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Research on glutamatergic neurotransmission has focused mainly on the function of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons, leaving astrocytes with a secondary role only to ensure successful neurotransmission. However, recent evidence indicates that astrocytes contribute actively and even regulate neuronal transmission at different levels. This review establishes a framework by comparing glutamatergic components between neurons and astrocytes to examine how astrocytes modulate or otherwise influence neuronal transmission. We have included the most recent findings about the role of astrocytes in neurotransmission, allowing us to understand the complex network of neuron-astrocyte interactions. However, despite the knowledge of synaptic modulation by astrocytes, their contribution to specific physiological and pathological conditions remains to be elucidated. A full understanding of the astrocyte’s role in neuronal processing could open fruitful new frontiers in the development of therapeutic applications.

Resumen: se presenta en esta sección una revisión de los artículos científicos de mayor impacto publicados entre febrero de 2022 y mayo del 2022 en las revistas internacionales sobre Sexología con mayor reconocimiento a nivel nacional e internacional (Journal of Sexual Medicine; International Journal of Sexual Health; Archives of Sexual Behavior; Sex roles; Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, Psychology and Sexuality; Culture, Health and Sexuality; DeSexología, Psicología de la orientación sexual y la diversidad, American Journal of Sexual Education, Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy y Violence Against Woman).

Polycythemia (venous hematocrit >65%) is rare in healthy newborns (incidence: 0.4%-5%), with serious outcomes (stroke, bowel ischemia) of unknown incidence in asymptomatic infants. No national guidelines address screening or management of asymptomatic infants with polycythemia. Our nursery screened "high risk" (HR) newborns (small for gestational age, large for gestational age, twin, infant of diabetic mother) with poor adherence and low yield. We aimed to decrease polycythemia screening of asymptomatic HR infants by 80% within 6 months., Methods: We conducted an improvement project at a tertiary children's hospital using the Model for Improvement. Eligible infants had an HR ICD-10 code on their problem list, were asymptomatic, over 35 weeks gestational age, and remained in the nursery for >6 hrs. Interventions included discontinuation of prior protocol, education for staff, bimonthly feedback on project performance, and visual reminders. Our primary outcome measure was the proportion of asymptomatic infants who received a hematocrit screen. Secondary measures were screening costs. Balancing measures were the length of stay, detected/symptomatic polycythemia, transfers to ICU/wards, and readmissions within 1 week of discharge., Results: The Nursery unit screened 80% of HR infants at baseline. This decreased to 7.3% after PDSA1, 0% after PDSA2, and 1% after PDSA3. There was no symptomatic polycythemia or statistically significant increase in readmissions/transfers. One month of monitoring revealed persistent changes., Conclusion: Simple quality improvement interventions such as education, reminders, and feedback can facilitate the deimplementation of low-value practices., (Copyright © 2022 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)