Growth, allergen profile and microbiome studies in Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus cultures.

Mites are mass-cultured to manufacture allergen extracts for allergy diagnostics and therapeutic treatment. This study focused on characterizing the growth, the allergen profile, and the microbiome of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus cultures. Mite population, protein profile, total protein content and major allergen levels (Der p 1, Der p 2, Der p 23) were monitored at different times of three independent cultures. The allergenicity was studied by immunoblot using a pool of sera from allergic patients. Mite microbiome was characterized by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene from 600 adult mites from the last day of the culture. Endotoxin content was also analyzed. The cultures had a fast and unrelenting evolution. Mite density, total protein content, major allergen levels and the allergenicity were increased progressively during the cultures. Regarding the microbiome studies, the results confirm the presence of non-pathogenic bacteria, being firmicutes and actinobacteria the most common bacterial taxa, with a very low content of Gram-negative bacteria and endotoxin content. The allergenicity and levels of the main allergens in the mite cultures are objective methods useful to monitor the mite culture that help to produce standardized allergen extracts. The high presence of Gram-positive bacteria found limits the possibility for vaccine contamination by bacterial endotoxins.

First indications that northern bottlenose whales are sensitive to behavioural disturbance from anthropogenic noise.

Although northern bottlenose whales were the most heavily hunted beaked whale, we have little information about this species in its remote habitat of the North Atlantic Ocean. Underwater anthropogenic noise and disruption of their natural habitat may be major threats, given the sensitivity of other beaked whales to such noise disturbance. We attached dataloggers to 13 northern bottlenose whales and compared their natural sounds and movements to those of one individual exposed to escalating levels of 1-2 kHz upsweep naval sonar signals. At a received sound pressure level (SPL) of 98 dB re 1 µPa, the whale turned to approach the sound source, but at a received SPL of 107 dB re 1 µPa, the whale began moving in an unusually straight course and then made a near 180° turn away from the source, and performed the longest and deepest dive (94 min, 2339 m) recorded for this species. Animal movement parameters differed significantly from baseline for more than 7 h until the tag fell off 33-36 km away. No clicks were emitted during the response period, indicating cessation of normal echolocation-based foraging. A sharp decline in both acoustic and visual detections of conspecifics after exposure suggests other whales in the area responded similarly. Though more data are needed, our results indicate high sensitivity of this species to acoustic disturbance, with consequent risk from marine industrialization and naval activity.

The effectiveness of a program of physical activity and diet to modify cardiovascular risk factors in patients with severe mental illness after 3-month follow-up: CAPiCOR randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this randomized clinical trial follow-up at three months was to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention with a focus on diet and physical activity (PA) to change the amount of PA, body mass index (BMI) and the waist circumference (WC) in patients with severe mental illness. METHODS: We recruited 332 outpatients with severe mental disorders undergoing treatment with antipsychotic medication from Mental Healthcare Centers of Barcelona. They were randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group. The patients in the intervention group participated in a group PA and diet educational program. The blinded measurements at 0 and 3 months were: the level of PA (IPAQ questionnaire), BMI, WC, blood pressure, dietary habits (PREDIMED questionnaire), quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire) and laboratory parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose). RESULTS: The average age was 46.7 years and 55% were males. Schizophrenia had been diagnosed in 67.1% of them. At 3 months, the average weekly walking METs rose significantly in the IG 266.05 METs (95%CI: 16.86 to 515.25; P=0.036). The total MET average also rose although not significantly: 191.38 METs (95%CI: 1.38 to 381.38; P=0.086). However, the BMI decreased significantly more in the CG, by 0.26kg/m(2) (95%CI: 0.02 to 0.51; P=0.038), than in the IG. There were no significant differences in the WC. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term results suggest that the intervention increases the level of PA, but does not improve physical or laboratory parameters. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01729650 (effectiveness of a physical activity and diet program in patients with psychotic disorder [CAPiCOR]).

Guías y algoritmos clínicos de tratamiento de la depresión en atención primaria: ¿son todos iguales? / Evaluation of clinical guidelines and algorithms for treatment of depression in primary care: are they all the same?

Objetivo. La consulta por depresión ocupa el 40% de las consultas al médico de asistencia primaria. Se buscan maneras de reorganizar el proceso de atención a la depresión integrando herramientas como el uso de guías y algoritmos clínicos. Objetivo. Ante la diversidad de opciones es importante conocer una o dos herramientas para aplicarlas adecuadamente. El objetivo es analizar y comparar las guías de tratamiento de la depresión con mayor difusión que incluyan la consulta de atención primaria. Material y métodos. Se realiza una revisión de la bibliografía encontrada en PubMed y en publicaciones de Sociedades Científicas. Las guías se comparan aplicando el instrumento «Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation Colaboration» (AGREE). Resultados. Los algoritmos de tratamiento tienen unas características comunes respecto el contenido, la secuenciación del tratamiento y la elección del antidepresivo. Se prefiere elegir la opción más sencilla, más eficaz y con menor riesgo. Existen diferencias en cuanto al rigor, participación de los implicados y aplicabilidad. Conclusiones. Las guías presentan más similitudes que diferencias. Las diferencias se hallan en las dimensiones rigor y participación. Ante el creciente número de guías y algoritmos se recomienda elegir uno y adaptarlo al territorio donde se interviene (AU)

Objective. Depression accounts for 40% of family doctor consultations. Ways of reorganising the process of care for depression are being looked for by integrating tools such as the use of clinical guidelines and algorithms. It is important to know of one or two tools and to implement them properly. The aim is to analyse and compare the guidelines for the treatment of depression in Primary Care cjinics. Material and methods. We reviewed of the literature found on PubMed and in publications of scientific societies. The guidelines are compared using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation Colaboration. Results. The processing algorithms have some common features regarding the content, sequencing of treatment and choice of antidepressant. The preferred choice should be easier, more efficient and less risk. There are differences in the rigor of the implications and applications. Conclusions. The guidelines have more similarities than differences. The differences are in size and participation rigor. With the increasing number of guidelines and algorithms it is recommended to choose one and adapt it to the area where it will be used (AU)