Effect of the Synthetic Bile Salt Analog CamSA on the Hamster Model of Clostridium difficile Infection

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and has gained worldwide notoriety due to emerging hypervirulent strains and the high incidence of recurrence. We previously reported protection of mice from CDI using the antigerminant bile salt analog CamSA. Here we describe the effects of CamSA in the hamster model of CDI. CamSA treatment of hamsters showed no toxicity and did not affect the richness or diversity of gut microbiota; however, minor changes in community composition were observed. Treatment of C. difficile-challenged hamsters with CamSA doubled the mean time to death, compared to control hamsters. However, CamSA alone was insufficient to prevent CDI in hamsters. CamSA in conjunction with suboptimal concentrations of vancomycin led to complete protection from CDI in 70% of animals. Protected animals remained disease-free at least 30 days postchallenge and showed no signs of colonic tissue damage. In a delayed-treatment model of hamster CDI, CamSA was unable to prevent infection signs and death. These data support a putative model in which CamSA reduces the number of germinating C. difficile spores but does not keep all of the spores from germinating. Vancomycin halts division of any vegetative cells that are able to grow from spores that escape CamSA

Ancient chloroplast and nuclear genomes provide insights into the evolutionary history of quinoa (chenopodium quinoa willd.)

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), an important crop for the global food security, was domesticated in the Andean highlands of South America about 7,000 years ago, where wild relatives still grow today. Archaeological studies have reported quinoa remains dating back to 4,000 years before present, but the ancient genetic diversity remains uncharacterised. Recent sequencing studies of the quinoa nuclear genome suggested domestication took place independently in highland and coastal environments. However, the origin and exact timing of domestication, and the genomic relationships among the tetraploid relatives (C. hircinumand C. berlandieri) of quinoa are not fully understood. Here, we report the nuclear and chloroplast genome sequences of four ~1,400 years old archaeological samples of C. quinoa from the highlands of northern Argentina. Phylogenetic analyses show thatwild, weedy and cultivated accessions from different species cluster in a monophyletic clade, indicative of historical hybridisation of closely related tetraploid species of Chenopodium. Two of the identified chloroplast haplogroups in the ancient samples appear to be absent from modern quinoa accessions, indicating a genetic bottleneck in the recent past. Further, sequence alignment to the nuclear and chloroplast reference genomes of C. quinoa identified a large number of nucleotide polymorphisms in the ancient specimens, providing resources for further analysis of domestication history as well as genetic changes in loci of breeding value.Fil: Estrada Santamarina, Oscar. University of Adelaide; AustraliaFil: Breen, James. University of Adelaide; AustraliaFil: Mitchell, Kieren J.. University of Adelaide; AustraliaFil: Babot, Maria del Pilar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Hocsman, Salomón. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Jarvis, David. University Brigham Young; Estados UnidosFil: Tester, David. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Cooper, Alan. University of Adelaide; AustraliaPlant and Animal Genome Conference XXVIISan DiegoEstados UnidosInternational Plant and Animal Genome Conferenc

Expression-Guided In Silico Evaluation of Candidate Cis Regulatory Codes for Drosophila Muscle Founder Cells

While combinatorial models of transcriptional regulation can be inferred for metazoan systems from a priori biological knowledge, validation requires extensive and time-consuming experimental work. Thus, there is a need for computational methods that can evaluate hypothesized cis regulatory codes before the difficult task of experimental verification is undertaken. We have developed a novel computational framework (termed “CodeFinder”) that integrates transcription factor binding site and gene expression information to evaluate whether a hypothesized transcriptional regulatory model (TRM; i.e., a set of co-regulating transcription factors) is likely to target a given set of co-expressed genes. Our basic approach is to simultaneously predict cis regulatory modules (CRMs) associated with a given gene set and quantify the enrichment for combinatorial subsets of transcription factor binding site motifs comprising the hypothesized TRM within these predicted CRMs. As a model system, we have examined a TRM experimentally demonstrated to drive the expression of two genes in a sub-population of cells in the developing Drosophila mesoderm, the somatic muscle founder cells. This TRM was previously hypothesized to be a general mode of regulation for genes expressed in this cell population. In contrast, the present analyses suggest that a modified form of this cis regulatory code applies to only a subset of founder cell genes, those whose gene expression responds to specific genetic perturbations in a similar manner to the gene on which the original model was based. We have confirmed this hypothesis by experimentally discovering six (out of 12 tested) new CRMs driving expression in the embryonic mesoderm, four of which drive expression in founder cells

Effectivity of the PGA rapid Atramat® and PGA Atramat® sutures for the closure of minimal invasion and abdominal-inguinal wounds in surgery

Background: The use of suture materials for the closure of wounds is a practice described in Egyptian parchments since 3500 b.C. through the use of linen, animal hair, vegetable fiber, silk, leather and others. The election of the ideal suture material has to be based in the appropriate resistance to traction, tissue biocompatibility and resorption rates..Methods: An open longitudinal clinical trial was performed with data recollection in a prospective way, in which was calculated the incidence of complications; dehiscence, wound seroma, surgical site infection hemorrhage and abscess when PGA Atramat® and PGA rapid Atramat® was employed in laparoscopic and open surgery for treatment of inguinal and umbilical plasties.Results: During the period from January 2016 to August 2016, the procedures included: 31 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, 18 laparoscopic fundoplications, 45 laparoscopic appendicectomies, 12 abdominal plasties and 16 inguinal plasties. This series shows the null incidence of complications in 31 cholecystectomies, 18 fundoplications, 16 inguinal plasties and 12 abdominal plasties.Conclusions: The employment of the PGA Atramat® and PGA rapid Atramat® sutures maintains the features of a braided, absorbable suture, and it also results a feasible and secure resource for its use in minimal invasion surgery, abdominal and inguinal plasties, showing low incidence of surgical site infection

An Integrated Strategy for Analyzing the Unique Developmental Programs of Different Myoblast Subtypes

An important but largely unmet challenge in understanding the mechanisms that govern the formation of specific organs is to decipher the complex and dynamic genetic programs exhibited by the diversity of cell types within the tissue of interest. Here, we use an integrated genetic, genomic, and computational strategy to comprehensively determine the molecular identities of distinct myoblast subpopulations within the Drosophila embryonic mesoderm at the time that cell fates are initially specified. A compendium of gene expression profiles was generated for primary mesodermal cells purified by flow cytometry from appropriately staged wild-type embryos and from 12 genotypes in which myogenesis was selectively and predictably perturbed. A statistical meta-analysis of these pooled datasets—based on expected trends in gene expression and on the relative contribution of each genotype to the detection of known muscle genes—provisionally assigned hundreds of differentially expressed genes to particular myoblast subtypes. Whole embryo in situ hybridizations were then used to validate the majority of these predictions, thereby enabling true-positive detection rates to be estimated for the microarray data. This combined analysis reveals that myoblasts exhibit much greater gene expression heterogeneity and overall complexity than was previously appreciated. Moreover, it implicates the involvement of large numbers of uncharacterized, differentially expressed genes in myogenic specification and subsequent morphogenesis. These findings also underscore a requirement for considerable regulatory specificity for generating diverse myoblast identities. Finally, to illustrate how the developmental functions of newly identified myoblast genes can be efficiently surveyed, a rapid RNA interference assay that can be scored in living embryos was developed and applied to selected genes. This integrated strategy for examining embryonic gene expression and function provides a substantially expanded framework for further studies of this model developmental system

Investigating the Role of Shape on the Biological Impact of Gold Nanoparticles in Vitro

Aim: To investigate the influence of gold nanoparticle (GNP) geometry on the biochemical response of Calu-3 epithelial cells. Materials and Methods: Spherical, triangular and hexagonal GNPs were used. The GNP-cell interaction was assessed via atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The biochemical impact of GNPs was determined over 72hrs at [0.0001-1mg/mL]. Results: At 1mg/mL, hexagonal GNPs reduced Calu-3 viability below 60%, showed increased reactive oxygen species production and higher expression of pro-apoptotic markers. A cell mass burden of 1:2:12 as well as number of GNPs per cell (2:1:3) was observed for spherical:triangular:hexagonal GNPs. Conclusion: These findings do not suggest a direct shape-toxicity effect. However, do highlight the contribution of shape towards the GNP-cell interaction which impacts upon their intracellular number, mass and volume dose

Electric characterization of a Bioinspired Gripper

This work focuses on a normally open bioinspired microgripper, which corresponds to the Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) field, as well as on its scaling and fabrication process in aluminum 6053 for performance testing. The design was inspired by the mandibles of ants. Its structure is composed of a flexible M-type amplifier and a Z-shaped chevron actuator. The design and simulation were performed using ANSYSTM. The aluminum resistivity and the equivalent resistance of the gripper were calculated, and experimental tests were carried out with an inductor (L), capacitor (C) and resistor (R) electrical property meter, LCR. Experimental characterization of the gripper was carried out, applying a sweep of electric current from 5 up to 60 A to the actuator. The temperature values were registered using a thermographic camera; the displacement was determined using a microscope. The average error between numerical and experimental results of the actuator shaft temperature is lower than 13%

Comparison of early complications using regular mesh versus Atramat® Neoflex 25 mesh in inguinal, umbilical and post incisional hernias

Background: Hernias are one of the most common reasons of primary health care with subsequent surgery and this has led to search new techniques to approach them. Comparing traditional techniques with polypropylene mesh versus one bioabsorbible mesh there has been a decrease in postoperative complications.Methods: 100 patients with inguinal hernia, umbilical and post incisional were surgically intervened and divided into two groups according to mesh material used. The patients were tracked for two months after surgery.Results: Traditional mesh was used to repair hernias in 50 patients and Atramat® Neoflex 25 mesh was used in the other half.  Two patients developed infection with traditional mesh and one patient using Atramat® Neoflex 25 mesh (p 0.558). Hernias recurred in 4 patients with traditional mesh compared with 0 patients with Atramat® Neoflex 25 mesh ( p.041 ) , seroma formation was found with a 6: 1 ratio, traditional mesh: Atramat® Neoflex 25 mesh ( p.050 ) and hematoma in a 2:1 ratio (p .558). The total of complications showed a total of 14 using traditional mesh and 3 with Atramat® Neoflex 25 mesh. The use of mesh made from absorbable materials is a better alternative to reduce chronic pain and recurrence due to its high biocompatibility.Conclusions: Using Atramat® Neoflex 25 mesh demonstrated a significant reduction of complications (recurrence and seroma formation) and length of hospital stay (2 days vs 1 day in abdominoplasty after surgery).   

Current perspective in the treatment of bile duct injuries

The laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the gold standard for the treatment of benign gallbladder disease, which is associated with an increased incidence of biliary injuries. These types of injuries are multicausal, and anatomical variations or anatomical perception errors are the most common risk factors. The objective of this study is to describe the evolution in the management of bile duct injuries and actual, diagnostic tools, incidence, prognosis and treatment. A literature research about diagnosis and treatment of iatrogenic bile duct injuries as well as their impact on the incidence of morbidity and mortality, based on a 30-year period, was performed on Medline, Cochrane, Embase, MedScape and PubMed database, for all studies that met the eligibility criteria. A thorough quality assessment of all included studies was performed. Synthesis of the results was achieved by narrative review. The bile duct injury is a complication that requires a complex therapy and multidisciplinary management. Reconstruction and treatment techniques have been evolving. The selection of adequate treatment will impact on the patient´s quality of life. The results of the existing studies reporting on iatrogenic bile duct injuries are useful; because the iatrogenic bile duct injuries are complex alterations and constitute one of the most serious complications of a cholecystectomy and require a comprehensive approach, immediate repair, proper drainage and timely referral to adequate treatment to improve long-term prognosis. According to the literature review, currently there better treatments such as absorbable prosthesis, which improve the prognosis and patient´s quality of life, and represent less risk of complications in short/long term.

Colorectal cancer: a review

Colorectal cancer (CCR) is the third most common cancer worldwide in men and women, the second largest cause of death related to cancer, and the main cause of death in gastrointestinal cancer. The risk of developing this cancer is related to bad alimentary habits, smoking, intestinal inflammatory disease, polyps, genetic factors, and aging. Of the patients that are diagnosed with colorectal cancer 90% are older than 50, with a median age of 64 years; however, the disease is more aggressive in patients that are diagnosed at younger ages. According to the American Cancer Association, it was accounted for more than 49,700 deaths in 2015. The goal is to reduce the mortality rate with early diagnosis and treatment. Currently, the survival rate is used to predict a patient’s prognosis. The patient is considered to have a positive familial history if a first-degree relative has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer or colonic polyps before the age of 60, or also if two or more first-degree relatives have been diagnosed with cancer or polyps at any age. There are several methods for detecting colorectal cancer, such as the guaiac test, immunochemical test of stool, DNA stool test, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and barium enema. The stage in which the cancer is detected determines the prognosis, survival, and treatment of the patient. Provide a review about generalities, genetic basis, risk factors, protective factors, clinical course, diagnostic methods, therapy and survival in colorectal cancer. Conducted research from different databases such as PubMed, Medline, MedScape, on the definition, genetic factors, classification, risk factors, protective factors, diagnostic methods, epidemiology, survival and treatment of colorectal cancer. Articles from 2000 to 2017 were included using the following keywords