Expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in rat brain after transient focal cerebral ischemia

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) degrade the extracellular matrix and carry out key functions during development and after injury. By means of zymography, Western blot and immunohistochemistry, we studied MMP-2 (gelatinase A) and MMP-9 (gelatinase B) in rat brain after focal cerebral ischemia. The control rat brain showed constitutive MMP-2 and, to a lesser extent, MMP-9, which were mainly present as prozymogens. MMP-2 protein was located in the cell body of neurons, glia, and endothelium, whereas MMP-9 was associated to neurons and myelinated fibre tracts. Ischemia greatly increased MMP activation in two temporal waves, in the first one, MMP-9 protein was induced from 4 h to 4 days, and also a small and short-lasting increase in MMP-2 was detected at 4 h. The second wave showed a massive increase in MMP-2 protein expression and activation by day 4, which was compatible with abundant MMP-2 in reactive microglia/macrophages. Our results are compatible with progressive induction of MMP-9 proform, likely in neurons, shortly after ischemia. For MMP-2, the results suggest a discrete production immediately after reperfusion, while a very enhanced expression and activation of MMP-2 attributable to microglia/macrophages occurs on day 4, and it might contribute to the phagocytic action of these reactive cells.

(Amino)(aryl)carbenes: stable singlet carbenes featuring a spectator substituent

Several (amino)(aryl)carbenes have been shown to be stable at room temperature in solution and in the solid state. Electroneutrality of the carbene center is ensured by the amino group, which has both pi-donor and final sigma-acceptor electronic character. The aryl group remains a spectator substituent, as shown by single-crystal x-ray analysis and by its chemical behavior. Because only one electron-active substituent is needed, numerous stable carbenes will become accessible, which will open the way for new synthetic developments and applications in various fields.

Development of electrochemical immunosensing systems with renewable surfaces

The repeated use of immunochemically modified solid phases in electrochemical immunosensor analysis is the driving interest of this work. Two new strategies have been developed. One of these strategies is aimed at the development of a manual methodology. It comprises the construction of amperometric immunosensors based on rigid biocomposites. These biocomposites are formed by a conducting polymer composite matrix that acts as a reservoir of an immobilized immunologic material. The surface of the biocomposite can be renewed by a simple polishing procedure. The second strategy involves the design of an automatic methodology. It features an immunochemical analytical system using flow injection techniques. The potentiometric detection uses a solid phase formed by immunologic reagents immobilized in magnetic particles. These particles are fixed to the sensor with the use of a magnetic field. The renewal of the reactive surface is achieved by the release and activation of the restraining magnetic field and the manipulation of the flow. The analytical properties of these immunosensors were evaluated measuring RIgG using a competitive technique and measuring GaRIgG with a sandwich methodology. The labelling enzymes of the immunoconjugates were peroxidase in amperometric measurements and urease in potentiometric measurements.

Flow injection immunoanalysis based on a magnetoimmunosensor system

A new immunosensor integrated to a flow system has been developed. It is based on magnetic immunoparticles immobilized on a solid-state transducer using a magnetic field. The described technique renews the immunoparticles reproducibly for each analysis allowing a good measurement precision. The developed experimental approach permits the implementation of an automated immunoassay that is quick (analytical cycle < 30 min) and sensitive in the micromolar concentration range. The system was applied to the determination of rabbit immunoglobulin G as an analyte model.

Estimation of gelatinase content in rat brain: effect of focal ischemia

Matrix metalloproteinases degrade the extracellular matrix and are involved in a variety of diseases, including inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system. Here we estimated the content of gelatinase in rat brain under control conditions and 4 h after transient focal ischemia using gelatinolytic extraction and zymographic analysis. We also examined the expression of the MMP-9 and MMP-2 proteins by Western blot. Using the zymographic apparent gelatinase activity we estimated that brain gelatinase content was 0.44 ng/mg of protein. Ischemia induced a 1.7-fold increase at 4 h, thus showing an early MMP response to the ischemic injury. The main increase was seen for the MMP-9 proform, which was accompanied by enhanced MMP-9 protein expression. We suggest that basal cerebral MMP-9 and MMP-2 activities are involved in the maintenance of the extracellular matrix and prevent substrate accumulation, while enhanced postischemic MMP activity before cell death may contribute to edema formation and blood-brain barrier breakdown.

Bronchial perforation and bronchoesophageal fistulas: tuberculous origin in children

A case of bronchial perforation and two cases of bronchoesophageal fistula of tuberculous oritin are presented. The lesions were radiologically identified by bronchography in one patient and esophagography in the other two. One patient with bronchoesophageal fistula died. His lesion had been erroneously considered to be congenital. At surgery, widespread pulmonary tuberculosis was found. The other two patients responded to antituberculous chemotherapy. In one of them, a follow-up barium esophagogram showed a large esophageal diverticulum located where a previous fistulous opening had closed.

Protective role of mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological flexibility on the burnout subtypes among psychology and nursing undergraduate students

AIMS

To explore the relationship between mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological flexibility, and the burnout subtypes in university students of the Psychology and Nursing degrees, and to analyse possible risk factors for developing burnout among socio-demographic and studies-related characteristics.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of 644 undergraduate students of Nursing and Psychology from two Spanish universities.

METHODS

The study was conducted between December 2015 and May 2016. Bivariate Pearson's correlations were computed to analyse the association between mindfulness facets, self-compassion and psychological flexibility, and levels of burnout. Multivariate linear regression models and bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regressions were also computed.

RESULTS

The three subtypes of burnout presented significant correlations with psychological flexibility, self-compassion and some mindfulness facets. Psychological flexibility, self-compassion and the mindfulness facets of observing and acting with awareness were significantly associated to burnout. Among the risk factors, 'year of study' was the only variable to show significantly higher risk for every burnout subtype.

CONCLUSION

The significant associations found between mindfulness, self-compassion, psychological flexibility and burnout levels underline the need of including these variables as therapeutic targets when addressing the burnout syndrome in university students.

IMPACT

Undergraduate students, especially those of health sciences, often experience burnout. This study delves into the protective role of some psychological variables: mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological flexibility. These should be considered as potentially protective skills for developing burnout, and therefore, undergraduate students could be trained on these abilities to face their studies and their future profession to prevent experiencing burnout syndrome.

Validation of an automatic urea analyser used in the continuous monitoring of hemodialysis parameters

The validation of an automatic urea analyser used in the monitoring of hemodialysis processes is reported. The analyser can indirectly determine dialysis parameters as dialysis delivery (KT/V) and protein catabolism (PCRn). These parameters are useful for the prescription and optimization of hemodialysis. The analyser, based on a previously-reported flow-injection analytical biosystem, was connected on-line to the effluent of a dialysis machine during several hemodialysis sessions. The urea concentration data were continuously processed and dialysis parameters were obtained in quasi real time by means of the integration of an adjusted time-dependent exponential function. These values were compared with those obtained by applying the methods traditionally employed in hospital laboratories. The evaluation comprised 24 data sets from several patients of different gender and age. No significant differences were found between the KT/V and PCRn results obtained with the usual method and those results produced by the analyser proposed here.

Pancreatitis induces HSP72 in the lung: role of neutrophils and xanthine oxidase

The aim of this work was to evaluate the systemic Hsp72 expression in rat lung and liver in vivo in a model of acute pancreatitis and investigate the possible involvement of xanthine oxidase and neutrophils in this process. Pancreatitis was induced by intraductal administration of 5% sodium taurocholate and samples of lung and liver were obtained 1 and 3 h later. In some groups of rats circulating xanthine oxidase was inhibited with oxypurinol, and neutrophil recruitment was blocked with a monoclonal antibody against P-selectin. Hsp72 expression was assessed by means of Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results showed Hsp72 induction in lung, but not in liver, shortly after pancreatitis. Hsp72-induced expression was located in bronchial epithelium, alveolar macrophages, infiltrating neutrophils, and blood vessels. Oxypurinol and the antibody against P-selectin prevented pancreatitis-induced lung Hsp72 overexpression suggesting that Hsp72 induction is mediated by neutrophil infiltration into the lungs.

Environmental toxicity monitoring using electrochemical biosensing systems

Environmental monitoring faces the challenge of measuring an increasing number of analytes at ever decreasing concentrations. Since not all species of a given analyte have the same detrimental impact on the environment, new analytical devices and techniques are required to distinguish between the different species of a pollutant or different groups of pollutants. This paper describes analytical techniques based on biomaterials that are toxically sensitive to pollutants. This approach permits the biomonitoring of certain compounds by looking at their toxic properties. Although these techniques are based on a sound analytical strategy, their applications are limited because most of the interactions between the biological material and the analyte are irreversible. Additionally, the immobilised biological material has a limited stability. Several biomonitoring strategies based on electrochemical biosensing are discussed here and how to recover the bioactivity of biosensing system, both in discrete and automated procedures, is also reviewed.

Performance in male and female elite tennis across season of birth

In the field of sports, there is an overrepresentation of athletes born in the initial months of the selection year, and an underrepresentation of athletes born in the latter months of the selection year. This season of birth effect appears to lead to a disadvantage in performance, even though with a considerable variability regarding age, sex, and skill. This study addressed season of birth effects on performance with the best one hundred male and female tennis players in the world. Specifically, we examined whether season of birth moderates the association of body height and ranking position with tennis performance. The main findings indicated that body height and rank associated in the expected direction with first service wins, break points saved, and a success rate describing the ratio of match wins to match defeats. For females born later in the selection year, however, height was unrelated to the percentage of first service wins or break points saved, and occupying higher positions in the ranking did not contribute to improve the ratio of wins to defeats. These findings suggest that season of birth effects on performance might operate for women but not for men when comparing highly selected populations such as the best tennis players in the world.

Movement Awareness Therapies in Eating Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Given the rising prevalence and complexity of eating disorders, a comprehensive multidisciplinary holistic approach is necessary. This work aimed to assess the effectiveness of body and movement awareness therapies in patients with eating disorders. Search strategy was undertaken using several scientific health databases. Articles were eligible if they were randomized controlled trials analyzing the effects of movement and body awareness therapies in eating disorders. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement for systematic reviews was followed and the risk of bias was assessed using the "Cochrane Collaboration Tool to assess the risk of bias." 11 articles met the inclusion criteria, including 437 patients. No high-quality randomized controlled trials were found. Forest plot analysis of the Eating Disorder Examination scale showed a difference favors to body awareness therapies but not significantly neither homogeneous. The interventions analyzed included yoga, body awareness therapy, dance, and psychomotor therapy. Body awareness therapies provide some additional benefits for eating disorder symptoms, such as emotion regulation, self-criticism, self-confidence, self-compassion, anxiety, body attitude, eating disorder symptoms, and quality of life.

Effects of Acute Psychological and Physiological Stress on Rock Climbers

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess the effects that psychological and physiological stressors have on indoor rock climbers, as well as to identify sex differences.

METHODS

14 intermediate rock climbers participated in the study, 10 males and 4 females. Mean age was 31 ± 8 years for males and 21 ± 2 years for females. Day 1 consisted of test familiarization and baseline measurements. Day 2 included two test conditions, startle and fatigue, separated by 20 min. In the startle condition, participants had to lead climb a route, and a loud audio stimulus was presented near the top of the climb. In the fatigue condition, participants were required to climb as fast as they could until muscular failure. The competitive state anxiety inventory second review (CSAI-2R) questionnaire was used to assess somatic anxiety, cognitive anxiety, and self-confidence. The four-square step test (FSST) was used to assess motor control, and cortisol levels were acquired via passive drool (PD).

RESULTS

Cortisol concentrations were highest in the pre-startle condition (1.72 μg/dL ± 0.66), and values decreased post-startle (1.67 μg/dL ± 0.74) and post-fatigue (1.42 μg/dL ± 0.72). However, cortisol concentrations increased post-startle in females (1.57 μg/dL ± 0.96). Somatic anxiety in males was significantly higher post-startle (16.36 ± 5.54) than pre-startle (14.23 ± 5.09). Females had significantly higher somatic anxiety post-startle (18.00 ± 8.76), and they had lower self-confidence levels (30.00 ± 5.89) than males.

CONCLUSIONS

There are differences in the way that males and females prepare and respond to stressful situations. Furthermore, time of day may have had a significant impact on cortisol concentrations.

Beliefs and Self-Perceptions of Spanish Mental Health Professionals about Physical Therapy in Mental Health: An Observational Survey Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to understand the image, perception, and beliefs regarding the role of the physiotherapist in the field of mental health physiotherapy, both among the professional community and other multidisciplinary teams.

METHODS

An observational phenomenological qualitative study through the administration of an ad hoc survey comprising both categorical and open-ended as well as quantitative questions was conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 368 responses were analysed. The participants comprised 78.4% women with a mean age of 37.5, an average professional experience of 14.33 years, and 88.3% practicing physical therapists. From the qualitative analysis conducted, three categories emerged in relation to the obtained responses: (a) functions with codes of "improving quality of life" and "intervening in physical pathologies"; (b) objectives with codes of "Improving quality of life", "Intervening in physical pathologies", "Functional rehabilitation", "Health promotion", and "Intervening in mental disorders"; and (c) image with codes "unfamiliarity", "holistic vision", "necessity", and "importance". Regarding the tools, the findings highlight a strong focus on physical exercise interventions due to their well-established benefits. Cognitive strategies like therapeutic relationships and cognitive-behavioural techniques were also prominent. Additionally, embodiment techniques involving movement, relaxation, breathing, and voice usage were notable. Lastly, manual therapy and physical agents formed another distinct category.

CONCLUSIONS

The vision and role of this professional profile were unknown to the respondents. Despite being perceived as having a holistic view of the patient and being considered an essential need, the actual image remains vague. However, there is significant interest, indicating a promising future, although the lack of specialized training is noted. Therefore, the need for specialized education and awareness campaigns among professionals in the mental health field is highlighted.