Response of human engineered cartilage based on articular or nasal chondrocytes to interleukin-1? and low oxygen

Previous studies showed that human nasal chondrocytes (HNC) exhibit higher proliferation and chondrogenic capacity as compared to human articular chondrocytes (HAC). To consider HNC as a relevant alternative cell source for the repair of articular cartilage defects it is necessary to test how these cells react when exposed to environmental factors typical of an injured joint. We thus aimed this study at investigating the responses of HNC and HAC to exposure to interleukin (IL)-1? and low oxygen. For this purpose HAC and HNC harvested from the same donors (N=5) were expanded in vitro and then cultured in pellets or collagen-based scaffolds at standard (19%) or low oxygen (5%) conditions. Resulting tissues were analyzed after a short (3 days) exposure to IL-1?, mimicking the initially inflammatory implantation site, or following a recovery time (1 or 2 weeks for pellets and scaffolds, respectively). After IL-1? treatment, constructs generated by both HAC and HNC displayed a transient loss of GAG (up to 21.8% and 36.8%, respectively) and, consistently, an increased production of metalloproteases (MMP)-1 and -13. Collagen type II and the cryptic fragment of aggrecan (DIPEN), both evaluated immunohistochemically, displayed a trend consistent with GAG and MMPs production. HNC-based constructs exhibited a more efficient recovery upon IL-1? withdrawal, resulting in a higher accumulation of GAG (up to 2.6-fold) compared to the corresponding HAC-based tissues. On the other hand, HAC displayed a positive response to low oxygen culture, while HNC were only slightly affected by oxygen percentage. Collectively, under the conditions tested mimicking the postsurgery articular environment, HNC retained a tissue-forming capacity, similar or even better than HAC. These results represent a step forward in validating HNC as a cell source for cartilage tissue engineering strategies

A new species of Daldinia (Xylariaceae) from the Argentine subtropical montane forest

Based on a combination of morphological, molecular phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic evidence, a new species of Daldinia from Northwest of Argentina is described. Daldinia korfii is morphologically related to D. placentiformis, but differs in having brown vinaceous, KOH-extractable pigments and the tissue below the perithecial layer is composed of inconspicuous to conspicuous alternating zones in the new taxon.Fil: Sir, Esteban Benjamin. Fundación Miguel Lillo. Dirección de Botánica. Instituto de Micologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lambert, C.. Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung; AlemaniaFil: Wendt, L.. Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung; AlemaniaFil: Hladki, Adriana Ines. Fundación Miguel Lillo. Dirección de Botánica. Instituto de Micologia; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; ArgentinaFil: Stadler, M.. Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung; Alemani

Prospective Monitoring of Circulating Epithelial Tumor Cells (CETC) Reveals Changes in Gene Expression during Adjuvant Radiotherapy of Breast Cancer Patients

Circulating epithelial tumor cells (CETC) are considered to be responsible for the formation of metastases. Therefore, their importance as prognostic and/or predictive markers in breast cancer is being intensively investigated. Here, the reliability of single cell expression analyses in isolated and collected CETC from whole blood samples of patients with early-stage breast cancer before and after radiotherapy (RT) using the maintrac ® method was investigated. Single-cell expression analyses were performed with qRT-PCR on a panel of selected genes: GAPDH, EpCAM, NANOG, Bcl-2, TLR 4, COX-2, PIK3CA, Her-2/neu, Vimentin, c-Met, Ki-67. In all patients, viable CETC were detected prior to and at the end of radiotherapy. In 7 of the 9 (77.8%) subjects examined, the CETC number at the end of the radiotherapy series was higher than before. The majority of genes analyzed showed increased expression after completion of radiotherapy compared to baseline. Procedures and methods used in this pilot study proved to be feasible. The method is suitable for further investigation of the underlying molecular biological mechanisms occurring in cells surviving radiotherapy and possibly the development of radiation resistance

Resurrection and emendation of the Hypoxylaceae, recognised from a multigene phylogeny of the Xylariales

A multigene phylogeny was constructed, including a significant number of representative species of the main lineages in the Xylariaceae and four DNA loci the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), the large subunit (LSU) of the nuclear rDNA, the second largest subunit of the RNA polymerase II (RPB2), and beta-tubulin (TUB2). Specimens were selected based on more than a decade of intensive morphological and chemotaxonomic work, and cautious taxon sampling was performed to cover the major lineages of the Xylariaceae; however, with emphasis on hypoxyloid species. The comprehensive phylogenetic analysis revealed a clear-cut segregation of the Xylariaceae into several major clades, which was well in accordance with previously established morphological and chemotaxonomic concepts. One of these clades contained Annulohypoxylon, Hypoxylon, Daldinia, and other related genera that have stromatal pigments and a nodulisporium-like anamorph. They are accommodated in the family Hypoxylaceae, which is resurrected and emended. Representatives of genera with a nodulisporium-like anamorph and bipartite stromata, lacking stromatal pigments (i.e. Biscogniauxia, Camillea, and Obolarina) appeared in a clade basal to the xylarioid taxa. As they clustered with Graphostroma platystomum, they are accommodated in the Graphostromataceae. The new genus Jackrogersella with J. multiformis as type species is segregated from Annulohypoxylon. The genus Pyrenopolyporus is resurrected for Hypoxylon polyporus and allied species. The genus Daldinia and its allies Entonaema, Rhopalostroma, Ruwenzoria, and Thamnomyces appeared in two separate subclades, which may warrant further splitting of Daldinia in the future, and even Hypoxylon was divided in several clades. However, more species of these genera need to be studied before a conclusive taxonomic rearrangement can be envisaged. Epitypes were designated for several important species in which living cultures and molecular data are available, in order to stabilise the taxonomy of the Xylariales.Fil: Wendt, Lucile. Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH. Department of Microbial Drugs; Alemania. German Centre for Infection Research; AlemaniaFil: Sir, Esteban Benjamin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo. Fundación Miguel Lillo. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Kuhnert, Eric. Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH. Department of Microbial Drugs; Alemania. German Centre for Infection Research; AlemaniaFil: Heitkämper, Simone. Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH. Department of Microbial Drugs; Alemania. German Centre for Infection Research; AlemaniaFil: Lambert, Christopher. Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH. Department of Microbial Drugs; Alemania. German Centre for Infection Research; AlemaniaFil: Hladki, Adriana I.. Fundación Miguel Lillo. Dirección de Botánica. Instituto de Micologia; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; ArgentinaFil: Luangsa-Ard, Janet Jennifer. National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; TailandiaFil: Srikitikulchai, Prasert. National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; TailandiaFil: Peršoh, Derek. Ruhr-Universität Bochum; AlemaniaFil: Stadler, Marc. Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH. Department of Microbial Drugs; Alemania. German Centre for Infection Research; Alemani

Sleep problems and associated factors in a rural population of a Southern Brazilian city

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the average of a sleep problems score and their associated factors in adults living in rural areas. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study with individuals from the rural area of the city of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. Twenty-four of the 50 census tracts that make up the eight rural districts of the city were randomly selected. Individuals of 18 years of age or older residing in the households chosen were considered eligible. Sleep problems were measured using the Mini Sleep Questionnaire, which ranged from 10 to 70 points and the higher the score, the greater the sleep problems. The independent variables evaluated included socioeconomic, demographic, behavioral and health characteristics. In the analysis, linear regression was used, obeying a previous hierarchical model. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 1,421 individuals. The average obtained for sleep problems was 29.4 points (95%CI 28.7–30.1). After adjusted analysis, the following variables were associated factors for greater sleep problems: female sex, age greater than or equal to 40 years, lower schooling level, depressive symptoms, pesticide poisoning, and poorer quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The Mini Sleep Questionnaire average in this study was 4.4 points above the cut-off point that established sleep problems. The total points found in the score was high for the rural population. Strategies to improve sleep for these individuals should be focused on higher-risk groups such as women and the elderly and those with pesticide poisoning.OBJETIVO: Estimar a média de um escore de problemas de sono e seus fatores associados emadultos residentes da zona rural.MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de base populacional, realizado com indivíduos da zona ruraldo município de Pelotas, no Sul do Brasil. Foram selecionados aleatoriamente 24 dos 50 setorescensitários que compõem os oito distritos rurais do município. Foram considerados elegíveis osindivíduos com 18 anos ou mais residentes nos domicílios sorteados. Os problemas de sono forammensurados a partir do questionário Mini Sleep Questionnaire, cujo escore varia de 10 a 70 pontose quanto maior a pontuação, maiores os problemas de sono. As variáveis independentes avaliadasincluíram características socioeconômicas, demográficas, comportamentais e de saúde. Naanálise, utilizou-se regressão linear, obedecendo a modelo hierárquico prévio.RESULTADOS: A amostra foi composta por 1.421 indivíduos. A média obtida para problemasde sono foi de 29,4 pontos (IC95% 28,7–30,1). Após análise ajustada, as seguintes variáveisapresentaram-se como fatores associados para maiores problemas de sono: sexo feminino, idademaior ou igual a 40 anos, menor escolaridade, sintomas depressivos, intoxicação por agrotóxicoe pior qualidade de vida.CONCLUSÕES: A média do Mini Sleep Questionnaire neste estudo foi 4,4 pontos acima do pontode corte que estabelece problemas de sono. A pontuação total encontrada no escore foi elevadapara a população rural. Estratégias para melhorar o sono desses indivíduos devem ser focadasem grupos de maior risco como mulheres e idosos e aqueles com intoxicação por agrotóxico

Anabolic and catabolic responses of human articular chondrocytes to varying oxygen percentages

Oxygen is a critical parameter proposed to modulate the functions of chondrocytes ex-vivo as well as in damaged joints. This article investigates the effect of low (more physiological) oxygen percentage on the biosynthetic and catabolic activity of human articular chondrocytes (HAC) at different phases of in vitro culture

Objectively Measured Physical Activity Reduces the Risk of Mortality among Brazilian Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Use of objectively measured physical activity (PA) in older adults to assess relationship between PA and risk of all-causes mortality is scarce. This study evaluated the associations of PA based on accelerometry and a questionnaire with the risk of mortality among older adults from a city in Southern Brazil. DESIGN: A cohort study. SETTING: Urban area of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: A representative sample of older adults (≥60 y) from Pelotas, enrolled in 2014. MEASUREMENTS: Overall physical activity (mg), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were estimated by raw accelerometer data. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire estimated leisure time and commuting PA. Hazard ratios (excluding deaths in the first 6 mo) stratified by sex were estimated by Cox regression analysis considering adjustment for confounders. RESULTS: From the 1451 older adults interviewed in 2014, 145 died (10%) after a follow-up of an average 2.6 years. Men and women in the highest tertile of overall PA had on average a 77% and 92% lower risk of mortality than their less active counterparts (95% confidence interval [CI] = .06-.84 and 95% CI = .01-.65, respectively). The highest tertile of LPA was also related to a lower risk of mortality in individuals of both sexes (74% and 91% lower risk among men and women, respectively). MVPA statistically reduced the risk of mortality only among women (hazard ratio [HR] = .30 and HR = .07 in the second and third tertiles). Self-reported leisure-time PA was statistically associated with a lower risk of mortality only among men. Women in the highest tertiles of commuting PA showed a lower risk of mortality than those in the reference group. CONCLUSION: Accelerometry-based PA was associated with a lower risk of mortality among Brazilian older adults. Older individuals should practice any type of PA. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:137-146, 2019

Objectively Measured Physical Activity Reduces the Risk of Mortality among Brazilian Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Use of objectively measured physical activity (PA) in older adults to assess relationship between PA and risk of all-causes mortality is scarce. This study evaluated the associations of PA based on accelerometry and a questionnaire with the risk of mortality among older adults from a city in Southern Brazil. DESIGN: A cohort study. SETTING: Urban area of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: A representative sample of older adults (≥60 y) from Pelotas, enrolled in 2014. MEASUREMENTS: Overall physical activity (mg), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were estimated by raw accelerometer data. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire estimated leisure time and commuting PA. Hazard ratios (excluding deaths in the first 6 mo) stratified by sex were estimated by Cox regression analysis considering adjustment for confounders. RESULTS: From the 1451 older adults interviewed in 2014, 145 died (10%) after a follow-up of an average 2.6 years. Men and women in the highest tertile of overall PA had on average a 77% and 92% lower risk of mortality than their less active counterparts (95% confidence interval [CI] = .06-.84 and 95% CI = .01-.65, respectively). The highest tertile of LPA was also related to a lower risk of mortality in individuals of both sexes (74% and 91% lower risk among men and women, respectively). MVPA statistically reduced the risk of mortality only among women (hazard ratio [HR] = .30 and HR = .07 in the second and third tertiles). Self-reported leisure-time PA was statistically associated with a lower risk of mortality only among men. Women in the highest tertiles of commuting PA showed a lower risk of mortality than those in the reference group. CONCLUSION: Accelerometry-based PA was associated with a lower risk of mortality among Brazilian older adults. Older individuals should practice any type of PA. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:137-146, 2019