Tweet@TV: Televisió social en 140 caràcters

Aquest Projecte de Final de Carrera se centra en aquesta vessant dels serveis interactius de la televisió, la televisió social. Durant la seva realització s’ha desenvolupat una aplicació per accedir a una xarxa social d’una forma integrada i sincronitzada amb el consum de televisió. Seguint la línia de recerca del PFC d’en Manel Martos, Adaptació i distribució de continguts web per IPTV [2], aquest projecte s’ha realitzat en l’empresa Activa Multimèdia Digital de la Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals entre els mesos de febrer i maig de 2010 en el marc del projecte CREA-IPTV

Evaluación de la calidad de un programa de lactancia materna en el HUBU

Este trabajo de investigación en el que se presenta un minucioso análisis del estado de la investigación en sistemas de gestión de calidad en un servicio de obstetricia y ginecología en la atención después del parto y la orientación hacia la lactancia materna. Asimismo se incluyen instrumentos de evaluación de la satisfacción de las pacientes con la intervención de los distintos agentes implicados. La calidad del análisis y de los materiales utilizados hacen que este trabajo sea una guía para estudiantes de la titulación de enfermería

Improving Photodynamic Therapy Anticancer Activity of a Mitochondria-Targeted Coumarin Photosensitizer Using a Polyurethane−Polyurea Hybrid Nanocarrier

Integration of photosensitizers (PSs) within nanoscale delivery systems offers great potential for overcoming some of the 'Achiles' heels' of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Herein, we have encapsulated a mitochondria-targeted coumarin PS into amphoteric polyurethane-polyurea hybrid nanocapsules (NCs) with the aim of developing novel nanoPDT agents. The synthesis of coumarin-loaded NCs involved the nanoemulsification of a suitable prepolymer in the presence of a PS without needing external surfactants, and the resulting small nanoparticles showed improved photostability compared with the free compound. Nanoencapsulation reduced dark cytotoxicity of the coumarin PS and significantly improved in vitro photoactivity with red light toward cancer cells, which resulted in higher phototherapeutic indexes compared to free PS. Importantly, this nanoformulation impaired tumoral growth of clinically relevant three-dimensional multicellular tumor spheroids. Mitochondrial photodamage along with reactive oxygen species (ROS) photogeneration was found to trigger autophagy and apoptotic cell death of cancer cells

Neutrophil Expression of T and B Immunomodulatory Molecules in HIV Infection

ObjectiveEvaluate the expression of B and T cell immunomodulatory molecules in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in HIV-infected patients. MethodsHIV load, bacterial translocation and neutrophils' expression of T [programmed death ligand, interleukin-10+, arginase 1+] and B [BAFF, APRIL] molecules were analyzed in different cohorts and time points: a control group of 25 healthy individuals and two groups of HIV-infected patients. Group 1 of patients included 35 untreated patients, studied at baseline and after antiretroviral therapy (ART). Group 2 was composed of 25 patients with undetectable viral load after a median of 101 months of ART prior to inclusion in the study. ResultsCompared with the control group, group 1 patients showed increased bacterial translocation and their PMN had a significantly higher expression of T and B-cell immunomodulatory molecules, both at baseline and after 12 months of ART. Group 2 patients showed reduced bacterial translocation levels when compared with group 1 patients after 12 months of treatment. PMN expression of B-cell modulators was similar between group 2 patients and healthy controls, although the expression of T-cell modulators remained increased. ConclusionIn HIV-infected patients, the expression of B-cell stimulatory and T-cell suppressive molecules by neutrophils was increased at baseline and after a limited time of therapy. After a prolonged period of ART, only PMNs expression of T-cell immunosuppressive molecules remained elevated.This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Accion Estrategica en Salud 2014 (No PI14/01779), Spain. Cofinanced by FEDER (Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regiona

La fosfoenolpiruvato carboxilasa (PEPC): enzima clave de los metabolismos fotosintéticos C4 y CAM

http://digital.csic.es/bitstream/10261/29768/13/echevarria.pdfLa fosfoenolpiruvato carboxilasa (PEPC; EC 4.1.1.31) cataliza la β-carboxilación del fosfoenolpiruvato (PEP) en presencia de HCO3 - y Mg2+, para producir oxaloacetato (OAA) y Pi (Chollet et al., 1996). La PEPC está ampliamente distribuida en plantas, algas verdes y microorganismos pero ausente en levaduras y animales (Chollet et al., 1996). En plantas vasculares su papel estelar está relacionado con la fotosíntesis C4 y CAM («Crassulacean acid metabolism»), sin embargo desempeña otras funciones como la anaplerótica, en relación a la síntesis de proteínas, homeostasis del pH citosólico, electroneutralidad y osmolaridad. Está formada por una pequeña familia multigénica algunos de cuyos representantes están regulados a nivel transcripcional por factores como luz, hormonas y metabolitos (Chollet et al., 1996; Vidal y Chollet, 1997). La naturaleza alostérica de la enzima permite una regulación fina en relación a diferentes ambientes metabólicos. La PEPC está regulada por fosforilación reversible, proceso ligado a una cascada de transducción de señales de alta complejidad. En la actualidad es uno de los mejores modelos de señalización descritos en plantas. Este capítulo se centra en los eventos relacionados con este proceso en plantas C4 y CAM, los dos sistemas mejor estudiados en la actualidad (Chollet et al., 1996; Echevarría y Vidal, 2003; Izui et al., 2004; Nimmo, 2000; Vidal y Chollet, 1997).Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31, PEPC) catalyzes the b-carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) by HCO3 - in the presence of Mg2+ to yiel oxaloacetate and Pi (Chollet et al., 1996). PEPC is a widely distributed enzyme in plants, green algae and micro-organisms but absent in yeast and animals (Chollet et al., 1996). In higher plants, it catalyses a pivotal reaction related to such important processes as C4 and Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis, the anaplerotic pathway linked to amino acid synthesis, homeostasis of cytosolic pH, electroneutrality and osmolarity. PEPC belongs to a small multigenic family (Chollet et al., 1996; Vidal y Chollet, 1997). At the transcriptional level, some PEPC genes respond to external and internal factors (light, hormones and metabolites), while at the protein level, the allosteric nature of the enzyme allows its activity to be fine-tuned in relation to a varying metabolic environment. PEPC undergoes a posttranslational control by a phosphorylation process linked to a highly complex signal transduction cascade. Today, it is one of the best-described models of plant signaling. This chapter will focus on what is known about these processes in leaves of C4 and CAM plants, the two systems that have been studied in detail so far (Chollet et al., 1996; Echevarría y Vidal, 2003; Izui et al., 2004; Nimmo, 2000; Vidal y Chollet, 1997)

Bronchopulmonary penetration of isavuconazole in lung transplant recipients

Isavuconazole's (ISA) pharmacokinetics was studied among lung transplant recipients to evaluate its bronchopulmonary penetration. This study included 13 patients and showed mean serum concentrations of 3.30 (standard deviation [SD] 0.45), 5.12 (SD 1.36), and 6.31 (SD 0.95) at 2 h, 4 h, and 24 h respectively. Mean concentrations in the epithelial lining fluid were 0.969 (SD 0.895), 2.141 (SD 1.265), and 2.812 (SD 0.693) at the same time points. ISA is a drug with a tolerable safety profile that achieves adequate concentrations in the lung.This work was partially supported and funded by Pfizer (grant 54685521). Pfizer had no role in the study’s design; the collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of data; writing of the report; and the decision to submit the report for publicationS

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in a Cohort of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis under Disease-Modifying Therapies

Background: Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) alter the immune system and therefore increase the risk of infection. There is growing concern about the impact of COVID-19 on patients with MS (pwMS), especially those treated with DMTs. Methods: This is a single-center prospective observational study based on data from the Esclerosis Múltiple y COVID-19 (EMCOVID-19) study. Demographic characteristics, MS history, laboratory data and SARS-CoV-2 serology, and symptoms of COVID-19 in pwMS treated with any DTM were extracted. The relationship among demographics, MS status, DMT, and COVID-19 was evaluated. Results: A total of 259 pwMS were included. The administration of interferon was significantly associated with the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (26.4% vs. 10.7%, p = 0.006). Although patients taking interferon were significantly older (49.1 vs. 43.5, p = 0.003), the association of interferon with the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was still significant in the multivariate analysis (OR 2.99 (1.38; 6.36), p = 0.006). Conclusions: According to our data, pwMS present a higher risk of COVID-19 infection compared with results obtained from the general population. There is no evidence of a worse COVID-19 outcome in pwMS. DMTs did not significantly change the frequency of COVID-19, except for interferon; however, these findings must be interpreted with caution given the small sample of pwMS taking each DMT

Bronchopulmonary Penetration of Isavuconazole in Pulmonary Transplant Recipients (PBISA01): Protocol for a Phase IV Clinical Trial With a Single Treatment Arm

Background: Aspergillosis is the most frequently observed invasive fungal disease (IFD) in lung transplant recipients. Isavuconazole (ISA) has shown a better safety profile and noninferiority to voriconazole in the treatment of patients with IFD. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the bronchopulmonary pharmacokinetic profile of oral ISA by analyzing the degree of penetration in the epithelial lining fluid and alveolar macrophages in patients receiving lung transplantation with a diagnosis of IFD. Methods: A total of 12 patients aged ≥18 years receiving a lung transplant with an IFD diagnosis and indication for ISA treatment and follow-up bronchoscopy will be included in the study. After 5 days of treatment with ISA and before the treatment is discontinued, the patients will be randomized (1:1:1:1) to perform the scheduled bronchoscopy at various times after the administration of ISA (2, 4, 8, and 12 hours). In total, 4 blood samples will be obtained per patient: at 72 hours after treatment initiation, on the day of the bronchoscopy, at the time of the bronchoalveolar lavage (simultaneously), and at 7 days after treatment initiation, to analyze tacrolimus and ISA plasma levels. ISA concentrations will be measured in plasma, epithelial lining fluid, and alveolar macrophages by a high-performance liquid chromatography/UV coupled to fluorescence method. Results: Enrollment for the PBISA01 trial began in October 2020 and was completed in October 2021. All samples will be analyzed once recruitment is complete, and the results are expected to be published in October 2022. Conclusions: There are no clinical studies that analyze the bronchopulmonary penetration of ISA. Bronchoalveolar lavage performed routinely in the follow-up of lung transplant recipients constitutes an opportunity to analyze the bronchopulmonary penetration of ISA. Trial registration: European Clinical Trials Register 2019-004240-30; www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2019-004240-30/ES. International registered report identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/37275.This work is supported funded by Pfizer (grant 54685521). Pfizer will have no role in the study’s design; the collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of data; writing of the report; and the decision to submit the report for publication.S

A reliable and valid tool to assess the sexual acceptability of contraceptive methods

Introduction: Adequate identification of the sexual acceptability of contraceptive methods is key for designing health promotion interventions, assessing their impacts, and increasing their effectiveness. This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire to explore the preferences of women depending on their epidemiological characteristics and their partner relationships—the Sexual Acceptability of Contraceptive Methods Questionnaire [in Spanish, Aceptabilidad Sexual de los Métodos Anticonceptivos (ASMA)]. Methods: Psychometric validation was conducted using Exploratory Factorial Analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The reliability of the final version of the questionnaire was explored using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald omega to estimate internal consistency. Results: A three-factor model was identified. Factor 1 (explaining 28.32% of the model) corresponds to questions concerning the use and placement of the contraceptive and includes 6 items; Factor 2 (explaining 24.23%) corresponds to other factors that affect the relationship such as bleeding and side effects of the contraceptive method and includes 10 items; and Factor 3 (explaining 18.94%) corresponds to the couple relationship and includes 8 items. Conclusion and implications: The ASMA questionnaire provides a valid and reliable tool for assessing the sexual acceptability of various contraceptive methods. This instrument gathers data that provide information on various aspects of women’s sexuality, health, education, and beliefs, all of which can determine the preference for one contraceptive method over another. Moreover, the tool can help to identify profiles of women who have different preferences when selecting a particular method

Adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein is overexpressed in cirrhosis and correlates with clinical outcomes

Fatty-acid-binding proteins (FABPs) are small intracellular proteins that coordinate lipid-mediated processes by targeting metabolic and immune response pathways. The aim of the study was to investigate plasma FABPs levels and their relationship with clinical outcomes in cirrhosis. Plasma levels of L-FABP1(liver and kidney), I-FABP2(intestine), and A-FABP4(adipocyte and macrophages) were measured in 274 patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Hepatic gene expression of FABPs was assessed in liver biopsies from patients with decompensated cirrhosis and in liver cell types from mice with cirrhosis. Immunohistochemistry of A-FABP4 in human liver biopsy was also performed. Plasma levels of FABPs were increased in patients with decompensated cirrhosis compared to those of healthy subjects (L-FABP1: 25 (17-39) vs 10 (9-17) ng/mL p = 0.001, I-FABP2: 1.1 (0.5-2.1) vs 0.6 (0.4-1) ng/ mL p = 0.04 and A-FABP4: 37 (20-68) vs 16 (11-33) ng/mL p = 0.002), respectively. Increased A-FABP4 levels were associated with complications of cirrhosis, acute-on-chronic liver failure and poor survival. Hepatic A-FABP4 gene expression was upregulated in decompensated cirrhosis. Macrophages were the main liver cell that over-expressed A-FABP4 in experimental cirrhosis and increased A-FABP4 was found in macrophages of human biopsies by immunohistochemistry. A-FABP4 levels are increased in decompensated cirrhosis and correlate with poor outcomes. Liver macrophages appear to be the main source of A-FABP4 in decompensated cirrhosis