Survey of clenbuterol in bovine muscle and liver in Ecuador.

Clenbuterol is a steroid-type drug used in respiratory treatments in both humans and animals. However, it has a secondary effect related to the hypertrophy process in muscle and fat reduction. The illegal or bad use of clenbuterol has been reported in several countries, but there is scarce information in South America, where the production and consumption of meat are considerable. In this sense, the present study aimed at evaluating the occurrence of clenbuterol in bovine muscle and liver samples from a high cattle production area of Ecuador in 2015 and 2018. For this purpose, 57-58 samples were evaluated in 2015 and 20 samples in 2018 using the Enzyme-Linked Inmuno Sorbent Assay and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed complained results for clenbuterol in meat samples from both years and 23% (2015) and 85% (2018) of the samples of meat complied the maximum residue level defined by CODEX.

Development of MyCheckTime® software for perioperative safety based on Toyota's Lean Methodology / Desarrollo del software MyCheckTime® para seguridad perioperatoria con base en la metodología Lean de Toyota

Abstract Introduction: In the age of healthcare safety, compliance with checklists and time tracking in surgery continue to be a gray zone in care processes. The technology applied to approach this issue and other scenarios, may contribute to solve a problem that impacts welfare and the healthcare sector economics. Objective: To introduce the design and construction of the MyCheckTime® software that incorporates Toyota's Lean methodology under the concept of Bundles. Materials and methods: Using a conceptual map, 5 measures were incorporated into the bundle; the MyCheckTime® platform was built based on a software code developed in Java8, PHP, Javascript, HTML5, Angular4, MongoDB-MySQL databases, and Docker, Ionic, VertX, Laravel-implemented technologies. Results: A software (MyCheckTime®) was constructed based on an App available for tablets and IOS and Android system-based mobile devices; a web-based platform and a database. The software captures the patient's circuit in the surgical area in real time, and records the times in which the checklists were conducted. Conclusion: MyCheckTime® is a Lean Methodology-based software that potentially enables the surgical team to deliver more efficient, safer, and timely care, allowing real time recording of the patient's circuit in the surgery area.

Resumen Introducción: En la era de la seguridad en la atención en salud, la de atención. La tecnología aplicada a esta problemática, al igual que adherencia a las listas de verificación y el seguimiento de tiempos otros escenarios, podrá contribuir a solucionar un problema que en el área de cirugía, continúan siendo puntos grises en los procesos de atención. La tecnología aplicada a esta problemática, al igual que otros escenarios, podrá contribuir a solucionar un problema que impacta el bienestar y la economía en el sector salud. Objetivo: Presentar el diseño y construcción del software MyCheckTime® que incorpora la metodología Lean de Toyota, bajo el concepto Bundles. Materiales y métodos: Mediante un mapa conceptual se incorporaron cinco medidas al paquete y se construyó una plataforma llamada MyCheckTime® con un código de software desarrollado en Java8, PHP, Javascript, HTML5, Angular4, bases de datos MongoDB-MySQL y tecnologías implementadas Docker, Ionic, VertX, Laravel. Resultados: Se construyó un software (MyCheckTime® ), compuesto por una App disponible para tabletas y móviles con sistema IOS o Android; una plataforma en la web y una base de datos. El software captura en tiempo real el circuito del paciente en el área de cirugía y registra los momentos en que se realizaron las listas de verificación. Conclusión: MyCheckTime® es un software basado en la Metodología Lean que potencialmente permitirá al equipo quirúrgico brindar una atención más eficiente, segura, y oportuna, permitiendo el registro en tiempo real del circuito que el paciente hace en el área de cirugía.

Neuronal Transdifferentiation Potential of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Neonatal and Adult Sources by a Small Molecule Cocktail.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are good candidates for brain cell replacement strategies and have already been used as adjuvant treatments in neurological disorders. MSCs can be obtained from many different sources, and the present study compares the potential of neuronal transdifferentiation in MSCs from adult and neonatal sources (Wharton's jelly (WhJ), dental pulp (DP), periodontal ligament (PDL), gingival tissue (GT), dermis (SK), placenta (PLAC), and umbilical cord blood (UCB)) with a protocol previously tested in bone marrow- (BM-) MSCs consisting of a cocktail of six small molecules: I-BET151, CHIR99021, forskolin, RepSox, Y-27632, and dbcAMP (ICFRYA). Neuronal morphology and the presence of cells positive for neuronal markers (TUJ1 and MAP2) were considered attributes of neuronal induction. The ICFRYA cocktail did not induce neuronal features in WhJ-MSCs, and these features were only partial in the MSCs from dental tissues, SK-MSCs, and PLAC-MSCs. The best response was found in UCB-MSCs, which was comparable to the response of BM-MSCs. The addition of neurotrophic factors to the ICFRYA cocktail significantly increased the number of cells with complex neuron-like morphology and increased the number of cells positive for mature neuronal markers in BM- and UCB-MSCs. The neuronal cells generated from UCB-MSCs and BM-MSCs showed increased reactivity of the neuronal genes TUJ1, MAP2, NF-H, NCAM, ND1, TAU, ENO2, GABA, and NeuN as well as down- and upregulation of MSC and neuronal genes, respectively. The present study showed marked differences between the MSCs from different sources in response to the transdifferentiation protocol used here. These results may contribute to identifying the best source of MSCs for potential cell replacement therapies.

Improved Proliferative Capacity of NP-Like Cells Derived from Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Neuronal Transdifferentiation by Small Molecules.

Neural progenitors (NP), found in fetal and adult brain, differentiate into neurons potentially able to be used in cell replacement therapies. This approach however, raises technical and ethical problems which limit their potential therapeutic use. Alternately, NPs can be obtained by transdifferentiation of non-neural somatic cells evading these difficulties. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are suggested to transdifferentiate into NP-like cells, which however, have a low proliferation capacity. The present study demonstrates the requisite of cell adhesion for proliferation and survival of NP-like cells and re-evaluates some neuronal features after differentiation by standard procedures. Mature neuronal markers, though, were not detected by these procedures. A chemical differentiation approach was used in this study to convert MSCs-derived NP-like cells into neurons by using a cocktail of six molecules, CHIR99021, I-BET151, RepSox, DbcAMP, forskolin and Y-27632, defined after screening combinations of 22 small molecules. Direct transdifferentiation of MSCs into neuronal cells was obtained with the small molecule cocktail, without requiring the NP-like intermediate stage.

Eficacia de un programa de intervención para mujeres maltratadas por su pareja / Efficacy of an intervention program for battered women

Estudio en el que se analiza la eficacia de un tratamiento psicológico para mujeres maltratadas por su pareja. La muestra está formada por 107 mujeres maltratadas por su pareja con edades comprendidas entre 23 y 64 años (media = 39.64, DT = 9.87) y características sociodemográficas diversas. Se utilizó un diseño cuasi-experimental con dos grupos independientes (intervención y control) y medidas repetidas (pretratamiento, posttratamiento y seguimientos a los 3 y 6 meses de finalizada la intervención). Las mujeres del grupo con intervención mostraron disminuciones significativas, tanto desde el punto de vista estadístico como clínico, en la sintomatología de estrés postraumático de reexperimentación, evitación y aumento de la activación. También disminuyó su sintomatología depresiva y de ansiedad y aumentó su autoestima y apoyo social. Y dicha mejora se mantuvo en los seguimientos realizados a los 3 y 6 meses de finalizado el programa de intervención.

This study analyzed the efficacy of a psychological treatment program for battered women. The sample consisted of 107 battered women aged between 23 and 64 years-old (mean age = 39.64, SD = 9.87) and with diverse sociodemographic characteristics. A quasi-experimental design of two independent groups (intervention and control) and with repeated measures (pre-treatment, post-treatment and three and six month follow-up) has been used. Women in the intervention group experienced statistically and clinical significant decreases in posttraumatic stress symptoms of reexperienced the traumatic event, avoidance and symptoms of increased arousal. Also experienced significant and clinical decreases in depressive and anxiety symptoms and significant increases in self-esteem and social support. Gains were maintained at 3- and 6-months follow-ups.