The major Thiobacillus ferrooxidans outer membrane protein forms low conductance ion channels in planar lipid bilayers

AbstractA protein isolated and purified from the outer membrane of the acidophilic, chemolithotrophic bacterium, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans with an oligomeric molecular weight of 90 000 Da (p9O) was incorporated into phosphatidylethanolamine planar lipid bilayers. The protein formed slightly anionic channels in KCl solutions, with a conductance of 25 pS in 100 mM KCl. The current—voltage relationship was linear between ±6O mV, and the conductance was a saturating function of the salt concentration. These channels fluctuated from a single open to closed state at low potentials, but present flickering activity at higher potentials

Treatment alternatives for dry mouth : a scoping review

Saliva is a biological fluid essential for the maintenance of a proper oral health. Its absence predisposes to differences pathologies, including dental caries, fungal infections among many others, significantly affecting the oral health related quality

Beam hardening artifact reduction using dual energy computed tomography: implications for myocardial perfusion studies

Background: Myocardial perfusion computed tomography (CTP) using conventional single energy (SE) imaging is influenced by the presence of beam hardening artifacts (BHA), occasionally resembling perfusion defects and commonly observed at the left ventricular posterobasal wall (PB). We therefore sought to explore the ability of dual energy (DE) CTP to attenuate the presence of BHA. Methods: Consecutive patients without history of coronary artery disease who were referred for computed tomography coronary angiography due to atypical chest pain and a normal stress-rest SPECT and had absence or mild coronary atherosclerosis constituted the study population. The study group was acquired using DE and the control group using SE imaging. Results: Demographical characteristics were similar between groups, as well as the heart rate and the effective radiation dose. Myocardial signal density (SD) levels were evaluated in 280 basal segments among the DE group (140 PB segments for each energy level from 40 keV to 100 keV; and 140 reference segments), and in 40 basal segments (at the same locations) among the SE group. Among the DE group, myocardial SD levels and myocardial SD ratio evaluated at the reference segment were higher at low energy levels, with significantly lower SD levels at increasing energy levels. Myocardial signal-to-noise ratio was not significantly influenced by the energy level applied, although 70 keV was identified as the energy level with the best overall signal-to-noise ratio. Significant differences were identified between the PB segment and the reference segment among the lower energy levels, whereas at ≥ 70 keV myocardial SD levels were similar. Compared to DE reconstructions at the best energy level (70 keV), SE acquisitions showed no significant differences overall regarding myocardial SD levels among the reference segments. Conclusions: Beam hardening artifacts that influence the assessment of myocardial perfusion can be attenuated using DE at 70 keV or higher.Fil: Rodriguez Granillo, Gaston Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; Argentina. Diagnóstico Maipú; ArgentinaFil: Carrascosa, Patricia. Diagnóstico Maipú; ArgentinaFil: Cipriano, Silvia. Diagnóstico Maipú; ArgentinaFil: De Zan, Macarena. Diagnóstico Maipú; ArgentinaFil: Deviggiano, Alejandro. Diagnóstico Maipú; ArgentinaFil: Capunay, Carlos. Diagnóstico Maipú; ArgentinaFil: Cury, Ricardo C.. Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute and Baptist Health; Estados Unido

Computer physician order entry (CPOE) as a strategy to estimate laboratory activity and costs associated with cancer clinical trials

Introduction: Most of clinical laboratories are not properly reimbursed for their activity related to clinical trials (CTs) conducted in their institutions due to a lack of measurement strategies. We implemented a specific computer physician order entry (CPOE) environment for CTs in order to facilitate ordering to providers and estimate the associated costs to be compared with the standard of care (SOC). Materials and methods: Four specific electronic formularies, restricted to two new virtual CTs clinical services (onco - CT and haemo - CT), were implemented in January 2015. For each clinical trial displayed in the panels there were several box-cells that contained several profiles based on the different phase of the trials. Tests included in the profiles were the tests required by protocol. Laboratory costs (€) per patient were compared between the CTs services and their regular outpatients clinical services (onco - Out and haemo - Out, considered the SOC) for three years. Results: Costs per patient were higher for CTs services and increased progressively each year (25%, 70% and 70% and 0.6%, 2.7% and 17% in 2015, 2016 and 2017 for Oncology and Haematology, respectively). Taking into account all these differences and the number of patients attending a total difference in expense of + 130,377.7 € for the period 2015-2017 was obtained between CTs and outpatients services. Conclusions: Strategies through CPOE systems based on restricted and specific profiles for CTs ordering are a promising tool that can improve laboratory associated costs estimation and provide robust evidence in reimbursement negotiation processes with CTs sponsors

La clase invertida en los estudios universitarios de Economía

En este trabajo presentamos una nueva metodología docente a nivel universitario en los estudios de Economía. Hace años comenzamos a utilizar videos docentes a modo de complemento en clase, sin embargo la flipped classroom nos hizo plantearnos una nueva forma de enseñanza, invirtiendo los papeles: el alumno toma el papel protagonista, estudiando en casa con ayuda del material proporcionado por el profesor y aprovecha el tiempo de clase para resolver ejercicios, dudas y trabajar en equipo. Si bien esta metodología ha sido llevada a cabo con éxito en diversos niveles educativos no universitarios, en nuestra realidad, hemos tenido que adaptarla, incorporando elementos adicionales.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Multifunctional albumin-stabilized gold nanoclusters for the reduction of cancer stem cells

Controlled delivery of multiple chemotherapeutics can improve the effectiveness of treatments and reduce side effects and relapses. Here in, we used albumin-stabilized gold nanoclusters modified with doxorubicin and SN38 (AuNCs-DS) as combined therapy for cancer. The chemotherapeutics are conjugated to the nanostructures using linkers that release them when exposed to different internal stimuli (Glutathione and pH). This system has shown potent antitumor activity against breast and pancreatic cancer cells. Our studies indicate that the antineoplastic activity observed may be related to the reinforced DNA damage generated by the combination of the drugs. Moreover, this system presented antineoplastic activity against mammospheres, a culturing model for cancer stem cells, leading to an efficient reduction of the number of oncospheres and their size. In summary, the nanostructures reported here are promising carriers for combination therapy against cancer and particularly to cancer stem cells.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (CTQ2016-78454-C2-2-R, SAF2014-56763-R, and SAF2017-87305-R), Comunidad de Madrid (S2013/MIT-2850), Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer, and IMDEA Nanociencia IMDEA Nanociencia acknowledges support from the ‘Severo Ochoa’ Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D (MINECO, Grant SEV-2016-0686

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation improves survival in a novel 24-hour pig model of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome

Indexación: Web of Science; Pub Med CentralExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly being used to treat severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, there is limited clinical evidence about how to optimize the technique. Experimental research can provide an alternative to fill the actual knowledge gap. The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate an animal model of acute lung injury (ALI) which resembled severe ARDS, and which could be successfully supported with ECMO. Eighteen pigs were randomly allocated into three groups: sham, ALI, and ALI + ECMO. ALI was induced by a double-hit consisting in repeated saline lavage followed by a 2-hour period of injurious ventilation. All animals were followed up to 24 hours while being ventilated with conventional ventilation (tidal volume 10 ml/kg). The lung injury model resulted in severe hypoxemia, increased airway pressures, pulmonary hypertension, and altered alveolar membrane barrier function, as indicated by an increased protein concentration in bronchoalveolar fluid, and increased wet/dry lung weight ratio. Histologic examination revealed severe diffuse alveolar damage, characteristic of ARDS. Veno-venous ECMO was started at the end of lung injury induction with a flow > 60 ml/kg/min resulting in rapid reversal of hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension. Mortality was 0, 66.6 and 16.6% in the SHAM, ALI and ALI + ECMO groups, respectively (p < 0.05). This is a novel clinically relevant animal model that can be used to optimize the approach to ECMO and foster translational research in extracorporeal lung support.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4931177

Pairing Binge Drinking and a High-Fat Diet in Adolescence Modulates the Inflammatory Effects of Subsequent Alcohol Consumption in Mice

Alcohol binge drinking (BD) and poor nutritional habits are two frequent behaviors among many adolescents that alter gut microbiota in a pro-inflammatory direction. Dysbiotic changes in the gut microbiome are observed after alcohol and high-fat diet (HFD) consumption, even before obesity onset. In this study, we investigate the neuroinflammatory response of adolescent BD when combined with a continuous or intermittent HFD and its effects on adult ethanol consumption by using a self-administration (SA) paradigm in mice. The inflammatory biomarkers IL-6 and CX3CL1 were measured in the striatum 24 h after BD, 3 weeks later and after the ethanol (EtOH) SA. Adolescent BD increased alcohol consumption in the oral SA and caused a greater motivation to seek the substance. Likewise, mice with intermittent access to HFD exhibited higher EtOH consumption, while the opposite effect was found in mice with continuous HFD access. Biochemical analyses showed that after BD and three weeks later, striatal levels of IL-6 and CX3CL1 were increased. In addition, in saline-treated mice, CX3CL1 was increased after continuous access to HFD. After oral SA procedure, striatal IL-6 was increased only in animals exposed to BD and HFD. In addition, striatal CX3CL1 levels were increased in all BD- and HFD-exposed groups. Overall, our findings show that adolescent BD and intermittent HFD increase adult alcohol intake and point to neuroinflammation as an important mechanism modulating this interaction.021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Indigenous peoples, linguistic rights and access to justice: The Intercultural Bilingual Interpreters Project of the Wichí Lhämtes Council (Salta, Argentina)

Este artículo centra su interés en los derechos lingüísticos y de acceso a la justicia para los pueblos indígenas. El objetivo es presentar el Proyecto de Formación de Jóvenes Intérpretes Bilingües Interculturales en Lenguas Wichí y Español, diseñado y promovido por el Consejo Wichí Lhämtes (Consejo de la Lengua Wichí). El proyecto tiene el objetivo de formar jóvenes que actúen en todos los ámbitos de la justicia y operen como defensores de los derechos de su pueblo. El artículo surge de nuestro acompañamiento al Consejo Wichí Lhämtes a través de proyectos de investigación-acción, en el marco del Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades (CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Salta). En las conclusiones destacamos la importancia de la iniciativa para la promoción de la interculturalidad en el sistema de justicia provincial, y para la generación de una actitud crítica entre los jóvenes indígenas.Este artigo enfoca nos direitos linguísticos e no acesso à justiça para os povos indígenas. O objetivo é apresentar o Projeto de Formação de Jovens Intérpretes Bilingües Interculturais nas Línguas Wichí e Espanhola, elaborado e promovido pelo Conselho Wichí Lhämtes (Conselho da Língua Wichí). O projeto visa formar jovens que representem ao povo Wichí em todas as áreas da justiça, como defensores dos direitos de seu povo. Oartigo deriva do nosso apoio ao Conselho Wichí Lhämtes através de projetos de pesquisa-ação, no âmbito do Instituto de Pesquisa de Ciências Sociais e Humanas (CONICET -Universidade Nacional de Salta). Nas conclusões destacamos a importância da iniciativapara a promoção da interculturalidade no sistema de justiça provincial e para a geração de uma atitude crítica entre os jovens indígenas.This article focuses on linguistic rights and access to justice for indigenous peoples. The aim is to present the Training Project for Young Intercultural Bilingual Interpreters in Wichí and Spanish Languages, designed and promoted by the Wichí Lhämtes Council (Council of the Wichí Language). The project aims to train young people who act in all areas of justice and operate as defenders of the rights of their people. The article comes from our support to the Wichí Lhämtes Council through action research projects, within the framework of the Research Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities (CONICET -National University of Salta). In the conclusions, we highlight the importance of the initiative for the promotion of interculturality in the provincial justice system, and for the generation of a critical attitude among the indigenous youth.Fil: Buliubasich, Emiliana Catalina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Humanidades. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades; ArgentinaFil: Ossola, María Macarena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Humanidades. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Hector Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Humanidades; Argentin