La tradición grecolatina en la poesía de Aurora Luque.

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo principal el análisis de los referentes de la tradición clásica grecolatina en la obra poética de Aurora Luque. Para ello, se van a analizar la totalidad de los poemarios de la autora intentando, con ello, analizar la utilización de mitos, personajes y referentes de esta tradición y cómo la autora consigue, mediante la revisión y actualización de estos, transmitir experiencias vinculadas con el presente contemporáneo desde el que escribe. Asimismo, se intentará estudiar cómo estos van evolucionando y cambiando conforme su obra poética se desarrolla al mismo tiempo que la propia poeta crece.<br /

Blunted Reducing Power Generation in Erythrocytes Contributes to Oxidative Stress in Prepubertal Obese Children with Insulin Resistance

Childhood obesity, and specifically its metabolic complications, are related to deficient antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress. Erythrocytes are constantly exposed to multiple sources of oxidative stress; hence, they are equipped with powerful antioxidant mechanisms requiring permanent reducing power generation and turnover. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) are two key enzymes on the pentose phosphate pathway. Both enzymes supply reducing power by generating NADPH, which is essential for maintaining the redox balance within the cell and the activity of other antioxidant enzymes. We hypothesized that obese children with insulin resistance would exhibit blunted G6PDH and 6PGDH activities, contributing to their erythrocytes' redox status imbalances. We studied 15 control and 24 obese prepubertal children, 12 of whom were insulin-resistant according to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). We analyzed erythroid malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl group levels as oxidative stress markers. NADP+/NADPH and GSH/GSSG were measured to determine redox status, and NADPH production by both G6PDH and 6PGDH was assayed spectrophotometrically to characterize pentose phosphate pathway activity. Finally, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were also assessed. As expected, MDA and carbonyl groups levels were higher at baseline and along the OGTT in insulin-resistant children. Both redox indicators showed an imbalance in favor of the oxidized forms along the OGTT in the insulin-resistant obese group. Additionally, the NADPH synthesis, as well as GR activity, were decreased. H2O2 removing enzyme activities were depleted at baseline in both obese groups, although after sugar intake only metabolically healthy obese participants were able to maintain their catalase activity. No change was detected in SOD activity between groups. Our results show that obese children with insulin resistance present higher levels of oxidative damage, blunted capacity to generate reducing power, and hampered function of key NADPH-dependent antioxidant enzymes.This research was funded by Spanish Government through the Carlos III Health Institute (Sanitary Research Fund (FIS)), code PI18/01316. A.G.-D. is supported by an intramural grant from the Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), code LII19/16IN-CO24

Range contraction and population decline of the European Dupont’s lark population

Los autores de la UAM pertenecen al Terrestrial Ecology Group (TEG-UAM)Artículo escrito por un elevado número de autores, solo se referencian el que aparece en primer lugar, los autores pertenecientes a la UAM y el nombre del grupo de colaboración, si lo hubiereThe Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti) is an endangered passerine typical of Mediterranean shrub-steppes, whose European distribution is restricted to Spain. Here, we update the population size and distribution range of the species at a European scale and evaluate (i) the current status; (ii) the change in population size and distribution range of the species from 2004 to 2009 to the current period (2017–2022); and (iii) the effectiveness of the current network of special protection areas (SPAs) for protecting the Dupont’s lark. The European Dupont’s lark population showed a decrease of 29.9%, declining from ca. 3267 to 2289 territorial males from 2004 to 2009 to the current period. Moreover, the species has suffered a contraction in its distribution range of 35.9%, with only 39.3% of the species’ territories located within the current network of SPAs. Our findings agree with the previously described decline of the Dupont’s lark in Europe. The population decline was even larger in peripheral regions, which suggests that the species is suffering a centripetal process of contraction and extinction. These results indicate that if there is no change in present-day declining forces, several peripheral populations will reach extinction in a few decades and the overall population size of the species will continue decreasing. Our study should be considered as a last call for action and used for implementing urgent conservation measures to protect the species and its habitat. Future studies should focus on analyzing and managing the factors driving the species’ extinction and future actions for the conservation of the species should focus on increasing the percentage of the Dupont’s lark territories within protected areas, since the data are alarmingly low for a species that is facing clear risk of extinctionThis study was partially funded by the LIFE programme (LIFE Ricotí LIFE15-NAT-ES000802 and LIFE Connect Ricotí LIFE20-NAT-ES-000133), by the European Commission, Levantina y Asociado de Minerales, S.A., with the project “Estudios de investigación aplicado a la conservación de las poblaciones de alondra ricotí (Chersophilus duponti) en el entorno del municipio de Vallanca”, by the Dirección General de Política Forestal y Espacios Naturales de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla La Mancha with the project “SSCC/046/2017 Censo de Alondra ricotí en la provincia de Guadalajara. Año 2017” and by the Junta de Castilla y León with the project “Estudio para la Mejora del Conocimiento de las Poblaciones de Alondra Ricotí Chersophilus duponti en Castilla y León”. Censuses in Catalonia were carried out with the support of the Generalitat of Catalonia. CPG acknowledges the support from the Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional through the Beatriz Galindo Fellowship (Beatriz Galindo—Convocatoria 2020). JGC is funded by a Margarita Salas postdoctoral fellowship (CA4/RSUE/2022-00205) provided by the Spanish Ministry of Universities and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain

Report of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) in relation to the effect on the Spanish population of the derogation of national regulation on maximum allowed limits for aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in food

Las aflatoxinas son metabolitos tóxicos producidos por varias especies de hongos del género Aspergillus que crecen en plantas y alimentos de origen vegetal. De entre todas ellas (B1, B2, G1, G2, M1 y M2), destaca desde el punto de vista de la seguridad alimentaria la aflatoxina B1, tanto por ser la más prevalente en alimentos como la más tóxica para los seres humanos. La Unión Europea, debido a la toxicidad de estos compuestos y con el fin de garantizar una protección eficaz de la salud pública, ha establecido mediante el Reglamento (CE) Nº 1881/2006 contenidos máximos para la aflatoxina B1 y la suma de aflatoxinas B1, B2, G1 y G2 en diversos alimentos, entre los que se incluyen aquellos en los cuales la contaminación por este tipo de toxinas resulta más frecuente y puede resultar más peligrosa para la salud humana. En España, previamente a lo establecido por el Reglamento (CE) Nº 1881/2006, ya se dispone de una norma reguladora, el Real Decreto 475/1988, en el cual se establecen límites máximos permitidos de aflatoxinas B1, B2, G1 y G2 en alimentos para consumo humano de 10 μg/kg para la suma de dichas aflatoxinas y de 5 μg/kg para la aflatoxina B1. Si bien es cierto que el Reglamento (CE) Nº 1881/2006 cubre los alimentos que de manera más habitual pueden representar un riesgo para la salud humana originado por la presencia de aflatoxinas, existen trabajos científicos en los cuales se ha demostrado la presencia tanto de aflatoxinas totales como de aflatoxina B1 en alimentos no incluídos en el Reglamento (CE) Nº 1881/2006 en cantidades superiores a las establecidas como límites en el Real Decreto 475/1988. Por este motivo, y sin perjuicio de las medidas de gestión que sean pertinentes, el Comité Científico considera que, en este momento y hasta que se disponga de datos representativos de la presencia de aflatoxinas en algunos alimentos no incluídos en la legislación europea tales como la chufa, el Real Decreto 475/1988 que regula los límites máximos permitidos de aflatoxinas B1, B2, G1 y G2 ofrece un nivel de protección significativo para el consumidor respecto a determinados alimentos no regulados por el Reglamento (CE) Nº 1881/2006.Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites produced by some species of molds belonging to the genus Aspergillus which grow on plants and vegetable-origin foods. Among the aflatoxins that can be found (B1, B2, G1, G2, M1 and M2), from a food safety point of view the most remarkable is aflatoxin B1, because it is the most prevalent in foods and toxic for humans. Due to the toxicity of these substances and to protect consumers’ health, the European Union has stated maximum residue limits (MRL) for aflatoxins in foods, in the Commission Regulations (EC) No 1881/2006. MRL have been established for aflatoxin B1 and the sum of B1, B2, G1 and G2 in different foods, including those in which contamination with these kind of toxins is more frequent and can be more dangerous for human health. The Spanish Royal Decree 475/1988, approved before the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/ 2006, sets MRL for the aflatoxins in food for human consumption; 5 μg/kg for aflatoxin B1 and 10 μg/ kg for the sum of aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2. Despite the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 includes food which most could usually pose a risk for human health, specific papers have demonstrated the presence of total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B1 in foods not included in the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006, even at higher concentrations than those set up by the Spanish Royal Decree 475/1988. For this reason, notwithstanding the management measures that are pertinent, the scientific committee considers that, while there are no more data about maximum limits for these substances other food samples different than those included in the previously mentioned legislations (as tiger nuts or other doubtful foods regarding their producing conditions) the Royal Decree 475/1988 offers a significant protection for consumers

Resultados clínicos iniciales y variables pronósticas en la implementación de un Código Sepsis en un Hospital Universitario de alta complejidad

Objective: To assess the impact of the first months of application of a Code Sepsis in a high complexity hospital, analyzing patient´s epidemiological and clinical characteristics and prognostic factors. Methods: A long-term observational study was carried out throughout a consecutive period of seven months (February 2015 - September 2015). The relationship with mortality of risk factors, and analytic values was analyzed using uni- and multivariate analyses. Results: A total of 237 patients were included. The in-hospital mortality was 24% at 30 days and 27% at 60 days. The mortality of patients admitted to Critical Care Units was 30%. Significant differences were found between the patients who died and those who survived in mean levels of creatinine (2.30 vs 1.46 mg/dL, p 65 years (OR 5.33, p 3 mmol/L (OR 5,85, p 1,2 mgr /dL (OR 4,54, p <0,05) and shock (OR 6,57, P <0,05). Conclusions: The epidemiological, clinical and mortality characteristics of the patients in our series are similar to the best published in the literature. The study has identified several markers that could be useful at a local level to estimate risk of death in septic patients. Studies like this one are necessary to make improvements in the Code Sepsis programsObjetivo. Evaluar el impacto de un programa educativo y organizativo llamado Código Sepsis, en los primeros siete meses de su aplicación en un hospital de alta complejidad. Material y métodos. Se realizó un estudio observacional durante un período consecutivo de siete meses (Febrero 2015-Septiembre 2015). Se analizó la relación con la mortalidad de los factores de riesgo y los valores analíticos usando análisis uni y multivariante. Resultados. Se incluyeron un total de 237 pacientes. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria a los 30 días fue del 24 % y del 27% a los 60 días. La mortalidad de los pacientes ingresados en Unidades de Cuidados Críticos fue del 30%. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los pacientes que murieron y los que sobrevivieron en sus valores medios de creatinina (2,30 vs 1,46 mg/dL, p <0,05), ácido láctico (6,10 vs 2,62 mmol/L, p <0,05) y procalcitonina (23,27 vs 12,73 mg/dL, p <0,05). Se encontró una tendencia lineal estadísticamente significativa entre los valores de la escala SOFA y la mortalidad (p <0,05). En el análisis multivariante se identificaron otros factores de riesgo independientes asociados con la muerte: edad > 65 años (OR 5,33, p 3 mmol/L (OR 5,85, p <0,05), creatinina > 1,2 mgr/dL (OR 4,54, p <0,05) y el shock (OR 6,57, P <0,05). Conclusiones. La mortalidad en este estudio se encuentra dentro de los límites de los ensayos clínicos más recientes de sepsis. El estudio ha identificado varios marcadores que podrían ser útiles a nivel local para estimar el riesgo en pacientes sépticos. Estudios como éste son necesarios para hacer mejoras en los programas de Código Sepsi

Recommendations of the Spanish Societies of Radiation Oncology (SEOR), Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SEMNiM), and Medical Physics (SEFM) on F-FDG PET-CT for radiotherapy treatment planning

Positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is a valuable tool for diagnosing and staging malignant lesions. The fusion of PET and computed tomography (CT) yields images that contain both metabolic and morphological information, which, taken together, have improved the diagnostic precision of PET in oncology. The main imaging modality for planning radiotherapy treatment is CT. However, PET-CT is an emerging modality for use in planning treatments because it allows for more accurate treatment volume definition. The use of PET-CT for treatment planning is highly complex, and protocols and standards for its use are still being developed. It seems probable that PET-CT will eventually replace current CT-based planning methods, but this will require a full understanding of the relevant technical aspects of PET-CT planning. The aim of the present document is to review these technical aspects and to provide recommendations for clinical use of this imaging modality in the radiotherapy planning process

PREDIRCAM eHealth platform for individualized telemedical assistance for lifestyle modification in the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and cardiometabolic risk prevention: a pilot study (PREDIRCAM 1)

Background: Healthy diet and regular physical activity are powerful tools in reducing diabetes and cardiometabolic risk. Various international scientific and health organizations have advocated the use of new technologies to solve these problems. The PREDIRCAM project explores the contribution that a technological system could offer for the continuous monitoring of lifestyle habits and individualized treatment of obesity as well as cardiometabolic risk prevention. Methods: PREDIRCAM is a technological platform for patients and professionals designed to improve the effectiveness of lifestyle behavior modifications through the intensive use of the latest information and communication technologies. The platform consists of a web-based application providing communication interface with monitoring devices of physiological variables, application for monitoring dietary intake, ad hoc electronic medical records, different communication channels, and an intelligent notification system. A 2-week feasibility study was conducted in 15 volunteers to assess the viability of the platform. Results: The website received 244 visits (average time/session: 17 min 45 s). A total of 435 dietary intakes were recorded (average time for each intake registration, 4 min 42 s ± 2 min 30 s), 59 exercises were recorded in 20 heart rate monitor downloads, 43 topics were discussed through a forum, and 11 of the 15 volunteers expressed a favorable opinion toward the platform. Food intake recording was reported as the most laborious task. Ten of the volunteers considered long-term use of the platform to be feasible. Conclusions: The PREDIRCAM platform is technically ready for clinical evaluation. Training is required to use the platform and, in particular, for registration of dietary food intake

Obesity Indexes and Total Mortality among Elderly Subjects at High Cardiovascular Risk: The PREDIMED Study

Different indexes of regional adiposity have been proposed for identifying persons at higher risk of death. Studies specifically assessing these indexes in large cohorts are scarce. It would also be interesting to know whether a dietary intervention may counterbalance the adverse effects of adiposity on mortality. Methods: We assessed the association of four different anthropometric indexes (waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and height) with all-cause mortality in 7447 participants at high cardiovascular risk from the PREDIMED trial. Forty three percent of them were men (55 to 80 years) and 57% were women (60 to 80 years). All of them were initially free of cardiovascular disease. The recruitment took place in 11 recruiting centers between 2003 and 2009. Results: After adjusting for age, sex, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, intervention group, family history of coronary heart disease, and leisure-time physical activity, WC and WHtR were found to be directly associated with a higher mortality after 4.8 years median follow-up. The multivariable-adjusted HRs for mortality of WHtR (cut-off points: 0.60, 0.65, 0.70) were 1.02 (0.78-1.34), 1.30 (0.97-1.75) and 1.55 (1.06-2.26). When we used WC (cut-off points: 100, 105 and 110 cm), the multivariable adjusted Hazard Ratios (HRs) for mortality were 1.18 (0.88-1.59), 1.02 (0.74-1.41) and 1.57 (1.19-2.08). In all analyses, BMI exhibited weaker associations with mortality than WC or WHtR. The direct association between WHtR and overall mortality was consistent within each of the three intervention arms of the trial. Conclusions: Our study adds further support to a stronger association of abdominal obesity than BMI with total mortality among elderly subjects at high risk of cardiovascular disease. We did not find evidence to support that the PREDIMED intervention was able to counterbalance the harmful effects of increased adiposity on total mortality

Cancer mortality inequalities in urban areas: a Bayesian small area analysis in Spanish cities

Background: Intra-urban inequalities in mortality have been infrequently analysed in European contexts. The aim of the present study was to analyse patterns of cancer mortality and their relationship with socioeconomic deprivation in small areas in 11 Spanish cities. Methods: It is a cross-sectional ecological design using mortality data (years 1996-2003). Units of analysis were the census tracts. A deprivation index was calculated for each census tract. In order to control the variability in estimating the risk of dying we used Bayesian models. We present the RR of the census tract with the highest deprivation vs. the census tract with the lowest deprivation. Results: In the case of men, socioeconomic inequalities are observed in total cancer mortality in all cities, except in Castellon, Cordoba and Vigo, while Barcelona (RR = 1.53 95%CI 1.42-1.67), Madrid (RR = 1.57 95%CI 1.49-1.65) and Seville (RR = 1.53 95%CI 1.36-1.74) present the greatest inequalities. In general Barcelona and Madrid, present inequalities for most types of cancer. Among women for total cancer mortality, inequalities have only been found in Barcelona and Zaragoza. The excess number of cancer deaths due to socioeconomic deprivation was 16,413 for men and 1,142 for women. Conclusion: This study has analysed inequalities in cancer mortality in small areas of cities in Spain, not only relating this mortality with socioeconomic deprivation, but also calculating the excess mortality which may be attributed to such deprivation. This knowledge is particularly useful to determine which geographical areas in each city need intersectorial policies in order to promote a healthy environment.This article was partially supported by Fondo de Investigaciones Ssanitarias (FIS) projects numbers PI042013, PI040041, PI040170, PI040069, PI042602 PI040388, PI040489, PI042098 , PI041260, PI040399, PI081488 and by the CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain and by the program of “Intensificación de la Actividad Investigadora (Carme Borrell)” funded by the “Instituto de Salud Carlos III” and “Departament de Salut. Generalitat de Catalunya”

Serum amyloid a1/toll-like receptor-4 Axis, an important link between inflammation and outcome of TBI patients

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability world-wide without any validated biomarker or set of biomarkers to help the diagnosis and evaluation of the evolution/prognosis of TBI patients. To achieve this aim, a deeper knowledge of the biochemical and pathophysiological processes triggered after the trauma is essential. Here, we identified the serum amyloid A1 protein-Toll-like receptor 4 (SAA1-TLR4) axis as an important link between inflammation and the outcome of TBI patients. Using serum and mRNA from white blood cells (WBC) of TBI patients, we found a positive correlation between serum SAA1 levels and injury severity, as well as with the 6-month outcome of TBI patients. SAA1 levels also correlate with the presence of TLR4 mRNA in WBC. In vitro, we found that SAA1 contributes to inflammation via TLR4 activation that releases inflammatory cytokines, which in turn increases SAA1 levels, establishing a positive proinflammatory loop. In vivo, post-TBI treatment with the TLR4-antagonist TAK242 reduces SAA1 levels, improves neurobehavioral outcome, and prevents blood–brain barrier disruption. Our data support further evaluation of (i) post-TBI treatment in the presence of TLR4 inhibition for limiting TBI-induced damage and (ii) SAA1-TLR4 as a biomarker of injury progression in TBI patientsThis work was supported by grants from Fundación Mutua Madrileña and Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS) (ISCIII/FEDER) (Programa Miguel Servet CP14/00008; CPII19/00005; PI16/00735; PI19/00082) to JE, RYC2019-026870-I to JMR and PI18/01387 to A