Search

El abordaje de las necesidades educativas especiales (NEE) dentro del aula es un gran desafío para los docentes en la actualidad, ya que al querer generar mayor inclusión dentro de la educación se hace un poco más dificil al momento de escoger estrategias que vayan acorde a cada necedidad específica de los estudiantes; especialmente en loes estudiantes que presentan TDAH ya que al ser un trastorno del neurodesarrollo tan extenso, se presenta en una amplia gama de dimensiones que hace que cada niño presente una peculiaridad. En este último tiempo se ha tomado muy a consideración el implementar recursos digitales para reforzar y motivar el aprendizaje para complementarlo. Por ello, el objetivo principal es determinar si los recursos digitales son un reforzador para los niños que presentan TDAH en el quinto de básica de la Unidad Educativa XXX. La metodología utilizada fue de tipo descriptiva y documental. Se aplicó a una muestra no probabilística de diez docentes los cuales respondieron una encuesta para poder medir la aplicación de recursos digitales dentro del aula en los estudiantes con TDAH y evidenciar si los docentes los utilizan como estrategias para sus clases. Los resultados obtenidos fueron que los recursos digitales son herramientas de gran utlidad que sirve como estrategias para reforzar y motivar el aprendizaje de estudiantes con TDAH.

Resumen: La retroalimentación es fundamental en metodologías como el Team Based Learning (TBL), porque profundiza el aprendizaje al identificar las deficiencias en el proceso. En el marco de la innovación curricular de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Chile, el equipo docente de farmacología usó como método de enseñanza el TBL, y las tecleras y el Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique (IFAT) como instrumentos de evaluación y retroalimentación. En este trabajo, mediante un estudio transversal y exploratorio, se evaluó la satisfacción de los estudiantes de farmacología de los cursos de Medicina (n = 192) y Tecnología Médica (n = 80), con la retroalimentación recibida y su efecto sobre el rendimiento al usar tecleras o IFAT. Se determinó la satisfacción mediante una encuesta previamente validad por expertos, y el rendimiento medido por las notas obtenidas en la evaluación grupal, al inicio del TBL y del control individual al término de la actividad. Los resultados del estudio permitieron concluir que la metodología TBL favorece el aprendizaje entre pares valorando el trabajo en equipo y obteniendo mejor rendimiento en actividades donde hay discusión y análisis con otros. Además, más del 50% de los estudiantes de ambos cursos piensa que tanto las tecleras como el IFAT resultan adecuados para alcanzar los aprendizajes declarados en el curso de farmacología. Abstract: Feedback is fundamental in methodologies such as Team-Based Learning (TBL) because it deepens learning by identifying deficiencies of the process. In the setting of curricular innovation in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, the pharmacology teaching team used TBL as teaching method, and clickers and the Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique (IFAT) as evaluation and feedback tools. This work evaluates the satisfaction of students of Medicine (n = 192) and Medical Technology (n = 80) in the pharmacology course on feedback and learning performance when using clickers or IFAT using a cross-sectional and exploratory study. Satisfaction was determined by an expert-validated survey, and academic performance by grades from group evaluation at the beginning of TBL, as well as an individual evaluation at the end of the activity. From the results of this study, it is concluded that TBL favours peer-based learning, evaluating team-work, and improving academic performance in activities where analysis and discussion are present. More than 50% of the students also believed that clickers and IFAT are adequate to achieve the learning skills set for the pharmacology course.

Las personas mayores residentes en instituciones cumplen criterios de pacientes geriátricos complejos, pero con frecuencia no tienen resueltas sus necesidades sanitarias. La pandemia de COVID-19 ha hecho evidentes los déficits existentes en la atención sanitaria a estas personas. Como respuesta a ello surge la necesidad de mejorar la coordinación entre hospitales y residencias, lo que en Madrid se ha materializado en la implantación de equipos o unidades de Geriatría de Enlace en los hospitales públicos. Respecto a las acciones frente a la pandemia por COVID-19, la Sociedad Española de Geriatría y Gerontología ha definido el papel de los geriatras en esta función y ha dado directrices sobre prevención, detección precoz, aislamiento y sectorización, formación, clasificación de las residencias, coordinación de las derivaciones y papel de los diferentes niveles asistenciales, entre otras. Estas unidades también deben dirigir su actividad hacia otras áreas de atención actualmente deficitarias como la coordinación, las visitas presenciales en los centros, las sesiones de telemedicina, la valoración geriátrica en los servicios de urgencias y la coordinación con atención primaria y salud pública. En este artículo se describe la generación del concepto y la implantación de la Geriatría de Enlace en la Comunidad de Madrid a raíz de la pandemia de COVID-19 y se ilustra con los datos de actividad de una unidad cuyo hospital tiene en su área un elevado número de residencias. El objetivo es ayudar a comprender la necesidad de esta actividad, para evitar la fragmentación de cuidados existente en la actualidad entre hospitales y residencias. Actividad que debería consolidarse y mantenerse en el futuro.

Climate change and biodiversity loss trigger policies targeting and impacting local communities worldwide. However, research and policy implementation often fail to sufficiently consider and involve them. Therefore, we present the results of a collective self-assessment exercise for eight case studies of communications regarding climate change or biodiversity loss between project teams and local communities. We develop eight indicators of good stakeholder communication, reflecting the scope of Verran (2002)'s concept of postcolonial moments as a communicative utopia. We demonstrate that applying our indicators enhances communication, although we discover a divergence between timing, complexity, and (introspective) effort. Three cases qualify for postcolonial moments , but scrutinising power relations and genuine knowledge co-production remain rare. While we verify the potency of various instruments for deconstructing science, their sophistication cannot substitute trust-building and epistemic/transdisciplinary awareness. Lastly, we consider that reforming inadequate funding policies helps improving the work in and with local communities.

This work describes a simple way to identify fiber types in living muscles by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). We quantified the mean values of lifetimes τ1 and τ2 derived from a two-exponential fit in freshly dissected mouse flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) and soleus muscles. While τ1 values changed following a bimodal behavior between muscles, the distribution of τ2 is shifted to higher values in FDB. To understand the origin of this difference, we obtained maps of autofluorescence lifetimes of flavin mononucleotide and dinucleotide (FMN/FAD) in cryosections, where excitation was set at 440 nm and emission at a bandwidth of between 500 and 570 nm, and paired them with immunofluorescence images of myosin heavy chain isoforms, which allowed identification of fiber types. In soleus, τ2 was 3.16 ns for type I (SD 0.11, 97 fibers), 3.45 ns for IIA (0.10, 69), and 3.46 ns for IIX (0.12, 65). In FDB muscle, τ2 was 3.17 ns for type I (0.08, 22), 3.46 ns for IIA (0.16, 48), and 3.66 ns for IIX (0.15, 43). From τ2 distributions, it follows that an FDB fiber with τ2 > 3.3 ns is expected to be of type II, and of type I otherwise. This simple classification method has first and second kind errors estimated at 0.02 and 0.10, which can be lowered by reducing the threshold for identification of type I and increasing it for type II. Lifetime maps of autofluorescence, therefore, constitute a tool to identify fiber types that, for being practical, fast, and noninvasive, can be applied in living tissue without compromising other experimental interventions.

License information: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. This research was partially funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research BMBF (FoReSee, grant no. 01LA1811B, Economics of the Climate Change II programme; COMTESS, grant no. 01LL0911A-G, Sustainable Land Management programme; Carbiocial, grant no. 01LL0902F, Sustainable Land Management programme, ECAS-BALTIC, grant no. 03F0860G, Küno Küstenforschung Nordsee / Ostsee), the European Commission (DESIRE, project number 561638-EPP-1-2015-1-JO-EPP KA2-CBHE-JP, grant agreement number: 2012-3324/001-001), the Flemish Interuniversity Council – University Development Cooperation VLIR-UOS (North South South Cooperation Programme ZIUS2015VOA3106), the Belgian Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (CEBioS programme), the Special Research Fund of Hasselt University (BOF20TT06), the Belgian Science Policy BELSPO (EVAMAB of CEBioS programme), the Luc Hoffmann Institute, and the German Research Foundation DFG (Germany's Excellence Strategy – EXC 2037 'CLICCS - Climate, Climatic Change, and Society', project no 390683824).

Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre tipos de ceguera y alteraciones posturales en estudiantes con discapacidad visual de una institución educativa de Lima Norte, Perú. Materiales y métodos: Estudio correlacional de corte transversal, tuvo como muestra aleatoria a 96 estudiantes de ambos sexos, entre 8 y 50 años de edad. Se empleó como instrumentos el Posturograma, el cual midió alteraciones posturales como antepulsión de cabeza, hipercifosis e hiperlordosis; y el Índice de Hernández Corvo para determinar alteraciones en huella plantar, entre ellas, pie cavo y pie plano. Por otra parte, la variable tipos de ceguera fue extraída de la historia clínica institucional de cada individuo. Resultados: 72.9 % de la muestra evaluada eran varones, 41.7 % tenía ceguera total, 96.9 % presentaba antepulsión de cabeza, al relacionar tipos de ceguera y alteraciones posturales se obtuvieron valores de P mayores a 0.05. Conclusión: En la muestra evaluada no existe relación entre tipos de ceguera y alteraciones posturales.

Climate change and biodiversity loss trigger policies worldwide, many of which target or impact local communities. Although research, international development, and policy implementation (and, thus, success in fighting both threats) require thoughtful consideration and communication of the underlying concepts, field work encounters a cascade of tangible barriers. Technoscientific representations of quantifiable causes and effects often remain alien to local perspectives, and failure to involve communities constantly and genuinely creates gaps that may ultimately prevent research and policy success. Therefore, in this article, we present the results of a collective self-assessment exercise for a panel of eight case studies (covering four continents) of communications between project teams and local communities within the context of climate change or biodiversity loss. Our analysis develops eight indicators of good stakeholder communication, which we construct from the literature, in addition to Verran (2002) 's concept of postcolonial moments as a communicative utopia. Our study contributes to the (analytical) understanding of such communications, while also providing tangible insights for field work and policy recommendations. We demonstrate that applying our indicators can foster a more successful communication, although we find an apparent divergence between timing, complexity, and (introspective) effort of the project teams. While three case studies qualify for postcolonial moments, our findings show that especially the scrutiny of power relations and genuine knowledge co-production are still rare. We verify the potency of various instruments for deconstructing science; however, we also show that their sophistication cannot substitute other crucial factors. Instead, simple deconstruction efforts may suffice, while trust-building, proper time management, and an advanced awareness of the scientists are crucial. Lastly, we consider that reforming rigid and inadequate funding policies will help overcome significant barriers and improve the work in and with local communities.

Environmental factors may influence the development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and modify its natural history. The objective of this review is to evaluate current evidence about environmental factors associated with the disease. A better knowledge about the pathogenesis of the disease can lead to better treatment strategies and suggestions to prevent the disease.

RESUMEN: La escasez de investigación en Chile nos hace depender de manera excesiva de los resultados de la investigación foránea, los cuales no siempre son aplicables a la realidad nacional. Investigar siempre será necesario, sobre todo cuando los resultados están destinados a resolver los problemas de nuestra población. Los integrantes de un equipo multidisciplinario requieren de un pensamiento crítico frente al crecimiento explosivo del conocimiento, necesitando además un juicio científico para decidir la incorporación de nuevas estrategias diagnósticas y terapéuticas. La Enfermedad Inflamatoria Intestinal (EII) ha aumentado de manera creciente en nuestro país, esta tendencia plantea la opción de realizar proyectos de investigación local que permitan determinar la presencia de factores que influyan en su desarrollo y evolución. Para establecer las prioridades de investigación en EII se requiere una asociación entre los profesionales de la salud, los pacientes, las instituciones de salud y los organismos gubernamentales. ABSTRACT: The scarcity of local research makes us depend too much on the results of foreign research, which are not always applicable to the local health situation. Research is always necessary, especially when the results are intended to solve problems of our population. All the members of a multidisciplinary team require critical thinking in face of the explosive growth of knowledge, in addition to needing a scientific judgment to decide on the incorporation of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Intestinal Inflammatory Disease (IBD) has increased progressively in our country; this trend raises the option of carrying out local research projects to determine the presence of factors that influence its development and evolution. Setting research priorities in IBD requires a partnership between health care professionals, patients, health institutions, and government agencies. Palabras clave: Enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, investigación, educación médica, centros académicos, Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease, research, medical education, academic medical centers

Management of protected areas must adapt to climate impacts, and prepare for ongoing ecological transformation. Future-Proofing Conservation is a dialogue-based, multi-stakeholder learning process that supports conservation managers to consider the implications of climate change for governance and management. It takes participants through a series of conceptual transitions to identify new management options that are robust to a range of possible biophysical futures, and steps that they can take now to prepare for ecological transformation. We outline the Future-Proofing Conservation process, and demonstrate its application in a pilot programme in Colombia. This process can be applied and adapted to a wide range of climate adaptation contexts, to support practitioners in developing positive ways forward for management and decision-making. By acknowledging scientific uncertainty, considering social values, and rethinking the rules that shape conservation governance, participants can identify new strategies towards “future-oriented conservation” over the long term.

RESUMEN: La Enfermedad de Crohn es una enfermedad crónica progresiva que afecta el tubo digestivo. El objetivo de tratamiento es un control adecuado de la enfermedad para evitar progresión y deterioro de la calidad de vida, pudiendo con una terapia personalizada lograr un buen pronóstico. En este artículo se proponen algoritmos de tratamiento y de seguimiento de los escenarios más frecuentes que presentan los pacientes con Enfermedad de Crohn. ABSTRACT: Crohn's disease is a chronic and progressive disease that affects the gut. Currently treatment should be based on treat to target concept to prevent progression and deterioration of the quality of life. With a personalized therapy it could be possible to achieve a good prognosis. In this article we propose algorithms for treatment and follow-up of the most frequent scenarios presented by patients with Crohn's disease. Palabras clave: Enfermedad de Crohn, enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, biomarcadores, tratamiento individualizado, terapia según objetivos, Keywords: Crohn's Disease, inflammatory bowel disease, biomarkers, individualized therapy, treat to target

Background: Primary non-response and secondary loss of response (LOR) are significant problems of biological therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in IBD patients receiving these drugs can improve outcomes. Aim: To measure serum infliximab levels and anti-infliximab antibodies (ATI) in patients with IBD post-induction phase and during maintenance therapy assessing the clinical course of IBD. Patients and Methods: Prospective study of IBD patients receiving infliximab between July 2016-May 2017. Group-A included patients who received induction therapy while Group-B included patients who were in maintenance therapy. TDM was performed in serum samples collected at weeks-14 and 30 in Group-A and before the infliximab maintenance dose in Group-B. Clinical scores, fecal calprotectin and endoscopic score were also evaluated. Results: Of 14 patients in Group-A, 57% achieved endoscopic response. Median serum infliximab concentrations at week-14 and 30 were 2.65 AU/mL (0.23-32.58) and 2.3 AU/mL (0.3-16.8), respectively. Patients with mucosal healing had non-significantly higher median infliximab concentrations at week- 14, as compared to week 30 (median 3.2 vs 2.2 AU/ml, respectively, p 0.6). ATI >10 ug/mL were found in one and seven patients at week-14 and 30, respectively. At 52 weeks of follow-up, four patients (31%) had LOR. Group-B included 36 patients, 33% had LOR. Median serum concentrations of infliximab were 1.4 AU/mL (0.27-7.03). No significant differences in serum infliximab concentration were observed between patients in remission and those with inflammatory activity. Seventeen patients had ATI >10 ug/mL. Conclusions: Clinical algorithms using TDM might help to optimize the pharmacological therapy of IBD.

In Atlantic salmon, vaccines have failed to control and prevent Piscirickettsiosis, for reasons that remain elusive. In this study, we report the efficacy of a commercial vaccine developed with the Piscirickettsia salmonis isolate AL100005 against other two isolates which are considered highly and ubiquitously prevalent in Chile: LF-89-like and EM-90-like. Two cohabitation trials were performed to mimic real-life conditions and vaccine performance: 1) post smolt fish were challenged with a single infection of LF-89-like, 2) adults were coinfected with EM-90-like and a low coinfection of sea lice. In the first trial, the vaccine delayed smolt mortalities by two days; however, unvaccinated and vaccinated fish did not show significant differences in survival (unvaccinated: 60.3%, vaccinated: 56.7%; p = 0.28). In the second trial, mortality started three days later for vaccinated fish than unvaccinated fish. However, unvaccinated and vaccinated fish did not show significant differences in survival (unvaccinated: 64.6%, vaccinated: 60.2%, p= 0.58). Thus, we found no evidence that the evaluated vaccines confer effective protection against of LF-89-like or EM-90-like with estimated relative survival proportions (RPSs) of −9% and −12%, respectively. More studies are necessary to evaluate whether pathogen heterogeneity is a key determinant of the vaccine efficacy against P. salmonis.

The genus of the Zygophyllaceae family includes evergreen shrub species. Background highlights the antioxidant and anti-tumor activity of Larrea divaricate and nordihydroguayaretic acid (NDGA) due to their potential as a dietary supplement and food preservative, but little is known about Larrea cuneifolia. The aim of this work was to determine the antioxidant characteristics of ethanolic extracts of L. cuneifolia leaves collected in the central valley of Catamarca (Argentina). Total polyphenols content (TP) was determined by Folin-Ciocâlteu and the phenolic profile by HPLC-PDA-QTOF. The antioxidant activity was measured by in vitro (FRAP, TEAC and DPPH) and cellular (HepG2 and Caco2 cells) assays. The phenolic compounds identified were mainly derivatives of NDGA and flavonols derivatives of quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin and gossypetin. TP content and antioxidant activity exceeded the values reported for L. divaricata. With regard to cytotoxicity, an increase in this parameter could be observed with the increase in the concentration of polyphenols in both cell types. Furthermore, in cells exposed to H2O2, a significant decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration was observed for HepG2 cells. This effect can be used to study compounds with bioactivity on tumor cells. L. cuneifolia is a species rich in phenolic compounds, with antioxidant properties, and is a potential source of bioactive compounds for the production of functional foods.

Vaccination is a widely used control strategy to prevent Piscirickettsia salmonis causing disease in salmon farming. However, it is not known why all the currently available commercial vaccines generally fail to protect against this pathogenic bacteria. Here, we report, from two different populations, that between-family variation is a strong intrinsic factor that determines vaccine protection for this disease. While in some full-sib families, the protection added by vaccination increased the survival time in 13 days in comparison with their unvaccinated siblings; in other families, there was no added protection by vaccination or even it was slightly negative. Resistance to P. salmonis, measured as days to death, was higher in vaccinated than unvaccinated fish, but only a moderate positive genetic correlation was obtained between these traits. This disputes a previous hypothesis, that stated that both traits were fully controlled by the same genes, and challenges the use of unvaccinated fish as gold standard for evaluating and selecting fish resistant to P. salmonis, particularly if the offspring will be vaccinated. More studies are necessary to evaluate if variation in the host immune response to vaccination could explain the between-family differences in resistance observed in vaccinated fish.

Resumen: La colitis ulcerosa (CU) es un trastorno inflamatorio crónico mediado inmunológicamente que compromete al recto y colon. Su patogenia es multifactorial donde se ven involucrados aspectos genéticos, microbiota, respuesta inmune y factores ambientales. El objetivo actual de tratamiento no está acotado solamente a la mejoría clínica, si no que a lograr la curación de la mucosa de manera de alcanzar un mejor pronóstico y calidad de vida. En este artículo proponemos algoritmos de tratamiento y de seguimiento individualizados de la CU destinados a conseguir estos objetivos. Abstract: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an immune mediated chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the rectum and colon. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial where genetic aspects, microbiota, immune response and environmental factors are involved. The current goals of treatment are not limited to improve clinical symptoms, but rather to heal the mucosa for a better prognosis and improve quality of life. In this article we propose treatment algorithms and personalized monitoring of UC to achieve these objectives. Palabras clave: Enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, colitis ulcerosa, calprotectina fecal, curación mucosa, tratamiento por objetivo, Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, fecal calprotectin, mucosal healing

Background: Different strains of invasive Escherichia coli (E. coli), isolated from intestinal mucosa of patients, are related to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Aim: To evaluate an association between intracellular E. coli and IBD; its clinical characteristics and use of steroids. Material and Methods: Sixty one patients with Crohn's disease and 83 with ulcerative colitis were studied. To determine the intracellular E. coli content, colonoscopy biopsies of these patients and 29 control subjects were processed using the gentamicin protection assay. Differences in the bacterial content between patient groups were evaluated using Mann-Whitney test, while the association between presence of E. coli with endoscopic activity, location/extension and use of corticosteroid as anti-inflammatory treatment were evaluated with Fisher's exact test or Chi-square test. Results: E. coli strains were detected in 36.1, 39.3 and 10.3% of patients with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and controls, respectively. The number of bacteria per biopsy in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis was significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.01 between patients and controls). In ulcerative colitis, significant associations were found between the presence of bacteria and disease location and use of corticosteroids. In Crohn's disease, no association was found. Conclusions: IBD are associated with the presence of intracellular E. coli strains in the intestinal mucosa, suggesting an alteration in the microbiota or loss of integrity of the epithelial barrier. The association of intracellular E. coli with clinical features and the use of corticosteroids in ulcerative colitis suggests that different factors could promote colonization or proliferation of these bacteria.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) agents have dramatically changed the management of Crohn’s Disease (CD). However, a significant number of these patients do not respond at all or cease to respond to antibodies against TNF. In this clinical situation, the options include intensification of anti-TNF therapy by either increasing the dose or by shortening the administration interval, the use of a second anti-TNF or medications with a different mechanism of action. Among the later, Natalizumab, a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody against α4β1 and α4β7 integrins, is safe and effective in inducing and maintaining remission in active CD patient’s refractory to anti-TNF. In spite of this, Natalizumab use has been limited because of an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalophaty which results from reactivation of the John Cunningham (JC) virus. However, the presence of antibodies against JC virus in serum can be used to reduce the risk for this complication. We report three patients with Crohn’s disease refractory to treatment with infliximab, who responded successfully to the use of Natalizumab.

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the type and prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who are treated at our center. Design Observational, cross-sectional questionnaire-based study that included patients from the IBD program of our center. Setting Tertiary clinical center in Santiago, Chile. Main outcome measures Types of CAM being used by patients with IBD. Results A total of 200 patients were included, 68% ulcerative colitis, 29% Crohn’s disease, and 3% non-classifiable IBD. Overall, 25% of the patients reported current use of CAM, 30% reported using in it the past, and 45% indicated that they had never used it before. The use of CAM was recommended in 20% of the patients by other healthcare professionals and in 10% of the patients by the gastroenterologist. Forty-nine percent of the patients informed the gastroenterologist that they were using CAM. Overall, 86% of the patients did not modify the conventional medical treatment (CMT). None of the patients who were using curcumin, homeopathic medicine, acupuncture or biomagnetism modified the CMT. Conclusions The type of CAM being used plays an important role when the patient makes the decision to inform the gastroenterologist. Other healthcare professionals play an important role in providing the advice to start CAM. Gastroenterologists must be aware of the high prevalence of CAM use in IBD patients, actively ask about CAM use and guide the patients who want to use CAM in a responsible and safe manner.

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder characterized by deregulated inflammation triggered by environmental factors. Notably, adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC), a bacterium with the ability to survive within macrophages is believed to be one of such factors. Glucocorticoids are the first line treatment for CD and to date, it is unknown how they affect bactericidal and inflammatory properties of macrophages against AIEC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of glucocorticoid treatment on AIEC infected macrophages. First, THP-1 cell-derived macrophages were infected with a CD2-a AIEC strain, in the presence or absence of the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex) and mRNA microarray analysis was performed. Differentially expressed mRNAs were confirmed by TaqMan-qPCR. In addition, an amikacin protection assay was used to evaluate the phagocytic and bactericidal activity of Dex-treated macrophages infected with E. coli strains (CD2-a, HM605, NRG857c, and HB101). Finally, cytokine secretion and the inflammatory phenotype of macrophages were evaluated by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. The microarray analysis showed that CD2-a, Dex, and CD2-a + Dex-treated macrophages have differential inflammatory gene profiles. Also, canonical pathway analysis revealed decreased phagocytosis signaling by Dex and anti-inflammatory polarization on CD2-a + Dex macrophages. Moreover, amikacin protection assay showed reduced phagocytosis upon Dex treatment and TaqMan-qPCR confirmed Dex inhibition of three phagocytosis-associated genes. All bacteria strains induced TNF-α, IL-6, IL-23, CD40, and CD80, which was inhibited by Dex. Thus, our data demonstrate that glucocorticoids impair phagocytosis and induce anti-inflammatory polarization after AIEC infection, possibly contributing to the survival of AIEC in infected CD patients.

Environmental factors may influence the development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and modify its natural history. The objective of this review is to evaluate current evidence about environmental factors associated with the disease. A better knowledge about the pathogenesis of the disease can lead to better treatment strategies and suggestions to prevent the disease.

The solubility of iron sulfide and of lead sulfide in water was determined experimentally in the temperature range from 25 to 80 °C and at atmospheric pressure. The solubility of iron sulfide was determined by bringing precipitated iron sulfide in equilibrium with water and determining the concentration of iron ions and of total sulfur after the equilibration. The same method was used for determining the lead sulfide solubility in water. In both cases, a difference between the concentrations of metal ion and of total sulfur was observed. The concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The time required for equilibration was studied. The particle size distribution was examined to select a proper membrane for separating saturated solution from solid material.

Vaccination is considered crucial for disease prevention and fish health in the global salmon farming industry. Nevertheless, some aspects, such as the efficacy of vaccines, can be largely circumvented during natural coinfections. Sea lice are ectoparasitic copepods that can occur with a high prevalence in the field, are frequently found in co-infection with other pathogens, and are highly detrimental to fish health. The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate the interaction between the detrimental effects of coinfection and the protective effects of vaccination in fish. We used the interaction between the sea louse Caligus rogercresseyi, the bacterial pathogen Piscirickettsia salmonis, and their host, the Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, as a study model. Our results showed that coinfection decreased the accumulated survival (AS) and specific growth rate (SGR) of vaccinated fish (AS = 5.2 ± 0.6%; SGR = −0.05 ± 0.39%) compared to a single infection of P. salmonis (AS = 42.7 ± 1.3%; SGR = 0.21 ± 0.22%). Concomitantly, the bacterial load and clinical signs of disease were significantly increased in coinfected fish. Coinfection may explain the reduced efficacy of vaccines in sea cages and highlights the need to test fish vaccines in more diverse conditions rather than with a single infection.

Background: The purpose of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment is to achieve resolution of symptoms and remission of disease with a minimum of adverse events (AE). Aim: To report AE of different prescriptions used for the treatment of IBD. Material and Methods: Analysis of a registry of patients with IBD held at a private clinic from 1976 to 2013. All used medications, the occurrence and severity of AE were recorded. Results: The records of 346 patients aged 16 to 86 years, 74% with ulcerative colitis, were analyzed. The most commonly type of medications prescribed were 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASAs) in 329 patients (92%), followed by adrenal steroids in 218 (61%). Forty nine AE were recorded in the same number of patents (14%). These were more common in patients with Crohn disease (n = 19, 21%). An univariate analysis, demonstrated that extra-intestinal manifestations, hospitalizations secondary to IBD crisis, requirement of surgery and treatment with steroids, immunosuppressants or biologic agents were significantly associated with the presence of AE. AEs were more common with immunosuppressants, followed by 5-ASAs and steroids. Discontinuation of therapy was required in 79, 100 and 43% of patients taking these medications, respectively. Twenty percent of AEs were severe. Leukopenia and pancytopenia along with alopecia were the most common AEs attributable to azathioprine. Conclusions: The occurrence of AEs in patients with IBD is uncommon. Even inmunosuppressants or biologic agents have a low rate of AE and most of them mild.

The clinical presentation of ulcerative colitis at the moment of diagnosis is variable, and its clinical course is difficult to predict. It can range from a quiescent to a refractory chronic course that may require hospitalization and surgical procedures. It can also have complications such as colorectal cancer. In this review we discuss the role of demographic, clinical, endoscopic, histological and associated factors, which can help to predict the clinical course of the disease at the moment of diagnosis, and to individualize therapy according to this clinical risk. Accurate identification of patients with a newly diagnosed ulcerative colitis who are at high risk of an unfavorable outcome is still a challenge. However, an effective evaluation allows an early diagnosis, a timely and effective treatment.