Antarctic aldehyde dehydrogenase from Flavobacterium PL002 as a potent catalyst for acetaldehyde determination in wine.

Latest solutions in biotechnologies and biosensing targeted cold-active extremozymes. Analysis of acetaldehyde as a relevant quality indicator of wine is one example of application that could benefit from using low-temperatures operating catalysts. In search of novel aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH) with high stability and activity at low temperatures, the recombinant S2-ALDH from the Antarctic Flavobacterium PL002 was obtained by cloning and expression in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). Structural and phylogenetic analyses revealed strong protein similarities (95%) with psychrophilic homologs, conserved active residues and structural elements conferring enzyme flexibility. Arrhenius plot revealed a conformational shift at 30 °C, favoring catalysis (low activation energy) at lower temperatures. In addition to a broad substrate specificity with preference for acetaldehyde (Km = 1.88 mM), this enzyme showed a high tolerance for ethanol (15%) and several salts and chelators (an advantage for wine analysis), while being sensitive to mercury (I50 = 1.21 µM). The neutral optimal pH (7.5) and the stability up to 40 °C and after lyophilization represent major assets for developing S2-ALDH-based sensors. An enzymatic electrochemical assay was developed for acetaldehyde detection in wines with proven accuracy in comparison with the reference spectrophotometric method, thus evidencing the potential of S2-ALDH as effective biocatalyst for industry and biosensing.

[Pharmacological treatment in uncertainty times: Hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine use in the COVID-19 treatment]. / Tratamiento farmacológico en tiempos de incertidumbre: uso de la hidroxicloroquina/cloroquina en el tratamiento de COVID-19.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this moments, of extreme gravity in which we find ourselves, and in the uncertainty face about the most effective treatment against COVID-19 disease and with the aim of find the evidence that support the chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine use recommendation to treat COVID-19 disease, a systematic review of published studies and RCT studies publishes until April 28, 2020 was carried out. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic search was carried out in PubMed with the keywords COVID-19 and their synonyms and hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine. The data selection and extraction was elaborated by two researchers, independently. The results were discussed with a Primary Care physicians clinical group and the results were synthesized using GRADE methodology. RESULTS: A good quality systematic review was found that includes articles with a high risk of bias. And 8 EC launched that will produce results beyond May 2020. CONCLUSIONS: Although the conclusions of the systematic review generate a low confidence in the results, and the clinical variables that show benefit are intermediate variables, the side effects are acceptable and could be minimized with the use of QT lengthening risk tools, so it is could make a weak recommendation in favor of the use of chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine in patients with mild-moderate stage COVID-19.

Tratamiento farmacológico en tiempos de incertidumbre: uso de la hidroxicloroquina/cloroquina en el tratamiento de COVID-19 / Pharmacological treatment in uncertainty times: hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine use in the COVID-19 treatment

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVOS: En los momentos de extrema gravedad en los que nos encontramos, y ante la incertidumbre acerca de los tratamientos más eficaces en la lucha contra la enfermedad COVID-19 y con el objetivo de conocer las evidencias que pueden sostener la recomendación de utilización de cloroquina/hidroxicloroquina en el COVID 19, se realizó una revisión sistemática de estudios publicados y EC puestos en marcha con fecha hasta 28 de abril 2020. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en PubMed con las palabras clave COVID-19 y sus sinónimos y cloroquina/hidroxicloroquina. La selección y extracción de los datos aparecidos en dicha búsqueda fue realizada por dos investigadores de forma independiente. Los resultados se discutieron con un grupo clínico de médicos de Atención Primaria y se sintetizaron los resultados mediante tablas de GRADE. RESULTADOS: Se encontró una revisión sistemática de buena calidad que incluye artículos con elevado riesgo de sesgos. Y 8 EC puestos en marcha que arrojarán resultados más allá de mayo de 2020. CONCLUSIONES: Aunque las conclusiones de la revisión sistemática generan una baja confianza en los resultados, y las variables clínicas que muestran beneficio son variables intermedias, los efectos secundarios son asumibles y podrían ser minimizados con el uso de herramientas de riesgo de alargamiento del QT, por lo que se podría hacer una recomendación débil a favor del uso de cloroquina/hidroxicloroquina en pacientes con COVID-19 en estadio leve-moderado

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this moments, of extreme gravity in which we find ourselves, and in the uncertainty face about the most effective treatment against COVID-19 disease and with the aim of find the evidence that support the chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine use recommendation to treat COVID-19 disease, a systematic review of published studies and RCT studies publishes until April 28, 2020 was carried out. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic search was carried out in PubMed with the keywords COVID-19 and their synonyms and hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine. The data selection and extraction was elaborated by two researchers, independently. The results were discussed with a Primary Care physicians clinical group and the results were synthesized using GRADE methodology. RESULTS: A good quality systematic review was found that includes articles with a high risk of bias. And 8 EC launched that will produce results beyond May 2020. CONCLUSIONS: Although the conclusions of the systematic review generate a low confidence in the results, and the clinical variables that show benefit are intermediate variables, the side effects are acceptable and could be minimized with the use of QT lengthening risk tools, so it is could make a weak recommendation in favor of the use of chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine in patients with mild-moderate stage COVID-19

Reduction of cardiac TGFß-mediated profibrotic events by inhibition of Hsp90 with engineered protein.

Myocardial fibroblast activation coupled with extracellular matrix production is a pathological signature of myocardial fibrosis and is governed mainly by transforming growth factor TGFß-Smad2/3 signaling. Targeting the ubiquitous TGFß leads to cellular homeostasis deregulation with adverse consequences. We previously showed the anti-fibrotic effects upon downregulation of 90-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp90), a chaperone that associates to the TGFß signaling cascade. In the present study, we use a fluorescent-labeled Hsp90 protein inhibitor (CTPR390-488) with specific Hsp90 binding properties to reduce myocardial pro-fibrotic events in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of action involves the disruption of TGFßRI-Hsp90 complex, resulting in a decrease in TGFß signaling and reduction in extracellular matrix collagen. In vivo, decreased myocardial collagen deposition was observed upon CTPR390-488 treatment in a pro-fibrotic mouse model. This is the first study demonstrating the ability of an engineered Hsp90 protein inhibitor to block collagen expression, reduce the motility of myocardial TGFß-activated fibroblasts and ameliorate angiotensin-II induced cardiac myocardial fibrosis in vivo.

Streptavidin functionalized nickel nanowires: A new ferromagnetic platform for biotinylated-based assays.

Herein we present highly stable ferromagnetic nickel nanowires modified with streptavidin (NiNW-STR). This versatile functionalized nanomaterial works as an excellent biosensing platform for the immobilization of a wide range of biotinylated molecules. Moreover, these NWs can be employed in magnetic-based assays. Different proofs-of-concept such as streptavidin-biotin assays and capture of single and double stranded DNA were successfully carried out, corroborating NiNW-STR usefulness. Moreover, repeatability and stability studies were also effectively performed.

Consumo de tabaco y actitud ante el inicio del hospital sin humo en el Hospital de Móstoles / Tobacco consumption and attitude towards the onset of the smokeless hospital in the Hospital de Móstoles

Objetivos: Conocer en los trabajadores de nuestro Hospital el número de exfumadores, no fumadores y fumadores activos, profundizando en las características del consumo de tabaco de estos últimos. Saber su predisposición al abandono y si precisarían de ayuda. Evaluar la opinión de los mismos con respecto al cumplimiento de la prohibición vigente del consumo de tabaco en centros sanitarios, el papel modélico del personal sanitario, si creen necesario realizar acciones para que no se fume en el hospital y si estarían dispuestos a colaborar con ellas. Material y métodos: Encuesta distribuida en los meses de julio y septiembre de 2004 a todos los trabajadores de las distintas categorías profesionales de nuestro centro hospitalario. Resultados: 411 encuestas válidas (20,30% participación). Se declaraban fumadores 25,9%, exfumadores 16% y nunca habían fumado 58,1%. De los fumadores 20,2% eran hombres y 79,8% mujeres, mediana de edad de inicio de 16 años. Los colectivos de mayor prevalencia de consumo fueron enfermería (37,2%) y auxiliares de clínica (24,4%). La mediana del test de Fagerström obtenida fue de 4. El 89,4% de los fumadores se encontraban en fase de contemplación y el 86,8% en fase de preparación. El 81% de los fumadores expresaba la necesidad de ayuda para lograr el abandono. El 91,2% consideraba importante el papel del profesional sanitario como ejemplo para el resto de la sociedad en cuanto al consumo del tabaco se refiere; 94,4% opinaba que en nuestro Centro se incumple la ley que actualmente regula el consumo de tabaco en los centros sanitarios; 96,3% creía que se debían iniciar acciones para evitar dicho consumo y 96% estaría dispuesto a colaborar con las mismas. Conclusiones: Menor prevalencia de fumadores que en la población general. Predominio femenino, sobre todo en el colectivo de enfermería y auxiliares. Alta predisposición a realizar un intento serio de abandono, aunque recibiendo ayuda. Importante conciencia del papel modélico que tenemos los sanitarios. Muy elevado porcentaje de incumplimiento de la prohibición de fumar, aunque también elevada creencia de que hay que cambiarlo y gran predisposición a colaborar con las nuevas medidas para lograr un hospital sin humos (AU)

Objectives: Discover the number of ex-smokers, non-smokers and active smokers in the workers of our hospital, thoroughly studying the characteristics of tobacco consumption of the latter. Know the predisposition to stop smoking and if they would require help. Evaluate their opinion in regards to complying with the current ban on smoking in health care sites, the model role of the health care personnel, if they consider it necessary to take actions to stop smoking in the hospital and if they are willing to collaborate with them. Material and methods: Survey distributed in the months of July and September 2004 to all the workers of the different professional categories of our hospital site. Results: 411 valid surveys (20.30% participation). A total of 25.9%declared they smoked, 16% ex-smokers and 58.1% that they had never smoked. Of the smokers, 20.2% were men and 79.8% women, mean onset age 16 years. The group having the greatest prevalence of consumption was nurses (37.2%) and clinical auxiliary workers (24.4%). Median obtained on the Fagerström test was 4. A total of 89.4% of the smokers were in the contemplation phase and 86.8% in the preparation phase. Eighty one percent of the smokers expressed the need for help to stop smoking and 91.2% considered the role of the health care professional important as an example for the rest of society in regards to smoking. A total of 94.4% considered that the law the currently regulates smoking in health care sites is not fulfilled in our site and 96.3% believed that actions should be initiated to avoid this consumption. A total of 96%were willing to collaborate with them. Conclusions: There is a lower prevalence of smokers than in the general population with female predominance, above all in the nursing and auxiliary worker group. High predisposition to make a serious attempt to stop smoking, although receiving help. Important awareness of the model role that the health care professionals have. Very high percentage of non-compliance of the ban on smoking, although also high belief that this must be changed and great predisposition to collaborate with the new measures to achieve a hospital without smoke (AU)

[Length of stay in the hospital emergency department]. / Estudio de tiempos en el área de urgencia hospitalaria.

We evaluated the overall time spent by patients in the emergency department as well as the time employed in the different steps of emergency care and their relationship to patient's diagnosis. Data from 2421 patients, randomly selected, amongst those who attended hospital's emergency department units between november 22-28th 1990 were collected data in a specially designed form. The mean time required for examination was 13 minutes and this procedure was carried out, in average, 18 minutes after admission. The mean length of stay in emergency area was 127 minutes with a significant increase in those cases rated as "true" emergencies.

[Sarcoidosis and Whipple's disease: an association or a relationship?]. / Sarcoidosis y enfermedad de Whipple: asociación o relación?

Whipple's disease is a rare, systemic disorder characterized by arthritis, serositis, diarrhea, malabsorption, lymphadenopathies, weight loss, fever, cutaneous hyperpigmentation and central and peripheral nervous system disorders. There are approximately 60 published cases with pulmonary involvement, in general pleuritis, hilar adenopathies and interstitial affectation. In some occasions, sarcoidosis has been diagnosed prior to WD, postulating either a causal association between both entities, or a relationship between them, existing in WD and initial phase which mimics sarcoidosis. We present a patient diagnosed of sarcoidosis who during the evolution of the disease developed gastrointestinal symptoms compatible with WD.

[The role of BCG in the prevention of tuberculosis]. / El papel de la BCG en la prevención de la tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is still a major international public health problem. The role of vaccination with BCG in the prophylaxis of the tuberculosis has been a source of controversy almost since ist introduction in the thirties, because of the disparity of the results regarding efficacy and protection of the several studies that have been done. Currently, everybody seems to agree that in countries with annual infection risk lower than 1%, a massive vaccination campaign with BGC is not profitable. On the other hand, BCG interferes the lecture of the Mantoux intra-dermo-reaction and, thus, it invalidates the most effective test that we have for the diagnosis of the tuberculosis infection. In our country, the battle against tuberculosis is currently focused on the identification and treatment of the tuberculous patient, chemoprophylaxis with contacts of these patients and avoidance of the development of the tuberculosis infection to tuberculosis disease.

[Current status of the antipneumococcal vaccine: a pending issue]. / Situación actual de la vacuna antineumocócica: una asignatura pendiente.

In spite of antibiotic treatment, mortality due to pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is still considerable and it is related to the presence of bacteremia. Prophylaxis with 23-polyvalent anti-pneumococcus vaccine would prevent severe processes in high risk populations. We present in this work the current status of our knowledge about this vaccine, regarding its efficacy in preventing bacteremia, economic cost, and secondary effects, we point out the indications of this vaccine according to IPAC (Immunization Practices Advisory Committee) and those special situations which modify prophylaxis (pregnancy, revaccination and massive immunizations) are discussed.

[Tuberculin test: usefulness of an old technique]. / Prueba tuberculínica: utilidad de una antigua técnica.

Tuberculin test was first used as a diagnostic test of tuberculous infection during the first decades of this century. From the up to date, no other method has proven to be more efficient for this task. In the present work we try to explain what the test consists of, what is its use, how it is interpreted, and which are the indications for the Mantoux intradermal reaction. We emphasize the importance of performing this technique correctly so as to not invalidate the results of this test which is essential both from a individual as from an epidemiological point of view.

[Transient elevation in immunity in a senile female patient]. / Exaltación transitoria de la inmunidad en una paciente senil.

A case of an 85 year old female patient who during an infectious episode developed multiple autoimmune markers, autoantibodies, hypergammaglobulinemia, bicytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and cryoglobulinemia is described. All the anomalies disappeared during the following four weeks and during this period the patient presented no clinical manifestations. The hypothesis is that the infectious stimulus provoked a markedly exaggerated response. We highlight the rareness of this out of proportion transitory and silent immune response, emphasizing the greater cell sensibility to different stimuli in older patients.