Cytochrome c6 is the main respiratory and photosynthetic soluble electron donor in heterocysts of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120

Cytochrome c6 is a soluble electron carrier, present in all known cyanobacteria, that has been replaced by plastocyanin in plants. Despite their high structural differences, both proteins have been reported to be isofunctional in cyanobacteria and green algae, acting as alternative electron carriers from the cytochrome b6-f complex to photosystem I or terminal oxidases. We have investigated the subcellular localization of both cytochrome c6 and plastocyanin in the heterocyst-forming cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 grown in the presence of combined nitrogen and under diazotrophic conditions. Our studies conclude that cytochrome c6 is expressed at significant levels in heterocysts, even in the presence of copper, condition in which it is strongly repressed in vegetative cells. However, the copper-dependent regulation of plastocyanin is not altered in heterocysts. In addition, in heterocysts, cytochrome c6 has shown to be the main soluble electron carrier to cytochrome c oxidase-2 in respiration. A cytochrome c6 deletion mutant is unable to grow under diazotrophic conditions in the presence of copper, suggesting that cytochrome c6 plays an essential role in the physiology of heterocysts that cannot be covered by plastocyanin.Fundación de Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla FIUS05710000Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad BIO2015-64169-PJunta de Andalucía PAIDI BIO-02

Diabetes screening: a pending issue in hypertense/obese patients

The literature about possible cardiovascular consequences of diagnostic inertia in diabetes is scarce. We examined the influence of undetected high fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels on the cardiovascular risk and poor control of cardiovascular risk factors in hypertensive or obese patients, with no previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (i.e., diagnostic inertia). A cross-sectional study during a preventive program in a Spanish region was performed in 2003–2004. The participants were aged ≥40 years and did not have diabetes but were hypertensive (n = 5, 347) or obese (n = 7, 833). The outcomes were high cardiovascular risk (SCORE ≥5%), poor control of the blood pressure (≥140/90 mmHg) and class II obesity. The relationship was examined between FBG and the main parameters, calculating the adjusted odd ratios with multivariate models. Higher values of FBG were associated with all the outcomes. A more proactive attitude towards the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in the hypertensive and obese population should be adopted.The Conselleria de Sanitat (Valencian Community) gave permission and financial support for this study

Diagnostic inertia in dyslipidaemia: results of a preventative programme in Spain

Others have analysed the relationship between inadequate behaviour by healthcare professionals in the diagnosis of dyslipidaemia (diagnostic inertia) and the history of cardiovascular risk factors. However, since no study has assessed cardiovascular risk scores as associated factors, we carried out a study to quantify diagnostic inertia in dyslipidaemia and to determine if cardiovascular risk scores are associated with this inertia. In the Valencian Community (Spain), a preventive programme (cardiovascular, gynaecologic and vaccination) was started in 2003 inviting persons aged ≥40 years to undergo a health check-up at their health centre. This cross-sectional study examined persons with no known dyslipidaemia seen during the first six months of the programme (n = 16, 905) but whose total cholesterol (TC) was ≥5.17 mmol/L. Diagnostic inertia was defined as lack of follow-up to confirm/discard the dyslipidaemia diagnosis. Other variables included in the analysis were gender, history of cardiovascular risk factors/cardiovascular disease, counselling (diet/exercise), body mass index (BMI), age, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and lipids. TC was grouped as ≥/<6.20 mmol/L. In patients without cardiovascular disease and <75/≤65 years (n = 15, 778/13, 597), the REGICOR (REgistre GIroní del COr)/SCORE (Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation) cardiovascular risk functions were used to classify risk (high/low). Inertia was quantified and the adjusted odds ratios calculated from multivariate models. In the overall sample, the rate of diagnostic inertia was 52% (95% CI [51.2–52.7]); associated factors were TC ≥ 6.20 mmol/L, high or “not measured” BMI, hypertension, smoking and higher values of fasting blood glucose, systolic blood pressure and TC. In the REGICOR sample, the rate of diagnostic inertia was 51.9% (95% CI [51.1–52.7]); associated factors were REGICOR high and high or “not measured” BMI. In the SCORE sample the rate of diagnostic inertia was 51.7% (95% CI [50.9–52.5]); associated factors were SCORE high and high or “not measured” BMI. Diagnostic inertia existed in over half the patients and was associated with a greater cardiovascular risk.Conselleria de Sanitat (Valencian Community)

Gut microbial composition in patients with psoriasis

Since the last 5–10 years the relevance of the gut microbiome on different intestinal illnesses has been revealed. Recent findings indicate the effect of gut microbiome on certain dermatological diseases such as atopic dermatitis. However, data on other skin diseases such as psoriasis are limited. This is the first time attempting to reveal the gut microbiome composition of psoriatic patients with a prospective study including a group of patients with plaque psoriasis, analyzing their gut microbiome and the relationship between the microbiome composition and bacterial translocation. The microbiome of a cohort of 52 psoriatic patients (PASI score ≥6) was obtained by 16s rRNA massive sequencing with MiSeq platform (Illumina inc, San Diego) with an average of 85,000 sequences per sample. The study of the gut microbiome and enterotype shows from the first time a specific “psoriatic core intestinal microbiome” that clearly differs from the one present in healthy population. In addition, those psoriatic patients classified as belonging to enterotype 2 tended to experience more frequent bacterial translocation and higher inflammatory status (71%) than patients with other enterotypes (16% for enterotype 1; and 21% for enterotype 3).Medicin

Proposed Occupational Vulnerability Index COVID-19

[EN] Introduction: Vulnerable is someone who can be hurt or receive injury, physically or morally. The work environment appears as one of the dimensions in which social vulnerability develops and social and occupational vulnerability is defined. The literature does not include an assessment of quantified occupational vulnerability as it already exists in the case of social vulnerability. The aim of this paper is to identify and quantify the variables included in the Protocol for the Assessment of Vulnerability to COVID-19 in such a way that the result can be quantified and allows for a predictive effect on the degree of vulnerability. Methodology: The starting point is the design of a protocol proposal that includes 29 variables. Data is collected from a sample of 420 workers, quantifying the results according to each variable, the overall scores for each group of aspects assessed and, finally, the total score that estimates the degree of vulnerability according to established ranges. Results: Variables that have the highest coefficient and, therefore, the greatest weight in the probability of reaching a group of high or medium vulnerability are cardiovascular disease, cancer, and coagulation alteration. The weight of the labour aspects due to inadequate working conditions stands out. Conclusions: The results obtained with this protocol allow us to make a quantified assessment of labour vulnerability to COVID-19 by integrating individual variables of the worker, his working conditions and the preventive actions of his company against COVID-19, and can be useful as an Occupational Vulnerability Index (OVI).Vicente-Herrero, MT.; Ramírez Íñiguez De La Torre, MV.; Del Campo Balsa, MT.; Reinoso Barbero, L.; Rueda Garrido, JC.; Santamaria Navarro, C. (2020). Proposed Occupational Vulnerability Index COVID-19. Occupational Diseases and Environmental Medicine (Online). 8(4):175-187. https://doi.org/10.4236/odem.2020.84014S1751878

Respiratory function screening in workers and relationship with social and labor variables

[ES] Introducción: En las enfermedades respiratorias, el conocimiento preventivo y la cooperación activa entre los especialistas garantiza la detección temprana, y seguimiento y control más efectivos. La medicina del trabajo proporciona información valiosa para la gestión preventiva y apoyar la actividad asistencial en salud pública. Es objetivo de este estudio valorar la función respiratoria en trabajadores sanos y relacionar las primeras alteraciones con factores de riesgo social y laboral. Material y método: Estudio observacional descriptivo en 868 trabajadores entre 18-65 años, de Comunidad Valenciana y Castilla la Mancha, durante 2015-2016. Son variables de estudio: clase social, tipo de trabajo, ubicación del puesto, exposición a riesgos, sector laboral y consumo de tabaco. La función respiratoria se valoró mediante COPD Assessment Test, espirometría y PO2, partiendo de la pulsioximetría. El tratamiento estadístico se realiza mediante descriptivo univariante y análisis bivariante de relación entre las variables. Se acepta como nivel de significación un valor de p< 0.05. Resultados: Se obtienen peores valores en espirometría y PO2 relacionados con la exposición a riesgos laborales, con sectores de riesgo y en los trabajos outdoor, así como en las clases sociales más bajas. Son peores los resultados entre los fumadores en todas las pruebas funcionales. La mayor sensibilidad se obtiene con los valores espirométricos y PO2 . Conclusiones: Se recomienda el uso para cribado de espirometría y PO2 mediante pulsioximetría en población laboral sana, dentro de la actividad preventiva y de promoción de la salud laboral, junto con protocolización estandarizada y coordinada con las especialidades implicadas.[EN] Introduction: In respiratory diseases, preventive knowledge and active cooperation among specialists guarantees early detection and more elective monitoring and control. Occupational medicine provides valuable information for preventive management and to support public health care activity. The objective of this study is to assess the respiratory function in healthy workers and to relate the first alterations with social and occupational risk factors. Material and method: Descriptive observational study in 868 workers between 18-65 years old, from Comunidad Valenciana and Castilla-la Mancha, during 2015-2016. Variables of study are: social class, type of work, workplace location, occuparional risk exposure, labor sector and tobacco consumption. Respiratory function was assessed by COPD Assessment Test, spirometry and PO2 test, starting from pulse oximetry. The statistical treatment is carried out by univariate descriptive and bivariate analysis of the relationship between the variables. A value of p< 0.05 is accepted as significance level. Results: Poor values are obtained in spirometry and PO2 related to exposure to occupational hazards, with risk sectors and in outdoor work, as well as in lower social classes. Results are worse among smokers in all functional tests. The highest sensitivity is obtained with the spiromeiric values and PO2. Conclusions: It s recommended to use spirometry and PO2 screening by means of pulse oximetry in a healthy working population, the preventive activity of promoting occupational health, and standardized protocols coordinated with the specialties involved.Vicente Herrero, MT.; Ramírez Iñiguez, MV.; Santamaria Navarro, C.; Torres Segura, I.; Capdevila García, L. (2020). Cribado de la función respiratoria en trabajadores y relación con variables sociales y laborales. Medicina Balear (Online). 35(1):16-25. https://doi.org/10.3306/MEDICINABALEAR.35.01.16S162535

Valoración del impacto de género en la salud de mujeres y hombres

El objetivo es ensayar la utilidad de incorporar variables sensibles al género, fundamentalmente, las relacionadas con la desigual distribución del trabajo productivo y reproductivo, para identificar posibles desigualdades de salud asociadas al género como determinante de salud. Se han realizado entrevistas clínicas, que incluyen exploraciones y un cuestionario complementario con los que se han recogido variables sobre el estado de salud y variables sociodemográficas, incluidas variables sensibles al género. Los datos del cuestionario y la entrevista clínica se han registrado en una base diseñada ad hoc y se ha analizado con el programa SPSS v. 14, aplicando un análisis descriptivo y un análisis de dependencias bivariant

Changes in Gut Microbiota Correlates with Response to Treatment with Probiotics in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis. A Post Hoc Analysis of a Clinical Trial.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease with a high impact on the comfort of those who are affected and long-term treated with corticosteroids with limited efficacy and a high prevalence of relapses. Because of the limited effectiveness of these treatments, new strategies for recovery from AD lesions are continually being explored. In this article, we describe the gut microbiome changes achieved in a recently published clinical trial with the probiotic formulation Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145, Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347, and Lacticaseibacillus casei CECT 9104 (formerly Lactobacillus casei CECT 9104), showing a significant improvement in SCORAD (scoring atopic dermatitis) index in children (4-17 years) with AD (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02585986). The present gut microbiome post hoc study showed no significant changes in diversity (Shannon and Simpson indexes) after probiotic consumption. In the probiotic group, genera Bacteroides, Ruminococcus, and Bifidobacterium significantly increased their levels while Faecalibacterium decreased, compared to the placebo group. Faecalibacterium showed the highest presence and significant positive correlation with AD severity (SCORAD index), whereas Abyssivirga, Bifidobacterium, and Lactococcus were inversely correlated. The results suggest that the consumption of the probiotic formulation here assayed modulates the gut microbiome with significant changes in genera Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium. In turn, the improvement in SCORAD correlates with a decrease in Faecalibacterium and an increase in Bifidobacterium, among others

Efficacy and Safety of Oral Administration of a Mixture of Probiotic Strains in Patients with Psoriasis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

The aim of this 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to determine the efficacy and safety of a probiotic mixture in the reduction of psoriasis severity. Ninety 18-70-year-old adults with plaque psoriasis were randomized into probiotic and placebo groups. At 12-week follow-up, 66.7% of patients in the probiotic group and 41.9% in the placebo group showed a reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index of up to 75% (p < 0.05). A clinically relevant difference was observed in Physician Global Assessment index: 48.9% in the probiotic group achieved a score of 0 or 1, compared with 30.2% in the placebo group. The results of follow-up 6 months after the end of the study showed a lower risk of relapse after the intake of the probiotic mixture. Analysis of gut microbiota confirmed the efficacy of the probiotic in modulation of the microbiota composition