Relationship between postpartum uterine involution and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in clinically healthy mares (Equus caballus)

To test the hypothesis that delayed/impaired uterine involution could be associated with oxinflammation, we studied the progression of the uterine involution in association with some biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in clinically healthy mares (N = 26) during early postpartum. The examination of the reproductive tract was performed on Days 7 and 21 after foaling. Uterine involution was assessed considering: a) the increase of the gravid uterine horn diameter (GUHD) compared with diameter recorded before pregnancy during the previous breeding season; b) the level of endometrial edema (EE); c) the degree of accumulation of intrauterine fluid (IUFA); d) the status of the cervix (CS). Inflammation and oxidative stress were studied by measuring serum amyloid A (SAA), cortisol, DHEA, AOPP, protein carbonyl groups, malondialdheyde (MDA) and thiols in plasma on Days 7 and 21. By Day 21 after parturition, a significant improvement (P < 0.01) was observed for GUHD and EE; while IUFA increased in six animals. Plasma SAA and DHEA concentrations were higher when the clinical parameters indicated a lower degree of uterine involution. On Day 7, the cortisol/DHEA ratio was lower in animals with higher degree of EE. Plasma AOPP and MDA concentrations were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in animals with the lower GUHD. On Day 21, plasma MDA concentrations were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in animals with the lower IUFA. Our data suggest that a mild condition of inflammation and oxidative stress occur in mares with delayed/impaired uterine involution.

Electronic structure of the parent compound of superconducting infinite-layer nickelates

The search continues for nickel oxide-based materials with electronic properties similar to cuprate high-temperature superconductors^1-10. The recent discovery of superconductivity in the doped infinite-layer nickelate NdNiO₂ (refs. ^11,12) has strengthened these efforts. Here, we use X-ray spectroscopy and density functional theory to show that the electronic structure of LaNiO₂ and NdNiO₂, while similar to the cuprates, includes significant distinctions. Unlike cuprates, the rare-earth spacer layer in the infinite-layer nickelate supports a weakly interacting three-dimensional 5d metallic state, which hybridizes with a quasi-two-dimensional, strongly correlated state with [Formula: see text] symmetry in the NiO₂ layers. Thus, the infinite-layer nickelate can be regarded as a sibling of the rare-earth intermetallics^13-15, which are well known for heavy fermion behaviour, where the NiO₂ correlated layers play an analogous role to the 4f states in rare-earth heavy fermion compounds. This Kondo- or Anderson-lattice-like 'oxide-intermetallic' replaces the Mott insulator as the reference state from which superconductivity emerges upon doping.

Efficacy and safety of full-thickness resection device based on over-the-scope clip system for resecting of gastric lesions in selected patients. Case series from a referral center for gastrointestinal diseases treatment and literature overview

Since gastroduodenal FTRD system is commercially available, several data have been reported in Literature concerning duodenal full-thickness resections, whereas few cases of gastric full-thickness resections has been described. In this case series We report three patients treated with this innovative tool for resecting lesions of the gastric wall. The indications ranged notably: a neuroendocrine tumor in a difficult to treat environment in the first case, a recurrent adenocarcinoma in a poorly surgical candidate patient in the second case and a pre-pyloric lesion for the third patient. In the third patient, a complete pyloric stenosis due to the clip deployment occurred. Clinical success rate was 100%. Even if current Literature is still poor of articles dealing with gastric full-thickness resection device based on over-the-scope-clip system. Our case series show how this novel tool might be take into consideration for whenever both surgery and standard endoscopic resection techniques are poorly feasible.

Evidence suggesting interactions between immunodominant membrane protein Imp of Flavescence dorée phytoplasma and protein extracts from distantly related insect species

AIMS

In this study, binding between the immunodominant membrane protein Imp of the 16SrV-D phytoplasma associated with Flavescence dorée disease (FD-Dp) and insect proteins of vectors and non-vectors of FD-Dp was tested.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Six Auchenorrhyncha species, from distantly related groups were selected: Scaphoideus titanus, Euscelidius variegatus, Macrosteles quadripunctulatus, Zyginidia pullula (Cicadomorpha), Ricania speculum and Metcalfa pruinosa (Fulgoromorpha). The vector status of each species was retrieved from the literature or determined by transmission trials in this study. A His-tagged partial Imp protein and a rabbit polyclonal antibody were synthesized and used for Western and Far-Western dot Blot (FWdB) experiments. Total native and membrane proteins (MP) were extracted from entire bodies and organs (gut and salivary glands) of each insect species. FWdB showed decreasing interaction intensities of Imp fusion protein with total proteins from entire bodies of S. titanus, E. variegatus (competent vectors) and M. quadripunctulatus (non-vector), while no interaction signal was detected with the other three species (non-vectors). A strong signal detected upon interaction of FD-D Imp and MP from guts of closely related insects supports the role of this organ as the first barrier to ensure successful transmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that specific Imp binding, correlated with vector status, is involved in interactions between FD-Dp and insect proteins.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Integrating knowledge on host-pathogen protein-protein interactions and on insect phylogeny would help to identify the actual range of vectors of phytoplasma strains of economic importance.

Craniosynostosis and metabolic bone disorder. A review

INTRODUCTION

Some metabolic bone disorders may result in the premature closure of one or more calvarial sutures during childhood, potentially leading to a cranioencephalic disproportion. The aim of this paper is to review the characteristics and consequences of craniosynostosis associated with metabolic disorder.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A review of the literature on metabolic forms of craniosynostosis was performed.

RESULTS

The most common forms of craniosynostosis associated with metabolic bone disorder were isolated sagittal suture fusion with or without scaphocephaly, and sagittal suture fusion associated with coronal suture fusion (oxycephaly) or also with lambdoid suture fusion (pansynostosis). Synostosis may be well-tolerated, but in some subjects results in neurodevelopmental and functional impairment that is sometimes severe.

CONCLUSION

The impact of metabolic synostosis is very variable, depending on the specific underlying metabolic disease, with a large spectrum of morphological and functional consequences. Diagnosis should be early and management should be carried out by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in both rare skeletal disorders and craniosynostosis. The impact of emergent medical therapies recently developed for some of these diseases will be assessed by systematic coherent follow-up of international registries.

Analysis of hypoxia-associated dendritic cells in colitic mice and effects of probiotics on IL-10 production in inflammatory dendritic-cells under hypoxia

The aim of this study was to analyse hypoxia-associated dendritic cells (DCs) in colitic mice and the effects of probiotics on interleukin (IL)-10 production in inflammatory DCs under hypoxic conditions. Extensive hypoxia was observed in the colonic mucosa of dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitic mice. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that hypoxia-inducible factor-1α⁺ DCs in colonic lamina propria (CLP) lymphocytes and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) were more abundant in colitic mice than those in controls. Among three subsets of DCs, i.e. plasmacytoid DCs, conventional DCs (cDCs), and monocyte-derived DCs (mDCs), cDCs and mDCs were more abundant in CLP of colitic mice. Bone marrow-derived Flt-3L-induced DCs (Flt-DCs) but not bone marrow-derived GM-CSF-induced DCs (GM-DCs), incubated with 1% O₂ exhibited an inflammatory phenotype, with higher CD86, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor-α expression, and lower IL-10 levels than those in Flt-DCs incubated with 21% O₂. The hypoxia-induced decrease in IL-10 expression in Flt-DCs was restored by Bifidobacterium bifidum JCM 1255^T promoted IL-10 expression through the p38 pathway under normoxic conditions. The anti-inflammatory effects of B. bifidum JCM 1255^T in Flt-DCs were mediated through different cellular mechanisms under hypoxic and normoxic conditions. B. bifidum JCM 1255^T could be used therapeutically for its anti-inflammatory effects.

Thermostability enhancement of the α-carbonic anhydrase from Sulfurihydrogenibium yellowstonense by using the anchoring-and-self-labelling-protein-tag system (ASLtag)

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) are a superfamily of ubiquitous metalloenzymes present in all living organisms on the planet. They are classified into seven genetically distinct families and catalyse the hydration reaction of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate and protons, as well as the opposite reaction. CAs were proposed to be used for biotechnological applications, such as the post-combustion carbon capture processes. In this context, there is a great interest in searching CAs with robust chemical and physical properties. Here, we describe the enhancement of thermostability of the α-CA from Sulfurihydrogenibium yellowstonense (SspCA) by using the anchoring-and-self-labelling-protein-tag system (ASL^tag). The anchored chimeric H⁵-SspCA was active for the CO₂ hydration reaction and its thermostability increased when the cells were heated for a prolonged period at high temperatures (e.g. 70 °C). The ASL^tag can be considered as a useful method for enhancing the thermostability of a protein useful for biotechnological applications, which often need harsh operating conditions.

Probing the role of an invariant active site His in family GH1 β-glycosidases

The reaction mechanism of glycoside hydrolases belonging to family 1 (GH1) of carbohydrate-active enzymes classification, hydrolysing β-O-glycosidic bonds, is well characterised. This family includes several thousands of enzymes with more than 20 different EC numbers depending on the sugar glycone recognised as substrate. Most GH1 β-glycosidases bind their substrates with similar specificity through invariant amino acid residues. Despite extensive studies, the clear identification of the roles played by each of these residues in the recognition of different glycones is not always possible. We demonstrated here that a histidine residue, completely conserved in the active site of the enzymes of this family, interacts with the C2-OH of the substrate in addition to the C3-OH as previously shown by 3 D-structure determination.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in hip and knee replacement surgery: description of a multidisciplinary program to improve management of the patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery

PURPOSE

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to develop peri-operative multidisciplinary programs to shorten length of hospital stay (LOS) and reduce complications, readmissions and costs for patients undergoing major surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of an ERAS pathway for total hip (THR) and knee (TKR) replacement surgery in terms of length of stay, incidence of complications and patient satisfaction.

METHODS

Patients scheduled for hip and knee replacement were included in the study. The main aspects of this program were preoperative education/physical therapy, rational choice of the anesthetic technique, optimization of multimodal analgesia, reduction of incidence of urinary retention and catheterization, active management of risk for blood loss and deep vein thrombosis, and early mobilization of the patients. All patients had 6 months predicted and planned follow-up appointments. Primary outcomes of the study were the mean LOS, readmission and complication rates. Secondary Outcomes were percentage of Knee Injury & Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) increase and patient's satisfaction.

RESULTS

We consecutively enrolled 207 patients who underwent total joint arthroplasty, 78 hip and 129 knee joint replacements. The mean length of stay (LOS) for patients of the two groups was 4.3 days for ASA 3-4 patients subjected to TKR and THR, in ASA 1-2 patients 3.6 days for TKR and 3.9 days for THR respectively. Postoperative satisfaction level was higher than 7 (very satisfied) in 94.4% of the cases. All patients were discharged home: 61.8% continued physical therapy in complete autonomy, 23.7% supported by a home-physiotherapist and only 14.5% needed the attendance to a physiotherapy center on a daily basis. The overall incidence of major complications was 3.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of an ERAS program for hip and knee replacement surgery allows early patient's discharge and a quick return to independency in the daily activities.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Exploring Campylobacter seasonality across Europe using The European Surveillance System (TESSy), 2008 to 2016

BackgroundCampylobacteriosis is the most commonly reported food-borne infection in the European Union, with an annual number of cases estimated at around 9 million. In many countries, campylobacteriosis has a striking seasonal peak during early/mid-summer. In the early 2000s, several publications reported on campylobacteriosis seasonality across Europe and associations with temperature and precipitation. Subsequently, many European countries have introduced new measures against this food-borne disease.AimTo examine how the seasonality of campylobacteriosis varied across Europe from 2008-16, to explore associations with temperature and precipitation, and to compare these results with previous studies. We also sought to assess the utility of the European Surveillance System TESSy for cross-European seasonal analysis of campylobacteriosis.MethodsWard's Minimum Variance Clustering was used to group countries with similar seasonal patterns of campylobacteriosis. A two-stage multivariate meta-analysis methodology was used to explore associations with temperature and precipitation.ResultsNordic countries had a pronounced seasonal campylobacteriosis peak in mid- to late summer (weeks 29-32), while most other European countries had a less pronounced peak earlier in the year. The United Kingdom, Ireland, Hungary and Slovakia had a slightly earlier peak (week 24). Campylobacteriosis cases were positively associated with temperature and, to a lesser degree, precipitation.ConclusionAcross Europe, the strength and timing of campylobacteriosis peaks have remained similar to those observed previously. In addition, TESSy is a useful resource for cross-European seasonal analysis of infectious diseases such as campylobacteriosis, but its utility depends upon each country's reporting infrastructure.