Valoració del primer curs d'implantació de l'assignatura TFG al grau de Farmàcia (UB)

En el curso 2011-12 la Facultad de Farmacia de la Universidad de Barcelona ha iniciado la asignatura de "Trabajo Fin de Grado" (TFG) en los estudios de Farmacia. Esta asignatura consiste en la elaboración de un trabajo de integración que da lugar a una memoria escrita y a su exposición y defensa ante una comisión. En este primer año han cursado la asignatura un total de 159 alumnos. Los estudiantes se preinscriben a través de una plataforma digital y manifiestan sus preferencias en relación a los proyectos que ofrecen los diferentes Departamentos. Este proceso tiene como finalidad que cada estudiante quede asignado a un Departamento concreto para hacer el TFG

Alcoholisme: un cas clínic d'abordatge multidisciplinar a la Facultat de Farmàcia

A la Facultat de Farmàcia de la UB hem iniciat un projecte plurianual i multidisciplinar que té com a finalitat el desenvolupament de casos clínics transversals. En l’actualitat, l’equip docent està format per 49 professors implicats en 14 assignatures del Grau de Farmàcia. L’objectiu del grup és reforçar la transversalitat al llarg del grau, de manera que els alumnes adquireixin la percepció de que els coneixements apresos en una assignatura són la base per a les altres. Per fomentar-ho, proposem la realització de casos clínics que es vagin resolent progressivament en el context de diverses assignatures del grau. El primer cas clínic que hem dissenyat és sobre l’alcoholisme, ja que és un tema d’interès sanitari, abordable des de diferents disciplines. El grup ha desenvolupat la història d’un personatge, en Sam, que s’inicia en el consum d’alcohol des de molt jove, de manera que els alumnes a mida que cursin les diferents assignatures coneixeran la seva evolució i conseqüències (des d’un coma etílic, consum de risc, deshabituació,…), tot en l’entorn de la vida familiar i social del personatge, per aconseguir una proximitat d’en Sam amb l’estudiant. El cas va ser elaborat amb l’ajut de la Unitat d’Alcohologia de l’Hospital Clínic.

Alcoholisme: un cas clínic d'abordatge multidisciplinar a la Facultat de Farmàcia

A la Facultat de Farmàcia de la UB hem iniciat un projecte plurianual i multidisciplinar que té com a finalitat el desenvolupament de casos clínics transversals. En l’actualitat, l’equip docent està format per 49 professors implicats en 14 assignatures del Grau de Farmàcia. L’objectiu del grup és reforçar la transversalitat al llarg del grau, de manera que els alumnes adquireixin la percepció de que els coneixements apresos en una assignatura són la base per a les altres. Per fomentar-ho, proposem la realització de casos clínics que es vagin resolent progressivament en el context de diverses assignatures del grau. El primer cas clínic que hem dissenyat és sobre l’alcoholisme, ja que és un tema d’interès sanitari, abordable des de diferents disciplines. El grup ha desenvolupat la història d’un personatge, en Sam, que s’inicia en el consum d’alcohol des de molt jove, de manera que els alumnes a mida que cursin les diferents assignatures coneixeran la seva evolució i conseqüències (des d’un coma etílic, consum de risc, deshabituació,…), tot en l’entorn de la vida familiar i social del personatge, per aconseguir una proximitat d’en Sam amb l’estudiant. El cas va ser elaborat amb l’ajut de la Unitat d’Alcohologia de l’Hospital Clínic.

Valoració del primer curs d'implantació de l'assignatura TFG al grau de Farmàcia (UB)

En el curso 2011-12 la Facultad de Farmacia de la Universidad de Barcelona ha iniciado la asignatura de "Trabajo Fin de Grado" (TFG) en los estudios de Farmacia. Esta asignatura consiste en la elaboración de un trabajo de integración que da lugar a una memoria escrita y a su exposición y defensa ante una comisión. En este primer año han cursado la asignatura un total de 159 alumnos. Los estudiantes se preinscriben a través de una plataforma digital y manifiestan sus preferencias en relación a los proyectos que ofrecen los diferentes Departamentos. Este proceso tiene como finalidad que cada estudiante quede asignado a un Departamento concreto para hacer el TFG

Concentração do ciclo de produção de pinhão-manso por meio de podas de formação ou de produção

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a possibilidade de concentração do ciclo de produção de pinhão-manso (Jatropha curcas), por meio do emprego de diferentes podas de formação e de produção. Realizou-se um experimento para cada tipo de poda, no semiárido de Minas Gerais, com cinco tratamentos cada um. Os tratamentos estiveram relacionados a alturas de poda no ramo principal e à poda ou desbrota nos ramos secundários. Com a poda de formação, foi possível reduzir o período de colheita de 120 para 48 dias, mas com prejuízo significativo para a produtividade no primeiro ciclo. A poda de produção pode concentrar a colheita a 90 dias e, em alguns casos, aumentar a produtividade das plantas.

Tissue oxygenation and hemodynamic response to NO synthase inhibition in septic shock.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the tissue oxygenation and hemodynamic effects of NOS inhibition in clinical severe septic shock. Eight patients with septic shock refractory to volume loading and high level of adrenergic support were prospectively enrolled in the study. Increasing doses of NOS inhibitors [N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) or N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA)] were administered as i.v. bolus until a peak effect = 10 mmHg on mean blood pressure was obtained or until side effects occurred. If deemed clinically appropriate, a continuous infusion of L-NAME was instituted and adrenergic support weaning attempted. The bolus administration of NOS inhibitors transiently increased mean blood pressure by 10 mm Hg in all patients. Seven out of eight patients received an L-NAME infusion, associated over 24 h with a progressive decline in cardiac index (P < 0.001) and an increase in systemic vascular resistance (P < 0.01). Partial or total adrenergic support weaning was rapidly possible in 6/8 patients. Oxygen transport decreased (P < 0.001), but oxygen consumption remained unchanged in those patients in whom it could be measured by indirect calorimetry (5/8). Blood lactate and the difference between tonometric gastric and arterial PCO2 remained unchanged. There were 4/8 ICU survivors. We conclude that nitric oxide synthase inhibition in severe septic shock was followed with a progressive correction of the vasoplegic hemodynamic disturbances with finally normalization of cardiac output and systemic vascular resistances without any demonstrable deterioration in tissue oxygenation.

Pauson-Khand Adducts of N-Boc-propargylamine: A New Approach to 4,5-Disubstituted Cyclopentenones

A new approach to the synthesis of 4,5-disubstituted cyclopentenones is described. The strategy is based on the Pauson-Khand (PK) reaction of norbornadiene and N-Boc-propargylamine as alkyne with a masked leaving group, which can be eliminated at will. This approach to the synthesis of 4,5-disubstituted cyclopentenones overcomes the problem of using the alkylation to introduce the alpha-side-chain. As an example, prostane 13-epi-12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (13-epi-12-oxo-PDA) methyl ester was synthesized.

Exploring the space of histidine containing dipeptides in search of novel efficient RCS sequestering agents.

The study reports a set of forty proteinogenic histidine-containing dipeptides as potential carbonyl quenchers. The peptides were chosen to cover as exhaustively as possible the accessible chemical space, and their quenching activities toward 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and pyridoxal were evaluated by HPLC analyses. The peptides were capped at the C-terminus as methyl esters or amides to favor their resistance to proteolysis and diastereoisomeric pairs were considered to reveal the influence of configuration on quenching. On average, the examined dipeptides are less active than the parent compound carnosine (βAla + His) thus emphasizing the unfavorable effect of the shortening of the βAla residue as confirmed by the control dipeptide Gly-His. Nevertheless, some peptides show promising activities toward HNE combined with a remarkable selectivity. The results emphasize the beneficial role of aromatic and positively charged residues, while negatively charged and H-bonding side chains show a detrimental effect on quenching. As a trend, ester derivatives are slightly more active than amides while heterochiral peptides are more active than their homochiral diastereoisomer. Overall, the results reveal that quenching activity strongly depends on conformational effects and vicinal residues (as evidenced by the reported QSAR analysis), offering insightful clues for the design of improved carbonyl quenchers and to rationalize the specific reactivity of histidine residues within proteins.

Sistemas intercalares com abacaxizeiro como alternativa de renda durante a formação de cafezais irrigados

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o sistema de plantio de abacaxizeiro intercalado com cafeeiro que proporciona o maior retorno econômico, sem comprometer o desenvolvimento vegetativo e a produtividade de cafezal irrigado. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e dez plantas úteis por parcela. Os sistemas irrigados de cultivo consistiram em: duas e três fileiras simples de abacaxizeiro, nas entrelinhas do cafeeiro, ou quatro linhas em fileiras duplas. O desenvolvimento vegetativo do cafeeiro foi avaliado aos 6, 12 e 18 meses após o plantio, e a produtividade aos 28 meses. O cultivo de duas fileiras simples favoreceu o desenvolvimento do cafeeiro, e os demais sistemas não tiveram efeito sobre esse parâmetro. A produtividade do cafeeiro foi maior nos sistemas de cultivo com duas e três fileiras de abacaxi. Os três sistemas de cultivo apresentaram retornos econômicos positivos. O sistema intercalar com três fileiras simples proporciona o melhor retorno, sem comprometer o desenvolvimento vegetativo e a produtividade do cafeeiro.

Synthetic calibrators for the analysis of total metanephrines in urine: revisiting the conditions of hydrolysis.

BACKGROUND: The quantification of total (free+sulfated) metanephrines in urine is recommended to diagnose pheochromocytoma. Urinary metanephrines include metanephrine itself, normetanephrine and methoxytyramine, mainly in the form of sulfate conjugates (60-80%). Their determination requires the hydrolysis of the sulfate ester moiety to allow electrochemical oxidation of the phenolic group. Commercially available urine calibrators and controls contain essentially free, unhydrolysable metanephrines which are not representative of native urines. The lack of appropriate calibrators may lead to uncertainty regarding the completion of the hydrolysis of sulfated metanephrines, resulting in incorrect quantification. METHODS: We used chemically synthesized sulfated metanephrines to establish whether the procedure most frequently recommended for commercial kits (pH 1.0 for 30 min over a boiling water bath) ensures their complete hydrolysis. RESULTS: We found that sulfated metanephrines differ in their optimum pH to obtain complete hydrolysis. Highest yields and minimal variance were established for incubation at pH 0.7-0.9 during 20 min. CONCLUSION: Urinary pH should be carefully controlled to ensure an efficient and reproducible hydrolysis of sulfated metanephrines. Synthetic sulfated metanephrines represent the optimal material for calibrators and proficiency testing to improve inter-laboratory accuracy.

E-portal de cartografía de las bibliotecas de la UPC: acceso a las colecciones mediante un mapa sensible

Peer Reviewed

Hormonal protocols for in vitro production of Zebu and taurine embryos

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of hormonal synchronization protocols, associated or not with follicular development stimulation, on the recovery of oocytes and on in vitro production of Bos indicus and B. taurus embryos, in different seasons. Ultrasound-guided follicular aspirations (n=237) were performed without pre-treatment (G1, control group) and after follicular wave synchronization (G2), or after follicular wave synchronization and follicle growth induction (G3). Bos indicus produced more oocytes and embryos than B. taurus (18.7±0.9 vs. 11.9±0.6 oocytes and 4.8±0.3 vs. 2.1±0.2 embryos). On average, oocyte and embryo yields were higher in G3 than in G2, and both were greater than in G1, which lead to a higher conversion of oocytes to embryos in these treatments. The hot or the cold season did not affect the B. indicus outcomes, whereas, in B. taurus, both oocyte recovery and embryo production were higher in the cold season. Follicular wave synchronization improves ovum pick-up and in vitro production of embryos in both cattle subspecies evaluated.

Muurahaishapon käyttö etikkahapon ja propionihapon sovelluksissa

Työssä tutkittiin muurahais-, etikka- ja propionihapon sekä näiden johdannaisten teollisia sovelluskohteita. Työn tarkoituksena oli löytää muurahaishapolle tai sen johdannaisille potentiaalisia käyttökohteita etikka- ja propionihapon sekä näiden johdannaisten teollisista sovelluskohteista. Työssä on laaja kirjallisuuskatsaus, jossa käsitellään muurahais-, etikka- ja propionihapon kemiallisia ja fysikaalisia ominaisuuksia, ekologisia ja korroosiovaikutuksia sekä yleensä orgaanisten happojen antimikrobisia ominaisuuksia. Tämän lisäksi työssä esitellään tarkasteltavien happojen sekä happojohdannaisten markkinat teollisissa sovelluksissa Yhdysvalloissa, Länsi-Euroopassa ja Japanissa. Korvaavuuksien syventävän analyysin avulla pyrittiin löytämään ne sovelluskohteet muurahaishapolle tai sen johdannaisille, joissa ne voisivat olla hinnaltaan kilpailukykyisiä vastaavien etikka-ja propionihapposovellusten kanssa. Mahdollisen korvaavuuden rajaksi asetettiin5 000 tonnia sovelluskohdetta kohti. Kirjallisuustutkimuksen perusteella etikkahapon estereiden (asetaattiestereiden) käyttökohde liuottimien komponentteinavoisi olla potentiaalisin käyttökohde vastaaville muurahaishapon estereille (formiaattiestereille). Asetaattiestereitä on ennustettu käytettävän maailmalla 2 808 000 tonnia vuonna 2006. Niiden pääkäyttöalueet ovat liuottimina pintapäällysteissä kuten maaleissa, lakoissa sekä painomusteissa ja -väreissä. Toistaiseksi formiaattiestereitä on hyödynnetty vain muutamia satoja tonneja lähinnä lääketeollisuuden sovelluksissa välituotteena. Työssä tehtyjen alustavien laskelmien perusteella muurahaishapon esterit ovat hintatasoltaan kilpailukykyinen vaihtoehto vastaaville asetaattiestereille. Diplomityön kokeellisessa osassa etyyliformiaattia valmistettiin menestyksekkäästi laboratoriomittakaavassa. Toinen potentiaalinen uusi tuote on selluloosaformiaattikuitu (SF-kuitu). Selluloosa-asetaattikuitua käytettiin vuonna 2001 845 000 tonnia, josta 79 % kului savukefilttereiden valmistukseen. SF-kuitu on kirjallisuuden mukaan vaihtoehtoinen raaka-aine savukefilttereiden valmistukseen.

Pauson-Khand Adducts of N-Boc-propargylamine: A New Approach to 4,5-Disubstituted Cyclopentenones

A new approach to the synthesis of 4,5-disubstituted cyclopentenones is described. The strategy is based on the Pauson-Khand (PK) reaction of norbornadiene and N-Boc-propargylamine as alkyne with a masked leaving group, which can be eliminated at will. This approach to the synthesis of 4,5-disubstituted cyclopentenones overcomes the problem of using the alkylation to introduce the alpha-side-chain. As an example, prostane 13-epi-12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (13-epi-12-oxo-PDA) methyl ester was synthesized.

Germination and development of pecan cultivar seedlings by seed stratification

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of seed stratification on germination rate, germination speed, and initial development of seedlings of six pecan (Carya illinoinensis) cultivars under subtropical climatic conditions in southern Brazil. For stratification, the seeds were placed in boxes with moist sand, in a cold chamber at 4°C, for 90 days. In the fourteenth week after sowing, the emergence speed index, total emergence, plant height, stem diameter, and number of leaves were evaluated. Seed stratification significantly improves the germination potential and morphological traits of the evaluated cultivars.