Biosynthesis of panaxynol and panaxydol in Panax ginseng

The natural formation of the bioactive C17-polyacetylenes (−)-(R)-panaxynol and panaxydol was analyzed by 13C-labeling experiments. For this purpose, plants of Panax ginseng were supplied with 13CO2 under field conditions or, alternatively, sterile root cultures of P. ginseng were supplemented with [U-13C6]glucose. The polyynes were isolated from the labeled roots or hairy root cultures, respectively, and analyzed by quantitative NMR spectroscopy. The same mixtures of eight doubly 13C-labeled isotopologues and one single labeled isotopologue were observed in the C17-polyacetylenes obtained from the two experiments. The polyketide-type labeling pattern is in line with the biosynthetic origin of the compounds via decarboxylation of fatty acids, probably of crepenynic acid. The 13C-study now provides experimental evidence for the biosynthesis of panaxynol and related polyacetylenes in P. ginseng under in planta conditions as well as in root cultures. The data also show that 13CO2 experiments under field conditions are useful to elucidate the biosynthetic pathways of metabolites, including those from roots.

Heteromeric nicotinic receptors are involved in the sensitization and addictive properties of MDMA in mice

We have investigated the effect of nicotinic receptor ligands in the behavioral sensitization (hyperlocomotion) and rewarding properties (conditioned place preference paradigm, CPP) of 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) in mice. Each animal received intraperitoneal pretreatment with either saline, dihydro-β-erythroidine (DHβE, 1 mg/kg) or varenicline (VAR, 0.3 mg/kg), 15 min prior to subcutaneous saline or MDMA (5 mg/kg), for 10 consecutive days. On day 1, both DHβE and VAR inhibited the MDMA-induced hyperlocomotion. After 10 days of treatment, MDMA induced a hyperlocomotion that was not reduced (rather enhanced) in antagonist-pretreated animals. This early hyperlocomotion was accompanied by a significant increase in heteromeric nicotinic receptors in cortex that was not blocked by DHβE or VAR. Behavioral sensitization to MDMA was highest 2 weeks after the discontinuation of MDMA treatment. This additional increase in sensitivity was prevented in animals pretreated with DHβE or VAR. At this time, MDMA-treated mice showed a significant increase in heteromeric receptors in cortex that was prevented by DHβE and VAR. An involvement of α7 nicotinic receptors in this effect is ruled out. MDMA (10 mg/kg) induced positive CPP that was abolished by DHβE (2 mg/kg) and VAR (2 mg/kg). Moreover, chronic nicotine pretreatment (2 mg/kg, ip, b.i.d., for 14 days) caused MDMA, administered at a low dose (3 mg/kg), to induce CPP, which would otherwise not occur. Finally, present results point out that heteromeric nicotinic receptors are involved in locomotor sensitization and addictive potential induced by MDMA. Thus, varenicline might be a useful drug to treat both tobacco and MDMA abuse at once.

Proporción de carga asistencial generada por la diabetes mellitus en las consultas de enfermería de atención primaria de salut

Objetivo La mayoría de enfermos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) se controla en atención primaria de salud (APS). La atención y educación proporcionadas por enfermería son clave para controlar la glucemia y prevenir las complicaciones macro y microangiopáticas de la DM. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer la proporción de carga asistencial atribuible a la DM en consultas de enfermería de APS. Material y método Estudio observacional, analítico y transversal. Durante 2 semanas consecutivas se registraron datos de todos los enfermos que acudieron a 15 consultas de enfermería de APS ubicadas en 14 Áreas Básicas de Salud (ABS) de la provincia de Barcelona. Las variables de estudio fueron: edad, sexo, situación laboral, motivo de consulta, duración de la visita, presencia de DM y, en los enfermos diabéticos, el tipo de tratamiento. La recogida de datos se realizó en 2 períodos. El primero entre noviembre del año 2003 y enero del 2004 y el segundo en abril de 2005. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de estas variables con un intervalo de confianza del 95% y la asociación entre variables mediante el programa SPSS v.11.1. Resultados Tenía DM el 29% de los pacientes. La DM es el primer motivo de consulta (29,1%), aumenta con la edad y llega al 40% en mayores de 65 años. La duración media de una visita por DM es de 14,59 min, un 30,8% más elevada que la duración media del resto de los problemas de salud. Globalmente, las mujeres consultan más que los varones (56,6%) excepto en DM, curas y hábito tabáquico. Conclusiones La DM es el problema de salud que genera más demanda y consume más tiempo de enfermería en la APS. Esta realidad y el futuro que se prevé con relación al incremento de la prevalencia de DM exigen considerar nuevas estrategias organizativas y formativas, y establecer criterios para mejorar la gestión de recursos y promover estrategias educativas más efectivas.

Proporción de carga asistencial generada por la diabetes mellitus en las consultas de enfermería de atención primaria de salut

Objetivo La mayoría de enfermos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) se controla en atención primaria de salud (APS). La atención y educación proporcionadas por enfermería son clave para controlar la glucemia y prevenir las complicaciones macro y microangiopáticas de la DM. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer la proporción de carga asistencial atribuible a la DM en consultas de enfermería de APS. Material y método Estudio observacional, analítico y transversal. Durante 2 semanas consecutivas se registraron datos de todos los enfermos que acudieron a 15 consultas de enfermería de APS ubicadas en 14 Áreas Básicas de Salud (ABS) de la provincia de Barcelona. Las variables de estudio fueron: edad, sexo, situación laboral, motivo de consulta, duración de la visita, presencia de DM y, en los enfermos diabéticos, el tipo de tratamiento. La recogida de datos se realizó en 2 períodos. El primero entre noviembre del año 2003 y enero del 2004 y el segundo en abril de 2005. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de estas variables con un intervalo de confianza del 95% y la asociación entre variables mediante el programa SPSS v.11.1. Resultados Tenía DM el 29% de los pacientes. La DM es el primer motivo de consulta (29,1%), aumenta con la edad y llega al 40% en mayores de 65 años. La duración media de una visita por DM es de 14,59 min, un 30,8% más elevada que la duración media del resto de los problemas de salud. Globalmente, las mujeres consultan más que los varones (56,6%) excepto en DM, curas y hábito tabáquico. Conclusiones La DM es el problema de salud que genera más demanda y consume más tiempo de enfermería en la APS. Esta realidad y el futuro que se prevé con relación al incremento de la prevalencia de DM exigen considerar nuevas estrategias organizativas y formativas, y establecer criterios para mejorar la gestión de recursos y promover estrategias educativas más efectivas.

Bibliografia cronològica de Lluís Esteva i Cruañas

Recopilació bibliogràfica de Lluís Esteva i Cruañas

Patología Dual y rasgos de personalidad:situación actual y líneas futuras de trabajo

Dual diagnosis (DD) is the co-occurrence, in the same person, of a mental disorder (MD) and a substance use disorder (SUD). Nowadays, the study of the personality with DD is realized mainly from a categorical view, focusing on the detection of personality disorders and not on the traits associated to DD and the possible differential profile compared to those patients with only MD or SUD. Studies analyzing personality traits of patients with DD and their possible differential profile are very limited. However, existing data indicates that DD patients show higher levels of Sensation Seeking, Impulsivity, Harm Avoidance and Neuroticism; and lower levels of Persistence, Self-Direction, Self-Transcendence and Cooperation. Therefore, DD is associated to personality characteristics that suggest more disruptive behaviors, fewer resources for recovering and keeping abstinent and worse prognosis compared to those with only one disorder. Progress in the characterization of personality traits in DD, taking into consideration the methodological aspects to be improved could allow better adaptation of the integrated treatment of these patients in the future.

Missatges llunyans, una realitat compartida: unes experiències de comunicació a la Xarxa Telemàtica Educativa de Catalunya

En la realitat quotidiana, el que veiem, el que sentim i el que compartim és emmarcat cada vegada més en un entorn més ampli, en un espai geogràfic i de contactes i relacions humanes extenses a nivell mundial.

Monitoring spatial and temporal dynamics of bird communities in Mediterranean landscapes affected by largewildfires = Seguimiento de la dinámica espacial y temporal de comunidades de aves en paisajes mediterráneos afectados por grandes fuegos

We presented a bird-monitoring database inMediterranean landscapes (Catalonia, NE Spain) affected by wildfires and we evaluated: 1) the spatial and temporal variability in the bird community composition and 2) the influence of pre-fire habitat configuration in the composition of bird communities. The DINDIS database results fromthemonitoring of bird communities occupying all areas affected by large wildfires in Catalonia since 2000.We used bird surveys conducted from 2006 to 2009 and performed a principal components analysis to describe two main gradients of variation in the composition of bird communities, which were used as descriptors of bird communities in subsequent analyses. We then analysed the relationships of these community descriptors with bioclimatic regions within Catalonia, time since fire and pre-fire vegetation (forest or shrubland).We have conducted 1,918 bird surveys in 567 transects distributed in 56 burnt areas. Eight out of the twenty most common detected species have an unfavourable conservation status, most of them being associated to open-habitats. Both bird communities’ descriptors had a strong regional component and were related to pre-fire vegetation, and to a lesser extent to the time since fire.We came to the conclusion that the responses of bird communities to wildfires are heterogeneous, complex and context dependent. Large-scale monitoring datasets, such as DINDIS, might allow identifying factors acting at different spatial and temporal scales that affect the dynamics of species and communities, giving additional information on the causes under general trends observed using other monitoring systems

Repeated doses of methylone, a new drug of abuse, induce changes in serotonin and dopamine systems in the mouse

Rationale Methylone, a new drug of abuse sold as"bath salts' has similar effects to ecstasy or cocaine. Objective We have investigated changes in dopaminergic and serotoninergic markers, indicative of neuronal damage, induced by methylone in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum of mice and according two different treatment schedules. Methods Methylone was given subcutaneously to male Swiss CD1 mice and at an ambient temperature of 26ºC. Treatment A: three doses of 25 mg/Kg at 3.5 h interval between doses for two consecutive days. Treatment B: four doses of 25 mg/Kg at 3 h interval in one day. Results Repeated methylone administration induced hyperthermia and a significant loss in body weight. Following treatment A, methylone induced transient dopaminergic (frontal cortex) and serotoninergic (hippocampus) impairment. Following treatment B, transient dopaminergic (frontal cortex) and serotonergic (frontal cortex and hippocampus) changes 7 days after treatment were found. We found evidence of astrogliosis in the CA1 and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus following treatment B. The animals also showed an increase in immobility time in the forced swim test, pointing to a depressive-like behavior. In cultured cortical neurons, methylone (for 24 and 48 h) did not induce a remarkable cytotoxic effect. Conclusions The neural effects of methylone differ depending upon the treatment schedule. Neurochemical changes elicited by methylone are apparent when administered at an elevated ambient temperature, four times per day at 3 h intervals, which is in accordance with its short half-life.

Effect of cocoa powder in the prevention of cardiovascular disease: biological, consumption and inflammatory biomarkers. A metabolomic approach

Numerous health benefits have been attributed to cocoa and its derived products in the last decade including antioxidant, anti-platelet and positive effects on lipid metabolism and vascular function. Inflammation plays a key role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. However, cocoa feeding trials focused on inflammation are still rare and the results yielded are controversial. Health effects derived from cocoa consumption have been partly attributed to its polyphenol content, in particular of flavanols. Bioavailability is a key issue for cocoa polyphenols in order to be able to exert their biological activities. In the case of flavanols, bioavailability is strongly influenced by several factors, such as their degree of polymerization and the food matrix in which the polyphenols are delivered. Furthermore, gut has become an active site for the metabolism of procyanidins (oligomeric and polymeric flavanols). Estimation of polyphenol consumption or exposure is also a very challenging task in Food and Nutrition Science in order to correlate the intake of phytochemicals with in vivo health effects. In the area of nutrition, modern analytical techniques based on mass spectrometry are leading to considerable advances in targeted metabolite analysis and particularly in Metabolomics or global metabolite analysis. In this chapter we have summarized the most relevant results of our recent research on the bioavailability of cocoa polyphenols in humans and the effect of the matrix in which cocoa polyphenols are delivered considering both targeted analysis and a metabolomic approach. Furthermore, we have also summarized the effect of long-term consumption of cocoa powder in patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) on the inflammatory biomarkers of atherosclerosis.

3,4-Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine induces in vivo regional up-regulation of central nicotinic receptors in rats and potentiates the regulatory effects of nicotine on these receptors

Nicotine (NIC), the main psychostimulant compound of smoked tobacco, exerts its effects through activation of central nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), which become up-regulated after chronic administration. Recent work has demonstrated that the recreational drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has affinity for nAChR and also induces up-regulation of nAChR in PC 12 cells. Tobacco and MDMA are often consumed together. In the present work we studied the in vivo effect of a classic chronic dosing schedule of MDMA in rats, alone or combined with a chronic schedule of NIC, on the density of nAChR and on serotonin reuptake transporters. MDMA induced significant decreases in [3H]paroxetine binding in the cortex and hippocampus measured 24 h after the last dose and these decreases were not modified by the association with NIC. In the prefrontal cortex, NIC and MDMA each induced significant increases in [3H]epibatidine binding (29.5 and 34.6%, respectively) with respect to saline-treated rats, and these increases were significantly potentiated (up to 72.1%) when the two drugs were associated. Also in this area, [3H]methyllycaconitine binding was increased a 42.1% with NIC + MDMA but not when they were given alone. In the hippocampus, MDMA potentiated the a7 regulatory effects of NIC (raising a 25.5% increase to 52.5%) but alone was devoid of effect. MDMA had no effect on heteromeric nAChR in striatum and a coronal section of the midbrain containing superior colliculi, geniculate nuclei, substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. Specific immunoprecipitation of solubilised receptors suggests that the up-regulated heteromeric nAChRs contain a4 and b2 subunits. Western blots with specific a4 and a7 antibodies showed no significant differences between the groups, indicating that, as reported for nicotine, up-regulation caused by MDMA is due to post-translational events rather than increased receptor synthesis.

Estudi paleodontològic de les restes humanes del jaciment de Forat de Conqueta (Santa Linya, Lleida)

L"estudi ha estat realitzat sobre restes dentals recuperades al jaciment de Forat de Conqueta. La majoria de les dents s"han trobat aïllades, fora del suport ossi, la qual cosa n"ha dificultat la identificació i l"estudi. Entre els objectius de l"estudi paleodontològic, volem destacar la determinació d"un nombre mínim i màxim d"individus a partir de les restes. L"estudi ha estat molt limitat a causa de la tipologia funerària (enterrament col·lectiu en cova) i del ritual d"enterrament (cremació parcial). El resultats provisionals assenyalen que el nombre mínim d"individus representats per la mostra estudiada és de 41 i que, d"aquests, fins a sis individus podrien pertànyer a un grup d"edat infantil o juvenil

Diagnostic and prognostic value of antibodies against chimeric fibrin/filaggrin citrullinated synthetic peptides in rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction: Evidence suggests that citrullinated fibrin(ogen) may be a potential in vivo target of anticitrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPA) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We compared the diagnostic yield of three enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests by using chimeric fibrin/filaggrin citrullinated synthetic peptides (CFFCP1, CFFCP2, CFFCP3) with a commercial CCP2-based test in RA and analyzed their prognostic values in early RA. Methods: Samples from 307 blood donors and patients with RA (322), psoriatic arthritis (133), systemic lupus erythematosus (119), and hepatitis C infection (84) were assayed by using CFFCP- and CCP2-based tests. Autoantibodies also were analyzed at baseline and during a 2-year follow-up in 98 early RA patients to determine their prognostic value. Results: With cutoffs giving 98% specificity for RA versus blood donors, the sensitivity was 72.1% for CFFCP1, 78.0% for CFFCP2, 71.4% for CFFCP3, and 73.9% for CCP2, with positive predictive values greater than 97% in all cases. CFFCP sensitivity in RA increased to 80.4% without losing specificity when positivity was considered as any positive anti-CFFCP status. Specificity of the three CFFCP tests versus other rheumatic populations was high (> 90%) and similar to those for the CCP2. In early RA, CFFCP1 best identified patients with a poor radiographic outcome. Radiographic progression was faster in the small subgroup of CCP2-negative and CFFCP1-positive patients than in those negative for both autoantibodies. CFFCP antibodies decreased after 1 year, but without any correlation with changes in disease activity. Conclusions: CFFCP-based assays are highly sensitive and specific for RA. Early RA patients with anti-CFFCP1 antibodies, including CCP2-negative patients, show greater radiographic progression.

Trophic structure in a seabird host-parasite food web: insights from stable isotope analyses

Ecological studies on food webs rarely include parasites, partly due to the complexity and dimensionality of host-parasite interaction networks. Multiple co-occurring parasites can show different feeding strategies and thus lead to complex and cryptic trophic relationships, which are often difficult to disentangle by traditional methods. We analyzed stable isotope ratios of C (13C/12C, δ13C) and N (15N/14N, δ15N) of host and ectoparasite tissues to investigate trophic structure in 4 co-occurring ectoparasites: three lice and one flea species, on two closely related and spatially segregated seabird hosts (Calonectris shearwaters). δ13C isotopic signatures confirmed feathers as the main food resource for the three lice species and blood for the flea species. All ectoparasite species showed a significant enrichment in δ15N relatively to the host tissue consumed (discrimination factors ranged from 2 to 5 depending on the species). Isotopic differences were consistent across multiple host-ectoparasite locations, despite of some geographic variability in baseline isotopic levels. Our findings illustrate the influence of both ectoparasite and host trophic ecology in the isotopic structuring of the Calonectris ectoparasite community. This study highlights the potential of stable isotope analyses in disentangling the nature and complexity of trophic relationships in symbiotic systems.

Draft genome sequence of the Aeromonas diversa type strain

We present here the first genome sequence of the Aeromonas diversa type strain (CECT 4254T). This strain was isolated from the leg wound of a patient in New Orleans (Louisiana, USA) and was originally described as Enteric Group 501 and distinguished from A. schubertii by DNADNA hybridization and phenotypical characterization.