Photobiomodulation increases brain metabolic activity through a combination of 810 and 660 wavelengths: a comparative study in male and female rats.

Photobiomodulation (PBM), an emerging and non-invasive intervention, has been shown to benefit the nervous system by modifying the mitochondrial cytochrome c-oxidase (CCO) enzyme, which has red (620-680 nm) or infrared (760-825 nm) spectral absorption peaks. The effect of a single 810-nm wavelength with a combination of 810 nm and 660 nm lights in the brain metabolic activity of male and female rats was compared. PBM, with a wavelength of 810 nm and a combination of 810 nm and 660 nm, was applied for 5 days on the prefrontal cortex. Then, brain metabolic activity in the prefrontal area, hippocampus, retrosplenial, and parietal cortex was explored. Sex differences were found in cortical and subcortical regions, indicating higher male brain oxidative metabolism, regardless of treatment. CCO activity in the cingulate and prelimbic area, dentate gyrus, retrosplenial and parietal cortex was enhanced in both treatments (810 + 660 nm and 810 nm). Moreover, using the combination of waves, CCO increased in the infralimbic area, and in CA1 and CA3 of the hippocampus. Thus, employment of a single NIR treatment or a combination of red to NIR treatment led to slight differences in CCO activity across the limbic system, suggesting that a combination of lights of the spectrum may be relevant.

Test de descenso del navicular / Navicular descent test

Objetivo: revisar críticamente la literatura sobre la validez y fiabilidad del test de descenso del navicular como herramienta clínica de evaluación de la pronación del pie. Método: Se ha realizado una revisión de la literatura existente sobre el tema en las principales bases de datos de ciencias de la salud. Para realizar la búsqueda se emplearon los terminos MeSH (navicular drop, pronation, foot) interconectados con los respectivos conectores booleanos. Resultados: Se seleccionaron finalmente un total de 38 artículos científicos en castellano e inglés sobre la fiabilidad y validez interna del test. Conclusiones: El test de descenso del navicular es una herramienta ampliamente utilizada en estudios de investigación. Sin embargo, con la evidencia disponible, podemos afirmar que la fiabilidad y validez interna del test es cuanto menos cuestionable para que este pueda ser usado con fines de investigación. (AU)

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on risk management of biological treatment and JAK inhibitors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To present recommendations based on the available evidence and the consensus of experts, for risk management of biological treatment and JAK inhibitors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Clinical research questions relevant to the purpose of the document were identified. These questions were reformulated in PICO format (patient, intervention, comparison, outcome or outcome) by a panel of experts, selected based on their experience in the area. A systematic review of the evidence was carried out, grading according to the GRADE criteria (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). Specific recommendations were then formulated. RESULTS: 6 PICO questions were proposed by the panel of experts based on their clinical relevance and the existence of recent information regarding the risk of occurrence of serious infections, the risk of reactivation of the hepatitis B virus, the risk of reactivation of the virus varicella-zoster, the risk of appearance of skin (melanoma and non-melanoma) or haematological cancer, the risk of appearance of thromboembolic disease and the risk of progression of the human papilloma virus. A total of 28 recommendations were formulated, structured by question, based on the evidence found and the consensus of the experts. CONCLUSIONS: The SER recommendations on risk management of treatment with biologic therapies and JAK inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis are presented.

Habitual dietary fat intake and risk of muscle weakness and lower-extremity functional impairment in older adults: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Fatty acid supplementation increases muscle mass and function in older adults, but the effect of habitual dietary intake is uncertain. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the association between habitual dietary fat intake and risk of muscle weakness and lower-extremity functional impairment (LEFI) in older adults. METHODS: Prospective study with 1873 individuals aged ≥60 years from the Seniors-ENRICA cohort. In 2008-10 and 2012, a validated face-to-face diet history was used to record the one-year consumption of up to 880 foods. Then, fatty acids, other nutrients and energy intake were estimated using standard food composition tables. Means of intake between these years were calculated to represent cumulative consumption over the follow-up. Study participants were followed up through 2015 to assess incident muscle weakness (lowest quintile of grip strength) and incident LEFI (Short Physical Performance Battery score ≤6). Analyses were performed with Cox regression and adjusted for the main confounders, including other types of fatty acids. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 5.2 years, 331 participants developed muscle weakness and 397 LEFI. Intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA) did not show an association with muscle weakness but was associated with higher risk of LEFI (multivariable hazard ratio (HR) for tertile 3 vs. tertile 1: 1.15; 95% confidence interval: 1.05-2.01; p-trend = 0.02). This association was mostly due to consumption of Spanish cold cuts and pastry and, to a lesser extent, dairy. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) intake was associated with lower risk of muscle weakness (HR t3 vs. t1: 0.73; 0.54-0.99; p trend = 0.04), and intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was associated with reduced risk of both muscle weakness (0.70; 0.52-0.95; p-trend = 0.02) and LEFI (0.49; 0.35-0.68; p-trend <0.001). Olive oil and blue fish, the main sources of MUFA and PUFA, were also associated with lower risk of muscle weakness and LEFI. CONCLUSIONS: Habitual intake of SFA was associated with increased risk of LEFI. By contrast, habitual intake of MUFA and PUFA were associated with lower risk of physical performance impairment.

Valores de referencia de analitos en orina en la edad pediatrica / Reference values of analytes in urine in the pediatric age / Valores de referência de analitos na urina na idade pediátrica

La deteccion de trastornos metabolicos minerales puede explicar diversas anomalias fisiologicas que exigen para su interpretacion la comparacion con valores de referencia validados. El objetivo de este trabajo fue la determinacion de valores de referencia en la poblacion infantil uruguaya, de los analitos sodio, potasio, calcio, magnesio, fosforo y urato relacionados con la creatinina en muestras de la segunda miccion de la manana en 470 escolares (240 ninas y 230 ninos) con edades comprendidas entre 7 y 12 anos. Las medianas obtenidas fueron: Na/Crea: 139 mmol/g, K/Crea: 78 mmol/g, Ca/Crea: 77 mg/g, Mg/Crea: 71 mg/g, P/Crea: 500 mg/g, Ur/Crea: 554 mg/g, Crea: 117 mg/dL. A excepcion de los cocientes Na/Crea y K/Crea se encontro una disminucion de la excrecion de estos analitos con la edad, independientemente del sexo. Los valores obtenidos resultaron ser analogos a los de otras poblaciones con tipo de alimentacion similar.

The detection of mineral metabolic disorders can explain several pathologies which require the comparison with reference values for their interpretation. The aim of this study was to determine the reference values of 470 Uruguayan school children with ages between 7 and 12 for sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosporous and urate and their relationship with creatinine in urine samples of the second urination of the morning. The median obtained were: Na/Crea: 139 mmol/g, K/Crea: 78 mmol/g, Ca/Crea: 77 mg/g, Mg/Crea: 71 mg/g, P/Crea: 500 mg/g, Ur/Crea: 554 mg/g, Crea: 117 mg/dL. A diminishment of excretion with the age was found, regardless the sex, except for Na/Crea and K/Crea. The values obtained were similar to those of others populations with a similar diet.

A detecção de distúrbios metabólicos minerais pode explicar várias anomalias fisiológicas, que exigem a comparação com valores de referência validados para serem interpretados. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar valores de referência na população infantil uruguaia, dos analitos sódio, potássio, cálcio, magnésio, fósforo e urato relacionados com a creatinina em amostras da segunda micção da manhã em 470 alunos (240 meninas e 230 meninos) com idades entre 7 e 12 anos. As medianas obtidas foram: Na/Crea: 139 mmol/g, K/Crea: 78 mmol/g, Ca/Crea: 77 mg/g, Mg/Crea: 71 mg/g, P/Crea: 500 mg/g, Ur/Crea: 554 mg/g, Crea: 117 mg/dL. Com exceção dos quocientes Na/Crea e K/Crea, foi encontrada uma diminuição na excreção destes analitos com a idade independentemente do sexo. Os valores obtidos foram análogos aos de outras populações com um tipo similar de dieta.

Optimization of a Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer-Based Assay for Screening of Trypanosoma cruzi Protein/Protein Interaction Inhibitors.

Chagas disease, a parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major public health burden in poor rural populations of Central and South America and a serious emerging threat outside the endemic region, since the number of infections in non-endemic countries continues to rise. In order to develop more efficient anti-trypanosomal treatments to replace the outdated therapies, new molecular targets need to be explored and new drugs discovered. Trypanosoma cruzi has distinctive structural and functional characteristics with respect to the human host. These exclusive features could emerge as interesting drug targets. In this work, essential and differential protein-protein interactions for the parasite, including the ribosomal P proteins and proteins involved in mRNA processing, were evaluated in a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer-based assay as a starting point for drug screening. Suitable conditions to consider using this simple and robust methodology to screening compounds and natural extracts able to inhibit protein-protein interactions were set in living cells and lysates.

Are Phage Lytic Proteins the Secret Weapon To Kill Staphylococcus aureus?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most threatening microorganisms for global human health. The current strategies to reduce the impact of S. aureus include a restrictive control of worldwide antibiotic use, prophylactic measures to hinder contamination, and the search for novel antimicrobials to treat human and animal infections caused by this bacterium. The last strategy is currently the focus of considerable research. In this regard, phage lytic proteins (endolysins and virion-associated peptidoglycan hydrolases [VAPGHs]) have been proposed as suitable candidates. Indeed, these proteins display narrow-spectrum antimicrobial activity and a virtual lack of bacterial-resistance development. Additionally, the therapeutic use of phage lytic proteins in S. aureus animal infection models is yielding promising results, showing good efficacy without apparent side effects. Nonetheless, human clinical trials are still in progress, and data are not available yet. This minireview also analyzes the main obstacles for introducing phage lytic proteins as human therapeutics against S. aureus infections. Besides the common technological problems derived from large-scale production of therapeutic proteins, a major setback is the lack of a proper legal framework regulating their use. In that sense, the relevant health authorities should urgently have a timely discussion about these new antimicrobials. On the other hand, the research community should provide data to dispel any doubts regarding their efficacy and safety. Overall, the appropriate scientific data and regulatory framework will encourage pharmaceutical companies to invest in these promising antimicrobials.

Influence of a Moderate-Intensity Exercise Program on Early NK Cell Immune Recovery in Pediatric Patients After Reduced-Intensity Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: After allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), NK cell reconstitution, which is crucial for positive outcomes, is dominated by the CD56bright subset with low NK cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) activity. Moderate exercise has been described as a potent NK cell stimulus in adults with cancer. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of a moderate-intensity exercise program on NK cell recovery early after HSCT and the feasibility of this intervention. METHODS: Six children undergoing allogeneic HSCT were randomized to an exercise program (EP) or control (CT) group. The EP group performed a 10-week training combining in-hospital and home-based EP. RESULTS: We observed a significant increase in the posttraining/pretraining ratio of the CD56dim subset (EP = 1.27 ± 0.07; CT = 0.99 ± 0.08; P < .005) of the EP group. The ratio of NKCC was 8 times greater in the EP group. CONCLUSION: Data suggest that a moderate-intensity EP program performed early after HSCT is feasible and might redistribute the CD56dim/CD56brigh NK cell subset, improving NKCC. The results are still preliminary and must be interpreted with caution.

Activation of protein phosphatase 2A tumor suppressor as potential treatment of pancreatic cancer.

We utilized three tiers of screening to identify novel therapeutic agents for pancreatic cancers. First, we analyzed 14 pancreatic cancer cell lines against a panel of 66 small-molecule kinase inhibitors and dasatinib was the most potent. Second, we performed RNA expression analysis on 3 dasatinib-resistant and 3 dasatinib-sensitive pancreatic cancer cell lines to profile their gene expression. Third, gene profiling data was integrated with the Connectivity Map database to search for potential drugs. Thioridazine was one of the top ranking small molecules with highly negative enrichment. Thioridazine and its family members of phenothiazine including penfluridol caused pancreatic cancer cell death and affected protein expression levels of molecules involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and multiple kinase activities. This family of drugs causes activation of protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A). The drug FTY-720 (activator of PP2A) induced apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells. Silencing catalytic unit of PP2A rendered pancreatic cancer cells resistant to penfluridol. Our observations suggest potential therapeutic use of penfluridol or similar agent associated with activation of PP2A in pancreatic cancers.

Antioxidant neolignans from Cordia americana.

Five new neolignans with a bicyclo[2.2.2]octene framework were isolated from an ethanolic extract of the bark of Cordia americana. The structures and relative configurations of the compounds were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic methods. All the isolated compounds showed good antioxidant activities in the DPPH radical scavenging (0.5-100 µg/mL) and Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP, 1-100 µg/mL) assays. One of the compounds displayed mild fungistatic activity at 0.1 µmol/spot against Fusarium virguliforme while, at the same time, all compounds were inactive against several strains of Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria at all assayed concentrations (10-1,000 µg/mL).

SER consensus statement on the use of biologic therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a reference to rheumatologists and other physicians involved in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who are using, or about to use biologic therapies. METHODS: Recommendations were developed following a nominal group methodology and based on systematic reviews. The level of evidence and degree of recommendation were classified according to a model proposed by the Center for Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford. The level of agreement was established through a Delphi technique. RESULTS: We have produced recommendations on the use of belimumab, the only biological agent with approved indications for SLE, and other biological agents without an indication for SLE. The objective of treatment is to achieve a complete clinical response, taken as the absence of perceived or evident disease activity. Nuances regarding the use of biologic therapies in SLE were reviewed as well, such as the evaluation that should be performed prior to administration and the follow up of patients undergoing these therapies. CONCLUSIONS: We present the SER recommendations for the use of biological therapies in patients with SLE.