Angelo Santana

Controlled, blinded force platform analysis of the effect of intraarticular injection of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells associated to PRGF-Endoret in osteoarthritic dogs

BackgroundAdipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADMSC) therapy in regenerative medicine is a rapidly growing area of research and is currently also being used to treat osteoarthritis (OA). Force platform analysis has been consistently used to verify the efficacy of different therapeutic strategies for the treatment of OA in dogs, but never with AD-MSC.The aim of this study was to use a force platform to measure the efficacy of intraarticular ADMSC administration for limb function improvement in dogs with severe OA.ResultsEight lame dogs with severe hip OA and a control group of 5 sound dogs were used for this study. Results were statistically analyzed to detect a significant increase in peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) in treated dogs. Mean values of PVF and VI were significantly improved after treatment of the OA groups, reaching 53.02% and 14.84% of body weight, respectively, at day 180, compared with only 43.56% and 12.16% at day 0.ConclusionThis study objectively demonstrated that intraarticular ADMSC therapy resulted in reduced lameness due to OA.

Assessment of the effect of intraarticular injection of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in osteoarthritic dogs using a double blinded force platform analysis

BackgroundRegenerative medicine using Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) alone or combined with Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) is a rapidly growing area of clinical research and is currently also being used to treat osteoarthritis (OA). Force platform analysis has been consistently used to verify and quantify the efficacy of different therapeutic strategies for the treatment of OA in dogs including MSC associated to PRGF, but never with AD-MSC alone.The aim of this study was to use a force platform to measure the efficacy of intraarticular ADMSC administration for limb function improvement in dogs with severe OA.ResultsTen lame dogs with severe hip OA and a control group of 5 sound dogs were used for this study. Results were statistically analyzed to detect a significant increase in peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) in treated dogs. Mean values of PVF and VI were significantly improved within the first three months post-treatment in the OA group, increasing 9% and 2.5% body weight, respectively, at day 30. After this, the effect seems to decrease reaching initial values.ConclusionIntraarticular ADMSC therapy objectively improved limb function in dogs with hip OA. The duration of maximal effect was less than 3 months.

Predictors of associated autoimmune diseases in families with type 1 diabetes: results from the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a clinically heterogeneous disease. The presence of associated autoimmune diseases (AAIDs) may represent a distinct form of autoimmune diabetes, with involvement of specific mechanisms. The aim of this study was to find predictors of AAIDs in the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium data set.

Effect of Storage Conditions on Total Volatile Base Nitrogen Determinations in Fish Muscle Extracts

Total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN) is a widely used fish spoilage indicator. Because TVBN is typically measured from muscle extracts, analytical laboratories would benefit from understanding how different conditions for storing extracts affect TVBN results. To examine this question, extracts from the muscle of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) were prepared and stored. Different storage temperatures (4, −20, and −80°C) and storage periods (7 days to 2 months) were tested. To compare how well the different storage conditions worked for different TVBN levels, the study took advantage of the fact that TVBN values change depending on how long the gilthead sea bream is stored before extracts are prepared. Extracts were prepared from fish maintained in ice for 0, 4, and 10 days postmortem. Comparing the storage conditions tested, all offered statistically identical results independent of the storage period and temperature. Nevertheless, only the extract maintained at 4°C for 7 days achieved statistically equal values to not stored extracts.

Cross-sectional area of the tendons of the tarsal region in Standardbred trotter horses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY The assessment of a normal range for cross-sectional area (CSA) of tendons in the tarsal region is important in order to use them as reference values in the identification of pathological changes of dimensions. OBJECTIVES To provide normal reference values for the CSA of the tendons of the tarsus of Standardbred trotter horses (STH) by means of ultrasonography. METHODS Transverse echographic images of the tendons were obtained at different levels proximodistally; these images were digitised and CSA values (mean ± s.d.) were obtained for each structure. RESULTS The largest structure corresponded with the lateral digital flexor/caudal tibial tendon complex at Level 1 and the smallest was the medial digital flexor tendon at Level 4. Almost all tendons showed a slight decreasing in their CSA when crossing the tarsus. CONCLUSIONS The normal CSA values of tendinous structures in the tarsal region of the STH are reported. These data could be used as anatomical references. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE The establishment of reference values could serve as a tool to discriminate between normal and abnormal dimensions of tarsal tendons in STH. Other horse breeds should need their own reference values.

Microplastic and tar pollution on three Canary Islands beaches: An annual study

Marine debris accumulation was analyzed from three exposed beaches of the Canary Islands (Lambra, Famara and Las Canteras). Large microplastics (1-5mm), mesoplastics (5-25mm) and tar pollution were assessed twice a month for a year. There was great spatial and temporal variability in the Canary Island coastal pollution. Seasonal patterns differed at each location, marine debris concentration depended mainly of local-scale wind and wave conditions. The most polluted beach was Lambra, a remote beach infrequently visited. The types of debris found were mainly preproduction resin pellets, plastic fragments and tar, evidencing that pollution was not of local origin, but it cames from the open sea. The levels of pollution were similar to those of highly industrialized and contaminated regions. This study corroborates that the Canary Islands are an area of accumulation of microplastics and tar rafted from the North Atlantic Ocean by the southward flowing Canary Current.

Biomechanics in young and adult italian standardbred trotter horses in real racing conditions

This study was undertaken to characterize and establish the kinematic standards of Italian standardbred trotter horses in real racing conditions. Certain parameters, such as the angles of both front and hind fetlock joints, stride length, stride frequency and average speed in youngs and adults are presented, examinated and compared with statistical tests. The angles and stride length were obtained using ONTRACK® software over frames extracted from two CANON® MV630i digital videocameras. For the stride frequency, a third identical videocamera filmed the horses to count the number of beats per minute. The average speed was calculated by multiplying the stride frequency by the stride length and transforming the result into kilometers per hour. The data reveal that as speed increases, younger horses have more extended fetlock joints than adults. Contrary to this, at the maximum speed (hereafter referred to as sprint speed) the adults increase both their stride frequency and stride length, while young horses increase stride frequency and decrease stride length. We think that the knowledge of these parameters in competition breeds could have potential relevance as they may reveal early indicators of the development of proper and adequate characteristics in young horses of those breeds.

Static Posturography: A New Perspective in the Assessment of Lameness in a Canine Model.

The aim of this study was to assess the static posturography in dogs as a useful tool for diagnosis of lameness by means of the use of a pressure platform. For this purpose, a series of different parameters (pressure distribution, area of support, mean pressure, maximum pressure and statokinesiograms) were obtained from five lame dogs with unilateral elbow osteoarthritis treated with plasma rich in growth factors. Data were obtained before and 3 months after treatment, and results were compared with a control group of sound dogs of similar conformation. Significant differences were found in the above mentioned parameters between sound and lame limbs. Improvement after 3 months of treatment was also detected, demonstrating that this multi-parametric technique is an effective and reliable method for the assessment of lameness in dogs.

Relationship between Anemia and Serum Concentrations of Calcium and Phosphorus in Advanced Non-Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease

Background/Aims: Different biochemical abnormalities of metabolic bone disease have been associated with anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD), mainly in hemodialysis patients. However, all of these abnormalities are closely inter-related and their individual effect on the development of anemia is uncertain. This study was aimed to assess the relationship between anemia and a set of metabolic bone disease biomarkers in a cohort of adult patients with advanced non-dialysis-dependent CKD. Methods: The sample consisted of 382 patients submitted to a Nephrology Unit for evaluation of advanced CKD in a tertiary hospital from Gran Canaria during 3 years. Associations between anemia and serum levels of calcium (albumin-corrected), phosphorus, PTH, 25-hydroxivitamin D (25(OH)D3) and alkaline phosphatase were analyzed by using logistic regression models with adjustment for other demographic, clinical and biochemical covariates potentially related to anemia and to bone mineral metabolism. Results: Serum levels of calcium and 25(OH)D3 (negatively) and phosphorus (positively) were significantly associated with anemia in an unadjusted logistic regression model. In a fully adjusted multivariable model, the OR for anemia was 0.29 (95% CI 0.16-0.49; p < 0.0001) for every 1 mg/dl increase in serum calcium and 2.19 (95% CI 1.55-3.15; p < 0.001) for every 1 mg/dl increase in serum phosphorus. Female sex and lower serum albumin levels were also independently associated with anemia. The inclusion of albumin in the adjusted model displaced the significance of 25(OH)D3. Conclusions: Circulating levels of calcium and phosphorus are strongly linked to anemia in patients with advanced non-dialysis CKD.

Therapeutic doses of plasma rich in growth factors cannot provoke cancer by means of the IGF-1 pathway or inflammation in dogs

ABSTRACT A potential relationship between an increased risk of cancer and increased levels of serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and presence of cancer and high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) has been previously reported. This study evaluated the influence of a single intramuscular injection of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) on serum concentrations of IGF-1 and CRP in dogs. Two groups of eight healthy beagles were injected with two different doses of PRGF in lumbar muscles. For each treatment, IGF-1 and CRP were analysed from blood samples obtained at baseline and the following three days post injection. No differences were found when IGF-1 and CRP were compared among times in the two protocols. Local application of PRGF at clinical doses did not cause significant changes in systemic concentrations of IGF-1 or detectable inflammation.