Women's Ecofeminist Spirituality: Origins and Applications to Psychotherapy.

The aim of this paper is to theoretically explore the origins and possible psychotherapeutic applications of some neo-pagan, neo-shamanic, or psycho-spiritual women's movements that are currently spreading in Western countries. In spite of their great diversity, they are all encompassed within the term "ecofeminist spirituality." This article analyzes their ideological, historical, and cultural origins, placing special emphasis on their psychotherapeutic role and describing the main tools and fields of application.

Multifunctional targets of dietary polyphenols in disease: a case for the chemokine network and energy metabolism.

Chronic, non-acute inflammation is behind conditions that represent most of the disease burden in humans and is clearly linked to immune and metabolic mechanisms. The convergence of pathways involving the immune response, oxidative stress, increased circulating lipids and aberrant insulin signaling results in CCL2-associated macrophage recruitment and altered energy metabolism. The CCL2/CCR2 pathway and the energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) are attractive therapeutic targets as a part of preventive management of disease. Several effects of polyphenols are useful in this scenario, including a reduction in the activities of cytokines and modulation of cellular metabolism through histone deacetylase inhibitors, AMPK activators, calorie-restriction mimetics or epigenetic regulators. Research is currently underway to develop orally active drugs with these effects, but it is convenient to examine more closely what we are eating. If a lack of relevance in terms of toxicity and substantial effectiveness are confirmed, plant-derived components may provide useful druggable components and dietary supplements. We consider therapeutic actions as a combination of synergistic and/or antagonistic interactions in a multi-target strategy. Hence, improvement in food through enrichment with polyphenols with demonstrated activity may represent a major advance in the design of diets with both industrial and sanitary value.

Characterization and determination of the odorous charge in the indoor air of a waste treatment facility through the evaluation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using TD-GC/MS.

Municipal solid waste treatment facilities are generally faced with odorous nuisance problems. Characterizing and determining the odorous charge of indoor air through odour units (OU) is an advantageous approach to evaluate indoor air quality and discomfort. The assessment of the OU can be done through the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations and the knowledge of their odour thresholds. The evaluation of the presented methodology was done in a mechanical-biological waste treatment plant with a processing capacity of 245.000 tons year(-1) of municipal residues. The sampling was carried out in five indoor selected locations of the plant (Platform of Rotating Biostabilizers, Shipping warehouse, Composting tunnels, Digest centrifugals, and Humid pre-treatment) during the month of July 2011. VOC and volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) were sampled using multi-sorbent bed (Carbotrap, Carbopack X, Carboxen 569) and Tenax TA tubes, respectively, with SKC AirCheck 2000 pumps. The analysis was performed by automatic thermal desorption (ATD) coupled with a capillary gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectrometry detector (MSD). One hundred and thirty chemical compounds were determined qualitatively in all the studied points (mainly alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, and terpenes), from which 86 were quantified due to their odorous characteristics as well as their potentiality of having negative health effects. The application of the present methodology in a municipal solid waste treatment facility has proven to be useful in order to determine which type of VOC contribute substantially to the indoor air odorous charge, and thus it can be a helpful method to prevent the generation of these compounds during the treatment process, as well as to find a solution in order to suppress them.

Medicamentos extranjeros en atención primaria / No disponible

La incorporación de la gestión de medicamentos extranjeros a la cartera de servicios de la Farmacia de atención primaria representa una interesante oportunidad para desarrollar nuevas perspectivas profesionales enel entorno de la atención farmacéutica.Objetivo. Analizar la actividad realizada por el servicio de farmacia de atención primaria, respecto a lagestión de medicamentos extranjeros, revisando las posibilidades que ofrece y planteando líneas estratégicaspara la optimización del proceso.Metodología. Se describe el procedimiento de gestión llevado a cabo por el servicio de farmacia de un áreade salud (162.261 habitantes) durante el primer periodo de funcionamiento. Se realiza un análisis DAFO del proceso.Análisis DAFO. Fortalezas: Gran accesibilidad del paciente, simplificación de trámites, existencia de unprocedimiento normalizado de trabajo. Debilidades: Escasez de recursos, falta de experiencia. Oportunidades:Requerimientos de información continua, de coordinación entre niveles, necesidad de atención farmacéuticaal paciente. Amenazas: Escasa relevancia fuera del contexto, dificultad en el mantenimiento de lacalidad.Líneas estratégicas de actuación. 1. Establecimiento de directrices respecto a la atención al paciente,información y seguimiento. 2. Establecimiento de un sistema de coordinación entre los distintos nivelesimplicados. 3. Establecimiento de indicadores y registros de actividad. 4. Adaptación del PNT base. 5. Resolución de los problemas de recursos.Discusión. La atención farmacéutica por parte de los servicios de farmacia de atención primaria puedeofrecer una alta calidad en la atención integral del paciente, dando soporte a sus necesidades (disponibilidadde medicamentos, control, coordinación e información)

The addition of the management of foreign drugs to the range of services of the primary care pharmacy representsan interesting opportunity for the development of new professional prospects in the pharmaceuticalcare setting.Objective. To analyze the activity of the primary care pharmaceutical service with regard to the managementof foreign drugs, examining the opportunities it offers and suggesting strategies for optimizing theprocess.Methods. The authors describe the management procedure carried out by the pharmacy service of a healthcare area (population 162,261) during its initial period of activity. A SWOT approach was employed for theanalysis.SWOT analysis. Strengths: Ready access on the part of the patient, simplification of the process, existenceof a standardized working procedure. Weaknesses: Scarcity of resources, lack of experience. Opportunities:To fulfill the needs for continuous information, coordination among levels of professionals and pharmaceutical care for the patient. Threats: Little relevance when taken out of context, difficulties in maintenance of quality.Strategies for action: 1) The drafting of guidelines concerning patient care, information and follow-up. 2) The establishment of a system of coordination among the different levels involved. 3) The establishment of indicators and records of the activity carried out. 4) Adaptation of the untreated patient base. 5) Solution of the problems of resources.Dicussion. High-quality pharmaceutical care on the part of primary care pharmacy services can be achieved.It involves offering integral care to patients and providing support for their needs (availability of medication, control, coordination and information)

Amino acid losses during hemodialysis with polyacrylonitrile membranes: effect of intradialytic amino acid supplementation on plasma amino acid concentrations and nutritional variables in nondiabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients. Amino acid (AA) losses during the dialysis procedure may be a contributing factor. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were 1) to prospectively evaluate AA losses and their effect on plasma AA concentrations during dialysis with polyacrylonitrile at baseline and after administration of AAs by intradialysis and 2) to investigate the effects of intradialytic AA supplementation on nutritional status. DESIGN: Seventeen stable patients without diabetes who were receiving hemodialysis were studied. In the first phase, AA losses were evaluated over 2 wk in 10 patients randomly assigned to receive AA supplementation. AA losses were analyzed during the first week without supplementation and during the second week with AA administration. In the second phase, the patients' nutritional status was investigated after 3 mo of AA supplementation and was compared with those in 7 patients not receiving AAs. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD) AA losses during a 4-h dialysis session were 12 +/- 2 g; there was a significant decrease in plasma AA concentrations (386 +/- 298 micromol/L for essential and 902 +/- 735 micromol/L for nonessential AAs). After administration of AAs, the losses increased to 28 +/- 4 g. However, this procedure produced a positive net balance of AAs (10.6 +/- 5.6 g for total AAs), preventing a reduction in plasma concentrations. After 3 mo of AA administration, there was a significant increase in protein catabolic rate and serum albumin and transferrin. This improvement occurred without any change in the dialysis dose, ruling out the possibility that an increase in dialysis efficiency played a role. CONCLUSIONS: Intradialysis adequately provides AA supplements, prevents reductions in plasma AA concentrations, and favorably affects the nutritional status of patients receiving hemodialysis.

Calcium salts of keto-amino acids, a phosphate binder alternative for patients on CAPD.

Control of hyperphosphoremia is crucial to the prevention of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Calcium salts of keto-amino acids (KAA) were employed as phosphate binders in hemodialysis patients. We wanted to assess the efficacy of these substances as quelating agents in patients under continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Also, as an amino acid supplement, we determined their possible effect on some parameters related to nutritional status. We studied 13 patients (7 M; 6 F) with a mean age of 45.2 +/- 17 years and a mean time on CAPD of 18.4 +/- 11.4 months. None had severe secondary hyperparathyroidism and/or clinically relevant aluminium intoxication. They were not receiving calcitriol and none were using low-calcium peritoneal dialysis fluids. All were under aluminum hydroxide (AlOH3) treatment and 8 patients also received calcium carbonate. These quelating agents were withdrawn and after 21 days (wash-out period) KAA were initiated. We analyzed serum levels of bone metabolism parameters (calcium, phosphate, osteocalcin [OC], intact parathyroid hormone [iPTH], alkaline phosphatase [AP]) and nutritional parameters (total protein, albumin, pre-albumin, transferrin) in four periods: (A) during AlOH3; (B) immediately after the washout period; (C) after 1.5 months; and (D) after 3 months of KAA therapy. In 5 patients serum aluminum level was also measured in periods (A) and (D). The serum phosphate level at period (B) was significantly higher than in other periods. After 3 months of treatment phosphate levels decreased significantly (A = 1.77 +/- 0.3 mmol/l vs D = 1.48 +/- 0.2; p < 0.05). Serum calcium levels increased, while iPTH and OC decreased (p = ns). AP remained stable during the study. All nutritional parameters increased at the end of the study (p = ns). Calcium salts of keto-amino acids showed to be an effective alternative to aluminum-containing phosphate binders. They were well tolerated, without relevant side-effects. These compounds could also represent an additional source of oral amino acid supplementation with improvement of nutritional status.

Further observations on the susceptibility of diencephalic prosomeres to En-2 induction and on the resulting histogenetic capabilities.

It has been previously shown by chick/quail heterotopic grafts that En-2 expression and a mesencephalic phenotype can be induced within the avian primordial prosencephalic vesicle, although the induction appeared restricted to the caudal forebrain. The present experiments were aimed at further analyzing the competence of the prosencephalic neuroepithelium. Different types of grafts were performed between chick and quail embryos: (i) caudal forebrain grafts positioned in the midbrain/hindbrain junction (the En-2-positive domain); (ii) En-2-positive grafts integrated at different levels of the forebrain. In both cases, the grafts were transplanted either with a normal orientation or after inversion of their rostro-caudal axis. The chimeric embryos were analyzed at stages HH19-24 for expression of En-2 and Pax-6 homeobox-containing genes, normally expressed in the meso-isthmo-cerebellar and prosencephalic domains, respectively. A cytoarchitectonic analysis of grafted and surrounding host tissue was also performed at later developmental stages in chimeric embryos with caudal forebrain grafts. Our results show that the caudal diencephalon, including the prospective territories for prosomeres 1 and 2, is competent to express En-2 when in close contact to the En-2 polarizing region, whereas the more rostral neuroepithelium, including the prospective territories for the third prosomere and telencephalon, does not change its fate under similar conditions. The ectopic-induced neuroepithelium can develop mesencephalon, but also isthmus and cerebellum according to its site of integration rostrally or caudally to the mesencephalic/isthmo-cerebellar boundary. Our data also show that within the competent diencephalon, the induced En-2 expression can be arrested at the P1/P2 interneuromeric boundary. This arrest appears to be directionally oriented as it only takes place when the induction is produced within prosomere 1 but not when it comes from prosomere 2. These data can be considered as resulting from either a possible oriented permissiveness of cells which form the boundary separating prosomeres 1 and 2, or of a different permissiveness of the cells composing these two caudal prosomeres.