Processing of boar spermatozoa with phosphate-buffered saline at 4˚C induces an increase in 32 kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (p32).

We aimed to investigate the impact of processing boar spermatozoa with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 4 ˚C on acrosomal integrity and increase in 32 kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (p32). Following cooled PBS washing, we observed a significant increase in p32 levels and in the proportion of dead spermatozoa with compromised acrosomal integrity compared to sperm washing using PBS at room temperature. Interestingly, this increase in p32 was effectively inhibited when cooled PBS was supplemented with 1 mM AEBSF, a serine protease inhibitor. Our findings suggest that the increase of p32 in response to cooled PBS washing in boar spermatozoa is associated with enhanced protease activity in dead spermatozoa.

Silicone Shell Breast Implants in Patients Undergoing Risk-Reducing Mastectomy With a History of Breast-Conserving Surgery and Adjuvant Radiotherapy: A Long-term Study.

BACKGROUND: Indications for breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (BCSAR) in patients with breast carcinoma are increasing, as are indications for risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) in healthy subjects. Most of these cases are reconstructed with silicone shell breast implants (SSBIs). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to study complications of SSBIs in breast reconstruction in patients undergoing RRM with previous BCSAR. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was designed. The study group included cases of RRM reconstructed with SSBI in patients who had previously undergone BCSAR in the same breast. The control group consisted of patients with high-risk breast cancer who had undergone RRM and immediate SSBI reconstruction without previous BCSAR. RESULTS: There was a history of BCSAR in 15.8% of cases. The first SSBI used in immediate reconstruction after RRM was replaced in 51.5% of cases with a mean [standard deviation] survival of 24.04 [28.48] months. BCSAR was significantly associated with pathological capsular contracture (P = .00) with this first SSBI (37.5% vs 5.9%). Of the cases requiring the replacement of the first SSBI, 44.23% suffered failure of the second SSBI, with a mean survival of 27.95 [26.53] months. No significant association was found between the consecutive development of capsular contracture in the second SSBI and a previous history of BCSAR (P = .10). CONCLUSIONS: BCSAR prior to RRM reconstructed with an SSBI is associated with a significant increase in pathological capsular contracture. Patients should be warned of the high rate of SSBI complications and reconstruction failure. Polyurethane-coated implants may provide an alternative in cases in which alloplastic reconstruction is considered in patients with previous BCSAR.

Patterns and outcome of unplanned care in lung cancer patients: an observational study in a medical oncology department.

Background: There is increasing interest in unplanned care utilization among lung cancer patients and its evaluation should allow the identification of areas for quality improvement. Being a major priority for transformation in oncology, we aim to measure the risk and burden of unplanned care in a medical oncology department and identify factors that determine acute care. Methods: This was an observational retrospective cohort study that included all lung cancer patients treated at Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda University Hospital between January 1st 2016 and December 31st 2020. Data cut off: June 30th, 2021. The main objective was to assess the incidence of unplanned care, emergency department (ED) visits and unplanned hospital admissions, from the first visit to the medical oncology service and its potential conditioning variables, considering patient death as a competitive event. As secondary objectives, a description and a quality of unplanned care evaluation was carried out. Results: A total of 821 lung cancer patients, all histologies and stages, were included (median follow-up: 32.8 months). Six hundred and eighty-one patients required consultation in the ED (82.9%), and 558 required an unplanned admission (68%). Eighty-six percent of ED consultations and 80.9% of unplanned hospital admissions were related to cancer or its treatment. The 1-year cumulative incidence for ED consultation and for unplanned hospital admission was 71.3% (95% CI: 67.8-74.5%) and 56.7% (95% CI: 53-60%), respectively. In the multivariable analysis, a higher tumor stage increased the risk of consultation in the ED, while a higher stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) 2 compared to ECOG PS 0, male sex, opioid or steroid use at first consultation increased the risk of unplanned admission. Conclusions: Our study shows that lung cancer patients have an extremely high demand for unplanned care. It is an early need and related to cancer in the majority of consultations and admissions and therefore a key issue for the management of oncology departments. We must optimize the follow-up of patients with a higher risk of unplanned care, advanced lung cancer or symptomatic patients, incorporating remote monitoring strategies and early interventions, as developing specific urgent care pathways for a better comprehensive cancer care.

Antibiotic resistant bacteria: current situation and treatment options to accelerate the development of a new antimicrobial arsenal.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest public health threats worldwide. Currently, antibiotic-resistant bacteria kill 700,000 people every year. These data represent the near future in which we find ourselves, a 'post-antibiotic era' where the identification and development of new treatments are key. This review is focused on the current and emerging antimicrobial therapies which can solve this global threat. AREAS COVERED: Through a literature search using databases such as Medline and Web of Science, and search engines such as Google Scholar, different antimicrobial therapies were analyzed, including pathogen-oriented therapy, phagotherapy, microbiota and antivirulent therapy. Additionally, the development pathways of new antibiotics were described, emphasizing on the potential advantages that the combination of a drug repurposing strategy with the application of mathematical prediction models could bring to solve the problem of AMRs. EXPERT OPINION: This review offers several starting points to solve a single problem: reducing the number of AMR. The data suggest that the strategies described could provide many benefits to improve antimicrobial treatments. However, the development of new antimicrobials remains necessary. Drug repurposing, with the application of mathematical prediction models, is considered to be of interest due to its rapid and effective potential to increase the current therapeutic arsenal.

Antibiotic resistance is currently one of the biggest public health threats worldwide. Right now, antibiotic-resistant bacteria kill 700,000 people every year. Many of the available antibiotics are useless against drug resistant bacteria. The present and near future in which we find ourselves is a post-antibiotic era, where the antibiotics we have are unable to combat the bacterial infections that are emerging. In this review, published studies were accessed to explore different techniques that are available to improve existing treatment options. Currently, these strategies cannot replace antibiotic therapy. The reviewed knowledge presents these alternatives as adjuvants to antibiotic treatments. Therefore, research into new antibiotics remains important. This review exposes that the repurposing of known drugs as antibiotics could contribute to the cost-effective search of new antibiotics in a faster and cost-effective way compared to traditional development methods of new antibiotics. The review emphasizes the urgency of identifying new pharmacological targets that can aid in the development of new therapies, and to improve known alternative therapies. Drug repurposing can greatly shorten the time and cost of development of new antibiotics. This strategy adds to the value of certain commercialized molecules, recovering part of the investment made by the pharmaceutic industry. In addition, it provides greater knowledge about other alternative antibiotic therapies and about the mechanisms by which bacteria develop antibiotic resistance.

A Higher Frequency Administration of the Nontoxic Cycloartane-Type Triterpene Argentatin A Improved Its Anti-Tumor Activity.

Parthenium argentatum (Gray), commonly known as guayule, has been used to obtain natural rubber since the beginning of the 20th century. Additionally, the so called "resin" is a waste product derived from the industrial process. The cycloartane-type triterpene Argentatin A (AA) is one of the main constituents of the industrial waste resin. In this study we evaluated the AA anticancer activity both in vitro and in vivo in the HCT116 colon cancer cells. The apoptosis promotion of AA was assessed by the annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) assay. The senescence was evaluated for SA-ß-galactosidase, and PCNA was used as a marker of proliferation. Its antitumor activity was evaluated using a xenograft mouse model. The results indicated that AA-induced apoptosis in HCT-116 cells and was positively stained for SA-ß-galactosidase. In the xenografted mice test, the administration of AA at the dose of 250 mg/kg three times a week for 21 days reduced tumor growth by 78.1%. A comparable tumor reduction was achieved with cisplatin at the dose of 2 mg/kg administered three times a week for 21 days. However, nude mice treated with AA did not lose weight, as they did remarkably when treated with cisplatin. Furthermore, the animals treated with AA showed similar blood profiles as the healthy control group. These data indicate the low toxicity of AA compared to that shown by cisplatin.

Effect of Manual Therapy and Therapeutic Exercise Applied to the Cervical Region on Pain and Pressure Pain Sensitivity in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of cervical manual therapy (MT) on patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and to compare cervico-craniomandibular MT vs cervical MT. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis (MA). METHODS: A search in PubMed, EMBASE, PEDro, and Google Scholar was conducted with an end date of February 2019. Two independent reviewers performed the data analysis, assessing the relevance of the randomized clinical trials regarding the studies' objectives. The qualitative analysis was based on classifying the results into levels of evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS: Regarding cervical MT, MA included three studies and showed statistically significant differences in pain intensity reduction and an increase in masseter pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), with a large clinical effect. In addition, the results showed an increase in temporalis PPT, with a moderate clinical effect. MA included two studies on cervical MT vs cervico-craniomandibular MT interventions and showed statistically significant differences in pain intensity reduction and pain-free maximal mouth opening, with a large clinical effect. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical MT treatment is more effective in decreasing pain intensity than placebo MT or minimal intervention, with moderate evidence. Cervico-craniomandibular interventions achieved greater short-term reductions in pain intensity and increased pain-free MMO over cervical intervention alone in TMD and headache, with low evidence.

A plasma calcium-phosphorus product can be used to predict the lifespan of dogs with chronic kidney disease.

A serum calcium-phosphorus (sCaPP) product was assessed for prediction of survival in dogs affected with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dogs (N = 150) were retrospectively studied and followed up to determine their lifespan using 25 healthy dogs as controls. Blood and urine analyses were performed and blood pressure was measured. The dogs were divided into groups according to sCaPP (higher or lower than 70 mg2/dL2) and International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stage (IRIS 1-4). Shorter survival was observed with sCaPP > 70 mg2/dL2 compared to dogs with sCaPP < 70 mg2/dL2 [45.48 days (range: 5.8 to 149 days) versus 505.40 days (range: 113.31 to 539.52 days), mean (95% confidence interval); P ≤ 0.001 respectively]. Similarly, dogs with advanced IRIS stages showed higher levels of sCaPP [mean (95% confidence interval) in mg2/dL2; IRIS 1: 42.83 (range: 29.58 to 62.10); IRIS 2: 63.18 (range: 46.34 to 90.09); IRIS 3: 95.57 (range: 88.34 to 127.19); IRIS 4: 130.38 (range: 125.16 to 153.52)], accompanied by lower survival rates. Therefore, sCaPP could represent a valuable tool in the prognosis of canine CKD.

Un produit plasmatique calcium-phosphore peut être utilisé pour prédire la durée de vie de chiens avec une maladie rénale chronique. Un produit sérique calcium-phosphore (sCaPP) fut évalué pour prédire la survie de chiens souffrant de maladie rénale chronique (CKD). Des chiens (N = 150) furent étudiés rétrospectivement et suivis pour déterminer leur survie en utilisant 25 chiens en santé comme témoins. Des analyses urinaires et sanguines furent effectuées et la pression sanguine fut mesurée. Les chiens furent divisés en groupes en fonction de leur sCaPP (plus élevé ou plus faible que 70 mg2/dL2) et de leurs stages selon l'International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) (IRIS 1­4). Un temps de survie plus court fut observé avec une sCaPP > 70 mg2/dL2 comparativement aux chiens avec une sCaPP < 70 mg2/dL2 [45,48 jours (varie de 5,8 à 149 jours) versus 505,40 jours (varie de 113,31 à 539,52 jours), moyenne (intervalle de confiance 95 %); P ≤ 0,001 respectivement]. De manière similaire, les chiens avec un stages IRIS avancé avaient des niveaux de sCaPP plus élevés [moyenne (intervalle de confiance 95 %) en mg2/dL2; IRIS 1 : 42,83 (varie de 29,58 à 62,10); IRIS 2 : 63,18 (varie de 46,34 à 90,09); IRIS 3 : 95,57 (varie de 88,34 à 127,19); IRIS 4 : 130,38 (varie de 125,16 à 153,52], accompagnés de taux de survie plus bas. Ainsi, la valeur de sCaPP pourrait représenter un outil utile dans le pronostic des maladies rénales chroniques chez le chien.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

The metabolic and vascular protective effects of olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf extract in diet-induced obesity in mice are related to the amelioration of gut microbiota dysbiosis and to its immunomodulatory properties.

INTRODUCTION: Many studies have showed the beneficial effects of the olive (Olea europaea) leaf extract (OLE) in experimental models of metabolic syndrome, which have been ascribed to the presence of phenolic compounds, like oleuropeoside. This study evaluated the effects of a chemically characterized OLE in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice, describing the underlying mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects, with special attention to vascular dysfunction and gut microbiota composition. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were distributed in different groups: control, control-treated, obese and obese-treated with OLE (1, 10 and 25 mg/kg/day). Control mice received a standard diet, whereas obese mice were fed HFD. The treatment was followed for 5 weeks, and animal body weight periodically assessed. At the end of the treatment, metabolic plasma analysis (including lipid profile) as well as glucose and insulin levels were performed. The HFD-induced inflammatory status was studied in liver and fat, by determining the RNA expression of different inflammatory mediators by qPCR; also, different markers of intestinal epithelial barrier function were determined in colonic tissue by qPCR. Additionally, flow cytometry of immune cells from adipose tissue, endothelial dysfunction in aortic rings as well as gut microbiota composition were evaluated. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to antibiotic-treated mice fed with HFD was performed. RESULTS: OLE administration reduced body weight gain, basal glycaemia and insulin resistance, and showed improvement in plasma lipid profile when compared with HFD-fed mice. The extract significantly ameliorated the HFD-induced altered expression of key adipogenic genes, like PPARs, adiponectin and leptin receptor, in adipose tissue. Furthermore, the extract reduced the RNA expression of Tnf-α, Il-1ß, Il-6 in liver and adipose tissue, thus improving the tissue inflammatory status associated to obesity. The flow cytometry analysis in adipose tissue corroborated these observations. Additionally, the characterization of the colonic microbiota by sequencing showed that OLE administration was able to counteract the dysbiosis associated to obesity. The extract reversed the endothelial dysfunction observed in the aortic rings of obese mice. FMT from donors HFD-OLE to recipient mice fed an HFD prevented the development of obesity, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction. CONCLUSION: OLE exerts beneficial effects in HFD-induced obesity in mice, which was associated to an improvement in plasma and tissue metabolic profile, inflammatory status, gut microbiota composition and vascular dysfunction.

GC-QTOF-MS as valuable tool to evaluate the influence of cultivar and sample time on olive leaves triterpenic components.

Pentacyclic triterpenes play an important role in plant defense and have demonstrated beneficial effects in human health acting in disease prevention. In the present study, the determination of triterpenes compounds in olive leaves of six different cultivars grown at four dates was assessed in order to corroborate the influence of olive growth cycle on triterpenes content and to evaluate if the highest amounts are detected in correspondence to the olive oil production period when the leaves are one of the most important by-product. A GC-QTOF-MS methodology was optimized and validated, and five triterpenes were identified and quantified in all olive leaves samples analysed. ANOVA analyses revealed quantitative differences among sampling times and cultivars. Principal Component Analyses showed a good separation among triterpenes content for the different collecting seasons and cultivars. Picual, the most commonly grown olive today for olive oil production, was the cultivar that presented the highest concentrations of triterpenes and oleanolic acid the major triterpene in all cultivars at all sampling times (54-76.5% of total triterpenes). The triterpenes concentration is higher in June than in the other sampling times. Unfortunately, the leaves sampled at the stage that corresponded to the olive oil production were not the best one in terms of triterpenes content; however the decrease was never >15.5%. Thus, the present results confirm olive leaves a suitable source of bioactive compounds that can be used to obtain high added-value products enriched in triterpenes.

La música como herramienta terapéutica en el ámbito hospitalario / Music as a therapeutic tool in the hospital setting

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Induction of apoptosis in colon cancer cells treated with isorhamnetin glycosides from Opuntia ficus-indica pads.

(OFI) contains health-promoting compounds like flavonoids, being the isorhamnetin glycosides the most abundant. We evaluated the effect of OFI extracts with different isorhamnetin glycosides against two different human colon cancer cells (HT-29 and Caco2). The extracts were obtained by alkaline hydrolysis with NaOH at 40 °C during 15, 30 or 60 min. Tri and diglycosides were the most abundant isorhamnetin glycosides, therefore these compounds were isolated to compare their cytotoxic effect with the obtained from the extracts. The OFI extracts and purified isorhamnetin glycosides were more cytotoxic against HT-29 cells than Caco2 cells. OFI-30 exhibited the lowest IC50 value against HT-29 (4.9 ± 0.5 µg/mL) and against Caco2 (8.2 ± 0.3 µg/mL). Isorhamnetin diglycosides IG5 and IG6 were more cytotoxic than pure isorhamnetin aglycone or triglycosides when they were tested in HT-29 cells. Bioluminescent analysis revealed increased activity of caspase 3/7 in OFI extracts-treated cells, particularly for the extract with the highest concentration of isorhamnetin triglycosides. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that OFI extract and isorhamnetin glycosides induced a higher percentage of apoptosis in HT-29 than in Caco2, while isorhamnetin was more apoptotic in Caco2. This research demonstrated that glycosilation affected antiproliferative effect of pure isorhamnetin glycosides or when they are mixed with other phytochemicals in an extract obtained from OFI.

José Martí Pérez: una aproximación a sus escritos relacionados con la medicina / José Martí Pérez: an approximation to his writings related with the medicine

José Julián Martí Pérez, el Héroe Nacional cubano, constituye un paradigma como político, patriota y escritor. Dejó una vasta obra literaria a la que siempre hay que acudir, por la diversidad de temas y tópicos que abordó en la misma. El Equipo Editorial de la Revista Médica Electrónica pretendió con este trabajo relacionar algunos temas científicos y técnicos abordados en los escritos de Martí, con el objetivo de profundizar en su obra y relacionar parte de ella con la rama de la medicina, además, de rendir un sencillo homenaje en el 160 aniversario de su natalicio. Se revisaron sus apuntes y otros documentos donde hizo alusión al término medicina, lo que demostró la inmensa cultura de este hombre, su avidez por conocer y escribir sobre diversos temas y, lo más importante, lo necesario que se hace que todos los cubanos profundicen e investiguen en su vida y obra literaria(AU)

José Julian Martí Pérez, the Cuban national hero, is a paradigm as a politician, a patriot and a writer. He left us a vast literary work which we always have to consult, because of the diversity of themes and topics he touched in it. The Editorial Staff of the journal Revista Médica Electrónica pretended to itemize some scientific and technical themes treated in Martí writings, with the objective of deepening in his work and relating part of them with the medicine branch and, besides that, rendering him a simple homage in the 160 anniversary of his birth. We reviewed his notes and other documents where he referred to the term of medicine, what showed the immense culture of this man, his eagerness for knowing and writing about different themes and, most important, the value and necessity of deepening and researching in his life and his literary work by all the Cuban people(AU)

Ensayo clínico controlado y aleatorizado para determinar los efectos del uso de pelotas de parto durante el trabajo de parto / Randomised controlled clinical trial to determine the effects of the use of birth balls during labour

Objetivo. Determinar los efectos del uso de la pelota de parto (PdP) durante el trabajo de parto en relación al tiempo de dilatación y expulsivo, la integridad perineal, la percepción de la intensidad del dolor y la seguridad. Método. Ensayo clínico controlado y aleatorizado. Participantes: nulíparas de 18 a 35 años, bajo riesgo, a término. Intervención: realización de movimientos sentadas sobre PdP durante el parto. Variables resultado: tiempo de dilatación y expulsivo; integridad perineal; percepción del dolor, recuerdo del dolor en el puerperio y pre-post intervención; tipo de parto; motivo de distocia; Apgar; ingreso en UCI neonatal. Análisis: comparación de grupos: t-Student para variables contínuas y Ji-cuadrado para categóricas. Significación p≤0,05. Resultados: 58 participantes (34 grupo experimental y 24 grupo control). El tiempo de dilatación y expulsivo, y la integridad perineal fue similar entre grupos. A los 4cm el grupo experimental refirió menos dolor que el grupo control; 6,9 puntos vs 8,2 (p=0,039). La diferencia en la percepción del dolor recordada en el puerperio inmediato fue de 1,48 puntos mayor en el grupo control (p=0,003). La medición del dolor en el grupo experimental antes del uso de la PdP fue de 7,45 puntos y tras la intervención de 6,07 puntos (p<0,001). En las variables relacionadas con la seguridad no hubo diferencias entre los grupos. Conclusión. El uso de pelotas de parto disminuye la percepción del dolor de parto y es segura (AU)

Objective. To determine the effects of using birth balls (BB) during the first and second stage of labour, perineal integrity, perception of pain intensity, and safety. Method: Randomised controlled trial. Participants: 18 to 35 years, nulliparous, low-risk, at term. Intervention: Performing movements sitting on a BB during obstetric labour. Main outcomes: Duration of first and second labour stages; perineal integrity; pain perception during the postpartum period and pre-post intervention, type of delivery, cause of dystocia, Apgar, neonatal ICU admission. Analysis: Comparison of groups: Student-t for continuous variables and chi-squared test for categorical ones. Significance if P ≤.05. Results. A total of 58 patients (34 experimental and 24 controls) were included. Times of first and second stage, and perineal integrity were similar between groups. At 4cm. the experimental group referred less pain than the control group, 6.9 points vs 8.2 (P=.039). Difference in the perception of pain in the immediate postpartum period was 1.48 points higher in the control group (P=.003). The measurement of pain in the experimental group before the use of the BB was of 7.45 points, and after the intervention of 6.07 points (P<.001). In There were no differences between groups as regards safety-related variables. Conclusion. The use of a Birth Ball decreases obstetric labour pain perception and is safe (AU)

Androgenesis in recalcitrant solanaceous crops.

Tomato, eggplant, and pepper are three solanaceous crops of outstanding importance worldwide. For hybrid seed production in these species, a fast and cheap method to obtain pure (homozygous) lines is a priority. Traditionally, pure lines are produced by classical inbreeding and selection techniques, which are time consuming (several years) and costly. Alternatively, it has become possible to accelerate the production of homozygous lines through a biotechnological approach: the induction of androgenesis to generate doubled haploid (homozygous) plants. This biotechnological in vitro tool reduces the process to only one generation, which implies important time and costs savings. These facts make androgenic doubled haploids the choice in a number of important crops where the methodology is well set up. Unfortunately, recalcitrant solanaceous crops such as tomato, eggplant, and pepper are still far from an efficient and reliable technology to be applied on a routine basis to different genotypes in breeding programs. In eggplant and pepper, only anther cultures are known to work relatively well. Unfortunately, a more efficient and promising technique, the culture of isolated microspores, is not sufficiently developed yet. In tomato, none of these methods is available nowadays. However, recent advances in the knowledge of embryo development are filling the gaps and opening new ways to achieve the final goal of an efficient protocol in these three recalcitrant species. In this review, we outline the state of the art on androgenic induction in tomato, eggplant, and pepper, and postulate new experimental ways in order to overcome current limitations.

Using multiplexed regulation of luciferase activity and GFP translocation to screen for FOXO modulators.

BACKGROUND: Independent luciferase reporter assays and fluorescent translocation assays have been successfully used in drug discovery for several molecular targets. We developed U2transLUC, an assay system in which luciferase and fluorescent read-outs can be multiplexed to provide a powerful cell-based high content screening method. RESULTS: The U2transLUC system is based on a stable cell line expressing a GFP-tagged FOXO transcription factor and a luciferase reporter gene under the control of human FOXO-responsive enhancers. The U2transLUC assay measures nuclear-cytoplasmic FOXO shuttling and FOXO-driven transcription, providing a means to analyze these two key features of FOXO regulation in the same experiment. We challenged the U2transLUC system with chemical probes with known biological activities and we were able to identify compounds with translocation and/or transactivation capacity. CONCLUSION: Combining different biological read-outs in a single cell line offers significant advantages over conventional cell-based assays. The U2transLUC assay facilitates the maintenance and monitoring of homogeneous FOXO transcription factor expression and allows the reporter gene activity measured to be normalized with respect to cell viability. U2transLUC is suitable for high throughput screening and can identify small molecules that interfere with FOXO signaling at different levels.

[Effectiveness of the application of therapeutic touch on weight, complications, and length of hospital stay in preterm newborns attended in a neonatal unit]. / Efectividad de la aplicación de toques terapéuticos en el peso, las complicaciones y los días de estancia, en recién nacidos pretérmino ingresados en una unidad de neonatología.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of therapeutic touch on weight, the presence of postnatal complications, and length of hospital stay in preterm newborns, as well as on parental satisfaction with the care provided. METHOD: We performed an experimental study in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Virgen Macarena University Hospital in Seville (Spain). Seventy eight premature neonates were randomly assigned to one of the comparison groups (39 in the control group and 39 in the experimental group). The outcome variables of weight, length of hospital stay, the presence of complications, and parental satisfaction were evaluated. Control variables related to maternal socio-demographic and clinic characteristics were also measured. The intervention was based on the application of therapeutic touch. RESULTS: The mean weight in grams was 1,867.80 (SD=149.72) in the experimental group and 1,860 (SD=181.92) in the control group (t=0.148; p=0.883). Length of hospital stay was 16.82 (SD=6.47) in the experimental group and 20.30 (SD=8.04) in the control group (t=2.100; p=0.039). Complications developed in 5.3% of the premature neonates in the experimental group and in 20% of those in the control group (chi(2)=3.78; p=0.049). The odds ratio for developing complications was 1.673 (CI 1.089-2.571). CONCLUSIONS: The application of therapeutic touch reduces the length of hospital stay and the presence of complications. Nevertheless, further research in larger samples is required.

Efectividad de la aplicación de toques terapéuticos en el peso, las complicaciones y los días de estancia, en recién nacidos pretérmino ingresados en una unidad de neonatología / Effectiveness of the application of therapeutic touch on weight, complications, and length of hospital stay in preterm newborns attended in a neonatal unit

Objetivo. Conocer la efectividad de los toques terapéuticos en el peso, la presentación de complicaciones posnatales y los días de estancia en recién nacidos pretérminos (RNP), así como en la satisfacción de los padres. Método. Estudio experimental, realizado en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales del Hospital Virgen Macarena de Sevilla. Se incluyeron 78 RNP (39 en el grupo control y 39 en el experimental), mediante asignación aleatoria. Las variables medidas fueron el peso, los días de estancia, la presentación de complicaciones y la satisfacción de los padres, y de control las relacionadas con características sociodemográficas y clínicas de las madres. La intervención consistió en la aplicación de toques terapeúticos. Resultados. En relación con el peso, la media fue de 1.867,80g (desviación estándar [DE]=149,72) en el grupo experimental y de 1.860g (DE=181,92) en el control (t=0,148; p=0,883); el tiempo de estancia en la unidad fue de 16,82 (DE=6,47) en el grupo experimental y de 20,30 (DE=8,04) en el grupo control (t=2,100, p=0,039), y de presentación de complicaciones posnatales, mientras que en el grupo experimental aparecen en el 5,3% de los RNP, en el grupo control lo hacen en el 20% (χ2=3,78; p=0,049). La odds ratio para presentación de complicaciones fue de 1,673 (intervalo de confianza del 95%, 1,089-2,571). Conclusiones. La aplicación de los toques terapéuticos ha mostrado su efectividad en el tiempo de estancia y en la presentación de complicaciones. Sería necesario en futuras investigaciones ampliar el tamaño de la muestra (AU)

Objective. To determine the effectiveness of therapeutic touch on weight, the presence of postnatal complications, and length of hospital stay in preterm newborns, as well as on parental satisfaction with the care provided. Method. We performed an experimental study in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Virgen Macarena University Hospital in Seville (Spain). Seventy eight premature neonates were randomly assigned to one of the comparison groups (39 in the control group and 39 in the experimental group). The outcome variables of weight, length of hospital stay, the presence of complications, and parental satisfaction were evaluated. Control variables related to maternal socio-demographic and clinic characteristics were also measured. The intervention was based on the application of therapeutic touch. Results. The mean weight in grams was 1,867.80 (SD=149.72) in the experimental group and 1,860 (SD=181.92) in the control group (t=0.148; p=0.883). Length of hospital stay was 16.82 (SD=6.47) in the experimental group and 20.30 (SD=8.04) in the control group (t=2.100; p=0.039). Complications developed in 5.3% of the premature neonates in the experimental group and in 20% of those in the control group (χ2=3.78; p=0.049). The odds ratio for developing complications was 1.673 (CI 1.089–2.571). Conclusions. The application of therapeutic touch reduces the length of hospital stay and the presence of complications. Nevertheless, further research in larger samples is required (AU)

Use of virus vectors for the expression in plants of active full-length and single chain anti-coronavirus antibodies.

To extend the potential of antibodies and their derivatives to provide passive protection against enteric infections when supplied orally in crude plant extracts, we have expressed both a small immune protein (SIP) and a full-length antibody in plants using two different plant virus vectors based on potato virus X (PVX) and cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV). The alphaSIP molecule consisted of a single chain antibody (scFv) specific for the porcine coronavirus, transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) linked to the alpha-CH3 domain from human IgA. To express the full-length IgA, the individual light and heavy chains from the TGEV-specific mAb 6A.C3 were inserted into separate PVX constructs and plants were co-infected with both constructs. Western blot analysis revealed the efficient expression of both the SIP and IgA molecules. Analysis of crude plant extracts revealed that both the plant-expressed alphaSIP and IgA molecules could bind to and neutralize TGEV in tissue culture, indicating that active molecules were produced. Oral administration of crude extracts from antibody-expressing plant tissue to 2-day-old piglets showed that both the alphaSIP and full-length IgA molecules can provide in vivo protection against TGEV.