What role do endogenous retroviruses play in domestic cats infected with feline leukaemia virus?

Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that infects domestic and wild cats around the world. FeLV infection is associated with the development of neoplasms, bone marrow disorders and immunosuppression. Viral subgroups arise from mutations in the FeLV genome or from recombination of FeLV with ancestral endogenous retroviruses in the cat genome. The retroviral endogenisation process has allowed generation of a diversity of endogenous viruses, both functional and defective. These elements may be part of the normal functioning of the feline genome and may also interact with FeLV to form recombinant FeLV subgroups, enhance pathogenicity of viral subgroups, or inhibit and/or regulate other retroviral infections. Recombination of the env gene occurs most frequently and appears to be the most significant in terms of both the quantity and diversification of pathogenic effects in the viral population, as well as affecting cell tropism and types of disease that occur in infected cats. This review focuses on available information regarding genetic diversity, pathogenesis and diagnosis of FeLV as a result of the interaction between endogenous and exogenous viruses.

[Usefulness of prensil strength as a predictor of functional abatement in patients over 60 years of age with hip fracture]. / Utilidad de la fuerza prensil como predictor de abatimiento funcional en pacientes mayores de 60 años con fractura de cadera.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment impacts on the preservation of functionality , affecting the quality of life of the patient. Low muscle mass, expressed as low grip strength, is a common condition that has shown great utility in predicting mortality, days of hospital stay, and early mobilization. OBJECTIVE: To describe the usefulness of grip strength as a predictor of functional loss in patients older than 60 years with hip fracture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, observational, analytical, longitudinal cohort study in 60-year-old hospitalized patients with hip fracture, the grip strength was evaluated with a hydraulic dynamometer at admission and after surgery, with a follow-up at 30 days. RESULTS: The patients presented a significant decrease in grip strength at admission compared to grip strength at discharge (20.79 ± 4.75 vs. 15.45 ± 4.17 respectively). When evaluating muscle strength, it was found that those patients with functional loss had a higher score of grip strength at admission (21.42 ± 5.26, p = 0.04), and grip strength at discharge (16.14 ± 4.52 p = 0.013). For each day of hospital stay, 0.493 kg of muscle strength decreases. CONCLUSION: There is a positive correlation between the days of hospital stay with the decrease in muscle strength in addition to a positive correlation between the Barthel score and grip strength, which proposes that this parameter is an important factor to evaluate in the adult functionality approach.

La valoración geriátrica integral impacta en la preservación de la funcionalidad, repercutiendo en la calidad de vida del paciente. La baja masa muscular, expresada en baja fuerza prensil es una condición común que ha mostrado gran utilidad para la predicción de mortalidad, días de estancia hospitalaria y movilización temprana. Objetivo: Describir la utilidad de la fuerza prensil como predictor de abatimiento funcional en pacientes mayores de 60 años con fractura de cadera. Material y métodos: Estudio de cohorte prospectiva, observacional, analítico, longitudinal, en pacientes de 60 años hospitalizados con fractura de cadera. Se evaluó la fuerza prensil con dinamómetro hidráulico al ingreso y postquirúrgica, con seguimiento a los 30 días. Resultados: Se observó que los pacientes presentaron una disminución en la fuerza prensil al ingreso en comparación con la fuerza prensil al momento del egreso (20.79 ± 4.75 vs. 15.45 ± 4.17 respectivamente). Al evaluar la fuerza muscular se encontró que los pacientes con abatimiento funcional tuvieron un puntaje mayor de fuerza prensil al ingreso (21.42 ± 5.26, p = 0.04) y fuerza prensil al egreso (16.14 ± 4.52 p = 0.013). Por cada día de estancia hospitalaria disminuyó 0.493 kg la fuerza muscular. Conclusión: Existe una correlación positiva entre los días de estancia intrahospitalaria y la disminución de la fuerza muscular, además de una correlación positiva entre el índice de Barthel y la fuerza prensil, lo que propone a dicho parámetro como un factor importante a evaluar en el abordaje de funcionalidad del adulto mayor.

Quantification and in vitro bioaccessibility of glucosinolates and trace elements in Brassicaceae leafy vegetables.

Leaf samples from five Brassicaceae species (Brassica carinata, Brassica oleracea, Brassica rapa, Eruca vesicaria and Sinapis alba) were analyzed to determine their contents of glucosinolates and trace elements, and the bioaccessibility of these compounds. Considerable variability in the total contents and glucosinolate profiles was observed in the Brassicaceae species, with the total amounts ranging from 8.5 µmol/g dw in Brassica oleracea to 32.9 µmol/g dw in Sinapis alba. Bioaccessibilities of the predominant glucosinolates were moderate, ranging from 13.1% for glucoraphanin to 43.2% for gluconapin, which is particularly relevant as they have been implicated in a variety of anti-carcinogenic mechanisms. Trace element concentrations were: Se (28-160 µg/Kg dw); Cr (0.31-4.03 µg/g dw); Ni (0.19-1.53 µg/g dw); Fe (8.6-18.8 µg/g dw); Zn (20.8-41.5 µg/g dw); Ca (6.2-15.2 mg/g dw). Brassicaceae leaves were also moderate dietary sources of Se, Ni, Zn and Ca.

Minimally Invasive Hemodynamic Assessment during Obstetric Hysterectomy for Invasive Placentation with Epidural Anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to describe the evolution of hemodynamic parameters over time of patients with invasive placentation during their third trimester who were delivered via cesarean section and subsequently underwent obstetric hysterectomy under epidural anesthesia. METHODS: A prospective, descriptive, longitudinal, 11-month cohort study of 43 patients aged between 18 and 37 years who presented with invasive placentation. Minimal invasive monitoring was placed before the administration of epidural anesthesia for hemodynamic parameter tracking during the cesarean section. After delivery, the patients underwent an obstetric hysterectomy. Blood loss, hemodynamic parameters, and coagulation were managed via goal-directed therapy. Parameters were compared via repeated measures ANOVA and effect size estimation (Cohen's d). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 29.2 ± 3.4 years and was moderately overweight. They had minor cardiac index variance (P=NS, no significance), vascular systemic resistance index (NS), heart rate (P=NS), and median arterial pressure (P=NS). Differences were observed in the stroke volume index (P=0.015) due to moderately higher values (d = 0.3, P=0.016) in the middle of the surgery. Patients had lower cardiac index (d = -0.36, NS) and cardiac workload requirements (d = -0.29, P=0.034) toward the completion of surgery. CONCLUSION: Patients who are in their third trimester and who subsequently underwent obstetric hysterectomy under epidural anesthesia had modest surgical hemodynamic variance and reduced cardiac workload requirements toward the end of the surgery.

Synthesis of carbon nanotubes using biochar as precursor material under microwave irradiation.

Biochar is a carbon-rich porous material obtained by the thermochemical treatment of biomass. Biochar presents a suitable composition as precursor material for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) growth, and can be used as a sustainable alternative in the valorization of biomass. In this study, the synthesis of CNTs using biochar as biological precursor material is presented. CNTs were synthesized using a mixture of biochar and ferrocene including microwave assisted heating. Biochar samples used in the synthesis of CNTs were obtained from agroindustrial waste such as wheat straw, oat hulls, rapeseed cake and hazelnut hulls pyrolyzed at 400 °C and 600 °C. Synthesized CNTs were examined by dynamic light scattering, UV-VIS spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the physicochemical properties of CNTs were influenced by pyrolysis temperature of biomass. Biochars obtained at 600 °C produced higher CNTs concentration and smaller hydrodynamic diameter. Moreover, CNTs synthesized from biochar of hazelnut hulls and wheat straw show a higher degree of wall graphitization, suggesting superior CNT quality. The results of this study show the feasible production of CNTs using biochar as precursor material.

[Analysis of the frequency of polytraumatized patients in motorcycle accidents in the pediatric publication attended in the Pediatric Hospital of Sinaloa between the years 2015 and 2017]. / Análisis de la frecuencia de pacientes politraumatizados en accidentes en motocicleta en la población pediátrica atendida en el Hospital Pediátrico de Sinaloa entre los años 2015 y 2017.

OBJECTIVES: Determine the frequency of polytraumatized pediatric patients involved in motorcycle accidents treated at the Pediatric Hospital of Sinaloa between 2015 and 2017, as well as to determine the frequency of traumatic brain injuries, thoracic, abdominal, limb injuries, days of hospital stay and mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The selected population were patients under 18 years of age who were involved in motorcycle accidents treated at the Pediatric Hospital of Sinaloa in a period between January 1st, 2015 and December 31, 2017. RESULTS: The most affected gender was the male with the most frequent age of 14 years, accidents occurred more frequently on Fridays and Saturdays at night. July was the month with the highest frequency of accidents. The number of accidents increased every year. Most of the injured were passengers, 98.4% did not use safety equipment, the most frequent injury was head injury, followed by injuries in lower extremities, upper chest trauma and less frequent abdominal traumatism. DISCUSSION: There is a progressive increase in motorcycle accidents where the pediatric population is involved, the use of helmet is almost zero, most of the patients presented with head trauma, this study serves to see the current situation, as well as being the basis for Subsequent studies and conduct more campaigns for the prevention of motorcycle accidents and encourage the use of helmet in pediatric patients.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar la frecuencia de los pacientes pediátricos politraumatizados involucrados en accidentes por motocicleta atendidos en el Hospital Pediátrico de Sinaloa entre los años 2015 y 2017, así como determinar la frecuencia de traumatismos craneoencefálicos, lesiones torácicas, abdominales, en extremidades, días de estancia hospitalaria y mortalidad. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: La población seleccionada fueron pacientes menores de 18 años de edad que se encontraron involucrados en accidentes de motocicleta atendidos en el Hospital Pediátrico de Sinaloa en un período comprendido entre el 1o de Enero de 2015 al 31 de Diciembre de 2017. RESULTADOS: El género más afectado fue el masculino, con edad más frecuente de 14 años, los accidentes ocurrieron con mayor frecuencia los Viernes y Sábados en horario nocturno. Julio fue el mes con mayor índice de accidentes. La cantidad de accidentes se incrementó cada año. La mayoría de los lesionados fueron pasajeros, 98.4% no utilizó equipo de seguridad, la lesión más común fue el traumatismo craneoencefálico, seguido de lesiones en extremidades inferiores, superiores, traumatismo torácico y la menos común, el traumatismo abdominal. DISCUSIÓN: Hay un incremento progresivo en los accidentes en motocicleta donde se involucra la población pediátrica, el uso de casco es casi nulo, la mayoría de los pacientes presentó traumatismo craneoencefálico, este estudio sirve para analizar el panorama actual, así como ser la base de estudios posteriores y realizar más campañas para la prevención de accidentes en motocicleta y fomentar el uso de casco en pacientes pediátricos.

Effect of ascorbic and chondrogenic derived decellularized extracellular matrix from mesenchymal stem cells on their proliferation, viability and differentiation.

BACKGROUND: The development and application of biomaterials to promote stem cell proliferation and differentiation has undergone major expansion over the last few years. Decellularized stem cell matrix (DSCMs) represent bioactive and biocompatible materials which achieve similar characteristics of native extracellular matrix. DSCMs have given promising outcomes in generating novel cell culture substrates mimicking specific niche microenvironments in tissue engineering. AIMS: This research aims at producing two different DSCMs obtained from adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, characterize them and evaluate the DSCMs bioactivity on mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS: DSCMs were produced using ascorbic or chondrogenic medium, which were then used as a scaffold for adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, respectively. The biological characteristics of both types of DSCMs, including cell attachment, morphology, proliferation, viability, and chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Differences between ascorbic derived-DSCMs and chondrogenic derived DSCMs were found. Chondrogenic derived-DSCMs remained compact and stronger during extraction and this made their handling easier. Ascorbic derived-DSCMs showed a different protein composition to chondrogenic-DSCMs. Bioactive characteristics analyzed were different depending on the cellular origin of DSCM and the method used to produce them. CONCLUSIONS: The DSCMs obtained in this work constitutes favorable structure- and growth factors providing a microenvironment which is very similar to that of native ECM, which results in enhanced biological potential of the MSCs and responsiveness to the induction of differentiation. We found differences between ascorbic derived-DSCMs and chondrogenic derived DSCMs. Our results suggest that the cell source used to produce DSCMs is highly related to the bioactive characteristics of DSCMs.

Occupational and leisure time physical inactivity and the risk of type II diabetes and hypertension among Mexican adults: A prospective cohort study.

There is a lack of longitudinal data linking physical inactivity and chronic diseases among Mexicans. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between total, leisure and occupational moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and incidence of type II diabetes (T2D) and hypertension in the Mexico City Diabetes Study. Study design and population. A prospective cohort study was conducted from 1989 to 2009 among 2282 men and non-pregnant women residing in six low-income neighborhoods in Mexico City. MAIN OUTCOME: Incidence of T2D and hypertension. RESULTS: After controlling for confounders, <1 MET/min/week of MVPA during leisure time was associated with higher risk of hypertension (HR 1.29, CI 95% 1.01, 1.66) and T2D (HR 1.31 CI 95% 1.00, 1.74). In addition, accumulating <1 MET/min/week of occupational MVPA was associated with higher risk of hypertension (HR 1.47, CI 95% 1.13, 1.90). CONCLUSION: The absence of leisure and occupational MVPA was associated with an increased risk of hypertension. However, no associations were found between occupational MVPA and T2D.

Cyclic Concatenated Genetic Encoder: A mathematical proposal for biological inferences.

The organization of the genetic information and its ability to be conserved and translated to proteins with low error rates have been the subject of study by scientists from different disciplines. Recently, it has been proposed that living organisms display an intra-cellular transmission system of genetic information, similar to a model of digital communication system, in which there is the ability to detect and correct errors. In this work, the concept of Concatenated Genetic Encoder is introduced and applied to the analysis of protein sequences as a tool for exploring evolutionary relationships. For such purposes Error Correcting Codes (ECCs) are used to represent proteins. A methodology for representing or identifying proteins by use of BCH codes over ℤ20 and F4×ℤ5 is proposed and cytochrome b6-f complex subunit 6-OS sequences, corresponding to different plants species, are analyzed according to the proposed methodology and results are contrasted to phylogenetic and taxonomic analyses. Through the analyses, it was observed that using BCH codes only some sequences are identified, all of which differ in one amino acid from the original sequence. In addition, mathematical relationships among identified sequences are established by considering minimal polynomials, where such sequences showed a close relationship as revealed in the phylogenetic reconstruction. Results, here shown, point out that communication theory may provide biology of interesting and useful tools to identify biological relationships among proteins, however the proposed methodology needs to be improved and rigorously tested in order to become into an applicable tool for biological analysis.

Determination of ibuprofen enantiomers in breast milk using vortex-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion and direct chiral liquid chromatography.

A mixture of ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) and primary and secondary amine (PSA) sorbents was employed for the extraction and quantification of ibuprofen enantiomers from human breast milk, combining a vortex-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion method (MSPD) and direct chiral liquid chromatography (CLC) with ultraviolet detection (UV). The MSPD sample preparation procedure was optimized focusing on both the type and amount of dispersion/sorption sorbents and the nature of the elution solvent, in order to obtain acceptable recoveries and avoiding enantiomer conversion. These MSPD parameters were optimized with the aid of an experimental design approach. Hence, a factorial design was used for identification of the main variables affecting the extraction process of ibuprofen enantiomers. Under optimum selected conditions, MSPD combined with direct CLC-UV was successfully applied for ibuprofen enantiomeric determination in breast milk at enantiomer levels between 0.15 and 6.0µgg-1. The proposed analytical method also provided good repeatability, with relative standard deviations of 6.4% and 8.3% for the intra-day and inter-day precision, respectively.

Genome-wide association analysis of body conformation traits in Mexican Holstein cattle using a mix of sampled and imputed SNP genotypes.

In arid and semi-arid zones, animal health and production are closely correlated with body conformation traits. These selected traits, in turn, allow livestock to adapt unfavorable soil and environmental conditions. The primary objective of this study was to perform a genome-wide association analysis for a set of sampled and imputed SNPs with 16 conformation traits in a population of Holstein cows from a desert area of Northwestern Mexico. Imputation from 6K to 50K SNPs was performed as a low-cost optimization strategy. Results show eight SNPs associated with two conformation traits. The Udder Depth trait resulted in seven associated SNPs from chromosome 10, that related to Marbling Score, Milk Yield, Fat Yield, Protein Yield, and Protein Percentage Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs). The Body Depth trait resulted in one associated SNP from chromosome 2, although no QTL relation was found. The discovery of genes associated with conformation traits may be indicative of the adaptive selection pressures the Holstein breed has undergone in response to the extreme weather conditions found in the northwestern areas of Mexico. Results of this study indicate that traits such as stature and body depth may be used as indicators of cows' potential genetic merits for milk, fat, and protein production.

Plant products and secondary metabolites with acaricide activity against ticks.

The present review documents the results of studies evaluating the acaricidal activity of different plant products and secondary metabolites against ticks that are resistant and susceptible to conventional acaricides. Studies published from 1998 to 2016 were included. The acaricidal activity of plant extracts, essential oils and secondary compounds from plants have been evaluated using bioassays with ticks in the larval and adult stages. There is variable effectiveness according to the species of plant and the concentrations used, with observed mortalities ranging from 5 to 100% against the Rhipicephalus (Boophilus), Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Hyalomma, and Argas genera. A number of plants have been reported to cause high mortalities and/or affect the reproductive capacity of ticks in the adult phase. In the majority of these trials, the main species of plants evaluated correspond to the families Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Piperaceae, Verbenaceae, and Poaceae. Different secondary metabolites such as thymol, carvacrol, 1,8-cineol and n-hexanal, have been found to be primarily responsible for the acaricidal activity of different essential oils against different species of ticks, while nicotine, dibenzyldisulfide and dibenzyltrisulfide have been evaluated for plant extracts. Only thymol, carvacrol and 1,8-cineol have been evaluated for acaricidal activity under in vivo conditions. The information in the present review allows the conclusion that the secondary metabolites contained in plant products could be used as an alternative for the control of ticks that are susceptible or resistant to commercial acaricides.

First report of amitraz and cypermethrin resistance in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato infesting dogs in Mexico.

Engorged female Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Ixodida: Ixodidae) were collected from dogs in the state of Yucatán, Mexico. Fourteen tick populations were collected from dogs at seven veterinary clinics, four residential homes and three cattle farms. The larval immersion test was used in the progeny of collected adult females to test susceptibility to amitraz and cypermethrin. Dose-mortality regressions, 50% lethal concentrations (LC50 ), confidence intervals and slope were estimated by probit analysis. For amitraz, 12 tick populations (85.7%) were classified as resistant and low inter-population variation in the phenotypic level of resistance was evident [resistance ratios (RRs) at LC50 : 1.0-13.0]. For cypermethrin, 12 tick populations (85.7%) were classified as resistant and substantial inter-population variation in the phenotypic level of resistance was evident (RRs at LC50 : 1.0-104.0). Thus, amitraz resistance in R. sanguineus s.l. is common, but generally occurs at low levels; however, alarmingly high levels of cypermethrin resistance are present in R. sanguineus s.l. populations in dogs in Yucatán, Mexico. The intensive use of both acaricides to control ectoparasites on dogs is likely to lead to more serious resistance problems that may cause high levels of control failure in the future.

MMTV-cre;Ccn6 knockout mice develop tumors recapitulating human metaplastic breast carcinomas.

Metaplastic breast carcinoma is an aggressive form of invasive breast cancer with histological evidence of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the defining molecular events are unknown. Here we show that CCN6 (WISP3), a secreted matricellular protein of the CCN (CYR61/CTGF/NOV) family, is significantly downregulated in clinical samples of human spindle cell metaplastic breast carcinoma. We generated a mouse model of mammary epithelial-specific Ccn6 deletion by developing a floxed Ccn6 mouse which was bred with an MMTV-Cre mouse. Ccn6fl/fl;MMTV-Cre mice displayed severe defects in ductal branching and abnormal age-related involution compared to littermate controls. Ccn6fl/fl;MMTV-Cre mice developed invasive high grade mammary carcinomas with bona fide EMT, histologically similar to human metaplastic breast carcinomas. Global gene expression profiling of Ccn6fl/fl mammary carcinomas and comparison of orthologous genes with a human metaplastic carcinoma signature revealed a significant overlap of 87 genes (P=5 × 10-11). Among the shared deregulated genes between mouse and human are important regulators of epithelial morphogenesis including Cdh1, Ck19, Cldn3 and 4, Ddr1, and Wnt10a. These results document a causal role for Ccn6 deletion in the pathogenesis of metaplastic carcinomas with histological and molecular similarities with human disease. We provide a platform to study new targets in the diagnosis and treatment of human metaplastic carcinomas, and a new disease relevant model in which to test new treatment strategies.

[Analysis of judicial sentences issued against traumatologists between 1995 and 2011 as regards medical negligence]. / Análisis de sentencias judiciales relativas a negligencias médicas emitidas contra traumatólogos entre 1995 y 2011.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery is one of the specialities with most complaints due to its scope and complexity. The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of the complaints made against medical specialists in Traumatology, taking into account those variables that might have an influence both on the presenting of the complaint as well as on the resolving of the process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis was performed on 303 legal judgments (1995-2011) collected in the health legal judgements archive of the Madrid School of Medicine, which is linked to the Westlaw Aranzadi data base. RESULTS: Civil jurisdiction was the most used. The specific processes with most complaints were bone-joint disorders followed by vascular-nerve problems and infections. The injury claimed against most was in the lower limb, particularly the knee. The most frequent general cause of complaint was surgical treatment error, followed by diagnostic error. There was lack of information in 14.9%. There was sentencing in 49.8% of the cases, with compensation mainly being less than 50,000 euros. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery is a speciality prone to complaints due to malpractice. The number of sentences against traumatologists is high, but compensations are usually less than 50,000 euros. The main reason for sentencing is surgical treatment error; thus being the basic surgical procedure and where precautions should be maximised. The judgements due to lack of information are high, with adequate doctor-patient communication being essential as well as the correct completion of the informed consent.

Oxalate secretion by ectomycorrhizal Paxillus involutus is mineral-specific and controls calcium weathering from minerals.

Trees and their associated rhizosphere organisms play a major role in mineral weathering driving calcium fluxes from the continents to the oceans that ultimately control long-term atmospheric CO2 and climate through the geochemical carbon cycle. Photosynthate allocation to tree roots and their mycorrhizal fungi is hypothesized to fuel the active secretion of protons and organic chelators that enhance calcium dissolution at fungal-mineral interfaces. This was tested using (14)CO2 supplied to shoots of Pinus sylvestris ectomycorrhizal with the widespread fungus Paxillus involutus in monoxenic microcosms, revealing preferential allocation by the fungus of plant photoassimilate to weather grains of limestone and silicates each with a combined calcium and magnesium content of over 10 wt.%. Hyphae had acidic surfaces and linear accumulation of weathered calcium with secreted oxalate, increasing significantly in sequence: quartz, granite < basalt, olivine, limestone < gabbro. These findings confirmed the role of mineral-specific oxalate exudation in ectomycorrhizal weathering to dissolve calcium bearing minerals, thus contributing to the geochemical carbon cycle.

Study on viability and chondrogenic differentiation of cryopreserved adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells for future use in regenerative medicine.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells are promising as a regenerative therapy tool for defective tissues in mesenchymal lineage, including fat, bone, cartilage, and blood vessels. In potential future clinical applications, adipose-derived stem cell cryopreservation is an essential fundamental technology. The aim of this study is to define an adequate protocol for the cryopreservation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells, by comparing various protocols so as to determine the effects of cryopreservation on viability and chondrogenic differentiation potential of adipose-derived stem cells upon freeze-thawing of AT-MSCs colonies cryopreserved with standard and modified protocols, using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. The study concludes that adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells could be long-term cryopreserved without any loss of their proliferative or differentiation potential.

[Survival analysis of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children with primary immunodeficiency in Spain]. / Análisis de la supervivencia de los niños con inmunodeficiencias primarias que han recibido un trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos en España.

INTRODUCTION: Children with primary immunodeficiency have severe life-threatening infections and a higher prevalence of autoimmune problems, allergy and lymphoproliferative disorders. Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been the only potentially curative option. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with primary immunodeficiency underwent allogenic stem cell transplantation in the period 1985-2011, and registered in the Spanish Working Party for Bone Marrow Transplantation in Children. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty nine patients underwent 173 allogenic stem cell transplantations, of whom 97 had severe combined immunodeficiency, 30 with immune dysregulation disorders, 25 Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, and 21 phagocyte disorders. The median patient age at diagnosis was 6 months (range: 17 days - 168 months) and the median patient age at transplant was 12 months (range: 1 month - 189 months). The donors were 30 (19%) identical siblings, 40 (25%) alternative family donors, and 89 (56%) unrelated donors. The source of stem cells was bone marrow in 68 (43%), cord blood in 52 (33%), and peripheral blood in 39 (24%). Ninety eight (61.6%) are alive, 57 (35.9%) died. Event-free survival at 10 years was 63%, with 90% for children transplanted from identical siblings, 36% for those transplanted from alternative family donors, and 66% for those transplanted from unrelated donors. CONCLUSIONS: The best results have been obtained with identical siblings, but other options may be considered.

Evaluation of biodegradable polymers as encapsulating agents for the development of a urea controlled-release fertilizer using biochar as support material.

Biochar constitutes a promising support material for the formulation of controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs). In this study we evaluated the effect of different polymeric materials as encapsulating agents to control nitrogen (N) leaching from biochar based CRFs. Nitrogen impregnation onto biochar was performed in a batch reactor using urea as N source. The resulting product was encapsulated by using sodium alginate (SA), cellulose acetate (CA) and ethyl cellulose (EC). Leaching potential was studied in planted and unplanted soil columns, monitoring nitrate, nitrite, ammonium and urea concentrations. After 90 days, plants were removed from the soil columns and plant yield was evaluated. It was observed that the ammonium concentration in leachates presented a maximum concentration for all treatments at day 22. The highest concentration of N in the leachates was the nitrate form. The crop yield was negatively affected by all developed CRFs using biochar compared with the traditional fertilization.