Identifying Behavioral Phenotypes and Heterogeneity in Heart Valve Surface Endothelium

Heart valvular endothelial cells (VECs) are distinct from vascular endothelial cells (ECs), but have an uncertain context within the spectrum of known endothelial phenotypes, including lymphatic ECs (LECs). Profiling the phenotypes of the heart valve surface VECs would facilitate identification of a proper seeding population for tissue-engineered valves, as well as elucidate mechanisms of valvular disease. Porcine VECs and porcine aortic ECs (AECs) were isolated from pig hearts and characterized to assess known EC and LEC markers. A transwell migration assay determined their propensity to migrate toward vascular endothelial growth factor, an angiogenic stimulus, over 24 h. Compared to AECs, Flt-1 was expressed on almost double the percentage of VECs, measured as 74 versus 38%. The expression of angiogenic EC markers CXCR4 and DLL4 was >90% on AECs, whereas VECs showed only 35% CXCR4+ and 47% DLL4+. AECs demonstrated greater migration (71.5 ± 11.0 cells per image field) than the VECs with 30.0 ± 15.3 cells per image field (p = 0.032). In total, 30% of VECs were positive for LYVE1+/Prox1+, while these markers were absent in AECs. In conclusion, the population of cells on the surface of heart valves is heterogeneous, consisting largely of nonangiogenic VECs and a subset of LECs. Previous studies have indicated the presence of LECs within the interior of the valves; however, this is the first study to demonstrate their presence on the surface. Identification of this unique endothelial mixture is a step forward in the development of engineered valve replacements as a uniform EC seeding population may not be the best option to maximize transplant success

Finding positive health in “fortalezas” and “comunidad”: A case study of Latinos/X in Sonoma Valley

Background: Psychological literature and needs-assessment reports emphasize that Latinos/X in Sonoma Valley continue to be impacted by the detrimental effects of the 2017 Northern California wildfires (Domínguez & Yeh, 2018), current immigration enforcement practices, higher rates of poverty, lower educational attainment, persistent barriers to health care access, and obstacles to proportionate leadership representation compared to White American families. To cope with these disparities and navigate life adversities, Sonoma Valley Latinos/X often rely on “fortalezas” [strengths] and community, political, spiritual, cultural, and physical assets. These assets, which often include meaningful interactions with family, friends, neighbors, folk healers, faith-based organizations, and community members, must be incorporated when health care, community, and social service initiatives are designed and implemented. Method: Our community-engaged research team (CERT) used asset-based community development (ABCD) as a conceptual framework (Kretzmann & McKnight, 1993) and community-based participatory research (CBPR) (Wallerstein & Duran, 2003) as a methodological approach to explore the assets and “fortalezas” [strengths] that have enabled Latinos/X to overcome adverse experiences i n Sonoma Valley. Five focus groups and 29 in-depth interviews were conducted because these methods are well-suited for Latino/X relational styles of “platicando” [small talk] (Delgado-Romero, Singh, & De Los Santos, 2018) . Participants were 18 years or older, lived or worked i n Sonoma Valley, and self-identified as Latino/X. Our sample included Latino/X parents, grandparents, artists, folk healers, health and social service providers, community leaders, students, and school personnel. Specific locations where interviews took place include the Hanna Institute, Nuestra Voz, La Luz Center, Center for Well-Being, Boys and Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, the Family Resource Center in El Verano, the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, participants’ houses, and the broader Sonoma Valley community. Our research prioritized depth of relational engagement rather than sample size (Bowden, Caine, Yohani, 2017). We discontinued data collection once our research objectives were achieved and data saturation was accomplished. For data analysis, we used quasi-statistics to quantify the frequency of asset endorsement; open, axial, and selective coding to identify and categorize the assets; and GIS software for the creation of our two asset maps. Findings: Findings indicate that Latinos/X are marginally positioned within Sonoma Valley society. Latinos/X have coped with and adapted to adverse conditions and disparities using and relying on a variety of informal networks and formal sources of support. Their decision to rely on one source of support over another is often based on (a) the extent to which they can afford the services or support required; (b) their particular needs, goals, or objectives at the time the help i s needed; (c) their preference for support resources that honor “respeto” [respect], “personalismo” [a preference for close personal attention i n relationships], and stable and welcoming intimate relationships with others; (d) the accessibility associated with pursuing these support services (e.g., geographic and transportation limitations); and (e) the extent to which culturally relevant and Spanish-speaking support can be found. Dissemination: All data i n this study i s co-owned with the Sonoma Valley community. With the help of our community partners, this report was disseminated in Sonoma Valley during community meetings and forums, offering residents the opportunity to provide feedback, debate preliminary results, and assess whether their voices were captured accurately. Once the community expressed that the findings were representative of the Latino/X experience in Sonoma Valley, we finalized recommendations to assist community members, government officials, and health care and social service providers in designing culturally informed social, health, and/or community programs

The MGuard coronary stent: safety, efficacy, and clinical utility

Atheromatous and thrombotic embolization during percutaneous coronary revascularization is a feared complication that may cause impaired myocardial reperfusion even with a patent epicardial vessel. The MGuard stent is a cobalt chromium bare metal stent with a porous net attached to its outer surface that has been designed to prevent thrombus fragmentation and distal embolization during stent implantation. This review summarizes the available evidence supporting the use of the MGuard stent in different scenarios such as lesions with high thrombus burden, saphenous vein graft interventions, coronary perforations, or carotid lesion

Analyzing children's expectations from robotic companions in educational settings

The use of robots as educational partners has been extensively explored, but less is known about the required characteristics these robots should have to meet children's expectations. Thus the purpose of this study is to analyze children's assumptions regarding morphology, functionality, and body features, among others, that robots should have to interact with them. To do so, we analyzed 142 drawings from 9 to 10 years old children and their answers to a survey provided after interacting with different robotic platforms. The main results convey on a gender-less robot with anthropomorphic (but machine-like) characteristics

Encontrando los beneficios de la comunidad y sus fortalezas a la salud positiva: Un estudio de caso con Latinos/X

Antecedentes: La literatura psicológica y los informes que evalúan las necesidades de la comunidad, enfatizan que los Latinos/X en el Valle de Sonoma continúan siendo afectados por los efectos perjudiciales de los incendios forestales del norte de California de 2017 (Domínguez y Yeh, 2018), las prácticas actuales de aplicación de la ley de inmigración, tasas más altas de pobreza, menor nivel educativo, barreras persistentes para el acceso a la atención médica y obstáculos para una representación de liderazgo proporcional en comparación con las familias Blancas Americanas. Para hacer frente a estas disparidades y navegar por las adversidades de la vida, los Latinos/X del Valle de Sonoma a menudo confían en las fortalezas y en los activos comunitarios, políticos, espirituales, culturales y físicos. Estos activos, que a menudo incluyen interacciones significativas con familiares, amigos, vecinos, curanderos, organizaciones religiosas y miembros de la comunidad, deben incorporarse cuando se diseñan e implementan iniciativas de servicios sociales, comunitarios y de atención médica. Método: Nuestro equipo de investigación comprometido con la comunidad (CERT) utilizó el desarrollo comunitario basado en activos (ABCD) como marco conceptual (Kretzmann & McKnight, 1993) y la investigación participativa basada en la comunidad (CBPR) (Wallerstein & Duran, 2003) como un enfoque metodológico para explorar los activos y las fortalezas que han permitido a los Latinos/X superar las experiencias adversas en el Valle de Sonoma. Se llevaron a cabo cinco grupos de enfoque y 29 entrevistas individuales porque estos métodos son muy adecuados para los estilos relacionales de platica (pequeña charla) entre los Latinos/X (Delgado-Romero, Singh y De Los Santos, 2018). Los participantes tenían 18 años o más, vivían o trabajaban en el Valle de Sonoma y se autoidentifican como Latinos/X. Nuestra muestra incluyó padres Latinos/X, abuelos, artistas, curanderos, proveedores de servicios sociales y de salud, líderes comunitarios, estudiantes y personal escolar. Los lugares específicos donde se realizaron las entrevistas incluyen el Instituto Hanna, Nuestra Voz, el Centro La Luz, el Centro para el Bienestar, Boys and Girls Clubs del Valle de Sonoma, el Centro de Recursos Familiares en El Verano, el Centro de Salud Comunitario del Valle de Sonoma, las casas de los participantes y otros espacios en la comunidad. Nuestra investigación priorizó la profundidad del compromiso relacional en lugar del tamaño de la muestra (Bowden, Caine, Yohani, 2017). Suspendimos la recopilación de datos una vez que se lograron nuestros objetivos de investigación y se logró la saturación de datos. Para el análisis de datos, utilizamos cuasi-estadísticas para cuantificar la frecuencia de uso de los activos; codificación abierta, axial y selectiva; y software GIS para la creación de nuestros dos mapas de activos. Hallazgos: Los resultados indican que los Latinos/X están marginalmente posicionados dentro de la sociedad del Valle de Sonoma. Los Latinos/X se han enfrentado y se han adaptado a condiciones y disparidades adversas utilizando y confiando en una variedad de redes y fuentes de apoyo formales e informales. Su decisión de depender de una fuente de apoyo sobre otra a menudo se basa en: (a) la medida en que pueden pagar los servicios o el apoyo necesarios; (b) sus necesidades, metas u objetivos particulares en el momento en que se necesita la ayuda; (c) su preferencia por recursos de apoyo que honren el respeto, el personalismo [una preferencia por una atención personal cercana en las relaciones] y las relaciones cercanas estables y acogedoras con los demás; (d) la accesibilidad asociada con la búsqueda de estos servicios de soporte (por ejemplo, limitaciones geográficas y de transporte); y (e) la medida en que se puede encontrar apoyo culturalmente relevante y de habla hispana. Difusión: Todos los datos de este estudio son de propiedad conjunta con la comunidad del Valle de Sonoma. Con la ayuda de nuestros socios en la comunidad, este informe fue difundido en el Valle de Sonoma durante las reuniones y foros de la comunidad, ofreciendo a los residentes la oportunidad de proporcionar comentarios, debatir los resultados preliminares y evaluar si sus voces fueron capturadas con precisión. Una vez que la comunidad expresó que los hallazgos son representativos de la experiencia Latina/X en el Valle de Sonoma, establecimos las recomendaciones para ayudar a los miembros de la comunidad, los funcionarios del gobierno y los proveedores de servicios sociales y de salud a diseñar programas sociales, de salud, y/o comunitarios culturalmente informados

Characterization of invasive and colonizing isolates of Streptococcus agalactiae in East African adults

Ninety-five colonizing isolates and 74 invasive isolates of Streptococcus agalactiae from Kenyan adults were characterized by using capsular serotyping and multilocus sequence typing. Twenty-two sequence types clustering into five clonal complexes were found. Data support the view that S. agalactiae isolates belonging to a limited number of clonal complexes are invasive in adults worldwide

Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis: a review

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are considered a single entity with variability in the extent of the lesions, characterized by erythema multiforme that may involve mucosa. Severe cutaneous reactions secondary to medications are classified according to the area of epidermal detachment. The activation of cytotoxic T cells and macrophages is mediated mainly by IL-2 and interferon gamma secreted by Th1 lymphocytes, and the activation of eosinophils and B lymphocytes in IgE is mediated by secreted IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL13 by B lymphocytes. The topography of SJS is predominantly central, affecting the trunk and sometimes a generalized dissemination is shown that affects a body surface area of less than 10%, characterized by irregular violaceous erythematous macules of target shooting, which can form confluent blisters. TEN is characterized by a skin detachment greater than 30% of the body surface, whose predominant lesion is diffuse erythema with individual macules, which give rise to detachment surfaces greater than 5 cm. The treatment is symptomatic, nonspecific, and aimed at avoiding complications, carried out in specialized intensive care units, due to ignorance of the pathogenesis. Integral management with different therapeutic alternatives can represent a crucial part in the multisystemic management of SJS and TEN

Towards a synthetic tutor assistant: The EASEL project and its architecture

Robots are gradually but steadily being introduced in our daily lives. A paramount application is that of education, where robots can assume the role of a tutor, a peer or simply a tool to help learners in a specific knowledge domain. Such endeavor posits specific challenges: affective social behavior, proper modelling of the learner’s progress, discrimination of the learner’s utterances, expressions and mental states, which, in turn, require an integrated architecture combining perception, cognition and action. In this paper we present an attempt to improve the current state of robots in the educational domain by introducing the EASEL EU project. Specifically, we introduce the EASEL’s unified robot architecture, an innovative Synthetic Tutor Assistant (STA) whose goal is to interactively guide learners in a science-based learning paradigm, allowing us to achieve such rich multimodal interactions