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Resumen Los quistes intestinales (tailgut cyst), o hamartomas quisticos retrorrectales, son lesiones benignas raras que se incluyen en la categoria de lesiones quisticas del desarrollo. Aunque existen varias hipotesis con respecto a su desarrollo, actualmente sigue sin conocerse con certeza su origen. Se localizan principalmente en el espacio presacro (retrorrectal) y afectan fundamentalmente a mujeres de edad media (40-60 anos). Teniendo en cuenta su localizacion y caracteristicas histologicas, los principales diagnosticos diferenciales incluyen quistes epidermoides, quistes de duplicacion y teratomas. La transformacion maligna de estas lesiones es rara, la mayoria en forma de adenocarcinoma y tumores neuroendocrinos. Nosotros presentamos un caso de un quiste intestinal asociado a tumor neuroendocrino bien diferenciado (G1) en una mujer de 63 anos.

Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody indicated for the treatment of severe uncontrolled asthma with an allergic phenotype. Its effectiveness could be influenced by clinical variables and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in one or more of the genes involved in the mechanism of action and process of response to omalizumab, and these could be used as predictive biomarkers of response. We conducted an observational retrospective cohort study that included patients with severe uncontrolled allergic asthma treated with omalizumab in a tertiary hospital. Satisfactory response after 12 months of treatment was defined as (1) Reduction 50% of exacerbations or no exacerbations, (2) Improvement of lung function 10% FEV1, and (3) Reduction 50% of OCS courses or no OCS. Polymorphisms in the FCER1A (rs2251746, rs2427837), FCER1B (rs1441586, rs573790, rs1054485, rs569108), C3 (rs2230199), FCGR2A (rs1801274), FCGR2B (rs3219018, rs1050501), FCGR3A (rs10127939, rs396991), IL1RL1 (rs1420101, rs17026974, rs1921622), and GATA2 (rs4857855) genes were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using TaqMan probes. A total of 110 patients under treatment with omalizumab were recruited. After 12 months of treatment, the variables associated with a reduction in exacerbations were the absence of polyposis (odds ratio [OR] = 4.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.95–19.63), IL1RL1 rs17026974-AG (OR = 19.07; 95% CI = 1.27–547), and IL1RL1 rs17026974-GG (OR = 16.76; 95% CI = 1.22–438.76). Reduction in oral corticosteroids (OCS) was associated with age of starting omalizumab treatment (OR = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.91–0.99) and blood eosinophil levels > 300 cells/ L (OR = 2.93; 95% CI = 1.01–9.29). Improved lung function showed a relationship to the absence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR = 12.16; 95% CI = 2.45–79.49), FCGR2B rs3219018-C (OR = 8.6; 95% CI = 1.12–117.15), GATA2 rs4857855-T (OR = 15.98; 95% CI = 1.52–519.57) and FCGR2A rs1801274-G (OR = 13.75; 95% CI = 2.14–142.68; AG vs. AA and OR = 7.46; 95% CI = 0.94–89.12; GG vs. AA). Meeting one response criterion was related to FCER1A rs2251746-TT (OR = 24; 95% CI = 0.77–804.57), meeting two to age of asthma diagnosis (OR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.88–0.99), and meeting all three to body mass index (BMI) < 25 (OR = 14.23; 95% CI = 3.31–100.77) and C3 rs2230199-C (OR = 3; 95% CI = 1.01–9.92). The results of this study show the possible influence of the polymorphisms studied on the response to omalizumab and the clinical benefit that could be obtained by defining predictive biomarkers of treatment response., Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PT13/0010/0039), Biobank of the Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves.

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUG The endogenous content of polyamines and the expression of genes involved in their metabolism were analyzed in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. ‘Mencía’) somatic embryo aggregates to determine the effect of a semipermeable membrane on their maturation in differentiation medium. The endogenous polyamine content in the somatic embryo aggregates was higher in those cultured over the semipermeable membrane and significantly increased with culture time due to an increase in the free polyamine fraction. Free putrescine represented more than 95% of the total free polyamine fraction and significantly peaked in the second week of culture of the somatic embryo aggregates over the semipermeable membrane. This finding appears to be supported by active expression of the VvADC gene and the low free spermidine level. Another significant peak of free putrescine was detected at the end of culture over the membrane, in which free spermidine level remained low despite the VvSPDS2 gene was upregulated. Hence, it is advisable that this increase in free putrescine was supported by back conversion from spermidine through VvPAO expression. As the semipermeable membrane successfully avoided precocious germination of the grapevine somatic embryos, the results support that polyamine metabolism, particularly putrescine metabolism, is involved in their correct maturation. Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. AGL2009–07488

Supplementary Materials: The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https:// www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/nu15040823/s1, Table S1: Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; Table S2: Linkage disequilibrium; Table S3: Minor allele frequencies of SNPs; Table S4: Estimation of haplotype frequencies; Table S5: Polymorphisms and association with risk of asthma., Asthma is a chronic non-communicable disease that affects all age groups. The main challenge this condition poses is its heterogeneity. The role of vitamin D in asthma has aroused great interest, correlating low vitamin D levels and polymorphisms in the genes involved in its metabolic pathway with the risk of asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to the vitamin D metabolism on the susceptibility to asthma. An observational case-control study was performed, including 221 patients with asthma and 442 controls of Caucasian origin from southern Spain. The SNPs CYP24A1 (rs6068816, rs4809957), CYP27B1 (rs10877012, rs4646536, rs703842, rs3782130), GC (rs7041), CYP2R1 (rs10741657) and VDR (ApaI, BsmI, FokI, Cdx2, TaqI) were analyzed by real-time PCR, using TaqMan probes. The logistic regression model adjusted for body mass index revealed that in the genotype model, carriers of the Cdx2 rs11568820-AA genotype were associated with a higher risk of developing asthma (p = 0.005; OR = 2.73; 95% CI = 1.36–5.67; AA vs. GG). This association was maintained in the recessive model (p = 0.004). The haplotype analysis revealed an association between the ACTATGG haplotype and higher risk of asthma for the rs1544410, rs7975232, rs731236, rs4646536, rs703842, rs3782130 and rs10877012 genetic polymorphisms (p = 0.039). The other SNPs showed no effect on risk of developing asthma. The Cdx2 polymorphism was significantly associated with the susceptibility of asthma and could substantially act as a predictive biomarker of the disease., ERDF funds (EU) from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PT13/0010/0039) supported by co-funding grants from the Biobank of the Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves

Introduction: Studies evaluating the effectiveness of health and social care integration strategies in frail older people are very heterogeneous, and the results are often inconsistent or not very robust. However, there is some tendency towards improved outcomes. Despite this, there are few studies assessing their cost-effectiveness, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Our objective was to evaluate the cost-utility of a health and social care integration programme for frail older persons in Buenos Aires, Argentina.Methods: Based on the programme effectiveness study, a Markov model was developed. The active intervention was the integration programme, and the control was the best standard of care so far. A payer's perspective and a lifetime time horizon were adopted. Patients could have in each cycle low dependency (according to their care needs), high dependency, or death. High dependency status was more likely to result in hospital admission, death (both in and out of hospital), and higher care costs than low dependency. A discount rate of 3.5% was applied to costs and benefits. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: In the base case, the integration programme had an average cost of 18,768.22 international dollars (Int$) per QALY. The best standard of care so far had Int$ 42,609.68/QALY. In the incremental analysis, the programme was the dominant strategy, costing on average Int$ 26,436.10 less and contributing 0.81 more QALYs.In the univariate analysis, the variable that most influenced the outcome was the proportion of people with high dependency at the start of the cohort, explaining 33.3% of the possible range of results. While the incremental savings were higher if all people had high dependency at baseline (Int$ 27,117.79, vs Int$ 25,073.20 with 0% high dependency); the QALY gain was lower (0.52 vs 1.38, respectively). Therefore, the net monetary benefit was higher in the 0% high dependency case at baseline (56,797.13 vs 39,013.33).In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, in 99.96% of cases the programme was less costly and more effective. Conclusion: The health and social care integration programme for frail older adults was more effective and less costly than the best standard of care to date. The intervention was dominant even in the face of different sensitivity analyses.Implications for applicability/transferability, sustainability, and limitations: The intervention does not need important capital investment, and it is based on standardized protocols. Personnel can be trained in a week to start. Sustainability is possible with health and care resource savings. The main limitation of this study is that it is based on a non-randomised controlled clinical trial.

Background: The advances achieved by the available research that focus on understanding memory operation and cognitive functions have helped the development of specific treatment approaches. These can help to maintain or improve the cognitive function and well-being of people with dementia. The use of cognitive stimulation in dementia has a long history. There are multiple studies that have demonstrated its benefits on the cognitive levels of patients with mild to moderate dementia. However, all of the studies on this type of non-pharmacological intervention conclude that there is a need for more clinical trials in order to give more solidity to the evidence already found. The objective of this pilot study was to assess the effects of an occupational therapy cognitive training program on the cognitive function of institutionalized older adults with dementia. Methods: The study was a pilot randomized clinical controlled trial. A total of 58 participants with major neurocognitive disorder or dementia were randomized to the occupational therapy cognitive training program group or to the conventional occupational therapy group twice a week for 5 weeks. The cognitive level was measured with the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) and the Lobo’s Cognitive Mini Test (LCMT), which is the Mini-Mental Status Examination in Spanish. Measures were taken at baseline (week 0), after 5 weeks of treatment (week 5), and after 6 weeks of follow up (week 12). A value of p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: There were no statistical differences between groups in the LCMT global scores at baseline or after the intervention at week 5. However, the analysis of the specific cognitive areas assessed in the Lobo’s Cognitive Mini Test indicated that that the intervention group significantly improved comprehension of verbal commands and praxis (p = 0.021). At the follow-up measure, the differences obtained in relation to verbal commands and praxis maintained the statistical differences significantly (p = 0.009). Conclusions: Occupational therapy based on cognitive training shows positive effects on the maintenance of the global cognitive state of institutionalized older adults with dementia and improves significantly the comprehension of verbal commands and praxis.

Hereditary leiomyomatosis (HL) is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome resulting from a mutation in the germline of the fumarate hydratase (FH) gene. Patients with this syndrome have an increased risk of cutaneous and uterine smooth muscle tumors as well as renal cancer. Renal carcinoma associated with hereditary leiomyomatosis (HLRCC) was recognized as a subtype of independent renal tumor in the 2016 WHO classification. We present a case of HLRCC occurring in a 39-year-old man with no family history or specific skin manifestations at the time of diagnosis.

Severe Uncontrolled Asthma (SUA) counts for more than 25% of cases of severe asthma. The main factors that impair the quality of life of these patients are high doses of oral corticosteroids, the presence of exacerbations, and reduced lung function. The objective of this study was to evaluate, in real life, the clinical improvement of patients with SUA treated with anti-interleukin 5 (IL5) therapies: mepolizumab and benralizumab, together with the search for biomarkers associated with the response. We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study that included patients with severe uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma in a tertiary hospital receiving biological therapies. Three types of response were evaluated: improvement in lung function, reduction in exacerbations, and decrease in the use of oral corticosteroids. After 12 months of treatment, significant reductions were found in the number of exacerbations, the use of oral corticosteroids, and blood eosinophil levels for both biological therapies (p < 0.001). Lung function improved, achieving a significant improvement in %FEV1 (p < 0.001), as well as asthma control, with a significant increase in asthma control test (ACT) scores in both therapies. The markers associated with the corticosteroid-saving effect were the low doses of oral corticosteroids and absence of exacerbations for mepolizumab, and higher blood eosinophilia, absence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and reduction in oral corticosteroid cycles for benralizumab. The greatest improvement in lung function in both therapies was linked to lower previous FEV1 levels and absence of other respiratory diseases. The reduction in exacerbations was associated with absence of exacerbations the previous year for mepolizumab and never smokers for benralizumab. The results of this real-life study confirm the clinical benefit obtained after the introduction of an anti-IL5 biological therapy and the possible predictive biomarkers of response to treatment., Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PT13/0010/0039) Biobank of the Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of an active exercise physiotherapy programme versus an exercise for well-being programme improving muscle strength, range of movement, respiratory capacity and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia. A randomized, assessor-blind, controlled trial was conducted. A total of 141 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia were randomized to a physiotherapy exercise group (n = 47), an exercise for well-being group (n = 47) and a control group (n = 47). The study lasted 4 weeks and the experimental groups received 45 min sessions performed twice a week on alternate days. The primary outcome measures were range of movement and muscle strength. The secondary outcome measures were respiratory capacity and quality of life. The results showed statistically significant improvements in the exercise for well-being and physiotherapy groups vs. the control group at week 5 in relation to joint range of movement (p = 0.004), muscle strength (p = 0.003) and quality of life (p = 0.002). The changes found in all the spirometry parameters seem to be associated to some of the changes in joint range of movement and muscle strength as well as quality of life. Physiotherapy and exercise for well-being improved upper limb and lower limb range of movement and the muscle strength of women with fibromyalgia.

Objective: This study investigated the effectiveness of a core stability training physiotherapy programme vs. acupuncture for the management of balance and functional capacity impairments of women with Fibromyalgia. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting: Outpatients setting. Subjects: Women with Fibromyalgia and balance impairment. Interventions: Participants were randomized to a core stability physiotherapy programme group ( n = 45), acupuncture treatment group ( n = 45) and control group ( n = 45) for 13 weeks. Main Measures: Measures were taken at baseline (week 0), postintervention (week 6) and follow-up (week 13). The primary outcome measures were static balance (posturography) and dynamic balance and functional mobility (Berg Balance Scale, timed up and go test and 10-m walk). The secondary outcome measure was functional capacity (Fibromyalgia Health Assessment Questionnaire and the physical function item from the Spanish Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire). Results: In all, 103 participants completed the study. The results showed statistically significant improvements in the acupuncture and physiotherapy groups vs. the control group at week 6 regarding Berg Balance Scale ( P = 0.00, both groups), timed up and go test ( P = 0.00 and P = 0.01, respectively) and 10-m walk test at comfortable speed ( P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively). The 10-m walk test at maximum speed showed significance when comparing the physiotherapy and control group ( P = 0.03). However, no significant differences were found between the physiotherapy and the acupuncture groups. In relation to functional capacity, the improvements achieved after the treatments were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Core stability-based physiotherapy and acupuncture improve dynamic balance and postural control in women with Fibromyalgia.

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic clinical condition characterized by pain and other associated symptoms that have a negative impact on the quality of life of the affected person. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a core stability training physiotherapy program compared to an acupuncture treatment on quality of life, pain, joint stiffness, difficulty to work and depression of women with fibromyalgia. Methods: This was a single-blind, randomized clinical controlled trial. Women with fibromyalgia were randomized to a core stability physiotherapy program group (n = 45), an acupuncture treatment group (n = 45) and a control group (n = 45) for 13 weeks. Measurements were taken at baseline (week 0), post-intervention (week 6) and at follow-up (week 13). The primary outcome measure was quality of life (Spanish Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire). The secondary outcome measures were pain, joint stiffness, difficulty to work and depression (Visual Analogue Scale). Results: In total, 103 participants completed the study. The results, from a descriptive perspective, showed improvements in all the outcome measures in both intervention groups (physiotherapy and acupuncture) at weeks 6 and 13 in relation to week 0 and in comparison to the control group. Only the difficulty to work measure in the acupuncture group showed a slight decrease at week 13. In particular, mean (±SD) Spanish Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score at 6 weeks was 62.89 ± 16.91 for the physiotherapy group, 62.5 ± 18.09 for the acupuncture group and 67.45 ± 17.07 for the control group. However, these improvements were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Core stability-based physiotherapy and acupuncture showed non-significant improvements in quality of life, pain, joint stiffness, difficulty to work and depression in women with fibromyalgia.

Background: Dysmenorrhoea is the medical term for menstrual pain. The World Health Organization estimates that up to 81% of women of childbearing age are affected by this condition, and it is one of the leading causes of absenteeism from work and school among women. Although there are pharmacological treatments available for menstrual-pain relief, they do not respond to all women’s needs. Therefore, there is a need to study and develop non-pharmacological alternatives to broaden the individualised treatment options for dysmenorrhea. There are scarce studies published on non-pharmacological treatments, such as kinesio tape and auricular acupressure for the relief of menstrual pain, but the scientific evidence available suggest that these techniques may be beneficial in addressing this problem. The objective of this pilot study was to assess and compare the effectiveness of kinesio tape and auricular acupressure to decrease pain and drug intake in women with primary dysmenorrhoea. Methods: This was a double-blind randomized clinical controlled trial. The period of study was from September 2017 to August 2018. Women enrolled in the University of Extremadura and who had primary dysmenorrhoea were randomized to five groups: control (n = 23), kinesio tape (n = 23), placebo kinesio tape (n = 23), auricular acupressure (n = 23) and placebo auricular acupressure (n = 22). Measures were taken during the pretreatment phase (at four menstrual cycles), during the post-intervention phase (at four menstrual cycles) and during the follow-up phase (at the first and third menstrual cycles after the treatment was completed). The primary outcome measures were mean pain intensity, maximum pain intensity, number of painful days and dose of drug intake during menstruation, measured with the Visual Analogue Scale. The secondary outcome measures were the length of the cycle, the length of menstruation, the drug intake and the type of drug. Results: In all, 108 participants completed the study. The statistical analysis (MANOVA, ANOVA, t-paired and McNemar tests) showed that kinesio tape and auricular acupressure have a beneficial effect on pain relief (mean pain intensity, p &lt, 0.001, maximum pain intensity, p &lt, number of painful days, p = 0.021, dose of drug intake, p &lt, 0.001). In addition, once the treatments were withdrawn, the auricular-acupressure group maintained lower scores during the first follow-up cycle (p &lt, 0.001). Conclusions: Kinesio tape and auricular acupressure decrease pain and drug intake in women with primary dysmenorrhoea. The changes in the auricular-acupressure group seemed to last longer. The results suggest that these techniques could be used as complementary personalised therapies to the pharmacological treatment and not as a substitution.

Background: The functional deficits in people with fibromyalgia can be related to the level of physical activity performed. This study investigated the effectiveness of an active exercise programme versus exercise for well-being improving pain, flexibility, static balance, perceived exertion and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia; Methods: A randomised, single-blind, controlled trial was conducted. A total of 141 of women diagnosed with fibromyalgia were enrolled and randomised to an active exercise program group (n = 47), where they performed physical active exercises, an exercise for well-being group (n = 47), which performed the Qi Gong exercises named ‘the twenty Wang Ziping figures for health and longevity’, and a control group (n = 47), which did not receive any intervention, for a period of 4 weeks. Measures were taken at baseline and after the treatment. The primary outcome measures were static balance and centre of gravity (Wii-Fit Nintendo ©), flexibility (test de Wells and Dillon), pain (Visual Analogue Scale) and quality of life (Spanish-Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire). The secondary outcome measure was the perceived exertion during activity (BORG Scale). Results: In total, 93 participants completed the study. The mean value of the age was 52.24 ± 6.19. The post intervention results showed statistically significant improvements in the exercise for well-being and the active exercise programme groups vs. the control group in relation to pain (p = 0.006 active exercise programme group, p = 0.001 exercise for well-being group), static balance (p < 0.001 active exercise programme group) and quality of life (p < 0.001 active exercise programme group, p = 0.002 exercise for well-being group). In addition, the mean scores related to perceived fatigue during the sessions were 6.30 ± 1.88 for the active exercise programme group and 5.52 ± 1.55 for the exercise for well-being group. These differences were not significant. Conclusions: The active exercise program and exercise for well-being improved flexibility, static balance, pain and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia. The participants of the active exercise programme achieved better results that those of the exercise for well-being.

The low induction rates of somatic embryogenesis are one of the main limitations in its routine application in the grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). The use of an induction medium containing histone deacetylase inhibitors (trichostatin A and, mainly, sodium butyrate) resulted in an improvement of the embryogenic responses in grapevine (cv. Mencía) cotyledonary and recently germinated somatic embryos. The relative expression of several grapevine genes related to embryogenic competence or encoding histone deacetylase enzymes was studied in cotyledonary somatic embryos that were cultured in the presence of 0.5 mM sodium butyrate. The results showed a significant overexpression of the BBM and VvSERK2 genes after 24 h of culture, whereas the VvWOX2 gene was underexpressed less in treated versus untreated explants. The results suggest that the inhibitor may trigger a molecular response related to an increase in embryogenic competence and changes in the expression of associated genes. The treatment with sodium butyrate also produced significant variations in the expression of several histone deacetylase enzyme-encoding genes. These results may enhance the possibility of obtaining somatic embryos, reducing the seasonal constraints associated with the use of floral explants in grapevines This research was partially funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grant AGL2009–07488). Óscar Martínez thanks the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport for its support through an FPU fellowship SI

This article offers guidance on managing the infodemic in digital media, based on the experiences of news agencies at a time when an increase in journalistic production is coinciding with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A documentary review of the literature (scientific articles and documents from international agencies) on infodemics, infodemiology, and management of journalistic information during disasters and emergencies was carried out, as well as an analysis of the health and fact-checking sections on the websites and social networks of the Reuters, AFP and EFE news agencies. The accumulated experience reveals that it is not only useful but necessary for the media to make use of data analysis, service journalism, anticipation and prevention of false information, collaboration, narratives across different media, and media literacy both in consumers and producers of information. This article proposes a plan consisting of 10 actions (grouped into three stages: information collection, selection of journalistic information, and presentation of information) that can help digital media combat misinformation about health issues.Nesta comunicação é proposto um guia para o controle da infodemia nas mídias digitais a partir da experiência adquirida pelas agências de notícias com a confluência entre a crescente produção jornalística e o enfrentamento à pandemia de COVID-19. Foi realizada uma revisão documental de artigos científicos e documentos de organismos internacionais sobre infodemia, infodemiologia e gestão da informação jornalística em desastres e emergências, bem como a análise das seções de saúde e checagem de fatos de sites e redes sociais das agências Reuters, AFP e EFE. A experiência acumulada demonstra não só a utilidade, mas também a necessidade de a mídia recorrer a análise de dados, serviço jornalístico, mecanismos para antecipar e prevenir fake news, colaboração, narrativa por diferentes mídias e educação midiática tanto dos consumidores da informação como dos que a produzem. É proposto um plano de 10 ações em três etapas – coleta de informação, seleção da informação jornalística e apresentação da informação – para servir de guia às mídias informativas digitais no combate à desinformação em saúde.

The field of RNAi therapeutics has quickly adapted to the treatment of ocular diseases. Although the eye provides a unique system for the delivery of siRNAs, its complex structure and composition fostered the development of novel strategies for efficient gene silencing in the target compartment. Moreover, anterior and posterior segments differ in their multiple drug barriers and clearance mechanisms. This chapter summarizes the recent achievements in terms of routes of administration, chemical modifications, and delivery systems for siRNAs that specifically apply to eye disorders. Methods employed for siRNA detection/quantitation in ocular tissues are also described, together with safety concerns that need to be addressed to fulfill regulatory requirements of new drug approval. Even though RNAi therapies for ocular diseases have not yet translated into patient care, we document herein the rising number of candidate drugs currently under preclinical or clinical development.

The abstract is available here: https://uscholar.univie.ac.at/o:1178816

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces a complex antibody response that varies by orders of magnitude between individuals and over time. Waning antibody levels lead to reduced sensitivity of serological diagnostic tests over time. This undermines the utility of serological surveillance as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic progresses into its second year. Here we develop a multiplex serological test for measuring antibodies of three isotypes (IgG, IgM, IgA) to five SARS-CoV-2 antigens (Spike (S), receptor binding domain (RBD), Nucleocapsid (N), Spike subunit 2, Membrane-Envelope fusion) and the Spike proteins of four seasonal coronaviruses. We measure antibody responses in several cohorts of French and Irish hospitalized patients and healthcare workers followed for up to eleven months after symptom onset. The data are analysed with a mathematical model of antibody kinetics to quantify the duration of antibody responses accounting for inter-individual variation. One year after symptoms, we estimate that 36% (95% range: 11%, 94%) of anti-S IgG remains, 31% (9%, 89%) anti-RBD IgG remains, and 7% (1%, 31%) anti-N IgG remains. Antibodies of the IgM isotype waned more rapidly, with 9% (2%, 32%) anti-RBD IgM remaining after one year. Antibodies of the IgA isotype also waned rapidly, with 10% (3%, 38%) anti-RBD IgA remaining after one year. Quantitative measurements of antibody responses were used to train machine learning algorithms for classification of previous infection and estimation of time since infection. The resulting diagnostic test classified previous infections with 99% specificity and 98% (95% confidence interval: 94%, 99%) sensitivity, with no evidence for declining sensitivity over the time scale considered. The diagnostic test also provided accurate classification of time since infection into intervals of 0 – 3 months, 3 – 6 months, and 6 – 12 months. Finally, we present a computational method for serological reconstruction of past SARS-CoV-2 transmission using the data from this test when applied to samples from a single cross-sectional sero-prevalence survey.

espanolEl aumento en la incidencia del acoso escolar justifica la creciente necesidad de contar con instrumentos fiables para su evaluacion. Este estudio presenta un analisis comparativo de 9 cuestionarios de deteccion del acoso escolar destinados a alumnos del ultimo ciclo de Educacion Primaria y adolescentes. Se realizaron tres analisis diferenciados para detectar tanto las fortalezas y debilidades de los cuestionarios que componian la muestra, como las tipologias y manifestaciones de acoso evaluadas con mayor frecuencia. Los resultados muestran que el acoso fisico y el verbal son los evaluados con mayor frecuencia, y que las manifestaciones mas evaluadas se relacionan con agresiones fisicas o verbales, humillacion publica, invasion de intimidad y coaccion. Asimismo, el analisis de fortalezas y debilidades revela la necesidad de considerar a los distintos agentes pertenecientes al contexto de acoso evaluado. Este estudio ofrece una perspectiva global a orientadores y psicologos educativos, util para detectar el acoso escolar EnglishThe increase in the incidence of bullying justifies the growing need for reliable instruments for its assessment. This study presents a comparative analysis of 9 questionnaires for the detection of school bullying aimed at pupils in the last stage of primary education and adolescents. Three different analyses were carried out to detect both the strengths and weaknesses of the questionnaires that made up the sample, as well as the typologies and manifestations of bullying most frequently evaluated. The results show that physical and verbal harassment are the most frequently evaluated, and that the most evaluated manifestations are related to physical or verbal aggression, public humiliation, invasion of intimacy, and coercion. Likewise, the analysis of strengths and weaknesses reveals the need to consider the different agents pertaining to the context of harassment assessed. This study offers a global perspective to counselors and educational psychologists, useful for the detection of bullying.

We describe the process by which items of a belief scale in obesity and bariatric surgery were generated using mixed methods. Participants were 22 Ecuadorian bariatric patients between 22 and 50 years old (M = 37.5, SD= 8.91). A semi-structured interview was constructed, validated, and conducted. The information was analyzed using directed content analysis, guided by the Health Belief Model. The beliefs varied according to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, particularly age, sex, surgical technique, and postoperative evolution. The level of susceptibility, severity and benefits were mainly associated with the consequences of the loss of psychological well-being and social acceptance. Meanwhile, a greater perception of barriers was found in women, people who experienced negative emotions and those with less social support. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir el proceso por el cual se generaron los ítems de una escala de creencias en obesidad y cirugía bariátrica mediante métodos mixtos. Participaron 22 pacientes bariátricos, ecuatorianos entre 22 y 50 años (M = 37.5, DE = 8.91). Se construyó, validó y aplicó una entrevista semiestructurada; la información se procesó mediante análisis de contenido dirigido por las dimensiones del Modelo de creencias en salud. Las creencias variaron en función de características sociodemográficas y clínicas, particularmente edad, sexo, técnica quirúrgica y evolución. El nivel de susceptibilidad, gravedad y beneficios percibidos se asoció principalmente a las consecuencias de perder el bienestar psicológico y aceptación social. Además, se encontró una mayor percepción de barreras en tres subpoblaciones: mujeres, personas que experimentaron emociones negativas y quienes reportaron menos soporte social. Description du processus qui a permis d’élaborer les items d’une échelle de mesure des croyances relatives à l’obésité et à la chirurgie bariatrique au moyen de méthodes mixtes. 22 patients bariatriques, équatoriens et âgés de 22 à 50 ans participèrent (EM = 37.5, S = 8.91). Un questionnaire semi-structuré fut conçu, validé et appliqué; l’information fut traitée en appliquant une analyse de contenu basée sur les paramètres du modèle de croyances en Santé. Les croyances varièrent en fonction de caractéristiques socio-démographiques et cliniques, notamment l’âge, le sexe, la technique chirurgicale et l’évolution. Le niveau de susceptibilité, de gravité et d’avantages perçus furent essentiellement associés aux conséquences de la perte du bien-être psychologique et de l’acceptation sociale. Bien qu’une perception plus grande des obstacles ait été observée dans trois sous-populations: les femmes, les personnes qui ont éprouvé des émotions négatives et celles qui ont déclaré moins de soutien social. Descreve-se o processo pelo qual foram gerados os elementos de uma escala de crenças em obesidade e cirurgia bariátrica utilizando métodos mistos. Um total de 22 pacientes foram envolvidos, equatorianos entre 22 e 50 anos (M = 37.5, DP = 8.91). Uma entrevista semiestruturada foi elaborada, validada e aplicada, sendo as informações processadas por meio de uma análise de conteúdo orientada pelas dimensões do Modelo de crenças em saúde. As crenças variaram de acordo com as caraterísticas sociodemográficas e clínicas, particularmente idade, sexo, técnica cirúrgica e evolução. O grau de susceptibilidade, gravidade e benefícios percebidos está ligado principalmente às consequências de perda de bem-estar psicológico e de aceitação social. Enquanto, uma maior percepção de barreiras foi encontrada em três subpopulações: mulheres, pessoas que experimentaram emoções negativas e aquelas que relataram menos apoio social.

The field of RNAi therapeutics has quickly adapted to the treatment of ocular diseases. Although the eye provides a unique system for the delivery of siRNAs, its complex structure and composition fostered the development of novel strategies for efficient gene silencing in the target compartment. Moreover, anterior and posterior segments differ in their multiple drug barriers and clearance mechanisms. This chapter summarizes the recent achievements in terms of routes of administration, chemical modifications, and delivery systems for siRNAs that specifically apply to eye disorders. Methods employed for siRNA detection/quantitation in ocular tissues are also described, together with safety concerns that need to be addressed to fulfill regulatory requirements of new drug approval. Even though RNAi therapies for ocular diseases have not yet translated into patient care, we document herein the rising number of candidate drugs currently under preclinical or clinical development.

Background Somatic embryogenesis in grapevines is a complex process that depends on many physiological and genetic factors. One of its main limitations is the process of precocious germination of the somatic embryos in differentiation medium. This process lowers plant conversion rates from the somatic embryos, and it is probably caused by a low endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) content. Results Precocious germination of the somatic embryos was successfully avoided by culturing grapevine cv. Mencía embryogenic aggregates over a semipermeable membrane extended on top of the differentiation medium. The weekly analysis of the endogenous ABA and ABA-glucosyl ester (ABA-GE) contents in the aggregates showed their rapid accumulation. The expression profiles of 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (VvNCED1), 8′-hydroxylase (VvHyd2), UDP-glucosyltransferase (VvUGT) and β-glucosidase (VvBG2) genes in grapevine revealed that the occurrence of a first accumulation peak of endogenous ABA in the second week of culture over the semipermeable membrane was mainly dependent on the expression of the VvNCED1 gene. A second increase in the endogenous ABA content was observed in the fourth week of culture. At this point in the culture, our results suggest that of those genes involved in ABA accumulation, one (VvNCED1) was repressed, while another (VvBG2) was activated. Similarly, of those genes related to a reduction in ABA levels, one (VvUGT) was repressed while another (VvHyd2) was activated. The relative expression level of the VvNCED1 gene in embryogenic aggregates cultured under the same conditions and treated with exogenous ABA revealed the significant downregulation of this gene. Conclusions Our results demonstrated the involvement of ABA metabolism in the control of the maturation of grapevine somatic embryos cultured over a semipermeable membrane and two important control points for their endogenous ABA levels. Thus, subtle differences in the expression of the antagonistic genes that control ABA synthesis and degradation could be responsible for the final level of ABA during the maturation of grapevine somatic embryos in vitro. In addition, the treatment of somatic embryos with exogenous ABA suggested the feedback-based control of the expression of the VvNCED1 gene by ABA during the maturation of grapevine somatic embryos.

La educacion popular y su contribucion a los procesos universitarios en la actualidad, se convierten en necesidad ante la sistematizacion de practicas pedagogicas cada vez menos inclusivas y marcadas por diferentes formas de opresion. De ahi que el objetivo del articulo, es argumentar la contribucion de la Educacion Popular, (EP) como perspectiva teorico-metodologica, para reflexionar y revertir estas manifestaciones en el contexto de la educacion superior del siglo XXI. El analisis bibliografico ha permitido la obtencion de antecedentes historicos, dimensiones y contribuciones de la EP a la teoria pedagogica que, unida al pensamiento de Freire y sus seguidores, abordan de forma contrahegemonica y descolonizadora el tratamiento a estas practicas. Por otra parte, la etnografia educativa posibilita explicar ejemplos de practicas emancipadoras universitarias en cursos de postgraduacion en universidades brasilera y cubana. Los resultados teorico-practicos contribuyen a develar en el contexto educativo universitario relaciones de poder y comportamientos que reproducen de manera natural el pensamiento colonizador. Las conclusiones indican cuanto es posible avanzar en el dialogo entre los saberes academicos y populares y, se advierte la necesidad de continuar perfeccionando los procesos universitarios en aras de lograr la formacion de sujetos cada vez mas comprometidos con la descolonizacion educativa y la transformacion social.

Objectives Primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia is an uncommon cause of endogenous Cushing's syndrome characterized by the presence of aberrant adrenal expression of ectopic receptors that regulate steroidogenesis by mimicking the events triggered by ACTH receptor activation. Receptors of this type have been described for several hormones. The aim of the study is to detect these receptors in two patients with ACTH-independent hypercortisolism by means of the application of a screening protocol. Design and methods A protocolized study of aberrant receptors was performed including measurements of ACTH, cortisol and other steroids and hormones. Upright posture test, mixed food and administration of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) were used as stimuli. In both patients, a stimulation test with intravenous ACTH was conducted to determinate the cortical response capacity. The study was carried out in three separate days. Results The first patient, who had a hypergonadotropic hypogonadism , presented anomalous cortisol response to the GnRH stimulation, with potential medical treatment by the use of exogenous testosterone . In the second case, the patient with clinical Cushing's syndrome presented anomalous cortisol response to standing, whose potential medical treatment would be the use of beta-blockers . Conclusions This etiological variant of ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome leads to the use of specific pharmacologic therapies in some cases as alternatives to adrenalectomy . The studied cases show the importance of having a high degree of suspicion when diagnosing less frequent types of Cushing's syndrome.

Background Lung cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, with poor survival rates despite diagnostic and therapeutic advances. Markers are needed in order to improve clinical patient management and survival. TP53 is frequently involved in lung cancer development with polymorphic sites potentially having a role in it. This study aims to determine the value of codon 72 missense polymorphic variant genotyping, TP53 R72P, as a prognostic factor in NSCLC patients. Methods One hundred and fifteen NSCLC samples from patients exposed to tobacco smoke and silica dust from Asturias (Northern Spain) were genotyped by direct sequencing. Results Seventy-five percent tumour samples alleles coded for Arg. The R72P genotype was an independent predictor of lymph node status (HR = 3.6). The heterozygous genotype was associated to a reduced 5-year survival rate (28% vs 51% for homozygotes). Importantly, this result was specifically observed in these subsets of patients: those over 67 years, patients with silicosis, current smokers, patients with squamous cell carcinomas and, notably, with tumour free lymph nodes. Conclusion Our results indicate a remarkable application of R72P genotyping in the clinical setting: refine patient subclassification to identify those with an adverse clinical course despite tumour free lymph node status.