Evaluation of the effect of training using auditory stimulation on rhythmic movement in Parkinsonian patients—a combined motor and [18F]-FDG PET study

[Abstract] Introduction: A programme of rehabilitation using auditory cues has previously been shown to decrease movement variability in the gait of Parkinsonian patients. Objective and methods: We studied the temporal variability of finger-tapping and gait in 9 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) before and after they undertook a physical rehabilitation programme. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) using 2-deoxy-2[18F]fluoro-d-glucose (FDG) was performed in these subjects to look for changes in metabolic brain activity after completion of the rehabilitation program. Results: The reduction of variability was seen not only in gait but also other repetitive movements such as finger tapping. Furthermore, here we show differences in resting regional cerebral glucose utilisation in these patients compared to healthy controls (significant hypometabolism—p<0.001—for the PD group in the right parietal and temporal lobes, left temporal and frontal lobes and a hypermetabolism in the left cerebellum) and specific changes following the improvements in repetitive movement abilities (significant metabolic increment—p<0.001—in the PD group in the right cerebellum and in the right parietal and temporal lobes). Conclusions: Although our study does not allow us to draw firm conclusions, it provides new information on the neural basis of auditory stimulation in PD. Our results extend those from previous studies to show improvement in the temporal variability of two types of rhythmic movements after participation by PD patients in a physical rehabilitation programme, along with changes in glucose uptake in several brain areas involved in sensorimotor processing.Xunta de Galicia; PGIDIT02BTF13701P

Sellado antibiótico de catéteres intravasculares centrales. Presentación de un caso tipo y de un protocolo de sellado antibiótico

El uso de catéteres intravasculares tunelizados centrales supone una aportación fundamental a la medicina moderna. La infección asociada a estos dispositivos es una de las causas más frecuentes de infección nosocomial en nuestro medio. La simple retirada de un catéter infectado puede ser suficiente para el control de la infección, sin embargo, en muchos casos esta retirada es problemática. En este trabajo se presenta un protocolo de sellado antibiótico aplicable a pacientes diagnosticados de infección asociada a catéter.Use of central intravascular catheters is a common practice in our hospital. Catheter related infection is a major cause of nosocomial infection. Withdrawal can be enough to manage these infections, but this is not always possible. In this article we present an antibiotic lock therapy protocol that can be used in catheter related infection

Cu-Doped Extremely Small Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Large Longitudinal Relaxivity: One-Pot Synthesis and in Vivo Targeted Molecular Imaging

Synthesizing iron oxide nanoparticles for positive contrast in magnetic resonance imaging is the most promising approach to bring this nanomaterial back to the clinical field. The success of this approach depends on several aspects: the longitudinal relaxivity values, the complexity of the synthetic protocol, and the reproducibility of the synthesis. Here, we show our latest results on this goal. We have studied the effect of Cu doping on the physicochemical, magnetic, and relaxometric properties of iron oxide nanoparticles designed to provide positive contrast in magnetic resonance imaging. We have used a one-step, 10 min synthesis to produce nanoparticles with excellent colloidal stability. We have synthesized three different Cu-doped iron oxide nanoparticles showing modest to very large longitudinal relaxivity values. Finally, we have demonstrated the in vivo use of these kinds of nanoparticles both in angiography and targeted molecular imaging

Mujeres en Bioquímica

We are pleased to present in the magazine "Encounters in Biology" the series of profiles published online in the «Portrait Gallery of Women in Biochemistry» on the SEBBM website, which began in 2011, with the centenary of the Nobel Prize awarded to Marie Curie, International Year of Chemistry. During the celebration of the 22nd IUBMB - 37th FEBS Congress and XXXV Congress of the SEBBM that took place in Seville from September 4 to 9, 2012, a traveling exhibition was inaugurated with this information in panel format.Tenemos el placer de presentar en la revista "Encuentros en la Biología" la serie de perfiles publicados on-li- ne en la «Galería de retratos de Mujeres en Bioquímica» de la web de la SEBBM, que comenzó en 2011, con el centenario del premio Nobel otorgado a Marie Curie, Año Internacional de la Química. Durante la celebra- ción del 22nd IUBMB - 37th FEBS Congress y XXXV Congreso de la SEBBM que tuvo lugar en Sevilla del 4 al 9 de septiembre de 2012 se inauguró una exposición itinerante con esta información en formato de paneles

Ecotypic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity combine to enhance the invasiveness of the most widespread daisy in Chile, Leontodon saxatilis

Dispersal and reproductive traits of successful plant invaders are expected to undergo strong selection during biological invasions. Numerous Asteraceae are invasive and display dimorphic fruits within a single flower head, resulting in differential dispersal pathways - wind-dispersed fruits vs. nondispersing fruits. We explored ecotypic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity of seed output and fruit dimorphisms in exotic Chilean and native Spanish populations of Leontodon saxatilis subsp. rothii. We collected flower heads from populations in Spain and Chile along a rainfall gradient. Seeds from all populations were planted in reciprocal transplant trials in Spain and Chile to explore their performance in the native and invasive range. We scored plant biomass, reproductive investment and fruit dimorphism. We observed strong plasticity, where plants grown in the invasive range had much greater biomass, flower head size and seed output, with a higher proportion of wind-dispersed fruits, than those grown in the native range. We also observed a significant ecotype effect, where the exotic populations displayed higher proportions of wind-dispersed fruits than native populations. Together, these patterns reflect a combination of phenotypic plasticity and ecotypic differentiation, indicating that Leontodon saxatilis has probably increased propagule pressure and dispersal distances in its invasive range to enhance its invasiveness.Irene Martín-Forés, Marta Avilés, Belén Acosta-Gallo, Martin F. Breed, Alejandro del Pozo, José M. de Miguel, Laura Sánchez-Jardón, Isabel Castro, Carlos Ovalle, Miguel A. Casad

Eficacia de un programa de escuela de espalda. Análisis de factores asociados a la actividad laboral de los participantes

[EN] Introduction In spite of the relationship existing between exposure to physical workload and incidence of injuries, the aspects related with work activity has been sufficiently considered in studies on the effectiveness of back schools. This study has aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a back school program oriented at workers, analyzing variables associated with exposure to physical workload. Material and methods A total of 319 subjects with low back pain or neck pain participating in the back school between November 2006 and November 2009 were included. The effectiveness of the back school was evaluated by means of a patient satisfaction questionnaire, and by assessment of pain and impairment with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry questionnaire, respectively. Results We have identified two workload factors related to pain and impairment at the beginning of the treatment. The comparison of VAS and Oswestry scores before and after the program shows significant improvement. However, this improvement is associated with the initial scores and with physical workload factors. Conclusions It is possible that the improvement with unspecific measures as training and exercises in a back school may not be equally effective for patients who are exposed to greater physical demands at work.[ES] Introducción A pesar de la relación existente entre la exposición a carga física en el trabajo y la incidencia de lesiones, los aspectos relacionados con la actividad laboral no han sido suficientemente considerados en los estudios sobre la eficacia de las escuelas de espalda (EE). El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar el efecto de las variables asociadas a la exposición a carga física en el trabajo sobre la eficacia de un programa de EE orientado a trabajadores. Material y métodos Se incluyó a 319 sujetos con lumbalgia o cervicalgia que participaron en la Escuela de Espalda de Ibermutuamur durante un periodo de 3 años (2006-2009). La efectividad de la EE se ha evaluado mediante cuestionarios de satisfacción, así como a partir de la mejora funcional y el dolor. Resultados Se han identificado dos factores asociados a la carga física relacionados con la incapacidad y el dolor al iniciar el tratamiento. La comparación entre los valores iniciales y finales de las puntuaciones de la escala visual analógica (EVA) y del cuestionario de Oswestry muestra una mejora significativa tras el programa de EE. Sin embargo, dicha mejora está relacionada con la situación inicial y con la exposición a los factores de carga en el trabajo. Conclusiones Es posible que las mejoras asociadas a medidas generales, como la formación y los ejercicios propuestos en una escuela de espalda, no sean igualmente eficaces para trabajadores que parten de una situación funcional peor o que están expuestos a mayor carga física en el trabajo.Lorenzo, M.; Caceres Caceres, ML.; Sánchez Sánchez, MD.; Page Del Pozo, AF.; Santos, P. (2011). Eficacia de un programa de escuela de espalda. Análisis de factores asociados a la actividad laboral de los participantes. Rehabilitación. 45(3):233-239. doi:10.1016/j.rh.2011.04.005S23323945

Metal nanoparticles-PDMS nanocomposites for tunable optical filters and sensors

The peculiar optical response of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) doped with metallic nanoparticles can be employed to develop optical sensing materials. These nanocomposites may work in an ample range of temperatures, showing good linearity and high sensitivity. Plasmon resonances of the metallic nanoparticles produce interesting effects on the optical response by affecting the effective refractive index of PDMS. The high resonant response leads to a number of different configurations of optical filters and phase devices whose resonant frequency depends on the chosen nanoparticle. Moreover, the wavelength can be tuned up by external manufacturing conditions such as nanoparticle size or fill factor, and by working parameters such as temperature. This work develops the theoretical background required for the design of these structures, and evaluates the adequate dimensional and doping ranges for device optimization.This work was supported by Spanish Government RETOS Program grant no. TEC2013-47342-C2-R and no. TEC2013-50138-EXP, the R&D Program SINFOTON S2013/MIT-2790 of the Comunidad de Madrid, and the European COST Action IC1208

Identification and validation of common molecular targets of hydroxytyrosol

Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is involved in healthful activities and is beneficial to lipid metabolism. Many investigations focused on finding tissue-specific targets of HT through the use of different omics approaches such as transcriptomics and proteomics. However, it is not clear which (if any) of the potential molecular targets of HT reported in different studies are concurrently affected in various tissues. Following the bioinformatic analyses of publicly available data from a selection of in vivo studies involving HT-supplementation, we selected differentially expressed lipid metabolism-related genes and proteins common to more than one study, for validation in rodent liver samples from the entire selection. Four miRNAs (miR-802-5p, miR-423-3p, miR-30a-5p, and miR-146b-5p) responded to HT supplementation. Of note, miR-802-5p was commonly regulated in the liver and intestine. Our premise was that, in an organ crucial for lipid metabolism such as the liver, consistent modulation should be found for a specific target of HT even if different doses and duration of HT supplementation were used in vivo. Even though our results show inconsistency regarding differentially expressed lipid metabolism-related genes and proteins across studies, we found Fgf21 and Rora as potential novel targets of HT. Omics approaches should be fine-tuned to better exploit the available databases

The pharmacist in the administration of the autonomous community of Andalusia

Objetivo: En primer lugar determinar las condiciones de acceso al Cuerpo de Farmacéuticos adscrito a la Administración Sanitaria de la Junta de Andalucía y en segundo lugar, conocer las distintas modalidades, cómo se han organizado los distintos cuerpos y cómo se estructuran en sus diferentes subgrupos. Además se analiza y define su régimen laboral. En tercer lugar, determinar la estructura orgánica y funciones de los distintos Cuerpos a los que tiene acceso el farmacéutico en la Administración de la Comunidad Autónoma Andaluza Metodología: Revisión de la normativa, vigente y derogada, que regula los cuerpos y el sistema de acceso para Farmacéutico en la Comunidad Autónoma Andaluza. Conclusión: La figura del farmacéutico como agente sanitario en la legislación autonómica andaluza, se encuentra regulada en distintas normas que exigen una interpretación de acuerdo a los criterios de la Ley 6/185 de Ordenación de la Función Pública de la Junta de Andalucía. Las distintas modalidades de ejercicio profesional, ya sea como agente sanitario de la autoridad autonómica o como profesional especializado se definen en distintos estatutos orgánicos necesarios para definir claramente sus funciones y responsabilidades.Objetive: First to determine the conditions of access to the Pharmacists' Body assigned to the Sanitary Administration of the Meeting of Andalusia and secondly, to know the different modalities, how the different bodies have been organized and how they are structured in his different subgroups. In addition his labor regime is analyzed and defines. Thirdly, to determine the organic structure and functions of the different Bodies to which the pharmacist has access in the Administration of the Autonomous Andalusian Community Methodology: Review of the regulation, in force and repealed, that regulates the bodies and the system of access for Pharmacist in the Autonomous Andalusian Community. Conclusion / discussion The figure of the pharmacist like sanitary agent in the autonomous Andalusian legislation, is regulated in different procedure that demand an interpretation of agreement to the criteria of the Law 6/185 of Arrangement of the Public Function of the Meeting of Andalusia. The different modalities of professional exercise, already be like a sanitary agent of the autonomous authority or as specialized professional they are defined in different organic necessary bylaws to define clearly his functions and responsibilities

Probing quantum gravity using photons from a flare of the active galactic nucleus Markarian 501 observed by the MAGIC telescope

We analyze the timing of photons observed by the MAGIC telescope during a flare of the active galactic nucleus Mkn 501 for a possible correlation with energy, as suggested by some models of quantum gravity (QG), which predict a vacuum refractive index \simeq 1 + (E/M_{QGn})^n, n = 1,2. Parametrizing the delay between gamma-rays of different energies as \Delta t =\pm\tau_l E or \Delta t =\pm\tau_q E^2, we find \tau_l=(0.030\pm0.012) s/GeV at the 2.5-sigma level, and \tau_q=(3.71\pm2.57)x10^{-6} s/GeV^2, respectively. We use these results to establish lower limits M_{QG1} > 0.21x10^{18} GeV and M_{QG2} > 0.26x10^{11} GeV at the 95% C.L. Monte Carlo studies confirm the MAGIC sensitivity to propagation effects at these levels. Thermal plasma effects in the source are negligible, but we cannot exclude the importance of some other source effect.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, Phys. Lett. B, reflects published versio