Prácticas culturales de consumo de cigarrillo y conductas de prevención establecidas en la Ley Anti Tabáquica en jóvenes universitarios de Bogotá

Esta investigación se propuso analizar la coherencia entre las prácticas culturales de consumo de cigarrillo en jóvenes universitarios de Bogotá y las conductas de prevención establecidas en la Ley Anti Tabáquica, identificando los factores y elementos que determinan las ocasiones, modelos, reglas, las consecuencias a nivel operante y cultural en torno al consumo de cigarrillo.This research aimed to analyze the consistency between the cultural practices of cigarette consumption in university students in Bogota and prevention behaviors set out in the Anti Nicotine, identifying the factors and elements that determine the chances, models, and rules, consequences at operant and cultural around smoking.Psicólogo (a)Pregrad

Benzbromarone, Quercetin, and Folic Acid Inhibit Amylin Aggregation

Human Amylin, or islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), is a small hormone secreted by pancreatic-cells that forms aggregates under insulin deficiency metabolic conditions, and it constitutes a pathological hallmark of type II diabetes mellitus. In type II diabetes patients, amylin is abnormally increased, self-assembled into amyloid aggregates, and ultimately contributes to the apoptotic death of -cells by mechanisms that are not completely understood. We have screened a library of approved drugs in order to identify inhibitors of amylin aggregation that could be used as tools to investigate the role of amylin aggregation in type II diabetes or as therapeutics in order to reduce -cell damage. Interestingly, three of the compounds analyzed-benzbromarone, quercetin, and folic acid-are able to slow down amylin fiber formation according to Thioflavin T binding, turbidimetry, and Transmission Electron Microscopy assays. In addition to the in vitro assays, we have tested the effect of these compounds in an amyloid toxicity cell culture model and we have found that one of them, quercetin, has the ability to partly protect cultured pancreatic insulinoma cells from the cytotoxic effect of amylin. Our data suggests that quercetin can contribute to reduce oxidative damage in pancreatic insulinoma cells by modulating the aggregation propensity of amylin

Barley-ß-glucans reduce systemic inflammation, renal injury and aortic calcification through ADAM17 and neutral-sphingomyelinase2 inhibition

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperphosphatemia-induced inflammation aggravates vascular calcification (VC) by increasing vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) osteogenic differentiation, ADAM17-induced renal and vascular injury, and TNFα-induction of neutral-sphingomyelinase2 (nSMase2) to release pro-calcifying exosomes. This study examined anti-inflammatory β-glucans efficacy at attenuating systemic inflammation in health, and renal and vascular injury favoring VC in hyperphosphatemic CKD. In healthy adults, dietary barley β-glucans (Bβglucans) reduced leukocyte superoxide production, inflammatory ADAM17, TNFα, nSMase2, and pro-aging/pro-inflammatory STING (Stimulator of interferon genes) gene expression without decreasing circulating inflammatory cytokines, except for γ-interferon. In hyperphosphatemic rat CKD, dietary Bβglucans reduced renal and aortic ADAM17-driven inflammation attenuating CKD-progression (higher GFR and lower serum creatinine, proteinuria, kidney inflammatory infiltration and nSMase2), and TNFα-driven increases in aortic nSMase2 and calcium deposition without improving mineral homeostasis. In VSMC, Bβglucans prevented LPS- or uremic serum-induced rapid increases in ADAM17, TNFα and nSMase2, and reduced the 13-fold higher calcium deposition induced by prolonged calcifying conditions by inhibiting osteogenic differentiation and increases in nSMase2 through Dectin1-independent actions involving Bβglucans internalization. Thus, dietary Bβglucans inhibit leukocyte superoxide production and leukocyte, renal and aortic ADAM17- and nSMase2 gene expression attenuating systemic inflammation in health, and renal injury and aortic calcification despite hyperphosphatemia in CKD.A grant to A.S.D. and M.J.M. from IRBLleida and Agrotecnio Research collaborative projects from the Consell Social at Lleida University supported initial work, Instituto de Salud Carlos III and co-funded by European Union (ERDF/FEDER) (FIS PI11/00259, PI14/01452, PI17/02181), Plan de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación 2013–2017 y 2018–2022 del Principado de Asturias (GRUPIN14-028, IDI-2018-000152), RedInRen from ISCIII (ISCIII-RETIC REDINREN RD16/0009). Investigator support included: NC-L by GRUPIN14-028 and IDI-2018-000152, LM-A by GRUPIN14-028, SP by FICYT; MVA and PV by Educational Grant 2 A/2015 from ERA-EDTA CKD-MBD Working Group; PV and AC by ERA-EDTA fellowships 2011 and 2012; JR-C by MINECO (“Juan de la Cierva” program, FJCI-2015-23849); A.S.D. by Asociación Investigación de Fisiología Aplicada. A.S.D. and M.J.M. are members of the Campus Iberus (Ebro Valley Campus of International Excellence)

Fractales: ajuda diagnóstica para células preneoplásticas e canceriginas do epitelio do scalpel cervical confirmação da aplicabilidade clínica

Introduction: A new fractal diagnostic method was applied for assessing cervix cells using the Intrinsic Mathematical Harmony (IMH) concept and cellular variability, which mathematically differentiates normal, L-SIL and H-SIL cells making unnecessary the diagnostic of ASCUS cells.Objective: To confirm the diagnostic capability of developed methodology by a blind study of comparison with Gold Standard.Methods: Digital pictures were taken of 50 cells from cytology of 20 to 55 year-old women; 5 with normal diagnosis and 45 with several lesion degrees until carcinoma, including 5 with ASCUS diagnosis. Fractal dimension of three mathematical objects was calculated by superposing five grids: nucleus, cytoplasm and totality. Moreover, their fractal dimension was assessed through the Intrinsic Mathematical Harmony concept and cellular variability. The obtained diagnosis was compared with conventional cytopathologic diagnosis determining sensibility, specificity and Kappa coefficient.Results: 100% Sensibility and specificity, and a Kappa Coefficient of 1 were obtained.Conclusions: The results, in a population different to the initial one, are an evidence of the ability of this methodolo­gy for objectively and quantitatively diagnosing the normal, L-SIL and H-SIL cells, as well as for clarifying the ASCUS cells diagnosis, based on fractal dimension and IMH concept and variability.Antecedentes: Se desarrolló un método diagnóstico fractal para evaluar células del cuello uterino utilizando el concepto de Armonía Matemática Intrínseca (AMI) y variabilidad celular, el cual diferencia matemáticamente células normales de células L-SIL y H-SIL, haciendo innecesario el diagnóstico de células ASCUS.Objetivo: confirmar la capacidad diagnóstica de la metodología desarrollada mediante un estudio ciego de comparación con el Gold StandardMétodos: se tomaron fotografías digitales de 50 preparaciones citológicas de mujeres entre 20 y 55 años: 5 con diagnóstico de citología normal y 45 con diferentes grados de lesión hasta carcinoma, incluyendo 5 ASCUS. Se calculó la dimensión fractal de tres objetos matemáticos: núcleo, citoplasma y totalidad, a partir de la superposición de cinco rejillas. Además se evaluó su dimensión fractal mediante el concepto de AMI y variabilidad celular. Los resultados obtenidos se compararon con el diagnóstico citopatológico convencional determinando su sensibilidad, especificidad y coeficiente kappa.Resultados: La sensibilidad y especificidad fue del 100%, y el coeficiente Kappa de 1.Conclusiones: Los resultados en una población diferente a la inicial son una evidencia de la capacidad de esta metodología para diagnosticar objetiva y cuantitativamente células normales, L-SIL y H-SIL, así como aclarar el diagnóstico de las células ASCUS con base en la dimensión fractal y el concepto de AMI y variabilidad. Introdução: Um novo método de diagnóstico fractal foi aplicado para avaliar as células do colo do útero usando con­ceito intrínseco harmonia matemática (IMH) e variabilidade celular, que normalmente diferencia matematicamente, LSIL e HSIL células que fazem o diagnóstico de células desnecessários ASCUS.Objetivo: Para confirmar a capacidade de diagnóstico da metodologia desenvolvida por um estudo cego de compa­ração com Gold Standard.Métodos: Foram tiradas fotos digitais de 50 células de citologia de mulheres com 20 a 55 anos de idade; 5 com diagnóstico normal e 45 com vários graus de lesão até carcinoma, incluindo 5 com diagnóstico de ASCUS. A di­mensão fractal de três objetos matemáticos foi calculada através da superposição de cinco grades: núcleo, citoplasma e totalidade. Além disso, sua dimensão fractal foi avaliada através do conceito de harmonia matemática Intrínseca e da variabilidade celular. O diagnóstico obtido foi comparado com o diagnóstico citopatológico convencional, deter­minando a sensibilidade, especificidade e coeficiente Kappa.Resultados: Foram obtidos 100% de sensibilidade e especificidade e um Coeficiente Kappa de 1.Conclusões: Os resultados, em uma população diferente da inicial, são uma evidência da habilidade desta meto­dologia para o diagnóstico objetivo e quantitativo das células normais, L-SIL e H-SIL, bem como para esclarecer o diagnóstico das células ASCUS, Baseado na dimensão fractal e no conceito e variabilidade de IMH

Vitamin D treatment prevents uremia-induced reductions in aortic microRNA-145 attenuating osteogenic differentiation despite hyperphosphatemia

In chronic kidney disease, systemic inflammation and high serum phosphate (P) promote the de-differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) to osteoblast-like cells, increasing the propensity for medial calcification and cardiovascular mortality. Vascular microRNA-145 (miR-145) content is essential to maintain VSMC contractile phenotype. Because vitamin D induces aortic miR-145, uremia and high serum P reduce it and miR-145 directly targets osteogenic osterix in osteoblasts, this study evaluated a potential causal link between vascular miR-145 reductions and osterix-driven osteogenic differentiation and its counter-regulation by vitamin D. Studies in aortic rings from normal rats and in the rat aortic VSMC line A7r5 exposed to calcifying conditions corroborated that miR-145 reductions were associated with decreases in contractile markers and increases in osteogenic differentiation and calcium (Ca) deposition. Furthermore, miR-145 silencing enhanced Ca deposition in A7r5 cells exposed to calcifying conditions, while miR-145 overexpression attenuated it, partly through increasing α-actin levels and reducing osterix-driven osteogenic differentiation. In mice, 14 weeks after the induction of renal mass reduction, both aortic miR-145 and α-actin mRNA decreased by 80% without significant elevations in osterix or Ca deposition. Vitamin D treatment from week 8 to 14 fully prevented the reductions in aortic miR-145 and attenuated by 50% the decreases in α-actin, despite uremia-induced hyperphosphatemia. In conclusion, vitamin D was able to prevent the reductions in aortic miR-145 and α-actin content induced by uremia, reducing the alterations in vascular contractility and osteogenic differentiation despite hyperphosphatemia

Changes in Day/Night Activity in the 6-OHDA-Induced Experimental Model of Parkinson’s Disease: Exploring Prodromal Biomarkers

The search for experimental models mimicking an early stage of Parkinson's disease (PD) before motor manifestations is fundamental in order to explore early signs and get a better prognosis. Interestingly, our previous studies have indicated that 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is a suitable model to induce an early degeneration of the nigrostriatal system without any gross motor impairment. Considering our previous findings, we aim to implement a novel system to monitor rats after intrastriatal injection of 6-OHDA to detect and analyze physiological changes underlying prodromal PD. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were unilaterally injected with 6-OHDA (n = 10) or saline solution (n = 10) into the right striatum and placed in enriched environment cages where the activity was monitored. After 2 weeks, the amphetamine test was performed before the sacrifice. Immunohistochemistry was developed for the morphological evaluation and western blot analysis to assess molecular changes. Home-cage monitoring revealed behavioral changes in response to 6-OHDA administration including significant hyperactivity and hypoactivity during the light and dark phase, respectively, turning out in a change of the circadian timing. A preclinical stage of PD was functionally confirmed with the amphetamine test. Moreover, the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase expression was significantly correlated with the motor results, and 6-OHDA induced early proapoptotic events. Our findings provide evidence for a novel prodromal 6-OHDA model following a customized monitoring system that could give insights to detect non-motor deficits and molecular targets to test neuroprotective/neurorestorative agents.This study has been financially supported by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) PPG 17/51 and GIU 092/19, the Basque Government (Saiotek SA-2010/00028, ELEKIN, Engineering and Society and Bioengineering, and ELKARTEK 18/99), "Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion" (SAF2016 77758 R), FEDER funds, the European Union COST Action (CA15225, CA18106), DomusVi Foundation (FP18/76), and Government of Gipuzkoa (HELENA: Multisensory stimulation tools for Alzheimer Disease). CR appreciates the previous economic support received from UPV/EHU and the current postdoctoral fellowship received from Alfonso Martin Escudero Foundation

Looking for a Better Characterization of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Means of Circulating Tumor Cells

Traditionally, studies to address the characterization of mechanisms promoting tumor aggressiveness and progression have been focused only on primary tumor analyses, which could provide relevant information but have limitations to really characterize the more aggressive tumor population. To overcome these limitations, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent a noninvasive and valuable tool for real-time profiling of disseminated tumor cells. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the value of CTC enumeration and characterization to identify markers associated with the outcome and the aggressiveness of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). For that aim, the CTC population from 32 patients diagnosed with TNBC was isolated and characterized. This population showed important cell plasticity in terms of expression of epithelia/mesenchymal and stemness markers, suggesting the relevance of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) intermediate phenotypes for efficient tumor dissemination. Importantly, the CTC signature demonstrated prognostic value to predict the patients' outcome and pointed to a relevant role of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1) and androgen receptor (AR) for TNBC biology. Furthermore, we also analyzed the usefulness of the AR and TIMP1 blockade to target TNBC proliferation and dissemination using in vitro and in vivo zebra fish and mouse models. Overall, the molecular characterization of CTCs from advanced TNBC patients identifies highly specific biomarkers with potential applicability as noninvasive prognostic markers and reinforced the value of TIMP1 and AR as potential therapeutic targets to tackle the most aggressive breast cancer

Casos empresariales: Una visión desde la administración y competitividad

Presentamos a la comunidad académica y empresarial el libro “Casos empresariales: una visión desde la Administración y Competitividad” de la Facultad de Negocios, Gestión y Sostenibilidad y la Escuela de Administración y Competitividad de la Institución Universitaria Politécnico Grancolombiano (IUPG). Este libro recoge los casos de estudio desarrollados por estudian-tes y profesores de la Especialización en Gestión Empresarial y del programa de Administración de Empresas.Presentamos cuatro casos que reflejan situaciones problémicas propias de estos ambientes empresariales Son situaciones que requieren inicialmente de un diagnóstico para determinar las causas y consecuencias, así como, los posibles planes de mejora

Introducción

Este libro recoge los casos de estudio desarrollados por estudiantes y profesores de la Especialización en Gestión Empresarial y del programa de Administración de Empresas