Immune Microenvironment in Colorectal Cancer: A New Hallmark to Change Old Paradigms

Impact of immune microenvironment in prognosis of solid tumors has been extensively studied in the last few years. Specifically in colorectal carcinoma, increased knowledge of the immune events around these tumors and their relation with clinical outcomes have led to consider immune microenvironment as one of the most important prognostic factors in this disease. In this review we will summarize and update the current knowledge with respect to this intriguing and complex new hallmark of cancer, paying special attention to infiltration by T-infiltrating lymphocytes and their subtypes in colorectal cancer, as well as its eventual clinical translation in terms of long-term prognosis. Finally, we suggest some possible investigational approaches based on combinatorial strategies to trigger and boost immune reaction against tumor cells.

Eligibility for and outcome of treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in a cohort of HIV-infected people in Spain

BACKGROUND Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (TLTBI) in persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, but few studies have investigated the operational aspects of implementing TLTBI in the co-infected population.The study objectives were to describe eligibility for TLTBI as well as treatment prescription, initiation and completion in an HIV-infected Spanish cohort and to investigate factors associated with treatment completion. METHODS Subjects were prospectively identified between 2000 and 2003 at ten HIV hospital-based clinics in Spain. Data were obtained from clinical records. Associations were measured using the odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS A total of 1242 subjects were recruited and 846 (68.1%) were evaluated for TLTBI. Of these, 181 (21.4%) were eligible for TLTBI either because they were tuberculin skin test (TST) positive (121) or because their TST was negative/unknown but they were known contacts of a TB case or had impaired immunity (60). Of the patients eligible for TLTBI, 122 (67.4%) initiated TLTBI: 99 (81.1%) were treated with isoniazid for 6, 9 or 12 months; and 23 (18.9%) with short-course regimens including rifampin plus isoniazid and/or pyrazinamide. In total, 70 patients (57.4%) completed treatment, 39 (32.0%) defaulted, 7 (5.7%) interrupted treatment due to adverse effects, 2 developed TB, 2 died, and 2 moved away. Treatment completion was associated with having acquired HIV infection through heterosexual sex as compared to intravenous drug use (OR:4.6; 95% CI:1.4-14.7) and with having taken rifampin and pyrazinamide for 2 months as compared to isoniazid for 9 months (OR:8.3; 95% CI:2.7-24.9). CONCLUSIONS A minority of HIV-infected patients eligible for TLTBI actually starts and completes a course of treatment. Obstacles to successful implementation of this intervention need to be addressed.

Projecte de rehabilitació del Mas Sitjar de Salt

El motiu principal que ens ha portat a la realització d’aquest treball ha sigut el nostreinterès en el camp de la rehabilitació. També ha influït en aquesta decisió la possibilitat d’accedir a documentació gràfica i històrica, ja que es tracta d’un edifici històric patrimoni del municipi de Salt. Com a coneixedors de l’estat actual de l’edifici s’ha decidit que l’objecte principal del projecte estigui basat en la consolidació estructural, considerant que no hi ha un ús definit, decidim que l’ús serà el que ve definit al CTE com a categoria C (zones d’accés al públic), que és el més desfavorable en quant a sobrecàrregues d’ús. Llavors, la finalitat del projecte és dur a terme la rehabilitació de l’edifici perquè és pugui adaptar a qualsevol ús que se li vulgui donar. Per tant, cal deixar clar que no és objecte redissenyar o redistribuir l’edifici per donar-li un ús concret

Rab18 dynamics in adipocytes in relation to lipogenesis, lipolysis and obesity.

Lipid droplets (LDs) are organelles that coordinate lipid storage and mobilization, both processes being especially important in cells specialized in managing fat, the adipocytes. Proteomic analyses of LDs have consistently identified the small GTPase Rab18 as a component of the LD coat. However, the specific contribution of Rab18 to adipocyte function remains to be elucidated. Herein, we have analyzed Rab18 expression, intracellular localization and function in relation to the metabolic status of adipocytes. We show that Rab18 production increases during adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, our data show that insulin induces, via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), the recruitment of Rab18 to the surface of LDs. Furthermore, Rab18 overexpression increased basal lipogenesis and Rab18 silencing impaired the lipogenic response to insulin, thereby suggesting that this GTPase promotes fat accumulation in adipocytes. On the other hand, studies of the β-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol confirmed and extended previous evidence for the participation of Rab18 in lipolysis. Together, our data support the view that Rab18 is a common mediator of lipolysis and lipogenesis and suggests that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the link that enables Rab18 action on these two processes. Finally, we describe, for the first time, the presence of Rab18 in human adipose tissue, wherein the expression of this GTPase exhibits sex- and depot-specific differences and is correlated to obesity. Taken together, these findings indicate that Rab18 is involved in insulin-mediated lipogenesis, as well as in β-adrenergic-induced lipolysis, likely facilitating interaction of LDs with ER membranes and the exchange of lipids between these compartments. A role for Rab18 in the regulation of adipocyte biology under both normal and pathological conditions is proposed.

Discrimination in Bankruptcy Situations

In a bankruptcy situation, not all claimants are affected in the same way. In particular, some depositors may enter into a situation of personal bankruptcy if they lose part of their investments. Events of this kind may lead to a social catastrophe. We propose discrimination among the claimants as a possible solution. A fact considered in the American bankruptcy law (among others) that establishes some discrimination on the claimants, or the Santander Bank that in the Madoff’s case reimbursed only the deposits to its particular customers. Moreover, the necessity of discriminating has already been mentioned in different contexts by Young (1988), Bossert (1995), Thomson (2003) and Pulido et al. (2002, 2007), for instance. In this paper, we take a bankruptcy solution as the reference point. Given this initial allocation, we make transfers from richer to poorer with the purpose of distributing not only the personal incurred losses as evenly as possible but also the transfers in a progressive way. The agents are divided into two groups depending on their personal monetary value (wealth, net-income, GDP or any other characteristic). Then, we impose a set of Axioms that bound the maximal transfer that each net-contributor can make and each net-receiver can obtain. Finally, we define a value discriminant solution, and we characterize it by means of the Lorenz criterion. Endogenous convex combinations between solutions are also considered. Keywords: Bankruptcy, Discrimination, Compensation, Rules JEL classification: C71, D63, D71.

Regulation of cell death receptor S-nitrosylation and apoptotic signaling by Sorafenib in hepatoblastoma cells.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a relevant role during cell death regulation in tumor cells. The overexpression of nitric oxide synthase type III (NOS-3) induces oxidative and nitrosative stress, p53 and cell death receptor expression and apoptosis in hepatoblastoma cells. S-nitrosylation of cell death receptor modulates apoptosis. Sorafenib is the unique recommended molecular-targeted drug for the treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The present study was addressed to elucidate the potential role of NO during Sorafenib-induced cell death in HepG2 cells. We determined the intra- and extracellular NO concentration, cell death receptor expression and their S-nitrosylation modifications, and apoptotic signaling in Sorafenib-treated HepG2 cells. The effect of NO donors on above parameters has also been determined. Sorafenib induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. However, low concentration of the drug (10nM) increased cell death receptor expression, as well as caspase-8 and -9 activation, but without activation of downstream apoptotic markers. In contrast, Sorafenib (10µM) reduced upstream apoptotic parameters but increased caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation in HepG2 cells. The shift of cell death signaling pathway was associated with a reduction of S-nitrosylation of cell death receptors in Sorafenib-treated cells. The administration of NO donors increased S-nitrosylation of cell death receptors and overall induction of cell death markers in control and Sorafenib-treated cells. In conclusion, Sorafenib induced alteration of cell death receptor S-nitrosylation status which may have a relevant repercussion on cell death signaling in hepatoblastoma cells.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis mimicking a pyogenic granuloma.

The Leishmania genus is formed by parasitic protozoa which are transmitted by the bite of infected female sand flies. Cases of sexual, vertical or transfusional transmission or via infected needles have also been described. In humans, 4 forms of this disease have been described: localised cutaneous (LC), diffuse cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral (1). LC counts for 50–75% of all cases (2), it is the mildest form of the disease and can be caused by any species of Leishmania. In Spain, the most frequent form is the oriental sore caused by L. infantum (2). Most cases resolve spontaneously within one year. In United States and Europe, the incidence is increasing due to tourism and co-infection with HIV. The morphological spectrum of LC is very wide; multiple forms of clinical presentation have been described, although the most characteristic one is the nodular ulcerative lesion, characterised by painless crater-like ulcers with a necrotic base and covered by an adhesive crust. The main complication of LC is its progression in some strains towards the other 3 forms of the disease (3). In patients with AIDS and other diseases associated with immunosuppression the risk of dissemination is much higher than in the immunocompetent. We present a case of LC with clinical and histopathological features similar to a pyogenic granuloma.

Lectura dialógica y transformación en las Comunidades de Aprendizaje

En la lectura dialógica, el significado, la comprensión y el aprendizaje se intensifican a través de las interacciones que establecen personas diferentes en relación con un texto. Este artículo se centra en el desarrollo de la lectura dialógica en las comunidades de aprendizaje,especialmente a través de las tertulias literarias dialógicas con familiares, con profesorado y con alumnado, y de las bibliotecas tutorizadas y otras prácticas de lectura compartida con familiares, con otros y otras agentes de la comunidad. Además, se analizan las transformaciones que se producen tanto personalmente como de manera colectiva y comunitaria.

Disseny d'una aplicació per a la gestió d'artesans ArtGestió

Aplicació d'escriptori per a gestionar l'entorn d'un artesà. Permet portar el control dels seus articles (composició d'aquestos, magatzems, imatges), els seus esdeveniments (fires exposicions), la gestió financera (compres, vendes albarans, factures), el control de notificacions (emails, pdf's), administració dels contactes, així com l'extracció d'informes (llistat d'articles, llistat vendes), en general, permet portar una gestió integral del món artesà.

Prevalência de lesões por fricção em pacientes hospitalizados com câncer

Esse estudo objetivou identificar a prevalência de lesões por fricção (LF) em pacientes hospitalizados com câncer e avaliar os fatores demográficos e clínicos associados ao seu desenvolvimento. Estudo epidemiológico, de corte transversal, realizado no Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo Octavio Frias de Oliveira. Todos os pacientes adultos, internados entre 10 e 18 de abril de 2010, foram avaliados por meio de entrevista e exame físico. Utilizou-se o teste Qui-Quadrado para comparação das variáveis demográficas e clínicas entre pacientes com e sem LF. Foram avaliados 157 pacientes: cinco apresentaram nove LF, acarretando prevalência de 3,3%. Quanto às variáveis demográficas, houve diferença estatisticamente significativa somente para o número de filhos (p=0,027). Clinicamente, pacientes com LF apresentaram menores escores na escala de Karnofsky (p=0,031) e na Escala de Braden (p=0,026), além de comportamento pouco colaborativo (p=0,042). Esse estudo contribui para um melhor conhecimento acerca das LF em pacientes com câncer.

Skin tear prevalence and associated factors: a systematic review

OBJECTIVETo identify and analyse skin tear prevalence and factors associated with its occurrence.METHODSystematic review of literature of studies published until June 2014 including studies published in full in English, Spanish or Portuguese. The studies were analysed according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology and the Guidelines for Critically Appraising Studies of Prevalence or Incidence of a Health Problem.RESULTSThe analysis of eight studies showed skin tear prevalence of 3.3% to 22% in the hospital setting and 5.5% to 19.5% in homecare. Advanced age, dependence on basic activities of daily life, frail elderly, level of mobility, agitated behavior, non-responsiveness, greater risk for concurrent development of pressure ulcers, cognitive impairment, spasticity and photoaging were cited as risk factors.CONCLUSIONSkin tear prevalence ranged from 3.3% to 22% and is mainly associated with advanced age and dependence on basic activities of daily life.

Incidência de úlceras por pressão em pacientes de Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Cardiopneumológica

RESUMO Objetivo Identificar e analisar os coeficientes de incidência de úlceras por pressão (UP) e os fatores de risco para o seu desenvolvimento em pacientes críticos com doenças cardiopneumológicas. Método Estudo de coorte, prospectivo realizado na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) Cardiopneumológica de um hospital de grande porte na cidade de São Paulo, durante os meses de novembro de 2013 a fevereiro de 2014. Participaram do estudo 370 pacientes maiores de 18 anos, que não apresentavam UP na admissão e que estavam na UTI há menos de 24 horas. Os dados foram analisados por meio de análises univariadas e multivariada (Classification And Regression Tree - CART). Resultados Os coeficientes de incidência de UP foram: 11,0% para o total, distribuindo-se em 8,0% entre os homens e 3,0% para as mulheres (p=0,018); 10,0% na raça branca e 6,5% em pessoas com idade igual e superior a 60 anos. Os principais fatores de risco encontrados foram tempo de permanência na UTI igual ou superior a 9,5 dias, idade igual ou superior a 42,5 anos e raça branca. Conclusão O estudo contribui para os conhecimentos relacionados à epidemiologia das UP em pacientes críticos com doenças cardiopneumológicas, favorecendo o planejamento de cuidados preventivos específicos para essa clientela.

Uso del libro de texto digital en las asignaturas de lenguas (castellano-catalán) : estudio de caso en el centro de secundaria Duc de Montblanc (Rubí)

Estudi de cas relatiu a la implantació del llibre de text digital en el centre d'educació secundària Duc de Montblanc (Rubí, Barcelona) en relació als plans governamentals d'introducció de les TIC en l'educació: EduCat 1x1 i EduCat 2.0. A través de les tècniques utilitzades en aquesta anàlisi de cas (anàlisi documental, anàlisi dels llibres de text digitals i entrevistes en profunditat), s'ofereixen els resultats referent a l'ús, els avantatges i inconvenients que presenta aquest material educatiu en el desenvolupament de les dinàmiques de l'aula en aquest centre educatiu en particular

Sociedad de la información y del conocimiento: personas, tecnología y cambio social

La Humanidad siempre ha trasladado, almacenado y difundido información; en este sentido podríamos afirmar que la sociedad de la información es una característica de la sociedad humana. Lo que ha cambiado en los últimos años es fruto de la incorporación de nuevas tecnologías en el tratamiento de la información. La separación que, tradicionalmente, existía entre una época para aprender y una época para trabajar ha terminado. En un momento en que la información es tan caduca, lo que necesitan los ciudadanos no es tanto acumular información como saber obtener buena información. A todos los cambios hay que incorporar, además, el hecho de que las personas cada vez recibimos más información por medios audiovisuales que escritos. Esto conlleva también cambios en la forma de incorporar la información, de entenderla y producirla.