Desarrollo de péptidos inhibidores de la dimerización de los miembros de la familia ERbb de receptores.

El cáncer es un conjunto de enfermedades genéticas multifactoriales con uno de los más elevados índices de mortalidad a nivel mundial. En consecuencia, es necesaria la búsqueda de nuevas terapias con el fin de aumentar la supervivencia. Muchas vías de transducción de señales son iniciadas a partir de la dimerización y activación de los miembros de la familia ErbB de receptores. Múltiples evidencias sostienen que dichos receptores tienen una función fundamental en la transformación y progresión tumoral. Durante el trabajo, se han estudiado los efectos biológicos de péptidos inhibidores de la dimerización, comparándolos con los efectos inducidos por los inhibidores de la actividad tirosín quinasa de los receptores en distintas líneas celulares de carcinoma de colon y carcinoma de páncreas exocrino. También se ha analizado, a partir de los niveles de fosforilación de los receptores, la capacidad de inhibir específicamente la formación de dímeros. Se ha observado que los péptidos presentan efectos antiproliferativos en los distintos modelos celulares estudiados. Algunos de ellos presentan un efecto citoestático induciendo un aumento del porcentaje de células en la fase G1 acompañado de la reducción de las fases S y G2/M. Otros, muestran un efecto citotóxico aumentando la fase Sub-G1, indicativa de muerte celular. Por otro lado, los resultados parecen indicar que los péptidos inhiben específicamente los niveles de fosforilación de los receptores ErbB.Cancer is a multifactorial genetic disease showing one of the highest mortality index worldwide. Consequently, it is necessary searching news therapies in order to increase patient’s survival. Many signal transduction pathways are initiated through dimerization and activation of the ErbB family. Multiple evidences support that these receptors have an essential function in transformation and tumour progression. In this project we have studied the biological effects of dimerization-inhibitory peptides, comparing those effects with the effects induced by the tyrosine kinase inhibitors in different cell lines from colon carcinoma and exocrine pancreatic carcinoma. We have also analysed peptides ability for specifically inhibit dimerization determining receptor phosphorylation levels. It has been observed that the peptides show antiproliferative effects in the different cell models studied. Some of them show a cytostatic effect inducing an increase of G1 phase concomitant with the reduction of S and G2 / M phases. On the other hand, the results show a cytotoxic effect, with an increase of the Sub-G1 phase, indicative of cell death. Furthermore, the results suggest that the peptides specifically inhibit dimerization, reducing phosphorylation receptor levels

Relevant factors in treatment adherence: A case study

AbstractIn this paper, a case study is presented. The client had been in therapy before, and had abandoned all previous treatments before any significant improvement had taken place. In the treatment reported here, she committed to the therapy and made progress. Possible reasons for this change in adherence are discussed

Sources of variability of the van Herick technique for anterior angle estimation

BackgroundThe purpose of the present study was to investigate two potential sources of variability of the traditional van Herick technique for temporal anterior chamber angle estimation, namely the need to compare the depth of the peripheral anterior chamber (PACD) with the thickness of the peripheral cornea (PCT), and the possible loss of information resulting from restricting the assessment of the anterior chamber angle (ACA) to the temporal limbus.; MethodsBoth image analysis and Scheimpflug photography were employed to measure PCT and PACD in a group of 82 eyes (mean SD age of 32.8 4.1 years) with and without narrow anterior chamber angles. Subjective and semi-objective van Herick grades were compared and the relationship between PCT and PACD was investigated. Scheimpflug photography was also used to determine the value of the narrowest anterior chamber angle and to compare it with the temporal angle.; ResultsNo statistically significant differences were encountered between semi-objective and subjective grades. A weak statistically significant correlation was found between image analysis values for PCT and PACD (r = 0.295; p = 0.007). Upon examining Scheimpflug photographic data, no statistically significant association between PCT and PACD was revealed. Temporal and minimum anterior chamber angles presented statistically significant differences (t = 7.213; p < 0.001). In approximately 65 per cent of the patients, the minimum ACA was not located at the temporal limbus, with a difference of up to 9.8 degrees between minimum and temporal angles.; ConclusionThe encountered association between the image analyses of PCT and PACD advocates for the direct measurement of PACD as a better estimation of ACA depth than the ratio between PCT and PACD. All anterior chamber quadrants should be examined, as the minimum ACA may not be located temporally.Preprin

Content, implementation strategies and knowledge assessment tool on venous leg ulcers: An e-Delphi study

Aim: To get consensus on the knowledge and skills that nursing students need to acquire regarding venous leg ulcer care, the strategies that can be applied during education and to design a first draft of a questionnaire to assess knowledge to be validated. Background: Venous leg ulcers’ care is included on undergraduate nursing education programmes but without specifying the content and training implementation strategies. Different tools have been validated to assess knowledge, but have been found inadequate. Design: An e-Delphi study. Methods: The participants were Chronic Wound Care expert nurses. Two questions were constructed and agreed on by the research team to define the problem. To answer the third question, a search was conducted for publications on venous leg ulcers, to help design the questionnaire. A 2-round e-Delphi study was conducted from January to March 2022. A panel of 17 experts participated in both rounds. The data were analysed using statistical and qualitative analysis. Results: Content must fulfil knowledge-skill areas: epidemiology, venous pathophysiology and aetiology, classification scales, knowing how to determine a differential diagnosis, treatment, measures for prevention and care of the venous return circuit, quality-of-life scales. As implementation strategies, proposals were made in four areas: subject profile where training is to be acquired, theoretical teaching, practical teaching in the classroom and clinical practice. The average consensus of the questionnaire proposal was high (>86 %) both in relevance and clarity in both rounds. We thereby obtained a questionnaire with 72 items. Conclusions: Seven categories and eight subcategories were created regarding knowledge/skills that nursing students should acquire. Four categories were recognised as strategies that can be implemented during education. A high level of consensus was reached on the items in the initial versions of the questionnaire.Open Access funding provided by University of Basque Country

Validation and Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Fear of Childbirth Questionnaire (CFQ-e)

The fear of childbirth is a topical concern, yet the issue has barely been studied in Spain, and only one fear of childbirth measurement instrument has been validated in the country. The aim of this study was to translate, adapt and validate the Fear of Childbirth Questionnaire (CFQ) for use in Spain, as well as to describe and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of this instrument. In a first phase, a methodological study was carried out (translation–backtranslation and cross-cultural adaptation), and pilot study was carried out in the target population. In addition, content validation of the instrument was obtained (CFQ-e) from 10 experts. In the second phase, a cross-sectional study was carried out at several centres in Gran Canaria Island to obtain a validation sample. The evaluation of the psychometric properties of the CFQ-e, including construct validity through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, the calculation of reliability via factor consistency using the ORION coefficients as well as alpha and omega coefficients were carried out. The CFQ-e showed evidence of content validity, adequate construct validity and reliability. The CFQ-e is composed of 37 items distributed in four subscales or dimensions: “fear of medical interventions”; “fear of harm and dying”; “fear of pain” and “fears relating to sexual aspects and embarrassment”. The CFQ-e constitutes a valid and reliable tool to measure the fear of childbirth in the Spanish pregnant population

Health workers’ knowledge regarding the use of Topical Negative Pressure Therapy in the treatment of wounds

Introducción: Las heridas crónicas representan un problema actual que genera un impacto a muchos niveles y cuyo tratamiento se basa en infinidad de productos disponibles actualmente en el mercado. A medida que avanza la tecnología se desarrollan nuevos dispositivos que mejoran el tratamiento y repercuten en beneficios para los pacientes. La terapia de presión negativa, incluida en las técnicas de curación avanzada, es un ejemplo representativo de ello, pero una correcta utilización de esta requiere de un personal entrenado capaz de hacer un uso adecuado a través de sus conocimientos. Objetivo: El objetivo principal es determinar el nivel actual de conocimientos de los profesionales sanitarios sobre generalidades y manejo de la terapia de presión negativa. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y analítico en el Hospital General Universitario de Alicante. La población a estudio estuvo formada por 65 profesionales del ámbito de la enfermería y la medicina que trabajaban en las unidades donde se encuentran más familiarizados con su uso, y la recogida de datos se realizó mediante un cuestionario tipo ad hoc. Resultados: El 20% de los profesionales muestran un bajo nivel de conocimientos, el 61,5%, un nivel adecuado y el 18,5%, un nivel de conocimientos alto. Por tanto, un 80% de la población estudiada tiene un nivel adecuado o alto de conocimientos. Conclusiones: Una formación específica mediante la asistencia a cursos y jornadas, el tratamiento de un mayor número de heridas con terapia de presión negativa y el hecho de sentirse capacitados se convierten en requisitos indispensables para una correcta utilización del dispositivo. El nivel de conocimientos actual no exime de la necesidad de crear un protocolo que permita la unificación de criterios entre los profesionales y la necesidad de formación para actualizar los conocimientos.Introduction: Chronic wounds represent a current problem that generates an impact on many levels and whose treatment is based on an infinite number of products available on the market nowadays. As technology progresses, new devices are developed improving the treatment and affecting in benefits for patients. Topical Negative Pressure theraphy, included in the advanced healing techniques, is a representative example of this but a correct use of it requires a trained staff able to use it suitably through their knowledge. Aim: The main objective is to determine the current level of health workers’ knowledge about generalities and the handling of topical negative pressure therapy. Method: An observational, descriptive and analytical study was conducted at the Hospital General Universitario de Alicante. The study population was made up of 65 professionals in the field of nursing and medicine working in units where they are more familiar with their use, carrying out the collection of data by means of a questionnaire type ad hoc. Results: 20% of professionals show a low level of knowledge, 61.5%, an appropriate level and the 18.5%, a high level of expertise. Therefore, 80% of the studied population has an adequate or high level of expertise. Findings: Specific training through attendance at courses and conferences, the treatment of a greater number of injuries with TNP and the fact of being trained become prerequisites for a correct use of the device. The current level of knowledge does not exempt from the need to create a protocol allowing the unification of criteria between the professionals and the need for training to upgrade the expertise

Does hidradenitis suppurativa affect the patient's quality of life? A review of the literature

La hidradenitis supurativa es una enfermedad autoinmune crónica debida a la obstrucción de un folículo piloso, que da lugar a la formación de nódulos. Se desconoce la etiología concreta. Algunos factores desencadenantes son los antecedentes familiares, la obesidad, el hábito tabáquico, la ropa ajustada y los factores hormonales e inmunológicos, entre otros. La sintomatología típica es dolor, supuración, prurito y mal olor, y puede llegar a generar cicatrices, fístulas y tunelizaciones. Las localizaciones de las lesiones típicas son en axilas, zona inguinal, perianal y zona mamaria. Cursa con brotes y no es contagiosa. Dependiendo del estadio existen diferentes tratamientos para esta. El diagnóstico se basa en una entrevista sobre los antecedentes familiares, la localización de las lesiones, las manifestaciones clínicas y la alta recurrencia de la enfermedad. Afecta a un 1% de la población mundial, con mayor incidencia a las mujeres. Objetivos: Investigar si la patología afecta a la calidad de vida de los pacientes y averiguar las repercusiones en esta. Metodología: Se realizó mediante una revisión sistemática de los últimos 5 años, tanto de la hidradenitis supurativa como de la pregunta a estudio en las siguientes bases de datos: Google Académico, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus y Cochrane. Resultados: Los pacientes refieren tener una peor calidad de vida debido a síntomas de la hidradenitis supurativa, como el dolor, prurito y mal olor. Estos afectan en su vida diaria, vida laboral y relaciones sociales, entre otros. Conclusiones: Tras la búsqueda, se afirma la pregunta de estudio. La calidad de vida del paciente con hidradenitis supurativa está disminuida y deteriorada debido a los síntomas que la cursan. Además, conlleva una serie de comorbilidades tanto psicológicas como personales.Objectives: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic autoimmune disease due to the obstruction of a hair follicle leading to the formation of nodules. The specific etiology is unknown. Some triggers are family history, obesity, smoking, tight clothing, hormonal and immunological factors, among others. The typical symptomatology is pain, suppuration, itching, bad smell and can generate scars, fistulas and tunnels. Typical lesion locations are in the armpits, inguinal, perianal, and mammary areas. It has outbreaks and is not contagious. Depending on the stage there are different treatments for it. The diagnosis is based on an interview on the family history, location of the lesions, clinical manifestations and high recurrence of the disease. It affects 1% of the world population, with a higher incidence in women. Objectives: Investigate whether the pathology affects the quality of life of patients and find out the repercussions on it. Methods: It was carried out through a systematic review of the last five years of both hidradenitis suppurativa and the question under study in the following databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane. Results: Patients reported having a poorer quality of life due to symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa such as pain, itching and a bad smell. These affect their daily life, work life, social relationships, among others. Conclusions: After the search, the study question is affirmed. The quality of life of the patient with hidradenitis suppurativa is diminished and deteriorated due to the symptoms that occur. In addition, it carries a series of psychological and personal comorbidities

Prevention of pressure ulcers and repositioning. An integrative review

Objetivo: El objetivo que se plantea en este trabajo de revisión es responder a la pregunta: ¿Son los cambios posturales efectivos en la prevención de las úlceras por presión? Metodología: Revisión integrativa de la literatura mediante la identificación de documentos en las principales bases de datos relacionadas con las ciencias de la salud: MEDLINE, CINAHL, sciELO, Cochrane y CUIDEN, y mediante búsqueda inversa en los artículos identificados. Se incluyeron estudios prospectivos, revisiones sistemáticas u otro tipo de estudios, que evaluaran la efectividad de los cambios posturales. No hubo restricciones en fechas de publicación hasta diciembre de 2014, pacientes, contexto, estado de la publicación o idioma. Resultados: De 108 artículos, potencialmente relevantes para la revisión, se incluyeron 13: 6 ensayos clínicos, 1 estudio de cohortes, 4 revisiones sistemáticas y una histórica, además de un estudio cualitativo. No se encuentran evidencias sólidas para recomendar los cambios posturales cada 2 horas, pero si hay evidencia que apoya los cambios posturales cada 4 horas combinados con una superficie de apoyo viscoelástica. Conclusiones: No existen estudios que comparen la efectividad, solamente, de los cambios posturales frente a la no realización de estos cambios. La conjunción de una superficie viscoelástica con cambios posturales cada 3-4 horas dispone de la mejor evidencia. Los pacientes en decúbito lateral de 90 grados tienen una tasa casi 4 veces superior de lesiones que los que están a 30 grados. La investigación cualitativa es casi inapreciable en los estudios sobre cambios posturales.Aim: to answer the question: Are repositioning effective in preventing pressure ulcers? Methods: Integrative review of the literature through identification of papers in the main databases related to health sciences: MEDLINE, CINAHL, sciELO, COCHRANE and CUIDEN, and by reverse search on identified articles. We included prospective studies, systematic reviews or other types of studies that evaluated the effectiveness of repositioning. There were no restrictions on publication dates until December 2014, patients, context, publication status or language. Results: From 108 articles, potentially relevant for the review, 13 were included: 6 clinical trials, 1 cohort study, 4 systematic reviews and one historical review, as well as a qualitative study. There is no solid evidence to recommend postural changes every 2 hours. But there is evidence that supports repositioning every 4 hours combined with a viscoelastic support surface. Conclusions: There are no studies that compare the effectiveness of repositioning versus non-repositioning. The combination of a viscoelastic surface with repositioning every 3-4 hours has the best evidence. Patients in 90 degrees lateral decubitus have a rate almost 4 times higher than those who are at 30 degrees

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale in the Spanish Context (PEMS-e)

Midwifery empowerment is an important topic. The most widely used instrument to measure the perceived empowerment of midwives is the Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale (PEMS), which has not been validated in Spain. The aim of this study was to translate and adapt the PEMS to the Spanish context. This research was carried out in two phases; Phase 1: Methodological study; translation, backtranslation and cross-cultural adaptation of the PEMS and pilot study on the target population (10 midwives) for evaluation of face validity. Phase 2: Cross-sectional observational study to obtain a sample for construct validation by Exploratory Factor Analysis and measurement of PEMS-e reliability. Additionally, an inferential analysis was carried out to study the possible association between several collected variables and PEMS-e subscale-scores. A total of 410 midwives from 18 Spanish regions participated in the study through an online questionnaire. An initial Spanish version of the PEMS scale was produced, demonstrating adequate face validity. A final model was produced for the PEMS-e, which included 17 items classified into two subscales (“Organizational support” and “Own skills and teamwork”) with fit indexes RMSEA = 0.062 (95%CI: 0.048–0.065) and AGFI = 0.985 (95%CI: 0.983–0.989) and Cronbach’s alpha 0.922 for the total scale. Results showed that one in four midwives had considered abandoning the profession in the last 6 months (p ≤ 0.001). This research suggests that Spanish midwives perceive their empowerment level as low. The PEMS-e is a valid tool with solid psychometric properties that can be used in future research to identify factors that contribute to increased empowerment among Spanish midwives and inform strategies to improve job satisfaction and retention in the profession

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Wound-Healing Properties of EHO-85, a Novel Multifunctional Amorphous Hydrogel Containing Olea europaea Leaf Extract

The excess of free radicals in the wound environment contributes to its stagnation during the inflammatory phase, favoring hard-to-heal wounds. Oxidative stress negatively affects cells and the extracellular matrix, hindering the healing process. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant and wound-healing properties of a novel multifunctional amorphous hydrogel-containing Olea europaea leaf extract (OELE). Five assessments were performed: (i) phenolic compounds characterization in OELE; (ii) absolute antioxidant activity determination in OELE and hydrogel (EHO-85); (iii) antioxidant activity measurement of OELE and (iv) its protective effect on cell viability on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and keratinocytes (HaCaT); and (v) EHO-85 wound-healing-capacity analysis on diabetic mice (db/db; BKS.Cg-m+/+Leprdb). The antioxidant activity of OELE was prominent: 2220, 1558, and 1969 µmol TE/g by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, respectively. Oxidative stress induced with H2O2 in HDFs and HaCaT was normalized, and their viability increased with OELE co-treatment, thus evidencing a protective role. EHO-85 produced an early and sustained wound-healing stimulating effect superior to controls in diabetic mice. This novel amorphous hydrogel presents an important ROS scavenger capacity due to the high phenolic content of OELE, which protects skin cells from oxidative stress and contributes to the physiological process of wound healing.This research was funded by QUESPER R&D, and partially by INNCORPORA-TU-2011-1886 subprogramme (Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Spain) and the programme for the Reinforcement of Research Activity in the Clinical Management Units of the Andalusian Health Service (Department of Health. Regional Government of Andalusia, Spain)