A collagen-targeted biomimetic RGD peptide to promote osteogenesis

Osteogenesis is a complex, multifactorial process in which many different signals interact. The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are the most potent inducers of osteoblastic differentiation, although very high doses of BMPs in combination with collagen type I formulations have to be used for clinical applications. Although integrin-binding arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) biomimetic peptides have shown some promising abilities to promote the attachment of cells to biomaterials and to direct their differentiation, the linking of these peptides to collagen sponges usually implies chemical manipulation steps. In this study, we describe the design and characterization of a synthetic collagen-targeted RGD biomimetic (CBD-RGD) peptide formed from a collagen-binding domain derived from the von Willebrand factor and the integrin-binding RGD sequence. This peptide was demonstrated to bind to absorbable collagen type I sponges (ACSs) without performing any chemical linking, and to induce the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 mouse preosteoblasts and rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Furthermore, in vivo experiments showed that ACSs functionalized with CBD-RGD and loaded with a subfunctional dose of BMP-2-formed ectopic bone in rats, while nonfunctionalized sponges loaded with the same amount of BMP-2 did not. These results indicate that the combination of this biomimetic peptide with the currently used collagen+BMP system might be a promising approach to improve osteogenesis and to reduce the doses of BMPs needed in clinical orthopedics.MICINN (BIO2009-13903-C01-01) MINECO (BIO2012-34960) Junta de Andalucía (P07-CVI-2781) ISCiii, RETICS, Red Española de Terapia Celular (TerCel) (RD12/0019/0032) ISCiii, CIBER-BBN (CB06/01/1015

Estrategias de acercamiento entre biblioteca universitaria y sociedad: “el Plan Hermes” de la Biblioteca de la Universidad de Málaga

La Biblioteca de la Universidad de Málaga, a raíz del proceso de evaluación realizado en el año 2003, se plantea la necesidad de desarrollar un plan de comunicación que aborde tanto los aspectos internos como externos de la misma, denominándolo Plan Hermes. En el presente trabajo se pretende reflejar el contenido de dicho Plan, haciendo especial hincapié a aquellas cuestiones relativas a la comunicación externa con la comunidad universitaria y la sociedad en general. Se describen en primer lugar los aspectos generales que han guiado la elaboración y evolución del Plan de comunicación. A continuación se exponen los planteamientos adoptados para el desarrollo del Plan de comunicación externa, enfatizando su importancia, que se define como objetivo prioritario dentro del Plan Hermes. Finalmente, se dedica un apartado a la comunicación con la sociedad como herramienta clave para el establecimiento de unos canales de comunicación adecuados y efectivos que garanticen la presencia de la Biblioteca Universitaria en su entorno social. Palabras clave: Comunicación, Biblioteca universitaria, Sociedad, Plan de comunicación. ABSTRACT As a result of the assessment process carried out in 2003, Malaga University Library proposes the necessity of developing a communication planning which approaches both its internal and external aspects, named Plan Hermes. The present work intends to reflect the content of Plan, insisting on those questions relative to the external communication with the academic community and the society in general. Firstly, the general aspects which have guided the elaboration and evolution of the communication planning are described. Then the expositions adopted for the development of the external communication planning are exposed, emphasizing its importance, which is defined as a main objective within the Plan Hermes. Finally, a section for the communication with the society like a key tool for establishing the XIV Jornadas Bibliotecarias de Andalucía. Antequera (Málaga) 15 al 17 de marzo de 2007 Más que palabras: las bibliotecas motor de transformación social. appropriate and effective communication channels which guarantee the Academic Library presence within its social environment is included. Keywords: Communication, Academic Library, Society, Communication Planning

Empleo de mecanismos para la comunicación y participación del personal de la biblioteca

https://www.fesabid.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2011-Malaga.pdfLa Biblioteca de la Universidad de Málaga se halla inmersa en un proceso de transformación derivado, entre otros factores, de la implantación de un sistema de gestión de calidad. La comunicación interna en este proceso se convierte en un elemento de vital importancia, donde las herramientas de participación juegan un papel fundamental. En el presente trabajo se justifica en primer lugar la necesidad de establecer mecanismos de comunicación y de participación, que se hacen especialmente necesarios dada la estructura descentralizada de la Biblioteca. Se realiza un despliegue de los mecanismos implantados, destacando los más novedosos. Por último, se exponen los retos a tratar en un futuro próximo. Se podría afirmar que se ha producido un cambio radical en las formas de comunicación interna y de participación. El personal de la Biblioteca ha participado y se ha implicado en esta nueva concepción. La experiencia ha demostrado que la comunicación es un factor clave y su mejora redunda en la del propio servicio y en el clima laboral

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to <90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], >300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Combinations of single-top-quark production cross-section measurements and vertical bar f(LV)V(tb)vertical bar determinations at root s=7 and 8 TeV with the ATLAS and CMS experiments

This paper presents the combinations of single-top-quark production cross-section measurements by the ATLAS and CMS Collaborations, using data from LHC proton-proton collisions at = 7 and 8 TeV corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1.17 to 5.1 fb(-1) at = 7 TeV and 12.2 to 20.3 fb(-1) at = 8 TeV. These combinations are performed per centre-of-mass energy and for each production mode: t-channel, tW, and s-channel. The combined t-channel cross-sections are 67.5 +/- 5.7 pb and 87.7 +/- 5.8 pb at = 7 and 8 TeV respectively. The combined tW cross-sections are 16.3 +/- 4.1 pb and 23.1 +/- 3.6 pb at = 7 and 8 TeV respectively. For the s-channel cross-section, the combination yields 4.9 +/- 1.4 pb at = 8 TeV. The square of the magnitude of the CKM matrix element V-tb multiplied by a form factor f(LV) is determined for each production mode and centre-of-mass energy, using the ratio of the measured cross-section to its theoretical prediction. It is assumed that the top-quark-related CKM matrix elements obey the relation |V-td|, |V-ts| << |V-tb|. All the |f(LV)V(tb)|(2) determinations, extracted from individual ratios at = 7 and 8 TeV, are combined, resulting in |f(LV)V(tb)| = 1.02 +/- 0.04 (meas.) +/- 0.02 (theo.). All combined measurements are consistent with their corresponding Standard Model predictions.Peer reviewe

Aortic Diameters and Calcifications in Former World-Class Cyclists

Purpose: Concerns on whether athletes––particularly older ones––are at an increased risk of pathological aortic dilation exist, and the prevalence of aortic calcifications in these individuals is unknown. We aimed to compare the dimensions, distensibility, and prevalence of calcifications in the thoracic aorta between former male professional cyclists (cases) and sex/age-matched controls. Methods: We used a retrospective cohort design, where cases were former finishers of at least one Grand Tour (Tour de France, Giro d’ Italia or Vuelta a España) and controls were untrained individuals with no previous sports history and free of cardiovascular risk. All participants underwent magnetic resonance and computer tomography assessments for the measurement of aortic dimensions and calcifications, respectively. Results: Cases showed larger (P < 0.05) dimensions than controls for aortic annulus, sinus, and arch, as well as for ascending and descending aorta. However, none of the participants presented with pathological aortic dilation (all diameters <40 mm). A slightly higher prevalence of calcifications in the ascending aorta was observed in cases (13% vs 0% in controls, P = 0.020). Subanalyses confirmed that cases who were still competing (masters category, n = 8) had larger aortic diameters (P < 0.05) and a greater presence of calcifications in the ascending/descending aorta (38% vs 0% for both segments, P = 0.032) than those who had become inactive (n = 15). No between-group differences were found for aortic distensibility. Conclusions: Former professional cyclists, particularly those who are still competing after retirement, show enlarged aortic diameters (albeit without exceeding upper limits of normality). Former professional cyclists also showed a slightly higher prevalence of calcifications in the ascending aorta than controls, although aortic distensibility was not compromised. The clinical relevance of these findings should be the subject of future studies.Sin financiación4.1 Q1 JCR 20221.734 Q1 SJR 2022No data IDR 2022UE

Prognostic Role of Host Cyclooxygenase and Cytokine Genotypes in a Caucasian Cohort of Patients with Gastric Adenocarcinoma

<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Genetic factors influencing the prognosis of gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) are not well known. Given the relevance of cytokines and other pro-inflammatory mediators in cancer progression and invasiveness, we aimed to assess the prognostic role of several functional cytokine and cyclooxygenase gene polymorphisms in patients with GAC.</p> <h3>Methodology</h3><p>Genomic DNA from 380 Spanish Caucasian patients with primary GAC was genotyped for 23 polymorphisms in pro-inflammatory (<em>IL1B</em>, <em>TNFA</em>, <em>LTA</em>, <em>IL6</em>, <em>IL12p40</em>), anti-inflammatory (<em>IL4</em>, <em>IL1RN</em>, <em>IL10</em>, <em>TGFB1</em>) cytokine, and cyclooxygenase (<em>PTGS1</em> and <em>PTGS2</em>) genes by PCR, RFLP and TaqMan assays. Clinical and histological information was collected prospectively. Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log rank test. Outcome was determined by analysis of Cox proportional hazards, adjusting for confounding factors.</p> <h3>Results</h3><p>The median follow-up period and median overall survival (OS) time were 9.9 months (range 0.4–120.3) and 10.9 months (95% CI: 8.9–14.1), respectively. Multivariate analysis identified tumor stages III (HR, 3.23; 95% CI:2–5.22) and IV (HR, 5.5; 95% CI: 3.51–8.63) as independent factors associated with a significantly reduced OS, whereas surgical treatment (HR: 0.44; 95%CI: 0.3–0.6) was related to a better prognosis of the disease. Concerning genetic factors, none of the 23 polymorphisms evaluated in the current study did influence survival. Moreover, no gene-environment interactions on GAC prognosis were observed.</p> <h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Our results show that, in our population, the panel of selected pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine, and cyclooxygenase gene polymorphisms are not relevant in determining the prognosis of gastric adenocarcinoma.</p> </div

Kaplan-Meier survival plots presented by (A) TNM stage, (B) surgical treatment, (C) age, (D) gender, (E) smoking habit, (F) H. pylori infection, (G) tumor location, and (H) histological subtype.

<p>Statistical analysis was performed by the log rank test.</p