Bacterial urinary tract infections associated with transitional cell carcinoma in dogs.

BackgroundUrinary tract infections (UTI) are believed to be common in dogs with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), but incidence and contributing factors have not been reported.ObjectivesTo determine the frequency and bacterial agents associated with UTI in dogs with TCC and define contributing factors.AnimalsEighty-five dogs with a history of urogenital TCC undergoing treatment with chemotherapy that had at least 1 urine culture performed.MethodsMedical records and culture results were retrospectively reviewed and ultrasound images were reviewed when available. Clinical factors were evaluated statistically for association with positive culture.ResultsFifty-five percent (47/85) of dogs had at least 1 positive culture during the course of treatment. Female dogs (80%, 40/50) were more likely than male dogs (29%, 10/35) to have at least 1 positive culture. Ultrasound examination determined that female dogs were more likely to have urethral (74%, 31/42) or trigonal tumor involvement (71%, 30/42) compared to male dogs (32%, 9/28 and 43%, 12/28, respectively). The most commonly isolated organisms were Staphylococcus spp. (23.9%, 29/121) and Escherichia coli (19.8%, 24/121). Dogs with urethral involvement of TCC were significantly more likely to have at least 1 positive culture than dogs without urethral involvement (75%, 30/40 versus 30%, 9/30).ConclusionsUrinary tract infection is common in dogs with TCC highlighting the importance of regular monitoring for bacterial cystitis in dogs with TCC. In addition, clinical factors such as tumor location and sex may be predictive of positive culture and can help clinicians assess the risk of UTI

Trapping Dynamics with Gated Traps: Stochastic Resonance-Like Phenomenon

We present a simple one-dimensional trapping model prompted by the problem of ion current across biological membranes. The trap is modeled mimicking the ionic channel membrane behaviour. Such voltage-sensitive channels are open or closed depending on the value taken by a potential. Here we have assumed that the external potential has two contributions: a determinist periodic and a stochastic one. Our model shows a resonant-like maximum when we plot the amplitude of the oscillations in the absorption current vs. noise intensity. The model was solved both numerically and using an analytic approximation and was found to be in good accord with numerical simulations.Comment: RevTex, 5 pgs, 3 figure

Effect of Non Gaussian Noises on the Stochastic Resonance-Like Phenomenon in Gated Traps

We exploit a simple one-dimensional trapping model introduced before, prompted by the problem of ion current across a biological membrane. The voltage-sensitive channels are open or closed depending on the value taken by an external potential that has two contributions: a deterministic periodic and a stochastic one. Here we assume that the noise source is colored and non Gaussian, with a $q$-dependent probability distribution (where $q$ is a parameter indicating the departure from Gaussianity). We analyze the behavior of the oscillation amplitude as a function of both $q$ and the noise correlation time. The main result is that in addition to the resonant-like maximum as a function of the noise intensity, there is a new resonant maximum as a function of the parameter $q$.Comment: Communication to LAWNP01, Proceedings to be published in Physica D, RevTex, 8 pgs, 5 figure

High-Temperature Transport Properties of Yb4−xSmxSb3

Polycrystalline L4Sb3 (L = La, Ce, Sm, and Yb) and Yb4−x Sm x Sb3, which crystallizes in the anti-Th3P4 structure type (I-43d no. 220), were synthesized via high-temperature reaction. Structural and chemical characterization were performed by x-ray diffraction and electronic microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray analysis. Pucks were densified by spark plasma sintering. Transport property measurements showed that these compounds are n-type with low Seebeck coefficients, except for Yb4Sb3, which shows semimetallic behavior with hole conduction above 523 K. By partially substituting Yb by a trivalent rare earth we successfully improved the thermoelectric figure of merit of Yb4Sb3 up to 0.7 at 1273 K

Assessment of ozone photochemistry in the western North Pacific as inferred from PEM-West A observations during the fall 1991

This study examines the influence of photochemical processes on ozone distributions in the western North Pacific. The analysis is based on data generated during NASA's western Pacific Exploratory Mission (PEM-West A) during the fall of 1991. Ozone trends were best described in terms of two geographical domains: the western North Pacific rim (WNPR) and the western tropical North Pacific (WTNP). For both geographical regions, ozone photochemical destruction, D(O3), decreased more rapidly with altitude than did photochemical formation, F(O3). Thus the ozone tendency, P(O3), was typically found to be negative for z <6 km and positive for z > 6-8 km. For nearly all altitudes and latitudes, observed nonmethane hydrocarbon (NMHC) levels were shown to be of minor importance as ozone precursor species. Air parcel types producing the largest positive values of P(O3) included fresh continental boundary layer (BL) air and high-altitude (z > 7 km) parcels influenced by deep convection/lightning. Significant negative P(O3) values were found when encountering clean marine BL air or relatively clean lower free-tropospheric air. Photochemical destruction and formation fluxes for the Pacific rim region were found to exceed average values cited for marine dry deposition and stratospheric injection in the northern hemisphere by nearly a factor of 6. This region was also found to be in near balance with respect to column-integrated O3 photochemical production and destruction. By contrast, for the tropical regime column-integrated O3 showed photochemical destruction exceeding production by nearly 80%. Both transport of O3 rich midlatitude air into the tropics as well as very high-altitude (10-17 km) photochemical O3 production were proposed as possible additional sources that might explain this estimated deficit. Results from this study further suggest that during the fall time period, deep convection over Asia and Malaysia/Indonesia provided a significant source of high-altitude NOx to the western Pacific. Given that the high-altitude NOx lifetime is estimated at between 3 and 9 days, one would predict that this source added significantly to high altitude photochemical O3 formation over large areas of the western Pacific. When viewed in terms of strong seasonal westerly flow, its influence would potentially span a large part of the Pacific. Copyright 1996 by the American Geophysical Union

‘Pseudopneumothorax’—Hold that chest tube!

We report a case of herniation of abdominal contents into the left hemithorax in a patient with a history of vague left-sided thoracoabdominal trauma 18 days previous to admission and who also had a recent 1-week history of upper respiratory symptoms, including cough, and then presented with dyspnoea and fever for 3 days. There was no preceding cardiorespiratory pathology of note. We also discuss the epidemiology, pathogenesis and management of blunt-traumatic diaphragmatic rupture

Functional and Molecular Analysis of Human Osteoarthritic Chondrocytes Treated with Bone Marrow-Derived MSC-EVs

\ua9 2024 by the authors.Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease, causing impaired mobility. There are currently no effective therapies other than palliative treatment. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and their secreted extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) have shown promise in attenuating OA progression, promoting chondral regeneration, and modulating joint inflammation. However, the precise molecular mechanism of action driving their beneficial effects has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we analyzed MSC-EV-treated human OA chondrocytes (OACs) to assess viability, proliferation, migration, cytokine and catabolic protein expression, and microRNA and mRNA profiles. We observed that MSC-EV-treated OACs displayed increased metabolic activity, proliferation, and migration compared to the controls. They produced decreased proinflammatory (Il-8 and IFN-γ) and increased anti-inflammatory (IL-13) cytokines, and lower levels of MMP13 protein coupled with reduced expression of MMP13 mRNA, as well as negative microRNA regulators of chondrogenesis (miR-145-5p and miR-21-5p). In 3D models, MSC-EV-treated OACs exhibited enhanced chondrogenesis-promoting features (elevated sGAG, ACAN, and aggrecan). MSC-EV treatment also reversed the pathological impact of IL-1β on chondrogenic gene expression and extracellular matrix component (ECM) production. Finally, MSC-EV-treated OACs demonstrated the enhanced expression of genes associated with cartilage function, collagen biosynthesis, and ECM organization and exhibited a signature of 24 differentially expressed microRNAs, associated with chondrogenesis-associated pathways and ECM interactions. In conclusion, our data provide new insights on the potential mechanism of action of MSC-EVs as a treatment option for early-stage OA, including transcriptomic analysis of MSC-EV-treated OA, which may pave the way for more targeted novel therapeutics

Characterization of childhood trauma, hippocampal mediation and Cannabis use in a large dataset of psychosis and non-psychosis individuals

Background Cannabis use (CA) and childhood trauma (CT) independently increase the risk of earlier psychosis onset; but their interaction in relation to psychosis risk and association with endocannabinoid-receptor rich brain regions, i.e. the hippocampus (HP), remains unclear. The objective was to determine whether lower age of psychosis onset (AgePsyOnset) is associated with CA and CT through mediation by the HP volumes, and genetic risk, as measured by schizophrenia polygene scores (SZ-PGRS). Methods Cross-sectional, case-control, multicenter sample from 5 metropolitan US regions. Participants (n = 1185) included 397 controls not affected by psychosis (HC); 209 participants with bipolar disorder type-1; 279 with schizoaffective disorder; and 300 with schizophrenia (DSM IV-TR). CT was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ); CA was assessed by self-reports and trained clinical interviewers. Assessment included neuroimaging, symptomatology, cognition and calculation of the SZ polygenic risk score (SZ-PGRS). Results In survival analysis, CT and CA exposure interact to be associated with lower AgePsyOnset. At high CT or CA, CT or CA are individually sufficient to affect AgePsyOnset. CT relation with AgePsyOnset is mediated in part by the HP in CA users before AgePsyOnset. CA before AgePsyOnset is associated with higher SZ-PGRS and correlated with younger age at CA usage. Discussion CA and CT interact to increase risk when moderate; while severe CT and/or CA abuse/dependence are each sufficient to affect AgePsyOnset, indicating a ceiling effect. Probands with/out CA before AgePsyOnset differ on biological variables, suggesting divergent pathways to psychosis

Vasculitis sistémicas con compromiso cutáneo, en la Cátedra de Dermatología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Asunción

Introducción: La vasculitis sistémica presenta afectación múltiple y variada de órganos; abarca desde procesos benignos hasta mortales. Sus manifestaciones clínicas, tratamiento y pronóstico dependerán del vaso involucrado, y de la extensión y localización de la lesión. Objetivo: Determinar características epidemiológicas, clínicas, e histopatológicas, y el tratamiento de las vasculitis sistémicas con manifestaciones cutáneas en la Cátedra de Dermatología del Hospital de Clínicas, FCM - UNA. Material y método: estudio descriptivo, observacional, retrospectivo, de cohorte transversal, con componente analítico, de enero de 2004 a diciembre de 2015. Se confeccionó una planilla para registrar las variables obtenidas de fichas clínicas e histopatológicas. Resultados: Se hallaron 11 pacientes con vasculitis sistémica con afectación cutánea, (0,0098% de las consultas). Predominó el sexo masculino (63,63%). La edad media fue 30,18 años. El 18,18% eran niños todos masculinos. La lesión elemental más frecuente fue la pápula (72,72%), la localización predominante, miembros inferiores (72,72%). Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron dolor abdominal (63,63%) y la artralgia (54,54%). El 81,81% correspondía a vasculitis de vasos pequeños. En 72,72%, el componente inflamatorio eran neutrófilos. El 72,72% correspondía a Púrpura de Shönlein - Henoch (PSH), el 18,18% a Poliangeitis Microscópica (PAM), y el 9,09% a Granulomatosis con Poliangeitis (GPA). En el 72,72%, el tratamiento fue Prednisona. Conclusión: Dado que esta patología es poco frecuente, con escasos trabajos que hayan estudiado su epidemiología, este trabajo, con sus limitaciones, podría aportar para futuros estudios