Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Biomarkers to Monitor Fabry Disease Progression.

Fabry disease is an invalidating multisystemic disorder affecting α-Galactosidase, a rate-limiting hydrolase dedicated to lipid catabolism. Non-metabolized substrates, such as Globotriaosylceramide and its derivatives trigger the direct or indirect activation of inflammatory events and endothelial dysfunction. In spite of the efficacy demonstrated by enzyme replacement therapy or pharmacological chaperones in delaying disease progression, few studies have analyzed whether these treatments can improve the pro-inflammatory state of FD patients. Therefore, the aim of this work was to assess cytokines and cardiovascular risk-related proteins detectable in plasma from FD patients, whether treated or not with ERT, to evaluate the reliability of these markers in monitoring disease stage and treatment effects. We identified inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction markers (ADAMTS-13, TNF-α, GDF-15, MIP-1ß, VEGFA, MPO, and MIC-1) that cooperate in a common pathway and are increased in FD patients' plasma samples. As shown by the assessment of these proteins over time, they can help to evaluate the risk of higher severity in FD, as well as ERT effects. Even though the analyzed proteins cannot be considered as proper biomarkers due to their non-specificity to FD, taken together they can provide a signature of reference molecules with prognostic value for early diagnosis, and evaluation of disease progression and treatment efficacy, using blood samples.

Preventive Action of Sterculic Oil on Metabolic Syndrome Development on a Fructose-Induced Rat Model.

The metabolic syndrome (MS) underlies metabolic disorders considered risk factors for the development of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which are major causes of morbidity and mortality in most of the world. Sterculic acid has been proposed as a potential tool for the treatment of MS since it inhibits the activity of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), a central enzyme in lipid metabolism. We analyzed the effect of sterculic oil (SO) co-administration with 30% fructose in drinking water on the development of MS in male Wistar rats. After 8 weeks, 0.4% SO exerted a protective effect from MS development since parameters altered by fructose (blood pressure, insulin resistance, serum glucose and triglycerides, steatosis, and adiposity) were similar to those of control rats.

Understanding the local food environment: A participatory photovoice project in a low-income area in Madrid, Spain.

There is a need to partner between researchers, practitioners and residents to increase our understanding of environmental influences on dietary behaviors. We used the participatory method of Photovoice to understand key determinants of the local food environment influencing residents' diets. This project was conducted in Villaverde, a low-income area located in Madrid, Spain. From February to May 2015, 24 residents working in four Photovoice groups, took photographs related to their local food environment. Each group analyzed and critically discussed their photographs in small group sessions. Through a consensus-building process, participants identified 30 emerging categories, which followed five conceptual themes related to their food environment: 1) eating in moderation, 2) cultural diversity, 3) food stores, 4) social relationships and 5) economic crisis and poverty. Participants, researchers and practitioners successfully collaborated in analyzing, writing, disseminating the project results, and directly informing local policy-makers, media, and other residents. The project results may guide community-generated interventions for promoting a healthier food environment.

Documento de instrucciones previas. ¿Conocido por nuestros pacientes? / Advance directives. Known by our patiens?

OBJETIVOS: Estimar en qué medida los pacientes de un centro de salud urbano conocen la existencia, finalidad y manejo del documento de instrucciones previas. Valorar la aceptación o rechazo que los pacientes manifiestan ante el documento de instrucciones previas. Material y MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en un Centro de Salud urbano. La muestra total analizada fue de 192 pacientes a los que se aplicó un cuestionario formado por 11 ítems, así como el cuestionario de preferencias de soporte vital validado para España (LSPQ-e). RESULTADOS: Conocen el documento de instrucciones previas 98 pacientes (51%) y no lo conocen 94 (49%). De los que lo conocen han sido informados por personal sanitario 15 pacientes (15,3%), por familiares/amigos 16 (16,3%), medios de comunicación 43 (43,9%) y por otros medios 24 (24,5%). Respecto a la opinión sobre la utilidad del documento de instrucciones previas creen que su utilidad es positiva 174 pacientes (90,6%), negativa 6 (3,1%) e indiferente 12 (6,3%). Harían su testamento vital 126 (65,6%), no lo harían 20 (10,4%) y no lo saben 46 (24%). CONCLUSIONES: El documento de instrucciones previas es visto como algo positivo por los pacientes que acuden a su médico de atención primaria, pero aún está poco difundido entre dichos pacientes

OBJECTIVES: To estimate how many the patients from an urban health centre know about the existence, purpose, and management of the advance directive. To evaluate the attitude (acceptance or rejection) of our patients towards it. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in an urban health centre. The sample included 192 patients randomly selected among those coming to see their family physician. They received a questionnaire with 11 items and the validated questionnaire of preferences for life support Spain (LSPQ-e). RESULTS: The results showed that 98 patients knew about the advance directive (51%), while 94 do not know it (49%). Among those who knew it, 15 patients (15.3%) had been informed about it by medical personnel, 16 (16.3%) had heard of it from family members or friends, 43 (43.9%) from the media, and 24 by other means (24, 5%). Regarding their opinions about the usefulness of the advance directive, 174 patients (90.6%) consider it to be positive, 6 think it is negative, and 12 patients (6.3%) were indifferent. CONCLUSIONS: The advance directive is seen as positive for patients who go to their primary care physician, but is still not widespread among these patients

Plasmaféresis en el tratamiento del síndrome hemolítico-urémico típico / Plasmapheresis in the treatment of typical haemolytic-uraemic syndrome

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Amniotic fluid elicits appetitive responses in human newborns: fatty acids and appetitive responses.

In humans, maternal cues guide newborns to the maternal breast, and transitional cues may be present in maternal-fetal fluids. The aim of the present study was to determine the consistent presence of sensorial cues in three maternal-fetal fluids--amniotic fluid, colostrum, and milk--and test the ability of these cues to produce appetitive responses in newborns. In the analytical study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detected eight fatty acids consistently present in the amniotic fluid, colostrum, and milk from 12 healthy volunteers, but we do not find a mammalian pheromone, identified in another mammalian species (rabbits), in another 30 volunteers. In the behavioral study, we explored the ability of amniotic fluid or its fatty acids to produce appetitive responses in 19 human newborns <24 hr after birth. Exposure to swabs impregnated with amniotic fluid or an artificial fatty acid mixture produced a longer duration of facial reactions that suggested appetitive (sucking) movements compared with respective vehicles (i.e., propylene glycol or centrifuged amniotic fluid with a low fatty acid content verified by GC-MS). We conclude that the fatty acids contained in amniotic fluid may constitute a transitional sensorial cue that guides newborns to the maternal breast.

2-Heptanone increases the firing rate of the basal amygdala: role of anterior olfactory epithelial organs.

Wistar rats subjected to physical stress release a urine alarm pheromone (2-heptanone) that produces signs of anxiety and despair in receptor rats not subjected to physical stress. However, unknown are the effects of 2-heptanone on the firing rate of the basal amygdala, a structure that participates in the expression of fear, and the participation of anterior olfactory epithelial organs, namely the septal organ and vomeronasal organ (SO-VNO). We explored the effects of 2-heptanone applied near the nostrils on single-unit extracellular recordings from the basal amygdala in a sham-operated group and rats that underwent removal of the SO-VNO. The firing rate of basal amygdala neurons in the SO-VNO removal group was significantly higher than in the sham-operated group. In both groups, recordings were classified according to the responses to 2-heptanone (i.e., increased firing rate, decreased firing rate, and no response). SO-VNO removal was associated with an increased firing rate in the three types of neurons. A similar number of neurons increased their firing rate during and after 2-heptanone stimulation in both groups, but such an increase in firing rate was longer in the group of rats subjected to SO-VNO removal. The results indicate that the SO-VNO is not essential for the effect of 2-heptanone on the firing rate of basal amygdala neurons. SO-VNO ablation did not block but rather accentuated the response of amygdala neurons to 2-heptanone.

Inmigración: ¿SOS en hipertensión? / Immigration–hypertension SOS?

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Pacientes que abandonan voluntariamente el tratamiento antihipertensivo. Evolución de su riesgo cardiovascular en un año / Patients who voluntarily abandon treatment for hypertension. Evolution of their cardiovascular risk in one year

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