Game of mirrors: A critical dialogue between Goya and “El Roto”

Francisco de Goya, a través de sus dibujos y grabados, plasma una visión grotesca de la realidad. Andrés Rábago (El Roto) representa en sus viñetas la misma mirada satírica. Un legado que también comparten artistas contemporáneos como Estampa Popular, los miembros del informalismo español, Eduardo Arroyo o Equipo Crónica. El presente trabajo busca establecer una tradición artística nacional donde la risa y la crítica se unen para denunciar problemas sociales, políticos y culturales. Analogías temáticas y visuales, puntos de encuentros en el gran atlas del arte español

Activity of cefiderocol against high-risk clones of multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

BACKGROUND: Cefiderocol is a novel siderophore cephalosporin, developed for activity against MDR Gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB). OBJECTIVES: To assess the in vitro antibacterial activity of cefiderocol against a collection of MDR-GNB clinical isolates from hospitals in southern Spain. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-one isolates of successful clones were tested: 125 Enterobacterales (121 ESBL- and/or carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and 4 carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter cloacae), 80 Acinetobacter baumannii, 6 Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 20 Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftazidime, ceftazidime/avibactam, cefepime, aztreonam, meropenem, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, colistin and tigecycline were used as comparators against Enterobacterales, P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii. Minocycline, levofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole were studied against S. maltophilia instead of aztreonam, ciprofloxacin and cefepime. MICs were determined by broth microdilution according to CLSI guidelines. MIC determination was performed in CAMHB for all antimicrobials except cefiderocol, where iron-depleted CAMHB was used. RESULTS: Cefiderocol showed potent in vitro activity against the isolates analysed. MIC50 and MIC90 values were in the ranges 0.125-8 mg/L and 0.5-8 mg/L, respectively, and 98% of isolates were inhibited at ≤4 mg/L. Only five isolates showed cefiderocol MICs of >4 mg/L: three ST2/OXA-24/40-producing A. baumannii, one ST114/VIM-1-producing E. cloacae and one ST114/VIM-1 + OXA-48-producing E. cloacae. All KPC-3-producing K. pneumoniae were susceptible to cefiderocol, even those resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam. P. aeruginosa isolates showed cefiderocol MICs of <4 mg/L, including those resistant to ceftolozane/tazobactam. S. maltophilia isolates displayed cefiderocol MICs of <4 mg/L, including those resistant to levofloxacin and/or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. CONCLUSIONS: Cefiderocol showed excellent activity against MDR-GNB, including carbapenem-resistant isolates, and was the most active antimicrobial tested against this collection

A lupine (Lupinus angustifolious L.) peptide prevents non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice

Bioactive peptides are related to the prevention and treatment of many diseases. GPETAFLR is an octapeptide that has been isolated from lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L.) and shows anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential activity of GPETAFLR to prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. C57BL/6J mice were fed a standard diet or HFD. Two of the groups fed the HFD diet were treated with GPETAFLR in drinking water at 0.5 mg kg-1 day-1 or 1 mg kg-1 day-1. To determine the ability of GPETAFLR to improve the onset and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, histological studies, hepatic enzyme profiles, inflammatory cytokine and lipid metabolism-related genes and proteins were analysed. Our results suggested that HFD-induced inflammatory metabolic disorders were alleviated by treatment with GPETAFLR. In conclusion, dietary lupine consumption can repair HFD-induced hepatic damage possibly via modifications of liver's lipid signalling pathways

Solving ordinary differential equations with range conditions. Applications

This paper introduces the problem of solving ordinary differential equations with extra linear conditions written in terms of ranges, and deals with the corresponding existence and uniqueness problems. Some methods for analyzing the existence of solutions and obtaining the set of all solutions, based on the theory of cones and polyhedra, are given. These solutions are found by first converting the problem to a system of linear algebraic equations and then applying the corresponding well-known theory for solving and discussing the existence and uniqueness of solutions of these systems. Finally, the methods are illustrated by their application to some practical examples of the beam problem

The use of a web application – SciFinder to complement the Organic Chemistry teaching to the student of the Degree in Pharmacy

La necesidad de motivación del alumno, además de la adaptación de la actual enseñanza a los créditos ECTS, han sido los motores que nos han llevado a proponer el uso de una aplicación web denominada SciFinder en la enseñanza de la Química Orgánica. Se trata de una herramienta imprescindible en la investigación avanzada que se utiliza en cualquier laboratorio de síntesis química. La Universidad de Granada dispone de una suscripción que permite 6 usos simultáneos a la que el alumno puede acceder a través de un acceso directo a SciFinder on Web en el sólo es necesario registrarse como usuario. Permitir al alumno transportarse a un laboratorio virtual es una de las múltiples posibilidades que ofrece esta aplicación web ayudándoles a complementar los conocimientos científicos básicos que se han explicado en clase. Durante el desarrollo de los distintos temas que componen la asignatura se plantearán reacciones concretas que el alumno deberá ampliar con la información que esta aplicación les proporciona: reactivos empleados en dichas reacciones condiciones de reacción (estequiometría, tiempo, temperatura…) bibliografía actual. Al final del curso académico se evaluará esta nueva experiencia mediante encuestas de opinión del alumnado para determinar dos aspectos fundamentales de la misma, el aumento de interés por la asignatura durante el desarrollo del trabajo y la dificultad en la realización del mismo.The need to motivate the students, besides adapting the teaching to the ECTS credits, have been the driving force that leads us to propose the use of a web application called Sci Finder in the education of Organic Chemistry. It is an essential tool used in any advanced research laboratory of synthetic chemistry. The University of Granada provides a subscription with 6 simultaneous accesses. The students may accede directly to the SciFinder on Web being only necessary the registration as users. One of the many possibilities that offers this web application allows to the student be transported to a virtual laboratory and complement the basic scientific knowledge explained in class. During the development of the different topics, specific reactions will be presented to the student and they may increase the information by using this application: reagents of the reactions reaction conditions (stoichiometry, time, temperature…) up-to-date bibliography At the end of the academic year this new experience will be evaluate through opinion poll to the student in order to determinate two essential aspect, the interest increase for the subject during the development of this work and the difficulty in carrying out it

GPETAFLR, a biopeptide from Lupinus angustifolius L., protects against oxidative and inflammatory damage in retinal pigment epithelium cells

GPETAFLR, an octapeptide released from the enzymatic hydrolysis of lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L.) protein, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effect in myeloid lineage. This work aims to evaluate in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells the protective role of GPETAFLR on both oxidative and inflammatory markers known to be involved in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In comparison with stimulated control cells, GPETAFLR increased glutathione production and diminished the secretion and gene expression of VEFG, IL-1β, IL-6, IFNγ, and TNF-α, as well as reactive oxygen species, and nitrite output. Our findings reveal that GPETAFLR, a novel plant peptide, is able to protect against RPE oxidative stress and inflammation. Taken together, these results strongly support innovative nutritional strategies considering Lupinus angustifolius L. as source of proteins to prevent the onset and progression of AMD. Practical applications: We reveal a novel nutraceutical impact of GPETAFLR peptide in human RPE cells to prevent oxidative and inflammatory mediators. Our results support that the intake of Lupine angustifolius L., proposed to be a reservoir of GPETAFLR, could lessen the functional decay of RPE cells, leading therefore to a slowdown of the progress of AMD during age. Not only this work, but also future simple clinical studies should raise new nutritional strategies focused on understanding the etiological role of the foods, nutrition, and metabolism in the pathogenesis of ocular disorders.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad AGL2012‐40247‐C02‐0

CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses in bone marrow to fatty acids in high-fat diets

Obesity is associated with disruptions in the adaptive immune system; however, dietary fatty acids in high-fat diets (HFDs) that induce obesity have consequences that are currently unclear regarding T-cell maintenance in bone marrow (BM). C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to isocaloric HFDs formulated with dietary fats rich in saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), or MUFAs supplemented with eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids for 20 weeks, followed by an analysis of the immunophenotypic feature of lymphocytes (CD3+) T and their subsets CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in spleen and BM, identification of fatty acids in BM extracellular fluid and analysis of the correspondence between fatty acids with the frequency of T-cell subsets in BM. Splenic CD3+ T cells were reduced irrespective of HFDs. In BM, CD3+ T cells were reduced after HFD-SFAs, while CD4+ T cells were increased after HFDs enriched in MUFAs and CD8+ T cells were reduced irrespective of HFDs. In BM extracellular fluid, the content of palmitic and myristic acids increased after HFD-SFAs and that of oleic acid increased after HFDs enriched in MUFAs. There was a statistical correspondence between HFD-induced changes in fatty acids in BM extracellular fluid and HFD-induced changes in the frequency of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells in BM. These findings reveal an undervalued critical role for dietary fatty acids in the selective acquisition of T-cell subsets in BM, highlighting that oleic acid existing in the surroundings of T-cell niches during HFD-induced obesity could be instrumental in the maintenance of CD4+ T cells.Fondo Social Europeo y Universidad de Sevilla-VPPI-USConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Juan de la Cierva-FJCI-2017-3313

Effectiveness of online psychological and psychoeducational interventions to prevent depression:Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Although evidence exists for the efficacy of interventions to prevent depression, little is known about its prevention through online interventions. We aim to assess the effectiveness of online psychological and psychoeducational interventions to prevent depression in heterogeneous populations. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted based on literature searches in eight electronic data bases and other sources from inception to 22 July 2019. Of the 4181 abstracts reviewed, 501 were selected for full-text review, and 21 RCTs met the inclusion criteria, representing 10,134 participants from 11 countries and four continents. The pooled SMD was −0·26 (95%CI: −0·36 to −0·16; p < 0.001) and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of this result. We did not find publication bias but there was substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 72%; 95%CI, 57% to 82%). A meta-regression including three variables explained 81% of the heterogeneity. Indicated prevention and interactive website delivery were statistically associated with higher effectiveness, and no association was observed with risk of bias. Online psychological and psychoeducational interventions have a small effect in reducing depressive symptoms in non-depressed and varied populations, and the quality of evidence is moderate. Given that these types of interventions are very accessible and can be applied on a wide scale, they should be further developed and implemented. Registration details: Registration number (PROSPERO): CRD42014014804

Oleic acid—the main component of olive oil on postprandial metabolic processes

2 Tablas.-- 6 FigurasWhile virtually all-clinical studies for the evaluation of health status are conducted in individuals at fasting, the postprandium, that is, “the period that comprises and follows a meal,” remains as an interval of the day characterized by significant but silent metabolic disturbances that, although they are considered physiological, they may cease to be due to high amounts or quality of nutrients, and/or intrinsic factors that influence the metabolic response to such nutrients. In those cases, if repetitive, disproportionate, and long lasting, the postprandial metabolism can become a pathological condition involved in the genesis of multiple disorders, some of which may be potentially life threatening in the long term. After meals rich in fats and carbohydrates the postprandial increased levels of triglycerides and glucose can be accompanied by oxidative stress and, less well known, activation of blood clotting cascade, peripheral insulin resistance, and inflammation. The goal of this chapter is to provide an update of the information on the relevance of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), notably oleic acid, in olive oil regarding saturated fatty acids (SFA) in dietary fats to influence postprandial metabolic processes related to blood coagulation, β-cell function, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation. Data are consistent with the view that the oleic-to-palmitic-acid ratio (MUFA/SFA) in olive oil may have a beneficial impact on postprandial levels of tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, with a restraint of postprandial hyperactivity of β-cells, insulin resistance, and proinflammatory response. We suggest that the Mediterranean diet can reduce cardiovascular events and disease in part due to the high oleic acid content in olive oil and its impact on postprandial hemostatic system and glucose and tissue homeostasis.This study was supported by grants from the MCYT and MEC (AGL2001-0584, AGL2004–04958, AGL2011–29008, and AGL2016–80852-R) and by a grant from the Fundación CEAS (Centro de Excelencia en Investigación sobre Aceite de Oliva y Salud). MAR acknowledges financial support from the Spanish Research Council (CSIC)/Juan de la Cierva (FJCI-2017–33132).Peer reviewe

CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses in bone marrow to fatty acids in high-fat diets

13 Páginas.-- 5 Figuras.--3 TablasObesity is associated with disruptions in the adaptive immune system; however, dietary fatty acids in high-fat diets (HFDs) that induce obesity have consequences that are currently unclear regarding T-cell maintenance in bone marrow (BM). C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to isocaloric HFDs formulated with dietary fats rich in saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), or MUFAs supplemented with eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids for 20 weeks, followed by an analysis of the immunophenotypic feature of lymphocytes (CD3+) T and their subsets CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in spleen and BM, identification of fatty acids in BM extracellular fluid and analysis of the correspondence between fatty acids with the frequency of T-cell subsets in BM. Splenic CD3+ T cells were reduced irrespective of HFDs. In BM, CD3+ T cells were reduced after HFD-SFAs, while CD4+ T cells were increased after HFDs enriched in MUFAs and CD8+ T cells were reduced irrespective of HFDs. In BM extracellular fluid, the content of palmitic and myristic acids increased after HFD-SFAs and that of oleic acid increased after HFDs enriched in MUFAs. There was a statistical correspondence between HFD-induced changes in fatty acids in BM extracellular fluid and HFD-induced changes in the frequency of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells in BM. These findings reveal an undervalued critical role for dietary fatty acids in the selective acquisition of T-cell subsets in BM, highlighting that oleic acid existing in the surroundings of T-cell niches during HFD-induced obesity could be instrumental in the maintenance of CD4+ T cells.This work was supported by a grant AGL2016-80852-R funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe.”Peer reviewe