Changes on corpus luteum structure and progesterone synthesis pathway after hCG or GnRH treatment during the early luteal phase in sheep.

This study investigated the effect of hCG or GnRH on structural changes of the corpora lutea (CL) and the regulation of the expression of steroidogenic enzymes involved in P4 secretion in post-ovulatory (po-CL) and accessory CL (acc-CL). Sixty-four ewes were assigned to three groups receiving: 300 IU of hCG (hCG) or 4 µg Buserelin (GnRH) or 1 mL of saline solution (Control) on Day (d) 4 post artificial insemination (FTAI). Laparoscopic ovarian were performed on d 4, 14 and, 21 post-FTAI to determine the numbers of CL. Blood samples were collected for serum LH and P4 analysis. On d 14 post-FTAI, both CL were removed from the ovary to determine large luteal cell (LLC) number and to evaluate the expression of steroidogenic enzymes (HSD3B1, STAR, CYP11A1). Only hCG and GnRH treated ewes generated acc-CL. The LLC in both po- and acc-CL were significantly greater in the hCG group compared to GnRH and Control groups (P<0.05). Overall, hCG group showed the greatest immunodetection of HSD3B1and STAR in both po- and acc-CL (P<0.05). rnRNA expression of HSD3B1, STAR and CYP11A1 in the acc-CL tended to be greater in hCG group than in GnRH group (P<0.1). The LH concentration was increased in GnRH group (P<0.05) and P4 concentration was greater in hCG group compared to the other groups (P<0.05). In conclusion, administration of hCG has a notably impact on acc-CL development and the expression of steroidogenic enzymes compared to GnRH treatment in ewes. This leads to elevated P4 concentration and improved luteal function.

Unveiling abundance-dependent metabolic phenotypes of microbial communities.

IMPORTANCE: In nature, organisms live in communities and not as isolated species, and their interactions provide a source of resilience to environmental disturbances. Despite their importance in ecology, human health, and industry, understanding how organisms interact in different environments remains an open question. In this work, we provide a novel approach that, only using genomic information, studies the metabolic phenotype exhibited by communities, where the exploration of suboptimal growth flux distributions and the composition of a community allows to unveil its capacity to respond to environmental changes, shedding light of the degrees of metabolic plasticity inherent to the community.

An apparatus for in-vacuum loading of nanoparticles into an optical trap.

We describe the design, construction, and operation of an apparatus that utilizes a piezoelectric transducer for in-vacuum loading of nanoparticles into an optical trap for use in levitated optomechanics experiments. In contrast to commonly used nebulizer-based trap-loading methods that generate aerosolized liquid droplets containing nanoparticles, the method produces dry aerosols of both spherical and high-aspect ratio particles ranging in size by approximately two orders of magnitude. The device has been shown to generate accelerations of order 107 g, which is sufficient to overcome stiction forces between glass nanoparticles and a glass substrate for particles as small as 170 nm in diameter. Particles with sizes ranging from 170 nm to ∼10µm have been successfully loaded into optical traps at pressures ranging from 1 bar to 0.6 mbar. We report the velocity distribution of the particles launched from the substrate, and our results indicate promise for direct loading into ultra-high-vacuum with sufficient laser feedback cooling. This loading technique could be useful for the development of compact fieldable sensors based on optically levitated nanoparticles as well as matter-wave interference experiments with ultra-cold nano-objects, which rely on multiple repeated free-fall measurements and thus require rapid trap re-loading in high vacuum conditions.

Scanning force sensing at micrometer distances from a conductive surface with nanospheres in an optical lattice.

The center-of-mass motion of optically trapped dielectric nanoparticles in a vacuum is extremely well decoupled from its environment, making a powerful tool for measurements of feeble subattonewton forces. We demonstrate a method to trap and maneuver nanoparticles in an optical standing wave potential formed by retroreflecting a laser beam from a metallic mirror surface. We can reliably position a ∼170nm diameter silica nanoparticle at distances of a few hundred nanometers to tens of micrometers from the surface of a gold-coated silicon mirror by transferring it from a single-beam tweezer trap into the standing wave potential. We can further measure forces experienced by the particle while scanning the two-dimensional space parallel to the mirror surface, and we find no significant excess force noise in the vicinity of the surface. This method may enable three-dimensional scanning force sensing near surfaces using optically trapped nanoparticles, promising for high-sensitivity scanning force microscopy, tests of the Casimir effect, and tests of the gravitational inverse square law at micrometer scales.

A successful vitrification technique for goat morulae conservation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different vitrification and warming processes on the in vitro embryo survival of caprine morulae, considering the day of recovery. A total of 136 morulae of Criolla-Neuquina goats recovered on Days 7 or 8 after sponge removal, were exposed to three different vitrification processes; V1 (n = 48): glycerol (G) + ethylene glycol (EG); V2 (n = 44): EG + 0.5 M sucrose and V3 (n = 44): G + EG + 0.5 M sucrose. The morulae of each vitrification process were randomly assigned to three warming processes; W1 (n = 45): 0.5 M sucrose at 25 °C; W2 (n = 44): 0.5 M sucrose at 39 °C; and W3 (n = 47): solution containing half the concentration of the cryoprotectants + 0.5 M sucrose at 25 °C. After, embryos were cultured in 100 µL TCM 199 drops under mineral oil, at 39 °C and a 6.5% CO2 atmosphere for 72 h according to the different treatments. There were no viable embryos in V1 and V2 in none of their three respective warmings. Only V3 showed an embryo survival rate to hatched blastocyst stage of 59.1%. When considering embryo survival according to the warming processes, the survival rate was higher in V3W2 (76.9%) and V3W3 (66.7%) groups compared to the V3W1 group (37.5%; P < 0.05). The embryo survival of V3 for Day 8 after sponge removal (81.3%) was higher compared to Day 7 (46.4%; P < 0.05). In conclusion, a successful embryo survival is obtained by using a combination of cryoprotectants (G + EG) with addition of sucrose in the vitrification process for conservation of caprine morulae in embryo transfer programs. The survival rates in vitro of vitrified-warmed morulae in goats were influenced by their recovery day. Further studies should be conducted to determine if these results are reproducible in vivo embryo transfer on field situations.

MRI Visualization and Distribution Patterns of Foreign Modeling Agents: A Brief Pictorial Review for Clinicians.

Since the ancient Egyptians, people have always been worried about their physical appearance. Nowadays, for some cultures like Latin American, physical appearance depends on the context, and the concept of beauty is to have wider hips and more prominent buttocks. One way to achieve these goals is to inject foreign modelants that include some oils to modify certain body regions. Until today, the search continues to find a modelling agent that is nonteratogenic, noncarcinogenic, and not susceptible to infection and can stay at the spot where it was injected (not migration). This review is aimed at providing a brief, comprehensive assessment of the use of modeling agents and summarizes some key imaging features of filler-related complications. The topics of this review are historical data, epidemiology, classification of dermal fillers (xenografts, hyaluronic acid derivatives, autografts, homografts, synthetic materials), adverse reactions, imaging method used in the detection of injectable fillers, MRI patterns observed in complications of injectable fillers, and histological findings of immune response, treatment, and conclusions. We present several classifications of injectable fillers based on composition, degradation, and complications. Additionally, readers will find some representative cases of the most common locations of injectable fillers demonstrating their infiltrative MRI patterns.

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics.

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data.

Aprendizaje de una simulación: paciente COVID-19 positivo para cirugía de urgencia / Learning from a simulation: Patient COVID-19 positive for emergency surgery

Resumen: Se realizó una simulación in situ del proceso de atención de paciente con diagnóstico de COVID-19 programado para una cirugía de urgencia. Se observó desde la llegada al Departamento de Urgencias y hasta su salida del quirófano. Se llevaron a cabo los protocolos previamente establecidos y se observó por áreas de oportunidad.

Abstract: An in situ simulation was performed of a patient with COVID-19 diagnosis that is schedule for emergency surgery. From the arrival to the Emergency Department to the exit from the operating theatre. Previously stablished protocols were performed, and areas of improvement were looked for.

Technical recommendations for artificial insemination in sheep.

Artificial insemination (AI) was the first important biotechnology applied to improve the genetics of farm animals. It allows the rapid and massive diffusion of desirable characteristics of males with high productive potential. We describe the different types of estrus induction and synchronization techniques and the use of the AI with fresh, chilled or frozen semen. Through the adequacy of the protocols of estrus synchronization and AI to the different production systems, the efficient use of reproductive techniques is possible, reaching acceptable pregnancy rates. Summary of reproductive results obtained using cervical and laparoscopic AI are presented.

Phaseolus acutifolius Lectin Fractions Exhibit Apoptotic Effects on Colon Cancer: Preclinical Studies Using Dimethilhydrazine or Azoxi-Methane as Cancer Induction Agents.

Phaseolus acutifolius (Tepary bean) lectins have been studied as cytotoxic molecules on colon cancer cells. The toxicological profile of a Tepary bean lectin fraction (TBLF) has shown low toxicity in experimental animals; exhibiting anti-nutritional effects such as a reduction in body weight gain and a decrease in food intake when using a dose of 50 mg/kg on alternate days for six weeks. Taking this information into account, the focus of this work was to evaluate the effect of the TBLF on colon cancer using 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) or azoxy-methane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) as colon cancer inductors. Rats were treated with DMH or AOM/DSS and then administered with TBFL (50 mg/kg) for six weeks. TBLF significantly decreased early tumorigenesis triggered by DMH by 70%, but without any evidence of an apoptotic effect. In an independent experiment, AOM/DSS was used to generate aberrant cryptic foci, which decreased by 50% after TBLF treatment. TBLF exhibited antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects related to a decrease of the signal transduction pathway protein Akt in its activated form and an increase of caspase 3 activity, but not to p53 activation. Further studies will deepen our knowledge of specific apoptosis pathways and cellular stress processes such as oxidative damage.

Lung metastasectomy: long-term outcomes in an 18-year cohort from a single center.

Lung metastasectomy is an area of interest and controversy in surgical oncology. Most of the available evidence derives from small cohorts with short follow-up. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oncologic outcomes in an 18-year cohort from a single center. We retrospectively reviewed 398 patients with several malignancies who underwent lung metastasectomy between January 1990 and December 2008. Demographic, clinical, and surgical variables were evaluated. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with overall survival (OS). Mean follow-up was 20 months. Wedge resection was performed in 297 cases and 101 required anatomic resections. In 303 patients the disease-free interval (DFI) was >6 months meanwhile 95 patients had a DFI ≤6 months. Complete resection was achieved in 351 patients (88.2%). Median OS for all patients was 81.9 months (95% CI, 36.9-126.9). On multivariate analysis, factors associated with a poor overall survival were DFI <6 months (HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.24-2.4; p=0.001) and incomplete resection (HR, 1.58 95% CI, 1.01-2.5; p=0.0047). Independent prognostic factors associated with better survival were DFI >6 months and complete resection. Size and number of metastases as well as re-do metastasectomy were not associated with worse survival.

[Malignant neoplasm in burn scar: Marjolin's ulcer. Report of two cases and review of the literature]. / Neoplasia maligna en cicatriz de quemadura: úlcera de Marjolin. Informe de dos casos y revisión de la literatura.

BACKGROUND: Marjolin's ulcer forms part of a group of neoplasms that originate in a burn scar, a phenomenon associated with superficial tissue trauma. The frequency of Marjolin's ulcer is low and represents between 2 and 5% of all squamous cell carcinomas of the skin. This condition is found three times more frequently in men than in women and is thought to be more aggressive than conventional squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. CLINICAL CASES: We present two cases of squamous cell carcinoma that originated on a burn scar. 41 year old woman with gasoline burn on the left foot, 3 months old, in whom an exofitic ulcerated lesion on the right calcaneum region has evolved since she was 32 years old. Left transtibial amputation was decided. Another woman who started its suffering 9 years after a thorax burn with a progressive fungus lesion on the scar area. For its size and as it was a high degree neoplasia, surgical resection and radiotherapy to the zone of the primary with 50 Gy in 25 fractions was decided. CONCLUSIONS: Marjolin's ulcer usually occurs in old burn sites that were not skin grafted and were left to heal secondarily. Although it is believed that there is a latency period of 25-40 years after burn injury before the occurrence of malignancy, this may occur in a period as short as 3 months. Recurrence after radical surgery is 14.7%. Nonetheless, because of the aggressive behavior of this type of cancer, appropriate radical treatment allows an adequate control of the disease. Early grafting of the burn site can prevent the formation a malignant neoplasm. This condition should be suspected in a non-healing chronic ulcer on a burn scar.

Neoplasia maligna en cicatriz de quemadura: úlcera de Marjolin: informe de dos casos y revisión de la literatura / Malignant neoplasm in burn scar: Marjolin's ulcer: report of two cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Marjolin's ulcer forms part of a group of neoplasms that originate in a burn scar, a phenomenon associated with superficial tissue trauma. The frequency of Marjolin's ulcer is low and represents between 2 and 5% of all squamous cell carcinomas of the skin. This condition is found three times more frequently in men than in women and is thought to be more aggressive than conventional squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. CLINICAL CASES: We present two cases of squamous cell carcinoma that originated on a burn scar. 41 year old woman with gasoline burn on the left foot, 3 months old, in whom an exofitic ulcerated lesion on the right calcaneum region has evolved since she was 32 years old. Left transtibial amputation was decided. Another woman who started its suffering 9 years after a thorax burn with a progressive fungus lesion on the scar area. For its size and as it was a high degree neoplasia, surgical resection and radiotherapy to the zone of the primary with 50 Gy in 25 fractions was decided. CONCLUSIONS: Marjolin's ulcer usually occurs in old burn sites that were not skin grafted and were left to heal secondarily. Although it is believed that there is a latency period of 25-40 years after burn injury before the occurrence of malignancy, this may occur in a period as short as 3 months. Recurrence after radical surgery is 14.7%. Nonetheless, because of the aggressive behavior of this type of cancer, appropriate radical treatment allows an adequate control of the disease. Early grafting of the burn site can prevent the formation a malignant neoplasm. This condition should be suspected in a non-healing chronic ulcer on a burn scar.

[Clear cell sarcoma and sentinel lymph node biopsy. Case report and literature review]. / Sarcoma de células claras y ganglio centinela. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

The procedure of sentinel node biopsy has been used previously in clear cell sarcoma. There are few studies reported. Due to the similar biological features with melanoma, this procedure can be effective. Sentinel biopsy is an option to detect nodal subclinical metastases. A 19-year-old man presented with ulcerated lesion in the fifth finger of the left hand. The biopsy reported clear cell sarcoma. Immunohistochemistry was positive for Vimentin and S-100. There was no evidence of regional disease. The sentinel lymph node biopsy, using patent blue and Tc-99 rhenium, was positive for metastases. Axillar dissection was carried out. The final report confirmed three metastasic nodes and the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy.

Practical aspects of intradialytic nutritional support.

A critical review of recent international literature related to the use of intradialytic parenteral nutrition is given. The role of intradialytic parenteral nutrition as a therapy in malnourished hemodialysis patients is established and the need for systematic monitoring of this population at high risk of malnutrition is emphasized.