An interpretation of the line-strength indexes in old stellar populations using an evolutionary synthesis approach

Evolutionary population synthesis models with dif­ferent metallicities have been computed in order to interpret the observed Mg_2 and Hβ, line-strength indices in old stellar popu­lations. Both indices are found to be quite insensitive to changes in the slope of the IMF and the upper mass limit. These models have been applied to three different cases, with the following results: a) Galactic globular clusters do not exhibit a significant dis­persion in age, and the metallicities of the computed models resemble those estimated for the clusters. The indices for the metal-poor globulars ([Fe/H] < -1) cannot be attained with these models due to the lack of low metallicity evolutionary tracks and stellar spectra libraries. b) The line-strength gradients observed in the elliptical gal­axy NGC 5813 are due, essentially, to intrinsic variations in metallicity, and they cannot be explained just from changes in the remaining parameters of the stellar population. c) In order to synthesize the M 32 indices we must introduce a star formation elapsed for a long time-scale , the star forrnation being still significant ≈ 5 Gyr ago

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups and serum levels of anti-oxidant enzymes in patients with osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress play a main role in the initiation and progression of the OA disease and leads to the degeneration of mitochondria. To prevent this, the chondrocytes possess a well-coordinated enzymatic antioxidant system. Besides, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups are associated with the OA disease. Thus, the main goal of this work is to assess the incidence of the mtDNA haplogroups on serum levels of two of the main antioxidant enzymes, Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (Mn-SOD or SOD2) and catalase, and to test the suitability of these two proteins for potential OA-related biomarkers. METHODS: We analyzed the serum levels of SOD2 and catalase in 73 OA patients and 77 healthy controls carrying the haplogroups J, U and H, by ELISA assay. Knee and hip radiographs were classified according to Kellgren and Lawrence (K/L) scoring from Grade 0 to Grade IV. Appropriate statistical analyses were performed to test the effects of clinical variables, including gender, body mass index (BMI), age, smoking status, diagnosis, haplogroups and radiologic K/L grade on serum levels of these enzymes. RESULTS: Serum levels of SOD2 appeared statistically increased in OA patients when compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001). Even in those OA patients with higher OA severity (K/L grade IV), the serum levels of this antioxidant enzyme appeared more significantly increased than in OA patients with lower K/L grade (p < 0.001). The mtDNA haplogroups showed an influence on serum levels of catalase (p = 0.054), being carriers of the mtDNA haplogroup J those who showed higher serum levels than non-J carriers (p = 0.057). CONCLUSIONS: The increased levels of SOD2 in OA patients indicate an increased oxidative stress OA-related, therefore this antioxidant enzyme could be a suitable candidate biomarker for diagnosis of OA. Mitochondrial haplogroups significantly correlates with serum levels of catalase

Higher synovial immunohistochemistry reactivity of IL-17A, Dkk1, and TGF-β1 in patients with early psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis could predict the use of biologics

[Abstract] Background: Delay in diagnosis and therapy in patients with arthritis commonly leads to progressive articular damage. The study aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical reactivity of synovial cytokines associated with inflammation and the bone erosives/neoformatives processes among individuals diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), and radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA), with the intention of identifying potential biomarkers. Methods: Specimens were collected from the inflamed knee joints of patients referred for arthroscopic procedures, and the synovial tissue (ST) was prepared for quantifying protein expression through immunohistochemical analysis (% expressed in Ratio_Area-Intensity) for TGF-β1, IL-17A, Dkk1, BMP2, BMP4, and Wnt5b. The collected data underwent thorough analysis and examination of their predictive capabilities utilising receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Valid synovial tissue samples were acquired from 40 patients for IHC quantification analysis. Initially, these patients had not undergone treatment with biologics. However, after 5 years, 4 out of 13 patients diagnosed with PsA and two out of nine patients diagnosed with RA had commenced biologic treatments. Individuals with early PsA who received subsequent biologic treatment exhibited significantly elevated IHC reactivity in ST for TGF-β1 (p = 0.015). Additionally, patients with both PsA and RA who underwent biologic therapy displayed increased IHC reactivity for IL-17A (p = 0.016), TGF-β1 (p = 0.009), and Dkk1 (p = 0.042). ROC curve analysis of IHC reactivity for TGF-β1, Dkk1, and IL-17A in the synovial seems to predict future treatment with biologics in the next 5 years with the area under the curve (AUC) of a combined sum of the three values: AUC: 0.828 (95% CI: 0.689–0.968; p 0.005) S 75% E 84.4%. Conclusions: Higher synovial immunohistochemistry reactivity of IL-17A, Dkk1, and TGF-β1 in patients with early psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may serve as potential indicators for predicting the necessity of utilising biologic treatments.Grant (PI11/00390) from Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica 2008–2011 and co-financed by the ISCIII-Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación—Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER).info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/MICINN/Programa Estatal de Fomento de la Investigación Científica y Técnica de Excelencia/PI11%2F00390/ES/Análisis de biomarcadores sinoviales, implicados en la inflamación y destrucción ósea articular en la artritis psoriásic

Mitochondrial haplogroups H and J: risk and protective factors for ischemic cardiomyopathy

[Abstract] Background. Since mitochondria are the principal source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), these organelles may play an important role in ischemic cardiomyopathy (IC) development. The mitochondrial genome may influence this disease. The aim of the present study was to test the relationship between IC development and the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) defining the mitochondrial haplogroups in a population study. Methodology and principal findings. Ten major European haplogroups were identified by using the single base extension technique and by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Frequencies and Odds Ratios for the association between IC patients (n = 358) and healthy controls (n = 423) were calculated. No convincing associations between classical risk factors for ischemic cardiomyopathy development and haplogroups were found. However, compared to healthy controls, the prevalence of haplogroup H was significantly higher in IC patients (40.0% vs 50.0%, p-value  = 0.039) while the frequency of haplogroup J was significantly lower (11.1% vs 5.6%, p-value  = 0.048). The analysis of the SNPs characterizing the European mtDNA haplogroups showed that the m.7028C allele (40.0% vs 50.0%, p-value  = 0.005) and m.14766C allele (43.0% vs 54.2%, p-value  = 0.002) were overrepresented in IC patients, meanwhile the m.10398G allele (19.8% vs 13.1%, p-value  = 0.015) and m.4216C allele (22.2% vs 16.5%, p-value  = 0.044) were found as protective factors against IC. Conclusions and significance. Our results showed that the haplogroups H and J were found as a risk and protective factors for ischemic cardiomyopathy development, respectively.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PS09/0084

Mitochondrial DNA haplogroup H as a risk factor for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in Spanish population

[Abstract] Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) is a structural heart disease with strong genetic background. The different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that constitute mitochondrial haplogroups could play an important role in IDC progression. The aim of this study was to test frequencies of mitochondrial haplogroups in healthy controls (n = 422) and IDC patients (n = 304) of a Caucasian Spanish population. To achieve this, ten major European haplogroups were identified. Frequencies and Odds Ratios for the association between IDC and haplogroups were calculated in both groups. We found that compared to healthy controls, the prevalence of haplogroup H was significantly higher in IDC patients (40.0% vs 50.7%, p-value = 0.040).Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PS09/0084

Nueva metodología y recursos online para la adaptación de las prácticas de laboratorio de Óptica a escenarios docentes con diferente grado de presencialidad

Memoria ID-040 Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2020-2021

Emergence and spread of a B.1.1.28-derived P.6 lineage with Q675H and Q677H spike mutations in Uruguay

Uruguay controlled the viral dissemination during the first nine months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Unfortunately, towards the end of 2020, the number of daily new cases exponentially increased. Herein, we analyzed the country-wide genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 between November 2020 and April 2021. We identified that the most prevalent viral variant during the first epidemic wave in Uruguay (December 2020–February 2021) was a B.1.1.28 sublineage carrying Spike mutations Q675H + Q677H, now designated as P.6, followed by lineages P.2 and P.7. P.6 probably arose around November 2020, in Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital department, and rapidly spread to other departments, with evidence of further local transmission clusters; it also spread sporadically to the USA and Spain. The more efficient dissemination of lineage P.6 with respect to P.2 and P.7 and the presence of mutations (Q675H and Q677H) in the proximity of the key cleavage site at the S1/S2 boundary suggest that P.6 may be more transmissible than other lineages co-circulating in Uruguay. Although P.6 was replaced by the variant of concern (VOC) P.1 as the predominant lineage in Uruguay since April 2021, the monitoring of the concurrent emergence of Q675H + Q677H in VOCs should be of worldwide interest

Introducción al patrimonio geológico de interés turístico de la Red Española de Reservas de la Biosfera

160 p.Esta publicación se ha realizado con el objetivo de describir el origen y formación de una buena parte del patrimonio geológico de interés turístico de la Red Española de Reservas de la Biosfera para que éste sea conocido y pueda ser utilizado como motor de desarrollo económico local. La necesidad de dar a conocer este sorprendente patrimonio natural de la Red español de Reservas de la Biosfera fue constatada por su Consejo de Gestores que encargó el trabajo a su Consejo Científico. La publicación tiene la vocación de ser accesible para todos los públicos. Sin embargo, parte de un trabajo bibliográfico profundo abordado con una rigurosa metodología científica. Es además el fruto de una continua colaboración de los editores con las personas gestoras de las Reservas de la Biosfera españolas, así como con varios miembros de su Consejo Científico asesor.Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Españ

Healthcare workers hospitalized due to COVID-19 have no higher risk of death than general population. Data from the Spanish SEMI-COVID-19 Registry

Aim To determine whether healthcare workers (HCW) hospitalized in Spain due to COVID-19 have a worse prognosis than non-healthcare workers (NHCW). Methods Observational cohort study based on the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry, a nationwide registry that collects sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data on patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in Spain. Patients aged 20-65 years were selected. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to identify factors associated with mortality. Results As of 22 May 2020, 4393 patients were included, of whom 419 (9.5%) were HCW. Median (interquartile range) age of HCW was 52 (15) years and 62.4% were women. Prevalence of comorbidities and severe radiological findings upon admission were less frequent in HCW. There were no difference in need of respiratory support and admission to intensive care unit, but occurrence of sepsis and in-hospital mortality was lower in HCW (1.7% vs. 3.9%; p = 0.024 and 0.7% vs. 4.8%; p<0.001 respectively). Age, male sex and comorbidity, were independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality and healthcare working with lower mortality (OR 0.211, 95%CI 0.067-0.667, p = 0.008). 30-days survival was higher in HCW (0.968 vs. 0.851 p<0.001). Conclusions Hospitalized COVID-19 HCW had fewer comorbidities and a better prognosis than NHCW. Our results suggest that professional exposure to COVID-19 in HCW does not carry more clinical severity nor mortality

Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Harmony Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists differ in chemical structure, duration of action, and in their effects on clinical outcomes. The cardiovascular effects of once-weekly albiglutide in type 2 diabetes are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of albiglutide in preventing cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 610 sites across 28 countries. We randomly assigned patients aged 40 years and older with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (at a 1:1 ratio) to groups that either received a subcutaneous injection of albiglutide (30–50 mg, based on glycaemic response and tolerability) or of a matched volume of placebo once a week, in addition to their standard care. Investigators used an interactive voice or web response system to obtain treatment assignment, and patients and all study investigators were masked to their treatment allocation. We hypothesised that albiglutide would be non-inferior to placebo for the primary outcome of the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, which was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. If non-inferiority was confirmed by an upper limit of the 95% CI for a hazard ratio of less than 1·30, closed testing for superiority was prespecified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02465515. Findings: Patients were screened between July 1, 2015, and Nov 24, 2016. 10 793 patients were screened and 9463 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to groups: 4731 patients were assigned to receive albiglutide and 4732 patients to receive placebo. On Nov 8, 2017, it was determined that 611 primary endpoints and a median follow-up of at least 1·5 years had accrued, and participants returned for a final visit and discontinuation from study treatment; the last patient visit was on March 12, 2018. These 9463 patients, the intention-to-treat population, were evaluated for a median duration of 1·6 years and were assessed for the primary outcome. The primary composite outcome occurred in 338 (7%) of 4731 patients at an incidence rate of 4·6 events per 100 person-years in the albiglutide group and in 428 (9%) of 4732 patients at an incidence rate of 5·9 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·68–0·90), which indicated that albiglutide was superior to placebo (p&lt;0·0001 for non-inferiority; p=0·0006 for superiority). The incidence of acute pancreatitis (ten patients in the albiglutide group and seven patients in the placebo group), pancreatic cancer (six patients in the albiglutide group and five patients in the placebo group), medullary thyroid carcinoma (zero patients in both groups), and other serious adverse events did not differ between the two groups. There were three (&lt;1%) deaths in the placebo group that were assessed by investigators, who were masked to study drug assignment, to be treatment-related and two (&lt;1%) deaths in the albiglutide group. Interpretation: In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, albiglutide was superior to placebo with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence-based glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should therefore be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline