Enhanced vs conventional monofocal intraocular lens clinical results in patients with cataract: randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcomes between an enhanced and a conventional monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) after cataract surgery. SETTING: Ophthalmology Unit, Hospital del Salvador, University of Chile (tertiary care hospital). DESIGN: Double-masked, prospective randomized controlled trial. METHODS: 66 healthy adults with corneal astigmatism less than 1.50 diopters and axial length between 21 and 27 mm were randomly allocated (1:1) for bilateral phacoemulsification with either an enhanced monofocal IOL (ICB00) or a conventional aspheric monofocal IOL (ZCB00) implant. The refractive target was emmetropia in both eyes. Visual acuities, defocus curves, Catquest-9SF, and quality of vision (QoV) were measured 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Binocular uncorrected intermediate visual acuity was improved in patients implanted with the enhanced monofocal lens (0.37 ± 0.12) compared with the conventional monofocal (0.45 ± 0.10) ( P < .01). There were no significant differences in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), Catquest-9SF, or QoV scores. CONCLUSIONS: The enhanced monofocal IOL provided 1 additional line of intermediate visual acuity after cataract surgery. There was no significant change in either CDVA or QoV.

Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in postmortem lung, kidney, and liver samples, revealing cellular targets involved in COVID-19 pathogenesis.

There is an urgent need to understand severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-host interactions involved in virus spread and pathogenesis, which might contribute to the identification of new therapeutic targets. In this study, we investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in postmortem lung, kidney, and liver samples of patients who died with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its relationship with host factors involved in virus spread and pathogenesis, using microscopy-based methods. The cases analyzed showed advanced stages of diffuse acute alveolar damage and fibrosis. We identified the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (NC) in a variety of cells, colocalizing with mitochondrial proteins, lipid droplets (LDs), and key host proteins that have been implicated in inflammation, tissue repair, and the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle (vimentin, NLRP3, fibronectin, LC3B, DDX3X, and PPARγ), pointing to vimentin and LDs as platforms involved not only in the viral life cycle but also in inflammation and pathogenesis. SARS-CoV-2 isolated from a patient´s nasal swab was grown in cell culture and used to infect hamsters. Target cells identified in human tissue samples included lung epithelial and endothelial cells; lipogenic fibroblast-like cells (FLCs) showing features of lipofibroblasts such as activated PPARγ signaling and LDs; lung FLCs expressing fibronectin and vimentin and macrophages, both with evidence of NLRP3- and IL1ß-induced responses; regulatory cells expressing immune-checkpoint proteins involved in lung repair responses and contributing to inflammatory responses in the lung; CD34+ liver endothelial cells and hepatocytes expressing vimentin; renal interstitial cells; and the juxtaglomerular apparatus. This suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may directly interfere with critical lung, renal, and liver functions involved in COVID-19-pathogenesis.

Biosynthesis of fluorescent silver nanoparticles from Leea coccinea leaves and their antibacterial potentialities against Xanthomonas phaseoli pv phaseoli.

The synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNP) from plants is a simple, fast and environmentally safe route. In the present study, the aqueous extract of fresh leaves from Leea coccinea L. was evaluated as a possible source of reducing and stabilizing agents to obtain SNP. The synthesized SNP were characterized by spectroscopic techniques such as UV-visible spectrophotometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron and confocal microscopies and the antimicrobial activity against Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. phaseoli was evaluated using agar diffusion methods. The results showed that the evaluated extract was promising for the green synthesis of the SNP, which was visually identified by the formation of a dark-brown complex and the presence of a peak of maximum absorption at 470 nm in a UV-VIS spectrum. FTIR spectrum of SNP showed main characteristic signals of aromatic compounds, carboxylic group among others confirmed by phytochemical screening that made evident the presence of flavonoids, phenols, leucoanthocyanidins, terpenes and steroids groups. Fluorescent SNP with high degree of agglomeration were observed by the microscopical technics used. A promising antibacterial activity of SNP was shown by a zone of microbial growth inhibition. These results suggested the need for going deeper in the physico-chemical characterization and kinetic studies, as well as the biological evaluations to make possible the use of this plant source in the future development of antibacterial formulations for bean seed protection.

NOD1 deficiency promotes an imbalance of thyroid hormones and microbiota homeostasis in mice fed high fat diet.

The contribution of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain protein NOD1 to obesity has been investigated in mice fed a high fat diet (HFD). Absence of NOD1 accelerates obesity as early as 2 weeks after feeding a HFD. The obesity was due to increases in abdominal and inguinal adipose tissues. Analysis of the resting energy expenditure showed an impaired function in NOD1-deficient animals, compatible with an alteration in thyroid hormone homeostasis. Interestingly, free thyroidal T4 increased in NOD1-deficient mice fed a HFD and the expression levels of UCP1 in brown adipose tissue were significantly lower in NOD1-deficient mice than in the wild type animals eating a HFD, thus contributing to the observed adiposity in NOD1-deficient mice. Feeding a HFD resulted in an alteration of the proinflammatory profile of these animals, with an increase in the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the liver and in the white adipose tissue, and an elevation of the circulating levels of TNF-α. In addition, alterations in the gut microbiota in NOD1-deficient mice correlate with increased vulnerability of their ecosystem to the HFD challenge and affect the immune-metabolic phenotype of obese mice. Together, the data are compatible with a protective function of NOD1 against low-grade inflammation and obesity under nutritional conditions enriched in saturated lipids. Moreover, one of the key players of this early obesity onset is a dysregulation in the metabolism and release of thyroid hormones leading to reduced energy expenditure, which represents a new role for these hormones in the metabolic actions controlled by NOD1.

Modificación ultraestructural de las membranas derivadas del retículo endoplasmático y morfogénesis del virus de la hepatitis C en muestras de hígado humano / Ultrastructural remodelling of e ndoplasmic reticulum-derived membranes and hepatitis C virus morphogenesis in human liver samples

Introducción: la infección por el virus de la hepatitis C es una de las causas principales de la enfermedad del hígado a nivel mundial. La utilización de la cepa del virus de la hepatitis C, JFH1 en cultivo de células de hepatoma ha permitido el avance de la comprensión del ciclo de vida viral. No obstante, se conoce poco sobre la morfogénesis del virus de la hepatitis C. Las dificultades para detectar el ensamblaje viral en este modelo de cultivo celular, así como los bajos niveles y complejidad de las partículas del virus de la hepatitis C en pacientes y chimpancés infectados limitan el estudio de la morfogénesis viral.Objetivo: estudiar las características ultraestructurales y los eventos de ensamblaje viral en hepatocitos de pacientes infectados con el virus de la hepatitis C.Métodos: se utilizaron muestras de biopsias de hígado de pacientes infectados, anticuerpos específicos para el virus de la hepatitis C y técnicas de microscopía e inmunomicroscopía electrónica.Resultados: la infección por el virus de la hepatitis C se relacionó con una modificación de las membranas derivadas del retículo endoplasmático y con diferentes microambientes citoplasmáticos en los hepatocitos de individuos infectados. La dilatación del retículo endoplasmático y la formación de diferentes vesículas de membrana son características que se asocian con los complejos de replicación viral. Resulta interesante destacar la detección del ensamblaje de partículas semejantes a la cápsida y al virus de la hepatitis C cerca de complejos de membrana con alta densidad electrónica y estructuras tubulares. Las proteínas estructurales del virus de la hepatitis C se detectaron en el retículo endoplasmático .Conclusiones: estos eventos sugieren que el proceso temprano de ensamblaje de las nucleocápsidas y del virión ocurre en las membranas del retículoendoplasmático que se asocian con estos microambientes citoplasmáticos en los hepatocitos humanos(AU)

Introduction: hepatitis C virus infection is considered as a leading cause of liver disease worldwide. Despite recent advances in understanding the hepatitis C virus life cycle using the highly replicative JFH1 strain in human hepatoma cells, little is known about hepatitis C virus morphogenesis. Low levels of hepatitis C virus assembly in this cell culture model as well as low levels and complexity of hepatitis C virus particles in infected humans and chimpanzees have hampered the study of hepatitis C virus morphogenesis in vivo.Objetivo: to study the ultrastructural features and viral assembly events in hepatocytes from HCV hepatitis C virus-infected patients.Methods: liver needle biopsies samples of patients with hepatitis C virus infection, specific antibodies against hepatitis C virus and transmission electron microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy analyses were used in this study.Results: ultrastructural studies in liver biopsies from hepatitis C virus-infected patients revealed that hepatitis C virus infection was related with remodelling of endoplasmic reticulum-derived membranes and with a variety of cytoplasmic microenvironments in hepatocytes. Dilated endoplasmic reticulum and formation of various membrane vesicles are features that have been associated with the viral replication complex. Interestingly, hepatitis C virus-like particles and core-like particles budding and assembly were observed near convoluted electron-dense membranes and tubular structures. Particularly, hepatitis C virus structural proteins localize to the endoplasmic reticulum.Conclusions: these events indicate that hepatitis C virus nucleocapsids and early virion assembly take place atendoplasmic reticulum membranes that are associated with these cytoplasmic microenvironments in human hepatocytes(AU)

Ozone-Oxidative Preconditioning Prevents Doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

OBJECTIVES: Induced dilated cardiomyopathy is the main limitation of the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin, which causes oxidative stress and cardiomyocyte death. As ozone therapy can activate the antioxidant systems, this study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of ozone-oxidative preconditioning against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. METHODS: The study was carried out from September 2013 to January 2014. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly distributed in the following treatment groups: Group 1 were treated with 2 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.) of doxorubicin twice a week for 50 days; Group 2 were treated with 0.3 mg of ozone/oxygen mixture at 50 µg/mL of ozone per 6 mL of oxygen by rectal insufflation and then treated with doxorubicin; Group 3 were treated as Group 2 but only with the oxygen, and Group 4 were treated with oxygen first, and then with sodium chloride i.p. as the control group. RESULTS: The results showed that ozone therapy preserved left ventricle morphology which was accompanied by a reduction of serum pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels. The cardioprotective effects of ozone-oxidative preconditioning were associated with a significant increase (P <0.05) of antioxidant enzymes activities and a reduction of lipid and protein oxidation (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Ozone-oxidative preconditioning prevents doxorubicin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy through an increase of antioxidant enzymes and a reduction of oxidised macromolecules. This establishes the background for future studies to determine if ozone therapy can be used as a complementary treatment for attenuating doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in cancer patients.

[Nutritional evaluation of adolescent students from Extremadura based on anthropometric measurements]. / Evaluación del estado nutricional de estudiantes adolescentes de Extremadura basado en medidas antropométricas.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Nutrition is one of the pillars for proper body development and optimal nutritional status. Anthropometric methods are most commonly used for body composition analysis and are an essential part in the assessment of the nutritional status of individuals and population groups. This study aims to assess the nutritional status of adolescents from Extremadura (Spain); to determine variations in body composition according to the percentiles obtained; and to propose these values as a reference to the nutritional status of the adolescent population in Extremadura. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross sectional study in the community of Extremadura was performed, including a total of 816 students of Secondary School Education of both sexes; and of all ages in the adolescence stage. The selected secondary schools belonged to populations of different sizes (less than 5,000 to more than 60,000 inhabitants). From the measurements taken, different anthropometric indices were determined and the percentiles 3, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90, 95 and 97 for weight, height and complexion were found. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: There were significant gender differences for height, weight, triceps skinfold, arm muscle area and arm fat area. Boys showed greater figures for height, weight and arm muscle area; however, the triceps skinfold and arm fat area was higher in girls. When compared to other national studies, the average height of our population was lower by about 3 cm in both sexes; the average weight was similar, but our adolescents had a higher proportion of fat in the arm. Extremadura girls seem to have a faster growth, reaching final height at an earlier age than the national average, although this height is below average. The boys had a continuous growth in all ages, maintaining national averages.

Antropometría. Composición corporal. Adolescentes. Percentiles. Estado nutricional.

Evaluación del estado nutricional de estudiantes adolescentes de Extremadura basado en medidas antropométricas / Nutritional evaluation of adolescent students from extremadura based on anthropometric measurements

Antecedentes y objetivos: Una correcta alimentación es uno de los pilares para un adecuado desarrollo corporal y un estado nutricional óptimo. Los métodos antropométricos son los más utilizados para el análisis de la composición corporal y constituyen una parte fundamental en la valoración del estado nutricional de individuos y poblaciones. Este estudio tiene como objetivo valorar el estado nutricional de adolescentes extremeños, determinar las variaciones en la composición corporal de acuerdo a los percentiles obtenidos, y proponer esos valores como referencia del estado nutricional de la población adolescente en Extremadura. Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico en la Comunidad Extremeña, incluyendo un total de 816 estudiantes de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria y Bachillerato, de ambos sexos y de todas las edades que comprende la adolescencia. Los centros educativos seleccionados pertenecían a poblaciones de diferentes tamaños (de menos de 5.000 a más de 60.000 habitantes). A partir de las medidas tomadas, se determinaron distintos índices antropométricos y se hallaron los percentiles 3, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90, 95 y 97 del peso, la talla y la complexión. Resultados y conclusiones: Se encontraron diferencias significativas en varios parámetros en función del sexo. Los chicos presentaban una mayor altura, peso y área muscular del brazo; por el contrario, el pliegue tricipital y el área grasa del brazo fue mayor en las chicas. Al comparar con estudios nacionales, la altura media de nuestra población era inferior en unos 3 cm en ambos sexos. El peso fue similar, pero presentaban una mayor proporción de grasa en el brazo. Las chicas extremeñas parecen tener un crecimiento más rápido, alcanzando la altura definitiva a una edad más temprana que la media nacional; sin embargo, la talla final es menor a la media. Los chicos presentaban un crecimiento más continuado en todas las edades, con medias en altura similares a las nacionales (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Nutrition is one of the pillars for proper body development and optimal nutritional status. Anthropometric methods are most commonly used for body composition analysis and are an essential part in the assessment of the nutritional status of individuals and population groups. This study aims to assess the nutritional status of adolescents from Extremadura (Spain); to determine variations in body composition according to the percentiles obtained; and to propose these values as a reference to the nutritional status of the adolescent population in Extremadura. Material and methods: A cross sectional study in the community of Extremadura was performed, including a total of 816 students of Secondary School Education of both sexes; and of all ages in the adolescence stage. The selected secondary schools belonged to populations of different sizes (less than 5,000 to more than 60,000 inhabitants). From the measurements taken, different anthropometric indices were determined and the percentiles 3, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90, 95 and 97 for weight, height and complexion were found. Results and conclusions: There were significant gender differences for height, weight, triceps skinfold, arm muscle area and arm fat area. Boys showed greater figures for height, weight and arm muscle area; however, the triceps skinfold and arm fat area was higher in girls. When compared to other national studies, the average height of our population was lower by about 3 cm in both sexes; the average weight was similar, but our adolescents had a higher proportion of fat in the arm. Extremadura girls seem to have a faster growth, reaching final height at an earlier age than the national average, although this height is below average. The boys had a continuous growth in all ages, maintaining national averages (AU)

Valor predictivo de la hiperbilirrubinemia en perforación apendicular / Predictive value of hyperbilirubinemia in appendicular Perforation

Recientemente, se ha propuesto a la bilirrubina total como un marcador específico de perforación apendicular así como la PCR y los glóbulos bláncos. Objetivo: Determinar el valor diagnóstico de la hiperbilirrubinemia como predictor de perforación apendicular. Métodos: un estudio prospectivo en pacientes con diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda en el Hospital "Dr. Manuel Núñez Tovar", evaluándose características preoperatorias, incluyendo tiempo de evolución preoperatoria, cuenta blanca y bilirrubina total. Resultados: De 153 pacientes estudiados, hubo predominio del sexo femenino 78 (50,98%) entre 12 y 30 años (64%). La media de horas de clínica preoperatoria, glóbulos blancos y la bilirrubina total fueron más altas en las fases avanzadas con 33,93 horas ± 16, 17.666 cel/mm3 y 1,4 mg/dl respectivamente, en la fase perforada. La especificidad de la bilirrubina para perforación apendicular fue alta (75%) comparado con la observada en la cuenta blanca (48%) e incluso una aceptable sensibilidad. Lo mismo fue cierto para el valor predictivo positivo de la bilirrubina para la perforación apendicular (71%) comparado con los leucocitos (52%). Conclusión: Los pacientes con hiperbilirrubinemia y síntomas clínicos de apendicitis aguda, demuestran tener una probabilidad más alta de perforación apendicular que aquellos con niveles regulares de bilirrubina(AU)

Recently, it has been proposed to total bilirubin (BT) as a specific marker for ruptured appendix and the CRP and white blood cells. Objective: To determine the diagnostic value of hyperbilirubinemia as a predictor of appendiceal perforation in patients with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Methods: A prospective study in patients undergoing surgery with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis in the emergency service of the Hospital "Dr. Manuel Nuñez Tovar", evaluating the preoperative characteristics of patients in each group according to anatomical-clinical findings, including the time of preoperative clinical, white count and total bilirubin. Results: Of 153 patients studied, 64 had clinical anatomical findings gangrenous and perforated appendix (incidence 41.83%). It was a female predominance with 78 (50.98%) patients. Most patients were aged between 12 and 30 with 97 (64%). The mean preoperative clinical hours, the white blood cells and total bilirubin were higher in advanced stages with 33.93 hours ± 16, 17,666 cells/mm3 and 1.4 mg / dl respectively, in the perforated stage. The specificity of appendiceal perforation bilirubin was high (75%) compared with that observed in white blood cells (48%) and even an acceptable sensitivity. The same was true for the positive predictive value of bilirubin for appendiceal perforation (71%) compared with leukocytes (52%). Conclusion: Patients with hyperbilirubinemia and symptoms of acute appendicitis, demonstrate a higher probability of appendiceal perforation than those with regular levels of bilirubin(AU)

Lipofundin-induced hyperlipidemia promotes oxidative stress and atherosclerotic lesions in new zealand white rabbits.

Atherosclerosis represents a major cause of death in the world. It is known that Lipofundin 20% induces atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits, but its effects on serum lipids behaviour and redox environment have not been addressed. In this study, New Zealand rabbits were treated with 2 mL/kg of Lipofundin for 8 days. Then, redox biomarkers and serum lipids were determined spectrophotometrically. On the other hand, the development of atherosclerotic lesions was confirmed by eosin/hematoxylin staining and electron microscopy. At the end of the experiment, total cholesterol, triglycerides, cholesterol-LDL, and cholesterol-HDL levels were significantly increased. Also, a high index of biomolecules damage, a disruption of both enzymatic and nonenzymatic defenses, and a reduction of nitric oxide were observed. Our data demonstrated that Lipofundin 20% induces hyperlipidemia, which promotes an oxidative stress state. Due to the importance of these phenomena as risk factors for atherogenesis, we suggest that Lipofundin induces atherosclerosis mainly through these mechanisms.

C-Phycocyanin is neuroprotective against global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in gerbils.

Although the huge economic and social impact and the predicted incidence increase, neuroprotection for ischemic stroke remains as a therapeutically empty niche. In the present study, we investigated the rationale of the C-Phycocyanin (C-PC) treatment on global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in gerbils. We demonstrated that C-PC given either prophylactically or therapeutically was able to significantly reduce the infarct volume as assessed by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and the neurological deficit score 24h post-stroke. In addition, C-PC exhibited a protective effect against hippocampus neuronal cell death, and significantly improved the functional outcome (locomotor behavior) and gerbil survival after 7 days of reperfusion. Malondialdehyde (MDA), peroxidation potential (PP) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) were assayed in serum and brain homogenates to evaluate the redox status 24h post-stroke. The treatment with C-PC prevented the lipid peroxidation and the increase of FRAP in both tissue compartments. These results suggest that the protective effects of C-PC are most likely due to its antioxidant activity, although its anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory properties reported elsewhere could also contribute to neuroprotection. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the neuroprotective effect of C-PC in an experimental model of global cerebral I/R damage, and strongly indicates that C-PC may represent a potential preventive and acute disease modifying pharmacological agent for stroke therapy.

Hábitos de alimentación en pacientes atendidos en un servicio de salud mental / Food habits in patients attended in a mental health service

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo conocer los hábitos de alimentación de la población adulta que consulta en un Servicio de Salud Mental, así como establecer relaciones entre los hábitos alimentarios y las variables clínicas, sociodemográficas, relacionales y el grado de satisfacción con la propia pauta alimenticia, peso e imagen corporal. Para ello se empleó un diseño observacional con una muestra de 175 pacientes (siendo un 39,7% casos nuevos) que consultan en el C.S.M. de Parla entre febrero y junio de 2009, siendo 29,1% varones y 70,9% mujeres. Se administró un protocolo de recogida de datos heteroaplicado. La distribución agrupada de los diagnósticos fue: 25,7% trastornos afectivos, 18,9% trastornos neuróticos, 28,6% trastornos reactivos, 8% trastornos de personalidad, 9,1% trastornos psicóticos, 4% trastornos alimentarios y el 5,7% restante otros diagnósticos. La variedad de la ingesta resulta incompleta (media de platos en la comida: 1,83, D.T.: 0,66; media de platos en la cena: 1,44, D.T.: 0,64). Encontramos una correlación significativa y positiva (p<0,01) en la preferencia de determinados alimentos (verduras, fruta, legumbres, pescado, por un lado; y pasta, carne, fiambres, por otro). El IMC medio fue 25,48 (D.T.: 4,93). Se encontraron diferencias significativas (χ2:31,94; p=0,004) en cuanto a la satisfacción con la propia imagen en función del diagnóstico, están más insatisfechos los trastornos alimentarios (71,4% poco satisfechos), de personalidad (64,3%) y neuróticos (42,4%). De estos datos concluimos que existen deficiencias en la organización, cantidad y calidad de los hábitos alimentarios de los pacientes, a cuya mejora seria necesario prestar atención (AU)

This work aims to study nourishment habits of adult population who consults in a Mental Health Service, as well as establish relations among food habits and clinical and demographic variables and the satisfaction level to the own nourishing pattern, weight and body image. For it we used a observation design with a sample of 175 patients (being 39,7 % new cases) that consult in the Mental Health Center of Parla between February and June 2009, being 29,1 % males and 70,9 % women. We used a heteroapplied proctocol for data collection. The grouped distribution of diagnoses was: 25,7 % affective disorders, 18,9 % neurotic disorders, 28,6 % adaptative disorders, 8% personality disorders, 9,1 % psychotic disorders, 4 % eating disorders and 5,7 % remaining other diagnoses. The variety of food turned out to be incomplete (average of plates in the food: 1,83, S.D.: 0,66; average of plates in the dinner: 1,44, S.D.: 0,64). We found a significant and positive correlation (p < 0,01) in the preference of certain food (vegetables, fruit, vegetables, fish, on the one hand; and noodles, meat, cold cuts, for other one). The average CMI was 25,48 (D.T.: 4,93). We found significant differences ((χ2:31,94; p=0,004) as for the satisfaction with the own image depending on the diagnosis, being the eating disorders the most unsatisfied group (71,4% slightly satisfied), followed by personality disorders (64,3 %) and neurotic disorders (42,4 %). We conclude that exist deficiencies in the organization, quantity and quality of the food habits of the patients, so it would be necessary to give more attention for its improvement (AU)

C-Phycocyanin ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and induces regulatory T cells.

For decades Experimental Autoimmune Encephalitis (EAE) has remained as an unsurpassed multiple sclerosis (MS) animal model. C-Phycocyanin (C-Pc) has been reported to exhibit pharmacological properties that may be expected to symptomatically improve EAE and MS. However, in this paper we reveal a basic underlying mechanism that may provide a new approach to the rationale of the overall beneficial effect of this natural antioxidant. We demonstrate that C-Pc is able to trigger mechanisms preventing or downgrading EAE expression and induces a regulatory T cell (Treg) response, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from MS patients. These results agree with reports suggesting that Treg limit acute MS attacks and that C-Pc may act as a neuroprotector and thereby reverts the organic and functional damage in neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). Moreover, evidence is provided on the antioxidant activity of C-Pc within the CNS, intended to improve the myelin and axonal damage of EAE induced Lewis rats. Our results indicate that specific Treg activation may represent a central and essential mechanism in supporting the therapeutic potential of C-Pc for MS and may lead to new and more effective therapies; this property would then complement and enhance other proven active principles such as interferons (IFN), giving rise to combined therapies.

El duelo y las etapas de la vida / Bereavement and life stages

Partiendo de estudios de una línea de investigación sobre el duelo se hacen observaciones sobre la implicación de éste en la evolución de las diferentes etapas biográficas y en la psicopatología (AU)

From studies of a line of research on bereavement, made comments on his involvement in the evolution of different stages in the biographical and psychopathology (AU)

El impacto del duelo en pacientes psicóticos / Bereavement impact in psychotic patients

Se observa cómo el duelo incide en la patología psicótica y cómo esta modula la elaboración de la pérdida. Se realizó un estudio con todos los pacientes psicóticos del programa de seguimiento de un Servicio de Salud Mental con 207 sujetos y se seleccionaron los que habían presentado un duelo significativo previo a la consulta (10 por ciento). En un 60 por ciento de estos, el duelo está vinculado al desencadenante y en un 38 por ciento se manifestaba a través de los síntomas psicóticos. El efecto desencadenante es más frecuente significativamente en los cuadros psicóticos no esquizofrénicos. En los pacientes que tienen una pérdida significativa a lo largo del tratamiento (11 por ciento) se encuentra una recaída grave o reingreso en un 35 por ciento de los casos. Si bien su pronóstico posterior no se torna desfavorable más que en un 26 por ciento de los casos, estando la evolución condicionada por el apoyo del medio. Se confirma la trascendencia de factores como la muerte imprevista, convivencia con el fallecido o vínculos problemáticos en los psicóticos al igual que se había confirmado antes en estudios más generales. La circunstancia del duelo es importante que sea tenida en cuenta en el tratamiento de los pacientes psicóticos (AU)