Expanded Differentiation Capability of Human Wharton's Jelly Stem Cells Toward Pluripotency: A Systematic Review

This study was supported by the Spanish Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica (I+D+I) of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Instituto de Salud Carlos III), grants FIS PI17/0391, PI18/331 and PI18/332 (co-financed by ERDF-FEDER, European Union).Human Wharton’s jelly stem cells (HWJSC) can be efficiently isolated from the umbilical cord, and numerous reports have demonstrated that these cells can differentiate into several cell lineages. This fact, coupled with the high proliferation potential of HWJSC, make them a promising source of stem cells for use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, their real potentiality has not been established to date. In the present study we carried out a systematic review to determine the multilineage differentiation potential of HWJSC. After a systematic literature search we selected 32 publications focused on the differentiation potential of these cells. Analysis of these studies showed that HWJSC display expanded differentiation potential towards some cell types corresponding to all three embryonic cell layers (ectodermal, mesodermal and endodermal), which is consistent with their constitutive expression of key pluripotency markers such as OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG, and the embryonic marker SSEA4. We conclude that HWJSC can be considered cells in an intermediate state between multipotentiality and pluripotentiality, since their proliferation capability is not unlimited and differentiation to all cell types has not been demonstrated thus far. These findings support the clinical use of HWJSC for the treatment of diseases affecting not only mesoderm-type tissues, but also other cell lineages.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness FIS PI17/0391, PI18/331, PI18/332ERDF-FEDER, European Unio

Effects of Four Formulations of Prostaglandin Analogs on Eye Surface Cells. A Comparative Study

We evaluated the cytotoxic effects of four prostaglandin analogs (PGAs) used to treat glaucoma. First we established primary cultures of conjunctival stromal cells from healthy donors. Then cell cultures were incubated with different concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 5, 25, 50 and 100%) of commercial formulations of bimatoprost, tafluprost, travoprost and latanoprost for increasing periods (5 and 30 min, 1 h, 6 h and 24 h) and cell survival was assessed with three different methods: WST-1, MTT and calcein/AM-ethidium homodimer-1 assays. Our results showed that all PGAs were associated with a certain level of cell damage, which correlated significantly with the concentration of PGA used, and to a lesser extent with culture time. Tafluprost tended to be less toxic than bimatoprost, travoprost and latanoprost after all culture periods. The results for WST-1, MTT and calcein/AM-ethidium homodimer-1 correlated closely. When the average lethal dose 50 was calculated, we found that the most cytotoxic drug was latanoprost, whereas tafluprost was the most sparing of the ocular surface in vitro. These results indicate the need to design novel PGAs with high effectiveness but free from the cytotoxic effects that we found, or at least to obtain drugs that are functional at low dosages. The fact that the commercial formulation of tafluprost used in this work was preservative-free may support the current tendency to eliminate preservatives from eye drops for clinical use.This study was supported by the Spanish Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica (I+D+I) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Instituto de Salud Carlos III), grants FIS PI11/1582 and FIS PI14/0955 (co-financed by FEDER funds, European Union) and by Grant P10-CTS-6060 from the Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo, Junta de Andalucia, Spain (Proyectos de Excelencia)

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

NMR signal enhancement > 50000 times in Fast Dissolution Dynamic Nuclear Polarization

Herein, we report the synthesis and the study of a novel mixed biradical with BDPA and TEMPO radical units that are covalently bound by an ester group (BDPAesterTEMPO) as a polarizing agent for fast dissolution DNP. The biradical exhibits an extremely high DNP NMR enhancement of >50[thin space (1/6-em)]000 times, which constitutes one of the largest signal enhancements observed so far, to the best of our knowledge.This work was supported by the Intramural Project CIBER-BBN 2016–2017 “ORDECA”; DGI Grants (CTQ2013-40480-R, MAT2016-80826-R, BIO2013-45793-R and BIO2016-78006-R); and AGAUR Grant (2014SGR-0017). ICMAB acknowledges Spanish MINECO through the Severo Ochoa Centres of Excellence Programme Grant SEV-2015-0496. We also thank Dr F. Mentink-Vigier and Dr G. De Paëpe from CEA-Grenoble for fruitful discussions.Peer reviewe

Actualización y reflexiones en sexología

Resumen Se presenta en esta sección una revisión de los artículos científicos de mayor impacto publicados entre mayo y agosto del 2023 en las revistas internacionales sobre Sexología con mayor reconocimiento a nivel nacional e internacional (Journal of Sexual Medicine; International Journal of Sexual Health; Archives of Sexual Behavior; Sex roles; Sexual Health & Compulsivity, Psychology and Sexuality; Culture, Health and Sexuality; DeSexología, Psicología de la orientación sexual y la diversidad, American Journal of Sexual Education, Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy y Violence Against Woman)

Randomised Clinical Trial to Analyse the Efficacy of Eggshell Membrane to Improve Joint Functionality in Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a source of chronic pain and disability. Dietary supplements have been shown to be a more secure option than NSAIDS. Particularly, the eggshell membrane has demonstrated efficacy in relieving joint pain and stiffness. A clinical trial was designed in which three groups were assigned to two different doses of this supplement and compared to a placebo control group. The primary outcome variable was knee pain, which was assessed using a visual analogue scale. Secondary outcome variables were knee functional ability, quadriceps muscle strength (assessed by isometric and isokinetic trials), and quality of sleep. All groups showed a significant decrease in pain perception, although maximum values were obtained in the high-dose group. Isokinetic and isometric trials showed a significant increase in strength in the high-dose group. Eggshell membrane showed the potential to reduce pain and stiffness symptomatology. Here, for the first time, two quantitative variables (mobility and strength of knee joint) were used to accurately evaluate changes in the quality of life of subjects affected by knee joint pain. The results of this study indicate a dose-dependent response, which should be taken into account for later use in therapeutics to establish the correct dosage

Antioxidant Effect of a Probiotic Product on a Model of Oxidative Stress Induced by High-Intensity and Duration Physical Exercise

This randomized double-blind and controlled single-center clinical trial was designed to evaluate the effect of a 6-week intake of a probiotic product (1 capsule/day) vs. a placebo on an oxidative stress model of physical exercise (high intensity and duration) in male cyclists (probiotic group, n = 22; placebo, n = 21). This probiotic included three lyophilized strains (Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347, Lactobacillus casei CECT 9104, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CECT 8361). Study variables were urinary isoprostane, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxiguanosine (8-OHdG), serum protein carbonyl, serum glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD). At 6 weeks, as compared with baseline, significant differences in 8-OHdG (Δ mean difference −10.9 (95% CI −14.5 to −7.3); p p p p < 0.05). These findings suggest an antioxidant effect of this probiotic on underlying interacting oxidative stress mechanisms and their modulation in healthy subjects. The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03798821)

Development of an Information Guideline for Kidney Transplant Recipients in a Clinical Trial: Protocol for a Modified Delphi Method

BackgroundRenal transplantation is the treatment of choice for most cases of end-stage renal disease. Recipients need to lead a healthy lifestyle to minimize the potential side effects of immunosuppressive drugs and improve transplant outcomes. There is not much evidence about the best way to increase adherence to healthy lifestyles in kidney transplant recipients, so one of the objectives set by the nursing team is to train people to acquire the necessary skills and tools to be able to take care of themselves. In this sense, the consensual development of appropriate materials may be useful and of interest. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to develop an information guide for adults with kidney transplants to be assessed in a subsequent clinical trial as an intervention to increase adherence to healthy habits. MethodsWe used a 3-step, methodological, sequential approach: (1) training from a group of experts and item consensus; (2) review of the medical literature available; and (3) use of the Delphi technique with on-site meetings. A total of 5 nurses from the Community of Madrid Kidney Transplantation Unit in Spain were asked to participate. The patients’ lifestyle factors that, according to the medical literature available and experts’ opinions, have the greatest impact on the survival of the transplanted organ and the recipients themselves were all described. ResultsAfter using the modified Delphi method to reach a consensus on the items to be included and the information needed in each, an information guide for adult kidney transplant patients was developed. This guide facilitates the structuring of health care, information, and recommendations necessary for effective self-care for each person. The result is considered to be an easy-to-understand tool, useful for transplant doctors and nurses, in simple language, with information based on the latest scientific-medical evidence published to date, aspects of which will be evaluated in a clinical trial designed for this purpose. ConclusionsCurrently, this guide is the main intervention variable of a clinical trial (registered on ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT05715580) aimed at improving compliance with healthy habits in kidney transplant recipients in the Community of Madrid, Spain. The method used in its development has been useful and agile, and the result is a guide that can be easily updated periodically following the same procedure. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/4696

Efecto de los colutorios orales con fluoruro de sodio al 0.05% y agua con sal al 5% sobre la placa bacteriana y el ph salival

The intention of this inuestigation consisted of evaluating the effects of two oral colutorios (colutorio with sodium fluoride to 0.05% and colutorio of water with salt to 5%) on fhe bacterial plate and salivary pH in a population of soldiers. The sample was conformed by three groups: a group use colutorio of sodium fluoride to 0.05%, another use colutorio of water with salt and third group control that used water distilled during 40 days. The characteristics of the population allowed to control important intervening variables such as the diet, buccal hygiene of the soldiers, moments of hygiene and fulfillment of the indicated protocol. PHmetro was used calibrated and the simplified index of Green and Vermillon, to measure salivary pH and the index of bacteria1 plaque, respectively. It was used the analysis of variance, and test T of student matched up samples and to establish differences. The results of the work of investigation as much indicated that colutorio with sodium fluoride to 0.05% as colutorio with water with salt to 5% behaves of similar way on the bacteria1 plate, diminishing it after 40 days; whereas no of the colutorios was able to alter salivary pH of significant form.El propósito de esta investigación consistió en evaluar los efectos de dos colutorios orales (un colutorio con fluoruro de sodio al 0,05% y un colutorio de agua con sal al 5%) sobre la placa bacteriana y el pH salival en una población de soldados del ejercito. La muestra estuvo conformada por tres grupos: un grupo uso un colutorio de fluoruro de sodio al 0,05%, otro uso un colutorio de agua con sal y un tercer grupo control utiltzó agua destilada durante 40 días. Las características de la población permitió controlar importantes variables intervinientes tales como la dieta, higiene bucal de los soldados, momentos de higiene y cumplimiento del protocolo señalado. Se usó un pHmetro calibrado y el índice simplificado de Green y Vermillon, para medir el pH salival y el índice de placa bacteriana respectivamente. Se utilizó el análisis de varianza, la prueba F y la prueba T de student para muestras apareadas y establecer diferencias. Los resultados del trabajo de investigación indicaron que tanto el colutorio con fluoruro de sodio al 0,05% como e1 colutorio con agua con sal al 5% se comportan de manera similar sobre la placa bacteriana, disminuyéndola al cabo de 40 días; mientras que ninguno de los colutorios fue capaz de alterar el pH salival de forma significativa

Geodivulgar: Geología y Sociedad

Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasFALSEsubmitte