Microscopy: advances in scientific research and education

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive Sperctroscopy (EDS) are two analysis techniques that are widely used to study all kinds of solid samples, from inorganic to biological. They are used to determine morphological features of interest at a micron and sub-micron level as well as to study the chemical composition of the samples in terms of the amount of each element present. Although these analytical techniques are “routine work” in many research areas, it is not the case of the dental area, mainly because the lack of this equipment in the dental research institutes and in dental schools. Therefore, in this chapter we show the SEM/EDS techniques applied to human dental samples when irradiated with a laser Er:YAG to prevent caries. The intention of this work is to show step by step this analysis showing the key variables to consider when working with this type of biological samples. We explain the SEM conditions to obtain satisfactory images especially when it is important to follow a sequence of steps of a treatment in-vitro that changes the morphological structure of the teeth surface. Also, we discuss the EDS analysis to semiquantitatively determine the elements and their abundance in the dental samples

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Characterization of a putative glycinergic nigropallidal pathway in the rodent brain

Glycinergic neurotransmission is essential for the function of sensory and motor systems associated with pain transmission and rhythmic motor patterns. Yet, the way glycinergic circuits modulates motor systems via the globus pallidus external (GPe) is not clear. The cyto-architecture of glycinergic circuitry is poorly understood and most work has focused in brainstem areas. It is believed that glycinergic neurons are mainly interneurons regulating local circuits. However, it is now becoming clear that they are also projection neurons, constituting true neuronal circuits. At the glycinergic synapse, termination of neurotransmission and recycling of glycine is regulated by two transporters, glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) and glycine transporter 2 (GlyT2). GlyT1 and GlyT2 are both expressed in the cerebellum, brainstem and throughout the spinal cord. In addition to those areas, GlyT1 is expressed in subcortical forebrain regions and the midbrain. GlyTs are essential for survival and knockout of either gene leads to animal death shortly after birth, due to impaired breathing and muscular spasm. Based on our preliminary results, glycinergic neurons expressing GlyT1 are found within structures of the basal ganglia, a brain area involved in somatosensory integration, voluntary motor movement and an array of diverse cognitive functions. Preliminary results also demonstrate that GlyT1 immunoreactivity co-localize with GAD67, suggesting a dual phenotype, GABAergic and glycinergic. Interestingly, the physiological role of these neurons containing and releasing both inhibitory neurotransmitters remains unknown and deserves further investigation. Thus, the overarching hypothesis is that these putative glycinergic neurons help modulate critical basal ganglia function via regulation of a novel nigropallidal pathway. To test this hypothesis, we used fluorescent dyes and viral tracing techniques to outline glycinergic neuronal projections to the GPe. Given the role of the GPe in voluntary motor movement, the results from this project have significant potential to inform the development of new therapeutic approaches for basal ganglia-related disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Huntington’s chorea

Fitoquímicos presentes en jugo elaborado con vegetales endulzado con miel

De acuerdo con la Comisión del Codex Alimentarius, por zumo (jugo) de vegetales se entiende el líquido sin fermentar, pero fermentable, que se obtiene de la parte comestible de la materia prima en buen estado, debidamente maduras y frescas o frutas que se han mantenido en buen estado por procedimientos adecuados, inclusive por tratamientos de superficie aplicados después de la cosecha de conformidad. Actualmente, el ser humano ha despertado un gran interés en alimentarse de forma más saludable y consumir ingredientes en su estado natural, dada la circunstancia la gente ha recurrido constantemente a la jugoterapia, la cual es un tratamiento a base de jugos de frutas y verduras que ayuda a prevenir enfermedades originadas o vinculadas a deficiencias alimenticias. Es por esto que se decidió realizar un proyecto para localizar los fotoquímicos presentes en un jugo elaborado con vegetales endulzado con miel de abeja y establecer los beneficios que se podrían lograr a través de su consumo. Frutas y verduras, alimentos tan pequeños y comunes pero con muchos elementos benéficos como los antioxidantes, carotenoides, terpenos, betalaínas, esteroles y f1avonoides; éstos son algunos de los fotoquímicos de importancia que tienen propiedades como retardar el envejecimiento celular y al mismo tiempo previenen o controlan enfermedades que provocan cáncer

Evaluation and Validation of Tumor-Associated Antigen p53 as Biomarker in Liver and Lung Cancer

During cellular stress, p53 can slow down cell cycle progression, allowing DNA to either be repaired or lead to cell apoptosis. In human cancer, the most common changes in p53 are missense point mutations within the coding sequences of p53 gene. These point mutations can alter a protein’s functions and increase their stability. Antibodies to p53 have been found in many types of human cancer. The aim of this project is to evaluate and validate whether p53 and its antibody can be used as a biomarker for liver and lung cancer. First, expression and induction of p53 was done. Purification of p53 was then performed using nickel column chromatography. A SDS-PAGE gel was then used to test the quality of the purified p53. Lastly, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting were used in order to test the reactivity of p53 in sera from patients with lung cancer and liver cancer, as well as sera from normal individuals. We hypothesize that p53 will be a biomarker for both liver and lung cancer. If so, p53 can be used in early detection of both liver and lung cancer

The Large Jellyfish Rhizostoma luteum as Sustainable a Resource for Antioxidant Properties, Nutraceutical Value and Biomedical Applications

Jellyfish is a compartment in the marine food web that often achieves high increases of biomass and that it is starting to be explored for several human potential uses. In this paper, a recently rediscovered large jellyfish, Rhizostoma luteum, is studied for the first time to describe its organic compounds for the isolation and production of bioactive compounds in several fields of food, cosmetics, or biomedical industries. The biogeochemical composition (Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulfur content), protein and phenols content, together with their antioxidant activity, and the analysis oflipid content (identifying each of the fatty acids presented) was analyzed. The results presentedhere suggested this jellyfish has the highest antioxidant activity ever measured in a jellyfish, butalso with high content in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including the essential fatty acidlinoleic. The large natural biomass of Rhizostoma luteum in nature, the wide geographical spread,the fact that already its life cycle has been completed in captivity, establishes a promising positiveassociation of this giant jellyfish species and the isolation of bioactive compounds for future use in marine biotechnology.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades under grant number CTM2016-75487-R for the project MED2CA and the CSIC under grant number 2017301072. The research stay of R.L.V. was funded by Erasmus + ProgramPeer reviewe