A pilot study to compare two different hyaluronic acid compounds for treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive articular cartilage degeneration, changes in subchondral bone and synovial inflammation, leading to pain and disability. Viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid has been widely investigated due to the viscoelastic properties of this compound to manage pain improving the ability to perform daily activities in patients affected by osteoarthritis. In the present study we investigated the clinical effectiveness of viscosupplementation with a new highly cross-linked hyaluronic acid, Variofill®, in patients affected by bilateral knee osteoarthritis in comparison with the widely used Synvisc®. A total of 20 patients, aged between 24–74 years and affected by bilateral knee osteoarthritis, participated in this pilot randomized triple-blind clinical study. They received two injections (2 ml each) of Synvisc® in their left knee and 2 injections (2 ml each) of Variofill® in their right knee spaced 15 days apart. Visual Analogue Scale and Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score were used to evaluate the efficacy of hyaluronic acid injections before and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Both treatment regimens resulted in a significant improvement vs baseline in all endpoints at 3 and 6 months (p < 0.001). Treatment with Variofill® resulted in a high percentage improvement in Visual Analogue Scale pain, Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score pain and physical activity, when compared to Synvisc® viscosupplementation, at 6 months (p < 0.05). These results are encouraging for larger clinical trials with Variofill® in larger cohorts of patients affected by osteoarthritis of the knee

Wild edible plants of the Central Mountains in Argentina. Comparing subregions to understand the complexity of local botanical knowledge

This work evaluates similarities and differences in the processing and consumption of wild flora in three subregions of Central Argentina. It aims to both deepen the knowledge of present local food culture and to contribute to the interpretation of the archaeobotanical data previously generated in the area. Open and semi-structured interviews were conducted in each subregion and the cultural importance index was calculated for each mentioned plant. A total of 45 species and 24 practices were listed and, while 42% of the taxa were common to the subregions, 33% of the species (e.g., Ximenia americana in the north) and 25% of the practices (e.g., “milanesa” in the west) were mentioned exclusively in one of them. These particularities were attributed to both ecological (i.e. plant availability) and socio-cultural factors (i.e. presence of neo-rural settlers). Our results enhanced our understanding of the local botanical knowledge of the entire mountain area, increasing the understanding of the region as a biocultural system and contributing to the conservation of the area. Moreover, the comparison between the taxa mentioned in the present and those listed in previous archaeobotanical studies in the area, showed that 78% of the wild taxa recovered from archaeological sites are mentioned in the present (e.g., Lithraea molleoides). Consequently, the present results about food processing are a basis for future studies of the human-plant relationship in the central mountains of Argentina over time.Fil: Saur Palmieri, Valentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Departamento de Diversidad Biológica y Ecológica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, María Laura. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Arqueología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Trillo, Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Departamento de Diversidad Biológica y Ecológica; Argentin

A Preliminary Clinical Study

Background. Telangiectasia is the dilation of dermal capillaries mainly due to hypertension and vein insufficiency. Treatments of choice for this condition are sclerotherapy with foam liquid or intradermal fiber optic laser energy delivery. Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a new therapeutic approach consisting in the use of polymerized hyaluronic acid mesotherapic injections following sclerotherapy in the areas of the skin affected by telangiectasia in patients without major vein insufficiency. Materials and Methods. A total of 20 women, aged between 19 and 64 years, affected by recurrent lower leg telangiectasia, were included in this study. Patients were preliminarily submitted to echo color Doppler sonography to rule out severe saphenofemoral valve and lower limb major vein insufficiency. All patients underwent 3 sessions a month of polidocanol 1% capillary injections for 2 months. This was followed by 0.1 ml cross-linked hyaluronic acid introduction in the polidocanol 1% needle track. A total of 50 mesotherapic injections (0.05 ml each) were performed on the skin surface where an ice pack was previously applied for 4 to 5 minutes. A follow-up visit was performed at 3 months. The results, based on photographic examination, were rated as follows: poor improvement (0%-50%), good improvement (51%-75%), and very good improvement (76%-100%). The side effects of the clinical procedure, in terms of pain, itching, paresthesia, ecchymosis, and relapse of telangiectasia over the treated skin surface, as well as a persisting pigmentation in the injection spots and induced benefits related to leg heaviness and comfort, were recorded. Results. In total, 6 patients displayed a slight venous insufficiency, 3 patients displayed patent venous insufficiency, and 11 patients did not show any venous insufficiency. Before treatment, itching was present in 18 out of 20 patients, paresthesia in 15 out of 20 patients, ecchymosis in 16 out of 20 patients, and leg heaviness in 15 out of 20 patients. At the 3-month follow-up, an improvement of 0% to 50% was observed in 4 patients who had a relapse in telangiectasia. A 51% to 75% improvement was observed in 3 patients and a 76% to 100% improvement occurred in 13 patients. At the 3-month follow-up, itching persisted only in 4 patients; paresthesia was absent in 12 patients, while 3 patients still presented this symptom; ecchymosis was absent in 16 patients; 15 patients reported a feeling of lightweight legs. Among the patients with relapsing telangiectasia, 2 patients reported pigmentation due to hemosiderin deposit in the skin at the 3-month follow-up. The slight venous insufficiency, observed at the beginning of the study, improved in 5 out of 6 patients. The patients' compliance with the procedure was high and 16 out of 20 patients declared their willingness to repeat the whole clinical procedure, if necessary. Conclusions. This pilot clinical study supports the use of hyaluronic acid mesotherapic injections following sclerotherapy for treatment of lower leg telangiectasia without major venous insufficiency. We propose that the prolonged persistence of cross-linked hyaluronic acid, across the microvascular venous areas, is able to induce a stronger stromal tissue, thus preventing relapse. Further clinical studies, comparing this new approach with existing clinical procedures, are needed in a larger number of patients

Combination Therapy of Hyaluronic Acid Mesotherapic Injections and Sclerotherapy for Treatment of Lower Leg Telangiectasia Without Major Venous Insufficiency: A Preliminary Clinical Study

Background. Telangiectasia is the dilation of dermal capillaries mainly due to hypertension and vein insufficiency. Treatments of choice for this condition are sclerotherapy with foam liquid or intradermal fiber optic laser energy delivery. Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a new therapeutic approach consisting in the use of polymerized hyaluronic acid mesotherapicinjections following sclerotherapy in the areas of the skin affected by telangiectasia in patients without major vein insufficiency. Materials and Methods. A total of 20 women, aged between 19 and 64 years, affected by recurrent lower leg telangiectasia, were included in this study. Patients were preliminarily submitted to echo color Doppler sonography to rule out severe saphenofemoral valve and lower limb major vein insufficiency. All patients underwent 3 sessions a month of polidocanol 1% capillary injections for 2 months. This was followed by 0.1 ml cross-linked hyaluronic acid introduction in the polidocanol 1% needle track. A total of 50 mesotherapic injections (0.05 ml each) were performed on the skin surface where an ice pack was previously applied for 4 to 5 minutes. A follow-up visit was performed at 3 months. The results, based on photographic examination, were rated as follows: poor improvement (0%-50%), good improvement (51%-75%), and very good improvement (76%-100%). The side effects of the clinical procedure, in terms of pain, itching, paresthesia, ecchymosis, and relapse of telangiectasia over the treated skin surface, as well as a persisting pigmentation in the injection spots and induced benefits related to leg heaviness and comfort, were recorded. Results. In total, 6 patients displayed a slight venous insufficiency, 3 patients displayed patent venous insufficiency, and 11 patients did not show any venous insufficiency. Before treatment, itching was present in 18 out of 20 patients, paresthesia in 15 out of 20 patients, ecchymosis in 16 out of 20 patients, and leg heaviness in 15 out of 20 patients. At the 3-month follow-up, an improvement of 0% to 50% was observed in 4 patients who had a relapse in telangiectasia. A 51% to 75% improvement was observed in 3 patients and a 76% to 100% improvement occurred in 13 patients. At the 3-month follow-up, itching persisted only in 4 patients; paresthesia was absent in 12 patients, while 3 patients still presented this symptom; ecchymosis was absent in 16 patients; 15 patients reported a feeling of lightweight legs. Among the patients with relapsing telangiectasia, 2 patients reported pigmentation due to hemosiderin deposit in the skin at the 3-month follow-up. The slight venous insufficiency, observed at the beginning of the study, improved in 5 out of 6 patients. The patients’ compliance with the procedure was high and 16 out of 20 patients declared their willingness to repeat the whole clinical procedure, if necessary. Conclusions. This pilot clinical study supports the use of hyaluronic acid mesotherapic injections following sclerotherapy for treatment of lower leg telangiectasia without major venous insufficiency. We propose that the prolonged persistence of cross-linked hyaluronic acid, across the microvascular venous areas, is able to induce a stronger stromal tissue, thus preventing relapse. Further clinical studies, comparing this new approach with existing clinical procedures, are needed in a larger number of patients

Análise das enquetes internacionais respeito de inovações em FLOSS (software livre e de código aberto)

Given the substantial growth that software and IT sector has had in the last decade, it becomes relevant to measure the impact that this expansion has had on the development of emerging economies. Specifically, the study of the FLOSS production activity is relevant given its contribution to the Knowledge Intensive Services Sector. The aim of this study is to design an innovation survey for the software sector that considers the FLOSS activity separately. Moreover, the paper describes an extensive systematization, evaluation and analysis of diverse technological surveys carried out on the software activity and the FLOSS surveys available specified at a firm level, as a way to collect all the possible background which allows proposing a questionnaire that measures the particularities of FLOSS.A partir del crecimiento sustancial del sector de software y tecnologías de la información en la última década, resulta interesante medir el impacto de esta expansión sobre el desarrollo de las economías emergentes. El estudio de la actividad productiva de FLOSS es especialmente relevante debido a su contribución al sector de los servicios intensivos en conocimiento. El objetivo de este trabajo es diseñar una encuesta de innovación para el sector de software que considere a la actividad de FLOSS de manera específica. Además, esta investigación describe la sistematización, la evaluación y el análisis de distintas encuestas tecnológicas realizadas sobre la actividad del software y de las encuestas acerca de FLOSS que están disponibles a nivel empresarial como un medio para proponer, sobre la base de todos los antecedentes que se puedan obtener, un cuestionario que permita medir las particularidades de FLOSS.A partir do crescimento substancial do setor de software e tecnologias da informação na última década, é interessante medir o impacto desta expansão sobre o desenvolvimento das economias emergentes. O estudo da atividade produtiva de FLOSS é especialmente relevante devido à sua contribuição ao setor dos serviços intensivos em conhecimento. O objetivo deste trabalho é desenhar uma enquete de inovação para o setor de software que considere à atividade de FLOSS de maneira específica. Aliás, esta pesquisa descreve a sistematização, a avaliação e a análise de diferentes enquetes tecnológicas realizadas sobre a atividade do software e das enquetes respeito de FLOSS que estão disponíveis a nível empresarial como um meio para propor, sobre a base de todos os antecedentes que possam se obter, um questionário que permita medir as particularidades de FLOSS.Fil: Morero, Hernan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad; ArgentinaFil: Sonnenberg Palmieri, Josefina. Universidad Nacional de Rafaela; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Garay, Ana Valentina. Universidad Nacional de Rafaela; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Lingüística; Argentin

Pro-collagen I COOH-terminal trimer induces directional migration and metalloproteinases in breast cancer cells.

Breast and prostatic carcinomas, melanoma, and endothelial cell lines are chemoattracted by medium conditioned by mature osteoblasts. The chemoattractant for endothelial cells was identified with C3, carboxyl-terminal trimer of pro-collagen type I. We report that C3 induces directional migration and proliferation, the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2, pro-metalloproteinase-2 and -9, and their activation in MDA MB231 cells, without changing the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 and of metalloproteinase-14. Antiserum against metalloproteinase-2 or -9 or -14, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1, or GM6001 inhibits the C3-induced migration. Urokinase and its receptor are detected and unchanged upon exposure to C3. The antibody against urokinase or addition of plasminogen activator inhibitor inhibits migration. Blocking antibodies to integrins alpha(2), alpha(6), beta(1), and beta(3) inhibit chemotaxis and do not change urokinase and urokinase receptor expression. Blockage of alpha(2), beta(1), and beta(3) integrins affect differently the induction by C3 of pro-metalloproteinase-2 and -9 and of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2. Chemotaxis to C3 is also inhibited by genistein, by pertussis toxin, which also inhibits C3-induced pro-metalloproteinase -2 and -9, but not urokinase expression. Wortmannin partially inhibits C3-induced cell migration. Other, but not all, breast carcinoma lines tested responded to C3 with migration and pro-metalloproteinase-2 induction. Presently C3 is the only agent known to induce migration specifically of both endothelial and breast carcinoma cells. The mitogenic and motogenic role of C3 in vitro might prefigure a role in in vivo carcinogenesis and in the establishment of metastasis

Trimer Carboxyl Propeptide of Collagen I Produced by Mature Osteoblasts Is Chemotactic for Endothelial Cells

During the second phase of osteogenesis in vitro, rat osteoblasts secrete inducer(s) of chemotaxis and chemoinvasion of endothelial and tumor cells. We report here the characterization and purification from mature osteoblast conditioned medium of the agent chemotactic for endothelial cells. The chemoactive conditioned medium specifically induces directional migration of endothelial cells, not affecting the expression and activation of gelatinases, cell proliferation, and scattering. Directional migration induced in endothelial cells by conditioned medium from osteoblasts is inhibited by pertussis toxin, by blocking antibodies to integrins alpha(1), beta(1), and beta(3), and by antibodies to metalloproteinase 2 and 9. The biologically active purified protein has two sequences, coincident with the amino-terminal amino acids, respectively, of the alpha(1) and of the alpha(2) carboxyl propeptides of type I collagen, as physiologically produced by procollagen C proteinase. Antibodies to type I collagen and to the carboxyl terminus of alpha(1) or alpha(2) chains inhibit chemotaxis. The chemoattractant is the propeptide trimer carboxyl-terminal to type I collagen, and its activity is lost upon reduction. These data illustrate a previously unknown function for the carboxyl-terminal trimer, possibly relevant in promoting endothelial cell migration and vascularization of tissues producing collagen type I

Caveolin-1 implicated as a pro-invasive gene in high-grade glioma cell models: implementation of a 3d spheroid matrix invasion assay

INTRODUCTION: The poor prognosis associated with Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is multifactorial but includes the capacity of residual tumour cells not removed by surgery and resistant to radio-/chemo-therapy undergoing diffuse invasion into the surrounding brain tissue. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is the major structural and functional component of caveolae. In a number of tumour types Cav-1 is recognised to participate in cytoskeletal rearrangement, integrin-mediated adhesion and/or matrix remodelling. We proposed Cav-1 serves to promote invasion of GBM cells. To investigate this we have employed in an in-vitro 3D cellular invasion assay. METHOD: The human GBM cell lines, UP007 and UP029 established from primary cultures of biopsy-derived brain tumours (University of Portsmouth), U-87 MG (ECACC) and U-373 MG (ECACC) were genetically modified to stably knock-out Cav-1 using a Lentiviral Cav-1 shRNA approach; corresponding stably transfected non-target (NT) shRNA cell lines were generated as controls. Neuropheres were formed and embedded within an extracellular matrix (Matrigel™). Over a two-/four-day period (depending on cell line) the migration of cells away from the neurophere core (CORE) was quantified by image capture and processing (Image J) using a custom-developed MatLab script for pixel density analysis indicative of the density of migrating cellular material. RESULTS: Cav-1 knockout resulted in significant (P0.05) towards reduced invasion. Depending upon the cell line the Cav-1 knockdown also resulted in reduced size and cellular density of the neurosphere core (UP007 and UP029) indicative of reduced proliferation and/or cell survival capacity. CONCLUSION: Using an in-vitro 3D cellular invasion assay we have found Cav-1 expression in a series of three GBM cell lines to promote cellular invasion capacity. Ongoing studies are addressing signalling mechanisms and the influence of the microenvironment

Edible plants used by Comechingon communities from San Marcos Sierras (Córdoba, Argentina): A first approach

Background and aims: Since the 1990s in Argentina, a process of visibility and reemergence of aboriginal groups that were believed extinct by official history has been developing. This is the case of Comechingon people in Córdoba province. Furthermore, it is known that gathering of wild food plants is an ancient practice that contributes to the subsistence of many indigenous communities of the country. Within the framework of Food Sovereignty and Ethnobiology, the aim of this paper was to carry out a first inquiry into the use of wild edible plants by residents self-identified as members of Comechingon people of San Marcos Sierras (Córdoba). M & M: Semi-structured interviews and free listings were conducted to a representative from each of three Comechingon communities from this town. They were accompanied with the discussion of a photographic guide of species. Results: Thirty-four wild ethnotaxa were recognized. They correspond to thirty-two botanical taxa. 85% was native species and the rest was exotic. "Algarrobo trees" (Prosopis spp.) presented the greatest number of parts used and ways of consumption mentioned. Fruits were the most used vegetable parts, followed by flowers, leaves, cladodes, underground organs and resins. The last two, just like trees' leaves, had not been previously reported for the region. Likewise, different ways of gathering, conservation and culinary products were mentioned. Conclusions: Comechingon communities know and consume a wide variety of edible ethnotaxa of plants. We hope to contribute to the visibility of Comechingon culture and the consolidation of sovereign food systems.Introducción y objetivos: Desde la década de 1990, en Argentina se aprecia un proceso de visibilización y resurgimiento de grupos aborígenes que se creían extintos por parte de la historia oficial. Este es el caso del Pueblo Comechingón en la provincia de Córdoba. En otro sentido, se sabe que la recolección de plantas silvestres alimenticias es una práctica ancestral que contribuye a la subsistencia de muchas comunidades indígenas del país. En el marco de la soberanía alimentaria y la etnobiología, se planteó realizar una primera indagación sobre el uso de plantas silvestres comestibles por parte de pobladores que se auto-identifican pertenecientes al pueblo comechingón de San Marcos Sierras (Córdoba). M&M: Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas, listados libres y la observación de un muestrario fotográfico guía, a un referente en tres comunidades comechingonas de la localidad. Resultados: Los entrevistados reconocieron 34 etnoespecies silvestres, correspondientes a 32 taxones botánicos. El 85% fueron nativas y el resto exóticas. Los “algarrobos” (Prosopis spp.) presentaron la mayor cantidad de partes utilizadas y formas de consumo registradas. Las estructuras vegetales más citadas fueron los frutos, seguido de las flores, hojas, cladodios, órganos subterráneos y resinas. Estas dos últimas, junto con las hojas de árboles, no habían sido reportadas anteriormente para la región. Asimismo, se aludió a diferentes modos de colecta, conservación y productos culinarios. Conclusiones: Las comunidades comechingonas conocen y consumen una amplia variedad de plantas comestibles. Se espera contribuir a la visibilización de la cultura comechingón y a la consolidación de sistemas de alimentación soberanos.Fil: Saur Palmieri, Valentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Departamento de Diversidad Biológica y Ecológica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Geisa, Melisa Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba; Argentin