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CONCLUSIONS We directly obtained cell lines with XEN characteristics from porcine embryos for the first time. The cells will be helpful tools for studying embryonic development and cell differentiation, which also represent promising cell sources for human regenerative medicine. © 2020 The Authors. Cell Proliferation Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.BACKGROUND One challenge a modern society faces is this providing those vulnerable and ageing groups of adults who have intellectual disabilities with appropriate support for improving static and dynamic balance. Balance is a crucial component of physical fitness and, consequently, of fall reduction and prevention. The aim of the present randomised controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy, after 16 weeks, that three different Special Olympics physical activity programmes had on balance and on fall reduction in adults with intellectual disabilities. METHOD A convenience sample of 150 persons with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities was recruited from the accessible Special Olympics Slovenia population of physically inactive adults with intellectual disabilities. The sample was randomised to the experimental group 1 (multicomponent balance-specific exercise programme group with additional workshops on such social gerontology topics as active and healthy ageing; N = 50), the experimental group 2 (multicomponent wellness programme group; N = 50) and a control group (regular Special Olympics athletic training; N = 50). RESULTS Significant differences were found between groups in the balance scores throughout the study period and in the ability to decrease fall frequency. CONCLUSIONS Balance assessment is a high predictor of frequency of falls, and among adults with intellectual disabilities, it significantly correlates with exercise. The results indicate that a multicomponent balance-specific exercise programme with a significant sociogerontological component on active ageing could be a useful intervention for intellectually disabled adults who have poor balance and who experience frequent falls. © 2020 MENCAP and International Association of the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.PROBLEM Pregnant women are at increased risk of HIV acquisition, but the biological mechanisms contributing to this observation are not well understood. METHOD OF STUDY Here we assessed host immune and microbiome differences in the vaginal mucosa of healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women using a metaproteomics approach. Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) samples were collected from 23 pregnant and 25 non-pregnant women. RESULTS Mass spectrometry analysis of CVL identified 550 human proteins and 376 bacterial proteins from 11 genera. Host proteome analysis indicated 56 human proteins (10%) were differentially abundant (p less then 0.05) between pregnant and non-pregnant women, including proteins involved in angiogenesis (p=3.36E-3), cell movement of phagocytes (p=1.34E-6) and permeability of blood vessels (p=1.27E-4). The major bacterial genera identified were Lactobacillus, Gardnerella, Prevotella, Megasphaera, and Atopobium. Pregnant women had higher levels of Lactobacillus species (p=0.017) compared to non-pregnant women. Functional pathway analysis indicated that pregnancy associated with changes to bacterial metabolic pathway involved in energy metabolism, which were increased in pregnant women (p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS Overall, pregnant women showed differences in the cervicovaginal proteome and microbiome that may be important for HIV infection risk. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate whether ROTEM platelet can provide additional information to the traditional ROTEM analysis to guide treatment with platelet transfusions in cardiac surgery and to identify factors triggering platelet administration. BACKGROUND Platelets play a crucial role in coagulation and haemostasis after cardiac surgery. Excessive bleeding after cardiopulmonary bypass usually requires transfusions of blood products, including platelets. find more The ROTEM platelet is a novel point-of-care analysis for whole blood. MATERIALS AND METHODS We included 23 patients scheduled for complex cardiac surgery. ROTEM (in-tem, ex-tem), ROTEM platelet (ARA-tem, ADP-tem and TRAP-tem) and platelet count were analysed before induction of anaesthesia (T0), after cardiopulmonary bypass and protamine reversal (T1) and after platelet transfusion (T2, n = 10). RESULTS ROTEM and ROTEM platelet tests were all significantly reduced between T0 and T1. ROTEM parameters improved significantly after platelet transfusion. Regarding ROTEM platelet, only TRAP-tem increased between T1 and T2 (P = .008). Factors triggering platelet transfusion were long duration of surgery and time on cardiopulmonary bypass. CONCLUSION ROTEM platelet with thrombin activation, TRAP-tem, improved significantly, indicating that platelet transfusion may reverse cardiopulmonary bypass-induced platelet dysfunction. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether TRAP-tem can be a valuable analysis regarding indications for transfusion of platelets after extensive cardiac surgery. © 2020 British Blood Transfusion Society.BACKGROUND AND AIMS Misuse of tramadol, an opioid prescription analgesic, is known as a public health challenge globally. We aimed to systematically review studies on the prevalence of non-prescribed use, regular tramadol use and dependence, tramadol-induced poisoning and mortality in Iran. METHODS Consistent with PRISMA guidelines, international (Medline, Scopus, Web of Science) and Persian (SID) databases were systematically searched up to June 2019. Other relevant data were collected through personal contacts and review of reference lists. Pooled estimates of prevalence of tramadol use in subgroups of males and females, percentage of tramadol poisoning among admitted poisoning cases, tramadol-associated seizures and mortality among tramadol poisonings and percentage of tramadol as a cause of death among fatal drug-poisoning records were estimated through a random-effects model. RESULTS A total of 84 records were included. Pooled estimates of last 12-month use of tramadol in Iranian general population were 4.