Porcine familial adenomatous polyposis model enables systematic analysis of early events in adenoma progression.

We compared gene expression in low and high-grade intraepithelial dysplastic polyps from pigs carrying an APC 1311 truncating mutation orthologous to human APC 1309 , analysing whole samples and microdissected dysplastic epithelium. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed differential expression of gene sets similar to human normal mucosa versus T1 stage polyps. Transcriptome analysis of whole samples revealed many differentially-expressed genes reflecting immune infiltration. Analysis of microdissected dysplastic epithelium was markedly different and showed increased expression in high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia of several genes known to be involved in human CRC; and revealed possible new roles for GBP6 and PLXND1. The pig model thus facilitates analysis of CRC pathogenesis.

Evaluación serológica de Leptospira interrogans en equinos pertenecientes a un centro ecuestre de la provincia de Linares, Chile / Serological evaluation of Leptospira interrogans in horses from an equestrian center in Linares province, Chile / Avaliação serológica da Leptospira interrogans em equinos pertencentes a um centro equestre da província de Linares, Chile

Resumen La leptospirosis es una enfermedad bacteriana caracterizada por producir clínicamente en equinos signos clínicos inespecíficos como fiebre, anemia, depresión, y otros específicos, como aborto, muerte neonatal y uveítis recurrente. La finalidad del trabajo fue determinar la seroprevalencia en 55 equinos pertenecientes al Centro Ecuestre de la Escuela Artillería de Linares, Región del Maule. Las muestras (suero), fueron obtenidas de animales sin distinción de sexo o edad y analizadas mediante el método de Aglutinación Microscópica (MAT) para nueve serovares a títulos de dilución de 1/100 o superiores. Determinando una seropositividad general del 65,4%, distribuido en los serovares: Autumnalis (54,5%), Bratislava (52,7%), Canicola (20%), Copenhageni (12,7%) y Hardjo (7,3%), mientras que para Pomona, Grippothyphosa, Bataviae y Ballum no se obtuvieron sueros reaccionantes. Finalmente, no se observó diferencia estadística significativa (P≥0,05) en los individuos reaccionantes según sexo y edad, demostrándose que a mayor edad menor es la seropositividad.

Abstract Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease characterized in horses by nonspecific clinical signs such as fever, anemia, depression; and specific signs such as abortion, neonatal death, and recurrent uveitis. The objective was to determine seroprevalence in 55 horses from the equestrian center of Linares Artillery School, located in the Maule region. Serum samples were obtained from animals of both sexes and several ages. Samples were analyzed by Microscopic agglutination (MAT) for nine serovars with dilution titles of 1:100 or higher. The overall seropositivity was 65.4%, distributed in the following serovars: autumnalis (54.5%), bratislava (52.7%), canicola (20%), copenhageni (12.7%), and hardjo (7.3%); whereas reacting sera were not obtained for pomona, grippothyphosa, ballum, or bataviae. Finally, no statistically significant difference was observed between sex or age (P≥ 0.05). Seropositivity was lower in older than in younger horses.

Resumo A leptospirose é uma doença bacteriana caracterizada por produzir em equinos alguns signos clínicos inespecíficos, como febre, anemia, depressão; e outros específicos, como aborto, morte neonatal e uveíte recorrente. A finalidade deste trabalho foi determinar a soroprevalência em 55 equinos pertencentes ao Centro Equestre da Escola de Artilharia de Linares, região de Maule no Chile. As amostras (soro) foram obtidas de animais sem distinção de sexo ou idade e analisadas pelo método de aglutinação microscópica (MAT) para nove serovares a títulos de diluição de 1/100 ou superiores. Determinando uma seropositividade geral de 65,4%, distribuído nos serovares: Autumnalis (54,5%), Bratislava (52,7%), Canicola (20%), Copenhageni (12,7%) e Hardjo (7,3%), enquanto que para Pomona, Grippothyphosa, Bataviae e Ballum não se obtiveram soros reacionantes. Finalmente, não houve diferença significativa (P≥0,05) nos indivíduos reacionantes segundo sexo e idade, conferindo que a maior idade menor é a seropositividade.

Development of a novel biocompatible polymer system for extended drug release in a next-generation drug-eluting stent.

Drug-eluting stents have proven superior to bare metal stents with lower restenosis rates. Local delivery of drugs from these stents is achieved in most cases with the help of biostable polymer coatings. However, since the polymer coating remains in the body well after all the drug is released, patients can potentially develop hypersensitivity to these polymers--leading to complications such as late-stent thrombosis. It is therefore important that the polymers are designed to be biocompatible and well tolerated by the body. The polymer coatings are also expected to be robust and provide good control over elution of the desired drug. This paper describes the development of a unique, proprietary polymer blend system, specially designed to meet these requirements. Mutually compatible, free-radical-initiated elastomeric polymers were designed to provide a robust coating and offer a steady, sustained release of the highly hydrophobic drug zotarolimus over an extended period. The polymer blend system is also well tolerated by the hydrophilic environment in vivo, as demonstrated through porcine studies.