Body weight gain and control: beneficial effect of extra virgin olive oil versus corn oil in an experimental model of mammary cancer.

Obesity is a known risk factor for breast cancer, the most common malignancy among women worldwide. We have previously described different effects of high-fat diets on mammary experimental carcinogenesis. In this work, we analyzed the animal growth data obtained in six experimental assays, in healthy and carcinogen-induced rats undergoing different dietary interventions. The animals were fed with three experimental diets administered at different periods of development: a control low-fat diet, and two isocaloric high-fat diets (rich in corn oil or in extravirgin olive oil -EVOO-). Weekly weight throughout the development of 818 animals have been compiled and reanalyzed using adjusted mathematical models. Molecular mechanisms have been investigated: ethanolamides in small intestine, neuropeptides controlling satiety in hypothalamus, and proteins controlling lipid metabolism in adipose and mammary tissues. The results indicated that the effect of diets depended on type of lipid, timing of intervention and health status. The high corn oil diet, but not the high EVOO diet, increased body weight and mass, especially if administered from weaning, in healthy animals and in those that received a moderate dose of carcinogen. The potential protective effect of EVOO on weight maintenance may be related to anorexigenic neuropeptides such as oxytocin and lipolysis/deposition balance in adipose tissue (increasing phospho-PKA, HSL, MGL and decreasing FAS). In animals with cancer, body weight gain was related to the severity of the disease. Taken together, our results suggest that EVOO has a beneficial effect on body weight maintenance in both health and cancer.

Metabolomics Insights into the Differential Response of Breast Cancer Cells to the Phenolic Compounds Hydroxytyrosol and Luteolin.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two phenolic compounds found in extra virgin olive oil, hydroxytyrosol (HT) and luteolin (LUT), on the metabolism of breast cancer (BC) cells of different molecular subtypes. An untargeted metabolomics approach was used to characterize the metabolic responses of both triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cells and hormone-responsive MCF-7 cells to treatment with these phenols. Notably, while some effects were common across both cell types, others were dependent on the cell type, highlighting the importance of cellular metabolic phenotype. Common effects included stimulation of mitochondrial metabolism, acetate production, and formate overflow. On the other hand, glucose metabolism and lactate production were differentially modulated. HT and LUT appeared to inhibit glycolysis and promote the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway in MDA-MB-231 cells, while MCF-7 cells exhibited higher glycolytic flux when treated with phenolic compounds. Another significant difference was observed in lipid metabolism. Treated MDA-MB-231 cells displayed increased levels of neutral lipids (likely stored in cytosolic droplets), whereas treatment of MCF-7 cells with HT led to a decrease in triacylglycerols. Additionally, glutathione levels increased in MDA-MB-231 cells treated with HT or LUT, as well as in MCF-7 cells treated with LUT. In contrast, in HT-treated MCF-7 cells, glutathione levels decreased, indicating different modulation of cellular redox status. Overall, this work provides new insights into the metabolic impact of HT and LUT on different BC cell subtypes, paving the way for a better understanding of the nutritional relevance of these phenolic compounds in the context of BC prevention and management.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and Its Minor Compounds Influence Apoptosis in Experimental Mammary Tumors and Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. Modifiable factors such as nutrition have a role in its etiology. In experimental tumors, we have observed the differential influence of high-fat diets in metabolic pathways, suggesting a different balance in proliferation/apoptosis. In this work, we analyzed the effects of a diet high in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and a diet high in extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) on the histopathological features and different cell death pathways in the dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced breast cancer model. The diet high in n-6 PUFA had a stimulating effect on the morphological aggressiveness of tumors and their proliferation, while no significant differences were found in groups fed the EVOO-enriched diet in comparison to a low-fat control group. The high-EVOO diet induced modifications in proteins involved in several cell death pathways. In vitro analysis in different human breast cancer cell lines showed an effect of EVOO minor compounds (especially hydroxytyrosol), but not of fatty acids, decreasing viability while increasing apoptosis. The results suggest an effect of dietary lipids on tumor molecular contexts that result in the modulation of different pathways, highlighting the importance of apoptosis in the interplay of survival processes and how dietary habits may have an impact on breast cancer risk.

Influence of Olive Oil and Its Components on Breast Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms.

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignant neoplasia and a leading cause of mortality in women worldwide. The Mediterranean diet has been proposed as a healthy dietary pattern with protective effects in several chronic diseases, including breast cancer. This diet is characterized by the consumption of abundant plant foods and olive oil as the principal source of fat, which is considered one of the main components with potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) has several bioactive compounds, mainly including monounsaturated fatty acids, triterpenes and polyphenols, such as phenolic alcohols (e.g., hydroxytyrosol), secoiridoids (e.g., oleuropein and oleocanthal), lignans (e.g., pinoresinol) or flavonoids (e.g., luteolin). While epidemiological evidence is still limited, experimental in vivo and in vitro data have shown a protective effect of this oil and its compounds on mammary carcinogenesis. Such effects account through complex and multiple mechanisms, including changes in epigenetics, transcriptome and protein expression that modulate several signaling pathways. Molecular targets of EVOO compounds have a role in the acquisition of cancer hallmarks. Although further research is needed to elucidate their beneficial effects on human prevention and progression of the disease, evidence points to EVOO in the context of the Mediterranean diet as a heathy choice, while EVOO components may be promising adjuvants in anticancer strategies.

Successful treatment of Verona integron-encoded metallo-ß-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae infection using the combination of ceftazidime/avibactam and aztreonam.

The case of a female who had an accident that caused an open fracture is reported. During hospitalisation, Verona integron-encoded metallo-ß-lactamase (VIM)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed resistance to ß-lactam antibiotics, quinolones, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and susceptibility to tigecycline, colistin, fosfomycin and aminoglycosides. Synergistic activity of ceftazidime-avibactam and aztreonam was proved in vitro and a combined therapy with tigecycline was started. Combination with aminoglycosides was ruled out as it was not described in the literature and also in order to avoid side effects. Colistin was rejected because of its nephrotoxicity profile. The antibiotic treatment was assessed by a multidisciplinary team with a pharmacist who closely monitored adverse effects and interactions with other drugs. The total duration of this combination was 25 days, without any adverse events reported. Fourteen weeks after the accident the patient was discharged. After 2 months of follow-up neither relapses nor reinfections have been reported.

A high extra-virgin olive oil diet induces changes in metabolic pathways of experimental mammary tumors.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide, and environmental factors, especially diet, have a role in the etiology of this disease. This work aimed to investigate the influence of high fat diets (rich in corn oil or extra virgin olive oil -EVOO-) and the timing of dietary intervention (from weaning or after induction) on tumor metabolism in a seven,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer model in rat. The effects of lipids (oils and fatty acids) have also been investigated in MCF-7 cells. The results have confirmed different effects on tumor progression depending on the type of lipid. Molecular analysis at mRNA, protein and activity level of enzymes of the main metabolic pathways have also shown differences among groups. Thus, the animals fed with the EVOO-enriched diet developed tumors with less degree of clinical and morphological malignancy and showed modified glucose and mitochondrial metabolism when compared to the animals fed with the corn oil-enriched diet. Paradoxically, no clear influence on lipid metabolism by the high fat diets was observed. Considering previous studies on proliferation and apoptosis in the same samples, the results suggest that metabolic changes have a role in the molecular context that results in the modulation of different signaling pathways. Moreover, metabolic characteristics, without the context of other pathways, may not reflect tumor malignancy. The time of dietary intervention plays also a role, suggesting the importance of metabolic plasticity and the relation with mammary gland status when the tumor is induced.

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH): A useful diagnostic tool for childhood conjunctival melanoma.

INTRODUCTION: Conjunctival melanoma is extremely rare in children and has low rates of resolution. Definitive histopathological diagnosis based exclusively on microscopic findings is sometimes difficult. Thus, early diagnosis and adequate treatment are essential to improve clinical outcomes. CLINICAL CASE: We present the first case in which the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) diagnostic technique was applied to a 10-year-old boy initially suspected of having amelanotic nevi in his right eye. Based on the 65% of tumor cells with 11q13 (CCND1) copy number gain and 33% with 6p25 (RREB1) gain as measured by the FISH analysis, and on supporting histopathological findings, the diagnosis of conjunctival melanoma could be made. Following a larger re-excision, adjuvant therapy with Mitomycin C (MMC), cryotherapy and an amniotic membrane graft, the patient has remained disease-free during 9 years of long-term follow-up. CASE DISCUSSION: Every ophthalmologist should remember to consider and not forget the possibility of using FISH analyses during the differential diagnosis of any suspicious conjunctival lesions. Genetic techniques, such as FISH, have led to great advances in the classification of ambiguous lesions. Evidence-based guidelines for diagnosing conjunctival melanoma in the pediatric population are needed to determine the most appropriate strategy for this age group.

Naturaleza de las dispensaciones durante el servicio de guardia de fin de semana de las farmacias en la ciudad de Teruel / Nature of dispensations during the weekend guardservice of pharmacies in the city of Teruel

INTRODUCCIÓN: el trabajo que los farmacéuticos y otros profesionales sanitarios realizan durante el servicio de guardia tiene una importancia esencial, ya que asegura la accesibilidad al medicamento, ofreciendo consejo sanitario, seguimiento farmacoterapéutico y apoyo profesional a los pacientes fuera del horario habitual. OBJETIVO: conocer la naturaleza de las dispensaciones en el servicio de guardia de las farmacias de la ciudad de Teruel durante el fin de semana. METODOLOGÍA: estudio observacional descriptivo transversal realizado en tres farmacias comunitarias de la ciudad de Teruel. El primer período analizado comprende desde abril hasta junio de 2019 y el segundo en marzo de 2020, durante los cuatro fines de semana que las farmacias estudiadas estaban de guardia. RESULTADOS: de las 4.245 dispensaciones de los fines de semana analizadas en 2019, 1.059 (26,4 %) fueron medicamentos con prescripción realizada por servicios médicos de urgencia; 965 (21,8 %) de fármacos con prescripción crónica; 655 (15,2 %) no tenían prescripción médica de ningún tipo, pero se consideraron necesarios; 1.067 (25,8 %) no tenían prescripción médica y no se consideraron necesarios, y 499 (10,8 %) fueron dispensaciones no ortodoxas. CONCLUSIONES: el patrón de las dispensaciones durante las guardias de las farmacias es constante, independientemente de que el fin de semana sea ordinario, situación especial (Semana Santa) o situación de alarma ("COVID"). El servicio de urgencias farmacéutico no está siendo bien utilizado por la población, ya que el porcentaje de actuaciones farmacéuticas que tiene su origen en una urgencia médica es muy bajo

INTRODUCTION: The work that pharmacists and other healthcare professionals during the on-call service shades an importance that ensures accessibility to the drug, health advice, pharmacotherapeutic monitoring and profesional support to patients; out of regular hours. OBJECTIVES: Know the nature of the population in the guardservice of the pharmacies in the city of Teruel during the weekends. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional observational study conducted in three community pharmacies in the city of Teruel. The first period analyzed ranges from April to June 2019 and the second in March 2020, during the four weekends that the pharmacies studies were on call. RESULTS: Of the 4245 weekend dispensations analyzed in 2019: 1059 (26.4%)were prescription drugs performed by emergency medical services, 965 (21.8%) of chronically prescribed drugs, 655 (15.2%) did not have a prescription of any kind but were considered necessary, 1067 (25.8%) had no prescription and were not considered necessary and 499 (10,80%) were non-orthodox dispensations. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of dispensing during pharmacy guards is constant, independently of whether the weekend is ordinary, special situation (Easter) or an Alarm Situation ("COVID"). The pharmaceutical emergency service is not being used well by the population, the percentage of pharmaceutical actions that originate from a medical emergency is very low

Effects of diets high in corn oil or in extra virgin olive oil on oxidative stress in an experimental model of breast cancer.

Experimental evidence highlights the importance of dietetic factors on breast cancer. In this work we aimed to analyze the effects two oils, corn oil (rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids -PUFA-) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), on oxidative stress in an animal model of breast carcinogenesis. Female rats were fed a low-fat control, a high-corn oil, or a high-EVOO diet from weaning or after induction with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene at 53 days. Animals were euthanized at 36, 51, 100 and 246 days of age. We analyzed antioxidant enzymes (mRNA and activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase), non-enzymatic capacity (oxidized and reduced glutathione) and DNA damage (8-oxo-dG) in tumors and mammary gland at different ages. We also analyzed lipid peroxidation (isoprostanes in serum and lipofuscin in liver). Results indicated a decrease in the enzymatic antioxidant capacity and increased oxidative stress in mammary gland of healthy young animals after a short period of high-fat diets intake, followed by an adaptation to chronic dietary intervention. After induction both diets, especially the one high in n-6 PUFA, increased the oxidized glutathione. In tumors no clear effects of the high-fat diets were observed, although in the long-term lipofuscin and 8-oxo-dG suggested greater oxidative damage by effect of the n-6 PUFA-rich diet. Considering the differential effects of these diets on mammary carcinogenesis that we have previously reported, this study suggests that these high-fat diets could have an effect on oxidative stress that would lead to different signaling pathways.

Bartonella henselae encephalopathy in a paediatric patient: A case report and treatment review.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVES: Bartonella henselae is the etiologic agent of "cat scratch disease (CSD)". We describe a case of atypical CSD in a paediatric patient and include a review of the antibiotic treatment for this disease. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 2-year-old child, with convulsive status and loss of consciousness, was admitted to hospital. Several antiepileptics and antibiotics were prescribed due to suspected central nervous system infection. When serology revealed Bartonella henselae antibodies, targeted antibiotic therapy was initiated and symptoms improved. However, seizures reappeared days after finishing the treatment so antiepileptics and antibiotics were reintroduced. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: A wide variety of antibiotic regimens have been used for the treatment of atypical CSD in paediatric patients. This report includes the case of a paediatric patient diagnosed with atypical CSD who presented neurological manifestations, and for which a regimen consisting of azithromycin and rifampin was employed to achieve recovery.

Dalbavancina combinada con linezolid en infección protésica de cadera / Dalbavancin combined with linezolid in prosthetic-hip infection

No disponible

Beyond the CNS: The many peripheral roles of APOE.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a multifunctional protein synthesized and secreted by multiple mammalian tissues. Although hepatocytes contribute about 75% of the peripheral pool, APOE can also be expressed in adipose tissue, the kidney, and the adrenal glands, among other tissues. High levels of APOE production also occur in the brain, where it is primarily synthesized by glia, and peripheral and brain APOE pools are thought to be distinct. In humans, APOE is polymorphic, with three major alleles (ε2, ε3, and ε4). These allelic forms dramatically alter APOE structure and function. Historically, the vast majority of research on APOE has centered on the important role it plays in modulating risk for cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease. However, the established effects of this pleiotropic protein extend well beyond these two critical health challenges, with demonstrated roles across a wide spectrum of biological conditions, including adipose tissue function and obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes, fertility and longevity, and immune function. While the spectrum of biological systems in which APOE plays a role seems implausibly wide at first glance, there are some potential unifying mechanisms that could tie these seemingly disparate disorders together. In the current review, we aim to concisely summarize a wide breadth of APOE-associated pathologies and to analyze the influence of APOE in the development of several distinct disorders in order to provide insight into potential shared mechanisms implied in these various pathophysiological processes.

Plausibility of a Neural Network Classifier-Based Neuroprosthesis for Depression Detection via Laughter Records.

The present work explores the diagnostic performance for depression of neural network classifiers analyzing the sound structures of laughter as registered from clinical patients and healthy controls. The main methodological novelty of this work is that simple sound variables of laughter are used as inputs, instead of electrophysiological signals or local field potentials (LFPs) or spoken language utterances, which are the usual protocols up-to-date. In the present study, involving 934 laughs from 30 patients and 20 controls, four different neural networks models were tested for sensitivity analysis, and were additionally trained for depression detection. Some elementary sound variables were extracted from the records: timing, fundamental frequency mean, first three formants, average power, and the Shannon-Wiener entropy. In the results obtained, two of the neural networks show a diagnostic discrimination capability of 93.02 and 91.15% respectively, while the third and fourth ones have an 87.96 and 82.40% percentage of success. Remarkably, entropy turns out to be a fundamental variable to distinguish between patients and controls, and this is a significant factor which becomes essential to understand the deep neurocognitive relationships between laughter and depression. In biomedical terms, our neural network classifier-based neuroprosthesis opens up the possibility of applying the same methodology to other mental-health and neuropsychiatric pathologies. Indeed, exploring the application of laughter in the early detection and prognosis of Alzheimer and Parkinson would represent an enticing possibility, both from the biomedical and the computational points of view.

Fundamental, Quantitative Traits of the "Sociotype".

In whatever domain of life, from cells to organisms to societies, communicative exchanges underlie the formation and maintenance, and decay, of the emerging collective structures. It can be clearly seen in the human social world. The different classes of social bonds in a complex society revolve around, and are intimately related with, the communicative relationships that every individual entertains-essentially via face-to-face conversation. In the present work we have investigated the fundamental metrics of both social bonds and communicative exchanges along the development of the "sociotype" construct. It is a new approach developed by the authors within the genotype-phenotype-sociotype conceptual triad. The sociotype means the relative constancy, or better the similar fabric, of the social world in which each individual life is developed. In order to ascertain the metrics of the fundamental quantitative traits inherent in the sociotype, a fieldwork involving a total of 1475 individuals (68.59% female, and 49.79 mean age, SD = 21.47) was carried out. The four relational realms of family, friends, work/study, and acquaintances were investigated. The overall results about conversation time (an average of 220 min/day), and about the number of social bonds (an average of 98), differ from previous assumptions, such as Dunbar's number or Killworth's number. Other results about gender, age, and use of social media and Internet contribute to highlight significant differences among the different social segments, and particularly the diminished "sociotype" of the elderly. Finally, it is curious that a non-Gaussian distribution has been obtained for the specific population allotment of these metrics, and intriguingly the Planckian distribution equation (PDE) appears to be a most cogent fit.

A high-corn-oil diet strongly stimulates mammary carcinogenesis, while a high-extra-virgin-olive-oil diet has a weak effect, through changes in metabolism, immune system function and proliferation/apoptosis pathways.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide, and dietary lipids are important environmental factors influencing its etiology. We have investigated the effects, and the mechanisms associated, of high-fat diets on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced rat mammary tumors. Animals were fed a low-fat, a high-corn-oil (HCO) or a high-extra-virgin-olive-oil (HOO) diet from weaning or after induction. The HCO diet had a clear stimulating effect on mammary carcinogenesis, especially when dietary intervention started after induction, whereas the tumors from HOO diet groups exhibited clinical and morphological characteristics similar to those from low-fat controls. Transcriptomic and further protein and immunohistochemical analyses of tumors also indicated different modulatory effects of high-fat diets affecting relevant biological functions: metabolism, immunosurveillance and proliferation/apoptosis pathways. Thus, the results suggested different metabolic adaptations with increased glycolysis by effect of HOO diet. Moreover, leukocyte tumor infiltration and inflammation mediators showed increased cytotoxic T cells and decreased TGFß1 expression by the HOO diet, while the HCO one increased arginase expression and IL-1α plasma levels. Furthermore, the study of proteins controlling proliferation/apoptosis pathways (Sema3A, Stat5, Smad1, Casp3) suggested an increase in proliferation by the HCO diet and an increase of apoptosis by the diet rich in olive oil. In conclusion, the HCO diet clearly stimulated mammary carcinogenesis, especially in the promotion phase, and induced molecular changes suggesting increased tumor proliferation/apoptosis balance and a proinflammatory microenvironment. The HOO diet, despite being high fat, had a weaker effect on tumorigenesis probably related to metabolic adaptations, enhanced immunosurveillance and increased apoptosis.

Gene ontology analysis of transcriptome data from DMBA-induced mammary tumors of rats fed a high-corn oil and a high-extra virgin olive oil diet.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide, and dietary lipids are important environmental factors influencing its etiology. In this work we present data in relation to the transcriptional effects of two high-fat diets, one high in corn oil (HCO) and one high in extra-virgin olive oil (HOO), administered from weaning or after induction, on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced rat mammary tumors. Raw data were deposited at ArrayExpress under accession number E-MTAB-3541. We compared the gene expression profiles of the mammary tumors from the high-fat diet groups with those from the control group, finding different effects of diets depending on timing and type of dietary intervention. Lists of differentially expressed genes were analyzed to find overrepresented categories of biological significance. Here we provide information about the cell functions categories overrepresented in significantly modulated genes by effect of the high-fat diets. Further investigations of such functions are described in "A high corn oil diet strongly stimulates mammary carcinogenesis, while a high extra virgin olive oil diet has a weak effect, through changes in metabolism, immune system function, and proliferation/apoptosis pathways" (Escrich et al., in press) [1].

The Dietary Antioxidant Piceatannol Inhibits Adipogenesis of Human Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Limits Glucose Transport and Lipogenic Activities in Adipocytes.

Phenolic compounds are among the most investigated herbal remedies, as is especially the case for resveratrol. Many reports have shown its anti-aging properties and the ability to reduce obesity and diabetes induced by high-fat diet in mice. However, such beneficial effects hardly translate from animal models to humans. The scientific community has therefore tested whether other plant phenolic compounds may surpass the effects of resveratrol. In this regard, it has been reported that piceatannol reproduces in rodents the anti-obesity actions of its parent polyphenol. However, the capacity of piceatannol to inhibit adipocyte differentiation in humans has not been characterized so far. Here, we investigated whether piceatannol was antiadipogenic and antilipogenic in human preadipocytes. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC), isolated from adipose tissues of lean and obese individuals, were differentiated into mature adipocytes with or without piceatannol, and their functions were explored. Fifty µM of piceatannol deeply limited synthesis/accumulation of lipids in both murine and hMSC-derived adipocytes. Interestingly, this phenomenon occurred irrespective of being added at the earlier or later stages of adipocyte differentiation. Moreover, piceatannol lowered glucose transport into adipocytes and decreased the expression of key elements of the lipogenic pathway (PPARγ, FAS, and GLUT4). Thus, the confirmation of the antiadipogenic properties of piceatanol in vitro warrants the realization of clinical studies for the application of this compound in the treatment of the metabolic complications associated with obesity.

How prokaryotes 'encode' their environment: Systemic tools for organizing the information flow.

An important issue related to code biology concerns the cell's informational relationships with the environment. As an open self-producing system, a great variety of inputs and outputs are necessary for the living cell, not only consisting of matter and energy but also involving information flows. The analysis here of the simplest cells will involve two basic aspects. On the one side, the molecular apparatuses of the prokaryotic signaling system, with all its variety of environmental signals and component pathways (which have been called 1-2-3 Component Systems), including the role of a few second messengers which have been pointed out in bacteria too. And in the other side, the gene transcription system as depending not only on signaling inputs but also on a diversity of factors. Amidst the continuum of energy, matter, and information flows, there seems to be evidence for signaling codes, mostly established around the arrangement of life-cycle stages, in large metabolic changes, or in the relationships with conspecifics (quorum sensing) and within microbial ecosystems. Additionally, and considering the complexity growth of signaling systems from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, four avenues or "roots" for the advancement of such complexity would come out. A comparative will be established in between the signaling strategies and organization of both kinds of cellular systems. Finally, a new characterization of "informational architectures" will be proposed in order to explain the coding spectrum of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic signaling systems. Among other evolutionary aspects, cellular strategies for the construction of novel functional codes via the intermixing of informational architectures could be related to the persistence of retro-elements with obvious viral ancestry.

The "sociotype" construct: Gauging the structure and dynamics of human sociality.

Exploring the pertinence of a "sociotype" construct, established along the conceptual chain genotype-phenotype-sociotype, is the essential purpose of the present paper. Further, by following the sociotype's conceptual guidelines, a new psychometric indicator has been developed in order to gauge the level of social interaction around each individual-the sociotype questionnaire (SOCQ). A first version of this questionnaire has been elaborated by gathering data about the different classes of social bonds (family, friends, acquaintances, and work/study colleagues) in general population and about the dynamic update of these bonds via face-to-face conversation and other modes of interaction. A specific fieldwork was undertaken, involving 1,075 participants, all of them Spanish adults (with diverse social and regional backgrounds). The data obtained were analyzed by means of the correlational method with an analytical cross-sectional design: the number of factors and the consistency and reliability of the resulting scales were evaluated and correlated. The new sociotype indicator resulting from that fieldwork, in spite of its limitations, seems to be valid and reliable, as well as closely associated with widely used metrics of loneliness and psychological distress. It is interesting that the construct noticeably varies throughout the life course and circumstances of individuals, based on their gender and age, and adjusting to the different situations of social networking. This is the first study, to the best of our knowledge, which has tried to reach both a theoretical and an operational formulation of the sociotype construct, by establishing an ad hoc psychometric questionnaire. We think that the information provided by this operational definition opens a new direction of work that could be useful to guide the development and evaluation of programs aimed at improving and strengthening social networking in people at risk, especially for the elderly.

Use of negative pressure wound therapy after infection and flap dehiscence in radical vulvectomy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Vulvar cancer has a lower incidence in high income countries, but is rising, in part, due to the high life expectancy in these societies. Radical vulvectomy is still the standard treatment in initial stages. Wound dehiscence contitututes one of the most common postoperative complications. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 76year old patient with a squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva, FIGO staged, IIIb is presented. Radical vulvectomy and bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection with lotus petal flaps reconstruction are performed as the first treatment. Wound infection and dehiscence of lotus petal flaps was seen postoperatively. Initial management consisted in antibiotics administration and removing necrotic tissue from surgical wound. After this initial treatment, negative wound pressure therapy was applied for 37days with good results. DISCUSSION: Wound dehiscence in radical vulvectomy remains the most frequent complication in the treatment of vulvar cancer. The treatment of this complications is still challenging for most gynecologic oncologist surgeons. CONCLUSION: The utilization of the negative wound pressure therapy could contribute to reduce hospitalization and the direct and indirect costs of these complications.