Life Satisfaction and Character Strengths in Women With Breast Cancer: Zest and Hope as Predictors.

Background:Empirical evidence shows that life satisfaction is positively related to character strengths, and although this association has been observed in different populations, it is scarce in breast cancer patients. This study analyzes the relationship between character strengths and life satisfaction in Spanish women diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods:A sample of 117 women completed the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Spanish version of the VIA Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS). Correlation analysis and regression modeling were performed to determine which strengths predict life satisfaction. Results:The results of the correlation analysis showed that 15 strengths were positively and significantly associated with life satisfaction, with the highest correlations corresponding to zest, hope, curiosity, social intelligence, love, gratitude, and judgment. Regression modeling indicated that of these, zest and hope were key strengths for predicting life satisfaction. Conclusions:These findings suggest that intervention programs based on the development of zest and hope could help to improve life satisfaction and, therefore, the psychological well-being of women with breast cancer.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was supported Grupo de investigación consolidado CTS 110, Junta de Andalucí

Acerca del movimiento de reconceptualización

Analiza el Movimiento de Reconceptualización, desarrollando brevemente una suerte de balance de las influencias recibidas, de sus aportes y limitaciones, rescatando la importancia de este proceso para perfilar un nuevo tipo de Trabajo Social, ligado a los intereses estratégicos de los sectores más vulnerados de la población en consonancia con un enfoque de defensa, promoción, protección y exigibilidad de los derechos humanos. Concluye con una reflexión acerca de los desafíos para la formación profesional

La comprensión de las Organizaciones productoras de servicios sociales desde el paradigma de los sistemas complejos

English abstractResumen en españo

Riesgo epidemiológico para leptospirosis en un barrio de la ciudad de La Plata

La leptospirosis constituye una zoonosis de distribución mundial causada por distintas especies patógenas del género Leptospira. Los roedores se consideran el principal reservorio y los caninos tienen una importancia epidemiológica sustancial, debido a su estrecho contacto con el grupo familiar. El presente proyecto se implementó conjuntamente con la Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria para la vigilancia de leptospirosis en un barrio de nuestra ciudad.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

P53 in Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma : A Pattern-Based Immunohistochemical Framework with Molecular Correlation

Penile squamous cell carcinomas harbouring mutations of TP53 have an increased risk of lymph node metastases and an impaired prognosis, but the mutational analysis of the TP53 gene is not available in many pathology laboratories. Although p53 immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been proposed as an alternative to the molecular analysis, the current method of evaluation of p53 IHC has many inaccuracies. The aim of our study was to determine, in a series of 40 penile tumours, if a recently described pattern-based framework of p53 IHC evaluation correlates better than the classical method with the TP53 mutational status. Our results show that the new method has a very good correlation with TP53 mutations (95% sensitivity; 92% specificity), higher than that of the classical method, and can be considered as a reliable surrogate of the TP53 mutational status. This new framework can help clinicians to better define risk groups and refine treatment strategies. p53 immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been proposed as a surrogate for TP53 mutations in penile squamous cell carcinomas (PSCC). We aimed to evaluate the performance of a pattern-based evaluation of p53 IHC in PSCC. Human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA testing, p16 and p53 IHC, and whole exome sequencing were performed in a series of 40 PSCC. p53 IHC was evaluated following a pattern-based framework and conventional p53 IHC evaluation. Out of 40 PSCC, 12 (30.0%) were HPV-associated, and 28 (70.0%) were HPV-independent. The agreement between the p53 IHC pattern-based evaluation and TP53 mutational status was almost perfect (k = 0.85). The sensitivity and accuracy of the pattern-based framework for identifying TP53 mutations were 95.5% and 92.5%, respectively, which were higher than the values of conventional p53 IHC interpretation (54.5% and 70.0%, respectively), whereas the specificity was the same (88.9%). In conclusions, the pattern-based framework improves the accuracy of detecting TP53 mutations in PSCC compared to the classical p53 IHC evaluation

Development of anatomic models through plastination techniques as an alternative to the use of animals in teaching and as an essential resource in the teaching-learning process

La implantación del principio de las 3Rs (Reducción, Refinamiento y Reemplazo), descritas por Russell y Burch en 1959, fue el punto de partida de numerosos cambios en la utilización de los animales, tanto en el ámbito de la investigación como de la docencia. Por tanto, es necesario ir propiciando el empleo de alternativas y que el profesorado disponga de recursos y de una buena información. Este proyecto se propone como objetivo esencial la elaboración de modelos animales mediante técnicas de plastinación como recurso docente alternativo al uso de animales vivos, y proporcionando al profesorado la disposición de medios y recursos esenciales en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje del alumnado. Los alumnos podrán disponer de una variedad de modelos animales en las sesiones prácticas, y/o teórico/prácticas de las distintas disciplinas en las que sea necesario el uso de animales. Podrán trabajar con un modelo fiel al original sin necesidad de utilizar modelos vivos y podrán desarrollar las distintas técnicas y procedimientos que realizarían in vivo sin necesidad de generar un estrés innecesario a los animales por su manejo por personal aún no capacitado para ello, evitando situaciones que hagan peligrar el bienestar animal (RD 53/2003). El desarrollo de estos modelos plastinados supondrá recurso docente esencial para la adquisición de las habilidades específicas en distintas disciplinas Biomédicas que conlleven el uso de animales, tales como los Grados en Veterinaria, Biología, Medicina, Enfermería, etc.The implementation of the 3Rs principles (Reduction, Refinement and Replacement), described by Russell and Burch in 1959, was the starting point of numerous changes in the use of animals in the fields of research and teaching. Therefore, it is necessary to foster the use of alternative methods and provide teachers with resources and good information. This project aims to develop animal models through the application of plastination techniques as an alternative teaching resource to the use of animals. In this way, the project aims to provide teaching staff with tools and resources that are essential in the teaching-learning process. The students will be able to use a variety of animal models in practical and/or theoretical-practical sessions of the different subject areas, in which the use of animals is necessary. They will be able to work with animal models that are similar to the original, while avoiding the use of animals. Moreover, they will be able to learn and practice different techniques and procedures that they would carry out in vivo, without generating unnecessary stress to the animals caused by their management by untrained personnel. This approach is therefore in full conformity with existing animal welfare regulations (i.e. RD 53/2003). Plastinated models will become a an essential teaching resource for the acquisition of the specific skills in different Biomedical and Science disciplines that involve the use of animals, such as Veterinary Science, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, etc

Rhizobium Promotes Non-Legumes Growth and Quality in Several Production Steps: Towards a Biofertilization of Edible Raw Vegetables Healthy for Humans

The biofertilization of crops with plant-growth-promoting microorganisms is currently considered as a healthy alternative to chemical fertilization. However, only microorganisms safe for humans can be used as biofertilizers, particularly in vegetables that are raw consumed, in order to avoid sanitary problems derived from the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the final products. In the present work we showed that Rhizobium strains colonize the roots of tomato and pepper plants promoting their growth in different production stages increasing yield and quality of seedlings and fruits. Our results confirmed those obtained in cereals and alimentary oil producing plants extending the number of non-legumes susceptible to be biofertilized with rhizobia to those whose fruits are raw consumed. This is a relevant conclusion since safety of rhizobia for human health has been demonstrated after several decades of legume inoculation ensuring that they are optimal bacteria for biofertilization

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Spread of a SARS-CoV-2 variant through Europe in the summer of 2020

[EN] Following its emergence in late 2019, the spread of SARS-CoV-21,2 has been tracked by phylogenetic analysis of viral genome sequences in unprecedented detail3,4,5. Although the virus spread globally in early 2020 before borders closed, intercontinental travel has since been greatly reduced. However, travel within Europe resumed in the summer of 2020. Here we report on a SARS-CoV-2 variant, 20E (EU1), that was identified in Spain in early summer 2020 and subsequently spread across Europe. We find no evidence that this variant has increased transmissibility, but instead demonstrate how rising incidence in Spain, resumption of travel, and lack of effective screening and containment may explain the variant’s success. Despite travel restrictions, we estimate that 20E (EU1) was introduced hundreds of times to European countries by summertime travellers, which is likely to have undermined local efforts to minimize infection with SARS-CoV-2. Our results illustrate how a variant can rapidly become dominant even in the absence of a substantial transmission advantage in favourable epidemiological settings. Genomic surveillance is critical for understanding how travel can affect transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and thus for informing future containment strategies as travel resumes.S

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio