A morphological and molecular approach to investigating infectious disease in early medieval Iberia: The necropolis of La Olmeda (Palencia, Spain).

OBJECTIVE: Here we investigate infectious diseases that potentially contribute to osteological lesions in individuals from the early medieval necropolis of La Olmeda (6th-11th c. CE) in North Iberia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied a minimum number of 268 individuals (33 adult females; 38 adult males, 77 unknown/indeterminate sex; and 120 non-adults), including articulated and commingled remains. Individuals with differential diagnoses suggesting chronic systemic infectious diseases were sampled and bioinformatically screened for ancient pathogen DNA. RESULTS: Five non-adults (and no adults) presented skeletal evidence of chronic systemic infectious disease (1.87% of the population; 4.67% of non-adults). The preferred diagnoses for these individuals included tuberculosis, brucellosis, and malaria. Ancient DNA fragments assigned to the malaria-causing pathogen, Plasmodium spp., were identified in three of the five individuals. Observed pathology includes lesions generally consistent with malaria; however, additional lesions in two of the individuals may represent hitherto unknown variation in the skeletal manifestation of this disease or co-infection with tuberculosis or brucellosis. Additionally, spondylolysis was observed in one individual with skeletal lesions suggestive of infectious disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study sheds light on the pathological landscape in Iberia during a time of great social, demographic, and environmental change. Genetic evidence challenges the hypothesis that malaria was absent from early medieval Iberia and demonstrates the value of combining osteological and archaeogenetic methods. Additionally, all of the preferred infectious diagnoses for the individuals included in this study (malaria, tuberculosis, and brucellosis) could have contributed to the febrile cases described in historical sources from this time.

Polimorfismos de los genes CCR5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10 en pacientes cubanos con VIH/sida / Polymorphisms of CCR5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes in Cuban HIV/AIDS patients

Introducción Los estudios genéticos han demostrado asociaciones de varios polimorfismos de un solo nucleótido (SNP) con diferentes tasas de progresión y variación en la susceptibilidad a la infección por VIH. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo estimar la frecuencia de los polimorfismos ccr5Δ32, IL-6-174G/C, IFN-γ+874T/A e IL-10-1082A/G en pacientes cubanos infectados por VIH y un grupo de parejas serodiscordantes para evaluar su influencia sobre el riesgo y la progresión de la enfermedad. Métodos Se realizó un estudio transversal en 120 sujetos atendidos en el Instituto de Medicina Tropical «Pedro Kour» (IPK) y el Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras entre junio de 2018 y diciembre de 2019. La amplificación de los fragmentos de los genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10 se realizó mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa seguida por el análisis del polimorfismo de fragmentos de restricción utilizando la enzima NlaIII para la IL-6. El sistema de mutación refractario a la amplificación por PCR se utilizó en el caso de los genes IFN-γ e IL-10. Resultados Las distribuciones alélicas y genotípicas de los genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10 no difirieron significativamente entre los dos grupos. Los recuentos celulares y los valores de carga viral en plasma no difirieron significativamente entre los genotipos de los genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10. Solo el genotipo IL-6 GC se asoció con valores más altos de carga viral. La combinación de alelos de los cuatro SNP considerados mostró un aumento muy significativo del riesgo de infección por VIH para uno de ellos, pero con una frecuencia muy baja (<1%). Conclusión Este estudio contribuye a evaluar la frecuencia de estos polimorfismos y su influencia en los biomarcadores de la progresión de la infección por VIH en la población cubana con infección por el VIH. (AU)

Introduction Genetic studies have shown associations of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with different rates of progression and variation in susceptibility to HIV infection. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of ccr5Δ32, IL-6-174G/C, IFN-γ+874T/A and IL-10-1082A/G polymorphisms in Cuban HIV-infected patients and a group of sero-discordant couples to assess their influence on risk and disease progression. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on 120 subjects registered at the Institute of Tropical Medicine «Pedro Kour» (IPK) and the Ameijeiras Hospital from June 2018 until December 2019. The amplification of fragments of the ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction followed by identification of polymorphisms using the restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for IL-6 with the restriction enzymes Nla III. Amplification refractory mutation system was used for IFN-γ and IL-10 genes. Results The allelic and genotypic distributions of the genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 did not differ significantly between the two groups. Cell counts and plasma viral load values did not differ significantly between genotypes of the ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes. Only the IL-6 GC genotype was associated with higher viral load values. The combination of alleles of the four considered SNPs showed a highly significant increase in the risk of HIV infection for one of them, but with a very low frequency (<1%). Conclusion This study contributes to evaluating the frequency of these polymorphisms and their influence on biomarkers of the progression of HIV infection in the Cuban HIV-population. (AU)

Polimorfismos de los genes CCR5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10 en pacientes cubanos con VIH/sida / Polymorphisms of CCR5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes in Cuban HIV/AIDS patients

Introducción Los estudios genéticos han demostrado asociaciones de varios polimorfismos de un solo nucleótido (SNP) con diferentes tasas de progresión y variación en la susceptibilidad a la infección por VIH. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo estimar la frecuencia de los polimorfismos ccr5Δ32, IL-6-174G/C, IFN-γ+874T/A e IL-10-1082A/G en pacientes cubanos infectados por VIH y un grupo de parejas serodiscordantes para evaluar su influencia sobre el riesgo y la progresión de la enfermedad. Métodos Se realizó un estudio transversal en 120 sujetos atendidos en el Instituto de Medicina Tropical «Pedro Kour» (IPK) y el Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras entre junio de 2018 y diciembre de 2019. La amplificación de los fragmentos de los genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10 se realizó mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa seguida por el análisis del polimorfismo de fragmentos de restricción utilizando la enzima NlaIII para la IL-6. El sistema de mutación refractario a la amplificación por PCR se utilizó en el caso de los genes IFN-γ e IL-10. Resultados Las distribuciones alélicas y genotípicas de los genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10 no difirieron significativamente entre los dos grupos. Los recuentos celulares y los valores de carga viral en plasma no difirieron significativamente entre los genotipos de los genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10. Solo el genotipo IL-6 GC se asoció con valores más altos de carga viral. La combinación de alelos de los cuatro SNP considerados mostró un aumento muy significativo del riesgo de infección por VIH para uno de ellos, pero con una frecuencia muy baja (<1%). Conclusión Este estudio contribuye a evaluar la frecuencia de estos polimorfismos y su influencia en los biomarcadores de la progresión de la infección por VIH en la población cubana con infección por el VIH. (AU)

Introduction Genetic studies have shown associations of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with different rates of progression and variation in susceptibility to HIV infection. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of ccr5Δ32, IL-6-174G/C, IFN-γ+874T/A and IL-10-1082A/G polymorphisms in Cuban HIV-infected patients and a group of sero-discordant couples to assess their influence on risk and disease progression. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on 120 subjects registered at the Institute of Tropical Medicine «Pedro Kour» (IPK) and the Ameijeiras Hospital from June 2018 until December 2019. The amplification of fragments of the ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction followed by identification of polymorphisms using the restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for IL-6 with the restriction enzymes Nla III. Amplification refractory mutation system was used for IFN-γ and IL-10 genes. Results The allelic and genotypic distributions of the genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 did not differ significantly between the two groups. Cell counts and plasma viral load values did not differ significantly between genotypes of the ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes. Only the IL-6 GC genotype was associated with higher viral load values. The combination of alleles of the four considered SNPs showed a highly significant increase in the risk of HIV infection for one of them, but with a very low frequency (<1%). Conclusion This study contributes to evaluating the frequency of these polymorphisms and their influence on biomarkers of the progression of HIV infection in the Cuban HIV-population. (AU)

Polymorphisms of CCR5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes in Cuban HIV/AIDS patients.

INTRODUCTION: Genetic studies have shown associations of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with different rates of progression and variation in susceptibility to HIV infection. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of ccr5Δ32, IL-6-174G/C, IFN-γ+874T/A and IL-10-1082A/G polymorphisms in Cuban HIV-infected patients and a group of sero-discordant couples to assess their influence on risk and disease progression. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 120 subjects registered at the Institute of Tropical Medicine «Pedro Kour¼ (IPK) and the Ameijeiras Hospital from June 2018 until December 2019. The amplification of fragments of the ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction followed by identification of polymorphisms using the restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for IL-6 with the restriction enzymes Nla III. Amplification Refractory Mutation System was used for IFN-γ and IL-10 genes. RESULTS: The allelic and genotypic distributions of the genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 did not differ significantly between the two groups. Cell counts and plasma viral load values did not differ significantly between genotypes of the ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes. Only the IL-6 GC genotype was associated with higher viral load values. The combination of alleles of the four considered SNPs showed a highly significant increase in the risk of HIV infection for one of them, but with a very low frequency (<1%). CONCLUSION: This study contributes to evaluating the frequency of these polymorphisms and their influence on biomarkers of the progression of HIV infection in the Cuban HIV-population.

In vitro activity of cefiderocol and other newly approved antimicrobials against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative pathogens recovered in intensive care units in Spain and Portugal.

OBJECTIVE: The antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health threat, particularly for healthcare-associated infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative pathogens which are increasingly reported worldwide. The aim of this study was to provide data on the in vitro antimicrobial activity of cefiderocol and that of commercially available comparator antibiotics against a defined collection of recent clinical multi-drug resistant (MDR) microorganisms, including carbapenem resistant Gram-negative bacteria collected from different regions in Spain and Portugal. METHODS: A total of 477 clinical isolates of Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were prospectively (n=265) and retrospectively (n=212) included (2016-2019). Susceptibility testing was performed using standard broad microdilution and results were interpreted using CLSI-2021 and EUCAST-2021 criteria. RESULTS: Overall, cefiderocol showed a good activity against Enterobacterales isolates, being 99.5% susceptible by CLSI and 94.5% by EUCAST criteria. It also demonstrated excellent activity against P. aeruginosa and S. maltophilia isolates, all being susceptible to this compound considering CLSI breakpoints. Regarding A. baumannii (n=64), only one isolate was resistant to cefiderocol. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are in agreement with other studies performed outside Spain and Portugal highlighting its excellent activity against MDR gram-negative bacteria. Cefiderocol is a therapeutic alternative to those available for the treatment of infections caused by these MDR bacteria.

Chronic diarrhea secondary to canine leishmaniosis: Case series.

Chronic diarrhea is a clinical sign associated with canine leishmaniosis, varying from 3 % to 30 % of prevalence. However, its occurrence in dogs has been mostly associated with chronic kidney or liver disease. Leishmania organisms can cause inflammation of the digestive tract with chronic diarrhea as the only clinical manifestation, although it has been poorly documented in dogs. The aim of this retrospective observational study was to describe dogs with chronic diarrhea as the main clinical sign associated with leishmaniosis. All cases had a complete blood count, biochemistry, urinalyses, and diagnostic tests for leishmaniosis. Exclusion criteria included renal or hepatic disease and/or previous diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease. Twenty-three dogs were included. Small bowel diarrhea was present in 7/23 (30.4 %), large bowel diarrhea in 9/23 (39.2 %) and mixed diarrhea in 7/23 (30.4 %). Gastrointestinal biopsies were performed in 8/23 dogs and Leishmania amastigotes were found in all of them. In the others, leishmaniosis was diagnosed by serology in 10/15 dogs (66.7 %), serology plus blood PCR in 3/15 (20.0 %), lymph node cytology in 1/15 (6.7 %), and blood PCR in 1/15 (6.7 %). All dogs treated had a complete resolution of diarrhea with specific treatment for leishmaniosis alone, based on meglumine antimoniate (75-100 mg/kg SID SC for 1 month) plus allopurinol (10 mg/kg BID PO ≥ 6 months). This study suggests that leishmaniosis should be also included in the differential diagnosis of dogs from endemic areas presenting with the primary problem of large-bowel, small-bowel, or mixed-bowel chronic diarrhea.

Nutritive Value of Wheat Bran Diets Supplemented With Fresh Carrots and Wet Brewers' Grains in Yellow Mealworm.

We evaluated the effect of supplementation of a wheat bran (WB) diet with fresh carrots (FC) or wet brewer's grains (WBG) on the growth performance and chemical composition of Tenebrio molitor larvae. Additionally, a digestibility trial was performed to determine the nutritional value of the raw materials used. The control diet was based on WB-only. Two other diets were formulated in which WB was supplemented with FC (FC diet) or with WBG (WBG diet). The experiment was conducted in trays (12 per treatment) and lasted 90 d. Larval weight, feed intake, and excreted feces were controlled in each tray the experiment. The digestibility trial was performed from 48 to 62 d post-hatch. Results showed digestibility coefficients of ashes, crude protein, and gross energy were significantly higher in FC diet compared with the other diets. Consequently, both digestible energy (DE) and digestible protein (DP) contents of FC were also significantly higher than those obtained for WB and WBG diets (on av. +1.12 megajoule [MJ] DE and +9.15 g DP per kg dry matter [DM]; P < 0.003). Mealworms fed FC diet showed significantly higher final weight and average daily gain than those fed the WBG diet (+12.4%), being higher in WBG than in WB diet (+3.5%). Dietary treatment did not affect DM, ashes, ether extract, and crude protein content of mealworms obtained. Some dietary effects on amino acid and fatty acid composition were observed. This study provides novel data and a unique experimental approach to assess the nutritional value of raw materials in mealworms.

Trastorno de acumulación: las urracas también maltratan a sus crías / Hoarding disorder: magpies also mistreat their young

Se presenta el caso clínico de una niña de 7 años que consulta por impétigo contagioso y tras un abordaje integral biopsicosocial desde la consulta de Pediatría se diagnostica de maltrato por negligencia en relación con un trastorno de acumulación en la progenitora. La atención longitudinal e integral que realizan los pediatras de Atención Primaria sobre la salud del niño y el adolescente monitoreando la dinámica familiar resulta clave en la detección precoz de muchos trastornos mentales de inicio en la edad pediátrica, así como de situaciones de maltrato infantil en todas sus variantes (AU)

We present the clinical case of a 7-year-old girl who consulted for contagious impetigo and after a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach from the Pediatric consultation, she was diagnosed with negligent abuse in relation to an accumulation disorder in the mother. The longitudinal and comprehensive care performed by Primary Care pediatricians on the health of children and adolescents, monitoring family dynamics, is key in the early detection of many mental disorders of onset in the pediatric age, as well as situations of child abuse in all its variants. (AU)

Numerical Estimation and Mathematical Learning Methodology in Preschoolers.

One of the means for representing quantities/magnitudes is the mental number line. It is still a nonsolved question as to whether the method of learning mathematics in the early years could improve this type of estimating. A total of 233 students, aged four and five years, who learned mathematics with a new method called Open Algorithm Based on Number or the more traditional Closed Based on Ciphers approach, were evaluated with a reliable estimation on the number line test. Results revealed significant differences in participants' estimation functions based on the learning method used. Students who learned mathematics through the Open Algorithm Based on Number method used a linear representation more efficiently than those who were taught with the Closed Based on Ciphers methodology. This group exhibited a logarithmic function in their approach. We discussed whether these differences can be attributed to a recurrent practice in estimation tasks at school, characterized by the Open Algorithm Based on Number methodology.

Characterization of kidney complications in patients with sickle cell anemia. / Caracterización de las complicaciones renales en pacientes con anemia de células falciformes.

INTRODUCTION: Sickle cell nephropathy (SCN) is a poorly studied complication of pediatric patients. It appears in different forms, including glomerulopathy, and tubulopathies. OBJECTIVE: To describe acute and chronic renal complications in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Re trospective study. Pediatric patients with confirmed diagnosis of sickle cell disease were included who had a nephro-urology study. Hemoglobin electrophoresis pattern, presence and type of renal involvement, and presence of cardiac involvement were recorded. Bivariate analysis was perfor med to compare patients with and without SCN. RESULTS: 79 patients were included, 59.5% of them were men, and the most frequent electrophoresis pattern was Hb-SS (60.9%). The SCN oc curred in 70% of patients with an average age of 114 months (RIQ 65-157). The most frequently observed alterations were glomerular hyperfiltration, microalbuminuria, acute kidney injury, ar terial hypertension, and hyposthenuria. In the bivariate analysis, an abnormal echocardiogram result was presented more frequently in patients with SCN (84.8% vs. 54.3% p = 0.01), as well as more frequent use of nephrotoxic drugs (74.5% vs. 54.2% p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that sickle cell nephropathy may occur at an early age, where glomerular hyperfiltration is very common. Cardiopulmonary complications in patients with SCA may be related to the presence of SCN.

Análisis de la distribución del tiempo en materia de cuidado crítico por profesionales de enfermería mediante TISS-28 / Analysis of the distribution of time in critical care by nursing professionals using TISS-28 / Análise da distribuição do tempo em cuidados intensivos por profissionais de enfermagem usando o TISS-28

RESUMEN Introducción: Hoy en día, las intervenciones terapéuticas son más especializadas y complejas. Se ha identificado que el Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System-28 (TISS-28) es un instrumento adecuado para planear las actividades de enfermería. Objetivo: Determinar mediante la aplicación del instrumento TISS-28 el grado de complejidad de las intervenciones realizadas al brindar cuidados de enfermería a pacientes en estado crítico. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, 270 pacientes (adultos, pediátricos y neonatales) en estado crítico; se recabó información sociodemográfica tanto del personal de enfermería como de los pacientes a través de un instrumento, se aplicó el TISS-28 para identificar el grado de complejidad de las intervenciones que se le brindaron al paciente. El análisis estadístico fue descriptivo para variables sociodemográficas y laborales, para las acciones realizadas por enfermería mediante niveles de grados de complejidad se hizo uso del análisis bivariado y la regresión logística. Resultados: Las intervenciones brindadas por el personal de enfermería en el servicio de medicina interna en el Grado II es de 9.8 veces más que en el resto de los pacientes, grado III aumenta 68 veces cuando el paciente tiene una sobre estancia hospitalaria. Discusión: Los pacientes que se encuentran en los servicios de cuidados intensivos o quirúrgicos requieren mayores cuidados. Conclusión: El TISS-28 permite predecir el estado del paciente crítico y su evolución. Determina el tiempo de atención requerido según la gravedad de este, además facilita la asignación idónea de enfermera-paciente.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Currently, therapeutic interventions have become more complex and specialized, but the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System-28 (TISS-28) has been identified as an adequate tool in the planning of the corresponding nursing activities. Objective: To estimate through the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System-28 (TISS-28) the degree of complexity of the necessary nursing interventions to provide care to patients in critical status. Methods: This is a descriptive study on 270 adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients in critical status. The TISS-28, and nursing and patient sociodemographic instruments were used. A descriptive statistical analysis using the sociodemographic and work-related variables was carried out. Bi-variate analysis and logistic regression were calculated in order to analyze the nursing performance by levels of complexity. Results: The interventions provided by the nursing staff in the internal medicine service in Grade II is 9.8 times more than in the rest of the patients, grade III increases by 68 times when the patient has an excess hospital stay. Discussion: Patients in the intensive care or surgical services require more care. Conclusion: The TISS-28 offers an estimate on the evolution and attention time required by patients in critical status as well as the corresponding ideal nurse-patient ratios.

RESUMO Introdução: Atualmente as intervenções terapêuticas são mais especializadas e complexas, identificou-se que o Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System-28 (TISS-28) é um instrumento adequado para planejar as atividades de enfermagem. Objetivo: Determinar mediante a aplicação do instrumento TISS-28, o grau de complexidade das intervenções realizadas na assistência de cuidados de enfermagem a pacientes em estado crítico. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, 270 pacientes (adultos, pediátricos e neonatais) em estado crítico; foi coletada informação sociodemográfica tanto do pessoal de enfermagem quanto dos pacientes através de um instrumento, aplicou-se o TISS-28 para identificar o grau de complexidade das intervenções que foram prestadas ao paciente. A análise estatística foi descritiva para variáveis sociodemográficas e laborais; a análise bivariada e a regressão logística foi utilizada para as ações realizadas por enfermagem mediante níveis de graus de complexidade. Resultados: As intervenções realizadas pela equipe de enfermagem no serviço de clínica médica do Grau II são 9,8 vezes mais do que no restante dos pacientes, o grau III aumenta em 68 vezes quando o paciente tem um tempo de internação excessivo. Discussão: Os pacientes que se encontram nos serviços de cuidados intensivos ou cirúrgicos requerem maiores cuidados. Conclusão: O TISS-28 permite prever do estado do paciente crítico e sua evolução. Determina o tempo de atenção requerido conforme a gravidade deste, aliás facilita a atribuição idónea de enfermeira-paciente.

Vesicles as antibiotic carrier: State of art.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a global health problem. Bacteria are able to adapt to different environments, with the presence or absence of a host, forming colonies and biofilms. In fact, biofilm formation confers chemical protection to the microbial cells, thus making most of the conventional antibiotics ineffective. Prevention and destruction of biofilms is a challenging task that should be addressed by a multidisciplinary approach from different research fields. One of the medical strategies used against biofilms is the therapy with drug delivery systems. Lipidic nanovesicles are a good choice for encapsulating drugs, increasing their pharmacodynamics and reducing side effects. These soft nanovesicles show significant advantages for their high biocompatibility, physical and chemistry properties, good affinity with drugs, and easy route of administration. This review summarizes the current knowledge on different types of vesicles which may be used as antibiotic carriers. The main preparation and purification methods for the synthesis of these vesicles are also presented. The advantages of drug encapsulation are critically reviewed. In addition, recent works on endolysin formulations as novel, "greener" and efficient antibiofilm solution are included. This paper can provide useful background for the design of novel efficient formulations and synergistic nanomaterials and could be also useful at the pharmaceutical industry to develop wastewater treatments and reduce the antibiotics in the environmental waters.

Paper-based electrodes modified with cobalt phthalocyanine colloid for the determination of hydrogen peroxide and glucose.

Cobalt(ii) phthalocyanine (CoPc) was suspended in aqueous medium and the colloidal system was used as catalyst for the electrochemical determination of hydrogen peroxide on paper-based electrodes modified with carbon nanomaterials. H2O2 was oxidised at 0.275 V vs. Ag pseudoreference electrode. This system was adapted to develop a glucose sensor with glucose oxidase immobilized on the cellulose electrode. CoPc suspended nanoparticles acted as nanoenzyme mimicking peroxidase activity and were combined with different carbon nanomaterials to form hybrids with optimised catalytic performance. GO-CoPc paper-based electrodes yielded the best results with a linear range of ∼12 µM to 49 mM for H2O2 and 0.1 mM to 1 mM for glucose. Glucose was determined in physiological serum and juice samples with recoveries of 93.3 and 94.2% respectively. CoPc could replace HRP for the catalytic sensing of H2O2, without the need to be dissolved. This material can be used in situ in a simple protocol with other nanomaterials for electrode modification. The sensor described has the advantage of easy preparation, using the catalyst in colloidal form, long term stability, and versatility to be adapted to other low cost and disposable enzymatic systems.

Leptospira seroprevalence in owned dogs from Spain.

Leptospira is a widespread zoonosis that has been linked to transmission between dogs and humans. The main purposes were to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Leptospira serum antibody and to identify the most common serovars in dogs in Spain. This is a cross-sectional study with 1,310 records of canine Leptospira testing data from Spain since 2015 to 2017. Inclusion criteria were individual cases with MAT test results for 8 serovars (Bratislava, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Australis, Pomona, Grippotyphosa, Autumnalis, Canicola and Saxkoebing) and to have the zip code data. Three hundred and thirty-eight samples (25.8%; 95%CI 23.6-28.4) were seropositive (≥1:100). According to geographic areas, North had the highest seroprevalence (38.0%; 95%CI 28.9-47.1) followed by South (29.4%; 95%CI 20.1-38.8), Center (28.6%; 95%CI 24.3-33.0), Mediterranean (22.3%; 95%CI 19.1-25.6) and Northwest (22.2%; 95%CI 7.9-36.4). Seropositivity (MAT ≥1:100) was most common to serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae (19.4%; 95%CI 17.2-21.5) and Bratislava (8.5%; 95%CI 7.0-10.0), followed by Grippotyphosa (7.2%; 95%CI 5.8-8.6), Australis (6.4%; 95%CI 5.0-7.7), Autumnalis (5.0%; 95%CI 3.8-6.2), Pomona (4.5%; 95%CI 3.3-5.6), Canicola (3.4%; 95%CI 2.4-4.4) and Saxkoebing (0.8%; 95%CI 0.3-1.3). An association was found between positivity (MAT ≥1:100) and males (P = 0.003) and dogs that were 6 years old or older were at higher risk of exposure (P = 0.001; OR 4.61; 95%CI 1.86-11.43). This study has shown that dogs in Spain are commonly exposed to Leptospira infection and points out the necessity to control the prevalence of this severe widespread zoonosis in dogs and humans.

Preconcentration and sensitive determination of the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac on a paper-based electroanalytical platform.

This work describes the development of a paper-based platform for highly sensitive detection of diclofenac. The quantification of this anti-inflammatory drug is of importance in clinical (e.g. quality and therapeutic control) and environmental (e.g. emerging contaminant determination) areas. The easy-to-handle platform here described consists of a carbon-ink paper-based working electrode and two metallic wires, provided by a gold-plated standard connector, as reference and counter electrodes. The porous paper matrix enables the preconcentration of the sample, decoupling sample and detection solutions. Thus, relatively large sample volumes can be used, which significantly improves the sensitivity of the method. A wide dynamic range of four orders of magnitude, between 0.10 and 100 µM, was obtained for diclofenac determination. Due to the predominance of adsorption at the lowest concentrations, there were two linear concentration ranges: one comprised between 0.10 and 5.0 µM (with a slope of 0.85 µA µM-1) and the other between 5.0 and 100 µM (with a slope of 0.48 µA µM-1). A limit of detection of 70 nM was achieved with this simple device that provided accurate results with an RSD of ca. 5%. The platform was applied for diclofenac quantification in spiked tap water samples. The versatility of this design enabled the fabrication of a multiplexed platform containing eight electrochemical cells that work independently. The low cost, small size and simplicity of the device allow on-site analysis, which is very useful for environmental monitoring.

Yin-Yang 1 transcription factor modulates ST2 expression during adverse cardiac remodeling post-myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The cardioprotective effects of metformin remain poorly defined. Interleukin (IL)-33/ST2L signaling is a novel cardioprotective pathway, which is antagonized by the soluble isoform sST2. No data exist about the regulation of ST2 expression. This study aimed to evaluate the pathophysiological implication of Yin-Yang 1 (Yy1) transcription factor in cardiac remodeling and the expression of the soluble ST2 isoform. METHODS AND RESULTS: Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced in Wistar rats randomly receiving metformin or saline solution by permanent ligation of the left anterior coronary artery. In addition, a model of cardiomyocyte "biochemical strain" was used. Metformin administration improved post-MI cardiac remodeling, an effect that was associated with increased IL-33 and reduced sST2 levels in the myocardium. The anti-remodeling effects of metformin were also associated with a decrease in the transcription factor Yy1 intranuclear level and lower levels of phosphorylated HDAC4 within the cytoplasmic space. These effects were also observed in a cardiomyocyte biochemical strain model, where Yy1 silencing or HDAC4 inhibition blocked sST2 production in cardiomyocytes. Metformin blocked the HDAC4 phosphorylation induced by MI, preventing its export from the nucleus to the cytosol. The presence of dephosphorylated HDAC4 in the nucleus acted as a co-repressor of Yy1, repressing sST2 expression. CONCLUSION: The transcription factor Yy1 regulates sST2 expression, and repression of Yy1 by metformin results in lower levels of sST2 that are associated with favorable myocardial remodeling. The manipulation of YY1 or its co-repressor HDAC4 emerge as new targets to modulate ST2/IL33 signaling and prevent adverse cardiac remodeling.

Galectina-3 as a biomarker of acute kidney injury risk in patients with decompensated heart failure. / Galectina-3 como biomarcador de riesgo de daño renal agudo en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca descompensada.

INTRODUCTION: In decompensated heart failure (HF), both acute kidney injury (AKI) and high Galectina-3 (Gal-3) levels have been associated with poorer outcomes. Plasma Gal-3 levels are affected by renal function; however, the potential role of Gal-3 as a predictor of AKI has not been established. METHODS: We measured Gal-3 concentrations at admission for 175 patients hospitalised for HF and recorded the onset of AKI according to the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss and End-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) analytical criteria. RESULTS: During hospitalisation, 44 patients (25.1%) developed AKI, although only 14 (8%) corresponded to more advanced stages. These 14 patients had significantly higher Gal-3 levels at admission, which remained a predictor of AKI after the multivariate adjustment by other predictors and by baseline renal function. CONCLUSIONS: High Gal-3 levels at admission are associated with a higher risk of AKI during hospitalisation for decompensated HF.

Longitudinal monitoring of anti-saliva antibodies as markers of repellent efficacy against Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus papatasi in dogs.

A 2-year longitudinal study of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antibodies against Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) sandfly saliva was performed in 32 Beagle dogs treated preventively with an imidacloprid-permethrin topical insecticide in an endemic area in Spain. Dogs were grouped into three sandfly exposure groups according to the time of inclusion in the study. Assays analysed immunoglobulin G (IgG) against salivary gland homogenates (SGH) of both species and recombinant P. papatasi rSP32 and P. perniciosus rSP03B proteins in serum. The dogs were participating in a Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) vaccine trial and were experimentally infected with the parasite in the second year. No dog acquired natural L. infantum infections during the first year, but most developed anti-saliva antibodies, and median log-transformed optical densities (LODs) were seasonal, mimicking those of local sandflies. This indicates that the repellent efficacy of the insecticide used is below 100%. Multi-level modelling of LODs revealed variability among dogs, autocorrelation and differences according to the salivary antigen and the dog's age. However, dog seroprevalence, estimated using pre-exposure LODs as cut-offs, was relatively low. This, and the fact that dogs did not become naturally infected with L. infantum, would support the efficacy and usefulness of this imidacloprid-permethrin topical insecticide in canine leishmaniasis control.