Oleic acid reduces oxidative stress in rat brain induced by some anticancer drugs.

Oleic acid (OA) is a monounsaturated compound with many health-benefitting properties such as obesity prevention, increased insulin sensitivity, antihypertensive and immune-boosting properties, etc. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of oleic acid (OA) and some anticancer drugs against oxidative damage induced by nitropropionic acid (NPA) in rat brain. Six groups of Wistar rats were treated as follows: Group 1, (control); group 2, OA; group 3, NPA + OA; group 4, cyclophosphamide (CPP) + OA; group 5, daunorubicin (DRB) + OA; and group 6, dexrazoxane (DXZ) + OA. All compounds were administered intraperitoneally route, every 24 h for 5 days. Their brains were extracted to measure lipoperoxidation (TBARS), H2O2, Ca+2, Mg+2 ATPase activity, glutathione (GSH) and dopamine. Glucose, hemoglobin and triglycerides were measured in blood. In cortex GSH increased in all groups, except in group 2, the group 4 showed the highest increase of this biomarker. TBARS decrease, and dopamine increase in all regions of groups 4, 5 and 6. H2O2 increased only in cerebellum/medulla oblongata of group 5 and 6. ATPase expression decreased in striatum of group 4. Glucose increased in group 6, and hemoglobin increased in groups 4 and 5. These results suggest that the increase of dopamine and the antioxidant effect of oleic acid administration during treatment with oncologic agents could result in less brain injury.

N-Acetylcysteine Attenuates Cisplatin Toxicity in the Cerebrum and Lung of Young Rats with Artificially Induced Protein Deficiency.

Neurotoxicity is a major obstacle in the effectiveness of Cisplatin in cancer chemotherapy. In this process, oxidative stress and inflammation are considered to be the main mechanisms involved in brain and lung toxicity. The aim of the present work was to study the influence of the amount of protein on some oxidative parameters in the brain and lungs of rats treated with Cisplatin (CP) and N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) as neuroprotectors. Four groups of Wistar rats, each containing six animals, were fed with a protein diet at 7% for 15 days. Thereafter, the groups were given either a unique dose of CP® 5 mg/kg or NAC® 5 mg/kg as follows: group 1 (control), NaCl 0.9% vehicle; group 2, CP; group 3, NAC; and group 4, NAC + CP. The animals were sacrificed immediately after the treatments. Blood samples were collected upon sacrifice and used to measure blood triglycerides and glucose. The brain and lungs of each animal were obtained and used to assay lipid peroxidation (TBARS), glutathione (GSH), serotonin metabolite (5-HIAA), catalase, and the activity of Ca+2, and Mg+2 ATPase using validated methods. TBARS, H2O2, and GSH were found to be significantly decreased in the cortex and cerebellum/medulla oblongata of the groups treated with CP and NAC. The total ATPase showed a significant increase in the lung and cerebellum/medulla oblongata, while 5-HIAA showed the same tendency in the cortex of the same group of animals. The increase in 5-HIAA and ATPase during NAC and CP administration resulted in brain protection. This effect could be even more powerful when membrane fluidity is increased, thus proving the efficacy of combined NAC and CP drug therapy, which appears to be a promising strategy for future chemotherapy in malnourished patients.

Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins and Cellular Senescence Are Involved in the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Fibrosis in a Mouse Model.

Background and Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent worldwide. It progresses from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Fibrosis is often present during NAFLD progression; however, factors determining which subjects develop NASH or fibrosis are unclear. Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) are a family of secreted proteins involved in senescence and scarring, mainly synthetized in the liver. Here, we aimed to study the association of IGFBPs and their induced senescence with the progression of NAFLD and liver fibrosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 16-week-old male C57BL/6 mice weighing 23 ± 3 g were fed either methionine/choline-deficient (MCD) or control diet for 2, 8, or 12 weeks. Blood and liver samples were collected, and a histological assessment of NAFLD and fibrosis was performed. Fat contents were measured. Cellular senescence was evaluated in the liver. IGFBP levels were assessed in the liver and serum. Data were expressed as mean ± SD and analyzed by a one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test. Lineal regression models were applied for NAFLD and fibrosis progression. p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: IGFBP-1 and -2 were increased in serum during NAFLD. IGFBP-7 was significantly increased in the serum in NASH compared with the controls. Senescence increased in NAFLD. Serum and liver IGFBP-7 as well as SA-ß-gal activity increased as fibrosis progressed. Both IGFBP-7 and cellular senescence were significantly higher during NAFLD and fibrosis in MCD-fed mice. Conclusions: IGFBP-1, -2, and -7, through their consequent senescence, have a role in the progression of NAFLD and its associated fibrosis, being a plausible determinant in the progression from steatosis to NASH.

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Cervical Spine Degeneration Reveal Frequent Cervicolumbar Tandem Spinal Stenosis in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Limited literature exists regarding the differences in demographics, causes, comorbidities, presentation, and structural changes associated with cervical spine degeneration in patients from distinct geographic regions. The authors aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with cervical spine degeneration admitted to a single center in Mexico. METHODS: This study enrolled patients with degenerative disease of the cervical spine. Clinical data were retrieved from medical records and retrospectively characterized. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients with cervical spine degeneration were included in the analysis. Of these, 26% were men with a median age of 54 years. Hypertension, depression, anxiety, obesity, and alcohol consumption were presented in about a quarter of the participants. In addition, we observed hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia in 72% and 46% of participants, respectively. The median duration of symptoms was 11 months, including radicular arm/neck pain (80%), tingling (80%), reduced muscle strength (48%), and gait disturbances (48%). Forty percent of patients had 2 cervical segments radiologically involved, mainly at C5-C6, with changes such as disc herniation (88%), foraminal stenosis with nerve root compression (67%), reduced spinal canal-to-vertebral body ratio (38%), and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy (24%). Also, 22% of patients showed degenerative cervical myelopathy. Strikingly, 48% of enrolled individuals showed cervicolumbar tandem spinal stenosis, mainly in L4-L5 and L5-S1, who were generally older, had a longer duration of symptoms, and had a higher comorbidity burden, including hyperglycemia, hypertension, and depression. CONCLUSIONS: The demographic and clinical characteristics of degenerative cervical spine disease in Mexico differ with respect to other geographical regions by a younger age of diagnosis, a high frequency of cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental health comorbidities, and an increased prevalence of concomitant lumbar spinal stenosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our findings reveal a considerably high burden of cervicolumbar tandem spinal stenosis as a distinctive feature of Mexican patients with cervical spine degeneration.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Migraine Patients in Latin America.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, confinement, fear, lifestyle changes, and worldwide health care impacted almost all diseases. Reports from countries outside Latin America revealed differences in migraine patients. In this study, we describe and compare the immediate changes in migraine symptoms associated with COVID-19 quarantine in patients from Argentina, Mexico, and Peru. An online survey was conducted from May to July 2020. The survey was answered by 243 migraine patients, with questions related to sociodemographic data, quarantine conditions, changes in working conditions, physical activity, coffee intake, healthcare access, acute migraine medication use, symptoms of anxiety, depression, and fear of COVID-19. The results show that 48.6% of migraine patients experienced worsened symptoms, 15.6% improved, and 35.8% remained unchanged. Worsening migraine symptoms were associated with staying at home during the lockdown. Intake of analgesics was associated with an increase in migraine symptoms of 18 times relative to those who did not increase their intake. Migraine symptoms improved when the number of sleep hours was increased, and we observed an improvement when patients decreased analgesic intake. The uncertainty about the end of the pandemic, the news, and social media are three items that contributed to the worsening of migraine symptoms in patients in the three investigated countries. Confinement during the first pandemic wave in Latin America harmed migraine patients who stayed home during the lockdown.

Effect of 3D-MOT training on the execution of manual dexterity skills in a population of older adults with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia.

Computerized cognitive training tools are an alternative to preventive treatments related to cognitive impairment and aging. In this study, the transfer of 3D multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) training on manual dexterity concerning fine and gross motor skills in 38 elderly participants, half of them with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the other half with mild dementia (MD) was explored. A total of 36 sessions of the 3D-MOT training program were administered to the subjects. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test was used to assess the baseline cognitive status of the participants. Two batteries of manual motor skills (GPT and MMDT) were applied before and after the 3D-MOT training program. The results showed an interaction effect of training and improvement in manual dexterity tests, from the first training session until the fifteenth session, and after this range of sessions, the interaction effect was lost. However, the training effect continued to the end of the thirty-six-session program. The experimental results show the effect of cognitive training on the improvement of motor skills in older adults. This type of intervention could have a broad impact on the aging population in terms of their attention, executive functions, and therefore, their quality of life.

Percepción de estudiantes de Enfermería sobre la adquisición de habilidades clínicas en tiempos de COVID-19 / Perception by Nursing students about clinical skill acquisition in times of COVID-19

Objetivo: identificar la percepción que tienen los estudiantes de Enfermería sobre la adquisición de habilidades clínicas durante la pandemia por COVID-19 y analizar si está asociada con el semestre que están cursando y con haber realizado práctica clínica en escenarios reales. Método: se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo transversal con estudiantes de Enfermería de una universidad pública de Zacatecas, México (N= 1.033). Se administró vía electrónica el segundo apartado del cuestionario Clinical Competency Questionnaire traducido al español con un alfa de Cronbach= 0,969. Se analizó la asociación de las habilidades clínicas con el semestre cursado y la experiencia mediante la prueba de Chi cuadrado con una significancia estadística de p≤ 0,05. Resultados: respondieron un total de N= 82 estudiantes. La media de edad fue de 20,7 (DE:1,40), el 87,8% era mujer en su mayoría del séptimo semestre (40,2%). Un 50% se percibió con habilidades clínicas deficientes; un 34,1%, sin habilidades clínicas y un 15,9%, con habilidades clínicas competentes. Los estudiantes de quinto semestre se percibieron con menores habilidades clínicas (p= 0,006), al igual que aquellos que no habían cursado práctica clínica antes de la pandemia (p= 0,005). Conclusiones: a partir de la pandemia, las habilidades en la práctica clínica son percibidas como nulas o deficientes por los estudiantes de Enfermería, por lo que se requiere implementar cambios en la metodología de enseñanza-aprendizaje, transitar a un modelo híbrido e integrador con intervenciones educativas efectivas y que demuestren el desarrollo de los dominios en este tipo de habilidades para cumplir con el perfil de egreso planteado.(AU)

Objective: to understand the perception by Nursing students about the acquisition of clinical skills during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to analyse if this is associated with the semester they are currently taking and with conducting clinical practice in real settings. Method: a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with Nursing students from a public university in Zacatecas, Mexico (N= 1,033). The second section of the Clinical Competency Questionnaire in its Spanish translation was administered online, with Cronbach’s alpha= 0.969. The association between the clinical skills and the semester studied and experience was analysed through Chi-squared test withp≤ 0.05 as statistical significance. Results: in total, N= 82 students participated. Their mean age was 20.7 (SD:1.40), 87.8% were female, and the majority were in their seventh semester (40.2%). 50% of them perceived that their clinical skills were poor, 34.1% stated they had no clinical skills, and 15.9% perceived that their clinical skills were proficient. Students in their fifth semester perceived their clinical skills as lower (p= 0.006), as well as those who had not had any clinical practice before the pandemic (p= 0.005). Conclusions: after the pandemic, clinical practice skills are perceived as non-existent or poor by Nursing students; therefore, it is necessary to implement changes in the teaching-learning methodology, to move to a hybrid and inclusive model with effective educational interventions which demonstrate the development of domains in this type of skills, in order to meet the proposed profile of graduation.

Characterization of cyclic alternating pattern in infants with laryngomalacia.

Objective: Cyclic alternanting pattern (CAP) has been considered a marker of sleep instability in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the CAP in infants with laryngomalacia. Material and Methods: CAP were quantified in 15 infants with laryngomalacia (mean age 167.2±97.21 days) and 10 controls (mean age of 158.5±116.2 days) using polysomnography. Results: The distribution of the A2 subtypes across NREM stages in infants with laryngomalacia showed a decrease, as well as in the mean duration of CAP sequences. The A3 CAP and arousals increased in infants with laryngomalacia. Our data showed a stronger correlation between the mean duration of A1 CAP and the age in healthy controls than in infants with laryngomalacia. In accordance to previous reports infants with laryngomalacia exhibited an increase in total awake time, apnea-hypopnea index, and a decrease in N3 stage compared to controls. Discussion: Our findings add to a growing body of literature of CAP as an indicator of brain maturation.

Paciente masculino con síndrome antifosfolipídico con compromiso cardiopulmonar y renal. Caso clínico / Male patient with antiphospholipid syndrome with cardiopulmonary and renal involvement. Case report

Objetivo: Analizar el caso clínico de un paciente masculino con síndrome antifosfolipídico con compromiso cardiovascular y renal en el Hospital Regional docente Ambato, detallando factores que provocaron en el paciente el desarrollo de complicaciones y las medidas a tomar para establecer un diagnóstico adecuado y el tratamiento integral. Método: Análisis del caso clínico del paciente masculino de 28 años de edad. Resultados y conclusiones: En el caso clínico expuesto; el estado de hipercoagulabilidad del paciente causó patologías tromboembólicas en diferentes niveles de aparatos y sistemas; estos fueron: trombosis pulmonar aguda que se complicó al presentar el paciente una NAC, trombos en la aurícula derecha, hipertensión pulmonar y trombocitopenia. Los criterios clásicos que deben estar presentes en el síndrome antifosfolípido son: presencia de anticuerpos anticardiolipina o anticoagulante lúpico, las complicaciones trombóticas, y si la paciente es de sexo femenino se incluyen un criterio extra que son los abortos espontáneos.

Objective: To analyze the clinical case of a male patient with antiphospholipid syndrome with cardiovascular and renal involvement at the Hospital Regional docente Ambato, detailing factors that caused the development of complications in the patient and the measures to be taken to establish an adequate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. Methods: Analysis of the clinical case of a 28-year-old male patient. Results and conclusions: In the clinical case presented; the hypercoagulable state of the patient caused thromboembolic pathologies at different levels of apparatus and systems; these were: acute pulmonary thrombosis which was complicated by the patient presenting with CAP, thrombi in the right atrium, pulmonary hypertension and thrombocytopenia. The classic criteria that must be present in antiphospholipid syndrome are: presence of anticardiolipin antibodies or lupus anticoagulant, thrombotic complications, and if the patient is female an extra criterion is included which are spontaneous abortions.

Morbimortalidad en pacientes COVID-19 positivo / Morbimortality in COVID-19 positive patients

Objetivo: Descripción de la actualidad de la morbimortalidad de pacientes COVID-19 positivo en el Hospital General Docente "Ambato", para comprender el comportamiento del virus. Método: Descriptiva observacional y análisis de casos de morbimortalidad de pacientes. Resultados: La mayor prevalencia de casos COVID-19 se encuentra en adultos maduros (40-65 años) con un 48.1% de los casos registrados. Conclusión: La patogenia en pacientes COVID-19; en los registros proporcionados por el Hospital General Docente Ambato, se evidencia que la existencia de alguna comorbilidad de transcurso crónico, sobre todo en patologías cardiovasculares, respiratorias, renales y endocrino-metabólicas; sumándole a esto, en las poblaciones más vulnerables como son de adultos maduros (40 ­ 64 años de edad); de adultos mayores (> de 65 años); explicarían la tasa elevada de mortalidad y las implicaciones de la aparición de casos críticos, debido a la gravedad de las complicaciones evolutivas conduciendo a la vida humana a un desenlace fatal.

Objective: Description of the current morbimortality of COVID-19 positive patients at the Hospital General Docente "Ambato", in order to understand the behavior of the virus. Method: Descriptive observational and case analysis of patient morbimortality. Results: the highest prevalence of COVID-19 cases is found in mature adults (40-65 years) with 48.1% of registered cases. Conclusion: The pathogenesis in COVID-19 patients; in the records provided by the Hospital General Docente Ambato, it is evident that the existence of some comorbidity of chronic course, especially in cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and endocrine-metabolic pathologies; adding to this, in the most vulnerable populations such as mature adults (40 - 64 years of age); older adults (> 65 years of age); would explain the high mortality rate and the implications of the appearance of critical cases, due to the severity of the evolutionary complications leading to a fatal outcome in human life.

Auditory and visual P300 event-related potentials to detect minimal hepatic encephalopathy

Introduction: the diagnosis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) requires psychometric tests, although new methods are needed since their sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy are low. The P300 event-related potential (ERP) is obtained by auditory and visual stimuli, although only the auditory P300 has been used to detect MHE. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic features of auditory and visual P300 to detect MHE.Materials and methods: sixty patients with liver cirrhosis and thirty-five healthy controls completed the Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES), the critical flicker frequency (CFF), and auditory and visual P300 tests. MHE was diagnosed if PHES and CFF scores were abnormal.Results: fifty-three cirrhotic patients (aged 54.5 ± 8.6 years) completed all tests. Abnormal scores were obtained for PHES (49.1 %) and CFF (67.9 %). The proportion of MHE was 21.4 %. The area under the receiver operating (ROC) curves (AUROC) for auditory P300 was better than for visual P300 for distinguishing MHE from controls (AUROC: 0.792 vs 0.725; p < 0.005 for both; accuracy: 73.8 % vs 70.2 %; sensitivity: 72.2 % for both; specificity: 74.2 vs 69.7, respectively). Among cirrhotic patients, only auditory P300 was useful to detect MHE (AUROC: 0.723; p < 0.05; 77.4 % accuracy; 61.1 % sensitivity, and 81.8 % specificity). Conclusions: auditory P300 sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were similar to those of CFF. Our results showed that only auditory P300 is useful to differentiate patients with MHE, although both modalities, auditory and visual, differentiated patients with cirrhosis from controls. Thus, we consider that visual P300 is not suitable for detecting MHE. (AU)

Auditory and visual P300 event-related potentials to detect minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

INTRODUCTION: the diagnosis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) requires psychometric tests, although new methods are needed since their sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy are low. The P300 event-related potential (ERP) is obtained by auditory and visual stimuli, although only the auditory P300 has been used to detect MHE. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic features of auditory and visual P300 to detect MHE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: sixty patients with liver cirrhosis and thirty-five healthy controls completed the Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES), the critical flicker frequency (CFF), and auditory and visual P300 tests. MHE was diagnosed if PHES and CFF scores were abnormal. RESULTS: fifty-three cirrhotic patients (aged 54.5 ± 8.6 years) completed all tests. Abnormal scores were obtained for PHES (49.1 %) and CFF (67.9 %). The proportion of MHE was 21.4 %. The area under the receiver operating (ROC) curves (AUROC) for auditory P300 was better than for visual P300 for distinguishing MHE from controls (AUROC: 0.792 vs 0.725; p < 0.005 for both; accuracy: 73.8 % vs 70.2 %; sensitivity: 72.2 % for both; specificity: 74.2 vs 69.7, respectively). Among cirrhotic patients, only auditory P300 was useful to detect MHE (AUROC: 0.723; p < 0.05; 77.4 % accuracy; 61.1 % sensitivity, and 81.8 % specificity). CONCLUSIONS: auditory P300 sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were similar to those of CFF. Our results showed that only auditory P300 is useful to differentiate patients with MHE, although both modalities, auditory and visual, differentiated patients with cirrhosis from controls. Thus, we consider that visual P300 is not suitable for detecting MHE.

Inflammatory Process and Immune System in Major Depressive Disorder.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric illnesses in the general population. In mental disorders, the activation of inflammatory pathways in the brain is a major producer of excitotoxicity and an inducer of oxidative stress. The occurrence of these 2 events is partly responsible for the neuronal damage inherent in patients with mental disorders. In the case of MDD, the release of hormone and increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in plasma and indicators of oxidative stress have been identified as consequences of this event. The most important affectations in patients with MDD are changes in their cognitive and executive functions due to brain inflammation. Hence, these biomarkers can serve as diagnostic and severity classification tools and treatment. In this work, we described the communication pathway between the immune and neuroendocrine systems in MDD and suggested possible therapeutic options for the disease.

Effect of the accumulation of risk factors on the risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma / [Efecto de la acumulación de factores de riesgo en el riesgo de carcinoma de células escamosas bucal]

Introduction: the causative factors of oral squamous cell carcinoma are not necessary and not sufficient causes, even the most accepted ones, such as tobacco and alcohol. Little is known about the cumulative effect of all risk factors for oral cancer. The objective of this work was to analyze whether the sum of oral cancer risk factors is associated with an increase in its risk. Methods: a case-control study was carried out to determine the risk factors for oral cancer in the population under study, and then correlate the number of risk factors in each individual with the risk of oral cancer. Results: the accumulation of oral cancer risk factors, analyzed using different strategies, was always associated with a significant increase in the risk of oral cancer. Having 3 or more risk factors was associated with an increased risk of oral cancer (OR 110, p <0.0001) Conclusion: the main risk factor for oral cancer is the accumulation of its risk factors. The accumulation of risk factors could be considered a necessary cause for the development of oral cancer.

Introducción: los factores causales de carcinoma de células escamosas bucal son causas no necesarias y no suficientes, incluso los más aceptados, como tabaco y alcohol. Poco se conoce sobre el efecto acumulativo de todos los factores de riesgo de cáncer bucal. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar si la sumatoria de factores de riesgo de cáncer bucal se asocia con un aumento de su riesgo. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de casos y controles para determinar los factores de riesgo de cáncer bucal en la población bajo estudio, para luego correlacionar el número de factores de riesgo en cada individuo, con el riesgo de cáncer bucal. Resultados: la acumulación de factores de riesgo de cáncer bucal, analizada mediante diferentes estrategias, estuvo siempre asociada con un aumento significativo del riesgo de cáncer bucal. Tener 3 o más factores de riesgo estuvo asociado con mayor riesgo de cáncer bucal (OR 110, p<0,0001) Conclusión: el principal factor de riesgo de cáncer bucal es la acumulación de sus factores de riesgo. La acumulación de factores de riesgo podría considerarse una causa necesaria para el desarrollo de cáncer bucal.

Glycolipid-Containing Nanoparticle Vaccine Engages Invariant NKT Cells to Enhance Humoral Protection against Systemic Bacterial Infection but Abrogates T-Independent Vaccine Responses.

CD4+ T cells enable the critical B cell humoral immune protection afforded by most effective vaccines. We and others have recently identified an alternative source of help for B cells in mice, invariant NK T (iNKT) cells. iNKT cells are innate glycolipid-specific T cells restricted to the nonpolymorphic Ag-presenting molecule CD1d. As such, iNKT cells respond to glycolipids equally well in all people, making them an appealing adjuvant for universal vaccines. We tested the potential for the iNKT glycolipid agonist, α-galactosylceramide (αGC), to serve as an adjuvant for a known human protective epitope by creating a nanoparticle that delivers αGC plus antigenic polysaccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae αGC-embedded nanoparticles activate murine iNKT cells and B cells in vitro and in vivo, facilitate significant dose sparing, and avoid iNKT anergy. Nanoparticles containing αGC plus S. pneumoniae polysaccharides elicits robust IgM and IgG in vivo and protect mice against lethal systemic S. pneumoniae However, codelivery of αGC via nanoparticles actually eliminated Ab protection elicited by a T-independent S. pneumoniae vaccine. This is consistent with previous studies demonstrating iNKT cell help for B cells following acute activation, but negative regulation of B cells during chronic inflammation. αGC-containing nanoparticles represent a viable platform for broadly efficacious vaccines against deadly human pathogens, but their potential for eliminating B cells under certain conditions suggests further clarity on iNKT cell interactions with B cells is warranted.

Nerve preservation during partial sacrectomy by two-stage anterior and posterior approach: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Preserving the neurological function of sacral nerves during total or partial sacrectomy is challenging. OBSERVATIONS: The authors describe a case of an osseous desmoplastic fibroma of the sacrum in a 51-year-old woman. The patient attended the authors' institution with loss of muscle strength and sensitivity impairment in both legs, gait instability, bowel constipation, urinary incontinence, and weight loss. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed intrapelvic and posterior extension of the tumor but sparing of S1 and the sacroiliac and lumbosacral joints. After a multidisciplinary discussion of the case, a staged anterior-posterior approach to the sacrum was chosen. The abdominal approach allowed full mobilization of the uterus, ovaries, bladder, and colon and protection of iliac vessels. After tumor resection, a synthetic surgical mesh was placed over the sacrum to minimize soft tissue defects. Then, the posterior stage allowed the authors to perform a bicortical osteotomy, achieving wide tumor excision with minimal nerve root injury. Spinopelvic fixation was not necessary, because both sacroiliac and lumbosacral joints remained intact. A few days after the surgery, the patient restarted ambulation and recovered sphincter control. LESSONS: Multidisciplinary planning and a staged abdominal and posterior approach for partial sacrectomy were fundamental to preserve neurological function in this case.

Chronic subclinical spondylotic myelopathy exacerbated by COVID-19: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Besides typical respiratory symptoms, the coronavirus disease 2019, also known as COVID-19, is characterized by a wide range of neurological symptoms that result from the injury of the brain and peripheral nerves. Only a few reports have described the involvement of the spinal cord among COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, little is known about the risk of individuals with chronic degenerative conditions of the spine for acute neurological complications of COVID-19. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we describe the case of a 73-year-old man with a subclinical cervical multifocal spondylotic myelopathy that manifested neurological symptoms of spinal cord injury only some days after getting infected with SARS-CoV-2. The patient did not show any data associated with respiratory involvement and improved clinically after decompressive spinal surgery and administration of steroids. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first reported case of an acute exacerbation of a chronic degenerative condition of the spine caused by COVID-19.

Embryo development after vitrification of immature and in vitro-matured equine oocytes.

Effects of meiotic stage and cumulus status on development of equine oocytes after vitrification was evaluated. Immature oocytes with corona radiata (IMM); in vitro-matured oocytes with corona radiata (MAT CR+); and in vitro-matured oocytes denuded of cumulus (MAT CR-) were vitrified using the Cryotech® method. Warming medium was equilibrated either in 5% CO2 or Air. IMM oocytes underwent in vitro maturation after warming. Recovery, survival, and maturation rates, and cleavage and blastocyst rates after ICSI, were evaluated. Recovery was higher for oocytes warmed in CO2- than Air-equilibrated medium (86 ± 3 vs. 76.9 ± 4%, respectively). Maturation for all vitrified-warmed oocyte treatments (37 ± 6.5 to 45.9 ± 5.8%) was not different from control (50 ± 4.1%), except for MAT CR- CO2 (20.3 ± 4.6%). Cleavage for MAT CR- CO2 and Air groups was similar to control (67.7 ± 12.1, 71.4 ± 8.1, and 78 ± 5.3%, respectively). One blastocyst was produced (MAT CR + CO2), representing the first equine blastocyst reported after vitrification of an in vitro-matured oocyte.

Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Urinary Bladder Associated with Hypoglycemia: An Unusual Case of Doege-Potter Syndrome.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFT) are rare mesenchymal tumors, mostly benign. Less than 30 cases have been described for the urinary bladder, 2 of them malignant. These lesions show infrequent clinical and radiological usual features, making the diagnosis difficult. Therefore, an immunohistochemical and morphological comprehensive study, which will provide the main prognostic factors, is necessary for histological diagnosis. The hypoinsulinemic hypoglycemia, as a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with SFTs - also known as the Doege-Potter Syndrome - is an infrequent finding, and quite incidental when located in the bladder. In order to obtain a fair oncological result, the recommended procedure for this type of tumors is surgical exeresis with negative margins, including non-standardized chemotherapy/radiotherapy as an alternative treatment.