USO DE LA TÉCNICA DE EROSIÓN CATÓDICA EN EL RECUBRIMIENTO DE MATERIALES PARA APLICACIONES TECNOLÓGICAS

En este trabajo de investigación se presentan resultados experimentales de recubrimientos de materiales, que en la actualidad resultan atractivos para diferentes aplicaciones industriales. Consecuentemente, un estudio sistemático de recubrimientos multicapas del sistema CrAl/CrAlN fue llevado a cabo. Se depositaron los recubrimientos en sustratos de vidrio a partir de blancos de Cromo y Aluminio de alta pureza, usando la técnica de magnetrón sputtering. Las monocapas y las multicapas fueron estudiadas individualmente con la finalidad de obtener fases cristalinas estables a través de parámetros de depósito óptimos. La morfología y composición de las fases sintetizadas se analizaron mediante SEM y EDS, y a partir de ellas se obtuvo resultados previstos para la estructura cristalina de las películas. Este estudio, de acuerdo a los resultados preliminares obtenidos, constituye un indicador muy prometedor para potenciales aplicaciones industriales, especialmente en la industria de herramientas de corte

USO DE LA TÉCNICA DE MAGNETRON SPUTTERING EN EL RECUBRIMIENTO DE MATERIALES PARA APLICACIONES TECNOLÓGICAS

En este artículo se presentan resultados experimentales de recubrimientos de materiales que en la actualidad son atractivos para diferentes aplicaciones industriales, en este trabajo se presenta los primeros resultados de recubrimientos multicapas del sistema CrAI/CrAIN, los cuales fueron depositados en sustratos de vidrio a partir de blancos de Cromo y Aluminio de alta pureza, usando la técnica de magnetrón sputtering. Las monocapas y las multicapas fueron estudiadas individualmente con la finalidad de obtener fases cristalinas estables a través de parámetros de depósito óptimos. La morfología y composición de las fases sintetizadas fueron analizadas mediante SEM (Microscopia Electrónica de Barrido) y EDS (Espectroscopia de Electrones Secundarios), obteniéndose resultados previstos para la estructura cristalina de las películas. Este estudio de acuerdo a los resultados preliminares obtenidos constituye un indicador muy prometedor para potenciales aplicaciones industriales, especialmente en la industria de herramientas de corte

Targeted gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for CD163 detection in atherosclerosis by MRI

CD163 is a membrane receptor expressed by macrophage lineage. Studies performed in atherosclerosis have shown that CD163 expression is increased at inflammatory sites, pointing at the presence of intraplaque hemorrhagic sites or asymptomatic plaques. Hence, imaging of CD163 expressing macrophages is an interesting strategy in order to detect atherosclerotic plaques. We have prepared a targeted probe based on gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles vectorized with an anti-CD163 antibody for the specific detection of CD163 by MRI. Firstly, the specificity of the targeted probe was validated in vitro by incubation of the probe with CD163(+) or (−) macrophages. The probe was able to selectively detect CD163(+) macrophages both in human and murine cells. Subsequently, the targeted probe was injected in 16 weeks old apoE deficient mice developing atherosclerotic lesions and the pararenal abdominal aorta was imaged by MRI. The accumulation of probe in the site of interest increased over time and the signal intensity decreased significantly 48 hours after the injection. Hence, we have developed a highly sensitive targeted probe capable of detecting CD163-expressing macrophages that could provide useful information about the state of the atheromatous lesionsThis work was funded by Spanish Government through a Plan Nacional (CTQ2011–27268), FEDER funds through the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (PI10/00072, PI13/00051, PI13/00395, PI13/00802, PI14/00883 and PI14/00386), CIBERDEM group, RETICS RD12/0042/0038, Programa Miguel Servet (CP10/00479) and cvREMOD CENIT project (CEN-20091044), the Basque Government through Etortek 2011 (IE11–301), and Fundacion Lilly, Spanish Society of Atherosclerosis, Spanish Society of Nephrology and Fundacion Renal Iñigo Alvarez de Toled

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Epidemiology and Oral Public Health (SESPO) for the healthcare adaptation of public health dental clinics in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic and, a few days later, the Spanish Government declared a State of Emergency and the population lockdown. This crisis situation crisis forced deep changes in health care. A

Delivery of Health Care by Spanish Dental Hygienists in Private and Public Dental Services during the COVID-19 De-Escalation Phase (June 2020): A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain posed a major challenge for Spanish dental professionals. The objective of this work is to describe the dental hygienists’ work status and employment patterns during the de-escalation phase in order to analyse the standards of knowledge, compliance with official recommendations, and dental activities both in the public health service and in the private sector. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was answered by Spanish dental hygienists via WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. The questionnaire was piloted before it was distributed and carried out during June 2020. Results: Here, 517 dental hygienists were surveyed, of which 86.2% followed the official recommendations to avoid contagion and 63.8% agreed with the gradual return to work by limiting the use of aerosols. Private dental hygienists identified more with returning to work without restrictions (14.5%) versus those working for the public service (1.2%) (p < 0.005). Conclusions: Dental hygienists’ return to work has involved different strategies, aimed at controlling infection and guaranteeing the safety of patients and the rest of the dental team. The availability of personal protective equipment, the adaptation of clinical infrastructure, and patient care management have differed between professionals working in the private and public sectors

Plasma Molecular Signatures in Hypertensive Patients With Renin-Angiotensin System Suppression: New Predictors of Renal Damage and De Novo Albuminuria Indicators

Albuminuria is a risk factor strongly associated with cardiovascular disease, the first cause of death in the general population. It is well established that renin-angiotensin system suppressors prevent the development of new-onset albuminuria in naïf hypertensive patients and diminish its excretion, but we cannot forget the percentage of hypertensive patients who develop de novo albuminuria. Here, we applied multiple proteomic strategy with the purpose to elucidate specific molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis and provide predictors and chronic organ damage indicators. Briefly, 1143 patients were followed up for a minimum period of 3 years. One hundred and twenty-nine hypertensive patients chronically renin-angiotensin system suppressed were recruited, classified in 3 different groups depending on their albuminuria levels (normoalbuminuria, de novo albuminuria, and sustained albuminuria), and investigated by multiple proteomic strategies. Our strategy allowed us to perform one of the deepest plasma proteomic analysis to date, which has shown 2 proteomic signatures: (1) with predictive value of de novo albuminuria and (2) sustained albuminuria indicator proteins. These proteins are involved in inflammation, immune as well as in the proteasome activation occurring in situations of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Furthermore, these results open the possibility of a future strategy based on anti-immune therapy to treat hypertension which could help to prevent the development of albuminuria and, hence, the progression of kidney damage.N

Heterozygous and Homozygous Variants in SORL1 Gene in Alzheimer's Disease Patients: Clinical, Neuroimaging and Neuropathological Findings

In the last few years, the SORL1 gene has been strongly implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We performed whole-exome sequencing on 37 patients with early-onset dementia or family history suggestive of autosomal dominant dementia. Data analysis was based on a custom panel that included 46 genes related to AD and dementia. SORL1 variants were present in a high proportion of patients with candidate variants (15%, 3/20). We expand the clinical manifestations associated with the SORL1 gene by reporting detailed clinical and neuroimaging findings of six unrelated patients with AD and SORL1 mutations. We also present for the first time a patient with the homozygous truncating variant c.364C>T (p.R122*) in SORL1, who also had severe cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Furthermore, we report neuropathological findings and immunochemistry assays from one patient with the splicing variant c.4519+5G>A in the SORL1 gene, in which AD was confirmed by neuropathological examination. Our results highlight the heterogeneity of clinical presentation and familial dementia background of SORL1-associated AD and suggest that SORL1 might be contributing to AD development as a risk factor gene rather than as a major autosomal dominant gene.This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI17/01067) and AGAUR from the Autonomous Catalan Government (2017SGR1134). Dr. Víctor Antonio Blanco-Palmero is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII, Spanish Biomedical Research Institute) through a “Río Hortega” contract (CM18/0095). Dr. Sara Llamas-Velasco is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII; Spanish Biomedical Research Institute) through a “Juan Rodés” contract (JR 18/00046).S

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

MAREJADAS RURALES Y LUCHA POR LA VIDA, VOL. I:CONSTRUCCIÓN SOCIOCULTURAL Y ECONÓMICA DEL CAMPO.

Este volumen incluye trabajos que abordan temáticas que demuestran que el campo es una construcción sociocultural, por lo tanto, el medio rural es diferenciado y está en constante cambio y adaptación a los procesos globales y locales. Son 19 trabajos divididos en dos secciones, la primera, denominada Nuevas dinámicas sociales, económicas y culturales en el medio rural, está compuesta por 8 capítulos, en esta sección se incluyen aquellos trabajos que analizan de manera concreta los cambios perceptibles en las relaciones rurales y en las actividades económicas; procesos como desagrarización y nuevas actividades económicas son abordados aquí, así como propuestas metodológicas para el estudio de lo rural considerando los cambios y adaptaciones que se registran en los territorios. La segunda sección, Resistencias y alternativas al modelo neoliberal en la producción agrícola y alimentaria, está integrada por 11 trabajos que abordan las diversas formas en que los campesinos y productores agrícolas resisten y se adaptan a los cambios globales y a las modificaciones de política pública, desde los mercados alternativos hasta la producción de nuevos cultivos que generan un mercado nuevo a su producción, hasta las resistencias y defensa de la milpa, las reflexiones que nos ofrecen dan idea de la diversidad de formas en que la vida campesina se mantiene a pesar de todos los embates.INSTITUTO DE CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y RURALES (ICAR), UNIVERSIDAD DE GUADALAJARA, EL COLEGIO DE MICHOACÁN A.C., CUCOSTA SUR GRANA, FACULTAD DE ESTUDIOS SUPERIORES ACATLÁN-UNAM, ECOSU

Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Harmony Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists differ in chemical structure, duration of action, and in their effects on clinical outcomes. The cardiovascular effects of once-weekly albiglutide in type 2 diabetes are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of albiglutide in preventing cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 610 sites across 28 countries. We randomly assigned patients aged 40 years and older with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (at a 1:1 ratio) to groups that either received a subcutaneous injection of albiglutide (30–50 mg, based on glycaemic response and tolerability) or of a matched volume of placebo once a week, in addition to their standard care. Investigators used an interactive voice or web response system to obtain treatment assignment, and patients and all study investigators were masked to their treatment allocation. We hypothesised that albiglutide would be non-inferior to placebo for the primary outcome of the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, which was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. If non-inferiority was confirmed by an upper limit of the 95% CI for a hazard ratio of less than 1·30, closed testing for superiority was prespecified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02465515. Findings: Patients were screened between July 1, 2015, and Nov 24, 2016. 10 793 patients were screened and 9463 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to groups: 4731 patients were assigned to receive albiglutide and 4732 patients to receive placebo. On Nov 8, 2017, it was determined that 611 primary endpoints and a median follow-up of at least 1·5 years had accrued, and participants returned for a final visit and discontinuation from study treatment; the last patient visit was on March 12, 2018. These 9463 patients, the intention-to-treat population, were evaluated for a median duration of 1·6 years and were assessed for the primary outcome. The primary composite outcome occurred in 338 (7%) of 4731 patients at an incidence rate of 4·6 events per 100 person-years in the albiglutide group and in 428 (9%) of 4732 patients at an incidence rate of 5·9 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·68–0·90), which indicated that albiglutide was superior to placebo (p&lt;0·0001 for non-inferiority; p=0·0006 for superiority). The incidence of acute pancreatitis (ten patients in the albiglutide group and seven patients in the placebo group), pancreatic cancer (six patients in the albiglutide group and five patients in the placebo group), medullary thyroid carcinoma (zero patients in both groups), and other serious adverse events did not differ between the two groups. There were three (&lt;1%) deaths in the placebo group that were assessed by investigators, who were masked to study drug assignment, to be treatment-related and two (&lt;1%) deaths in the albiglutide group. Interpretation: In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, albiglutide was superior to placebo with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence-based glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should therefore be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline