Life cycle assessment of biowaste and green waste composting systems: A review of applications and implementation challenges.

Composting is one of the most widely applied methods for recycling organic waste. This process has been proposed as one option that facilitates the reincorporation of materials into the production cycle. However, composting also generates environmental impacts. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the most common approach to evaluate the environmental impacts of a process at different system stages. Nevertheless, applying LCA in composting facilities is challenging due to the extensive information required, the lack of standardization on the initial assumptions, the definition of system boundaries, and the high diversity of existing composting technologies. This paper systematically reviews LCA studies in biowaste and/or green waste composting. The study highlights the challenges that should be met in order to improving the application of LCA to evaluate the environmental impacts of this type or waste treatment strategy. The review protocol used identified 456 papers published between 2010 and 2022. After the screening, 56 papers were selected, read, and thoroughly analyzed. The results show that: i) about 68% of the studies aimed to compare composting with other solid waste management options; ii) there was a wide diversity among the impact categories considered, which predominantly included climate change and ozone depletion; iii) there was no consensus on the functional unit or the system boundaries; iv) the main gaseous emissions studied were ammonia, methane, and nitrogen oxide, which were generally determined by emission factors; v) the avoided environmental impacts associated with the end-product quality and its application as an organic amendment or soil improver were ignored. This work demonstrates the complexity of conducting credible and valid composting LCA studies and proposes seven recommendations for improving the application of this assessment methodology to analyze this waste management alternative.

Farmacovigilancia de las vacunas frente a la COVID-19 en farmacias comunitarias. Resultados tras la segunda dosis y comparación entre ambas / Pharmacovigilance of vaccines against COVID-19 in community pharmacies. Results after the second dose and comparison between both

Objetivos: detección y seguimiento de sospechas de reacciones adversas (RA) en farmacias comunitarias tras la segunda dosis de vacunas frente a la COVID-19. Comparación entre dosis.Material y métodos: diseño: estudio observacional prospectivo.Sujetos: vacunados frente a la COVID-19, mayores de edad, que consintieron participar.Variables: número y porcentaje de participantes con RA. Su número, tipo y frecuencia. Repercusión en su vida diaria. Relaciones entre variables.Aprobado por CEIm-G.Resultados: 693 participantes con la 2ª dosis, 63,6 % mujeres. Edad media 56,8 años. 312 (45,0 %) vacunados, 49,4 % de mujeres y 37,3 % de hombres (p<0,0001), refirieron al menos una RA: 43,9 % con Comirnaty®, 37,7 % con Vaxzevria®, 63,0 % con Spikevax®.Se registraron 972 RA, 75,2 % en mujeres y 24,8 % en hombres (p<0,0001). Media 1,4/vacunado (máximo 11). Las más prevalentes: dolor en punto de inyección 197 (28,4 %), cansancio/fatiga 141 (20,3 %), mialgia 112 (16,2 %), cefalea 95 (13,7 %), fiebre 84 (12,1 %).51 encuestados con RA necesitaron ayuda profesional: 10 del médico, 6 en urgencias, 3 en hospital (1 derivado), 33 en la farmacia. A 70 (15,1 %) les impidió su actividad diaria. Se comunicaron RA de 201 vacunados.Los vacunados con RA y su número fueron menos tras la administración de la 2ª dosis (p<0,05).Relación inversa (p<0,05) entre “edad” y “número de vacunados con RA”, “necesidad de atención profesional” e “impidió la actividad diaria”.Conclusiones: el número de vacunados con RA y su número fue alto también con la segunda dosis, aunque menor que tras la primera. Mujer y menor edad son predictores de riesgo de sufrir RA tras la vacunación frente a COVID-19.(AU)

RENEB Inter-Laboratory Comparison 2021: Inter-Assay Comparison of Eight Dosimetry Assays.

Tools for radiation exposure reconstruction are required to support the medical management of radiation victims in radiological or nuclear incidents. Different biological and physical dosimetry assays can be used for various exposure scenarios to estimate the dose of ionizing radiation a person has absorbed. Regular validation of the techniques through inter-laboratory comparisons (ILC) is essential to guarantee high quality results. In the current RENEB inter-laboratory comparison, the performance quality of established cytogenetic assays [dicentric chromosome assay (DCA), cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN), stable chromosomal translocation assay (FISH) and premature chromosome condensation assay (PCC)] was tested in comparison to molecular biological assays [gamma-H2AX foci (gH2AX), gene expression (GE)] and physical dosimetry-based assays [electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), optically or thermally stimulated luminescence (LUM)]. Three blinded coded samples (e.g., blood, enamel or mobiles) were exposed to 0, 1.2 or 3.5 Gy X-ray reference doses (240 kVp, 1 Gy/min). These doses roughly correspond to clinically relevant groups of unexposed to low exposed (0-1 Gy), moderately exposed (1-2 Gy, no severe acute health effects expected) and highly exposed individuals (>2 Gy, requiring early intensive medical care). In the frame of the current RENEB inter-laboratory comparison, samples were sent to 86 specialized teams in 46 organizations from 27 nations for dose estimation and identification of three clinically relevant groups. The time for sending early crude reports and more precise reports was documented for each laboratory and assay where possible. The quality of dose estimates was analyzed with three different levels of granularity, 1. by calculating the frequency of correctly reported clinically relevant dose categories, 2. by determining the number of dose estimates within the uncertainty intervals recommended for triage dosimetry (±0.5 Gy or ±1.0 Gy for doses <2.5 Gy or >2.5 Gy), and 3. by calculating the absolute difference (AD) of estimated doses relative to the reference doses. In total, 554 dose estimates were submitted within the 6-week period given before the exercise was closed. For samples processed with the highest priority, earliest dose estimates/categories were reported within 5-10 h of receipt for GE, gH2AX, LUM, EPR, 2-3 days for DCA, CBMN and within 6-7 days for the FISH assay. For the unirradiated control sample, the categorization in the correct clinically relevant group (0-1 Gy) as well as the allocation to the triage uncertainty interval was, with the exception of a few outliers, successfully performed for all assays. For the 3.5 Gy sample the percentage of correct classifications to the clinically relevant group (≥2 Gy) was between 89-100% for all assays, with the exception of gH2AX. For the 1.2 Gy sample, an exact allocation to the clinically relevant group was more difficult and 0-50% or 0-48% of the estimates were wrongly classified into the lowest or highest dose categories, respectively. For the irradiated samples, the correct allocation to the triage uncertainty intervals varied considerably between assays for the 1.2 Gy (29-76%) and 3.5 Gy (17-100%) samples. While a systematic shift towards higher doses was observed for the cytogenetic-based assays, extreme outliers exceeding the reference doses 2-6 fold were observed for EPR, FISH and GE assays. These outliers were related to a particular material examined (tooth enamel for EPR assay, reported as kerma in enamel, but when converted into the proper quantity, i.e. to kerma in air, expected dose estimates could be recalculated in most cases), the level of experience of the teams (FISH) and methodological uncertainties (GE). This was the first RENEB ILC where everything, from blood sampling to irradiation and shipment of the samples, was organized and realized at the same institution, for several biological and physical retrospective dosimetry assays. Almost all assays appeared comparably applicable for the identification of unexposed and highly exposed individuals and the allocation of medical relevant groups, with the latter requiring medical support for the acute radiation scenario simulated in this exercise. However, extreme outliers or a systematic shift of dose estimates have been observed for some assays. Possible reasons will be discussed in the assay specific papers of this special issue. In summary, this ILC clearly demonstrates the need to conduct regular exercises to identify research needs, but also to identify technical problems and to optimize the design of future ILCs.

RENEB Inter-Laboratory Comparison 2021: The Dicentric Chromosome Assay.

After large-scale radiation accidents where many individuals are suspected to be exposed to ionizing radiation, biological and physical retrospective dosimetry assays are important tools to aid clinical decision making by categorizing individuals into unexposed/minimally, moderately or highly exposed groups. Quality-controlled inter-laboratory comparisons of simulated accident scenarios are regularly performed in the frame of the European legal association RENEB (Running the European Network of Biological and Physical retrospective Dosimetry) to optimize international networking and emergency readiness in case of large-scale radiation events. In total 33 laboratories from 22 countries around the world participated in the current RENEB inter-laboratory comparison 2021 for the dicentric chromosome assay. Blood was irradiated in vitro with X rays (240 kVp, 13 mA, ∼75 keV, 1 Gy/min) to simulate an acute, homogeneous whole-body exposure. Three blood samples (no. 1: 0 Gy, no. 2: 1.2 Gy, no. 3: 3.5 Gy) were sent to each participant and the task was to culture samples, to prepare slides and to assess radiation doses based on the observed dicentric yields from 50 manually or 150 semi-automatically scored metaphases (triage mode scoring). Approximately two-thirds of the participants applied calibration curves from irradiations with γ rays and about 1/3 from irradiations with X rays with varying energies. The categorization of the samples in clinically relevant groups corresponding to individuals that were unexposed/minimally (0-1 Gy), moderately (1-2 Gy) or highly exposed (>2 Gy) was successfully performed by all participants for sample no. 1 and no. 3 and by ≥74% for sample no. 2. However, while most participants estimated a dose of exactly 0 Gy for the sham-irradiated sample, the precise dose estimates of the samples irradiated with doses >0 Gy were systematically higher than the corresponding reference doses and showed a median deviation of 0.5 Gy (sample no. 2) and 0.95 Gy (sample no. 3) for manual scoring. By converting doses estimated based on γ-ray calibration curves to X-ray doses of a comparable mean photon energy as used in this exercise, the median deviation decreased to 0.27 Gy (sample no. 2) and 0.6 Gy (sample no. 3). The main aim of biological dosimetry in the case of a large-scale event is the categorization of individuals into clinically relevant groups, to aid clinical decision making. This task was successfully performed by all participants for the 0 Gy and 3.5 Gy samples and by 74% (manual scoring) and 80% (semiautomatic scoring) for the 1.2 Gy sample. Due to the accuracy of the dicentric chromosome assay and the high number of participating laboratories, a systematic shift of the dose estimates could be revealed. Differences in radiation quality (X ray vs. γ ray) between the test samples and the applied dose effect curves can partly explain the systematic shift. There might be several additional reasons for the observed bias (e.g., donor effects, transport, experimental conditions or the irradiation setup) and the analysis of these reasons provides great opportunities for future research. The participation of laboratories from countries around the world gave the opportunity to compare the results on an international level.

Efectos adversos de las vacunas frente al SARS-CoV-2 en farmacéuticos comunitarios de Pontevedra / Adverse effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in community pharmacists of Pontevedra

Objetivo: analizar los registros de sospechas de efectos adversos (EA) de las vacunas frente al SARSCoV-2 administradas a farmacéuticos comunitarios (FC) y personal auxiliar.Métodos. Diseño: estudio observacional transversal, en febrero-abril de 2021. Sujetos: farmacéuticos, técnicos y auxiliares de la provincia de Pontevedra que ejercen en contacto con los pacientes, vacunados con la primera dosis frente al SARS-CoV-2.Variables: número, tipo y frecuencia de EA, características demográficas.Procedimiento: se habilitó un formulario en la web del Colegio de Farmacéuticos de Pontevedra. Se anunció a los FC colegiados de la provincia su existencia y la conveniencia de cumplimentarlo.Resultados: 167 participantes, de los que 153 manifestaron síntomas compatibles con reactividad a la vacuna, 122 (93,1 %) mujeres y 31 (86,1 %) hombres. 146 (95,4 %) habían recibido Vaxzevria®, 116(79,4 %) mujeres y 30 (20,6 %) hombres, y 7 (4,6 %) Comirnaty®, 6 (85,7 %) mujeres y 1 (14,3 %) hombre. Se comunicaron 823 EA, 811 (5,3 DE=2,8 EA, 0-12 por paciente) con Vaxzevria® y 12 (0,9 DE=1,0 EA, 0-3 por paciente) con Comirnaty®. EA más frecuentes: dolor en punto de inyección, 128 (87,7 %); escalofríos, 107 (73,3 %); dolor muscular, 106 (72,6 %). En los tres casos, mayor proporción de mujeres (p<0,01). El número máximo de EA manifestados por un participante fue 12. 132 (86,3 %) vacunados que refirieron EA, 106 (86,9 %) mujeres y 26 (83,9 %) hombres, necesitaron medicamentos para aliviar los síntomas. 77 (46,1 %) no pudieron desarrollar sus actividades diarias y 47 (28,1 %) no pudieron trabajar el día siguiente. Conclusiones: el número de EA comunicados por farmacéuticos y personal auxiliar vacunados fue alto. Aunque no fueron graves, afectaron de manera considerable a su actividad diaria y laboral. (AU)

The Absence of Caspase-8 in the Dopaminergic System Leads to Mild Autism-like Behavior.

In the last decade, new non-apoptotic roles have been ascribed to apoptotic caspases. This family of proteins plays an important role in the sculpting of the brain in the early stages of development by eliminating excessive and nonfunctional synapses and extra cells. Consequently, impairments in this process can underlie many neurological and mental illnesses. This view is particularly relevant to dopamine because it plays a pleiotropic role in motor control, motivation, and reward processing. In this study, we analyze the effects of the elimination of caspase-8 (CASP8) on the development of catecholaminergic neurons using neurochemical, ultrastructural, and behavioral tests. To do this, we selectively delete the CASP8 gene in cells that express tyrosine hydroxylase with the help of recombination through the Cre-loxP system. Our results show that the number of dopaminergic neurons increases in the substantia nigra. In the striatum, the basal extracellular level of dopamine and potassium-evoked dopamine release decreased significantly in mice lacking CASP8, clearly showing the low dopamine functioning in tissues innervated by this neurotransmitter. This view is supported by electron microscopy analysis of striatal synapses. Interestingly, behavioral analysis demonstrates that mice lacking CASP8 show changes reminiscent of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Our research reactivates the possible role of dopamine transmission in the pathogenesis of ASD and provides a mild model of autism.

Simultaneous Generation of Surface Plasmon and Lossy Mode Resonances in the Same Planar Platform.

A planar waveguide consisting of a coverslip for a microscope glass slide was deposited in one of its two faces with two materials: silver and indium tin oxide (ITO). The incidence of light by the edge of the coverslip permitted the generation of both surface plasmon and lossy mode resonances (SPRs and LMRs) in the same transmission spectrum with a single optical source and detector. This proves the ability of this optical platform to be used as a benchmark for comparing different optical phenomena generated by both metal and dielectric materials, which can be used to progress in the assessment of different sensing technologies. Here the SPR and the LMR were compared in terms of sensitivity to refractive index and figure of merit (FoM), at the same time it was demonstrated that both resonances can operate independently when silver and ITO coated regions are surrounded by different refractive index liquids. The results were supported with numerical results that confirm the experimental ones.

Okur-Chung neurodevelopmental syndrome-linked CK2α variants have reduced kinase activity.

The Okur-Chung neurodevelopmental syndrome, or OCNDS, is a newly discovered rare neurodevelopmental disorder. It is characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, behavioral problems (hyperactivity, repetitive movements and social interaction deficits), hypotonia, epilepsy and language/verbalization deficits. OCNDS is linked to de novo mutations in CSNK2A1, that lead to missense or deletion/truncating variants in the encoded protein, the protein kinase CK2α. Eighteen different missense CK2α mutations have been identified to date; however, no biochemical or cell biological studies have yet been performed to clarify the functional impact of such mutations. Here, we show that 15 different missense CK2α mutations lead to varying degrees of loss of kinase activity as recombinant purified proteins and when mutants are ectopically expressed in mammalian cells. We further detect changes in the phosphoproteome of three patient-derived fibroblast lines and show that the subcellular localization of CK2α is altered for some of the OCNDS-linked variants and in patient-derived fibroblasts. Our data argue that reduced kinase activity and abnormal localization of CK2α may underlie the OCNDS phenotype.

Shared Reflection to Maximize Resources and Minimize Costs: The Reflecting Team Applied to a Hospital Environment.

Severe mental illness entails multiple hospital admissions and a large use of public resources. The Reflecting Team (RT), together with other dialogue strategies, place in a single therapeutic space, the patient, his family and a team of professionals to find together a solution to a situation of stagnation. The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility and cost-effectiveness of a RT intervention in psychiatric inpatients in a public hospital. Six RT were performed, and clinical variables were collected retrospectively for six months pre-RT and post-RT. Both number of hospital admissions and total time spent in the psychiatric acute unit show a significant decrease. All computed cost showed statistically significant reduction. The results suggest RT might be a good strategy to introduce a positive change in the treatment of those psychiatric cases in which the patient and family find themselves caught in a system that seems to offer stale and ineffective help to problems that have become chronic.

Resultados y complicaciones de la enfermedad del segmento adyacente tratada mediante artrodesis intersomática lateral mínimamente invasiva / Results and complications of adjacent segment disease treated by minimally invasive lateral intersomatic arthrodesis

Resumen: Introducción: Se ha realizado un estudio clínico comparativo sobre los pacientes intervenidos mediante artrodesis intersomática lateral para tratamiento de la enfermedad del segmento adyacente utilizando dispositivos intersomáticos de titanio y de PEEK. Material y métodos: Se han analizado y comparado los resultados clínicos (EVA y oswestry disability index ODI) y radiológicos (alineamiento y fusión), las complicaciones (mayores y menores) y la calidad de vida (EQ5D) de 32 pacientes intervenidos desde Septiembre de 2015 hasta Septiembre de 2018, con un seguimiento medio de 25 meses (46-18). La edad media en la cirugía fue de 66 años (39-89) y 68% de los pacientes fueron mujeres. El segmento intervenido con más frecuencia fue L3-L4 (62%) abordaje retroperitoneal derecho 86%. La EVA lumbar mejoró de 6.2 ± 2.12 a 4.1 ± 1.71 (p = 0.028). La EVA de la pierna descendió de 5.3 ± 2.26 a 1.9 ± 1.58 (p = 0.02). La escala ODI mejoró de 50.2 ± 18.9 a 33.3 ± 10.2 (p = 0.025) y la EQ5D pasó de 0.52 a 0.73 (p = 0.039) sin diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos (ODI p = 0.18, EQ5D p = 0.293). Radiológicamente aumentó la altura intervertebral, la lordosis lumbar y segmentaria, disminuyó el ángulo de Cobb y la tasa de fusión global fue de 84.3% (88% Ti/82% PEEK), sin diferencias entre los grupos. Conclusiones: La artrodesis intersomática lumbar lateral Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion es un método eficaz para el tratamiento de la enfermedad del segmento adyacente con resultados clínicos-radiológicos y complicaciones similares a la literatura. No se han encontrado diferencias entre los implantes de Ti y de PEEK.

Abstract: Introduction: A comparative clinical study has been conducted on patients involved using lateral intersomatic arthrodesis for the treatment of adjacent segment disease using titanium and PEEK intersomatic devices. Material and methods: Clinical (EVA and oswestry disability index ODI) and radiological (alignment and fusion), complications (major and minor) and quality of life (EQ5D) of 32 patients intervened from September 2015 to September 2018 have been analyzed and compared, with an average follow-up of 25 months (46-18). The average age in surgery was 66 years (39-89) and 68% of patients were women. Results: The most common segment involved was L3-L4 (62%) right retroperitoneal approach 86%. Lumbar EVA improved from 6.2 ± 2.12 to 4.1 ± 1.71 (p = 0.028). The LEG EVA descended from 5.3 ± 2.26 to 1.9 ± 1.58 (p = 0.02). The ODI scales improved from 50.2 ± 18.9 to 33.3 ± 10.2 (p = 0.025) and the EQ5D went from 0.52 to 0.73 (p = 0.039) with no statistically significant differences between the groups (ODI p = 0.18, EQ5D p = 0.293). Radiologically increased intervertebral height, lumbar and segmental lordosis, decreased Cobb's angle and the overall melting rate was 84.3% (88% Ti/82% PEEK), with no differences between the groups. Conclusion: Lateral lumbar interbody fusion is an effective method for treating adjacent segment disease with clinical-radiological results and literature-like complications. No differences have been found between Ti and PEEK implants.

Comparison of two methods for obtaining and transporting corneal samples in suspected infectious keratitis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare two alternative methods of collecting and transporting media for the diagnosis of corneal ulcers, as not all clinical settings have conventional culture materials and transport media available. METHODS: In this open-label, prospective, comparative, and randomized study, patients with clinical suspicion of infectious keratitis with high risk of loss of vision had corneal specimens collected using two methods and transport media: Eswab scraping with Amies transport medium and 23-gauge needle scraping in BACTEC Peds broth. The order of each collection method was randomized. The samples were processed by standard methods, comparing the positivity frequencies for both by parametric and nonparametric tests, according to normality criteria. RESULTS: Corneal infiltrates from 40 eyes of 40 patients were analyzed. Culture positivity rate was 50% for Eswab and 35% for 23-gauge needle (P=0.258). The overall growth rate of the two methods combined was not higher than with the swab alone. The results obtained with a swab were not influenced by the collection sequence (P=0.112); however, the positivity rate was significantly higher when the sample taken with the needle was performed first (P=0.046). CONCLUSIONS: The single sample Eswab method of collection and transportation for the diagnosis of high risk corneal ulcers is a valid alternative and can be used in cases in which, for various reasons, there is no access to the full set of traditional culture materials.

Spheroscope: A custom-made miniaturized microscope for tracking tumour spheroids in microfluidic devices.

3D cell culture models consisting of self-assembled tumour cells in suspension, commonly known as tumour spheroids, are becoming mainstream for high-throughput anticancer drug screening. A usual measurable outcome of screening studies is the growth rate of the spheroids in response to treatment. This is commonly quantified on images obtained using complex, expensive, optical microscopy systems, equipped with high-quality optics and customized electronics. Here we present a novel, portable, miniaturized microscope made of low-cost, mass-producible parts, which produces both fluorescence and phase-gradient contrast images. Since phase-gradient contrast imaging is based on oblique illumination, epi-illumination is used for both modalities, thus simplifying the design of the system. We describe the system, characterize its performance on synthetic samples and show proof-of-principle applications of the system consisting in imaging and monitoring the formation and growth of lung and pancreas cancer tumour spheroids within custom made microfluidic devices.

[Results and complications of adjacent segment disease treated by minimally invasive lateral intersomatic arthrodesis]. / Resultados y complicaciones de la enfermedad del segmento adyacente tratada mediante artrodesis intersomática lateral mínimamente invasiva.

INTRODUCTION: A comparative clinical study has been conducted on patients involved using lateral intersomatic arthrodesis for the treatment of adjacent segment disease using titanium and PEEK intersomatic devices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical (EVA and oswestry disability index ODI) and radiological (alignment and fusion), complications (major and minor) and quality of life (EQ5D) of 32 patients intervened from September 2015 to September 2018 have been analyzed and compared, with an average follow-up of 25 months (46-18). The average age in surgery was 66 years (39-89) and 68% of patients were women. RESULTS: The most common segment involved was L3-L4 (62%) right retroperitoneal approach 86%. Lumbar EVA improved from 6.2 ± 2.12 to 4.1 ± 1.71 (p = 0.028). The LEG EVA descended from 5.3 ± 2.26 to 1.9 ± 1.58 (p = 0.02). The ODI scales improved from 50.2 ± 18.9 to 33.3 ± 10.2 (p = 0.025) and the EQ5D went from 0.52 to 0.73 (p = 0.039) with no statistically significant differences between the groups (ODI p = 0.18, EQ5D p = 0.293). Radiologically increased intervertebral height, lumbar and segmental lordosis, decreased Cobb's angle and the overall melting rate was 84.3% (88% Ti/82% PEEK), with no differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: Lateral lumbar interbody fusion is an effective method for treating adjacent segment disease with clinical-radiological results and literature-like complications. No differences have been found between Ti and PEEK implants.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Se ha realizado un estudio clínico comparativo sobre los pacientes intervenidos mediante artrodesis intersomática lateral para tratamiento de la enfermedad del segmento adyacente utilizando dispositivos intersomáticos de titanio y de PEEK. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se han analizado y comparado los resultados clínicos (EVA y. CONCLUSIONES: oswestry disability index ODI) y radiológicos (alineamiento y fusión), las complicaciones (mayores y menores) y la calidad de vida (EQ5D) de 32 pacientes intervenidos desde Septiembre de 2015 hasta Septiembre de 2018, con un seguimiento medio de 25 meses (46-18). La edad media en la cirugía fue de 66 años (39-89) y 68% de los pacientes fueron mujeres. El segmento intervenido con más frecuencia fue L3-L4 (62%) abordaje retroperitoneal derecho 86%. La EVA lumbar mejoró de 6.2 ± 2.12 a 4.1 ± 1.71 (p = 0.028). La EVA de la pierna descendió de 5.3 ± 2.26 a 1.9 ± 1.58 (p = 0.02). La escala ODI mejoró de 50.2 ± 18.9 a 33.3 ± 10.2 (p = 0.025) y la EQ5D pasó de 0.52 a 0.73 (p = 0.039) sin diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos (ODI p = 0.18, EQ5D p = 0.293). Radiológicamente aumentó la altura intervertebral, la lordosis lumbar y segmentaria, disminuyó el ángulo de Cobb y la tasa de fusión global fue de 84.3% (88% Ti/82% PEEK), sin diferencias entre los grupos. La artrodesis intersomática lumbar lateral.

Maternal separation leads to regional hippocampal microglial activation and alters the behavior in the adolescence in a sex-specific manner.

Early life adversities during childhood (such as maltreatment, abuse, neglect, or parental deprivation) may increase the vulnerability to cognitive disturbances and emotional disorders in both, adolescence and adulthood. Maternal separation (MS) is a widely used model to study stress-related changes in brain and behavior in rodents. In this study, we investigated the effect of MS (postnatal day 2-14, 3 â€‹h/day) in both, female and male adolescent mice. Specifically, we evaluated (i) the spatial working memory, anxiety and depressive-like behavior, (ii) the hippocampal synaptic gene expression, and (iii) the hippocampal neuroinflammatory response. Our results show that MS significantly increased depressive-like behavior in adolescent female mice and altered the spatial memory in adolescent male mice. In addition, MS led to decreased expression of genes related to synaptic function (5ht6r, Synaptophysin, and Cox-2) and induced an exacerbated microglial activation in dentate gyrus (DG), CA1, and CA3. However, while the levels of hippocampal inflammatory cytokines were not modified by MS, they did follow a sex-specific expression in adolescent mice. Taken together, our results suggest that MS induces long-term changes in hippocampal microglia and synaptic gene expression, alters the spatial memory, and induces depressive-like behavior in the adolescent mice, in a sex-specific manner.

Anal cytology in women: Experience from a single tertiary center.

INTRODUCTION: Anal cytology (AC) can be used as a screening tool for detection of anal HPV associated lesions, mainly in men who have sex with men and in immunosuppressed patients. Our aim is to review our experience with AC in women. MATERIAL & METHODS: We have retrospectively reviewed all AC diagnosed between 2010-2017 in a single tertiary hospital (n = 644) and selected those performed in women (n = 158). RESULTS: 24.53% of AC were performed in women. 14.7% of all women were HIV positive and 56.7% referred anal intercourse. Squamous lesions were found in 27.2% of women, most of them ASCUS and LSIL (14% and 11.5%). HPV DNA was detected in 38.6% of patients, and 63.9% of them showed positivity for multiple high-risk types. Anal biopsy showed high grade lesions in 20% of biopsied patients. We observed a significant relationship between HPV status and receptive anal sex, and the association between HPV status and anal histological diagnosis tended to significance. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value for anal cytology were 57%; 83%; 28% and 94%, respectively. 70.9% of women had synchronous cervical cytology, and squamous cervical lesions were detected in 46.4% of the cases, most of them LSIL or ASCUS (21.4% and 15.2%). We did not confirm a significant association between cytological diagnosis of cervical and anal samples. CONCLUSIONS: AC is less widely used in women than in homosexual men. However, women show important rates of anal lesions, regardless of their HIV status. More studies should be performed to assess the potential impact of screening protocols in this population.

Impact of physicochemical properties of DNA/PEI complexes on transient transfection of mammalian cells.

Polyethyleneimine (PEI) has been used extensively for transient gene expression (TGE) in mammalian cell cultures. However, the relationship between DNA/PEI complex preparation and their biological activity has not been fully established. Here, a systematic study of DNA/PEI complexes, their physicochemical properties during formation and their transfection efficiency was performed on a virus-like particle (VLP) production platform. The same chemically defined cell culture medium for DNA/PEI complex formation was used as an alternative to simple ionic solutions to minimize changes in complex properties during transfection. Upon formation, an initial concentration of 1E + 10 DNA/PEI complexes/mL underwent partial aggregation with an average size of 300 nm. The participation of NaCl ions in the evolution of complexes was analyzed by X-ray spectroscopy, stressing the relevance of complexing media composition in TGE strategies. After 15 min incubation, 250 complexes plus aggregates per cell were estimated at the time of transfection. Such heterogeneous preparations cannot be easily characterized; subsequently, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and cryo-electron microscopy were combined to achieve a complete picture of the preparation. Finally, the contribution of each DNA/PEI complex subpopulation was tested by drug inhibition endocytosis. Interestingly, all complexes delivered DNA efficiently and high size aggregates, which enter through macropinocytosis, when inhibited presented a major contribution to transfection efficiency. There is a need to understand the physicochemical factors that participate in DNA delivery protocols. Hence, this study provides new insights into the characterization of DNA/PEI complexes that will assist in more productive and reproducible TGE strategies.