Análisis histológico del crecimiento tisular en la fibra de carbono y en la prótesis de polietilenotereftalato cuando se utilizan como sustitutos del ligamento cruzado anterior

Se realiza un análisis histológico del crecimiento tisular en la fibra de carbono y en la prótesis de polietilenotereftalato cuando se utilizan para reemplazar al ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA). La fibra de carbono induce la formación de un tejido conectivo organizado que se extiende siguiendo la dirección de las fibras, dando lugar a un tejido similar histológicamente al ligamento en las zonas donde se ha conservado la disposición longitudinal de los filamentos de carbono. En las zonas en las que los filamentos se han roto, la inducción fibroblástica es importante pero desordenada, dando lugar a un tejido conectivo irregular. La prótesis de polietilenotereftalato actúa como inductor de una fuerte reacción inflamatoria de tipo granulomatoso, dando lugar posteriormente a cicatrices fibrosas, con un tejido conectivo irregular. Tan solo a nivel de la vaina periprotésica se aprecia una disposición en paralelo que recuerda al ligamento. Los autores dudan del efecto funcional del crecimiento tisular en los ligamentos sintéticos cuando se utilizan como sustitutos del LCAWe have carried out and histologic analysis of tissue ingrowth in carbon fiber and polyethylene terephthalate ligament prostheses when used to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Carbon fiber induces the formation of a connective tissue so that it extends in the direction of the fibers, producing a tissue histologically similar to the ligament in the zones where the longitudinal disposition of the carbon filaments are conserved. In the zones where the filaments are broken, fibroblastic induction is important but disordered, producing an irregular connective tissue. Polyethylene terephthalat e ligament prostheses acts as an inductor of strong inflammatory reaction (granulomatous type), in turn producing fibrous scars, with an irregular connective tissue. Only at the periprosthetic level, a parallel disposition is observed, resembling the ligament. We doubt about the functional effect of the tissue ingrowth in synthetic ligaments when used as substitutes for ACL

Modificaciones de la función de la inervación perivascular en arteria mesentérica superior en distintas situaciones fisiológicas y patológicas

Tesis doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Fisiología. Fecha de lectura: 05-11-2015Esta Tesis ha sido realizada en el Departamento de Fisiología de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Ha sido financiada por el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (SAF2009-10374; SAF2012-38530) y Fundación Mapfr

Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling 3 Expression in Eosinophils: Regulation by PGE2 and Th2 Cytokines

Asthma and nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (NAEB) are respiratory disorders characterized by a predominance of Th2 cells and eosinophilic inflammation. Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins play an important role in Th2-mediated allergic responses through control of the balance between Th1 and Th2 cells, particularly, SOCS3 and SOCS5. The aim of this study was to analyze SOCS expression in human peripheral blood eosinophils from patients with asthma, NAEB and healthy controls. SOCS expression in eosinophils from subjects was demonstrated by different techniques. Results showed that expression of SOCS3 in eosinophils and CD4 T cells from patients was higher than in healthy subjects. In addition, we demonstrated that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and Th2 cytokines are able to upregulate SOCS3 production in eosinophils and attenuate its degranulation. In conclusion, eosinophils are able to transcribe and translate SOCS3 protein and can contribute to the regulation of the Th1/Th2 balance through SOCS3 production

Gene Expression Profiling in Lungs of Chronic Asthmatic Mice Treated with Galectin-3: Downregulation of Inflammatory and Regulatory Genes

Background. Asthma is a disorder characterized by a predominance of Th2 cells and eosinophilic inflammation. Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins act as negative regulators of cytokine signaling. In particular, SOCS1 and SOCS3 play an important role in immune response by controlling the balance between Th1 and Th2 cells. In a previous study, we demonstrated that treatment of chronic asthmatic mice with gene therapy using plasmid encoding galectin-3 (Gal-3) led to an improvement in Th2 allergic inflammation. Methods. Using a microarray approach, this study endeavored to evaluate the changes produced by therapeutic Gal-3 delivered by gene therapy in a well-characterized mouse model of chronic airway inflammation. Results were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. Results. We identify a set of genes involved in different pathways whose expression is coordinately decreased/increased in mice treated with Gal-3 gene therapy. We report a correlation between Gal-3 treatment and inhibition of SOCS1 and SOCS3 expression in lungs. Conclusion. These results suggest that negative regulation of SOCS1 and 3 following Gal-3 treatment could be a valuable therapeutic approach in allergic disease

Consensus on the Clinical Approach to Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Spain: A Delphi Survey

Background. The purpose of this study was to gather information on the current assessment and management of patients with moderate-to-severe AD in routine daily practice. Methods. A cross-sectional two-round Delphi survey with the participation of dermatologists and allergologists throughout Spain was conducted. They completed a 46-item questionnaire, and consensus was defined when responses of >= 80% of participants coincided in the categories of a 5-point Likert scale for that item. Results. A total of 105 specialists (aged 40-59 years) completed the two rounds. Participants agreed regarding the consideration of AD as a multifaceted disease and the differences in clinical presentation of AD according to the patient's age. It is recommendable to perform a skin biopsy to exclude early stage T-cell cutaneous lymphoma, psoriasis, or dermatitis herpetiformis, among others (99.1%). Also, consensus was reached regarding the use of the SCORAD index to quantify the severity of the disease (86.7%), the use of wet wraps to increase the effect of topical corticosteroids (90.4%), the usefulness of proactive treatment during follow-up (85.6%) and tacrolimus ointment (91.2%) to reduce new flares, and the fact that crisaborole is not the treatment of choice for severe AD (92.4%). AD was not considered a contraindication for immunotherapy in patients with allergic respiratory diseases (92.4%). In patients with severe AD, the use of immune response modifier drugs (97.6%) or phototherapy (92.8%) does not sufficiently cover their treatment needs. Consensus was also obtained regarding the role of the new biologic drugs (93.6%) targeting cytokines involved in the Th2 inflammatory pathway (92.0%) and the potential role of dupilumab as first-line treatment (90.4%) in moderate-to-severe AD patients. Conclusion. This study contributes a reference framework to the care of AD patients. There is no diagnostic test or biomarkers to direct treatment or to assess the severity of the disease, and many therapeutic challenges remain

Acute-on-chronic liver disease enhances phenylephrine-induced endothelial nitric oxide release in rat mesenteric resistance arteries through enhanced PKA, PI3K/AKT and cGMP signalling pathways

Acute-on-chronic liver disease is a clinical syndrome characterized by decompensated liver fibrosis, portal hypertension and splanchnic hyperdynamic circulation. We aimed to determine whether the alpha-1 agonist phenylephrine (Phe) facilitates endothelial nitric oxide (NO) release by mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA) in rats subjected to an experimental microsurgical obstructive liver cholestasis model (LC). Sham-operated (SO) and LC rats were maintained for eight postoperative weeks. Phe-induced vasoconstriction (in the presence/absence of the NO synthase –NOS- inhibitor L-NAME) and vasodilator response to NO donor DEA-NO were analysed. Phe-induced NO release was determined in the presence/absence of either H89 (protein kinase –PK- A inhibitor) or LY 294002 (PI3K inhibitor). PKA and PKG activities, alpha-1 adrenoceptor, endothelial NOS (eNOS), PI3K, AKT and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) subunit expressions, as well as eNOS and AKT phosphorylation, were determined. The results show that LC blunted Phe-induced vasoconstriction, and enhanced DEA-NO-induced vasodilation. L-NAME increased the Phe-induced contraction largely in LC animals. The Phe-induced NO release was greater in MRA from LC animals. Both H89 and LY 294002 reduced NO release in LC. Alpha-1 adrenoceptor, eNOS, PI3K and AKT expressions were unchanged, but sGC subunit expression, eNOS and AKT phosphorylation and the activities of PKA and PKG were higher in MRA from LC animals. In summary, these mechanisms may help maintaining splanchnic vasodilation and hypotension observed in decompensated LC.This study was supported by Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (SAF2012-38530), CiberCV (CB16/11/00286 and CB16/11/00264), and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) a way to build Europe, Comunidad de Madrid (B2017/BMD-3676

Factores predictores de solicitud de ayuda psicológica en los meses inmediatos al diagnóstico oncológico

Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de pacientes que, tras conocer el diagnóstico oncológico y el tratamiento prescrito, desearían recibir atención psicooncológica, e identificar las características sociodemográficas, biomédicas y psicológicas de los mismos, con la finalidad de establecer un posible perfil del demandante. Método: Se evaluaron 236 pacientes oncológicos atendidos en el Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, mediante un cuestionario que recogía información sociodemográfica, datos clínicos y aspectos psicológicos (estado de ánimo, dificultad para afrontar e historia previa de ansiedad o depresión) asociados a las necesidades percibidas tras el diagnóstico, y que administraba el propio oncólogo en los meses inmediatos a la comunicación de la enfermedad. Resultados: Un 24% de los pacientes formularon deseo de atención psicooncológica. Se observó que los pacientes más jóvenes, que presentaban alguna alteración emocional, o que no se encontraban preparados para abordar sin mucho esfuerzo la situación, eran los que expresaban mayor interés junto con los pacientes sin antecedentes de diagnóstico y/o tratamiento psiquiátrico y/o psicofarmacológico. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas respecto al género, nivel educativo, pronóstico, el hecho de vivir sólo, tipo de tumor, tiempo transcurrido desde el diagnóstico o grado de diseminación del tumor. Conclusiones: Se confirma que los pacientes que presentan malestar emocional, pero sin antecedentes de trastorno psicológico, son los que principalmente desean ayuda psicológica así como que las variables clínicas y sociodemográficas no tienen una clara relación con este deseo. Se advierte la necesidad de definir con más precisión qué se entiende por "ayuda psicológica" para que el paciente pueda valorar mejor si lo que se le ofrece puede serle útil para responder a sus necesidadesPurpose: To state the rate of patients who would ask for psychological assistance, once they have known their diagnosis and treatment assigned. To find the profile of these patients considering their demographic, clinical and psychosocial features. Method: A sample of 236 patients assisted at Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa (CST) was assessed using a questionnaire which asked for demographic and social features, as well as for some psychological variables (mood states, coping problems, previous anxiety or depression disorders) during the months which followed the diagnosis. Results: 24% of patients were interested in receiving psychological assistance. These patients were younger, expressed mood alterations and coping difficulties, and did not have previous anxiety or depression disorders. There were no differences between patients who asked for psychological assistance and those who do not, in gender, educational level, social relationships, diagnostic, or prognosis. Months from the knowledge of diagnosis were also unrelated with desire of receiving psychological assistance. Conclusions: A definition of what does mean "psychological assistance" is needed in order to understand why only 22% of patients ask for this resource. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were unrelated with desire of receiving psychological assistance. Younger patients with psychological distress and without previous history of emotional disturbance are more prone to ask for psychological assistanc

Determining the Role of Fe-Doping on Promoting the Thermochemical Energy Storage Performance of (Mn1-xFex)(3)O-4 Spinels

Mn oxides are promising materials for thermochemical heat store, but slow reoxidation of Mn3O4 to Mn2O3 limits efficiency. In contrast, (Mn1-xFex)(3)O-4 oxides show an enhanced transformation rate, but fundamental understanding of the role played by Fe cations is lacking. Here, nanoscale characterization of Fe-doped Mn oxides is performed to elucidate how Fe incorporation influences solid-state transformations. X-ray diffraction reveals the presence of two distinct spinel phases, cubic jacobsite and tetragonal hausmannite for samples with more than 10% of Fe. Chemical mapping exposes wide variation of Fe content between grains, but an even distribution within crystallites. Due to the similarities of spinels structures, high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy cannot discriminate unambiguously between them, but Fe-enriched crystallites likely correspond to jacobsite. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirms that increasing Fe content up to 20% boosts the reoxidation rate, leading to the transformation of Mn2+ in the spinel phase to Mn3+ in bixbyite. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure shows that Fe-O length is larger than Mn-O, but both electron energy loss spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near edge structure indicate that iron is always present as Fe3+ in octahedral sites. These structural modifications may facilitate ionic diffusion during bixbyite formation.The authors thank the financial support from "Ramon Areces" Foundation (project SOLARKITE), Comunidad de Madrid and European Structural Funds (project ACES2030 P2018/EMT-4319), and University of Cadiz and European Structural Funds (project FEDER-UCA18-107139). A.J.C. thanks the financial support by Juan de la Cierva Formacion Program (MICINN), grant FJCI-2017-33967. The authors acknowledge ALBA-CELLS Synchrotron facility for granting beamtime at CLAESS (experiment 2016021666-2) and Electron Microscopy division located in the Servicios Centrales de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (SC-ICYT) of the University of Cadiz. Assistance of Dr. Laura Simonelli during the XAS measurements in ALBA is fully appreciated

Hepatic encephalopathy-associated cerebral vasculopathy in acute-on-chronic liver failure: Alterations on endothelial factor release and influence on cerebrovascular function

The acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome characterized by liver decompensation, hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and high mortality. We aimed to determine the mechanisms implicated in the development of HE-associated cerebral vasculopathy in a microsurgical liver cholestasis (MHC) model of ACLF. Microsurgical liver cholestasis was induced by ligating and extracting the common bile duct and four bile ducts. Sham-operated and MHC rats were maintained for eight postoperative weeks Bradykinin-induced vasodilation was greater in middle cerebral arteries from MHC rats. Both Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and indomethacin diminished bradykinin-induced vasodilation largely in arteries from MHC rats. Nitrite and prostaglandin (PG) F releases were increased, whereas thromboxane (TX) B was not modified in arteries from MHC. Expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), inducible NOS, and cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 were augmented, and neuronal NOS (nNOS), COX-1, PGI synthase, and TXA S were unmodified. Phosphorylation was augmented for eNOS and unmodified for nNOS. Altogether, these endothelial alterations might collaborate to increase brain blood flow in HE. 1α 2 2 2This research was funded by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (SAF2016-80305-P), CiberCV (Grant number: CB16/11/00286), the European Regional Development Grant (FEDER) (Comunidad de Madrid, grant number B2017/BMD- 3676), and R C D projects for young researchers, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid-Comunidad de Madrid (SI1-PJI-2019- 00321). RR-D received a fellowship from Juan de la Cierva Program (IJCI-2017-31399)

Ten-Year Impact of Cover Crops on Soil Organic Matter Quantity and Quality in Semi-Arid Vineyards

Soil organic matter depletion is a significant concern in agricultural soils, impacting crucial aspects of ecosystem health, especially soil properties such as fertility and soil moisture retention. Adopting sustainable soil management practices, such as cover crops, can mitigate this issue. In this study, we analyzed the soil organic carbon (SOC) content and quality in vineyards using two distinct management methods: permanent spontaneous cover crops and conventional tillage. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was quantified and chemically characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy. Our results showed an increase of 4.7 Mg C/ha in the carbon stock (50 cm depth) after 10 years of implementing vegetation covers compared with tilled soil. Additionally, cover crop management increased less humified soluble carbon in surface soil layers, while tillage transformed the solubilized carbon. This finding is important because tilled soil becomes more accessible to microbial degradation and leaching, which, in the long term, leads to a SOM content decrease. In conclusion, an increase in carbon stock was observed when using cover crops due to the incorporation of fresh organic matter, whereas tilled soils showed a depletion of carbon stock, including the mobilization of more stable carbonThis research was partially funded by the European Joint Programme on Agricultural SoilManagement (EJP Soil