Generation of feeder-free pig induced pluripotent stem cells without Pou5f1

The pig represents an ideal large-animal model, intermediate between rodents and humans, for the preclinical assessment of emerging cell therapies. As no validated pig embryonic stem (pES) cell lines have been derived so far, pig induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs) should offer an alternative source of undifferentiated cells to advance regenerative medicine research from bench to clinical trial. We report here for the first time the derivation of piPSCs from adult fibroblast with only three transcription factors: Sox2 (sex determining region Y-box 2), Klf4 (Krüppel-like factor 4), and c-Myc (avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog). We have been able to demonstrate that exogenous Pou5f1 (POU domain class 5 transcription factor 1; abbreviated as Octamer-4: Oct4) is dispensable to achieve and maintain pluripotency in the generation of piPSCs. To the best of our knowledge, this is also the first report of somatic reprogramming in any species without the overexpression, either directly or indirectly, of Oct4. Moreover, we were able to generate piPSCs without the use of feeder cells, approaching thus xeno-free conditions. Our work paves the way for the derivation of clinical grade piPSCs for regenerative medicine.NM was partially supported by Juan de la Cierva Program, EG was partially supported by Sara Borrell Program. This work was partially supported by grants from MINECO, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (TERCEL, PI052847), Fundación Cellex and the G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Charitable Foundatio

The new understanding of scientific knowledge

The so called standard view of scientific theories maintained that the theoretical side of science could, and should, be kept separated from its observational and experimental components and from the process of collection and organization of these components. This view went together with the linear model of the politics of science and technology. The standard view has gradually been superseded starting from the 1960’s by a more sophisticated understanding of scientific practice in which theories and observations are intertwined and empirical evidence is the product of a complex practical activity. Together with the standard view, the linear model of the relationship between science and technology has faded away leaving room for more sophisticated theories like the theory of the knowledge creation company. This theory has a common background and shows some similarities with the new ideas about scientific practice, as the concept of trading zone

Time for a paradigm shift in shared decision-making in trauma and emergency surgery? Results from an international survey

BackgroundShared decision-making (SDM) between clinicians and patients is one of the pillars of the modern patient-centric philosophy of care. This study aims to explore SDM in the discipline of trauma and emergency surgery, investigating its interpretation as well as the barriers and facilitators for its implementation among surgeons.MethodsGrounding on the literature on the topics of the understanding, barriers, and facilitators of SDM in trauma and emergency surgery, a survey was created by a multidisciplinary committee and endorsed by the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES). The survey was sent to all 917 WSES members, advertised through the society's website, and shared on the society's Twitter profile.ResultsA total of 650 trauma and emergency surgeons from 71 countries in five continents participated in the initiative. Less than half of the surgeons understood SDM, and 30% still saw the value in exclusively engaging multidisciplinary provider teams without involving the patient. Several barriers to effectively partnering with the patient in the decision-making process were identified, such as the lack of time and the need to concentrate on making medical teams work smoothly.DiscussionOur investigation underlines how only a minority of trauma and emergency surgeons understand SDM, and perhaps, the value of SDM is not fully accepted in trauma and emergency situations. The inclusion of SDM practices in clinical guidelines may represent the most feasible and advocated solutions