La Empresa Familiar en el Sector Sanitario: Evolución y Perspectivas Futuras

The relevance of family businesses in the world economy has led researchers to study them in various fields and from various perspectives. However, the role played by family businesses in the private health care sector has hardly been analyzed. The objective of this research was to focus on the historical evolution of the family business in the field of private health, attempting to determine the variation in its contribution to the sector during 1995–2018. For this purpose, we constructed a database with the existing private hospitals in Spain, classifying them according to family and non-family ownership for the years 1995 and 2018 and performing a cross-sectional analysis. We observed an almost 60% survival rate for family businesses. We propose implementing the methodology of the case study for future research.  La relevancia de la empresa familiar en la economía mundial la ha llevado a ser objeto de estudio desde diversos ámbitos y perspectivas. Sin embargo, el papel que juega la empresa familiar en el sector sanitario privado apenas ha sido analizado. El objetivo de este trabajo de investigación se centra en el estudio de la evolución histórica de la empresa familiar en el ámbito de la sanidad privada, intentando conocer la variación de la contribución de la misma al sector durante el periodo 1995-2018. Con este propósito, se construye una base de datos con los hospitales privados existentes en España, clasificándolos en familiares y no familiares para los años 1995 y 2018, realizando un análisis de corte transversal. Se observa un nivel de supervivencia de las empresas familiares de casi un 60%. Se propone implementar la metodología del estudio de casos en investigación futuras

Application of oncoproteomics to aberrant signalling networks in changing the treatment paradigm in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Oncoproteomics is an important innovation in the early diagnosis, management and development of personalized treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). As inherent factors are not completely known – e.g. age or family history, radiation exposure, benzene chemical exposure, certain viral exposures such as infection with the human T-cell lymphoma/leukaemia virus-1, as well as some inherited syndromes may raise the risk of ALL – each ALL patient may modify the susceptibility of therapy. Indeed, we consider these unknown inherent factors could be explained via coupling cytogenetics plus proteomics, especially when proteins are the ones which play function within cells. Innovative proteomics to ALL therapy may help to understand the mechanism of drug resistance and toxicities, which in turn will provide some leads to improve ALL management. Most important of these are shotgun proteomic strategies to unravel ALL aberrant signalling networks. Some shotgun proteomic innovations and bioinformatic tools for ALL therapies will be discussed. As network proteins are distinctive characteristics for ALL patients, unrevealed by cytogenetics, those network proteins are currently an important source of novel therapeutic targets that emerge from shotgun proteomics. Indeed, ALL evolution can be studied for each individual patient via oncoproteomicsDr. E. López Villar is supported by Spanish Health System SNS ISCIII-BOE 2012. This work is supported by Project FIS PI13/02475

Residence time effects on the NOx removal efficiency in two different dielectric barrier discharge cell

Experimental tests of the removal of NOx compounds were carried out in two dielectric barrier discharge cells (DBD) reactors. Two different geometries of these reactor were studied, one circular 11.94 cm diameter, and another rectangular, 16x7cm, both 2.5mm gap and 28.0cm3 reaction volume. A gas mixture composed of 1.0 l/m of molecular nitrogen was injected to each reactor along with an additional flow that provided a concentration of 90ppm of NO in both cells. The gas mixture was treated with non –thermal plasma generated by dielectric barrier discharge at different working potentials and at a 1.75 kHz frequency. The residual products were identified by means of a Sensonic 2000 gas analyzer. According to the experimental results, it was identified a greater removal efficiency in the rectangular cell than in thecircular one. This might be attributed both to residence time due to geometric effects and to a factor related with the chemical reaction mechanisms, since it has been showed that, at greater powers, the removal efficiency diminishes due to the regeneration of NO by inverse kinetic mechanisms. Our kinetic model proves that the main reaction product was N2O in the presence of are ducing atmosphere

Does the composition of the board matter? On the relationship between corporate governance and value creation

This paper studies the effect of corporate governance on value creation for listed companies. It also examines whether the fact that a business is owned or partly owned by a family has an impact on this variable as well as the behavior of companies at different stages of the economic cycle. Our research makes use of a dataset consisting of the companies in the IBEX-35 for the period 2005/12. It carries out a sub-analysis for the periods 2005-2008 and 2009-2012, to evaluate the effect of the crisis. The results indicate that neither the presence of women on boards of directors nor family ownership affect value creation in the companies analyzed. The size of the entity revealed a statistically significant and negative coefficient for the entire period under analysis. However, recorded profitability revealed a statistically significant and positive coefficient only for the pre-crisis period and not for the later period. In contrast, board size and the percentage of independent board members are both relevant and reveal a positive coefficient for the crisis period. Although its starting point is agency theory, complemented by resource dependence theory, the paper resorts to the sociological theory of the strength of weak ties, to explain its results. Gender diversity and family ownership do not seem to have an impact on value creation, while the level of independence of the governance bodies has a positive effect throughout the crisis period. This result supports the notion that board structure is much more relevant in difficult and challenging times. In addition to increasing the number of independent directors, it is also crucial that a minimum percentage be reached in order to influence the board and generate value. According to the empirical evidence, in times of crisis, it seems advisable and more efficient to increase board size with more independent directors, regardless of gender. Gender equality does not harm value creation

A proteomic approach to obesity and type 2 diabetes

The incidence of obesity and type diabetes 2 has increased dramatically resulting in an increased interest in its biomedical relevance. However, the mechanisms that trigger the development of diabetes type 2 in obese patients remain largely unknown. Scientific, clinical and pharmaceutical communities are dedicating vast resources to unravel this issue by applying different omics tools. During the last decade, the advances in proteomic approaches and the Human Proteome Organization have opened and are opening a new door that may be helpful in the identification of patients at risk and to improve current therapies. Here, we briefly review some of the advances in our understanding of type 2 diabetes that have occurred through the application of proteomics. We also review, in detail, the current improvements in proteomic methodologies and new strategies that could be employed to further advance our understanding of this pathology. By applying these new proteomic advances, novel therapeutic and/or diagnostic protein targets will be discovered in the obesity/Type 2 diabetes areaThis work is funded by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (BFU2011–27492), Fondos de Investigación Sanitaria (PI1302195), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III and Fundación de Endocrinología y Nutrición. Dr. Elena López Villar is supported by ISCIII Spanish Health System (SNS BOE 2012) and she is Delegate of HUPO (Human Proteome Organization) supporting clinical proteomic studies at Hospital Niño Jesús of Madrid, Spain, to improve diagnosis and therapies via researc

Development of Peptide Targeted PLGA-PEGylated Nanoparticles Loading Licochalcone-A for Ocular Inflammation

Licochalcone-A is a natural compound with anti-inflammatory properties. However, it possesses low water solubility, making its application for the treatment of ocular inflammation difficult. To overcome this drawback, biodegradable nanoparticles incorporating Licochalcone-A have been developed. Additionally, to avoid fast clearance and increase cellular internalization into the ocular tissues, PLGA nanoparticles have been functionalized using PEG and cell penetrating peptides (Tet-1 and B6). To optimize the formulations, a factorial design was carried out and short-term stability of the nanoparticles was studied. Moreover, morphology was also observed by transmission electron microcopy and in vitro drug release was carried out. Ocular tolerance of the formulations was ensured in vitro and in vivo and anti-inflammatory therapeutic efficacy was also assessed. Surface functionalized nanoparticles loading Licochalcone-A were developed with an average size below 200 nm, a positive surface charge, and a monodisperse population. The formulations were non-irritant and showed a prolonged Licochalcone-A release. Despite the fact that both Licochalcone-A Tet-1 and B6 functionalized nanoparticles demonstrated to be suitable for the treatment of ocular inflammation, B6 targeted nanoparticles provided greater therapeutic efficacy in in vivo assays. Keywords: Licochalcone-A; nanoparticles; ocular inflammation; cell-penetrating peptides; PLG

Talc nanoparticles influence on thermoplastic corn starch film properties

Nanocomposite films of TPS with talc particles were obtained by thermo-compression in order to study the effect of this filler on structure, optical, and thermal properties. TPS-talc films showed good appearance and homogeneous thickness. Talc addition increased the amount of rigid phase of nanocomposite films, thus their cross-sections resulted more irregular than those of TPS ones. Talc preferential orientation within matrix and good compatibility between particles and TPS were evidenced. TEM observation showed scattered randomly dispersed individual talc platelets. Matrix crystallinity degree was not significantly affected by particles presence. Nanocomposite films were optically transparent due to the laminar morphology and nanosized particles. Materials microstructure presented glycerol- and starch-rich domains. Talc incorporation higher than 3 % w/w increased softening resistance of nanocomposites as stated by DMA assays. TPS relaxation temperature of glycerol-rich phase was shifted to higher values since talc nanoparticles reduce starch chains mobility.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasCentro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimento

Impact of the Allergic Asthma on Foot Health-Related Quality of Life and Depression : A Novel Case-Control Research

[Abstract] Background: Asthma may be considered as a non-communicable condition associated with higher bronchial responsiveness that may impair quality of life (QoL). Purpose: The research aim was to compare scores of depression, as well as general and foot health-related QoL, in patients who suffered from asthma with respect to healthy subjects. Methods: A total sample of 152 subjects, median age of 37.00 ± 16.00 years, were recruited from a respiratory and allergy department of a hospital and divided into patients with asthma (n = 76) and healthy subjects (n = 76). The scores of the Spanish foot health status questionnaire (SFHSQ) domains as well as the Spanish Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) scores and categories were collected. Results: The only statistically significant difference (p 0.05) for the other FHSQ domains scores as well as the BDI scores and categories. Conclusions: Patients with allergic asthma presented impairment of the QoL related to foot health for footwear, which seemed to be linked to the presence of asthma

Falls rate increase and foot dorsal flexion limitations are exhibited in patients who suffer from asthma: A novel case-control study

[Abstract] Purpose: Based on the possible association between reduced foot dorsiflexion and high risk of falls, the main objective was to determine the ankle and 1º metatarsophalangeal joint (1stMTTP) dorsiflexion range of motion and falls rate in patients with asthma compared to healthy matched-paired controls. Methods: A case-control study was carried out. Eighty participants were recruited and divided into patients with asthma (case group; n=40) and matched-paired healthy participants (control group; n=40). Foot dorsal flexion range of motion (assessed by the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test [WBLT]) and falls rate (evaluated as falls number during the prior year) were considered as the primary outcomes. Indeed, ankle dorsiflexion was measured by a mobile app (º) and a tape measure (cm) as well as 1stMTTP dorsiflexion was determined by and universal goniometer (º). Results: Statistically significant differences (P.05). Conclusions: These study findings showed that a falls rate increase and bilateral foot dorsal flexion limitations of the ankle and 1stMTTP joints are exhibited in patients who suffer from asthma

Selective miRNA inhibition in CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes enhances HIV-1 specific cytotoxic responses

miRNAs dictate relevant virus-host interactions, offering new avenues for interventions to achieve an HIV remission. We aimed to enhance HIV-specific cytotoxic responses—a hallmark of natural HIV control— by miRNA modulation in T cells. We recruited 12 participants six elite controllers and six patients with chronic HIV infection on long-term antiretroviral therapy ("progressors"). Elite controllers exhibited stronger HIV-specific cytotoxic responses than the progressors, and their CD8+T cells showed a miRNA (hsa-miR-10a-5p) significantly downregulated. When we transfected ex vivo CD8(+) T cells from progressors with a synthetic miR-10a-5p inhibitor, miR-10a-5p levels decreased in 4 out of 6 progressors, correlating with an increase in HIV-specific cytotoxic responses. The effects of miR-10a-5p inhibition on HIV-specific CTL responses were modest, short-lived, and occurred before day seven after modulation. IL-4 and TNF-α levels strongly correlated with HIV-specific cytotoxic capacity. Thus, inhibition of miR-10a-5p enhanced HIV-specific CD8(+) T cell capacity in progressors. Our pilot study proves the concept that miRNA modulation is a feasible strategy to combat HIV persistence by enhancing specific cytotoxic immune responses, which will inform new approaches for achieving an antiretroviral therapy-free HIV remission