Caminhando pelas Ruas de Desterro – Santa Catarina - Brasil

In order to meet the demand of the tourist activity and to provide quality service in the services, the aim of the project "Walking through the Streets of Desterro - SC" was to offer a patrimonial education activity to city workers through free cultural walks in the Historical Center of Florianópolis, with the intention of comparing and promoting a dialogical interaction of the participants with the city. As an extension project linked to teaching, it provided the improvement of professional practice of students of the technical course in tourism guide, offered by Câmpus Florianópolis Continente of the Federal Institute of Santa Catarina (IFSC),Câmpus Florianópolis Continente. Among the results, it was verified the lack of time and availability of the target public to participate in the walkPara atender a demanda da atividade turística e propiciar qualidade no atendimento nos serviços, o projeto Caminhando pelas Ruas de Desterro - SC teve como objetivo oferecer a atividade de educação patrimonial junto a trabalhadores da cidade através de caminhadas culturais gratuitas no Centro Histórico de Florianópolis, com a intenção de comparar e promover uma interação dialógica dos participantes com a cidade. Por ser um projeto de extensão vinculado ao ensino, teve como um dos seus objetivos; o aprimoramento da prática profissional das discentes do Curso Técnico em Guia de Turismo, ofertado pelo Campus Florianópolis Continente - IFSC. O delineamento metodológico se caracterizou como qualitativa, aplicada descritiva, bibliográfica e a aplicação de um opinário. Dentre os resultados, foi constatado a falta de tempo e disponibilidade do público-alvo em participar da caminhada.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.35700/ca.2018.ano5n8.p13-24.228

Iniciativas para el desarrollo sostenible del Área de Conservación Arenal- Huetar Norte, Costa Rica

El presente proyecto tiene como zona de estudio el Área de Conservación Arenal- Huetar Norte (ACA-HN), concretamente los cantones de Upala, Los Chiles y Guatuso. El propósito del proyecto es promover el desarrollo sostenible de la zona mediante los pilares de la educación y la economía. Para ello se elabora un manual de educación ambiental de la cuenca de río Frío y así poder solventar algunas de las carencias en educación que tienen los docentes de las escuelas de la cuenca hidrográfica. Por otro lado, se diagnostica la cadena de valor sobre usos alternativos de la biodiversidad, específicamente zoocriaderos de mariposas diurnas, en los cantones de Upala y Los Chiles. Por último, se trata la información de la zona de estudio con Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG) para elaborar mapas que ilustren los proyectos anteriores y el proyecto sobre el diagnóstico de la industria de turismo local.El present projecte té com a zona d'estudi "el Área de Conservación Arenal-Huetar Norte" (ACA-HN), concretament els cantons de "Upala, Los Chiles" i "Guatuso". El propòsit del projecte és promoure el desenvolupament sostenible de la zona mitjançant els pilars de l'educació i l'economia. Per aquest motiu, es realitza un manual d'educació ambiental de la conca de "río Frío" per a poder resoldre algunes de les mancances en educació que presenten els docents de les escoles de la conca hidrogràfica. D'altra banda, es diagnostica la cadena de valor sobre usos alternatius de la biodiversitat, específicament de les granges de papallones diürnes, en els cantons de "Upala" i "Los Chiles". Per últim, es tracta la informació de la zona d'estudi amb Sistemes d'Informació Geogràfica (SIG) per elaborar mapes que il·lustrin els projectes anteriors i el projecte sobre el diagnòstic de la indústria de turisme local.The Project study area is "Área de Conservación Arenal-Huetar Norte (ACA-HN)", specifically "Upala", "Los Chiles" and "Guatuso" municipalities. The main goal is to promote sustainable development through education and economy aspects. In order to solve some of the teachers education lacks, it is made an environmental handbook about "río Frío" basin. On the other hand, is diagnosed the value chain about alternative biodiversity uses, specifically butterflies farms, in "Upala" and "Los Chiles". Finally, the study area information is used with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to elaborate maps that illustrate the previous projects and the local industry diagnostic project

Impact of Wnt/β-Catenin Inhibition on Cell Proliferation through CDC25A Downregulation in Soft Tissue Sarcomas.

The Wnt signaling pathway is an important cellular mechanism for regulating differentiation processes as well as cell cycle events, and different inhibitors of this pathway, for example, PRI-724, are showing promising results in clinical trials for treatment of advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma or ovarian cancer. Growing evidence suggests that Wnt signaling may also be crucial for tumorigenesis and progression of soft tissue sarcomas (STS), a malignant neoplasm with few therapeutic options at an advanced state. Our study with several STS cell lines and primary cultures shows that inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling with PRI-724 is able to suppress cell viability/proliferation and to increase cell death rates. TCF/β-catenin-mediated transcriptional activity is decreased in treated cells, leading to downregulation of its target genes CCND1 and CDC25A. The latter was critical because its downregulation via siRNA was able to mimic the effect of PRI-724 on cell cycle arrest and cell death induction. An evaluation of NCBI/GenBank data confirmed that CDC25A mRNA is elevated in STS patients. Importantly, PRI-724 in combination with standard STS chemotherapeutics doxorubicin or trabectedin enhanced their antitumoral effect in a synergistic manner according to isobolographic analysis, suggesting that Wnt inhibition through PRI-724 could be a beneficial combination regime in patients with advanced STS.This study was financed by Grupo Español de Investigación en Sarcomas (GEIS) and Fundación Mari PazJiménez Casado. MPC is supported by Programa Estrategia de Emprendimiento y Empleo Joven,Garantía Juvenil(Ministerio de Trabajo, Migraciones y Seguridad Social-SOIB.S

Analysis of vaccine responses after anti-CD20 maintenance in B-cell lymphoma in the Balearic Islands. A single reference center experience

IntroductionThe use of maintenance approaches with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies has improved the outcomes of B-cell indolent lymphomas but may lead to significant peripheral B-cell depletion. This depletion can potentially hinder the serological response to neoantigens.MethodsOur objective was to analyze the effect of anti-CD20 maintenance therapy in a reliable model of response to neoantigens: SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responses and the incidence/severity ofCOVID-19 in a reference hospital.ResultsIn our series (n=118), the rate of vaccination failures was 31%. Through ROC curve analysis, we determined a cutoff for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine serologic response at 24 months from the last anti-CD20 dose. The risk of severe COVID-19 was notably higher within the first 24months following the last anti-CD20 dose (52%) compared to after this period (just 18%) (p=0.007). In our survival analysis, neither vaccine response nor hypogammaglobulinemia significantly affected OS. While COVID-19 led to a modest mortality rate of 2.5%, this figure was comparable to the OS reported in the general immunocompetent population. However, most patients with hypogammaglobulinemia received intravenous immunoglobulin therapy and all were vaccinated. In conclusion, anti-CD20 maintenance therapy impairs serological responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.DiscussionWe report for the first time that patients during maintenance therapy and up to 24 months after the last anti-CD20 dose are at a higher risk of vaccine failure and more severe cases of COVID-19. Nevertheless, with close monitoring, intravenous immunoglobulin supplementation or proper vaccination, the impact on survival due to the lack of serological response in this high-risk population can be mitigated, allowing for the benefits of anti-CD20 maintenance therapy, even in the presence of hypogammaglobulinemia

Screening for Prognostic microRNAs Associated with Treatment Failure in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treatment with R-CHOP regimen produces 5-year progression-free survival and overall survival of around 60-70%. Our objective was to discover prognostic biomarkers allowing early detection of the remaining 30-40% with poor long-term outcome. For this purpose, we applied a novel strategy: from a cohort of DLBCL patients, treated with standard therapy, a discovery group of 12 patients with poor prognosis (advanced stage III-IV, R-IPI > 2) was formed, consisting of six chemoresistant (refractory/early relapse 3 years) subjects. By using microarray assays, the most differentially expressed miRNAs were defined as an initial set of prognostic miRNA candidates. Their expression was then analyzed in a validation cohort of 68 patients and the three miRNAs with the most significant impact on event-free and overall survival were selected. In the DLBCL cell line U-2932 the transfection with miR-1244 and miR-193b-5p, but not miR-1231, blocked the effect of CHOP on cell viability. A subsequent gene set enrichment analysis in patients revealed the implication of the first two miRNAs in cell cycle control and chemoresistance-related pathways, whereas the last one was involved in immunological processes. In conclusion, this novel strategy identified three promising prognostic markers for DLBCL patients at high risk of failure with standard therapy

DNA methylation signatures of aggression and closely related constructs : A meta-analysis of epigenome-wide studies across the lifespan

DNA methylation profiles of aggressive behavior may capture lifetime cumulative effects of genetic, stochastic, and environmental influences associated with aggression. Here, we report the first large meta-analysis of epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of aggressive behavior (N = 15,324 participants). In peripheral blood samples of 14,434 participants from 18 cohorts with mean ages ranging from 7 to 68 years, 13 methylation sites were significantly associated with aggression (alpha = 1.2 x 10(-7); Bonferroni correction). In cord blood samples of 2425 children from five cohorts with aggression assessed at mean ages ranging from 4 to 7 years, 83% of these sites showed the same direction of association with childhood aggression (r = 0.74, p = 0.006) but no epigenome-wide significant sites were found. Top-sites (48 at a false discovery rate of 5% in the peripheral blood meta-analysis or in a combined meta-analysis of peripheral blood and cord blood) have been associated with chemical exposures, smoking, cognition, metabolic traits, and genetic variation (mQTLs). Three genes whose expression levels were associated with top-sites were previously linked to schizophrenia and general risk tolerance. At six CpGs, DNA methylation variation in blood mirrors variation in the brain. On average 44% (range = 3-82%) of the aggression-methylation association was explained by current and former smoking and BMI. These findings point at loci that are sensitive to chemical exposures with potential implications for neuronal functions. We hope these results to be a starting point for studies leading to applications as peripheral biomarkers and to reveal causal relationships with aggression and related traits.Peer reviewe

DNA methylation signatures of aggression and closely related constructs: A meta-analysis of epigenome-wide studies across the lifespan

DNA methylation profiles of aggressive behavior may capture lifetime cumulative effects of genetic, stochastic, and environmental influences associated with aggression. Here, we report the first large meta-analysis of epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of aggressive behavior (N = 15,324 participants). In peripheral blood samples of 14,434 participants from 18 cohorts with mean ages ranging from 7 to 68 years, 13 methylation sites were significantly associated with aggression (alpha = 1.2 × 10-7; Bonferroni correction). In cord blood samples of 2425 children from five cohorts with aggression assessed at mean ages ranging from 4 to 7 years, 83% of these sites showed the same direction of association with childhood aggression (r = 0.74, p = 0.006) but no epigenome-wide significant sites were found. Top-sites (48 at a false discovery rate of 5% in the peripheral blood meta-analysis or in a combined meta-analysis of peripheral blood and cord blood) have been associated with chemical exposures, smoking, cognition, metabolic traits, and genetic variation (mQTLs). Three genes whose expression levels were associated with top-sites were previously linked to schizophrenia and general risk tolerance. At six CpGs, DNA methylation variation in blood mirrors variation in the brain. On average 44% (range = 3-82%) of the aggression-methylation association was explained by current and former smoking and BMI. These findings point at loci that are sensitive to chemical exposures with potential implications for neuronal functions. We hope these results to be a starting point for studies leading to applications as peripheral biomarkers and to reveal causal relationships with aggression and related traits.</p

La cadena de valor dels shiitakes

Postprint (published version

Eficacia de la electroestimulación perineal de superficie versus la electroestimulación intracavitaria en el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria secundaria a prostatectomía radical : ensayo clínico aleatorizado

Introducció: En l'actualitat, la prostatectomia radical és el tractament d'elecció pels homes amb càncer de pròstata localitzat, però, alguns pacients pateixen d'incontinència urinària (IU) després de la cirurgia. Aquesta pèrdua d'orina es converteix en un problema físic, emocional, psicosocial i econòmic. La fisioteràpia del sòl pelvià és un tractament conservador, indolor i econòmic per a aquesta situació en concret, i dins de la mateixa trobem com a tècniques habituals l'entrenament de la musculatura del sòl pelvià i l'electroestimulació muscular perineal. Com a objectiu principal es pretén comparar l'eficàcia del tractament amb electroestimulació perineal de superfície versus el mateix tractament aplicat de manera intra-cavitària, en la reducció de la IU secundària a prostatectomia radical, i la seva repercussió sobre la qualitat de vida. Material i mètodes: Es va realitzar un assaig clínic controlat i aleatoritzat d'equivalència a simple cec. Es va generar una seqüència d'assignació aleatòria a raó 1: 1 i es va realitzar una inclusió consecutiva fins arribar a un total de 70 pacients. Els grups van rebre 1 sessió setmanal durant 10 setmanes consecutives. El grup intervenció (GI) va realitzar la tècnica amb elèctrodes de superfície i el grup control (GC) amb sonda intraanal. Es van recollir les dades basals, en les setmanes 5 i 10, i als 6 mesos posteriors a la finalització del tractament. Els grams d'orina perduts mesurats amb el Pad Test 24h va ser considerada la variable principal. Altres variables d'estudi van ser la qualitat de vida relacionada amb la salut (QVRS) mesura amb els qüestionaris ICIQ-SF, I-QOL i SF-12, l'estat de la musculatura del sòl pelvià, la continuïtat i adherència a el tractament, els efectes adversos i la satisfacció amb el tractament. Resultats: Es van incloure un total de 70 homes amb una mitjana d'edat de 62,8 (DE 9,4) anys. Tots havien estat intervinguts quirúrgicament de prostatectomia radical i posteriorment van presentar IU derivada d'aquesta cirurgia. Els participants van presentar un Pad Test 24h basal mitjà de 328,3 (DE 426,1) grams. El Pad Test mostrar una disminució significativa dels grams d'orina perduts a les 5 setmanes (121,7 gr en el GC i 159,1 al GI) i 10 setmanes (235,8 gr en el GC i 248,5 al GI) de tractament en ambdós grups (GC p <0,001 i GI p <0,001). La diferència va deixar de ser significativa un cop finalitzat el tractament durant els 6 mesos posteriors (17,3 gr en el GC, p = 0,230 i 11,7 gr en el GI, p = 0,438). Els qüestionaris ICIQ-SF, I-QOL i SF-12 també van mostrar una millora significativa en la QVRS en els diferents períodes d'avaluació. En l'anàlisi de les diferències entre els dos tractaments, en relació a la variable principal (Pad Test 24h) i en relació a la resta de variables recollides mitjançant els qüestionaris de QVRS, s'observa l'absència de significació estadística. Conclusions: Els resultats sobre l'equivalència terapèutica de la EEM aplicada amb elèctrodes de superfície i la EEM aplicada amb sonda intraanal no són concloents i, per tant, no permeten establir l'equivalència terapèutica entre les dues modalitats de tractament. No obstant això, la disminució en els grams d'orina perduts al llarg de la teràpia és clínica i estadísticament significativa en ambdós grups; a més, les diferències en les pèrdues d'orina entre el grup intraanal i el grup de superfície no són significatives, és a dir, la EEM sembla ser eficaç i l'eficàcia de les dues formes d'administració no son diferent des del punt de vista estadístic. La utilització de la EEM millora significativament la QVRS dels participants des de l'inici al final del tractament en les dues modalitats.Introducción: En la actualidad, la prostatectomía radical es el tratamiento de elección para los hombres con cáncer de próstata localizado,sin embargo, algunos pacientes sufren de incontinencia urinaria (IU) después de la cirugía. Esta pérdida de orina se convierte en un problema físico, emocional, psicosocial y económico. La fisioterapia del suelo pelviano es un tratamiento conservador, indoloro y económico para esta situación en concreto, y dentro de la misma encontramos como técnicas habituales el entrenamiento de la musculatura del suelo pelviano y la electroestimulación muscular perineal. Como objetivo principal se pretende comparar la eficacia del tratamiento con electroestimulación perineal de superficie versus el mismo tratamiento aplicado de manera intra-cavitaria, en la reducción de la IU secundaria a prostatectomía radical, y su repercusión sobre la calidad de vida. Material y métodos: Se realizó un ensayo clínico controlado y aleatorizado de equivalencia a simple ciego. Se generó una secuencia de asignación aleatoria a razón 1:1 y se realizó una inclusión consecutiva hasta alcanzar un total de 70 pacientes. Los grupos recibieron 1 sesión semanal durante 10 semanas consecutivas. El grupo intervención (GI) realizó la técnica con electrodos de superficie y el grupo control (GC) con sonda intraanal. Se recogieron los datos basales, en las semanas 5 y 10, y a los 6 meses posteriores a la finalización del tratamiento. Los gramos de orina perdidos medidos con el Pad Test 24h fue considerada la variable principal. Otras variables de estudio fueron la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) medida con los cuestionarios ICIQ-SF, I-QOL y SF-12, el estado de la musculatura del suelo pelviano, la continuidad y adherencia al tratamiento, los efectos adversos y la satisfacción con la terapia. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 70 hombres con una media de edad de 62,8 (DE 9,4) años. Todos habían sido intervenidos quirúrgicamente de prostatectomía radical y posteriormente presentaron IU derivada de esta cirugía. Los participantes presentaron un Pad Test 24h basal medio de 328,3 (DE 426,1) gramos. El Pad Test mostró una disminución significativa de los gramos de orina perdidos a las 5 semanas (121,7 gr en el GC y 159,1 en el GI) y 10 semanas (235,8 gr en el GC y 248,5 en el GI) de tratamiento en ambos grupos (GC p<0,001 y GI p<0,001). La diferencia dejó de ser significativa una vez finalizado el tratamiento durante los 6 meses posteriores (17,3 gr en el GC, p=0,230 y 11,7 gr en el GI, p=0,438). Los cuestionarios ICIQ-SF, I-QOL y SF-12 también mostraron una mejora significativa en la CVRS en los diferentes periodos de evaluación. En el análisis de las diferencias entre los dos tratamientos, en relación a la variable principal (Pad Test 24h) y en relación al resto de variables con valores recogidos mediante los cuestionarios de CVRS, se observa la ausencia de significación estadística. Conclusiones: Los resultados sobre la equivalencia terapéutica de la EEM aplicada con electrodos de superficie y la EEM aplicada con sonda intraanal no son concluyentes y, por tanto, no permiten establecer la equivalencia terapéutica entre ambas modalidades de tratamiento. Sin embargo, la disminución en los gramos de orina perdidos a lo largo de la terapia es clínica y estadísticamente significativa en ambos grupos; además, las diferencias en las pérdidas de orina entre el grupo intraanal y el grupo de superficie no son significativas, es decir, la EEM parece ser eficaz y la eficacia de las dos formas de administración no ser diferente desde el punto de vista estadístico. La utilización de la EEM mejora significativamente la CVRS de los participantes desde el inicio al final del tratamiento con los dos modos de aplicación.Introduction: Radical prostatectomy is the gold standard treatment for men with localized prostate cancer. This technique is associated with post-operative urinary incontinence. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a conservative, painless and economical treatment for this specific situation. Kegel exercises and perineal electrostimulation are common techniques to train pelvic floor muscles. The perineal electrostimulation can be applied to the patient with surface electrodes or by an intra-cavitary anal probe. The main objective is to compare the efficacy of the treatment with transcutaneous perineal electrostimulation versus the same intra-cavitary treatment to reduce the magnitude of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy, and the impact on the quality of life. Material and method: An equivalence, single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted. The groups received 1 weekly therapy session for 10 consecutive weeks. The intervention group (IG) performed the technique with surface electrodes and the control group (CG) with intraanal probe. Data were collected at baseline, at weeks 5 and 10, and 6 months after the end of treatment. Grams of urine lost, measured with the 24h Pad Test, was considered the main variable. Other study variables were health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measured with the ICIQ-SF, I-QOL and SF-12 questionnaires, pelvic floor musculature condition, continuity, adherence to treatment, adverse effects, and satisfaction with treatment. Results: A total of 70 men were included with a mean age of 62.8 (SD 9.4) years. All had undergone radical prostatectomy surgery and subsequently presented UI derived from this surgery. The participants presented a mean baseline 24h Pad Test of 328.3 (SD 426.1) grams. The Pad Test showed a significant decrease in the urine lost grams at 5 weeks (121.7 g in the CG and 159.1 g in the IG; p<0.001) and 10 weeks (235.8 g in the CG and 248.5 g in the IG; p<0.001) of treatment. The difference was no longer significant once the treatment was finished during the subsequent 6 months (17.3 g in the CG, p=0.230 and 11.7 g in the IG, p=0.438). The ICIQ-SF, I-QOL and SF-12 questionnaires also showed a significant improvement in HRQoL in the different evaluation periods. In the CG, an increase of 4.1 points in the ICIQ-SF, an increase of 21.1 points in the I-QOL, a decrease of 1.6 points in the mental and a decrease of 2.7 points in the physical dimensions of SF-12 were observed. In the IG, an increase of 3.8 points in the ICIQ-SF, an increase of 25.1 points in the I-QOL, a decrease of 1.6 points in the mental and a decrease of 2 points in the physical dimensions of SF-12 were also noted. In the analysis of the differences between the two treatments, in relation to the main variable (Pad Test 24h) and to the rest of variables collected through the HRQoL questionnaires, absence of statistical significance was found. Conclusions: The results on the therapeutic equivalence of perineal MES applied with surface electrodes and that applied with an intraanal probe are not conclusive and, therefore, do not allow establishing the therapeutic equivalence between both treatment modalities. However, the decrease in the grams of urine lost throughout the therapy is clinically and statistically significant in both groups (after 5 weeks of treatment and after 10 weeks of treatment); furthermore, the differences in urine losses between the intraanal group and the surface group are not significant, that is, MES seems to be effective and the efficacy of the two forms of administration not to be different from a statistical point of view. The use of electrostimulation improves significantly the HRQoL of the participants from the beginning to the end of the treatment with both modes of application.Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Programa de Doctorat en Metodologia de la Recerca Biomèdica i Salut Públic