Cellular Markers of Active Disease and Cure in Different Forms of Leishmania infantum-Induced Disease

Increased numbers of peripheral blood mononucleocytes (PBMC) and increased IFN-γ secretion following in vitro challenge of blood samples with soluble Leishmania antigen (SLA), have been proposed as biomarkers of specific cell-mediated immunity, indicating that treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has been successful. However, Leishmania infantum infection may manifest as cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), and less commonly as localized leishmanial lymphadenopathy (LLL) or mucosal leishmaniasis (ML). The present work examines the value of these biomarkers as indicators of cured leishmaniasis presenting in these different forms. Blood samples were collected before and after treatment from patients living in Fuenlabrada (Madrid, Spain), an L. infantum-endemic area recently the center of a leishmaniasis outbreak. All samples were subjected to Leishmania-specific PCR, serological tests (IFAT and rK39-ICT), and the SLA-cell proliferation assay (SLA-CPA), recording PBMC proliferation and the associated changes in IFN-γ production. Differences in the results recorded for the active and cured conditions were only significant for VL. PCR returned positive results in 67% of patients with active VL and in 3% of those with cured leishmaniasis. Similarly, rK39-ICT returned a positive result in 77% of active VL samples vs. 52% in cured VL samples, and IFAT in 90% vs. 56%; in the SLA-CPA, PBMC proliferation was seen in 16% vs. 90%, and an associated increase in IFN-γ production of 14 and 84%, respectively. The present findings reinforce the idea that PBMC proliferation and increased IFN-γ production in SLA-stimulated PBMC provide biomarkers of clinical cure in VL. Other tests are urgently needed to distinguish between the cured and active forms of the other types of clinical leishmaniasis caused by L. infantum

III Jornadas de Jóvenes Investigadores en Arqueología: Libro de Actas

Libro de Actas de las III Jornadas de Jóvenes Investigadores en Arqueologí

Caídas en ancianos institucionalizados: valoración del riesgo, factores relacionados y descripción

RESUMEN Introducción: Las caídas suponen un factor de fragilidad en la población anciana y son uno de los grandes síndromes geriátricos, con una alta prevalencia, llegando a constituir un problema mundial de salud pública. Objetivo: conocer la prevalencia y características de las caídas ocurridas durante el año 2015 en los ancianos institucionalizados en una residencia sociosanitaria pública de la provincia de Toledo. Metodología: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo. La población a estudio fueron los ancianos de 65 años o más institucionalizados en una residencia pública de Toledo. Las variables consideradas fueron la edad, sexo, valoración del riesgo de caídas, movilidad, funcionalidad, estado cognitivo, polimedicación y patologías asociadas. La recogida de datos se realizó en enero de 2016 y se analizó mediante el programa SPSS 11.0. Resultados: Un 37,04% de la muestra (108 ancianos) presentó caídas, predominando el sexo femenino. El 55% de las caídas fueron únicas; el resto, de repetición. Predominaron las caídas ocurridas en la mañana, en la habitación, producidas por pérdida de equilibrio y que no causaron daños aparentes. Se observó una relación significativamente estadística entre las caídas y el estado cognitivo; no fue así en el caso de la polimedicación, funcionalidad y movilidad; pese a ello, se observaron tendencias muy diferentes entre ancianos caídos y sin caídas. Conclusiones: Se evidenció que una alta proporción de ancianos institucionalizados sufrieron caídas; se obtuvo una mayor especificidad de la escala Downton frente a la de Tinetti. Se pone de manifiesto la necesidad de realizar una valoración geriátrica integral al ingreso del residente que contemple la valoración del riesgo de caídas y tras la cual se lleven a cabo intervenciones adaptadas a las necesidades del grupo en general y de cada anciano en particular

Disfagia y estado nutricional en ancianos institucionalizados

La disfagia es un síndrome geriátrico por su alta prevalencia en ancianos (mayor en la población institucionalizada) que favorece la desnutrición y compromete la seguridad, debido al riesgo de aspiración de alimentos. Objetivos: Conocer el estado nutricional de los ancianos institucionalizados que presentan disfagia, residentes en instituciones sociosanitarias de carácter público de la provincia de Toledo. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo y transversal (enero-febrero 2015). Población de estudio: personas de 65 años o más, residentes en instituciones sociosanitarias públicas de Toledo con disfagia. Criterios de exclusión: nutrición enteral o parenteral y situación terminal. Variables: edad, sexo, valoración antropométrica, dieta, restricciones dietéticas, suplemento nutricional y estado nutricional con Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Resultados: Un total de 33 ancianos. Media de edad: 86,73 años (DT 7,74). Mujeres: 84,84%. MNA medio: 13,85 (DT = 3,5), riesgo de desnutrición: 18,18% y desnutrición: 78,78%. IMC: bajo peso 36,36%. Un 51,51% no sabe si ha perdido peso, un 96,97% con deterioro cognitivo, un 81,82% toma 4 fármacos o más, un 39,4% toma menos de 3 comidas diarias completas, un 27,27% toma frutas o verduras menos de 2 veces al día, un 78,79% menos de 6 vasos de líquidos al día. Un 90,9% solo movilidad cama-sillón y un 78,79% necesita ayuda para alimentarse. Dieta túrmix: 90,9%, sin restricciones dietéticas: 84,84%. Sin suplementos nutricionales: 75,75%. Diferencias estadísticamente significativas: MNA-independencia en movilidad (p = 0,008), MNA-problemas neuropsicológicos (p = 0,01), MNA-independencia en alimentación (p = 0,001) y MNA-suplementos nutricionales (p = 0,028). MNA-polimedicación: tendencia a sufrir desnutrición (p = 0,903). Conclusiones: En la valoración nutricional de la población mayor institucionalizada con disfagia se concluye la existencia de una gran proporción de ancianos con un estado nutricional deficitario, asociada a demencia y mayor dependencia en movilidad y alimentación

Assessment of the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Traumatic Canine Fractures

The role of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in promoting the healing of bone fractures has not yet been clearly stated. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the effectiveness of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF, a PRP derivate) in the treatment of naturally-occurring bone fractures in dogs. With this objective, sixty-five dogs with radius/ulna or tibia/fibula bone fractures were randomly divided into two groups (PRGF and saline solution (SS) groups) and checked at days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 60, 63, 70, 120, and 180. All the fractures were treated with an external skeletal fixation, and pain was controlled with Carprofen. Healing was evaluated by physical examination, limb function, radiography, and by a Likert-type owner satisfaction questionnaire. A faster fracture healing was observed in the PRGF group, with statistically significant differences with respect to the SS group. Swelling at the fracture site was significantly greater at day 14 and 28 in animals injected with PRGF, and more pain on palpation was found in the area at day 28. The injection of PRGF in acute bone fractures accelerates bone healing

Changes in Hematological and Biochemical Profiles in Ovariohysterectomized Bitches Using an Alfaxalone–Midazolam–Morphine–Sevoflurane Protocol

The aim of this study was to monitor hematochemical changes during and after OHE in bitches. Twenty-four females were anesthetized with alfaxalone, midazolam, morphine and sevoflurane. Blood samples were taken before anesthesia (T0), at 30 (T1), and 60 min (T2), at 3 (T3), 6 (T4), 12 (T5), and 24 h (T6), and at 3 (T7) and 7 days (T8) from the start of surgery. Red blood cells (RBC) and packed cell volume (PCV) decreased significantly from T1 to T5 and hemoglobin (HB) concentration from T4 to T6. Both the white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil (NFS) count increased significantly from T3 to T6, monocyte (MON) from T2 to T5, and eosinophil (EOS) at T5. Platelet (PLT) and plateletcrit (PCT) significantly decreased at T5 and increased from T6 to T8; platelet distribution width (PDW) increased significantly from T3 to T6. Creatine kinase (CK) activity increased significantly from T5 to T7. Glucose (GLU) concentrations increased significantly at T2 and P from T2 to T3. TG levels decreased from T2 to T4 and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels from T1 to T7, subsequently increasing until T8. Changes possibly resulting from stress and surgical trauma, as well as hemodilution and splenic storage, are due to anesthesia and surgery. In healthy bitches, these changes tend to gradually stabilize after the ending of OHE. A post-operative follow-up is essential to detect possible post-operative complications

Combined plasma rich in growth factors and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells promotes the cutaneous wound healing in rabbits

Abstract Background The use of Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) and Adipose Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (ASCs) are today extensively studied in the field of regenerative medicine. In recent years, human and veterinary medicine prefer to avoid using traumatic techniques and choose low or non-invasive procedures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PRGF, ASCs and the combination of both in wound healing of full-thickness skin defects in rabbits. With this purpose, a total of 144 rabbits were used for this study. The animals were divided in three study groups of 48 rabbits each depending on the administered treatment: PRGF, ASCs, and PGRF+ASCs. Two wounds of 8 mm of diameter and separated from each other by 20 mm were created on the back of each rabbit: the first was treated with saline solution, and the second with the treatment assigned for each group. Macroscopic and microscopic evolution of wounds was assessed at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 days post-surgery. With this aim, 8 animals from each treatment group and at each study time were euthanized to collect wounds for histopathological study. Results Wounds treated with PRGF, ASCs and PRGF+ASCs showed significant higher wound healing and epithelialization rates, more natural aesthetic appearance, significant lower inflammatory response, significant higher collagen deposition and angiogenesis compared with control wounds. The combined treatment PRGF+ASCs showed a significant faster cutaneous wound healing process. Conclusions The combined treatment PRGF+ASCs showed the best results, suggesting this is the best choice to enhance wound healing and improve aesthetic results in acute wounds

Platelet Rich Plasma: New Insights for Cutaneous Wound Healing Management

The overall increase of chronic degenerative diseases associated with ageing makes wound care a tremendous socioeconomic burden. Thus, there is a growing need to develop novel wound healing therapies to improve cutaneous wound healing. The use of regenerative therapies is becoming increasingly popular due to the low-invasive procedures needed to apply them. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is gaining interest due to its potential to stimulate and accelerate the wound healing process. The cytokines and growth factors forming PRP play a crucial role in the healing process. This article reviews the emerging field of skin wound regenerative therapies with particular emphasis on PRP and the role of growth factors in the wound healing process

Cell and Cell Free Therapies in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common articular disease in adults and has a current prevalence of 12% in the population over 65 years old. This chronic disease causes damage to articular cartilage and synovial joints, causing pain and leading to a negative impact on patients’ function, decreasing quality of life. There are many limitations regarding OA conventional therapies—pharmacological therapy can cause gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiac adverse effects, and some of them could even be a threat to life. On the other hand, surgical options, such as microfracture, have been used for the last 20 years, but hyaline cartilage has a limited regeneration capacity. In recent years, the interest in new therapies, such as cell-based and cell-free therapies, has been considerably increasing. The purpose of this review is to describe and compare bioregenerative therapies’ efficacy for OA, with particular emphasis on the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In OA, these therapies might be an alternative and less invasive treatment than surgery, and a more effective option than conventional therapies