Are there any completely sterile organs or tissues in the human body? Is there any sacred place?

The human microbiome comprises an ample set of organisms that inhabit and interact within the human body, contributing both positively and negatively to our health. In recent years, several research groups have described the presence of microorganisms in organs or tissues traditionally considered as ‘sterile’ under healthy and pathological conditions. In this sense, microorganisms have been detected in several types of cancer, including those in ‘sterile’ organs. But how can the presence of microorganisms be detected? In most studies, 16S and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing has led to the identification of prokaryotes and fungi. However, a major limitation of this technique is that it cannot distinguish between living and dead organisms. RNA-based methods have been proposed to overcome this limitation, as the shorter half-life of the RNA would identify only the transcriptionally active microorganisms, although perhaps not all the viable ones. In this sense, metaproteomic techniques or the search for molecular metabolic signatures could be interesting alternatives for the identification of living microorganisms. In summary, new technological advances are challenging the notion of ‘sterile’ organs in our body. However, to date, evidence for a structured living microbiome in most of these organs is scarce or non-existent. The implementation of new technological approaches will be necessary to fully understand the importance of the microbiome in these organs, which could pave the way for the development of a wide range of new therapeutic strategies

Evaluation of the Feasibility of a Two-Week Course of Aquatic Therapy and Thalassotherapy in a Mild Post-Stroke Population

Strokes are a leading cause of disability in developed countries. Patients with disabilities need rehabilitation to improve their physical functioning, mental status, and quality of life. Currently, no high-quality evidence can be found attesting the benefits of any of the interventions that are nowadays used. Water-based exercise may improve the physical conditions and quality of life of people in the post-stroke phase. The objective of this study is to test whether aquatic therapy in an enriched environment at the seaside (a thalassotherapy center) could play a role in this condition. A quasi-experimental prospective study consisting of a specific program assessed 62 patients with a mild-moderate disability pre- and post-2 weeks of intensive treatment. They followed a thalassotherapy regimen including aquatic therapy in a sea water pool at 32-34 degrees C for 45 min daily five times a week. The outcomes measured were the Berg Balance scale, the Timed Up and Go test, the 10-meter walking test, the 6-min walking test, the Pain Visual Analogue Scale, the WHO Well-being index, EuroQoL VAS and EuroQoL 5D. We observed a significant improvement in all outcomes measured (p < 0.001, except mobility EuroQoL p < 0.05), except in the other four dimensions of the EuroQoL 5D and 10-metre walking test (NS). Conclusion: A two-week intensive course of aquatic therapy and thalassotherapy may be beneficial in the short term by reducing pain and improving the functional status and overall well-being of post-stroke patients

Viruses: Friends or foes.

Importance of viruses for biotechnological processes

Are there any completely sterile organs or tissues in the human body? Is there any sacred place?

Abstract The human microbiome comprises an ample set of organisms that inhabit and interact within the human body, contributing both positively and negatively to our health. In recent years, several research groups have described the presence of microorganisms in organs or tissues traditionally considered as ‘sterile’ under healthy and pathological conditions. In this sense, microorganisms have been detected in several types of cancer, including those in ‘sterile’ organs. But how can the presence of microorganisms be detected? In most studies, 16S and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing has led to the identification of prokaryotes and fungi. However, a major limitation of this technique is that it cannot distinguish between living and dead organisms. RNA‐based methods have been proposed to overcome this limitation, as the shorter half‐life of the RNA would identify only the transcriptionally active microorganisms, although perhaps not all the viable ones. In this sense, metaproteomic techniques or the search for molecular metabolic signatures could be interesting alternatives for the identification of living microorganisms. In summary, new technological advances are challenging the notion of ‘sterile’ organs in our body. However, to date, evidence for a structured living microbiome in most of these organs is scarce or non‐existent. The implementation of new technological approaches will be necessary to fully understand the importance of the microbiome in these organs, which could pave the way for the development of a wide range of new therapeutic strategies

Biopatología eritrocítica en la hipoxemia arterial sistémica crónica de la obstrucción crónica al flujo aéreo

Univ. de Granada. Leída 198

Estimación de la prevalencia de hipotiroidismo según diferentes métodos: dosis diaria definida, dosis diaria prescrita y registro de pacientes en tratamiento

Background: Hypothyroidism (HT) is a common condition in clinical practice. There is a paucity of recent data on its prevalence in Spain, suggesting the need for an updated estimate and therefore the aim of this study was to determine its prevalence in the province of Cádiz. Methods: We obtained data relative to medical prescriptions for group H03AA drugs issued in primary care centers attached to the Andalusian Health Service in the province of Cadiz in 2012. Prevalence was estimated on the basis of the defined daily dose (DDD), the prescribed daily dose (DDP) and treated patient records (TPR). We present the estimated prevalence and odds ratio by gender, with a confidence interval of 95%. Results: Prevalence of HT in 2012 in the population aged 15 years and over in the province of Cadiz was 1.36% (CI95: 1.33%-1.38%) based on DDD; 2.60% (CI95: 2.54%-2.66%) based on DDP; and 3.10% (CI95: 2.85%-2.93%) based on TPR. Median age was 56 years (IQR: 43 to 68). Prevalence (TPR) by gender was 0.75% in men and 5.36% in women [OR 7.26 (CI95: 7.02-7.52)]. The greatest prevalence, 9.35%, was found in the group of women aged 51 to 70 years. Conclusions: Prevalence of HT in Cadiz is high, mainly affects women. Current prescribing systems allowed us to obtain TPRs, which have been shown to be a more valuable tool than DDDs for estimating HT prevalence.Fundamentos: El hipotiroidismo (HT) es una patología frecuente en la práctica clínica diaria. No existen datos recientes sobre su prevalencia en España. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer su prevalencia en la provincia de Cádiz. Métodos: Se estudió el consumo del grupo terapéutico H03AA realizado en receta oficial por las unidades de Atención Primaria (AP) de Cádiz, durante el año 2012. La prevalencia se estimó mediante tres métodos: la Dosis Diaria Definida (DDD), la Dosis Diaria Prescrita (DDP) y el Registro Pacientes en Tratamiento (RPT). Los resultados se presentaron según sexo y edad con intervalos de confianza del 95%. Resultados: La prevalencia de HT durante 2012 en población mayor de 15 años de la provincia fue del 1,36% (IC95: 1,33%-1,38%) mediante DDD, del 2,60% (IC95: 2,54%-2,66%) mediante DDP y del 3,10% (IC95: 2,85%-2,93%) mediante RPT. La mediana de edad fue de 56 años (rango intercuartílico 43 a 68 años). La prevalencia (RPT) por sexo fue de 0,75% en hombres y 5,36% en mujeres [OR 7,26 (IC95: 7,02-7,52)], siendo del 9,35% la correspondiente a mujeres de 51 a 70 años. Conclusiones: El método de estimación por RPTdemuestra ser una herramienta más válida que el método DDD para evaluar la prevalencia de HT. El HT muestra, en nuestra provincia una prevalencia elevada con mayor afectación del sexo femenino