ZnO-mesoporous glass scaffolds loaded with osteostatin and mesenchymal cells improve bone healing in a rabbit bone defect

The use of 3D scaffolds based on mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBG) enhanced with therapeutic ions, biomolecules and cells is emerging as a strategy to improve bone healing. In this paper, the osteogenic capability of ZnO-enriched MBG scaffolds loaded or not with osteostatin (OST) and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) was evaluated after implantation in New Zealand rabbits. Cylindrical meso-macroporous scaffolds with composition (mol %) 82.2SiO2–10.3CaO–3.3P2O5–4.2ZnO (4ZN) were obtained by rapid prototyping and then, coated with gelatin for easy handling and potentiating the release of inorganic ions and OST. Bone defects (7.5 mm diameter, 12 mm depth) were drilled in the distal femoral epiphysis and filled with 4ZN, 4ZN + MSC, 4ZN + OST or 4ZN + MSC + OST materials to evaluate and compare their osteogenic features. Rabbits were sacrificed at 3 months extracting the distal third of bone specimens for necropsy, histological, and microtomography (µCT) evaluations. Systems investigated exhibited bone regeneration capability. Thus, trabecular bone volume density (BV/TV) values obtained from µCT showed that the good bone healing capability of 4ZN was significantly improved by the scaffolds coated with OST and MSC. Our findings in vivo suggest the interest of these MBG complete systems to improve bone repair in the clinical practice

Resultados medidos con captura de movimiento en las fracturas de húmero proximal tratadas mediante osteosíntesis con placa bloqueada

Objective: To evaluate the results after locking plate internal fixation of proximal humerus fractures by means of a motion capture system, and functional scales. Material and method: Retrospective study of a cohort of 47 elderly patients undergoing surgery from January 2010 to December 2014. After a minimum follow-up of two years, two functional scales (Constant-Murley and Quick DASH), and a quality of life scale (EQ-5D) were used for clinical evaluation. For objective evaluation of the range of motion a kinematic marker-free analysis with cameras was performed. Results: The average age was 74.85 years. Average functional scores were: Constant-Murley 70.06 points, Quick DASH 35.74 points and EQ-5D 6.79 points. The average range of motion was: flexion, 111.49°; extension: 24.13°; abduction: 109.40°; adduction: 15.13°; external rotation: 38.96°, and internal rotation: 49.28°. Correlation was found between the two functional scales, between them and the EQ-5D, and between range of motion and functional scales (except for external rotation) as well as between range of motion and EQ-5D (except for flexion and external rotation). Conclusion: Locking plate osteosynthesis in proximal humerus fragility fractures achieved good functional and quality of life scores. Motion capture systems can be a useful tool for the functional assessment of shoulder pathology allowing an objective evaluation of range of motion

ZnO-mesoporous glass scaffolds loaded with osteostatin and mesenchymal cells improve bone healing in a rabbit bone defect.

The use of 3D scaffolds based on mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBG) enhanced with therapeutic ions, biomolecules and cells is emerging as a strategy to improve bone healing. In this paper, the osteogenic capability of ZnO-enriched MBG scaffolds loaded or not with osteostatin (OST) and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) was evaluated after implantation in New Zealand rabbits. Cylindrical meso-macroporous scaffolds with composition (mol %) 82.2SiO2–10.3CaO–3.3P2O5–4.2ZnO (4ZN) were obtained by rapid prototyping and then, coated with gelatin for easy handling and potentiating the release of inorganic ions and OST. Bone defects (7.5 mm diameter, 12 mm depth) were drilled in the distal femoral epiphysis and filled with 4ZN, 4ZN+MSC, 4ZN+OST or 4ZN+MSC+OST materials to evaluate and compare their osteogenic features. Rabbits were sacrificed at 3 months extracting the distal third of bone specimens for necropsy, histological and microtomography (µCT) evaluations. Systems investigated exhibited bone regeneration capability. Thus, trabecular bone volume density (BV/TV) values obtained from µCT showed that the good bone healing capability of 4ZN was significantly improved by the scaffolds coated with OST and MSC. Our findings in vivo suggest the interest of these MBG complete systems to improve bone repair in the clinical practice

SEOM clinical guidelines for the treatment of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) (2019)

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for 15% of lung cancers. Only one-third of patients are diagnosed at limited stage. The median survival remains to be around 15-20 months without significative changes in the strategies of treatment for many years. In stage I and IIA, the standard treatment is the surgery followed by adjuvant therapy with platinum-etoposide. In stage IIB-IIIC, the recommended treatment is early concurrent chemotherapy with platinum-etoposide plus thoracic radiotherapy followed by prophylactic cranial irradiation in patients without progression. However, in the extensive stage, significant advances have been observed adding immunotherapy to platinum-etoposide chemotherapy to obtain a significant increase in overall survival, constituting the new recommended standard of care. In the second-line treatment, topotecan remains as the standard treatment. Reinduction with platinum-etoposide is the recommended regimen in patients with sensitive relapse (≥ 3 months) and new drugs such as lurbinectedin and immunotherapy are new treatment options. New biomarkers and new clinical trials designed according to the new classification of SCLC subtypes defined by distinct gene expression profiles are necessary

Contribución de las actividades prácticas en la evaluación de asignaturas pertenecientes a grados de ciencias experimentales

Se presentan los resultados del proceso de evaluación de algunas asignaturas experimentales incluidas dentro de diferentes títulos, Grado en Biología, Grado en Ciencias del Mar, Grado en Químicas, Grado en Óptica y Optometría y Grado en Ingeniería Química, en las que el Departamento de Química Orgánica de la Universidad de Alicante está involucrado. Los resultados recogidos muestran como la evaluación continua y la realización de una prueba final influyen en la calificación final de la asignatura. Además, dentro de la evaluación continua se han diseñado diferentes actividades, considerando la realización de prácticas de laboratorio, la resolución de problemas y presentación de los mismos, así como la entrega de cuestionarios y ejercicios a través de plataformas virtuales. Se presenta el análisis de como cada una de estas actividades contribuye en el resultado final obtenido por los estudiantes, mostrando que las actividades de carácter práctico influyen en la calificación final de una manera más positiva

Influencia del proceso de evaluación continua en la calificación final de asignaturas de grado del área de Química Orgánica

En la presente memoria se detallan los resultados del análisis comparativo del proceso de evaluación continua, así como su influencia en la calificación final del alumno, en diferentes asignaturas de grado adscritas al área de conocimiento de Química Orgánica: Grado de Biología y Ciencias del Mar, asignatura Química, código 26510; Grado de Química, asignatura Determinación Estructural de Compuestos Orgánicos, código 26030; Grado en Óptica y Optometría, asignatura Química, código 24014 y Grado en Ingeniería Química, asignatura Química Orgánica Aplicada, código 34513. Dicho análisis comparativo es fruto de los resultados obtenidos por el alumno en las diversas metodologías y estrategias docentes aplicadas en el proceso de evaluación continua que, como se verá, repercuten de manera notable en la calificación final de las asignaturas. También se pretende evaluar el rendimiento y competencias conseguidas por el alumno, destacando ventajas e inconvenientes de la evaluación continua durante el desarrollo de la asignatura. Y como último fin de este estudio se debatirá sobre las estrategias que hayan resultado más efectivas para su posible implantación en sucesivos cursos académicos

Consideraciones del estudiante sobre su formación práctica en asignaturas del área de conocimiento de química orgánica

En la presente comunicación se detallarán los resultados obtenidos de la valoración del alumno sobre los créditos prácticos en diferentes asignaturas de grado (Grado en Biología, y Grado en Ciencias del Mar: 26510, Química; Grado en Química: 26030, Determinación Estructural de Compuestos Orgánicos y 26050, Química Farmacéutica; Grado en Ingeniería Química: 34513, Química Orgánica Aplicada) adscritas al área de conocimiento de Química Orgánica. Se presentarán y analizarán los resultados obtenidos de esta valoración por parte del alumnado de las diferentes actividades prácticas implantadas en dichas asignaturas y su repercusión en la comprensión y seguimiento de las mismas. También se pretende evaluar cuales son las estrategias más efectivas y cuales son susceptibles de cambios. Y como último fin de este estudio se debatirá sobre las posibles mejoras propuestas por el alumno para su posible implantación en sucesivos cursos académicos

Degradation of buried ice and permafrost in the Veleta cirque (Sierra Nevada, Spain) from 2006 to 2013 as a response to recent climate trends

The Veleta cirque is located at the foot of the Veleta peak, one of the highest summits of the Sierra Nevada National Park (southern Spain). This cirque was the source of a glacier valley during the Quaternary cold periods. During the Little Ice Age it sheltered a small glacier, the most southerly in Europe, about which we have possessed written records since the 17th century. This glacier still had ice residues until the mid-20th century. This ice is no longer visible, but a residue persists along with discontinuous permafrost trapped under strata of rock blocks that make up an incipient rock glacier. From 2006 to 2013, this rock glacier was monitored by measurement of the temperature of the active layer, the degree of snow cover on the ground, movements of the body of the rock glacier and geophysical prospection inside it. The results show that the relict ice and trapped permafrost have been steadily declining. The processes that explain this degradation occur in chain, starting from the external radiation that affects the ground in summer, which is when the temperatures are higher. In effect, when this radiation steadily melts the snow on the ground, the thermal expansive wave advances into the heart of the active layer, reaching the ceiling of the frozen mass, which it then degrades and melts. In this entire linked process, the circulation of meltwaters fulfils a highly significant function, as they act as heat transmitters. The complementary nature of these processes explains the subsidence and continuous changes in the entire clastic pack and the melting of the frozen ceiling on which it rests. This happens in summer in just a few weeks. All these events, in particular the geomorphological ones, take place on the Sierra Nevada peaks within certain climate conditions that are at present unfavourable to the maintenance of snow on the ground in summer. These conditions could be related to recent variations in the climate, starting in the mid-19th century and most markedly since the second half of the 20th century. The work and results highlight the climate sensitivity of the peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the effect of climate change and its impact on the dynamics of ecosystems, which is a benchmark for evaluating the current evolution of landscapes of Mediterranean high mountains.We are grateful to the research projects 018/2007 of the Autonomous Organisation of National Parks and CSO2012-30681 from the Ministry of Economy and Competition

Phytoplankton across Tropical and Subtropical Regions of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans

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