Insights into the Binding of Dietary Phenolic Compounds to Human Serum Albumin and Food-Drug Interactions

The distribution of drugs and dietary phenolic compounds in the systemic circulation depends on, among other factors, unspecific/specific reversible binding to plasma proteins such as human serum albumin (HSA). Phenolic substances, present in plant-derived feeds, foods, beverages, herbal medicines, and dietary supplements, are of great interest due to their biological activity. Recently, considerable research has been directed at the formation of phenol-HSA complexes, focusing above all on structure-affinity relationships. The nucleophilicity and planarity of molecules can be altered by the number and position of hydroxyl groups on the aromatic ring and by hydrogenation. Binding affinities towards HSA may also differ between phenolic compounds in their native form and conjugates derived from phase II reactions. On the other hand, food-drug interactions may increase the concentration of free drugs in the blood, affecting their transport and/or disposition and in some cases provoking adverse or toxic effects. This is caused mainly by a decrease in drug binding affinities for HSA in the presence of flavonoids. Accordingly, to avoid the side effects arising from changes in plasma protein binding, the intake of flavonoid-rich food and beverages should be taken into consideration when treating certain pathologies

Epidemiology of sepsis in Catalonia: analysis of incidence and outcomes in a European setting

Epidemiologia; Mortalitat; Shock sèpticEpidemiología; Mortalidad; Shock sépticoEpidemiology; Mortality; Septic shockBackground Up-to-date identification of local trends in sepsis incidence and outcomes is of considerable public health importance. The aim of our study was to estimate annual incidence rates and in-hospital mortality trends for hospitalized patients with sepsis in a European setting, while avoiding selection bias in relation to different complexity hospitals. Methods A large retrospective analysis of a 5-year period (2008–2012) was conducted of hospital discharge records obtained from the Catalan Health System (CatSalut) Minimum Basic Data Set for Acute-Care Hospitals (a mandatory population-based register of admissions to all public and private acute-care hospitals in Catalonia). Patients hospitalized with sepsis were detected on the basis of ICD-9-CM codes used to identify acute organ dysfunction and infectious processes. Results Of 4,761,726 discharges from all acute-care hospitals in Catalonia, 82,300 cases (1.72%) had sepsis diagnoses. Annual incidence was 212.7 per 100,000 inhabitants/year, rising from 167.2 in 2008 to 261.8 in 2012. Length of hospital stay fell from 18.4 to 15.3 days (p < .00001), representing a relative reduction of 17%. Hospital mortality fell from 23.7 to 19.7% (p < .0001), representing a relative reduction of 16.9%. These differences were confirmed in the multivariate analysis (adjusted for age group, sex, comorbidities, ICU admission, emergency admission, organ dysfunction, number of organ failures, sepsis source and bacteraemia). Conclusions Sepsis incidence has risen in recent years, whereas mortality has fallen. Our findings confirm reports for other parts of the world, in the context of scarce administrative data on sepsis in Europe.The study was partially funded by the Mataró Sepsis Challenge (www.sepsischallenge.cat) through the Fundació Salut del Consorci Sanitari del Maresme

Oleacein Intestinal Permeation and Metabolism in Rats Using an In Situ Perfusion Technique

Oleacein (OLEA) is one of the most important phenolic compounds in extra virgin olive oil in terms of concentration and health-promoting properties, yet there are insufficient data on its absorption and metabolism. Several non-human models have been developed to assess the intestinal permeability of drugs, among them, single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP), which is commonly used to investigate the trans-membrane transport of drugs in situ. In this study, the SPIP model and simultaneous luminal blood sampling were used to study the absorption and metabolism of OLEA in rats. Samples of intestinal fluid and mesenteric blood were taken at different times and the ileum segment was excised at the end of the experiment for analysis by LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS. OLEA was mostly metabolized by phase I reactions, undergoing hydrolysis and oxidation, and metabolite levels were much higher in the plasma than in the lumen. The large number of metabolites identified and their relatively high abundance indicates an important intestinal first-pass effect during absorption. According to the results, OLEA is well absorbed in the intestine, with an intestinal permeability similar to that of the highly permeable model compound naproxen. No significant differences were found in the percentage of absorbed OLEA and naproxen (48.98 ± 12.27% and 43.96 ± 7.58%, respectively)

Metabolomics Technologies for the Identification and Quantification of Dietary Phenolic Compound Metabolites: An Overview

In the search for natural products with properties that may protect against or slow down chronic and degenerative diseases (e.g., cancer, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions), phenolic compounds (PC) with benefits for human health have been identified. The biological effects of PC in vivo depend on their bioavailability, intestinal absorption, metabolism, and interaction with target tissues. The identification of phenolic compounds metabolites (PCM), in biological samples, after food ingestion rich in PC is a first step to understand the overall effect on human health. However, their wide range of physicochemical properties, levels of abundance, and lack of reference standards, renders its identification and quantification a challenging task for existing analytical platforms. The most frequent approaches to metabolomics analysis combine mass spectrometry and NMR, parallel technologies that provide an overview of the metabolome and high-power compound elucidation. In this scenario, the aim of this review is to summarize the pre-analytical separation processes for plasma and urine samples and the technologies applied in quantitative and qualitative analysis of PCM. Additionally, a comparison of targeted and non-targeted approaches is presented, not available in previous reviews, which may be useful for future metabolomics studies of PCM

Decay of linkage disequilibrium within genes across HGDP-CEPH human samples: most population isolates do not show increased LD

9 pages, 2 figures, 4 additional files.[Background] It is well known that the pattern of linkage disequilibrium varies between human populations, with remarkable geographical stratification. Indirect association studies routinely exploit linkage disequilibrium around genes, particularly in isolated populations where it is assumed to be higher. Here, we explore both the amount and the decay of linkage disequilibrium with physical distance along 211 gene regions, most of them related to complex diseases, across 39 HGDP-CEPH population samples, focusing particularly on the populations defined as isolates. Within each gene region and population we use r2 between all possible single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) pairs as a measure of linkage disequilibrium and focus on the proportion of SNP pairs with r2 greater than 0.8.[Results] Although the average r2 was found to be significantly different both between and within continental regions, a much higher proportion of r2 variance could be attributed to differences between continental regions (2.8% vs. 0.5%, respectively). Similarly, while the proportion of SNP pairs with r2 > 0.8 was significantly different across continents for all distance classes, it was generally much more homogenous within continents, except in the case of Africa and the Americas. The only isolated populations with consistently higher LD in all distance classes with respect to their continent are the Kalash (Central South Asia) and the Surui (America). Moreover, isolated populations showed only slightly higher proportions of SNP pairs with r2 > 0.8 per gene region than non-isolated populations in the same continent. Thus, the number of SNPs in isolated populations that need to be genotyped may be only slightly less than in non-isolates.[Conclusion] The "isolated population" label by itself does not guarantee a greater genotyping efficiency in association studies, and properties other than increased linkage disequilibrium may make these populations interesting in genetic epidemiology.This research was supported by "Fundación Genoma España" (proyectos piloto CEGEN 2004–2005), Dirección General de Investigación, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia of Spain (grants BFU2005-00243, BFU2006-01235, BFU2006-15413-CO2-01, SEJ2006-13537) and Direcció General de Recerca, Generalitat de Catalunya (2005SGR00608). SNP genotyping services were provided by the Spanish "Centro Nacional de Genotipado"Peer reviewe

Community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalised patients: changes in aetiology, clinical presentation, and severity outcomes in a 10-year period

Staphylococcus aureus; Mortality; VirologyStaphylococcus aureus; Mortalidad; VirologíaStaphylococcus aureus; Mortalitat; VirologiaBackground and objective Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a frequent cause of hospitalisation. Several factors, such as pandemics, vaccines and globalisation may lead to changes in epidemiology, clinical presentation, and outcomes of CAP, which oblige to a constant actualisation. We performed this study to analyse how these factors have evolved over a 10-year period. Materials and methods Patients diagnosed with CAP for two 1-year periods that were 10 years apart (2007–2008 and 2017–2018) were included. We compared microbiological information, clinical data and evolutive outcomes in the two periods. A mortality analysis was performed. Results 1043 patients were included: 452 during the first period (2007- 2008), and 591 during the second period (2017–2018). Bacterial aetiology did not change during the 10-year period, besides a slight increase in Staphylococcus aureus (0.9% vs 2.9%, p = 0.026). There was a decline in the proportion of bacteraemia in the second period (14.8% vs 9.6%, p = 0.012). The incidence of complicated pleural effusion and septic shock declined too (6.4% vs 3.6%, p = 0.04 and 15.5% vs 6.3%, p < 0.001). Respiratory failure and Intensive care unit (ICU) admission were similar in both periods. Variables independently associated with mortality were age and septic shock. Influenza vaccine was a protective factor against mortality in the second period. Conclusions We have not found relevant differences in the bacterial aetiology of CAP over this 10-year period. There has been a decline in septic complications of CAP such as septic shock, bacteraemia, and complicated pleural effusion. Influenza vaccination is an important tool to reduce mortality

Isolo : a new concept of privacy

Isolo es un conjunto de cuatro productos interactivos, diseñados por los estudiantes del Grado de Diseño de EINA, que exploran y aplican el concepto “privacidad”. Los proyectos ofrecen diferentes formas de aislamiento respetando los hábitos de los usuarios y recreando atmósferas de intimidad, desde el individuo hasta el colectivo. Los proyectos presentados son: Köllen Eget es un espacio de trabajo adaptado a los nuevos hábitos de trabajo y al uso de las de las nuevas tecnologías. La interactividad del producto permite reorganizar el espacio y generar un ambiente personalizado, adaptándose a cada usuario gracias a la iluminación, la acústica y la presencia de diferentes elementos móviles. Còdol es un separador de espacios que contempla el contraste entre el vacío y la plenitud. Consigue crear un ambiente privado dentro de un entorno interior y concurrido gracias a su estructura envolvente de paneles móviles con propiedades acústicas y tonalidades suaves. Petal es una silla versátil y adaptable al usuario, inspirada en las formas orgánicas de las flores. En cada lateral hay un panel flexible que permite ser regulado en diferentes posiciones y de esta manera convertirlo en un espacio del almacenamiento personalizado acorde con las necesidades del usuario. Kodama es un panel decorativo, que se presenta como una arboleda de influencia oriental coronada por los elementos más distintivos de todo el conjunto: los asientos, que están colocados aleatoriamente por toda la estructura a disposición del usuario.Isolo és un conjunt de quatre productes interactius, dissenyats pels estudiants del Grau de Disseny d’EINA, que exploren i apliquen el concepte “privacitat”. Els projectes ofereixen diferents formes d’aïllament respectant els hàbits dels usuaris i recreant atmosferes d’intimitat, des de l’individu fins al col·lectiu. Els projectes presentats són: Köllen Eget és un espai de treball adaptat als nous hàbits de treball i a l’ús de les noves tecnologies. La interactivitat del producte permet reorganitzar l’espai i generar un ambient personalitzat, adaptant-se a cada usuari a través de la il·luminació, l’acústica i la presència de diferents elements mòbils. Còdol és un separador d’espais que contempla el contrast entre el buit i el ple. Aconsegueix crear un ambient privat dins d’un entorn interior i concorregut gràcies a la seva estructura envoltant de panells mòbils amb propietats acústiques i tonalitats suaus. Petal és una cadira versàtil i adaptable a l’usuari, inspirada en les formes orgàniques de les flors. A cada lateral hi ha un panell flexible que permet ser regulat en diferents posicions i d’aquesta manera convertir-lo en un espai d’emmagatzematge personalitzat d’acord amb les necessitats de l’usuari. Kodama és un panell decoratiu, que es presenta com una arbreda d’influència oriental, coronada pels elements més distintius de tot el conjunt: els seients, que estan disposats aleatòriament per tota l’estructura a disposició de l’usuari.Isolo is a set of four interactive products, designed by students on the EINA Bachelor’s Degree in Design, that explore and apply the concept of “privacy”. The projects offer different forms of isolation, respecting users’ habits and recreating atmospheres of intimacy, from the individual to the group. The projects presented are: Köllen Eget is a workspace adapted to new working habits and the use of new technologies. The interactivity of the product allows users to reorganise their space and create a personalised ambience, adapting to each user through light, sound and the presence of different mobile elements. Còdol is a space divider that considers the contrast between empty and full. It manages to create a private ambience in an interior and busy environment thanks to its structure, surrounded by moveable panels with sound properties and soft tones. Petal is a versatile chair that is adaptable to the user, inspired by the organic shapes of flowers. On each side is a flexible panel that can be regulated in different positions, so turning it into a personalised storage space in line with your needs. Kodama is a decorative panel displayed as an Oriental-influenced woodland crowned by the most distinctive elements of the entire piece: the seats, which are placed at random throughout the whole structure for use by the user

Trends in the epidemiology of catheter-related bloodstream infections; towards a paradigm shift, Spain, 2007 to 2019

Altres ajuts: Departament de Salut. Generalitat de Catalunya ("Pla estratègic de recerca i innovació en salut (PERIS) 2019-2021"); Ministerio de Asuntos Económicos y Transformación Digital; Red Española de Investigación en Patología Infecciosa (REIPI).Background: Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) are frequent healthcare-associated infections and an important cause of death. Aim: To analyse changes in CRBSI epidemiology observed by the Infection Control Catalan Programme (VINCat). Methods: A cohort study including all hospital-acquired CRBSI episodes diagnosed at 55 hospitals (2007-2019) in Catalonia, Spain, was prospectively conducted. CRBSI incidence rates were adjusted per 1,000patientdays. To assess the CRBSI rate trend per year, negative binomial models were used, with the number of events as the dependent variable, and the year as the main independent variable. From each model, the annual rate of CRBSI diagnosed per 1,000patientdays and the incidence rate ratio (IRR) with its 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. Results: During the study, 9,290 CRBSI episodes were diagnosed (mean annual incidence rate:0.20episodes/1,000patientdays). Patients' median age was 64.1years; 36.6% (3,403/9,290) were female. In total, 73.7% (n=6,845) of CRBSI occurred in non-intensive care unit (ICU) wards, 62.7% (n=5,822) were related to central venous catheter (CVC), 24.1% (n=2,236) to peripheral venous catheters (PVC) and 13.3% (n=1,232) to peripherally-inserted central venous catheters (PICVC). Incidence rate fell over the study period (IRR:0.94;95%CI:0.93-0.96), especially in the ICU (IRR:0.88;95%CI:0.87-0.89). As a whole, while episodes of CVC CRBSI fell significantly (IRR:0.88;95%CI:0.87-0.91), peripherally-inserted catheter CRBSI (PVC and PICVC) rose, especially in medical wards (IRR PICVC:1.08;95%CI:1.05-1.11; IRR PVC: 1.03; 95% 1.00-1.05). Conclusions: Over the study, CRBSIs associated with CVC and diagnosed in ICUs decreased while episodes in conventional wards involving peripherally-inserted catheters increased. Hospitals should implement preventive measures in conventional wards