Riesgo del uso de dosis altas de vitamina D en ancianos. Una revisión a propósito de la pandemia por COVID-19

En los últimos años la vitamina D ha sido considerada una panacea y cura de varias enfermedades, aunque el número de estudios de intervención bien realizados es escaso e incluso contradictorio. En el momento actual de la pandemia por COVID-19, se han levantado algunas voces para recomendar las dosis altas de vitamina D para el control y el tratamiento de las infecciones. El objetivo de esta revisión es proporcionar información sobre los riesgos potenciales y los eventos adversos de las dosis altas de vitamina D. A la luz de la evidencia actual, es esencial mantener los niveles de vitamina D dentro de los rangos normales. Generalmente se acepta que los valores entre 30 y 40 ng/mL son suficientes para la mayoría de la población adulta mayor, en quienes la afección por COVID-19 es más severa

Caracterización y evaluaciçón de la capacidad de uso de los suelos de la comarca de "El Aljarafe" (Sevilla)

8 páginas, 5 tablas y 7 referencias. Comunicación presentada en las Actas del VII Congreso Nacional de Química (Química Agrícola y Alimentaria/2). Sevilla (España). 12 al 17 de Octubre de 1987. Vol. 1: "El suelo: fertilidad y fertilizantes". "La planta: aspectos bioquímicos y fisiológicos". "Protección vegetal"The soils of "El Aljarafe" region (Seville) are studied. As a result, different soils are found and classified into 19 taxonomic units of "Soil Taxonomy" (1975) System. Also. their land capability to relative, use, their erosion hazard and their ability for irrigation purposes, are evaluted. A soil map finally, to scale 1/50.000, with the results of the evaluation, is added.Peer reviewe

Identification and classification of Mycobacterium by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Bovine tuberculosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the Mycobacterium bovis bacillum, which accounts for significant economic losses in cattle production besides being a public health threat. Our purpose is to establish MALDI-TOF (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization –Time-of-Flight) mass spectrometry method to identify and classify mycobacteria species, by means of building a specific biomarker library after solid media culture for these microrganims. We have identified 26 different protocols employing MALDI-TOF to identify and classify mycobacteria from solid media culture within 58 articles published since 2010. Four consensus protocols were designed and our results lead to the following cell treatment conditions before MALDI-TOF analysis: heat inactivation at 95ºC for 45 minutes, disruption with zirconia beads and MagNA lyser (Roche) and formic acid 70% and acetonitrile protein extraction

Identificação de Mycobacterium bovis por espectrometria de massas MALDI-TOF.

A tuberculose bovina é uma doença zoonótica, causada pela bactéria Mycobacterium bovis . Diversas espécies de mamíferos, inclusive o homem, podem infectar-se por esse bacilo. Além do risco à saúde pública, ocorrem perdas econômicas devido à menor produtividade nos rebanhos acometidos. Objetivou-se definir e implementar metodologia de espectrometria de massas MALDI-TOF (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization ? Time-of-Flight) para classificar gênero e espécies de Mycobacterium, por meio da construção de uma biblioteca de biomarcadores específicos desses microrganismos após cultivo microbiológico

Identificação de actinobacterias patogênicas em queijo por PCR e MALDI-TOF.

No Brasil é comum o consumo de queijo do tipo Minas artesanal produzido a partir de leite cru, contudo este fato pode representar risco para a saúde pública, pois muitos microorganismos patogênicos têm sido identificados nestes produtos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar actinobactérias patogênicas em queijo por métodos de PCR e MALDI-TOF. Foram analisadas 54 amostras de queijo tipo Minas oriundos da região do Serro de Minas Gerais, Brasil

Development of two-photon polymerised scaffolds for optical interrogation and neurite guidance of human iPSC-derived cortical neuronal networks

Recent progress in the field of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has led to the efficient production of human neuronal cell models for in vitro study. This has the potential to enable the understanding of live human cellular and network function which is otherwise not possible. However, a major challenge is the generation of reproducible neural networks together with the ability to interrogate and record at the single cell level. A promising aid is the use of biomaterial scaffolds that would enable the development and guidance of neuronal networks in physiologically relevant architectures and dimensionality. The optimal scaffold material would need to be precisely fabricated with submicron resolution, be optically transparent, and biocompatible. Two-photon polymerisation (2PP) enables precise microfabrication of three-dimensional structures. In this study, we report the identification of two biomaterials that support the growth and differentiation of human iPSC-derived neural progenitors into functional neuronal networks. Furthermore, these materials can be patterned to induce alignment of neuronal processes and enable the optical interrogation of individual cells. 2PP scaffolds with tailored topographies therefore provide an effective method of producing defined in vitro human neural networks for application in influencing neurite guidance and complex network activity

Towards establishment of a centralized spider traits database

A main goal of ecological and evolutionary biology is understanding and predicting interactions between populations and both abiotic and biotic environments, the spatial and temporal variation of these interactions, and the effects on population dynamics and performance. Trait-based approaches can help to model these interactions and generate a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem functioning. A central tool is the collation of databases that include species trait information. Such centralized databases have been set up for a number of organismal groups but is lacking for one of the most important groups of predators in terrestrial ecosystems - spiders. Here we promote the collation of an open spider traits database, integrated into the global Open Traits Network. We explore the current collation of spider data and cover the logistics of setting up a global database, including which traits to include, the source of data, how to input data, database governance, geographic cover, accessibility, quality control and how to make the database sustainable long-term. Finally, we explore the scope of research questions that could be investigated using a global spider traits database.Peer reviewe

Radical penectomy, a compromise for life: Results from the PECAD study

Background: The use of organ sparing strategies to treat penile cancer (PC) is currently supported by evidence that has indicated the safety, efficacy and benefit of this surgery. However, radical penectomy still represents up to 15-20% of primary tumor treatments in PC patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate efficacy in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of radical penectomy in PC patients.Methods: Data from a retrospective multicenter study (PEnile Cancer ADherence study, PECAD Study) on PC patients treated at 13 European and American urological centers (Hospital "Sant'Andrea", Sapienza University, Roma, Italy; "G.D'Annunzio" University, Chieti and ASL 2 Abruzzo, Hospital "S. Pio da Pietrelcina", Vasto, Italy; Department of Genitourinary Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA; Hospital of Budapest, Hungary; Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Urology and Andrology Unit II, University of Bari, Italy; Hospital "Spedali Civil", Brescia, Italy; Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Ceara Cancer Institute, Fortaleza, Brazil; Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland) between 2010 and 2016 were used. Medical records of patients who specifically underwent radical penectomy were reviewed to identify main clinical and pathological variables. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate 1- and 5-year OS and DFS.Results: Of the entire cohort of 425 patients, 72 patients (16.9%) treated with radical penectomy were extracted and were considered for the analysis. The median age was 64.5 (IQR, 57.5-73.2) years. Of all, 41 (56.9%) patients had pT3/pT4 and 31 (43.1%) pT1/pT2. Moreover, 36 (50.0%) were classified as pN1-3 and 5 (6.9%) MI. Furthermore, 61 (84.7%) had a high grade (G2-G3) with 6 (8.3%) positive surgical margins. The 1- and 5-year OS rates were respectively 73.3% and 59.9%, while the 1- and 5-year DFS rates were respectively 67.3% and 35.1%.Conclusions: PC is an aggressive cancer particularly in more advanced stage. Overall, more than a third of patients do not survive at 5 years and more than 60% report a disease recurrence, despite the use of a radical treatment