Immunomodulatory effects of inactivated Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 9609 on respiratory epithelial cells.

The microbiota in humans and animals play crucial roles in defense against pathogens and offer a promising natural source for immunomodulatory products. However, the development of physiologically relevant model systems and protocols for testing such products remains challenging. In this study, we present an experimental condition where various natural products derived from the registered lactic acid bacteria Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 9609, known for their immunomodulatory activity, were tested. These products included live and inactivated bacteria, as well as fermentation products at different concentrations and culture times. Using our established model system, we observed no morphological changes in the airway epithelium upon exposure to Pasteurella multocida, a common respiratory pathogen. However, early molecular changes associated with the innate immune response were detected through transcript analysis. By employing diverse methodologies ranging from microscopy to next-generation sequencing (NGS), we characterized the interaction of these natural products with the airway epithelium and their potential beneficial effects in the presence of P. multocida infection. In particular, our discovery highlights that among all Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 9609 products tested, only inactivated cells preserve the conformation and morphology of respiratory epithelial cells, while also reversing or altering the natural immune responses triggered by Pasteurella multocida. These findings lay the groundwork for further exploration into the protective role of these bacteria and their derivatives.

Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en el control lipídico de pacientes que inician inhibidores de la PCSK9 / Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the lipid control of the patients that start PCSK9 inhibitors

Objetivos: El estudio MEMOGAL (NCT04319081) está dirigido a evaluar cambios en la función cognitiva en pacientes tratados con inhibidores de la PCSK9 (iPCSK9). Se realiza primer análisis: 1) discutir el papel de los farmacéuticos hospitalarios durante de la pandemia, así como evaluar el impacto de la misma en el control lipídico; 2) análisis descriptivo; 3) eficacia en reducción de colesterol-LDL (c-LDL) de alirocumab y evolocumab; y 4) reportar seguridad de los iPCSK9. Material y métodos: Se trata de un análisis prospectivo en vida real de pacientes tratados por primera vez con iPCSK9 en la práctica clínica habitual e incluidos en su primera dispensación en las consultas de farmacia de 12 hospitales de Galicia desde mayo de 2020-abril de 2021. Los valores basales de c-LDL son los previos al inicio del tratamiento con iPCSK9 y como seguimiento los valores a los 6 meses. Resultados: Se incluyeron 89 pacientes. El 86,5% con enfermedad cardiovascular y un 53,9% intolerancia a las estatinas. Un 78,8% de los pacientes fueron tratados con estatinas de alta intensidad. Las estatinas más usadas fueron rosuvastatina (34,1%) y atorvastatina (20,5%). El nivel basal de c-LDL fue 148mg/dl y de 71mg/dl al seguimiento. Los pacientes tratados con alirocumab (n=43) presentaban valores basales de 144mg/dl y de 73mg/dl al seguimiento y con evolocumab (n=46) de 151mg/dl basal y 69mg/dl al seguimiento. La reducción de c-LDL fue para evolocumab 51,21% y alirocumab 51,05%. El 43,1% presentaba a los 6 meses valores>70mg/dl, el 19,4% entre 55 y 69mg/dl y el 37,5%<55mg/dl. Los pacientes que obtuvieron una reducción>50% de c-LDL fueron el 58,3%. Los eventos adversos presentados fueron: reacción en el lugar de inyección (n=2), mialgias (n=1), síntomas pseudogripales (n=1) y deterioro neurocognitivo (n=1).(AU)

Objectives: MEMOGAL study (NCT04319081) is aimed at evaluating changes in cognitive function in patients treated with PCSK9 inhibitors (PCSK9i). This is the first analysis: (1) discussion about the role of the Hospital Pharmacists during the pandemic, and also the assessment of the impact of COVID-19 in the lipid control; (2) descriptive analysis; (3) effectiveness in LDL cholesterol (LDL-c) reduction of alirocumab and evolocumab; (4) communicate PCSK9i safety. Material and methods: It is a prospective Real-World Evidence analysis of patients that take PCSK9i for the first time in the usual clinical practice, and they are included after the first dispensation in the public pharmacy consultations of 12 Hospitals in Galicia from May 2020 to April 2021. Baseline values of LDL-c are the previous values before taking PCSK9 and the follow-up values are in 6 months time. Results: 89 patients were included. 86.5% with cardiovascular disease and 53.9% with statin intolerances. 78.8% of the patients were treated with high intensity statins. Statins most used were rosuvastatin (34.1%) and atorvastatin (20.5%). Baseline value of LDL-c was 148mg/dL and the follow-up value was 71mg/dL. The baseline value of patients treated with alirocumab (N=43) was 144mg/dL and 73mg/dL in the follow-up. With evolocumab (N=46) was 151mg/dL in basaline and 69mg/dL in follow-up. The LDLc- reduction was 51.21% with evolocumab and 51.05% with alirocumab. 43.1% of the patients showed values >70mg/dL in six month time; 19.4% between 69mg/dl and 55mg/dL and 37.5% <55mg/dL. 58.3% of the patients achieved a reduction >50% of LDL-c. The adverse events were: injection point reaction (N=2), myalgias (N=1), flu-like symptoms (N=1) and neurocognitive worsening (N=1).(AU)

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the lipid control of the patients that start PCSK9 inhibitors. / Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en el control lipídico de pacientes que inician inhibidores de la PCSK9.

OBJECTIVES: MEMOGAL study (NCT04319081) is aimed at evaluating changes in cognitive function in patients treated with PCSK9 inhibitors (PCSK9i). This is the first analysis: (1) discussion about the role of the Hospital Pharmacists during the pandemic, and also the assessment of the impact of COVID-19 in the lipid control; (2) descriptive analysis; (3) effectiveness in LDL cholesterol (LDL-c) reduction of alirocumab and evolocumab; (4) communicate PCSK9i safety. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is a prospective Real-World Evidence analysis of patients that take PCSK9i for the first time in the usual clinical practice, and they are included after the first dispensation in the public pharmacy consultations of 12 Hospitals in Galicia from May 2020 to April 2021. Baseline values of LDL-c are the previous values before taking PCSK9 and the follow-up values are in 6 months time. RESULTS: 89 patients were included. 86.5% with cardiovascular disease and 53.9% with statin intolerances. 78.8% of the patients were treated with high intensity statins. Statins most used were rosuvastatin (34.1%) and atorvastatin (20.5%). Baseline value of LDL-c was 148mg/dL and the follow-up value was 71mg/dL. The baseline value of patients treated with alirocumab (N=43) was 144mg/dL and 73mg/dL in the follow-up. With evolocumab (N=46) was 151mg/dL in basaline and 69mg/dL in follow-up. The LDLc- reduction was 51.21% with evolocumab and 51.05% with alirocumab. 43.1% of the patients showed values >70mg/dL in six month time; 19.4% between 69mg/dl and 55mg/dL and 37.5% <55mg/dL. 58.3% of the patients achieved a reduction >50% of LDL-c. The adverse events were: injection point reaction (N=2), myalgias (N=1), flu-like symptoms (N=1) and neurocognitive worsening (N=1). CONCLUSIONS: (1) Despite the number of prescriptions was reduced because of the pandemic, the lipid control was not affected. (2) Half of the patients treated with PSCK9i is due to statins intolerance and the 86% is for secondary prevention. (2) The reduction results were similar to pivotal clinical trials. Despite this, 39% of the total of the patients and 60% of patients with dual teraphy did not reach the goal of ESC/EAS guidelines (<55mg/dL and/or reduction>50%). There were not significant differences between evolocumab and alirocumab: 51.21% vs 51.05% (P=.972). (3) There were not any adverse events of special interest. The possible neurocognitive worsening will be studied as the primary endpoint once the MEMOGAL study has been completed.

Desarrollo del simulador conversacional o chatbot Antidotos_bot para el manejo de intoxicaciones / Development of the @Antidotos_bot chatbot tool for poisoning management

Objetivo: Describir el desarrollo del simulador conversacional Antidotos_bot, para facilitar la búsqueda de información en la Guía de Administración de Antídotos y realizar cálculos útiles en el uso de antídotos.Método: En enero de 2019 planteamos el desarrollo de un simuladorconversacional de libre acceso en Telegram®, empleando la plataformaXenioo®. En el desarrollo del software se definió la forma de interaccióncon el usuario y se incorporaron funcionalidades de cálculo. Se realizóuna validación interna y en junio de 2019 se presentó Antidotos_bot.Resultados: Antidotos_bot incorporó información en castellano sobre49 antídotos en 57 intoxicaciones, permitiendo realizar tres tipos decálculos y consultar dos algoritmos de tratamiento. La consulta fue posible mediante 332 preguntas. La validación interna precisó cinco entrenamientos diferentes durante 2 meses. En julio 2020, Antidotos_bot tenía415 usuarios y los antídotos más consultados fueron glucagón, penicilinaG, protamina, n-acetilcisteína y flumazenilo. Mensualmente fueron realizados 29 cálculos, el número medio de nuevos usuarios fue de 3 y elnúmero medio de consultas por usuario fue de 3.Conclusiones: Antidotos_bot es una herramienta de apoyo en la tomade decisiones en intoxicaciones, que proporciona información actualizada de forma ágil, y podría contribuir a mejorar la calidad y seguridadasistencial en situaciones de emergencia. (AU)

Objective: To describe the development of the Antidotos_bot chatbottool, which is used to facilitate the search for information in the AntidoteAdministration Guide and to perform useful calculations in the use of antidotes.Method: In January 2019, we proposed developing a freely accessiblechatbot on Telegram® using Xenioo®. Software development defined theway it interacts with users and incorporated calculation functionalities.Internal validation was conducted and it was presented as Antidotos_botin June 2019.Results: Antidotos_bot included information in Spanish on 49 antidotes and 57 poisonings. Three types of calculations were provided andtwo treatment algorithms could be consulted. Consultation was possiblethrough 332 questions. Internal validation needed five sets of training over2 months. By July 2020, it had 415 users. The most frequently consultedantidotes were glucagon, penicillin G, protamine, n-acetylcysteine andflumazenyl. Regarding monthly activity, there was an average of 29 calculations and an average of three new users and three queries per user.Conclusions: Antidotos_bot is a poisoning management decisionmaking tool that provides up-to-date information in a user-friendly manner.It could contribute to improving the quality and safety of care in emergency situations. (AU)

Development of the @Antidotos_bot chatbot tool for poisoning management.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the development of the Antidotos_bot chatbot tool, which is used to facilitate the search for information in the Antidote Administration Guide and to perform useful calculations in the use of antidotes. METHOD: In January 2019, we proposed developing a freely accessible chatbot on Telegram® using Xenioo®. Software development  defined the way it interacts with users and incorporated calculation  functionalities. Internal validation was conducted and it was presented as  Antidotos_bot in June 2019. RESULTS: Antidotos_bot included information in Spanish on 49 antidotes and 57 poisonings. Three types of calculations were provided  and two treatment algorithms could be consulted. Consultation was  possible through 332 questions. Internal validation needed five sets of  training over 2 months. By July 2020, it had 415 users. The most  frequently consulted antidotes were glucagon, penicillin G, protamine, n- acetylcysteine and flumazenyl. Regarding monthly activity, there was an  average of 29 calculations and an average of three new users and three  queries per user. CONCLUSIONS: Antidotos_bot is a poisoning management decisionmaking tool that provides up-to-date information in a user-friendly manner. It could contribute to improving the quality and safety of care in  emergency situations.

Objetivo: Describir el desarrollo del simulador conversacional Antidotos_bot, para facilitar la búsqueda de información en la Guía de  administración de Antídotos y realizar cálculos útiles en el uso de  antídotos.Método: En enero de 2019 planteamos el desarrollo de un simulador conversacional de libre acceso en Telegram®, empleando la  plataforma Xenioo®. En el desarrollo del software se definió la forma de  interacción con el usuario y se incorporaron funcionalidades de cálculo. Se  realizó una validación interna y en junio de 2019 se presentó  Antidotos_bot.Resultados: Antidotos_bot incorporó información en castellano sobre 49  antídotos en 57 intoxicaciones, permitiendo realizar tres tipos de cálculos y consultar dos algoritmos de tratamiento. La consulta fue posible mediante  332 preguntas. La validación interna precisó cinco entrenamientos diferentes durante 2 meses. En julio 2020, Antidotos_bot  tenía 415 usuarios y los antídotos más consultados fueron glucagón,  penicilina G, protamina, n-acetilcisteína y flumazenilo. Mensualmente  fueron realizados 29 cálculos, el número medio de nuevos usuarios fue de  3 y el número medio de consultas por usuario fue de 3.Conclusiones: Antidotos_bot es una herramienta de apoyo en la toma de  decisiones en intoxicaciones, que proporciona información actualizada de  forma ágil, y podría contribuir a mejorar la calidad y seguridad asistencial  en situaciones de emergencia.

Anomalías congénitas y comorbilidad en neonatos con Síndrome de Down / Congenital anomalies and comorbidities in neonates with Down Syndrome

INTRODUCCIÓN: El Síndrome de Down se presenta en 2,5 de 1.000 recién nacidos vivos chilenos. Presentan más anomalías congénitas y comorbilidades que la población general, aumentando su tasa de hospitalización. OBJETIVO: Describir las anomalías congénitas y comorbilidades de neonatos con Síndrome de Down nacidos y/u hospitalizados en la década 2008-2018. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Retrospectiva mente se revisaron registros de los pacientes nacidos y/u hospitalizados dentro de sus 28 días de vida entre el 1 de enero de 2008 y el 31 de diciembre de 2018. Para cada paciente se consignó: edad materna, antecedentes familiares de Síndrome de Down, antecedentes pre y perinatales y resultado de estudio genético. Se consignó la edad al ingreso, el motivo principal de ingreso, comorbilidades, días de hospitalización y fallecimiento. Se excluyeron dos pacientes con más del 50% de ficha in completa. Se exploraron asociaciones entre morbilidades, anomalías y fallecimiento. RESULTADOS: 140 de 79.506 (0,2%) recién nacidos vivos fueron diagnosticados con Síndrome de Down en el período neonatal. 24,7% fueron prematuros y 26,4% tuvieron bajo peso para su edad gestacional. Los porcentajes de morbilidad y hospitalización fueron 83,6% y 90%. La principal causa de ingreso fue la poliglobulia, y la más frecuente hiperbilirrubinemia. Fallecieron 4 pacientes (2,9%) y 70,7% presentó alguna una anomalía congénita, principalmente cardíaca. La mediana de edad materna fue de 36 años y 57,1% tenía 35 años o más. CONCLUSIONES: Esta investigación aporta información relevante para optimizar el manejo perinatal y el seguimiento de los pacientes con Síndrome de Down.

INTRODUCTION: In Chile, Down syndrome has a prevalence of 2.5 in 1,000 live births. These patients present more congenital anomalies and comorbidities than the general population, increasing their hospitaliza tion rate. OBJECTIVE: To describe congenital anomalies and comorbidities of neonates with Down syndrome born and/or hospitalized between 2008 and 2018. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We conducted a retrospective review of patient's medical records born and/or hospitalized during their first 28 days of life between January 1st, 2008, and December 31st, 2018. For each patient, we recorded maternal age, familiar cases of Down Syndrome, pre and perinatal history, genetic study result, as well as age at admission, reason for hospitalization, comorbidities, length of stay, and death. Two patients that had more than 50% of incomplete medical records were excluded. We studied the associations between comorbidities, congenital anomalies, and death. RESULTS: 140 in 79,506 newborns (0.2%) were diagnosed at our center with Down Syndrome in their neonatal period. 24.7% were born preterm and 26.4% had low birth weight for gestational age. Morbidities and hospitalizations were present in 83.6% and 90%, of the study population, respectively. The main reason for hospitalization was polycythemia and the most frequent was hyperbilirubinemia. Four patients died (2.9%) and 70.7% presented at least one congenital anomaly, mainly heart disease. Median maternal age was 36 years and 57.1% of mothers were aged 35 or older. CONCLUSIONS: This cohort of patients with Down Syndrome provides important information for the optimization of their perinatal management and follow-up.

Congenital anomalies and comorbidities in neonates with Down Syndrome. / Anomalías congénitas y comorbilidad en neonatos con Síndrome de Down.

INTRODUCTION: In Chile, Down syndrome has a prevalence of 2.5 in 1,000 live births. These patients present more congenital anomalies and comorbidities than the general population, increasing their hospitaliza tion rate. OBJECTIVE: To describe congenital anomalies and comorbidities of neonates with Down syndrome born and/or hospitalized between 2008 and 2018. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We conducted a retrospective review of patient's medical records born and/or hospitalized during their first 28 days of life between January 1st, 2008, and December 31st, 2018. For each patient, we recorded maternal age, familiar cases of Down Syndrome, pre and perinatal history, genetic study result, as well as age at admission, reason for hospitalization, comorbidities, length of stay, and death. Two patients that had more than 50% of incomplete medical records were excluded. We studied the associations between comorbidities, congenital anomalies, and death. RESULTS: 140 in 79,506 newborns (0.2%) were diagnosed at our center with Down Syndrome in their neonatal period. 24.7% were born preterm and 26.4% had low birth weight for gestational age. Morbidities and hospitalizations were present in 83.6% and 90%, of the study population, respectively. The main reason for hospitalization was polycythemia and the most frequent was hyperbilirubinemia. Four patients died (2.9%) and 70.7% presented at least one congenital anomaly, mainly heart disease. Median maternal age was 36 years and 57.1% of mothers were aged 35 or older. CONCLUSIONS: This cohort of patients with Down Syndrome provides important information for the optimization of their perinatal management and follow-up.

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in pediatric patients.

Pediatric cataract surgery poses a significant challenge for the cataract surgeon, in part because an elastic anterior capsule can make capsulorhexis difficult. With the use of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS), however, the continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis can be made with predictable size, circular shape, centration, and accuracy. In addition, topical anesthesia can be used for the FLACS docking procedure in cooperative children above 6 years of age, using transparent adhesive polyurethane film segments.

Plk1 regulates contraction of postmitotic smooth muscle cells and is required for vascular homeostasis.

Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), an essential regulator of cell division, is currently undergoing clinical evaluation as a target for cancer therapy. We report an unexpected function of Plk1 in sustaining cardiovascular homeostasis. Plk1 haploinsufficiency in mice did not induce obvious cell proliferation defects but did result in arterial structural alterations, which frequently led to aortic rupture and death. Specific ablation of Plk1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) led to reduced arterial elasticity, hypotension, and an impaired arterial response to angiotensin II in vivo. Mechanistically, we found that Plk1 regulated angiotensin II-dependent activation of RhoA and actomyosin dynamics in VSMCs in a mitosis-independent manner. This regulation depended on Plk1 kinase activity, and the administration of small-molecule Plk1 inhibitors to angiotensin II-treated mice led to reduced arterial fitness and an elevated risk of aneurysm and aortic rupture. We thus conclude that a partial reduction of Plk1 activity that does not block cell division can nevertheless impair aortic homeostasis. Our findings have potentially important implications for current approaches aimed at PLK1 inhibition for cancer therapy.

Blocking 5-HT2 receptor restores cardiovascular disorders in type 1 experimental diabetes.

This study aimed to determine whether the serotonergic modulation, through selective 5-HT2 receptor blockade, restores cardiovascular disturbances in type 1 diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by alloxan (150 mg/kg, s.c.) and maintained for 4 weeks. 5-HT2 receptor was blocked by sarpogrelate (30 mg/kg.day; 14 days; p.o.). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), glycaemia and body weight (BW) were monitored periodically. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the study and the heart, right kidney and thoracic aorta were removed; plasma samples were also obtained. Left ventricular hypertrophy index (LVH) and renal hypertrophy index (RH) were determined. Vascular function was studied in aorta rings; additionally, superoxide anion (O2•-) production (by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence) and lipid peroxidation (by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay) were measured. Neither alloxan nor sarpogrelate treatments altered HR, LVH or endothelium-independent relaxation. SBP, glycaemia, BW, RH, O2•- production and lipid peroxidation were significantly altered in diabetic animals compared with controls. Sarpogrelate treatment considerably decreased SBP, RH, O2•- production and lipid peroxidation. Endothelium-dependent relaxation was severely reduced in diabetic animal aortas compared to controls; sarpogrelate treatment markedly improved it. Our outcomes show that selectively blocking 5-HT2 receptors has beneficial effects on impaired cardiovascular parameters in diabetes.

Acute effect of whey peptides upon blood pressure of hypertensive rats, and relationship with their angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity.

SCOPE: The aim of this study was to investigate the antihypertensive effect of a peptide fraction (PepC) obtained from a whey protein concentrate following hydrolysis by Cynara cardunculus, as well as of its fraction with MW below 3 kDa (PepCF). Both these concentrates encompassed peptides that exhibited potent in vitro inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE): two were released from α-lactalbumin--KGYGGVSLPEW and DKVGINYW, and one from ß-lactoglobulin--DAQSAPLRVY. METHODS AND RESULTS: Upon oral administration, by gastric intubation, of 400 mg/kg body weight (bw) of those peptide concentrates, or 5 mg/kg bw of the corresponding synthetic peptides, to 12 wk-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), the systolic and diastolic blood pressures were monitored by the tail-cuff method--before, and 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 h afterwards. Water and zofenopril (5 mg/kg bw)--a known ACE-inhibitor, were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Acute administration of PepC, PepCF, KGYGGVSLPEW, DKVGINYW and DAQSAPLRVY caused antihypertensive effects in SHR; the maximum effect occurred by 4 h and 6 h after administration of the peptide concentrates and the synthetic peptides, respectively. PepC and KGYGGVSLPEW also showed ACE-inhibitory activity in vivo: the pressor effect of angiotensin I was significantly lower, and the response to bradykinin increased when the rats were pre-treated with either product. CONCLUSION: Our results strongly suggest that PepC will be effective as nutraceutical ingredient for the formulation of functional foods aimed at hypertension control.

Long-term intake of a milk casein hydrolysate attenuates the development of hypertension and involves cardiovascular benefits.

Essential hypertension is considered a serious health problem and diet can play an important role in its prevention and treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the long-term intake of a product based on milk casein hydrolysate on the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). A daily dose of 800 mg/kg body weight of the casein hydrolysate product was administered dissolved in drinking water during 6 weeks. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured weekly by the tail-cuff method. Endothelial function in aorta and mesenteric segments, left ventricular hypertrophy, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in aorta and plasmatic angiotensin conversion enzyme (ACE) activity were also evaluated at the end of treatment. The development of hypertension was attenuated in the group treated with the casein hydrolysate product; in this sense the systolic blood pressure increased 33±3 mmHg in control group and only 18±5 mmHg in the treated group during the experimental period. In addition, the treatment improved aorta and mesenteric acetylcholine relaxations and increased the eNOS expression in aorta. Left ventricular hypertrophy decreased in treated SHR accompanied by a significant decrease in interstitial fibrosis. These results warrant evaluation in humans to determine if the product based on a casein hydrolysate could be used as a functional food ingredient to prevent blood pressure increased with additional cardiovascular benefits.

Astaxanthin-enriched-diet reduces blood pressure and improves cardiovascular parameters in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of astaxanthin-enriched diet on blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, both vascular structure and function and superoxide ((*)O(2-)) production in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Twelve-week-old SHR were treated for 8 weeks with an astaxanthin-enriched diet (75 or 200mg/kg body weight per day). Systolic blood pressure was monitorized periodically during the study by the tail cuff method. At the end of the study animals were sacrificed and heart, kidneys and aorta were removed. Left ventricular weight/body weight ratio was used as left ventricular hypertrophy index (LVH). Vascular function and structure were studied in conductance (aortic rings) and resistance (renal vascular bed) arteries. Also (*)O(2-) production was evaluated by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. Systolic blood pressure was lower in astaxanthin-treated groups than the control group from the first week of treatment, and LVH was significantly reduced. Astaxanthin improved endothelial function on resistance arteries, but had no effect on aorta. These effects were accompanied by a decrease in oxidative stress and improvements in NO bioavailability. Taken together, these results show that diet supplemented with astaxanthin has beneficial effects on hypertension, by decreasing blood pressure values, improving cardiovascular remodeling and oxidative stress.

Occupational health and safety in the framework of corporate social responsibility

La Responsabilidad Social Empresarial (RSE) se ha definido como la integración voluntaria de las preocupaciones socialesy ambientales en el proceso de decisión de la empresa. La mejora de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo y la promociónde una cultura preventiva son dos de las principales responsabilidades sociales en la empresa, y en consecuencia componentesfundamentales de la RSE. En este artículo discutimos como el interés creciente por la responsabilidad social empresarialpuede contribuir a mejorar la implementación de sistemas preventivos adecuados. Con este objetivo, hemos estudiadola frecuencia con la que los aspectos relativos a la seguridad y salud en el trabajo están presentes en el campo de la RSE, determinandoque elementos han recibido mayor atención, y cuáles se encuentran menos desarrollados. En base a todo ello,ofrecemos algunas conclusiones. La metodología seguida ha sido un análisis de contenido de las principales herramientasde RSE a nivel internacional(AU)

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been defined as the voluntary integration of social and environmental concernsinto the firm’s decision-making. The search for a good Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) environment and thepromotion of a culture of risk prevention are two of the firm’s main social responsibilities, and consequently an integral partof CSR. This paper discusses how the growing interest in corporate social responsibility can contribute to improving the implementationof adequate systems of prevention. For this purpose, we study to what extent OHS issues are present in the fieldof CSR, and consequently determine which aspects have received the most attention, and which are less well developed; weoffer some proposals as well. The methodology followed is a content analysis of the main international CSR management tools(AU)

In vitro antioxidant activity of pravastatin provides vascular protection.

The production of reactive oxygen species plays roles during the development of endothelial dysfunction and it represents a significant prognostic factor for evaluating the risk of cardiovascular disease. Although statins target cholesterol biosynthesis, the beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease remain to be fully elucidated. In this work, we explored the in vitro effects of pravastatin on vascular functionality. We studied the effect of the incubation with this statin on acetylcholine relaxation using aorta from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Consistent with a cholesterol-independent mechanism of action, we show that pravastatin induces a significant improvement of endothelium-dependent relaxation that is not completely reversed by mevalonic acid. Assays with 250microM of lucigenin were carried out to verify whether such action could be mediated by the scavenger properties of pravastatin. Treatment of aortic rings derived from Wistar rats with lucigenin promotes superoxide generation (O(2)(-)) and the subsequent loss of both endothelium-dependent and independent relaxations. The addition of pravastatin reduced the lucigenin-triggered O(2)(-) levels as well as its inhibitory effects on acetylcholine- and sodium nitroprusside-dependent responses. These effects were not counteracted by mevalonic acid, further supporting the idea that the effects of pravastatin do not entail alterations in cholesterol biosynthesis. In conclusion, this study can contribute to elucidate the mechanism responsible for the antioxidant activity of pravastatin, and describes relationship between a scavenger effect of pravastatin and the improvement of vascular reactivity.

Nitrate promotes biological oxidation of sulfide in wastewaters: experiment at plant-scale.

Biogenic production of sulfide in wastewater treatment plants involves odors, toxicity and corrosion problems. The production of sulfide is a consequence of bacterial activity, mainly sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). To prevent this production, the efficiency of nitrate addition to wastewater was tested at plant-scale by dosing concentrated calcium nitrate (Nutriox) in the works inlet. Nutriox dosing resulted in a sharp decrease of sulfide, both in the air and in the bulk water, reaching maximum decreases of 98.7% and 94.7%, respectively. Quantitative molecular microbiology techniques indicated that the involved mechanism is the development of the nitrate-reducing, sulfide-oxidizing bacterium Thiomicrospira denitrificans instead of the direct inhibition of the SRB community. Denitrification rate in primary sedimentation tanks was enhanced by nitrate, being this almost completely consumed. No significant increase of inorganic nitrogen was found in the discharged effluent, thus reducing potential environmental hazards to receiving waters. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of nitrate addition in controlling sulfide generation at plant-scale, provides the mechanism and supports the environmental adequacy of this strategy.

Long-term treatment with nebivolol improves arterial reactivity and reduces ventricular hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of long-term nebivolol therapy on high blood pressure, impaired endothelial function in aorta, and damage observed in heart and conductance arteries in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). For this purpose, SHR were treated for 9 weeks with nebivolol (8 mg/kg per day). Untreated SHR and Wistar Kyoto rats were used as hypertensive and normotensive controls, respectively. The left ventricle/body weight ratio was used as an index of cardiac hypertrophy, and to evaluate vascular function, responses induced by potassium chloride, noradrenaline, acetylcholine, and sodium nitroprusside were tested on aortic rings. Aortic morphometry and fibrosis were determined in parallel by a quantitative technique. Systolic blood pressure, measured by the tail-cuff method, was lower in treated SHR than in the untreated group (194 +/- 3 versus 150 +/- 4 mm Hg). The cardiac hypertrophy index was significantly reduced by the treatment. In aortic rings, treatment with nebivolol significantly reduced the maximal response to both KCl and NA in SHR. In vessels precontracted with phenylephrine relaxant, activity due to acetylcholine was higher in normotensive rats than in SHR and the treatment significantly improved this response. The effect of sodium nitroprusside on aortic rings was similar in all groups. Medial thickness and collagen content were significantly reduced in comparison with SHR. In conclusion, the chronic antihypertensive effect of nebivolol in SHR was accompanied by an improvement in vascular structure and function and in the cardiac hypertrophy index.

Industrial impact on marsh soils at the Bahia Blanca Ria, Argentina.

The Bahia Blanca Estuary is located in southern Buenos Aires province, Argentina. The area is linked to a petrochemical industrial complex, whose raw materials and final products contaminate the surrounding areas via atmospheric pollution and effluents, which are dumped in the estuary waters. To establish the effects of the industrial waste disposal on the nearest coastal soils, 17 samples were taken at different distances from the loading dock and the outfall pipes of the industrial complex. Later, the physicochemical characteristics of the soil samples, their hydrocarbon contents, sulfides, sulfates, Zn, Cu, and Pb were analyzed and a comparison was made to control samples, which were not affected by the industrial outfall. Hydrocarbons, Zn, Cu, and Pb contents were found at levels that modified the physical and chemical characteristics of the soils. The resistance to penetration shows that the thinner the film of water that surrounds the particles or aggregates, the smaller the migration of organic micelle, which settle on the surface of the contact material. This is demonstrated by the degree of cohesion reached by the particles and the strong influence on the index of hydrophobicity. The high porosity shows that the continuity of the porous space of the soil matrix is impeded by the presence of pollutants, which generate areas that are highly limiting to water flow. The oxidation-reduction potential and the low concentrations of soluble forms of Cu and Pb compared with their concentrations precipitated as sulfides confirm the action of the pollutants.