The Effect of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Minor Phenolic Compound 3',4'-Dihydroxyphenylglycol in Experimental Diabetic Kidney Disease.

The aim of this study was to analyze the possible nephroprotective effect of 3',4'-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG), a polyphenolic compound of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), on renal lesions in an experimental model of type 1 diabetes. Rats were distributed as follows: healthy normoglycemic rats (NDR), diabetic rats treated with saline (DR), and DR treated with 0.5 mg/kg/day or 1 mg/kg/day of DHPG. DR showed a significantly higher serum and renal oxidative and nitrosative stress profile than NDR, as well as reduced prostacyclin production and renal damage (defined as urinary protein excretion, reduced creatinine clearance, increased glomerular volume, and increased glomerulosclerosis index). DHPG reduced the oxidative and nitrosative stress and increased prostacyclin production (a 59.2% reduction in DR and 34.7-7.8% reduction in DHPG-treated rats), as well as 38-56% reduction in urinary protein excretion and 22-46% reduction in glomerular morphological parameters (after the treatment with 0.5 or 1 mg/kg/day, respectively). Conclusions: DHPG administration to type 1-like diabetic rats exerts a nephroprotective effect probably due to the sum of its antioxidant (Pearson's coefficient 0.68-0.74), antinitrosative (Pearson's coefficient 0.83), and prostacyclin production regulator (Pearson's coefficient 0.75) effects.

Application of a new protocol for providing obstetric care in an outpatient service during the COVID-19 pandemic in a public hospital in Madrid, Spain.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical implementation of a preventive COVID-19 protocol regarding re-organization of appointments and documented infections among health workers in an obstetric outpatient service. Methods: Descriptive analysis of the antenatal care at our obstetric outpatient service and infection rates among health care providers from March 19th to May 22nd, 2020. Appointments were divided into telephone calls or face-to-face examinations. A pre-consultation triage was implemented to identify suspected SARS-CoV2 infected women to reschedule them 14 days later or, if the consultation was non-delayable, to use complete Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Firstly, the number of face-to-face appointments, telephone appointments, and COVID-19 diagnoses in pregnant women were analyzed. Secondly, the number of obstetricians and nurses diagnosed with SARS-CoV2 infection and their serologic status during universal screening in May 2020 were recorded. Results: One thousand eight hundred forty-two obstetric appointments were scheduled during this period, including 432 (23.5%) telephone appointments (96.53% according to clinical protocol, 1.62% symptomatic patients advised to stay at home, and 1.85% COVID-19 confirmed cases), and 1,410 (76.5%) face-to-face appointments (9.7% did not attend due to fear of getting the infection, 3.1% were lost-to-follow-up, 0.5% were rescheduled due to COVID-19 symptoms and 86.7% who did attend). Of the 1,223 women attending their hospital appointment, 3.6% screened positive at the triage (72.7% rescheduled and 27.3% seen with PPE). 43 rRT-PCR-SARS-CoV2 tests were performed, and two tested positive. No COVID-19 symptoms were reported among health workers at the outpatient obstetric service, and only one nurse presented immunoglobulin (Ig)G anti-SARS-CoV2. Conclusion: A prompt implementation of a preventive protocol in a hospital obstetric outpatient service, including triage, hygienic and preventive measurements, and rescheduling pregnancy appointments, reduces the percentage of health workers affected by SARS-CoV2.

Neuroprotective Effect of 3',4'-Dihydroxyphenylglycol in Type-1-like Diabetic Rats-Influence of the Hydroxytyrosol/3',4'-dihydroxyphenylglycol Ratio.

The aim of this study was to assess the possible neuroprotective effect of 3',4'-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG), a polyphenol from extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), in an experimental model of diabetes and whether this effect is modified by the presence of another EVOO polyphenol, hydroxytyrosol (HT). The neuroprotective effect was assessed in a hypoxia-reoxygenation model in brain slices and by quantifying retinal nerve cells. The animals were distributed as follows: (1) normoglycemic rats (NDR), (2) diabetic rats (DR), (3) DR treated with HT (5 mg/kg/day p.o.), (4) DR treated with DHPG (0.5 mg/kg/day), or (5) with 1 mg/kg/day, (6) DR treated with HT plus DHPG 0.5 mg/kg/day, or (7) HT plus 1 mg/kg/day p.o. DHPG. Diabetic animals presented higher levels of oxidative stress variables and lower numbers of neuronal cells in retinal tissue. The administration of DHPG or HT reduced most of the oxidative stress variables and brain lactate dehydrogenase efflux (LDH) as an indirect index of cellular death and also reduced the loss of retinal cells. The association of DHPG+HT in the same proportions, as found in EVOO, improved the neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of both polyphenols.

Synergistic Effect of 3',4'-Dihidroxifenilglicol and Hydroxytyrosol on Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress and Some Cardiovascular Biomarkers in an Experimental Model of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

The objective of this study was to assess a possible synergistic effect of two extra-virgin olive oil polyphenols, 3,4,-dyhydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) and hydroxytyrosol (HT), in an experimental model of type 1 diabetes. Seven groups of animals were studied: (1) Nondiabetic rats (NDR), (2) 2-month-old diabetic rats (DR), (3) DR treated with 5 mg/kg/day p.o. HT, (4) DR treated with 0.5 mg/kg/day p.o. DHPG, (5) DR treated with 1 mg/kg/day p.o. DHPG, (6) DR treated with HT + DHPG (0.5), (7) DR treated with HT + DHPG (1). Oxidative stress variables (lipid peroxidation, glutathione, total antioxidant activity, 8-isoprostanes, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, and oxidized LDL), nitrosative stress (3-nitrotyrosine), and some cardiovascular biomarkers (platelet aggregation, thromboxane B2, prostacyclin, myeloperoxidase, and vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1)) were analyzed. The diabetic animals showed an imbalance in all of the analyzed variables. HT exerted an antioxidant and downregulatory effect on prothrombotic biomarkers while reducing the fall of prostacyclin. DHPG presented a similar, but quantitatively lower, profile. HT plus DHPG showed a synergistic effect in the reduction of oxidative and nitrosative stress, platelet aggregation, production of prostacyclin, myeloperoxidase, and VCAM-1. This synergism could be important for the development of functional oils enriched in these two polyphenols in the proportion used in this study.

Nephroprotective Effect of the Virgin Olive Oil Polyphenol Hydroxytyrosol in Type 1-like Experimental Diabetes Mellitus: Relationships with Its Antioxidant Effect.

The aim of this study was to determine whether hydroxytyrosol administration prevented kidney damage in an experimental model of type 1 diabetes mellitus in rats. Hydroxytyrosol was administered to streptozotocin-diabetic rats: 1 and 5 mg/kg/day p.o. for two months. After hydroxytyrosol administration, proteinuria was significantly reduced (67-73%), calculated creatinine clearance was significantly increased (26-38%), and the glomerular volume and glomerulosclerosis index were decreased (20-30%). Hydroxytyrosol reduced oxidative and nitrosative stress variables and thromboxane metabolite production. Statistical correlations were found between biochemical and kidney function variables. Oral administration of 1 and 5 mg/kg/day of hydroxytyrosol produced an antioxidant and nephroprotective effect in an experimental model of type 1-like diabetes mellitus. The nephroprotective effect was significantly associated with the systemic and renal antioxidant action of hydroxytyrosol, which also influenced eicosanoid production.

Extra Virgin Oil Polyphenols Improve the Protective Effects of Hydroxytyrosol in an In Vitro Model of Hypoxia-Reoxygenation of Rat Brain.

Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is the component primarily responsible for the neuroprotective effect of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). However, it is less effective on its own than the demonstrated neuroprotective effect of EVOO, and for this reason, it can be postulated that there is an interaction between several of the polyphenols of EVOO. The objective of the study was to assess the possible interaction of four EVOO polyphenols (HT, tyrosol, dihydroxyphenylglycol, and oleocanthal) in an experimental model of hypoxia-reoxygenation in rat brain slices. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) efflux, lipid peroxidation, and peroxynitrite production were determined as measures of cell death, oxidative stress, and nitrosative stress, respectively. First, the polyphenols were incubated with the brain slices in the same proportions that exist in EVOO, comparing their effects with those of HT. In all cases, the cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of the combination were greater than those of HT alone. Second, we calculated the concentration-effect curves for HT in the absence or presence of each polyphenol. Tyrosol did not significantly modify any of the variables inhibited by HT. Dihydroxyphenylglycol only increased the cytoprotective effect of HT at 10 µM, while it increased its antioxidant effect at 50 and 100 µM and its inhibitory effect on peroxynitrite formation at all the concentrations tested. Oleocanthal increased the cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of HT but did not modify its inhibitory effect on nitrosative stress. The results of this study show that the EVOO polyphenols DHPG and OLC increase the cytoprotective effect of HT in an experimental model of hypoxia-reoxygenation in rat brain slices, mainly due to a possibly synergistic effect on HT's antioxidant action. These results could explain the greater neuroprotective effect of EVOO than of the polyphenols alone.

Digital resources for transfusion education.

INTRODUCTION: Regular training in the blood transfusion process is crucial for transfusion safety. Hospital transfusion committees have an obligation to provide this education to hospital employees through training activities. E-learning is positioning itself as a valid alternative to physical-presence courses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe a training course on blood transfusion to members of our hospital who are involved in the transfusion process, including technicians, nurses, and doctors. The course uses Moodle as the e-learning platform; it is evaluated using a satisfaction survey along with a knowledge-transfer and impact survey a year after taking the course. RESULTS: From 2015 to 2018, seven editions of the online transfusion course were developed. Six hundred and eighty students enrolled; of these, 124 did not take the final examination (18.2%); 60 never began the course (8.8%). Of the 556 students who completed the course, 546 passed (98.2%). The average score from the initial self-assessment was 7.3 while the average score from the final self-assessment was 9.2; the mean improvement was 1.9 (out of 10). The level of general course satisfaction was 9.27 (an average out of 10). More than 90% of the students stated that they were able to apply the acquired knowledge in the workplace after a year. CONCLUSIONS: E-learning has demonstrated itself as an affordable solution that could help in the training of all staff involved in the transfusion process at our hospital, with the advantage that it includes general knowledge and particular skills in local transfusion medical practice.

Green and Bio-Based Solvents.

Chemical reactions and many of the procedures of separation and purification employed in industry, research or chemistry teaching utilize solvents massively. In the last decades, with the birth of Green Chemistry, concerns about the employment of solvents and the effects on human health, as well as its environmental impacts and its dependence on non-renewable raw materials for manufacturing most of them, has drawn the attention of the scientific community. In this work, we review the concept of green solvent and the properties and characteristics to be considered green. Additionally, we discuss the different possible routes to prepare many solvents from biomass, as an alternative way to those methods currently applied in the petrochemical industry.

Paludismo por Plasmodium falciparum en pacientes sin viaje reciente a zona endémica / Plasmodium falciparum malaria in patients without a recent travel history to an endemic area

No disponible

Diagnóstico de doble heterocigosis hemoglobina O-Arab y alfa-talasemia tras detección de variante de hemoglobina inusualmente baja / Diagnosis of a double heterozygous Hb O-Arab and alpha-thalassaemia after the detection of an unusually low haemoglobin variantc

Las hemoglobinopatías constituyen los trastornos monogénicos más frecuentes, sobre todo en determinadas razas y áreas, por su efecto protector frente a la malaria. Los cambios migratorios están provocando un aumento de estas alteraciones en el mundo occidental. La cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC) es el método de elección actual para la detección de hemoglobinopatías estructurales y cuantificación de hemoglobina A2 y fetal. Describimos un caso clínico donde se identificó una doble heterocigosis Hb O-Arab y α-talasemia tras detección de microcitosis y una variante anómala de hemoglobina de menor valor del esperado, destacando la idoneidad del estudio multidisciplinar de este tipo de enfermedades (AU)

Haemoglobinopathies are the most frequent monogenic disorders, particularly in certain races and areas, because of their protective effect against malaria. Migratory changes are leading to an increase in these conditions in the western world. High Performance Liquid Chromotography (HPLC) is nowadays a method of choice in detecting structural haemoglobinopathies and in the quantification of foetal and haemoglobin (Hb) A2. A clinical case is described in which a double heterozygous Hb O-Arab and α-thalassaemia was identified following the detection of microcytosis and an anomalous haemoglobin variant, which was lower than expected - highlighting the appropriateness of a multidisciplinary study for these types of pathologies (AU)

Bosentan and oral anticoagulants in HIV patients: what we can learn of cases reported so far.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is an infrequent but nevertheless serious life-threatening severe complication of HIV infection. It can be treated with bosentan and oral anticoagulants. Bosentan could induce the acenocoumarol metabolism and it increases the INR values. Until now, no study of interaction between bosentan and oral anticoagulants in HIV patients has reported. So we present a case of this interaction between these drugs and we reviewed MEDLINE to identify all the papers published so far. In our case, several weeks after increasing dose of bosentan acenocoumarol dose had to be progressively increased to 70 mg/week (+33%) without obtaining an adequate INR level (2.0-3.0). Forty-nine days later, we achieved a therapeutic INR with 90 mg/week of warfarin. The use of bosentan and oral anticoagulants together in these patients require a closer monitoring during first weeks of treatment, after increasing the bosentan dose and even during longer periods of time.

La exposición a plaguicidas se asocia con la disminución del recuento espermático / Pesticide exposure and decreased sperm count

Introducción. Recientes estudios han demostrado un posible descenso de la calidad seminal en el hombre, debido, en parte, a sustancias químicas exógenas al organismo, y entre éstas, algunas con actividad hormonal, consideradas disruptores endocrinos, como son los plaguicidas. Estos estudios se han criticado por el sesgo que pueden presentar en cuanto a la selección de las poblaciones de estudio y en cuanto a la metodología analítica empleada. Material y métodos. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es valorar la concentración de plaguicidas en las muestras de sangre, así como el recuento espermático y la calidad en las muestras de semen, según los criterios de la OMS, de una población de 273 varones con una media de edad de 20,7 años, sin antecedentes patológicos del Sudeste de España y reclutados en colaboración con la Universidad de Almería. Resultados. En la totalidad de las 224 muestras de suero disponibles se cuantificó al menos un plaguicida, con una mediana de 11 plaguicidas por muestra; el p,p’-DDE es el más frecuente, presente en el 95,98% de las muestras. Únicamente con el endosulfán-sulfato (presente en el 45,1% de los voluntarios) se encontró una fuerte tendencia a la reducción de más 1,23 millones en el número total de espermatozoides, por lo que se alcanzó la significación estadística (p = 0,009; con un intervalo de confianza del 95%: −1,43 a −1,05). En cuanto al número de espermatozoides móviles, también únicamente con el endosulfán-sulfato, se presentó un descenso estadísticamente significativo de 1,23 millones (p = 0,02; con un intervalo de confianza del 95%: −1,47 a −1,04) (AU)

Introduction. Recent studies have demonstrated a possible decline in semen quality in men. One of the reasons for this is due, in part, to exogenous chemical substances, some of which have hormonal activity, and are considered to be endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Pesticides can be included in this group. Material and methods. These studies have been criticized both for errors in selecting the study group as well as for the analytical methods employed. The objective of our study is to evaluate the concentration of pesticides in blood samples-in addition to the sperm count and semen quality parameters (according to criteria set out by the W.H.O.) in a population of 273 healthy men with an average age of 20.7 years; all from Southern Spain and recruited in collaboration with the University of Almeria. Results. Out of the total of 224 serum samples available, at least one pesticide was quantified per sample, with an average of 11 pesticides per sample; the most frequent being p,p’-DDE, present in 95.98% of the samples. Only in the case of endosulfan sulphate (present in 45.1% of the volunteers) was there a strong reduction tendency in the number of spermatozoa of more than 1.23 million, reaching statistical significance(P=0.009), with a 95% confidence interval of −1.43 to −1.05. As far as the number of motile spermatozoa were concerned, it was also only with endosulfan sulphate that a statistically significant reduction of 1.23 million (P=0.02) in the total number appeared, with a 95% confidence interval of −1.47 to −1.04) (AU)

Effect of virgin olive oil plus acetylsalicylic acid on brain slices damage after hypoxia-reoxygenation in rats with type 1-like diabetes mellitus.

Aspirin is the most widely used drug for the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. Moreover virgin olive oil (VOO) administration exerts a neuroprotective effect in healthy rat brain slices. The aim of the present study was to determine the possible influence of VOO administration to streptozotocin-diabetic rats (DR) on the neuroprotective effect of aspirin in rat brain. DR were treated during 3 months with saline, aspirin (2mg/kg/day p.o.), VOO (0.5 mL/kg/day p.o.) or its association; a control normoglycemic group was treated with saline. Brain slices were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation before a reoxygenation period. All the treatments significantly reduced lactate dehydrogenase LDH efflux after reoxygenation (-54.1% for aspirin, -51.3% for VOO and -72.9% for aspirin plus VOO). Lipid peroxides in brain slices were also reduced after the treatment with aspirin (-17.90%), VOO (-37.3%) and aspirin plus VOO (-49.2%). Production of nitric oxide after reoxygenation was inhibited by all the treatments (-46.5% for ASA, -48.2% for VOO and -75.8% for ASA plus VOO). The activity of the inducible isoform (iNOS) was inhibited by the three types of treatment (-31.8% for ASA, -29.1% for VOO and -56.0% for ASA plus VOO). The main conclusion of our study is that daily oral administration of VOO to diabetic rats may be a natural way to increase the neuroprotective effect of aspirin in diabetic animals.

Effects of bemiparin, dalteparin, and unfractionated heparin on platelet interaction with human subendothelium under flow conditions.

We compared the effects of the low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), bemiparin, and dalteparin with unfractionated heparin (UFH) on the platelet subendothelium interaction under flow conditions. All three compounds decreased the percentage of subendothelial matrix covered by platelets, although the effect of LMWH was greater than that of UFH. Subendothelial matrix covered with platelet structures greater than 100 square microns was significantly reduced by all three compounds; the effect of bemiparin tended to be greater than that of the other two heparins.

Effects of dexibuprofen on platelet function in humans: comparison with low-dose aspirin.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study is to evaluate the antiplatelet effect of dexibuprofen in healthy volunteers in comparison with low-dose aspirin. METHODS: Healthy volunteers (n = 12) were treated in a crossover manner with 100 mg daily aspirin or with 800 mg daily dexibuprofen. Blood samples were obtained within 24 h; 3, 7, and 14 days after repeated doses; and 24 h after the last dose. In each sample, the authors measured platelet aggregation, thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha, and nitric oxide. RESULTS: The antiplatelet effect of dexibuprofen (maximal inhibition of aggregation was 48-55% for adenosine diphosphate and 90-95% for collagen and arachidonic acid) was equal to the effect of aspirin. The main difference between the two drugs was in the degree of recovery of platelet function. The effect of aspirin persisted for 24 h after the last dose (remaining inhibition 50%, respect to the pretreatment value), whereas platelet aggregation had returned to baseline pretreatment values within 24 h after dexibuprofen was stopped. CONCLUSIONS: Both aspirin and dexibuprofen inhibited platelet function with a similar intensity, but dexibuprofen exerted a reversible effect for 24 h after the last dose.

Influence of glucose concentration on the effects of aspirin, ticlopidine and clopidogrel on platelet function and platelet-subendothelium interaction.

Clinical studies have shown that the ability of aspirin to prevent cerebrovascular accidents is weaker in patients with diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine whether high concentrations of glucose modified the effect of aspirin, ticlopidine and clopigodrel on platelet function and platelet-subendothelium interactions. This in vitro study tested three different concentrations of glucose. The effects were analyzed by comparing platelet aggregometry in whole blood, nitric oxide and prostacyclin production in cultures of human endothelial cells, and by quantitative analysis of morphological features of the platelet-subendothelium interaction under flow conditions. High concentrations of glucose increased platelet aggregation (13.9 Omega with 5 mM glucose vs. 21.6 Omega with 16.6 mM) and platelet-subendothelium interactions (28.9% with 5 mM glucose vs.35.2% with 16.6 mM), and decreased nitric oxide and prostacyclin production. In the presence of high concentrations of glucose, the antiaggregant effect of aspirin and its influence on nitric oxide production were diminished (IC50 54 microM with 5 mM glucose vs.556 microM with 16.6 mM glucose), and its effect on the platelet-subendothelium interaction was reduced (10.5% platelet occupancy with 5 mM glucose vs.23% with 16.6 mM glucose). The effects of ticlopidine and clopidogrel were not significantly modified.

In vitro effects of clopidogrel on the platelet-subendothelium interaction, platelet thromboxane and endothelial prostacyclin production, and nitric oxide synthesis.

Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet drug that belongs to the group of thienopyridines. Because of its main mechanism of action most studies of clopidogrel have centered on the platelet ADP pathway. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of clopidogrel, ticlopidine, and aspirin, on platelet activation by collagen (the main inducer of platelet activation in vivo), prostanoid, and NO production, and the effects on blood perfusion experiments. Clopidogrel inhibited platelet aggregation induced in whole blood by collagen and TxB2 production to a greater extent than did ticlopidine. Prostacyclin synthesis did not change after incubation with thienopyridines, whereas aspirin inhibited synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Thienopyridines increased NO production to a greater extent than did aspirin. All three drugs impaired the platelet-subendothelium interaction under flow conditions. With thienopyridines, the presence of endothelium did not modify the percentage of the surface coated by platelets.

[Typification and screening of irregular antibodies. Establishing its use at a urology department]. / Tipificación y detección de anticuerpos irregulares (type and screen). Implantación de su uso en una unidad de urología.

OBJECTIVES: To achieve a better use of the packed red blood cells stock at our centre's blood bank, and to analyse cost-savings associated with the implementation of the type and screen (T/S) technology. METHODS: We analyse the results, complications and cost-savings achieved with the use of T/S at the Urology Department in our centre, for the transurethral resection of bladder tumour and prostate. RESULTS: A total of 232 T/S were performed; 3 patients required blood transfusions (1.3%). No complications appeared. Total cost-savings from December 1999 to December 2001 were 7.620 Euros (1,267,861.3 pesetas). CONCLUSIONS: T/S is a safe procedure allowing a better use of blood stocks in a hospital with a substantial economic saving.

Tipificación y detección de anticuerpos irregulares (Type and Screen). Implantación de su uso en una unidad de urología / Blood typing and screening of irregular antibodies. Implementation of its use in an Urology department

OBJETIVOS: Conseguir una mejor utilización del stock de hematíes del Depósito de Sangre de nuestro centro y analizar el ahorro conseguido con la implantación de la metodología de Type and Screen (T/S).MÉTODOS: Analizamos los resultados de la utilización de T/S en la Unidad de Urología de nuestro centro en los procedimientos de resección transuretral de vejiga y próstata, las complicaciones presentadas y el ahorro conseguido. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron un total de 232 T/S, hubo que transfundir a 3 pacientes (1,3 per cent). No se presentó ninguna complicación. El ahorro conseguido fue de 7.620 E (1.267.861,3 pesetas) desde diciembre de 1999 a diciembre del 2001.CONCLUSIONES: El T/S es un procedimiento seguro que permite una mejor utilización de los depósitos de sangre de un hospital con un ahorro económico considerable (AU)