Evaluación histológica del efecto de enzimas con actividad depilatoria sobre piel vacuna

La industria curtidora genera una variedad de desechos potencialmente tóxicos que dependen del proceso de depilado utilizado. Para atenuar esta contaminación, se desarrollaron sistemas alternativos de depilado, entre ellos el enzimático. En la epidermis, a nivel del estrato corneo, se ubican lípidos que ocupan casi por completo el espacio intercelular entre los queratinocitos y desempeñan un importante papel como barrera hidrofóbica. Esta barrera debe transformarse para permitir el paso de las enzimas depilatorias hacia sus sitios de acción: folículo piloso/pelo y membrana basal. Las estructuras mencionadas deben eliminarse sin dañar el colágeno, proteína determinante de la calidad del cuero. Sobre trozos de piel bovina fueron analizados los efectos de diferentes pretratamientos tendientes a favorecer la penetración de enzimas depilatorias. Se utilizaron tensioactivos y sulfito de sodio como pretratamiento y posteriormente tratamientos con proteasas comerciales, una de origen pancréático y otra alcalina. El control fue tratado con buffer de bicarbonato de sodio. Las muestras se colorearon con Hematoxilina Eosina y Tricrómico de Masson. En los cortes sometidos a acción enzimática se encontraron cambios en el colágeno que podrían alterar la calidad del cuero.Se concluye que el estudio histológico de la piel permite evaluar los cambios que pueden ocasionar los tratamientos que se realizan para convertirla en cuero

The Glial Regenerative Response to Central Nervous System Injury Is Enabled by Pros-Notch and Pros-NFκB Feedback

Organisms are structurally robust, as cells accommodate changes preserving structural integrity and function. The molecular mechanisms underlying structural robustness and plasticity are poorly understood, but can be investigated by probing how cells respond to injury. Injury to the CNS induces proliferation of enwrapping glia, leading to axonal re-enwrapment and partial functional recovery. This glial regenerative response is found across species, and may reflect a common underlying genetic mechanism. Here, we show that injury to the Drosophila larval CNS induces glial proliferation, and we uncover a gene network controlling this response. It consists of the mutual maintenance between the cell cycle inhibitor Prospero (Pros) and the cell cycle activators Notch and NFκB. Together they maintain glia in the brink of dividing, they enable glial proliferation following injury, and subsequently they exert negative feedback on cell division restoring cell cycle arrest. Pros also promotes glial differentiation, resolving vacuolization, enabling debris clearance and axonal enwrapment. Disruption of this gene network prevents repair and induces tumourigenesis. Using wound area measurements across genotypes and time-lapse recordings we show that when glial proliferation and glial differentiation are abolished, both the size of the glial wound and neuropile vacuolization increase. When glial proliferation and differentiation are enabled, glial wound size decreases and injury-induced apoptosis and vacuolization are prevented. The uncovered gene network promotes regeneration of the glial lesion and neuropile repair. In the unharmed animal, it is most likely a homeostatic mechanism for structural robustness. This gene network may be of relevance to mammalian glia to promote repair upon CNS injury or disease

Modern approach to the treatment of dry eye, a complex multifactorial disease: a P.I.C.A.S.S.O. board review

Dry eye disease (DED) is a growing public health concern affecting quality of life and visual function, with a significant socio-economic impact. It is characterised by the loss of homoeostasis, resulting in tear film instability, hyperosmolarity and inflammation of the ocular surface. If the innate immune response is unable to cope with internal bodily or environmental adverse conditions, the persistent, self-maintaining vicious circle of inflammation leads to the chronic form of the disease. Treatment of DED should be aimed at the restoration of the homoeostasis of the ocular surface system. A proper diagnostic approach is fundamental to define the relevance and importance of each of the DED main pathogenic factors, namely tear film instability, epithelial damage and inflammation. Consideration also needs to be given concerning two other pathogenic elements: lid margin changes and nerve damage. All the factors that maintain the vicious circle of DED in the patient's clinical presentation have to be considered and possibly treated simultaneously. The treatment should be long-lasting and personalised since it has to be adapted to the different clinical conditions observed along the course of the disease. Since DED treatment is frequently unable to provide fast and complete relief from symptoms, empathy with patients and willingness to explain to them the natural history of the disease are mandatory to improve patients' compliance. Furthermore, patients should be instructed about the possible need to increase the frequency and/or change the type of treatment according to the fluctuation of symptoms, following a preplanned rescue regimen

The Effect of a physical activity program on the total number of primary care visits in inactive patients : A 27-month randomized controlled trial

Background: Effective promotion of exercise could result in substantial savings in healthcare cost expenses in terms of direct medical costs, such as the number of medical appointments. However, this is hampered by our limited knowledge of how to achieve sustained increases in physical activity. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of a Primary Health Care (PHC) based physical activity program in reducing the total number of visits to the healthcare center among inactive patients, over a 15-month period. Research Design: Randomized controlled trial. Subjects: Three hundred and sixty-two (n = 362) inactive patients suffering from at least one chronic condition were included. One hundred and eighty-three patients (n = 183; mean (SD); 68.3 (8.8) years; 118 women) were randomly allocated to the physical activity program (IG). One hundred and seventy-nine patients (n = 179; 67.2 (9.1) years; 106 women) were allocated to the control group (CG). The IG went through a three-month standardized physical activity program led by physical activity specialists and linked to community resources. Measures: The total number of medical appointments to the PHC, during twelve months before and after the program, was registered. Self-reported health status (SF-12 version 2) was assessed at baseline (month 0), at the end of the intervention (month 3), and at 12 months follow-up after the end of the intervention (month 15). Results: The IG had a significantly reduced number of visits during the 12 months after the intervention: 14.8 (8.5). The CG remained about the same: 18.2 (11.1) (P = .002). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that a 3-month physical activity program linked to community resources is a short-duration, effective and sustainable intervention in inactive patients to decrease rates of PHC visits

Prolonged Sitting Time: Barriers, Facilitators and Views on Change among Primary Healthcare Patients Who Are Overweight or Moderately Obese

Background and Objectives Prolonged sitting time has negative consequences on health, although the population is not well aware of these harmful effects. We explored opinions expressed by primary care patients diagnosed as overweight or moderately obese concerning their time spent sitting, willingness to change, and barriers, facilitators, goals and expectations related to limiting this behaviour. Methods A descriptive-interpretive qualitative study was carried out at three healthcare centres in Barcelona, Spain, and included 23 patients with overweight or moderate obesity, aged 25 to 65 years, who reported sitting for at least 6 hours a day. Exclusion criteria were inability to sit down or stand up from a chair without help and language barriers that precluded interview participation. Ten in-depth, semi-structured interviews (5 group, 5 individual) were audio recorded from January to July 2012 and transcribed. The interview script included questions about time spent sitting, willingness to change, barriers and facilitators, and the prospect of assistance from primary healthcare professionals. An analysis of thematic content was made using ATLAS.Ti and triangulation of analysts. Results The most frequent sedentary activities were computer use, watching television, and motorized journeys. There was a lack of awareness of the amount of time spent sitting and its negative consequences on health. Barriers to reducing sedentary time included work and family routines, lack of time and willpower, age and sociocultural limitations. Facilitators identified were sociocultural change, free time and active work, and family surroundings. Participants recognized the abilities of health professionals to provide help and advice, and reported a preference for patient-centred or group interventions. Conclusions Findings from this study have implications for reducing sedentary behaviour. Patient insights were used to design an intervention to reduce sitting time within the frame of the SEDESTACTIV clinical trial

Crustáceos (Crustacea: Sessilia, Stomatopoda, Isopoda, Amphipoda, Decapoda) de Bahía Málaga, Valle del Cauca (Pacífico colombiano)

In this paper, we compile all existent studies including the presence of Crustacea in Bahía Málaga. We also compile available information on crustacean material deposited in different zoological collections. The literature revision and visits to museum collections were complemented with field sampling and observations during field work carriedout by Universidad del Valle and the BIOMALAGA project coordinated by Invemar, Univalle and Inciva (Invemar 2006).En el presente estudio se recopilan todos los trabajos existentes en los que se menciona la presencia de especies de ese grupo en Bahía Málaga. Igualmente se recopiló la información correspondiente al material depositado en diferentes colecciones zoológicas. La consulta bibliográfica y la revisión de colecciones sirvieron para complementar las observaciones de campo y las colecciones realizadas durante varias expediciones de la Universidad del Valle y del proyecto BIOMALAGA desarrollado por Invemar, Univalle e Inciva (Invemar et al. 2006). De acuerdo con esos datos, se estima en que en Bahía Málaga se encuentran 226 especies de crustáceos pertenecientes a 56 familias y cinco ordenes (Sessilia, Stomatopoda, Amphipoda, Isopoda, Decapoda), siguiendo la clasificación propuesta por Martin y Davis (2001) hasta nivel de familia.

Perspectives and Integration in SOLAS Science

Why a chapter on Perspectives and Integration in SOLAS Science in this book? SOLAS science by its nature deals with interactions that occur: across a wide spectrum of time and space scales, involve gases and particles, between the ocean and the atmosphere, across many disciplines including chemistry, biology, optics, physics, mathematics, computing, socio-economics and consequently interactions between many different scientists and across scientific generations. This chapter provides a guide through the remarkable diversity of cross-cutting approaches and tools in the gigantic puzzle of the SOLAS realm. Here we overview the existing prime components of atmospheric and oceanic observing systems, with the acquisition of ocean–atmosphere observables either from in situ or from satellites, the rich hierarchy of models to test our knowledge of Earth System functioning, and the tremendous efforts accomplished over the last decade within the COST Action 735 and SOLAS Integration project frameworks to understand, as best we can, the current physical and biogeochemical state of the atmosphere and ocean commons. A few SOLAS integrative studies illustrate the full meaning of interactions, paving the way for even tighter connections between thematic fields. Ultimately, SOLAS research will also develop with an enhanced consideration of societal demand while preserving fundamental research coherency. The exchange of energy, gases and particles across the air-sea interface is controlled by a variety of biological, chemical and physical processes that operate across broad spatial and temporal scales. These processes influence the composition, biogeochemical and chemical properties of both the oceanic and atmospheric boundary layers and ultimately shape the Earth system response to climate and environmental change, as detailed in the previous four chapters. In this cross-cutting chapter we present some of the SOLAS achievements over the last decade in terms of integration, upscaling observational information from process-oriented studies and expeditionary research with key tools such as remote sensing and modelling. Here we do not pretend to encompass the entire legacy of SOLAS efforts but rather offer a selective view of some of the major integrative SOLAS studies that combined available pieces of the immense jigsaw puzzle. These include, for instance, COST efforts to build up global climatologies of SOLAS relevant parameters such as dimethyl sulphide, interconnection between volcanic ash and ecosystem response in the eastern subarctic North Pacific, optimal strategy to derive basin-scale CO2 uptake with good precision, or significant reduction of the uncertainties in sea-salt aerosol source functions. Predicting the future trajectory of Earth’s climate and habitability is the main task ahead. Some possible routes for the SOLAS scientific community to reach this overarching goal conclude the chapter

Cigarrillos electrónicos

Dispositius electrònics; Cigarretes electròniques; Productes de tabac per escalfamentDispositivos electrónicos; Cigarrillos electrónicos; Productos de tabaco por calentamientoElectronic devices; Electronic cigarettes; Tobacco products for heatingEls dispositius electrònics (DE) són sistemes que proporcionen nicotina i altres substàncies en forma d’aerosol inhalable. Van ser introduïts en el mercat l’any 2003 sense estudis preclínics, proves toxicològiques ni assajos de seguretat a llarg termini, tal com requereixen els productes farmacèutics o els productes sanitaris, i no han estat autoritzats com a productes terapèutics. Hi ha dos tipus principals de DE: les cigarretes electròniques (CE) i els productes de tabac per escalfament (PTE). Els seus efectes sobre la salut a llarg termini són desconeguts i, per tant, no hi ha proves que els DE siguin més segurs que el tabac convencional. A curt termini, poden tenir efectes respiratoris similars als de les cigarretes convencionals. L’any 2019, es va descriure una entitat pròpia de lesions pulmonars associades al vapeig (EVALI, de l’anglès E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury). També s’han notificat diverses afectacions relacionades dels sistemes respiratori, cardiovascular o immunitari, entre d’altres. Els assaigs clínics publicats fins avui no han aclarit si les CE són efectives per deixar de fumar, bàsicament perquè presenten dèficits metodològics importants. Hi ha una gran evidència (OR 4,59) entre l’ús de CE i la posterior conversió d’aquestes persones en fumadors habituals. L’estratègia més efectiva per ajudar les persones fumadores es basa en el suport psicològic o conductual i la utilització de fàrmacs (teràpia substitutiva de nicotina, bupropió i vareniclina). Els professionals sanitaris haurien de desaconsellar les cigarretes electròniques.Los dispositivos electrónicos (DE) son sistemas que proporcionan nicotina y otras sustancias en forma de aerosol inhalable. Se introdujeron en el mercado el año 2003, sin estudios preclínicos, pruebas toxicológicas, ni ensayos clínicos de seguridad a largo plazo, tal como requieren los medicamentos o los productos sanitarios, y no han sido autorizados como producto terapéutico. Hay dos tipos principales de DE, los cigarrillos electrónicos (CE) y los productos de tabaco por calentamiento (PTC). Los efectos a largo plazo sobre la salud de estos productos son desconocidos y, por tanto, no se dispone de pruebas que permitan afirmar que los DE son más seguros que el tabaco convencional. A corto plazo, pueden tener efectos respiratorios similares a los de los cigarrillos convencionales. En el año 2019, se describió una entidad propia de lesiones pulmonares asociadas al vapeo (EVALI: “E-cigarette Vaping product uso Associated Lung Injury”). También se han notificado varias afectaciones en los sistemas respiratorio, cardiovascular e inmunitario entre otros. Los ensayos clínicos publicados hasta el momento no aclaran si los CE son eficaces para dejar de fumar, básicamente, a causa de que presentan déficits metodológicos importantes. Se dispone de fuerte evidencia (ORO 4,59) entre el uso de CE y la posterior conversión a fumadores habituales. La estrategia más efectiva para ayudar a las personas fumadoras se basa en el apoyo psicológico/conductual y la utilización de fármacos (Terapia sustitutiva de nicotina, bupropión y vareniclina). Los profesionales sanitarios deben desaconsejar el uso de cigarrillos electrónicos