Cartilage Appearance Using an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope.

Because of technical principles, samples to be observed with electron microscopy need to be fixed in a chemical process and exposed to vacuum conditions that can produce some changes in the morphology of the specimen. The aim of this work was to obtain high-resolution images of the fresh articular cartilage surface with an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), which is an instrument that permits examination of biological specimens without fixation methods in a 10 Torr chamber pressure, thus minimizing the risk of creating artifacts in the structure. Samples from weight-bearing areas of femoral condyles of New Zealand white rabbits were collected and photographed using an ESEM. Images were analyzed using a categorization based in the Jurvelin classification system modified by Hong and Henderson. Appearance of the observed elevations and depressions as described in the classification were observed, but no fractures or splits of cartilage surface, thought to be artifacts, were detected. The ESEM is a useful tool to obtain images of fresh articular cartilage surface appearance without either employing fixation methods or exposing the specimen to extreme vacuum conditions, reducing the risk of introducing artifacts within the specimen. For all these reasons it could become a useful tool for quality control of the preservation process of osteochondral allografting in a bank of musculoskeletal tissues

The financial impact of a terminal cancer on patient′s families in Colombia – a survey study

Q2Aim of the study: The socio-economic impact of caring for a cancer patient in the family is unknown in Colombia. This survey aimed to evaluate the existence of financial burden caused by cancer on the caregiving families of terminally ill patients. Methods: We used the Covinsky Family Impact Scale in a telephone survey with families of patients who died from cancer between May 2019 and June 2020 in three Colombian hospitals. Results: We obtained answers of 176 caregivers, of whom 74.4 % indicated to have experienced at least one hardship of the Covinsky items. The most commonly reported financial hardship involved the use of all or most of the family savings for the care provided to the patient (45.6 %); 27.6 % indicated that a major source of family income was lost. A quarter (25 %) postponed educational or other important plans of family members and 10–11 % indicated to have moved to another home or postponed medical treatments. Conclusion: In Colombia, a country with universal health coverage, substantial financial impacts of terminal cancer care exist not only for patients, but also for family members and other caregivers. The system is failing to avoid financial toxicity of cancer among this group. Policy summary statement: Informal caregivers are of vital importance for cancer patients but also to the healthcare system, particularly in LMICs. It is very important for policy makers to consider the hardships, not only emotionally but also financially, that the care for a (terminally ill) cancer patient implies on caregivers.Revista Internacional - Indexad

Non-productive angiogenesis disassembles Aß plaque-associated blood vessels

The human Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain accumulates angiogenic markers but paradoxically, the cerebral microvasculature is reduced around Aß plaques. Here we demonstrate that angiogenesis is started near Aß plaques in both AD mouse models and human AD samples. However, endothelial cells express the molecular signature of non-productive angiogenesis (NPA) and accumulate, around Aß plaques, a tip cell marker and IB4 reactive vascular anomalies with reduced NOTCH activity. Notably, NPA induction by endothelial loss of presenilin, whose mutations cause familial AD and which activity has been shown to decrease with age, produced a similar vascular phenotype in the absence of Aß pathology. We also show that Aß plaque-associated NPA locally disassembles blood vessels, leaving behind vascular scars, and that microglial phagocytosis contributes to the local loss of endothelial cells. These results define the role of NPA and microglia in local blood vessel disassembly and highlight the vascular component of presenilin loss of function in AD

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

An outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Chile, 1997

Fil: Toro, Jorge. Ministry of Health; Chile.Fil: Vega, Jeanette D. Pan American Health Organization; Chile.Fil: Khan, Ali S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Mills, James N. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Padula, Paula. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas; Argentina.Fil: Terry, William. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Yadón, Zaida. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas; Argentina.Fil: Valderrama, Rosa. Aysen Region XI Health Service; Chile.Fil: Ellis, Barbara A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Pavletic, Carlos. Ministry of Health; Chile.Fil: Cerda, Rodrigo. Pan American Health Organization; Chile.Fil: Zaki, Sherif. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Wun-Ju, Shieh. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Meyer, Richard. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Tapia, Mauricio. Coyhaique Regional Hospital; Chile.Fil: Mansilla, Carlos. Coyhaique Regional Hospital; Chile.Fil: Baro, Michel. Llanchipal Health Services; Chile.Fil: Vergara, Jose A. Llanchipal Health Services; Chile.Fil: Concha, Marisol. Ministry of Health; Chile.Fil: Calderón, Gladys. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Virales Humanas Dr. Julio Maiztegui; Argentina.Fil: Enria, Delia. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Virales Humanas Dr. Julio Maiztegui; Argentina.Fil: Peters, C.J. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Ksiazek, Thomas G. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.An outbreak of 25 cases of Andes virus-associated hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) was recognized in southern Chile from July 1997 through January 1998. In addition to the HPS patients, three persons with mild hantaviral disease and one person with asymptomatic acute infection were identified. Epidemiologic studies suggested person-to-person transmission in two of three family clusters. Ecologic studies showed very high densities of several species of sigmodontine rodents in the area

An outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Chile, 1997

Fil: Toro, Jorge. Ministry of Health; Chile.Fil: Vega, Jeanette D. Pan American Health Organization; Chile.Fil: Khan, Ali S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Mills, James N. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Padula, Paula. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas; Argentina.Fil: Terry, William. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Yadón, Zaida. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas; Argentina.Fil: Valderrama, Rosa. Aysen Region XI Health Service; Chile.Fil: Ellis, Barbara A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Pavletic, Carlos. Ministry of Health; Chile.Fil: Cerda, Rodrigo. Pan American Health Organization; Chile.Fil: Zaki, Sherif. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Wun-Ju, Shieh. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Meyer, Richard. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Tapia, Mauricio. Coyhaique Regional Hospital; Chile.Fil: Mansilla, Carlos. Coyhaique Regional Hospital; Chile.Fil: Baro, Michel. Llanchipal Health Services; Chile.Fil: Vergara, Jose A. Llanchipal Health Services; Chile.Fil: Concha, Marisol. Ministry of Health; Chile.Fil: Calderón, Gladys. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Virales Humanas Dr. Julio Maiztegui; Argentina.Fil: Enria, Delia. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Virales Humanas Dr. Julio Maiztegui; Argentina.Fil: Peters, C.J. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Ksiazek, Thomas G. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.An outbreak of 25 cases of Andes virus-associated hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) was recognized in southern Chile from July 1997 through January 1998. In addition to the HPS patients, three persons with mild hantaviral disease and one person with asymptomatic acute infection were identified. Epidemiologic studies suggested person-to-person transmission in two of three family clusters. Ecologic studies showed very high densities of several species of sigmodontine rodents in the area

Genetic variability of the neogregarine apicystis bombi, an etiological agent of an emergent bumblebee disease

The worldwide spread of diseases is considered a major threat to biodiversity and a possible driver of the decline of pollinator populations, particularly when novel species or strains of parasites emerge. Previous studies have suggested that populations of introduced European honeybee (Apis mellifera) and bumblebee species (Bombus terrestris and Bombus ruderatus) in Argentina share the neogregarine parasite Apicystis bombi with the native bumblebee (Bombus dahlbomii). In this study we investigated whether A. bombi is acting as an emergent parasite in the non-native populations. Specifically, we asked whether A. bombi, recently identified in Argentina, was introduced by European, non-native bees. Using ITS1 and ITS2 to assess the parasite's intraspecific genetic variation in bees from Argentina and Europe, we found a largely unstructured parasite population, with only 15% of the genetic variation being explained by geographic location. The most abundant haplotype in Argentina (found in all 9 specimens of non-native species) was identical to the most abundant haplotype in Europe (found in 6 out of 8 specimens). Similarly, there was no evidence of structuring by host species, with this factor explaining only 17% of the genetic variation. Interestingly, parasites in native Bombus ephippiatus from Mexico were genetically distant from the Argentine and European samples, suggesting that sufficient variability does exist in the ITS region to identify continent-level genetic structure in the parasite. Thus, the data suggest that A. bombi from Argentina and Europe share a common, relatively recent origin. Although our data did not provide information on the direction of transfer, the absence of genetic structure across space and host species suggests that A. bombi may be acting as an emergent infectious disease across bee taxa and continents