316 research outputs found

    Novel Horizons in Postbiotics: Lactobacillaceae Extracellular Vesicles and Their Applications in Health and Disease

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    Lactobacillus probiotics contained in dietary supplements or functional foods are wellknown for their beneficial properties exerted on host health and diverse pathological situations. Their capacity to improve inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and regulate the immune system is especially remarkable. Although bacteria–host interactions have been thought to occur directly, the key role that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from probiotics play on this point is being unveiled. EVs are lipid bilayer-enclosed particles that carry a wide range of cargo compounds and act in different signalling pathways. Notably, these EVs have been recently proposed as a safe alternative to the utilisation of live bacteria since they can avoid the possible risks that probiotics may entail in vulnerable cases such as immunocompromised patients. Therefore, this review aims to give an updated overview of the existing knowledge about EVs from different Lactobacillus strains, their mechanisms and effects in host health and different pathological conditions. All of the information collected suggests that EVs could be considered as potential tools for the development of future novel therapeutic approaches.Junta de Andalucia CTS 164 PY20_01157Instituto de Salud Carlos III European Commission PI19/01058 European Commissio

    PTGDR gene expression and response to dexamethasone treatment in an in vitro model

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    [EN]Asthma is a multifactorial pathology influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Glucocorticoid treatment decreases symptoms by regulating genes involved in the inflammatory process through binding to specific DNA sequences. Polymorphisms located in the promoter region of the Prostaglandin D Receptor (PTGDR) gene have been related to asthma. We aimed to analyze the effect of PTGDR promoter haplotypes on gene expression and response to corticosteroid therapy. A549 lung epithelial cells were transfected with vectors carrying four different PTGDR haplotypes (CTCT, CCCC, CCCT and TCCT), and treated with dexamethasone. Different approaches to study the promoter activity (Dual Luciferase Reporter System), gene expression levels (qPCR) and cytokine secretion (Multiplexed Bead-based Flow Cytometric) were used. In addition, in silico analysis was also performed. Cells carrying the TCCT haplotype showed the lowest promoter activity (p-value<0.05) and mRNA expression levels in basal conditions. After dexamethasone treatment, cells carrying the wild-type variant CTCT showed the highest response, and those carrying the TCCT variant the lowest (p-value<0.05) in luciferase assays. Different transcription factor binding patterns were identified in silico. Moreover, differences in cytokine secretion were also found among different promoter haplotypes. Polymorphisms of PTGDR gene influence basal promoter activity and gene expression, as well as the cytokine secretory pattern. Furthermore, an association between these positions and response to corticoid treatment was observed

    Impact of the functional CD5 polymorphism A471V on the response of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia to conventional chemotherapy regimens.

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    Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) represents an abnormal clonal expansion of mature antigen-experienced CD5+ B1a cells (Chiorazzi et al, 2005), which present with a highly heterogeneous clinical course depending on associated chromosomal aberrations, somatic mutations within the immunoglobulin variable heavy chain genes (IGHV), and surface CD38 or intracytoplasmic ZAP-70 expression. Given that key signalling components of the B-cell receptor (BCR) are relevant contributors to the variable clinical behaviour of CLL (Stevenson et al, 2011) we explored the influence of functionally relevant germline CD5 variants on CLL prognosis

    Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Ophthalmological Assistance in the Emergency Department at a Spanish Primary Level Hospital.

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    Purpose. To analyze the changes in ophthalmological emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown at a Spanish primary level hospital. Methods. The number and type of emergencies attended in the emergency department of Hospital Universitario del Henares between March 10 and August 31, 2020 (COVID-19 cohort) were compared with the emergencies attended during the same period of 2019 (pre-COVID-19 cohort). Data on the diagnosis, patient age, and gender was retrospectively collected from the electronic medical records of the hospital. The different diagnoses were organized into “clusters,” which include those conditions that affect the same ocular tissue and that have similar clinical expression. Results. The number of ophthalmological emergencies during the study period was 841, compared to 1343 during the same month of 2019, which represents a reduction of 37.4%. The percentage reduction in each cluster was as follows: conjunctiva (−65.4%), cornea (−35.8%), uveitis (−3.6%), eyelid and orbital and lacrimal (−35.5%), strabismus (−60%), neuro-ophthalmology (−11.8%), retina (−10.6%), cataract (+16.4%), glaucoma (−37%), and miscellaneous (−45.1%). The number of people seen with viral conjunctivitis decreased by −87.1% compared to 2019. Patients with complications due to conjunctivitis also decreased: patients with pseudomembranes dropped from 16 to 4 cases and patients with corneal subepithelial infiltrates from 9 to 3 cases. Conclusions. Most diagnostic clusters showed a similar decrease. Clusters that included vision-threating conditions (retina, neuro-ophthalmology, and uveitis) remained mostly stable. During the COVID-19 lockdown, the diagnosis of adenoviral conjunctivitis decreased nearly 10 times. This fact may represent a decrease in the transmission of these infections.post-print1182 K

    PTGDR expression is upregulated through retinoic acid receptors (RAR) mechanism in allergy

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    [EN] Functional studies suggest that promoter polymorphisms of the Prostaglandin D Receptor (PTGDR) gene can be involved in asthma. All-trans Retinoic acid (ATRA) has also been linked to allergic diseases. We have previously described the PTGDR promoter activation mediated by ATRA through response elements (RARE) at position -549T> C. In this study we aimed to analyze the effect of retinoic acid (RA) on the expression of PTGDR, the production of cytokines as well as to evaluate the binding of RA receptors to RA-Response Elements (RARE) sequences. A549 cells were transfected with vectors carrying different PTGDR haplotypes and treated with all-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA). PTGDR expression was measured by qPCR. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation assays (ChIP) were performed in ATRA stimulated KU812 cells and in PBMCs of patients carrying CTCT, CCCC or CCCT haplotypes. In addition, a broad panel of cytokines was analyzed by cytometric bead assay in A549 cells. The expression of PTGDR increased in A549 cells transfected with PTGDR-variants. The CCCC haplotype showed a significantly higher expression compared with CTCT. However, we found that RA up-regulated PTGDR expression through RARα mainly in the CTCT variant. Experiments on PBMCs from allergic patients carrying the -549T and -549C variant of the PTGDR promoter after ATRA and RAR antagonist administration confirmed the modulation of PTGDR by ATRA. The cytokine analysis showed that IL4 and IL6 levels were significantly increased in A549 cells transfected with PTGDR. In addition, ATRA treatment decreased the levels of IL4, IL6 and TNFα in A549 cells, whereas it increased IL4 and TNFα levels in PTGDR-transfected cells. We observed genetic differences in the regulation of PTGDR by ATRA that could contribute to the phenotypic differences observed in allergic patients. Our findings showed that RAR modulation by PTGDR might have an impact on Th2 responses, suggesting that RAR could be a potential therapeutic target in allergic inflammation.Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII); Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional-FEDER; Consejería de Salud-Junta de Castilla y Leó

    Influence of La3+ on the microestructure of bismuth titanate solid solutions

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    [ES] En este trabajo se reporta la síntesis de la serie de soluciones sólidas de titanato de bismuto, Bi4Ti3O12 con La3+ por coprecipitación de los respectivos hidróxidos. Las soluciones sólidas se caracterizaron por difracción de rayos-X y medidas de densidad. Por técnicas de SEM se determinó la influencia del La3+ en la microestructura del titanato de bismuto puro. En este estudio se prepararon diversas composiciones de la solución sólida a y se sinterizaron a 850ºC. Los resultados se presentan en función de la concentración del dopante.[EN] In this work a solid solution of bismuth titanate Bi4Ti3O12 with La3+ is synthesised by coprecipitation of their hydroxides. The solid solutions were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction and density measurements. By SEM the influence of La3+ in bismuth titanate was analised. In this study several compositions of the solid solution were prepared and sintered at 850ºC. The results are presented as a function of the dopant concentration.Los autores agradecen el apoyo de los proyectos PAPIIT, DGAPA, UNAM No. IN102700 y CONACYT No. 33361-U.Peer reviewe

    Vibrational characterictics of asymmetric metal-ceramic piezocomposites

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    [ES] Se han estudiado las características mecánico-vibracionales de piezocomposites metal-cerámica asimétricos. Kovar-PZT. Para esta caracterización se utilizó la técnica de vibrometría láser mediante la cual se obtienen perfiles de amplitud a diferentes frecuencias para el piezocomposite. Se muestran los modos diferenciados de vibración en el intervalo de 2 Hz a 20 kHz y se discuten los resultados en la perspectiva de optimizar el diseño de los dispositivos.[EN] The mechanical and vibrational characteristics of asymmetric metal-ceramic piezocomposites, Kovar-PZT, have heen studied. For this characterization a laser vibrometry technique was used to obtain amplitude profiles of vibration at different frequencies for the piezocomposite. The vibration spectra showed modes in the range 2 Hz to 20 kHz. The results were discussed in the framework of design optimization.Los autores agradecen el apoyo financiero para la realización de esta investigación a la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología de México, Comisión Internacional de Ciencia y Tecnología de España y Programa para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo a través de los proyectos PAPIIT-IN106998, CONACYT-27624U, CICYT MAT97-694-C02-01 y CYTED Red VIII.F.Peer reviewe

    Análisis de las conductas agresivas en las relaciones de noviazgo en una muestra juvenil de la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid

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    El objetivo del presente trabajo fue analizar las conductas agresivas (físicas y psicológicas) en las relaciones de noviazgo de jóvenes y adolescentes. Para ello, se realizó un estudio transversal con una muestra de estudiantes universitarios formada por 154 mujeres y 67 hombres, de edades comprendidas entre los 18 y 27 años. Los resultados indican la alta presencia de comportamientos agresivos en las relaciones de pareja de los más jóvenes, especialmente de naturaleza psicológica. Se comentan, asimismo, las implicaciones de este estudio para la práctica clínica y para las futuras investigaciones

    Interleukin 5 Receptor Subunit Alpha Expression as a Potential Biomarker in Patients with Nasal Polyposis

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    [EN]Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis (CRSwNP) affects the quality of life of patients suffering from it. The search for a suitable biomarker has been conducted over the last decades. Interleukin 5 receptor subunit alpha (IL-5Rα) involves the activation, maintenance, and survival of eosinophils, which are highly tied to chronic inflammatory processes of the airways, like asthma or CRSwNP. In this study, we evaluate the utility of IL5RA as a genetic biomarker in CRSwNP. IL5RA mRNA expression level was analyzed in different groups of patients by performing qPCR assays. A significant increase in IL5RA expression was observed in CRSwNP patients, especially those with asthma and atopy. We found differences in expression levels when comparing groups with or without polyposis or asthma, as well as some atypical cases related to eosinophil levels. That opens a path to future studies to further characterize groups of patients with common features in the context of pharmacogenetics and in an era towards developing a more precise personalized treatment with IL-5Rα as a therapeutic target for CRSwNP.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; European Union Next Generation EU; European Regional Development Fun
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