Ex vivo culture of lesional psoriasis skin for pharmacological testing

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder resulting from a complex interplay between immune and skin cells via release of soluble mediators. While a lot is known about the molecular mechanisms behind psoriasis pathogenesis, there is still a need for preclinical research models that accuratelyreplicate the disease. Objective: This study aimed to develop and characterize ex vivo culture of psoriasis skin as a model for pharmacological testing, where the immunological events of psoriasis can be followed. Methods: Full thickness punch biopsies of lesional psoriasis skin were cultured in submerged conditions up to 144 h followingin situ T cell stimulation with rhIL-23 and anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies. The Tcell mediated skin inflammation was assessed by gene and protein l analysis for a panel of inflammatory mediators. Tissue integrity and morphology were evaluated by histological analysis. Results: T cell stimulation resulted in functional and psoriasis specificin situ activation of T cells. The expression levels of most of the proinflammatory mediators related to both immune and skin cells were comparable to these in freshly isolated tissue at 48 and 96 h of culture. Tissue integrity and morphology were sustained up to 96 h. Treatment with a corticosteroid reduced the expression of several proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, whereas anti-IL-17A antibody treatment reduced the expression of the IL-17A downstream markers IL-8 and DEFB4. Conclusion: By preserving keyimmunopathological mechanisms of psoriasis, ex vivo culture of psoriasis skin can be used for the investigation of inflammatory processes of psoriasis and for preclinical drug discovery research

Performance-enhancing materials in medical gloves

Medical gloves, along with masks and gowns, serve as the initial line of defense against potentially infectious microorganisms and hazardous substances in the health sector. During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical gloves played a significant role, as they were widely utilized throughout society in daily activities as a preventive measure. These products demonstrated their value as important personal protection equipment (PPE) and reaffirmed their relevance as infection prevention tools. This review describes the evolution of medical gloves since the discovery of vulcanization by Charles Goodyear in 1839, which fostered the development of this industry. Regarding the current market, a comparison of the main properties, benefits, and drawbacks of the most widespread types of sanitary gloves is presented. The most common gloves are produced from natural rubber (NR), polyisoprene (IR), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), polychloroprene (CR), polyethylene (PE), and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). Furthermore, the environmental impacts of the conventional natural rubber glove manufacturing process and mitigation strategies, such as bioremediation and rubber recycling, are addressed. In order to create new medical gloves with improved properties, several biopolymers (e.g., poly(vinyl alcohol) and starch) and additives such as biodegradable fillers (e.g., cellulose and chitin), reinforcing fillers (e.g., silica and cellulose nanocrystals), and antimicrobial agents (e.g., biguanides and quaternary ammonium salts) have been evaluated. This paper covers these performance-enhancing materials and describes different innovative prototypes of gloves and coatings designed with them.Peer ReviewedObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::3 - Salut i BenestarPostprint (published version

Bimodal release ondansetron for acute gastroenteritis among adolescents and adults: A randomized clinical trial

Importance: Vomiting resulting from acute gastroenteritis is commonly treated with intravenous antiemetics in acute care settings. If oral treatment were beneficial, patients might not need intravenous administered hydration or medication. Furthermore, a long-acting treatment could provide sustained relief from nausea and vomiting. Objective: To determine whether an experimental long-acting bimodal release ondansetron tablet decreases gastroenteritis-related vomiting and eliminates the need for intravenous therapy for 24 hours after administration. Design, Setting, and Participants: This placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial included patients from 19 emergency departments and 2 urgent care centers in the United States from December 8, 2014, to February 17, 2017. Patients 12 years and older with at least 2 vomiting episodes from presumed gastroenteritis in the previous 4 hours and symptoms with less than 36 hours\u27 duration were randomized using a 3:2 active to placebo ratio. Analyses were performed on an intent-to-treat basis and conducted from June 1, 2017, to November 1, 2017. Intervention: Bimodal release ondansetron tablet containing 6 mg of immediate release ondansetron and 18 mg of a 24-hour release matrix for a total of 24 mg of ondansetron. Main Outcomes and Measures: Treatment success was defined as no further vomiting, no need for rescue medication, and no intravenous hydration for 24 hours after bimodal release ondansetron administration. Results: Analysis included 321 patients (mean [SD] age, 29.0 [11.1] years; 195 [60.7%] women), with 192 patients in the bimodal release ondansetron group and 129 patients in the placebo group. Treatment successes were observed in 126 patients in the bimodal release ondansetron group (65.6%) compared with 70 patients in the placebo group (54.3%), with an 11.4% (95% CI, 0.3%-22.4%) absolute probability difference. The proportion of treatment success was 21% higher among patients who received bimodal release ondansetron compared with those who received a placebo (relative risk, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.00-1.46; P = .04). In an analysis including only patients with a discharge diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis and no major protocol violations, there were 123 treatment successes (69.5%) in the bimodal release ondansetron group compared with 67 treatment successes (54.9%) in the placebo group (relative risk, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.05-1.53; P = .01). Adverse effects were infrequent and similar to the known safety profile of ondansetron. Conclusions and Relevance: This randomized clinical trial found that a long-acting bimodal release oral ondansetron tablet was an effective antiemetic among adolescents and adults with moderate to severe vomiting from acute gastroenteritis. The drug benefits extended to 24 hours after administration. Bimodal release ondansetron may decrease the need for intravenous access and emergency department care to manage acute gastroenteritis. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02246439

Strategic supplementation on cattle systems of Tierra del Fuego

Revista Argentina de Producción Animal 34 (Supl. 1): 418.Los inviernos muy largos y/o secos son una limitante fundamental para lograr un aumento de la producción de carne en sistemas extensivos de Patagonia Sur. Por ello es determinante desarrollar estrategias que permitan mantener niveles de producción aceptables aún en condiciones climáticas tan rigurosas.. En este sentido, la suplementación proteica podría ser una alternativa viable para el aprovechamiento del forraje de baja calidad (Soto y Reinoso, 2007) remanente de la época previa al rebrote de las praderas naturales (agosto‐octubre). El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la ganancia/pérdida de peso de bovinos en respuesta a la suplementación diaria con alimento balanceado proteico en la época crítica invernal e inicio de primavera.EEA Santa CruzFil: Ormaechea, Sebastián Gabriel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; ArgentinaFil: Escribano, Cecilia Soledad. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Agencia de Extensión Río Grande; Argentina.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; Argentina.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; Argentina.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Sosa Lovato, Santiago. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral. Río Gallegos; Argentina

Avaliação de T&D: análise de um curso de capacitação a partir da percepção dos participantes em uma instituição de ensino superior pública

The objective of the article was to evaluate the results of a training course in Research Methodology, conducted in the distance modality, based on the perception of the participants, offered by a Public Institution of Higher Education in the years of 2015 and 2016 to the teaching and technical-administrative servants in education. The evaluation was carried out by means of an analysis of the documents related to the course, such as projects and reports, as well as by the result of the Reaction Evaluation applied at the end of each class with the students. The results suggest that the course was effective and generated benefits for the trained servers and for the Institution. Finally, it was possible to identify some opportunities for improvement and to present recommendations for the improvement of the next editions.O objetivo do artigo foi avaliar os resultados de um curso de capacitação em Metodologia da Pesquisa, realizado na modalidade a distância, a partir da percepção dos participantes, ofertado pela por uma Instituição Pública de Ensino Superior nos anos de 2015 e 2016 aos servidores docentes e técnico-administrativos em educação. A avaliação foi realizada por meio de uma análise dos documentos referentes ao curso, tais como projetos e relatórios, bem como pelo resultado da Avaliação de Reação aplicada ao final de cada turma com os concluintes. Os resultados sugerem que o curso foi efetivo e gerou benefícios para os servidores capacitados e para a Instituição. Por fim, foi possível identificar algumas oportunidades de melhoria e apresentar recomendações para o aperfeiçoamento das próximas edições do curso

Ocorrência de Leptospira spp. e fatores associados à infecção em equinos de contingente militar no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

The seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. and infection risk factors were investigated in horses from a military contingent in the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. A total of 446 horses were evaluated and categorized into 309 mares, 11 stallions, and 126 horses with an average age of three years. To determine seroprevalence, serum samples from all horses were submitted to the microscopic agglutination test against 12 serovars belonging to nine serogroups, usually circulating in equine populations. To investigate the possible risk factors of infection by Leptospira spp., questionnaires were applied in that military unit. The seroprevalence in the horses with an average age of 3 years, mares, and stallions were 57.94% (73/126), 54.05% (165/309), and 45.45% (5/11), respectively. The main risk factors identified were contact with different water sources, the presence of rodents, and contact with wild and domestic animals. The high seroprevalence of anti‑Leptospira spp. antibodies may be associated with the presence of these risk factors. Therefore, the exposure of horses to possible reservoirs of Leptospira spp. should be minimized. Also, the immunoprophylaxis protocol should be reviewed and a shorter interval between vaccinations adopted to control leptospirosis in this herd. A soroprevalência de Leptospira spp. e os fatores de risco para infecção foram investigados em cavalos de um contingente militar no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Um total de 446 cavalos foram avaliados e categorizados em 309 éguas, 11 garanhões e 126 cavalos com idade média de três anos. Para determinação da soroprevalência, amostras de soro de todos os equinos foram submetidas ao teste de aglutinação microscópica contra 12 sorovares pertencentes a nove sorogrupos, normalmente circulantes em populações equinas. Para investigar os possíveis fatores de risco da infecção por Leptospira spp., foi aplicado um questionário naquela unidade militar. A soroprevalência nos cavalos com idade média de três anos, éguas e garanhões foi de 57,94% (73/126), 54,05% (165/309) e 45,45% (5/11), respectivamente. Os principais fatores de risco identificados foram o contato com diferentes fontes de água, a presença de roedores e o contato com animais silvestres e domésticos. A alta soroprevalência de anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. pode estar associada à presença desses fatores de risco. Portanto, a exposição destes equinos aos possíveis reservatórios de Leptospira spp. deve ser minimizada. Além disso, o protocolo de imunoprofilaxia deve ser revisto e, possivelmente, um menor intervalo entre as vacinas deve ser adotado para o controle da leptospirose neste plantel

Modelo dinámico de un reactor de ultrasonido continuo en la degradación de anaranjado de metilo

Se analiza la degradación de soluciones acuosas del colorante azoico anaranjado de metilo en un reactor sonoquímico de flujo continuo. Las determinaciones de los tiempos de residencia en cada una de las cuatro unidades del reactor muestran que los mismos no difieren de los tiempos espaciales, por lo que el reactor puede considerarse un reactor continuo de mezcla completa sin volúmenes muertos ni cor-tocircuitos.Mediante la simulación dinámica se desarrollan modelos de funcionamiento del reactor. Los resultados tanto en el estado transiente como en el estacionario no presentan diferencias estadísticamente significativas con los obtenidos analíticamente.Fil: Kieffer, Luis Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; ArgentinaFil: de la Sierra, Patricia Monica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; ArgentinaFil: Luna, Julio Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; ArgentinaFil: Lovato, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; ArgentinaFil: Claret, Maria. Provincia de Santa Fe. Fundación Para la Promoción y Des.tec.del Litoral; Argentin

Evaluación de especies forrajeras para la mejora de sistemas silvopastoriles de Nothofagus antarctica.

Nothofagus antarctica (ñire) es una especie forestal nativa de Patagonia y actualmente el 70% de estos bosques están siendo utilizados como sistemas silvopastoriles (SSP) de manera extensiva. En un sistema silvopastoril interactúan en una misma unidad de terreno los componentes arbóreo y herbáceo (sotobosque) con el pastoreo de ganado. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la implantación y producción de especies forrajeras tolerantes a la sombra, y el estrato herbáceo natural en SSP de ñire con diferentes condiciones hídricas y de fertilidad. El estudio se ubicó en el SO de Santa Cruz en bosques de ñire bajo uso silvopastoril donde se instalaron un total de 12 parcelas de 6 x 6 m en las cuales se evaluó la implantación de Bromus catharticus, Dactylis glomerata, Trifolim pratense y Trifolium repens, en un ensayo de parcelas divididas con 3 repeticiones. Dentro de cada parcela se evaluaron dos niveles de riego (secano vs. irrigado) y tres niveles de fertilización, agregando 0, 100 y 200 Kg de N ha-1 en el caso de las gramíneas y 0, 50 y 100 kg ha-1 de P para las leguminosas. A su vez, se instalaron tres parcelas testigo con estrato herbáceo natural sometido a los mismos tratamientos. A excepción de Bromus catharticus, todas las especies lograron un alto porcentaje de implantación. Se encontraron diferencias significativas según la especie, el estado hídrico y nivel de fertilizante, donde la mayor producción se obtuvo con Dactylis glomerata con riego y nivel medio de fertilización (6347 kg MS ha-1 año-1) seguido por el estrato herbáceo natural con riego y máximo nivel de fertilización (5729 kg MS ha-1 año-1) y Trifolium pratense con riego y sin fertilizante (5207 kg ha-1 año- 1). Trifolium repens en secano y nivel medio de fertilizante obtuvo significativamente el menor valor de producción de biomasa (394 kg MS ha-1 año-1). Este tipo de información permite evaluar el potencial mejoramiento productivo de los SSP en la región.EEA Santa CruzFil: Gargaglione Verónica Beatriz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA),.Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; Argentina.Fil: Gargaglione Verónica Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; Argentina.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; Argentina.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; Argentina.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Sosa Lovato, Santiago. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; Argentina.Fil: Bahamonde, Héctor Alejandro. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; Argentina.Fil: Bahamonde, Héctor Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; Argentina.Fil: Mayo, Juan Pablo. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; Argentina.Fil: Christiansen, Rodolfo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; Argentina.Fil: Christiansen, Rodolfo. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; Argentina