Experimental Adhesion Prevention Studies: A Comparative Study in a Rabbit Model

Background: Adhesions formation after abdominal surgery is a problem that causes many complications in the patient’s future life. In this study we compare the possible individual effects of Ringer ́s lactate, Adept® and Mesofol® and the combined effects of Adept® and Mesofol® in the prevention of post surgical adhesions formation in a standardised rabbit model.Materials and Methods: 90 rabbits were divided into 9 groups. The same experimental method was used in all rabbits to produce adhesions, consisting of cecal and sigmoid abrasion and excision of parietal peritoneum. The rabbits were operated after 2 weeks to assess the adhesions occurring. The results were analysed using the chi-square test and the Fisher exact test when needed.Results: Comparison of adhesion stages demonstrated a significant difference between the control group and the Adept® groups (p<0.05) in both branches. The adhesion grade of the combined treatment groups (G5 and G9) was not statistically significant (p>0.05). In the Mesofol® group and the combined group, four and two rabbits, respectively, developed granulomas. Conclusions: Adept® used individually reduced the adhesion grade. The Adept® and Mesofol® combination was less effective in reducing adhesion formation in comparison to the Adept® group by itself. On the other hand, in our experimental study, the usage of Mesofol®, alone or in combination, caused foreign body granulomas in 6 animals. Although the literature is very sufficient in comparison several materials for decreasing adhesion formation, we believe that our study provides more valuable evidence in this area. Due to the appearance of six cases of foreign body granulomas, detailed studies focused on this matter are needed in the future. Keywords: Post-operative adhesions; comparative study; prevention; rabbit model. Introdução: A formação de aderências após a cirurgia abdominal é um problema que causa muitas complicações na vida futura do doente. Neste estudo, comparamos os possíveis efeitos individuais do Ringer lactato, Adept® e do Mesofol®, e os efeitos combinados do Adept® e do Mesofol® na prevenção da formação de aderências pós-cirúrgicas num modelo padronizado de coelhos.Materiais e Métodos: 90 coelhos foram divididos em nove grupos. O mesmo método experimental foi utilizado em todos os coelhos para favorecer a produção de aderências, realizando abrasão do cego e da sigmoideia e excisão do peritoneu parietal. Os coelhos foram operados após duas semanas para avaliar a ocorrência de aderências. Os resultados foram analisados por meio do teste do qui-quadrado e do teste exacto de Fisher, quando necessário.Resultados: A comparação em estadios de aderência demonstrou uma diferença significativa entre o grupo controlo e os grupos Adept® (p <0,05) em ambos os ramos. O grau de aderências dos grupos de tratamento combinado (G5 e G9) não foi estatisticamente significativo (p <0,05). No grupo do Mesofol® e no grupo combinado, quatro e dois coelhos, respectivamente, desenvolveram granulomas. Conclusões: Adept® utilizado individualmente reduziu o grau de aderências. O Adept® combinado com o Mesofol® foi menos eficaz na redução da formação de aderências em comparação com o grupo do Adept®, por si só. Por outro lado, o uso de Mesofol® isoladamente ou em conjunto podem aumentar o risco de granulomas. Estudos mais detalhados são necessários, e futuros estudos sobre a eficácia de um material para diminuir a formação de aderências deve incluir uma comparação de controle de diversos materiais num mesmo modelo.Palavras-Chave: aderências pós-operatórias; estudo comparativo; prevenção; modelo animal em coelhos

Are children with unrecognised psychiatric disorders being excluded from school? A secondary analysis of the British Child and Adolescent Mental Health Surveys 2004 and 2007

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Cambridge University Press via the DOI in this record.Background There is limited research that explores the association between exclusion from school and mental health, but it seems intuitively plausible that the recognition of mental difficulties by key teachers and parents would influence the likelihood of exclusion from school Methods A secondary analysis of the British Child and Adolescent Mental Health (BCAMH) survey 2004, (n=7997) and the 2007 follow-up (n= 5326) was conducted. Recognition of difficulty was assessed via a derived variable that combined the first item of the Impact supplement of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) which asked parents and teachers if they thought that the child has difficulties with emotions, behaviour and concentration, and the presence / absence of psychiatric disorder measured by the Development and Well-being Assessment (DAWBA). Results Adjusted logistic regression models demonstrated that children with recognised difficulties were more likely to be excluded [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 5.78, confidence interval (CI) 3.45-9.64, p<0.001], but children with unrecognised difficulties [adjusted OR 3.58 (1.46-8.81) p<0.005] or recognised subclinical difficulties [adjusted OR 3.42 (2.04-5.73) p<0.001] were also more likely to be excluded than children with no difficulties. Children with conduct disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were most likely to be excluded compared to other types of disorder. Conclusion Exclusion from school may result from a failure to provide timely and effective support rather than a failure to recognise psychopathology.This paper presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) for the South West Peninsula

Data Resource Profile: The Mental Health of Children and Young People Surveys (MHCYP).

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Oxford University Press via the DOI in this record.England’s Department of Health and Social Car

Author correction : a global database for metacommunity ecology, integrating species, traits, environment and space

Correction to: Scientific Data https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-019-0344-7, published online 08 January 202

Author correction : a global database for metacommunity ecology, integrating species, traits, environment and space

Correction to: Scientific Data https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-019-0344-7, published online 08 January 202

In Vivo Functional Genomic Studies of Sterol Carrier Protein-2 Gene in the Yellow Fever Mosquito

A simple and efficient DNA delivery method to introduce extrachromosomal DNA into mosquito embryos would significantly aid functional genomic studies. The conventional method for delivery of DNA into insects is to inject the DNA directly into the embryos. Taking advantage of the unique aspects of mosquito reproductive physiology during vitellogenesis and an in vivo transfection reagent that mediates DNA uptake in cells via endocytosis, we have developed a new method to introduce DNA into mosquito embryos vertically via microinjection of DNA vectors in vitellogenic females without directly manipulating the embryos. Our method was able to introduce inducible gene expression vectors transiently into F0 mosquitoes to perform functional studies in vivo without transgenic lines. The high efficiency of expression knockdown was reproducible with more than 70% of the F0 individuals showed sufficient gene expression suppression (<30% of the controls' levels). At the cohort level, AeSCP-2 expression knockdown in early instar larvae resulted in detectable phenotypes of the expression deficiency such as high mortality, lowered fertility, and distorted sex ratio after induction of AeSCP-2 siRNA expression in vivo. The results further confirmed the important role of AeSCP-2 in the development and reproduction of A. aegypti. In this study, we proved that extrachromosaomal transient expression of an inducible gene from a DNA vector vertically delivered via vitellogenic females can be used to manipulate gene expression in F0 generation. This new method will be a simple and efficient tool for in vivo functional genomic studies in mosquitoes

Metabolic Flux Analysis of Mitochondrial Uncoupling in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

BACKGROUND:Increasing energy expenditure at the cellular level offers an attractive option to limit adiposity and improve whole body energy balance. In vivo and in vitro observations have correlated mitochondrial uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) expression with reduced white adipose tissue triglyceride (TG) content. The metabolic basis for this correlation remains unclear. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:This study tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial uncoupling requires the cell to compensate for the decreased oxidation phosphorylation efficiency by up-regulating lactate production, thus redirecting carbon flux away from TG synthesis. Metabolic flux analysis was used to characterize the effects of non-lethal, long-term mitochondrial uncoupling (up to 18 days) on the pathways of intermediary metabolism in differentiating 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Uncoupling was induced by forced expression of UCP1 and chemical (FCCP) treatment. Chemical uncoupling significantly decreased TG content by ca. 35%. A reduction in the ATP level suggested diminished oxidative phosphorylation efficiency in the uncoupled adipocytes. Flux analysis estimated significant up-regulation of glycolysis and down-regulation of fatty acid synthesis, with chemical uncoupling exerting quantitatively larger effects. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:The results of this study support our hypothesis regarding uncoupling-induced redirection of carbon flux into glycolysis and lactate production, and suggest mitochondrial proton translocation as a potential target for controlling adipocyte lipid metabolism