Effect of Protein Corona on the Specificity and Efficacy of Nanobioconjugates to Treat Intracellular Infections.

Encapsulating drugs into functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) is an alternative to reach the specific therapeutic target with lower doses. However, when the NPs are in contact with physiological media, proteins adsorb on their surfaces, forming a protein corona (PC) biomolecular layer, acquiring a distinct biological identity that alters their interactions with cells. Itraconazole (ITZ), an antifungal agent, is encapsulated into PEGylated and/or functionalized NPs with high specificity for macrophages. It is evaluated how the PC impacts their cell uptake and antifungal effect. The minimum inhibitory concentration and colony-forming unit assays demonstrate that encapsulated ITZ into poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) NPs improves the antifungal effect compared with NPs lacking PEGylation. The improvement can be related to the synergistic effect of the encapsulated ITZ and NPs composition and the reduction of PC formation in PEG NPs. Functionalized NPs with anti-F4/80 and anti-MARCO antibodies, or mannose without PEG and treated with PC, show an improved uptake but, in the presence of PEG, significantly reduce the endocytosis, dominating the stealth effect from PEG. Therefore, the PC plays a crucial role in the nanosystem uptake and antifungal effects, which suggests the need for in vivo model studies to evaluate the effect of PC in the specificity and biodistribution.

Antifungal Encapsulated into Ligand-Functionalized Nanoparticles with High Specificity for Macrophages.

Infectious diseases caused by intracellular microorganisms such as Histoplasma capsulatum represent a significant challenge worldwide. Drug encapsulation into functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) is a valuable alternative to improving drug solubility and bioavailability, preventing undesirable interactions and drug degradation, and reaching the specific therapeutic target with lower doses. This work reports on Itraconazole (ITZ) encapsulated into core-shell-like polymeric NPs and functionalized with anti-F4/80 antibodies for their targeted and controlled release into macrophages. Uptake assay on co-culture showed significant differences between the uptake of functionalized and bare NPs, higher with functionalized NPs. In vitro assays showed that F4/80-NPs with 0.007 µg/mL of encapsulated ITZ eliminated the H. capsulatum fungus in co-culture with macrophages effectively compared to the bare NPs, without any cytotoxic effect on macrophages after 24 h interaction. Furthermore, encapsulated ITZ modulated the gene expression of anti and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, INF-Y, IL-6 and IL-10) on macrophages. Additionally, the anti-F4/80 antibody-coating enhanced natural and adequate antifungal response in the cells, exerting a synergistic effect that prevented the growth of the fungus at the intracellular level. Functionalized NPs can potentially improve macrophage-targeted therapy, increasing NPs endocytosis and intracellular drug concentration.

Functional Nanocarriers for Delivering Itraconazole Against Fungal Intracellular Infections.

Infectious diseases caused by intracellular microorganisms represent a significant challenge in medical care due to interactions among drugs during coinfections and the development of resistance in microorganisms, limiting existing therapies. This work reports on itraconazole (ITZ) encapsulated into functional polymeric nanoparticles for their targeted and controlled release into macrophages to fight intracellular infections. NPs are based on poly (lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymers of different compositions, molecular weights, and lactic acid-to-glycolic acid ratios. They were self-assembled using the high-energy nanoemulsion method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and differential scanning calorimetry. It was studied how the polymer-to-drug ratio, changes in the aqueous phase pH, and type and concentration of surfactant affected nanocarriers' formation, drug-loading capacity, and encapsulation efficiency. Results showed that drug-loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency reached 6.7 and 80%, respectively, by lowering the pH to 5.0 and using a mixture of surfactants. Optimized formulation showed an initial immediate ITZ release, followed by a prolonged release phase that fitted better with a Fickian diffusion kinetic model and high stability at 4 and 37°C. NPs functionalized by using the adsorption and carbodiimide methods had different efficiencies, the carbodiimide approach being more efficient, stable, and reproducible. Furthermore, linking F4/80 and mannose to the NPs was demonstrated to increase J774A.1 macrophages' uptake. Overall, in vitro assays showed the nanosystem's efficacy to eliminate the Histoplasma capsulatum fungus and pave the way to design highly efficient nanocarriers for drug delivery against intracellular infections.

La producción científica de la revista Acta Colombiana de Psicología: Análisis descriptivo y bibliométrico del período 2015-2019 / La producción científica de la revista Acta Colombiana de Psicología: Análisis descriptivo y bibliométrico del período 2015-2019

Abstract The objective of this article is the description and bibliometric analysis of the articles published in the journal Acta Colombiana de Psicología between 2015 and 2019. Their evolution and trends are analyzed to implement strategies that allow their permanent qualification regarding a) scientific quality, b) visibility, c) impact and d) geographic coverage, among others. The database included 127 scientific articles. Descriptive analyzes (frequencies and percentages) were performed and some bibliometric indices were calculated: a) productivity index, b) Lawani and Subramanyam indices and c) Pratt index. These analyzes were carried out using an Excel spreadsheet supplemented with the IBM SPSS version 23 statistical package. The most significant findings allow observing an important number of papers with international authorship (74%), high development of articles in the areas of clinical and health psychology (42.5%) and psychometry (21.3%) and an emphasis on works of a quantitative nature (87%). The journal continues making significant contributions to the development of psychology in Latin America.

Resumen El presente artículo tuvo como objetivo la descripción y el análisis bibliométrico de los artículos publicados en la revista Acta Colombiana de Psicología entre los años 2015 y 2019. Se analizó su evolución y tendencias con el fin de implementar estrategias que permitan la permanente cualificación de la revista, sobre todo en cuanto a calidad científica, visibilidad, impacto y cobertura geográfica. Para esto, se construyó una base de datos con 127 artículos científicos, con los cuales se realizaron análisis descriptivos -frecuencias y porcentajes- y se calcularon algunos índices bibliométricos -como el índice de productividad, los índices de Lawani y Subramanyam, y el índice de Pratt- mediante una planilla en Excel complementada con el paquete estadístico IBM SPSS, versión 23. Los hallazgos más significativos permiten observar un importante número de trabajos con autoría internacional (74 %), un desarrollo elevado de artículos en el área de psicología clínica y de la salud (42.5 %), así como en psicometría (21.3 %), y un énfasis de trabajos de corte cuantitativo (87 %). La revista continúa realizando aportes significativos para el desarrollo de la psicología en Hispanoamérica.

Recent Advances in Polymeric Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Drugs against Intracellular Infections.

Polymeric nanocarriers (PNs) have demonstrated to be a promising alternative to treat intracellular infections. They have outstanding performance in delivering antimicrobials intracellularly to reach an adequate dose level and improve their therapeutic efficacy. PNs offer opportunities for preventing unwanted drug interactions and degradation before reaching the target cell of tissue and thus decreasing the development of resistance in microorganisms. The use of PNs has the potential to reduce the dose and adverse side effects, providing better efficiency and effectiveness of therapeutic regimens, especially in drugs having high toxicity, low solubility in the physiological environment and low bioavailability. This review provides an overview of nanoparticles made of different polymeric precursors and the main methodologies to nanofabricate platforms of tuned physicochemical and morphological properties and surface chemistry for controlled release of antimicrobials in the target. It highlights the versatility of these nanosystems and their challenges and opportunities to deliver antimicrobial drugs to treat intracellular infections and mentions nanotoxicology aspects and future outlooks.

The Role of the Interleukin-17 Axis and Neutrophils in the Pathogenesis of Endemic and Systemic Mycoses.

Systemic and endemic mycoses are considered life-threatening respiratory diseases which are caused by a group of dimorphic fungal pathogens belonging to the genera Histoplasma, Coccidioides, Blastomyces, Paracoccidioides, Talaromyces, and the newly described pathogen Emergomyces. T-cell mediated immunity, mainly T helper (Th)1 and Th17 responses, are essential for protection against these dimorphic fungi; thus, IL-17 production is associated with neutrophil and macrophage recruitment at the site of infection accompanied by chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines production, a mechanism that is mediated by some pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including Dectin-1, Dectine-2, TLRs, Mannose receptor (MR), Galectin-3 and NLPR3, and the adaptor molecules caspase adaptor recruitment domain family member 9 (Card9), and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88). However, these PRRs play distinctly different roles for each pathogen. Furthermore, neutrophils have been confirmed as a source of IL-17, and different neutrophil subsets and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have also been described as participating in the inflammatory process in these fungal infections. However, both the Th17/IL-17 axis and neutrophils appear to play different roles, being beneficial mediating fungal controls or detrimental promoting disease pathologies depending on the fungal agent. This review will focus on highlighting the role of the IL-17 axis and neutrophils in the main endemic and systemic mycoses: histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis, and paracoccidioidomycosis.

Dos décadas de Acta Colombiana de Psicología: un análisis bibliométrico / Duas décadas de Acta Colombiana de Psicología: uma análise bibliométrica / Two decades of Acta Colombiana de Psicología: a bibliometric analysis

Resumen El objetivo del presente estudio fue realizar un análisis bibliométrico de la revista Acta Colombiana de Psicología, debido a sus dos décadas de trabajo ininterrumpido (1998-2017). Inicialmente, se describen elementos históricos en la trayectoria de la revista y se releva su evolución cronológica a partir de una base de datos que consideró 388 artículos científicos en su muestra final; posteriormente, se realizaron los análisis de los índices de productividad (Lotka) y de las temáticas y metodologías utilizadas. Asimismo, se desarrolló un análisis de los indicadores de colaboración y de las relaciones entre los autores con respecto a los países firmantes. En los resultados se destaca la gran cantidad de trabajos provenientes de instituciones mexicanas, se visualiza un alza sostenida en la colaboración -lo que se evidencia en los índices de Lawani y Subramanyam-, y se encuentra que la mayor cantidad de trabajos se enfocó en las áreas de psicología clínica y de la salud. El análisis realizado permite exhibir lo realizado por la revista a lo largo de dos décadas de trabajo científico en las que se aportó de manera fundamental al desarrollo de la psicología en Hispanoamérica.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi realizar uma análise bibliométrica da revista Acta Colombiana de Psicología, devido a suas duas décadas de trabalho ininterrupto (1998-2017). Inicialmente, descrevem-se elementos históricos na trajetória da revista e revela-se sua evolução cronológica a partir de uma base de dados que considerou 388 artigos científicos em sua amostra final. Posteriormente, foram realizadas as análises dos índices de produtividade (Lotka) e das temáticas e metodologias utilizadas. Além disso, foi desenvolvida uma análise dos indicadores de colaboração e das relações entre os autores com respeito aos países signatários. Nos resultados, destaca-se a grande quantidade de trabalhos provenientes de instituições mexicanas, visualiza-se uma alta prolongada na colaboração - o que se evidencia nos índices de Lawani e Subramanyam -, e nota-se que a maior quantidade de trabalhos concentrou-se nas áreas de psicologia clínica e da saúde. A análise realizada permite exibir o feito da revista ao longo de duas décadas de trabalho científico nas quais colaborou de maneira fundamental para o desenvolvimento da psicologia na América espanhola.

Abstract The aim of the present study was to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the journal Acta Colombiana de Psicología, by virtue of its two decades of uninterrupted work (1998-2017). Initially, historical elements are described in the trajectory of the journal and its chronological evolution is revealed from a database that in its final sample took into account 388 scientific articles. Subsequently, the appraisal of the productivity indices (Lotka) as well as of the topics and methodologies used was carried out. Likewise, an appraisal of the collaboration indicators and the relationships between the authors with respect to the signatory countries was performed. The results highlight the large number of papers from Mexican institutions, a sustained increase in collaboration is visualized -which is evident in the Lawani and Subramanyam indices-, and it is found that the largest amount of papers focused on the areas of clinical and health psychology. The analysis undertaken allows showing what the journal has achieved throughout two decades of scientific work during which it contributed fundamentally to the development of psychology in Latin America.

La producción científica de acta colombiana de psicología: análisis descriptivo del período 2010-2014 / Scientific production of Colombian act of psychology: descriptive analysis of the period 2010 -2014 / A produção científica da Acta Colombiana de Psicología: análise descritiva do período 2010-2014

Una de las estrategias para la elaboración de los planes de acción o mejoramiento de las publicaciones científicas parte de la mirada retrospectiva o de estudios de caracterización con respecto a la evolución de las mismas. Para ello se tienen en cuenta indicadores que exigen las bases e índices de datos, los cuales permiten evaluar la calidad científica y editorial, la visibilidad, la periodicidad o estabilidad, así como el impacto. En este sentido, el presente artículo tiene como objetivo realizar un análisis descriptivo de los artículos publicados en la Revista Acta Colombiana de Psicología entre los años 2010 y 2014. Se identificaron las variables a tener en cuenta para este análisis: variables categóricas y variables de tipo cuantitativo. El procesamiento y análisis de datos se realizó mediante el paquete IBM SPSS Statistics versión 23; se analizó cada una de las variables categóricas por medio de frecuencias y porcentajes, y las variables cuantitativas aplicando estadísticos descriptivos. Posteriormente se realizaron los cruces entre algunas variables, tanto categóricas como cuantitativas, mediante el uso de frecuencias, porcentajes, medidas descriptivas y algunos gráficos. Se resalta la información relacionada con el número de artículos publicados por año, procedencia de los artículos, tiempos entre la recepción y aceptación de los mismos, porcentajes de idioma de los artículos, tipo de investigaciones de los cuales se derivan los artículos, y tipo de análisis estadístico utilizado, entre otros.

One of the strategies for developing action plans or improving scientific publications originates from a retrospective view or characterization studies, regarding the evolution of such written productions. In order to achieve this, indicators that require databases and indexes are considered. They allow evaluating scientific quality, editorial quality, visibility, periodicity or stability and impact. In this sense, this article aims to make a descriptive analysis of articles published in the “Acta Colombiana de Psicología” (Colombian Act of Psychology) Journal between 2010 and 2014. The variables to be considered for this analysis were identified: categorical and quantitative variables. Processing and data analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics IBM package version 23. Each of the categorical variables was analyzed by frequencies and percentages, and quantitative variables using descriptive statistics. Later, crosses between some variables, both categorical and quantitative, were performed using frequencies, percentages, descriptive measures, and some graphics. Information related to the number of articles published per year was highlighted, as well as origin of the articles, time span between receipt and acceptance, language percentages of the articles, type of research from which articles are derived, and the type of statistical analysis used, among others.

Uma das estratégias para a elaboração dos planos de ação ou melhoramento das publicações científicas parte do olhar retrospectivo ou dos estudos da caracterização a respeito da evolução destas. Para isso, consideram-se os indicadores que exigem as bases e os índices de dados, os quais permitem avaliar a qualidade científica, a qualidade editorial, a visibilidade, a periodicidade ou a estabilidade bem como o impacto. Nesse sentido, o presente artigo tem como objetivo realizar uma análise descritiva dos artigos publicados na revista Acta Colombiana de Psicología entre 2010 e 2014. Identificaram-se as variáveis a considerar para esta análise: variáveis categóricas e variáveis de tipo quantitativo. O processamento e a análise de dados foi realizada mediante o IBM SPSS Statistics versão 23; foi analisada cada uma das variáveis categóricas por meio de frequências e porcentagens, e as variáveis quantitativas aplicando estatísticos descritivos. Em seguida, foram realizados os cruzamentos entre algumas variáveis, tanto categóricas quanto quantitativas, mediante o uso de frequências, porcentagens, medidas descritivas e alguns gráficos. Ressalta-se a informação relacionada com o número de artigos publicados por ano, a procedência dos artigos, o tempo entre a recepção e a aceitação deles, as porcentagens de idioma dos artigos, os tipos de pesquisa das quais se derivam os artigos e o tipo de análise estatística utilizada, entre outros.

Human neutrophils produce extracellular traps against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

Neutrophils play an important role as effector cells and contribute to the resistance of the host against microbial pathogens. Neutrophils are able to produce extracellular traps (NETs) in response to medically important fungi, including Aspergillus spp., Candida albicans and Cryptococcus gattii. However, NET production in response to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis has yet to be studied. We have demonstrated that human neutrophils produce NETs against both conidia and yeasts of P. brasiliensis. Although the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) did not alter NET production against conidia, it partially suppressed NET formation against P. brasiliensis yeasts. Cytochalasin D or IFN-γ did not affect the production of NETs against the fungus. Additionally, a mutant strain of P. brasiliensis with reduced expression of an alternative oxidase induced significantly higher levels of NETs in comparison with the WT strain. Finally, c.f.u. quantification of P. brasiliensis showed no significant differences when neutrophils were treated with DPI, DNase I or cytochalasin D as compared with untreated cells. These data establish that NET formation by human neutrophils appears to be either dependent or independent of reactive oxygen species production, correlating with the fungal morphotype used for stimulation. However, this mechanism was ineffective in killing the fungus.

[Etofenamate and the analgesic effect in the management of acute pain from spine in the emergency room]. / Efecto analgésico del etofenamato en el manejo de las lumbalgias agudas en urgencias.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that the application of etofenamate is effective in management of acute pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective, longitudnal, 6 months trial, which included 22 women and 18 men with intense acute low back pain of mechanical or postural aetiology, patients who had pain of traumatic origin and needed radiographic studies by orthopaedic surgeon were excluded; the study subjects were treated with 1 g etofenamate intramuscularly and the analgesic effect was assessed by visual analog scale every 5 minutes for 30 minutes. RESULTS: Marked improvement in pain at 25 minutes in 35 subjects (87.5%). Pain did not improve in 5 subjects (four men, one woman, 12.5%) at 30 minutes. There were no adverse reactions to medication. DISCUSSION: The single dose of 1 g etofenamate is effective in the management of acute pain. Its use prevented 35 admissions with a cost savings of $70,000 pesos. Applying etofenamate caused satisfaction of the beneficiaries and emergency personnel, this drug could be an alternative treatment in medical services and first-level emergency.

Enfermedad cardíaca en el embarzo

Los únicos problemas encontrados en las mujeres gestantes que padecen enfermedad cardíaca son los secundarios a los cuatro principales cambios fisiológicos que tienen estas pacientes, así: a)Un incremento en el volumen intravascular de un 50 por ciento, b) Una disminución de la resistencia vascular periférica, c)Una hipercoagulabilidad asociada con el embarazo, d) fluctuaciones marcadas en el gasto cardíaco. Además es importante el analizar las diferentes patologías cardíacas en grupos diferentes, que se las clasifica dependiendo su mortalidad, como es: a) Grupo I con una mortalidad menor al 1 por ciento (Ej. CIA, CTV, CIV, PCA, Tetralogía de Fallot corregida, estenosis mitral, entre otras); b) Grupo II con una mortalidad del 5 al 15 por ciento (Ej. Estenosis mitral asociada con fibrilación auricular, válvula cardíaca artificial , estenosis aórtica, tetralogía de Fallot no corregida, Síndrome de Marfan con aorta normal), c)Grupo III con una mortalidad del 25 al 50 por ciento (Ej. hipertensión pulmonar, coartación de la aórta complicada, síndrome de Marfán con compromiso aórtico.