'It would be a problem for the family': queerness, family honour and familism in Chile.

Family honour, protecting and upholding the family name, is central to familism. Yet, it has been somewhat neglected by scholarship on Latin American and Latino families. Familism involves prioritising the family over the individual. Likewise, the family of origin holds particular significance, offering material, social and emotional support, and shaping one's identity, honour and sense of belonging. Heteronormativity and patriarchy portray queer individuals as the causes of family shame. This study examined how family honour, as a component of familism, operates within kin dynamics, specifically focusing on same-sex cohabitation, as this living arrangement serves as a tangible expression of a non-normative sexual orientation. A life course perspective was used to study 24 cases of cohabiting lesbian, gay and bi/pansexual individuals in Chile. The results show the enduring significance of families in providing support, sociability, identity, and a sense of belonging. Nevertheless, it reveals notable instances of family rejection towards queer kin. In Chile, both families of origin and queer individuals employ subtle strategies to conceal their queerness, guided by notions of 'respect' associated with family honour and decency. These strategies involve unspoken agreements to maintain family bonds through discreet displays of queer behaviour without explicit acknowledgement of sexual identity.

Results of a Hepatitis C Micro-Elimination Program in Two Addiction Centers Among Subjects With Substance Use Disorder.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate a hepatitis C (HCV) micro-elimination program in 2 addiction centers among subjects with substance use disorders (SUD). METHODS: The program was based on simplifying the diagnosis of HCV infections by avoiding referral to primary care for the diagnosis and performing the necessary tests at the point of care (ie, the addition center) and simplifying the patient pathway by directly referring patients to the specialized care for treatment. Descriptive and multivariate analyses are presented. RESULTS: Of the 1497 subjects included in the program, 327 reported that they were anti-HCV-positive. Among the 1170 patients who were offered the HCV rapid antibody test, 180 (15.4%) did not perform the test. Performing the HCV rapid antibody test only contributed ten patients (3%) to the 337 who were anti-HCV-positive. A high proportion (147 out of 327 [45%]) of subjects who reported being anti-HCV-positive also reported that they had not been treated for HCV. Among the 67 subjects who were HCV-RNA-positive and were referred for treatment, 53 (79%) ultimately received and completed antiviral treatment. Unfortunately, we did not find any factors associated with not performing dry blood testing, and the factors associated with not performing the HCV rapid antibody test were difficult to interpret, and the model showed low goodness of fit. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a micro-elimination program focused on patients with SUD attending an addiction center is not effective for screening the presence of hepatitis C but is successful for linking patients with hepatitis C to antiviral treatment.

An emergent Wnt5a/YAP/TAZ regulatory circuit and its possible role in cancer.

Wnt5a is a ligand that plays several roles in development, homeostasis, and disease. A growing body of evidence indicates that Wnt5a is involved in cancer progression. Despite extensive research in this field, our knowledge about how Wnt5a is precisely involved in cancer is still incomplete. It is usually thought that certain combinations of Frizzled receptors and co-receptors might explain the observed effects of Wnt5a either as a tumor suppressor or by promoting migration and invasion. While accepting this 'receptor context' model, this review proposes that Wnt5a is integrated within a larger regulatory circuit involving ß-catenin, YAP/TAZ, and LATS1/2. Remarkably, WNT5A and YAP1 are transcriptionally regulated by the Hippo and Wnt pathways, respectively, and might form a regulatory circuit acting through LATS kinases and secreted Wnt/ß-catenin inhibitors, including Wnt5a itself. Therefore, understanding the precise role of Wnt5a and YAP in cancer requires a systems biology perspective.

A Non-canonical Wnt Signature Correlates With Lower Survival in Gastric Cancer.

Genetic evidence suggests a role for the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in gastric cancer. However, Wnt5a, regarded as a prototypical non-canonical Wnt ligand, has also been extensively associated with this disease. Therefore, the roles of the Wnt signaling pathway in gastric cancer initiation and progression, and particularly the precise mechanisms by which the non-canonical Wnt pathway might promote the development and progression of gastric cancer, are not entirely well understood. This article analyzes publicly available gene and protein expression data and reveals the existence of a WNT5A/FZD2/FZD7/ROR2 signature, which correlates with tumor-infiltrating and mesenchymal cell marker expression. High expression of FZD7 and ROR2 correlates with a shared gene and protein expression profile, which in turn correlates with poor prognosis. In summary, the findings presented in this article provide an updated view of the relative contributions of the Wnt/ß-catenin and non-canonical Wnt pathways in gastric cancer.

Analysis in silico of the functional interaction between WNT5A and YAP/TEAD signaling in cancer.

To date, most data regarding the crosstalk between the Wnt signaling pathway and the YAP/TAZ transcriptional coactivators focuses on the Wnt/ß-catenin branch of the pathway. In contrast, the relationship between the non-canonical Wnt pathway and YAP/TAZ remains significantly less explored. Wnt5a is usually regarded as a prototypical non-canonical Wnt ligand, and its expression has been related to cancer progression. On the other hand, YAP/TAZ transcriptional coactivators act in concert with TEAD transcription factors to control gene expression. Although one article has shown previously that WNT5A is a YAP/TEAD target gene, there is a need for further evidence supporting this regulatory relationship, because a possible YAP/Wnt5a regulatory circuit might have profound implications for cancer biology. This article analyzes publicly available ChIP-Seq, gene expression, and protein expression data to explore this relationship, and shows that WNT5A might be a YAP/TEAD target gene in several contexts. Moreover, Wnt5a and YAP expression are significantly correlated in specific cancer types, suggesting that the crosstalk between YAP/TAZ and the Wnt pathway is more intricate than previously thought.

Extracellular matrix stiffness and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in physiology and disease.

The Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway plays fundamental roles during development, stem cell differentiation, and homeostasis, and its abnormal activation can lead to diseases. In recent years, it has become clear that this pathway integrates signals not only from Wnt ligands but also from other proteins and signaling routes. For instance, Wnt/ß-catenin signaling involves YAP and TAZ, which are transcription factors with crucial roles in mechanotransduction. On the other hand, Wnt/ß-catenin signaling is also modulated by integrins. Therefore, mechanical signals might similarly modulate the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. However, and despite the relevance that mechanosensitive Wnt/ß-catenin signaling might have during physiology and diseases such as cancer, the role of mechanical cues on Wnt/ß-catenin signaling has received less attention. This review aims to summarize recent evidence regarding the modulation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling by a specific type of mechanical signal, the stiffness of the extracellular matrix. The review shows that mechanical stiffness can indeed modulate this pathway in several cell types, through differential expression of Wnt ligands, receptors and inhibitors, as well as by modulating ß-catenin levels. However, the specific mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated.

Wnt5a Signaling in Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer remains an important health challenge, accounting for a significant number of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in gastric cancer establishment and progression is highly desirable. The Wnt pathway plays a fundamental role in development, homeostasis, and disease, and abnormal Wnt signaling is commonly observed in several cancer types. Wnt5a, a ligand that activates the non-canonical branch of the Wnt pathway, can play a role as a tumor suppressor or by promoting cancer cell invasion and migration, although the molecular mechanisms explaining these roles have not been fully elucidated. Wnt5a is increased in gastric cancer samples; however, most gastric cancer cell lines seem to exhibit little expression of this ligand, thus raising the question about the source of this ligand in vivo. This review summarizes available research about Wnt5a expression and signaling in gastric cancer. In gastric cancer, Wnt5a promotes invasion and migration by modulating integrin adhesion turnover. Disheveled, a scaffolding protein with crucial roles in Wnt signaling, mediates the adhesion-related effects of Wnt5a in gastric cancer cells, and several studies provide growing support for a model whereby Disheveled-interacting proteins mediates Wnt5a signaling to modulate cytoskeleton dynamics. However, Wnt5a might induce other effects in gastric cancer cells, such as cell survival and induction of gene expression. On the other hand, the available evidence suggests that Wnt5a might be expressed by cells residing in the tumor microenvironment, where feedback mechanisms sustaining Wnt5a secretion and signaling might be established. This review analyzes the possible functions of Wnt5a in this pathological context and discusses potential links to mechanosensing and YAP/TAZ signaling.

The Influence of Solar Power Plants on Microclimatic Conditions and the Biotic Community in Chilean Desert Environments.

The renewable energy sector is growing at a rapid pace in northern Chile and the solar energy potential is one of the best worldwide. Therefore, many types of solar power plant facilities are being built to take advantage of this renewable energy resource. Solar energy is considered a clean source of energy, but there are potential environmental effects of solar technology, such as landscape fragmentation, extinction of local biota, microclimate changes, among others. To be able to minimize environmental impacts of solar power plants, it is important to know what kind of environmental conditions solar power plants create. This study provides information about abiotic and biotic conditions in the vicinity of photovoltaic solar power plants. Herein, the influence of these power plants as drivers of new microclimate conditions and arthropods diversity composition in the Atacama Desert was evaluated. Microclimatic conditions between panel mounts was found to be more extreme than in the surrounding desert yet beneath the panels temperature is lower and relative humidity higher than outside the panel area. Arthropod species composition was altered in fixed-mount panel installations. In contrast, solar tracking technology showed less influence on microclimate and species composition between Sun and Shade in the power plant. Shady conditions provided a refuge for arthropod species in both installation types. For example, Dipterans were more abundant in the shade whereas Solifugaes were seldom present in the shade. The presented findings have relevance for the sustainable planning and construction of solar power plants.

Primary hydatid cyst of the pancreas.

Hydatid cyst of the pancreas is a rare location of this disease. We study the case of a female patient with primary hydatid cyst of the pancreas coming from and endemic area and presenting pain and palpable tumor in epigastrium and right upper abdomen. The patient was studied with ultrasound scanning and CT scan in which it was interpreted as hydatid liver cyst. Pancreatic location was determined in surgery. Primary hydatid cyst of the pancreas must be taken into account as differential diagnosis with cystic lesions of the pancreas.

Proteomic analysis of integrin-associated complexes from mesenchymal stem cells.

PURPOSE: Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capability to differentiate down adipocyte, osteocyte and chondrocyte lineages and as such offer a range of potential therapeutic applications. The composition and stiffness of the extracellular matrix (ECM) environment that surrounds cells dictates their transcriptional programme, thereby affecting stem cell lineage decision-making. Cells sense force via linkages between themselves and their microenvironment, and this is transmitted by integrin receptors and associated adhesion signalling complexes. To identify regulators of MSC force sensing, we sought to catalogue MSC integrin-associated adhesion complex composition. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Adhesion complexes formed by MSCs plated on the ECM ligand fibronectin were isolated and characterised by MS. Identified proteins were interrogated by comparison to a literature-based reference set of cell adhesion-related components and using ontological and protein-protein interaction network analyses. RESULTS: Adhesion complex-specific proteins in MSCs were identified that comprised predominantly cell adhesion-related adaptors and actin cytoskeleton regulators. Furthermore, LIM domain-containing proteins in MSC adhesion complexes were highlighted, which may act as force-sensing components. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data provide a valuable resource of information regarding the molecular connections that link integrins and adhesion signalling in MSCs, and as such may present novel opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

Mechanosensitivity of integrin adhesion complexes: role of the consensus adhesome.

Cell and tissue stiffness have been known to contribute to both developmental and pathological signalling for some time, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Integrins and their associated adhesion signalling complexes (IACs), which form a nexus between the cell cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix, act as a key force sensing and transducing unit in cells. Accordingly, there has been much interest in obtaining a systems-level understanding of IAC composition. Proteomic approaches have revealed the complexity of IACs and identified a large number of components that are regulated by cytoskeletal force. Here we review the function of the consensus adhesome, an assembly of core IAC proteins that emerged from a meta-analysis of multiple proteomic datasets, in the context of mechanosensing. As IAC components have been linked to a variety of diseases involved with rigidity sensing, the field is now in a position to define the mechanosensing function of individual IAC proteins and elucidate their mechanisms of action.

Syndecan-4 inhibits Wnt/ß-catenin signaling through regulation of low-density-lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP6) and R-spondin 3.

Regulation of Wnt signaling is crucial for embryonic development and adult homeostasis. Here we study the role of Syndecan-4 (SDC4), a cell-surface heparan sulphate proteoglycan, and Fibronectin (FN), in Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments in mammalian cell lines and Xenopus embryos demonstrate that SDC4 and FN inhibit Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. Epistatic and biochemical experiments show that this inhibition occurs at the cell membrane level through regulation of LRP6. R-spondin 3, a ligand that promotes canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling, is more prone to potentiate Wnt/ß-catenin signaling when SDC4 levels are reduced, suggesting a model whereby SDC4 tunes the ability of R-spondin to modulate the different Wnt signaling pathways. Since SDC4 has been previously related to non-canonical Wnt signaling, our results also suggest that this proteoglycan can be a key component in the regulation of Wnt signaling.

Self-decarboxylation of trichloroacetic acid redox catalyzed by trichloroacetate ions in acetonitrile solutions.

In mixtures of trichloroacetate ion and trichloroacetic acid in acetonitrile, trichloromethyl radicals are produced as a result of the redox reaction between the acid and its conjugate base. The reaction follows a loop mechanism in which the trichloroacetic acid is slowly consumed by proton reduction while the trichloroacetate ion is oxidized like in an electrochemical Kolbe reaction. The hydroquinone-trichloroacetate complex was a good sensor of this unexpected self-decarboxylation redox reaction.

Estudio piloto sobre la prevalencia de patología dual en pacientes en tratamiento en la Comunidad de Madrid / Pilot study on the prevalence of dual pathology in community mental health and substance misuse services in Madrid

El objetivo ha sido valorar la presencia de diagnósticos comórbidos de trastornos mentales y adictivos de forma retrospectiva en la historia clínica de pacientes en tratamiento en las redes asistenciales de salud mental o de adicciones en la Comunidad de Madrid. Material y métodos: Se valoraron las historias clínicas de 400 pacientes en tratamiento en Centros de Atención al Drogodependiente (CAD), Centros de Atención Integral al Drogodependiente (CAID), Centros de Salud Mental (CSM) o servicios de psiquiatría de Hospitales de Madrid. Se recogieron de forma retrospectiva los datos de las últimas 20 historias clínicas de cada centro seleccionado. Resultados: La prevalencia de patología dual, considerando como tal la presencia de un diagnóstico actual de trastorno mental y de trastorno por uso de sustancias distinto al tabaco, fue del 34%. Había diferencias en la prevalencia entre las dos redes asistenciales, un 36.78% de los pacientes en tratamiento en la red de drogas fueron considerados duales frente a un 28.78% en la red de salud mental. Había una asociación entre el diagnóstico de patología dual y el consumo perjudicial o dependencia de alcohol o cocaína pero no con el de heroína. Los trastornos mentales más frecuentes en los pacientes duales que en los no duales fueron los trastornos del humor, los trastornos de personalidad y la esquizofrenia. Conclusión: Por lo tanto, existe una elevada prevalencia de pacientes con patología dual entre los sujetos que buscan tratamiento, siendo mayor en la red de atención al drogodependiente y mayor entre aquellos con dependencia de alcohol o cocaína. Estos datos pueden ayudar a la horade planificar los recursos asistenciales para este tipo de pacientes (AU)

Aim: To evaluate retrospectively the comorbidity of mental and addictive disorders in community mental health and substance misuse services in Madrid. Methods: The medical records of 400 patients from mental health and substance misuse services in Madrid were evaluated. Records were examined for the last 20 patients from each service unit. Results: Dual pathology was constituted when a current diagnosis of mental and addictive disorders, excluding nicotine addiction, appeared on the patient’s records. Prevalence of dual pathology was 34%. There were differences in the prevalence figures for the two kinds of service: 36.78% in substance misuse services, and 28.78% in mental health services. There was an association of dual diagnosis with alcohol or cocaine dependence, but not with opioid dependence. The mental disorders more prevalent in dually diagnosed than in non-dually diagnosed patients were mood disorders, personality disorders, and schizophrenia. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of dual pathology in those seeking treatment, being higher in substance misuse services than in mental health services, and higher in patients with alcohol or cocaine dependence. These findings could be of help in the planning of care resource policies for these patients (AU)

[Pilot study on the prevalence of dual pathology in community mental health and substance misuse services in Madrid]. / Estudio piloto sobre la prevalencia de patología dual en pacientes en tratamiento en la Comunidad de Madrid.

AIM: To evaluate retrospectively the comorbidity of mental and addictive disorders in community mental health and substance misuse services in Madrid. METHODS: The medical records of 400 patients from mental health and substance misuse services in Madrid were evaluated. Records were examined for the last 20 patients from each service unit. RESULTS: Dual pathology was constituted when a current diagnosis of mental and addictive disorders, excluding nicotine addiction, appeared on the patient's records. Prevalence of dual pathology was 34%. There were differences in the prevalence figures for the two kinds of service: 36.78% in substance misuse services, and 28.78% in mental health services. There was an association of dual diagnosis with alcohol or cocaine dependence, but not with opioid dependence. The mental disorders more prevalent in dually diagnosed than in non-dually diagnosed patients were mood disorders, personality disorders, and schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of dual pathology in those seeking treatment, being higher in substance misuse services than in mental health services, and higher in patients with alcohol or cocaine dependence. These findings could be of help in the planning of care resource policies for these patients.

Concentration of adipogenic and proinflammatory cytokines in the bone marrow supernatant fluid of osteoporotic women.

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass, microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to increased bone fragility, and a resulting susceptibility to fractures. Distinctive environmental bone marrow conditions appear to support the development and maintenance of the unbalance between bone resorption and bone formation; these complex bone marrow circumstances would be reflected in the fluid surrounding bone marrow cells. The content of regulatory molecules in the extracellular fluid from the human bone marrow is practically unknown. Since the content of cytokines such as adiponectin, leptin, osteoprogeterin (OPG), soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (s-RANKL), tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) may elicit conditions promoting or sustaining osteoporosis, in this work we compared the concentrations of the above-mentioned cytokines and also the level of the soluble receptors for both IL-6 and leptin in the extracellular fluid from the bone marrow of nonosteoporotic and osteoporotic human donors. A supernatant fluid (bone marrow supernatant fluid [BMSF]) was obtained after spinning the aspirated bone marrow samples; donors were classified as nonosteoporotic or osteoporotic after dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measuring. Specific commercially available kits were used for all measurements. The cytokines' concentration in BMSF showed differently among nonosteoporotic and osteoporotic women; this last group was characterized by higher content of proinflammatory and adipogenic cytokines. Also, osteoporotic BMSF differentiated by decreased leptin bioavailability, suggesting that insufficient leptin action may distinguish the osteoporotic bone marrow.

[Adipogenesis and osteoporosis]. / Adipogénesis y osteoporosis.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) found in bone marrow stroma, are able to differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes, among other cellphenotypes. In normal bone marrow balance osteoblastic an adipocytes cell differentiation favour bone formation, while in osteoporosis there is an increased adipocytes content. Since osteoblasts and adipocytes originate from a common MSC precursor cell, here we discuss whether quantitative and qualitative stem cell defects may be the cause of alterations in the number and function of differentiated cells. This review analyzes some conditions that contribute to different osteogenic/adipogenic potentials in human bone marrow MSCs obtained from control and osteoporotic postmenopausal women. We analyze the protective effect exerted by locally generated factors like estradiol and leptin on MSCs differentiation, because altered bioavailability of these factors may play a role in osteoporosis. Osteoporotic MSCs (o-MSCs) are characterized by increased adipogenic potential as compared to control cells. Leptin exerted a direct protective action against adiposeness only in control cells. In contrast, leptin action on o-MSCs is hampered, suggesting that inadequate leptin action may be associated to lipid accumulation in bone marrow.

Adipogénesis y osteoporosis: [revisión] / Adipogenesis and osteoporosis: [review]

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) found in bone marrow stroma, are able to differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes, among other cellphenotypes. In normal bone marrow balance osteoblastic an adipocytes cell differentiation favour bone formation, while in osteoporosis there is an increased adipocytes content. Since osteoblasts and adipocytes originate from a common MSC precursor cell, here we discuss whether quantitative and qualitative stem cell defects may be the cause of alterations in the number and function of differentiated cells. This review analyzes some conditions that contribute to different osteogenic/adipogenic potentials in human bone marrow MSCs obtained from control and osteoporotic postmenopausal women. We analyze the protective effect exerted by locally generated factors like estradiol and leptin on MSCs differentiation, because altered bioavailability of these factors may play a role in osteoporosis. Osteoporotic MSCs (o-MSCs) are characterized by increased adipogenic potential as compared to control cells. Leptin exerted a direct protective action against adiposeness only in control cells. In contrast, leptin action on o-MSCs is hampered, suggesting that inadequate leptin action may be associated to lipid accumulation in bone marrow.