Determining the distribution of triclosan and methyl triclosan in estuarine settings

We have developed a method for the analysis of two sewage-derived contaminants: triclosan (TCS), an antibacterial agent, and methyl triclosan (MTCS), a TCS metabolite. For solid samples (4 g), extraction and cleanup were integrated into the same step using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) with in-cell-clean-up (1 g of florisil). The extraction was performed using dichloromethane at 100 °C, 1500 psi and 3 static extraction cycles of 5 min each. For water samples (100 mL), stir bar sorptive extraction–liquid desorption (SBSE–LD) was used. Bars were stirred for 10 h and analytes were later desorbed using acetonitrile. Finally, MTCS and a silylated derivative of TCS were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Recovery experiments in water and sediments were performed and the results ranged from 67% to 78%. Limits of detection (LODs) were 5 ng L−1 for TCS and 1 ng L−1 for MTCS, in water samples, and 0.1 ng g−1 for TCS and MTCS in solid samples. The method was applied then to determine the levels of these compounds in the estuary of Guadalete River (SW Spain). TCS and MTCS concentrations up to 9.6 ng g−1 in sediments and 310 ng L−1 in water were measured. Their distribution was strongly influenced by the presence of wastewater sources, treated and untreated, along the sampling area, where maximum concentrations were detected. Highest values were reached in the water column during low tides as the water volume in the estuary becomes lower

The economic burden of localized prostate cancer and insights derived from cost-effectiveness studies of the different treatments

Prostate cancer is one of the most frequent and impacting malignant neoplasms for men. In particular, localized prostate cancer has a notably high incidence and prevalence, despite which a solid consensus on treatment and procedure of care has not yet been reached. This article aims to shed light on this challenge by characterizing the economic burden and cost-effectiveness of different treatment strategies for localized prostate cancer after analyzing published comparable data from studies conducted in OECD countries

Intravitreal allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells: a non-randomized phase II clinical trial for acute non-arteritic optic neuropathy

Producción CientíficaABSTRACT. BACKGROUND: An effective treatment for acute non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION) has not been known or proven yet. Previous studies have suggested a neuroprotective effect of allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. This study aims to report the results of a clinical trial on patients with acute non-arteritic optic neuropathy (NA-AION) treated with an intravitreal injection of allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) (MSV®). METHODS: We conducted a prospective, non-randomized, clinical phase-II study (Eudra CT number 2016-003029-40; ClinicalTrials.gov Registry NCT03173638) that included 5 patients with acute unilateral NA-AION diagnosed within 2 weeks after symptom onset and who received an intravitreal injection of allogeneic BM-MSCs (0.05 ml; cell concentration: 1.5 × 106cells/mL). The patients underwent regular ophthalmological examinations and were followed for one year. RESULTS: In this trial, allogeneic BM-MSCs appeared to be safe as no patients developed signs of acute nor chronic intraocular inflammation or a significant change in intraocular pressure, although an epiretinal membrane was developed in one patient. A retrolental aggregate formed shortly after the injection spontaneously disappeared within a few weeks in another phakic patient, leaving a subcapsular cataract. Visual improvement was noted in 4 patients, and amplitudes of P100 on the visually evoked potentials recordings increased in three patients. The retinal nerve fiber layer and macular ganglion cell layer thicknesses significantly decreased during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Besides the development of an epiretinal membrane in one patient, the intravitreal application of allogeneic BM-MSCs appeared to be intraocularly well tolerated. Consequently, not only NA-AION but also BM-MSCs deserve more clinical investigational resources and a larger randomized multicenter trial that would provide stronger evidence both about safety and the potential therapeutic efficacy of intravitreally injected allogeneic BM-MSCsin acute NA-AION. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Safety Assessment of Intravitreal Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Acute Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NEUROSTEM). NCT03173638. Registered June 02, 2017 https:// clini caltr ials. gov/ ct2/ show/ NCT03173638.Strategic Action in Health of the Institute of Health Carlos III,PIC18/00018, Jose C. Pastor, Department of Regional Health of the Castilla y Léon Government, GRS 1928/A/19, Jose C. Pastor, Consejería de Educación, Junta de Castilla y León, Grant VA077P17, Jose C. Pasto

Desarrollo de la competencia profesional de producción y postproducción audiovisual en colaboracion con la Asociación para el Desarrollo Rural Integral de las Sierras de Salamanca (ADRISS)

Memoria ID-0130. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2016-2017

Atmospheric pressure gas chromatography-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (APGC-ToF-MS) for the determination of regulated and emerging contaminants in aqueous samples after stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE)

This work presents the development, optimization and validation of a multi-residue method for the simultaneous determination of 102 contaminants, including fragrances, UV filters, repellents, endocrine disruptors, biocides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and several types of pesticides in aqueous matrices. Water samples were processed using stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) after the optimization of several parameters: agitation time, ionic strength, presence of organic modifiers, pH, and volume of the derivatizing agent. Target compounds were extracted from the bars by liquid desorption (LD). Separation, identification and quantification of analytes were carried out by gas chromatography (GC) coupled to time-of-flight (ToF-MS) mass spectrometry. A new ionization source, atmospheric pressure gas chromatography (APGC), was tested. The optimized protocol showed acceptable recovery percentages (50–100%) and limits of detection below 1 ng L−1 for most of the compounds. Occurrence of 21 out of 102 analytes was confirmed in several environmental aquatic matrices, including seawater, sewage effluent, river water and groundwater. Non-target compounds such as organophosphorus flame retardants were also identified in real samples by accurate mass measurement of their molecular ions using GC-APGC–ToF-MS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that this technique has been applied for the analysis of contaminants in aquatic systems. By employing lower energy than the more widely used electron impact ionization (EI), AGPC provides significant advantages over EI for those substances very susceptible to high fragmentation (e.g., fragrances, pyrethroids)

Defects in memory B-cell and plasma cell subsets expressing different immunoglobulin-subclasses in patients with CVID and immunoglobulin subclass deficiencies

Background: Predominantly antibody deficiencies (PADs) are the most prevalent primary immunodeficiencies, but their B-cell defects and underlying genetic alterations remain largely unknown. Objective: We investigated patients with PADs for the distribution of 41 blood B-cell and plasma cell (PC) subsets, including subsets defined by expression of distinct immunoglobulin heavy chain subclasses. Methods: Blood samples from 139 patients with PADs, 61 patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), 68 patients with selective IgA deficiency (IgAdef), 10 patients with IgG subclass deficiency with IgA deficiency, and 223 age matched control subjects were studied by using flow cytometry with EuroFlow immunoglobulin isotype staining. Patients were classified according to their B-cell and PC immune profile, and the obtained patient clusters were correlated with clinical manifestations of PADs. Results: Decreased counts of blood PCs, memory B cells (MB Cs), or both expressing distinct IgA and IgG subclasses were identified in all patients with PADs. In patients with IgAdef, B-cell defects were mainly restricted to surface membrane (sm)IgA(+) PCs and MBCs, with 2 clear subgroups showing strongly decreased numbers of smIgA(+) PCs with mild versus severe smIgA(+) MBC defects and higher frequencies of nonrespiratory tract infections, autoimmunity, and affected family members. Patients with IgG subclass deficiency with IgA deficiency and those with CVID showed defects in both smIgA(+) and smIgG(+) MBCs and PCs. Reduced numbers of switched PCs were systematically found in patients with CVID (absent in 98%), with 6 different defective MBC (and clinical) profiles: (1) profound decrease in MBC numbers; (2) defective CD27(+) MBCs with almost normal IgG(3)(+) MBCs; (3) absence of switched MBCs; and (4) presence of both unswitched and switched MBCs without and; (5) with IgG(2)(+) MBCs; and (6) with IgA(1)(+) MBCs. Conclusion: Distinct PAD defective B-cell patterns were identified that are associated with unique clinical profiles

Intermediate Molecular Phenotypes to Identify Genetic Markers of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity Risk.

Cardiotoxicity due to anthracyclines (CDA) affects cancer patients, but we cannot predict who may suffer from this complication. CDA is a complex trait with a polygenic component that is mainly unidentified. We propose that levels of intermediate molecular phenotypes (IMPs) in the myocardium associated with histopathological damage could explain CDA susceptibility, so variants of genes encoding these IMPs could identify patients susceptible to this complication. Thus, a genetically heterogeneous cohort of mice (n = 165) generated by backcrossing were treated with doxorubicin and docetaxel. We quantified heart fibrosis using an Ariol slide scanner and intramyocardial levels of IMPs using multiplex bead arrays and QPCR. We identified quantitative trait loci linked to IMPs (ipQTLs) and cdaQTLs via linkage analysis. In three cancer patient cohorts, CDA was quantified using echocardiography or Cardiac Magnetic Resonance. CDA behaves as a complex trait in the mouse cohort. IMP levels in the myocardium were associated with CDA. ipQTLs integrated into genetic models with cdaQTLs account for more CDA phenotypic variation than that explained by cda-QTLs alone. Allelic forms of genes encoding IMPs associated with CDA in mice, including AKT1, MAPK14, MAPK8, STAT3, CAS3, and TP53, are genetic determinants of CDA in patients. Two genetic risk scores for pediatric patients (n = 71) and women with breast cancer (n = 420) were generated using machine-learning Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression. Thus, IMPs associated with heart damage identify genetic markers of CDA risk, thereby allowing more personalized patient management.J.P.L.’s lab is sponsored by Grant PID2020-118527RB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011039; Grant PDC2021-121735-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011039 and by the “European Union Next Generation EU/PRTR”, the Regional Government of Castile and León (CSI144P20). J.P.L. and P.L.S. are supported by the Carlos III Health Institute (PIE14/00066). AGN laboratory and human patients’ studies are supported by an ISCIII project grant (PI18/01242). The Human Genotyping unit is a member of CeGen, PRB3, and is supported by grant PT17/0019 of the PE I + D + i 2013–2016, funded by ISCIII and ERDF. SCLl is supported by MINECO/FEDER research grants (RTI2018-094130-B-100). CH was supported by the Department of Defense (DoD) BCRP, No. BC190820; and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), No. R01CA184476. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is a multi-program national laboratory operated by the University of California for the DOE under contract DE AC02-05CH11231. The Proteomics Unit belongs to ProteoRed, PRB3-ISCIII, supported by grant PT17/0019/0023 of the PE I + D +i, 2017–2020, funded by ISCIII and FEDER. RCC is funded by fellowships from the Spanish Regional Government of Castile and León. NGS is a recipient of an FPU fellowship (MINECO/FEDER). hiPSC-CM studies were funded in part by the “la Caixa” Banking Foundation under the project code HR18-00304 and a Severo Ochoa CNIC Intramural Project (Exp. 12-2016 IGP) to J.J.S

Impacto de la implementación del aprendizaje basado en problemas en combinación con las prácticas de laboratorio clínico y virtual de Fisiopatología para el desarrollo de competencias profesionales

Sección Deptal. de Fisiología (Farmacia)Fac. de FarmaciaFALSEsubmitte

Los equipamientos sociales en la periferia de Córdoba. Análisis arquitectónico - constructivo. Criterios para su diseño.

Ponencia presentada en el XXXVI Encuentro y XIX Congreso ARQUISUR. Ciudades Vulnerables. Proyecto e Incertidumbre. La Plata, Buenos Aires. 2015Esta investigación comprende el estudio de los equipamientos sociales; en sus aspectos de diseño arquitectónico-constructivo, localizados en áreas periféricas ?en contextos ambientalmente degradados- que dan respuesta a necesidades sociales tales como: alimentación, salud, educación, recreación. Ésta se desarrolla como parte del proyecto aprobado por la Secretaria de Ciencia y Técnica de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Resolución No 203/2014- Equipamientos sociales en áreas ambientalmente degradadas. Criterios para su diseño y planificación. Estudio de casos en Córdoba. En esta presentación se profundizan aspectos de arquitectura y construcciones.Fil: Martínez, Mónica Susana. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Investigación en Vivienda y Hábitat; ArgentinaFil: Guzzetti, Celia Susana. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Investigación en Vivienda y Hábitat; ArgentinaFil: Dalvit, Emilse Vanina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Investigación en Vivienda y Hábitat; ArgentinaFil: Duboue, Víctor. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Investigación en Vivienda y Hábitat; ArgentinaFil: Copertari, F. Santiago. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Investigación en Vivienda y Hábitat; ArgentinaFil: Angueira Prieto, Manuel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Investigación en Vivienda y Hábitat; ArgentinaFil: Moreyra, Martín. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Investigación en Vivienda y Hábitat; ArgentinaFil: Aguirre, María Luján. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Investigación en Vivienda y Hábitat; ArgentinaFil: Baigorria, Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Investigación en Vivienda y Hábitat; ArgentinaFil: Mattana, María Agustina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Investigación en Vivienda y Hábitat; ArgentinaFil: Damiani, Mercedes. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Investigación en Vivienda y Hábitat; ArgentinaFil: Dosio, W. Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Investigación en Vivienda y Hábitat; ArgentinaFil: Fernández Maidana, Marina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Investigación en Vivienda y Hábitat; ArgentinaFil: Maglione, E. David. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Investigación en Vivienda y Hábitat; ArgentinaFil: Fraticelli, Guido. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño. Instituto de Investigación en Vivienda y Hábitat; ArgentinaDiseño Arquitectónic

Twitter as a Tool for Teaching and Communicating Microbiology: The #microMOOCSEM Initiative

Online social networks are increasingly used by the population on a daily basis. They are considered a powerful tool for science communication and their potential as educational tools is emerging. However, their usefulness in academic practice is still a matter of debate. Here, we present the results of our pioneering experience teaching a full Basic Microbiology course via Twitter (#microMOOCSEM), consisting of 28 lessons of 40-45 minutes duration each, at a tweet per minute rate during 10 weeks. Lessons were prepared by 30 different lecturers, covering most basic areas in Microbiology and some monographic topics of general interest (malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, etc.). Data analysis on the impact and acceptance of the course were largely affirmative, promoting a 330% enhancement in the followers and a >350-fold increase of the number of visits per month to the Twitter account of the host institution, the Spanish Society for Microbiology. Almost one third of the course followers were located overseas. Our study indicates that Massive Online Open Courses (MOOC) via Twitter are highly dynamic, interactive, and accessible to great audiences, providing a valuable tool for social learning and communicating science. This strategy attracts the interest of students towards particular topics in the field, efficiently complementing customary academic activities, especially in multidisciplinary areas like Microbiology.Versión del edito