Funcionamiento familiar, sobrecarga y calidad de vida del cuidador del adulto mayor con dependencia funcional / Family dynamics, overload, and quality of life among caregiver of functionally dependent older adults / Funcionamento familiar, sobrecarga e qualidade de vida no cuidador do idoso com dependência funcional

Resumen Introducción: Ser cuidador de personas con dependencia funcional conlleva el riesgo de presentar deterioro de la calidad de vida, esto puede deberse a que la prolongación del cuidado altera la dinámica familiar y genera sobrecarga en el cuidador. Objetivo: 1) Identificar la relación entre funcionamiento familiar y calidad de vida del cuidador del adulto mayor y 2) Determinar la sobrecarga y calidad de vida del cuidador del adulto mayor. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo y correlacional, muestreo por bola de nieve, la muestra conformada por 86 cuidadores de un centro comunitario. Para las mediciones se utilizó el índice de Barthel, el Test de APGAR Familiar, la prueba de Zarit y la Escala de Calidad de Vida WHOQOL-BREF. Se aplicó la Prueba de Kolmogorov Smirnov y Prueba de Correlación de Spearman. Resultados: El 11.6% de los adultos mayores presentó dependencia total, la percepción de disfuncionalidad familiar grave representó el 3.5%. Los cuidadores con sobrecarga intensa fueron el 32.6%, el 8.1% percibió la calidad de vida deficiente. A mayor funcionamiento familiar mayor calidad de vida del cuidador (p<.05) y a mayor sobrecarga, menor calidad de vida del cuidador (p<.05) en todas las dimensiones. Conclusiones: Se observó que la sobrecarga y funcionalidad familiar están relacionadas con la calidad de vida del cuidador, por lo que se convierten en un escenario disciplinar que plantea la posibilidad de diseñar estrategias de intervención, centradas en la sobrecarga y el funcionamiento de la familia para el mejoramiento de la calidad de vida del cuidador.

Abstract Introduction: The prolonged provision of healthcare to functionally dependent persons can result in the deterioration on the caregiver's quality in terms of family dynamics and overload. Objectives: 1) To identify the relationship between the family dynamics and the quality of life of the caregiver of older adults; and 2) to estimate the quality of life and the overload of the caregiver of older adults. Methodology: This is a descriptive and correlational study with a snowball-derived sample of 86 caregivers in a communitarian center. The corresponding measures were estimated using the Barthel Index, the Family APGAR Test, the Zarit Test, and the WHOQOL-BREF Quality of Life Scale. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Spearman Correlation tests were calculated. Results: 11.6% of the older adults being cared showed total dependency. 3.5% of the caregiver's sample perceived having a severe family dysfunction. 32.6% of the sample were found having heavy overloads. 8.1% of the sample perceived having poor quality of life. In all dimensions, the better the family dynamics were, the better the quality of life of the caregivers was (p<.05), and the heavier the overload was, the worse the quality of life of the provider was (p<.05). Conclusions: It was noted that both, overload and family dynamics, are related to the quality of life of the caregivers of older adults; therefore, the design of intervention strategies should be focused on the overload and family dynamics of these professionals in order to improve their quality of life.

Resumo Introdução: Ser cuidador de pessoas com dependência funcional implica o risco de apresentar deterioro da qualidade de vida, isto pode dever-se a que o prolongamento do cuidado altera a dinâmica familiar e gera sobrecarga no cuidador. Objetivo: 1) Identificar a relação entre funcionamento familiar e qualidade de vida do cuidador do idoso e 2) Determinar a sobrecarga e qualidade de vida no cuidador do idoso. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo e correlacional, amostragem por bola de neve, a amostragem conformada por 86 cuidadores de um centro comunitário. Para as medições utilizou-se o índice de Barthel, o Teste de APGAR Familiar, a prova de Zarit e a Escala de Qualidade de Vida WHOQOL-BREF. Aplicou-se a prova de Kolmogorov Smirnov e Prova de Correlação de Spearman. Resultados: O 11.6% dos idosos apresentou dependência total, a percepção de disfuncionalidade familiar grave representou o 3.5%. Os cuidadores com sobrecarga intensa foram o 32.6%, o 8.1% percebeu a qualidade de vida deficiente. Quanto maior funcionamento familiar, maior qualidade de vida do cuidador (p<.05) e quanto maior sobrecarga, menor qualidade de vida do cuidador (p<.05) em todas as dimensões. Conclusões: Observou-se que a sobrecarga e funcionalidade familiar estão relacionadas com a qualidade de vida do cuidador, pelo que se tornam em um cenário disciplinar que envolve a possibilidade de desenhar estratégias de intervenção, centradas na sobrecarga e o funcionamento da família para o melhoramento da qualidade de vida do cuidador.

Increased expression of microRNA-155 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from psoriasis patients is related to disease activity.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) gene expression regulators are altered in psoriasis suggesting their role in the pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: To study expression changes of inflammation and toll-like receptor (TLR)-related miRNAs, miRNA-155, let-7i, miRNA-21, miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and miRNA-21, miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 in plasma, from chronic plaque-type psoriasis patients who were treatment-naive or had undergone a washout period (n = 11). MiRNAs were evaluated at baseline and after 11 (9-12) months [median (25th-75th percentile range)] of methotrexate (MTX) or topical (betamethasone plus calcipotriene) treatment. METHODS: MiRNA expression was analysed with quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Matched controls were studied. RESULTS: Psoriasis patients presented, at baseline, increased expression of miRNA-155, let-7i, miRNA-146a, miRNA-21 and miRNA-223 in PBMCs, plus miRNA-21, miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 in plasma. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and area under the curve (AUC) showed that expression of these miRNAs have the potential to distinguish between psoriasis and controls. At baseline, miRNA-155 expression in PBMCs correlated with Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) [12 (8-14)] (Spearman r: 0.7140, P < 0.05) suggesting a role in psoriasis. After MTX or topical treatment, reduction in PASI was observed [87.5% (75-100)]; miRNA-155 expression in PBMCs decreased; plasma miRNA-21, miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 were down-regulated. ROC analysis showed that miRNA-155 expression in PBMCs from psoriasis patients have the potential to distinguish between patients' samples at baseline and after treatment (AUC: 0.942, sensitivity: 0.91; specificity: 0.91 values; maximum likelihood ratio =10). After treatment, miRNA-146a expression in PBMCs increased; miRNA-155/miRNA-146a ratio decreased, suggestive of a regulatory feedback; let-7i expression decreased; miRNA-21 and miRNA-223 remained elevated. CONCLUSION: In this exploratory study, psoriasis patients presented increased expression of miRNA-155 in PBMCs that correlated with PASI and decreased with disease remission. MiRNA-21, miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 in PBMCs and plasma were increased at baseline and differentially modulated, underscoring different roles of TLR-related miRNAs in psoriasis.

Supporting data for the MS identification of distinct transferrin glycopeptide glycoforms and citrullinated peptides associated with inflammation or autoimmunity.

This data article presents the results of all the statistical analyses applied to the relative intensities of the detected 2D-DiGE protein spots for each of the 3 performed DiGE experiments. The data reveals specific subsets of protein spots with significant differences between WT and CD38-deficient mice with either Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), or with chronic inflammation induced by CFA, or under steady-state conditions. This article also shows the MS data analyses that allowed the identification of the protein species which serve to discriminate the different experimental groups used in this study. Moreover, the article presents MS data on the citrullinated peptides linked to specific protein species that were generated in CIA(+) or CFA-treated mice. Lastly, this data article provides MS data on the efficiency of the analyses of the transferrin (Tf) glycopeptide glycosylation pattern in spleen and serum from CIA(+) mice and normal controls. The data supplied in this work is related to the research article entitled "identification of multiple transferrin species in spleen and serum from mice with collagen-induced arthritis which may reflect changes in transferrin glycosylation associated with disease activity: the role of CD38" [1]. All mass spectrometry data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium via the PRIDE partner repository with identifiers PRIDE: PXD002644, PRIDE: PXD002643, PRIDE: PXD003183 and PRIDE: PXD003163.

Identification of multiple transferrin species in the spleen and serum from mice with collagen-induced arthritis which may reflect changes in transferrin glycosylation associated with disease activity: The role of CD38.

UNLABELLED: Collagen type II-induced arthritis (CIA) is an inflammatory and autoimmune disease. Spleen protein extracts were subjected to 2D-DiGE and MS-MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis to identify protein species that differ in abundance in CD38-KO versus B6 WT mice either with arthritis or with inflammation. Using multivariate analyses, in Col-II-immunized mice, 23 distinct spleen protein species were able to discriminate between WT and CD38-KO mice. Among them, several citrullinated proteins and multiple serotransferrin (Tf) species were identified. In contrast, in CFA/IFA-treated mice, the distinct protein profile, which discriminates between CD38-KO and WT mice, was unrelated with Tf, but not with citrullination. Unexpectedly, non-immunized CD38-KO mice showed a distinct proteome profile as compared with that in non-immunized WT mice, and again multiple protein species were identified as Tf. By using a µLC-TOF-MS method to separate and detect Tf glycopeptide glycoforms, increases in fucosylation and glycan branching was observed in sera from mice CIA(+) versus non-immunized, and between WT and CD38-KO with arthritis. Data on 2-DE Tf spots indicated differences in glycosylation related with NeuGc content. Thus, Tf changed significantly in its glycosylation pattern in arthritic mice. The MS data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium with the dataset identifiers: PXD002644, PXD002643, PXD003183, and PXD003163. SIGNIFICANCE: 2-DE followed by µLC-TOF-MS could be implemented to identify Tf glycoforms linked to specific protein species, and correlate a particular Tf species to a function. To gain insight into the relationship between transferrin glycoforms and its biological function it is particularly interesting to study putative differences in the glycosylation pattern of Tf in specific tissues associated with the disease (i.e.: joints), or in specific compartments such as exosomes/microvesicles, which are highly enriched in Tf receptors.

Co-electrolysis of steam and CO2 in full-ceramic symmetrical SOECs: a strategy for avoiding the use of hydrogen as a safe gas.

The use of cermets as fuel electrodes for solid oxide electrolysis cells requires permanent circulation of reducing gas, e.g. H2 or CO, so called safe gas, in order to avoid oxidation of the metallic phase. Replacing metallic based electrodes by pure oxides is therefore proposed as an advantage for the industrial application of solid oxide electrolyzers. In this work, full-ceramic symmetrical solid oxide electrolysis cells have been investigated for steam/CO2 co-electrolysis. Electrolyte supported cells with La(0.75)Sr(0.25)Cr(0.5)Mn(0.5)O3-δ reversible electrodes have been fabricated and tested in co-electrolysis mode using different fuel compositions, from pure H2O to pure CO2, at temperatures between 850-900 °C. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic measurements have been carried out for the mechanistic understanding of the symmetrical cell performance. The content of H2 and CO in the product gas has been measured by in-line gas micro-chromatography. The effect of employing H2 as a safe gas has also been investigated. Maximum density currents of 750 mA cm(-2) and 620 mA cm(-2) have been applied at 1.7 V for pure H2O and for H2O : CO2 ratios of 1 : 1, respectively. Remarkable results were obtained for hydrogen-free fuel compositions, which confirmed the interest of using ceramic oxides as a fuel electrode candidate to reduce or completely avoid the use of safe gas in operation minimizing the contribution of the reverse water shift reaction (RWSR) in the process. H2 : CO ratios close to two were obtained for hydrogen-free tests fulfilling the basic requirements for synthetic fuel production. An important increase in the operation voltage was detected under continuous operation leading to a dramatic failure by delaminating of the oxygen electrode.

Alteraciones en los niveles de expresión del microARN-33 en plasma de pacientes con psoriasis / Abnormal Levels of Expression of Plasma MicroRNA-33 in Patients With Psoriasis

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: Se han identificado microARN (miARN) circulantes implicados en la regulación postranscripcional de genes del metabolismo de lípidos (miARN-33) y de la función vascular y angiogénesis (miARN-126). El objetivo de este estudio exploratorio ha sido evaluar los niveles plasmáticos de miARN-33 y miARN-126 en pacientes con psoriasis en placas y su relación con parámetros clínicos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se estudiaron once pacientes con psoriasis en placas (PASI [mediana] [25 - 75% percentil] 13 [9-14] y BSA 12 [11-15]) y un grupo pareado en edad y sexo de 11 controles sanos. Se analizaron factores de riesgo cardiovascular y la ateromatosis carotídea subclínica. Los miARN plasmáticos se evaluaron mediante la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa cuantitativa a tiempo real (qRT-PCR). RESULTADOS: La media del grosor de la íntima carotídea (GIM) estaba aumentada en pacientes (0,57 mm [0,54-0,61], n = 11) respecto a controles (0,50 mm [0,48-0,54], datos disponibles n = 9) (test Mann-Whitney, p = 0,0055). La expresión de miARN-33 en pacientes (5,34 [3,12-7,96], n = 11) estaba significativamente aumentada respecto a controles (2,33 [1,71-2,84], n = 7; solo se pudo detectar en 7 de 11) (test de Wilcoxon signed Rank, p = 0,0049). No se observaron diferencias en los niveles de miARN-126 entre pacientes y controles. En pacientes se observó una correlación positiva entre miARN-33 e insulina (r = 0,7289, p = 0,0109, n = 11); y una correlación negativa entre miARN-126 y GIM (r = -0,6181, p = 0,0426, n = 11). CONCLUSIÓN: Los pacientes con psoriasis presentaban niveles plasmáticos aumentados de miARN-33 (metabolismo de lípidos y glucosa), que se correlacionaban con los niveles de insulina. La valoración de miARN-33 circulante puede contribuir al conocimiento de las alteraciones inflamatorias sistémicas en psoriasis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Circulating microRNAs (miRNA) are involved in the posttranscriptional regulation of genes associated with lipid metabolism (miRNA-33) and vascular function and angiogenesis (miRNA-126). The objective of this exploratory study was to measure plasma levels of miRNA-33 and miRNA-126 in patients with plaque psoriasis and evaluate their association with clinical parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 11 patients with plaque psoriasis. The median Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) was 13 (interquartile range [IQR], 9-14) and body surface area involvement was 12 (IQR, 11-15). Eleven healthy controls matched for age and sex were also included. We analyzed cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical carotid atheromatosis. Plasma miRNAs were evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Carotid intima-media thickness was greater in patients (0.57 mm; IQR, 0.54-0.61; n = 11) than in controls (0.50 mm; IQR, 0.48-0.54; data available for 9 controls) (P = 0.0055, Mann-Whitney). Expression of miRNA-33 in patients (5.34; IQR, 3.12-7.96; n = 11) was significantly higher than in controls (2.33; IRQ, 1.71-2.84; only detected in 7 of 11 controls) (P = 0.0049, Wilcoxon signed rank). No differences in miRNA-126 levels were observed between patients and controls. In patients (n = 11), we observed a positive correlation between miRNA-33 and insulin levels (r = 0.7289, P = 0.0109) and a negative correlation between miRNA-126 and carotid intima-media thickness (r = -0.6181, P = 0.0426). CONCLUSION: In psoriasis patients plasma levels of lipid and glucose metabolism-related miRNA-33 are increased and correlated with insulin. The study of circulating miRNA-33 in psoriasis may provide new insights about the associated systemic inflammatory abnormalities

Abnormal levels of expression of plasma microRNA-33 in patients with psoriasis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Circulating microRNAs (miRNA) are involved in the posttranscriptional regulation of genes associated with lipid metabolism (miRNA-33) and vascular function and angiogenesis (miRNA-126). The objective of this exploratory study was to measure plasma levels of miRNA-33 and miRNA-126 in patients with plaque psoriasis and evaluate their association with clinical parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 11 patients with plaque psoriasis. The median Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) was 13 (interquartile range [IQR], 9-14) and body surface area involvement was 12 (IQR, 11-15). Eleven healthy controls matched for age and sex were also included. We analyzed cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical carotid atheromatosis. Plasma miRNAs were evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Carotid intima-media thickness was greater in patients (0.57mm; IQR, 0.54-0.61; n=11) than in controls (0.50mm; IQR, 0.48-0.54; data available for 9 controls) (P=.0055, Mann-Whitney). Expression of miRNA-33 in patients (5.34; IQR, 3.12-7.96; n=11) was significantly higher than in controls (2.33; IQR, 1.71-2.84; only detected in 7 of 11 controls) (P=.0049, Wilcoxon signed rank). No differences in miRNA-126 levels were observed between patients and controls. In patients (n=11), we observed a positive correlation between miRNA-33 and insulin levels (r=0.7289, P=.0109) and a negative correlation between miRNA-126 and carotid intima-media thickness (r=-0.6181, P=.0426). CONCLUSION: In psoriasis patients plasma levels of lipid and glucose metabolism-related miRNA-33 are increased and correlated with insulin. The study of circulating miRNA-33 in psoriasis may provide new insights about the associated systemic inflammatory abnormalities.

Molecular analysis for patients with IL-12 receptor ß1 deficiency.

Autosomal recessive interleukin-12 receptor ß1 (IL-12Rß1) deficiency has been described as the most common cause of Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD), characterized by clinical disease due to weakly virulent mycobacteria such as Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccines and environmental mycobacteria (EM) in children who are normally resistant to most infectious agents. Here, we report the cases of five patients with mycobacterial infection, including one with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Blood samples from patients and healthy controls were activated in vitro with BCG, BCG+IL-12, and BCG+IFN-γ. The results showed reduced or no production of IFN-γ after IL-12 stimulation in all samples. IL-12Rß1 expression on the cell surface was negligible or absent. Genetic analysis showed five novel mutations.

Disminución de los niveles plasmáticos de clusterina en pacientes con psoriasis / Decreased Plasma Levels of Clusterin in Patients With Psoriasis

Introducción y objetivos: La psoriasis es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica que se ha asociado a un incremento del riesgo cardiovascular. La clusterina (apolipoproteína J) es un componente de las lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL) y tiene un papel protector de la ateroesclerosis. El objetivo del estudio ha sido evaluar la clusterina y el factor inhibitorio de la migración del macrófago (MIF) plasmáticos en pacientes con psoriasis grave comparando grupos de pacientes con distintos riesgos cardiovasculares asociados. Material y métodos: Se estudiaron 21 pacientes con psoriasis grave (Psoriasis Area Severity Index [PASI] y Body Surface Area [BSA] > 10) y 11 controles sin enfermedad dermatológica. Se evaluaron los factores de riesgo cardiovascular según criterios del síndrome metabólico del Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP- III ) y la ateromatosis carotídea subclínica mediante ecografía doppler de carótidas. La clusterina y MIF plasmáticos se midieron mediante Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA). Resultados: El 47% de los pacientes con psoriasis presentaba criterios de síndrome metabólico y el 33% presentó placa de ateroma carotídea. Se observó una disminución significativa de la clusterina plasmática (μg/ml) en pacientes con psoriasis respecto a controles (81,39 ± 27,30; n = 21, versus 117 ± 21,6, n = 11; p = 0,0017). El MIF plasmático (ng/ml) estaba aumentado significativamente en los pacientes con psoriasis y placa de ateroma carotídea respecto a los controles (53,22 ± 29,02; n = 6, versus 34,21 ± 9,65; n = 11; p = 0,0394). Conclusiones: La disminución de clusterina en pacientes con psoriasis sugiere una relación con la enfermedad y con la situación inflamatoria sistémica. El aumento de MIF en pacientes parece relacionarse con la presencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular asociados y placa de ateroma carotídea (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that has been linked to increased cardiovascular risk. The glycoprotein clusterin (apolipoprotein J) is a component of high-density lipoproteins and has a protective role in atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the plasma levels of clusterin and the proinflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in patients with severe psoriasis, comparing groups of patients with different risks of cardiovascular disease. Material and methods: Twenty-one patients with severe psoriasis (psoriasis area severity index and body surface area > 10) and 11 healthy controls with no dermatologic disease were studied. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed according to the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) IIIcriteria. Subclinical carotid atheromatosis was assessed by Doppler ultrasonography of the carotid arteries. Plasma clusterin and MIF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: ATP-III criteria for metabolic syndrome were met by 47% of the patients, and 33% had carotid atheromatous plaque. Mean (SD) clusterin plasma levels were significantly lower in patients with psoriasis compared with controls (81.39 [27.30] micreg/mL for the 21 patients vs 117[21.6] g/mL for the 11 controls; P = .0017). MIF plasma levels (ng/ml) were significantly higherin patients with atheromatous plaque compared with controls (53.22 [29.02] for the 6 patientswith plaque vs 34.21 [9.65] for the 11 controls; P = 0.0394).Conclusions: The decreased plasma levels of clusterin in psoriatic patients suggested an association with the disease and might be an indicator of systemic inflammatory activity. Increased levels of MIF appear to be associated with cardiovascular risk factors and carotid atheromatous plaque (AU)

Increased gene expression of Toll-like receptor 4 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: A role for the innate immune system in driving the autoimmune T cell cascade in psoriasis has been proposed. Toll-like receptors-(TLR)-2 and -4 play a role in inflammation, atherosclerosis, and their specific role in psoriasis remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate TLR2 and TLR4 gene expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from psoriatic patients. METHODS: Changes in TLR2 / 4 gene expressions were evaluated using quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, from twenty-one patients with severe psoriasis, and analysed whether there was any correlation with cytokine plasma levels (T-helper 0-, T-helper 1-, T-helper 2- or regulatory T cells-type), or Calprotectin and with S100A8 and S100A9 gene expression levels. Eleven non-psoriatic healthy controls were analysed. RESULTS: A clear increase in TLR4 gene expression was observed (3.84 ± 0.93, n = 21) together with a moderate increase in TLR2 expression (1.522 ± 0.31, n = 21). Both TLR4 and TLR2 gene expressions were significantly augmented in psoriatic patients compared with controls (all P < 0.001). Correlations between TLR2 and S100A9 gene expressions (r = 0.5145, P = 0.0170, n = 21); and between TLR2 expression and plasma interleukin-2 (r = 0.5667, P = 0.0074); interleukin-4 (r = 0.4766, P = 0.0289), interleukin-10 (r = 0.4355, P = 0.0484) and interleukin-13 (r = 0.4603, P = 0.0358), were found. When patients with atheroma plaque were considered (n = 7), both TLR4 (3.47 ± 0.99, P = 0.0156) and TLR2 (1.63 ± 0.31, P = 0.0156) expressions were significantly increased vs. controls and correlated with plasma TNF-a (r = 0.8929, P = 0.0123, in both cases). CONCLUSION: Differential TLR4 / 2 gene expressions on psoriatic peripheral blood mononuclear cells and correlations with regulatory and / or proinflammatory cytokines and / or damage-associated molecular pattern molecule S100A9 emphasize innate immune response role in psoriasis.

Decreased plasma levels of clusterin in patients with psoriasis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that has been linked to increased cardiovascular risk. The glycoprotein clusterin (apolipoprotein J) is a component of high-density lipoproteins and has a protective role in atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the plasma levels of clusterin and the proinflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in patients with severe psoriasis, comparing groups of patients with different risks of cardiovascular disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients with severe psoriasis (psoriasis area severity index and body surface area>10) and 11 healthy controls with no dermatologic disease were studied. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed according to the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria. Subclinical carotid atheromatosis was assessed by Doppler ultrasonography of the carotid arteries. Plasma clusterin and MIF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: ATP-III criteria for metabolic syndrome were met by 47% of the patients, and 33% had carotid atheromatous plaque. Mean (SD) clusterin plasma levels were significantly lower in patients with psoriasis compared with controls (81.39 [27.30] µg/mL for the 21 patients vs 117 [21.6] µg/mL for the 11 controls; P=.0017). MIF plasma levels (ng/ml) were significantly higher in patients with atheromatous plaque compared with controls (53.22 [29.02] for the 6 patients with plaque vs 34.21 [9.65] for the 11 controls; P=.0394). CONCLUSIONS: The decreased plasma levels of clusterin in psoriatic patients suggested an association with the disease and might be an indicator of systemic inflammatory activity. Increased levels of MIF appear to be associated with cardiovascular risk factors and carotid atheromatous plaque.

Revisiting the hydrothermal synthesis of titanate nanotubes: new insights on the key factors affecting the morphology.

Recently, titanate nanotubes have attracted a significant deal of interest, but the mechanism of formation as well as some structural aspects of these materials is still under debate. In this context, the main goal of the present study is to identify the key factors affecting the morphology of the titanate nanostructures during hydrothermal synthesis in order to increase the homogeneity and control, as finely as possible, the dimensions of the nanotubes. Previous studies also analyzed the influence of synthesis conditions but, unlike other works, the simultaneous assessment of the influence of parameters such as the phase and crystal size of the TiO(2) used as precursor, and the time and temperature of the hydrothermal treatment has been now analyzed under the same experimental context. The characterization of the prepared materials by means of TEM, XRD, N(2) adsorption isotherms and Raman spectroscopy was performed to establish correlations between the structural features and the preparation conditions. In this research, special attention has been paid to study the non-washed materials, which most of the previous studies have excluded from characterization. After hydrothermal treatment amorphous particles with different morphologies are isolated before acidification, which seems to be a crucial stage in controlling nanotube formation. Besides, the obtained data indicate that some characteristics of the nanotubes, such as the degree of conversion, the homogeneity and crystallinity of the structures or the aspect ratio, can be easily selected by adjusting the synthesis parameters.

Use of haptoglobin and transthyretin as potential biomarkers for the preclinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

We have searched for potential biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma in an animal model of Parkinson's disease induced by inflammatory challenge. To achieve this, either unilateral or bilateral intranigral injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was performed. CSF proteins were first analyzed either by 2D electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF at days 1 and 10 after the lesion to discern between potential prognosis and diagnosis protein markers. Most significant changes from this analysis were early increases of haptoglobin, transthyretin and different spots further identified as prostaglandin D synthase in response to LPS. These markers were then analyzed by western blotting in CSF and plasma using specific antibodies from samples obtained in animals receiving either LPS in substantia nigra or hippocampus and 6-OHDA in the medial forebrain bundle. This analysis confirmed the early increases of haptoglobin and transthyretin in response to intranigral injection of LPS or 6-OHDA in the bundle in plasma and CSF. We discuss the potential use of both biomarkers for the early diagnose of Parkinson's disease.

Assessing the impact of composting and vermicomposting on bacterial community size and structure, and microbial functional diversity of an olive-mill waste.

The aim of this study was to couple biochemical and molecular methodologies for evaluating the impact of two recycling technologies (composting and vermicomposting) on a toxic organic waste. To do this, six enzyme activities controlling the key metabolic pathways of the breakdown of organic matter, real-time PCR assays targeting 16S rRNA genes, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiling-sequence analysis of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA fragments have been used to determine the functional diversity, bacterial number, and bacterial community structure, respectively, in a mixture of olive waste and sheep manure, and in the derived compost and vermicompost. Both the recycling technologies were effective in activating the microbial parameters of the toxic waste, the vermicomposting being the best process to produce greater bacterial diversity, greater bacterial numbers and greater functional diversity. Although several identical populations were detected in the processed and non-processed materials, each technology modified the original microbial communities of the waste in a diverse way, indicating the different roles of each one in the bacterial selection.

Proteomic identification of biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid in a rat model of nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration.

We have performed proteomic analysis in the cerebrospinal fluid in an animal model of Parkinson's disease induced by axotomy of the medial forebrain bundle. In this model, the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons was completed in 14 days, with a loss of about 50% dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and a loss of more than 80% dopamine terminals in the striatum, with a similar diminution of dopamine levels in both structures. Proteins were separated by 2D electrophoresis and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF). We found significant increases of haptoglobin and transthyretin along with a decrease of Apo E concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of axotomized animals. Changes for haptoglobin and transthyretin were further confirmed in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma by Western blotting. These results suggest that monitoring plasma levels of these signals appears to be a promising biological marker of neuronal degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system.

Estudio histopatológico de las lesiones hepáticas inducidas por paraquat / Histopathological study of paraquat induced hepatotoxicity

Se realiza el estudio histopatológico de las lesiones que el paraquat produce en el hígado. El estudio microscópico de los 15 casos revisados indica el posible papel que la lesión del endotelio juega en el desarrollo de la lesión hepatotóxica producida este plaguicida

The aim of this study is to describe the histopathological characteristics of the liver damage in paraquat poisoning. The microscopic characteristics of the liver damage in the 15 cases reviewed emphasize the possible role of the endothelial lesions in the development and pathological expression of liver damage

Expression of a tomato sugar transporter is increased in leaves of mycorrhizal or Phytophthora parasitica-infected plants.

A full-length cDNA clone (LeST3), encoding a putative tomato sugar transporter, was isolated from mycorrhizal roots by using a PCR-based approach. Based on sequence similarity, conserved motifs and predicted membrane topology, LeST3 was classified as a putative monosaccharide transporter of the sugar transporter subgroup of the major facilitator superfamily. Southern blot analysis showed that LeST3 represents a single-copy gene in tomato. To investigate its function, LeST3 was expressed in a hexose transport-deficient mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Although LeST3 was correctly transcribed in yeast, it did not restore growth on hexoses of the S. cerevisiae mutant. LeST3 gene expression was increased in the leaves of plants colonised by the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi Glomus mosseae or Glomus intraradices and in those of plants infected with the root pathogen Phytophthora parasitica. These data suggest that LeST3 plays a role in the transport of sugars into the sink tissues and responds to the increased demand for carbohydrates exerted by two AM fungi and by a root pathogen to cope with the increased metabolic activity of the colonised/infected tissues or to supply carbohydrates to the AM fungus.

Effect of prenatal exposure to ethanol on hepatic elongation factor-2 and proteome in 21 d old rats: protective effect of folic acid.

In this article, we study the effects of ethanol intake during pregnancy and lactation on hepatic and pancreatic elongation factor-2 (EF-2) of 21 d old progeny. At the same time, the effect of ethanol on the level of other relevant hepatic proteins was determined using proteomic analysis. The results show that ethanol not only produces a general increase of protein oxidation, but also produces an important depletion of EF-2 and several other proteins. Among the hepatic proteins affected by ethanol, the concomitant supplementation with folic acid to alcoholic mother rats prevented EF-2, RhoGDI-1, ER-60 protease, and gelsolin depletion. This protective effect of folic acid may be related to its antioxidant properties and suggests that this vitamin may be useful in minimizing the effect of ethanol in the uterus and lactation exposure of the progeny.