β2 integrin-mediated cell-cell contact transfers active myeloperoxidase from neutrophils to endothelial cells

Atherosclerosis and vasculitis both feature inflammation mediated by neutrophil-endothelial-cell (EC) contact. Neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) can disrupt normal EC function, although the mechanism(s) by which MPO is transferred to EC are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that close, beta2-integrin-dependent neutrophil-EC contact mediates MPO transfer from neutrophils to EC. We used sensitive MPO assays and flow cytometry to detect MPO in EC and demonstrate that EC acquired MPO when contacted by neutrophils directly but not when EC and neutrophils were separated in transwells. The transfer was dependent on neutrophil number, exposure time, and incubation temperature. Transfer occurred in several EC types, increased with endotoxin, was not accompanied by MPO release into the medium and was not abrogated by inhibiting degranulation to secretagogues. Confocal microscopy showed MPO internalization by EC with cytoplasmic and nuclear staining. Neutrophils and EC formed intimate contact sites demonstrated by electron microscopy. Blocking CD11b or CD18 beta2-integrin chains, or using neutrophils from CD11b gene-deleted mice, reduced MPO transfer. EC-acquired MPO was enzymatically active, as demonstrated by its ability to oxidize the fluorescent probe aminophenyl fluorescein in the presence of a hydrogen peroxide source. The data suggest an alternative to EC uptake of soluble MPO, namely the cell contact-dependent, {beta}2-integrin-mediated transfer from neutrophils. The findings could be of therapeutic relevance in atherosclerosis and vasculitis

A major QTL is associated with berry grape texture characteristics

Berry texture and berry skin mechanical properties are traits with high agronomic relevance because they are related to quality parameters and marketing requirements of wine, table, and raisin grapes. Searching for QTLs linked to berry texture, an F1 population of 152 individuals and their parents were used in this study. These F1 plants were obtained crossing Raboso Veronese, a seeded black wine grape cultivar, and Sultanina, a seedless white grape variety, especially used for raisins. Density flotation was applied for berry sorting improving the management of many and highly variable genotypes, irrespective of the quantification of specific molecule classes. Berries were evaluated for technological ripeness parameters and mechanical properties. Texture parameters were taken as raw data and as data normalised on berry dimensions, i.e., berry diameter or surface or volume. SSR molecular markers were used to produce a genetic map and a major QTL for berry texture was found on chromosome 18 with traits related to berry firmness showing a phenotypical explained variance higher than 60 %, and traits related to berry resilience, springiness and cohesiveness showing a variance higher than 50 %. Surprisingly, this QTL showed to be associated with SSR markers linked to VviAGL11, the main gene linked to seedlessness. VviAGL11 expression and co-expression profiling during grape ripening was evaluated using available information; this data suggested a role for this gene on the texture of a ripe berry

Assessment of mental competency of patients, before surgery

© 2017 Sociedad de Cirujanos de Chile Objective To evaluate competence related alterations, in patients between 18 and 65 years old, scheduled to surgery in the Hospital Clínico UC-Christus. Alteration of cognitive skills associated to patients competence were observed in the preoperatory service, and in the surgical theatre. The underlying hypothesis was than the skills related to decision making fluctuates in the previous moments to a surgical intervention. Material and methods Observational study. A total of 85 patients were evaluated, 44 in the preoperatory room and 41 in the surgical theatre, using the Montreal Cognitive Asessment Tool (MoCA). Results There were no differences between evaluations in the preoperatory room and the surgical theatre (P=.19). Neither were differences between the percentage of patients who achieved less than 26 points (the cutoff of the test) in both evaluated places (30 vs. 26%, P=.61). Discussion Other associated variables, such as age and educational level, could be related to competence related alterations in patients. The patient evaluation moment does not influences the results of the MoCA test. Conclusions It is not possible to conclude than there are no differences in the patients ability to consent, evaluated by the MoCA tool, in the moments prior to a surgical intervention

Motor Outcome Measures in Pediatric Patients with Congenital Muscular Dystrophies: A Scoping Review

Congenital muscular dystrophies (CMDs) are a heterogeneous group of genetic neuromuscular disorders. They usually occur at birth or in early childhood, with delayed acquisition of motor milestones, and diffuse muscle weakness. A dystrophic pattern is evident on the muscle biopsy. They are highly variable both in terms of severity and clinical evolution and in terms of pathogenetic biochemical mechanisms. The aim of this review is to collect and summarize the current knowledge of motor function in pediatric patients with congenital muscular dystrophies and the instruments used to assess it. This scoping review was conducted using the methodology of PRISMA (extension for Scoping Reviews, PRISMA-ScR). Two databases were queried from January 2002 to November 2022. Articles were identified based on title and abstract. Full-text papers published in peer-reviewed English-language journals were selected. It emerged that motor functional aspects are still underinvestigated in CMD patients, probably due to the rarity of these conditions and the phenotypic variability. The scales used to assess motor function are heterogeneous, as are the age groups considered. Finally, the predominant type of research design is cross-sectional; few studies analyze the progression of motor function over time. All these factors make it difficult to correlate the results of different publications and stress the need for more accurate and shared protocols for assessing motor function in these patients