3D Printed Porous Polyamide Macrocapsule Combined with Alginate Microcapsules for Safer Cell-Based Therapies

Cell microencapsulation is an attractive strategy for cell-based therapies that allows the implantation of genetically engineered cells and the continuous delivery of de novo produced therapeutic products. However, the establishment of a way to retrieve the implanted encapsulated cells in case the treatment needs to be halted or when cells need to be renewed is still a big challenge. The combination of micro and macroencapsulation approaches could provide the requirements to achieve a proper immunoisolation, while maintaining the cells localized into the body. We present the development and characterization of a porous implantable macrocapsule device for the loading of microencapsulated cells. The device was fabricated in polyamide by selective laser sintering (SLS), with controlled porosity defined by the design and the sintering conditions. Two types of microencapsulated cells were tested in order to evaluate the suitability of this device; erythropoietin (EPO) producing C2C12 myoblasts and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) producing BHK fibroblasts. Results showed that, even if the metabolic activity of these cells decreased over time, the levels of therapeutic protein that were produced and, importantly, released to the media were stable.This work was done under the BIOPAN project (CIBER-BBN). Authors wish to thank the intellectual and technical assistance from the ICTS "NANBIOSIS", more specifically by the Drug Formulation Unit (U10) and the Micro-Nano Technology Unit (U8) of the CIBER in Bioengineering, Biomaterials & Nanomedicine (CIBERBBN). Also, they thank the support to research on cell microencapsulation from the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU (EHUA 16/06) and the Basque Country Government (Grupos Consolidados, No ref: IT907-16). The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO) (Spain) through Ramon y Cajal program (RYC-2013-14479). This work has made use of the Spanish ICTS Network MICRONANOFABS partially supported by MINECO

Effect of β-Glucans in Diets on Growth, Survival, Digestive Enzyme Activity, and Immune System and Intestinal Barrier Gene Expression for Tropical Gar (Atractosteus tropicus) Juveniles

The application of β-1,3/1,6-glucan derived from yeast at five concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%) in formulated diets was evaluated in juveniles for its effects on the growth, survival, digestive enzymatic activity, and expression of genes associated with the immune system (interlukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor (TGF), occludin (OCC), mucin2 (MUC2), lysozyme (LYS), and nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2)) in tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus). For the experiment, three replicates of 30 fish per experimental unit (70 L) were cultivated for 62 days. The growth results showed no statistically significant differences in relation to weight and total length between treatments. The activity of digestive enzymes (alkaline proteases, trypsin, leucine aminopeptidase, and amylase) did not show significant differences between treatments, except for chymotrypsin activity, where fish fed 1.0% and 1.5% of β-glucans showed higher activities compared with the rest of the treatments. On the other hand, the analysis of gene expression did not show significant differences between treatments, although a tendency of increase in the expression of IL-10, TGF, MUC2, and OCC was observed with an addition of 1.5% of the prebiotic, but there was a decrease in the fish fed with 2% of the prebiotic. It is possible to include concentrations of between 0.5% and 1.5% of β-glucans in the diets for A. tropicus, with no detectable adverse effects on growth, survival, digestive enzyme activity, or specific gene expression. β-glucan 1,3/1,6 added at 1.0% and 1.5% in the diet significantly increases chymotrypsin activity.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluation of Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) in balanced diets for tropical gar juveniles (Atractosteus tropicus)

Antecedentes: Los prebióticos son polisacáridos no digestibles por el huésped, pero, por otro lado, son los encargados de estimular la actividad de microorganismos benéficos en el sistema digestivo, lo que puede maximizar la ganancia en peso, la conversión alimenticia y la activación de la respuesta inmune. Los oligosacáridos de manano (MOS) han sido evaluados en varias especies de peces de importancia comercial. Objetivos: Determinar el efecto de diferentes niveles de MOS integrados en dietas balanceadas para juveniles de Atractosteus tropicus sobre el crecimiento, parámetros productivos, supervivencia, índices somáticos y actividad de enzimas digestivas. Métodos: Se evaluaron por triplicado seis dietas experimentales con inclusión de MOS (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 y 0.8%) y una dieta control de trucha (DC) durante 62 días. Se distribuyeron 180 juveniles (5.11 ± 0.08 g) en un sistema de recirculación con 18 tanques de 70 L con flujo de 10 L min-1. Resultados: La supervivencia en todos los tratamientos fue superior al 96%. La dieta 0.2% de MOS presentó los valores más altos en peso ganado (WG), tasa específica de crecimiento (SGR) y tasa de eficiencia proteínica (PER), y el menor valor en tasa de conversión alimenticia (FCR). El índice hepatosomático (HSI) fue mayor para el tratamiento 0.4%, mientras que el índice viscerosomático fue mayor para los tratamientos 0.4% y 0.6%. Todas las actividades enzimáticas determinadas mostraron diferencias entre tratamientos (proteasa ácida, proteasa alcalina, tripsina, quimotripsina, leucina aminopeptidasa, carboxipeptidasas, lipasas, α-amilasa, fosfatasas ácidas y fosfatasas alcalinas). Conclusiones: La suplementación de 0.2% de MOS en dietas para juveniles de A. tropicus genera beneficios en el crecimiento y el rendimiento productivo. La inclusión de MOS en dietas para juveniles de A. tropicus modifica los índices somáticos y la actividad de enzimas digestivas en juveniles.Background: Prebiotics are polysaccharides that cannot be digested by the host; however, they generate benefits by stimulating the activity of beneficial microorganisms in the digestive system, which can maximize weight gain, feed conversion, and stimulate the immune response. Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) have been evaluated in several fish species of commercial importance. Goals: Determine inclusion effects of different MOS levels in balanced diets for juveniles of Atractosteus tropicus on the growth, productive parameters, survival, somatic indexes, and activity of digestive enzymes. Methods: Six experimental diets including MOS (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8%) and a trout control diet (DC) were designed, manufactured, and evaluated in triplicate during 62 days. A hundred and eighty juveniles (5.11 ± 0.08 g) were distributed in a recirculation system with 18 tanks of 70 L with a flow of 10 L min-1. Results: The 0.2% MOS diet produced the highest values in weight gained (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and protein efficiency rate (PER) and the lowest value in feed conversion rate (FCR). Survival in all treatments was greater than 96%. The hepatosomatic index was higher for the 0.4% treatment, while the viscerosomatic index was higher for the 0.4% and 0.6% treatments. All the enzymatic activities (acid protease, alkaline protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, leucine aminopeptidase, carboxypeptidases, lipases, α-amylase, acid phosphatases, and alkaline phosphatases) showed significant differences by the inclusion of MOS in the diet. Conclusions: Supplementation of 0.2% MOS in diets for juveniles of A. tropicus, generates benefits in growth and productive performance. The inclusion of MOS in diets for juveniles of A. tropicus modifies somatic indices and the activity of digestive enzymes of juveniles.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluation of the Spanish population coverage of a prospective HLA haplobank of induced pluripotent stem cells

Background: iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cells) banks of iPSC lines with homozygous HLA (human leukocyte antigen) haplotypes (haplobanks) are proposed as an affordable and off-the-shelf approach to allogeneic transplantation of iPSC derived cell therapies. Cord blood banks offer an extensive source of HLA-typed cells suitable for reprogramming to iPSC. Several initiatives worldwide have been undertaken to create national and international iPSC haplobanks that match a significant part of a population. Methods: To create an iPSC haplobank that serves the Spanish population (IPS-PANIA), we have searched the Spanish Bone Marrow Donor Registry (REDMO) to identify the most frequently estimated haplotypes. From the top ten donors identified, we estimated the population coverage using the criteria of zero mismatches in HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 with different stringencies: high resolution, low resolution, and beneficial mismatch. Results: We have calculated that ten cord blood units from homozygous donors stored at the Spanish cord blood banks can provide HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 matching for 28.23% of the population. Conclusion: We confirm the feasibility of using banked cord blood units to create an iPSC haplobank that will cover a significant percentage of the Spanish and international population for future advanced therapy replacement strategies

Tradução e adaptação transcultural para a língua portuguesa da Cocaine Selective Severity Assessment

The objective of this study was to translate, to adapt culturally and to verify the semantic equivalence from english to portuguese of the Co­caine Selective Severity Assessment (CSSA), which evaluates the wi­thdrawal for cocaine. The CSSA was translated from English to Portu­guese, administered to 10 persons, and then submitted to brainstorming in a group of 3 psychiatrics for individual and verbal reproduction, item by item. Backtranslation was executed based on first translation and from brainstorming to the origin language. Then, it was translated again into Portuguese. The entire process was analyzed by a committee of psychiatrists with expertise in addiction, which emitted opinions and the pertinent comments. The scale in its general scope was well understood by both patients and professionals. Few changes were done from the first translation to final version in items 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 e 12. To the others items, the original translation was kept. Statements were added to the end of all items. Considering the opinions of the experts and a final pilot study, was constructed the final Brazilian version of the CSSA. Results indicated a satisfactory semantic equivalence between the two versions and so the CSSA may be helpful instrument in treating withdrawal of cocaine / crack.O objetivo deste estudo foi traduzir, adaptar culturalmente e verificar a equivalência semântica do inglês para o português da escala Cocaine Selective Severity Assessment (CSSA), a qual avalia a abstinência de co­caína. A CSSA foi traduzida do inglês para o português, aplicada em 10 pacientes e submetida ao brainstorming em um grupo de 3 psiquiatras para reprodução individual e verbal, item a item. Foi realizada a retrotradução (backtrans­lation) da primeira tradução e do brainstorming, sendo realizada nova tradução para o português. Todo o processo foi analisado por um comitê de psiquiatras com experiência em toxicomania, os quais emitiram pareceres com as observações pertinentes. A escala, em seu âmbito geral, foi bem compreendida pelos pacientes e profissionais. Pou­cas mudanças foram feitas da primeira tradução até a versão final nos itens 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 e 12. Para os demais itens, a tradução original foi mantida. Sentenças foram adicionadas ao final de todos os itens. Considerando os pareceres dos especialistas e um último estudo piloto, construiu-se a versão final brasileira da CSSA. Os resultados indicaram uma equivalência semântica satisfatória entre as versões, podendo a CSSA ser um instrumento útil no tratamento de abstinência de cocaína/crack

The Quaternary Active Faults Database of Iberia (QAFI v.2.0)

The Quaternary Active Faults Database of Iberia (QAFI) is an initiative lead by the Institute of Geology and Mines of Spain (IGME) for building a public repository of scientific data regarding faults having documented activity during the last 2.59 Ma (Quaternary). QAFI also addresses a need to transfer geologic knowledge to practitioners of seismic hazard and risk in Iberia by identifying and characterizing seismogenic fault-sources. QAFI is populated by the information freely provided by more than 40 Earth science researchers, storing to date a total of 262 records. In this article we describe the development and evolution of the database, as well as its internal architecture. Aditionally, a first global analysis of the data is provided with a special focus on length and slip-rate fault parameters. Finally, the database completeness and the internal consistency of the data are discussed. Even though QAFI v.2.0 is the most current resource for calculating fault-related seismic hazard in Iberia, the database is still incomplete and requires further review

COVID-19 outbreaks in a transmission control scenario: challenges posed by social and leisure activities, and for workers in vulnerable conditions, Spain, early summer 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 community-wide transmission declined in Spain by early May 2020, being replaced by outbreaks and sporadic cases. From mid-June to 2 August, excluding single household outbreaks, 673 outbreaks were notified nationally, 551 active (>6,200 cases) at the time. More than half of these outbreaks and cases coincided with: (i) social (family/friends’ gatherings or leisure venues) and (ii) occupational (mainly involving workers in vulnerable conditions) settings. Control measures were accordingly applied

Revisión y Control del Plan de Vigilancia Ambiental de las obras de dragado del Puerto de Maó

Se integra información hidrográfica, geomorfológica, sedimentológica y biológica, para la caracterización de los ecosistemas marinos en el punto de vertido y área adyacente previa al inicio de las obras de dragado del Puerto de Maó.RESUMEN: En este documento se presentan los trabajos científicos realizados por el Instituto Español de Oceanografía, dentro del Plan de Vigilancia Ambiental del dragado del Puerto de Maó (Menorca, Islas Baleares), para la caracterización de los ecosistema marino en el punto de vertido y área adyacente, previa al inicio de las obras. Se incluyen los resultados y las conclusiones de los estudios realizados por diversos grupos de investigación, principalmente en Enero-Marzo 2014, en relación al fondo marino, la hidrodinámica, las praderas de Posidonia oceanica y el molusco bivalvo Pinna nobilis, el macro-bentos de los fondos circalitorales blandos y los contaminantes en agua, sedimentos y biota, así como en especies de interés comercial para el consumo humano. Este informe se contempla en el contrato entre la Autoridad Portuaria de Baleares y el Instituto Español de Oceanografía, suscrito el 5 Febrero 2014, para los trabajos de asistencia técnica para la revisión y control del Plan de Vigilancia Ambiental del dragado del Puerto de Maó.RESUM: En aquest document es presenten els treballs científics realitzats per l’Instituto Español de Oceanografía, dins del Pla de Vigilància Ambiental del dragat del Port de Maó (Menorca, Illes Balears), per a la caracterització dels ecosistemes marins en el punt de vessament i àrea adjacent, prèvia a l’inici de les obres. S’inclouen els resultats i les conclusions del estudis realitzats per diversos grups de recerca, principalment durant Gener-Març 2014, en relació al fons marí, la hidrodinàmica, les praderies de Posidonia oceanica i el mol•lusc bivalve Pinna nobilis, el macro-bentos dels fons circalitorals tous i els contaminants en aigua, sediments i biota, així com en espècies d’interès comercial pel consum humà. Aquest informe es contempla en el contracte entre l’Autoritat Portuària de Balears i el Instituto Español de Oceanografía, subscrit el 5 Febrer 2014, pels treballs d’assistència tècnica per a la revisió i control del Pla de Vigilància Ambiental del dragat de Port de Maó.ABSTRACT: This document presents the scientific actions developed by the Instituto Español de Oceanografía within the Environmental Monitoring Plan of the works of dredging the Port of Maó (Minorca, Balearic Islands), for the characterization of the marine ecosystems in the point of discharge of dredged material and adjacent area, before the beginning of the dredging. The results and conclusions of the studies developed by several research groups, mainly in January-March 2014, in relation to the bottom, hydrodynamics, Posidonia oceanica meadows, and the bivalve mollusc Pinna nobilis, the macro-benthos of the circalittoral soft bottoms and the contaminants in water, sediments and biota, as well as in commercial species for human consumption, are included. This report is contemplated within the contract between the Autoridad Portuaria de Baleares and the Instituto Español de Oceanografía, signed on 5 February 2014, for the technical assistance activities to review and control the Environmental Monitoring Plan of the works of dredging the Port of Maó.Autoridad Portuaria de Baleare

Effects of intubation timing in patients with COVID-19 throughout the four waves of the pandemic : a matched analysis

The primary aim of our study was to investigate the association between intubation timing and hospital mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19-associated respiratory failure. We also analysed both the impact of such timing throughout the first four pandemic waves and the influence of prior non-invasive respiratory support on outcomes. This is a secondary analysis of a multicentre, observational and prospective cohort study that included all consecutive patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19 from across 58 Spanish intensive care units (ICU) participating in the CIBERESUCICOVID project. The study period was between 29 February 2020 and 31 August 2021. Early intubation was defined as that occurring within the first 24 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Propensity score (PS) matching was used to achieve balance across baseline variables between the early intubation cohort and those patients who were intubated after the first 24 h of ICU admission. Differences in outcomes between early and delayed intubation were also assessed. We performed sensitivity analyses to consider a different timepoint (48 h from ICU admission) for early and delayed intubation. Of the 2725 patients who received invasive mechanical ventilation, a total of 614 matched patients were included in the analysis (307 for each group). In the unmatched population, there were no differences in mortality between the early and delayed groups. After PS matching, patients with delayed intubation presented higher hospital mortality (27.3% versus 37.1%, p =0.01), ICU mortality (25.7% versus 36.1%, p=0.007) and 90-day mortality (30.9% versus 40.2%, p=0.02) when compared to the early intubation group. Very similar findings were observed when we used a 48-hour timepoint for early or delayed intubation. The use of early intubation decreased after the first wave of the pandemic (72%, 49%, 46% and 45% in the first, second, third and fourth wave, respectively; first versus second, third and fourth waves p<0.001). In both the main and sensitivity analyses, hospital mortality was lower in patients receiving high-flow nasal cannula (n=294) who were intubated earlier. The subgroup of patients undergoing NIV (n=214) before intubation showed higher mortality when delayed intubation was set as that occurring after 48 h from ICU admission, but not when after 24 h. In patients with COVID-19 requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, delayed intubation was associated with a higher risk of hospital mortality. The use of early intubation significantly decreased throughout the course of the pandemic. Benefits of such an approach occurred more notably in patients who had received high-flow nasal cannul

Jardins per a la salut

Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona. Ensenyament: Grau de Farmàcia. Assignatura: Botànica farmacèutica. Curs: 2014-2015. Coordinadors: Joan Simon, Cèsar Blanché i Maria Bosch.Els materials que aquí es presenten són el recull de les fitxes botàniques de 128 espècies presents en el Jardí Ferran Soldevila de l’Edifici Històric de la UB. Els treballs han estat realitzats manera individual per part dels estudiants dels grups M-3 i T-1 de l’assignatura Botànica Farmacèutica durant els mesos de febrer a maig del curs 2014-15 com a resultat final del Projecte d’Innovació Docent «Jardins per a la salut: aprenentatge servei a Botànica farmacèutica» (codi 2014PID-UB/054). Tots els treballs s’han dut a terme a través de la plataforma de GoogleDocs i han estat tutoritzats pels professors de l’assignatura. L’objectiu principal de l’activitat ha estat fomentar l’aprenentatge autònom i col·laboratiu en Botànica farmacèutica. També s’ha pretès motivar els estudiants a través del retorn de part del seu esforç a la societat a través d’una experiència d’Aprenentatge-Servei, deixant disponible finalment el treball dels estudiants per a poder ser consultable a través d’una Web pública amb la possibilitat de poder-ho fer in-situ en el propi jardí mitjançant codis QR amb un smartphone