miRNAs: una nueva mirada de la enfermedad de Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada / miRNAs: a new look at Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH) is an autoimmune multisystemic syndrome that includes bilateral intraocular inflammation, associated with exudative retinal detachments, and systemic manifestations in the auditory, integumentary, and central nervous systems. The frequency of VKH disease in the world is variable, but in Santiago, Chile, it causes approximately 17% of non-infectious uveitis, an incidence 2 to 3-fold greater than in the USA or European countries. The evidence shows that the pathogenesis of VKH would be caused by cell-mediated autoimmunity directed against melanocytes present in the uveal tissue. CD4+ T lymphocytes (especially hyperactivity of Th17 and Th1 cells), B lymphocytes, cytokines (e.g., TGF-ß, IL-2, IL-6, IL-23 and INF-γ) and chemokines appear to play an important role in the development of VKH. Several lines of evidence support that the pathogenesis of uveitis observed in VKH involves an altered pattern of micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNA) expression, driving the loss of immunological tolerance. In this review, we discuss the evidence related to regulation and altered expression of miRNA associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada and other autoimmune diseases. (AU)

Clopidogrel genérico. ¿Peores resultados y mayores costes sanitarios? Los datos no dicen eso / Generic clopidogrel. Worse results and higher healthcare costs? The data doesn't say that

No disponible

Toxicological assessment of Xanthigen® nutraceutical extract combination: Mutagenicity, genotoxicity and oral toxicity.

Xanthigen® is a nutraceutical combination for weight management capable of increasing energy expenditure via uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1) in white adipose tissue. It consists of brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida extract, rich in the carotenoid fucoxanthin (FX) and pomegranate seed oil (PSO), rich in punicic acid. Xanthigen was screened to determine its genotoxicity and 90-days repeated oral toxicity. Genotoxicity was assessed with the Ames test (TA89, TA100, TA1535, TA1537, WP2), chromosomal aberration assay (Chinese hamster ovary cells) and mammalian micronucleus test (in mice). Xanthigen did not exhibit genotoxicity in any tested strain. Sub-chronic toxicity was evaluated with daily oral administration of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day doses of Xanthigen® to Sprague-Dawley rats over 90 days. No deaths and no deleterious effects were observed during the 90-day treatment, indicating an absence of sub-chronic toxicity and a no observed adverse effect level greater than 1000 mg/kg/day. A statistically significant decrease in bodyweight and food intake in Xanthigen® treated groups was attributed to the weight loss property of Xanthigen®. Overall, Xanthigen® shows no significant mutagenic or toxic effects.

RNA-Seq and metabolic flux analysis of Tetraselmis sp. M8 during nitrogen starvation reveals a two-stage lipid accumulation mechanism.

To map out key lipid-related pathways that lead to rapid triacylglyceride accumulation in oleaginous microalgae, RNA-Seq was performed with Tetraselmis sp. M8 at 24h after exhaustion of exogenous nitrogen to reveal molecular changes during early stationary phase. Further gene expression profiling by quantitative real-time PCR at 16-72h revealed a distinct shift in expression of the fatty acid/triacylglyceride biosynthesis and ß-oxidation pathways, when cells transitioned from log-phase into early-stationary and stationary phase. Metabolic reconstruction modeling combined with real-time PCR and RNA-Seq gene expression data indicates that the increased lipid accumulation is a result of a decrease in lipid catabolism during the early-stationary phase combined with increased metabolic fluxes in lipid biosynthesis during the stationary phase. During these two stages, Tetraselmis shifts from reduced lipid consumption to active lipid production. This process appears to be independent from DGAT expression, a key gene for lipid accumulation in microalgae.

Pilot study to harmonize the reported influenza intensity levels within the Spanish Influenza Sentinel Surveillance System (SISSS) using the Moving Epidemic Method (MEM).

The intensity of annual Spanish influenza activity is currently estimated from historical data of the Spanish Influenza Sentinel Surveillance System (SISSS) using qualitative indicators from the European Influenza Surveillance Network. However, these indicators are subjective, based on qualitative comparison with historical data of influenza-like illness rates. This pilot study assesses the implementation of Moving Epidemic Method (MEM) intensity levels during the 2014-2015 influenza season within the 17 sentinel networks covered by SISSS, comparing them to historically reported indicators. Intensity levels reported and those obtained with MEM at the epidemic peak of the influenza wave, and at national and regional levels did not show statistical difference (P = 0·74, Wilcoxon signed-rank test), suggesting that the implementation of MEM would have limited disrupting effects on the dynamic of notification within the surveillance system. MEM allows objective influenza surveillance monitoring and standardization of criteria for comparing the intensity of influenza epidemics in regions in Spain. Following this pilot study, MEM has been adopted to harmonize the reporting of intensity levels of influenza activity in Spain, starting in the 2015-2016 season.

Estimating influenza vaccine effectiveness in Spain using sentinel surveillance data.

We aimed to estimate influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza during three influenza seasons (2010/11 to 2012/2013) in Spain using surveillance data and to compare the results with data obtained by the cycEVA study, the Spanish component of the Influenza Monitoring Vaccine Effectiveness (I-MOVE) network. We used the test-negative case­control design, with data from the Spanish Influenza Sentinel Surveillance System (SISS) or from the cycEVA study. Cases were laboratory-confirmed influenza patients with the predominant influenza virus of each season, and controls were those testing negative for any influenza virus. We calculated the overall and age-specific adjusted VE. Although the number of patients recorded in the SISS was three times higher than that in the cycEVA study, the quality of information for important variables, i.e. vaccination status and laboratory results, was high in both studies. Overall, the SISS and cycEVA influenza VE estimates were largely similar during the study period. For elderly patients (> 59 years), the SISS estimates were slightly lower than those of cycEVA, and estimates for children (0­14 years) were higher using SISS in two of the three seasons studied. Enhancing the SISS by collecting the date of influenza vaccination and reducing the percentage of patients with incomplete information would optimise the system to provide reliable annual influenza VE estimates to guide influenza vaccination policies.

Effects of long chain fatty acid synthesis and associated gene expression in microalga Tetraselmis sp.

With the depletion of global fish stocks, caused by high demand and effective fishing techniques, alternative sources for long chain omega-3 fatty acids are required for human nutrition and aquaculture feeds. Recent research has focused on land-based cultivation of microalgae, the primary producers of omega-3 fatty acids in the marine food web. The effect of salinity on fatty acids and related gene expression was studied in the model marine microalga, Tetraselmis sp. M8. Correlations were found for specific fatty acid biosynthesis and gene expression according to salinity and the growth phase. Low salinity was found to increase the conversion of C18:4 stearidonic acid (SDA) to C20:4 eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA), correlating with increased transcript abundance of the Δ-6-elongase-encoding gene in salinities of 5 and 10 ppt compared to higher salinity levels. The expression of the gene encoding ß-ketoacyl-coenzyme was also found to increase at lower salinities during the nutrient deprivation phase (Day 4), but decreased with further nutrient stress. Nutrient deprivation also triggered fatty acids synthesis at all salinities, and C20:5 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) increased relative to total fatty acids, with nutrient starvation achieving a maximum of 7% EPA at Day 6 at a salinity of 40 ppt.

Towards sustainable sources for omega-3 fatty acids production.

Omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docohexaenoic acid (DHA), provide significant health benefits for brain function/development and cardiovascular conditions. However, most EPA and DHA for human consumption is sourced from small fatty fish caught in coastal waters and, with depleting global fish stocks, recent research has been directed towards more sustainable sources. These include aquaculture with plant-based feeds, krill, marine microalgae, microalgae-like protists and genetically-modified plants. To meet the increasing demand for EPA and DHA, further developments are needed towards land-based sources. In particular large-scale cultivation of microalgae and plants is likely to become a reality with expected reductions in production costs, yield increasese and the adequate addressing of genetically modified food acceptance issues.

Influenza vaccine effectiveness in Spain 2013/14: subtype-specific early estimates using the cycEVA study.

Adjusted early estimates of the 2013/14 influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) in Spain for all age groups was 35% (95% CI: -9 to 62), 33% (95% CI: -33 to 67) and 28% (95% CI: -33 to 61) against any influenza virus type, A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses, respectively. For the population targeted for vaccination, the adjusted VE was 44% (95% CI: -11 to 72), 36% (95% CI: -64 to 75) and 42% (95% CI: -29 to 74), respectively. These preliminary results in Spain suggest a suboptimal protective effect of the vaccine against circulating influenza viruses.

Síndrome de gorlin: reporte de un caso / Gorlin syndrome: a case report

INTRODUCCIÓN: El Síndrome de Gorlin o síndrome del nevo basocelular es una enfermedad hereditaria autosómica dominante, caracterizada por anomalías del desarrollo y predisposición a carcinomas basocelulares múltiples, que constituyen uno de los aspectos más preocupantes de esta patología. Pese a su baja prevalencia y manejo por especialistas, es importante para los médicos generales tener los conocimientos necesarios para identificar y derivar lesiones sospechosas de carcinoma basocelular. PRESENTACIÓN DEL CASO: Mujer previamente sana que a los 28 años de edad debuta con dos nevus basocelulares faciales confirmados histológicamente. En la anamnesis y el examen físico se observan prominencias frontales, implantación amplia de la nariz, pits palmares, hipertelorismo, quistes de millium y quistes odontogénicos, con lo que se llega al diagnóstico de síndrome de Gorlin. Se realiza seguimiento durante 13 años identificándose y confirmándose histopatológicamente 14 nevus basocelulares nodulares infiltrantes. DISCUSIÓN: El síndrome de Gorlin tiene una prevalencia estimada en 1/57.000 habitantes. Posee penetrancia variable por lo que no todos los pacientes tienen el antecedente familiar. Para su diagnóstico se han definido criterios mayores, de los cuales la paciente cumple cuatro: carcinomas basocelulares múltiples, quistes odontogénicos, pits palmares y calcificación de la hoz del cerebro; y criterios menores. El tratamiento de los carcinomas basocelulares múltiples essimilar al de las lesiones aisladas, sin embargo, por tratarse de una enfermedad multisistémica es necesario un manejo multidisciplinario de las alteraciones esqueléticas, odontológicas, neurológicas y genitourinarias. Asimismo, se debe enfatizar en la fotoprotección y educación del paciente para la detección de lesiones cutáneas sospechosas.

INTRODUCTION: Gorlin syndrome or nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome is a hereditary autosomal dominant condition characterized by developmental anomalies and predisposition to multiple basal cell carcinomas, which are the most worrying aspects of the disease. Despite its low prevalence and specialized management, it is important for general physicians to be able to identify and refer suspicious lesions of basal cell carcinoma.CASE REPORT: A 28 year-old female, without relevant medical history, presented with two facial basal cell carcinomas histologically confirmed. Physical examination evidenced frontal bossing, a broad nasal root, hypertelorism, millia and odontogeniccysts, which comprise the diagnosis of Gorlin syndrome. 13-year follow-up identified 14 infiltrating nodular basal cell carcinomas. DISCUSSION: Gorlin syndrome has an estimated prevalence of 1 per 57.000 people. It has variable penetrance, therefore not all patients have a compatible family history. Major criteria have been established for its diagnosis, from which our patient fulfills four of them: multiple basal cell carcinomas, odontogenic cysts, palmar pits and calcification of the falx cerebri; and several minor criteria. Treatment of multiple basal cell carcinomas is similar to isolated lesions, however, as a multisystemic disease requires a multidisciplinary management of skeletal disorders, dental, neurological and genitourinary manifestations. Photoprotection and patient education for detection of suspicious skin lesions should be emphasized.

Acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) in vivo assay for screening imidazolinone-resistance in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).

The objective of this work was to evaluate the in vivo acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) activity response to imidazolinones and its possible use as a selection method for evaluating AHAS inhibitor resistance. In vivo AHAS assay and the comparison of parameters from dose-response curves have been used as a valid tool for comparing sunflower lines and hybrids differing in imidazolinone resistance. The sunflower resistant genotypes evaluated here were 100-fold and 20-fold more resistant compared with the susceptible line for imazethapyr and imazapyr, respectively. This assay also allowed discrimination of homozygous from heterozygous genotypes for I(mr1) locus that codify for the catalytic subunit of AHAS. The in vivo AHAS assay described in this study was useful for the selection of sunflower genotypes differing in herbicide resistance and could be a useful tool when breeding for imidazolinone resistance in sunflower.

Tendencia y estacionalidad del virus respiratorio sincitial en Valladolid durante el periodo 1993-2010 / Trend and seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus in Valladolid (Spain) during 1993-2010

Objetivo: Describir la tendencia y la estacionalidad de las infecciones por el virus respiratorio sincitial (VRS) en el Área de Salud de Valladolid Este durante el periodo 1993-2010.Pacientes y métodos: Se incluyeron en el estudio las muestras analizadas entre enero de 1993 y diciembre de 2010 por el Servicio de Microbiología e Inmunología del Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid. Las muestras se clasificaron en función de la edad del paciente y el método de diagnóstico. El análisis virológico se llevó a cabo mediante técnicas de diagnóstico rápido, cultivo celular o microarrays. Se calcularon las tasas anuales referidas al área cubierta por el hospital para identificar la tendencia desde 1993 hasta 2010. Los meses epidémicos se establecieron mediante el índice epidémico, y la periodicidad mediante el método cosinor. Resultados: De 4.103 muestras analizadas de pacientes con síntomas respiratorios, en 1.644 (40,1%) se confirmó la presencia de VRS. Casi el 90% de los casos confirmados se dieron en pacientes menores de 2 años, y el 59,5% en menores de 1 año. Las tasas fluctuaron cada 2-4 años, alcanzando valores máximos en 2002 y 2003, con 41,5 y 44,9 casos por 100.000 habitantes-año, respectivamente. Aunque se produjeron casos durante todo el año, los periodos epidémicos se dieron entre septiembre y marzo, detectándose la mayor incidencia en enero y la menor en julio. Conclusiones: Los datos epidemiológicos (prevalencia del virus en muestras respiratorias y distribución por edad) fueron similares a los descritos en otros estudios. Los periodos epidémicos se describieron entre septiembre y marzo, alcanzado el máximo de incidencia en enero y el mínimo en julio. A pesar de ello, a lo largo de los 18 años estudiados sólo en 5 años no hubo circulación de VRS durante 2-3 meses, y en 8 más el VRS estuvo ausente durante un mes. No hay ningún dato que permita anticipar la ausencia de circulación del virus, aspecto importante para la profilaxis de esta infección (AU)

Purpose: The aim of the study is to describe the trend and seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in the East Valladolid Health Administrative-Division during the period1993-2010.Patients and Methods: Samples processed in the area of Eastern Valladolid by the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Hospital Clínico Universitario of Valladolid between January 1993 and December 2010 were included in the analysis. Cases were classified by age and diagnostic method. Virological diagnosis of the cases was carried out through rapid assay methods, shell-vial cell culture assay or microarray techniques. Annual rates were calculated to identify the trend of the infection from 1993 to 2010. The epidemic index was used to establish epidemic months and cosinor method to evaluate periodicity. Results: From 4,103 samples processed, collected from patients with respiratory symptoms, 1,644 (40.1%) were confirmed to be RSV possitive. Almost 90% of the confirmed cases appeared in patients under 2 years old, 59.5% in younger than1 year old children. The infection trend seems to fluctuate every 2-4 years with higher rate in 2002 and 2003, accounting for 41.5 and 44.9 cases detected per 100,000 inhabitants-year, respectively. Although cases were detected throughout all the year, epidemic periods were detected from September to March with highest values in January and lowest values in July. Conclusions: Epidemiological data (VRS prevalence in respiratory samples and distribution of cases by age) was similar to those obtained in previous studies. Epidemic periods were described from September to March with the highest numbers of cases in January and lowest values in July. In spite of this, along the eighteen years studied there were eight years without RSV detection in one month and only five years without detection in 2-3 months. There is no data that allows to predict the lack of circulation for RSV, being an important factor for the prophylaxis of the infection (AU)

Microalgal biofactories: a promising approach towards sustainable omega-3 fatty acid production.

Omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) provide significant health benefits and this has led to an increased consumption as dietary supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are found in animals, transgenic plants, fungi and many microorganisms but are typically extracted from fatty fish, putting additional pressures on global fish stocks. As primary producers, many marine microalgae are rich in EPA (C20:5) and DHA (C22:6) and present a promising source of omega-3 fatty acids. Several heterotrophic microalgae have been used as biofactories for omega-3 fatty acids commercially, but a strong interest in autotrophic microalgae has emerged in recent years as microalgae are being developed as biofuel crops. This paper provides an overview of microalgal biotechnology and production platforms for the development of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. It refers to implications in current biotechnological uses of microalgae as aquaculture feed and future biofuel crops and explores potential applications of metabolic engineering and selective breeding to accumulate large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in autotrophic microalgae.

Early estimates of the effectiveness of the 2011/12 influenza vaccine in the population targeted for vaccination in Spain, 25 December 2011 to 19 February 2012.

We present early estimates of influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) in the population targeted for vaccination, during 25 December 2011 to 19 February 2012. The adjusted VE was 55% (95% CI: 3 to 79) against any type of influenza virus and 54% (95% CI: 1 to 79) against influenza A(H3N2) virus. This suggests a moderate protective effect of the vaccine in the targeted population in a late influenza epidemic with limited match between vaccine and circulating strains.

Aplicación de una herramienta informática para mejorar el control de caducidades en medicamentos / Application of a computer program tool to improve the control of medicinal product expiry dates

Implantación en un centro de salud de una herramienta informática con el objetivo de facilitar el control de caducidades y garantizar la adecuada trazabilidad de los medicamentos existentes en los botiquines. El proceso se inicia con el registro de entrada de los medicamentos (marca y principio activo), lotes, caducidades y cantidad en la aplicación informática, y al final de cada mes se imprime el informe de caducidades por lotes procediendo a su retirada del botiquín. El programa también permite obtener un informe con los lotes de los medicamentos almacenados permitiendo su rápida localización y retirada en caso de alerta farmacéutica de la Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. El nuevo sistema agiliza y mejora el control y retirada de los medicamentos ya que ahora se revisan lotes y no unidades de ampollas o comprimidos. Ante los buenos resultados obtenidos, se procederá en los próximos meses a su implantación en el resto de centro de salud del Distrito, mediante formación dirigida a los responsables de botiquines (AU)

Deployment Health Center (CS) of a tool, in order to facilitate monitoring of expiry dates and ensure proper tracking of existing drugs in the medicine chest. The process begins with check of drugs (brand and active), batch, expiry dates and quantity in the software, and end of each month to print the batch report forfeitures to the removal of the medicine chest. The program also allows for a report with lots of drugs stored enabling the rapid location and retrieval in the event of drug alert from the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products (Competent Authority). The new system streamlines and improves the control and removal of drugs and lots now reviewed and no blisters or compressed drives. Given the good results obtained, we proceed in the coming months to its implementation in the rest of CS District by training for those responsible for first aid kits (AU)

Sunflower propagation.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has been cultivated both as an oilseed and as an ornamental plant. Several protocols have been described for the micropropagation, direct plant regeneration by organogenesis being acceptable for this plant species. Besides a strong genotype dependency, the type and ontogenic stage of explants, environmental conditions of the culture, and media composition affect sunflower organogenesis. Several problems have hindered the ability to regenerate normal shoots; the most common being hyperhydricity and precocious flowering. This chapter describes a protocol for direct shoot regeneration from cotyledons developed and established in our laboratory, as well as the improvement regenerated shoot quality.

Tractografía y tensor de difusión en el estudio por resonancia magnética del nervio mediano: reporte de un caso / Tractography and diffusion tensor imaging in the study of the median nerve by magnetic resonance imaging: a case report

Introduction: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an essential tool for the study of central nervous system disorders. Several studies consider the application of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography in the study of peripheral nerves. Methodology: We performed tractography and DTI in two female patients, one with a confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome and the other in good health conditions. Values of fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were recorded. Results: The average FA valué of the fiber was 0.461 (case) and 0.632 (control). No differences were reported between the average valúes of the ADC of the fiber. Discussion: We were able to represent the tract of the median nerve by using a software fortractography reconstruction. The morphology and valúes of quantitative analysis of DTI depend directly on the reconstruction algorithm used, mainly on the minimum FA value of the fiber to be reconstructed. The value of the FA, obtained by zone, was the most constant variable, being lower for the case.

Introducción: La resonancia magnética es una herramienta indispensable en el estudio de enfermedades del sistema nervioso central. Varios estudios consideran la aplicación del tensor de difusión (DTI) y tractografía en el estudio de nervios periféricos. Metodología: Se realizó tractografía y DTI en dos mujeres, una con síndrome del túnel carpiano confirmado y otra sin patología. Se consignaron valores de fracción de anisotropía (FA) y coeficiente de difusión aparente (ADC). Resultados: El valor promedio de FA de la fibra fue 0,461 (caso) y 0,632 (control). No hubo diferencias entre valores promedios de ADC de fibras. Discusión: Se logró representar el tracto del nervio mediano utilizando software de reconstrucción de tractografía. La morfología y valores del análisis cuantitativo del DTI dependen directamente del algoritmo de reconstrucción utilizado, especialmente del umbral mínimo de FA de la fibra a reconstruir. El valor más constante es FA, obtenido por zona, siendo menor en el caso.

Técnica radiográfica en radiografía computada / Radiographic technique in computed radiography

Esta es una corta exposición de los conceptos y procesos en radiografía digital, modo radiografía computada, y su relación con el sistema análogo folio-película.