCD) mutant mouse, to study the effect of healthy (wild-type) bone marrow transplantation on the restoration of defective mobility. Bone marrow transplants (from both mutant and healthy donors) were performed in wild-type and PCD mice. Then, a wide battery of behavioural tests was employed to determine possible motor amelioration in mutants. Finally, cerebellum, spinal cord, and muscle were analysed to study the integration of the transplant-derived cells and the origin of the behavioural changes. Our results demonstrated that the transplant of wild-type bone marrow restores the mobility of PCD mice, increasing their capabilities of movement (52-100% of recovery), exploration (20-71% of recovery), speed (35% of recovery), and motor coordination (25% of recovery). Surprisingly, our results showed that bone marrow transplant notably improves the skeletal muscle structure, which is severely damaged in the mutants, rather than ameliorating the central nervous system. Although a multimodal effect of the transplant is not discarded, muscular improvements appear to be the basis of this motor recovery. Furthermore, the results from our study indicate that bone marrow stem cell therapy can be a safe and effective alternative for dealing with movement disorders such as ataxias.

Use of Medaka Fish as Vertebrate Model to Study the Effect of Cocoa Polyphenols in the Resistance to Oxidative Stress and Life Span Extension.

Oxidative stress (OS) can induce cell apoptosis and thus plays an important role in aging. Antioxidant foods protect tissues from OS and contribute to a healthier lifestyle. In this study, we described the used of medaka embryos (Oryzias latipes) to study the putative antioxidant capacity of dietary cocoa extract in vertebrates. A polyphenol-enriched cocoa extract regulated the expression of several genes implicated in OS, thereby protecting fish embryos from induced OS. The cocoa extract activated superoxide dismutase enzyme activity in embryos and adult fish tissues, suggesting a common mechanism for protection during embryonic development and adulthood. Furthermore, long-term feeding of the cocoa extract increased fish life span. Our study demonstrates that the polyphenol-enriched cocoa extract decreases OS and extends life span in medaka fish, validating the use of medaka embryos as an economical platform to screen the antioxidant capacity of food compounds.

Changes in the use of manual vacuum aspiration for postabortion care within the public healthcare service network in Honduras.

Honduras is one of the 17 priority countries included in the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Initiative for the Prevention of Unsafe Abortion and its Consequences. The priority category enables the country to request emergency funding to acquire services or commodities that could contribute toward achieving the objectives laid out in its plan of action. These objectives include improving postabortion care by increasing the use of manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) as an outpatient procedure with minimal human and material resources. Since the Ministry of Health lacked funding, use of the emergency fund was approved for the purchase and distribution of MVA kits nationwide to ensure continuity and the hope of increasing MVA use. Eleven hospitals participating in this initiative provided data for analysis of the outcome. These data show no increase in MVA use; however, as discussed in the article, further investigation provided valuable information on the reasons behind these results.

Contribution of the Central American and Caribbean obstetrics and gynecology societies to the prevention of unsafe abortion in the region.

Unsafe abortion is a very important public health issue in the Central America and Caribbean region, where the use of modern contraceptive methods remains low and the restrictive legal framework reduces access to safe abortion. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Initiative for the Prevention of Unsafe Abortion and its Consequences is contributing toward resolving this problem by strengthening collaboration between medical societies, representatives of each country's Ministry of Health, and local and international agencies. In the 8 countries that decided to join this initiative in 2008, progress has been achieved in improving access to modern contraceptive methods, increasing the use of manual vacuum aspiration and misoprostol, and updating guidelines on postabortion care.

Analysis of the Ush2a gene in medaka fish (Oryzias latipes).

Patients suffering from Usher syndrome (USH) exhibit sensorineural hearing loss, retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and, in some cases, vestibular dysfunction. USH is the most common genetic disorder affecting hearing and vision and is included in a group of hereditary pathologies associated with defects in ciliary function known as ciliopathies. This syndrome is clinically classified into three types: USH1, USH2 and USH3. USH2 accounts for well over one-half of all Usher cases and mutations in the USH2A gene are responsible for the majority of USH2 cases, but also for atypical Usher syndrome and recessive non-syndromic RP. Because medaka fish (Oryzias latypes) is an attractive model organism for genetic-based studies in biomedical research, we investigated the expression and function of the USH2A ortholog in this teleost species. Ol-Ush2a encodes a protein of 5.445 aa codons, containing the same motif arrangement as the human USH2A. Ol-Ush2a is expressed during early stages of medaka fish development and persists into adulthood. Temporal Ol-Ush2a expression analysis using whole mount in situ hybridization (WMISH) on embryos at different embryonic stages showed restricted expression to otoliths and retina, suggesting that Ol-Ush2a might play a conserved role in the development and/or maintenance of retinal photoreceptors and cochlear hair cells. Knockdown of Ol-Ush2a in medaka fish caused embryonic developmental defects (small eyes and heads, otolith malformations and shortened bodies with curved tails) resulting in late embryo lethality. These embryonic defects, observed in our study and in other ciliary disorders, are associated with defective cell movement specifically implicated in left-right (LR) axis determination and planar cell polarity (PCP).

Metabolomic changes in the rat retina after optic nerve crush.

PURPOSE: To identify metabolic pathways and metabolites affected by optic nerve crush that can act as predictors of the disease or therapeutic targets. METHODS: The left optic nerve of adult rats was intraorbitally crushed and retinas were dissected 24 hours or 14 days after the lesion (n = 10 per group). Metabolic profiling analysis was carried out by Metabolon, Inc. A total of 195 metabolites were unambiguously detected. Data were normalized and the regulated metabolites were identified after comparing the different conditions. Metabolite concentration changes were analyzed using single and multivariate statistical analysis to detect discriminatory metabolites. Functional clustering and meta-analysis of the regulated metabolites was run through the Metacore platform. RESULTS: Comparison of 24 hours versus control, 14 days versus control samples, and 24 hours versus 14 days identified 9, 19, and 32 regulated metabolites, respectively. Single and multivariate analysis identified a total of 27 and 36 metabolites to discriminate between control and 14 days and between 24 hours and 14 days, respectively. Enrichment analysis showed alterations in the amino acid, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism, which were further linked to translation, oxidative stress, energy (glucose and tricarboxylic acid cycle), and apoptosis through ceramide pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis differentiates a set of metabolites that clearly discriminate control and early-injury samples from late-injury samples. These metabolites could have potential use as diagnostic molecules.

Bone marrow contributes simultaneously to different neural types in the central nervous system through different mechanisms of plasticity.

Many studies have reported the contribution of bone marrow-derived cells (BMDC) to the CNS, raising the possibility of using them as a new source to repair damaged brain tissue or restore neuronal function. This process has mainly been investigated in the cerebellum, in which a degenerative microenvironment has been suggested to be responsible for its modulation. The present study further analyzes the contribution of BMDC to different neural types in other adult brain areas, under both physiological and neurodegenerative conditions, together with the mechanisms of plasticity involved. We grafted genetically marked green fluorescent protein/Cre bone marrow in irradiated recipients: a) the PCD (Purkinje Cell Degeneration) mutant mice, suffering a degeneration of specific neuronal populations at different ages, and b) their corresponding healthy controls. These mice carried the conditional lacZ reporter gene to allow the identification of cell fusion events. Our results demonstrate that BMDC mainly generate microglial cells, although to a lesser extent a clear formation of neuronal types also exists. This neuronal recruitment was not increased by the neurodegenerative processes occurring in PCD mice, where BMDC did not contribute to rescuing the degenerated neuronal populations either. However, an increase in the number of bone marrow-derived microglia was found along the life span in both experimental groups. Six weeks after transplantation more bone marrow-derived microglial cells were observed in the olfactory bulb of the PCD mice compared to the control animals, where the degeneration of mitral cells was in process. In contrast, this difference was not observed in the cerebellum, where Purkinje cell degeneration had been completed. These findings demonstrated that the degree of neurodegenerative environment can foster the recruitment of neural elements derived from bone marrow, but also provide the first evidence that BMDC can contribute simultaneously to different encephalic areas through different mechanisms of plasticity: cell fusion for Purkinje cells and differentiation for olfactory bulb interneurons.

Grafting of GABAergic precursors rescues deficits in hippocampal inhibition.

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) has an important role in the mechanism of epilepsy. Cell grafts from different sources have been performed to modulate local circuits or increase GABAergic inhibition in animal models of epilepsy. Among the different transplanted cell types, the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE)-derived cells present the best properties to be used in cell-based therapy. In this work we review previous experiences with these cells. In addition, we present new evidence showing their ability to modulate the levels of inhibition in the host brain of mice with alterations in the GABAergic system, caused by the specific ablation of hippocampal interneurons. Grafted GFP(+) MGE-derived cells occupied the area of ablation and differentiated into mature NK-1-, SOM-, PV-, CR-, and NPY-expressing interneurons. Inhibitory postsynaptic current (IPSC) frequency and amplitude on CA1 pyramidal cells of the ablated hippocampus significantly increased after transplantation, reaching levels similar to controls. Our data strongly suggest the suitability of MGE-derived cells for the treatment of neurologic conditions for which an increase or modulation of synaptic inhibition is required.

The FIGO working group on the prevention of unsafe abortion: mandate and process for achievement.

The Working Group of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) on the Prevention of Unsafe Abortion and its Consequences received a mandate to contribute to reduce the number of women who have to resort to induced abortion and the maternal mortality and morbidity associated with unsafe abortion by minimizing unintended pregnancies, improving access to safe abortion services, and increasing the quality of and access to post-abortion care, including post-abortion contraception. A project proposal was prepared and approved by an anonymous donor, funding a structure headed by a general coordinator, the Chair of the Working Group, together with 6 regional coordinators and 1 assistant regional coordinator, plus 43 focal points nominated by the participating societies. A situational analysis of induced/unsafe abortion for each country was prepared by the focal points with the technical support of the Guttmacher Institute, and a plan of action based on the findings of the analysis. The situational analysis and plans of action were discussed at 7 regional workshops held between June and August, 2008. Fifty-four member societies nominated a focal point, 48 attended the regional workshops, and 43 had a plan of action approved by their governments and respective societies. The plans of action are currently in the process of implementation, with the collaboration of a number of national and international agencies and organizations.

International organizations and NGOs: an example of international collaboration to improve women's health by preventing unsafe abortion.

International collaboration with organizations and agencies is a basic requirement for the success of the FIGO Initiative for the Prevention of Unsafe Abortion and its Consequences. Many activities being carried out by the organizations form a part of the plans of action of all countries participating in the Initiative. It was, therefore, not difficult to obtain their collaboration in implementing the plans of action. The many ways in which they have collaborated and continue to do so are described in this article. This collaboration has saved time, avoided duplication of effort, and has also satisfied the Accra Agenda of Action by reducing fragmentation of funding. It has already contributed toward preventing unsafe abortion and reducing abortion-related maternal deaths and morbidities, and is expected to contribute even more significantly in the coming months and years.