The meninges host a unique compartment of regulatory T cells that bulwarks adult hippocampal neurogenesis.

Our knowledge about the meningeal immune system has recently burgeoned, particularly our understanding of how innate and adaptive effector cells are mobilized to meet brain challenges. However, information on how meningeal immunocytes guard brain homeostasis in healthy individuals remains sparse. This study highlights the heterogeneous and polyfunctional regulatory-T (Treg) cell compartment in the meninges. A Treg subtype specialized in controlling Th1-cell responses and another known to control responses in B-cell follicles were substantial components of this compartment, foretelling that punctual Treg-cell ablation rapidly unleashed interferon-gamma production by meningeal lymphocytes, unlocked their access to the brain parenchyma, and altered meningeal B-cell profiles. Distally, the hippocampus assumed a reactive state, with morphological and transcriptional changes in multiple glial-cell types; within the dentate gyrus, neural stem cells showed exacerbated death and desisted from further differentiation, associated with inhibition of spatial-reference memory. Thus, meningeal Treg cells are a multifaceted bulwark to brain homeostasis at steady-state. One sentence summary: A distinct population of regulatory T cells in the murine meninges safeguards homeostasis by keeping local interferon-γ-producing lymphocytes in check, thereby preventing their invasion of the parenchyma, activation of hippocampal glial cells, death of neural stem cells, and memory decay.

The Effects of Agave Fructans in a Functional Food Consumed by Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Irritable bowel syndrome displays three different subtypes: constipation (IBS-C), diarrhea (IBS-D), and mixed (IBS-M). Treatment with dietary fiber is used, with consideration given both to the chemical composition of the fiber and to the different subtypes of IBS. The IBS-D subtype is usually treated with a low-FODMAPs diet, whereas the IBS-C subtype suggests prebiotics and probiotics to promote microbiota restoration. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of employing agave fructans as the soluble fiber of a jelly (Gelyfun®gastro) containing 8 g per serving in the IBS-C group (n = 50), using a randomized, double-blind, time-limited trial for four weeks. We evaluated changes in the frequency and types of bowel movements through the Bristol scale, and the improvement of the condition was evaluated using quality of life (IBS-QOL) and anxiety-depression (HADS) scales. The main results were that the number of bowel movements increased by more than 80%, with at least one stool per day from fifteen days onwards, without a laxative effect for the group treated. Finally, the quality of life with the prebiotic jelly was significantly improved compared to the placebo in all specific domains, in addition to significantly reducing anxiety and depression.

A low-residue diet before colonoscopy tends to improve tolerability by patients with no differences in preparation quality: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The pre-colonoscopy diet traditionally involves 24 h of a clear liquid diet (CLD) in combination with a lavage solution; however, this preparation is poorly tolerated. AIM: To compare the impact on the quality of bowel cleansing and tolerability of a CLD versus a low-residue diet (LRD). METHODS: We performed a randomized trial. Subjects were randomized to CLD or LRD the day before of elective colonoscopy. All subjects received a 4-L preparation of single-dose PEG beginning 16 h prior to colonoscopy. The Boston bowel preparation scale was used to evaluate bowel cleansing; an adequate-quality preparation was defined as a score ≥ 2 per segment. RESULTS: A total of 205 subjects were included with a mean age (SD) of 55.6 (12.6) years; 133 (64.9%) of them were female. A total of 105 subjects were randomized to receive CLD and 100 to LRD. No significant differences in bowel preparation quality were observed between groups according to the section of colon: right colon (70% vs. 73%, p = 0.08), transverse colon (82% vs. 79%, p = 0.062), or left colon (80% vs. 78.7%, p = 0.28). There was a tendency toward less-frequent nausea (p = 0.08) and vomiting (p = 0.07) in patients with LRD. No differences between groups regarding ADR (12% vs. 10%) were noted. CONCLUSIONS: An LRD before colonoscopy resulted in a tendency toward improved tolerability by patients, with no differences in the quality of bowel preparation.

Rearthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint: A retrospective study of 600 arthroscopies.

PURPOSE: Arthroscopic surgery is an effective treatment for patients with temporomandibular disorders, releasing symptoms and restoring the mandibular function. In patients with poor arthroscopic outcomes, several options of treatment can be considered such as conservative nonsurgical therapy, open surgery, or a second arthroscopy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our results after 619 arthroscopies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 619 arthroscopies performed between 1996 and 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Outcome assessments were based on reductions in pain, measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), and improvement in maximal interincisal opening (MIO). The minimum follow-up period was 24 months. RESULTS: The incidence of TMJ reoperation in the 371 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery was 5.9%, with a mean time between surgeries of 66.73 months. Significant improvement between presurgical and postsurgical pain and presurgical and postsurgical MIO at months 6 and 12 were evident. The mean of preoperative MIO was 30.84 mm, which increased to 35.92 mm 1-year postsurgery, these results being statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In most of the cases the result of a new arthroscopy is satisfactory. Rearthroscopy of the TMJ is a valid and effective method for patients with a first unsuccessful arthroscopy.

Post-Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Follow-Up and Management in the VIATORR Era.

The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a non-selective portosystemic shunt created using endovascular techniques. The first TIPS was performed in Germany in 1988. The VIATORR self-expandable PTFE covered stent-graft (WL Gore, Flagstaff AZ) was approved by the FDA for a TIPS application in December of 2004. This stent-graft offers excellent shunt patency rates and it is possible that it has a beneficial effect on patient survival. Patient surveillance and post-procedural management have changed after the introduction of this stent-graft. This article presents the current management strategies that are followed at our Institution for patients who have undergone a TIPS procedure with a VIATORR stent graft including imaging follow-up, management of encephalopathy, medical management and nutritional aspects.

Repellents inhibit P450 enzymes in Stegomyia (Aedes) aegypti.

The primary defence against mosquitoes and other disease vectors is often the application of a repellent. Despite their common use, the mechanism(s) underlying the activity of repellents is not fully understood, with even the mode of action of DEET having been reported to be via different mechanisms; e.g. interference with olfactory receptor neurones or actively detected by olfactory receptor neurones on the antennae or maxillary palps. In this study, we discuss a novel mechanism for repellence, one of P450 inhibition. Thirteen essential oil extracts from Colombian plants were assayed for potency as P450 inhibitors, using a kinetic fluorometric assay, and for repellency using a modified World Health Organisation Pesticide Evaluations Scheme (WHOPES) arm-in cage assay with Stegomyia (Aedes) aegypti mosquitoes. Bootstrap analysis on the inhibition analysis revealed a significant correlation between P450-inhibition and repellent activity of the oils.

Activation of defence in sweet pepper, Capsicum annum, by cis-jasmone, and its impact on aphid and aphid parasitoid behaviour.

BACKGROUND: Two important pests of the sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum, are the peach potato aphid, Myzus persicae, and the glasshouse potato aphid, Aulacorthum solani. Current aphid control measures include the use of biological control agents, i.e., parasitic wasps, but with varying levels of success. One option to increase parasitoid efficiency is to activate plant defence. Therefore, sweet pepper plants were treated with the naturally occurring plant defence activator cis-jasmone, and its impact upon the behaviour and development of aphids and aphid parasitoids was investigated. RESULTS: Growth rate studies revealed that the intrinsic rate of population increase of A. solani and M. persicae on sweet pepper plants treated with cis-jasmone (cJSP) was not affected compared with untreated plants (UnSP), but the positive behavioural response of alate M. persicae towards the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from UnSP was eliminated by cis-jasmone treatment 48 h previously (cJSP48). In addition, the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi preferred VOCs from cJSP48 compared with UnSP, and a significant increase in foraging time was also observed on cJSP. Analysis of VOCs collected from cJSP48 revealed differences compared with UnSP. CONCLUSION: There is evidence that treatment with cis-jasmone has the potential to improve protection of sweet pepper against insect pests.

Aphid antixenosis in cotton is activated by the natural plant defence elicitor cis-jasmone.

Upon insect herbivory, plants can release blends of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that modify herbivore and natural enemy behaviour. We have shown recently that cotton, Gossypium hirsutum, emits a blend of defence VOCs that repels the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, upon herbivory by this notorious crop pest, including (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT), methyl salicylate and (E,E)-4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3,7,11-tridecatetraene (TMTT). In this study, we investigated changes in the defence VOC profile of G. hirsutum induced by the naturally-occurring plant elicitor cis-jasmone (CJ) and whether these changes modify the behaviour of A. gossypii. In four-arm olfactometer assays, VOCs from untreated plants were significantly attractive (P<0.05), whilst VOCs from CJ-treated plants were significantly repellent (P<0.05). The VOCs induced by CJ appeared to comprise (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, DMNT, methyl salicylate and TMTT. In quantitative VOC collection studies, sustained release of DMNT and TMTT was observed in CJ-treated plants over a period of five days, with levels becoming statistically significantly higher than for control treated plants on the fifth day in most cases. Despite earlier indications, no statistically significant differences were observed in levels of (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate or methyl salicylate between CJ and control treatments on any day. Furthermore, DMNT and TMTT emissions from CJ-treated plants were further enhanced by subsequent addition of A. gossypii. CJ treatment induced statistically significantly higher DMNT and TMTT expression levels as early as day three, when A. gossypii was present. The results in this study show that CJ can induce the production of A. gossypii-induced VOCs from G. hirsutum, with potential for deployment in novel crop protection strategies.

Analysis of two in planta expressed LysM effector homologs from the fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola reveals novel functional properties and varying contributions to virulence on wheat.

Secreted effector proteins enable plant pathogenic fungi to manipulate host defenses for successful infection. Mycosphaerella graminicola causes Septoria tritici blotch disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum) leaves. Leaf infection involves a long (approximately 7 d) period of symptomless intercellular colonization prior to the appearance of necrotic disease lesions. Therefore, M. graminicola is considered as a hemibiotrophic (or necrotrophic) pathogen. Here, we describe the molecular and functional characterization of M. graminicola homologs of Ecp6 (for extracellular protein 6), the Lysin (LysM) domain-containing effector from the biotrophic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) leaf mold fungus Cladosporium fulvum, which interferes with chitin-triggered immunity in plants. Three LysM effector homologs are present in the M. graminicola genome, referred to as Mg3LysM, Mg1LysM, and MgxLysM. Mg3LysM and Mg1LysM genes were strongly transcriptionally up-regulated specifically during symptomless leaf infection. Both proteins bind chitin; however, only Mg3LysM blocked the elicitation of chitin-induced plant defenses. In contrast to C. fulvum Ecp6, both Mg1LysM and Mg3LysM also protected fungal hyphae against plant-derived hydrolytic enzymes, and both genes show significantly more nucleotide polymorphism giving rise to nonsynonymous amino acid changes. While Mg1LysM deletion mutant strains of M. graminicola were fully pathogenic toward wheat leaves, Mg3LysM mutant strains were severely impaired in leaf colonization, did not trigger lesion formation, and were unable to undergo asexual sporulation. This virulence defect correlated with more rapid and pronounced expression of wheat defense genes during the symptomless phase of leaf colonization. These data highlight different functions for MgLysM effector homologs during plant infection, including novel activities that distinguish these proteins from C. fulvum Ecp6.

Detección y caracterización del matonaje escolar (bullying) en una muestra de escolares de 7º y 8º básico, padres y profesores de 9 colegios de la comuna de recoleta / Detection and description of bullying in a sample of eighth and seventh grade students from schools of the district of Recoleta: the perception of parents and teachers

El Bullying (matonaje escolar) ha cobrado importancia creciente en Chile y el mundo, sin embargo existen pocos estudios que caractericen este fenómeno a nivel nacional. Objetivos: Describir la prevalencia y características del matonaje escolar en un grupo de adolescentes, de sus padres y profesores de 9 colegios de la comuna de recoleta. Método: Se aplicó el “Cuestionario sobre preconcepciones de Intimidación y maltrato entre iguales” (Preconcimei) versión para alumnos, para padres y profesores. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 835 alumnos de 7mo y 8vo básico, 177 padres y 32 profesores. El promedio de edad de los encuestados fue de 13 años y la distribución por sexo fue 53.5 por ciento hombres y 46.5 por ciento mujeres. Resultados: Del total de alumnos, un 16.5 por ciento resultó ser agresor, un 20.5 por ciento víctima y un 22 por ciento observador. Las formas más frecuentes de Bullying, fueron violencia sicológica (33,5 por ciento y maltrato físico (28,4 por ciento), mientras que los lugares más frecuentes en que estas situaciones se producen fueron la sala de clases (sin profesor: 46.9 por ciento y con profesor: 26.7 por ciento), el patio y los pasillos del colegio (33,3 por ciento y 28,3 por ciento respectivamente). La frecuencia de intimidaciones percibida fue en la mayoría a diario (27 por ciento). Con respecto a los padres el 58.9 por ciento piensa que en el colegio de su hijo existe matonaje escolar, el 55.9 por ciento refiere que su hijo nunca participaría en actos de matonaje escolar; el 85.4 por ciento de los padres piensa que si su hijo/a tuviera algún problema de matonaje escolar les contaría, el 78 por ciento de los padres están dispuestos a participar en alguna intervención con respecto a matonaje escolar. En relación a los profesores el 81.3 por ciento piensa que las agresiones y situaciones violentas NO son un grave problema en su colegio, el 34.4 por ciento de los profesores en ocasiones ha sido objeto de ataque del alumnado...

Bullying has become very important in the last years, however, only a few studies have characterized this phenomenon in our country. Objective: To describe the prevalence and characteristics of school bullying in a group of teenagers, and the perception of their parents and teachers about the same issue. Methods: We applied the version of the “Questionnaire of preconceptions of Intimidation and Bullying” (Preconcimei) for students, parents and teachers. The sample consisted on 835 eighth and seventh grade students from schools of the district of Recoleta, 177 parents and 32 teachers. The average age of the students was 13 years old and the gender distribution was 53.5 percent men and 46.5 percent women. Results: From the total of students, 16.5 percent was qualified as aggressor, 20.5 percent as victim and 22 percent as observer. The most frequent forms of bullying were: psychological violence (33.5 percent) and physical abuse (28.4 percent), while the most common sites in which these situations take place, were the classroom (without a teacher: 46.9 percent and with teacher present: 26.7 percent), the playground and the surroundings of the school (33.3 percent and 28.3 percent respectively). The frequency of bullying was perceived in most of the students daily (27 percent). With regard to parents, 58.9 percent think that bullying does exist in their child’s school and 55.9 percent reported that their child would never participate in acts of school bullying. Eighty five percent of parents think that, if their child is taking part of school bullying, they would tell them and 78 percent of parents are interested in participating on interventions aimed to eradicate bullying. From the point of view of the teachers, 81.3 percent think that aggression is not a serious problem in school and 34.4 percent of the teachers had been victim of bullying from their students...

The CYP51C gene, a reliable marker to resolve interspecific phylogenetic relationships within the Fusarium species complex and a novel target for species-specific PCR.

Early diagnosis and control of different Fusarium species is essential for successful management of plant disease and subsequent prevention of toxins entering the food chain. This issue can be addressed using phylogenetic analyses and other molecular techniques, including the design of species-specific primers and corresponding PCR assays. In practice, only a few genes are sequenced for most species and insights into the evolutionary mechanisms at the species level usually stem from phylogenetic analyses of only one or a small number of genetic loci. This poses the question of whether the recovered tree accurately reflects the relationships among species or rather more local interrelationships particular to the genetic marker employed. This study examined if the Fusarium-specific CYP51C gene can be used to establish evolutionary relationships between Fusarium species and enable species-specific detection. The resolving power of the CYP51C gene was studied for 46 Fusarium isolates representing 18 different species. The resulting phylogeny analysis showed clear and well-structured separation of the isolates according to their species rank, synthesised toxin and Fusarium section. Moreover, a comparison between the individual CYP51C phylogeny and a reference tree (inferred from the concatenation of ITS, CYP51C, ß-tubulin and TEF-1α sequences) indicated superior resolution of CYP51C relative to ITS and ß-tubulin sequences. In addition to its suitability as a reliable marker for diagnosis of different toxigenic Fusarium species, we also show that the CYP51C gene is a promising target for development of species-specific PCR. This was demonstrated by the specific detection of Fusarium cerealis in grain samples of wheat.

Nivel de satisfacción del paciente acerca del cuidado enfemero que recibe en el Servicio de Cirugía de Día del HNGAI - 2010 / Level of satisfaction of nurses available about the care patients received in the Department of Surgery HNGAI - 2010

El objetivo; fue determinar el nivel de satisfacción del paciente acerca del cuidado enfermero que recibe en el servicio de Cirugía de Día del HNGAI 2010, e Identificar el nivel de satisfacción en las dimensiones humana, oportuna, continua y segura. Material y Método: El presente estudio fue de nivel aplicativo, tipo cuantitativo, método descriptivo de corte transversal. La población estuvo constituida por 150 pacientes. La técnica fue la entrevista y el instrumento un cuestionario previo consentimiento informado. Resultados: Del 100 por ciento (150), 60.7 por ciento (91) tienen satisfacción alta, 29.3 por ciento (44) medio y 10 por ciento (15) bajo; referido a que la enfermera cuido de él en todo momento desde su ingreso hasta su alta, lo oriento sobre sus cuidados en el hogar. Sobre el nivel de satisfacción en la dimensión humana, 49 por ciento (74) media, 47 por ciento (70) alto, referido a que la enfermera saluda y llama por su nombre al paciente. En la dimensión oportuna, 72 por ciento (108) alto, 25 por ciento (38) medio, referido a que la enfermera coordinaba los cuidados con otro personal. En la dimensión continua, 77 por ciento (115) alto, 22 por ciento (33) medio, referido a que la enfermera brindo orientación al paciente y familia acerca de los cuidados en el hogar, las citas y el tratamiento. En cuanto a la dimensión segura 71.35 por ciento (107) alto, 35 por ciento (38) medio; tenemos que los pacientes consideran que la enfermera los cuido en todo momento. Conclusión: la mayoría de los pacientes presentan un nivel de satisfacción alto (60.7 por ciento), con tendencia a medio (29.3 por ciento),' referido a que la enfermera cuido de ellos en todo momento desde su ingreso hasta su alta, cuido su intimidad, lo oriento sobre sus cuidados en el hogar; mientras que un mínimo porcentaje, bajo (10 por ciento) dado a que la enfermera no se presento con su nombre y no explico los procedimientos al paciente.

The aim, was to determine the level of patient satisfaction regarding nursing care you receive at the surgery service HNGAI Day 2010, and identify the level of satisfaction in the human dimensions, timely, continuous and assured. Material and Methods: This study is an application level, quantitative, cross sectional method. The population consisted of 150 patients. The technique was the interview and a questionnaire instrument. Results: Regarding the level of satisfaction with nursing care in the Day Surgery Service, 100 per cent (150), 60.7 per cent (91) high, 29.3 per cent (44) medium and 10 per cent (15) below, referring to the nurse care of him at all times since its admission to discharge, so guidance on their care at home. On the satisfaction level in the human dimension, 49 per cent (74) average, 47 per cent (70) high, referred to the nurse greeted by name and call the patient. At the appropriate size, 72 per cent (108) high, 25 per cent (38) medium, referred to the nurse coordinating care with other staff. In the continuous dimension, 77 per cent (115) high, 22 per cent (33) medium, referred to the nurse provides guidance to patients and their families about home care, appointments and treatment. On the safe dimension 71.35 per cent (107) high, 35 per cent (38) half; we must consider the patient's care nurse at any time. Conclusion: Most patients have a high satisfaction level (60.7 per cent), with a tendency to half (29.3 per cent), referred to- the nurse caring for them at all times from admission to discharge, take care of your privacy, guidance on their care at home, while a small percentage, low (10 per cent) given the nurse is not present with your name and explain the procedures to the patient.

The role of fine needle aspiration cytology in medical-surgical missions.

OBJECTIVE: To relate a 6-year, short-term experience of utilizing fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) during medical-surgical missions in the impoverished areas of the Philippines. STUDY DESIGN: FNAC is a simple, accurate, fast and economical procedure and requires the simplest devices to implement. During medical-surgical missions to the poorest areas in the Third World countries, where there is almost complete lack of tissue processing and frozen section evaluation, and scarcity of laboratory testing, FNAC becomes a practical technique to use. FNAC in these situations plays an important role as an alternative diagnostic modality to surgery. RESULTS: Our week-long mission experience for 6 different years of successful application of FNAC is described. CONCLUSION: While the mission volunteers have gained extremely rewarding experience in these limited mission works, FNAC has proven to be a very useful adjunct in the delivery of short-term health care during medical-surgical treatment even in a less-than-ideal setting.