Hypophosphatemia As a Possible Biomarker for Epileptic Seizures at the Emergency Department

Introduction: Hypophosphatemia seems to be temporally associated with seizures, despite not being considered a trigger. We aimed to evaluate hypophosphatemia as a biomarker for seizures. Methods: Retrospective study, including all consecutive patients admitted at our central hospital's emergency department from 01/01-31/03/2021, screened as "altered consciousness/syncope" or "seizures", with available phosphate levels. Results: 277 patients included, mostly male (61.7%), mean age 64.3 years. Final diagnosis was "seizure" in 34.7% and "other diagnosis" in 65.3%. Patients with seizures were younger (p200U/L) was more frequent in the seizure group (p=0.04). Odds ratio (OR) of hypophosphatemia for seizures was 4.330 (CI 95% 2.170-8.640, p<0.001), persisting after correction for confounders. OR of hyperCK was 1.890 (CI 95% 1.060-3.371, p=0.03), losing significance when adjusted. Sensitivity was low for both. Hypophosphatemia was more specific (91.2% vs 79.9%). Conclusions: Our findings support hypophosphatemia as a seizure biomarker. More studies are needed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A network landscape from CNVs to Nellore cattle beef tenderness.

This work aims to perform a couple of in silico network analysis from CNVs standpoint, shedding light to possible metabolic connections to tenderness. It was used 671 Nellore males to infer CNVs, through SNP-chip (Illumina Bovine HD Beadchip®, containing approximately 770 thousand SNPs) and PennCNV software methodology. CNV regions (CNVRs) were inferred by CNVRuler (recurrence 0.1).ISAFG 2013. AB.01

Starch-based microparticles as carriers for the delivery of platelet-derived growth factor aimed to stimulate the proliferation of osteoblastic-like cells

We have previously shown that starch-based microparticles are bioactive [1], serve as substrates for the culture of osteoblast-like cells [2], and are suitable for controlled release applications [3]. In this way, we postulate that if we combine these different properties we could generate hybrid constructs with enhanced properties. Hence, we describe herein the encapsulation and release of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), as well as its mitogenic effect over osteoblast-like cells. PDGF was encapsulated into starch-based microparticles composed of a blend of 50:50 (wt/wt) starch with polylactic acid (SPLA). The loaded microparticles were tested for released PDGF up to 8 weeks and the released PDGF was quantified using ELISA specific for this growth factor. Bioactivity of released PDGF was assessed using a mouse calvaria cell line (MC3T3-E1) possessing a pre-osteoblastic phenotype. PDGF could be effectively encapsulated into SPLA microparticles. The release profile of PDGF shows there is a burst release in the first hours, and then a reduction in the released levels, with a steady release after 7 days. The release was quantified up to 8 weeks, with reduced, steady-level amounts being released. This release profile is typical for hydrophilic, biodegradable polymers, where the water uptake controls the first release stages, where the encapsulated agent is released by diffusion. In this particular application this behavior is desirable, since PDGF mitogenic effect over osteoblasts is only observed with an intermittent, higher-level supplementation, followed by a low-level, continuous one. The released PDGF bioactivity, evaluated by the response of MC3T3-E1 cells to culture medium supplemented with a defined dosage of either exogenous or released PDGF, reveals that PDGF encapsulated and released from SPLA microparticles is capable of stimulating the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells in levels comparable to those of exogenous PDGF. Both conditions significantly enhance the proliferation of osteoblastic cells, as compared to control conditions. In conclusion, we clearly demonstrate the potential of starch-based microparticles to be used as carriers for growth factors. These systems encapsulate, release and maintain the bioactivity of the entrapped growth factor. PDGF was effectively released in a defined profile compatible with the final goal of stimulating the proliferation of cells within a hybrid construct aimed to be used in tissue engineering applications.FCT (SFRH/BD/2001/4698) and European Union funded STREP Project Hippocrates (NNM-3-CT-2003-505758)

A network landscape from CNVs to Nellore cattle beef tenderness.

This work aims to perform a couple of in silico network analysis from CNVs standpoint, shedding light to possible metabolic connections to tenderness. It was used 671 Nellore males to infer CNVs, through SNP-chip (Illumina Bovine HD Beadchip®, containing approximately 770 thousand SNPs) and PennCNV software methodology. CNV regions (CNVRs) were inferred by CNVRuler (recurrence 0.1).ISAFG 2013. AB.01

Starch-based microparticles as vehicles for the delivery of active platelet-derived growth factor

In a previous work, we described the use of starch-based microparticles as vehicles for the controlled release of corticosteroids. The goal of the present work is to evaluate the potential of these microparticles to incorporate and release platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The loading efficiency and release profile were evaluated, and PDGF was incorporated into and released from the matrix of starch-based microparticles. The release profile shows rapid release of PDGF in the first 24 h, after which there was a slow but constant release for up to 8 weeks. The maintenance of the PDGF biological activity after incorporation and release was evaluated by itsmitogenic effect over osteoblastic cells, and it was shown to be comparable to that of PDGF supplemented to the culture medium. This proves that the incorporation and release did not affect the biological activity of the growth factor (GF). The results clearly demonstrate that starchbased microparticles are suitable vehicles for the incorporation and release of GFs. When combined with previous results, these materials also suggest their ability to enhance the regenerating potential of tissue engineering hybrid constructs

The effect of starch and starch-bioactive glass composite microparticles on the adhesion and expression of the osteoblastic phenotype of a bone cell line

There is a clear need for the development of microparticles that can be used simultaneously as carriers of stem/progenitor cells and as release systems for bioactive agents, such as growth factors or differentiation agents. In addition, when thinking on bone-tissueengineering applications, it would be very useful if these microparticles are biodegradable and could be made to be bioactive. Microparticles with all those characteristics could be cultured together with adherent cells in appropriate bioreactors to form in vitro constructs that can then be used in tissue-engineering therapies. In this work, we have characterized the response of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells to starch-based microparticles. We evaluated the adhesion, proliferation, expression of osteoblastic markers and mineralization of cells cultured at their surface. The results clearly show that MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells adhere to the surface of both polymeric and composite starch-based microparticles and express the typical osteoblastic marker genes. Furthermore, the cells were found to mineralize the extracellular matrix (ECM) during the culture period. The obtained results indicate that starch-based microparticles, known already to be biodegradable, bioactive and able to be used as carriers for controlled release applications, can simultaneously be used as carriers for cells. Consequently, they can be used as templates for forming hybrid constructs aiming to be applied in bone-tissue-engineering applications

Utilização de transformações não-parametricas no ajuste de dados de contagem de carrapatos utilizados no mapeamento de QTL.

Boophilus microplus; Carraptados; Mapeamento de QTL; Dado

Comparative pan-genome analysis of Piscirickettsia salmonis reveals genomic divergences within genogroups

Indexación: Scopus.Piscirickettsia salmonis is the etiological agent of salmonid rickettsial septicemia, a disease that seriously affects the salmonid industry. Despite efforts to genomically characterize P. salmonis, functional information on the life cycle, pathogenesis mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment, and control of this fish pathogen remain lacking. To address this knowledge gap, the present study conducted an in silico pan-genome analysis of 19 P. salmonis strains from distinct geographic locations and genogroups. Results revealed an expected open pan-genome of 3,463 genes and a core-genome of 1,732 genes. Two marked genogroups were identified, as confirmed by phylogenetic and phylogenomic relationships to the LF-89 and EM-90 reference strains, as well as by assessments of genomic structures. Different structural configurations were found for the six identified copies of the ribosomal operon in the P. salmonis genome, indicating translocation throughout the genetic material. Chromosomal divergences in genomic localization and quantity of genetic cassettes were also found for the Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system. To determine divergences between core-genomes, additional pan-genome descriptions were compiled for the so-termed LF and EM genogroups. Open pan-genomes composed of 2,924 and 2,778 genes and core-genomes composed of 2,170 and 2,228 genes were respectively found for the LF and EM genogroups. The core-genomes were functionally annotated using the Gene Ontology, KEGG, and Virulence Factor databases, revealing the presence of several shared groups of genes related to basic function of intracellular survival and bacterial pathogenesis. Additionally, the specific pan-genomes for the LF and EM genogroups were defined, resulting in the identification of 148 and 273 exclusive proteins, respectively. Notably, specific virulence factors linked to adherence, colonization, invasion factors, and endotoxins were established. The obtained data suggest that these genes could be directly associated with inter-genogroup differences in pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions, information that could be useful in designing novel strategies for diagnosing and controlling P. salmonis infection. © 2017 Nourdin-Galindo, Sánchez, Molina, Espinoza-Rojas, Oliver, Ruiz, Vargas-Chacoff, Cárcamo, Figueroa, Mancilla, Maracaja-Coutinho and Yañez.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2017.00459/ful