RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate relationships between spontaneous swallowing frequency, dysphagia, and drooling in children with cerebral palsy. Spontaneous swallowing frequency was predicted to be inversely related to both dysphagia and drooling among children with cerebral palsy. A secondary objective compared patterns among spontaneous swallowing frequency, drooling, and age in healthy children vs children presenting with cerebral palsy. DESIGN: Cross sectional study. SETTING: Children with cerebral palsy were tested at a Cerebral Palsy Reference Center in a university hospital. Healthy children were tested in their home setting. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty children with cerebral palsy were recruited from the local registry for cerebral palsy children and purposive sampling among parents. A group of 30 healthy children was recruited by purposive sampling among family, friends, and the local community. Children below 1 year of age up to 5 years of age were included in the healthy group. This age range was targeted to maximize the potential for drooling in this group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Both groups provided data on spontaneous swallowing frequency (swallows per minute, or SPM), dysphagia, and drooling. Motor impairment was documented in the children with cerebral palsy. RESULTS: SPM was significantly lower in children with cerebral palsy. Among children with cerebral palsy, SPM correlated significantly with dysphagia severity and trended toward a significant correlation with drooling at rest. In this subgroup, SPM was not correlated with age or degree of motor impairment. Dysphagia was significantly correlated with drooling at rest and both dysphagia and drooling at rest were correlated with degree of motor impairment. The 2 groups did not differ in the degree of drooling at rest. Among healthy children, age but not SPM demonstrated a significant inverse correlation with drooling quotient at rest. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous swallowing frequency is related to dysphagia and drooling in children with cerebral palsy. The pattern of relationships among spontaneous swallowing frequency and drooling is different between children with cerebral palsy and younger healthy children.
Asunto(s)
Parálisis Cerebral , Trastornos de Deglución , Sialorrea , Parálisis Cerebral/complicaciones , Niño , Estudios Transversales , Deglución , Trastornos de Deglución/complicaciones , Humanos , Sialorrea/complicacionesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AIMS: Several studies report beneficial effects of autologous and allogeneic stem cells on wound healing. However, no comparison between autologous versus allogeneic epithelial-like stem cells (EpSCs) has been made so far. For this reason, we first hypothesize that both EpSC types enhance wound healing in comparison to vehicle treatment and untreated controls. Second, on the basis of other studies, we hypothesized that there would be no difference between autologous and allogeneic EpSCs. METHODS: Twelve full-thickness skin wounds were created in six horses. Each horse was subjected to (i) autologous EpSCs, (ii) allogeneic EpSCs, (iii) vehicle treatment or (iv) untreated control. Wound evaluation was performed at day 3, 7 and 14 through wound exudates and at week 1, 2 and 5 through biopsies. RESULTS: Wound circumference and surface were significantly smaller in autologous EpSC-treated wounds. A significantly lower amount of total granulation tissue (overall) and higher vascularization (week 1) was observed after both EpSC treatments. Significantly more major histocompatibility complex II-positive and CD20-positive cells were noticed in EpSC-treated wounds at week 2. In autologous and allogeneic groups, the number of EpSCs in center biopsies was low after 1 week (11.7% and 6.1%), decreased to 7.6% and 1.7%, respectively (week 2), and became undetectable at week 5. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the first hypothesis and partially support the second hypothesis. Besides macroscopic improvements, both autologous and allogeneic EpSCs had similar effects on granulation tissue formation, vascularization and early cellular immune response.
Asunto(s)
Células Epiteliales/citología , Trasplante de Células Madre/métodos , Cicatrización de Heridas/fisiología , Animales , Antígenos CD20/metabolismo , Femenino , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidad Clase II/inmunología , Caballos , Humanos , Neovascularización Fisiológica/fisiología , Piel/irrigación sanguínea , Piel/lesiones , Células Madre/citología , Trasplante Autólogo , Trasplante HomólogoRESUMEN
This study surveyed the prevalence of massive numbers of Cyniclomyces guttulatus in faecal samples from healthy dogs (18%) and dogs with chronic diarrhoea (14%) suggesting that this yeast has no clinical significance. Subsequently, a total of 57 referred dogs with chronic diarrhoea were selected because they excreted massive numbers of C. guttulatus and their initial diagnostic work-up yielded no other direct clues explaining their diarrhoea. Treatment with nystatin did not result in any clinical response in 36 out of these 57 dogs (63%), although they no longer shed the yeast. However, a response was noted in the remaining 21 (37%) dogs: 13 were 'responders', in that their diarrhoea subsided for more than two weeks and the faeces were cleared of the yeast. However, three of these dogs relapsed repeatedly, with signs of diarrhoea and massive shedding of the yeast. The other eight dogs were 'incomplete responders', whereby faecal quality initially normalised, but diarrhoea relapsed within two weeks, whilst still not shedding the yeast. In these cases, further diagnostic work up revealed other co-causes of diarrhoea. It was concluded that there was no direct evidence that C. guttulatus is a primary pathogen. However, the results of the prospective treatment study suggest that a possible role in a minority of cases, perhaps as an opportunist, cannot be ruled out.
Asunto(s)
Antifúngicos/farmacología , Diarrea/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Perros/tratamiento farmacológico , Nistatina/farmacología , Saccharomycetales/aislamiento & purificación , Animales , Portador Sano , Enfermedad Crónica , Diarrea/tratamiento farmacológico , Diarrea/epidemiología , Diarrea/patología , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/patología , Perros , Heces/microbiología , Femenino , Masculino , Países Bajos/epidemiología , Prevalencia , Estudios Prospectivos , Saccharomycetales/efectos de los fármacos , Saccharomycetales/crecimiento & desarrolloRESUMEN
Besides the presence of somatic stem cells in hair follicles and dermis, the epidermis also contains a subpopulation of stem cells, reflecting its high regenerative capacity. However, only limited information concerning epidermis-derived epithelial-like stem/progenitor cells (EpSCs) is available to date. Nonetheless, this stem cell type could prove itself useful in skin reconstitution after injury. After harvesting from equine epidermis, the purified cells were characterized as EpSCs by means of positive expression for CD29, CD44, CD49f, CD90, Casein Kinase 2ß, p63, and Ki67, low expression for cytokeratin (CK)14 and negative expression for CD105, CK18, Wide CK, and Pan CK. Furthermore, their self-renewal capacity was assessed in adhesion as well as in suspension. Moreover, the isolated cells were differentiated toward keratinocytes and adipocytes. To assess the regenerative capacities of EpSCs, six full-thickness skin wounds were made: three were treated with EpSCs and platelet-rich-plasma (EpSC/PRP-treated), while the remaining three were administered carrier fluid alone (PRP-treated). The dermis of EpSC/PRP-treated wounds was significantly thinner and exhibited more restricted granulation tissue than did the PRP-treated wounds. The EpSC/PRP-treated wounds also exhibited increases in EpSCs, vascularization, elastin content, and follicle-like structures. In addition, combining EpSCs with a PRP treatment enhanced tissue repair after clinical application.
Asunto(s)
Diferenciación Celular , Epidermis/metabolismo , Queratinocitos/metabolismo , Regeneración , Células Madre/metabolismo , Animales , Antígenos de Diferenciación/metabolismo , Células Epidérmicas , Epidermis/trasplante , Caballos , Queratinocitos/citología , Trasplante de Células Madre , Células Madre/citología , Heridas y Lesiones/metabolismo , Heridas y Lesiones/patología , Heridas y Lesiones/terapiaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Many species within the phylum Firmicutes are thought to exert anti-inflammatory effects. We quantified bacteria belonging to the genus Butyricicoccus in stools of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). We evaluated the effect of Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum in a rat colitis model and analysed the ability to prevent cytokine-induced increases in epithelial permeability. DESIGN: A genus-specific quantitative PCR was used for quantification of Butyricicoccus in stools from patients with UC or CD and healthy subjects. The effect of B pullicaecorum on trinitrobenzenesulfonic (TNBS)-induced colitis was assessed and the effect of B pullicaecorum culture supernatant on epithelial barrier function was investigated in vitro. RESULTS: The average number of Butyricicoccus in stools from patients with UC and CD in active (UC: 8.61 log10/g stool; CD: 6.58 log10/g stool) and remission phase (UC: 8.69 log10/g stool; CD: 8.38 log10/g stool) was significantly lower compared with healthy subjects (9.32 log10/g stool) and correlated with disease activity in CD. Oral administration of B pullicaecorum resulted in a significant protective effect based on macroscopic and histological criteria and decreased intestinal myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin (IL)-12 levels. Supernatant of B pullicaecorum prevented the loss of transepithelial resistance (TER) and the increase in IL-8 secretion induced by TNFα and interferon γ (IFN gamma) in a Caco-2 cell model. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease have lower numbers of Butyricicoccus bacteria in their stools. Administration of B pullicaecorum attenuates TNBS-induced colitis in rats and supernatant of B pullicaecorum cultures strengthens the epithelial barrier function by increasing the TER.
Asunto(s)
Colitis Ulcerosa/microbiología , Enfermedad de Crohn/microbiología , Bacilos Grampositivos Formadores de Endosporas/fisiología , Adulto , Animales , Carga Bacteriana , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Colitis Ulcerosa/prevención & control , Enfermedad de Crohn/prevención & control , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Heces/microbiología , Femenino , Bacilos Grampositivos Formadores de Endosporas/genética , Humanos , Mucosa Intestinal/metabolismo , Masculino , Permeabilidad , Probióticos/farmacología , ARN Ribosómico 16S/genética , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la PolimerasaRESUMEN
This report describes a 1-year-old cat with acute dyspnea. Thoracic radiography revealed a pneumomediastinum and severe subcutaneous emphysema. Lower airway surgical exploration was unable to determine the cause. At postmortem examination, acute necrotizing bronchopneumonia and fibrinonecrotic tracheitis due to feline herpesvirus-1 were diagnosed.
Asunto(s)
Alphaherpesvirinae , Enfermedades de los Gatos/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Herpesviridae/veterinaria , Enfisema Mediastínico/veterinaria , Enfisema Subcutáneo/veterinaria , Animales , Bronconeumonía/diagnóstico , Bronconeumonía/etiología , Bronconeumonía/veterinaria , Gatos , Disnea/diagnóstico , Disnea/etiología , Disnea/veterinaria , Resultado Fatal , Infecciones por Herpesviridae/complicaciones , Infecciones por Herpesviridae/diagnóstico , Masculino , Enfisema Mediastínico/diagnóstico , Enfisema Mediastínico/etiología , Radiografía Torácica/veterinaria , Enfisema Subcutáneo/diagnóstico , Enfisema Subcutáneo/etiologíaRESUMEN
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, the causal agent of chytridiomycosis, is implicated in the global decline of amphibians. This chytrid fungus invades keratinised epithelial cells, and infection is mainly associated with epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis. Since little is known about the pathogenesis of chytridiomycosis, this study was designed to optimise the conditions under which primary keratinocytes and epidermal explants of amphibian skin could be maintained ex vivo for several days. The usefulness of the following set-ups for pathogenesis studies was investigated: a) cultures of primary keratinocytes; b) stripped epidermal (SE) explants; c) full-thickness epidermal (FTE) explants on Matrigel™; d) FTE explants in cell culture inserts; and e) FTE explants in Ussing chambers. SE explants proved most suitable for short-term studies, since adherence of fluorescently-labelled zoospores to the superficial epidermis could be observed within one hour of infection. FTE explants in an Ussing chamber set-up are most suitable for the study of the later developmental stages of B. dendrobatidis in amphibian skin up to five days post-infection. These models provide a good alternative for in vivo experiments, and reduce the number of experimental animals needed.