Human adipose tissue as a major reservoir of cytomegalovirus-reactive T cells.

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common herpesvirus with a high prevalence worldwide. After the acute infection phase, CMV can remain latent in several tissues. CD8 T cells in the lungs and salivary glands mainly control its reactivation control. White adipose tissue (WAT) contains a significant population of memory T cells reactive to viral antigens, but CMV specificity has mainly been studied in mouse WAT. Therefore, we obtained blood, omental WAT (oWAT), subcutaneous WAT (sWAT), and liver samples from 11 obese donors to characterize the human WAT adaptive immune landscape from a phenotypic and immune receptor specificity perspective. Methods: We performed high-throughput sequencing of the T cell receptor (TCR) locus to analyze tissue and blood TCR repertoires of the 11 donors. The presence of TCRs specific to CMV epitopes was tested through ELISpot assays. Moreover, phenotypic characterization of T cells was carried out through flow cytometry. Results: High-throughput sequencing analyses revealed that tissue TCR repertoires in oWAT, sWAT, and liver samples were less diverse and dominated by hyperexpanded clones when compared to blood samples. Additionally, we predicted the presence of TCRs specific to viral epitopes, particularly from CMV, which was confirmed by ELISpot assays. Remarkably, we found that oWAT has a higher proportion of CMV-reactive T cells than blood or sWAT. Finally, flow cytometry analyses indicated that most WAT-infiltrated lymphocytes were tissue-resident effector memory CD8 T cells. Discussion: Overall, these findings postulate human oWAT as a major reservoir of CMV-specific T cells, presumably for latent viral reactivation control. This study enhances our understanding of the adaptive immune response in human WAT and highlights its potential role in antiviral defense.

A non-destructive X-ray fluorescence method of analysis of formalin fixed-paraffin embedded biopsied samples for biomarkers for breast and colon cancer.

In this work we present a methodology for the non-destructive elemental determination of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human tissue samples based on the Fundamental Parameters method for the quantification of micro Energy Dispersive X Ray Fluorescence (micro-EDXRF) area scans. This methodology intended to overcome two major constraints in the analysis of paraffin embedded tissue samples - retrieval of optimal region of analysis of the tissue within the paraffin block and the determination of the dark matrix composition of the biopsied sample. This way, an image treatment algorithm, based on R® tool to select the regions of the micro-EDXRF area scans was developed. Also, different dark matrix compositions were evaluated using varying combinations of H, C, N and O until the most accurate matrix was found: 8% H, 15% C, 1% N and 60% O for breast FFPE samples and 8% H, 23% C, 2% N and 55% O for colon. The developed methodology was applied to paired normal-tumour samples of breast and colon biopsied tissues in order to gauge potential elemental biomarkers for carcinogenesis in these tissues. The obtained results showed distinctive biomarkers for breast and for colon: there was a significant increase of P, S, K and Fe in both tissues, while a significant increase of Ca an Zn concentrations was also determined for breast tumour samples.

Propylthiouracil-Induced Skin Vasculitis.

The use of propylthiouracil (PTU) is associated with the development of autoantibodies, namely, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs), which are associated with the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis, most often related to the myeloperoxidase subtype (ANCA-MPO). The authors report the case of a 61-year-old woman on PTU for one year who was referred to Internal Medicine for a three-month evolution of painless non-blanching purple patches, non-pruriginous, involving the chest and legs. The autoimmunity revealed ANCA antibody positivity, with a cutaneous biopsy compatible with leukocytoclastic vasculitis/necrotizing vasculitis with involvement of small and medium-sized vessels. Clinical improvement was noted after the drug was discontinued, with the resolution of the analytical changes.

Quality More Than Quantity: The Use of Carbohydrates in High-Fat Diets to Tackle Obesity in Growing Rats.

Childhood obesity prevention is important to avoid obesity and its comorbidities into adulthood. Although the energy density of food has been considered a main obesogenic factor, a focus on food quality rather that the quantity of the different macronutrients is needed. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of changing the quality of carbohydrates from rapidly to slowly digestible carbohydrates on metabolic abnormalities and its impact on obesity in growing rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Growing rats were fed on HFD containing carbohydrates with different digestion rates: a HFD containing rapid-digesting carbohydrates (OBE group) or slow-digesting carbohydrates (ISR group), for 4 weeks and the effect on the metabolism and signaling pathways were analyzed in different tissues. Animals from OBE group presented an overweight/obese phenotype with a higher body weight gain and greater accumulation of fat in adipose tissue and liver. This state was associated with an increase of HOMA index, serum diacylglycerols and triacylglycerides, insulin, leptin, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In contrast, the change of carbohydrate profile in the diet to one based on slow digestible prevented the obesity-related adverse effects. In adipose tissue, GLUT4 was increased and UCPs and PPARγ were decreased in ISR group respect to OBE group. In liver, GLUT2, FAS, and SRBP1 were lower in ISR group than OBE group. In muscle, an increase of glycogen, GLUT4, AMPK, and Akt were observed in comparison to OBE group. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the replacement of rapidly digestible carbohydrates for slowly digestible carbohydrates within a high-fat diet promoted a protective effect against the development of obesity and its associated comorbidities.

Predictive and Therapeutic Implications of a Novel PLCγ1/SHP2-Driven Mechanism of Cetuximab Resistance in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

PURPOSE: Cetuximab is an EGFR-targeted therapy approved for the treatment of RAS wild-type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, about 60% of these patients show innate resistance to cetuximab. To increase cetuximab efficacy, it is crucial to successfully identify responder patients, as well as to develop new therapeutic approaches to overcome cetuximab resistance. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We evaluated the value of EGFR effector phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCγ1) in predicting cetuximab responses, by analyzing progression-free survival (PFS) of a multicentric retrospective cohort of 94 treated patients with mCRC (log-rank test and Cox regression model). Furthermore, we used in vitro and zebrafish xenotransplant models to identify and target the mechanism behind PLCγ1-mediated resistance to cetuximab. RESULTS: In this study, levels of PLCγ1 were found increased in RAS WT tumors and were able to predict cetuximab responses in clinical samples and in vitro and in vivo models. Mechanistically, PLCγ1 expression was found to bypass cetuximab-dependent EGFR inhibition by activating ERK and AKT pathways. This novel resistance mechanism involves a noncatalytic role of PLCγ1 SH2 tandem domains in the propagation of downstream signaling via SH2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2). Accordingly, SHP2 inhibition sensitizes PLCγ1-resistant cells to cetuximab. CONCLUSIONS: Our discoveries reveal the potential of PLCγ1 as a predictive biomarker for cetuximab responses and suggest an alternative therapeutic approach to circumvent PLCγ1-mediated resistance to cetuximab in patients with RAS WT mCRC. In this way, this work contributes to the development of novel strategies in the medical management and treatment of patients with mCRC.

Copy Neutral LOH Affecting the Entire Chromosome 6 Is a Frequent Mechanism of HLA Class I Alterations in Cancer.

Total or partial loss of HLA class I antigens reduce the recognition of specific tumor peptides by cytotoxic T lymphocytes favoring cancer immune escape during natural tumor evolution. These alterations can be caused by genomic defects, such as loss of heterozygosity at chromosomes 6 and 15 (LOH-6 and LOH-15), where HLA class I genes are located. There is growing evidence indicating that LOH in HLA contributes to the immune selection of HLA loss variants and influences the resistance to immunotherapy. Nevertheless, the incidence and the mechanism of this chromosomal aberration involving HLA genes has not been systematically assessed in different types of tumors and often remains underestimated. Here, we used SNP arrays to investigate the incidence and patterns of LOH-6 and LOH-15 in a number of human cancer cell lines and tissues of different histological types. We observed that LOH in HLA is a common event in cancer samples with a prevalence of a copy neutral type of LOH (CN-LOH) that affects entire chromosome 6 or 15 and involves chromosomal duplications. LOH-6 was observed more often and was associated with homozygous HLA genotype and partial HLA loss of expression. We also discuss the immunologic and clinical implications of LOH in HLA on tumor clonal expansion and association with the cancer recurrence after treatment.

Prospective observational study on the characteristics of eosinophilic esophagitis in southeast Spain

Introduction: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic esophageal atopic disease because sensitization to aeroallergens and foods allergens is very common. Objectives: This study is the first work that studies multiple characteristics of EoE in the southeast of Spain to know whether EoE in the patients of this region is similar to that of other regions of Spain in terms of demography, symptoms, and atopic characteristics. Method: It is an observational prospective study of patients diagnosed with EoE at Granada (Spain). We recorded demographic data (age, sex, and personal history of atopy), clinical data (impaction and dysphagia), allergologic data (prick test and specific immunoglobulin E) to foods, aeroallergen, and pan-allergens, and other endoscopic–histologic data and comorbidities. Results: The demographic, allergologic, and endoscopic characteristics of patients with EoE in Granada were similar to the rest of Spain, except the higher frequency of sensitization to olive pollen, food allergy, and anaphylaxis reactions. Conclusions: The higher frequency of sensitization to olive pollen and food allergy with severe clinical manifestations (anaphylaxis) in patients with EoE in Granada could have a negative impact on patients’ quality of life (AU)

New Red-Emitting Chloride-Sensitive Fluorescent Protein with Biological Uses.

A new chloride-sensitive red fluorescent protein derived from Entacmaea quadricolor is described. We found that mBeRFP exhibited moderate sensitivity to chloride and, via site-directed mutagenesis (S94V and R205Y), we increased the chloride affinity by more than an order of magnitude (kd = 106 ± 6 mM) at physiological pH. In addition, cis-trans isomerization of the chromophore produces a dual emission band with different chloride sensitivities, which allowed us to develop a ratiometric methodology to measure intracellular chloride concentrations.

Entrenamiento vascular intensivo para el cirujano no vascular.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En la mayoría de los servicios de emergencia del Perú no se cuenta con un cirujano vascular, teniendo que resolver los problemas vasculares el cirujano general. Es necesario que los cirujanos generales estén entrenados en el manejo vascular, sobre todo de aquellas condiciones que pueden comprometer la vida. OBJETIVO: Compartir los resultados del primer curso de cirugía vascular para el cirujano no vascular y el nivel de satisfacción de los alumnos participantes. MÉTODO: El curso de entrenamiento utilizó cinco modelos de simulación distribuidos en cinco sesiones prácticas. Al final del curso se evaluó a los alumnos usando la escala OSATS (Objetive Structured Assesment of Technical Skills) y se midió el tiempo de anastomosis arterial; adicionalmente se evaluó el nivel de satisfacción del curso. RESULTADOS: Participaron 12 alumnos, de los cuales ocho cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. La edad media fue de 39.9 años. La calificación OSATS fue de 19 (± 2.1). El tiempo de anastomosis fue de 17.6 (± 7.9) minutos. El nivel de satisfacción global de curso fue de 31.05; no hubo diferencias significativas entre la satisfacción de las diferentes sesiones prácticas (p = 0.85). El alfa de Cronbach de la encuesta fue de 0,96 (excelente). CONCLUSIONES: El curso intensivo de entrenamiento vascular combina diferentes escenarios quirúrgicos basados en la simulación. El nivel de satisfacción del curso y la fiabilidad de la encuesta para «percepción de las prácticas de simulación¼ fueron excelentes. INTRODUCTION: In most emergency services in Peru there is no vascular surgeon, the general surgeon having to solve the vascular problems. General surgeons need to be trained in vascular management, especially those life-threatening conditions. OBJECTIVE: To share the results of the first course of vascular surgery for the non-vascular surgeon and the level of satisfaction of the participating students. METHOD: The training course used five simulation models distributed in five practical sessions. At the end of the course, the students were evaluated using the OSATS (Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills) scale and the arterial anastomosis time was measured; Additionally, the level of satisfaction of the course was evaluated. RESULTS: 12 students participated, 8 met the inclusion criteria, the mean age was 39.9 years, the OSATS score was 19 (± 2.1) and the anastomosis time 17.6 (± 7.9) minutes. The level of overall course satisfaction was 31.05, there were no significant differences between the satisfaction of the different practical sessions (p = 0.85). The Cronbach's alpha for the survey was 0.96 (Excellent). CONCLUSIONS: The intensive vascular training course combines different surgical scenarios based on simulation. The level of satisfaction of the course and the reliability of the survey "perception of simulation practices" were excellent.

El papel de los recursos de salud pública en el afrontamiento y tratamiento de la COVID-19 / The role of Public Health resources in coping and treating COVID-19

Introducción: La crisis de la COVID-19 ha puesto a la gestión de diversos sistemas políticos a prueba. Posiblemente, no hay nada más evidente que el número de infectados y muertos de un país como índice de la eficacia de los políticos a la hora de afrontar una crisis. El ciudadano es un cliente. Paga sus impuestos y tiene toda la licencia moral de exigir a sus gobernantes que sean eficientes en la protección de sus derechos. Algunos gobiernos han intentado desviar el foco de su responsabilidad sobre el dinero destinado a salud pública en los presupuestos del Estado de gobiernos anteriores; a modo de excusa de su nefasta gestión. Objetivo: Este trabajo precisamente analiza si existe alguna relación estadísticamente significativa entre el dinero destinado a los servicios públicos de salud y el número de infectados y muertes por la COVID-19. Métodos: Se realizó un análisis no-paramétrico Tau b de Kendall para el gasto público en salud (tanto la inversión pública como privada) y el número de contagiados (en 178 países) y muertes (en 162 países) por la COVID-19; proporcionado por la Universidad John Hopkins. Resultados: No sólo no se ha encontrado una relación negativa (de mayor gasto en salud y menor número de afectados) sino que, sorprendentemente, se ha desvelado que hay una relación positiva. Conclusiones: Una posible hipótesis es que disponer de un sistema de salud con mayores recursos hace que los políticos sean más confiados a la hora de enfrentarse a crisis sanitarias(AU)

Introduction: The COVID-19 crisis has put the management of various political systems to the test. There is possibly nothing more evident than the number of infected and deaths in a country as an index of the effectiveness of politicians in coping a crisis. The citizen is a customer. They pay their taxes and they have all the right to demand their politicians to be efficient in protecting their rights. In this sense, there is no right above the right to life. Some governments have attempted to shift the focus of their responsibility on the public health state budgets of previous governments, as an excuse for its catastrophic management. Objective: This work precisely analyzes whether there is any statistically significant relationship between the budget dedicated to public health services and the number of infected and deaths by COVID-19. Methods: A non-parametric analysis of Kendall's Tau b was carried out for Public Health Expenditure (both public and private investment) and the number of COVID-19 infections (in 178 countries) and deaths (in 162 countries; provided by John Hopkins University). Results: Results showed that there is not only a negative relationship (between higher spending on health and fewer affected people) but, surprisingly, there is a positive relationship between these variables. Conclusions: One possible hypothesis is that the fact of having a health system with more resources makes politicians be more confident when facing health crisis(AU)

Dietary Complex and Slow Digestive Carbohydrates Prevent Fat Deposits During Catch-Up Growth in Rats.

A nutritional growth retardation study, which closely resembles the nutritional observations in children who consumed insufficient total energy to maintain normal growth, was conducted. In this study, a nutritional stress in weanling rats placed on restricted balanced diet for 4 weeks is produced, followed by a food recovery period of 4 weeks using two enriched diets that differ mainly in the slow (SDC) or fast (RDC) digestibility and complexity of their carbohydrates. After re-feeding with the RDC diet, animals showed the negative effects of an early caloric restriction: an increase in adiposity combined with poorer muscle performance, insulin resistance and, metabolic inflexibility. These effects were avoided by the SDC diet, as was evidenced by a lower adiposity associated with a decrease in fatty acid synthase expression in adipose tissue. The improved muscle performance of the SDC group was based on an increase in myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D) and creatine kinase as markers of muscle differentiation as well as better insulin sensitivity, enhanced glucose uptake, and increased metabolic flexibility. In the liver, the SDC diet promoted glycogen storage and decreased fatty acid synthesis. Therefore, the SDC diet prevents the catch-up fat phenotype through synergistic metabolic adaptations in adipose tissue, muscle, and liver. These coordinated adaptations lead to better muscle performance and a decrease in the fat/lean ratio in animals, which could prevent long-term negative metabolic alterations such as obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and liver fat deposits later in life.

Assessing bioaccumulation potential of personal care, household and industrial products in a marine echinoderm (Holothuria tubulosa).

A bioaccumulation study of 16 emerging contaminants including preservatives, UV-filters, biocides, alkylphenols, anionic surfactants and plasticizers, in Holothuria tubulosa Gmelin, 1791 specimens was developed. Water and sediments from their coastal habitat were also analyzed. Sediment-water distribution coefficients (log Kd) were in the range 0.78 to 2.95. A rapid uptake and bioaccumulation of pollutants was found. Compounds were detected in intestine and gonads of H. tubulosa after only eight days of exposure. Field-based bioconcentration (BCF) and biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAF) were calculated. Log BCF > 1 were obtained for most of the compounds studied, indicating their tendency to accumulate in tissue of H. Tubulosa. BCF values decrease as follow: Triclocarban > anionic surfactants > benzophenone 3 > non-ionic surfactants > bisphenol A > parabens. These data provide a detailed accounting of the distribution patterns of some emerging contaminants in organisms at the lower trophic level, representing a potential source of contaminants for organisms in higher levels of the food chain.

Programming Skeletal Muscle Metabolic Flexibility in Offspring of Male Rats in Response to Maternal Consumption of Slow Digesting Carbohydrates during Pregnancy.

Skeletal muscle plays a relevant role in metabolic flexibility and fuel usage and the associated muscle metabolic inflexibility due to high-fat diets contributing to obesity and type 2 diabetes. Previous research from our group indicates that a high-fat and rapid-digesting carbohydrate diet during pregnancy promotes an excessive adipogenesis and also increases the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the offspring. This effect can be counteracted by diets containing carbohydrates with similar glycemic load but lower digestion rates. To address the role of the skeletal muscle in these experimental settings, pregnant rats were fed high-fat diets containing carbohydrates with similar glycemic load but different digestion rates, a high fat containing rapid-digesting carbohydrates diet (HF/RD diet) or a high fat containing slow-digesting carbohydrates diet (HF/SD diet). After weaning, male offspring were fed a standard diet for 3 weeks (weaning) or 10 weeks (adolescence) and the impact of the maternal HF/RD and HF/SD diets on the metabolism, signaling pathways and muscle transcriptome was analyzed. The HF/SD offspring displayed better muscle features compared with the HF/RD group, showing a higher muscle mass, myosin content and differentiation markers that translated into a greater grip strength. In the HF/SD group, metabolic changes such as a higher expression of fatty acids (FAT/CD36) and glucose (GLUT4) transporters, an enhanced glycogen content, as well as changes in regulatory enzymes such as muscle pyruvate kinase and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 were found, supporting an increased muscle metabolic flexibility and improved muscle performance. The analysis of signaling pathways was consistent with a better insulin sensitivity in the muscle of the HF/SD group. Furthermore, increased expression of genes involved in pathways leading to muscle differentiation, muscle mass regulation, extracellular matrix content and insulin sensitivity were detected in the HF/SD group when compared with HF/RD animals. In the HF/SD group, the upregulation of the ElaV1/HuR gene could be one of the main regulators in the positive effects of the diet in early programming on the offspring. The long-lasting programming effects of the HF/SD diet during pregnancy may depend on a coordinated gene regulation, modulation of signaling pathways and metabolic flexibility that lead to an improved muscle functionality. The dietary early programming associated to HF/SD diet has synergic and positive crosstalk effects in several tissues, mainly muscle, liver and adipose tissue, contributing to maintain the whole body homeostasis in the offspring.

Multifocus HDR VIS/NIR hyperspectral imaging and its application to works of art.

This paper presents a complete framework for capturing and processing hyperspectral reflectance images of artworks in situ, using a hyperspectral line scanner. These capturing systems are commonly used in laboratory conditions synchronized with scanning stages specifically designed for planar surfaces. However, when the intended application domain does not allow for image capture in these controlled conditions, achieving useful spectral reflectance image data can be a very challenging task (due to uncontrolled illumination, high-dynamic range (HDR) conditions in the scene, and the influence of chromatic aberration on the image quality, among other factors). We show, for the first time, all the necessary steps in the image capturing and post-processing in order to obtain high-quality HDR-based reflectance in the visible and near infrared, directly from the data captured by using a hyperspectral line scanner coupled to a rotating tripod. Our results show that the proposed method outperforms the normal capturing process in terms of dynamic range, color and spectral accuracy. To demonstrate the potential interest of this processing strategy for on-site analysis of artworks, we applied it to the study of a vintage copy of the famous painting "Transfiguration" by Raphael, as well as a facsimile of "The Golden Haggadah" from the British Library of London. The second piece has been studied for the identification of highly reflective gold-foil covered areas.

A Slow-Digesting Carbohydrate Diet during Rat Pregnancy Protects Offspring from Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Risk through the Modulation of the Carbohydrate-Response Element and Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins.

High-fat (HF) and rapid digestive (RD) carbohydrate diets during pregnancy promote excessive adipogenesis in offspring. This effect can be corrected by diets with similar glycemic loads, but low rates of carbohydrate digestion. However, the effects of these diets on metabolic programming in the livers of offspring, and the liver metabolism contributions to adipogenesis, remain to be addressed. In this study, pregnant insulin-resistant rats were fed high-fat diets with similar glycemic loads but different rates of carbohydrate digestion, High Fat-Rapid Digestive (HF-RD) diet or High Fat-Slow Digestive (HF-SD) diet. Offspring were fed a standard diet for 10 weeks, and the impact of these diets on the metabolic and signaling pathways involved in liver fat synthesis and storage of offspring were analyzed, including liver lipidomics, glycogen and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism key enzymes and signaling pathways. Livers from animals whose mothers were fed an HF-RD diet showed higher saturated triacylglycerol deposits with lower carbon numbers and double bond contents compared with the HF-SD group. Moreover, the HF-RD group exhibited enhanced glucose transporter 2, pyruvate kinase (PK), acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid (FA) synthase expression, and a decrease in pyruvate carboxylase (PyC) expression leading to an altered liver lipid profile. These parameters were normalized in the HF-SD group. The changes in lipogenic enzyme expression were parallel to changes in AktPKB phosphorylation status and nuclear expression in carbohydrate-response element and sterol regulatory element binding proteins. In conclusion, an HF-RD diet during pregnancy translates to changes in liver signaling and metabolic pathways in offspring, enhancing liver lipid storage and synthesis, and therefore non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) risk. These changes can be corrected by feeding an HF-SD diet during pregnancy.

Relación entre estilos parentales y conductas autolesivas sin intención suicida en población ecuatoriana / Relationship between parenting styles and self-harm without suicide intention in Ecuadorian population

Introducción: La familia es un contexto de protección que salvaguarda el desarrollo del individuo. En este ámbito, para el niño, se comienza no solo el aprendizaje de modelos útiles para relacionarse con la sociedad sino que, en su lado deficitario, es el foco de necesidades que han de resolverse por otros medios. Los estilos parentales determinan e influyen en gran medida, las conductas pro sociales o desadaptativas, positivas o negativas, integrativas o disruptivas de los hijos. En este sentido, la necesidad de llamar la atención ha sido relacionada en la literatura con conductas tales como la realización de tatuajes. Objetivo: Desvelar la relación entre conductas autolesivas, llamada de atención y ciertos estilos parentales. Métodos: Se llevaron a cabo distintos análisis correlacionales (utilizando una r de Pearson) con una muestra de 881 estudiantes universitarios, entre los diferentes estilos parentales, las conductas autolesivas y la intención de realizarse un tatuaje. Resultados: Conductas parentales (como el control materno) correlacionan tanto con la realización de tatuajes como con ciertas conductas autolesivas. El amor parental de ambos progenitores, por el contrario, es un factor protector que correlaciona negativamente con este tipo de conductas de autolesión. El dato más claro reside en la correlación positiva entre la negligencia parental (la falta de atención) con las conductas autolesivas. Conclusiones: Se concluye que la llamada de atención es un factor inherente a las conductas autolesivas, aunque tan solo es uno de tantos factores(AU)

Introduction: Family is a context of protection that safeguards the development of the individual. In this area, for the child, learning of useful models begins which they will relate to society later on. It is also the focus of needs to solve by other means. The parental styles, therefore, largely determine and influence the prosocial or maladaptive behaviors, positive or negative, integrative or disruptive of children. In this sense, literature has related the need to draw attention been with behaviors such receiving tattoos. Objective: To show the relationship between self-injurious behavior, attention call and certain parental styles. Methods: We conducted various correlational analysis (using Pearson r) with a sample of 881 college students between the different parenting styles, self-injurious behavior and intent of receiving tattoo. Results: Parental behaviors (such as maternal control) correlate both with receiving tattoo and with certain self-injurious behaviors. Parental love (of both parents), on the other hand, is a protective factor since it correlates negatively with this type of self-harm behavior. The clearest information lies in the positive correlation between parental negligence (and therefore, lack of attention) with self-injurious behaviors. Conclusions: Our study concludes that drawing attention is an inherent factor in self-injurious behavior, although it is only one of many factors(AU)

New Thiol-Sensitive Dye Application for Measuring Oxidative Stress in Cell Cultures.

A xanthene derivative, Granada Green dinitrobenzene sulfonate (GGDNBS), has been synthesized to assay cellular oxidative stress based on changes in the concentration of biothiols. The dye is able to react with biological thiols by a thiolysis reaction that promotes a change in fluorescence intensity. To demonstrate the usefulness of GGDNBS for in vivo oxidative stress measurements, 661 W photoreceptor-derived cells were exposed to light to induce ROS generation, and changes in GGDNBS fluorescence were measured. In these cells, GGDNBS fluorescence was correlated with the biothiol levels measured by an enzymatic method. Therefore, GGDNBS allows us to monitor changes in the levels of biothiols associated with ROS generation via single-cell bioimaging.

A method to measure Representativity and Univocity of traffic signs and to test their effect on movement.

OBJECTIVE: The present protocol aims to understand how participants represent traffic signs (Psychology of Thinking) and how the attention of these signs-and the way of processing them-can influence on their path movement (Motor Processes). Knowing how humans process the meaning of signs (not just by learning but instinctively understood) will improve reaction times and decision making when driving. BACKGROUND: In laboratory tasks, a number of models have attempted to explain the general relationship between attention and movement. The cornerstone of the effects is found on the meaning of attentional cues. METHOD: By using a tracking task, the influence of traffic signs on movement is been tested. RESULTS: Results point out that the signs least representative of their meaning produce a greater deviation from the center of the simulated road than the most representative signs. CONCLUSIONS: The economic, social and psychological consequences of car accidents are well-established. Every single effort orientated to amend this social problem is welcome. Taking into account the results reported in this work, it is recommended that the traffic signs are designed as much representative of their meaning as possible. APPLICATION: The methodology used in this study can be applied to testing the Cognitive Ergonomics of signposting on roads; analyzing, classifying, and discarding the traffic signs that produce counterproductive effects on movement from the current Manuals of Traffic Signposting all around countries.•An original methodology has been generated for classifying traffic signs, which has not been never tested in the literature.•The well-consolidated tracking task is used for evaluating their effect on movement.•The main result is that traffic signs, that do not represent properly their meaning, provoke a significant and dangerous deviation from the drivers' path.

Bioaccumulation of perfluoroalkyl substances in marine echinoderms: Results of laboratory-scale experiments with Holothuria tubulosa Gmelin, 1791.

Bioaccumulation of six perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) was assessed using the marine echinoderm Holothuria tubulosa Gmelin, 1791. Batch experiments were conducted to establish the relationship between concentrations in water, sediment and biota over 197 days. The sample treatment for the determination of compounds involves steps of lyophilization, solvent extraction and clean-up of the extracts with dispersive sorbents. PFAS were then analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. During contaminant exposure, detectable levels of compounds were found in all samples collected. Mean concentrations of selected PFAS were higher in sediments than in water samples. This fact is explained by the strong adsorption of these compounds into sediments. Sediment-water distribution coefficients (log Kd) were in the range 0.11 (PFBuA) to 2.46 (PFOA). Beside this, PFAS accumulation was observed in Holothuria tubulosa organisms. The uptake of PFAS was very rapid, reaching the maximum between 22 and 38 days of assay. Bioaccumulation factors (mean log BAF: 1.16-4.39) and biota sediment accumulation factors (mean log BSAF: 1.37-2.89) indicated a high bioaccumulation potential for the target compounds. Both parameters increased with perfluoroalkyl chain length (R2 > 0.93; p < 0.05). In organ-specific distributions of PFAS, greater concentrations were found in intestine than in gonads. Also, male specimens showed higher concentration levels than female (student t-test: tcal = 2.788, ttab = 2.262; p < 0.05). These data provide a detailed accounting of PFAS fate and distribution in the marine environment highlighting accumulation at lower trophic levels, a potential source for contamination in higher organisms.

Feeding a slowly digestible carbohydrate diet during pregnancy of insulin-resistant rats prevents the excess of adipogenesis in their offspring.

An obesogenic environment during pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk of dysregulation on adipogenesis and insulin resistance in the offspring. Being essential for the growing fetus, glucose supply is guaranteed by a number of modifications in the mother's metabolism, and thus, glucose control during pregnancy especially among obese or diabetic women is paramount to prevent adverse consequences in their children. Besides the election of low-glycemic-index carbohydrates, the rate of carbohydrate digestion could be relevant to keep a good glucose control. In the present study, we compared the effects of two high-fat diets with similar glycemic load but different rates of carbohydrate digestion given to pregnant insulin-resistant rats. After birth, all animals were fed a standard diet until age 14 weeks. We analyzed offspring body composition, plasma and adipocyte lipidomics, lipid metabolism in adipose tissue and insulin sensitivity. Those animals whose mothers were fed the rapid-digesting carbohydrate diet exhibited an excessive adipogenesis. Thus, these animals showed a marked lipidemia, increased lipid synthesis in the adipose tissue and reduced glucose transporter amount in the adipose. On the contrary, those animals whose mothers were fed the slow-digesting carbohydrate diet showed a profile in the measured parameters closer to that of the offspring of healthy mothers. These results support the hypothesis that not only glycemic index but the rate of carbohydrate digestion during gestation may be critical to regulate the programming of adipogenesis in the offspring.