¿Se acaba la Crisis del Coronavirus? Carencias en la Sanidad y en la Política: Is the Coronavirus Crisis Over? Gaps in Healthcare and Politics.

The coronavirus crisis we are suffering globally should soon be over. As of this writing (4/17/2020), there have been 150,000 deaths accounted for due to this cause and almost one million confirmed cases worldwide. Due to the lack of diagnostic testing and health politics to carry out analysis, mainly to those who are admitted to hospitals with symptoms, we still do not know the actual number of affected individuals, but it must be much higher than reported cases. The authors themselves have affected family members, even in Intensive Care Units (ICU). The healthcare and political authorities continue to say that the worst is yet to come. And certainly, very important, that we all stay at home. Once the national state of emergency is declared by governments, physical distancing compliance should be taken as an obligation for all.La crisis del coronavirus que sufrimos globalmente pronto debiera acabar. En el momento de escribir estetexto (17/4/2020), en el mundo se contabilizan más de 150 000 muertos por esta causa, y casi un millón decasos confirmados. Por la carencia de tests diagnósticos y por la política sanitaria de efectuar análisis, principalmente a los queingresan con respiratorios en los hospitales, se desconoce la cifra real de afectados, que debe ser muchomayor a los casos contabilizados. Nosotros, autores de esta carta al editor tenemos familiares afectados,incluso en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI). Las autoridades sanitarias y políticas no paran de decirque lo peor está por llegar, y ciertamente, ciertamente, algo importante, que todos nos quedemos encasa. Una vez decretado por los Gobiernos el estado de alarma nacional, el cumplimiento del aislamientodebemos tomarlo como una obligación para todos

Is There Good Simulation Basic Training for End-To-Side Vascular Microanastomoses?

Background: Microvascular anastomosis is the cornerstone of free tissue transfers. Irrespective of the microsurgical technique that one seeks to integrate or improve, the time commitment in the laboratory is significant. After extensive previous training on several animal models, we sought to identify an animal model that circumvents the following issues: ethical rules, cost, time-consuming and expensive anesthesia, and surgical preparation of tissues required to access vessels before performing the microsurgical training, not to mention that laboratories are closed on weekends. Methods: Between January 2012 and April 2012, a total of 91 earthworms were used for 150 microsurgical training exercises to simulate vascular end-to-side microanastomosis. The training sessions were divided into ten periods of 7days. Each training session included 15 simulations of end-to-side vascular microanastomoses: larger than 1.5mm (n=5), between 1.0 and 1.5mm (n=5), and smaller than 1.0mm (n=5). A linear model with the main variables being the number of weeks (as a numerical covariate) and the size of the animal (as a factor) was used to determine the trend in time of anastomosis over subsequent weeks as well as the differences between the different size groups. Results: The linear model shows a significant trend (p<0.001) in time of anastomosis in the course of the training, as well as significant differences (p<0.001) between the groups of animals of different sizes. For microanastomoses larger than 1.5mm, the mean anastomosis time decreased from 19.3±1.0 to 11.1±0.4min between the first and last week of training (decrease of 42.5%). For training with smaller diameters, the results showed a decrease in execution time of 43.2% (diameter between 1.0 and 1.5mm) and 40.9% (diameter <1.0mm) between the first and last periods. The study demonstrates an improvement in the dexterity and speed of nodes execution. Conclusion: The earthworm appears to be a reliable experimental model for microsurgical training of end-to-side microanastomoses. Its numerous advantages are discussed here and we predict training on earthworms will significantly grow and develop in the near future. Level of Evidence III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/0026

Biotransformation of halogenated 2′-deoxyribosides by immobilized lactic acid bacteria

An efficient and green bioprocess is herein reported to obtain halogenated nucleosides by transglycosylation using immobilized lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Lactobacillus animalis ATCC 35046 showed a yield of 95% at 0.5 h to synthesize 5-fluorouracil-2-deoxyriboside (floxuridine). Calcium alginate was the best matrix for whole-cell immobilization by entrapment. Its productivity was 87 mg/L h in a continuous bioprocess. When adsorption techniques were evaluated, DEAE-Sepharose was the support which showed higher microbial load, its productivity being 53 mg/L h. Additionally, this microorganism was able to produce 5-bromouracil-2-deoxyriboside, 6-chloropurine-2-deoxyriboside and 6-bromopurine-2 -deoxyriboside.© 2Fil: Britos, Claudia Noelia. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Investigación en Biotecnología Sustentable; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cappa, Valeria Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Investigación en Biotecnología Sustentable; ArgentinaFil: Rivero, Cintia Wanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Investigación en Biotecnología Sustentable; ArgentinaFil: Sambeth, Jorge Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas ; ArgentinaFil: Lozano, Mario Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Investigación en Biotecnología Sustentable; ArgentinaFil: Trelles, Jorge Abel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Investigación en Biotecnología Sustentable; Argentin

Nonanimal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid for Tissue Augmentation of the Dorsal Hands: A Prospective Study on 38 Patients

Background: Often ignored, hands are one of the most telltale signs of aging. This prospective study was initiated to evaluate the effect of subcutaneous hyaluronic acid (HA) injections in aging hands, with special attention to complications and long-term outcomes. Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2010, a total of 38 patients with skin phototypes II-IV and between 58 and 76years old were treated with HA injection for aging hands. The quantity of injection never exceeded 1.0-1.5ml HA per hand. A clinical follow-up was performed at 2weeks, 4weeks, 3months, and 6months after injection. Complications were reviewed for the whole series. At the first follow-up, 2weeks after the procedure, ultrasound was carried out to determine if additional filling material was required. At each follow-up, patients were asked to fill out a satisfaction questionnaire. Results: Nine patients developed slight ecchymosis that disappeared after 1week. No other complications were seen in the series. Pain during the injection and discomfort after the procedure were minimal. At the 2-week follow-up, after ultrasound control, nine patients received a complementary injection. At each follow-up, overall patient satisfaction was high and was validated by clearance of rhytids, veins, bony prominences, and dermal and subcutaneous atrophy. Conclusion: Skin revitalization with injectable HA can improve the clinical appearance of the back of the hands. However, this therapy requires knowledge of the possible complications and their remediation as well as knowledge and respect of injected doses. Moreover, despite excellent results at each follow-up, the results of our series are not as good after 6months, and a longer follow-up would be needed to determine if this procedure provides long-lasting benefit. Level of Evidence III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/0026

Green biosynthesis of floxuridine by immobilized microorganisms

This work describes an efficient, simple, and green bioprocess for obtaining 5-halogenated pyrimidine nucleosides from thymidine by transglycosylation using whole cells. Biosynthesis of 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine (floxuridine) was achieved by free and immobilized Aeromonas salmonicida ATCC 27013 with an 80% and 65% conversion occurring in 1 h, respectively. The immobilized biocatalyst was stable for more than 4 months in storage conditions (4 °C) and could be reused at least 30 times without loss of its activity. This microorganism was able to biosynthesize 2.0 mg L -1 min -1 (60%) of 5-chloro-2′-deoxyuridine in 3 h. These halogenated pyrimidine 2′-deoxynucleosides are used as antitumoral agents.Fil: Rivero, Cintia Wanda. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Investigación en Biotecnología Sustentable; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Britos, Claudia Noelia. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Investigación en Biotecnología Sustentable; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lozano, Mario Enrique. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Investigación en Biotecnología Sustentable; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Sinisterra, Jose V.. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Investigación en Biotecnología Sustentable; ArgentinaFil: Trelles, Jorge Abel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Investigación en Biotecnología Sustentable; Argentin

Biotransformation of 2,6-diaminopurine nucleosides by immobilized Geobacillus stearothermophilus

An efficient and green bioprocess to obtain 2,6-diaminopurine nucleosides using thermophilic bacteria is herein reported. Geobacillus stearothermophilus CECT 43 showed a conversion rate of 90 and 83% at 2 h to obtain 2,6-diaminopurine-2′-deoxyriboside and 2,6-diaminopurine riboside, respectively. The selected biocatalyst was successfully stabilized in an agarose matrix and used to produce up to 23.4 g of 2,6-diaminopurine-2′-deoxyriboside in 240 h of process. These nucleoside analogues can be used as prodrug precursors or in antisense oligonucleotide synthesis.Fil: de Benedetti, Eliana Celeste. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Bioprocesos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Rivero, Cintia Wanda. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Bioprocesos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Britos, Claudia Noelia. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Bioprocesos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lozano, Mario Enrique. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Bioprocesos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Trelles, Jorge Abel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Bioprocesos; Argentin

Biosynthesis of anti-HCV compounds using thermophilic microorganisms

This work describes the application of thermophilic microorganisms for obtaining 6-halogenated purine nucleosides. Biosynthesis of 6-chloropurine-2′-deoxyriboside and 6-chloropurine riboside was achieved by Geobacillus stearothermophilus CECT 43 with a conversion of 90% and 68%, respectively. Furthermore, the selected microorganism was satisfactorily stabilized by immobilization in an agarose matrix. This biocatalyst can be reused at least 70 times without significant loss of activity, obtaining 379 mg/L of 6-chloropurine-2′-deoxyriboside. The obtained compounds can be used as antiviral agents.Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicada

Revalorización de residuos y recuperación de espacios verdes

El crecimiento acelerado de la población y la modificación en los hábitos de consumo son las principales causas del incremento en la generación de residuos. Los índices per capita se han duplicado en países en desarrollo y quintuplicado en países industrializados en los últimos 20 años. Este hecho, sumado a estrategias ineficientes de gestión de residuos, ha contribuido al deterioro del medioambiente, impactando en la salud y calidad de vida de la población. La Gestión Integral de Residuos propone como objetivo principal minimizar los materiales destinados a disposición final, mediante la implementación de tres objetivos: maximizar la prevención, maximizar la valoración y minimizar la eliminación o, como lo expresa la regla de las 3R: reducir, reutilizar y reciclar. Bajo este concepto, se fomenta la reducción del consumo de sustancias contaminantes, la reutilización de los artículos que se consumen y el reciclado de aquello que ya no sirve.  Reduciendo la disposición de residuos se potencia la recuperación de espacios verdes para la comunidad. Los espacios verdes influyen en la calidad de vida de los centros  urbanos,  impactando en aspectos culturales, ambientales y socioeconómicos. Afectan de forma cualitativa en la salud y educación, así como fortalecen la identidad comunitaria y social en la medida que se revalorizan, apropian y cuidan estos espacios. En este trabajo se describen actividades realizadas con establecimientos educativos y organizaciones barriales para promover la implementación de sistemas de separación y valorización de residuos y la recuperación de espacios verdes. Para ello se realizaron jornadas y charlas, diseñadas y llevadas a cabo por docentes, graduados y estudiantes,  sobre los beneficios de la disminución de los residuos sobre la salud y el medioambiente. Se realizaron síntesis de los temas desarrollados mediante actividades plásticas con los participantes. Se instalaron cestos de clasificación de residuos y se realizaron experiencias de recuperación y reutilización de materiales y de revalorización de residuos orgánicos por compostaje. Este compost se utilizó en actividades de recuperación de lugares ociosos para transformarlos en espacios verdes. Estas actividades permitieron fomentar el trabajo en grupo entre docentes, estudiantes, graduados y miembros de asociaciones y barrios, incentivando una visión crítica sobre la problemática de la gestión de residuos. Adicionalmente, permitió la transferencia de conocimientos adquiridos en la formación académica para aportar en las posibles soluciones a problemáticas específicas relacionadas con el cuidado del medioambiente en los barrios participantes del proyecto

Biosynthesis of anti-HCV compounds using thermophilic microorganisms

This work describes the application of thermophilic microorganisms for obtaining 6-halogenated purine nucleosides. Biosynthesis of 6-chloropurine-2′-deoxyriboside and 6-chloropurine riboside was achieved by Geobacillus stearothermophilus CECT 43 with a conversion of 90% and 68%, respectively. Furthermore, the selected microorganism was satisfactorily stabilized by immobilization in an agarose matrix. This biocatalyst can be reused at least 70 times without significant loss of activity, obtaining 379 mg/L of 6-chloropurine-2′-deoxyriboside. The obtained compounds can be used as antiviral agents.Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicada