Extracellular Vesicles, Apoptotic Bodies and Mitochondria: Stem Cell Bioproducts for Organ Regeneration

Purpose of Review In the current work, we will present the characterization of the main different stem cell-derived vesicular bio-products with potential application in organ regeneration. Recent Findings The therapeutic effects of stem cell therapy in organ repair, specifically those utilizing mesenchymal stromal cells, are largely dependent on the cells' release of different bio-products. Among these bio-products, extracellular vesicles (EVs) appear to play a major role due to their ability to carry and deliver bioactive material for modulation of cellular pathways in recipient cells. Concurrently, mitochondria transfer emerged as a new mechanism of cell communication, in which the bioenergetics of a damaged cell are restored. Finally, apoptotic bodies released by dying apoptotic stem cells contribute to stimulation of the tissue's stem cells and modulation of the immune response. Summary Exploitation of isolated extracellular vesicles, mitochondria and apoptotic bodies in preclinical models of organ damage shows promising results. Here, we describe the results of the pre-clinical applications of stem cell vesicular products, as well as the first clinical trials approaching artificial administration of extracellular vesicles and mitochondria in human subjects and their possible benefits and limitations. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, grant agreement No 813839, Innovative Training Network RenalToolBox and 765274, Innovative Training Network iPlacenta

Angiogenic properties of placenta-derived extracellular vesicles in normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia

Angiogenesis is one of the main processes that coordinate the biological events leading to a successful pregnancy, and its imbalance characterizes several pregnancy-related diseases, including preeclampsia. Intracellular interactions via extracellular vesicles (EVs) contribute to pregnancy’s physiology and pathophysiology, and to the fetal–maternal interaction. The present review outlines the implications of EV-mediated crosstalk in the angiogenic process in healthy pregnancy and its dysregulation in preeclampsia. In particular, the effect of EVs derived from gestational tissues in pro and anti-angiogenic processes in the physiological and pathological setting is described. Moreover, the application of EVs from placental stem cells in the clinical setting is reported

Anatomopathological Evaluation of Fecal Peritonitis Complications in Horses Treated with Peritoneal Lavage

Background: Reproductive management in horses when performed with malpractice or by an unqualified person can cause many lesions of various degrees. When the rectum is affected it can compromise the mucous layer of the rectal ampulla and may even cause total perforation of this intestinal segment. Once the rectum ruptured, its contents gets into the abdominal cavity and generates severe abdominal infection, which may cause intense adhesions between organs and even to the abdominal wall and requires a particular intensive intervention. This work reports the use of peritoneal lavage protocol in three horses with septic peritonitis caused by rectal laceration, correlating with post-mortem findings.Cases: Three horses were referred to the Veterinary Hospital Rancho Belo Vista, in the city of Serra - ES, with an accident report during reproductive management in different properties. In all cases, blood loss and loss of continuity of the rectal mucosa were reported by the technicians. Patients were referred at different post-accident times. When they arrived at the hospital, they were examined and a sample of blood and peritoneal fluid were collected and sent to the laboratory. They presented intense apathy, mucosa coloration ranging from hyperemic to pale with halo toxemia, high cardiac and respiratory rate, reduction of globular volume and prolonged time of capillary refill. Patients were given fluid therapy support with lactated Ringer’s solution and systemic therapy protocols such as antibiotic therapy, peritoneal lavage with antibiotic containing solution and anticoagulant, and other supportive treatments were instituted. Peritoneal lavages were instituted every eight hours, in the first 48 hours and every twelve hours, until five days were completed. All patients had to be sacrificed. Euthanasia occurred at different times according to response to treatment and onset of clinical signs of shock. Significant variations were observed among patients at necropsy. The patient submitted to fewer wash cycles had severe adhesions. The other two patients who underwent more wash cycles presented less severe adhesion and less fibrin deposition in the abdominal viscera.Discussion: The use of peritoneal lavage associated with systemic treatment has been shown to be beneficial for the treatment of peritonitis since the initial condition and alteration in the results of laboratory tests. However, the time elapsed between rectal laceration and referral to a specialized technical unit was a decisive factor, together with the severity of the lesion, that were determinant for the increased response and consequent chance of treatment success and chances of survival. Although they received a combination of systemic therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics and peritoneal lavage associated with daily washing cycles, the patients were euthanized, reiterating the lethality of the disease. At necropsy it was possible to evaluate the extent of contamination and adhesions, as well as to find the lacerated segment, the main source of contamination of the peritoneum. The difference between the degrees of adhesion is evident when compared to the patients who went through more cycles of peritoneal lavage with the ones that went through fewer cycles. Thus, it is possible to estimate that the patients who received a greater number of peritoneal lavage cycles with the drugs used in the same route presented a reduced number of adhesions between similar structures (same organs) and between the organs and the abdominal wall. There is a need for more controlled studies to evaluate the effectiveness of serial peritoneal lavage treatments in horses, as well as the application of drugs that seek to reduce abdominal inflammation, fibrin production and adhesions

Anatomopathological Evaluation of Fecal Peritonitis Complications in Horses Treated with Peritoneal Lavage

Background: Reproductive management in horses when performed with malpractice or by an unqualified person can cause many lesions of various degrees. When the rectum is affected it can compromise the mucous layer of the rectal ampulla and may even cause total perforation of this intestinal segment. Once the rectum ruptured, its contents gets into the abdominal cavity and generates severe abdominal infection, which may cause intense adhesions between organs and even to the abdominal wall and requires a particular intensive intervention. This work reports the use of peritoneal lavage protocol in three horses with septic peritonitis caused by rectal laceration, correlating with post-mortem findings.Cases: Three horses were referred to the Veterinary Hospital Rancho Belo Vista, in the city of Serra - ES, with an accident report during reproductive management in different properties. In all cases, blood loss and loss of continuity of the rectal mucosa were reported by the technicians. Patients were referred at different post-accident times. When they arrived at the hospital, they were examined and a sample of blood and peritoneal fluid were collected and sent to the laboratory. They presented intense apathy, mucosa coloration ranging from hyperemic to pale with halo toxemia, high cardiac and respiratory rate, reduction of globular volume and prolonged time of capillary refill. Patients were given fluid therapy support with lactated Ringer’s solution and systemic therapy protocols such as antibiotic therapy, peritoneal lavage with antibiotic containing solution and anticoagulant, and other supportive treatments were instituted. Peritoneal lavages were instituted every eight hours, in the first 48 hours and every twelve hours, until five days were completed. All patients had to be sacrificed. Euthanasia occurred at different times according to response to treatment and onset of clinical signs of shock. Significant variations were observed among patients at necropsy. The patient submitted to fewer wash cycles had severe adhesions. The other two patients who underwent more wash cycles presented less severe adhesion and less fibrin deposition in the abdominal viscera.Discussion: The use of peritoneal lavage associated with systemic treatment has been shown to be beneficial for the treatment of peritonitis since the initial condition and alteration in the results of laboratory tests. However, the time elapsed between rectal laceration and referral to a specialized technical unit was a decisive factor, together with the severity of the lesion, that were determinant for the increased response and consequent chance of treatment success and chances of survival. Although they received a combination of systemic therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics and peritoneal lavage associated with daily washing cycles, the patients were euthanized, reiterating the lethality of the disease. At necropsy it was possible to evaluate the extent of contamination and adhesions, as well as to find the lacerated segment, the main source of contamination of the peritoneum. The difference between the degrees of adhesion is evident when compared to the patients who went through more cycles of peritoneal lavage with the ones that went through fewer cycles. Thus, it is possible to estimate that the patients who received a greater number of peritoneal lavage cycles with the drugs used in the same route presented a reduced number of adhesions between similar structures (same organs) and between the organs and the abdominal wall. There is a need for more controlled studies to evaluate the effectiveness of serial peritoneal lavage treatments in horses, as well as the application of drugs that seek to reduce abdominal inflammation, fibrin production and adhesions

Mujeres intelectuales : feminismos y liberación en América Latina y el Caribe

"La labor intelectual y política de las mujeres que integran este libro abarca temas tan diversos, como diverso es el territorio latinoamericano. Sin embargo, esta antología tiene una postura primordialmente feminista, porque consideramos que es la posición desde la cual las intelectuales latinoamericanas han encontrado el marco adecuado para mostrar cuáles son sus condiciones específicas en el orden moderno patriarcal neoliberal"