GC gene polymorphism and unbound serum retinol-binding protein 4 are related to the risk of insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis c: A prospective cross-sectional study

Insulin resistance (IR) is found in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) more frequently than in other chronic liver diseases. Prospective cross-sectional study to evaluate a wide multitest panel to identify factors related with IR in CHC and their possible interactions. In 76 patients with CHC we performed a series of routine laboratory analysis as well as specifically designed serum biochemical tests [retinol, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), 25-OH vitamin D, Vitamin E, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and cystatin C]. The single nucleotide polymorphisms rs7041 and rs4588 GC-DBP (group-specific component-Vitamin D-binding protein), rs738409 PNPLA3 (patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3), and rs12979860 IL28B (interleukin-28 B) genes were determined. Insulin sensitivity was established with the HOMA-IR and IR was diagnosed when HOMA-IR>3. Fibrosis staging was assessed with liver biopsy or transient elastography. After backward logistic regression analysis, independent variables associated with IR were Gc1s/Gc1s DBP phenotype, that results from the homozygous carriage of the rs7041G/rs4588Chaplotype (P¼0.033); low retinol/RBP4 ratio, reflecting a greater rate of unboundRBP4 (P¼0.005); older age (P¼0.01); high serum tryglicerides (P¼0.026); and advanced (F3–F4) fibrosis stage. The AUROC provided by the multivariate model was 0.950 (95% CI¼0.906–0.993). In addition to previously known ones, the Gc1s/Gc1s phenotype variant of DBP and the unbound fraction of plasma RBP4 may be considered as factors related with the incidence, and possibly the risk, of IR in CHC patients.• Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Fondo de Investigación Sanitari: Ayudas PI12/00241 y PI12/00324 • Junta de Extremadura: Ayuda GR15026 • Fondos FEDERpeerReviewe

A different approach for the analysis of grapes: Using the skin as sensing element

In this work, an alternative method to monitor the phenolic maturity of grapes was developed. In this approach, the skins of grapes were used to cover the surface of carbon paste electrodes and the voltammetric signals obtained with the skin-modified sensors were used to obtain information about the phenolic content of the skins. These sensors could easily detect differences in the phenolic composition of different Spanish varieties of grapes (Mencía, Prieto Picudo and Juan García). Moreover, sensors were able to monitor changes in the phenolic content throughout the ripening process from véraison until harvest.2020-07-092020-07-0

Chemical Cues Influence Pupation Behavior of Drosophila simulans and Drosophila buzzatii in Nature and in the Laboratory

In the wild, larvae of several species of Drosophila develop in heterogeneous and rapidly changing environments sharing resources as food and space. In this scenario, sensory systems contribute to detect, localize and recognize congeners and heterospecifics, and provide information about the availability of food and chemical features of environments where animals live. We investigated the behavior of D. simulans and D. buzzatii larvae to chemicals emitted by conspecific and heterospecific larvae. Our goal was to understand the role of these substances in the selection of pupation sites in the two species that cohabit within decaying prickly pear fruits (Opuntia ficus-indica). In these breeding sites, larvae of D. simulans and D. buzzatii detect larvae of the other species changing their pupation site preferences. Larvae of the two species pupated in the part of the fruit containing no or few heterospecifics, and spent a longer time in/on spots marked by conspecifics rather than heterospecifics. In contrast, larvae of the two species reared in isolation from conspecifics pupated randomly over the substrate and spent a similar amount of time on spots marked by conspecifics and by heterospecifics. Our results indicate that early chemically-based experience with conspecific larvae is critical for the selection of the pupation sites in D. simulans and D. buzzatii, and that pupation site preferences of Drosophila larvae depend on species-specific chemical cues. These preferences can be modulate by the presence of larvae of the same or another species

Differential contribution of renal cytochrome P450 enzymes to kidney endothelial dysfunction and vascular oxidative stress in obesity

Arachidonic acid (AA)-derived cytochrome P450 (CYP) derivatives, epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and 20-hidroxyeicosatetranoic acid (20-HETE), play a key role in kidney tubular and vascular functions and blood pressure. Altered metabolism of CYP epoxygenases and CYP hydroxylases has differentially been involved in the pathogenesis of metabolic disease-associated vascular complications, although the mechanisms responsible for the vascular injury are unclear. The present study aimed to assess whether obesity-induced changes in CYP enzymes may contribute to oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in kidney preglomerular arteries. Endothelial function and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were assessed in interlobar arteries of obese Zucker rats (OZR) and their lean counterparts lean Zucker rats (LZR) and the effects of CYP2C and CYP4A inhibitors sulfaphenazole and HET0016, respectively, were examined on the endothelium-dependent relaxations and O2 − and H2O2 levels of preglomerular arteries. Non-nitric oxide (NO) non-prostanoid endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH)-type responses were preserved but resistant to the CYP epoxygenase blocker sulfaphenazole in OZR in contrast to those in LZR. Sulfaphenazole did not further inhibit reduced arterial H2O2 levels, and CYP2C11/CYP2C23 enzymes were downregulated in intrarenal arteries from OZR. Renal EDH-mediated relaxations were preserved in obese rats by the enhanced activity and expression of endothelial calcium-activated potassium channels (KCa). CYP4A blockade restored impaired NO-mediated dilatation and inhibited augmented O2 − production in kidney arteries from OZR. The current data demonstrate that both decreased endothelial CYP2C11/ CYP2C23-derived vasodilator H2O2 and augmented CYP4A-derived 20-HETE contribute to endothelial dysfunction and vascular oxidative stress in obesity. CYP4A inhibitors ameliorate arterial oxidative stress and restore endothelial function which suggests its therapeutic potential for the vascular complications of obesity-associated kidney injury

Measuring Spinal Mobility Using an Inertial Measurement Unit System: A Validation Study in Axial Spondyloarthritis

Portable inertial measurement units (IMUs) are beginning to be used in human motion analysis. These devices can be useful for the evaluation of spinal mobility in individuals with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The objectives of this study were to assess (a) concurrent criterion validity in individuals with axSpA by comparing spinal mobility measured by an IMU sensor-based system vs. optical motion capture as the reference standard; (b) discriminant validity comparing mobility with healthy volunteers; (c) construct validity by comparing mobility results with relevant outcome measures. A total of 70 participants with axSpA and 20 healthy controls were included. Individuals with axSpA completed function and activity questionnaires, and their mobility was measured using conventional metrology for axSpA, an optical motion capture system, and an IMU sensor-based system. The UCOASMI, a metrology index based on measures obtained by motion capture, and the IUCOASMI, the same index using IMU measures, were also calculated. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted to show the relationships between outcome measures. There was excellent agreement (ICC > 0.90) between both systems and a significant correlation between the IUCOASMI and conventional metrology (r = 0.91), activity (r = 0.40), function (r = 0.62), quality of life (r = 0.55) and structural change (r = 0.76). This study demonstrates the validity of an IMU system to evaluate spinal mobility in axSpA. These systems are more feasible than optical motion capture systems, and they could be useful in clinical practice

Coordination of subjects in the program as a formative activity of the multidisciplinary educational team for the degree in Pharmacy

La Universidad de Granada, dentro del Plan Estratégico y el Contrato Programa 2007-2011 de las Universidades Públicas de Andalucía puso en marcha la convocatoria de apoyo a la formación del profesorado principiante y mejora de la docencia por el Vicerrectorado para la Garantía de la Calidad (http://calidad.ugr.es/pages/secretariados/form_apoyo_calidad/apoyo_formacion_principiante/convoca toria). En el proyecto participan 15 profesores, 5 profesores experimentados y 10 profesores noveles de seis departamentos diferentes.. Entre los objetivos se incluye la optimización de la actividad docente de profesorado principiante. En este sentido se estudió la situación en el nuevo plan de estudio de Grado en Farmacia de las asignaturas que dichos profesores impartimos, así como la relación entre ellas y la posible existencia de solapamientos de contenidos docentes. Las fichas docentes muestran ciertos solapamientos de competencias y carencias en algunos casos. Esto supuso una revisión exhaustiva para llevar a cabo una correcta coordinación entre los profesores que le permita al alumnado un aprendizaje organizado y coherente.The University of Granada, inside the Strategic Plan and the Contract Program 2007-2011 of the Public Universities of Andalusia started a public call to improve the formation of young lecturers and the teaching activity (http://calidad.ugr.es/pages/secretariados/form_apoyo_calidad/apoyo_formacion_principiante/convoca toria). In the project there take part 15 lecturers, 5 experienced and 10 young lecturers from six different departments. Within the objectives it is included the optimisation of the teaching activity of young lecturers. In this sense, it was studied the situation of the subjects that the above mentioned lecturers give within the new degree in Pharmacy, as well as the relation between they and the possible existence of any overlapping in the contents. The teaching contents showed the existence of certain overlapping within competences and deficiencies in some cases. This supposed an exhaustive review to carry out the correct coordination between the different lecturers so that it will allow the organized and coherent learning of the students

Numerical and clinical precision in hypoglycemia of the intermittent FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring through an NFC-Bluetooth transmitter associated with the xDrip+ algorithm in diabetic patients under insulin therapy

Métodos Estudio de pruebas diagnósticas. Se evaluó la exactitud numérica mediante la diferencia absoluta en los valores con respecto a la glucometría capilar (norma ISO 15197:2015) y la exactitud clínica, mediante las gradillas de error de Clarke y Parkes (Consensus), para mediciones de glucosa inferiores a 70 mg/dl realizadas con el sistema FreeStyle Libre y con la aplicación xDrip+ de estimación digital, en personas con diabetes con insulinoterapia. Resultados Se incluyó a 27 pacientes (TIR 73,4%, TBR70 5,6%), quienes aportaron 83 eventos de hipoglucemia. La exactitud numérica fue adecuada en proporciones similares con el sistema FreeStyle Libre en comparación con la aplicación xDrip+ (81,92% vs. 68,67%, p = 0,0630). La evaluación de la precisión clínica mostró que el 92,8% de las mediciones para xDrip+ y el 98,8% para FreeStyle libre cumplieron el criterio según la gradilla de Parkes (Consensus) (p = 0,0535), y el 79,5 y el 91,6% de las mediciones cumplieron el criterio según la gradilla de Clarke (p = 0,0273) siendo superior con Libre. Conclusiones El uso del transmisor NFC-Bluetooth (Miao-Miao) asociado a la aplicación xDrip+ no mejora la precisión numérica ni clínica para la detección de los eventos de hipoglucemia en los personas con diabetesQ3Q3Introduction There are data capture devices that attach to the FreeStyle Libre sensor and convert its communication from NFC (Near-field communication) to Bluetooth technology, generating real-time continuous glucose monitoring. The accuracy of hypoglycemia measurements displayed by smartphone apps using this device has not been established. Methods Study of diagnostic tests. Numerical accuracy was evaluated, utilizing the absolute difference with respect to capillary glucometry (ISO 15197:2015 standard) and clinical accuracy, using the Clarke and Parkes (Consensus) error grids, for glucose measurements less than 70 mg/dL performed with the FreeStyle Libre system and with the digital estimation xDrip+ app, in diabetic patients managed with insulin therapy. Results Twenty-seven patients were included (TIR 73.4%, TBR70 5.6%), who contributed 83 hypoglycemic events. Numerical accuracy was adequate in similar proportions with the FreeStyle Libre system compared to the xDrip+ app (81.92% vs. 68.67%, p = 0.0630). The clinical accuracy evaluation showed that 92.8% of the measurements for xDrip + and 98.8% for FreeStyle libre met the criteria according to the Parkes (Consensus) grid (p = 0.0535); and 79.5% and 91.6% of the measurements met the criteria according to the Clarke grid (p = 0.0273), being higher with FreeStyle libre. Conclusions The use of the NFC-Bluetooth transmitter (Miao-Miao) associated with the xDrip+ app does not improve numerical or clinical accuracy for detecting hypoglycemic events in diabetic patients managed with insulin therapy, compared to the FreeStyle Libre device.Revista Internacional - IndexadaS

Combined Immune Defect in B-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders Is Associated with Severe Infection and Cancer Progression

This research received no external funding. K.G.-H is supported by The European Social Fund (ESF) through a Río Ortega Grant for Health Research Projects by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) (CM20/00098).B cell chronic lymphoproliferative diseases (B-CLPD) are associated with secondary antibody deficiency and other innate and adaptive immune defects, whose impact on infectious risk has not been systematically addressed. We performed an immunological analysis of a cohort of 83 B-CLPD patients with recurrent and/or severe infections to ascertain the clinical relevance of the immune deficiency expression. B-cell defects were present in all patients. Patients with combined immune defect had a 3.69-fold higher risk for severe infection (p = 0.001) than those with predominantly antibody defect. Interestingly, by Kaplan–Meier analysis, combined immune defect showed an earlier progression of cancer with a hazard ratio of 3.21, than predominantly antibody defect (p = 0.005). When B-CLPD were classified in low-degree, high-degree, and plasma cell dyscrasias, risk of severe disease and cancer progression significantly diverged in combined immune defect, compared with predominantly antibody defect (p = 0.001). Remarkably, an underlying primary immunodeficiency (PID) was suspected in 12 patients (14%), due to prior history of infections, autoimmune and granulomatous conditions, atypical or variegated course and compatible biological data. This first proposed SID classification might have relevant clinical implications, in terms of predicting severe infections and cancer progression, and might be applied to different B-CLPD entities.Depto. de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORLFac. de MedicinaTRUEpu

La hiperglucemia intrahospitalaria es más importante que el antecedente de diabetes para predecir la aparición de desenlaces clínicos adversos en pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19

Contexto: en pacientes con COVID-19, la diabetes mellitus y la hiperglucemia son condiciones prevalentes. La literatura es escasa en cuanto a la asociación de estas dos variables con desenlaces desfavorables en pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19. Objetivo: evaluar la asociación entre hiperglucemia y la aparición de desenlaces adversos en pacientes con COVID-19. Metodología: estudio de cohorte retrospectiva en el que se evaluó la asociación entre presentar hiperglucemia con la aparición de síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA), lesión renal aguda (LRA) y muerte intrahospitalaria en pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19. Resultados: se incluyeron 408 pacientes (edad media 60.48, 58.8 % hombres, 34.1 % con diabetes, 40.4 % con hiperglucemia intrahospitalaria). La hiperglucemia se asoció de forma independiente a un mayor riesgo de SDRA (OR: 1.84, IC 95 %: 1.15 – 2.94; p=0.001), LRA (OR: 2.73; IC: 1.24–5.96; p=0.012) y muerte intrahospitalaria (OR: 2.61; IC: 1.20–5.68; p=0.015) después de controlar por variables de confusión. El antecedente de diabetes no se asoció de forma independiente con un mayor riesgo en ninguno de los tres desenlaces adversos. Conclusiones: la hiperglucemia se asocia de forma independiente con peores desenlaces en pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 a diferencia de la diabetes mellitus