Attitude Toward Organ Donation and Transplantation in Veterinary Students: A Multicenter and Stratified Study in Spain

Background

Veterinarians often hold decision-making positions in the public health care system and can therefore influence public opinion about organ donation and transplantation (ODT). The aim of this work was to analyze the attitude of Spanish veterinary students toward ODT, because they may influence public opinion in the future, and to determine the factors that condition it.

血栓弹力图在脓毒症患者病情评估中的作用研究

目的研究血栓弹力图(TEG)在脓毒症患者病情评估的价值。方法回顾性分析中山大学孙逸仙纪念医院重症医学科2017年4月至2017年11月的脓毒症患者57例,根据SOFA评分分为A组(SOFA≥10分)(26例)和B组(10分SOFA≥2分)(31例),另外选择同期非脓毒症且凝血功能正常患者作为对照组C组(43例)。取静脉血检测TEG,分析比较各组间各项TEG检测指标。结果各组TEG检查结果比较,凝血反应时间(R值)和凝血酶形成时间(K值):A组C组B组,结果有统计学意义P0.05;纤维蛋白凝块形成及加固的速率(α角)和血凝块最大强度和硬度(MA值):A组C组B组,结果有统计学意义P0.05。R值、K值与SOFA评分呈正相关(均P0.05),α角、MA值与SOFA评分呈负相关(均P0.05),B组患者28天死亡率为12.9%,随SOFA评分升高,A组患者28天死亡率高达46.1%。结论血栓弹力图能较全面、准确地分析脓毒症患者凝血状态,与SOFA评分存在一定相关性,血栓弹力图监测对评价脓毒症患者严重程度及指导治疗有重要意义。     

Decreased serum levels of sCD40L and IL-31 correlate in treated patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

The CD40/CD40L system is a binding key for co-stimulation of immune cells. Soluble form of CD40L has been widely studied as marker of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Here we analyze serum concentrations of sCD40L, as well as 14 cytokines, in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) treated with Glatiramer acetate or Interferon beta. In the healthy control group, we found in serum a highly positive correlation between sCD40L and Interleukin (IL)-31, an anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokine. Additionally, an important reduction in IL-31 and sCD40L serum levels, as well as a significant reduction in CD40 mRNA expression and complete depletion of CD40L mRNA, detected from peripheral blood cells, was found in treated patients with MS. Therefore, sCD40L and IL-31 must be taken into account as possible prognostic markers when analyzing the disease progress of MS in order to provide more personalized treatment.     

Adaptation of the secretome of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinostoma caproni</Emphasis> may contribute to parasite survival in a Th1 milieu

Echinostoma caproni (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) is an intestinal trematode, broadly employed to study the host-dependent mechanisms that govern the evolution of intestinal helminth infections. Resistance against E. caproni homologous secondary infections has been reported in mice and appears to be related to the generation of a local Th2 response, whereas Th1 responses promote the development of chronic primary infections. Herein, the ability of E. caproni to modulate its secretome according to the host environment is investigated. A two-dimensional differential in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) analysis was performed to elucidate changes in the excretory/secretory products of E. caproni adults after primary and secondary infections in mice. A total of 16 protein spots showed significant differences between groups, and 7 of them were successfully identified by mass spectrometry. Adult worms exposed to a primary infection appear to upregulate proteins involved in detoxification (aldo-keto reductase), stress response (GroEL), and enhancement of parasite survival (acetyl-CoA A-acetyltransferase and UTP-glucose-1-phosphate urydyltransferase). In contrast, any protein was found to be significantly upregulated after secondary infection. Upregulation of such proteins may serve to withstand the hostile Th1 environment generated in primary infections in mice. These results provide new insights into the resistance mechanisms developed by the parasites to ensure their long-term survival.     

Ratio of the tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove distance to the tibial maximal mediolateral axis: A more reliable and standardized way to measure the tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove distance

Background

Tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove distance(TT-TG) is a measurement to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patellar instability, however it still has some limitations. Our study was to modify the accepted measurement method and seek a more reliable and standardized method.