Neuroadaptive changes and behavioral effects after a sensitization regime of MDPV

3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is a synthetic cathinone with cocaine-like properties. In a previous work, we exposed adolescent mice to MDPV, finding sensitization to cocaine effects, and a higher vulnerability to cocaine abuse in adulthood. Here we sought to determine if such MDPV schedule induces additional behavioral-neuronal changes that could explain such results. After MDPV treatment (1.5 mg·kg-1, twice daily, 7 days), mice were behaviorally tested. Also, we investigated protein changes in various brain regions MDPV induced aggressiveness and anxiety, but also contributed to a faster habituation to the open field. This feature co-occurred with an induction of ΔFosB in the orbitofrontal cortex that was higher than its expression in the ventral striatum. Early after treatment, D2R:D1R ratio pointed to a preponderance of D1R but, upon withdrawal, the ratio recovered. Increased expression of Arc, CDK5 and TH, and decrease in DAT protein levels persisted longer after withdrawal, pointing to a neuroplastic lasting effect similar to that involved in cocaine addiction. The implication of the hyperdopaminergic condition in the MDPV-induced aggressiveness cannot be ruled out. We also found an initial oxidative effect of MDPV, without glial activation. Moreover, although initially the dopaminergic signal induced by MDPV resulted in increased ΔFosB, we did not observe any change in NFκB or GluA2 expression. Finally, the changes observed after MDPV treatment could not be explained according to the autoregulatory loop between ΔFosB and the epigenetic repressor G9a described for cocaine. This provides new knowledge about the neuroadaptive changes involved in the vulnerability to psychostimulant addiction

Diseño e implantación del trabajo fin de grado en la titulación de farmacia

El objetivo de la presente comunicación es dar a conocer el trabajo efectuado por los profesores de la Facultad de Farmacia de la Universidad de Barcelona en la implantación de una nueva asignatura, el Trabajo Fin de Grado. Se describe la idea original con la que se diseñó la asignatura, modalidades de la misma, forma de asignar a cada estudiante un tema y un tutor, la función de este tutor, las sesiones de formación llevadas a cabo y las dimensiones a tener en cuenta en la evaluación. Finalmente se exponen los resultados y se reflexiona sobre las vías de continuació

Is systematic training in opioid overdose prevention effective?

The objectives were to analyze the knowledge about overdose prevention, the use of naloxone, and the number of fatal overdoses after the implementation of Systematic Training in Overdose Prevention (STOOP) program. We conducted a quasi-experimental study, and held face-to-face interviews before (n = 725) and after (n = 722) implementation of systematic training in two different samples of people who injected opioids attending harm reduction centers. We asked participants to list the main causes of overdose and the main actions that should be taken when witnessing an overdose. We created two dependent variables, the number of (a) correct and (b) incorrect answers. The main independent variable was Study Group: Intervention Group (IG), Comparison Group (CG), Pre-Intervention Group With Sporadic Training in Overdose Prevention (PREIGS), or Pre-Intervention Group Without Training in Overdose Prevention (PREIGW). The relationship between the dependent and independent variables was assessed using a multivariate Poisson regression analysis. Finally, we conducted an interrupted time series analysis of monthly fatal overdoses before and after the implementation of systematic program during the period 2006-2015. Knowledge of overdose prevention increased after implementing systematic training program. Compared to the PREIGW, the IG gave more correct answers (IRR = 1.40;95%CI:1.33-1.47), and fewer incorrect answers (IRR = 0.33;95%CI:0.25-0.44). Forty percent of people who injected opioids who received a naloxone kit had used the kit in response to an overdose they witnessed. These courses increase knowledge of overdose prevention in people who use opioids, give them the necessary skills to use naloxone, and slightly diminish the number of fatal opioid overdoses in the city of Barcelon

Preferències dels estudiants en relació al tema d’estudi del TFG de Farmàcia (UB)

Podeu consultar la Vuitena trobada de professorat de Ciències de la Salut completa a: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/66524El TFG del grau de farmàcia UB es porta a terme en el marc d’un àmbit docent principal i integra coneixements de com a mínim, dos àmbits docents addicionals atès la seva funció integradora. En el moment de definir les directrius i organització de l’assignatura, es van establir a la Facultat de Farmàcia 27 àmbits docents. Tanmateix, les característiques del TFG quan a tipus de projectes o estudis es van establir inicialment en base a tres opcions..

Evolución de la prevalencia de infección por el VIH y de las conductas de riesgo en varones homo/bisexuales

ResumenObjetivosDescribir las tendencias de la prevalencia de infección por VIH, las conductas de riesgo asociadas con su transmisión y el conocimiento y las actitudes respecto a los antirretrovirales (ARV) en el colectivo de hombres que tienen relaciones sexuales con hombres (HSH) seleccionados en Barcelona durante el período 1995-2002.MétodosEstudios transversales bianuales desde 1993. La selección tuvo lugar en saunas, sex-shops, un parque público y por correo a los socios de la Coordinadora Gay-Lesbiana, mediante un cuestionario anónimo y autoadministrado. Desde 1995 se recogieron muestras de saliva para determinar la prevalencia de infección por el VIH.ResultadosLa prevalencia de la infección por el Virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana VIH se mantuvo constante de un 14,2% en 1995 a un 18,3% en 2002 (p>0,05). Se observó una tendencia creciente en el porcentaje de HSH que tuvieron > 10 contactos sexuales en el último año (del 45,2% en 1995 al 55,7% en 2002; p<0,0001). La práctica de penetración anal no protegida (PANP) con parejas ocasionales no varió significativamente durante 1995-2002 (el 25,8% en 2002). En 2002, un 55,8% de parejas estables con serologías frente al VIH desconocidas y un 27,5% de serodiscordantes practicó la PANP. El porcentaje de varones que creía que «un VIH-positivo en tratamiento (el 7,7% en 2002) o con carga viral indetectable (el 6,4% en 2002) no transmite el virus» se mantuvo constante desde 1998 (p>0,05).ConclusionesSe sigue manteniendo una elevada prevalencia de VIH y de conductas de riesgo en los HSH en Barcelona. Reducir las ocasiones en las que se produce la PANP entre 2 varones serodiscordantes debe continuar siendo un objetivo estratégico para el control de esta epidemia.AbstractObjectivesTo describe trends in the prevalence of HIV infection, in risk behaviors and in knowledge and attitudes related to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited in Barcelona (Spain) between 1995 and 2002.MethodsCross-sectional surveys were conducted twice yearly from 1993. MSM were recruited in saunas, sex-shops, a cruising site in a public park and by a mailing sent to all members of a gay organization, using an anonymous selfadministered questionnaire. From 1995 saliva samples were requested to determine the prevalence of HIV infection.ResultsThe prevalence of HIV infection remained stable from 14.2% in 1995 to 18.3% in 2002 (p>0.05). The proportion of men who had more than 10 sexual partners in the previous 12 months showed an increasing trend (from 45.2% in 1995 to 55.7% in 2002, p<0.0001). Unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with casual partners did not change significantly between 1995 and 2002 (25.8% en 2002). In 2002, 55.8% of steady couples in which one or both members did not know their serological status and 27.5% of serodiscordant couples reported UAI. The proportion of men who believed that «HIVpositive persons taking ART (7.7% in 2002) or with undetectable viral load (6.4% in 2002) cannot transmit the virus» remained steady since 1998 (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThe prevalence of HIV and risk behaviors continues to be high among MSM in Barcelona. A strategic objective in the control of the HIV epidemic must be to continue the decrease in the number of occasions on which UAI takes place between men with discordant serological status

Evolución de la prevalencia de infección por el VIH y de las conductas de riesgo en varones homo/bisexuales Trends in the prevalence of HIV infection and risk behaviors in homo- and bisexual men

Objetivos: Describir las tendencias de la prevalencia de infección por VIH, las conductas de riesgo asociadas con su transmisión y el conocimiento y las actitudes respecto a los antirretrovirales (ARV) en el colectivo de hombres que tienen relaciones sexuales con hombres (HSH) seleccionados en Barcelona durante el período 1995-2002. Métodos: Estudios transversales bianuales desde 1993. La selección tuvo lugar en saunas, sex-shops, un parque público y por correo a los socios de la Coordinadora Gay-Lesbiana, mediante un cuestionario anónimo y autoadministrado. Desde 1995 se recogieron muestras de saliva para determinar la prevalencia de infección por el VIH. Resultados:La prevalencia de la infección por el Virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana VIH se mantuvo constante de un 14,2% en 1995 a un 18,3% en 2002 (p > 0,05). Se observó una tendencia creciente en el porcentaje de HSH que tuvieron > 10 contactos sexuales en el último año (del 45,2% en 1995 al 55,7% en 2002; p < 0,0001). La práctica de penetración anal no protegida (PANP) con parejas ocasionales no varió significativamente durante 1995-2002 (el 25,8% en 2002). En 2002, un 55,8% de parejas estables con serologías frente al VIH desconocidas y un 27,5% de serodiscordantes practicó la PANP. El porcentaje de varones que creía que «un VIH-positivo en tratamiento (el 7,7% en 2002) o con carga viral indetectable (el 6,4% en 2002) no transmite el virus» se mantuvo constante desde 1998 (p > 0,05). Conclusiones: Se sigue manteniendo una elevada prevalencia de VIH y de conductas de riesgo en los HSH en Barcelona. Reducir las ocasiones en las que se produce la PANP entre 2 varones serodiscordantes debe continuar siendo un objetivo estratégico para el control de esta epidemia.<br>Objectives: To describe trends in the prevalence of HIV infection, in risk behaviors and in knowledge and attitudes related to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited in Barcelona (Spain) between 1995 and 2002. Methods: Cross-sectional surveys were conducted twice yearly from 1993. MSM were recruited in saunas, sex-shops, a cruising site in a public park and by a mailing sent to all members of a gay organization, using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. From 1995 saliva samples were requested to determine the prevalence of HIV infection. Results:The prevalence of HIV infection remained stable from 14.2% in 1995 to 18.3% in 2002 (p > 0.05). The proportion of men who had more than 10 sexual partners in the previous 12 months showed an increasing trend (from 45.2% in 1995 to 55.7% in 2002, p < 0.0001). Unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with casual partners did not change significantly between 1995 and 2002 (25.8% en 2002). In 2002, 55.8% of steady couples in which one or both members did not know their serological status and 27.5% of serodiscordant couples reported UAI. The proportion of men who believed that «HIV-positive persons taking ART (7.7% in 2002) or with undetectable viral load (6.4% in 2002) cannot transmit the virus» remained steady since 1998 (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of HIV and risk behaviors continues to be high among MSM in Barcelona. A strategic objective in the control of the HIV epidemic must be to continue the decrease in the number of occasions on which UAI takes place between men with discordant serological status

Pharmanews-Fedefarma

Primera Jornada de novetats en el món farmacèutic. Organitzada pel GID MICOMFARFedefarm

Pseudoaneurysm associated with complicated pancreatic pseudocysts

A pseudoaneurysm associated with a pseudocyst is a serious and unusual complication of chronic pancreatitis. Its treatment is complex due to its elevated mortality and the need for multidisciplinary management. Initial measures consist of locating the hemorrhage through computerized dynamic tomography and arteriography. The treatment of choice is controversial due to the lack of controlled studies. For managing hemorrhages in stable patients, the most accepted initial measure is currently arterial embolization. In the event of failure of the same, hemodynamic instability or the impossibility of drainage of the pseudocyst, surgery is the subsequent therapeutic option

The combination of mdpv and ethanol results in decreased cathinone and increased alcohol levels. Study of such pharmacological interaction.

Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is a new cathinone psychostimulant acting as a selective dopamine transporter blocker. Due to the concomitant consumption of ethanol (EtOH) and new psychoactive substances it is of relevance to explore the pharmacological interaction between MDPV and EtOH. In locomotor activity assays, EtOH (1 g/kg i.p.) elicited a reduction in the stimulant effect induced by low doses of MDPV (0.1‐0.3 mg/kg, s.c) in rats, jointly with a decrease in blood and brain MDPV concentrations. Experiments in rat liver microsomes showed different effects depending on [MDPV]/[EtOH] relationship, evidencing, at certain concentrations, the enhancing effect of EtOH on MDPV metabolism. Therefore, it seems that EtOH interacts with MDPV at microsomal level, increasing its metabolic rate. The interaction between both substances was also supported by results on plasma EtOH concentration, which were significantly increased by MDPV, in such a manner that EtOH elimination rate was significantly reduced. The possible toxicological impact of this phenomenon deserves further investigation. In contrast, the rewarding properties of MDPV were unaltered by EtOH. Microdialysis experiments verified that in the NAcc, both substances could also act synergistically, in such a manner that extracellular dopamine concentrations are maintained. Finally, if the psychostimulant effect induced by MDPV decreases with EtOH, it could favor the boosting and re-dosing in search of the desired effects. However, as the rewarding effect of each dose of the substance would not decrease, the addictive liability could increase considerably. Moreover, we must warn about the increase in EtOH concentrations when consumed concomitantly with MDPV