Struggling in pandemic times: Migrant women's virtual political organization during the COVID-19 crisis in Spain.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, the lockdowns brought about the loss of labour and social rights for many migrant women working in highly informal employment sectors. Drawing on digital ethnography, this article examines the role of migrant women in political mobilization within migrant associations during 2020 in Spain, when online interactions assumed primary importance. First, it shows how migrant organizations create bricolage by combining economic, social, cultural and political resources to organize migrants in Spain during COVID-19 within the digital space. Second, the article highlights how the reactions of the migrant population to the pandemic in Spain represent an act of disruption led mainly by women, within the dynamics of social conflict and political activism that characterize migratory processes. This analysis displays as well the crucial role played by care relationships in these contexts of crises.

Indicaciones para el uso del catéter venoso central y el tiempo de colocación en los pacientes hospitalizados en el servicio de medicina interna del hospital Dr. Miguel Pérez Carreño / Indications for the use of the central venous catheter and the time of its use in the patients hospitalized in the internal medicine service of the Dr. Miguel Pérez Carreño hospital

La inserción del catéter venoso central (CVC) ha significado un gran avance en la medicina moderna y su uso generalizado ha permitido el desarrollo de nuevas técnicas diagnósticas y tratamientos especializados. En este estudio se dan a conocer las indicaciones presentes al momento de colocar el catéter venoso central y el tiempo de colocación en los pacientes. Métodos: La investigación fue de tipo retrospectivo, descriptivo y de corte transversal, con un diseño de investigación no experimental y tuvo la finalidad de conocer, en forma directa, la realidad de la problemática. Las unidades de observación fueron(188) historias clínicas de los pacientes que ingresaron en el servicio de medicina interna en el hospital Miguel Pérez Carreño en el periodo comprendido entre enero y abril de 2017. Resultados: El 68% de la indicación del catéter venoso central es para la medición de la presión venosa central (PVC) y control de líquidos, mientras que en el 32% la indicación fue por administración de fármacos. El tiempo de colocación tuvo un predominio del 61% de los pacientes que utilizaron el catéter venoso central durante 1 a 3 semanas, en segundo lugar, el 36% utilizo el catéter por unos días, solo un 3% amerito el uso del catéter venoso central durante 1 mes. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los pacientes estudiados tuvieron como principal indicación de CVC para control de líquido y medición de presión venosa central. Con una duración de 1 a 3 semanas(AU)

The insertion of the central venous catheter (CVC) has meant a great advance in modern medicine and its widespread use has allowed the development of new diagnostic techniques and specialized treatments. In this study we present the indications present at the moment of placing the central venous catheter and the time of use in patients. Methods: The research was of a retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional type, with a non-experimental research design and aimed to know, in a direct way, the reality of the problem. The units of observation were (188) clinical records of patients admitted to the internal medicine service in the hospital Miguel Pérez Carreño in the period between January and April 2017. Results: 68% of the indication of the central venous catheter is for the measurement of central venous pressure (CVP) and fluid control, while in 32% the indication was for drug administration. The time of use had a predominance of 61% of patients who used the central venous catheter for 1 to 3 weeks, secondly, 36% used the catheter for a few days, only 3% required the use of the central venous catheter for 1 month. Conclusions: The majority of patients studied had CVC as main indication for fluid control and central venous pressure measurement. With a duration of 1 to 3 weeks(AU)

Microorganismos que colonizan los catéteres venosos centrales de los pacientes hospitalizados en el servicio de medicina intern / Microorganisms that colonize the central venous catheters of patients hospitalized in the internal medicine service of the Dr. Miguel Pérez Carreño hospital

La utilización de catéter venoso central produce, en ocasiones, infecciones de tipo local o sistémico, como la bacteriemia no complicada o complicada (bacteriemia persistente, tromboflebitis séptica, endocarditis y otras complicaciones metastásicas). En este estudio se dan a conocer las infecciones ocasionadas por el uso de Catéter Venoso Central (CVC), así como los microorganismos presentes en los pacientes. Métodos: La investigación fue de tipo retrospectivo, descriptivo y de corte transversal, con un diseño de investigación no experimental y tuvo la finalidad de conocer, en forma directa, la realidad de la problemática. Las unidades de observación fueron (188) historias clínicas de los pacientes que ingresaron en el servicio de medicina interna en el hospital Miguel Pérez Carreño en el periodo comprendido entre enero y abril de 2017. Resultados: En 30 de los pacientes se realizó el cultivo de la punta del catéter venoso central. En el 67% no hubo crecimiento de microorganismos, mientras que el 33% crecieron microorganismos a las 24 horas. El 80% de las muestras cultivadas reportan la presencia de Cocos Gram positivos. Un 10% reportaron enterobacterias y un 10% reportan levaduras, finalmente con menor frecuencia pseudomona con un 0%. Conclusiones: Solo 78 pacientes ameritaron la colocación de un catéter venoso central, de los cuales se cultivaron 30 puntas de catéter, encontrándose que solo 10 de las puntas de catéteres dieron positivas para infección con crecimiento bacteriano a las 24 horas, siendo los cocos Gram positivos la principal bacteria aislada en los pacientes con CVC seguidos de enterobacterias(AU)

Intravascular catheterization is used for hemodynamic monitoring, hemodialysis, metabolic and nutritional support, fluid administration, chemotherapy and prolonged antibiotic therapy, blood and derivatives, among others. In this study, infections caused by the use of (CVC) central venous catheter are reported, as well as the microorganisms present in patients. Methods: The research was of a retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional type, with a non-experimental research design and aimed to know, in a direct way, the reality of the problem. The observation units were (188) clinical records of the patients admitted to the internal medicine service at the Miguel Pérez Carreño Hospital in the period between January and April 2017. Results In 30 of the patients, the culture of the tip of the central venous catheter. In 67% there was no growth of microorganisms, while 33% grew microorganisms at 24 hours. 80% of the cultivated samples report the presence of Gram-positive cocci. 10% reported enterobacteria and 10% reported yeast, finally with less frequency pseudomonas with 0%. Conclusions: Only 78 patients required placement of a central venous catheter, of which 30 catheter tips were cultured, finding that only 10 of the catheter tips were positive for infection with bacterial growth at 24 hours, with Gram-positive cocci. the main bacteria isolated in patients with CVCfollowed by enterobacteria(AU)

A review of endophenotypes in schizophrenia and autism: The next phase for understanding genetic etiologies.

Many psychiatric disorders are caused by multiple genes and multiple environmental factors, making the identification of specific genetic risk factors for these disorders difficult. Endophenotypes are behaviors or characteristics that are intermediate between the genotype and a phenotype of interest. Because they are more directly related to the gene action than is the endpoint disorder, they may be useful in the identification of specific genes related to psychiatric disorders and the classification of disorders or traits that share an underlying genetic etiology. We discuss genetic and endophenotype research on schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in this review. Some of the psychophysiological endophenotypes that have been studied for schizophrenia include prepulse inhibition of the startle response, the antisaccadic task assessing frontal lobe function, inhibition of the P50 event-related potential (ERP), and other auditory ERP measures. Potential ASD endophenotypes include theory of mind, language skills (specifically, age at first spoken word and first spoken phrase), social skills, and certain brain functions, such as asynchronization of neural activity and brain responses to emotional faces. Because the link between genes and specific psychiatric disorders is difficult to determine, identification of endophenotypes is useful for beginning the search to identify specific genes that affect these disorders.

RalA is overactivated in medulloblastoma.

Medulloblastoma (MDB) represents a major form of malignant brain tumors in the pediatric population. A vast spectrum of research on MDB has advanced our understanding of the underlying mechanism, however, a significant need still exists to develop novel therapeutics on the basis of gaining new knowledge about the characteristics of cell signaling networks involved. The Ras signaling pathway, one of the most important proto-oncogenic pathways involved in human cancers, has been shown to be involved in the development of neurological malignancies. We have studied an important effector down-stream of Ras, namely RalA (Ras-Like), for the first time and revealed overactivation of RalA in MDB. Affinity precipitation analysis of active RalA (RalA-GTP) in eight MDB cell lines (DAOY, RES256, RES262, UW228-1, UW426, UW473, D283 and D425) revealed that the majority contained elevated levels of active RalA (RalA-GTP) as compared with fetal cerebellar tissue as a normal control. Additionally, total RalA levels were shown to be elevated in 20 MDB patient samples as compared to normal brain tissue. The overall expression of RalA, however, was comparable in cancerous and normal samples. Other important effectors of RalA pathway including RalA binding protein-1 (RalBP1) and protein phosphatase A (PP2A) down-stream of Ral and Aurora kinase A (AKA) as an upstream RalA activator were also investigated in MDB. Considering the lack of specific inhibitors for RalA, we used gene specific silencing in order to inhibit RalA expression. Using a lentivirus expressing anti-RalA shRNA we successfully inhibited RalA expression in MDB and observed a significant reduction in proliferation and invasiveness. Similar results were observed using inhibitors of AKA and geranyl-geranyl transferase (non-specific inhibitors of RalA signaling) in terms of loss of in vivo tumorigenicity in heterotopic nude mouse model. Finally, once tested in cells expressing CD133 (a marker for MDB cancer stem cells), higher levels of RalA activation was observed. These data not only bring RalA to light as an important contributor to the malignant phenotype of MDB but introduces this pathway as a novel target in the treatment of this malignancy.

A potential regulatory loop between Lin28B:miR­212 in androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Lin28 is a family of RNA binding proteins and microRNA regulators. Two members of this family have been identified: Lin28A and Lin28B, which are encoded by genes localized in different chromosomes but share a high degree of sequence identity. The role of Lin28B in androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) is not well understood. Lin28B is expressed in all grades of prostatic carcinomas and prostate cancer cell lines, but not in normal prostate tissue. In this study we found that Lin28B co-localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm of the DU145 AIPC. The expression of Lin28B protein positively correlated with the expression of the c-Myc protein in the prostate cancer cell lines and silencing of Lin28B also correlated with a lower expression of the c-Myc protein, but not with the downregulation of c-Myc messenger RNA (mRNA) in the DU145 AIPC cells. We hypothesized that Lin28B regul-ates the expression of c-Myc protein by altering intermediate c-Myc suppressors. Therefore, a microRNA profile of DU145 cells was performed after Lin28B siRNA silencing. Nineteen microRNAs were upregulated and eleven microRNAs were downregulated. The most upregulated microRNAs were miR-212 and miR-2278. Prior reports have found that miR-212 is suppressed in prostate cancer. We then ran TargetScan software to find potential target mRNAs of miR-212 and miR-2278, and it predicted Lin28B mRNA as a potential target of miR-212, but not miR-2278. TargetScan also predicted that c-Myc mRNA is not a potential target of miR-212 or miR-2278. These observations suggest that Lin28B:miR-212 may work as a regulatory loop in androgen-independent prostate cancer. Furthermore, we report a predictive 2-fold symmetric model generated by the superposition of the Lin28A structure onto the I-TASSER model of Lin28B. This structural model of Lin28B suggests that it shows unique microRNA binding characteristics. Thus, if Lin28B were to bind miRNAs in a manner similar to Lin28A, conformational changes would be necessary to prevent steric clashes in the C-terminal and linker regions between the CSD and ZNF domains.

RalA signaling pathway as a therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Ral (Ras like) leads an important proto-oncogenic signaling pathway down-stream of Ras. In this work, RalA was found to be significantly overactivated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and tissues as compared to non-malignant samples. Other elements of RalA pathway such as RalBP1 and RalGDS were also expressed at higher levels in malignant samples. Inhibition of RalA by gene-specific silencing caused a robust decrease in the viability and invasiveness of HCC cells. Additionally, the use of geranyl-geranyl transferase inhibitor (GGTI, an inhibitor of Ral activation) and Aurora kinase inhibitor II resulted in a significant decrease in the proliferation of HCC cells. Furthermore, RalA activation was found to be at a higher level of activation in HCC stem cells that express CD133. Transgenic mouse model for HCC (FXR-Knockout) also revealed an elevated level of RalA-GTP in the liver tumors as compared to background animals. Finally, subcutaneous mouse model for HCC confirmed effectiveness of inhibition of aurora kinase/RalA pathway in reducing the tumorigenesis of HCC cells in vivo. In conclusion, RalA overactivation is an important determinant of malignant phenotype in differentiated and stem cells of HCC and can be considered as a target for therapeutic intervention.

[Bone mineral density disminution post Roux-Y bypass surgery]. / Disminución de masa ósea post-cirugía bariátrica con by-pass en Y de Roux.

INTRODUCTION: Bariatric surgery has important metabolic complications such as bone mass loss. GOAL: To assess bone mineral density (BMD) after Roux-en-Y gastric by-pass (RYGB) in patients under standard calcium and vitamin D supplementation. METHOD: In patients with morbid obesity submitted to RYGB, 76 women and 22 men of diverse age, all with standard nutritional instruction including vitamin D and calcium, we measured BMD with a dual X-ray densitometer. They had lumbar spine and hips measurement 2-3 years post-surgery. Twenty females were followed up with BMD until of a mean of 54 months. Using World Health Organization (WHO) criteria's, values were compared with young controls and same age and sex population, evaluating osteopenia and osteoporosis. RESULTS: Inverse correlation was observed between BMD and age; positive between BMD and body mass index as well as with preoperative weight excess. In women younger than 45 years, we observed a diminished BMD in 26.8% of them, with no cases of osteoporosis. In older females, BMD was decreased in 65.7% (p = 0.0011); corresponding to 45.7% of osteopenia and 20% osteoporosis, more frequent in lumbar spine. In the female's subgroup followed longer, BMD diminished progressively mainly in left hip. In men, there was 36% of osteopenia and 14% of osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: Patients from both genders and diverse ages after BPYR presented osteopenia and osteoporosis, despite early supplement prescription of calcium and vitamin D. We consider important to perform serial BMD measurements and also to individualize therapy with risk factors control.

Introducción: La cirugía bariátrica tiene complicaciones metabólicas importantes como la pérdida de masa ósea. Objetivo: Evaluar la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) posterior a by-pass gástrico en Y de Roux (BPYR) en pacientes con indicación de suplemento estándar de calcio y vitamina D. Método: En pacientes con BPYR por obesidad mórbida, 76 mujeres y 22 hombres de diversa edad, con instrucción nutricional, suplemento de calcio y vitamina D, se midió la DMO en columna lumbar y caderas con densitómetro radiológico de doble haz 2 a 3 años post-cirugía. Veinte mujeres fueron seguidas con DMO hasta 54 meses en promedio. Según criterios de Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), se comparó con población control joven y de su edad según sexo, evaluando osteopenia y osteoporosis. Resultados: Hubo correlación negativa de DMO con edad; positiva de DMO con índice de masa corporal y con exceso de peso preoperatorio. En mujeres menores de 45 años, se observó disminución de DMO en 26,8%, sin casos de osteoporosis y en 65,7% en las mayores de 45 años (p = 0,0011), correspondiendo a 45,7% de osteopenia y 20% de osteoporosis, predominantemente en columna lumbar. El subgrupo de mujeres con mayor seguimiento, presentó disminución progresiva de DMO, especialmente en cadera izquierda. En hombres se observó 36% de osteopenia y 14% de osteoporosis. Conclusión: Pacientes de ambos sexos y diversa edad, despues de un BPYR, presentaron osteopenia y osteoporosis, a pesar de suplemento precoz de calcio y vitamina D. Consideramos importante medir DMO seriada, individualizando terapias y controlando factores de riesgo.

Disminución de masa ósea post-cirugía bariátrica con by-pass en Y de Roux / Bone mineral density disminution post y de roux by-pass surgery

Introducción: La cirugía bariátrica tiene complicaciones metabólicas importantes como la pérdida de masa ósea. Objetivo: Evaluar la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) posterior a by-pass gástrico en Y de Roux (BPYR) en pacientes con indicación de suplemento estándar de calcio y vitamina D. Método: En pacientes con BPYR por obesidad mórbida, 76 mujeres y 22 hombres de diversa edad, con instrucción nutricional, suplemento de calcio y vitamina D, se midió la DMO en columna lumbar y caderas con densitómetro radiológico de doble haz 2 a 3 años post-cirugía. Veinte mujeres fueron seguidas con DMO hasta 54 meses en promedio. Según criterios de Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), se comparó con población control joven y de su edad según sexo, evaluando osteopenia y osteoporosis. Resultados: Hubo correlación negativa de DMO con edad; positiva de DMO con índice de masa corporal y con exceso de peso preoperatorio. En mujeres menores de 45 años, se observó disminución de DMO en 26,8%, sin casos de osteoporosis y en 65,7% en las mayores de 45 años (p = 0,0011), correspondiendo a 45,7% de osteopenia y 20% de osteoporosis, predominantemente en columna lumbar. El subgrupo de mujeres con mayor seguimiento, presentó disminución progresiva de DMO, especialmente en cadera izquierda. En hombres se observó 36% de osteopenia y 14% de osteoporosis. Conclusión: Pacientes de ambos sexos y diversa edad, despues de un BPYR, presentaron osteopenia y osteoporosis, a pesar de suplemento precoz de calcio y vitamina D. Consideramos importante medir DMO seriada, individualizando terapias y controlando factores de riesgo (AU)

INTRODUCTION: Bariatric surgery has important metabolic complications such as bone mass loss. GOAL: To assess bone mineral density (BMD) after Roux-en-Y gastric by-pass (RYGB) in patients under standard calcium and vitamin D supplementation. METHOD: In patients with morbid obesity submitted to RYGB, 76 women and 22 men of diverse age, all with standard nutritional instruction including vitamin D and calcium, we measured BMD with a dual X-ray densitometer. They had lumbar spine and hips measurement 2-3 years post-surgery. Twenty females were followed up with BMD until of a mean of 54 months. Using World Health Organization (WHO) criteria's, values were compared with young controls and same age and sex population, evaluating osteopenia and osteoporosis. RESULTS: Inverse correlation was observed between BMD and age; positive between BMD and body mass index as well as with preoperative weight excess. In women younger than 45 years, we observed a diminished BMD in 26.8% of them, with no cases of osteoporosis. In older females, BMD was decreased in 65.7% (p = 0.0011); corresponding to 45.7% of osteopenia and 20% osteoporosis, more frequent in lumbar spine. In the female's subgroup followed longer, BMD diminished progressively mainly in left hip. In men, there was 36% of osteopenia and 14% of osteoporosis. CONCLUSION :Patients from both genders and diverse ages after BPYR presented osteopenia and osteoporosis, despite early supplement prescription of calcium and vitamin D. We consider important to perform serial BMD measurements and also to individualize therapy with risk factors control (AU)

A second-generation 2-Methoxyestradiol prodrug is effective against Barrett's adenocarcinoma in a mouse xenograft model.

2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME2) is an endogenous metabolite of estradiol. In preclinical models, 2-ME2 is effective against different types of tumors. Unfortunately, only low systemic concentrations of 2-ME2 can be achieved following oral administration, even after very high doses are administered to patients. In an effort to solve this problem, we have now synthesized and tested a new prodrug of 2-ME2 that is water-soluble due to a bioreversible hydrophilic group added at the 3-position and that more effectively resists metabolic inactivation due to an ester moiety added to mask the 17-position alcohol. We are reporting here for the first time that this double prodrug of 2-ME2 is effective as an antiproliferative and anticancer agent for both in vitro and in vivo studies against Barrett esophageal adenocarcinoma (BEAC) and provided greater potency than 2-ME2 in inhibiting the growth of BEAC xenografts. Finally, studies indicate that, like 2-ME2, the 2-ME2-PD1 exhibits anticancer effect through possible disruption of microtubule network.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with mild obesity: preliminary results of surgical treatment.

In the last years, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity have become a serious public health problem, behaving as epidemic diseases. There is great interest in exploring different options for the treatment of T2DM in nonmorbidly obese patients. The purpose of this study is to report parameters of glycemic control in patients with T2DM and mild obesity who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP). This prospective clinical trial includes patients with T2DM with a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 35 kg/m(2) who underwent laparoscopic RYGBP from July 2008 through October 2010. Thirty-one patients were included in the study, 15 men and 16 women, with an average age of 48.7 ± 8.6 years. The average time since onset of T2DM was 5.8 years. The average postoperative follow-up was 30.4 months. The average preoperative blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin were 152 ± 70 mg/dl and 7.7 ± 2.1 %, respectively. All of them were using oral hypoglycemic agents, and four patients were insulin dependent. Only one patient had a postoperative complication (hemoperitoneum). At 36 months follow-up, the average BMI decreased to 24.7 kg/m(2), all patients (31) showed improvement in their glycemic control, and 29 of them (93.6 %) met the criteria for remission of T2DM in the last control. Laparoscopic RYGBP is a safe and effective procedure that improves glycemic control in patients with T2DM and mild obesity at midterm follow-up.