11 research outputs found

    Graphene oxide and reduced derivates, as powder or film scaffolds, differentially promote dopaminergic neuron differentiation and survival.

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    Emerging scaffold structures made of carbon nanomaterials, such as graphene oxide (GO) have shown efficient bioconjugation with common biomolecules. Previous studies described that GO promotes the differentiation of neural stem cells and may be useful for neural regeneration. In this study, we examined the capacity of GO, full reduced (FRGO), and partially reduced (PRGO) powder and film to support survival, proliferation, differentiation, maturation, and bioenergetic function of a dopaminergic (DA) cell line derived from the mouse substantia nigra (SN4741). Our results show that the morphology of the film and the species of graphene (GO, PRGO, or FRGO) influences the behavior and function of these neurons. In general, we found better biocompatibility of the film species than that of the powder. Analysis of cell viability and cytotoxicity showed good cell survival, a lack of cell death in all GO forms and its derivatives, a decreased proliferation, and increased differentiation over time. Neuronal maturation of SN4741 in all GO forms, and its derivatives were assessed by increased protein levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine transporter (DAT), the glutamate inward rectifying potassium channel 2 (GIRK2), and of synaptic proteins, such as synaptobrevin and synaptophysin

    Dermatofitos y dermatofitosis; Frecuencia en Guatemala durante el período de mayo del 2008 a junio 2009

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    Dermatophytes and dermatophytosisFrequency in Guatemala during the period May 2008 to June 2009AbstractDermatophytosis are infections caused by dermatophytes. A group of fungi with a worldwidedistribution. In order to know the frequency of fungal infections due to dermatophytes a retrospectiveobservational descriptive study was carried out with a cohort of 2418 cases reported by “CandelariaHospital Center”, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistence and Institute of Dermatologyand skin Surgery "Prof. Dr. Fernando A. Cordero C.". Trichophyton rubrum was isolated in 85%,followed by Microsporum canis (7%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (5,92%), and tinea unguium(onychomycosis) was the most common dermatophytosis (57.85%), and the distal /lateral subungualonychomycosis (26,96%) was the most frequent clinical form. The most affected age range was 30-39 years. This study contributes to increase the epidemiological information of dermatophytosis andtheir etiological agents.Key worlds:Dermathophytosis, dermatophytes, onychomycosis, T. rubrumRESUMEN Las dermatofitosis son infecciones provocadas por hongos parásitos de queratina denominados dermatofitos cuya distribución es común  a nivel mundial.  Con el fin de determinar la frecuencia de las infecciones debidas a hongos dermatofitos se realizó el presente estudio retrospectivo observacional descriptivo de 2418 casos reportados por el Centro Hospitalario Candelaria, el Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social y el Instituto de Dermatología y Cirugía del Pie “Prof. Dr. Fernando A. Cordero C.”. Se aislaron Trichophyton rubrum (85%), Microsporum canis (7%) y Trichophyton mentagrophytes (5,92%). De las dermatofitosis la más común fue tinea unguium (onicomicosis) con 57,85%, y predominó la onicomicosis subungueal distal lateral (26,96%). El rango de edad más afectado fue el comprendido entre los 30-39 años.  Este estudio contribuye a ampliar la información epidemiológica sobre dermatofitosis y sus agentes etiológicos. Palabras clave: Dermatofitos, dermatofitosis, onicomicosis, T. rubru

    Biomarkers of inflammation in obesity-psoriatic patients

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    Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory multisystemic disease with a complex pathogenesis consisting of genetic, immunological, and environmental components. It is associated with a number of comorbidities, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and myocardial infarction. In addition, the severity of psoriasis seems to be related to the severity of obesity. Patients with higher levels of obesity show poorer response to systemic treatments of psoriasis. Several studies have demonstrated that white adipose tissue is a crucial site of the formation of proinflammatory adipokines such as leptin, adiponectin, and resistin and classical cytokines such as interleukin- (IL-) 6 and tumour necrosis factor-α. In psoriasis, due to the proliferation of Th1, Th17, and Th22 cells, IL-22, among others, is produced in addition to the abovementioned cytokines. With respect to leptin and resistin, both of these adipokines are present in high levels in obese persons with psoriasis. Further, the plasma levels of leptin and resistin are related to the severity of psoriasis. These results strongly suggest that obesity, through proinflammatory pathways, is a predisposing factor to the development of psoriasis and that obesity aggravates existing psoriasis. Different inflammatory biomarkers link psoriasis and obesity. In this paper, the most important ones are described

    Interleukin-2 and other cytokines in candidiasis: expression, clinical significance, and future therapeutic targets

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    Susceptibility to Candida spp. infection is largely determined by the status of host immunity, whether immunocompromised/immunodeficient or immunocompetent. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), a potent lymphoid cell growth factor, is a four-α-helix bundle cytokine induced by activated T cells with two important roles: the activation and maintenance of immune responses, and lymphocyte production and differentiation. We reviewed the roles of cytokines as immune stimulators and suppressors of Candida spp. infections as an update on this continuously evolving field. We performed a comprehensive search of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline (PubMed), and Embase databases for articles published from March 2010 to March 2016 using the following search terms: interleukins, interleukin-2, Candida spp., and immunosuppression. Data from our own studies were also reviewed. Here, we provide an overview focusing on the ability of IL-2 to induce a large panel of trafficking receptors in skin inflammation and control T helper (Th)2 cytokine production in response to contact with Candida spp. Immunocompromised patients have reduced capacity to secrete Th1-related cytokines such as IL-2. The ability to secrete the Th1-related cytokine IL-2 is low in immunocompromised patients. This prevents an efficient Th1 immune response to Candida spp. antigens, making immunocompromised patients more susceptible to candidal infections

    Biofilms and vulvovaginal candidiasis

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    Candida species, including C. albicans, are part of the mucosal flora of most healthy women, and inhabit the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Under favourable conditions, they can colonize the vulvovaginal mucosa, giving rise to symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). The mechanism by which Candida spp. produces inflammation is unknown. Both, the blastoconidia and the pseudohyphae are capable of destroying the vaginal epithelium by direct invasion. Although the symptoms are not always related to the fungal burden, in general, VVC is associated with a greater number of yeasts and pseudohyphae. Some years ago, C. albicans was the species most frequently involved in the different forms of VVC. However, infections by different species have emerged during the last two decades producing an increase in causative species of VVC such as C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei and C. tropicalis. Candida species are pathogenic organisms that have two forms of development: planktonic and biofilm. A biofilm is defined as a community of microorganisms attached to a surface and encompassed by an extracellular matrix. This form of presentation gives microorganisms greater resistance to antifungal agents. This review, about Candia spp. with a special emphasis on Candida albicans discusses specific areas such as biofilm structure and development, cell morphology and biofilm formation, biofilm-associated gene expression, the cell surface and adherence, the extracellular matrix, biofilm metabolism, and biofilm drug resistance in vulvovaginitis biofilms as an important virulence factor in fungi

    Fungal Melanonychia: A Systematic Review

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    Fungal melanonychia is an uncommon condition, most typically caused by opportunistic melanin-producing pigmented filamentous fungi in the nail plate. In the present study, the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with fungal melanonychia were analyzed through a systematic review of cases reported in the literature. The MESH terms used for the search were “melanonychia” AND “fungal” OR “fungi” through four databases: PubMed, SciELO, Google scholar and SCOPUS. After discarding inadequate articles using the exclusion criteria, 33 articles with 133 cases were analyzed, of which 44% were women, 56% were men and the age range was between 9 and 87 years. The majority of cases were reported in Turkey followed by Korea and Italy. Frequent causal agents detected were Trichophyton rubrum as non-dematiaceous in 55% and Neoscytalidium dimidiatum as dematiaceous in 8%. Predisposing factors included nail trauma, migration history, employment and/or outdoor activities. Involvement in a single nail was presented in 45% of the cases, while more than one affected nail was identified in 21%, with a range of 2 to 10 nails. Regarding the clinical classification, 41% evidenced more than one type of melanonychia, 21% corresponded to the longitudinal pattern and 13% was of total diffuse type. Likewise, the usual dermoscopic pattern was multicolor pigmentation. It is concluded that fungal melanonychia is an uncommon variant of onychomycosis and the differential diagnosis is broad, which highlights the complexity of this disease

    Desarrollo de Negocios 2 - GD27 - 202102

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    Descripción: En la actualidad, los empresarios e inversionistas necesitan invertir en negocios que sean viables, rentables, sostenibles, innovadores y escalables. Para ello necesitan una verificación a través de un documento que sea sintético, fácil de leer, sustentado a través de datos y cifras. Para ello el alumno realizará un proyecto de investigación orientado a otorgar una respuesta sólida, argumentada y coherente al reto empresarial identificado. El reto empresarial es entonces definido como una oportunidad de mejora dentro de una organización, así como también el desarrollo de un plan para la toma de oportunidades para la organización. El estudiante será capaz de compartir información útil para la resolución de situaciones de negocios y de participar activamente en la consecución de una meta común al equipo de trabajo. Propósito: Curso de especialidad, de carácter teórico práctico, dirigido a los estudiantes del décimo ciclo, que busca desarrollar las competencias generales de la universidad de Pensamiento innovador y razonamiento 1cuantitativo y la competencia específica de la carrera Investigación e Innovación, todas a un nivel 3

    Recommendations on the vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in patients on dialysis and on the kidney transplant waiting list

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    Contexto: las personas con diálisis se consideran una población de alto riesgo de infección por SARS-CoV-2, complicaciones y muerte. En Colombia, cerca del 44 % de la población en diálisis es menor de 60 años, adicionalmente, por los mismos retos que ha impuesto la pandemia a los programas de trasplantes, se ha incrementado notoriamente la población joven que debe seguir en diálisis al no tener opción a corto plazo de un trasplante renal, por lo tanto, las limitaciones en el acceso temprano a la vacunación contra SARS-CoV-2 agudizarían los problemas de esta población, provocando pérdidas considerables en años de vida que la vacuna podría salvar. Objetivo: el objetivo del presente documento es sintetizar los principales motivos por los que se recomienda la priorización de la vacunación de los pacientes en diálisis crónica y lista de espera para trasplante renal. Métodología: se realizó una búsqueda rápida de información sobre la vacunación en pacientes con ERC en diálisis o en espera de trasplante renal. La información resultante fue analizada críticamente por expertos en nefrología para la formulación de recomendaciones. Los resultados de la búsqueda se presentan a manera de síntesis narrativa. Resultados: a partir de la información revisada y discutida por los expertos en nefrología se proponen 4 recomendaciones para la vacunación contra el virus SARS-Cov-2. Conclusiones: la Asociación Colombiana de Nefrología e Hipertensión Arterial, la Asociación Colombiana de Nefrología Pediátrica y la Asociación Colombiana de Trasplante de Órganos, comprometidos con la salud de los pacientes con enfermedad renal en diálisis y listas de espera de trasplantes en Colombia, se unen a la solicitud mundial de generar recomendaciones para la vacunación contra SARS-CoV-2.Background: People on dialysis are considered a high-risk population for SARS-CoV-2 infection, complications, and death. In Colombia, about 44 % of the population on dialysis is under 60 years of age. In addition, due to the same challenges that the pandemic has imposed on transplant programs, the young population that must continue on dialysis has increased markedly, as they have no option in the short term of a kidney transplant, therefore, the limitations in early access to vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 would exacerbate the problems of this population, causing considerable losses in years of life that the vaccine could save. Purpose: The objective of this document is to summarize the main reasons why the prioritization of vaccination of patients on chronic dialysis and on the kidney transplant waiting list is recommended. Methodology: A rapid search for information on vaccination in patients with CKD on dialysis or awaiting kidney transplantation was performed. The resulting information was critically analyzed by experts in nephrology for the formulation of recommendations. The search results are presented as a narrative synthesis. Results: Based on the information reviewed and discussed by nephrology experts, 4 recommendations are proposed for vaccination against the SARS-Cov-2 virus. Conclusions: The Colombian Association of Nephrology and Arterial Hypertension (ASOCOLNEF), the Colombian Association of Pediatric Nephrology (ACONEPE) and the Colombian Association of Organ Transplantation (ACTO), committed to the health of patients with kidney disease on dialysis and transplant waiting lists in Colombia, join to generate recommendations for prioritization and vaccination against SARS-CoV-

    TIII - Arquitectura y Entorno - AR307 - 202101

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    Descripción: El curso TIII - Arquitectura y Entorno, es un curso de especialidad en la carrera de Arquitectura; parte del estudio del patrimonio edificado y la ciudad histórica, y propone el adiestramiento en el diseño arquitectónico a partir de la transformación y/o reciclaje de un objeto arquitectónico preexistente, y/o la propuesta de edificaciones nuevas relacionadas con el espacio urbano, desde un enfoque contemporáneo. Propósito: El TIII - Arquitectura y Entorno busca que el futuro arquitecto tome conciencia que todo proyecto arquitectónico está destinado a relacionarse con el contexto urbano. A través de la identificación y el análisis, el alumno adquiere las herramientas para diseñar respondiendo al entorno. El curso contribuye directamente al desarrollo de las competencias generales de Ciudadanía y Pensamiento Innovador y la competencia específica de Diseño Fundamentado (que corresponde a los criterios NAAB: PC2, PC3, PC5, PC8, SC3, SC5). Tiene como requisitos: Dibujo Arquitectónico (AR286) y TII - Arquitectura y Arte (AR306)
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