Monoclonal antibodies against human CD34 antigens do not cross-react with ovine umbilical cord blood cells

CD34 is a cell surface glycoprotein expressed by hematopoietic progenitors and endothelial cells. It is widely used in the clinic for isolation of human hematopoietic stem cells. In recent years large animals are gaining increasing importance in biomedical research for the study and therapy of human diseases. Sheep has proved to be an useful experimental model for preclinical trials in transplantation procedures. Unfortunately, the lack of specie-specific monoclonal antibodies (MABS) recognizing hemopoietic progenitor cells hampers the use of this animal in experimental hematology. The aim of this paper was to determine whether commercial monoclonal antibodies specific for human CD34 molecule could cross-react with hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) present in sheep umbilical cord blood (UCB). Six anti-human CD34 MABS, recognizing the three different epitope classes, were tested in flow cytometry on purified mononuclear cells (MNC) isolated from cord blood of both species. None of the MABS used in this trial seemed to be able to identify HPC from sheep UCB. These data suggest that the panel of monoclonal antibodies used for cross reactivity detection has to be expanded with recently produced reagents. Further studies should be directed towards the production of ovine specific anti CD34 MABS

Evaluation of three commercial rapid kits to detect Cryptosporidium parvum in diarrheic calf stool

The aim of this study was to evaluate three commercially available rapid immunochromato-graphic tests for detection of Cryptosporidium parvum antigens in faeces of naturally infected neonatal diarrhoeic calves. FASTest (R) CRYPTO strip, FASTest (R) CRYPTO-GIARDIA Strip and TETRASTRIPS (R) were compared for their sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value using a cumulative positivity as gold standard. In addition, the agreement between each test and the gold standard was evaluated by Cohen's Kappa (k) value. The highest infection rate was observed by FASTest (R) CRYPTO GIARDIA Strip (65.15%), followed by FASTest (R) CRYPTO strip (63.64%) and TETRASTRIPS (R) (56.06%,). A very good diagnostic performance of all the three tests was observed. FASTest (R) CRYPTO strip (k= 0.935) and FASTest (R) CRYPTO-GIARDIA Strip (k= 0.968) had the highest sensitivity (100%) while TETRASTRIPS (R) (k= 0.875) had the highest specificity (100%). Eimeria spp oocysts were present in six samples but cross-reaction with this protozoan was not observed. These assays were not time-consuming and very easy to perform and to read. Based on our results, we recommend the use of FA

evaluation of three commercial rapid kits to detect cryptosporidium parvum in diarrhoeic calf stool

The aim of this study was to evaluate three commercially available rapid immunochromatographic tests for detection of Cryptosporidium parvum antigens in faeces of naturally infected neonatal diarrhoeic calves. FASTest® CRYPTO strip, FASTest® CRYPTO-GIARDIA Strip and TETRASTRIPS® were compared for their sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value using a cumulative positivity as gold standard. In addition, the agreement between each test and the gold standard was evaluated by Cohen's Kappa (k) value. The highest infection rate was observed by FASTest® CRYPTO-GIARDIA Strip (65.15%), followed by FASTest® CRYPTO strip (63.64%) and TETRASTRIPS® (56.06%,). A very good diagnostic performance of all the three tests was observed. FASTest® CRYPTO strip (k = 0.935) and FASTest® CRYPTO-GIARDIA Strip (k = 0.968) had the highest sensitivity (100%) while TETRASTRIPS® (k = 0.875) had the highest specificity (100%). Eimeria spp oocysts were present in six samples but cross-reaction with this protozoan was not observed. These assays were not time-consuming and very easy to perform and to read. Based on our results, we recommend the use of FASTest® CRYPTO strip, FASTest® CRYPTO-GIARDIA Strip or/and TETRASTRIPS® for detection of C. parvum antigens in faeces of neonatal diarrhoeic calves

Application of reverse micelle sol-gel synthesis for bulk doping and heteroatoms Surface Enrichment in Mo-Doped TiO 2 nanoparticles

TiO 2 nanoparticles containing 0.0, 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 wt.% Mo were prepared by a reverse micelle template assisted sol-gel method allowing the dispersion of Mo atoms in the TiO 2 matrix. Their textural and surface properties were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction, micro-Raman spectroscopy, N 2 adsorption/desorption isotherms at -196 °C, energy dispersive X-ray analysis coupled to field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectroscopy, and ζ-potential measurement. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (under visible light and low irradiance) in water was used as a test reaction as well. The ensemble of the obtained experimental results was analyzed in order to discover the actual state of Mo in the final materials, showing the occurrence of both bulk doping and Mo surface species, with progressive segregation of MoO x species occurring only at a higher Mo content

Effective Inclusion of Sizable Amounts of Mo within TiO2 Nanoparticles Can Be Obtained by Reverse Micelle Sol-Gel Synthesis

Six Mo/TiO2 samples (with 0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 wt % Mo nominal contents) were obtained by reverse micelle sol-gel synthesis, followed by calcination at 500 °C. The samples were characterized by means of powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), quantitative phase analysis as obtained by Rietveld refinement, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, N2 adsorption/desorption at -196 °C, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance (DR) UV-vis spectroscopy. As a whole, the adopted characterization techniques showed the inclusion of a sizeable Mo amount, without the segregation of any MoO x phase. Specifically, PXRD showed the occurrence of anatase and brookite with all the studied samples; notwithstanding the mild calcination temperature, the formation of rutile occurred at Mo wt % ≥2.5 likely due to the presence of brookite favoring, in turn, anatase to rutile transition. DR UV-vis and XP spectroscopies allowed determining the samples' band gap energy (E g) and valence band energy, respectively, from which the conduction band energy was calculated; and the observed E g value increase at 10 wt % Mo was ascribed to the Moss-Burstein effect

Quality characteristics of the Musculus longissimus dorsi from Pecora dell’Amiata reared in Tuscany

Pecora dell’Amiata sheep is registered in the Regional population register of the autochthonous endangered sheep and goat breeds, and it is a double purpose breed (meat and milk). It derives from the mount Amiata area in Tuscany. In Tuscany the sheep meat consumption occurs in particular in Easter and in Christmas time. Because of the new markets, ewe meat has shown in the last years a consumption increase. In Italy, the more consumed ovine meat is the suckling lamb meat. In the last years, this kind of meat production and consumption decreased in Italy, but the ewe meat consumption has been slowly increased, because of the spread of typical regional food, and the new market needs.The trial was performed with ewes and lambs deriving from the local breed Pecora dell’Amiata. In this work, the Musculus longissimus dorsi (M. longissimus thoracis + lomborum) physical-chemical and nutritional characteristics of 23 ewes and 20 lambs were compared. The ewes of the trial were over 7 years old while the lambs were on average 80 days old. Ewe meat has shown lower drip loss (4.14 vs 2.71%) and lightness (L* 38.6 vs 45.3) values, and higher PH (6.15±0.07), shear force (8.4 vs 2.31 kg), fat content (5.9 vs 2.0%). The lamb meat lipids had higher polyunsaturated fatty acid content (PUFA: 14.58 vs 9.25%) and higher PUFA/Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA) ratio (0.31 vs 0.20). The PCA analysis identified two distinct groups regarding ewe and lamb meat respectively for the fatty acids composition and the health indices. Ewe meat showed dietetic and nutritional characteristics similar to that of lamb meat. These characteristics may allow in the future, to the ewe meat valorisation, now not appreciated by Tuscan and Italian market

Abdominal Fat Characteristics and Mortality in Rectal Cancer: A Retrospective Study

: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of adipose tissue characteristics with survival in rectal cancer patients. All consecutive patients, diagnosed with stage II-IV rectal cancer between 2010-2016 using baseline unenhanced Computed Tomography (CT), were included. Baseline total, subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue areas (TAT, SAT, VAT) and densities (TATd, SATd, VATd) at third lumbar vertebra (L3) were retrospectively measured. The association of these tissues with cancer-specific and progression-free survival (CCS, PFS) was assessed by using competitive risk models adjusted by age, sex and stage. Among the 274 included patients (median age 70 years, 41.2% females), the protective effect of increasing adipose tissue area on survival could be due to random fluctuations (e.g., sub-distribution hazard ratio-SHR for one cm2 increase in SAT = 0.997; 95%confidence interval-CI = 0.994-1.000; p = 0.057, for CSS), while increasing density was associated with poorer survival (e.g., SHR for one Hounsfield Unit-HU increase in SATd = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01-1.05, p = 0.002, for CSS). In models considering each adipose tissue area and respective density, the association with CSS tended to disappear for areas, while it did not change for TATd and SATd. No association was found with PFS. In conclusion, adipose tissue density influenced survival in rectal cancer patients, raising awareness on a routinely measurable variable that requires more research efforts

Genetic disruption of serine biosynthesis is a key driver of macular telangiectasia type 2 aetiology and progression.

BACKGROUND: Macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel) is a rare, heritable and largely untreatable retinal disorder, often comorbid with diabetes. Genetic risk loci subtend retinal vascular calibre and glycine/serine/threonine metabolism genes. Serine deficiency may contribute to MacTel via neurotoxic deoxysphingolipid production; however, an independent vascular contribution is also suspected. Here, we use statistical genetics to dissect the causal mechanisms underpinning this complex disease. METHODS: We integrated genetic markers for MacTel, vascular and metabolic traits, and applied Mendelian randomisation and conditional and interaction genome-wide association analyses to discover the causal contributors to both disease and spatial retinal imaging sub-phenotypes. RESULTS: Genetically induced serine deficiency is the primary causal metabolic driver of disease occurrence and progression, with a lesser, but significant, causal contribution of type 2 diabetes genetic risk. Conversely, glycine, threonine and retinal vascular traits are unlikely to be causal for MacTel. Conditional regression analysis identified three novel disease loci independent of endogenous serine biosynthetic capacity. By aggregating spatial retinal phenotypes into endophenotypes, we demonstrate that SNPs constituting independent risk loci act via related endophenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up studies after GWAS integrating publicly available data with deep phenotyping are still rare. Here, we describe such analysis, where we integrated retinal imaging data with MacTel and other traits genomics data to identify biochemical mechanisms likely causing this disorder. Our findings will aid in early diagnosis and accurate prognosis of MacTel and improve prospects for effective therapeutic intervention. Our integrative genetics approach also serves as a useful template for post-GWAS analyses in other disorders

Una salud: estrategias de promoción y difusión educativa en el CEBAS 1 de La Plata

Con el fin de dar continuidad al acompañamiento en la formación educativa del nivel secundario desde la Universidad, el equipo interdisciplinario Una Salud junto a docentes del Centro Especializado en Bachillerato para Adultos con orientación en Salud Pública (C.E.B.A.S 1-Floreal Ferrara) participa en jornadas interdisciplinarias de capacitación en promoción de la salud, gestión de servicios sanitarios y saberes para conservar el equilibrio del ser humano con su ambiente junto a la implementación de estrategias sociológicas de acercamiento a la comunidad del barrio Puente de Fierro-Altos de San Lorenzo, ciudad de La Plata, área de implementación de los proyectos de capacitación en curso.Trabajo publicado en Acta Bioquímica Clínica Latinoamericana; no. 52, supl. 2, parte II, diciembre de 2018.Universidad Nacional de La Plat