Cloning of a cDNA encoding DNA topoisomerase I in Daucus carota and expression analysis in relation to cell proliferation.

DNA topoisomerase I is an enzyme involved in several processes related to DNA metabolism. Despite the physiological importance, the regulation of top1 gene expression has not yet been investigated in plants. In order to monitor the possible correlation between levels of top1 transcripts and the proliferative state of the cell, two partially overlapping cDNAs encoding DNA topoisomerase I from Daucus carota have been isolated from a poly(A)(+)-primed library, using an Arabidopsis thaliana probe, and from a cDNA library spanning the 5' region of the top1 transcript, which was constructed using an antisense specific oligonucleotide. The top1 nucleotide sequence encoded an open reading frame of 2370 bp, predicting a protein of 90 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence showed a similarity of 51% with A. thaliana, 41% with S. cerevisiae, 40% with S. pombe and 31% with H. sapiens, respectively. Southern blot analysis, performed under moderate stringency conditions, showed the presence of a single-copy gene. Evaluation of the top1 mRNA steady-state level revealed, besides a constitutive expression in vegetative carrot tissues, an induced expression related to cell proliferation.

Lability of heavy metal species in aquatic humic substances characterized by ion exchange with cellulose phosphate.

Labile metal species in aquatic humic substances (HSs) were characterized by ion exchange on cellulose phosphate (CellPhos) by applying an optimized batch procedure. The HSs investigated were pre-extracted from humic-rich waters by ultrafiltration and a resin XAD 8 procedure. The HS-metal species studied were formed by complexation with Cd(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Mn(II) and Pb(II) as a function of time and the ratio ions to HSs. The kinetics and reaction order of this exchange process were studied. At the beginning (<3 min), the labile metal fractions are separated relatively quickly. After 3 min, the separation of the metal ions proceeds with uniform half-lives of about 12-14 min, revealing rather slow first-order kinetics. The metal exchange between HSs and CellPhos exhibited the following order of metal lability with the studied HSs: Cu > Pb > Mn > Ni > Cd. The required metal determinations were carried out by atomic absorption spectrometry.

[Open or closed drainage systems: their impact on urinary infections]. / Influencia en la infección urinaria. Sistemas de drenaje. Abierto o cerrado?

Starting on the premise that the risks of infection due to vesical catheterism lasting more than 48 hours fundamentally depends on the type of drainage system employed, the authors make a study to see if it is possible to achieve a decrease in the rate of urinary tract infections by utilizing closed systems. This study follows a quasi-experimental design having two groups of patients who require this form of catheterism and analyzes its results. This study lasted five months and concluded that "the utilization of a closed drainage system having an anti-backup flow valve significantly reduces the rate of urinary tract infections".

Metroplastia cervical histeroscópica en útero septo completo, septo cervical y tabique vaginal. Análisis de resultados clínicos y reproductivos en serie de casos de 2011 a 2021 / Hysteroscopic cervical metroplasty in complete uterus septum, cervical septum and vaginal septum: Analysis of clinical and reproductive outcomes in a series of cases from 2011 to 2021

Antecedentes: El útero septo con septo cervical y tabique vaginal es una entidad poco frecuente únicamente descrita en clasificaciones que recogen malformaciones müllerianas complejas como son las clasificaciones de VCUAM (2005), de ESHRE/ESGE (2013) y de ASRM (2021). El objetivo de nuestro trabajo es describir los resultados en nuestras pacientes de la metroplastia cervical histeroscópica según técnica de Vercellini. Material y método: Se trata de un estudio observacional de cohortes retrospectivo con una duración de 10años. Se incluyeron solo pacientes con diagnóstico de útero septo completo, septo cervical y tabique vaginal con indicación de metroplastia cervical según técnica de Vercellini entre los años 2011 y 2021. Resultados: Se analizaron los resultados de 5 pacientes con indicación de la técnica. Analizando nuestro resultado destacamos un recién nacido vivo a término tras la realización de la técnica, la cual mantuvo seguimiento en consulta de prematuridad sin modificaciones cervicales consecuencia de la resección del tabique cervical. Conclusión: Existe muy poca evidencia disponible en cuanto al tratamiento del útero septo completo con septo cervical y tabique vaginal, debido a la escasa prevalencia del mismo y a la heterogeneidad del diagnóstico. Analizando los resultados obtenidos consideramos la intervención de Vercellini eficaz para eliminar el septo, la cual no parece asociarse a complicaciones mayores ni menores. En base a la evidencia existente, podría ser útil para mejorar el pronóstico reproductivo de las pacientes que presentan este tipo de malformación, individualizando la necesidad de un segundo retoque histeroscópico.(AU)

Background: The septum uterus with cervical septum and vaginal septum is a rare entity only described in classifications that include complex Müllerian malformations such as the VCUAM (2005), ESHRE/ESGE (2013) and ASRM (2021) classifications. The objective of our work is to describe the results of hysteroscopic cervical metroplasty according to the Vercellini technique in our patients. Material and method: This is a retrospective observational cohort study with a duration of 10years. Only patients with a diagnosis of a complete septum uterus, cervical septum, and vaginal septum with indication of cervical metroplasty according to the Vercellini technique between 2011 and 2021 were included. Results: The results of five patients with indication of the technique were analyzed. Analyzing our result, we highlight a live newborn at term after performing the technique, which was followed up in the prematurity clinic without cervical modifications because of the resection of the cervical septum. Conclusion: There is very little evidence available regarding the treatment of the uterus complete septum with cervical septum and vaginal septum due to its low prevalence and the heterogeneity of the diagnosis. Analyzing the results obtained, we consider the Vercellini intervention to be effective in removing the septum, which does not seem to be associated with major or minor complications. Based on the existing evidence, it could be useful to improve the reproductive prognosis of patients with this type of malformation; individualizing the need for a second hysteroscopic touch-up.(AU)

[Handbook for the preparation of evidence-based documents. Tools derived from scientific knowledge]. / Manual para la elaboración de documentos basados en la evidencia. Herramientas derivadas del conocimiento científico.

OBJECTIVES: This handbook is intended to be an accessible, easy-to-consult guide to help professionals produce or adapt Evidence-Based Documents. Such documents will help standardize both clinical practice and decision-making, the quality always being monitored in such a way that established references are complied with. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Evidence-Based Health Care Committee, a member of "Virgen del Rocío" University Hospital quality structure, proposed the preparation of a handbook to produce Evidence-Based Documents including: a description of products, characteristics, qualities, uses, methodology of production, and application scope of every one of them. RESULTS: The handbook consists of seven Evidence-Based tools, one chapter on critical analysis methodology of scientific literature, one chapter with internet resources, and some appendices with different assessment tools. CONCLUSIONS: This Handbook provides general practitioners with a great opportunity to improve quality and as a guideline to standardize clinical healthcare, and managers with a strategy to promote and encourage the development of documents in an effort to reduce clinical practice variability, as well as giving patients the opportunity of taking part in planning their own care.

Gender- and thyroid hormone-related transitions of essential myosin light chain isoform expression in rat soleus muscle during ageing.

In this brief review, the modulatory influence of essential myosin light chain (MLC) isoforms on muscle cell contractility is discussed. Specific interest is focused on the expression of the MLC1Sa and MLC1Sb isoforms in the slow-twitch soleus muscle in male and female rats, during ageing and after thyroid hormone treatment. According to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis, the MLC1Sa/MLC1SB ratio increased during ageing in both males and females in parallel with the age-related decrease in shortening velocity reported in muscle fibres expressing the slow (type 1) myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform. However, the MLC1Sa and MLC1Sb isoform expression responded to thyroid hormone treatment in a complex manner which did not parallel the age-related changes in shortening velocity reported in hyperthyroid animals. Thus, if MLC1Sa and MLC1Sb isoforms modulate shortening velocity in type 1 fibres, then other modulators of shortening velocity are not regulated by thyroid hormone in co-ordination with these essential MLCs.

Aquatic humus from an unpolluted Brazilian dark-brown stream: general characterization and size fractionation of bound heavy metals.

The main pool of dissolved organic carbon in tropical aquatic environments, notably in dark-coloured streams, is concentrated in humic substances (HS). Aquatic HS are large organic molecules formed by micro-biotic degradation of biopolymers and polymerization of smaller organic molecules. From an environmental point of view, the study of metal humic interactions is often aimed at predicting the effect of aquatic HS on the bioavailability of heavy metal ions in the environment. In the present work the aquatic humic substances (HS) isolated from a dark-brown stream (located in an environmental protection area near Cubatão city in São Paulo-State, Brazil) by means of the collector XAD-8 were investigated. FTIR studies showed that the carboxylic carbons are probably the most important binding sites for Hg(II) ions within humic molecules. 13C-NMR and 1H-NMR studies of aquatic HS showed the presence of constituents with a high degree of aromaticity (40% of carbons) and small substitution. A special five-stage tangential-flow ultrafiltration device (UF) was used for size fractionation of the aquatic HS under study and for their metal species in the molecular size range 1-100 kDa (six fractions). The fractionation patterns showed that metal traces remaining in aquatic HS after their XAD-8 isolation have different distributions. Generally, the major percentage of traces of Mn, Cd and Ni (determined by ICP-AES) was preferably complexed by molecules with relatively high molecular size. Cu was bound by fractions with low molecular size and Co showed no preferential binding site in the various humic fractions. Moreover, the species formed between aquatic HS and Hg(II), prepared by spiking (determined by CVAAS), appeared to be concentrated in the relatively high molecular size fraction F1 (> 100 kDa).

Manual para la elaboración de documentos basados en la evidencia. Herramientas derivadas del conocimiento científico / Handbook for the preparation of evidence-based documents. Tools derived from scientific knowledge

Objetivo. El manual pretende ser una guía, accesible y fácil de consultar, que oriente a los profesionales en la elaboración o adaptación de documentos basados en la evidencia que ayuden a la estandarización de la práctica clínica y a la toma de decisiones velando siempre por la calidad de la misma de forma que siga unos referentes establecidos. Material y métodos. La Comisión de Atención Sanitaria Basada en la Evidencia (CASBE), perteneciente a la estructura de calidad del Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, propuso elaborar un manual para la elaboración de documentos basados en la evidencia que incorpore la relación de productos, la descripción de sus características, atributos, utilidad, metodología de elaboración y ámbito de aplicación de cada uno de ellos. Resultados. El manual contiene 7 herramientas basadas en la evidencia, un capítulo sobre metodología de análisis crítico de la literatura científica, un capítulo con recursos en Internet y anexos con herramientas de evaluación. Conclusiones. Este manual ofrece grandes oportunidades para la mejora de la calidad a los clínicos como guía de estandarización de la práctica asistencial, a los gestores como estrategia para promover y fomentar la elaboración de documentos que ayuden a reducir la variabilidad de la práctica clínica y a los pacientes la oportunidad de participar en la planificación de sus cuidados(AU)

Objectives. This handbook is intended to be an accessible, easy-to-consult guide to help professionals produce or adapt Evidence-Based Documents. Such documents will help standardize both clinical practice and decision-making, the quality always being monitored in such a way that established references are complied with. Materials and methods. Evidence-Based Health Care Committee, a member of “Virgen del Rocío” University Hospital quality structure, proposed the preparation of a handbook to produce Evidence-Based Documents including: a description of products, characteristics, qualities, uses, methodology of production, and application scope of every one of them. Results. The handbook consists of seven Evidence-Based tools, one chapter on critical analysis methodology of scientific literature, one chapter with internet resources, and some appendices with different assessment tools. Conclusions. This Handbook provides general practitioners with a great opportunity to improve quality and as a guideline to standardize clinical healthcare, and managers with a strategy to promote and encourage the development of documents in an effort to reduce clinical practice variability, as well as giving patients the opportunity of taking part in planning their own care(AU)

Sistemas de drenaje ¿abierto o cerrado? Influencia en la infección urinaria / Open or closed drainage systems: their impact on urinary infections

Partiendo de la premisa de que los riesgos de infección de cateterismo vesical para más de 48 horas depende fundamentalmente del tipo de sistema de drenaje que se utilice, los autores estudian si puede conseguirse la disminución de las tasas de infección del tracto urinario mediante la utilización de sistemas cerrados. Se diseña un estudio de tipo cuasi-experimental en dos grupos de pacientes que precisan este tipo de cateterismo y se analizan los resultados. El estudio tuvo una duración de cinco meses y concluyó que la utilización del sistema de drenaje cerrado con válvula antirreflujo disminuye significativamente la incidencia de infección del tracto urinario (AU)