Maternal and infant infections stimulate a rapid leukocyte response in breastmilk

Breastmilk protects infants against infections; however, specific responses of breastmilk immune factors to different infections of either the mother or the infant are not well understood. Here, we examined the baseline range of breastmilk leukocytes and immunomodulatory biomolecules in healthy mother/infant dyads and how they are influenced by infections of the dyad. Consistent with a greater immunological need in the early postpartum period, colostrum contained considerable numbers of leukocytes (13–70% out of total cells) and high levels of immunoglobulins and lactoferrin. Within the first 1–2 weeks postpartum, leukocyte numbers decreased significantly to a low baseline level in mature breastmilk (0–2%) (P\u3c0.001). This baseline level was maintained throughout lactation unless the mother and/or her infant became infected, when leukocyte numbers significantly increased up to 94% leukocytes out of total cells (P\u3c0.001). Upon recovery from the infection, baseline values were restored. The strong leukocyte response to infection was accompanied by a more variable humoral immune response. Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a greater baseline level of leukocytes in mature breastmilk. Collectively, our results suggest a strong association between the health status of the mother/infant dyad and breastmilk leukocyte levels. This could be used as a diagnostic tool for assessment of the health status of the lactating breast as well as the breastfeeding mother and infant

Gold nanoparticles radio-sensitize and reduce cell survival in lewis lung carcinoma

It has been suggested that particle size plays an important role in determining the genotoxicity of gold nanoparticles (GNPs). The purpose of this study was to compare the potential radio-sensitization effects of two different sized GNPs (3.9 and 37.4 nm) fabricated and examined in vitro in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) as a model of non-small cell lung cancer through use of comet and clonogenic assays. After treatment with 2Gy X-ray irradiation, both particle sizes demonstrated increased DNA damage when compared to treatment with particles only and radiation alone. This radio-sensitization was further translated into a reduction in cell survival demonstrated by clonogenicity. This work indicates that GNPs of both sizes induce DNA damage in LLC cells at the tested concentrations, whereas the 37.4 nm particle size treatment group demonstrated greater significance in vitro. The presented data aids in the evaluation of the radiobiological response of Lewis lung carcinoma cells treated with gold nanoparticles

Assinatura isotópica (Sm-Nd) e faciológica da Formação Barra de Tabatinga: novas considerações sobre o registro de um paleonível marinho pleistocênico no Nordeste brasileiro

Este artigo representa a integração e interpretação de dados pretéritos, atividades de campo — com posterior análise laboratorial —, realizados na região costeira, litoral oriental do Rio Grande do Norte, entre os municípios de Baía Formosa e Natal, acerca do registro estratigráfico de um paleonível marinho pleistocênico. A variação da linha de costa e suas feições morfológicas estão associadas diretamente a interferências tectônicas e paleoclimáticas. Essas variações modelam os sistemas deposicionais localmente atuantes, empilhando unidades litoestatigráficas com assinaturas únicas, no que diz respeito ao litotipo, estruturas sedimentares, diagênese, idades deposicionais e cristalização da rocha fonte. Avaliações sedimentológicas e granulométricas apontam ambientes de baixa energia de deposição, correlatos a sistemas de intermarés. Para tal foram descritos afloramentos, confeccionadas lâminas e realizada análise em granulômetro. Análises isotópicas Sm-Nd, incluindo sedimentos adjacentes a linha de costa, foram realizadas objetivando a caracterização das assinaturas isotópicas e identificação de suas prováveis áreas-fonte. Após o processamento das informações, foi possível caracterizar e inserir, na estratigrafia regional, a Formação Barra de Tabatinga, depositada possivelmente durante o pulso transgressivo pleistocênico, com granulometria de areia média à grossa, e assinatura isotópica concentrada no Paleoproterozoico inferior (Sideriano); diferente das unidades sotoposta e sobreposta, respectivamente, Grupo Barreiras (granulometria bem heterogênea e assinatura isotópica distribuída ao longo de todo Paleoproterozoico) e os Depósitos Eólicos Litorâneos (granulometria de areia fina à média).This paper represents the integration and interpretation of past data, field geology, with subsequent laboratory analysis, carried out in the coastal region, eastern coast of Rio Grande do Norte, between Baía Formosa and Natal, regarding the stratigraphic record of a marine level pleistocene. The relative variation of the shoreline and its morphological features are directly associated to tectonic and paleoclimatic interferences. These variations model the locally acting depositional systems, stacking lithostratigraphic units with single signatures, with respect to lithotype, sedimentary structures, diagenesis, depositional age and crystallization age of the source rock. Sedimentological and granulometric evaluations indicate low energy environments of deposition, correlated to intermarine systems. For this purpose outcrops were described, slides were prepared, and a granulometry analysis was carried out. Sm-Nd isotopic analyses, including sediments adjacent to the shoreline, were performed with the aim of characterizing isotopic signatures and identifying their probable source areas. After information processing, it was possible to characterize and insert in the regional stratigraphy, Barra de Tabatinga Formation, deposited possibly during a transgressive pleistocene pulse, with medium to coarse sand granulometry, and isotopic signature concentrated in the lower Paleoproterozoic (Siderian), different from the units under and superimposed, respectively, Barreiras Group (very heterogeneous granulometry and isotopic signature distributed throughout the entire Paleoproterozoic) and Coastal Eolic Deposits (fine to medium sand granulometry)

Intra-articular administration of hydrogen sulphide ameliorates severity of experimental osteoarthritis

Conference abstrac

Impact of extracellular vesicle isolation methods on downstream mirna analysis in semen: A comparative study

Seminal plasma (SP) contains a unique concentration of miRNA, mostly contained in small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) such as exosomes, some of which could be clinically useful for diagnosis and/or prognosis of urogenital diseases such as prostate cancer (PCa). We optimized several exosome-EV isolation technologies for their use in semen, evaluating EV purifying effectiveness and impact on the downstream analysis of miRNAs against results from the standard ultracentrifugation (UC) method to implement the use of SP sEV_miRNAs as noninvasive biomarkers for PCa. Our results evidenced that commercial kits designed to isolate exosomes/EVs from blood or urine are mostly applicable to SP, but showed quantitative and qualitative variability between them. ExoGAG 3500x g and the miRCURY Cell/Urine/CSF 1500x g methods resulted as equivalent alternative procedures to UC for isolating exosomes/sEVs from semen for nanoparticle characteristics and quality of RNA contained in vesicles. Additionally, the expression profile of the altered semen sEV-miRNAs in PCa varies depending on the EV isolation method applied. This is possibly due to different extraction techniques yielding different proportions of sEV subtypes. This is evidence that the exosome-EV isolation method has a significant impact on the analysis of the miRNAs contained within, with important consequences for their use as clinical biomarkers. Therefore, miRNA analysis results for EVs cannot be directly extrapolated between different EV isolation methods until clear markers for delineation between microvesicles and exosomes are established. However, EV extraction methodology affects combined models (semen exosome miRNA signatures plus blood Prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentration for PCa diagnosis) less; specifically our previously described (miR-142-3p + miR-142-5p + miR-223-3p + PSA) model functions as molecular marker from EVs from any of the three isolation methods, potentially improving the efficiency of PSA PCa diagnosis

Distal extension of the direct anterior approach to the hip poses risk to neurovascular structures: an anatomical study

Background: The anterior approach to the hip gained popularity for total hip arthroplasty in recent years. Distal extension of the anterior approach, sometimes needed intraoperatively, potentially endangers neurovascular structures to the quadriceps. The aim of this study was to determine the anatomical structures placed at risk by distal extension of the anterior approach to the hip. Methods: Seventeen cadaveric hemipelves from twelve human specimens were dissected. The femoral nerve and its branches and the vessels arising from the lateral femoral circumflex artery were assessed in relation to the distal extension of the anterior approach. The damage caused by the introduction of a cerclage cable passer was also investigated. Results: The area immediately distal to the intertrochanteric line is a common entry point for several nerve branches and is a useful distal landmark for surgeons to use to protect important neurovascular structures. The distal extension of the anterior approach compromises the nerve supply to the anterolateral portions of the quadriceps. Introduction of a cerclage cable passer through the anterior access also jeopardizes nerve branches to the vastus lateralis, lateral parts of the vastus intermedius, and branches of the lateral femoral circumflex artery. Conclusions: Distal extension of the direct anterior approach to the hip is challenging to accomplish without neurovascular injury to anterolateral parts of the quadriceps muscle group. In addition, important neurovascular structures are endangered with the introduction of a cable passer through the anterior approach. Clinical Relevance: Distal extension of the direct anterior approach to the hip beyond the intertrochanteric line may compromise neurovascular structures supplying the quadriceps muscle. The direct anterior approach for total hip arthroplasty has recently gained popularity with good clinical results. However, there have been reports of intraoperative complications, such as femoral fracture, implant failure, and muscle trauma7-12, that may require an extension of the surgical approach. Kennon et al.1 reported that the direct anterior approach could be safely extended proximally and distally even in complex revisions without clinically relevant nerve injuries. Furthermore, a textbook on surgical exposures describes and recommends this option13. While proximal extension with detachment of the tensor fascia femoris and gluteal muscles from the pelvis is part of the Smith-Petersen approach, distal extension could endanger neurovascular structures. The anatomical relationship of nerve branches and blood vessels to the quadriceps with respect to the anterior approach has not been documented, to our knowledge. The purpose of this cadaver study was to demonstrate the neurovascular structures encountered during the direct anterior approach to the hip joint with special emphasis on potential distal extension or the placement of a cerclage cable passer around the proximal part of the femur

Enhancing dna immunization by targeting asfv antigens to sla-ii bearing cells

One of the main criticisms to DNA vaccines is the poor immunogenicity that they confer on occasions, at least in large animals. Confirming this theory, immunization with plasmid DNA encoding two African swine fever virus genes in frame (pCMV-PQ), failed in inducing detectable immune responses in pigs, while it was successful in mice. Aiming to improve the immune responses induced in swine, a new plasmid was constructed, encoding the viral genes fused in frame with a single chain variable fragment of an antibody specific for a swine leukocyte antigen II (pCMV-APCH1PQ). Our results clearly demonstrate that targeting antigens to antigen professional cells exponentially enhanced the immune response induced in pigs, albeit that the DNA vaccine was not able to confer protection against lethal viral challenge. Indeed, a viremia exacerbation was observed in each of the pigs that received the pCMV-APCH1PQ plasmid, this correlating with the presence of non-neutralizing antibodies and antigen-specific SLA II-restricted T-cells. The implications of our discoveries for the development of future vaccines against African swine fever virus and other swine pathogens are discussed.Fil: Argilaguet, J. M.. No especifíca;Fil: Pérez Martín, E.. No especifíca;Fil: Gallardo, C.. No especifíca;Fil: Salguero, F. J.. No especifíca;Fil: Borrego, B.. No especifíca;Fil: Lacasta, A.. No especifíca;Fil: Accensi, F.. No especifíca;Fil: Díaz, I.. No especifíca;Fil: Nofrarías, M.. No especifíca;Fil: Pujols, J.. No especifíca;Fil: Blanco, E.. No especifíca;Fil: Pérez Filgueira, Daniel Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Escribano, José M.. No especifíca;Fil: Rodríguez, F.. No especifíca