Urised As An Alternative To Phase-contrast Microscopy In The Differentiation Between Glomerular And Non-glomerular Hematuria

Background: Differentiation between glomerular and non-glomerular hematuria by observation of the erythrocyte morphology using phase-contrast is a time-consuming and labor-intensive procedure that requires skilled personnel. This paper has the purpose to evaluate the performance of UriSed (also called sediMAX (R) in some countries) as an alternative to the phase-contrast microscopic analysis of erythrocyte morphology. Methods: 312 urine samples with hematuria were analyzed by UriSed and by phase-contrast microscopy. Based on the presence of codocytes and/or acanthocytes, samples were classified as non-glomerular and glomerular. Kappa correlation was used to assess the agreement between both methods. Results: Our data showed excellent agreement between erythrocyte morphology analyzed by both methods (r = 0.974, kappa = 0.9484, p <0.001) with only 8 samples presenting discordant results. Conclusions: UriSed proved to be a precise and accurate alternative to the gold standard phase-contrast microscopy.615/Jun64364

Continuous purification of hepatitis C virus-like particles by multi-column chromatography

Novel biopharmaceutical products, such as virus-like particles (VLPs) and viral vectors, constitute a challenging task for downstream processing (DSP). Recoveries achieved to reach required purities are significantly inferior compared to more common antibody and other recombinant processes. Therefore, the biopharmaceutical industry is looking for alternative downstream strategies capable of improving purification yields and decreasing cost while maintaining product quality. One of many possible improvements to DSP is to replace single-column batch operation by continuous, or semi-continuous, multi-column chromatography. A single-column batch chromatographic operation used for capture is limited by the dynamic binding capacity (DBC) of the target product. For high-value products, chromatographic columns are normally loaded to less than 1% of DBC underutilizing the resin\u27s capacity. Increasing capacity utilization leads to significant resin cost savings, particularly relevant in the case of capture with expensive affinity materials. Multi-column processes have been shown to improve process efficiency and economics, providing a powerful and flexible alternative to conventional batch chromatography. In fact, a simple serial connection of two chromatographic columns, where the effluent of the first column of the train is directed to the inlet of the second column, allows that in a loading step the breakthrough of the first column is captured on the second bed, thus avoiding product loss. After saturation, the first column can be subjected to the normal processing steps of a batch chromatographic operation while loading is resumed in the adjacent bed. Moreover, this simple setup modification allows not only to extend the utilization of the resin’s capacity, overcoming the aforementioned issues, but also to benefit from the counter-current flow between the mobile and the stationary phases, which optimizes the driving force for mass transfer throughout the overall trajectory of the two phases. We report the development of a continuous chromatographic process for the purification of Hepatitis C VLPs (HCV-VLPs), produced using insect cell-based expression with recombinant baculovirus. A library of novel anion exchange resins with different ligand densities was evaluated for improved binding and release of the target product and impurity clearance in batch operation. A model-based approach for a smooth transition from a single-column batch process to a continuous multi-column operation is demonstrated and the scheduling of periodic events of the process cycle is analyzed. The contribution of column overloading, counter current operation and faster flow rates to recovery improvements compared to batch is discussed. Ultimately, both purification strategies, batch and continuous, are compared not only in terms of volumetric productivity, resin capacity utilization and footprint reduction, but also to indicate whether actual performance can be improved by continuous operation

Neuro-molecular characterization of fish cleaning interactions

Coral reef fish exhibit a large variety of behaviours crucial for fitness and survival. The cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus displays cognitive abilities during interspecific interactions by providing services of ectoparasite cleaning, thus serving as a good example to understand the processes of complex social behaviour. However, little is known about the molecular underpinnings of cooperative behaviour between L. dimidiatus and a potential client fish (Acanthurus leucosternon). Therefore, we investigated the molecular mechanisms in three regions of the brain (Fore-, Mid-, and Hindbrain) during the interaction of these fishes. Here we show, using transcriptomics, that most of the transcriptional response in both species was regulated in the Hindbrain and Forebrain regions and that the interacting behaviour responses of L. dimidiatus involved immediate early gene alteration, dopaminergic and glutamatergic pathways, the expression of neurohormones (such as isotocin) and steroids (e.g. progesterone and estrogen). In contrast, in the client, fewer molecular alterations were found, mostly involving pituitary hormone responses. The particular pathways found suggested synaptic plasticity, learning and memory processes in the cleaner wrasse, while the client indicated stress relief

Changes in food access by mestizo communities associated with deforestation and agrobiodiversity loss in Ucayali, Peruvian Amazon

Few longitudinal studies link agricultural biodiversity, land use and food access in rural landscapes. In this paper, we test the hypothesis that, in a context of economic change, cash crop expansion is associated with deforestation, reduced agrobiodiversity and changes in food access. For this purpose, we analysed data collected from the same 53 upland and floodplain mestizo households in Ucayali, Peru, in 2000 and 2015. We found an emerging transition towards less diversified food access coupled with loss of forest cover and reduced agricultural biodiversity. In 2015, diets appeared to rely on fewer food groups, fewer food items, and on products increasingly purchased in the market compared to 2000. Wild fruits and plants were mentioned, but rarely consumed. Agricultural production systems became more specialised with a shift towards commercial crops. Peak deforestation years in the 15-year period appeared linked with incentives for agricultural expansion. Our results suggest an overall trend from diversified productive and “extractive” systems and more diverse food access, towards specialized productive systems, with less diverse food access and stronger market orientation (both in production and consumption). The assumption in the food and agricultural sciences that increased income and market-orientation is linked to improved food security, is challenged by our integrated analyses of food access, agrobiodiversity, land use and forest cover. Our results highlight the importance of longitudinal, multidimensional, systemic analyses, with major implications for land use, food and health policies. The potential risks of parallel homogenisation of diets and agricultural production systems require interdisciplinary research and policies that promote integrated landscape approaches for sustainable and inclusive food systems

Development of an enterprise risk inventory for healthcare

Background: The first phase of an enterprise risk management (ERM) program is the identification of risks. Accurate identification is essential to a proactive and effective ERM function. The authors identified a lack of such risk identification in the literature and in practical cases when interviewing the chief risk officers from healthcare organizations. A risk inventory specific to healthcare organizations that includes detailed risk scenarios and risk impacts currently does not exist. Thus, the objective of this research is to develop an enterprise risk inventory for healthcare organizations to create a common understanding of how each type of risk impacts a healthcare organization. Method: ERM guidelines and data from 15 interviews with chief risk officers were analyzed to create the risk inventory. The identified risks were confirmed through a survey of risk managers from a range of global healthcare organizations during the ASHRM conference in 2017. Descriptive statistics were developed and cluster analysis was performed using the survey results. Results: The risk inventory includes 28 risks and their specific risk scenarios. Cyberattack was ranked as the principal risk by the participants, followed by sentinel events and risks associated with human capital management (organizational culture, use of electronic medical records and physician wellness). The data analysis showed that the specific characteristics of the survey participants, such as the length of time working in risk management, the size of the organization, and the presence of a school of medicine, do not impact an individual’s opinion of the importance of the risks identified. A personal background in risk management (clinical or enterprise) was a characteristic that showed a small difference in the perceived importance of the risks from the proposed risk inventory. Conclusions: In addition to defining specific risk scenarios, the enterprise risk inventory presented in this research can contribute to guiding the risk identification phase of an ERM program and thereby support the development of a risk culture. Patient data security in hospitals that operate with high levels of technology is fundamental to delivering high quality and safe care to patients. At the top of the risk ranking, the identification of cyberattacks reflects the importance that healthcare risk managers place on this risk by allocating time and other resources. Exploring opportunities to improve cyber risk management and evaluating the benefits of using the risk inventory at the beginning of the risk identification phase in an ERM program are suggestions for future studies

Cystatin C and renal function in pediatric kidney transplant recipients

In clinical practice, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is often determined with serum creatinine. However, studies have shown cystatin C to be a better parameter for the diagnosis of impaired renal function. We compared GFR estimated by plasma cystatin C with GFR estimated by serum creatinine in a sample of 50 pediatric renal transplant recipients and 24 healthy children. The correlation between GFR estimated by serum creatinine and by cystatin C was significant (r = 0.75; P < 0.001, Person’s correlation); however, in pediatric kidney transplant recipients, the GFR was 6.7 mL/min lower when determined using cystatin C rather than serum creatinine. Moreover, using GFR estimated by cystatin C we found that 42% of the pediatric kidney transplant recipients had an estimated GFR <60 mL·min-1·1.73 (m²)-1, whereas when GFR was estimated by the serum creatinine formula only 16% of the children had values below this cutoff point indicative of chronic kidney disease (P < 0.001). We conclude that, in pediatric kidney transplant recipients, estimation of GFR yields lower values when cystatin C is used rather than serum creatinine.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Medicina Disciplina de NefrologiaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de PediatriaUNIFESP, Depto. de Medicina Disciplina de NefrologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de PediatriaFAPESP: 04/10342-7SciEL

Mycobacterioses in dogs and cats from Buenos Aires, Argentina

Mycobacterioses can produce nonspecific clinical signs in dogs and cats that make diagnosis difficult. Furthermore, the full characterization of mycobacterial agents is not always possible or practical. We characterized mycobacteria detected through cytology in 12 dogs and 7 cats with generalized clinical signs from the province of Buenos Aires in Argentina. In dogs, molecular testing confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) in 8 cases and M. fortuitum in 1 case. All dogs were Miniature Schnauzers, suggesting that this breed may be more susceptible to M. avium than other dog breeds. The cat isolates were 2 M. bovis, 1 M. fortuitum, and 1 MAH. Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit–variable-number tandem repeat patterns suggested possible links with cattle, swine, and humans studied previously in Argentina. The results show that pets may act as susceptible hosts with the potential risk of transmitting the infection to humans and other animals.Instituto de BiotecnologíaFil: Barandiaran, Soledad. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Martinez Vivot, Marcela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Falzoni, Elvira. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Marfil, Maria Jimena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Perez Tort, Gabriela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Virreyes Veterinary Hospital; ArgentinaFil: Rovatti, Paula. Private Veterinary Clinic; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Mónica. Zoonosis Luis Pasteur Institute; ArgentinaFil: Iachini, Ricardo. Zoonosis Luis Pasteur Institute; ArgentinaFil: Satek, Fernanda. Surgical Veterinary Clinic (EQVET); ArgentinaFil: Duchene, Adriana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Zumarraga, Martin Jose. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentin

Inflammatory Reactions to Red Tattoo Inks: Three cases highlighting an emerging problem

In recent years, tattoos have become more commonplace. However, this can result in various inflammatory processes, the management of which can be challenging in daily clinical practice. Tattoo-related inflammatory reactions can comprise different patterns, including acute and immediate reactions, foreign body granulomas, sarcoid granulomas, isomorphic lesions, allergic contact dermatitis and photosensitivity. We report three cases who were referred to the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Granada, Spain, in 2017 with various skin reactions in the red-ink areas of their tattoos. Screening was performed for infectious diseases like atypical mycobacterial infections and systemic processes such as sarcoidosis. A good therapeutic response was achieved in all cases. An adequate differential diagnosis is essential for the therapeutic management of this emerging health problem. Keywords: Non-Therapeutic Body Modification; Tattooing, adverse effects; Inks; Foreign Body Reaction; Inflammation; Case Report; Spain

Alteração do filme lacrimal e superfície ocular em usuários crônicos de medicação antiglaucomatosa

PURPOSE: Tear film can be altered by chronic medications that may disrupt the equilibrium responsible for the functioning of the lacrimal gland and ocular surface. The purpose of this study was to determine if antiglaucomatous chronic treatment induced alterations in the tear film and ocular surface. METHODS: After informed consent, 21 patients using antiglaucomatous eye drops for more than 8 months and 20 age- and sex-matched volunteers without eye and systemic medications (control group) were enrolled. The data of ocular discomfort, fluorescein and lisamine green staining, tear film break-up time and Schirmer test were collected and compared by Student's t test. The impression cytology data were graded and compared by chi-square test. RESULTS: Patients chronically using antiglaucomatous medications presented with significant higher fluorescein staining (p=0.003), lisamine green staining (p=0.02) and lower TFBUT (p=0.001). The other comparedparameters, including impression cytology were similar between the treated and control group (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that the tear film and the ocular surface are altered in patients under antiglaucomatous medications. In common, all medications were preserved with benzalkonium chloride. Efforts to minimize the adverse effects of chronic use of antiglaucomatous drugs must be addressed.OBJETIVO: O filme lacrimal pode ser alterado por medicações crônicas, que podem comprometer o equilíbrio responsável pela função da glândula lacrimal e da superfície ocular. O objetivo desse estudo foi determinar se o tratamento crônico com drogas antiglaucomatosas induz alterações no filme lacrimal e superfície ocular. MÉTODOS: Após o consentimento informado, 21 pacientes usando drogas antiglaucomatosas por mais de 8 meses e 20 voluntários com similar distribuição etária e por sexo, não usuários de medicação ocular ou sistêmica (grupo controle) foram incluídos. Os dados do desconforto ocular, coloração com fluoresceína e lissamina verde, tempo de ruptura do filme lacrimal e teste de Schirmer foram colhidos e analisados pelo teste t de Student. A citologia de impressão foi avaliada e comparada pelo teste de qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS: Pacientes usando cronicamente medicação antiglaucomatosa apresentaram ignificativamente maior coloração por fluoresceína (p=0,003), lissamina verde (p=0,02) e menor TRFL (p=0,001). Os outros parâmetros comparados, incluindo a citologia de impressão foram similares entre o grupo tratado e controle (p>0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Esse estudo demonstra que o filme lacrimal e a superfície ocular estão alterados em usuários de medicação antiglaucomatosa. Essas medicações apresentam em comum o cloreto de benzalcônio como conservante. Esforços para minimizar efeitos adversos do uso crônico de drogas antiglaucomatosas devem ser considerados.CNPqFAEPAFAPES

Folding factors and partners for the intrinsically disordered protein Micro-Exon Gene 14 (MEG-14)

The micro-exon genes (MEG) of Schistosoma mansoni, a parasite responsible for the second most widely spread tropical disease, code for small secreted proteins with sequences unique to the Schistosoma genera. Bioinformatics analyses suggest the soluble domain of the MEG-14 protein will be largely disordered, and using synchrotron radiation circular dichroism spectroscopy, its secondary structure was shown to be essentially completely unfolded in aqueous solution. It does, however, show a strong propensity to fold into more ordered structures under a wide range of conditions. Partial folding was produced by increasing temperature (in a reversible process), contrary to the behavior of most soluble proteins. Furthermore, significant folding was observed in the presence of negatively charged lipids and detergents, but not in zwitterionic or neutral lipids or detergents. Absorption onto a surface followed by dehydration stimulated it to fold into a helical structure, as it did when the aqueous solution was replaced by nonaqueous solvents. Hydration of the dehydrated folded protein was accompanied by complete unfolding. These results support the identification of MEG-14 as a classic intrinsically disordered protein, and open the possibility of its interaction/folding with different partners and factors being related to multifunctional roles and states within the host