miRNA as biomarker in lung cancer.

Lung cancer has a high prevalence and mortality due to its late diagnosis and limited treatment, so it is essential to find biomarkers that allow a faster diagnosis and improve the survival of these patients. In this sense, biomarkers based on miRNAs have supposed a considerable advance. miRNAs, which are small RNA sequences, can regulate gene expression, so they play an essential role not only as a diagnostic biomarker but also as a therapeutic and prognostic one. Also, miRNA biomarkers can be obtained from liquid biopsies, which are less intrusive than lung biopsies, and have better accessibility, safety and repeatability, which allows using those biomarkers both for diagnosis and monitoring of patients. In this review, we highlight the importance of miRNAs and collect the existing evidence of their relationship with lung cancer.

Lessons Learned in Elective Surgeries After 6 Pandemic Waves of SARS-CoV-2. A Single European Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: The reported high surgical morbidity and mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 prompted preoperative screening and modification of surgical protocols. Although vaccination and treatment of COVID-19 have resulted in lower hospitalization rates and infection severity, publications on postoperative results have not been updated. The aim of the study was to analyze the outcomes of patients undergoing surgery in two periods with high incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, before and after vaccination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of patients undergoing surgery in two periods: March-June 2020 (Group2020) and December 2021-February 2022 (Group2022) (after massive vaccination). RESULTS: In total, 618 patients who underwent surgery were included in the analysis (Group2020: 343 vs. Group2022: 275). Significantly more oncological procedures were performed in Group2020, and there were no differences in postoperative complications. Nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred in 4 patients in Group2020 and 1 patient in Group2022. In Group 2022, 70 patients (25.4%) had COVID-19 prior to surgery, and 68 (97.1%) were vaccinated. Comparative analysis between patients with past COVID-19 and those without showed no difference in postoperative morbidity and mortality. According to the time elapsed between SARS-CoV-2 infection and surgery (≤ 7 or > 7 weeks), comparative analysis showed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: The establishment of preoperative screening protocols for SARS-CoV-2 infection results in a low incidence of nosocomial infection and optimal postoperative outcomes. Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection in vaccinated patients was not associated with increased postoperative complications, even in shorter periods after infection. In surgical patients, individualized preoperative evaluation after SARS-CoV-2 infection may be more important than strict time limitation.

Brunneroma: an infrequent duodenal neoplasm.

An 83-year-old male presented to the Emergency Department with long lasting epigastric discomfort, weight loss and diarrhea. Physical exam and basic laboratory tests showed no remarkable findings. Upper endoscopy revealed a sessile lesion (Paris 0-IIa) in the anterior wall of the duodenal bulb, with smooth surface and slightly ulcerated at the top.

Hepatic reactive lymphoid hyperplasia: a difficult differential diagnosis with hepatocarcinoma.

Hepatic reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (HRLH) is an uncommon lesion. We present the case of a 58-year-old patient with a liver nodule incidentally found by abdominal ultrasonography (US). Liver function, tumor markers, viral serology and immunology were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a 16 mm nodule in segment VI-VII, with hypervascular enhancement in the arterial phase, wash-out in late phases, without contrast-retention in the hepatobiliary phase and restriction on diffusion-weighted imaging, suggestive of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Assessing the structure and temporal dynamics of seabird communities: the challenge of capturing marine ecosystem complexity.

Understanding interspecific interactions, and the influences of anthropogenic disturbance and environmental change on communities, are key challenges in ecology. Despite the pressing need to understand these fundamental drivers of community structure and dynamics, only 17% of ecological studies conducted over the past three decades have been at the community level. Here, we assess the trophic structure of the procellariiform community breeding at South Georgia, to identify the factors that determine foraging niches and possible temporal changes. We collected conventional diet data from 13 sympatric species between 1974 and 2002, and quantified intra- and inter-guild, and annual variation in diet between and within foraging habits. In addition, we tested the reliability of stable isotope analysis (SIA) of seabird feathers collected over a 13-year period, in relation to those of their potential prey, as a tool to assess community structure when diets are diverse and there is high spatial heterogeneity in environmental baselines. Our results using conventional diet data identified a four-guild community structure, distinguishing species that mainly feed on crustaceans; large fish and squid; a mixture of crustaceans, small fish and squid; or carrion. In total, Antarctic krill Euphausia superba represented 32%, and 14 other species a further 46% of the combined diet of all 13 predators, underlining the reliance of this community on relatively few types of prey. Annual variation in trophic segregation depended on relative prey availability; however, our data did not provide evidence of changes in guild structure associated with a suggested decline in Antarctic krill abundance over the past 40 years. Reflecting the differences in δ(15) N of potential prey (crustaceans vs. squid vs. fish and carrion), analysis of δ(15) N in chick feathers identified a three-guild community structure that was constant over a 13-year period, but lacked the trophic cluster representing giant petrels which was identified using conventional diet data. Our study is the first in recent decades to examine dietary changes in seabird communities over time. Conventional dietary analysis provided better resolution of community structure than SIA. However, δ(15) N in chick feathers, which reflected trophic (level) specialization, was nevertheless an effective and less time-consuming means of monitoring temporal changes.

Transcriptional Evaluation of Neuropeptides, Hormones, and Tissue Repair Modulators in the Skin of Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata L.) Subjected to Mechanical Damage.

The skin of bony fish is the first physical barrier and is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the fish. Lesions make the skin vulnerable to potential infection by pathogens present in the aquatic environment. In this way, wound repair has barely been studied in gilthead sea bream. Thus, this study investigated the modulation of peripheral neuro-endocrine and tissue repair markers at the transcriptional level in the skin of teleost fish subjected to mechanical damage above or below the lateral line (dorsal and ventral lesions, respectively). Samples were evaluated using RT-qPCR at 2-, 4-, and 20-days post-injury. Fish with a ventral lesion presented a trend of progressive increase in the expressions of corticotropin-releasing hormone (crh), pro-opiomelanocortin-A (pomca), proenkephalin-B (penkb), cholecystokinin (cck), oxytocin (oxt), angiotensinogen (agt), and (less pronounced) somatostatin-1B (sst1b). By contrast, fish with a dorsal lesion registered no significant increase or biological trend for the genes evaluated at the different sampling times. Collectively, the results show a rapid and more robust response of neuro-endocrine and tissue repair markers in the injuries below than above the lateral line, which could be attributable to their proximity to vital organs.

Construction of miRNA-mRNA networks for the identification of lung cancer biomarkers in liquid biopsies.

Lung cancer (LC) is the most common cause of cancer death worldwide mostly due to the low survival rate: 75% of cases are identified in advanced stages. In this study, the list of useful biomarkers to make an early diagnosis using liquid biopsies was expanded. A total of 30 samples of LC were analyzed to define potential miRNA biomarkers in liquid biopsies for LC. The biomarkers have been identified in interaction networks miRNA-mRNA. The potential biomarkers have been then validated in large cohorts. A total of 15 candidate miRNAs, that regulate the repression of 30 mRNAs, have been identified as a specific functional interaction network for squamous carcinoma, while the specific functional interaction network of adenocarcinoma consists of four candidate miRNAs that seem to handle the repression of five mRNA. Inspection of expression levels in larger cohorts validates the usefulness of the 11 candidates as biomarkers in liquid biopsies. The 11 candidate miRNAs found could be utilized to form diagnostic predictive biomarkers for LC in liquid biopsies.

Technologies and social services. An overview of technology use by users of social services.

Information and communication technologies have significantly transformed the way advanced societies interact, produce, deliver services and consume resources. All walks of life are now touched by these technologies. However, compared to other areas of society, digital penetration is much lower in the development of and access to social services. The main objective of this paper was to find out what technological devices are used, how they are used and the way citizens interact with public bodies using technology to deliver social services. This has been part of a wider project on innovation in social services using participative methodologies centred on the development of local Hubs. The findings reveal a digital divide in technology-enabled access to social services that excludes the very people most in need of benefits and support.

Promising biomedical subcutaneous delivery system in opioid disaccustom process: In vitro/in vivo evaluation of naloxone microparticles on antagonist effect of morphine.

The addiction induced by the misuse of opioids, is not only a public health emergency but also a social and economic welfare. The main therapy is based on opioid antagonists. Oral and injectable naltrexone administration is the most widely used, presenting some inconveniences: poor patient adherence to the oral daily dosing schedule, cases of hepatitis and clinically significant liver dysfunction. This study proposes the in vitro e in vivo evaluation of anti-opioid properties of naloxone loaded-poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid microparticles (NX-MP). In previous studies, NX-MP showed in vitro sustained naloxone release for one week at least. Our results demonstrate the in vitro efficacy of the NX-MP antagonizing for 7 days the morphine effect in SH-SY5Y cells and myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparations isolated from guinea-pig ileum. The in vivo evaluation of the NX-MP was carried out in mice testing the antagonism of the antinociceptive effect of morphine. Results showed that subcutaneous administration of NX-MP blocked the morphine effect. The results of this work suggest that the subcutaneous administration of NX-MP enhances naloxone therapeutic efficacy as non-addictive medication and could be a promising alternative to naltrexone. Furthermore, the dose of NX-MP can be adapted to the patient necessities. It would be an interesting advantage to treat opioid-addiction.

Conversion from Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass to Single Anastomosis Duodenoileal Bypass (SADI-S) for Weight Regain.

BACKGROUND: Revisional bariatric surgery presents a challenge for bariatric surgeons. This procedure can be considered for patients with inadequate weight loss or weight regain after an initial satisfactory response following bariatric surgery. However, the surgical management of weight regain following RYGB remains controversial. We present a case of successful weight gain management after a single anastomosis duodenoileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADIS) as a revisional procedure for patients with weight regain after RYGB. METHODS: A 23-year-old female with a body mass index (BMI) of 52 kg/m2 and no comorbidities underwent RYGB. Postoperatively, she reached an excess weight loss of 75% of her initial body weight, with a BMI of 32 kg/m2. Eight years after her RYGB, she started regaining weight, reaching a BMI of 47 kg/m2. The surgical team decided to perform a revisional surgery, a conversion of RYGB to SADIS. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative complications. An upper gastrointestinal series was obtained on the third postoperative day which resulted normal and oral feedings were resumed. The patient was then discharged on fifth postoperative day. There were no complications within the first 30 postoperative days. CONCLUSIONS: We attach a video that illustrates the management and technique used to deal with the weight regain after primary bariatric surgery RYGB. We consider that in patients with super morbid obesity refractory to RYGB, conversion to SADIS is an excellent alternative due to its safety and feasibility.

Telework and Social Services in Spain during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This paper analyses teleworking in social services during the state of alarm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. It has a double objective: To analyse the profile of the professional who teleworked in social services and, on the other hand, to analyse the perception of teleworkers of working conditions during this period, as well as the degree to which they have been affected by them depending on whether they work face-to-face or telematically. To this end, a questionnaire was administered to Spanish social service professionals working, obtaining a sample of 560 professionals in the sector. The profile obtained in relation to teleworking may be especially useful when considering the progressive incorporation of more non-presential activity in social services, and the results show that, although teleworking has been perceived as an efficient way of overcoming the limitations to face-to-face work arising from the pandemic, both the positive and negative consequences of the implementation of this modality of work should be carefully assessed.

Evaluating cleansing effects on trace elements and stable isotope values in feathers of oiled birds.

Feathers of seabirds are widely used as a nondestructive tissue for pollution monitoring of trace elements, as well as convenient samples for trophic ecology studies by means of stable isotope analysis (SIA). Nevertheless, feathers can be occasionally impregnated with oil from deliberate ship discharges and from massive oil spill accidents. The feather structure makes them effective traps for particles and are subject to external contamination. It is unknown to what extent the oil adhered to feathers can change trace element concentrations or stable isotope signatures. This study has two primary objectives: (1) to assess if there are differences between trace element concentrations and stable isotope signatures of oiled and clean feathers, and (2) to determine if the cleansing of oiled feathers using commonly applied techniques such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) washes in combination with an organic solvent (hexane) is more effective than using NaOH alone. In order to do this, we analysed trace elements (Se, Hg, Pb, Cu and Zn) and stable isotopes (delta(13)C and delta(15)N) of individual feathers of yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) which were affected by the 2002 Prestige oil spill in Galicia (NW Spain). Two sets of feathers were analysed, one group were oil-free (Control group) and the other had oil adhered to its surface (Oiled group). We expected to find differences between control and oiled feathers when cleaning exclusively with NaOH and no differences when using hexane. Our results did not show significant differences between Control and Oiled groups as a consequence of the cleansing method used. Unexpectedly, the additional cleansing with hexane resulted in decreasing selenium concentrations and increasing zinc and delta(15)N values in all groups of feathers.

Cooperation in the face of thresholds, risk, and uncertainty: Experimental evidence in fisher communities from Colombia.

Cooperation is thought to be a necessary condition to solve collective action dilemmas such as climate change or the sustainable use of common pool resources. Yet, it is poorly understood how situations pervaded by thresholds shape the behaviour of people facing collective dilemmas. Here we provide empirical evidence that resource users facing thresholds maintain on average cooperative behaviours in the sense of maximising their individual earnings while ensuring future group opportunities. A framed field experiment in the form of a dynamic game with 256 Colombian fishers helped us investigate individual behavioural responses to the existence of thresholds, risk and uncertainty. Thresholds made fishers extract less fish compared to situation without thresholds, but risk had a stronger effect on reducing individual fishing effort. Contrary to previous expectations, cooperation did not break down. If cooperation can be maintained in the face of thresholds, then communicating uncertainty is more policy-relevant than estimating precisely where tipping points lay in social-ecological systems.

COVID-19 and social services in Spain.

During the state of alarm declared in Spain by COVID-19 due to the pandemic, the country's authorities declared Social Services and their workers to be essential, considering that the activity of these professionals with the vulnerable population was crucial and that services should continue to be provided to guarantee the well-being of users in this exceptionally serious situation. This article analyzes the impact that the COVID-19 and the state of alarm has had on Spanish social service professionals. An ad hoc questionnaire was used, administered on-line, individually, voluntarily and anonymously to 560 professionals working in social services, both in the public and private sectors, based throughout Spain. This questionnaire has five different parts: socio-demographic profiling, impact that the health crisis has had on the practice of professional functions, degree of knowledge of the measures imposed to guarantee the protection and safety of professionals and users, impact that it has had on the professional and personal development of social services professionals and, the fifth and last part, degree of adaptation of the measures aimed at the care of the vulnerable population. These results are discussed based on the situation in which professionals working in this sector find themselves in the face of the changes they are experiencing in the development of their work, and we are able to determine the profile of the workers who have felt most affected by the situation, with the consequent and foreseeable mental and emotional affectation that this implies. These professionals tend to value more negatively the set of measures developed to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Spanish social services.

Schwannoma: Differential diagnosis of a subepithelial gastric lesion. Two case report.

The pre-operative differential diagnosis of gastric subepithelial lesions is complex. We can find pathologies with a very different behavior. Some of them, like gastrointestinal (GI) stromal tumors, can present a malignant behavior, and others like schwannomas are practically benign. Schwannomas of the GI tract originate from the Schwann cells of the Auerbach plexus and their most frequent location is the stomach. The definitive diagnosis is made by immunohistochemical analysis of the surgical specimen and its resection is curative. We report two cases of gastric subepithelial lesions with a definitive diagnosis of schwannoma.

El diagnóstico diferencial preoperatorio de las lesiones subepiteliales gástricas es complejo. Podemos encontrar patologías con un comportamiento muy diferente. Algunas de ellas, como los GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumours), pueden presentar un comportamiento maligno, y otras, como los schwannomas, son prácticamente benignas. Los schwannomas del tracto gastrointestinal se originan de las células de Schwann del plexo de Auerbach y su localización más frecuente es el estómago. El diagnóstico definitivo se realiza mediante el análisis inmunohistoquímico de la pieza quirúrgica, y su resección es curativa. Reportamos dos casos de lesiones subepiteliales gástricas con diagnóstico definitivo de schwannoma.

The influence of breeding colony and sex on mercury, selenium and lead levels and carbon and nitrogen stable isotope signatures in summer and winter feathers of Calonectris shearwaters.

Contamination in marine foodwebs is nowadays of great environmental concern owing to the increasing levels of pollution in marine ecosystems from different anthropogenic sources. Seabirds can be used as indicators of regional contaminant patterns across large temporal and spatial scales. We analysed Hg, Se and Pb levels as well as stable isotope ratios of C(13C/12C, delta13C) and N(15N/14N, delta15N) in breeding- and winter-season feathers on males and females of two related shearwater species, providing information on spatiotemporal patterns of contaminants as well as the influence of the trophic ecology of these seabirds on contaminant levels. During the breeding season, Se and Pb concentrations were highest at the Cape Verde archipelago, showing no differences among the other colonies or between the sexes. However, Hg levels varied among colonies, being highest in the Mediterranean, probably resulting from the larger emissions and fallout of this pollutant in Europe. Feathers grown during breeding also showed sexual differences in Hg concentrations and delta13C. Differences in Hg concentration between sexes are mainly due to egg-laying decontamination in females. In contrast, differences in Hg among colonies are probably related to differences in trophic ecology, as indicated by delta13C and delta15N measurements. Contaminant concentrations in winter-grown feathers did not show any relationship with stable isotope values but were affected by contaminant loads associated with the breeding season. These findings suggest that the interpretation of contaminant levels of migratory species from feathers moulted out of the breeding season should be made with caution because those values could reflect exposures to contaminants acquired during the breeding season. We conclude that factors other than feeding ecology may play an important role in the interpretation of contaminant levels and their annual dynamics at several spatial scales. Consideration of the relevant temporal context provided by isotopic signatures and contaminant concentrations is important in deciphering contaminant information based on various tissues.

[Psychosocial factors associated with domestic water consumption in a semidesert region]. / Factores psicosociales relacionados con el consumo doméstico de agua en una región semidesértica.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze psychosocial factors related with domestic water consumption in Hermosillo, Sonora, a semidesert region in northwestern Mexico. An intentionally selected sample of 198 people (79 men and 119 women) from a higher education institution was used to evaluate the theories of rational action and self-efficacy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A scale with the psychosocial factors to be analyzed and Likert-type items was applied. RESULTS: The age mean was 35 years old. A positive moderate association was found between the diverse factors, particularly between intention-norm, beliefs-intention, beliefs-self-efficacy, attitude-intention, attitude-self-efficacy, and self-efficacy-intention. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that the sample characteristics do not allow results to be generalized, the study shows the usefulness of the psychosocial factors that were analyzed and suggests the possibility of including them in educational programs that promote careful water use at home.

Autohemotherapy with ozone as a possible effective treatment for Fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of autohemotherapy with ozone in the management of fibromyalgia (FM). DESIGN: 20 FM patients (according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology), were treated with 10 sessions of ozone hemotherapy (2 sessions per week) with a concentration of 30-60 mcgr/ml. The health condition of the patients was evaluated before and after treatment, through the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Blood samples were obtained from all patients by venous puncture for biochemical routine analysis and serotonin levels in serum and the following peripheral blood mononuclear cells (BMCs) were isolated for oxidative stress quantification: reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and lipid peroxidation (LP) and protein carbonyl (PC) content, as these are signs of oxidative cell damage. RESULTS: All patients treated with ozone reported an improvement in sleep and mental alertness, a marked decrease of asthenia accompanied by a decrease of FIQ as well as tender points, and a moderate increase of serotonin levels. Also, an important decrease of LP and PC was observed; ROS also decreased, although less obvious, which indicates a reduction in oxidative stress levels. CONCLUSIONS: The autohemotherapy with ozone in patients with FM showed an important decline of tender points and FIQ score, as well as a decrease of oxidative stress levels. This treatment allows patients to face life with greater vitality and less drug use, diminishing harmful side effects. Further investigation should be carried out, including groups with more patients and clinical trials, to elucidate the effect of ozone therapy in patients suffering from FM.

Intracranial current density (LORETA) differences in QEEG frequency bands between depressed and non-depressed alcoholic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess possible differences in intracranial source distribution of surface QEEG power between depressed and non-depressed alcoholic patients in order to find any symptom-related topographic features of physiopathologic relevance. METHODS: Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (LORETA) for the delta, theta, alpha and beta bands of EEG spectra was estimated from 38 alcoholic patients, 20 with and 18 without clinical depression, in which QEEG showed decreased slow and increased beta activity diffusely. Statistical non-parametric mapping was used to compare depressed and non-depressed groups. Measures of intracranial current density in individual patients at areas of significant differences were correlated with BDI scores. RESULTS: Patients with clinical depression showed areas of significantly lower current density than non-depressed patients in delta band at left anterior temporal, left midtemporal (including amygdala and hippocampus), and both frontopolar cortices mostly on the right; and in theta band at bilateral parietal lobe, anterior cingulate and medial frontal cortex. No differences were found at alpha and beta band. Intracranial current density in delta band at left parahippocampal, left midfrontal cortex and right frontopolar cortex was negatively correlated with BDI score. Theta band also showed negative correlations with BDI at sites of significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Diffusely decreased delta and theta activity in the surface QEEG of alcoholic patients has a different intracranial distribution linked to the presence or not of clinical depression that seems to reveal a dysfunctional neuronal state at several specific limbic and other cortical locations that have been related to a specific clinical disorder such as depression. SIGNIFICANCE: These results provided further evidence on the effects of depression in the context of alcohol dependence, in this case decreased slow activity as a possible marker of neuronal damage secondary to alcohol toxicity, clinically expressed as depressive symptoms when present in structures that are known to be related to clinical depression.

Assessing the effects of the Prestige oil spill on the European shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis): trace elements and stable isotopes.

The Prestige oil spill resulted in the mortality of several seabird species on the Atlantic NW coast of Spain. Shag casualties were particularly relevant, since populations are resident in the area the whole year round and because of several features which make them highly vulnerable to environmental hazards. Ecological catastrophes give us the opportunity of collecting samples which, otherwise, would be difficult to obtain. We examine the potential of shag corpses as bioindicators of inorganic pollution and the possible factors of variability, such as biological traits (sex, age) or nutrition status. We determined trace elements (Hg, Se, Cr, Pb, Zn and Cu) and isotopic signatures (15N, 13C) in soft tissues (muscle, liver) and in primary feathers formed at different times (before and after the Prestige) in individuals of known sex and age, collected at the time of the Prestige disaster. These were compared with data from another group of shags trapped accidentally in fishing gear in 2005. Our results did not seem to be affected by sex or age on any of the analysed variables. The higher nitrogen isotopic signatures in the soft tissues of the Prestige shags may be related to the nutrition stress caused by a poorer body condition, which is also reflected in increasing levels of some metals in the liver. This isotopic enrichment was also observed in newly forming feathers when compared to the old ones. On the other hand, the lower delta15N and Hg values in shag feathers from 2005 point to a shift in feeding resources to prey of lower trophic levels. We found that feather features (being an inert tissue and having a conservative composition), if combined with careful dating and chemical analysis, offer a very useful tool to evaluate temporal and spatial changes in seabird ecology in relation to pollution events.