Anti-inflammatory activity of

The anti-inflammatory activity of the chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts of Wigandia urens and Acalypha alopecuroides were investigated on carrageenan-induced paw edema at doses of 400 mg/kg. The three extracts of W. urens, and the aqueous extract of A. alopecuroides caused significantinhibition of the edema (58.1±6.5% and 63.5±5.4%, respectively). Indomethacin was used as positive control (8 mg/kg), and inhibited edema by 66.3±5.2%. The methanol extract of W. urens and the aqueous extract of A. alopecuroides, at doses of 200 mg/kg, inhibited pellet implantation-induced granuloma formation by 69.4±6.5 and 70.6±6.6%, respectively. These levels of inhibition are higher than those exhibited by naproxen at doses of 50 mg/kg (46.1±7.1%). Both extracts showed activity on adjuvantinduced arthritis in rats, with the best effect being observed after 96 h (82.2±4.6 and 80.6±7.3%, respectively)

Cognitive Aging

The study of cognitive function in gerontology is considered relevant because it is an important risk factor for other pathologies in the old age, such as physical disability and dependence, depression, and frailty, mainly because of early pathological changes in cognitive function which are considered a preclinical state that may progress to dementia. In this chapter, cognitive functioning and the dimensions that are included in it (attention, memory, meta-memory, processing speed, executive functions, visuospatial skills, and language) are conceptualized. Additionally, the current evidence is analyzed regarding age-associated changes that are experienced during cognitive aging. These changes, or cognitive decline, are distinguished from those that are part of cognitive pathologies, the most common mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Such pathologies are conceptualized based on the current diagnostic criteria, and controversies and challenges are discussed. Additionally, we analyze the risk factors for cognitive functioning in aging, both modifiable and nonmodifiable ones. A review of the main nonpharmacological intervention techniques used from the gerontology approach is made. It includes the cognitive training in the case of age-related decline or techniques of stimulation and cognitive rehabilitation in the case of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Finally, we conclude with an analysis of the current state of this topic in the field of gerontology and its relevance in professional practice

Cubic Liquid Crystalline Structures in diluted, concentrated and highly concentrated emulsions for topical application: influence on drug release and human skin permeation

Novel emulsions with a nanostructured continuous phase have been proposed as controlled drug delivery systems to enhance topical delivery of active ingredients avoiding systemic effects. In this study, oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions with two surfactant/water (S/W) weight ratios of 40:60 and 35:65, and oil concentrations of 10 wt% (diluted emulsion), 40 wt% (concentrated emulsion) and 85 wt% (highly concentrated emulsion) have been investigated to identify the presence of liquid crystalline structures and their influence on drug release and skin permeation. The emulsions have been characterized in terms of visual appearance, rheology and drug release. The presence of cubic liquid crystalline structures in emulsions with S/W 40:60 was confirmed by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Rheology results showed a markedly different behaviour in emulsions with S/W 40:60 compared with nonstructured emulsions. A model drug, diclofenac sodium (DS) was successfully incorporated in the emulsions. DS release was studied with hydrophilic and lipophilic membranes, and the amount of DS in the receptor solution was significantly lower in the formulations containing cubic liquid structures. An in vitro skin permeation study with dermatomed human skin showed that emulsions with a nanostructured continuous phase are suitable formulations for topical delivery with DS retention in skin layers. The results indicate that the amount of drug retained in skin structures may be tuned by modification of liquid crystal concentration and emulsion structure

Hepatic encephalopathy-associated cerebral vasculopathy in acute-on-chronic liver failure: Alterations on endothelial factor release and influence on cerebrovascular function

The acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome characterized by liver decompensation, hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and high mortality. We aimed to determine the mechanisms implicated in the development of HE-associated cerebral vasculopathy in a microsurgical liver cholestasis (MHC) model of ACLF. Microsurgical liver cholestasis was induced by ligating and extracting the common bile duct and four bile ducts. Sham-operated and MHC rats were maintained for eight postoperative weeks Bradykinin-induced vasodilation was greater in middle cerebral arteries from MHC rats. Both Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and indomethacin diminished bradykinin-induced vasodilation largely in arteries from MHC rats. Nitrite and prostaglandin (PG) F releases were increased, whereas thromboxane (TX) B was not modified in arteries from MHC. Expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), inducible NOS, and cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 were augmented, and neuronal NOS (nNOS), COX-1, PGI synthase, and TXA S were unmodified. Phosphorylation was augmented for eNOS and unmodified for nNOS. Altogether, these endothelial alterations might collaborate to increase brain blood flow in HE. 1α 2 2 2This research was funded by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (SAF2016-80305-P), CiberCV (Grant number: CB16/11/00286), the European Regional Development Grant (FEDER) (Comunidad de Madrid, grant number B2017/BMD- 3676), and R C D projects for young researchers, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid-Comunidad de Madrid (SI1-PJI-2019- 00321). RR-D received a fellowship from Juan de la Cierva Program (IJCI-2017-31399)

Double Λ\Lambda Hypernuclei and the Nuclear Medium Effective ΛΛ\Lambda\Lambda Interaction

We fit the $^1 S_0 \Lambda\Lambda$ interaction in the nuclear medium to the masses of the experimentally known double-$\Lambda$ hypernuclei: $^{\phantom{6}6}_{\Lambda\Lambda}$He, $^{10}_{\Lambda\Lambda}$Be and $^{13}_{\Lambda\Lambda}$B. We derive this effective interaction from OBE J\"ulich $\Lambda\Lambda$-type potentials and using both Hartree-Fock and variational approaches. We find that the inclusion of $\Lambda\Lambda$ correlations in the variational scheme leads to significant differences and a better understanding of the dynamical features of the system. We investigate the sensitivity of the binding energies and the mesonic decay widths of the above double-$\Lambda$ hypernuclei to the $\omega \Lambda\Lambda$ coupling and the form factor at the $\sigma \Lambda\Lambda$ vertex. We also use this effective interaction to predict binding energies and pionic decay widths of heavier double-$\Lambda$ hypernuclei, not discovered yet. Finally, we discard the existence of $^1 S_0$ $\Lambda\Lambda$ bound states provided the $\Lambda\Lambda-\Xi N$ coupling can be neglected.Comment: 49 pages, LaTeX + 8 ps-figure file

Capacidad de autocuidado en adultos mayores que radican en Morelia, Michoacán

Objective: To determine the level of self-care in older adults who live in Morelia, Michoacán.  Method: This research had a quantitative, descriptive approach, with a non-experimental design and a cross section. The sample was selected for convenience and was made up of 100 older adults. Main Results: The main findings indicate that 42% have a high self-care capacity, 27% high, 19% regular, 8% low and only 4% very low.  General Conclusion: These days, despite the fact that there is a lot of information about the needs of the elderly, there are few interventions that do not remain a mere utopia. For this reason, it is essential to develop programs where this age group is attended from their spaces, emphasizing in the self-care requirements necessary to guarantee a quality of life. Also, giving a call to all the nurses is made to provide an adequate, optimal and personalized service.Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de autocuidado en personas adultas mayores que radican en la ciudad de Morelia, Michoacán. Método: La presente investigación contó con un enfoque cuantitativo, de tipo descriptivo, con un diseño no experimental y un corte transversal. La muestra fue seleccionada por conveniencia y estuvo conformada por 100 adultos mayores. Resultados principales: Los principales hallazgos señalan que el 42% presenta una capacidad de autocuidado alta, el 27% alta, el 19% regular, el 8% baja y únicamente el 4% muy baja. Conclusión general: En la actualidad pese a que se habla sobre las necesidades de los adultos mayores son escazas las intervenciones que no se quedan en una mera utopía, por ello, es fundamental el desarrollo de programas donde se atienda a este grupo etario desde sus espacios, haciendo énfasis en los requisitos de autocuidado necesarios para garantizar una calidad de vida. Además, desde la Enfermería se hace un llamado para brindar un servicio adecuado, óptimo y personalizado

LIF regulates CXCL9 in tumor-associated macrophages and prevents CD8+ T cell tumor-infiltration impairing anti-PD1 therapy

Càncer; Macròfags associats al tumor: LIF; CD8Cáncer; Macrófagos asociados al tumor; CD8Cancer; Tumor-associated macrophages; CD8Cancer response to immunotherapy depends on the infiltration of CD8+ T cells and the presence of tumor-associated macrophages within tumors. Still, little is known about the determinants of these factors. We show that LIF assumes a crucial role in the regulation of CD8+ T cell tumor infiltration, while promoting the presence of protumoral tumor-associated macrophages. We observe that the blockade of LIF in tumors expressing high levels of LIF decreases CD206, CD163 and CCL2 and induces CXCL9 expression in tumor-associated macrophages. The blockade of LIF releases the epigenetic silencing of CXCL9 triggering CD8+ T cell tumor infiltration. The combination of LIF neutralizing antibodies with the inhibition of the PD1 immune checkpoint promotes tumor regression, immunological memory and an increase in overall survival

How Schools Affect Student Well-Being: A Cross-Cultural Approach in 35 OECD Countries

A common approach for measuring the effectiveness of an education system or a school is the estimation of the impact that school interventions have on students’ academic performance. However, the latest trends aim to extend the focus beyond students’ acquisition of knowledge and skills, and to consider aspects such as well-being in the academic context. For this reason, the 2015 edition of the international assessment system Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) incorporated a new tool aimed at evaluating the socio-emotional variables related to the well-being of students. It is based on a definition focused on the five dimensions proposed in the PISA theoretical framework: cognitive, psychological, social, physical, and material. The main purpose of this study is to identify the well-being components that significantly affect student academic performance and to estimate the magnitude of school effects on the wellbeing of students in OECD countries, the school effect being understood as the ability of schools to increase subjective student well-being. To achieve this goal, we analyzed the responses of 248,620 students from 35 OECD countries to PISA 2015 questionnaires. Specifically, we considered non-cognitive variables in the questionnaires and student performance in science. The results indicated that the cognitive well-being dimension, composed of enjoyment of science, self-efficacy, and instrumental motivation, as well as test anxiety all had a consistent relationship with student performance across countries. In addition, the school effect, estimated through a two-level hierarchical linear model, in terms of student well-being was systematically low. While the school effect accounted for approximately 25% of the variance in the results for the cognitive dimension, only 5–9% of variance in well-being indicators was attributable to it. This suggests that the influence of school on student welfare is weak, and the effect is similar across countries. The present study contributes to the general discussion currently underway about the definition of well-being and the connection between well-being and achievement. The results highlighted two complementary concerns: there is a clear need to promote socioemotional education in schools, and it is important to develop a rigorous framework for well-being assessment. The implications of the results and proposals for future studies are discussed.Spain Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities PSI2017-85724-P2E Estudios, Evaluaciones e Investigacion, S.