Pulmonary Vascular Endothelial Cells

Pulmonary vascular endothelial cells (ECs) line the surface of the lung vasculature and accommodate the various levels of blood flow. Pulmonary endothelium is a critical regulator of vascular homeostasis by inhibiting coagulation of the blood. The ECs bind tissue factor pathway inhibitors (TFPI), modulate hemostasis with opposing effects such as antiplatelet, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic properties. Lung endothelium regulates synthesis and metabolism of vasoactive compounds such as nitric oxide and endothelin-1, both potent regulators of vascular tone. Cytokines, chemokines, interleukins, adhesion molecules, and growth factors can be secreted by pulmonary ECs with positive and adverse effects. Pulmonary endothelium exhibits heterogeneity with diverse expression of molecules and specific differences in signaling induced by various infections such as Gram-positive bacteria. The distinction of macro or microvascular endothelium occurs from the larger vessels to small capillaries in the lung alveoli system. Lectin-binding patterns discriminate between pulmonary artery and pulmonary microvascular capillary endothelium. The lung is one of the body’s organs with the highest expression of vascular endothelial growth factor that stimulates small vessel formation of the microvascular endothelium. Acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease are two prototypes of devastating diseases caused by pulmonary EC dysfunction

EFECTOS DEL EXTRACTO DE β -CARIOFILENO DE PIPER NIGRUM EN LA HIPERACTIVACIÓN ESPERMÁTICA Y EN LA CAPACIDAD FECUNDANTE DE TETRAPYGUS NIGER (MOLINA, 1782) ‘‘ERIZO NEGRO DE MAR’’

We analyzed hyperactivation and fertilizing capacity of the sperm of Tetrapygus niger "black sea urchin" in the presence of β-caryophyllene. β-caryophyllene obtained from extracts of Piper nigrum "black pepper" and synthetic β-caryophyllene donated by the Biosciences Institute of the University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, was used. Tetrapygus niger spermatozoa pretreated with the extracts of synthetic β-caryophyllene (β-caryophyllene A) and β-Caryophyllene from black pepper (β-caryophyllene B) were used to study the effect of this molecule on sperm hyperactivity (mean velocity and percentages of progressive and continuous movement) and the fertilizing capacity (percentage of fertilized ovules). The average values ​​of the sperm head area in the control and in the treatments with β-caryophyllene A and β-caryophyllene B were: 33.8; 32.33 and 33.59 um2, respectively, indicating the homogeneity in the sample and that this was not influenced by the sesquiterpene. In the presence of β-caryophyllene A and B, the average speed observed was decreased by approximately 30 and 20 um/s, respectively, with respect to the control. There are significant differences between the control and the treatments with β-caryophyllene A and B, but not between the two treatments with β-caryophyllene. The progressive movement of the sperm was also affected. While all the sperm of the control group showed rapid progressivity; in the treatment with β-caryophyllene B only 40% presented this characteristic and in the treatment with β-caryophyllene A 100% were progressive slow. On the other hand, the β-caryophyllene B produced a slight decrease in fertilization (96.76% of fertilized ovules) and in the presence of β-caryophyllene A, this was reduced to 79.50% with respect to the control group. A possible mechanism to explain the effects observed in this study would be the ability of β-caryophyllene to activate inhibitory G proteins as reported in other studies.En el presente trabajo se analizó la hiperactivación espermática y la capacidad fecundante del espermatozoide de Tetrapygus niger (Molina, 1782) “erizo negro de mar” en presencia de β-cariofileno. Se utilizó el sesquiterpeno β-cariofileno obtenido a partir de extracto de Piper nigrum L. “pimienta negra” y de β-cariofileno sintético donado por el Instituto de Biociencias de la Universidad de Sao Paulo (Sao Paulo, Brasil). Espermatozoides de Tetrapygus niger pretratados con los extractos de β-cariofileno sintético (β-cariofileno A) y β-cariofileno de pimienta negra (β-cariofileno B) fueron utilizados para la hiperactividad espermática (velocidad media y porcentajes de movimiento progresivo y continuo) y la capacidad fecundante (porcentaje de óvulos fecundados). Los valores promedios del área de la cabeza del espermatozoide en el control y en los tratamientos con β-cariofileno A y β-cariofileno B fueron de: 33,8; 32,33 y 33,59 um2, respectivamente, indicando la homogeneidad en la muestra y que esta no fue influenciada por el sesquiterpeno. En presencia de β-cariofileno A y B se observó la disminución de la velocidad promedio en aproximadamente 30 y 20 um/s, respectivamente, con respecto al control; existiendo diferencias significativas entre el control y los tratamientos con β-cariofileno A y B, pero no entre los dos tratamientos con β-cariofileno. El movimiento progresivo de los espermatozoides también fue afectado, mientras la totalidad de los espermatozoides del grupo control presentaron progresividad rápida, en el tratamiento con β-cariofileno B solo el 40 % presentaron esta característica y en el tratamiento con β-cariofileno A el 100 % fueron progresivos lento. Por otro lado, el β-cariofileno B produjo una ligera disminución de fecundación (96,76 % de óvulos fecundados) y en presencia de β-cariofileno A, esta se redujo a 79,50 % con respecto al grupo control. Un posible mecanismo para explicar los efectos observados en este estudio sería la capacidad del β-cariofileno para activar proteínas G inhibitorias, como ha sido reportado en otros estudios

Curricular Landscapes: Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions of Place and Identity

The longitudinal study explored preservice teachers’ understandings of Canadian identity and representations of identity in Canadian multicultural picture books. The design involved descriptive case studies in six Faculties of Education across six provinces. Some participants viewed place as related to landscape and geography; some perceived place as a site for promoting sociocultural understanding; others articulated critical discourse of place. Perspectives ranged from sophisticated understandings of Canadian identity and representations in the picture books to resistance to representations or issues that disrupt a dominant (white) perspective of a benevolent multicultural Canada

Efeitos combinados da fisioterapia e terapia robótica no equilíbrio e velocidade da marcha em pacientes com lesão medular incompleta

Restaurar a capacidade de andar é um dos objetivos da reabilitação na lesão medular incompleta (LMI). O treino orientado a tarefa abrange os princípios do aprendizado motor, envolvendo mecanismos de neuroplasticidade central e, consequentemente, reorganização cortical. O treinamento da marcha robótica G-EO System (GS) atua como um reforço da prática repetitiva e específica das fases da marcha. Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos combinados da fisioterapia e da terapia robótica na funcionalidade da marcha em relação ao equilíbrio e velocidade da marcha em pacientes com LMI. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo com 14 pacientes na fase crônica da doença, que realizaram 20 sessões de GS associado à fisioterapia convencional (FC). Utilizamos o Teste de Caminhada de 10 Metros (TC10) e a Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg (EEB). Valores de p <0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos pelo teste de Wilcoxon ao início da fisioterapia convencional e pré e pós intervenção. Resultados: Observou-se que no TC10, a velocidade inicial média variou de 2,60 m/s ± 1,72 no início da FC a 1,57 m/s ± 0,80 no final das 20 sessões de GS com p = 0,0424. Para a EEB no início da FC, a média foi de 31,85 pontos ± 12,50 e 42,35 ± 14,25 ao final da intervenção, com p = 0,0096. Conclusão: A terapia robótica da marcha associada à FC mostrou-se eficaz na promoção do equilíbrio e da melhora da velocidade da marcha em indivíduos na fase crônica da LMI.Restoring the ability to walk, especially independently, is one of the goals in the rehabilitation of patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (ISCI). The G-EO System (GS) robotic gait training acts as a reinforcer of the repetitive and specific practice of the gait phases. Objective: Investigate the combined effects of physiotherapy and robotic therapy on gait functionality in relation to balance and gait speed in patients with ISCI. Methods: Retrospective cohort study with 14 patients in the chronic phase of the disease, using the GS as a robotic intervention for gait and stairs, consisting of a 20-session protocol associated with conventional physical therapy. We used the 10-meter Walk Test (10WT) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant using the Wilcoxon test at the beginning of conventional physical therapy and before and after intervention. Results: At the 10WT, the mean initial velocity ranged from 2.60 m/s ± 1.72 at the beginning of conventional physical therapy to 1.57 m/s ± 0.80 at the end of the 20 GS sessions with p = 0.0424. For BBS at the beginning of conventional physical therapy, the average was 31.85 points ± 12.50, and 42.35 ± 14.25 at the end of the 20 GS sessions, with p = 0.0096. Conclusions: Robotic gait therapy associated with conventional physiotherapy has been shown to be effective in promoting balance and gait speed improvement in individuals in the chronic phase after involvement of incomplete spinal cord injury

Impact of Bacterial Toxins in the Lungs

Bacterial toxins play a key role in the pathogenesis of lung disease. Based on their structural and functional properties, they employ various strategies to modulate lung barrier function and to impair host defense in order to promote infection. Although in general, these toxins target common cellular signaling pathways and host compartments, toxin- and cell-specific effects have also been reported. Toxins can affect resident pulmonary cells involved in alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) and barrier function through impairing vectorial Na$^{+}$ transport and through cytoskeletal collapse, as such, destroying cell-cell adhesions. The resulting loss of alveolar-capillary barrier integrity and fluid clearance capacity will induce capillary leak and foster edema formation, which will in turn impair gas exchange and endanger the survival of the host. Toxins modulate or neutralize protective host cell mechanisms of both the innate and adaptive immunity response during chronic infection. In particular, toxins can either recruit or kill central players of the lung's innate immune responses to pathogenic attacks, i.e., alveolar macrophages (AMs) and neutrophils. Pulmonary disorders resulting from these toxin actions include, e.g., acute lung injury (ALI), the acute respiratory syndrome (ARDS), and severe pneumonia. When acute infection converts to persistence, i.e., colonization and chronic infection, lung diseases, such as bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis (CF) can arise. The aim of this review is to discuss the impact of bacterial toxins in the lungs and the resulting outcomes for pathogenesis, their roles in promoting bacterial dissemination, and bacterial survival in disease progression

An Online Dynamic Amplitude-Correcting Gradient Estimation Technique to Align X-ray Focusing Optics

High-brightness X-ray pulses, as generated at synchrotrons and X-ray free electron lasers (XFEL), are used in a variety of scientific experiments. Many experimental testbeds require optical equipment, e.g Compound Refractive Lenses (CRLs), to be precisely aligned and focused. The lateral alignment of CRLs to a beamline requires precise positioning along four axes: two translational, and the two rotational. At a synchrotron, alignment is often accomplished manually. However, XFEL beamlines present a beam brightness that fluctuates in time, making manual alignment a time-consuming endeavor. Automation using classic stochastic methods often fail, given the errant gradient estimates. We present an online correction based on the combination of a generalized finite difference stencil and a time-dependent sampling pattern. Error expectation is analyzed, and efficacy is demonstrated. We provide a proof of concept by laterally aligning optics on a simulated XFEL beamline

Genetic characterization of outbred Sprague Dawley rats and utility for genome-wide association studies

Sprague Dawley (SD) rats are among the most widely used outbred laboratory rat populations. Despite this, the genetic characteristics of SD rats have not been clearly described, and SD rats are rarely used for experiments aimed at exploring genotype-phenotype relationships. In order to use SD rats to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS), we collected behavioral data from 4,625 SD rats that were predominantly obtained from two commercial vendors, Charles River Laboratories and Harlan Sprague Dawley Inc. Using double-digest genotyping-by-sequencing (ddGBS), we obtained dense, high-quality genotypes at 291,438 SNPs across 4,061 rats. This genetic data allowed us to characterize the variation present in Charles River vs. Harlan SD rats. We found that the two populations are highly diverged (FST > 0.4). Furthermore, even for rats obtained from the same vendor, there was strong population structure across breeding facilities and even between rooms at the same facility. We performed multiple separate GWAS by fitting a linear mixed model that accounted for population structure and using meta-analysis to jointly analyze all cohorts. Our study examined Pavlovian conditioned approach (PavCA) behavior, which assesses the propensity for rats to attribute incentive salience to reward-associated cues. We identified 46 significant associations for the various metrics used to define PavCA. The surprising degree of population structure among SD rats from different sources has important implications for their use in both genetic and non-genetic studies

Factores asociados al acceso de métodos de planificación familiar modernos en mujeres en edad fértil inmigrantes venezolanas en Perú. ENPOVE 2018

Objective. Estimate the prevalence and determine the factors associated with access to modern family planning methods (MPFM) in women of childbearing age Venezuelan immigrants in Peru. Materials and methods. Observational, cross-sectional and analytical study of the Survey Directed to the Venezuelan Population Residing in the Country (ENPOVE) 2018. The proportion of women of fertile age Venezuelan immigrants with access to MPFM was calculated. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (RP) of MPFM access were estimated, using generalized linear models. Results. 3,378 Venezuelan immigrant women of childbearing age were included. 78.45% did not have access to MMPF. Being in the young stage of life (RPa: 1.07; IC: 1.05-1.14), being married (RPa: 1.09; IC: 1.03-1.14), living together (RPc: 1.11; IC: 1.06-1.16), residing in the city de Trujillo (RPa: 1.21; CI: 1.13-1.29) were associated with a higher probability of accessing MPFM. Conclusions. Three out of ten women of childbearing age Venezuelan immigrants in Peru have access to MPFM. Being young, married, living together, and residing in the city of Trujillo increases the probability of accessing Venezuelan immigrants to Peru in MMPF. Sexual and reproductive health services should be prioritized to those to cities and life stages with greater barriers in accessing MPFM.Objetivo. Estimar la prevalencia y determinar los factores asociados al acceso de métodos de planificación familiar modernos (MPFM) en mujeres en edad fértil inmigrantes venezolanas en Perú. Materiales y métodos. Estudio observacional, transversal y analítico de la Encuesta Dirigida a la Población Venezolana que Reside en el País (ENPOVE) 2018. Se calculó la proporción de mujeres en edad fértil inmigrantes venezolanas con acceso a MPFM. Se estimaron razones de prevalencia (RP) crudas y ajustadas (RPa) del acceso a MPFM, usando modelos lineales generalizados. Resultados. Se incluyeron 3378 mujeres en edad fértil inmigrantes venezolanas. El 78,45% no tuvo acceso a MMPF. Estar en la etapa de vida joven (RPa:1.07; IC:1.05-1.14), ser casada (RPa:1.09; IC:1.03-1.14), conviviente (RPc:1.11; IC:1.06-1.16), residir en la ciudad de Trujillo (RPa:1.21; IC:1.13-1.29) se asociaron a una mayor probabilidad de acceder de MPFM. Conclusiones. Tres de cada diez mujeres en edad fértil inmigrantes venezolanas en Perú tiene acceso a MPFM. Ser joven, casada, conviviente, y residir en la ciudad de Trujillo incrementa la probabilidad de acceder a MMPF inmigrantes venezolanas en el Perú. Los servicios de salud sexual y reproductiva deben estar priorizados a aquellas a ciudades y etapas de vida con mayores barreras en el acceso a MPFM

Response to Emerging Infection Leading to Outbreak of Linezolid-Resistant Enterococci

These bacteria have emerged as a hospital problem that appears to be caused by both linezolid exposure and patient-to-patient transmission

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead