Wildlife-Livestock Host Community Maintains Simultaneous Epidemiologic Cycles of Mycoplasma conjunctivae in a Mountain Ecosystem.

Infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) is an eye disease caused by Mycoplasma conjunctivae that affects domestic and wild caprines, including Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica), a medium-sized mountain ungulate. However, its role in IKC dynamics in multi-host communities has been poorly studied. This study assessed M. conjunctivae in Iberian ibex and seasonally sympatric domestic small ruminants in the Natural Space of Sierra Nevada (NSSN), a mountain habitat in southern Spain. From 2015 to 2017, eye swabs were collected from 147 ibexes (46 subadults, 101 adults) and 169 adult domestic small ruminants (101 sheep, 68 goats). Mycoplasma conjunctivae was investigated through real-time qPCR and statistically assessed according to species, sex, age category, year, period, and area. The lppS gene of M. conjunctivae was sequenced and phylogenetically analysed. Mycoplasma conjunctivae was endemic and asymptomatic in the host community of the NSSN. Three genetic clusters were shared by ibex and livestock, and one was identified only in sheep, although each host species could maintain the infection independently. Naïve subadults maintained endemic infection in Iberian ibex, with an epizootic outbreak in 2017 when the infection spread to adults. Wild ungulates are epidemiologically key in maintaining and spreading IKC and other shared diseases among spatially segregated livestock flocks.

Role of Neurocellular Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Risk.

Currently, more than 55 million people around the world suffer from dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) accounts for nearly 60-70% of all those cases. The spread of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology and progressive neurodegeneration in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex is strongly correlated with cognitive decline in AD patients; however, the molecular underpinning of ADRD's causality is still unclear. Studies of postmortem AD brains and animal models of AD suggest that elevated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress may have a role in ADRD pathology through altered neurocellular homeostasis in brain regions associated with learning and memory. To study the ER stress-associated neurocellular response and its effects on neurocellular homeostasis and neurogenesis, we modeled an ER stress challenge using thapsigargin (TG), a specific inhibitor of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA), in the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) of two individuals from our Mexican American Family Study (MAFS). High-content screening and transcriptomic analysis of the control and ER stress-challenged NSCs showed that the NSCs' ER stress response resulted in a significant decline in NSC self-renewal and an increase in apoptosis and cellular oxidative stress. A total of 2300 genes were significantly (moderated t statistics FDR-corrected p-value ≤ 0.05 and fold change absolute ≥ 2.0) differentially expressed (DE). The pathway enrichment and gene network analysis of DE genes suggests that all three unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways, protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), activating transcription factor-6 (ATF-6), and inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE1), were significantly activated and cooperatively regulated the NSCs' transcriptional response to ER stress. Our results show that IRE1/X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) mediated transcriptional regulation of the E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) gene, and its downstream targets have a dominant role in inducing G1/S-phase cell cycle arrest in ER stress-challenged NSCs. The ER stress-challenged NSCs also showed the activation of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP)-mediated apoptosis and the dysregulation of synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter homeostasis-associated genes. Overall, our results suggest that the ER stress-associated attenuation of NSC self-renewal, increased apoptosis, and dysregulated synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter homeostasis plausibly play a role in the causation of ADRD.

Home range in genus Capra: from polygons to Brownian bridges of scabietic and healthy Iberian ibexes (Capra pyrenaica).

Home range and home range overlap can be used to describe use of space and movement of wildlife. During the last years, advancements in technology have greatly improved our understanding of animal movement, especially among large herbivores. Wild ungulate abundance and distribution have increased in temperate areas. Moreover, their diseases-including sarcoptic mange in the Iberian Ibex (Capra pyrenaica)-have become a cause of concern for livestock, public health, and wildlife conservation. In this study, we first reviewed existing literature on the home range of species in the genus Capra. We then analyzed data from 52 GPS-GSM-collared Iberian ibexes, of which 33 were healthy and 19 were affected by sarcoptic mange from 3 different populations in the southeastern Iberian Peninsula to analyze: (1) differences in size and characteristics of home ranges obtained by the 3 most commonly used methodologies-minimum convex polygon, kernel density estimation, and Brownian bridges movement models (BBMMs); and (2) the impact of endemic sarcoptic mange on Iberian Ibex home range. The literature review revealed that available information on spatial behavior of Capra spp. was based only on 3 species, including the Iberian Ibex, estimated through a diversity of methods which made it difficult to compare results. We found positive correlations among the different home range estimation methods in the Iberian Ibex, with BBMMs proving to be the most accurate. This study is the first to use BBMMs for estimating home range in this species, and it revealed a marked seasonal behavior in spatial use, although sarcoptic mange smoothed such seasonal pattern. The seasonal overlaps obtained suggest that core areas of the Iberian Ibex change within wider home range areas, which are ecological parameters relevant to identifying key areas for species management and conservation.

In vitro acaricidal activity of several natural products against ibex-derived Sarcoptes scabiei.

In this study we analysed the effect of the temperature, diverse strains of Bacillus thuringiensis, Lysinibacillus sphaericus and nanoformulations with essential plant oils (EONP) on the survival of Sarcoptes scabiei mites derived from naturally-infested Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica). In general, mites maintained at 12ºC survived more than those maintained at 35ºC (40.7 hr and 31.2 hr, respectively). Mites with no treatment survived 27.6 h on average. Mites treated with B. thuringiensis serovar. konkukian and geranium EONP showed significant reduction in their survival. Despite the fact that these agents seem to be promising candidates for controlling sarcoptic mange in the field, further research is still needed to get stable, efficient and eco-friendly acaricides.

Pre-Infection Innate Immunity Attenuates SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Viral Load in iPSC-Derived Alveolar Epithelial Type 2 Cells.

A large portion of the heterogeneity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) susceptibility and severity of illness (SOI) remains poorly understood. Recent evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated damage to alveolar epithelial type 2 cells (AT2s) in the distal lung may directly contribute to disease severity and poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients. Our in vitro modeling of SARS-CoV-2 infection in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived AT2s from 10 different individuals showed interindividual variability in infection susceptibility and the postinfection cellular viral load. To understand the underlying mechanism of the AT2's capacity to regulate SARS-CoV-2 infection and cellular viral load, a genome-wide differential gene expression analysis between the mock and SARS-CoV-2 infection-challenged AT2s was performed. The 1393 genes, which were significantly (one-way ANOVA FDR-corrected p ≤ 0.05; FC abs ≥ 2.0) differentially expressed (DE), suggest significant upregulation of viral infection-related cellular innate immune response pathways (p-value ≤ 0.05; activation z-score ≥ 3.5), and significant downregulation of the cholesterol- and xenobiotic-related metabolic pathways (p-value ≤ 0.05; activation z-score ≤ -3.5). Whilst the effect of post-SARS-CoV-2 infection response on the infection susceptibility and postinfection viral load in AT2s is not clear, interestingly, pre-infection (mock-challenged) expression of 238 DE genes showed a high correlation with the postinfection SARS-CoV-2 viral load (FDR-corrected p-value ≤ 0.05 and r2-absolute ≥ 0.57). The 85 genes whose expression was negatively correlated with the viral load showed significant enrichment in viral recognition and cytokine-mediated innate immune GO biological processes (p-value range: 4.65 × 10-10 to 2.24 × 10-6). The 153 genes whose expression was positively correlated with the viral load showed significant enrichment in cholesterol homeostasis, extracellular matrix, and MAPK/ERK pathway-related GO biological processes (p-value range: 5.06 × 10-5 to 6.53 × 10-4). Overall, our results strongly suggest that AT2s' pre-infection innate immunity and metabolic state affect their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral load.

Mapping the risk of exposure to Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in the Iberian Peninsula using Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) as a model.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne zoonotic pathogen that can cause a lethal haemorrhagic disease in humans. Although the virus appears to be endemically established in the Iberian Peninsula, CCHF is an emerging disease in Spain. Clinical signs of CCHFV infection are mainly manifested in humans, but the virus replicates in several animal species. Understanding the determinants of CCHFV exposure risk from animal models is essential to predicting high-risk exposure hotspots for public health action. With this objective in mind, we designed a cross-sectional study of Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Spain and Portugal. The study analysed 5,291 sera collected between 2006 and 2022 from 90 wild boar populations with a specific double-antigen ELISA to estimate CCHFV serum prevalence and identify the main determinants of exposure probability. To do so, we statistically modelled exposure risk with host- and environment-related predictors and spatially projected it at a 10 × 10 km square resolution at the scale of the Iberian Peninsula to map foci of infection risk. Fifty-seven (63.3 %) of the 90 populations had at least one seropositive animal, with seroprevalence ranging from 0.0 to 88.2 %. Anti-CCHFV antibodies were found in 1,026 of 5,291 wild boar (19.4 %; 95 % confidence interval: 18.3-20.5 %), with highest exposure rates in southwestern Iberia. The most relevant predictors of virus exposure risk were wild boar abundance, local rainfall regime, shrub cover, winter air temperature and soil temperature variation. The spatial projection of the best-fit model identified high-risk foci as occurring in most of western and southwestern Iberia and identified recently confirmed risk foci in eastern Spain. The results of the study demonstrate that serological surveys of CCHFV vector hosts are a powerful, robust and highly informative tool for public health authorities to take action to prevent human cases of CCHF in enzootic and emergency settings.

Bioactive compounds in Spanish extra virgin olive oils: Migration and stability according to the culinary technique used.

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a basic food of the Mediterranean diet and an important source of bioactive compounds, especially phenolic substances. The culinary techniques to which the oil is subjected before consumption cause the migration of these compounds, hence the importance of studying their stability before and after culinary treatment. We determined the behaviour of the phenols present in EVOO and its total antioxidant capacity before and after the use of various culinary techniques such as deep frying, boiling (in a water/oil mixture (W/O) and sauteing, observing that the study parameters varied according to the variety of oil and the culinary technique used. Significant statistical differences were observed between the different varieties of EVOO according to the culinary technique used. But this was not the case with respect to polyphenol content, for which no statistically significant differences were observed among the different varieties of EVOO according to the culinary techniques employed (p > 0.05), except with the Arbequina variety (p < 0.05). With respect to the individual polyphenols - tyrosol, p-vainillin, vanillic acid, gallic acid, trans-caffeic acid, ferulic acid and luteolin - our analysis shows that although there were differences in content between raw EVOO and EVOO treated with each of the culinary techniques, these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There were significant losses of oleocanthal with the W/O boiling technique, but content increases were observed following sauteing and deep frying with respect to raw EVOO. Total antioxidant capacity presented a similar pattern in all samples, with increases after sauteing and decreases after W/O boiling and deep frying. ABTS was the most suitable technique for determining antioxidant capacity in EVOO. In short, the behaviour of the bioactive compounds in EVOO depends on the temperature and the cooking medium used.

The local skin cellular immune response determines the clinical outcome of sarcoptic mange in Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica).

Introduction: Sarcoptic mange, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, is a disease with implications for wildlife conservation and management. Its severity depends on the host's local skin immune response, which is largely unknown in Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica), a mountain ungulate dramatically affected by mange. In this species, the clinical outcome of sarcoptic mange varies among individuals, and the local immune response could be key to controlling the infestation. This study aims to characterize the local cellular immune response and its relationship with the clinical outcome. Methods: Fourteen Iberian ibexes were experimentally infested with S. scabiei and six more served as controls. Clinical signs were monitored, and skin biopsies were collected from the withers at 26, 46, and 103 days post-infection (dpi). The presence and distribution of macrophages (including M1 and M2 phenotypes), T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, plasma cells, and interleukine 10 were quantitatively evaluated using immunohistochemical techniques. Results: An inflammatory infiltrate that decreased significantly from 26 to 103 dpi was observed in all the infested ibexes. The predominant inflammatory cell population in the skin of the mangy ibexes was formed by macrophages (mainly the M2 phenotype) followed by T lymphocytes, with lower numbers of B lymphocytes and plasma cells. Three clinical courses were identified: total recovery, partial recovery, and terminal stage. The inflammatory infiltrates were less pronounced in the fully recovered ibexes than in those that progressed to the terminal stage throughout the study. Discussion: The results suggest an exacerbated but effective Th1-type cellular immune response controlling mange in Iberian ibex. Furthermore, the local immune response appears to determine the variability of the clinical responses to S. scabiei infestation in this species. This first report on the progression of local skin immune cells is relevant not only for individuals but also for population management and conservation.

Diseases of Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica).

Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) is an ecologically and economically relevant medium-sized emblematic mountain ungulate. Diseases participate in the population dynamics of the species as a regulating agent, but can also threaten the conservation and viability of vulnerable population units. Moreover, Iberian ibex can also be a carrier or even a reservoir of pathogens shared with domestic animals and/or humans, being therefore a concern for livestock and public health. The objective of this review is to compile the currently available knowledge on (1) diseases of Iberian ibex, presented according to their relevance on the health and demography of free-ranging populations; (2) diseases subjected to heath surveillance plans; (3) other diseases reported in the species; and (4) diseases with particular relevance in captive Iberian ibex populations. The systematic review of all the information on diseases affecting the species unveils unpublished reports, scientific communications in meetings, and scientific articles, allowing the first comprehensive compilation of Iberian ibex diseases. This review identifies the gaps in knowledge regarding pathogenesis, immune response, diagnostic methods, treatment, and management of diseases in Iberian ibex, providing a base for future research. Moreover, this challenges wildlife and livestock disease and wildlife population managers to assess the priorities and policies currently implemented in Iberian ibex health surveillance and monitoring and disease management.

Co-infection patterns in the ectoparasitic community affecting the Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoptic mange is one of the main parasitic diseases affecting the Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica. Scabietic animals suffer a decline in body condition and reproductive fitness and in severe cases may die. Although several previous studies of the pathology of this disease and the physiological changes it produces in ibex have been carried out in recent years, our knowledge of the relationship between Sarcoptes scabiei and other ectoparasites of this host is still limited. METHODS: We analysed 430 Iberian ibex skin samples. Ectoparasites were removed, counted and identified. Mite (S. scabiei) numbers were obtained after digesting the skin samples in a 5% KOH solution. We modelled mite numbers in terms of host sex and age, site, year, season and the presence of other ectoparasites such as ticks and lice using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) and ectoparasite co-occurrence patterns using two different models: the probabilistic model species co-occurrence and the generalized linear latent variable model (GLLVM). RESULTS: The ectoparasite community was mainly composed of S. scabiei, six ticks (Haemaphysalis sulcata, Haemaphysalis punctata, Rhipicephalus bursa, Rhipicephalus turanicus, Dermacentor marginatus and Ixodes ricinus) and two lice (Bovicola crassipes and Linognathus stenopsis). Adult male ibex harboured more mites than females. Mite numbers varied greatly spatially and seasonally and increased with the presence of other parasites. Some positive co-occurrence relationships between pairs of different ectoparasites were observed, particularly between ticks. The presence of S. scabiei negatively affected lice and H. sulcata numbers. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcoptic mange has spread above all in ibex populations in and around the Mediterranean Basin, where it is now found in almost a third of its host's range. Mite numbers varied seasonally and spatially and were higher in male hosts. The presence of S. scabiei had a negative effect on lice numbers but favoured the presence of ticks.

Economic fluctuations and educational inequalities in premature ischemic heart disease mortality in Argentina.

Although mortality from ischemic heart disease has declined over the past decades in Argentina, ischemic heart disease remains one of the most frequent causes of death. This study aimed to describe the role of individual and contextual factors on premature ischemic heart disease mortality and to analyze how educational differentials in premature ischemic heart disease mortality changed during economic fluctuations in two provinces of Argentina from 1990 to 2018. To test the relationship between individual (age, sex, and educational level) and contextual (urbanization, poverty, and macroeconomic variations) factors, a multilevel Poisson model was estimated. When controlling for the level of poverty at the departmental level, we observed inequalities in premature ischemic heart disease mortality according to the educational level of individuals, affecting population of low educational level. Moreover, economic expansion was related to an increase in ischemic heart disease mortality, however, expansion years were not associated with increasing educational inequalities in ischemic heart disease mortality. At the departmental level, we found no contextual association beween area-related socioeconomic level and the risk of ischemic heart disease mortality. Despite the continuing decline in ischemic heart disease mortality in Argentina, this study highlighted that social inequalities in mortality risk increased over time. Therefore, prevention policies should be more focused on populations of lower socioeconomic status in Argentina.

Comparative Analysis of Traditional Oriental Herbal Fruits as Potential Sources of Polyphenols and Minerals for Nutritional Supplements.

There are a plethora of plant species in India, which have been widely used in vegetable dishes, soups, desserts and herbal medicine. In addition to these traditional uses, today there is the extra possibility of also being able to use these plants in the nutritional supplements industry due to their favorable antioxidant and mineral composition. In this sense, thirteen vegetable species-Chanania lanzan, Ziziphus mauritiana, Nilumbo nucifera, Terminalia catappa, Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula, Lagenaria siceraria, Luffa aegyptiaca, Praecitrullus fistulosus, Benincasa hispida, Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus and Cucurbita maxima-have been analyzed. In this paper we discuss the distribution of polyphenols and minerals (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Al, P, S, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo, As and Pb) in different seed parts (the rhizome, pericarp, carpel, seed coat and kernel) of the above species and their possible use in the nutritional supplements industry. The concentrations of total polyphenols, flavonoids and minerals ranged from 407 to 3144 mg rutin hydrate/100 g, 24 to 3070 mg quercetin/100 g and 1433 to 7928 mg/100 g, respectively. K, Ca, P and S were abundant in these herbal fruits. In two species of herbal fruits, Terminalia arjuna and Terminalia chebula, only part of the seed structure was suitable for use in nutritional supplements.

Economic fluctuations and educational inequalities in premature ischemic heart disease mortality in Argentina / Variaciones económicas y desigualdades educativas en la mortalidad prematura por enfermedad isquémica en Argentina / Flutuações econômicas e desigualdades educacionais na mortalidade prematura por doença isquêmica na Argentina

Abstract: Although mortality from ischemic heart disease has declined over the past decades in Argentina, ischemic heart disease remains one of the most frequent causes of death. This study aimed to describe the role of individual and contextual factors on premature ischemic heart disease mortality and to analyze how educational differentials in premature ischemic heart disease mortality changed during economic fluctuations in two provinces of Argentina from 1990 to 2018. To test the relationship between individual (age, sex, and educational level) and contextual (urbanization, poverty, and macroeconomic variations) factors, a multilevel Poisson model was estimated. When controlling for the level of poverty at the departmental level, we observed inequalities in premature ischemic heart disease mortality according to the educational level of individuals, affecting population of low educational level. Moreover, economic expansion was related to an increase in ischemic heart disease mortality, however, expansion years were not associated with increasing educational inequalities in ischemic heart disease mortality. At the departmental level, we found no contextual association beween area-related socioeconomic level and the risk of ischemic heart disease mortality. Despite the continuing decline in ischemic heart disease mortality in Argentina, this study highlighted that social inequalities in mortality risk increased over time. Therefore, prevention policies should be more focused on populations of lower socioeconomic status in Argentina.

Resumen: Si bien la mortalidad por cardiopatía isquémica ha disminuido en las últimas décadas en Argentina, la cardiopatía isquémica sigue siendo una de las causas más frecuentes de muerte. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron describir el papel de los factores individuales y contextuales en la mortalidad prematura por cardiopatía isquémica y analizar cómo estos cambiaron las diferencias educativas en la mortalidad prematura por cardiopatía isquémica durante las variaciones económicas en dos provincias de Argentina durante el periodo 1990-2018. Para probar la relación entre los factores individuales (edad, género y nivel de educación) y contextuales (urbanización, pobreza y variaciones macroeconómicas), se estimó un modelo de Poisson multinivel. Controlando el nivel de pobreza en el ámbito departamental, se observaron desigualdades en la mortalidad prematura por cardiopatía isquémica según el nivel de educación de los individuos, lo que afecta a la población con bajo nivel de educación; la expansión económica se relacionó con el aumento de la mortalidad por cardiopatía isquémica; sin embargo, el periodo de expansión no estuvo asociado a aumentos de las desigualdades educativas en la mortalidad por cardiopatía isquémica. En el ámbito departamental no se detectó asociación entre el nivel socioeconómico de la área y el riesgo de mortalidad por cardiopatía isquémica. A pesar de la disminución continua de la mortalidad por cardiopatía isquémica en Argentina, este estudio destaca que las desigualdades sociales con relación al riesgo de mortalidad tuvieron un aumento con el tiempo. Por lo tanto, las políticas de prevención deberán dirigirse más a las poblaciones de menor nivel socioeconómico en Argentina.

Resumo: Embora a mortalidade por doença isquêmica do coração tenha diminuído nas últimas décadas na Argentina, a doença isquêmica do coração continua sendo uma das causas mais frequentes de morte. Os objetivos deste estudo foram descrever o papel de fatores individuais e contextuais na mortalidade prematura por doença isquêmica do coração e analisar como as diferenças educacionais na mortalidade prematura por doença isquêmica do coração mudaram durante as flutuações econômicas em duas províncias da Argentina durante o período 1990-2018. Para testar a relação entre fatores individuais (idade, sexo e escolaridade) e contextuais (urbanização, pobreza e variações macroeconômicas), estimou-se um modelo de Poisson multinível. Controlando o nível de pobreza no nível departamental, observaram-se desigualdades na mortalidade prematura por doença isquêmica do coração de acordo com o nível educacional dos indivíduos, afetando a população de baixa escolaridade; a expansão econômica esteve relacionada ao aumento da mortalidade por doença isquêmica do coração; no entanto, os anos de expansão não foram associados a aumentos nas desigualdades educacionais na mortalidade por doença isquêmica do coração. No nível departamental, não foi detectada uma associação contextual entre nível socioeconômico da área e risco de mortalidade por doença isquêmica do coração. Apesar do contínuo declínio da mortalidade por doença isquêmica do coração na Argentina, este estudo destaca que as desigualdades sociais em relação ao risco de mortalidade aumentaram ao longo do tempo. Portanto, as políticas de prevenção devem ser mais focadas nas populações de menor nível socioeconômico na Argentina.

Monodelphis domestica Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Reveal Metatherian Pluripotency Architecture.

Marsupials have been a powerful comparative model to understand mammalian biology. However, because of the unique characteristics of their embryology, marsupial pluripotency architecture remains to be fully understood, and nobody has succeeded in developing embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from any marsupial species. We have developed an integration-free iPSC reprogramming method and established validated iPSCs from two inbred strains of a marsupial, Monodelphis domestica. The monoiPSCs showed a significant (6181 DE-genes) and highly uniform (r2 [95% CI] = 0.973 ± 0.007) resetting of the cellular transcriptome and were similar to eutherian ESCs and iPSCs in their overall transcriptomic profiles. However, monoiPSCs showed unique regulatory architecture of the core pluripotency transcription factors and were more like marsupial epiblasts. Our results suggest that POU5F1 and the splice-variant-specific expression of POU5F3 synergistically regulate the opossum pluripotency gene network. It is plausible that POU5F1, POU5F3 splice variant XM_016427856.1, and SOX2 form a self-regulatory network. NANOG expression, however, was specific to monoiPSCs and epiblasts. Furthermore, POU5F1 was highly expressed in trophectoderm cells, whereas all other pluripotency transcription factors were significantly downregulated, suggesting that the regulatory architecture of core pluripotency genes of marsupials may be distinct from that of eutherians.

Seeds as Potential Sources of Phenolic Compounds and Minerals for the Indian Population.

Seeds are major sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds for human beings. In this work, the chemical composition and physicochemical properties of 155 Indian seeds (belonging to 49 families) are reported. Moisture and ash were measured with reference protocols from AOAC; total polyphenols and flavonoids were measured with spectrophotometric methods after extraction with organic solvents, and mineral elements were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrophotometry. Total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and mineral contents (Al, Ba, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, Rb, S, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) were found to vary in the ranges 182−5000, 110−4465 and 687−7904 mg/100 g (DW), respectively. Noticeably, polyphenol contents higher than 2750 mg/100 g were observed in 18 seeds. In addition, mineral contents >5000 mg/100 g were detected in the seeds from Cuminum cyminum, Foeniculum vulgare, Commiphora wightii, Parkia javanica, Putranjiva roxburghii, Santalum album and Strychnos potatorum. Botanical and taxonomical variations in the proximate characteristics of the examined seeds are also discussed.

Ventilator-associated events in children: A multicentre prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) broadened the focus of surveillance from ventilator-associated pneumonia to ventilator-associated event (VAE) for quality purposes. No paediatric definition of VAE (PaedVAE) has been accurately validated. We aimed to analyse the incidence and impact on patient outcomes resulting from the application of the adult and two paediatric VAE (PaedVAE) criteria. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: to evaluate VAE/PaedVAE as factors associated with increased duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) stay. METHODS: Multicentre observational prospective cohort study in 15 PICUs in Spain. VAEs were assessed using the 2013/2015 CDC classification. PaedVAE were assessed using the CDC definition based on mean airway pressure (MAP-PaedVAE) versus a paediatric definition based on positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP-PaedVAE). Children who underwent MV ≥ 48 h were included. RESULTS: A total of 3626 ventilator-days in 391 patients were analysed. The incidence of VAE, MAP-PaedVAE and PEEP-PaedVAE was 8.55, 5.24 and 20.96 per 1000 ventilator-days, respectively. The median time [IQR] for VAE, MAP-PaedVAE and PEEP-PaedVAE development from the MV onset was 4 [3-12.5], 4 [3-14], and 5 [3-7.75] days, respectively. Among survivors, all three were associated with increased MV duration (> 7 days) and PICU stay (> 10 days) at univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that PEEP-PaedVAE was the only definition independently associated with MV above 7 days [OR = 4.86, 95% CI (2.41-10.11)] and PICU stay [OR = 3.49, 95% CI (1.68-7.80)] above ten days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A VAE definition based on slight PEEP increases should be preferred for VAE surveillance in children.

Acutely Symptomatic Hypoperfusion Through an Occluded Subclavian to Internal Carotid Artery Bypass Graft: Salvage Mechanical Thrombectomy and Graft Revascularization.

This middle-aged patient had undergone surgical placement of a left subclavian to internal carotid artery bypass graft five years ago for treatment of symptomatic, chronic, bilateral carotid occlusions. The patient was neurologically intact after the procedure and until the day of presentation with symptoms of an acute left anterior circulation stroke. Initial workup confirmed acute occlusion of the graft as the cause of the patient's symptoms. Endovascular recanalization of the bypass graft in the setting of chronic bilateral carotid occlusions was a technical and conceptual challenge. Simultaneous radial and femoral vascular access allowed for direct recanalization of the graft (through thrombectomy, angioplasty, and stent placement) with intraoperative patency surveillance of the circle of Willis via the posterior circulation. Most of the neurological deficits improved, and the patient was discharged to rehabilitation close to neurologic baseline.

Sex Differences in the Amount and Patterns of Car-Driving Exposure in Spain, 2014 to 2017: An Application of a Quasi-Induced Exposure Approach.

We designed a cross-sectional study in Spain, from 2014 to 2017. Our objective was to assess sex-related differences in the amount of driving exposure of car drivers, overall and stratified by the main environment-related driving conditions. We compared the sex distribution across three populations: (1) total number of person-years aged > 18 years; (2) total number of person-years aged > 18 years holding a valid car-driving license; and (3) total number of non-responsible car drivers involved in crashes with another offending driver, stratified by different environmental variables. The quasi-induced exposure approach was applied: the non-responsible drivers were considered as representative of the entire population of drivers on the road at the place and time at which the crash occurred. We calculated the female-to-male odds ratio (OR) by comparing population 2 versus 1, and population 3 versus 2. Finally, we performed separate regression models in population 3 for each environment-related variable as the dependent variable and driver's age and sex as the independent variables. The female-to-male OR for the first comparison was 1.12, but values below 1 were found for extreme age groups. In the second comparison, an OR of 0.50 (0.49-0.51) was found, with progressively lower OR values as age increased. In population 3, women were found to drive less than men in environments known to be high risk (i.e., open roads, night-time, poor light conditions, and weekends). A significant gender gap exists in the amount and type of driving exposure. Although women obtain a driving license more frequently than men, they drive much less and tend to avoid high-risk environments. These results emphasize the need to incorporate a gender perspective in the development and implementation of road safety interventions.

Are Wealthier Times Healthier in Cities? Economic Fluctuations and Mortality in Urban Areas of Latin America.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between economic conditions and mortality in cities of Latin America. Methods: We analyzed data from 340 urban areas in ten countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and El Salvador. We used panel models adjusted for space-invariant and time-invariant factors to examine whether changes in area gross domestic product (GDP) per capita were associated with changes in mortality. Results: We find procyclical oscillations in mortality (i.e., higher mortality with higher GDP per capita) for total mortality, female population, populations of 0-9 and 45+ years, mortality due to cardiovascular diseases, malignant neoplasms, diabetes mellitus, respiratory infections and road traffic injuries. Homicides appear countercyclical, with higher levels at lower GDP per capita. Conclusions: Our results reveal large heterogeneity, but in our sample of cities, for specific population groups and causes of death, mortality oscillates procyclically, increasing when GDP per capita increases. In contrast we find few instances of countercyclical mortality.