HADAS: tool for analysis and development of sustainable applications

Durante esta Conferencia Internacional, representantes del Gobierno, autoridades locales, instituciones públicas y privadas, vicerrectores de Internacionalización y talento nacional e internacional crearon un ecosistema para fomentar las colaboraciones nacionales e internacionales, así como la presentación de nuevas ideas para resolver retos que afectan a la sociedad. Se trata de un foro único, donde se presentaron trabajos científicos y se otorgaron premios con el fin de fomentar el rigor y la excelencia científica.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Protocolo de tratamiento psicológico grupal en una Unidad del Dolor

En el presente artículo se da a conocer el programa de intervención psicológica a personas que siguen tratamiento para el dolor crónico en la Clínica del Dolor del Hospital Germans Trias ¡ Pujol de Badalona (Barcelona)

Real-Time Evaluation of Binding Mechanisms in Multivalent Interactions: A Surface Plasmon Resonance Kinetic Approach

Multivalency is a key, ubiquitous phenomenon in nature characterized by a complex combination of binding mechanisms, with special relevance in carbohydrate–lectin recognition. Herein we introduce an original surface plasmon resonance kinetic approach to analyze multivalent interactions that has been validated with dendrimers as monodisperse multivalent analytes binding to lectin clusters. The method, based on the analysis of early association and late dissociation phases of the sensorgrams provides robust information of the glycoconjugate binding efficiency and real-time structural data of the binding events under the complex scenario of the glyco-cluster effect. Notably, it reveals the dynamic nature of the interaction and offers experimental evidence on the contribution of binding mechanismsThis work was financially supported by the Spanish Government (CTQ2009-10963, CTQ2012-34790, CTQ2009-14146-C02-02) and the Xunta de Galicia (10CSA209021PR and CN2011/037). E.M.M. thanks the Xunta de Galicia for a “Parga Pondal” research contractS

The Effect of PEGylation on Multivalent Binding: A Surface Plasmon Resonance and Isothermal Titration Calorimetry Study with Structurally Diverse PEG‐Dendritic GATG Copolymers

This is the peer-reviewed version of the following article: Fernandez-Villamarin, M., Sousa-Herves, A., Correa, J., Munoz, E., Taboada, P., Riguera, R., & Fernandez-Megia, E. (2016). The Effect of PEGylation on Multivalent Binding: A Surface Plasmon Resonance and Isothermal Titration Calorimetry Study with Structurally Diverse PEG-Dendritic GATG Copolymers. Chemnanomat, 2(5), 437-446, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/cnma.201600008. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley-VCH Terms and Conditions for Self-ArchivingA general synthetic strategy to polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐dendritic block copolymers of the GATG (gallic acid–triethylene glycol) family is described from commercially available PEG of different molecular weights and architectures. Glycosylation of the resulting azide‐terminated copolymers with fucose by copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) afforded a toolbox to study the effect of PEG on the multivalent binding with the lectin UEA‐I by surface plasmon resonance (SPR, on surface) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC, in solution). Our results indicate that PEG reduces the affinity of glycodendrimers towards lectins by steric hindrance in a molecular‐weight‐dependent fashion. Great differences were observed as a function of the PEG architecture, with diblock PEG‐dendritic copolymers benefiting from a positive entropic contribution (PEG folding), not seen in the dendritic‐PEG‐dendritic systems. The self‐inflicted steric stabilization of the PEGylated copolymers onto lectin clusters reveals the necessity of additional competitive experiments to fully assess the antiadhesive properties of PEG in biological environmentsSpanish Government. Grant Numbers: CTQ2015-69021-R, CTQ2012-34790, CTQ2014-61470-EXP Xunta de Galicia. Grant Number: GRC2014/040S

Social networks and traditional metrics of impact in pulmonary medicine journals: a correlation study

Introduction: The Scimago Journal Rank (SJR) impact factor is extensively used. However, as the Internet has become widely available, new metrics are coming into play. Our research aims to determine whether a correlation  between the SJR impact factor and metrics reflecting social media activity does exist.Materials and methods: We have used pulmonary medicine journals indexed in the SJR. Variables of social network usage have been extracted from verified accounts. Bivariate analyses have been performed with the Mann-Whitney U tests, the correlation between social media-derived variables and the SJR impact factor have been assessed with the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results are presented before and after adjustment for the years since the creation of the accounts.Results: From 130 journals, 38 had at least one social network account, Twitter being the most commonly used (22.85%). The H index was higher in journals with social network accounts (Median 60 vs 17; p < 0.01). The global correlation between the SJR and the number of followers on Twitter revealed moderate agreement (r = 0.46; p < 0.01), which was excellent in open access journals (rs = 0.90; p < 0.05).Conclusions: The use of social networks is directly correlated with traditional indicators of scientific impact. The joint use of alternative and traditional metrics may be useful for journals in order to generate strategies aiming to increase their audience, as well as for researchers when deciding about the best option of disseminating their articles

Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among primary healthcare patients in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area: the SeroCAP sentinel network protocol

COVID-19; Epidemiology; Primary careCOVID-19; Epidemiología; Atención primariaCOVID-19; Epidemiologia; Atenció primàriaIntroduction SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence studies are currently being recommended and implemented in many countries. Forming part of the COVID-19 monitoring and evaluation plan of the Catalan Government Health Department, our network aims to initiate a primary healthcare sentinel monitoring system as a surrogate of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. Methods and analysis The seroCAP is a serial cross-sectional study, which will be performed in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area to estimate antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. From February 2021 to March 2022, the detection of serum IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 trimeric spike protein will be performed on a monthly basis in blood samples collected for diverse clinical purposes in three reference hospitals from the three Barcelona healthcare areas (BCN areas). The samples (n=2588/month) will be from patients attended by 30 primary healthcare teams at 30 basic healthcare areas (BHA). A lab software algorithm will systematically select the samples by age and sex. Seroprevalence will be estimated and monitored by age, sex, BCN area and BHA. Descriptive and cluster analysis of the characteristics and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 infections will be performed. Sociodemographic, socioeconomic and morbidity-associated factors will be determined using logistic regression. We will explore the association between seroprevalence, SARS-CoV-2 confirmed cases and the implemented measures using interrupted time series analysis. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was obtained from the University Institute Foundation for Primary Health Care Research Jordi Gol i Gurina ethics committee. An informed consent is not required regarding the approval of the secondary use of biological samples within the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic. A report will be generated quarterly. The final analysis, conclusions and recommendations will be shared with the stakeholders and communicated to the general public. Manuscripts resulting from the network will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.This work will be supported by the Health Department of the Government of Catalunya (No grant number)

Study of tyrosine and dopa enantiomers as tyrosinase substrates initiating L‐ and D‐melanogenesis pathways

Tyrosinase starts melanogenesis and determines its course, catalyzing the oxidation by molecular oxygen of tyrosine to dopa, and that of dopa to dopaquinone. Then, nonenzymatic coupling reactions lead to dopachrome, which evolves toward melanin. Recently, it has been reported that d‐tyrosine acts as tyrosinase inhibitor and depigmenting agent. The action of tyrosinase on the enantiomers of tyrosine (l‐tyrosine and d‐tyrosine) and dopa (l‐dopa and d‐dopa) was studied for the first time focusing on quantitative transient phase kinetics. Post‐steady‐state transient phase studies revealed that l‐dopachrome is formed more rapidly than d‐dopachrome. This is due to the lower values of Michaelis constants for l‐enantiomers than for d‐enantiomers, although the maximum rates are equal for both enantiomers. A deeper analysis of the inter‐steady‐state transient phase of monophenols demonstrated that the enantiomer d‐tyrosine causes a longer lag period and a lower steady‐state rate, than l‐tyrosine at the same concentration. Therefore, d‐melanogenesis from d‐tyrosine occurs more slowly than does l‐melanogenesis from l‐tyrosine, which suggests the apparent inhibition of melanin biosynthesis by d‐tyrosine. As conclusion, d‐tyrosine acts as a real substrate of tyrosinase, with low catalytic efficiency and, therefore, delays the formation of d‐melanin

A comprehensive review on the impact of β-glucan metabolism by Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium species as members of the gut microbiota

β-glucans are polysaccharides which can be obtained from different sources, and which have been described as potential prebiotics. The beneficial effects associated with β-glucan intake are that they reduce energy intake, lower cholesterol levels and support the immune system. Nevertheless, the mechanism (s) of action underpinning these health effects related to β-glucans are still unclear, and the precise impact of β-glucans on the gut microbiota has been subject to debate and revision. In this review, we summarize the most recent advances involving structurally different types of β-glucans as fermentable substrates for Bacteroidetes (mainly Bacteroides) and Bifidobacterium species as glycan degraders. Bacteroides is one of the most abundant bacterial components of the human gut microbiota, while bifidobacteria are widely employed as a probiotic ingredient. Both are generalist glycan degraders capable of using a wide range of substrates: Bacteroides spp. are specialized as primary degraders in the metabolism of complex carbohydrates, whereas Bifidobacterium spp. more commonly metabolize smaller glycans, in particular oligosaccharides, sometimes through syntrophic interactions with Bacteroides spp., in which they act as secondary degraders

Cross-feeding interactions between human gut commensals belonging to the Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium genera when grown on dietary glycans

Elements of the human gut microbiota metabolise many host- and diet-derived, non-digestible carbohydrates (NDCs). Intestinal fermentation of NDCs salvages energy and resources for the host and generates beneficial metabolites, such as short chain fatty acids, which contribute to host health. The development of functional NDCs that support the growth and/or metabolic activity of specific beneficial gut bacteria, is desirable, but dependent on an in-depth understanding of the pathways of carbohydrate fermentation. The purpose of this review is to provide an appraisal of what is known about the roles of, and interactions between, Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium as key members involved in NDC utilisation. Bacteroides is considered an important primary degrader of complex NDCs, thereby generating oligosaccharides, which in turn can be fermented by secondary degraders. In this review, we will therefore focus on Bacteroides as an NDC-degrading specialist and Bifidobacterium as an important and purported probiotic representative of secondary degraders. We will describe cross-feeding interactions between members of these two genera. We note that there are limited studies exploring the interactions between Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium, specifically concerning β-glucan and arabinoxylan metabolism. This review therefore summarises the roles of these organisms in the breakdown of dietary fibre and the molecular mechanisms and interactions involved. Finally, it also highlights the need for further research into the phenomenon of cross-feeding between these organisms for an improved understanding of these cross-feeding mechanisms to guide the rational development of prebiotics to support host health or to prevent or combat disease associated with microbial dysbiosis