Estudio IMPULSO: impacto de la COVID-19 en el presente de la oftalmología centrada en superficie ocular y tendencias de futuro / IMPULSE Study: Impact of COVID-19 in the present of ophthalmology focusing on ocular surface and future trends

Antecedentes y objetivo La evolución digital supone una oportunidad para que la oftalmología se adapte a nuevos modelos asistenciales. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo conocer cómo la pandemia ha modificado la práctica clínica y actividades formativas del oftalmólogo especializado en superficie ocular, y analizar tendencias y necesidades emergentes. Materiales y métodos Estudio realizado mediante encuesta online. Un comité de 3 especialistas diseñó un cuestionario de 25 preguntas estructurado en: 1) Perfil del participante; 2) Impacto de la pandemia en el manejo del paciente y las actividades profesionales; 3) Tendencias y necesidades. Resultados Participaron 68 oftalmólogos clínicos. Hubo un alto grado de acuerdo (90%) en que la pandemia demoró las visitas de seguimiento oftalmológico y el diagnóstico. Los participantes coincidieron en que aumentó la frecuencia de pacientes con enfermedad de ojo seco (75%), orzuelo/chalazión (62%) y blefaritis (60%). Según un 28%, será habitual el teleseguimiento mediante teleconsulta de dolencias como ojo seco, glaucoma, diabetes, conjuntivitis, hiposfagmas, orzuelos, etc., especialmente en población joven. Esto será especialmente relevante en las enfermedades crónicas o leves de la superficie ocular, y en el seguimiento de pacientes tras operación de cataratas y retinopatía diabética. Conclusiones Durante la pandemia se ha percibido un aumento de la incidencia de ciertas enfermedades de superficie ocular. El seguimiento de enfermedades crónicas o leves de la superficie ocular se vincula a la necesidad de proporcionar formación específica tanto para el paciente como para el profesional que lo atiende, además de protocolos de cribado y derivación que optimicen el flujo asistencial (AU)

Background and objective Digital evolution represents an opportunity for ophthalmology to adapt to new care models. This study aimed to find out how the pandemic has modified the clinical practice and training activities of the ophthalmologist specialized in ocular surface, as well as to analyze emerging trends and needs. Materials and methods This study was carried out through an online survey. A committee of 3 specialists developed a questionnaire of 25 questions structured in: 1) Participant profile; 2) Impact of the pandemic on patient management and professional activities; 3) Trends and needs. Results Sixty-eight clinical ophthalmologists participated. There was a high degree of agreement (90%) that the pandemic has delayed ophthalmological follow-up visits and diagnosis. The participants agreed that the frequency of patients with dry eye disease (75%), stye/chalazion (62%) and blepharitis (60%) has increased. According to 28%, remote monitoring of pathologies such as dry eye, glaucoma, diabetes, conjunctivitis, hyposphagmas, styes, etc., will be common, especially in the young population. This will be especially relevant in chronic or mild pathologies of the ocular surface, and in the follow-up of patients after cataract and diabetic retinopathy interventions. Conclusions During the pandemic, an increase in the incidence of certain ocular surface diseases has been perceived. The telematic follow-up of chronic or mild pathologies of the ocular surface entails the need to provide specific training for both the patient and the healthcare professional, in addition to screening and referral protocols that would optimize the flow of care (AU)

IMPULSE Study: Impact of COVID-19 in the present of ophthalmology focusing on ocular surface and future trends.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Digital evolution represents an opportunity for ophthalmology to adapt to new care models. This study aimed to find out how the pandemic has modified the clinical practice and training activities of the ophthalmologist specialised in ocular surface, as well as to analyse emerging trends and needs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out through an online survey. A committee of 3 specialists developed a questionnaire of 25 questions structured in: 1) Participant profile; 2) Impact of the pandemic on patient management and professional activities; 3) Trends and needs. RESULTS: 68 clinical ophthalmologists participated. There was a high degree of agreement (90%) that the pandemic has delayed ophthalmological follow-up visits and diagnosis. The participants agreed that the frequency of patients with dry eye disease (75%), stye/chalazion (62%) and blepharitis (60%) has increased. According to 28%, remote monitoring of pathologies such as dry eye, glaucoma, diabetes, conjunctivitis, hyposphagmas, styes, etc., will be common, especially in the young population. This will be especially relevant in chronic or mild pathologies of the ocular surface, and in the follow-up of patients after cataract and diabetic retinopathy interventions. CONCLUSIONS: During the pandemic, an increase in the incidence of certain ocular surface diseases has been perceived. The telematic follow-up of chronic or mild pathologies of the ocular surface entails the need to provide specific training for both the patient and the healthcare professional, in addition to screening and referral protocols that would optimise the flow of care.

[IMPULSE Study: Impact of COVID-19 in the present of ophthalmology focusing on ocular surface and future trends]. / Estudio IMPULSO: impacto de la COVID-19 en el presente de la oftalmología centrada en superficie ocular y tendencias de futuro.

Background and objective: Digital evolution represents an opportunity for ophthalmology to adapt to new care models. This study aimed to find out how the pandemic has modified the clinical practice and training activities of the ophthalmologist specialized in ocular surface, as well as to analyze emerging trends and needs. Materials and methods: This study was carried out through an online survey. A committee of 3 specialists developed a questionnaire of 25 questions structured in: 1) Participant profile; 2) Impact of the pandemic on patient management and professional activities; 3) Trends and needs. Results: Sixty-eight clinical ophthalmologists participated. There was a high degree of agreement (90%) that the pandemic has delayed ophthalmological follow-up visits and diagnosis. The participants agreed that the frequency of patients with dry eye disease (75%), stye/chalazion (62%) and blepharitis (60%) has increased. According to 28%, remote monitoring of pathologies such as dry eye, glaucoma, diabetes, conjunctivitis, hyposphagmas, styes, etc., will be common, especially in the young population. This will be especially relevant in chronic or mild pathologies of the ocular surface, and in the follow-up of patients after cataract and diabetic retinopathy interventions. Conclusions: During the pandemic, an increase in the incidence of certain ocular surface diseases has been perceived. The telematic follow-up of chronic or mild pathologies of the ocular surface entails the need to provide specific training for both the patient and the healthcare professional, in addition to screening and referral protocols that would optimize the flow of care.

Nanostructured composite coating endowed with antiviral activity against human respiratory viruses deposited on fibre-based air filters.

The widespread of viral airborne diseases is becoming a critical problem for human health and safety, not only for the common cold and flu, but also considering more serious infection as the current pandemic COVID-19. Even if the current heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems limit the disease transmission by air, the air filters are susceptible to microbial colonization. In addition, viruses spread via droplets (aerosol) produced by direct or indirect contact with infected people. In this context, the necessity of an efficient HVAC system, able to capture and inactivate viruses- and bacteria-rich aerosols, thus preserving a safe indoor air environment and protecting people, is of enormous importance. The aim of this work is the assessment of the antiviral properties of a silver nanoclusters/silica composite coating deposited via co-sputtering technique on glass, on metallic fibre-based air filters as well as on cotton textiles. The selected human respiratory viruses are: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the human rhinovirus (HRV) and the influenza virus type A (FluVA). The coated air filters show that the nanostructured coating develops a strong virucidal activity against RSV and FluVA, but not against the HRV.

SARS-CoV-2 in water services: Presence and impacts.

The occurrence of human pathogenic viruses in aquatic ecosystems and, in particular, in internal water bodies (i.e., river, lakes, groundwater, drinking water reservoirs, recreational water utilities, and wastewater), raises concerns regarding the related impacts on environment and human health, especially in relation to the possibility of human exposure and waterborne infections. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) presence and persistence in human excreta, wastewaters, sewage sludge as well as in natural water bodies, and the possible implications for water services in terms of fecal transmission, public health, and workers' risk. Furthermore, the impacts related to the adopted containment and emergency management measures on household water consumptions are also discussed, together with the potential use of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) assessment as a monitoring and early warning tool, to be applied in case of infectious disease outbreaks. The knowledge and tools summarized in this paper provide a basic information reference, supporting decisions makers in the definition of suitable measures able to pursue an efficient water and wastewater management and a reduction of health risks. Furthermore, research questions are provided, in order to direct technical and public health communities towards a sustainable water service management in the event of a SARS-CoV-2 re-emergence, as well as a future deadly outbreak or pandemic.

Impact of cadmium exposure on swine enterocytes.

We tested cadmium (Cd2+) effects on porcine IPEC-J2 cells, which represent an in vitro model of the interaction between intestinal cells and both infectious and non-infectious stressors. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of low (2 µM) to moderate (20 µM) concentrations of Cd2+, in terms of pro-inflammatory gene expression and protein release, as well as of infectivity in a Salmonella typhimurium penetration model. Our data showed a significant (P < .001) increase of intracellular Cd2+ after 3, 6 and 24 h of exposure with respect to levels at 1 h. These data showed the ability of IPEC-J2 to absorb Cd2+ as a function of both time and concentration. Also, the absorption of this heavy metal was related to a significant modulation of important pro-inflammatory messengers. In particular, down-regulation of IL-8 was associated with a significant decrease of Salmonella typhimurium ability to penetrate into IPEC-J2 cells, in agreement with a previous study in which an anti-IL 8 antibody could significantly inhibit Salmonella penetration into the same cells (Razzuoli et al., 2017). This finding demonstrates the ability of Cd2+ to affect the outcome of an important host-pathogen relationship. In conclusion, our study highlighted the ability of an environmental pollutant like Cd2+ to modulate innate immune responses in terms of chemokine release and gene expression, and susceptibility to microbial infections.

A distinct MR imaging phenotype in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: correlation between T1 magnetization transfer contrast hyperintensity along the corticospinal tract and diffusion tensor imaging analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In the search for a diagnostic marker in ALS, we focused our attention on the hyperintense signal intensity in T1 MTC MR images along the CST, detected in some patients and not found in other patients with ALS and in control subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the hyperintense signal intensity in T1 MTC images and white matter damage. To this purpose, we studied potential heterogeneities in DTI values within our patients by using TBSS without a priori anatomic information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 43 patients with ALS and 43 healthy control subjects, the presence or absence of T1 MTC hyperintense signal intensity was evaluated. With a DTI analysis with a TBSS approach, differences in FA distribution between the 2 groups (patients with T1 MTC hyperintense signal intensity and patients without it) compared with each other and with control subjects were investigated. RESULTS: We found regional differences in white matter FA between patients with T1 MTC hyperintense signal intensity (37.2%) and patients without it. Patients with T1 MTC abnormal signal intensity showed lower FA strictly limited to the motor network and the posterior aspect of the body of the CC without extramotor FA reductions, whereas patients without this sign showed FA reductions in several confluent regions within and outside the CST and in the whole CC. CONCLUSIONS: T1 MTC hyperintense signal intensity in the CST and posterior CC, when present, is specific for ALS and represents, among patients with ALS, a possible distinct phenotype of presentation of the disease with prominent UMN involvement.

HREM characterization of nano-composite Au/SiO2 layers.

Nano-composite layers of Au nano-crystallites embedded in amorphous silica matrix were obtained by a radio-frequency co-sputtering technique. Glass or single crystal silicon wafers were chosen as substrates. After deposition, the layers were heat treated at 900 degrees C for 60 min. Microstructure of the layers was investigated using a TECNAI G(2) FEG SuperTwin (200 kV) transmission electron microscope. Thin foils were cut using a focused ion beam Quanta 3D. The investigations confirmed that the applied process allowed obtaining nano-composite layers containing spherical Au crystallites of average size of approximately 3 nm embedded in an amorphous silica matrix. Some of the nano-crystallites were twinned. The layers were heat treated in subsequent step and rise of the crystallite average size up to 5.5 nm confirming activation of diffusion processes was seen. Presence of irregularly shaped Au crystallites in the latter layers indicates incomplete sintering due to short annealing time.

[Growth hormone and erythropoiesis. review of the literature]. / L'ormone della crescita e l'eritropoiesi.

In this analysis of hematopoiesis, the regrowth of colony-forming cells in the bone marrow was examined in patients who had undergone medullary ablation and bone marrow transplant. The various stages of erythropoeisis and the factors that influence blood cell production are discussed: hematopoietic microenvironment, cytokines, tissue oxygen. Drawing on results from rodent and human studies, growth hormone factor (GH) function is explained, its interaction with insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF I and II), and their effects on hematopoiesis. The aim of the study was to show the close link between GH, IGF I and II and erythropoiesis, because patients with GH deficit may present with partially impaired erythyroid proliferation that leads to the onset of anemia.

Role of ghrelin in the regulation of appetite in children.

Ghrelin, the new recently discovered hormone, is a 28 amino-acid acylated peptide predominantly produced by the stomach characterized by a strong GH-releasing activity mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary GH secretagogues (GHSs) receptors. Ghrelin and GHSs, acting on central and peripheral receptors, exert other actions such as stimulation of ACTH and prolactin secretion, influence on insulin secretion and glucose metabolism, orexigenic effect and modulatory activity on the neuroendocrine and metabolic response to starvation, influence on exocrine gastro-entero-pancreatic functions, cardiovascular activities and modulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. The wide spectrum of ghrelin action requires further studies to provide critical information on the role of ghrelin and the potential perspectives of its analogues in the clinical practice. This point is of particular interest in the field of pediatric endocrinology and metabolism because the ghrelin story started focusing on GH deficiency and is now extending to aspects that once again are of major relevance such as obesity and eating disorders, regulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal and gonadal axis. More studies are needed to evaluate the real impact of ghrelin in different non endocrine processes and the possible use of ghrelin analogues in different diseases condition.

Structural and morphometrical study in glandular parenchyma from alcoholic sialosis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to determine morphometrical changes in lingual, labial and submaxillar salivary glands from alcoholic chronics. METHODS: Five samples of each type of gland were obtained from autopsies of chronic alcoholics and equal number of samples from individuals whose death cause was accidental (controls). Serous acini in von Ebner and submaxillar glands and mucous acini in labial and Blandin-Nühn glands were analysed. In the ductal system, intra and interlobular striated ducts were studied. A digital-image analyser was used to measure different parameters in the acini and ducts. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that lingual and submaxillar salivary glands presented a significant acinar hypertrophy and hyperplasy. These changes were not observed in labial salivary glands. All studied glands showed significant structural modifications in the striated ducts. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the significant variations together with the histological qualitative pattern could be useful as confident indicators for the differential histopathological diagnosis with other sialosis from different aetiology.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and RANKL expression and distribution in developing human craniomandibular joint.

During embryogenesis the bone tissue of craniomandibular joint (CMJ) is formed through two pathways: intramembranous ossification and endochondral ossification. The development process is under the control of regulatory factors. The osteoprotegerin (OPG) and the receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB ligand are key regulators of osteoclastogenesis. The aim of this study is the localization of OPG and RANKL mRNA and protein in the foetal CMJ by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH). The main results were: OPG and RANKL mRNA and protein were co-localized in the same cell types; OPG and RANKL were specially immunolocated in osteogenic cells; immunolabeling was often seen in the nucleus and cytoplasm of otherwise negative hypertrophic chondrocytes; IHC and ISH labeling decreased from proliferative to hypertrophic chondrocytes; early osteocytes showed dual protein expression and some of the mature osteocytes were ISH-negative; periosteal osteoclasts and chondroclasts were mostly stained by IHC and variably labeled by ISH; the new bone matrix and trabecular borders showed intense immunolabeling. The co-expression of OPG and RANKL in the same bone cell types confirms their strictly coupled action in the regulation of bone metabolism in the CMJ development and their extracellular presence in the new bone matrix and trabecular borders suggests a local regulatory role.

Self induced gratings in ternary SiO2:SnO2:Na2O bulk glasses by UV light seeding.

The diffraction efficiency of gratings written in ternary SnO2:SiO2:Na2O bulk glasses rises dramatically with time after the occultation of the cw 244nm light used to write the thick hologram. This self-induced behavior lasts for several hours and ultimately leads to refractive index changes as high as 3 10-3.

Estudio estructural y microanalítico de los tejidos duros en molares primarios / A structural and microanalytical study of hard tissues in primary molars

El presente trabajo se realizó con el objeto de corroborar y relacionar los aspectos estructurales de los molares primarios observados con MO y MEB y aplicar las técnicas de histoquímica microanalítica para determinar los patrones cuantitativos de mineralización del esmalte y dentina. Se utilizó un total de 30 molares (1º y 2º) clínicamente sanos, exfoliados. El estudio para microscopía óptica (MO) fue mediante la técnica por desgaste y cortes procesados y metalizados para la electrónica de barrido (MEB). En el esmalte se identificó la zona aprismática periférica, la línea neonatal, abundantes husos, conductillos dentinarios remanentes y microdefectos (laminillas o cracks de morfología y longitud variables). La dentina se caracterizó por la amplitud de los túbulos y escasa o nula dentina intertubular a nivel circumpulpar. El microanálisis con energía dispersiva de rayos X puso de relieve que el índice calcio/fósforo, tanto en esmalte como en dentina, alcanza el valor de 1.7, lo que sugiere que en la configuración de los cristales de apatita existen aniones carbonato. Los hallazgos de frecuentes microdefectos y la presencia de numerosas estructuras sin esmalte (husos y conductillos penetrantes) en la conexión amelodentinaria, especialmente en la porción coronaria oclusal nos advierte de los cuidados o precauciones a tomar en el momento de usar ácidos grabadores. Asimismo, la existencia de patrones de mineralización similares entre elementos primarios y permanentes, permite inferir que la terapéutica odontológica basada en la naturaleza de lamineralización podría aplicarse con idénticas pautas, pero respetando las variaciones estructurales respectivas

Estudio estructural y microanalítico de los tejidos duros en molares primarios / A structural and microanalytical study of hard tissues in primary molars

El presente trabajo se realizó con el objeto de corroborar y relacionar los aspectos estructurales de los molares primarios observados con MO y MEB y aplicar las técnicas de histoquímica microanalítica para determinar los patrones cuantitativos de mineralización del esmalte y dentina. Se utilizó un total de 30 molares (1º y 2º) clínicamente sanos, exfoliados. El estudio para microscopía óptica (MO) fue mediante la técnica por desgaste y cortes procesados y metalizados para la electrónica de barrido (MEB). En el esmalte se identificó la zona aprismática periférica, la línea neonatal, abundantes husos, conductillos dentinarios remanentes y microdefectos (laminillas o cracks de morfología y longitud variables). La dentina se caracterizó por la amplitud de los túbulos y escasa o nula dentina intertubular a nivel circumpulpar. El microanálisis con energía dispersiva de rayos X puso de relieve que el índice calcio/fósforo, tanto en esmalte como en dentina, alcanza el valor de 1.7, lo que sugiere que en la configuración de los cristales de apatita existen aniones carbonato. Los hallazgos de frecuentes microdefectos y la presencia de numerosas estructuras sin esmalte (husos y conductillos penetrantes) en la conexión amelodentinaria, especialmente en la porción coronaria oclusal nos advierte de los cuidados o precauciones a tomar en el momento de usar ácidos grabadores. Asimismo, la existencia de patrones de mineralización similares entre elementos primarios y permanentes, permite inferir que la terapéutica odontológica basada en la naturaleza de lamineralización podría aplicarse con idénticas pautas, pero respetando las variaciones estructurales respectivas (AU)

Estudio estructural y microanalítico de los tejidos duros en molares primarios / A structural and microanalytical study of hard tissues in primary molars

El presente trabajo se realizó con el objeto de corroborar y relacionar los aspectos estructurales de los molares primarios observados con MO y MEB y aplicar las técnicas de histoquímica microanalítica para determinar los patrones cuantitativos de mineralización del esmalte y dentina. Se utilizó un total de 30 molares (1º y 2º) clínicamente sanos, exfoliados. El estudio para microscopía óptica (MO) fue mediante la técnica por desgaste y cortes procesados y metalizados para la electrónica de barrido (MEB). En el esmalte se identificó la zona aprismática periférica, la líne

Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) evaluation of lingual salivary glands of chronic alcoholics.

BACKGROUND: Chronic alcoholism has been associated with structural and physiological changes in salivary glands. Studies on a variety of pathologies have suggested that variation in number of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) reveals conditions of cellular activity. The aim of this work was to examine, through the AgNOR technique, changes in number and size of NORs in lingual salivary glands of chronic alcoholics. METHODS: Samples of mucous and serous lingual salivary glands were obtained from tongues from autopsies of individuals whose cause of death was hepatic alcoholic cirrhosis. Lingual organs from individuals whose cause of death was accidental were used as controls. Number and size of the AgNORs and nuclear area, in ductal and acinar cells, were evaluated through a digital image analyzer. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed differences (P < or = 0.05) in number of AgNORs in mucous acini and ductal cells. Also, we observed changes in the area of the NORs. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that in alcoholics the activity of glandular cells, mainly in ductal epithelium, could be affected, modifying synthesis, transport and salivary secretions.

Response of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) D-11 cell line to 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) exposure.

The rainbow trout cytochrome P4501A gene subfamily consists of two members, CYP1A1 and CYP1A3, which are induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this study, we investigated the induction of cytochrome P4501A3 in the rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) D-11 cell line after 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) exposure by generating chimeric constructs in which a 2.3 kb fragment or portion of the 5'-flanking region of the trout cytochrome CYP1A3 gene was fused to the firefly luciferase (Luc) gene. The constructs were then transiently transfected into the trout D-11 cells and their transcriptional activity measured by luciferase assay after treatment with different 3MC concentrations. Maximal induction following exposure to 2 microM 3MC was 2.2-fold after 72 h. Deletion of the region specifying the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) of the mRNA encoding the CYP1A3 gene increased unstimulated luciferase activity but also led to a loss of response to 3MC treatment. This finding suggests that the region specifying the 5'UTR contains a negative element that is also involved in the transcriptional response to 3MC.

Estrogenic activity of procymidone in primary cultured rainbow trout hepatocytes (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

It has been shown that procymidone, a dicarboximide fungicide, alters sexual differentiation in vivo and in vitro. The aim of this study was to evaluate the estrogenic activity of this fungicide using the synthesis of vitellogenin (Vtg) in rainbow trout hepatocyte as a biological marker. The cells were treated for 24 h with procymidone 150 microM, using 17beta-estradiol 20 microM as a positive control. The doses were chosen on the basis of cell viability (Neutral Red and MTT tests) and solubility. The results show that procymidone leads to a qualitative and quantitative increase in Vtg synthesis. In Western immonoblots, the 170 and 30 kDa bands, which respectively correspond to the monomeric form of Vtg and posvitine, were brighter in cells treated with procymidone and 17beta-estradiol than those corresponding to the negative controls (cells treated for 24 h with DMSO 0.1% alone); ELISA showed that the cells treated with the fungicide and 17beta-estradiol had a 48 and 76%, respectively, higher Vtg concentration than the negative controls (P<0.01). Western blotting also revealed the induction of HSP27 (27 KDa), which further confirms the estrogenic acitivity of procymidone as it is known that the 3' region of HSP27/28 containing the gene mRNAs is induced by estrogen treatment. Procymidone increased also the production of both HSP70 protein (70 KDa) and free oxygen radicals. This last finding is in agreement with the toxic mechanism of dicarboximide fungicides. It can therefore be presumed that the estrogenic activity of procymidone in primary cultured trout hepatocytes is related to oxidative damage which, as many other studies have shown, can increase the levels of estrogens such as 17beta-estradiol, and thus increase Vtg synthesis