Heparan sulfate proteoglycans undergo differential expression alterations in left sided colorectal cancer, depending on their metastatic character

Abstract Background Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are complex molecules which play a role in the invasion and growth and metastatic properties of cancerous cells. In this work we analyze changes in the patterns of expression of HSPGs in left sided colorectal cancer (LSCRC), both metastatic and non-metastatic, and the results are also compared with those previously obtained for right sided tumors (RSCRCs). Methods Eighteen LSCRCs were studied using qPCR to analyze the expression of both the proteoglycan core proteins and the enzymes involved in heparan sulfate chain biosynthesis. Certain HSPGs also carry chondroitin sulfate chains and so we also studied the genes involved in its biosynthesis. The expression of certain genes that showed significant expression differences were also analysed using immunohistochemical techniques. Results Changes in proteoglycan core proteins were dependent on their location, and the main differences between metastatic and non-metastatic tumors affected cell-surface glypicans, while other molecules were quite similar. Glypicans were also responsible for the main differences between RS- and LS- malignances. Regarding the biosynthesis of heparan sulfate chains, differential alterations in transcription depending on the presence or not of metastasis affected genes involved in the modification of uronic acid (epimerization and 2-O sulfation), and some isoforms responsible for sulfation of glucosamine (NDST1, HS6ST1). Moreover, in RSCRCs differences were preferentially found in the expression of genes involved in C6 and C3 sulfation of glucosamine, but not in NDSTs or SULFs. Finally, synthesis of chondroitin sulfate showed some alterations, which affected various steps, including polimerization and the modification of chains, but the main variations dependent on the presence of metastases were epimerization and 6C sulfation; however, when compared with RSCRCs, the essential divergences affected polymerization of the chains and the 6C sulfation of the galactosamine residue. Conclusions We evidenced alterations in the expression of HSPGs, including the expression of cell surface core proteins, many glycosiltransferases and some enzymes that modify the GAG chains in LSCRCs, but this was dependent on the metastatic nature of the tumor. Some of these alterations are shared with RSCRCs, while others, focused on specific gene groups, are dependent on tumor localization

Automatic quantification of abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue in children, through MRI study, using total intensity maps and Convolutional Neural Networks

Childhood overweight and obesity is one of the main health problems in the world since it is related to the early appearance of different diseases, in addition to being a risk factor for later developing obesity in adulthood with its health and economic consequences. Visceral abdominal tissue (VAT) is strongly related to the development of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases compared to abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT). Therefore, precise and automatic VAT and ASAT quantification methods would allow better diagnosis, monitoring and prevention of diseases caused by obesity at any stage of life. Currently, magnetic resonance imaging is the standard for fat quantification, with Dixon sequences being the most useful. Different semiautomatic and automatic ASAT and VAT quantification methodologies have been proposed. In particular, the semi-automated quantification methodology used commercially through the cloud-based service AMRA R Researcher stands out due to its extensive validation in different studies. In the present work, a database made up of Dixon MRI sequences, obtained from children between 7 and 9 years of age, was studied. Applying a preprocessing to obtain what we call total intensity maps, a convolutional neural network (CNN) was proposed for the automatic quantification of ASAT and VAT. The quantifications obtained from the proposed methodology were compared with quantifications previously made through AMRA R Researcher. For the comparison, correlation analysis, Bland-Altman graphs and non-parametric statistical tests were used. The results indicated a high correlation and similar precisions between the quantifications of this work and those of AMRA R Researcher. The final objective is that the proposed methodology can serve as an accessible and free tool for the diagnosis, monitoring and prevention of diseases related to childhood obesity.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures, 3 table

Eye tracking in optometry: A systematic review

This systematic review examines the use of eye-tracking devices in optometry, describing their main characteristics, areas of application and metrics used. Using the PRISMA method, a systematic search was performed of three databases. The search strategy identified 141 reports relevant to this topic, indicating the exponential growth over the past ten years of the use of eye trackers in optometry. Eye-tracking technology was applied in at least 12 areas of the field of optometry and rehabilitation, the main ones being optometric device technology, and the assessment, treatment, and analysis of ocular disorders. The main devices reported on were infrared light-based and had an image capture frequency of 60 Hz to 2000 Hz. The main metrics mentioned were fixations, saccadic movements, smooth pursuit, microsaccades, and pupil variables. Study quality was sometimes limited in that incomplete information was provided regarding the devices used, the study design, the methods used, participants' visual function and statistical treatment of data. While there is still a need for more research in this area, eye-tracking devices should be more actively incorporated as a useful tool with both clinical and research applications. This review highlights the robustness this technology offers to obtain objective information about a person's vision in terms of optometry and visual function, with implications for improving visual health services and our understanding of the vision process

Desarrollo de ladrillos mejorados (LM) y uso de nuevas tecnologías en la fabricación de ladrillos ecológicos (LE)

Brick is a material that has been widely used in construction sector, however, it has not received the necessary attention in order to improve its performance, which has resulted a general lack of knowledge about its manufacturing processes such as: clay mines over-exploitation, ignorance of mixtures dosages and greenhouse gas emissions from wood burning. This research therefore aims to find a suitable mixture to produce improved bricks (LM) by analysing its mechanical properties compared with handmade bricks (LPA). Besides, this research work uses the “geo-polymerization” process for the preparation of ecological bricks (LE) at slightly high temperatures which gives a significant environmental benefit. In order to achieve the objectives, firstly, samples were characterized from mines by physical, chemical and mineralogical tests and then, it was determined the optimal mixture for LM and LE elaboration by evaluating its optimal factor (OF) according to the diametric compression test. In order to perform this test, specimens of different combination of materials and processes were elaborated. Once optimal mixtures were obtained, bricks were produced to measure their mechanical resistance by the performance of simple mechanical compression test. Results show that LM resistance is increased by 400% over handmade bricks from the study area. Moreover, the use of waste from mines as raw material for the elaboration of LE shows that their resistance value exceeds 150% of stablished in regulationsEl ladrillo es un material ampliamente utilizado en la construcción, sin embargo no ha recibido la atención necesaria para mejorar su desempeño. Ocasionando una falta de conocimiento en sus procesos de fabricación como: sobreexplotación de las minas de arcilla, desconocimiento en las dosificaciones de las mezclas y emisión de gases de efecto invernadero producto de la quema de leña. Esta investigación pretende encontrar una mezcla adecuada para producir ladrillos mejorados (LM) mediante el análisis de sus propiedades mecánicas en comparación con ladrillos producidos artesanalmente (LPA). Además la utilización del proceso de geopolimerización para la elaboración de un ladrillo ecológico (LE) a temperaturas ligeramente elevadas lo que otorga un beneficio medioambiental significativo. Para lograr los objetivos, primero se caracterizó muestras provenientes de minas mediante ensayos físicos, químicos y mineralógicos, posteriormente se determinó la mezcla óptima de los LM y LE evaluando el factor de optimización (FO) con la aplicación del ensayo de comprensión diametral. Para esto se elaboraron discos con diferentes combinaciones de materiales y procesos. Una vez encontradas las mezclas óptimas se fabricaron ladrillos para medir la resistencia mecánica mediante el ensayo de compresión simple. Los resultados indican que los LM aumentan su resistencia de 400% respecto a los ladrillos artesanales a la zona de estudio (LPR). Por otra parte usando residuos mineros como materia prima para la elaboración de LE, muestran que su resistencia sobrepasa los valores de la normativa con 150%

SISTEMA DE TRANSPORTE Y EMBALAJE UTILIZANDO ROBÓTICA COOPERATIVA BASADA EN TEORÍA DE COLONIAS DE HORMIGAS MEDIANTE PLATAFORMA MINDSTORM DE LEGO®

En este artículo se presenta una propuesta que sugiere el siguiente paso evolutivo de la automatización (y más aún de la ejecución manual): la robótica cooperativa, aquí se muestra un sistema enfocado a la selección y embalaje, etapa final de la mayoría de procesos industriales. El problema fue abordado con agentes robóticos con diferentes características que trabajan emulando la organización de una colonia de hormigas, haciendo de estas etapas un proceso eficiente, eficaz y de gran flexibilidad ante los cambios de la producción.Transportation and Packaging System Using Cooperative Robotics Based on Theory of Ants Colonies Using Platform LEGO® MindstormAbstractThis article presents a proposal that suggests the next evolutionary step of automation (and even more of manual execution): the cooperative robotics. In the next pages is presented a system of selection and packaging, which is part of the final stage of almost any industrial process. The problem was addressed with robotic agents with different features that work emulating the organization of a colony of ants making these stage efficient, effective and highly flexible in the face of production changes.Key words: ant colony, autonomous robot, Bluetooth®, multiagent system, robotics cooperative

Percepção da reabilitação da visão: uma visão de pessoas com baixa visão

Introduction: Low vision is a category of visual impairment that needs a rehabilitation process to maximize visual function and provide the individual with compensatory skills to improve their functioning. Objective: To describe the perception of people with low vision who received functional vision rehabilitation in two rehabilitation centers in relation to service provision and barriers identified in the process. Materials and Methods: A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using 14 semi-structured interviews in people who received low vision rehabilitation in two rehabilitation centers: one in Bogotá providing interdisciplinary vision rehabilitation and another in Bucaramanga with less interdisciplinary vision rehabilitation. After analysis, data were recovered, classified and transformed. Results: People who attended the less interdisciplinary rehabilitation center recognized the contribution of rehabilitation for basic and instrumental activities of daily living. Those who attended the rehabilitation center providing greater interdisciplinary vision rehabilitation highlighted the contributions made from the psychology, orientation and mobility skills, and social work fields as essential. Despite this, barriers still exist in both cities: difficulties in acquiring optical, mobility and architectural aids, as well as in labor inclusion. Discussion: There is a clear need to ensure interdisciplinary vision rehabilitation that includes additional interventions for optical aid prescription. Conclusion: Best results are obtained by interdisciplinary vision rehabilitation in terms of transformations that individuals achieve in acceptance of the low vision condition, mobility, access to technology and rights recognition. How to  cite this article: Oviedo-Cáceres María del Pilar, Hernández-Padilla Martha Liliana, Suárez-Escudero Juan Camilo. Percepción de la rehabilitación visual:  Una mirada desde las personas con baja visión. Revista Cuidarte. 2021;12(1):e1139. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.1139     Introducción: la baja visión es una categoría de discapacidad visual que requiere un proceso de rehabilitación para maximizar la función visual y permitir a la persona desarrollar habilidades compensatorias para mejorar su funcionalidad. Objetivo: describir las percepciones de las personas con baja visión que recibieron servicios de rehabilitación funcional visual en dos centros de atención, frente al aporte de los servicios y barreras identificadas en el proceso. Metodología: Estudio cualitativo de tipo exploratorio. Se realizaron 14 entrevistas semiestructuradas a personas que realizaron su rehabilitación visual en dos centros de atención:  Uno en Bogotá con un proceso de atención interdisciplinario y otro en Bucaramanga con un proceso de atención de menor interdisciplinariedad.  El análisis siguió el proceso de descubrimiento, codificación y relativización de los datos. Resultados: Las personas que asistieron al centro de menor interdisciplinariedad, reconocieron el aporte de la rehabilitación para el desarrollo de actividades cotidianas básicas e instrumentales.  Quienes asistieron al centro de mayor interdisciplinariedad destacaron los aportes de psicología, orientación y movilidad, y trabajo social como fundamentales. Pese a lo anterior, en las dos ciudades persisten barreras:  dificultades para adquirir ayudas ópticas, de movilidad, arquitectónicas y para la inclusión laboral. Discusión: Se evidencia la necesidad de garantizar una rehabilitación funcional interdisciplinaria que contemple intervenciones adicionales a la prescripción de ayudas ópticas. Conclusiones: Los servicios interdisciplinarios obtienen mejores resultados en cuanto a las transformaciones que logran las personas en: aceptación de la condición de baja visión, movilidad, acceso a tecnología, y reconocimiento de derechos. Como citar este artículo: Oviedo-Cáceres María del Pilar, Hernández-Padilla Martha Liliana, Suárez-Escudero Juan Camilo. Percepción de la rehabilitación visual:  Una mirada desde las personas con baja visión. Revista Cuidarte. 2021;12(1):e1139. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.1139     Introdução: A baixa visão é uma categoria de deficiência visual que precisa de um processo de reabilitação para maximizar a função visual e permitir que a pessoa desenvolva habilidades compensatórias para melhorar seu desempenho. Objetivo: Descrever as percepções das pessoas com baixa visão que receberam reabilitação visual funcional em dois centros de reabilitação em relação à prestação de serviços e às barreiras identificadas no processo. Materiais e Métodos: Um estudo exploratório qualitativo foi conduzido utilizando 14 entrevistas semiestruturadas em pessoas que receberam reabilitação visual em dois centros de reabilitação visual: um em Bogotá com um processo de reabilitação da visão interdisciplinar e outro em Bucaramanga com reabilitação da visão menos interdisciplinar. Após análise, os dados foram recuperados, classificados e transformados. Resultados: As pessoas que compareceram ao centro de reabilitação menos interdisciplinar reconheceram a contribuição da reabilitação para atividades básicas e instrumentais da vida diária. As pessoas que compareceram ao centro de reabilitação de maior interdisciplinaridade ressaltaram como essenciais as contribuições feitas a partir da psicologia, habilidades de orientação e mobilidade, e campos de trabalho social. Apesar do acima exposto, ainda existem barreiras em ambas as cidades: dificuldades na aquisição de meios ópticos, de mobilidade e arquitetônicos, assim como na inclusão trabalhista. Discussão: Há uma clara necessidade de garantir a reabilitação funcional interdisciplinar que contemple intervenções adicionais para a prescrição de auxílios ópticos. Conclusão: Os melhores resultados são obtidos pela reabilitação interdisciplinar em termos das transformações que as pessoas alcançam na aceitação da condição de baixa visão, mobilidade, acesso à tecnologia e reconhecimento de direitos. Como citar este artigo: Oviedo-Cáceres María del Pilar, Hernández-Padilla Martha Liliana, Suárez-Escudero Juan Camilo. Percepción de la rehabilitación visual:  Una mirada desde las personas con baja visión. Revista Cuidarte. 2021;12(1):e1139. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.1139    &nbsp

Prevalence and Population Diversity of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Dairy Cattle Farms in the Cantabria Region of Spain

Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen that is widely distributed in the environment. Here we show the prevalence and transmission of L. monocytogenes in dairy farms in the Cantabria region, on the northern coast of Spain. A total of 424 samples was collected from 14 dairy farms (5 organic and 9 conventional) and 211 L. monocytogenes isolates were recovered following conventional microbiological methods. There were no statistically significant differences in antimicrobial resistance ratios between organic and conventional farms. A clonal relationship among the isolates was assessed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis and 64 different pulsotypes were obtained. Most isolates (89%, n = 187) were classified as PCR serogroup IVb by using a multiplex PCR assay. In this case, 45 isolates of PCR serogroup IVb were whole genome-sequenced to perform a further analysis at genomic level. In silico MLST analysis showed the presence of 12 sequence types (ST), of which ST1, ST54 and ST666 were the most common. Our data indicate that the environment of cattle farms retains a high incidence of L. monocytogenes, including subtypes involved in human listeriosis reports and outbreaks. This pathogen is shed in the feces and could easily colonize dairy products, as a result of fecal contamination. Effective herd and manure management are needed in order to prevent possible outbreaks.This work was supported by Research Project grants RTA08-099, RTA2008-00080-C02, RTA2014-00045-C03-01 (INIA and FEDER) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and RTI2018-098267-R-C31 (INIA and FEDER) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.S

Estrategia educativa para la formación de la valoración de los factores estresantes en los adultos mayores.

This research responds to the need of favoring the assessment of the stressful factors in relation to the personal resources, due to the increase of the vulnerability of the stress that limits the sociocultural development of the elders who study in the Informatics Youth Club in Manzanillo. It was performed since September 2012 to September 2013. It is a descriptive study that presents a strategy of educative behavior directed to the education for the knowledge of the stress based on the excercise of the assessment category as a main point of facing it by the elderly. The methods applied were: the analysis and synthesis, induction-deduction, systemic- structural- functional, historical- logical analysis, observation, surveys, interviews and the methods of psychological assessment. The application of this scientific tool will promote the necessary changes that should be produced in the life styles of senescents when the level of knowledge increases, which will favor the health action of promotion and prevention of diseases in the population of the third age from the role of the scientific community.La presente investigación responde a la necesidad de favorecer la valoración de los factores estresantes en relación con los recursos personológicos, debido al incremento de la vulnerabilidad del estrés que limita el desarrollo sociocultural del adulto mayor que cursa estudios en el Joven Club de Computación Manzanillo I, se realizó de septiembre del 2012 a septiembre del 2013. Es un estudio descriptivo que expone una estrategia de carácter educativo dirigido a la educación para el conocimiento del estrés basado en el ejercicio de la categoría de la valoración como un constituyente esencial del afrontamiento en los adultos mayores. Los métodos esgrimidos fueron; el analítico y sintético, Inductivo y deductivo, sistémico estructural funcional, Análisis histórico-lógico, observación, encuestas, entrevistas y los métodos de evaluación psicológica. La aplicación de este instrumento científico promoverá cambios necesarios que deben producirse en los estilos de vida de los senescentes, una vez elevado el nivel de conocimientos, lo que potenciará la acción salubrista de promoción de salud y prevención de enfermedades en la población de la tercera edad, desde el papel de la comunidad científica

Bioethical Concerns During the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Did Healthcare Ethics Committees and Institutions State in Spain?.

Objectives: Each new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic invites the possible obligation to prioritize individuals’ access to vital resources, and thereby leads to unresolved and important bioethical concerns. Governments have to make decisions to protect access to the health system with equity. The prioritization criteria during a pandemic are both a clinical and legal-administrative decision with ethical repercussion.We aim to analyse the prioritization protocols used in Spain during the pandemic which, in many cases, have not been updated. Method: We carried out a narrative review of 27 protocols of prioritization proposed by healthcare ethics committees, scientific societies and institutions in Spain for this study. The review evaluated shared aspects and unique differences and proffered a bioethical reflection. Results: The research questions explored patient prioritization, the criteria applied and the relative weight assigned to each criterion. There was a need to use several indicators, being morbidity and mortality scales the most commonly used, followed by facets pertaining to disease severity and functional status. Although age was initially considered in some protocols, it cannot be the sole criterion used when assigning care resources. Conclusions: In COVID-19 pandemic there is a need for a unified set of criteria that guarantees equity and transparency in decision-making processes. Establishing treatment indications is not the aim of such criteria, but instead prioritizing access to care resources. In protocols of prioritization, the principle of efficiency must vary according to the principle of equity and the criteria used to guarantee such equity.post-print204 K

Primer registro de Josephiella microcarpae Beardsley & Rasplus, 2001 (Hymenoptera, Agaonidae) en Ficus microcarpa L. en España peninsular

[ES] Josephiella microcarpae Beardsley & Rasplus (Hymenoptera, Agaonidae), es un himenóptero que induce la formación de agallas en las hojas de Ficus microcarpa L. El insecto está presente en Hawaii, California, Florida, Italia y la isla de Malta, y en España en las Islas Canarias, donde se encuentra ampliamente extendido. En este trabajo se aportan nuevos datos sobre la distribución del insecto y sobre su fenología. Mediante trampas amarillas pegajosas se ha estudiado la curva de vuelo del insecto entre marzo y diciembre de 2015. En total se capturaron 121 individuos, con máximos de capturas de adultos en abril y julio-agosto, contribuyendo al conocimiento de la biología del insecto, poco estudiada hasta el momento.[EN] Josephiella microcarpae Beardsley & Rasplus (Hymenoptera, Agaonidae) is a hymenopteran that induces galls on the leaves of Ficus microcarpa L. The insect is present in Hawaii, California, Florida, Italy and the island of Malta, and has become widespread in the Canary Islands (Spain). This work provides new dada about the insect¿s distribution and phenology. By means of yellow sticky traps, the insect¿s flight curve was studied between March and December 2015. A total of 121 insects were caught, with the maximum numbers of adults in April and in July-August. This study contributes to the knowledge of the insect¿s biology, which has been poorly studied to dateRodrigo Santamalia, ME.; Laborda Cenjor, R.; Sanchez-Domingo, A.; González-Rey, S.; Bertomeu, S.; Xamani Monserrat, P.; Hernández-Suárez, E. (2017). Primer registro de Josephiella microcarpae Beardsley & Rasplus, 2001 (Hymenoptera, Agaonidae) en Ficus microcarpa L. en España peninsular. Boletín de la Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa. 60:390-392. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/104209S3903926