The interaction of aluminum with catecholamine-based neurotransmitters: Can the formation of these species be considered a potential risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases?

The potential neurotoxic role of Al(iii) and its proposed link with the insurgence of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) have attracted increasing interest towards the determination of the nature of bioligands that are propitious to interact with aluminum. Among them, catecholamine-based neurotransmitters have been proposed to be sensitive to the presence of this non-essential metal ion in the brain. In the present work, we characterize several aluminum-catecholamine complexes in various stoichiometries, determining their structure and thermodynamics of formation. For this purpose, we apply a recently validated computational protocol with results that show a remarkably good agreement with the available experimental data. In particular, we employ Density Functional Theory (DFT) in conjunction with continuum solvation models to calculate complexation energies of aluminum for a set of four important catecholamines: l-DOPA, dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline. In addition, by means of the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) and Energy Decomposition Analysis (EDA) we assessed the nature of the Al-ligand interactions, finding mainly ionic bonds with an important degree of covalent character. Our results point at the possibility of the formation of aluminum-catecholamine complexes with favorable formation energies, even when proton/aluminum competition is taken into account. Indeed, we found that these catecholamines are better aluminum binders than catechol at physiological pH, because of the electron withdrawing effect of the positively-charged amine that decreases their deprotonation penalty with respect to catechol. However, overall, our results show that, in an open biological environment, the formation of Al-catecholamine complexes is not thermodynamically competitive when compared with the formation of other aluminum species in solution such as Al-hydroxide, or when considering other endogenous/exogenous Al(iii) ligands such as citrate, deferiprone and EDTA. In summary, we rule out the possibility, suggested by some authors, that the formation of Al-catecholamine complexes in solution might be behind some of the toxic roles attributed to aluminum in the brain. An up-to-date view of the catecholamine biosynthesis pathway with sites of aluminum interference (according to the current literature) is presented. Alternative mechanisms that might explain the deleterious effects of this metal on the catecholamine route are thoroughly discussed, and new hypotheses that should be investigated in future are proposed

SEOM clinical guideline for the management of cutaneous melanoma (2020)

Tractament adjuvant; Melanoma; EscenificacióAdjuvant treatment; Melanoma; StagingTratamiento adyuvante; Melanoma; EscenificaciónMelanoma affects about 6000 patients a year in Spain. A group of medical oncologists from Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) and Spanish Multidisciplinary Melanoma Group (GEM) has designed these guidelines to homogenize the management of these patients. The diagnosis must be histological and determination of BRAF status has to be performed in patients with stage ≥ III. Stage I–III resectable melanomas will be treated surgically. In patients with stage III melanoma, adjuvant treatment with immunotherapy or targeted therapy is also recommended. Patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma will receive treatment with immunotherapy or targeted therapy, the optimal sequence of these treatments remains unclear. Brain metastases require a separate consideration, since, in addition to systemic treatment, they may require local treatment. Patients must be followed up closely to receive or change treatment as soon as their previous clinical condition changes, since multiple therapeutic options are available

Improved microfluidic platform for simultaneous multiple drug screening towards personalized treatment

Development of new targeted therapies is a challenge in the battle against cancer. Although a variety of treatments is currently available, there is no technique for rapidly evaluating the response of cancer patients to the drug. In this work, a microfluidic platform for the real-time simultaneous analysis of the success rate of different nanoparticle based chemotherapeutic drugs is presented. Based on a previous planar chamber and a reported sensitivity enhancing strategy, linear and cross shape microstructures were integrated into the chamber dome of the microfluidic polydimethylsiloxane and glass platform in order to provide a higher fluid mixing and treatment-cell interaction. Several methotrexate (MTX) based treatments (free MTX, MTX loaded Lecithin-PVA nanoparticles, MTX loaded Lecithin-Tween 80 nanoparticles) as well as their respective controls (cell media and both blank nanoparticles) were recirculated through the microchamber over an osteosarcoma cell monolayer. These nanovehicles reduced cell population to less than 20% (LEC-PVA nanoparticles) and 2.3% (LEC-Tween nanoparticles), demonstrating that nanoparticles are a promising target therapy for cancer treatment. Moreover, microstructured platforms demonstrated a higher efficacy in the drug-screening process: due to the liquid folding a higher amount of nanoparticles was internalized by the cells and, therefore, results were observed faster. In fact, the time required to reduce cell viability to the half was nearly a 75% faster. Furthermore, this microfluidic platform offers the capability to test up to five different drugs simultaneously, making it a powerful tool to evaluate the effect of multiple drugs and determine the most effective and personalized treatment

Diseño de estrategias centradas en el aprendizaje para las visitas escolares a los museos de ciencias

Las visitas a los Museos de Ciencias pueden constituir un complemento al aprendizaje de las ciencias realizado en la Escuela. Sin embargo, los Museos de Ciencias son entornos de aprendizaje no formal donde los profesores solemos tener poco control sobre las ideas implicadas o las experiencias que los estudiantes realizan. En el caso de visitas escolares, para que el Museo constituya un auténtico instrumento de aprendizaje son necesarios enfoques y estrategias centrados en el aprendizaje de los estudiantes más que en tareas de manipulación de módulos. Será necesario, diseñar materiales para la visita al Museo que integren el aprendizaje en la Escuela y en el Museo, que estimulen el interés y curiosidad de los estudiantes promoviendo un aprendizaje autónomo mediante trabajo en grupo orientado por el profesor. En este trabajo se explica cómo hemos elaborado estos materiales y sus principales características.Palabras clave: aprendizaje no formal, estrategias centradas en el aprendizaje, manipulación de módulos, museos de Ciencia, visitas escolares.Design of strategies focused on learning for school visits to science museumsVisits to the Science Museums can be a complement to Science learning at the School. However, Science Museums are non-formal learning environments where teachers tend to have little control over the ideas involved or the experiences that the students make. In the case of school visits, in order for the Museum to constitute a true learning instrument, it is necessary to focus on strategies and strategies focused on student learning rather than on module manipulation tasks. It will be necessary to design materials for the visit to the Museum that integrate the learning in the School and in the Museum, that stimulate the interest and curiosity of the students promoting an autonomous learning through work in group guided by the teacher. This paper explains how we have developed these materials and their main characteristics.Key words: non-formal learning, strategies focused on learning, manipulation of modules, science museums, school visits

Diseño de estrategias centradas en el aprendizaje para las visitas escolares a los museos de ciencias

Las visitas a los Museos de Ciencias pueden constituir un complemento al aprendizaje de las ciencias realizado en la Escuela. Sin embargo, los Museos de Ciencias son entornos de aprendizaje no formal donde los profesores solemos tener poco control sobre las ideas implicadas o las experiencias que los estudiantes realizan. En el caso de visitas escolares, para que el Museo constituya un auténtico instrumento de aprendizaje son necesarios enfoques y estrategias centrados en el aprendizaje de los estudiantes más que en tareas de manipulación de módulos. Será necesario, diseñar materiales para la visita al Museo que integren el aprendizaje en la Escuela y en el Museo, que estimulen el interés y curiosidad de los estudiantes promoviendo un aprendizaje autónomo mediante trabajo en grupo orientado por el profesor. En este trabajo se explica cómo hemos elaborado estos materiales y sus principales características

Diabetes self-management arrangements in Europe: a realist review to facilitate a project implemented in six countries

Background: Self-management of long term conditions can promote quality of life whilst delivering benefits to the financing of health care systems. However, rarely are the meso-level influences, likely to be of direct relevance to these desired outcomes, systematically explored. No specific international guidelines exist suggesting the features of the most appropriate structure and organisation of health care systems within which to situate self-management approaches and practices. This review aimed to identify the quantitative literature with regard to diabetes self-management arrangements currently in place within the health care systems of six countries (The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Bulgaria, and Greece) and explore how these are integrated into the broader health care and welfare systems in each country. Methods: The methodology for a realist review was followed. Publications of interest dating from 2000 to 2013 were identified through appropriate MeSH terms by a systematic search in six bibliographic databases. A search diary was maintained and the studies were assessed for their quality and risk of bias. Results: Following the multi-step search strategy, 56 studies were included in the final review (the majority from the UK) reporting design methods and findings on 21 interventions and programmes for diabetes and chronic disease self-management. Most (11/21, 52%) of the interventions were designed to fit within the context of primary care. The majority (11/21, 52%) highlighted behavioural change as an important goal. Finally, some (5/21, 24%) referred explicitly to Internet-based tools. Conclusions: This review is based on results which are derived from a total of at least 5,500 individuals residing in the six participating countries. It indicates a policy shift towards patient-centred self-management of diabetes in a primary care context. The professional role of diabetes specialist nurses, the need for multidisciplinary approaches and a focus on patient education emerge as fundamental principles in the design of relevant programmes. Socio-economic circumstances are relevant to the capacity to self-manage and suggest that any gains and progress will be hard to maintain during economic austerity. This realist review should be interpreted within the wider context of a whole systems approach regarding self-care support and chronic illness management

Utilización de microhilos magnéticos para promover la muerte de células de osteosarcoma mediante hipertermia magnética in vitro

Los tratamientos para el cáncer que se llevan a cabo actualmente tienen una serie de limitaciones que, unido a que se trata de técnicas invasivas, hace que se tienda a buscar nuevas alternativas. Una de ellas es la hipertermia dirigida, cuyo objetivo son las células cancerígenas. Se trata de una técnica relativamente nueva, por lo que aún no se ha estudiado en profundidad. En este trabajo, se han utilizado microhilos magnéticos amorfos recubiertos de vidrio para calentar células de osteosarcoma aplicando un campo magnético alterno. De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos de los ensayos realizados “in vitro”, se puede confirmar que la utilización de estos microhilos magnéticos reduce la proliferación de células cancerígenas dando lugar finalmente a la muerte celular. Además, esta técnica es un proceso mucho menos invasivo que los utilizados actualmente y que requiere exposiciones breves a campos magnéticos débiles. Por todo esto, la hipertermia dirigida se presenta como una alternativa efectiva para el tratamiento de osteosarcoma.Por último, agradecer a Tamag Ibérica S.L. por proporcionarnos los microhilos magnéticos para poder llevar a cabo este estudio y a Fomento de San Sebastián por financiar el proyecto de investigació

Recovery and performance in sport: Consensus statement

© 2018 Human Kinetics, Inc. The relationship between recovery and fatigue and its impact on performance has attracted the interest of sport science for many years. An adequate balance between stress (training and competition load, other life demands) and recovery is essential for athletes to achieve continuous high-level performance. Research has focused on the examination of physiological and psychological recovery strategies to compensate external and internal training and competition loads. A systematic monitoring of recovery and the subsequent implementation of recovery routines aims at maximizing performance and preventing negative developments such as underrecovery, nonfunctional overreaching, the overtraining syndrome, injuries, or illnesses. Due to the inter- and intraindividual variability of responses to training, competition, and recovery strategies, a diverse set of expertise is required to address the multifaceted phenomena of recovery, performance, and their interactions to transfer knowledge from sport science to sport practice. For this purpose, a symposium on Recovery and Performance was organized at the Technical University Munich Science and Study Center Raitenhaslach (Germany) in September 2016. Various international experts from many disciplines and research areas gathered to discuss and share their knowledge of recovery for performance enhancement in a variety of settings. The results of this meeting are outlined in this consensus statement that provides central definitions, theoretical frameworks, and practical implications as a synopsis of the current knowledge of recovery and performance. While our understanding of the complex relationship between recovery and performance has significantly increased through research, some important issues for future investigations are also elaborated