44 research outputs found
Treatment of acquired flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint in the horse: a retrospective study of 51 cases
Flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint is an important disorder in horses, which can be acquired during the first year of life, often as a result of lateralization during grazing. In this retrospective study, the medical files of 51 cases presented at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Ghent University (1999-2013) were analyzed, followed by a telephone questionnaire. In 65% of the conservatively treated patients, the hoof conformation corrected completely, which was not significantly different from what was seen in the surgically treated group (complete correction in 56% of cases). Foals treated conservatively before the age of six months and foals treated surgically before twelve months of age, had a significantly better chance of a successful correction than older foals. Moreover, cases in which treatment did not restore the hoof conformation completely, presented a significantly higher chance of (persisting) lameness and were significantly less likely to have an athletic career. Finally, this study proved a significant association between the hoof conformation of the dam and her foals
COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study
Background:
The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms.
Methods:
International, prospective observational study of 60â109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms.
Results:
âTypicalâ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (â€â18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (â„â70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each Pâ<â0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country.
Interpretation:
This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men
Safety assessment of equine allogeneic tenogenic primed mesenchymal stem cells in horses with naturally occurring tendon and ligament injuries
BackgroundMesenchymal stem cells provide a valuable treatment option in orthopedic injuries in horses.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological, biochemical, immunological and immunomodulatory parameters following intralesional treatment with tenogenic primed equine allogeneic peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (tpMSCs) in client-owned horses with naturally occurring superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and suspensory ligament (SL) injuries.MethodsThe immunogenicity and immunomodulatory capacities of tpMSCs were assessed in a modified mixed lymphocyte reaction, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 14 horses with SDFT and SL injuries after treatment with tpMSCs. In a second study, 18 horses with SDFT and SL injuries received either an intralesional injection with tpMSCs (nâ=â9) or no treatment (nâ=â9).ResultsThe tpMSCs did not provoke a cellular immune response (pâ<â0.001) and were able to immunomodulate stimulated T lymphocytes (pâ<â0.001) in vitro. Therapeutic use of tpMSCs did not result in relevant hematologic or biochemical abnormalities.Main limitationsBoth studies had a small sample size. No statistical analyses were performed in the second study. Fibrinogen was only analyzed in a single horse prior to treatment.ConclusionCo-incubation of tpMSCs and PBMCs of horses that have been previously exposed to tpMSCs did not elicit a cellular immune response and tpMSCs were able to immunomodulate stimulated T lymphocytes. Intralesional treatment with tpMSCs did not provoke abnormal changes in hematological and biochemical parameters
Data from: Contrasting introduction scenarios among continents in the worldwide invasion of the banana fungal pathogen Mycosphaerella fijiensis
Reconstructing and characterizing introduction routes is a key step towards understanding the ecological and evolutionary factors underlying successful invasions and disease emergence. Here, we aimed to decipher scenarios of introduction and stochastic demographic events associated with the global spread of an emerging disease of bananas caused by the destructive fungal pathogen Mycosphaerella fijiensis. We analysed the worldwide population structure of this fungus using 21 microsatellites and 8 sequence-based markers on 735 individuals from 37 countries. Our analyses designated South-East Asia as the source of the global invasion, and supported the location of the centre of origin of M. Fijiensis within this area. We confirmed the occurrence of bottlenecks upon introduction into other continents followed by widespread founder events within continents. Furthermore, this study suggested contrasting introduction scenarios of the pathogen between the African and American continents. While potential signatures of admixture resulting from multiple introductions were detected in America, all the African samples examined seem to descend from a single successful founder event. In combination with historical information, our study reveals an original and unprecedented global scenario of invasion for this recently emerging disease caused by a wind-dispersed pathogen
BLACK LEAF STREAK AND EUMUSAE LEAFSPOT: TWO DESTRUCTIVE AND INVASIVE LEAFSPOT DISEASES OF BANANA
Safety assessment of equine allogeneic tenogenic primed mesenchymal stem cells in horses with naturally occurring tendon and ligament injuries
Background Mesenchymal stem cells provide a valuable treatment option in orthopedic injuries in horses. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological, biochemical, immunological and immunomodulatory parameters following intralesional treatment with tenogenic primed equine allogeneic peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (tpMSCs) in client-owned horses with naturally occurring superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and suspensory ligament (SL) injuries. Methods The immunogenicity and immunomodulatory capacities of tpMSCs were assessed in a modified mixed lymphocyte reaction, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 14 horses with SDFT and SL injuries after treatment with tpMSCs. In a second study, 18 horses with SDFT and SL injuries received either an intralesional injection with tpMSCs (n = 9) or no treatment (n = 9). Results The tpMSCs did not provoke a cellular immune response (p < 0.001) and were able to immunomodulate stimulated T lymphocytes (p < 0.001) in vitro. Therapeutic use of tpMSCs did not result in relevant hematologic or biochemical abnormalities. Main limitations Both studies had a small sample size. No statistical analyses were performed in the second study. Fibrinogen was only analyzed in a single horse prior to treatment. Conclusion Co-incubation of tpMSCs and PBMCs of horses that have been previously exposed to tpMSCs did not elicit a cellular immune response and tpMSCs were able to immunomodulate stimulated T lymphocytes. Intralesional treatment with tpMSCs did not provoke abnormal changes in hematological and biochemical parameters
Insights gained from computational modeling of YAP/TAZ signaling for cellular mechanotransduction
YAP/TAZ signaling pathway is regulated by a multiplicity of feedback loops, crosstalk with other pathways, and both mechanical and biochemical stimuli. Computational modeling serves as a powerful tool to unravel how these different factors can regulate YAP/TAZ, emphasizing biophysical modeling as an indispensable tool for deciphering mechanotransduction and its regulation of cell fate. We provide a critical review of the current state-of-the-art of computational models focused on YAP/TAZ signaling