Notas corológicas del macrofitobentos de Andalucía (España). VII

El presente trabajo añade nuevas especies a los catálogos de algas Rhodophyceae (Conde et al., 1996b), Phaeophyceae (Flores- Moya et al., 1995a) y Chlorophyceae (Flores-Moya et al., 1995b) existentes para las costas andaluzas, aumentando de este modo el conocimiento florístico del macrofitobentos de Andalucía. La mayoría de las aportaciones proceden de cubetas intermareales de la Isla de las Palomas (Tarifa, Cádiz), excepto una de Punta Carnero (Cádiz) y una de Marina del Este (Granada). En conjunto se aportan una cita nueva para Andalucía (señalada con un asterisco), cinco citas nuevas y tres confirmaciones para la provincia de Cádiz, y una novedad para el catálogo de la provincia de Granada.El material recolectado fue preservado en formol al 4% en agua de mar, identificado y depositado en el herbario de la Universidad de Málaga (MGC Phyc)

Evaluation and comparison of two different cartilage-sparing techniques in 356 otoplasties performed in children

Background: Prominent ear is the most common deformity of the external ear. Although hundreds of surgical otoplasty techniques have been described, none of them has proved enough advantage over others to become the gold standard in this field. In this study, we evaluated the results of a cohort of 188 patients operated with two different cartilagesparing otoplasty techniques.Patients and methods: A total of 356 otoplasties were performed in 188 patients, between January 2012 and November 2016. Two different techniques were utilized in two different groups: a modified-Mustardé otoplasty and a modified-Furnas technique. Postoperative follow-ups were performed at week 1, and at 1 and 6 months and at 1 year. Complications were recorded and compared between both techniques. The success rate was measured according to McDowells’ criteria.Results: A total of 356 ears were operated in 188 patients (85 men; 103 women; mean age 9.97; range: 6–15 years). In all, 105 patients underwent modified-Mustarde otoplasty, and 83 were operated utilizing a modified-Furnas technique. Success rates ranged from 90 to 100% depending on the technique utilized. No significative differences wereobserved in the incidence of complications and success rates.Conclusion: None of the compared otoplasty techniques showed better results than the other. Notwithstanding, otoplasty shows to be an effective treatment with high success rates (independent of the technique utilized) for patients with prominent ears.Keywords: antihelix, concha, Furnas, Mustarde, otoplasty, prominent ear

MiR-9-5p suppresses pro-fibrogenic transformation of fibroblasts and prevents organ fibrosis by targeting NOX4 and TGFBR2

© 2015 The Authors. Uncontrolled extracellular matrix (ECM) production by fibroblasts in response to injury contributes to fibrotic diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation is involved in the pathogenesis of IPF. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) stimulates the production of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4)-dependent ROS, promoting lung fibrosis (LF). Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been shown to contribute to LF. To identify miRNAs involved in redox regulation relevant for IPF, we performed arrays in human lung fibroblasts exposed to ROS. miR-9-5p was selected as the best candidate and we demonstrate its inhibitory effect on TGF-β receptor type II (TGFBR2) and NOX4 expression. Increased expression of miR-9-5p abrogates TGF-β1-dependent myofibroblast phenotypic transformation. In the mouse model of bleomycin-induced LF, miR-9-5p dramatically reduces fibrogenesis and inhibition of miR-9-5p and prevents its anti-fibrotic effect both in vitro and in vivo. In lung specimens from patients with IPF, high levels of miR-9-5p are found. In omentum-derived mesothelial cells (MCs) from patients subjected to peritoneal dialysis (PD), miR-9-5p also inhibits mesothelial to myofibroblast transformation. We propose that TGF-β1 induces miR-9-5p expression as a self-limiting homeostatic response.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) SAF 2012-31338 (SL), SAF 2013-47611 (MLC) and CSD 2007-00020 (SL), Instituto de Salud Carlos III REDinREN RD12/0021/0009 (SL and LGB) and FIS PS12/00094 (LGB), Comunidad de Madrid “Fibroteam” S2010/BMD-2321 (SL and MLC) and Fundación Renal “Iñigo Alvarez de Toledo” (SL), all from Spain. Supported by European Cooperation in Science and Research COST actions BM-1203 (EU-ROS) and BM-1005 (ENOGAS) (SL). The CBMSO receives institutional support from Fundación “Ramón Areces”.Peer Reviewe

Xerostomia, the perception of general and oral health and health risk behaviours in people over 65 years of age

Background: This study investigated the association between xerostomia and health risk behaviours, general and oral health and quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 800 adults over 65 years of age residing in Spain using a computerassisted telephone questionnaire. The severity of xerostomia was assessed through the Xerostomia Inventory (XI). Both univariate and adjusted multinomial logistic regression were used to determine the risk (OR) of xerostomia. Results: The sample comprised of 492 females (61.5%) and 308 males, with a mean age of 73.7 ± 5.8 years. Some, 30.7% had xerostomia: 25.6% mild, 4.8% moderate and 0.3% severe, the majority being female (34.8% vs 24%; p = 0.003). The mean XI was 24.6 ± 6.3 (95% CI 19.2–24.8) for those with poor health, whereas it was 17.4 ± 6.3 (95%CI 16.1–18.6) in those reporting very good health (p < 0.001). This difference was also observed in terms of oral health, with the XI mean recorded as 14.7 ± 10.7 for very poor oral health and 6.4 ± 5.4 for those with very good health (p = 0.002). Logistic regression showed that the highest OR for xerostomia was observed among adults with poor general health (2.81; 95%CI 1.8–4.3; p < 0.001) and for adjusted model the OR was still significant (2.18; 95%CI 1.4–3.4; p = 0.001). Those who needed help with household chores had 2.16 higher OR (95%CI 1.4–3.4; p = 0.001) and 1.69 (95%CI 1.1–2.7; p = 0.03) in the adjusted model. Females had a higher risk of suffering from xerostomia than males. Conclusion: The strong association between xerostomia and the general and oral health status of older adults justifies the need for early assessment and regular follow-up

Xerostomia, the perception of general and oral health and health risk behaviours in people over 65 years of age

Background: This study investigated the association between xerostomia and health risk behaviours, general and oral health and quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 800 adults over 65 years of age residing in Spain using a computer-assisted telephone questionnaire. The severity of xerostomia was assessed through the Xerostomia Inventory (XI). Both univariate and adjusted multinomial logistic regression were used to determine the risk (OR) of xerostomia. Results: The sample comprised of 492 females (61.5%) and 308 males, with a mean age of 73.7 +/- 5.8 years. Some, 30.7% had xerostomia: 25.6% mild, 4.8% moderate and 0.3% severe, the majority being female (34.8% vs 24%; p = 0.003). The mean XI was 24.6 +/- 6.3 (95% CI 19.2-24.8) for those with poor health, whereas it was 17.4 +/- 6.3 (95%CI 16.1-18.6) in those reporting very good health (p < 0.001). This difference was also observed in terms of oral health, with the XI mean recorded as 14.7 +/- 10.7 for very poor oral health and 6.4 +/- 5.4 for those with very good health (p = 0.002). Logistic regression showed that the highest OR for xerostomia was observed among adults with poor general health (2.81; 95%CI 1.8-4.3; p < 0.001) and for adjusted model the OR was still significant (2.18; 95%CI 1.4-3.4; p = 0.001). Those who needed help with household chores had 2.16 higher OR (95%CI 1.4-3.4; p = 0.001) and 1.69 (95%CI 1.1-2.7; p = 0.03) in the adjusted model. Females had a higher risk of suffering from xerostomia than males. Conclusion: The strong association between xerostomia and the general and oral health status of older adults justifies the need for early assessment and regular follow-up

Development of a rapid lateral flow immunoassay test for detection of exosomes previously enriched from cell culture medium and body fluids

Exosomes are cell-secreted nanovesicles (40–200 nm) that represent a rich source of novel biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of certain diseases. Despite the increasingly recognized relevance of these vesicles as biomarkers, their detection has been limited due in part to current technical challenges in the rapid isolation and analysis of exosomes. The complexity of the development of analytical platforms relies on the heterogeneous composition of the exosome membrane. One of the most attractive tests is the inmunochromatographic strips, which allow rapid detection by unskilled operators. We have successfully developed a novel lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for the detection of exosomes based on the use of tetraspanins as targets. We have applied this platform for the detection of exosomes purified from different sources: cell culture supernatants, human plasma and urine. As proof of concept, we explored the analytical potential of this LFIA platform to accurately quantify exosomes purified from a human metastatic melanoma cell line. The one-step assay can be completed in 15 min, with a limit of detection of 8.54×105 exosomes/µL when a blend of anti-CD9 and anti-CD81 were selected as capture antibodies and anti-CD63 labelled with gold nanoparticles as detection antibody. Based on our results, this platform could be well suited to be used as a rapid exosome quantification tool, with promising diagnostic applications, bearing in mind that the detection of exosomes from different sources may require adaptation of the analytical settings to their specific composition.FICYT; Ministerio de Educación; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad; Gobierno Regional de Asturias; Gobierno Regional de Madri

Recuérdame: Aplicación de apoyo para el tratamiento de personas con problema de memoria mediante terapias basadas en reminiscencia

Este proyecto presenta la creación de una aplicación que facilite a los terapeutas la realización de terapias basadas en reminiscencia para tratar a pacientes con alzheimer, haciéndolas más ágiles y rápidas. Para la realización de la aplicación hemos usado un diseño centrado en el usuario contando durante todo el desarrollo con usuarios finales que nos han ido proporcionando sus expectativas y requisitos. Para obtener los requisitos de la aplicación nos reunimos con dos terapeutas y nos encargamos de hacerles preguntas que nos permitieran saber qué es lo que necesitaban en la aplicación. Después realizamos un análisis de estos datos para conseguir los requisitos. Tras conseguir todos los requisitos, cada uno de los autores de este proyecto, realizó un prototipo de diseño de la aplicación, para realizar una iteración de diseño competitivo. El resultado de esta iteración fue evaluado por un usuario final de la aplicación. La aplicación creada es una aplicación web responsive, con una estructura Modelo Vista Controlador creada mediante lenguajes como HTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript. Finalmente nos reunimos con los usuarios finales para realizar la evaluación final de aplicación. Los resultados de esta evaluación fueron bastantes positivos ya que, aunque a la aplicación le queda algunos detalles que reto car, los expertos se mostraron bastante contentos con el resultado final. El resultado del cuestionario SUS rellenado por los terapeutas le dio a nuestra aplicación una puntuación de 85, lo que indica que la aplicación tiene una usabilidad aceptable

Development of a thermosensitive hydrogel based on Polaxamer 407 and gellan gum with inclusion complexes (Sulfobutylated-β-cyclodextrin-Farnesol) as a local drug delivery system

This work proposes the development of a thermosensitive local drug release system based on Polaxamer 407, also known as Pluronic® F-127 (PF-127), Gellan Gum (GG) and the inclusion complex Sulfobutylated-β-cyclodextrin (CD) with Farnesol (FOH). Rheological properties of the hydrogels and their degradation were studied. According to the rheological results, a solution of 20% w/v of PF-127 forms a strong gel with a gelling temperature of about 25 °C (storage modulus of 15,000 Pa). The addition of the GG increased the storage modulus (optimal concentration of 0.5 % w/v) twofold without modifying the gelling temperature. Moreover, including 0.5% w/v of GG also increased 6 times the degradation time of the hydrogel. Regarding the inclusion complex, the addition of free CD decreased the viscosity and the gel strength since polymer chains were included in CD cavity without affecting the gelling temperature. Contrarily, the inclusion complex CD-FOH did not significantly modify any property of the formulation because the FOH was hosted in the CD. Furthermore, a mathematical model was developed to adjust the degradation time. This model highlights that the addition of the GG decreases the number of released chains from the polymeric network (which coincides with an increase in the storage modulus) and that the free CD reduces the degradation rate, protecting the polymeric chains. Finally, FOH release was quantified with a specific device, that was designed and printed for this type of system, observing a sustainable drug release (similar to FOH aqueous solubility, 8 μM) dependent on polymer degradation

Morphological characteristics of European common spadefoot toad Pelobates fuscus (Laurenti, 1768) (Amphibia, Anura) in Posavina region

Češnjača, Pelobates fuscus je jedini predstavnik porodice Pelobatidae na prostoru Hrvatske. Vrsta je široko rasprostranjena u Evropi, ali unatoč tome procjenjeno je da postoji veliki pad populacija diljem zemalja koje naseljavaju. Prema Crvenoj knjizi vodozemaca i gmazova Hrvatske češnjača je smještena u DD kategoriju s nedovoljno podataka. Ona naseljava ravničarska područja uz sporije tokove i stajaće vode s malo predatora te rahlim tlom (prirodna ili antropogenizirana staništa). Istraživano područje obuhvaća stajaće tijelo u selu Lijeva Luka, Sisačko-moslovačka županija. Pronađene su dvije vrpce s jajima koje su tretirane u kontroliranim uvjetima u cilju: 1) detaljnog morfološkog opisa punoglavaca i njihovog oralnog diska kroz stadije razvoja, 2) postojanja morfoloških prilagodbi vrsta P. fuscus i Rana temporaria u eksperimentu kompeticije, 3) postojanja morfoloških prilagodbi vrste P. fuscus u prisustvu predatora Umbra krameri. Punoglavci su tretirani podjednako te prilikom uzorkovanja odvajani u 3 % formaldehid. Punoglavci su skenirani i podvrgnuti mjerenjima pomoću programa ImageJ i digitalne pomične mjerke. Determinirani su razvojni stadiji punoglavaca od 23 do 41 stadija prema Gosner (1960) sa najvećim punoglavacem ukupne dužine tijela 99,04 mm. Detaljno su ilustrirane i opisane morfološke značajke oralnog diska s pratećim formulama. Punoglavci češnjače nisu pokazali značajne morfološke promjene unutar eksperimenta kompeticije.European common spadefoot toad, Pelobates fuscus, is the only representative species of Pelobatidae family in Croatia. Despite the species is widespread all over the Europe, there are many data concerning the global population is in decline. According to the Red List of Amphibians and Reptiles of Croatia, common spadefoot toad is categorized as DD (data deficient). It inhabits lowland areas and flatlands near slow moving or stagnant waterbodies with little or no predator and loose soil (natural or anthropogenic habitats). Researched area includes stagnant waterbody in the village Lijeva Luka, Sisak – Moslavina Country. There were two egg clutches found and kept under controlled conditions with the aims of: 1) detailed morphological description of tadpoles and their oral disc through developmental stages, 2) the existence of morphological adaptations of P. fuscus and R. temporaria in the competition experiment, 3) the existence of morphological adaptations of P. fuscus in the presence of predator fish Umbra krameri. Tadpoles were treated equally and sampled in 3 % formaldehyde. Tadpoles were scanned and measured using the ImageJ programme and digital caliper. Developmental stages from 23 to 41 were determined with the highest value of total body length of 99,04 mm. All morphological features of oral disc with accompanying formulas were illustrated and described in detail. Spadefoot toad tadpoles did not show significant morphological changes within the competition experiment