Epidemiología molecular del virus de la hepatitis C en Galicia: prevalencia y distribución de los genotipos virales en el área sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela

We retrospectively analyzed a total of 1815 chronically infected HCV patients. The median age was 50 years (IQR, 57-45), 72,5% were male, 1,8% were immigrants, 38,9% were HBV coinfected and 16,6% were HIV coinfected. The main route of transmission was parenteral (86,3%) followed by unknown (12,0%), among the parenteral infections, 65,7% cases were IDUs and 33,4% cases were associated with unsafe medical procedures. Genotype distribution was: 61,7% genotype 1 (28,2% subtype 1a and 32,8% subtype 1b,) 3,2% genotype 2, 20,3% genotype 3, 14,7% genotype 4, and 0,1% genotype 5. Subtype 1a and genotype 4 were significantly associated with IDUs, coastal area, men and coinfection by HBV and HIV, while genotype 3 only made with IDU and coastal area. In contrast, subtype 1b was significantly associated with women, rural area, unsafe medical procedures, unknown risk factor and monoinfection. In addition, an age effect was observed in the distribution of genotypes. No significant difference was seen in the progression to cirrhosis among different genotypes, but a significant association subtype 1b is observed with the development of HCC. In free-IFN therapies, SVR of 97.3% was obtained regardless of genotype and previous treatment failures. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo donde se reclutaron 1815 pacientes crónicamente infectados con el VHC. La mediana de edad fue de 50 años (RIQ, 57-45), donde el 72,5% eran hombres, un 1,8% inmigrantes, un 39,9% estaban coinfectados con el VHB y un 16,6% con el VIH. La principal vía de transmisión fue la parenteral (86,3%) seguida de desconocida (12,0%), entre las infecciones parenterales, el 65,7% de los casos estuvieron asociados con UDVP y el 33,4% con transmisión nosocomial. La distribución de genotipos fue la siguiente: 61,7% genotipo 1 (28,2% subtipo 1a y 32,8% subtipo 1b) 3,2% genotipo 2, 20,3% genotipo 3, 14,7% genotipo 4, y 0,1% genotipo 5. El subtipo1a y el genotipo 4 estuvieron significativamente asociados con el UDVP, la residencia en el área costera, el sexo masculino y la coinfección con el VHB y el VIH, mientras que el genotipo 3 sólo lo hizo con el UDVP y la residencia en el área costera. En contraste, el subtipo 1b estuvo significativamente asociado con el sexo femenino, la residencia en el área rural, los factores de riesgo nosocomial y desconocido, y la no coinfección con el VHB y el VIH. Además, se observó un efecto de la edad en la distribución de genotipos. No se se apreciaron diferencias significativas en la progresión a cirrosis entre los diferentes genotipos, pero sí se observó una asociación significativa del subtipo 1b con el desarrollo de CHC. En las terapias libres de interferón, se obtuvo una RVS del 97,3% con independencia del genotipo y de fracasos a tratamientos previos

Ultrasound imaging evaluation of textural features in athletes with soleus pathology : a novel case-control study

Background: the aim of this study was to compare the echotexture of patients with soleus muscle injury and age matched controls. Methods: a sample of 62 athletes was recruited at the private clinic and was divided in two group: a healthy group (n = 31) and a soleus pathology group whose athletes had soleus muscle injury, located in the central tendon (n = 31). The muscle thickness (MTh), echointensity (EI) and echovariation (EV) were analyzed. An intra-rater reliability test (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient-ICC) was performed in order to analyze the reliability of the values of the measurements. Results: Sociodemographic variables did not show statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). Ultrasound imaging measurements who reported statistically significant differences were EI (p = 0.001) and standard deviation (SD) (p = 0.001). MTh and EV variables did not show statistically significant differences (p = 0.381 and p = 0.364, respectively). Moreover, reliability values for the MTh (ICC = 0.911), EI (ICC = 0.982), SD (ICC = 0.955) and EV (ICC = 0.963). Based on these results the intra-rater reliability was considered excellent. Conclusion: Athletes with a central tendon injury of soleus muscle showed a lower EI when they were compared to healthy athletes. The echogenicity showed by the quantitative ultrasound imaging measurement may be a more objective parameter for the diagnosis and follow-up the soleus muscle injurie

Heart Rate Variability monitoring during Interferential Current application in the lower back area : a cross-sectional study

[Abstract] Vasovagal reactions may occur occasionally during electrical stimulation using interferential current (IFC). The purpose of this study was to examine variations in autonomic activity during the application of IFC in asymptomatic participants by analysis of their heart rate variability (HRV). Seventy-three male volunteers were randomly assigned to a placebo group (n = 36; HRV was documented for 10 min, both at rest and during a placebo intervention) and an intervention group (n = 37; HRV was documented for 10 min in two conditions labelled as (1) rest and (2) application of IFC technique on the lumbar segment). The diameters of the Poincaré plot (SD1, SD2), stress score (SS), and the ratio between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity (S/PS) were measured. After interventions, differences amongst the placebo group and the IFC group were found in SD2 (p < 0.001), SS (p = 0.01) and S/PS ratio (p = 0.003). The IFC technique was associated with increased parasympathetic modulation, which could induce a vasovagal reaction. Monitorization of adverse reactions should be implemented during the application of IFC technique. HRV indicators might have a part in prevention of vasovagal reactions. Further studies in patients with lumbar pain are needed to explore possible differences in HRV responses due to the presence of chronic pai

Sphingobacterium multivorum: An Atypical Bacterium in an Atypical Place

We present the case of a 75-year-old woman admitted to hospital because of an infected pressure ulcer. Cultures revealed that the responsible bacterium was Sphingobacterium multivorum, which was successfully eradicated with ciprofloxacin. Over the last few years, there have been reports of new cases of infection caused by bacteria previously not thought to be harmful to humans, like S. multivorum. Previous cases were reported mostly in immunosuppressed patients and the present report is, to our knowledge, the first describing a pressure ulcer infected by this bacterium

The leukocyte activation receptor CD69 controls T cell differentiation through its interaction with galectin-1

CD69 is involved in immune cell homeostasis, regulating the T cell-mediated immune response through the control of Th17 cell differentiation. However, natural ligands for CD69 have not yet been described. Using recombinant fusion proteins containing the extracellular domain of CD69, we have detected the presence of a ligand(s) for CD69 on human dendritic cells (DCs). Pulldown followed by mass spectrometry analyses of CD69-binding moieties on DCs identified galectin-1 as a CD69 counterreceptor. Surface plasmon resonance and anti-CD69 blocking analyses demonstrated a direct and specific interaction between CD69 and galectin-1 that was carbohydrate dependent. Functional assays with both human and mouse T cells demonstrated the role of CD69 in the negative effect of galectin-1 on Th17 differentiation. Our findings identify CD69 and galectin-1 to be a novel regulatory receptor-ligand pair that modulates Th17 effector cell differentiation and functionThis work was funded by grants SAF2011-25834 and ERC-2011AdG 294340-GENTRIS to F.S.-M., RECAVA RD06/0014 from the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias to J.V. and F.S.-M., and INDISNET 01592006 from the Comunidad de Madrid to F.S.-M. and P.M. and by grants from the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (PI11/01562 to P.N.) and the Generalitat de Catalunya-AGAUR (2009SGR1409 to P.N.). The Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Pro-CNIC Foundation support CNI

GEHEP 010 study: Prevalence and distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in Spain (2000–2016)

[Objective] To study the prevalence and distribution of HBV genotypes in Spain for the period 2000–2016.[Methods] Retrospective study recruiting 2559 patients from 17 hospitals. Distribution of HBV genotypes, as well as sex, age, geographical origin, mode of transmission, HDV-, HIV- and/or HCV-coinfection, and treatment were recorded.[Results] 1924 chronically HBV native Spanish patients have been recruited. Median age was 54 years (IQR: 41–62), 69.6% male, 6.3% HIV-coinfected, 3.1% were HCV-coinfected, 1.7% HDV-co/superinfected. Genotype distribution was: 55.9% D, 33.5% A, 5.6% F, 0.8% G, and 1.9% other genotypes (E, B, H and C). HBV genotype A was closely associated with male sex, sexual transmission, and HIV-coinfection. In contrast, HBV genotype D was associated with female sex and vertical transmission. Different patterns of genotype distribution and diversity were found between different geographical regions. In addition, HBV epidemiological patterns are evolving in Spain, mainly because of immigration. Finally, similar overall rates of treatment success across all HBV genotypes were found.[Conclusions] We present here the most recent data on molecular epidemiology of HBV in Spain (GEHEP010 Study). This study confirms that the HBV genotype distribution in Spain varies based on age, sex, origin, HIV-coinfection, geographical regions and epidemiological groups.This study has been funded in part by the funds of the research project GEHEP-2018-010, granted by the Hepatitis Group of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (Grupo de Hepatitis de la Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica, GEHEP/SEIMC)

Sistema inmersivo para la tutorización virtual con Oculus Go

Memoria ID-080. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2018-2019

Resultados de la interpolación regional de las anomalías de Bouguer y su correlación con los dominios geotectónicos del Perú

Un mapa simple de anomalías de Bouguer del Perú ha sido elaborado en base a los datos de gravimetría publicados en Fukao et al. (1999). El procesamiento estadístico de los datos de gravimetría sugirió interpolar los valores cada 25 mGal, obteniéndose el mapa de anomalías de Bouguer que indica sobre todo los cambios de densidad a nivel cortical y cambios en el espesor de la corteza continental. Este mapa fue correlacionado con los sistemas de fallas principales y con los grandes dominios geotectónicos. Así, el mapa resultante muestra que los valores positivos ocurren a lo largo de la costa en los dominios geotectónicos de AmotapesTahuin, Sechura-Lancones, Casma, Pisco-Chala y Atico-Mollendo-Tacna. Los valores transicionales ocurren en los dominios tectónicos de Olmos-Loja, Cordillera Oriental, Zona Subandina, borde oeste y norte del dominio de la Cordillera Occidental. Los valores negativos están principalmente en los dominios tectónicos del Alto Condoroma-Caylloma, margen este de la Cordillera Occidental, Altiplano Occidental y Altiplano Oriental. Por otro lado, se observa que hay una buena correlación entre los cambios bruscos de los valores de anomalías de Bouguer y los sistemas de fallas principales que delimitan los dominios geotectónicos

Immune response generated with the administration of autologous dendritic cells pulsed with an allogenic tumoral cell lines lysate in patients with newly diagnosed DIPG

Background and objective. Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a lethal brainstem tumor in children. Dendritic cells (DCs) have T-cell stimulatory capacity and, therefore, potential antitumor activity for disease control. DCs vaccines have been shown to reactivate tumor-specific T cells in both clinical and pre-clinical settings. We designed a phase Ib immunotherapy (IT) clinical trial with the use of autologous dendritic cells (ADCs) pulsed with an allogeneic tumors cell-lines lysate (ATCL) in patients with newly diagnosed DIPG after irradiation (RT). Methods. Nine patients with newly diagnosed DIPG met enrollment criteria. Autologous dendritic cell vaccines (ADCV) were prepared from monocytes obtained by leukapheresis. Five ADCV doses were administered intradermally during induction phase. In the absence of tumor progression, patients received 3 boosts of tumor lysate every three months during the maintenance phase. Results. Vaccine fabrication was feasible in all patients included in the study. Non-specific KLH (9/9 patients) and specific (8/9 patients) antitumor response was identified by immunologic studies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Immunological responses were also confirmed in the T lymphocytes isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 2 patients. Vaccine administration resulted safe in all patients treated with this schema. Conclusions. These preliminary results demonstrate that ADCV preparation is feasible, safe and generate a DIPG-specific immune response detected in PBMC and CSF. This strategy shows a promising backbone for future schemas of combination immunotherapy

Modified Gravity and Cosmology

In this review we present a thoroughly comprehensive survey of recent work on modified theories of gravity and their cosmological consequences. Amongst other things, we cover General Relativity, Scalar-Tensor, Einstein-Aether, and Bimetric theories, as well as TeVeS, f(R), general higher-order theories, Horava-Lifschitz gravity, Galileons, Ghost Condensates, and models of extra dimensions including Kaluza-Klein, Randall-Sundrum, DGP, and higher co-dimension braneworlds. We also review attempts to construct a Parameterised Post-Friedmannian formalism, that can be used to constrain deviations from General Relativity in cosmology, and that is suitable for comparison with data on the largest scales. These subjects have been intensively studied over the past decade, largely motivated by rapid progress in the field of observational cosmology that now allows, for the first time, precision tests of fundamental physics on the scale of the observable Universe. The purpose of this review is to provide a reference tool for researchers and students in cosmology and gravitational physics, as well as a self-contained, comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the subject as a whole.Comment: 312 pages, 15 figure