Colangiocarcinoma hepático en un felino y hallazgos anatomopatólogicos, y clínicos compatibles con peritonitis infecciosa felina

Se presentan los hallazgos patomorfológicos de colangiocarcinoma hepático (CGC) con efusión peritoneal en un gato doméstico geronte y se relaciona con la sintomatología clínica y los hallazgos anatomopatológicos compatibles con la peritonitis infecciosa felina (PIF). Se atendió en la clínica veterinaria de la Universidad de los Llanos un paciente felino de 8 años de edad, criollo, con aumento de la silueta abdominal y depresión. Clínicamente se encontró deshidratación del 7%, hipotermia (37.2ºC), mucosas pálidas, disnea y hepatomegalia. Mediante abdominocentesis se obtuvo un exudado no séptico y un cuadro citológico compatible con CGC con células columnares bajas dispuestas en panal de abeja, presentando anisocariosis, hipercromacia moderada, citoplasmas claros y vacuolados acompañados de un fondo sucio inflamatorio y hemorrágico con detritos celulares. En el análisis radiográfico se observó hepatomegalia con un patrón de punteado característico de formación neoplásica y ascitis. A la necropsia se presentó hemotórax e hidropericardio, ascitis y nódulos neoplásicos blancos duros al corte en el 45% del parénquima hepático y un patrón nodular sobre la superficie visceral del estomago, intestinos delgado, grueso y mesenterio. Las muestras se fijaron en formalina buferada al 10%, se procesaron mediante métodos rutinarios para microscopía óptica. Por histopatología se diagnosticó CGC moderadamente diferenciado con intensa desmoplasia. Citológica e histopatológicamente se evidenció un CGC hepático con efusión peritoneal que se relacionó con la sintomatología clínica y los hallazgos anatomopatológicos compatibles con la PIF

Colangiocarcinoma hepático en un felino y hallazgos anatomopatólogicos, y clínicos compatibles con peritonitis infecciosa felina

RESUMENSe presentan los hallazgos patomorfológicos de colangiocarcinoma hepático (CGC) con efusión peritoneal en un gato doméstico geronte y se relaciona con la sintomatología clínica y los hallazgos anatomopatológicos compatibles con la peritonitis infecciosa felina (PIF). Se atendió en la clínica veterinaria de la Universidad de los Llanos un paciente felino de 8 años de edad, criollo, con aumento de la silueta abdominal y depresión. Clínicamente se encontró deshidratación del 7%, hipotermia (37.2ºC), mucosas pálidas, disnea y hepatomegalia. Mediante abdominocentesis se obtuvo un exudado no séptico y un cuadro citológico compatible con CGC con células columnares bajas dispuestas en panal de abeja, presentando anisocariosis, hipercromacia moderada, citoplasmas claros y vacuolados acompañados de un fondo sucio inflamatorio y hemorrágico con detritos celulares. En el análisis radiográfico se observó hepatomegalia con un patrón de punteado característico de formación neoplásica y ascitis. A la necropsia se presentó hemotórax e hidropericardio, ascitis y nódulos neoplásicos blancos duros al corte en el 45% del parénquima hepático y un patrón nodular sobre la superficie visceral del estomago, intestinos delgado, grueso y mesenterio. Las muestras se fijaron en formalina buferada al 10%, se procesaron mediante métodos rutinarios para microscopía óptica. Por histopatología se diagnosticó CGC moderadamente diferenciado con intensa desmoplasia. Citológica e histopatológicamente se evidenció un CGC hepático con efusión peritoneal que se relacionó con la sintomatología clínica y los hallazgos anatomopatológicos compatibles con la PIF

Anterior fundoplication at the time of congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair

The loss of normal anatomic barriers in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) can predispose children to gastroesophageal reflux (GER). In an attempt to improve post-operative feeding, we have added a modified anterior fundoplication to restore natural gastric and esophageal positioning. The institutional review board of both participating centers approved this study. Between 1997 and 2008, 13 neonates with high-risk anatomy underwent repair of CDH combined with an anterior fundoplication (Boix-Ochoa). The anatomic indications for concomitant fundoplication were absence of an intra-abdominal esophagus, an obtuse angle of His, and a small, vertically oriented stomach. Ten patients survived to discharge and eight were on full oral nourishment. One required partial gastrostomy feedings for an improving oral aversion and quickly progressed to full oral feedings. One patient with chromosomal anomalies and swallowing dysfunction remained on long-term bolus gastrostomy feedings. Two with progressive symptoms of GER and failure to thrive required conversion to a 360° wrap after 18 months of medical management. This was performed in conjunction with a planned, staged muscle flap reconstruction in one patient. There were no complications related to the fundoplication. Anatomic predictors of severe GER can be efficiently countered at the time of CDH repair. A modified fundoplication should be considered in the operative management of high-risk infants

Viscoelastic gels of guar and xanthan gum mixtures provide long-term stabilization of iron micro- and nanoparticles

Iron micro- and nanoparticles used for groundwater remediation and medical applications are prone to fast aggregation and sedimentation. Diluted single biopolymer water solutions of guar gum (GG) or xanthan gum (XG) can stabilize these particles for few hours providing steric repulsion and by increasing the viscosity of the suspension. The goal of the study is to demonstrate that amending GG solutions with small amounts of XG (XG/GG weight ratio 1:19; 3 g/L of total biopolymer concentration) can significantly improve the capability of the biopolymer to stabilize highly concentrated iron micro- and nanoparticle suspensions. The synergistic effect between GG and XG generates a viscoelastic gel that can maintain 20 g/L iron particles suspended for over 24 h. This is attributed to (i) an increase in the static viscosity, (ii) a combined polymer structure the yield stress of which contrasts the downward stress exerted by the iron particles, and (iii) the adsorption of the polymers to the iron surface having an anchoring effect on the particles. The XG/GG viscoelastic gel is characterized by a marked shear thinning behavior. This property, coupled with the low biopolymer concentration, determines small viscosity values at high shear rates, facilitating the injection in porous media. Furthermore, the thermosensitivity of the soft elastic polymeric network promotes higher stability and longer storage times at low temperatures and rapid decrease of viscosity at higher temperatures. This feature can be exploited in order to improve the flowability and the delivery of the suspensions to the target as well as to effectively tune and control the release of the iron particle

Deletions of specific exons of FHOD3 detected by next-generation-sequencing are associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Despite new strategies, such as evaluating deep intronic variants and new genes in whole-genome-sequencing studies, the diagnostic yield of genetic testing in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is still around 50%. FHOD3 has emerged as a novel disease-causing gene for this phenotype, but the relevance and clinical implication of copy-number-variations (CNVs) have not been determined. In this study, CNVs were evaluated using a comparative depth-of-coverage strategy by NGS in 5493 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy probands and 2973 disease-controls. We detected three symmetrical deletions in FHOD3 that involved exons 15 and 16 in three HCM families (no CNVs were detected in the control group). These exons are part of the diaphanous inhibitory domain of FHOD3 protein, considered a cluster of mutations for HCM. The clinical characteristics of the affected carriers were consistent with those reported in FHOD3 in previous studies. This study highlights the importance of performing CNV analysis systematically in NGS genetic testing panels for HCM, and reinforce the relevance of the FHOD3 gene in the disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Relict periglacial soils on Quaternary terraces in the central Ebro Basin (NE Spain)

Pedofeatures associated with ancient cold climatic conditions have been recognized in soils on terraces in the Monegros area (central Ebro Basin, Spain), at a latitude of 41°49′N and an altitude of 300 m a.s.l. Eleven soil profiles were described on fluvial deposits corresponding to the most extensive terrace (T5) of the Alcanadre River, Middle Pleistocene in age (MIS8–MIS7). Each soil horizon was sampled for physical, chemical, mineralogical and micromorphological analyses. Macromorphological features related to pedocryogenic processes were described: involutions, jacked stones, shattered stones, detached and vertically oriented carbonatic pendents, fragmented carbonatic crusts, laminar microstructures, succitic fabric, silt cappings on rock fragments and aggregates, and irregular, broken, discontinuous and deformed gravel and sandy pockets. Accumulations of Fe–Mn oxides, dissolution features on the surface of carbonatic stones, and calcitic accumulations were identified related to vadose–phreatic conditions. The observed periglacial features developed under cold environmental conditions in exceptional geomorphic and hydrological conditions. This soil information may have potential implications in studies of paleoclimate in the Ebro Valley as well as in other Mediterranean areas

Computational methodology to determine fluid related parameters on non regular three-dimensional scaffolds

The application of three-dimensional (3D) biomaterials to facilitate the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of cells has been widely studied for tissue engineering purposes. The fabrication methods used to improve the mechanical response of the scaffold produce complex and non regular structures. Apart from the mechanical aspect, the fluid behavior in the inner part of the scaffold should also be considered. Parameters such as permeability (k) or wall shear stress (WSS) are important aspects in the provision of nutrients, the removal of metabolic waste products or the mechanically-induced differentiation of cells attached in the trabecular network of the scaffolds. Experimental measurements of these parameters are not available in all labs. However, fluid parameters should be known prior to other types of experiments. The present work compares an experimental study with a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodology to determine the related fluid parameters (k and WSS) of complex non regular poly(L-lactic acid) scaffolds based only on the treatment of microphotographic images obtained with a microCT (lCT). The CFD analysis shows similar tendencies and results with low relative difference compared to those of the experimental study, for high flow rates. For low flow rates the accuracy of this prediction reduces. The correlation between the computational and experimental results validates the robustness of the proposed methodology.The authors gratefully acknowledge research support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through research project DPI2010-20399-C04-01. The Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) through the CIBER initiative and the Platform for Biological Tissue Characterization of the Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red en Bioingenieria, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN) are also gratefully acknowledged.Acosta Santamaría, VA.; Malvé, M.; Duizabo, A.; Mena Tobar, A.; Gallego Ferrer, G.; García Aznar, J.; Doblare Castellano, M.... (2013). Computational methodology to determine fluid related parameters on non regular three-dimensional scaffolds. Annals of Biomedical Engineering. 41(11):2367-2380. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-013-0849-8S236723804111Acosta Santamaría, V., H. Deplaine, D. Mariggió, A. R. Villanueva-Molines, J. M. García-Aznar, J. L. Gómez Ribelles, M. Doblaré, G. Gallego Ferrer, and I. Ochoa. Influence of the macro and micro-porous structure on the mechanical behavior of poly(l-lactic acid) scaffolds. J. Non-Cryst. Solids 358(23):3141–3149, 2012.Adachi, T., Y. Osako, M. Tanaka, M. Hojo, and S. J. Hollister. Framework for optimal design of porous scaffold microstructure by computational simulation of bone regeneration. Biomaterials 27(21):3964–3972, 2006.Adamczyk, Z., and T. G. M. Vandeven. Deposition of particles under external forces in laminar-flow through parallel-plate and cylindrical channels. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 80(2):340–356, 1981.Alberich, B. A., D. Moratal, J. L. Escobar, J. C. Rodríguez, A. Vallés-Lluch, L. Martí-Bonmatí, et al. Microcomputed tomography and microfinite element modeling for evaluating polymer scaffolds architecture and their mechanical properties. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. B Appl. Biomater. 91B(1):191–202, 2009.Al-Munajjed, A., M. Hien, R. Kujat, J. P. Gleeson, and J. Hammer. Influence of pore size on tensile strength, permeability and porosity of hyaluronan-collagen scaffolds. J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Med. 19(8):2859–2864, 2008.Alves da Silva, M. L., A. Martins, A. R. Costa-Pinto, V. M. Correlo, P. Sol, M. Bhattacharya, S. Faria, R. L. Reis, and N. M. Neves. Chondrogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in chitosan-based scaffolds using a flow-perfusion bioreactor. J. Tissue Eng. Regen. Med. 5(9):722–732, 2011.Ansys (2010) CFX Theory User Manual. Canonsburg, PA: Ansys Software.Brígido, R. D., J. M. Estellés, J. A. Sanz, J. M. García-Aznar, and M. S. Sánchez. Polymer scaffolds with interconnected spherical pores and controlled architecture for tissue engineering: fabrication, mechanical properties, and finite element modeling. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. B Appl. Biomater. 81B(2):448–455, 2007.Byrne, P. D., D. Lacroix, J. A. Planell, D. J. Kelly, and P. J. Prendergast. Simulation of tissue differentiation in a scaffold as a function of porosity, Young’s modulus and dissolution rate: application of mechanobiological models in tissue engineering. Biomaterials 28:5544–5554, 2007.Chor, M. V., and W. Li. A permeability measurement system for tissue engineering scaffolds. Meas. Sci. Technol. 18(1):208–216, 2007.Cozensroberts, C., J. A. Quinn, and D. A. Lauffenburger. Receptor-mediated adhesion phenomena—model studies with the radial-flow detachment assay. Biophys. J. 58(1):107–125, 1990.Davisson, T., R. L. Sah, and A. Ratcliffe. Perfusion increases cell content and matrix synthesis in chondrocyte three-dimensional cultures. Tissue Eng. 8(5):807–816, 2002.Deplaine, H., M. Lebourg, P. Ripalda, A. Vidaurre, P. Sanz-Ramos, G. Mora, F. Prósper, I. Ochoa, M. Doblaré, J. L. Gómez Ribelles, I. Izal-Azcárate, and G. Gallego Ferrer. Biomimetic hydroxyapatite coating on pore walls improves osteointegration of poly(l-lactic acid) scaffolds. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. B Appl. Biomater. 101(1):173–186, 2013.Dias, M. R., P. R. Fernandes, J. M. Guedes, and S. J. Hollister. Permeability analysis of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. J. Biomech. 45(6):938–944, 2012.Freyman, T. M., I. V. Yannas, and L. J. Gibson. Cellular materials as porous scaffolds for tissue engineering. Prog. Mater Sci. 46:273–282, 2001.Gong, S., H. Wang, Q. Sun, S. T. Xue, and J. Wang. Mechanical properties and in vitro biocompatibility of porous zein scaffolds. Biomaterials 27(20):3793–3799, 2006.Gutierrez, R. A., and E. T. Crumpler. Potential effect of geometry on wall shear stress distribution across scaffold surfaces. Ann. Biomed. Eng. 36(1):77–85, 2008.Hammer, D. A., and D. Lauffenburger. A dynamic-model for receptor-mediated cell adhesion to surfaces. Biophys. J. 52(3):475–487, 1987.Ho, S. T., and D. W. Hutmacher. A comparison of micro CT with other techniques used in the characterization of scaffolds. Biomaterials 27(8):1362–1376, 2006.Ho, M. H., P. Y. Kuo, H. J. Hsieh, T. Y. Hsien, L. T. Hou, J. Y. Lai, and D. M. Wang. Preparation of porous scaffolds by using freeze-extraction and freeze-gelation methods. Biomaterials 25(1):129–138, 2004.Hutmacher, D. W., J. T. Schantz, C. X. Lam, K. C. Tan, and T. C. Lim. State of the art and future directions of scaffold-based bone engineering from a biomaterials perspective. J. Tissue Eng. Regen. Med. 1(4):245–260, 2007.Izal, I., P. Aranda, P. Sanz-Ramos, P. Ripalda, G. Mora, F. Granero-Moltó, H. Deplaine, J. L. Gómez-Ribelles, G. G. Ferrer, V. Acosta, I. Ochoa, J. M. García-Aznar, E. J. Andreu, M. Monleón-Pradas, M. Doblaré, and F. Prósper. Culture of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on of poly(l-lactic acid) scaffolds: potential application for the tissue engineering of cartilage. Knee Surg. Sports Traumatol. Arthrosc., 2012.Kapur, S., D. J. Baylink, and K. H. Lau. Fluid flow shear stress stimulates human osteoblast proliferation and differentiation through multiple interacting and competing signal transduction pathways. Bone 32(3):241–251, 2003.Karande, T. S., J. L. Ong, and C. M. Agrawal. Diffusion in musculoskeletal tissue engineering scaffolds: design issues related to porosity, permeability, architecture, and nutrient mixing. Ann. Biomed. Eng. 32(12):1728–1743, 2004.Kelly, D. J., and P. J. Prendergast. Mechano-regulation of stem cell differentiation and tissue regeneration in osteochondral defects. J. Biomech. 38(7):1413–1422, 2005.Kreke, M. R., L. A. Sharp, Y. W. Lee, and A. S. Goldstein. Effect of intermittent shear stress on mechanotransductive signaling and osteoblastic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells. Tissue Eng. Part A 14(4):529–537, 2008.Lacroix, D., A. Chateau, M. P. Ginebra, and J. A. Planell. Micro-finite element models of bone tissue-engineering scaffolds. Biomaterials 27(30):5326–5334, 2006.Lacroix, D., and P. J. Prendergast. A mechano-regulation model for tissue differentiation during fracture healing: analysis of gap size and loading. J. Biomech. 35(9):1163–1171, 2002.Li, S., J. R. De Wijn, J. Li, P. Layrolle, and K. De Groot. Macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate scaffold with high permeability/porosity ratio. Tissue Eng. 9:535–548, 2003.Melchels, F. P. W., B. Tonnarelli, A. L. Olivares, I. Martin, D. Lacroix, J. Feijen, et al. The influence of the scaffold design on the distribution of adhering cells after perfusion cell seeding. Biomaterials 32(11):2878–2884, 2011.O’Brien, F. J., B. A. Harley, M. A. Waller, I. Yannas, L. J. Gibson, and P. Prendergast. The effect of pore size on permeability and cell attachment in collagen scaffolds for tissue engineering. Technol. Health Care 15(1):3–17, 2007.Ochoa, I., J. A. Sanz, J. M. Garcia-Aznar, M. Doblare, D. M. Yunos, and A. R. Boccaccini. Permeability evaluation of 45S5 bioglass-based scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. J. Biomech. 42:257–260, 2009.Porter, B., R. Zauel, H. Stockman, R. Guldberg, and D. Fyhrie. 3-D computational modeling of media flow through scaffolds in a perfusion bioreactor. Mater. Res. 38:543–549, 2005.Sandino, C., S. Checa, P. J. Prendergast, and D. Lacroix. Simulation of angiogenesis and cell differentiation in a CaP scaffold subjected to compressive strains using a lattice modeling approach. Biomaterials 31(8):2446–2452, 2010.Sanz, J. A., J. M. García-Aznar, and M. Doblaré. On scaffold designing for bone regeneration: a computational multiscale approach. Acta Biomater. 5(1):219–229, 2009.Sanz, J. A., C. Kasper, M. van Griensven, J. M. Garcia-Aznar, I. Ochoa, and M. Doblare. Mechanical and flow characterization of Sponceram® carriers: evaluation by homogenization theory and experimental validation. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. B Appl. Biomater. 87B(1):42–48, 2008.Singh, H., S. H. Teoh, H. T. Low, and D. W. Hutmacher. Flow modelling within a scaffold under the influence of uni-axial and bi-axial bioreactor rotation. J. Biotechnol. 119:181–196, 2005.Sjollema, J., and H. J. Busscher. Deposition of polystyrene latex-particles toward polymethylmethacrylate in a parallel plate flow cell. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 132(2):382–394, 1989.Truscello, S., G. Kerckhofs, S. Van Bael, G. Pyka, J. Schrooten, and H. Van Oosterwyck. Prediction of permeability of regular scaffolds for skeletal tissue engineering: a combined computational and experimental study. Acta Biomater. 8(4):1648–1658, 2012.Woodfield, T. B., J. Malda, J. Wijn, F. Péters, J. Riesle, and C. A. van Blitterswijk. Design of porous scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering using a three-dimensional fiber-deposition technique. Biomaterials 25(18):4149–4161, 2004

Traditional use of the Andean flicker (Colaptes rupicola) as a galactagogue in the Peruvian Andes

This paper explores the use of the dried meat and feathers of the Andean Flicker (Colaptes rupicola) to increase the milk supply of nursing women and domestic animals in the Andes. The treatment is of preColumbian origin, but continues to be used in some areas, including the village in the southern Peruvian highlands where I do ethnographic research. I explore the factors giving rise to and sustaining the practice, relate it to other galactagogues used in the Andes and to the use of birds in ethnomedical and ethnoveterinary treatments in general, and situate it within the general tendency in the Andes and elsewhere to replicate human relations in the treatment of valuable livestock. The bird's use as a galactagogue appears to be motivated by both metaphorical associations and its perceived efficacy, and conceptually blends human and animal healthcare domains