In order to make islet transplantation a therapeutic option for patients with diabetes there is an urgent need for more efficient islet cell processing to maximize islet recovery. Improved donor management, organ recovery techniques, implementation of more stringent donor criteria, and improved islet cell processing techniques may contribute to enhance organ utilization for transplantation. We have analyzed the effects of donor and islet processing factors on the success rate of human islet cell processing for transplantation performed at a single islet cell processing center. Islet isolation outcomes improved when vasopressors, and in particular pitressin, and steroids were used for the management of multiorgan donors. Higher islet yields were obtained from adult male donors, BMI >25 kg/m 2 , adequate glycemic control during hospital stay, and when the pancreas was retrieved by a local surgical team. Successful isolations were obtained in 58% of the cases when ≥ 4 donor criteria were met, and even higher success rates (69%) were observed when considering ≥ 5 criteria. Our data suggest that a sequential, integrated approach is highly desirable to improve the success rate of islet cell processing.Key words: Pancreatic islets; Islet transplantation; Organ selection; Islet isolation; Donor management; Pancreas preservation; Pancreas recovery; Islet purification INTRODUCTION deceased donor pancreata. There is an urgent need for the definition of more stringent donor selection criteria that could help maximize the success rate of human islet Transplantation of allogeneic pancreatic islets can improve metabolic control and quality of life in patients cell processing (27,33,39,41,43,46,72). The use of regional islet cell processing centers supporting clinical with unstable type 1 diabetes (T1D) (11,13,46,47,49, 59,62). Insulin independence is generally achieved by islet transplant programs (CITP) at remote sites has proven effective in this direction (14,23). transplanting ϳ12,000 islet equivalents (IEQ)/kg of recipient body weight (11,49,59,62). Sufficient islet numIn the present study, we have analyzed the effects of donor and islet processing factors on the success rate of bers can be obtained from a single donor (11,19,62,63), but generally more than one islet preparation per recipihuman islet cell processing for transplantation performed at a single islet cell processing center. ent is required to observe insulin independence after transplantation (11,14,32,59,62). Steady progress has been obtained in recent years thanks to improved organ MATERIALS AND METHODS recovery and preservation methods (9,26,28,50), and isPancreas Procurement let isolation and purification techniques (1,22,29,52). The high islet numbers required to achieve insulin indePancreata were obtained from multiorgan, deceased donors ( (2,11,12,14). Additional organs were most of the critical steps of cell processing (namely, duct cannulation, pancreas trimming, and decision on obtained through the Texas Organ Sharing Network under an ongoing part...

The following work shows, for the first time, the synthesis and characterization of a new family of polyelectrolytes, along with their preliminary assessments in terms of desalin water treatment. These materials fall into the category of aromatic co-polyamides, which are obtained by the direct condensation of monomers 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA), isophthaloyl chloride, and 3,5-diamino-N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)benzamide (PyMDA). Thereby, the charged nature exhibited by these materials was achieved through the quaternization of PyMDA moieties using linear iodoalkanes of different lengths (CnI with n = 1, 2, 4, and 6). After completing the quaternization process, polyelectrolytes were subjected to a one-step anion substitution process, where iodide counterions were replaced by bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonamide entities. For all the obtained materials, solubility tests were carried out, showing that those alkylated with methyl and ethyl chains exhibit high solubility in rutinary aprotic polar solvents, while those containing n-butyl and n-hexyl units resulted in the formation of insoluble gels. Due to the above, the latest were discarded from this study early on. The structural characterization of the initial neutral co-polyamide was carried out by means of infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (1H, 13C-NMR), and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), while the structure of methylated and ethylated polyelectrolytes was successfully confirmed through FT-IR, 1H, 13C, and 19F-NMR. Additionally, the thermal behavior of these materials was analyzed in terms of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), showing thermal degradation temperatures above 300 °C and glass transition temperatures (Tg) above 200 °C, resulting in polymers with outstanding thermal properties for water treatment applications. On the other hand, through the solvent-casting method, both neutral and charged polymers were found to be easily prepared into films, exhibiting a remarkably flexibility. The mechanical properties of the films were analyzed using the traction test, from which tensile strength values ranging between 83.5 and 87.9 Mpa, along with Young’s modulus values between 2.4 and 2.5 Gpa were obtained. Moreover, through contact angle measurements and absorption analysis by immersion, polyelectrolytes showed important changes in terms of affinity against polar and polar substances (water, n-heptane, and benzene), exhibiting a higher rejection regarding the neutral polymer. Finally, as a preliminary test against the seepage of saline waters, thin polymer films (from 11.4 to 17.1 µm) were deposited on top of commercial filter discs and tested as filters of saline solutions ([NaCl] = 1000 and 2000 ppm). These tests revealed a decrease of the salt concentration in the obtained filtrates, with retention values ranging between 6.2 and 20.3%, depending on the concentration of the former solution and the polymer used.

En primera instancia deseo agradecer a mis hermanos Armando, Guadalupe y Arturo por el incondicional apoyo que a lo largo de mi vida siempre me han brindado.

The most common endocrine therapies for breast cancer are Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs), which can help reduce the recurrence of the disease and its mortality rate. However, because aromatase inhibitors prevent the aromatization of androgens into estrogen, they can have serious effects on bone health. This can lead to accelerated bone loss and an increased risk for fractures, especially among postmenopausal women. In 2017, the Journal of Bone Oncology (JBO) released a joint position statement advising that all patients with breast cancer on endocrine treatment, such as AIs which are known to accelerate bone loss, be placed on bisphosphonate therapy should they present 2 or more risk factors for fracture (1). The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients on AIs at a 5-star Medicare Advantage plan facility and document any discrepancies with regards to whether appropriate treatment is being given to prevent fractures. We hypothesized that we may have a large percentage of patients on AI that have 2 or more risk factors and are not on treatment. An electronic chart review was conducted of 398 patients on AIs between 6/9/2020 and 8/25/2020. Patients were evaluated for the following risk factors: current smoking, personal history of hip/vertebral fracture, current use of glucocorticoids, age > 65, BMD T-score < -1.5, and BMI < 20. Surprisingly, 1 out of every 2 patients treated with an AI was not being treated in accordance with the JBO's recommendations. Of the 398 patients evaluated, 191 presented 2 or more risk factors and were not on antiresorptive treatment. There are a few steps that can be taken to better manage these at-risk patients. First is raising awareness to providers about the dangers of long-term AI use. Additional changes to the EMR system may help as well, such as prompting the ordering provider to consider bisphosphonate therapy if risk factors are present. Lastly, the addition of a fracture reduction clinic can help streamline the referral process to an endocrinologist upon the prescribing of AI therapy. This would allow patients to be fully evaluated for fracture risks and prescribed treatment should they qualify. With the low costs of generic bisphosphonate therapy, if a fracture is prevented, providers can hope to save a significant amount in indirect costs. Through improved awareness of providers of the risks, a more intuitive EMR system, and the creation of a new automatic referral process, we believe that we can vastly improve patient morbidity and quality of life by reducing the chances of fracture in patients on long-term AIs.Reference: (1) Hadji et al., J Bone Oncol. 2017 Mar 23;7: 1-12. Presentation: Saturday, June 11, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Las empresas Familiares Rurales agropecuarias juegan un papel preponderante frente al problema mundial de la escasez alimentaria, en donde es necesario impulsar el desarrollo de la propiedad intelectual mediante los activos intangibles generados por el conocimiento agropecuario que detonan la generación de patentes y variedades vegetales. El objetivo de esta investigación es descubrir los factores internos y externos que influyen en la identificación y protección de activos intangibles en la empresa familiar rural. Se aplicó una metodología Cualitativa mediante discusión grupal (focus group), con productores, propietarios y socios de empresas familiares rurales. Los hallazgos ponen de relieve cuales son los factores internos y externos que influyen en la identificación y registro de la propiedad intelectual generada en este tipo de empresas, siendo los más importantes los culturales, económicos, educativos y la falta de conocimiento de la propiedad intelectual.