Determination of Quality Parameters in Mangetout (Pisum sativum L. ssp. arvense) by Using Vis/Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy.

Pisum sativum L. ssp. arvense, is colloquially called tirabeque or mangetout because it is eaten whole; its pods are recognized as a delicatessen in cooking due to its crunch on the palate and high sweetness. Furthermore, this legume is an important source of protein and antioxidant compounds. Quality control in this species requires the analysis of a large number of samples using costly and laborious conventional methods. For this reason, a non-chemical and rapid technique as near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was explored to determine its physicochemical quality (color, firmness, total soluble solids, pH, total polyphenols, ascorbic acid and protein content). Pod samples from different cultivars and grown under different fertigation treatments were added to the NIRS analysis to increase spectral and chemical variability in the calibration set. Modified partial least squares regression was used for obtaining the calibration models of these parameters. The coefficients of determination in the external validation ranged from 0.50 to 0.88. The RPD (standard deviation to standard error of prediction ratio) and RER (standard deviation to range) were variable for quality parameters and showed values that were characteristic of equations suitable for quantitative prediction and screening purposes, except for the total soluble solid calibration model.

Guiding the global evolution of cytogenetic testing for hematologic malignancies.

Cytogenetics has long represented a critical component in the clinical evaluation of hematologic malignancies. Chromosome banding studies provide a simultaneous snapshot of genome-wide copy number and structural variation, which have been shown to drive tumorigenesis, define diseases, and guide treatment. Technological innovations in sequencing have ushered in our present-day clinical genomics era. With recent publications highlighting novel sequencing technologies as alternatives to conventional cytogenetic approaches, we, an international consortium of laboratory geneticists, pathologists, and oncologists, describe herein the advantages and limitations of both conventional chromosome banding and novel sequencing technologies and share our considerations on crucial next steps to implement these novel technologies in the global clinical setting for a more accurate cytogenetic evaluation, which may provide improved diagnosis and treatment management. Considering the clinical, logistic, technical, and financial implications, we provide points to consider for the global evolution of cytogenetic testing.

Hiperentorno educativo para el aprendizaje de la informática y el proceso investigativo de las carreras de tecnología de la salud / Educational Hyperentorno for the learning of computer science and the investigative process of the health technology careers

Se diseñó un software educativo, de tipo hiperentorno, para desarrollar los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje en las asignaturas Informática e Investigación de las carreras de tecnología de la salud, desde junio de 2011 hasta igual periodo de 2013. Se aplicaron métodos científicos para corroborar el estado real de los conocimientos y las habilidades sobre los aspectos abordados en este software, el cual se estructuró en diferentes módulos: Temario, Ejercicios, Glosario, Mediateca, Complementos, Juegos y Ayuda, con interrelaciones entre sí, que permitieron el desarrollo del aprendizaje. En su elaboración se utilizaron varios programas de diseño, pero el CrheaSoft 2.2 constituyó la herramienta principal para su montaje(AU)

An educational software, of hyperentorno type was designed to develop the teaching-learning processes in the subjects Computer science and Investigation of the health technology careers from June, 2011 to the same period of 2013. Scientific methods were applied to corroborate the real state of knowledge and skills on the aspects contained in this software, which was structured in different modules: Agenda, Exercises, Glossary, Mediateca, Complements, Games and Helps, with interrelations between them, allowing the development of learning. In its elaboration several design programs were used, but the CrheaSoft 2.2 constituted the main tool for its implementation(AU)

Hiperentorno educativo para el aprendizaje de la informática y el proceso investigativo de las carreras de tecnología de la salud / Educational Hyperentorno for the learning of computer science and the investigative process of the health technology careers

Se diseñó un software educativo, de tipo hiperentorno, para desarrollar los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje en las asignaturas Informática e Investigación de las carreras de tecnología de la salud, desde junio de 2011 hasta igual periodo de 2013. Se aplicaron métodos científicos para corroborar el estado real de los conocimientos y las habilidades sobre los aspectos abordados en este software, el cual se estructuró en diferentes módulos: Temario, Ejercicios, Glosario, Mediateca, Complementos, Juegos y Ayuda, con interrelaciones entre sí, que permitieron el desarrollo del aprendizaje. En su elaboración se utilizaron varios programas de diseño, pero el CrheaSoft 2.2 constituyó la herramienta principal para su montaje.

An educational software, of hyperentorno type was designed to develop the teaching-learning processes in the subjects Computer science and Investigation of the health technology careers from June, 2011 to the same period of 2013. Scientific methods were applied to corroborate the real state of knowledge and skills on the aspects contained in this software, which was structured in different modules: Agenda, Exercises, Glossary, Mediateca, Complements, Games and Helps, with interrelations between them, allowing the development of learning. In its elaboration several design programs were used, but the CrheaSoft 2.2 constituted the main tool for its implementation.

Antidepressive and anxiolytic activity of selective estrogen receptor modulators in ovariectomized mice submitted to chronic unpredictable stress.

Estradiol has antidepressive and anxiolytic actions. However, its therapeutic use is limited by its peripheral effects. Selective estrogen receptor modulators may represent an alternative to estradiol for the treatment of depressive symptoms. Here we report that tamoxifen and raloxifene decrease immobility time in the forced swim test and increases the time spent in open arms in the elevated plus maze in ovariectomized mice submitted to chronic unpredictable stress.

Prenatal stress induces long-term effects in cell turnover in the hippocampus-hypothalamus-pituitary axis in adult male rats.

Subchronic gestational stress leads to permanent modifications in the hippocampus-hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis of offspring probably due to the increase in circulating glucocorticoids known to affect prenatal programming. The aim of this study was to investigate whether cell turnover is affected in the hippocampus-hypothalamus-pituitary axis by subchronic prenatal stress and the intracellular mechanisms involved. Restraint stress was performed in pregnant rats during the last week of gestation (45 minutes; 3 times/day). Only male offspring were used for this study and were sacrificed at 6 months of age. In prenatally stressed adults a decrease in markers of cell death and proliferation was observed in the hippocampus, hypothalamus and pituitary. This was associated with an increase in insulin-like growth factor-I mRNA levels, phosphorylation of CREB and calpastatin levels and inhibition of calpain -2 and caspase -8 activation. Levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 were increased and levels of the pro-apoptotic factor p53 were reduced. In conclusion, prenatal restraint stress induces a long-term decrease in cell turnover in the hippocampus-hypothalamus-pituitary axis that might be at least partly mediated by an autocrine-paracrine IGF-I effect. These changes could condition the response of this axis to future physiological and pathophysiological situations.

Metal-biomolecule frameworks (MBioFs).

Biomolecules are the building blocks of life. Nature has evolved countless biomolecules that show promise for bridging metal ions. These molecules have emerged as an excellent source of biocompatible building blocks that can be used to design Metal-Biomolecule Frameworks (MBioFs). This feature article highlights the advances in the synthesis of this class of MOFs. Special emphasis is provided on the crystal structures of these materials, their miniaturization to the submicron length scale, and their new potential storage, catalytic, and biomedical applications.

Estrogen receptor ligands counteract cognitive deficits caused by androgen deprivation in male rats.

Androgen deprivation causes impairment of cognitive tasks in rodents and humans, and this deficit can be reverted by androgen replacement therapy. Part of the effects of androgens in the male may be mediated by their local metabolism to estradiol or 3-alpha androstanediol within the brain and the consequent activation of estrogen receptors. In this study we have assessed whether the administration of estradiol benzoate, the estrogen receptor ß selective agonist diarylpropionitrile or the estrogen receptor α selective agonist propyl pyrazole triol affect performance of androgen-deprived male Wistar rats in the cross-maze test. In addition, we tested the effect of raloxifene and tamoxifen, two selective estrogen receptor modulators used in clinical practice. The behavior of the rats was assessed 2 weeks after orchidectomy or sham surgery. Orchidectomy impaired acquisition in the cross-maze test. Estradiol benzoate and the selective estrogen receptor ß agonist significantly improved acquisition in the cross-maze test compared to orchidectomized animals injected with vehicle. Raloxifene and tamoxifen at a dose of 1mg/kg, but not at doses of 0.5 or 2mg/kg, also improved acquisition of orchidectomized animals. Our findings suggest that estrogenic compounds with affinity for estrogen receptor ß and selective estrogen receptor modulators, such as raloxifene and tamoxifen, may represent good candidates to promote cognitive performance in androgen-deprived males.

Long-term ovariectomy enhances anxiety and depressive-like behaviors in mice submitted to chronic unpredictable stress.

Ovarian hormones exert anti-depressive and anxiolytic actions. In this study we have analyzed the effects of ovariectomy on the development of anxiety and depression-like behaviors and on cell proliferation in the hippocampus of mice submitted to chronic unpredictable stress. Animals submitted to stress 4 months after ovariectomy showed a significant increase in immobility behavior in the forced swimming test compared to animals submitted to stress 2 weeks after ovariectomy. In addition, long-term ovariectomy resulted in a significant decrease on the time spent in the open arms in the elevated plus-maze test compared to control animals. Stress did not significantly affect cell proliferation in the hilus of the dentate gyrus. However, ovariectomy resulted in a significant decrease in cell proliferation. These results indicate that long-term deprivation of ovarian hormones enhances the effect of chronic unpredictable stress on depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Therefore, a prolonged deprivation of ovarian hormones may represent a risk factor for the development of depressive and anxiety symptoms after the exposure to stressful experiences.

Gender differences in the long-term effects of chronic prenatal stress on the HPA axis and hypothalamic structure in rats.

Stress during pregnancy can impair biological and behavioral responses in the adult offspring and some of these effects are associated with structural changes in specific brain regions. Furthermore, these outcomes can vary according to strain, gender, and type and duration of the maternal stress. Indeed, early stress can induce sexually dimorphic long-term effects on diverse endocrine axes, including subsequent responses to stress. However, whether hypothalamic structural modifications are associated with these endocrine disruptions has not been reported. Thus, we examined the gender differences in the long-term effects of prenatal and adult immobilization stress on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and the associated changes in hypothalamic structural proteins. Pregnant Wistar rats were subjected to immobilization stress three times daily (45 min each) during the last week of gestation. One half of the offspring were subjected to the same regimen of stress on 10 consecutive days starting at postnatal day (PND) 90. At sacrifice (PND 180), serum corticosterone levels were significantly higher in females compared to males and increased significantly in females subjected to both stresses with no change in males. Prenatal stress increased pituitary ACTH content in males, with no effect in females. Hypothalamic CRH mRNA levels were significantly increased by prenatal stress in females, but decreased in male rats. In females neither stress affected hypothalamic cell death, as determined by cytoplasmic histone-associated DNA fragment levels or proliferation, determined by proliferating cell nuclear antigen levels (PCNA); however, in males there was a significant decrease in cell death in response to prenatal stress and a decrease in PCNA levels with both prenatal and adult stress. In all groups BrdU immunoreactivity colocalized in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive cells, with few BrdU/NeuN labelled cells found. Furthermore, in males the astrocyte marker S100ß increased with prenatal stress and decreased with adult stress, suggesting affectation of astrocytes. Synapsin-1 levels were increased by adult stress in females and by prenatal stress in males, while, PSD95 levels were increased in females and decreased in males by both prenatal and adult stress. In conclusion, hypothalamic structural rearrangement appears to be involved in the long-term endocrine outcomes observed after both chronic prenatal and adult stresses. Furthermore, many of these changes are not only different between males and females, but opposite, which could underlie the gender differences in the long-term sequelae of chronic stress, including subsequent responses to stress.

Alta prevalencia de consumo de neurolípticos en las personas ancianas con demencia / High prevalence of neuroleptic drug use in elderly people with dementia

Fundamento y objetivo: Para tratar los síntomas psicológicos y conductuales asociados a demencia frecuentemente es necesario el uso de neurolépticos. El objetivo del estudio fue conocer la prevalencia y las características de los mayores de 65 años con demencia que habían tomado neurolépticos y comprobar las diferencias con los no tratados. Se analiza el subgrupo con enfermedad de Alzheimer como objetivo secundario. Pacientes y método: Evaluación prospectiva de 515 pacientes mayores de 64 años con demencia. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, tipo de demencia, índice de Barthel (IB), índice de Lawton-Brody (IL), Miniexamen del Estado Mental, índice de Charlson, tratamiento con neurolépticos, antidepresivos, benzodiacepinas e hipnoticosedantes no benzodiacepinicos, tratamiento específico de demencia, factores de riesgo vascular y comorbilidad. La gravedad de la demencia se evaluó mediante la Escala de Deterioro Global (Global Deterioration Scale [GDS]), y se estratificó en 2 grupos: enfermedad leve-moderada (GDS: 3¨C5) y enfermedad grave (GDS: 6¨C7). Resultados: Se incluyó a 364 mujeres (70%) y a 151 varones (30%), con una edad media de 81 años (desviación estándar: 6). El 10,1% estaba institucionalizado. Un total de 270 pacientes (52,5%) tenían enfermedad leve-moderada y los 245 restantes tenían enfermedad grave. Tomaban neurolépticos 233 pacientes (45,2%). En el análisis multivalente la toma de neurolépticos se asoció a ser varón, a estar institucionalizado, a peor puntuación en el IL, a mayor gravedad de la demencia y a no tener insuficiencia cardíaca, mientras que en el subgrupo con enfermedad de Alzheimer se asoció a peor IB y a no tener hipertensión arterial. Conclusiones: El porcentaje de pacientes ancianos con demencia y el tratamiento con neurolépticos es elevado. Existen diferencias significativas en la prescripción de neurolépticos en función de las características sociodemográficas, la gravedad de la demencia y la comorbilidad (AU)

Background and objectives: The management of psychological and behavioural symptoms associated with dementia frequently requires the use of neuroleptic drugs. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, characteristics and possible differential factors of people aged ¡Ý 65 years with dementia who take or not neuroleptic drugs. The subgroup with Alzheimer disease was analysed. Patients and methods: Five-hundred and fifteen patients aged ¡Ý 65 years with dementia were prospectively evaluated. Data were collected on sociodemographic variables, type of dementia, Barthel Index (BI), Lawton Index (LI), Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE), Charlson Index, treatment with neuroleptic, antidepressants, benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotic-sedatives drugs, specific dementia treatments, vascular risk factors and comorbidities. The stage and severity of dementia were evaluated by the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS), creating two groups: Mild-moderate (GDS 3, 4 and 5) and severe (GDS 6 and 7) disease. Results: There were 364 women (70%) and 151 men, with a mean age of 81¡À6 years, of whom 10.1% were institutionalized. Two hundred and seventy patients (52.5%) had mild-moderate disease and 245 had severe disease (47.5%). Neuroleptic drugs were being taken by 233 (45.2%) patients. In the multivariate analysis, neuroleptic drug use was associated with male gender, institutionalization, worse LI scores, more severe dementia and not having heart failure. The subgroup with Alzheimer disease was associated with worse IB and not having arterial hypertension. Conclusion: A high percentage of elderly patients with dementia are treated with neuroleptic drugs. There are significant differences in the prescription of neuroleptic drugs according to patient sociodemographic characteristics, severity of dementia and comorbidities (AU)

The weight gain response to stress during adulthood is conditioned by both sex and prenatal stress exposure.

Food intake and weight gain are known to be affected by stress. However, the type and duration of the stress may have variable effects, with males and females responding differently. We report the short-term and long-term effects of prenatal and adult immobilization stress, as well as the combination of these two stresses, on weight gain and food intake in male and female rats and the role of post-pubertal gonadal hormones in this process. No long-term effect of prenatal stress on food intake or weight gain was found in either sex. However, during the period of adult stress [at postnatal day (P) 90; 10 days duration] stressed male rats gained significantly less weight than controls and previous exposure to prenatal stress attenuated this effect (control: 31.2+/-2.1g; prenatal stress: 24.6+/-3.8g; adult stress: 8.1+/-3.4g; prenatal and adult stress: 18.2+/-3.3g; p<0.0001). There was no change in food intake in response to either prenatal or adult stress. Adult stress increased circulating corticosterone levels during the initial part of the stress period, in both male and female rats with this rise being greater in male rats. No effect on corticosterone levels was observed on the last day of stress in either sex. No effect on weight gain or food intake was observed in female rats. Following adult stress, male rats increased their weight gain, with no change in food intake, such that 1 month later they reached control levels. At the time of sacrifice (P180), there were no differences in weight or circulating metabolic hormone levels between any of the male groups. Although castration alone modulated body weight in both male and female rats, it did not affect their weight gain response to adult stress. These results indicate that the weight gain response to adult stress is sexually dimorphic and that this is not dependent on post-pubertal gonadal steroids. Furthermore, the outcome of this response closely depends on the time at which the change in weight is analyzed, which could help to explain different results reported in the literature. Indeed, weight and metabolic hormone levels were normalized by the end of the study.

Citogenética de la leucemia linfoblástica aguda del adulto / Cytogenetic analysis in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia

El análisis citogenético, junto a la citología, los marcadores celulares y la biología molecular, constituyen el conjunto de las pruebas diagnósticas esenciales en la leucemia linfoblástica aguda (LLA). Se presentan cariotipos alterados entre un 64 y un 85% de casos de LLA del adulto, y constituyen un factor pronóstico independiente de primer orden, indicado por primera vez en el Third International Workshop on Chromosomes in Leukemia. Las alteraciones cromosómicas que se observan con frecuencia en la LLA del adulto son las translocaciones t(9;22)(q34;q11), t(4;11)(q21;q23), t(1;19)(q23;p13.3), t(8;14)(q24;q32), los reordenamientos 11q23, las deleciones del cromosoma 9p, 6q y 12p, los reordenamientos de los genes de los receptores de las células T (TCR) (14q11.2 [TCR-α y TCR-δ], 7q35 [TCR-β] y 7p15 [TCR-γ]), la hiperdiploidía superior a 50 cromosomas y la hipodiploidía de 30–39 cromosomas. En esta revisión se describe la relevancia clínica de los principales trastornos citogenéticos en la LLA del adulto (AU)

Cytogenetic analysis, together with cytology, cellular markers and molecular biology, are essential diagnostic tests in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Abnormal karyotypes are found in 64-85% of adults with ALL and are an independent prognostic factor, first identified in the IIIrd International Workshop on Chromosomes in Leukemia (IWCL). The most frequently observed chromosomal alterations in adult ALL are t(9;22)(q34;q11), t(4;11)(q21;q23), t(1;19)(q23;p13.3) translocations, 11q23 rearrangement, chromosome 9p, 6q and 12p deletions, rearrangement of the T-cell receptor genes (14q11.2 (TCR-α and TCR-δ), 7q35 (TCR-β) and 7p15 (TCR-γ)), hyperdiploidy with more than 50 chromosomes and hypodiploidy with 30–39 chromosomes. The present review describes the clinical relevance of the main cytogenetic abnormalities in adult ALL (AU)

De ti depende la calidad del trabajo del directivo / The quality of the executive manager´s work depends on you

Este sitio WEB incluye técnicas organizativas, reglas, así como cualidades y habilidades que debe poseer una Secretaria para el perfeccionamiento y desarrollo de un trabajo con calidad, en busca de la excelencia. Para su realización, se aplico encuestas a secretarias y oficinistas de la Facultad de Tecnología de la Salud que han permitido brindar una información precisa del objeto de la investigación para el proceso de la elaboración del Software y para cuantificar datos recogidos en la información a través de los instrumentos aplicados y procesar la información fundamentalmente en el método porcentual. Entre las dificultades detectadas se observa, el poco conocimiento de sus funciones, lo que impide el buen desarrollo de sus labores, influyendo directamente en la calidad del trabajo del directivo.Este aporte permitirá que todas las Secretarias desde su puesto de trabajo accedan a este sitio de forma virtual y novedosa, teniendo en cuenta los crecientes avances de la Revolución Científico-Técnica(AU)

Sistema de distribución individualizada de medicamentos por dosis unitarias: análisis global de la calidad en un hospital de rehabilitación / Drug individualized distribution system: quality analysis in a rehabilitation hospital

Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de la distribución individualizada de medicamentos por dosis unitaria desde la perspectiva técnica y de actuación farmacéutica en la identificación, prevención y resolución de problemas relacionados con los medicamentos (PRM). Método: Se evaluó la calidad de la prescripción, transcripción a la historia farmacoterapéutica y dispensación de medicamentos. Se definieron diversos criterios, se calcularon indicadores y los resultados fueron comparados con los estándares establecidos. Los PRM identificados en el proceso de revisión de las historias farmacoterapéuticas, se clasificaron según las ocho categorías de Hepler-Strand. Resultado: La calidad de la cumplimentación de las hojas de tratamiento fue similar al estándar. La prevalencia de error de transcripción fue del 2,5 por ciento, inferior al estándar (5 por ciento) y el porcentaje de error de dispensación fue del 3 por ciento, superior al estándar (2 por ciento). Durante el período de estudio se identificaron 31 PRM, siendo aceptadas únicamente el 64,5 por ciento de las recomendaciones del farmacéutico. Conclusión: Para mejorar la calidad del sistema y reducir los PRM es necesario aplicar medidas correctoras así como una mayor dedicación e integración del farmacéutico en el equipo asistencial (AU)