Effectiveness of polyhexamethylene biguanide dressings vs. platelet-rich plasma in diabetic foot ulcer: a pilot study of case series

Diverse treatments, including polyhexamethylene biguanide dressings, have been explored for managing diabetic foot ulcers. Platelet-rich plasma, known for its potential in chronic wound healing, has demonstrated efficacy both in vivo and in vitro, with possible intralesional or topical application. However, research on the production costs of PRP is scarce. This study compares the effectiveness and financial implications of polyhexamethylene biguanide dressings versus Platelet-rich Plasma in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Conducted at the General Hospital of Mexico from July to August 2019, this case series involved 8 patients, split equally between the two treatment groups. Weekly assessments showed consistent reductions in wound size in both groups. By the fourth week, 75% of patients achieved clinical healing. The PHMB group demonstrated a 75.13% reduction in wound size, compared to a 37.38% reduction in the PRP group. However, due to the small sample size, no statistical significance was found between wound size, healing time, and dressing type. This report suggests no clear relationship between treatment, healing duration, and wound diameter. Additionally, PRP did not show a clear financial advantage over PHMB dressings. Randomized control trials with sufficient sample sizes are required to demonstrate overall advantage for each therapy choice

External stimuli help restore post-partum ovarian activity in Pelibuey sheep

Post-partum anestrus is a problem on farms, and its duration depends on the frequency and intensity of suckling which affects reproduction and production efficiency to become a determining economic factor. The aim of this study was to determine the post-partum reproductive response in ewe to a "male effect" with an ovulation induction protocol of five days using progesterone and the application of a metabolic restorative (MR; Metabolase ®). One hundred and twenty females were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: T1: Continuous suckling (CS; n = 29), T2: CS + MR (n = 29), T3: CS + Male Effect (ME; n = 32), and T4: CS + MR + ME. The percentage of females in ovulation, weight changes among females and lambs, the onset of estrus, calving, fecundity, and prolificacy were also determined. The ovulation percentage was higher in CS + ME and CS + MR + ME (75.0 and 73.3%) than in the other treatments. Weight changes in females and lambs were different among periods. The onset of estrus was similar for CS and CS + MR (25.9 ± 1.9 and 25.7 ± 0.7 h, respectively). The calving percentage was higher for CS + MR (86.2%) than other treatments. Male presence positively affected the postpartum cyclic ovarian re-establishment and the metabolic restorative could even improve the fertility of hair ewes in continuous suckling with similar hormone protocolKeywords: Male effect, metabolic stimulation, post-partum anestru

Estabilidad de patatas chips fritas en aceites vegetales de distinto grado de insaturación. Efecto del palmitato de ascorbilo durante el almacenamiento

Four vegetable oils with different polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio (P/S): 5.2 for sunflower oil, 3.,4 for canola rapeseed oil, 0.4 for a blend of palm oleic and canola rapeseed oil (80:20), and 0.3 for palm olein were assayed for stability of crisps fried in these oils during storage at 60º C. The action of ascorbyl palmitate with special attention to its synergistic effect on the natural antioxidants was also tested. by addition to the fried potatoes. The evolution of the oxidative stability was measured through peroxide value, quantitation of tocopherols and tocotrienols, and induction time (IT) by means of Rancimat. Oil degradation during frying was very low as both polar compound percentages and natural antioxidant had similar levels to those present in refined oils. Evolution of analytical parameters during storage results indicated that oil unsaturation degree or P/S had a much more importance on stability of the product than had the content and type of natural antioxidants and the addition of AP. Nevertheless, addition of AP to the fried potatoes had a significant effect resulting in higher retention of natural antioxidants, higher IT and lower PV at any storage timeSe estudia la evolución de la oxidación a 60º C en patatas fritas con cuatro aceites vegetales de distinta relación ácidos grasos poliinsaturados/saturados (P/S): 5,4 para el aceite de girasol, 3,4 para el aceite de canola, 0,4 para una mezcla de oleína de palma (80 %) y aceite de canola (20 %) y 0,3 para la oleína de palma. Se estudia igualmente la influencia de la adición de palmitato de ascorbilo (AP) durante la conservación del producto frito con especial atención a su efecto sinergista sobre los antioxidantes naturales. La evolución de la oxidación en lotes de patatas, con y sin adición de AP, se determinó mediante las siguientes determinaciones analíticas: índice de peróxidos (PV), cuantificación de tocoferoles y tocotrienoles, y periodos de inducción (IT) en Rancimat. La degradación de los aceites durante el proceso de fritura fue muy baja puesto que los niveles de compuestos polares y de antioxidantes naturales fueron similares a los encontrados en aceites refinados. La evolución de los índices analíticos durante el almacenamiento mostraron la importancia primordial del grado de insaturación del aceite por encima de la cantidad y tipo de antioxidantes y de la adición de AP. Sin embargo, la adición de AP a las patatas fritas tuvo un claro efecto sinergista traducido en menores PV y mayores cantidades de antioxidantes naturales e IT para cualquier tiempo de almacenamiento

M1 Macrophages Activate Notch Signalling in Epithelial Cells: Relevance in Crohn's Disease

Background: The Notch signalling pathway plays an essential role in mucosal regeneration, which constitutes a key goal of Crohn's disease (CD) treatment. Macrophages coordinate tissue repair and several phenotypes have been reported which differ in the expression of surface proteins, cytokines and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). We analysed the role of HIFs in the expression of Notch ligands in macrophages and the relevance of this pathway in mucosal regeneration. Methods: Human monocytes and U937-derived macrophages were polarized towards the M1 and M2 phenotypes and the expression levels of HIF-1α, HIF-2α, Jagged 1 (Jag1) and delta-like 4 (Dll4) were evaluated. The effects of macrophages on the expression of hairy and enhancer of split-1 (HES1, the main target of Notch signalling) and intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP, enterocyte marker) in epithelial cells in co-culture were also analysed. Phenotype macrophage markers and Notch signalling were evaluated in the mucosa of CD patients. Results: M1 macrophages were associated with HIF-1-dependent induction of Jag1 and Dll4, which increased HES1 protein levels and IAP activity in co-cultured epithelial cells. In the mucosa of CD patients a high percentage of M1 macrophages expressed both HIF-1α and Jag1 while M2 macrophages mainly expressed HIF-2α and we detected a good correlation between the ratio of M1/M2 macrophages and both HES1 and IAP protein levels. Conclusion: M1, but not M2, macrophages are associated with HIF-1-dependent induction of Notch ligands and activation of epithelial Notch signalling pathway. In the mucosa of chronic CD patients, the prevalence of M2 macrophages is associated with diminution of Notch signalling and impaired enterocyte differentiation. Key Words: MacrophagesCrohn's diseasemucosal healingNotch signallin

Shedding light on the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP)-pathway:long hypocotyl 5 (HY5)/phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs) transcription factors modulating key limiting steps

The plastidial methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway is an essential route for plants as the source of precursors for all plastidial isoprenoids, many of which are of medical and biotechnological importance. The MEP pathway is highly sensitive to environmental cues as many of these compounds are linked to photosynthesis and growth and light is one of the main regulatory factors. However, the mechanisms coordinating the MEP pathway with light cues are not fully understood. Here we demonstrate that by a differential direct transcriptional modulation, via the key-master integrators of light signal transduction HY5 and PIFs which target the genes that encode the rate-controlling DXS1, DXR and HDR enzymes, light imposes a direct, rapid and potentially multi-faceted response that leads to unique protein dynamics of this pathway, resulting in a significant difference in the protein levels. For DXS1, PIF1/HY5 act as a direct activation/suppression module. In contrast, DXR accumulation in response to light results from HY5 induction with minor contribution of de-repression by PIF1. Finally, HDR transcription increases in the light exclusively by suppression of the PIFs repression. This is an example of how light signaling components can differentially multi-target the initial steps of a pathway whose products branch downstream to all chloroplastic isoprenoids. These findings demonstrate the diversity and flexibility of light signaling components that optimize key biochemical pathways essential for plant growth. © 2018 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Lt

Rice plant pattern as predictor of the milling and cooking quality in breeding programs

An appropriate characterization of agronomic and quality traits is a fundamental tool for selecting stable genotypes suitable to be registered as new varieties. The objective of this work was to evaluate agronomic and quality traits of rice germplasm tested in two consecutive years for 23 advanced lines of Portuguese Rice Breeding Program and 3 commercial varieties. The influence of genotype, year and their interaction on grain yield and milling yield, grain uniformity and selected quality indicators for rice was assessed as well as the correlations between the agronomic, biometric and quality parameters. Results showed a generally dominant influence of the genotype, but with some quality parameters significantly affected by year conditions, and with some genotypes more stable than others. Some accessions have also shown better grain biometric uniformity within a year and between years. Significant correlations between quality and agronomic parameters that were observed may mark a plant pattern that can be used as predictor of the milling yield. These analyses provide objective tools for selecting most promising genotypes in rice breeding programs

Laboratorio Remoto: Rejillas Periódicas Submicrométricas

We present the design of a remotely operated laboratory compatible with the requirements for setting a node at FaCENA within the R-LAB collaboration network coordinated by CONFEDI. We considered the antecedents on national and international experiences on running remote laboratories, definition of goals and pedagogical scope. We propose a prototype giving specifications on devices, measurement instruments and construction, operated through a modular versatile interface connected via web pages.Presentamos un diseño de laboratorio remoto compatible con los requerimientos para establecer un nodo FaCENA en la red R-LAB administrada por el CONFEDI. Consideramos los antecedentes sobre puesta en servicios de laboratorios remotos a nivel nacional e internacional; definiciones de metas y alcances pedagógicos; formulaciones del problema del diseño y la realización de una propuesta preliminar. Proponemos un prototipo con definiciones sobre dispositivos, instrumentos de medición, diseño y fabricación, mediante una interfaz del tipo modular muy versátil para conectividad vía páginas web