Malalties immunomediades (immunopatologia) en el moment actual

Sota el terme de malalties immunomediades (MIM) s'agrupen totes aquelles malalties que tenen la causa de la malaltia en el sistema immunitari més que no pas la solució, com tothom espera del sistema encarregat del manteniment de la integritat de l'individu front a les infeccions. Així, autoimmunitat, immunoquímica, al·lèrgia, immunoteràpia i immunodeficiències serien els cinc grans subgrups d'aquest ampli concepte de MIM. En relació amb el diagnòstic i tractament de les MIM s'encunya el terme immunopatologia per referir-se a l'àrea de suport al diagnòstic per a aquestes malalties. Els avenços en el coneixement, diagnòstic i fins i tot tractament de les MIM són (després dels relacionats amb el coneixement de la genètica i el càncer) l'àrea biomèdica en què més aportacions s'estan fent en les darreres dècades.The term immune-mediated diseases (IMDs) groups together all the illnesses for which the cause is in the immune system rather than the solution as one would expect from the system in charge of upholding the integrity of individuals in the face of infections. Autoimmunity, immunochemistry, allergy, immunotherapy and immunodeficiencies are the 5 major subgroups of this broad concept of IMDs. When it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of IMDs, the term immunopathology has been coined to refer to the area for support in the diagnosis of such pathologies. Progress in the understanding, diagnosis and even treatment of IMDs (after knowledge of genetics and cancer) is the area in which most biomedical contributions have been made in recent decades

POLYBIUS2020, a cost-effective underwater autonomous video system to record fishing gear selectivity performance catching fish and marine litter

Underwater video cameras are a highly versatile survey solution for marine fisheries research. The POLYBIUS2020 is a system specially designed to be used as a tool for video recording inside towed fishing gears. Its design allows for rapid installation onboard commercial fishing vessels as well as for quick reconfiguration and battery replacement. The system is based on simple commercial components to ensure low costs and the opportunity of future studies using house technology. The field experiments carried out have shown the flexibility and ability of the system to obtain key information about fishing selectivity, flora and fauna characterization and marine litter presence

Más allá del humo : la ecología política de los incendios forestales a partir del caso de Horta de Sant Joan (Tarragona, Cataluña)

Analizamos el dramático incendio de Horta de Sant Joan de 2009 en Cataluña, bajo el marco de la ecología política. La historia ambiental local, los cambios de usos del paisaje forestal anterior al incendio y el choque entre los diferentes discursos sociales alrededor de éste revelan diferentes formas sociopolíticas de construir la relación entre la naturaleza y la sociedad. Cada actor social explica y evalúa la gestión del territorio y del incendio mediante escalas de tiempo e intereses diferentes. Estos distintos discursos se pueden clasificar según el grado en que favorecen la inclusión o la exclusión del fuego en el sistema socioecológico. Nuestro análisis muestra los diferentes «paisajes deseados» propuestos por los actores sociales, cuya contextualización y análisis permiten realizar una reflexión más profunda sobre los valores dominantes y dominados en relación con los bosques y los incendios. Concluimos que es necesaria una adecuada politización del debate en torno a las causas de los incendios forestales y las formas en las que la sociedad catalana responde a ellos. Analitzem el dramàtic incendi d'Horta de Sant Joan de 2009 a Catalunya en el marc de l'ecologia política. La història ambiental local, els canvis d'usos del paisatge forestal anterior a l'incendi i el xoc entre els diferents discursos socials al voltant d'aquest ens parlen de diferents formes sociopolítiques de construir la relació entre natura i societat. Cada actor social explica i avalua la gestió del territori i de l'incendi d'acord amb escales temporals i interessos diferents. Els diversos discursos es poden classificar segons el grau d'inclusió o exclusió del foc en el sistema socioecològic. La nostra anàlisi mostra els «paisatges desitjats » de cada actor social, la contextualització i l'anàlisi dels quals permeten realitzar una reflexió més profunda sobre els valors dominants i dominats en relació amb els boscos i els incendis. Concloem que és necessària una politització adequada del debat sobre les causes dels incendis forestals i les respostes que la societat catalana hi dóna. Nous analysons le dramatique incendie de Horta de Sant Joan en 2009 en Catalogne, dans le cadre de l'écologie politique. L'histoire locale de l'environnement, les changements dans le paysage forestier utilisé avant l'incendie et l'affrontement entre différents discours sociaux autour du feu, réalisent différentes façons socio-politiques de construire la relation société-nature. Chaque acteur social, explique et évalue la gestion des terres et du feu selon différentes échelles de temps et intérêts. Ces différents discours peuvent être classés en fonction de la mesure qui favorisent l'inclusion ou l'exclusion du feu dans le système socio-écologique. Notre analyse met en lumière les différents «paysages souhaités» proposé par les acteurs sociaux, dont la contextualisation et l'analyse de permettre une réflexion plus profonde sur les valeurs dominantes et dominées par rapport aux forêts et aux incendies. Nous concluons qu'il doit y avoir politisation appropriée autour les causes et les réponses des feux de forêt en Catalogne. This paper analyses the tragic 2009 wildfire of Horta de Sant Joan in Catalonia. The local environmental history, the changes in land use of the pre-fire forest landscape, and the clash between different social discourses after the wildfire reveal different sociopolitical forms of constructing the relationship between nature and society. Each social actor explains wildfire and forest management according to different time scales and interests. These discourses can be classified by the degree of inclusion or exclusion of fire in the social-ecological system. The contextualisation and analysis of the «desired landscapes» proposed by the social actors allows for a deeper reflection on contested understandings and values in relation to forests and wildfires. We conclude by arguing in favour of a proper re-politicisation of the debate around the causes of and the responses to wildfires

Variability and evolution of the optical polarization of a sample of gamma-ray blazars

We present a polarization variability analysis of a sample of 26 $\gamma$-ray blazars monitored by the Steward Observatory between 2008 and 2018 in the optical band. We investigate the properties and long-term variability of their optical polarization, searching for differences between blazar types. We observe that BL Lac objects are typically less polarized and less variable than flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs). Moreover, BL Lacs display a distribution of their polarization angle typically oriented in a preferential direction, contrary to the rather random distribution of FSRQs. For the latter blazar type, as well as those sources showing a bright stellar emission, we take into account the depolarizing effect introduced by the broad line region and the host galaxy on the measured polarization degree. In this sample we also observe that BL Lacs present an uncorrelated evolution of the flux and the polarization. Contrary, FSRQs show a correlation before the depolarization correction, that is lost however after considering this effect. In addition, we study the behaviour of the polarization angle, searching for angle rotations in its long-term evolution. We derive that the FSRQs studied here show rotations more frequently than BL Lac objects by a factor $\sim$1.5. During these periods we also observe a systematic decrease of the polarization fraction, as well as a marginal flux increase, not significant however to connect rotations with optical flares. We interpret these results within the extended shock-in-jet scenario, able to explain the overall features observed here for the polarization of the blazar sample.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

Hidroxidos dobles laminares como materiales adsorbentes de contaminantes en aguas

II Encuentro sobre nanociencia y nanotecnología de investigadores y tecnólogos de la Universidad de Córdoba. NANOUC

Molecular epidemiology of enterovirus 71, coxsackievirus A16 and A6 associated with hand, foot and mouth disease in Spain

Producción CientíficaHand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a childhood illness frequently caused by genotypes belonging to the enterovirus A species, including coxsackievirus (CV)-A16 and enterovirus (EV)-71. Between 2010 and 2012, several outbreaks and sporadic cases of HFMD occurred in different regions of Spain. The objective of the present study was to describe the enterovirus epidemiology associated with HFMD in the country. A total of 80 patients with HFMD or atypical rash were included. Detection and typing of the enteroviruses were performed directly in clinical samples using molecular methods. Enteroviruses were detected in 53 of the patients (66%). CV-A6 was the most frequent genotype, followed by CV-A16 and EV-71, but other minority types were also identified. Interestingly, during almost all of 2010, CV-A16 was the only causative agent of HFMD but by the end of the year and during 2011, CV-A6 became predominant, while CV-A16 was not detected. In 2012, however, both CV-A6 and CV-A16 circulated. EV-71 was associated with HFMD symptoms only in three cases during 2012. All Spanish CV-A6 sequences segregated into one major genetic cluster together with other European and Asian strains isolated between 2008 and 2011, most forming a particular clade. Spanish EV-71 strains belonged to subgenogroup C2, as did most of the European sequences circulated. In conclusion, the recent increase of HFMD cases in Spain and other European countries has been due to a larger incidence of circulating species A enteroviruses, mainly CV-A6 and CV-A16, and the emergence of new genetic variants of these viruses

Retazos de historias penonomeñas: historia oral para recopilar los recuerdos del Penonomé de hace 75 años

The research based on oral history application, for the compilation, through interviews, of Penonomé city residents’ memories who have more than 80 years of living in the community. The interview is focused on reviving aspects of the daily life of the Penonomenian of that time, to enrich the CRU Coclé students´ cultural heritage, especially in the Faculty of Arts. Today's youth is largely ignorant of Penonomé's past and, in turn, of the communities to which they belong to. For this reason, within the framework of the Penonomé District Foundation, it was aimed to perform the investigation to raise awareness among students and thus value the inheritance of our city and appreciate the amount of knowledge that older people have. Moreover, the presentation of the research to the audience was made in an innovative way, with the collaboration of students of the career in English as interviewers and translators; as well as interpreters of English and Spanish the day of the presentation. Among the scope of the project a number of 10 older adults from the District of Penonomé, Coclé were interviewed. They related their past experiences in terms of daily life situations, traditions, clothing, places, etc., that were part of Penonome’s culture in the middle of twentieth century. This contribution is very significant since it was possible to know part of the identity of the Penonomenian people 75 years ago.Este proyecto se basa en el manejo de la historia oral para la compilación a través de entrevistas, de memorias de los pobladores de la ciudad de Penonomé que cuentan con más de 80 años de residir en la misma.  La entrevista está enfocada a revivir aspectos de la vida cotidiana del penonomeño de esa época para enriquecer el acervo cultural de los estudiantes del CRU Coclé, especialmente de la Facultad de Humanidades. La juventud actual desconoce en gran medida el pasado de Penonomé y, a su vez, de las comunidades a las cuales pertenece.  Por ello, en el marco de la Fundación del Distrito de Penonomé nos propusimos realizar este proyecto para crear conciencia en los estudiantes y así valoren el legado de nuestra ciudad y aprecien el cúmulo de conocimientos con que cuentan los adultos mayores. Además, se adicionó de forma innovadora la presentación de la investigación al público general, con la incorporación de los estudiantes de la carrera en inglés como entrevistadores y traductores; además de intérpretes de inglés y español el día de la presentación. Entre los alcances del proyecto se logró entrevistar un número de 10 de adultos mayores del Distrito de Penonomé, provincia de Coclé, cuya edad oscila entre los 75 años en adelante, quienes relataron sus vivencias pasadas en cuanto a hechos de la vida cotidiana, costumbres, vestimentas, y lugares, etc., que fueron parte de la cultura penonomeña a mediados del siglo XX. Dicho aporte fue muy significativo ya que se pudo conocer parte de la identidad del pueblo penonomeño aproximadamente hace 70 años atrás

Prevalence and progression of chronic kidney disease after a liver transplant: a prospective, real-life, observational, two-year multicenter study

Introduction: chronic kidney disease is a frequent complication after liver transplantation. The use of calcineurin inhibitors is one of the causes of this complication. Current immunsuppression regimens that reduce the use of calcineurin inhibitors may be associated with an improved preservation of renal function. Objective: the study aimed to assess the evolution of renal function after liver transplantation in the current routine clinical practice. Methods: an observational, prospective, multicenter study in adult liver transplant recipients was performed. Two hundred and thirty patients with a good renal function before transplantation were assessed six months post-transplantation (baseline) and every six months until month 30. Results: at baseline, 32% of the patients had a reduction in the glomerular filtration rate below < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2. The mean glomerular filtration rate increased from 72.3 to 75.6 ml/min/1.73 m2 at baseline and month 30 respectively (p < 0.01). The mean serum creatinine levels (mg/dl) decreased from 1.13 to 1.09 (p < 0.01). The percentage of patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease decreased from 31.7% to 26.4%, whereas the percentage of patients with stage 4 remained unchanged (0.4% at baseline and 0.5% at month 30). No patients progressed to end-stage kidney disease that required dialysis or renal transplantation. Conclusion: in the routine clinical practice, a moderate deterioration of renal function is frequent after liver transplantation. However, advanced chronic kidney disease is infrequent in patients with a good pre-transplant renal function

Regulated transcription of human matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and interleukin-1β (IL1B) genes in chondrocytes depends on methylation of specific proximal promoter CpG sites

The role of DNA methylation in the regulation of catabolic genes such as MMP13 and IL1B, which have sparse CpG islands, is poorly understood in the context of musculoskeletal diseases. We report that demethylation of specific CpG sites at -110 bp and -299 bp of the proximal MMP13 and IL1B promoters, respectively, detected by in situ methylation analysis of chondrocytes obtained directly from human cartilage, strongly correlated with higher levels of gene expression. The methylation status of these sites had a significant impact on promoter activities in chondrocytes, as revealed in transfection experiments with site-directed CpG mutants in a CpG-free luciferase reporter. Methylation of the -110 and -299 CpG sites, which reside within a hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) consensus motif in the respective MMP13 and IL1B promoters, produced the most marked suppression of their transcriptional activities. Methylation of the -110 bp CpG site in the MMP13 promoter inhibited its HIF-2alpha-driven transactivation and decreased HIF-2alpha binding to the MMP13 proximal promoter in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. In contrast to HIF-2alpha, MMP13 transcriptional regulation by other positive (RUNX2, AP-1, ELF3) and negative (Sp1, GATA1, and USF1) factors was not affected by methylation status. However, unlike the MMP13 promoter, IL1B was not susceptible to HIF-2alpha transactivation, indicating that the -299 CpG site in the IL1B promoter must interact with other transcription factors to modulate IL1B transcriptional activity. Taken together, our data reveal that the methylation of different CpG sites in the proximal promoters of the human MMP13 and IL1B genes modulates their transcription by distinct mechanisms

P14 282. Endocarditis protésica. experiencia de 20 años

ObjetivosRevisamos la experiencia de nuestro centro en endocarditis protésica (EP).Material y métodosEntre 1990–2010, se intervienen 62 casos, que representaron el 23% de 276 casos totales de endocarditis y 2,46% de pacientes valvulares (precoces 0,58% con 20 casos, tardías 1,68% con 42 casos). No hubo diferencias en tipo ni localización de las prótesis, ni en incidencia entre las dos décadas (2,59% en 1990–2000 y 2,32% en 2000–2010). Edad media 59 años. Gérmenes: S. viridans 20,9%; S. epidermidis 16,1%; S. aureus 11,6%; C. burnetii 9,6%; enterococos 8%; difteroides 6,4%; hongos 6,4%. En un 8% de los casos se encontraron gérmenes raros aislados, mientras que no se identificó germen en 12,9%. Se intervinieron de forma urgente el 30% de pacientes (19 casos, el 45% de formas precoces y el 23% de formas tardías).ResultadosLa mortalidad precoz fue del 16%, a expensas sobre todo de EP precoz (12%). La supervivencia global a 10 años fue del 50%, con diferencias entre los dos grupos (EP precoz 15%; EP tardía 66%). El 70% de supervivientes se encuentra actualmente en clase funcional I-II/IV.ConclusiónLa EP sigue teniendo una incidencia relativamente elevada en nuestro medio. La EP precoz tiene una mortalidad muy elevada. La cirugía de la EP tardía tiene muy buenos resultados a largo plazo