Azaspiracid toxins (AZAs) have been identified in marine invertebrates and are of wide geographical distribution, but have not been reported in Argentina or Uruguay. The first identified causal agent ...is the photosynthetic dinoflagellate Azadinium spinosum, but new studies indicate that other species also synthesize AZAs. We have recently reported the presence of A.cf.spinosum in the Southwest Atlantic and the generation of two extended blooms as new global events.Original Abstract: Los azaspiracidos (AZAs) son toxinas identificadas en invertebrados marinos y tienen amplia distribucion geografica, no reportadas aun en Argentina ni Uruguay. Aunque el primer agente causal identificado es el dinoflagelado fotosintetico Azadinium spinosum, diversos estudios indican que otras especies sintetizan asimismo AZAs. Recientemente se ha detectado la presencia de A. cf. spinosum en el Atlantico Sudoccidental y la generacion de dos extensas floraciones como nuevos eventos a escala global. En este estudio se analiza la distribucion geografica regional y desarrollo temporal de Azadinium asi como las condiciones ecologicas de una tercera floracion de A. cf. spinosum y su registro satelital.
Background Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) differs from aspirin-tolerant disease in part because of eosinophilic tissue infiltration and overexpression of arachidonic acid metabolic ...pathway components that lead to enhanced secretion of cysteinyl leukotrienes and prostaglandin (PG) D2 observed constitutively and paradoxically in response to aspirin and other COX inhibitors. We have previously demonstrated the capacity of IFN-γ to drive cysteinyl leukotriene expression and response. Objective We investigated eosinophils as a source of PGD2 production in patients with AERD. Methods Eosinophils were enriched from tissue and peripheral blood obtained from control subjects, patients with aspirin-tolerant disease, and patients with AERD. mRNA was extracted and evaluated for expression of hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase (hPGDS). Expression of hPGDS protein was confirmed with Western hybridization and immunofluorescence staining. Cells were stimulated with aspirin, and secretion of PGD2 was quantified. CD34+ progenitor cells were isolated and matured into eosinophils in the presence or absence of IFN-γ and hPGDS mRNA, and PGD2 release was measured. Results Gene expression analysis revealed that eosinophils from tissue and blood of patients with AERD display increased levels of hPGDS compared with asthmatic and control samples. Western hybridization confirmed the increase in hPGDS mRNA translated to increased protein expression. Immunofluorescence confirmed mast cells and eosinophils from tissue of patients with AERD and asthma demonstrated hPGDS expression, with higher levels in eosinophils from patients with AERD. Incubation of eosinophils from blood and tissue with aspirin stimulated PGD2 release. IFN-γ–matured eosinophil progenitors showed enhanced hPGDS expression and increased levels of PGD2 release at baseline and after aspirin stimulation. Conclusions In addition to mast cells, eosinophils represent an important source of PGD2 in patients with AERD and identify a new target for therapeutic intervention.
Background Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is distinguished from aspirin-tolerant asthma/chronic sinusitis in large part by an exuberant infiltration of eosinophils that are ...characterized by their overexpression of metabolic pathways that drive the constitutive and aspirin-induced secretion of cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs). Objective We defined the inflammatory milieu that in part drives CysLT overproduction and, in particular, the role of IFN-γ in the differentiation of eosinophils. Methods Quantitative real-time PCR was performed for TH 1 and TH 2 signature cytokines on tissue from control subjects, patients with chronic hyperplastic eosinophilic sinusitis, and patients with AERD, and their cellular source was determined. The influence of IFN-γ on maturation, differentiation, and functionality of eosinophils derived from hematopoietic stem cells was determined. Results Gene expression analysis revealed that tissue from both aspirin-tolerant subjects and patients with AERD display a TH 2 cytokine signature; however, AERD was distinguished from chronic hyperplastic eosinophilic sinusitis by the prominent expression of IFN-γ. Intracellular and immunohistochemical cytokine staining revealed that the major sources of these cytokines were the eosinophils themselves. IFN-γ promoted the maturation of eosinophil progenitors, as measured by increased mRNA and surface expression of CCR3 and sialic acid–binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 8 (Siglec-8). Additionally, IFN-γ increased the expression of genes involved in leukotriene synthesis that led to increased secretion of CysLTs. IFN-γ–matured eosinophil progenitors were also primed, as demonstrated by their enhanced degranulation. Conclusions High IFN-γ levels distinguish AERD from aspirin-tolerant asthma and underlie the robust constitutive and aspirin-induced secretion of CysLTs that characterize this disorder.
Purpose of Review
The goal of this review is to provide a broad overview of light-based treatments that have shown effectiveness in enhancing various aspects of wound healing, examine the drawbacks ...that have impeded the translation of some light-based therapies into clinical use, and highlight scenarios where these treatments may confer benefits over current standards in wound care.
Recent Findings
Several categories of light-based treatments, in particular laser debridement, fractional photothermolysis, and photodynamic therapy, have seen exciting recent clinical results that may justify expanding the use of these modalities in clinical wound care. Antimicrobial blue light is the subject of several ongoing clinical wound trials, the results of which could demonstrate the viability of this technology as a clinical treatment. Photobiomodulation, while conceptually promising, requires more rigorous development and validation before it can become a reliable wound therapy.
Summary
The technologies underlying light-based therapies are advancing rapidly, and in many cases, their utility in the wound care setting is still being actively explored. We anticipate that as these technologies mature and become optimized for wound applications, their utility in clinical wound care will continue to grow.
Because of the variable responsiveness of thromboplastins to lupus anticoagulants (LA), concerns have been raised about the validity of the prothrombin time–International Normalized Ratio (PT–INR) in ...monitoring oral anticoagulant treatment in patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and LA. To date, few studies have been performed, numbers of patients investigated are relatively small and results are conflicting. We report on a multicentre study organized to investigate further this clinically relevant issue. Each of nine thrombosis centres was asked to collect plasma samples from patients with APS who were on oral anticoagulants (cases) and patients without APS who were on oral anticoagulants (controls). Nine thromboplastins (three human recombinant, one from human placenta and five from rabbit brain) were calibrated at the co‐ordinating centre according to World Health Organization guidelines. Measurements of the INR and factor X amidolytic activity for all frozen plasmas were performed centrally. The numbers of patients investigated were 58 cases and 57 controls. Between‐reagent variability of the INR was higher in cases coefficient of variation (CV) = 12·4% than in controls (CV = 6·7%), but this was because of one of the thromboplastins only (Thromborel R, human recombinant), which measured considerably higher INR values than the others in cases but not in controls. In conclusion, our data indicate that LA interference on the PT–INR measured with the majority of commercial thromboplastins is not enough to cause concern if insensitive thromboplastins, properly calibrated to assign them an instrument‐specific International Sensitivity Index are used. New thromboplastins, especially those made of relipidated tissue factor, should be checked for their responsiveness to LA before they are used to monitor oral anticoagulant treatment in patients with APS.
The modification of implant surfaces could affect mechanical implant stability as well as dynamics and quality of peri-implant bone healing. The aim of this 3-month experimental study in dogs was to ...investigate implant stability, marginal bone levels and bone tissue response to zirconia dental implants with two laser-micro-grooved intraosseous surfaces in comparison with nongrooved sandblasted zirconia and sandblasted, high-temperature etched titanium implants.
Implant surface characterization was performed using optical interferometric profilometty and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. A total of 96 implants (4 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length) were inserted randomly in both sides of the lower jaw of 12 Fox Hound dogs divided into groups of 24 each: the control (titanium), the group A (sandblasted zirconia), the group B (sandolasted zirconia plus microgrooved neck) and the group C (sandblasted zirconia plus all microgrooved). All the implants were immediately loaded. Insertion torque, periotest values, radiographic crestal bone level and removal torque were recorded during the 3-month follow-up. Qualitative scanning electon microscope (SEM) analysis of the bone-implant interfaces of each group was performed.
Insertion torque values were higher in the group C and control implants (p < 0.05). Periotest values increased in all the periods in proportion to the extent of microgrooving as follows: the group C > the control > the group B > the group A (p < 0.05). Radiographic measurements showed minimal crestal bone loss at 3 months for microgrooved zirconia implants (groups C and B) and control implants compared with the group A implants (p < 0.05). The removal torque values increased with time for all the groups as follows: the group C > the control > the group B > the group A (p < 0.05). SEM showed that implant surfaces of the groups B and C had an extra bone growth inside the microgrooves that corresponded to the shape and direction of the microgrooves.
The addition of microgrooves to the entire intraosseous surface of zirconia dental implants enhances primary and secondary implant stability, promotes bone tissue ingrowth and preserves crestal bone levels.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
A monoclonal antibody recognizing an epitope of the external domain of the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor was used in an alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase (APAAP) technique ...to compare the distribution of this protein in normal human skin and aural cholesteatoma. EGF receptors appear to be highly expressed on the basal layer of the epidermis, in hair follicle apocrine sweat glands, and in the capillary system of normal skin. Cholesteatoma epithelium showed increased positive reactions in the suprabasal layers. A heterogeneity in the expression was found in different parts of the cholesteatoma. These results suggest the presence of an aberrant regulation and persistence of EGF receptors in cholesteatoma and confirm the hyperproliferative character of the cholesteatoma epithelium.
We aim at providing a preliminary approach on the dynamics of a spacecraft in orbit about the asteroid (99942) Apophis during its Earth close approach. The physical properties from the polyhedral ...shape of the target are derived assigning each tetrahedron to a point mass in its center. That considerably reduces the computation processing time compared to previous methods to evaluate the gravitational potential. The surfaces of section close to Apophis are build considering or not the gravitational perturbations of the Sun, the planets, and the SRP. The Earth is the one that most affects the invisticated region making the vast majority of the orbits to collide or escape from the system. Moreover, from numerical analysis of orbits started on March 1, 2029, the less perturbed region is characterized by the variation of the semimajor axis of 40-days orbits, which do not exceed 2 km very close to the central body (\(a < 4\) km, \(e < 0.4\)). However, no regions investigated could be a possible option for inserting a spacecraft into natural orbits around Apophis during the close approach with our planet. Finally, to solve the stabilization problem in the system, we apply a robust path following control law to control the orbital geometry of a spacecraft. At last, we present an example of successful operation of our orbit control with a total \(\bigtriangleup v\) of 0.495 m/s for 60 days. All our results are gathered in the CPM-ASTEROID database, which will be regularly updated by considering other asteroids.
This study investigates the effects of a brief training programme on the communication skills of doctors in ambulatory care settings in Trinidad and Tobago. Evaluation of doctor performance is based ...on analysis of audiotapes of doctors with their patients during routine clinic visits and on patient satisfaction ratings. A pre‐test/post‐test quasi‐experimental study design was used to evaluate the effects of exposure to the training programme. Doctors were assigned to groups based on voluntary participation in the programme. Audiotapes of the 15 participating doctors (nine trained and six control) with 75 patients at baseline and 71 patients at the post‐training assessment were used in this analysis. The audiotapes were content‐coded using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). Doctors trained in communication skills used significantly more target skills post‐training than their untrained colleagues. Trained doctors used more facilitations in their visits and more open‐ended questions than other doctors. There was also a trend towards more emotional talk, and more close‐ended questions. Patients of trained doctors talked more overall, gave more information to their doctors and tended to use more positive talk compared to other patients. Trained doctors were judged as sounding more interested and friendly, while patients of trained doctors were judged as sounding more dominant, responsive and friendly than patients of untrained doctors. Consistent with these communication differences, patient satisfaction tended to be higher in visits of trained doctors.
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