Nonwoven Mats Based on Segmented Biopolyurethanes Filled with MWCNT Prepared by Solution Blow Spinning

To prepare nonwoven mats constituted by submicrometric fibers of thermally responsive biopolyurethanes (TPU) modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), solution blow spinning (SBS) was used. The TPU was the product of synthesis using poly(butylene sebacate)diol, PBSD, ethyl ester L-lysine diisocyanate (LDI), and 1,3-propanediol (PD) (PBSe:LDI:PD) as reactants. TPU was modified by adding different amounts of MWCNT (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 wt.%). The effect of the presence and amount of MWCNT on the morphology and structure of the materials was studied using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively, while their influence on the thermal and electric behaviors was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and capacitance measurements, respectively. The addition of MWCNT by SBS induced morphological changes in the fibrous materials, affecting the relative amount and size of submicrometric fibers and, therefore, the porosity. As the MWCNT content increased, the diameter of the fibers increased and their relative amount with respect to all morphological microfeatures increased, leading to a more compact microstructure with lower porosity. The highly porous fibrous morphology of TPU-based materials achieved by SBS allowed turning a hydrophilic material to a highly hydrophobic one. Percolation of MWCNT was attained between 2 and 3 wt.%, affecting not only the electric properties of the materials but also their thermal behavior.This research was funded by the Fondos de Investigación de Fco. Javier González Benito, política de reinversión de costes generales, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid [2012/00130/004], the Acción Estratégica en Acción Estratégica en Materiales nanocompuestos multifuncionales, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid [2011/00287/003], and the Project PID2020-112713RB-C22–C21 supported by AEI [Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación of Spain], the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and (GIU18/216 Research Group)

Oclusión total crónica coronaria y lesiones en bifurcaciones, lecciones del manejo contemporáneo: reporte de caso

Coronary artery disease involving chronic occlusions and bifurcation lesions continues to be a challenge for the interventional cardiologist. The improvement in the techniques has allowed a higher success rate, however, the best intervention strategy is unknown in this subgroup of patients with chronic occlusions and associated bifurcation lesions. We present the case of a patient in whom, in an angiography for study of chest pain, a chronic total occlusion and a bifurcation lesion were evidenced and were successfully treated by coronary intervention.La enfermedad coronaria que involucra las oclusiones crónicas y las lesiones en bifurcación continúa siendo un reto para el cardiólogo intervencionista. La mejora en las técnicas ha permitido tener una mayor tasa de éxito; sin embargo, la mejor estrategia de intervención es desconocida en este subgrupo de pacientes con oclusiones crónicas y lesiones en bifurcaciones asociadas. Presentamos el caso de un paciente en quien, en una angiografía por estudio de dolor torácico, se evidencia una oclusión total crónica y una lesión en bifurcación que fueron tratadas de manera exitosa por intervencionismo coronario

Falla cardiaca con fracción de eyección preservada: un problema de la cardiología contemporánea

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a frequent and overlooked medical condition that represents a great challenge for diagnosis and treatment. Current data shows a temporal trend towards a higher prevalence of HFpEF, even above heart failure with reduced ejection frac- tion (HFrEF). The pathophysiology of HFpEF is heterogeneous and involves several factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and cardiac and non-cardiac comorbidities. These factors result in remodeling, maladaptation and cardiac stiffness, that later on cause dyspnea, exercise intolerance, and fatigue. Although the mortality outcome of HFpEF is as high as HFrEF, no speci c therapy has demonstrat- ed overall bene t in these patients; which is why future therapies will bet on an individualized approach according to the patients phenotype.La falla cardíaca con fracción de eyección preservada (FCFep) constituye una entidad frecuente, sub- diagnosticada, que implica un gran reto diagnóstico y terapéutico. Datos actuales reportan una tendencia al incremento en su prevalencia, incluso por encima de la falla cardíaca con fracción de eyección reducida (FCFer). La fisiopatología es compleja e implica la contribución de múltiples factores como la interrelación genética, condiciones del estilo de vida y alta carga de condiciones crónicas (cardíacas y no cardíacas); lo cual lleva a la remodelación, mal adaptación y rigidez cardíaca, expresándose de manera tardía en síntomas como disnea, intolerancia al ejercicio y fatiga. Aunque la mortalidad y la tasa de supervivencia acumulada para pacientes con FCFep es tan igual como la de los pa- cientes con FCFer, ningún agente terapéutico ha mostrado de manera global efectividad en este tipo de pacientes, por lo que futuras propuestas arriesgan por un enfoque más individualizado en base al fenotipo de cada paciente

Estrategia marina demarcación marina levantino-balear parte IV. Descriptores del buen estado ambiental. Descriptor 1: biodiversidad evaluación inicial y buen estado ambiental

El descriptor 1 de la Ley 41/2010 de protección del medio marino, trasposición a la ley española de la Directiva Marco sobre la Estrategia Marina (DMEM: 2008/56/CE) dice textualmente "Se mantiene la biodiversidad. La calidad y la frecuencia de los hábitats y la distribución y abundancia de las especies están en consonancia con las condiciones fisiográficas, geográficas y climáticas". Según el Convenio sobre la Diversidad Biológica (UNCED, 1992), ésta se define como: "La variabilidad de organismos vivos de cualquier fuente, incluidos, entre otras cosas, los ecosistemas terrestres y marinos y otros ecosistemas acuáticos y los complejos ecológicos de los que forman parte; comprende la diversidad dentro de cada especie, entre especies y de los ecosistemas"

Early Cellular and Humoral Responses Developed in Oncohematological Patients after Vaccination with One Dose against COVID-19

Individuals with oncohematological diseases (OHD) may develop an impaired immune response against vaccines due to the characteristics of the disease or to its treatment. Humoral response against SARS-CoV-2 has been described to be suboptimal in these patients, but the quality and efficiency of the cellular immune response has not been yet completely characterized. In this study, we analyzed the early humoral and cellular immune responses in individuals with different OHD after receiving one dose of an authorized vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Humoral response, determined by antibodies titers and neutralizing capacity, was overall impaired in individuals with OHD, except for the cohort of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), which showed higher levels of specific IgGs than healthy donors. Conversely, the specific direct cytotoxic cellular immunity response (DCC) against SARS-CoV-2, appeared to be enhanced, especially in individuals with CML and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This increased cellular immune response, developed earlier than in healthy donors, showed a modest cytotoxic activity that was compensated by significantly increased numbers, likely due to the disease or its treatment. The analysis of the immune response through subsequent vaccine doses will help establish the real efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in individuals with OHD.This work was supported by the Strategic Action in Health 2017–2020 of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI21/00877); the Coordinated Research Activities at the National Center of Microbiology (CNM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III) (COV20_00679) to promote an integrated response against SARS-CoV-2 in Spain (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation) that is coordinated by Dr Inmaculada Casas (WHO National Influenza Center of the CNM); a generous donation provided by Chiesi España, S.A.U. (Barcelona, Spain). The work of Sara Rodríguez-Mora is financed by NIH grant R01AI143567. The work of Montserrat Torres is financed by the Hematology and Hemotherapy Service of the Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal. The work of Fernando Ramos-Martín is financed by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2019-110275RB-I00). The work of Lorena Vigón is supported by a pre-doctoral grant from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS PI16CIII/00034-ISCIII-FEDER). The work of Mario Manzanares is supported by a pre-doctoral grant from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII-PFIS FI20CIII/00021).S

Diabetes y enfermedad cardiovascular, aspectos actuales de su manejo: la visión del cardiólogo

La diabetes es una enfermedad prevalente, con casos en aumento en todo el mundo, y se relaciona de forma directa con otras condiciones entre ellas la obesidad. Así, la diabetes supone un riesgo cardiovascular mayor en aquellos pacientes que la padecen y una vez se manifiesta es la causa más importante de morbimortalidad. A lo largo de los últimos años, hemos tenido un cambio en el paradigma del manejo de esta condición, razón por la cual se ha soslayado el enfoque glucocéntrico para hacer una aproximación integral al riesgo global y los demás factores asociados. Los estudios recientes han aportado una valiosa información de seguridad cardiovascular, pero lo más interesante es que han demostrado que algunos grupos farmacológicos generan un beneficio adicional en la población con condición cardiovascular. Es tan fuerte el impacto de estos medicamentos que se están posesionando como la estrategia de manejo inicial para la diabetes

Balón de contrapulsación intraaórtico por acceso subclavio como puente a trasplante cardiaco. Reporte de casos:

Advanced heart failure is a major health problem for which heart transplantation or left ventricular assist devices are the only effective treatments. Intra-aortic balloon pump inserted using femoral artery access as a bridge to heart transplantation is still frequently used, but has the disadvantage of limiting the patient’s movements, hence exposing him or her to the hazards of immobility and threatening the success of the procedure or hindering recovery. Access through the subclavian artery has become an attractive alternative since it doesn’t impair the patient’s mobility, and there is increasing evidence supporting its use. We present the first case of subclavian counterpulsation balloon implantation in a cardiovascular care center in Colombia.La falla cardíaca avanzada es un importante problema de salud, siendo la única alternativa definitiva de manejo el trasplante cardíaco o los dispositivos de asistencia ventricular. El balón de contrapulsación intraaórtico por acceso femoral como puente a trasplante, que es aún de uso frecuente, tiene la desventaja de limitar la actividad del paciente, exponiéndolo a las complicaciones de la inmovilidad, lo que puede amenazar el éxito del procedimiento o, al menos, complicar la recuperación después del trasplante. El acceso por la arteria subclavia para el implante se ha convertido en una alternativa atractiva pues evita todas estas limitaciones del acceso femoral y hay evidencia que favorece su utilización como primera alternativa en este contexto. Presentamos los primeros casos de implante de balón de contrapulsación por vía subclavia en un centro de atención cardiovascular de alta complejidad en Colombia

Evidence for the long-term resistance of Posidonia oceanica meadows to Caulerpa cylindracea invasion

En prensa1,51

Novel genes and sex differences in COVID-19 severity

[EN] Here, we describe the results of a genome-wide study conducted in 11 939 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive cases with an extensive clinical information that were recruited from 34 hospitals across Spain (SCOURGE consortium). In sex-disaggregated genome-wide association studies for COVID-19 hospitalization, genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10−8) was crossed for variants in 3p21.31 and 21q22.11 loci only among males (P = 1.3 × 10−22 and P = 8.1 × 10−12, respectively), and for variants in 9q21.32 near TLE1 only among females (P = 4.4 × 10−8). In a second phase, results were combined with an independent Spanish cohort (1598 COVID-19 cases and 1068 population controls), revealing in the overall analysis two novel risk loci in 9p13.3 and 19q13.12, with fine-mapping prioritized variants functionally associated with AQP3 (P = 2.7 × 10−8) and ARHGAP33 (P = 1.3 × 10−8), respectively. The meta-analysis of both phases with four European studies stratified by sex from the Host Genetics Initiative (HGI) confirmed the association of the 3p21.31 and 21q22.11 loci predominantly in males and replicated a recently reported variant in 11p13 (ELF5, P = 4.1 × 10−8). Six of the COVID-19 HGI discovered loci were replicated and an HGI-based genetic risk score predicted the severity strata in SCOURGE. We also found more SNP-heritability and larger heritability differences by age (<60 or ≥60 years) among males than among females. Parallel genome-wide screening of inbreeding depression in SCOURGE also showed an effect of homozygosity in COVID-19 hospitalization and severity and this effect was stronger among older males. In summary, new candidate genes for COVID-19 severity and evidence supporting genetic disparities among sexes are provided.S