Assessment of the SmMIT-LAMP technique for the molecular detection of Schistosoma mansoni DNA in urine samples

Background: Human schistosomiasis, is one of the most common parasitic diseases worldwide. Parasitological and serological techniques have different shortcomings to control this illness. Therefore, the development of new diagnostic methods to detect infection in acute phase is required. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification technique (LAMP) could be a good choice. Methodology / Results: Firstly, experimental model was used to obtain urine samples from mice infected with cercariae of S. mansoni. The samples were collected weekly from week 0 to 8th post-infection. Finally, SmMIT-LAMP technique was performed to analyse urine samples DNA of S. mansoni was detected since 3rd week post-infection, Conclusions / Significance: We have detected, for the first time in acute phase, DNA of the S. mansoni in urine samples of infected mice, using a simple, rapid, inexpensive, and potentially applicable method to the diagnosis of schistosomiasis in endemic areas.Antecedentes: La esquistosomosis humana, es una de las enfermedades parasitarias más frecuentes en todo el mundo. Su principal problema reside en el control de la enfermedad debido a las limitaciones de las técnicas parasitológicas y serológicas. Por ello, es necesario el desarrollo de nuevos métodos de diagnóstico capaces de detectar la infección en fase aguda. Un enfoque prometedor es la técnica de amplificación isotérmica de ácidos nucleicos tipo LAMP (Loop-mediated isothermal amplification). Metodología / Resultados: Se utilizó un modelo murino de Schistosoma mansoni para obtener muestras de orina a partir de ratones infectados con cercarias de S. mansoni. Las muestras se recogieron semanalmente desde la semana 0 hasta la semana 8ª después de la infección. Posteriormente se realizó al análisis de las muestras de orina mediante la técnica SmMIT-LAMP, consiguiendo detectar ADN de S. mansoni desde la 3ª semana post-infección (p.i). Conclusiones / Importancia: Hemos logrado, por primera vez la detección de ADN de S. mansoni en muestras de orina en fase aguda de la infección producida por S. mansoni mediante un método molecular sencillo, rápido, económico y potencialmente aplicable en zonas endémicas

Spectral damage model for lighted museum paintings: Oil, acrylic and gouache

A spectral aging test was developed to estimate the photochemical damage of oil, acrylic and gouache paints exposed to permanent lighting. The paints were irradiated at seven different wavelengths in the optical range to control and evaluate their spectral behaviour. To reach this objective, boxes with isolated aging cells were made. In each of box, one LED of a different wavelength and one photodiode were installed. Inside the boxes, the temperature of an exhibit area was recreated through a thermocouple sensor that controlled the temperature using a fan. The heat produced by the LED was dissipated by a thermal radiator. Moreover, to evaluate the exposure time dependence of the irradiation level, the test was performed using two different irradiation levels in ten exposure series. After each series, the spectral reflectance was measured, and the data collected for each paint and wavelength were used to develop a model of damage produced by the interaction between the spectral radiant exposure and the paint

Application of the Strong-LAMP method for the molecular detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in a population of Porto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina.

Strongiloides stercoralis is a nematode globally distributed and the chief causative agent of human Strongyloidiasis. Chronic infection is clinically asymptomatic, but, it can cause Hyperinfection Syndrome in immunocompromised patients. At present, the lack of a standardized diagnosis generates an underestimation of the prevalence of the disease. Coprological test, considered as the gold-standard, has a very low sensitivity. An alternative is the specific and sensitive LAMP method for the detection of S.stercoralis, the Strong-LAMP. In the present study, it have been used a total of 100 stool samples collected from a population of Porto Iguazú, Misiones (Argentina) and stored on filter paper until analysis. When Strong-LAMP was applied for the detection of Strongyloides spp. DNA, up to 39 samples (39%) were positive, including 5 positive obtained by coprological test, compared to 7 positive samples (7%) obtained by parasitological test. Therefore, Strong-LAMP has demonstrated more sensitive method for the detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in stool samples stored in filter paper than parasitological diagnostic methods and could be used in combination with parasitological methods in endemic areas to establish with greater reliability the real prevalence of the disease.Strongiloides stercoralis es un parásito nematodo de distribución global y el principal agente causal de la Estrongiloidiasis. La infección crónica presenta un curso asintomático, sin embargo, puede producir Síndrome de Hiperinfección en pacientes inmunodeprimidos. En la actualidad, la falta de un diagnóstico estandarizado genera una subestimación de la prevalencia de la enfermedad. El análisis coprológico, considerado como el gold-standard, presenta una muy baja sensibilidad. Una alternativa es el método LAMP específico y sensible para la detección de S.stercoralis, el Strong-LAMP. En el presente estudio, se ha utilizado un total de 100 muestras de heces recolectadas de una población de Porto Iguazú, Misiones (Argentina) y almacenadas en papel de filtro hasta su analisis. Cuando se aplicó el Strong-LAMP para la detección de ADN de Strongyloides spp., hasta 39 muestras (39%) resultaron positivas, incluyendo 5 positivas al análisis coprológico, frente a 7 muestras(7%) positivas obtenidas por análisis parasitológico. Por tanto, el Strong-LAMP ha demostrado ser un método más sensible para la detección de Strongyloides stercoralis en muestras de heces almacenadas en papel de filtro que los métodos de diagnóstico parasitológicos y podría utilizarse en combinación con los métodos parasitológicos en áreas endémicas para establecer con mayor fiabilidad la prevalencia real de la enfermedad

Optimization of the therapeutic approach to patients with sarcoma: Delphi Consensus

Delphi consensus; Sarcoma treatment; Panel of expertsConsenso Delphi; Tratamiento del sarcoma; Panel de expertosConsens Delphi; Tractament del sarcoma; Panell d'expertsSoft tissue sarcomas (STS) constitute a heterogeneous group of rare solid tumors associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The evaluation and treatment of STS require a multidisciplinary team with extensive experience in the management of these types of tumors. National and international clinical practice guidelines for STS do not always provide answers to a great many situations that specialists have to contend with in their everyday practice. This consensus provides a series of specific recommendations based on available scientific evidence and the experience of a group of experts to assist in decision-making by all the specialists involved in the management of STS

Educafarma 3.0 White papers sobre innovación aplicada y divulgación científica en el área de las Ciencias Bio-Sanitarias

[ES]Libro resumen sobre el ciclo de cursos y conferencias EducaFarma 3.0Vicerrectorado de Política Académica, Universidad de Salamanca. Proyecto de innovación docente ID2014/018

LAMPhimerus: a novel LAMP assay for detecting Amphimerus sp. DNA in human stool samples

[EN]Amphimeriasis, a fish-borne zoonotic disease caused by the liver fluke Amphimerus spp., is a highly prevalent parasitic infection affecting an indigenous Amerindian group, the Chachi, living in rural and remote tropical areas along the RõÂo Cayapas and its tributaries in the north-western coastal rainforest of Ecuador. Very little is known about the clinical course and treatment of this disease, and the only method for diagnosing it is the parasitological microscopic detection of eggs from Amphimerus spp. in patients' stool samples. This method lacks sensitivity, and the morphology of the eggs may be confounded with other liver and intestinal flukes. New diagnostic tools that can improve the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing Amphimerus spp. infection would be desirable. At present, LAMP technology shows all the characteristics required of a real-time assay with simple operation for potential use in the clinical diagnosis of infectious diseases, particularly in the field conditions in developing countries for most neglected tropical diseases. In this study, we developed and successfully evaluated a LAMP assay for detecting Amphimerus sp. in human stool samples. After further validation, our LAMP assay (LAMPhimerus) could be readily adapted for effective field diagnosis and disease surveillance in amphimeriasis- endemic areas

La Facultad de Farmacia en imágenes: vídeos promocionales

Memoria ID-0167. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2014-2015

Energy optimization of a light projection system for buildings that virtually restores artworks

The need to achieve energy efficiency standards in the lighting systems of buildings makes it necessary to optimize all aspects of them. Here, the development of a light projection system that achieves this goal by studying and modifying the spectral output, compared to conventional illumination, is described. A lighting system that estimates the reflectance characteristics of artwork and emits optimized lighting can reduce light absorption. A damage-minimizing point-by-point light projection system is developed using an optimization algorithm, to improve the appearance of the surfaces of artworks whose color has faded. In this case, a simulation of an aged oil painting was made by manipulating the original photograph, which was printed and to which the proposed system was applied. The results show that, when the aged printed image is illuminated with the optimized light source, it appears indistinguishable from the non-aged oil painting

Servicio de atención farmacéutica en prácticas tuteladas coordinado desde el Aula de Atención Farmacéutica de la Universidad de Salamanca (AUSAF)

Memoria ID-0185. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2014-2015