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IntroductionThis multicenter prospective study sponsored by the Grupo Español de Transplante Hematopoyético y Terapia Celular (GETH-TC) explores the use of frailty assessments in allo-HCT candidates.MethodsFrailty was measured using the HCT Frailty Scale at first consultation and HCT admission in 404 adults from 15 HCT programs in Spain. Based on the results, patients were classified into fit, pre-frail and frail categories. Allo-HCT outcomes were analyzed according to the results obtained from the HCT Frailty Scale. Data was collected prospectively and all patients signed informed consent.ResultsAt first consultation, 102 (26.2%) patients were classified as fit, 248 (61.4%) as pre-frail, and 50 (12.4%) as frail. During the study, 62 (15.2%) patients participated in a pre-habilitation program. Among non-pre-habilitated patients (n=342), the proportion of fit patients decreased from 26.6% to 16.7%, while frail patients increased from 12.7% to 19.9%. In contrast, pre-habilitated patients (n=62) showed improvements, with fit patients increasing from 24.2% to 46.8%, and frail patients decreasing from 9.7% to 3.2%. Multivariate analysis confirmed lower OS (HR 2.52, P=0.002) and higher NRM (HR 2.69, P=0.013) in frail patients at HCT admission compared to fit ones, with a trend towards lower OS in pre-frail patients (HR 1.54, P=0.097).ConclusionThis study highlights the feasibility of incorporating the HCT Frailty Scale into clinical practice, confirms its negative impact of frailty on transplant outcomes, and suggests that frailty is dynamic and potentially reversible through pre-transplant interventions.

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) has been proposed to be a crucial process for antitumor immunosurveillance. ICD is characterized by the exposure and emission of Damage Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMP), including calreticulin (CRT). A positive correlation between CRT exposure or total expression and improved anticancer immunosurveillance has been found in certain cancers, usually accompanied by favorable patient prognosis. In the present study, we sought to evaluate CRT levels in the plasma membrane of CD38+ bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) isolated from 71 patients with varying degrees of multiple myeloma (MM) disease and examine the possible relationship between basal CRT exposure and the bone marrow immune microenvironment, as well as its connection with different clinical markers. Data show that increased levels of cell surface-CRT were associated with more aggressive clinical features and with worse clinical prognosis in MM. High CRT expression in MM cells was associated with increased infiltration of NK cells, CD8+ T lymphocytes and dendritic cells (DC), indicative of an active anti-tumoral immune response, but also with a significantly higher presence of immunosuppressive Treg cells and increased expression of PD-L1 in myeloma cells.

Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: La fortificación de la leche materna (LM) es una práctica habitual para alcanzar los aportes necesarios para el crecimiento y desarrollo del recién nacido prematuro. Sin embargo, puede aumentar su osmolalidad. Según la Academia Americana de Pediatría, se recomienda no superar 450 mOsm/kg (aproximadamente 400 mOsm/l) en la alimentación del lactante, aunque el límite de la seguridad se estima entre 400-600 mOsm/kg.El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la osmolalidad de la LM donada (LMD) descongelada y fortificada. Método: Se analizó la LMD de 6 madres sanas, sin fortificar y con 4 pautas de fortificación, realizando mediciones por triplicado de las muestras a tiempo 0, 4, 9 y 24 h tras su preparación. Entre mediciones se almacenó refrigerada (2-8 °C). Los grupos de estudio fueron: 1) A: LMD no fortificada; 2) B: LMD con adición de vitaminas; 3) C: con adición de fortificante; 4) D: con adición de módulo proteico a dosis baja, y 5) E: con adición de módulo proteico a dosis alta. Las determinaciones de osmolalidad se realizaron un osmómetro crioscópico. El análisis de datos se realizó con R software (v.3.5.1). Resultados: Se analizaron un total de 30 muestras (360 mediciones). La osmolalidad de la LMD a t = 0 h fue 301 mOsm/kg (DE 5,2) y aumentó ligeramente con el tiempo a 308,11 mOsm/kg (DE 5,21) después de 24 h (t = 24 h), manteniéndose en los límites de seguridad. La adición de vitaminas no aumentó la osmolalidad de manera significativa (grupo B). La adición de fortificante (C) y módulo de proteínas con dosis baja (D) o dosis alta (E) produjo un aumento de osmolalidad basal que se incrementó en el tiempo de manera estadísticamente significativa (p = 0,007) pero sin diferencias entre los tipos C, D y E. Hubo diferencias entre la osmolalidad en t = 0 con la fortificación según la ficha técnica del fabricante (339 mOsm/l) y los hallazgos en nuestro laboratorio (432,33 mOsm/l). Conclusión: Los valores de osmolalidad hallados en las muestras de LMD descongelada son similares a los de otros estudios. La fortificación de la LMD y su conservación refrigerada entre 2-8 °C durante 24 h aumenta la osmolalidad, pero manteniéndose dentro de los límites de seguridad. Abstract: Introduction and objectives: The fortification of maternal milk (MM) is a standard practice in order to achieve the requirements needed for the growth and development of the premature newborn. However, its osmolality could increase. According to the American Paediatrics Academy, it is recommended not to exceed 450 mOsm/kg (approximately 400 mOsm/L) in the diet of the infant, even though the safety limit is estimated to be between 400 and 600 mOsm/kg.The aim of this study is to determine the osmolality of thawed and fortified donated MM (DMM). Method: An analysis was performed on DMM of 6 healthy mothers, without fortifying, and with 4 levels of fortification. Measurement of the samples was carried out in triplicate at 0, 4, 9, and 24 hours after their preparation. They were stored refrigerated (2-8 °C) between measurements. The study groups were: (A) Non-fortified DMM; (B) DMM with vitamins added; (C) with the addition of a fortifier; (D) with the addition of a low-dose protein formula; and (E) with the addition of a high-dose protein formula. The osmolality determinations were carried out using a freezing-point osmometer. The data analysis was performed using R software (v.3.5.1). Results: A total of 30 samples were analysed with 360 measurements. The osmolality of the DMM at t = 0 h was 301 mOsm/kg (SD 5.2) and slightly increased with time to 308.11 mOsm/kg (SD 5.21) after 24 hours (t = 24 h), being maintained within the safety limits. The addition of vitamins (Group B) did not significantly increase the osmolality. The addition of a fortifier (C) and a low dose (D) or high dose (E) protein formula produced an increase in the baseline osmolality that increased statistically significantly in time (P=.007), but with no differences between the C, D, and E types. There were differences between the osmolality at t = 0 with the fortification according to the manufacturer's data sheet (339 mOsm/l) and the findings in our laboratory (432.33 mOsm/l). Conclusion: The osmolality values found in the thawed DMM samples were similar to those of other studies. The fortification of the DMM samples and their storage refrigerated at 2-8 °C for 24 h increased the osmolality, but keeping them within the safety limits.

Introduction and objectives: The fortification of maternal milk (MM) is a standard practice in order to achieve the requirements needed for the growth and development of the premature newborn. However, its osmolality could increase. According to the American Paediatrics Academy, it is recommended not to exceed 450 mOsm/kg (approximately 400 mOsm/L) in the diet of the infant, even though the safety limit is estimated to be between 400 and 600 mOsm/kg.The aim of this study is to determine the osmolality of thawed and fortified donated MM (DMM). Method: An analysis was performed on DMM of 6 healthy mothers, without fortifying, and with 4 levels of fortification. Measurement of the samples was carried out in triplicate at 0, 4, 9, and 24 h after their preparation. They were stored refrigerated (2–8 °C) between measurements. The study groups were: (A) non-fortified DMM; (B) DMM with vitamins added; (C) with the addition of a fortifier; (D) with the addition of a low-dose protein formula; and (E) with the addition of a high-dose protein formula. The osmolality determinations were carried out using a freezing-point osmometer. The data analysis was performed using R software (v.3.5.1). Results: A total of 30 samples were analysed with 360 measurements. The osmolality of the DMM at t = 0 h was 301 mOsm/kg (SD 5.2) and slightly increased with time to 308.11 mOsm/kg (SD 5.21) after 24 h (t = 24 h), being maintained within the safety limits. The addition of vitamins (Group B) did not significantly increase the osmolality. The addition of a fortifier (C) and a low dose (D) or high dose (E) protein formula produced an increase in the baseline osmolality that increased statistically significantly in time (P = .007), but with no differences between the C, D, and E types. There were differences between the osmolality at t = 0 with the fortification according to the manufacturer's data sheet (339 mOsm/L) and the findings in our laboratory (432.33 mOsm/L). Conclusion: The osmolality values found in the thawed DMM samples were similar to those of other studies. The fortification of the DMM samples and their storage refrigerated at 2–8 °C for 24 h increased the osmolality, but keeping them within the safety limits. Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: La fortificación de la leche materna (LM) es una práctica habitual para alcanzar los aportes necesarios para el crecimiento y desarrollo del recién nacido prematuro. Sin embargo, puede aumentar su osmolalidad. Según la Academia Americana de Pediatría, se recomienda no superar 450 mOsm/kg (aproximadamente 400 mOsm/l) en la alimentación del lactante, aunque el límite de la seguridad se estima entre 400-600 mOsm/kg.El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la osmolalidad de la LM donada (LMD) descongelada y fortificada. Método: Se analizó la LMD de 6 madres sanas, sin fortificar y con 4 pautas de fortificación, realizando mediciones por triplicado de las muestras a tiempo 0, 4, 9 y 24 h tras su preparación. Entre mediciones se almacenó refrigerada (2-8 °C). Los grupos de estudio fueron: 1) A: LMD no fortificada; 2) B: LMD con adición de vitaminas; 3) C: con adición de fortificante; 4) D: con adición de módulo proteico a dosis baja, y 5) E: con adición de módulo proteico a dosis alta. Las determinaciones de osmolalidad se realizaron un osmómetro crioscópico. El análisis de datos se realizó con R software (v.3.5.1). Resultados: Se analizaron un total de 30 muestras (360 mediciones). La osmolalidad de la LMD a t = 0 h fue 301 mOsm/kg (DE 5,2) y aumentó ligeramente con el tiempo a 308,11 mOsm/kg (DE 5,21) después de 24 h (t = 24 h), manteniéndose en los límites de seguridad. La adición de vitaminas no aumentó la osmolalidad de manera significativa (grupo B). La adición de fortificante (C) y módulo de proteínas con dosis baja (D) o dosis alta (E) produjo un aumento de osmolalidad basal que se incrementó en el tiempo de manera estadísticamente significativa (p = 0,007) pero sin diferencias entre los tipos C, D y E. Hubo diferencias entre la osmolalidad en t = 0 con la fortificación según la ficha técnica del fabricante (339 mOsm/l) y los hallazgos en nuestro laboratorio (432,33 mOsm/l). Conclusión: Los valores de osmolalidad hallados en las muestras de LMD descongelada son similares a los de otros estudios. La fortificación de la LMD y su conservación refrigerada entre 2-8 °C durante 24 h aumenta la osmolalidad, pero manteniéndose dentro de los límites de seguridad.

Surface microbial colonization and its potential biofilm formation are currently a major unsolved problem, causing almost 75% of human infectious diseases. Pathogenic biofilms are capable of surviving high antibiotic doses, resulting in inefficient treatments and, subsequently, raised infection prevalence rates. Antibacterial coatings have become a promising strategy against the biofilm formation in biomedical devices due to their biocidal activity without compromising the bulk material. Here, we propose for the first time a silver-based metal–organic framework (MOF; here denoted AgBDC) showing original antifouling properties able to suppress not only the initial bacterial adhesion, but also the potential surface contamination. Firstly, the AgBDC stability (colloidal, structural and chemical) was confirmed under bacteria culture conditions by using agar diffusion and colony counting assays, evidencing its biocide effect against the challenging E. coli, one of the main representative indicators of Gram-negative resistance bacteria. Then, this material was shaped as homogeneous spin-coated AgBDC thin film, investigating its antifouling and biocide features using a combination of complementary procedures such as colony counting, optical density or confocal scanning microscopy, which allowed to visualize for the first time the biofilm impact generated by MOFs via a specific fluorochrome, calcofluor.

Se presenta un estudio exploratorio sobre las experiencias de investigadoras de las ciencias en su ingreso, promoción y permanencia en el Sistema Nacional de Investigadores (SNI). Se analizaron las tensiones que experimentaron y las estrategias identitarias que pusieron en marcha en dicho proceso. Se usó el método biográfico, a través de relatos de vida, realizando entrevistas semiestructuradas a las investigadoras que pertenecen a los niveles I, II y III del SNI en dos áreas del conocimiento.

Abstract Background Early mother–child skin-to-skin contact (SSC) in the first 2 h postpartum is highly beneficial for both mother and child. However, cases have been reported of newborns who have experienced apparently life-threatening events (ALTEs) or sudden death during this procedure. The causes of these events are unknown. Newborn’s prone position could influence the onset of these events but there is very little evidence to support any recommendation. We hypothesize that newborns’ breathing obstruction episodes increase as mothers lie more horizontally. The main objective of this study is to compare the occurrence of desaturation and bradycardia episodes as a function of mother’s bed incline. The study is designed as a randomized, controlled, assessor blind, multicenter, superiority trial with two parallel groups and 1:1 allocation ratio. Methods The study participants will be full-term healthy mother–newborn dyads from ten hospitals in Spain. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two study arms defined by mother’s bed inclination (45° or 15°). The planned sample size is 5866. Centralized permuted blocks randomization and assessor blinding will be implemented. The newborns will be monitored remotely with pulse oximetry, from 10 min to 2 h after delivery. We established SO2 and heart rate (HR) limit alarms, as well as an action protocol in the event of alarm activation. The primary outcome is the number of healthy newborns who undergo episodes of SO2 ≤ 90%. Secondary outcomes are the mean SO2 level, the number of newborns who experience episodes of SO2 ≤ 85%, the time to SSC discontinuation due to abnormal SO2 or HR, and episodes of HR 180 bpm. Subgroups and pooled analysis will be performed to identify if breast-feeding and mother and child positions favor the occurrence of desaturation or bradycardia episodes. Discussion A simple intervention such as modifying mother’s bed angle of inclination while in SSC with her child during the first 2 h postpartum could favor newborn’s hemodynamic and respiratory stabilization and thus contribute to reducing the onset of ALTEs. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02585492. Registered on 22nd October 2015. Protocol version 2 (30th June 2015).

Nowadays, mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) are envisaged as promising candidates in the field of bioceramics for bone tissue regeneration. This is ascribed to their singular chemical composition, structural and textural properties and easy-to-functionalize surface, giving rise to accelerated bioactive responses and capacity for local drug delivery. Since their discovery at the beginning of the 21st century, pioneering research efforts focused on the design and fabrication of MBGs with optimal compositional, textural and structural properties to elicit superior bioactive behavior. The current trends conceive MBGs as multitherapy systems for the treatment of bone-related pathologies, emphasizing the need of fine-tuning surface functionalization. Herein, we focus on the recent developments in MBGs for biomedical applications. First, the role of MBGs in the design and fabrication of three-dimensional scaffolds that fulfil the highly demanding requirements for bone tissue engineering is outlined. The different approaches for developing multifunctional MBGs are overviewed, including the incorporation of therapeutic ions in the glass composition and the surface functionalization with zwitterionic moieties to prevent bacterial adhesion. The bourgeoning scientific literature on MBGs as local delivery systems of diverse therapeutic cargoes (osteogenic/antiosteoporotic, angiogenic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antitumor agents) is addressed. Finally, the current challenges and future directions for the clinical translation of MBGs are discussed.

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) secondary to BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is a frequent complication related to allogenic stem cell transplantation. With an important morbidity and mortality, this disease doesn’t have a stablished standard treatment or prophylaxis strategies. At this moment, the supportive therapies approved to treat included hyperhydration, forced diuresis and transfusion support. Cidofovir is a nucleotide analog of deoxycytidine monophosphate against DNA viruses and it has been described for the treatment of BKPyV-HC, but at this moment, is not a front-line therapy. We report a successful case after the use of Cidofovir without Probenecid. No adverse effect was developed under the treatment, and after 4 weeks of treatment, the patient achieved an excellent response.

In this study we evaluated the potential of expanded NK cells (eNKs) from two sources combined with the mAbs daratumumab and pembrolizumab to target primary multiple myeloma (MM) cells ex vivo. In order to ascertain the best source of NK cells, we expanded and activated NK cells from peripheral blood (PB) of healthy adult donors and from umbilical cord blood (UCB). The resulting expanded NK (eNK) cells express CD16, necessary for carrying out antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Cytotoxicity assays were performed on bone marrow aspirates of 18 MM patients and 4 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Expression levels of PD-1 on eNKs and PD-L1 on MM and MGUS cells were also quantified. Results indicate that most eNKs obtained using our expansion protocol express a low percentage of PD-1+ cells. UCB eNKs were highly cytotoxic against MM cells and addition of daratumumab or pembrolizumab did not further increase their cytotoxicity. PB eNKs, while effective against MM cells, were significantly more cytotoxic when combined with daratumumab. In a minority of cases, eNK cells showed a detectable population of PD1+ cells. This correlated with low cytotoxic activity, particularly in UCB eNKs. Addition of pembrolizumab did not restore their activity. Results indicate that UCB eNKs are to be preferentially used against MM in the absence of daratumumab while PB eNKs have significant cytotoxic advantage when combined with this mAb.

The article shows the results of an investigation of Cuban academics in Mexican institutions of higher education. Our objective was to understand the construction of their identities as Cuban academics, from the meaning of their migration to Mexico. We conducted the study following the biographical method, and through biographical interviews, we rebuilt the life stories of 16 academics, 10 women and six men. The results show the identifications of these academics relating to two moments in their careers: their insertion into the Mexican academy, and the permanence of their positions in the present. The findings highlight the role of socialization in these identity constructions.

Nowadays, there is an ever-increasing interest in the development of systems able to guide and influence cell activities for bone regeneration. In this context, we have explored for the first time the combination of type-I collagen and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) to design magnetic and biocompatible electrospun scaffolds. For this purpose, SPIONs with a size of 12 nm were obtained by thermal decomposition and transferred to an aqueous medium via ligand exchange with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). The SPIONs were subsequently incorporated into type-I collagen solutions to prove the processability of the resulting hybrid formulation by means of electrospinning. The optimized method led to the fabrication of nanostructured scaffolds composed of randomly oriented collagen fibers ranging between 100 and 200 nm, where SPIONs resulted distributed and embedded into the collagen fibers. The SPIONs-containing electrospun structures proved to preserve the magnetic properties of the nanoparticles alone, making these matrices excellent candidates to explore the magnetic stimuli for biomedical applications. Furthermore, the biological assessment of these collagen scaffolds confirmed high viability, adhesion, and proliferation of both pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells and human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs).

This Special Issue entitled “Commemorative Issue in Honor of Professor María Vallet-Regí: 20 Years of Silica-Based Mesoporous Materials” arises from the initiative of the editorial team of Pharmaceutics to pay homage to Professor Maria Vallet-Regí for her ground-breaking pioneering scientific contribution to the field of silica-based mesoporous materials for biomedical applications [...]

A crucial challenge to face in the treatment of biofilm-associated infection is the ability of bacteria to develop resistance to traditional antimicrobial therapies based on the administration of antibiotics alone. This study aims to apply magnetic hyperthermia together with controlled antibiotic delivery from a unique magnetic-responsive nanocarrier for a combination therapy against biofilm. The design of the nanosystem is based on antibiotic-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) externally functionalized with a thermo-responsive polymer capping layer, and decorated in the outermost surface with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). The SPIONs are able to generate heat upon application of an alternating magnetic field (AMF), reaching the temperature needed to induce a change in the polymer conformation from linear to globular, therefore triggering pore uncapping and the antibiotic cargo release. The microbiological assays indicated that exposure of E. coli biofilms to 200 µg/mL of the nanosystem and the application of an AMF (202 kHz, 30 mT) decreased the number of viable bacteria by 4 log10 units compared with the control. The results of the present study show that combined hyperthermia and antibiotic treatment is a promising approach for the effective management of biofilm-associated infections.

This review focuses on the design of mesoporous silica nanoparticles for infection treatment. Written within a general context of contributions in the field, this manuscript highlights the major scientific achievements accomplished by professor Vallet-Regí’s research group in the field of silica-based mesoporous materials for drug delivery. The aim is to bring out her pivotal role on the envisage of a new era of nanoantibiotics by using a deep knowledge on mesoporous materials as drug delivery systems and by applying cutting-edge technologies to design and engineer advanced nanoweapons to fight infection. This review has been divided in two main sections: the first part overviews the influence of the textural and chemical properties of silica-based mesoporous materials on the loading and release of antibiotic molecules, depending on the host–guest interactions. Furthermore, this section also remarks on the potential of molecular modelling in the design and comprehension of the performance of these release systems. The second part describes the more recent advances in the use of mesoporous silica nanoparticles as versatile nanoplatforms for the development of novel targeted and stimuli-responsive antimicrobial nanoformulations for future application in personalized infection therapies.

The sudden death is defined as the unexpected death that occurs within an hour of the onset of symptoms. This type of death has a high social, media and economic impact. The first cause is of cardiac origin, and within this, the ischemic heart disease is the most frequent, but family heart diseases (channelopathies and cardiomyopathies) are more important in children and young people, where they represent the first cause of sudden cardiac death. These family heart diseases have a clear genetic substrate that justifies the indication of an adequate study of the relatives of the deceased. According to the data of the Spanish population of the 2013 census (46.7 million inhabitants) in the Valencian Community, which represents 10% of this population, it is estimated that there are 20.000 people with some potentially lethal heart disease. Given the importance and the social impact of sudden death of cardiac origin, and since the medical-legal autopsy has limitations to diagnose the underlying disease in these types of deaths, the most opportune strategy is the multidisciplinary approach, which is why in 2008, the Family Sudden Death and Family Heart Diseases Unit was created in this region.

Introducción: El síndrome de muerte súbita del lactante (SMSL) es la primera causa de muerte en el primer año de vida. Además de la clasificación de San Diego, la autopsia debe complementarse con datos clínicos y examen de las circunstancias de la muerte. Objetivo: Aplicar esta clasificación en casos de muerte súbita de lactantes. Método: Estudio multidisciplinar en 109 lactantes que fallecieron de forma súbita entre septiembre/2006 y diciembre/2015, y que ingresaron en los Institutos de Medicina Legal de la comunidad valenciana, en España. Se realizó examen del lugar del levantamiento, recogida de datos perinatales, encuesta epidemiológica y autopsia judicial con estudios complementarios. Resultados: De los 109 casos, 60 masculinos y 49 féminas, 53 (48,6%) fueron diagnosticados como SMSL: 6 categoría IB, 47 categoría II (36 con factor de riesgo de sofocación accidental con 19 colechos, 13 pronos y 1 con ambos), 46 casos (42,2%) fueron muerte de causa explicada (54,4% enfermedades infecciosas, 30,4% enfermedades cardíacas, 2,2% hemocromatosis neonatal e inmunodeficiencia, 4,3% malformaciones congénitas y 2,2% muerte violenta) y 10 casos (9,2%) de causa indeterminada. La edad media al fallecimiento fue de 3,53 meses. La mayor incidencia de colecho en el SMSL ocurrió a los 2 meses, de decúbito prono a los 4, y el mayor número de casos se presentó en invierno. Conclusiones: El estudio multidisciplinar de la muerte súbita del lactante proporciona información clave para clasificarlas por categorías y confirmar la presencia de factores de riesgo que permitan dirigir las medidas de prevención y el estudio cardiológico familiar.

El objetivo del artículo es analizar las experiencias de migración de académicas sudamericanas, su llegada e incorporación en dos universidades mexicanas, una en el centro-sur y otra ubicada en el noreste del país. Partimos del supuesto que en su proceso migratorio, las académicas adquirieron una serie de experiencias que les permitió poner en práctica estrategias para transitar de situaciones de tensión a un aprendizaje en dicho proceso. Se utilizó el método biográfico, a través de relatos de vida, entrevistando a académicas que provienen, en su mayoría, de países de Sudamérica. Los hallazgos mostraron que las académicas pusieron en marcha estrategias de mimetización, creatividad, pragmatismo y de perseverancia, pese a las diferencias de desarrollo socioeconómico de los estados y del desarrollo en la investigación en las universidades públicas en donde laboran.

Objetivo. El objetivo fue estudiar los factores motivacionales que impulsaron a los estudiantes extranjeros a realizar un posgrado en México, las expectativas que mantienen o modifican en el desarrollo de sus estudios y los medios que utilizaron para alcanzar esas expectativas. Metodología. La Metodología que se utilizó en la investigación exploratoria fue de corte cualitativa, se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a un grupo de estudiantes extranjeros (cubanos y colombianos), quienes estudian el Doctorado en Ciencias en la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos (UAEM). Resultados. Encontramos que los estudiantes tomaron la decisión de salir de sus países de origen, basados en factores internos y externos, ambos factores conformaron una motivación principal para realizar un doctorado y fueron cambiando conforme pasó el tiempo de su estancia en México. Conclusiones. Una de las conclusiones fue que durante ese proceso, los estudiantes hicieron uso de medios y procedimientos flexibles para alcanzar sus expectativas planteadas y replantearse nuevas.

The study focuses on the experiences of foreign academics who participated in two programs for attracting qualified personnel, one in Mexico, “Subprograma de Cátedras Patrimoniales” (1991-2002), and another in Ecuador, the “Programa Prometeo” (2008-2014). We analyzed in a general way the context, the implementation and the institutional ways for diffusion of the programs within the framework of the governments, and policies of both countries. The study identified these programs as innovative policies; however it was also noted that the interest of the group of academics in benefiting from these programs was to alleviate their economic crisis and the lack of investment in science and technology in their countries of origin rather than the response to a demand from Mexico and Ecuador in pursuit of the internationalization of higher education.

Based on an already tested laboratory procedure, a new magnetron sputtering methodology to simultaneously coat two-sides of large area implants (up to ~15 cm2) with Ti nanocolumns in industrial reactors has been developed. By analyzing the required growth conditions in a laboratory setup, a new geometry and methodology have been proposed and tested in a semi-industrial scale reactor. A bone plate (DePuy Synthes) and a pseudo-rectangular bone plate extracted from a patient were coated following the new methodology, obtaining that their osteoblast proliferation efficiency and antibacterial functionality were equivalent to the coatings grown in the laboratory reactor on small areas. In particular, two kinds of experiments were performed: Analysis of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, and osteoblasts−bacteria competitive in vitro growth scenarios. In all these cases, the coatings show an opposite behavior toward osteoblast and bacterial proliferation, demonstrating that the proposed methodology represents a valid approach for industrial production and practical application of nanostructured titanium coatings.

Desde la Antigüedad, los animales domésticos y salvajes han sido parte integrante de la vida del ser humano como alimento para su supervivencia, como transporte y también como iconos en la construcción del imaginario cultural. En la cultura ibérica las representaciones figuradas en diversos soportes (cerámica, escultura en piedra, terracotas, metales y monedas), “lo imaginario”, y los restos faunísticos de poblados, necrópolis y lugares culturales, “lo real”, ilustran las relaciones entre las sociedades de la Edad del Hierro de la mitad SE de la Península Ibérica con los animales de su entorno. En este trabajo se analiza un tipo de objeto de la indumentaria íbera: las fíbulas, como ejemplo para aproximarnos al género como constructo cultural. Estas fíbulas, por su elaboración en metales nobles y la ornamentación que portan con escenas de caza o animales individualizados, debieron ser piezas de especial significación entre determinados grupos sociales y de poder. El estudio de los contextos y de imágenes similares en otros soportes y su comparación con los restos faunísticos documentados aportan información sobre el rango y el género de sus portadores y nos aproximan al significado que determinados animales tuvieron para los íberos.

Zwitterionization of biomaterials has been heightened to a potent tool to develop biocompatible materials that are able to inhibit bacterial and non-specific proteins adhesion. This constitutes a major progress in the biomedical field. This manuscript overviews the main functionalization strategies that have been reported up to date to design and develop these advanced biomaterials. On this regard, the recent research efforts that were dedicated to provide their surface of zwitterionic nature are summarized by classifying biomaterials in two main groups. First, we centre on biomaterials in clinical use, concretely bioceramics, and metallic implants. Finally, we revise emerging nanostructured biomaterials, which are receiving growing attention due to their multifunctionality and versatility mainly in the local drug delivery and bone tissue regeneration scenarios.

Presentamos en este trabajo una tinaja de grandes dimensiones inédita con decoración figurada procedente de la ciudad ibérica del Tossal de Sant Miquel de Llíria (Valencia). Con un elevado índice de fragmentación. el vaso muestra interesantes figuraciones como una escena femenina de hilado y tejido, joven a caballo, así como damas estantes. Su iconografía nos aproxima al análisis de los grupos de edad y género en la cultura ibérica: ternas como la naturaleza o los rituales de tránsito a la edad adulta. La dimensión simbólica de las escenas plasmadas en este vaso de encargo se integra en el programa de imágenes de la antigua Edeta, en un marco urbano y aristocrático, de tradición mediterránea.

Despite the progress in the fetal echocardiographic detection of congenital critical heart defects and neonatal physical examination, a significant number of newborn infants are discharged and readmitted to the hospital in severe condition due to cardiac failure or collapse. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of undetected critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) by a pulse oximetry-screening program in the maternity wards of hospitals with Perinatal Services in a specific geographic area. This is a prospective observational study performed in in the health area corresponding to the city of Valencia. Eligible infants were consecutively admitted newborn infants in the maternities of the participating hospitals with negative fetal echocardiography after normal physical examination in the delivery room. All patients were screened following a specific pulse oximetry protocol before discharge. A total of 8856 newborn infants were screened. A total of three babies presented with severe congenital cardiac malformation and two babies presented with early onset sepsis. Sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 99.97%, with a positive predictive value of 60% and negative predictive value of 100%. Pulse oximetry screening programs in the early neonatal period constitute a valuable tool to avoid inadvertent hospital discharge of severe cardiac malformations and the subsequent life-threatening complications derived.

This manuscript reviews the recent progress on mesoporous silica nanoparticles as drug delivery systems. Their intrinsic structural, textural and chemical features permit to design versatile multifunctional nanosystems with the capability to target the diseased tissue and release the cargo on demand upon exposition to internal or external stimuli. The degradation rate of these nanocarriers in diverse physiological fluids is overviewed obeying their significance for their potential translation towards clinical applications. To conclude, the balance between the benefits and downsides of this revolutionary nanotechnological tool is also discussed.

This paper proposes a facile strategy for the zwitterionization of bioceramics that is based on the direct incorporation of l-lysine amino acid via the ε-amino group onto mesoporous MCM-41 materials. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies of lysine-grafted MCM-41 (MCM-LYS) simultaneously showed bands at 3080 and 1540 cm−1 and bands at 1625 and 1415 cm−1 corresponding to -NH3+/COO− pairs, which demonstrate the incorporation of the amino acid on the material surface keeping its zwitterionic character. Both elemental and thermogravimetric analyses showed that the amount of grafted lysine was 8 wt. % based on the bioceramic total weight. Moreover, MCM-LYS exhibited a reduction of adhesion of S. aureus and E. coli bacteria in 33% and 50%, respectively at physiological pH, as compared with pristine MCM-41. Biofilm studies onto surfaces showed that lysine functionalization elicited a reduction of the area covered by S. aureus biofilm from 42% to only 5% (88%). This research shows a simple and effective approach to chemically modify bioceramics using single amino acids that provides zwitterionic functionality, which is useful to develop new biomaterials that are able to resist bacterial adhesion.

Presentamos en este trabajo el espacio funerario correspondiente al asentamiento ibérico de Giribaile (Vilches, Jaén), que entra dentro de la categoría de los grandes oppida del Alto Guadalquivir. Mediante prospección se han definido tres sectores de necrópolis que rodean la base de la meseta fortificada donde se sitúa el oppidum. En el sector funerario denominado de la plataforma inferior se ha documentado la base de un monumento de forma cuadrangular y dimensiones considerables, dotado de una cornisa con moldura de gola lisa. La presencia de esta construcción ofrece paralelos con otros monumentos funerarios ibéricos del área del Guadalquivir y, en general, del sureste peninsular.

Presentamos en este artículo el CD-ROM Los iberos y sus imágenes, de reciente aparición en el mercado, cuya realización ha sido posible gracias a una subvención de la DGICYT, mediante un proyecto PETRI que ha implicado la colaboración entre el CSIC y la empresa informática MICRONET S.A. La génesis y el planteamiento del proyecto parte de la exposición itinerante La sociedad ibérica a través de la imagen, que guía la estructura general del Cd-rom, adaptada al nuevo soporte. Este proyecto plantea una indagación compleja sobre la imagen en la cultura ibérica, en el contexto de las culturas del mediterráneo antiguo. Desde este punto de vista, se ha realizado un riquísimo catálogo con más de 1500 imágenes de la Protohistoria ibérica que cronológicamente van del Bronce Final hasta la romanización. Se ha pretendido elaborar una obra que suponga una herramienta de trabajo para cualquier especialista en la materia y, por otro lado, un rico y actualizado apoyo documental para cualquier usuario interesado en la cultura ibérica, la arqueología, la historia o las religiones y mitos del Mediterráneo antiguo.

Desde finales de 1988, cuando se retoman las campañas de excavación en el yacimiento del Torrelló del Boverot de Almazora (Castellón), se recuperaron abundantes materiales —fundamentalmente cerámicos— del periodo Ibérico final que cierra cronológicamente la vida del poblado. En este trabajo presentamos dos piezas cerámicas singulares correspondientes a esta fase tardía, documentada a través de la campaña de excavación llevada a cabo en 1995, en la que se trabajó en el área central del asentamiento. El registro obtenido en esta intervención coincide con el proporcionado por un lote de materiales donados al Museo de Almazora por parte de los aficionados que excavaron este poblado a mediados de la década de los setenta.

En este trabajo presentamos un lote inédito de armamento ibérico espadas, lanzas y puñal esencialmente procedente de la necrópolis correspondiente al poblado del Mas de Barberán (Nogueruelas, Teruel). Al mismo yacimiento se asocia la estela antropomorfa con inscripción que representa un personaje masculino armado con disco-coraza, recientemente estudiada.

Presentamos el estudio de una pieza apenas conocida en el conjunto de estelas ibéricas con decoración figurada y epigrafía. Se trata de la estela hallada en el yacimiento del Mas de Barberán, en el término de Nogueruelas (Teruel), junto al límite con la localidad castellonense de Cortes de Arenoso. Reflexionamos sobre su morfología antropomorfa, su iconografía —el disco-coraza— y el epígrafe inciso que presenta.

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode that causes strongyloidiasis, which affects 30 to 100 million people worldwide. Risk factors for hyperinfection and disseminated disease include immunosuppressive drug therapy, human T-lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) infection, solid organ and bone marrow transplantation, hematologic malignant diseases, hypogammaglobulinemia, and severe malnutrition and associated conditions. The diagnosis can be difficult because a single stool examination fails to detect larvae in up to 70% of the cases, and the symptoms are nonspecific. Although eosinophilia is a common finding in patients with chronic Strongyloides infection, it is an unreliable predictor of hyperinfection. Furthermore, the lack of eosinophilia while receiving immunosuppressive therapy cannot reliably exclude the underlying chronic Strongyloides infection. We report here a fatal Strongyloides hyperinfection in a patient receiving allogeneic stem cell transplantation; risk factors and outcome in this clinical setting are discussed.

In this work we identified three highly skilled immigration waves during the 20th Century in Mexico: the Spanish, the South Americans, and the Eastern Europeans in particular those from the Former Soviet Union. In the last group, we analyzed the cases of nine scientists migrations experiences that came to Mexico in the nineties. The analysis focused on the causes that the scientists had to leave that region and to remain in Mexico.

RESUMEN: Presentamos en este trabajo una reflexión sobre el conocido gesto de ofrecimiento del vaso a la divinidad en la cultura ibérica, en el marco del Mediterráneo antiguo. Analizamos las imágenes de los exvotos que muestran esta actitud a través de los principales soportes -piedra, bronce y terracota-, así como una valoración de otros elementos del registro implicado en la arqueología ibérica del culto.ABSTRACT: We present in this work a reflection about the known gesture of offering the vase to the deity in the Iberian culture, in the context of the Ancient Mediterranean. We analyse the images of the exvoto that show this attitude through the most important materials -stone, bronze and pottery-; we study too other elements of the material culture involved in the Iberian archaeology of the cult.