Tumour markers and their importance in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer

Los marcadores tumorales (MT) son moléculas en su mayoría proteínas, que pueden estar elevadas en una neoplasia. Estas sustancias se pueden encontrar en la sangre, orina, materia fecal, fragmentos tumorales, tejidos y en líquidos como el pleural o el LCR del cuerpo de algunos pacientes con cáncer. Anualmente se registran en el mundo cientos de miles de fallecimientos por cáncer, en el esfuerzo del estudio de las células malignas se han acumulado un gran número de marcadores tumorales que nos ayudan para la detección de la enfermedad, confirmación, diagnóstico, efectividad de los tratamientos, evolución, curación y recidivas tempranas.Tumor markers (MT) are molecules mostly proteins, which may be elevated in a neoplasia. These substances can be found in the blood, urine, fecal matter, tumor fragments, tissues, and in fluids such as the pleural or LCR of the body of some cancer patients. Hundreds of thousands of cancer deaths are recorded annually in the world, in the effort of the study of malignant cells a large number of tumour markers have accumulated that help us to detect the disease, confirmation, diagnosis, effectiveness of treatments, evolution, healing and early recurrences

Ulcerative Colitis. Definition and methods of immunoassay for diagnosis

El concepto de enfermedad inflamatoria del intestino se aplica a dos entidades nosológicas, la colitis ulcerosa y la enfermedad de Crohn. La colitis ulcerosa se define como una afectación inflamatoria crónica del tubo digestivo de etiología desconocida que evoluciona con brotes y remisiones, puede presentar diversas complicaciones y manifestaciones extra digestivas. La colitis ulcerosa afecta exclusivamente a la mucosa del colon y del recto. Se han detectado anticuerpos frente a citoplasma de neutrofilos, ANCA en el 80% de los pacientes con colitis ulcerosa. El diagnostico se basa en una serie de prueba que incluyen estudios de laboratorio e inmunodiagnósticas.The concept of inflammatory bowel disease is applied to two nosologic entities, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis is defined as a chronic inflammatory involvement of the digestive tract of unknown etiology that evolves with outbreaks and referrals, can present various complications and extra digestive manifestations. Ulcerative colitis affects only the mucosa of the colon and rectum. Antibodies against cytoplasm of Neutrófilos, ANCA in 80% of patients with ulcerative colitis have been detected. The diagnosis is based on a series of tests that include laboratory and immunodiagnostic studies

Ultrastructural Changes in Cherimoya Fruit Injured by Chilling

Cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.) is an important fruit crop that is grown in the South of Spain. Ultrastructural modifications of cherimoya fruit were studied after low-temperature storage. When cherimoya was stored at 4 oc for 6 days, the starch grains did not suffer degradation and the cell walls remained intact. The membrane systems were severely damaged , result ing in a loss of cell compartmentalization. Cherimoya rewarmed to 22 0 C after 9 days of low temperature storage is not able to recover , showing the irreversibility of the ultra structural changes. In addition, disorgani zation of the internal lamella of chloroplasts , grana unstacking, as well as a general swelling of plastids and mitochondria were also observed. The ultrastructural damage observed is explained in terms of membrane disruption

Association of Thymidylate Synthase Polymorphisms with Acute Pancreatitis and/or Peripheral Neuropathy in HIV-Infected Patients on Stavudine-Based Therapy

Altres ajuts: Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS 02/1280, 05/1591, 07/0976, 08/00256), Fundación para la Prevención del SIDA en España (FIPSE 36610, 36572/06), and Red de Investigación en SIDA (RIS RD06/006/0022)Low expression thymidylate synthase (TS) polymorphism has been associated with increased stavudine triphosphate intracellular (d4T-TP) levels and the lipodystrophy syndrome. The use of d4T has been associated with acute pancreatitis and peripheral neuropathy. However, no relationship has ever been proved between TS polymorphisms and pancreatitis and/or peripheral neuropathy. We performed a case-control study to assess the relationship of TS and methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms with acute pancreatitis and/or peripheral neuropathy in patients exposed to d4T. Student's t test, Pearson's correlations, one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni correction and stepwise logistic regression analyses were done. Forty-three cases and 129 controls were studied. Eight patients (18.6%) had acute pancreatitis, and 35 (81.4%) had peripheral neuropathy. Prior AIDS was more frequent in cases than in controls (OR = 2.36; 95%CI 1.10-5.07, P = 0.0247). L7ow expression TS and MTHFR genotype associated with increased activity were more frequent in patients with acute pancreatitis and/or peripheral neuropathy than in controls (72.1% vs. 46.5%, OR = 2.97; 95%CI: 1.33-6.90, P = 0.0062, and 79.1% vs. 56.6%, OR = 2.90, 95%CI: 1.23-7.41, P = 0.0142, respectively). Independent positive or negative predictors for the development of d4T-associated pancreatitis and/or peripheral neuropathy were: combined TS and MTHFR genotypes (reference: A+A; P = 0.002; OR = 0.34 [95%CI: 0.08 to 1.44], OR = 3.38 [95%CI: 1.33 to 8.57], OR = 1.13 [95%CI: 0.34 to 3.71]), nadir CD4 cell count >200 cells/mm 3 (OR = 0.38; 95%CI: 0.17-0.86, P = 0.021), and HALS (OR = 0.39 95%CI: 0.18-0.85, P = 0.018). Low expression TS plus a MTHFR genotype associated with increased activity is associated with the development of peripheral neuropathy in d4T-exposed patients

Aplicación de estrategias de aprendizaje para la adquisición de competencias profesionales y su evaluación mediante una rúbrica integradora en diversos títulos de grado de la Universidad de Málaga

El Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior ha supuesto importantes cambios en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje para la adquisición de competencias transversales y específicas. La calidad es un factor estratégico, por lo que es necesario, por una parte, el diseño de estrategias por parte del docente para que el alumnado adquiera competencias profesionales, y por otra, la evaluación de la eficacia e incidencia de las distintas estrategias en el rendimiento académico del alumnado. En este trabajo se han desarrollado rúbricas que permiten evaluar el efecto de nuevas estrategias de aprendizaje para la adquisición de las siguientes competencias: razonamiento crítico y autocrítico, adquisición de conocimientos básicos y capacidad de aplicar los conocimientos adquiridos a casos prácticos, transmisión de información oral/escrita, y capacidad de trabajo en equipo. El estudio se ha desarrollado en ocho asignaturas de la Universidad de Málaga, de grados experimentales (varias ingenierías, biología, bioquímica, fisioterapia y psicología), y una asignatura de una disciplina más abstracta como son las matemáticas. Finalmente, el alumnado ha evaluado el alcance de estas estrategias en la adquisición de las competencias a través de una rúbrica (eRúbrica) común a todas las asignaturas, datos que han sido cotejados con el resultado final del examen.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Differential effects of dolutegravir, bictegravir and raltegravir in adipokines and inflammation markers on human adipocytes

Altres ajuts: European Regional Development Fund (FEDER); Gilead. European Union NextGeneration EU/PRTR.Aims: To assess the potential direct effects of the integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (INsTIs) dolutegravir, bictegravir, and raltegravir, drugs used as treatment for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH), on human adipose cells. Main methods: Drugs were added to the differentiation medium of human Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) adipose cells and morphological adipogenesis was monitored for 10 days. Also, adipocytes were exposed to drugs following differentiation (day 14). The gene expression levels of selected adipogenesis markers, adipocyte metabolism markers, adipokines, and cytokines were determined by quantitative-reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction. The release of adiponectin and leptin into the culture medium was measured using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and release of interleukin-6 and chemokine (C[sbnd]C motif) ligand-2 using Multiplex assays. Key findings: Overall morphological adipogenesis was unaltered by INsTIs. The expression of adipogenesis marker genes (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-Ɣ and lipoprotein lipase) was slightly reduced in dolutegravir-treated differentiating adipocytes. Bictegravir repressed gene expression and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in differentiating adipocytes. Dolutegravir and raltegravir increased interleukin-6 gene expression, but only dolutegravir increased interleukin-6 release. Dolutegravir repressed adiponectin expression and release in differentiating adipocytes and had a similar but milder effect on leptin. Drug treatment of mature adipocytes reduced adiponectin gene expression in response to dolutegravir. Significance: The INsTIs studied do not have a significant effect on human adipose cell differentiation but exert distinct effects on gene expression and secretion of adipokines and cytokines. These findings will help understand and manage the effects of INsTI-containing treatments on body weight and metabolic dysregulation in PLWH

Differential effects of dolutegravir, bictegravir and raltegravir in adipokines and inflammation markers on human adipocytes.

Aims: To assess the potential direct effects of the integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (INsTIs) dolutegravir, bictegravir, and raltegravir, drugs used as treatment for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH), on human adipose cells. Main methods: Drugs were added to the differentiation medium of human Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) adipose cells and morphological adipogenesis was monitored for 10 days. Also, adipocytes were exposed to drugs following differentiation (day 14). The gene expression levels of selected adipogenesis markers, adipocyte metabolism markers, adipokines, and cytokines were determined by quantitative-reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction. The release of adiponectin and leptin into the culture medium was measured using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and release of interleukin-6 and chemokine (CC motif) ligand-2 using Multiplex assays. Key findings: Overall morphological adipogenesis was unaltered by INsTIs. The expression of adipogenesis marker genes (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-Ɣ and lipoprotein lipase) was slightly reduced in dolutegravir-treated differentiating adipocytes. Bictegravir repressed gene expression and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in differentiating adipocytes. Dolutegravir and raltegravir increased interleukin-6 gene expression, but only dolutegravir increased interleukin-6 release. Dolutegravir repressed adiponectin expression and release in differentiating adipocytes and had a similar but milder effect on leptin. Drug treatment of mature adipocytes reduced adiponectin gene expression in response to dolutegravir. Significance: The INsTIs studied do not have a significant effect on human adipose cell differentiation but exert distinct effects on gene expression and secretion of adipokines and cytokines. These findings will help understand and manage the effects of INsTI-containing treatments on body weight and metabolic dysregulation in PLWH

ETRI 2014 - Energy Technology Reference Indicator projections for 2010-2050

The Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) is the technology pillar of the EU's energy and climate policy. This report contains assessments of energy technology reference indicators (ETRI) and it is aimed at providing independent and up-to-date cost and performance characteristics of the present and future European energy technology portfolio. It complements the Technology Map of SETIS by making. The ETRIreport provides: • techno-economic data projections for the modelling community and policy makers, e.g. capital and operating costs, thermal efficiencies and technical lifetimes; • greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumptions; The ETRI report covers the time frame 2010 to 2050. This first version of the report focuses on electricity generation technologies, but it also includes data for the electrical transmission grids, energy storage systems, and heat pumps.JRC.F.6-Energy Technology Policy Outloo

“Pasapalabra” de la Psicología Clínica: Una herramienta de aprendizaje basada en el juego

Depto. de Personalidad, Evaluación y Psicología ClínicaFac. de PsicologíaFALSEsubmitte

The Differential Organization of F-Actin Alters the Distribution of Organelles in Cultured When Compared to Native Chromaffin Cells

Cultured bovine chromaffin cells have been used extensively as a neuroendocrine model to study regulated secretion. In order to extend such experimental findings to the physiological situation, it is necessary to study mayor cellular structures affecting secretion in cultured cells with their counterparts present in the adrenomedullary tissue. F-actin concentrates in a peripheral ring in cultured cells, as witnessed by phalloidin?rodhamine labeling, while extends throughout the cytoplasm in native cells. This result is also confirmed when studying the localization of ?-fodrin, a F-actin-associated protein. Furthermore, as a consequence of this redistribution of F-actin, we observed that chromaffin granules and mitochondria located into two different cortical and internal populations in cultured cells, whereas they are homogeneously distributed throughout the cytoplasm in the adrenomedullary tissue. Nevertheless, secretion from isolated cells and adrenal gland pieces is remarkably similar when measured by amperometry. Finally, we generate mathematical models to consider how the distribution of organelles affects the secretory kinetics of intact and cultured cells. Our results imply that we have to consider F-actin structural changes to interpret functional data obtained in cultured neuroendocrine cells.This study was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (BFU2011-25095 and BFU2015- 63684-P, MINECO, FEDER, UE) to LMG