Plantes ornamentals potencialment tòxiques

La mèlia (Melia azedarach) és un arbre comú a la Mediterrània. Es tracta d'una planta típicament ornamental que presenta, en fruits, fulles, escorça o arrels, diversos principis químics biològicament actius tant d'interès farmacològic com també plaguicida, que actualment s'estan investigant. Aquests prinicpis poden resultar tòxics a partir de certes dosis o en determinades circumstàncies, la qual cosa converteix la mèlia en un vegetal potencialment perillós. Malgrat això, no existeix cap legislació a Espanya que indiqui què es pot plantar i què no als llocs públics. Per aquesta raó, experts de la UAB alerten que, a més a més dels criteris ornamentals, caldria tenir en compte els criteris de toxicitat.La melia (Melia azedarach) es un árbol común en el Mediterráneo. Se trata de una planta típicamente ornamental que presenta, en frutos, hojas, corteza o raíces, varios principios químicos biológicamente activos tanto de interés farmacológico como plaguicida, que actualmente se están investigando. Estos prinicpis pueden resultar tóxicos a partir de ciertas dosis o en determinadas circunstancias, lo que convierte la melia en un vegetal potencialmente peligroso. Sin embargo, existe ninguna legislación en España que indique que se puede hacer y qué no en los lugares públicos. Por esta razón expertos de la UAB advierten que, además de los criterios ornamentales, habría que tener en cuenta los criterios de toxicidad

Control del mosquit tigre : millores en les mesures preventives adoptades a Catalunya

El mosquit tigre (Aedes albopictus) colonitza Catalunya des de 2004. Originari del sud-est asiàtic, s'ha estès per Europa i el món sencer. Frenar la seva expansió és essencial per evitar les molèsties i, sobretot, els brots epidèmics de les malalties que transmet, com el dengue i chikungunya, recentment observades a Itàlia, França i Croàcia. En aquest estudi es va realitzar una intervenció educativa multidisciplinar, amb àmplia col·laboració ciutadana, factor considerat com a pedra angular per controlar, amb èxit, a aquest insecte adaptat a viure en ambients domèstics.El mosquito tigre (Aedes albopictus) coloniza Cataluña desde 2004. Originario del sudeste asiático, se ha extendido por Europa y el mundo entero. Frenar su expansión es esencial para evitar sus molestias y, sobre todo, los brotes epidémicos de las enfermedades que transmite, como el dengue y chikungunya, recientemente observados en Italia, Francia y Croacia. En este estudio se realizó una intervención educativa multidisciplinar, con amplia colaboración ciudadana, factor considerado como piedra angular para controlar, con éxito, a este insecto adaptado a vivir en ambientes domésticos.The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) has been colonizing Catalonia since 2004. Native to Southeast Asia, it has spread throughout Europe and around the world. It is essential to curb its expansion, to relieve the discomfort of bites, but above all to prevent epidemics of dangerous diseases transmitted by the mosquito, such as dengue and chikungunya viruses, which have recently been observed in Italy, France and Croatia. In this study a multidisciplinary educational intervention was carried out with wide citizen collaboration, a factor considered to be fundamental in successfully controlling this species, which has adapted to living in domestic environments

Malignant Solitary Fibrous Tumour of the Breast Mimicking a Benign Tumor

Solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) of the breast is exceedingly uncommon. Radiological assessment usually shows benign features. We report on a case of malignant SFT of the breast, while emphasizing the need for additional immunostains to reach a definitive diagnosis. Standard treatment consists of lesion removal with adequate margins

Ensayos clínicos y consentimiento informado : visión de investigadores, pacientes y médicos de familia

Objetivo: en investigación es fundamental informar adecuadamente a los pacientes y respetar el principio de autonomía. El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar la percepción de médicos de familia, investigadores y pacientes sobre el proceso del consentimiento informado (CI) en los ensayos clínicos (EC), y el papel que desempeña el médico de familia. Diseño: estudio transversal mediante 3 cuestionarios y revisión de CI, historias clínicas e informes de alta hospitalaria. Emplazamiento: médicos de familia, investigadores y pacientes involucrados en EC. Participantes: quinientos cuatro médicos de familia, 108 investigadores y 71 pacientes. Resultados: en el 50% de los CI se recomendaba consultar con el médico de familia. Constaba la participación en un EC en el 33% de las historias clínicas de atención primaria y en el 3% de informes de alta hospitalaria. Los médicos de familia suspendieron, con 3,54 puntos, la información recibida a través del investigador principal. La legibilidad del CI fue puntuada con 8,03 puntos por los investigadores y con 7,68 por los pacientes (rango: 1-10 puntos). La satisfacción de los pacientes se relacionó positivamente con el tiempo de reflexión concedido. Conclusiones: los médicos de familia mostraron insatisfacción con la información que reciben sobre la participación de los pacientes de su cupo en EC. Los investigadores son conscientes de la necesidad de mejorar la información que reciben los médicos de familia, aunque están satisfechos con la información ofrecida a los pacientes. Los pacientes se mostraron colaboradores y satisfechos con la investigación biomédica y minimizaron los inconvenientes relacionados con la participación.Objective: Adequate information for patients and respect for their autonomy are mandatory in research. This article examined insights of researchers, patients and general practitioners (GPs) on the informed consent process in clinical trials, and the role of the GP. Design: A cross-sectional study using three questionnaires, informed consent reviews, medical records, and hospital discharge reports. Setting GPs, researchers and patients involved in clinical trials. Participants: Included, 504 GPs, 108 researchers, and 71 patients. Results: Consulting the GP was recommended in 50% of the informed consents. Participation in clinical trials was shown in 33% of the medical records and 3% of the hospital discharge reports. GPs scored 3.54 points (on a 1-10 scale) on the assessment of the information received by the principal investigator. The readability of the informed consent sheet was rated 8.03 points by researchers, and the understanding was rated 7.68 points by patients. Patient satisfaction was positively associated with more time for reflection. Conclusions: GPs were not satisfied with the information received on the participation of patients under their in clinical trials. Researchers were satisfied with the information they offered to patients, and were aware of the need to improve the information GPs received. Patients collaborated greatly towards biomedical research, expressed satisfaction with the overall process, and minimised the difficulties associated with participation

Magnetic mesoporous nanocarriers for drug delivery with improved therapeutic efficacy

Mesoporous CoNi@Au core@shell nanorods were synthesized as magnetic drug nanocarriers by electrodeposition using ionic liquid-in-aqueous microemulsions. Mesoporous nanorods present a highly effective area (186 m2 g-1) and magnetic character that allows their manipulation, concentration and retention by applying a magnetic field. The nanorods have been functionalized with thiol-poly(ethyleneglycol) molecules and molecules of Irinotecan, a drug, used in chemotherapy, were retained in both the lattice of the linked thiol-poly(ethyleneglycol) molecules and inside the nanorods pores. The nanorods' mesoporous character allowed a high drug-loading capability and magnetic behavior that allowed the drug's controlled release. A high cellular viability of HeLa cells was obtained after their incubation with the nanorods functionalized with thiol-poly(ethyleneglycol). However, when the nanorods functioned as carriers for CPT-11, significant cell death was occurred when the HeLa cells were incubated with the functionalized, drug-loaded nanorods. Cell death also occurred by applying an alternating magnetic field, given the effect of both the carrier's CPT-11 release and the mechanical damage of cells by the nanorods under the magnetic field effect. Our proposal to used mesoporous magnetic nanorods as drug carriers could thus dramatically reduce the amounts of the nanocarrier and the drug needed to efficiently destroy cancer cells

Bicuculline Reduces Neuroinflammation in Hippocampus and Improves Spatial Learning and Anxiety in Hyperammonemic Rats. Role of Glutamate Receptors

Patients with liver cirrhosis may develop minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) with mild cognitive impairment. Hyperammonemia is a main contributor to cognitive impairment in MHE, which is mediated by neuroinflammation. GABAergic neurotransmission is altered in hyperammonemic rats. We hypothesized that, in hyperammonemic rats, (a) enhanced GABAergic tone would contribute to induce neuroinflammation, which would be improved by reducing GABAergic tone by chronic bicuculline treatment; (b) this would improve spatial learning and memory impairment; and (c) modulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission would mediate this cognitive improvement. The aim of this work was to assess the above hypotheses. Bicuculline was administrated intraperitoneally once a day for 4 weeks to control and hyperammonemic rats. The effects of bicuculline on microglia and astrocyte activation, IL-1β content, on membrane expression of AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors subunits in the hippocampus and on spatial learning and memory as well as anxiety were assessed. Treatment with bicuculline reduces astrocyte activation and IL-1β but not microglia activation in the hippocampus of hyperammonemic rats. Bicuculline reverses the changes in membrane expression of AMPA receptor subunits GluA1 and GluA2 and of the NR2B (but not NR1 and NR2A) subunit of NMDA receptors. Bicuculline improves spatial learning and working memory and decreases anxiety in hyperammonemic rats. In hyperammonemia, enhanced activation of GABAA receptors in the hippocampus contributes to some but not all aspects of neuroinflammation, to altered glutamatergic neurotransmission and to impairment of spatial learning and memory as well as anxiety, all of which are reversed by reducing activation of GABAA receptors with bicuculline

Early-Career Coordinated Distributed Experiments: Empowerment Through Collaboration

Este artículo contiene 7 páginas, 1 tabla, 3 figuras.Coordinated distributed experiments (CDEs) enable the study of large-scale ecological patterns in geographically dispersed areas, while simultaneously providing broad academic and personal benefits for the participants. However, the effective involvement of early-career researchers (ECRs) presents major challenges. Here, we analyze the benefits and challenges of the first CDE exclusively led and conducted by ECRs (i.e. ECR-CDE), which sets a baseline for similar CDEs, and we provide recommendations for successful CDE execution. ECR-CDEs achieve most of the outcomes identified in conventional CDEs as well as extensive benefits for the young cohort of researchers, including: (i) receiving scientific credit, (ii) peer-training in new concepts and methods, (iii) developing leadership and communication skills, (iv) promoting a peer network among ECRs, and (v) building on individual engagement and independence. We also discuss the challenges of ECR-CDEs, which are mainly derived from the lack of independence and instability of the participants, and we suggest mechanisms to address them, such as resource re-allocation and communication strategies. We conclude that ECR-CDEs can be a relevant tool to empower ECRs across disciplines by fostering their training, networking and personal well-being.The authors were supported by the following founding: NC the support of the Beatriu de Pinós postdoctoral program of the Government of Catalonia’s Secretariat for Universities and Research of the Ministry of Economy and Knowledge (BP2016- 00215), EE by a predoctoral grant from the Basque Government (2014-2017), AB by a Generalitat de Catalunya—Beatriu de Pinós (BP-00385-2016), AMG-F by a predoctoral research grant (BES-2013-065770) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, MAr by a postdoctoral grant from the Basque Government, MIA by a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral grant (FJCI-2015-26192), PR-L by a Margalida Comas postdoctoral contract (PD/031/2018) funded by the Government of the Balearic Islands and the European Social Fund, AP by a Ramón Areces Foundation Postdoctoral Scholarship, and AL by a Kempe Foundation stipend. DOMIPEX project was founded by the First Call of Collaborative Projects among Young Researchers of the Iberian Association of Limnology (AIL; 2013-2015).Peer reviewe

Famílies botàniques de plantes medicinals

Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona. Ensenyament: Grau de Farmàcia, Assignatura: Botànica Farmacèutica, Curs: 2013-2014, Coordinadors: Joan Simon, Cèsar Blanché i Maria Bosch.Els materials que aquí es presenten són els recull de 175 treballs d’una família botànica d’interès medicinal realitzats de manera individual. Els treballs han estat realitzat per la totalitat dels estudiants dels grups M-2 i M-3 de l’assignatura Botànica Farmacèutica durant els mesos d’abril i maig del curs 2013-14. Tots els treballs s’han dut a terme a través de la plataforma de GoogleDocs i han estat tutoritzats pel professor de l’assignatura i revisats i finalment co-avaluats entre els propis estudiants. L’objectiu principal de l’activitat ha estat fomentar l’aprenentatge autònom i col·laboratiu en Botànica farmacèutica

CIBERER : Spanish national network for research on rare diseases: A highly productive collaborative initiative

Altres ajuts: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.CIBER (Center for Biomedical Network Research; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red) is a public national consortium created in 2006 under the umbrella of the Spanish National Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII). This innovative research structure comprises 11 different specific areas dedicated to the main public health priorities in the National Health System. CIBERER, the thematic area of CIBER focused on rare diseases (RDs) currently consists of 75 research groups belonging to universities, research centers, and hospitals of the entire country. CIBERER's mission is to be a center prioritizing and favoring collaboration and cooperation between biomedical and clinical research groups, with special emphasis on the aspects of genetic, molecular, biochemical, and cellular research of RDs. This research is the basis for providing new tools for the diagnosis and therapy of low-prevalence diseases, in line with the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) objectives, thus favoring translational research between the scientific environment of the laboratory and the clinical setting of health centers. In this article, we intend to review CIBERER's 15-year journey and summarize the main results obtained in terms of internationalization, scientific production, contributions toward the discovery of new therapies and novel genes associated to diseases, cooperation with patients' associations and many other topics related to RD research

Çédille, revista de estudios franceses

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