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Soldevila A, Rojas E, Ferragut-Alegre Á. Regression of Glaukomflecken in Urrets-Zavalía syndrome after myopic ICL implantation. J Fr Ophtalmol 2024; 47:104089. [PMID: 38382276 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2024.104089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- A Soldevila
- Centro de Oftalmología Barraquer, C/de Muntaner, 314, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08021 Barcelona, Spain; Hospital Sant Joan Despí Moisès Broggi, C. d'Oriol Martorell, 12, 08970 Sant Joan Despí, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Rojas
- Centro de Oftalmología Barraquer, C/de Muntaner, 314, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08021 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Á Ferragut-Alegre
- Centro de Oftalmología Barraquer, C/de Muntaner, 314, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08021 Barcelona, Spain; Hospital General Universitario de Castellón, Avinguda de Benicàssim, 128, 12004 Castelló de la Plana, Castellón, Spain
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Rodríguez-Maroto JJ, García-Alonso S, Rojas E, Sanz D, Ibarra I, Pérez-Pastor R, Pujadas M, Hormigo D, Sánchez J, Moreno PM, Sánchez M, Kılıc D, Williams PI. Characterization of PAHs bound to ambient ultrafine particles around runways at an international airport. Chemosphere 2024; 352:141440. [PMID: 38368961 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The impact of airport activities on air quality, is not sufficiently documented. In order to better understand the magnitude and properly assess the sources of emissions in the sector, it is necessary to establish databases with real data on those pollutants that could have the greatest impact on both health and the environment. Particulate matter (PM), especially ultrafine particles, are a research priority, not only because of its physical properties, but also because of its ability to bind highly toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Samples of PM were collected in the ambient air around the runways at Barajas International Airport (Madrid, Spain) during October, November and December 2021. Samples were gathered using three different sampling systems and analysed to determine the concentration of PAHs bound to PM. A high-volume air sampler, a Berner low-pressure impactor, and an automated off-line sampler developed in-house were used. The agreement between the samplers was statistically verified from the PM and PAH results. The highest concentration of PM measured was 31 μg m-3, while the concentration of total PAH was 3 ng m-3, both comparable to those recorded in a semi-urban area of Madrid. The PAHs showed a similar profile to the particle size distribution, with a maximum in the 0.27-0.54 μm size range, being preferentially found in the submicron size fractions, with more than 84% and around 15-20% associated to UFPs. It was found that the ratio [PAHs(m)/PM(m)] was around 10-4 in the warmer period (October), whereas it more than doubled in the colder months (November-December). It is significant the shift in the relative distribution of compounds within these two periods, with a notable increase in the 5 and 6 ring proportions in the colder period. This increase was probably due to the additional contribution of other external sources, possibly thermal and related to combustion processes, as supported by the PAH diagnostic ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Rodríguez-Maroto
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, 28040, Spain.
| | - S García-Alonso
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - E Rojas
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - D Sanz
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - I Ibarra
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - R Pérez-Pastor
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - M Pujadas
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - D Hormigo
- Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Spain
| | - J Sánchez
- Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Spain
| | - P M Moreno
- Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Spain
| | - M Sánchez
- Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Spain
| | - D Kılıc
- DEES and University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - P I Williams
- DEES and University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK; NCAS, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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Oliart E, Rojas E, Capurro D. Are we ready for conformance checking in healthcare? Measuring adherence to clinical guidelines: A scoping systematic literature review. J Biomed Inform 2022; 130:104076. [PMID: 35525401 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbi.2022.104076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Clinical guidelines are recommendations of how to diagnose, treat, and manage a patient's medical condition. Health organizations must measure adherence to clinical guidelines to enhance the quality of service, but due to the complexity of the medical environment, there is no simple way of measuring adherence to clinical guidelines. This scoping review will systematically assess the criteria used to measure adherence to clinical guidelines in the past 20 years and explore the suitability of using process mining techniques. We will use a workflow protocol based on declarative and temporal constraints to translate the narrative text rules in the publications into a high-level process model. This approach will enable us to explore the main patterns and gaps identified when measuring adherence to clinical guidelines and how they affect the adoption of process mining techniques. The main contributions of this paper are a) a comprehensive analysis of the criteria used for measuring adherence, considering a diverse set of medical conditions b) a framework that will classify the level of complexity of the rules used to measure adherence based on declarative and temporal constraints c) list of key trends and gaps identified in the literature and how they relate to the use of process mining techniques in healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eimy Oliart
- School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eric Rojas
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel Capurro
- School of Computing and Information Systems, Centre for the Digital Transformation of Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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Peracaula M, Torres D, Poyatos P, Luque N, Rojas E, Obrador A, Orriols R, Tura-Ceide O. Endothelial Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Risk in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Review Article. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12040537. [PMID: 35455027 PMCID: PMC9025914 DOI: 10.3390/life12040537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a respiratory condition during sleep caused by repeated pauses in breathing due to upper airway obstruction. It is estimated that OSA affects 30% of the population, but only 10% are well diagnosed due to the absence of a well-defined symptomatology and poor screening tools for early diagnosis. OSA is associated to an endothelial dysfunction inducing several biological responses such as hypoxia, hypercapnia and oxidative stress, among others. OSA also triggers respiratory, nervous, metabolic, humoral and immunity system activations that increase the possibility of suffering a cardiovascular (CV) disease. In this review, we expose different studies that show the relationship between OSA and endothelial dysfunction and its association with CV pathologies like hypertension, and we define the most well-known treatments and their limitations. Additionally, we describe the potential future directions in OSA research, and we report clinical features such as endothelial progenitor cell alterations that could act as biomarkers for the development of new diagnostic tools and target therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Peracaula
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital of Girona, Santa Caterina Hospital de Salt and the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), 17190 Girona, Spain; (M.P.); (D.T.); (P.P.); (N.L.); (E.R.); (A.O.)
| | - Daniela Torres
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital of Girona, Santa Caterina Hospital de Salt and the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), 17190 Girona, Spain; (M.P.); (D.T.); (P.P.); (N.L.); (E.R.); (A.O.)
| | - Paula Poyatos
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital of Girona, Santa Caterina Hospital de Salt and the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), 17190 Girona, Spain; (M.P.); (D.T.); (P.P.); (N.L.); (E.R.); (A.O.)
| | - Neus Luque
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital of Girona, Santa Caterina Hospital de Salt and the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), 17190 Girona, Spain; (M.P.); (D.T.); (P.P.); (N.L.); (E.R.); (A.O.)
| | - Eric Rojas
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital of Girona, Santa Caterina Hospital de Salt and the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), 17190 Girona, Spain; (M.P.); (D.T.); (P.P.); (N.L.); (E.R.); (A.O.)
| | - Anton Obrador
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital of Girona, Santa Caterina Hospital de Salt and the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), 17190 Girona, Spain; (M.P.); (D.T.); (P.P.); (N.L.); (E.R.); (A.O.)
| | - Ramon Orriols
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital of Girona, Santa Caterina Hospital de Salt and the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), 17190 Girona, Spain; (M.P.); (D.T.); (P.P.); (N.L.); (E.R.); (A.O.)
- Correspondence: (R.O.); (O.T.-C.); Tel.: +34-972941343 (R.O.); +34-633448238 (O.T.-C.)
| | - Olga Tura-Ceide
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital of Girona, Santa Caterina Hospital de Salt and the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), 17190 Girona, Spain; (M.P.); (D.T.); (P.P.); (N.L.); (E.R.); (A.O.)
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre on Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.O.); (O.T.-C.); Tel.: +34-972941343 (R.O.); +34-633448238 (O.T.-C.)
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Tala Á, Vásquez E, Rojas E, Marín R. Apps y Medicina: una visión global y la situación chilena. Rev Med Chil 2022; 150:206-215. [DOI: 10.4067/s0034-98872022000200206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Berkowitz L, Henríquez MP, Salazar C, Rojas E, Echeverría G, Love GD, Rigotti A, Coe CL, Ryff CD. Association between serum sphingolipids and eudaimonic well-being in white U.S. adults. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13139. [PMID: 34162955 PMCID: PMC8222370 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92576-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging research has linked psychological well-being with many physiological markers as well as morbidity and mortality. In this analysis, the relationship between components of eudaimonic well-being and serum sphingolipids levels was investigated using data from a large national survey of middle-aged American adults (Midlife in the United States). Health behaviors (i.e., diet, exercise, and sleep) were also examined as potential mediators of these relationships. Serum levels of total ceramides-the main molecular class of sphingolipids previously associated with several disease conditions-were inversely linked with environmental mastery. In addition, significant correlations were found between specific ceramide, dihydroceramide, and hexosylceramides species with environmental mastery, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. Using hierarchical regression and mediation analyses, health behaviors appeared to mediate these associations. However, the link between ceramides and environmental mastery was partially independent of health behaviors, suggesting the role of additional mediating factors. These findings point to sphingolipid metabolism as a novel pathway of health benefits associated with psychological well-being. In particular, having a sense of environmental mastery may promote restorative behaviors and benefit health via improved blood sphingolipid profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loni Berkowitz
- Department of Nutrition, Diabetes and Metabolism, Center of Molecular Nutrition and Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Marcoleta 328, Santiago, Chile.
| | | | - Cristian Salazar
- Department of Nutrition, Diabetes and Metabolism, Center of Molecular Nutrition and Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Marcoleta 328, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eric Rojas
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Guadalupe Echeverría
- Department of Nutrition, Diabetes and Metabolism, Center of Molecular Nutrition and Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Marcoleta 328, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gayle D Love
- Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Attilio Rigotti
- Department of Nutrition, Diabetes and Metabolism, Center of Molecular Nutrition and Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Marcoleta 328, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christopher L Coe
- Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Carol D Ryff
- Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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Rojas E, Valinotti V, Vazquez M, Roman L, Maidana M, Ramirez J, Cabrera-Villalba S. AB0193 PRESENCE OF SUBLINICAL SYNOVITIS IN A ESTABLISHED RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS COHORT. Ann Rheum Dis 2021. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.4208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Background:Some studies prove that a significant percentage of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in sustained clinical remission has radiological progression or joint damage, and the presence of residual activity objectified by imaging studies such as ultrasonography could be related to a relapse or flare of RA.(1,2)Objectives:To determine the presence of subclinical synovitis measured by ultrasonography in patients with RA on sustained clinical remission from the Rheumatology service at Hospital de Clínicas, San Lorenzo, Paraguay.Materials and Methods:Prospective, cross sectional, descriptive study, in RA patients meeting ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria, older than 18 years, on sustained clinical remission (≥6 months), measured by ESR-DAS28 (<2,6), doing follow-ups on our service. A healthy control group was included. All groups signed informed consent. Synovial hypertrophy (SH) and intraarticular vascularization grades on Power Doppler (PD) mode were determined according to EULAR recommendations and OMERACT 7 group definitions. Clinical data were obtained from the service’s registries.SPSS 23rd version was used for data analysis. Quantitative variables were presented as means and qualitative as frequencies. Chi square test was performed for comparisons between dichotomous variables and t Student for continuous. For comparisons between variables the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was performed, and p≤0.05 for statistical significance. Factors predicting subclinical synovitis were analyzed with Odds Ratio (OR) CI 95%.Results:From 147 patients, 31 (21%) met remission criteria; 87.1% women, mean age 51.9±14.8 years. Mean disease duration was 9,06±10,81 years. 64,5% were RF and ACPA positive and 25,9% had erosions.Ultrasonograms were made in 20 joints of both hands: radiocarpals (RC), metacarpophalangeals (MCP) and proximal interphalangeals (PIP). 12 patients (38.7%) presented subclinical synovitis (SH≥2+PD), more frequently on RC (29% right, 22.6% left), and MCP (9.7% on 2RMCP, 9.7% 4LMCP). These patients had greater CDAI (3.9±1.37 vs 2.89±1.15, p=0.03), HAQ (0.14±0.29 vs 0.00±0.00, p=0.04), CRP (9.90±7.46 vs 4.74±2.30, p=0.00) RF levels (502.67±275.66 vs 200.92±158.43, p=0,00), greater prednisone (16.5% vs 3.2%, p=0.04), and methotrexate use (20.16±5.54 vs 17.50±3.98, p=0.01). None of the healthy controls presented subclinical synovitis.In binary logistic regression CRP levels, RF titers and methotrexate doses were associated to subclinical synovitis. This association is not found in multivariate logistic regression. Negative association was found between subclinical synovitis and two csDMARDs use.Conclusion:This is the first study of its type in Paraguayan patients, which clearly evidenced that an important part of RA patients in clinical remission still presented subclinical synovitis (HS≥2 + PD). It was associated with CRP, RF and methotrexate dose.References:[1]Płaza M, Nowakowska-Płaza A, Pracoń G, Sudoł-Szopińska I. Role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases in light of ACR/EULAR guidelines. J Ultrason. marzo de 2016;16(64):55-64.[2]Foltz V, Gandjbakhch F, Etchepare F, Rosenberg C, Tanguy ML, Rozenberg S, et al. Power Doppler ultrasound, but not low-field magnetic resonance imaging, predicts relapse and radiographic disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis patients with low levels of disease activity. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2012;64(1):67-76.Disclosure of Interests:None declared
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Abstract
Disease trajectories model patterns of disease over time and can be mined by extracting diagnosis codes from electronic health records (EHR). Process mining provides a mature set of methods and tools that has been used to mine care pathways using event data from EHRs and could be applied to disease trajectories. This paper presents a literature review on process mining related to mining disease trajectories using EHRs. Our review identified 156 papers of potential interest but only four papers which directly applied process mining to disease trajectory modelling. These four papers are presented in detail covering data source, size, selection criteria, selections of the process mining algorithms, trajectory definition strategies, model visualisations, and the methods of evaluation. The literature review lays the foundations for further research leveraging the established benefits of process mining for the emerging data mining of disease trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guntur P Kusuma
- School of Computing, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- School of Applied Science, Telkom University, Bandung, Indonesia
| | | | - Eric Rojas
- Computer Science Department, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile
| | | | - Chris P Gale
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Arias M, Rojas E, Aguirre S, Cornejo F, Munoz-Gama J, Sepúlveda M, Capurro D. Mapping the Patient's Journey in Healthcare through Process Mining. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E6586. [PMID: 32927669 PMCID: PMC7557979 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17186586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, assessing and improving customer experience has become a priority, and has emerged as a key differentiator for business and organizations worldwide. A customer journey (CJ) is a strategic tool, a map of the steps customers follow when engaging with a company or organization to obtain a product or service. The increase of the need to obtain knowledge about customers' perceptions and feelings when interacting with participants, touchpoints, and channels through different stages of the customer life cycle. This study aims to describe the application of process mining techniques in healthcare as a tool to asses customer journeys. The appropriateness of the approach presented is illustrated through a case study of a key healthcare process. Results depict how a healthcare process can be mapped through the CJ components, and its analysis can serve to understand and improve the patient's experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Arias
- Department of Business Computer Science, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Ramón 111-4250, Costa Rica
| | - Eric Rojas
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8320000, Chile;
| | - Santiago Aguirre
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia;
| | - Felipe Cornejo
- Department of Computer Science, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile; (F.C.); (J.M.-G.); (M.S.)
| | - Jorge Munoz-Gama
- Department of Computer Science, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile; (F.C.); (J.M.-G.); (M.S.)
| | - Marcos Sepúlveda
- Department of Computer Science, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile; (F.C.); (J.M.-G.); (M.S.)
| | - Daniel Capurro
- School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia;
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Rodríguez D, Nieto E, Quiroga T, Rojas E, Vera F. Eficacia en el control de la anticoagulación de los diferentes fármacos antagonistas de la vitamina K disponibles en Chile. Rev Med Chil 2020; 148:1254-1260. [DOI: 10.4067/s0034-98872020000901254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Williams R, Ashcroft DM, Brown B, Rojas E, Peek N, Johnson O. Process Mining in Primary Care: Avoiding Adverse Events Due to Hazardous Prescribing. Stud Health Technol Inform 2019; 264:447-451. [PMID: 31437963 DOI: 10.3233/shti190261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Process mining helps healthcare professionals understand processes within healthcare. While often used in secondary care, there is little work in process mining using primary care data. Serious adverse events that result from hazardous prescribing are common and costly. For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antiplatelets can cause gastro-intestinal bleeds (GiBs). Prescribing typically occurs during primary care; therefore we used this setting to attempt process mining. We extracted events (drug started, drug stopped, GiB) for understanding three prescribing pathways, and applied process mining. We found NSAIDs are often short-term prescriptions whereas antiplatelets are often long-term. This perhaps explains our finding that co-prescription of gastro-protection is more prevalent for antiplatelets than NSAIDs. We identified reasons why primary care data is harder to process mine and proposed solutions. Process mining primary care data is possible and likely useful for improving patient safety and reducing costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Williams
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Darren M Ashcroft
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Benjamin Brown
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Eric Rojas
- Internal Medicine Department. School of Medicine. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
| | - Niels Peek
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Owen Johnson
- NIHR Yorkshire and the Humber Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Ibanez-Sanchez G, Fernandez-Llatas C, Martinez-Millana A, Celda A, Mandingorra J, Aparici-Tortajada L, Valero-Ramon Z, Munoz-Gama J, Sepúlveda M, Rojas E, Gálvez V, Capurro D, Traver V. Toward Value-Based Healthcare through Interactive Process Mining in Emergency Rooms: The Stroke Case. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:ijerph16101783. [PMID: 31137557 PMCID: PMC6572362 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16101783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The application of Value-based Healthcare requires not only the identification of key processes in the clinical domain but also an adequate analysis of the value chain delivered to the patient. Data Science and Big Data approaches are technologies that enable the creation of accurate systems that model reality. However, classical Data Mining techniques are presented by professionals as black boxes. This evokes a lack of trust in those techniques in the medical domain. Process Mining technologies are human-understandable Data Science tools that can fill this gap to support the application of Value-Based Healthcare in real domains. The aim of this paper is to perform an analysis of the ways in which Process Mining techniques can support health professionals in the application of Value-Based Technologies. For this purpose, we explored these techniques by analyzing emergency processes and applying the critical timing of Stroke treatment and a Question-Driven methodology. To demonstrate the possibilities of Process Mining in the characterization of the emergency process, we used a real log with 9046 emergency episodes from 2145 stroke patients that occurred from January 2010 to June 2017. Our results demonstrate how Process Mining technology can highlight the differences between the flow of stroke patients compared with that of other patients in an emergency. Further, we show that support for health professionals can be provided by improving their understanding of these techniques and enhancing the quality of care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carlos Fernandez-Llatas
- SABIEN-ITACA, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain.
- Unidad Mixta de Reingeniería de Procesos Sociosanitarios (eRPSS), Instituto de Investigaciń Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario y Politecnico La Fe, Bulevar Sur S/N, 46026 València, Spain.
| | | | - Angeles Celda
- Hospital General de Valencia, Av. de les Tres Creus, 2, 46014 València, Spain.
| | - Jesus Mandingorra
- Hospital General de Valencia, Av. de les Tres Creus, 2, 46014 València, Spain.
- School of Nursing, Universidad Católica de Valencia, 46022 València, Spain.
| | | | - Zoe Valero-Ramon
- SABIEN-ITACA, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain.
| | - Jorge Munoz-Gama
- School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8320000, Chile.
| | - Marcos Sepúlveda
- School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8320000, Chile.
| | - Eric Rojas
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8320000, Chile.
| | - Víctor Gálvez
- School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8320000, Chile.
| | - Daniel Capurro
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8320000, Chile.
| | - Vicente Traver
- SABIEN-ITACA, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain.
- Unidad Mixta de Reingeniería de Procesos Sociosanitarios (eRPSS), Instituto de Investigaciń Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario y Politecnico La Fe, Bulevar Sur S/N, 46026 València, Spain.
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Rojas E, Cifuentes A, Burattin A, Munoz-Gama J, Sepúlveda M, Capurro D. Performance Analysis of Emergency Room Episodes Through Process Mining. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:E1274. [PMID: 30974731 PMCID: PMC6480699 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16071274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The performance analysis of Emergency Room episodes is aimed at providing decision makers with knowledge that allows them to decrease waiting times, reduce patient congestion, and improve the quality of care provided. In this case study, Process Mining is used to determine which activities, sub-processes, interactions, and characteristics of episodes explain why some episodes have a longer duration. The employed method and the results obtained are described in detail to serve as a guide for future performance analysis in this domain. It was discovered that the main cause of the increment in the episode duration is the occurrence of a loop between the Examination and Treatment sub-processes. It was also found out that as the episode severity increases, the number of repetitions of the Examination-Treatment loop increases as well. Moreover, the episodes in which this loop is more common are those that lead to Hospitalization as discharge destination. These findings might help to reduce the occurrence of this loop, in turn lowering the episode duration and, consequently, providing faster attention to more patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Rojas
- Department of Computer Science, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile.
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile.
| | - Andres Cifuentes
- Department of Computer Science, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile.
| | - Andrea Burattin
- Software and Process Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Jorge Munoz-Gama
- Department of Computer Science, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile.
| | - Marcos Sepúlveda
- Department of Computer Science, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile.
| | - Daniel Capurro
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile.
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Kurniati AP, Rojas E, Hogg D, Hall G, Johnson OA. The assessment of data quality issues for process mining in healthcare using Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III, a freely available e-health record database. Health Informatics J 2018; 25:1878-1893. [PMID: 30488750 DOI: 10.1177/1460458218810760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing body of literature on process mining in healthcare. Process mining of electronic health record systems could give benefit into better understanding of the actual processes happened in the patient treatment, from the event log of the hospital information system. Researchers report issues of data access approval, anonymisation constraints, and data quality. One solution to progress methodology development is to use a high-quality, freely available research dataset such as Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III, a critical care database which contains the records of 46,520 intensive care unit patients over 12 years. Our article aims to (1) explore data quality issues for healthcare process mining using Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III, (2) provide a structured assessment of Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III data quality and challenge for process mining, and (3) provide a worked example of cancer treatment as a case study of process mining using Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III to illustrate an approach and solution to data quality challenges. The electronic health record software was upgraded partway through the period over which data was collected and we use this event to explore the link between electronic health record system design and resulting process models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric Rojas
- Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Chile
| | | | - Geoff Hall
- University of Leeds, UK; St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
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15
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Ibarra I, Aragón G, Gómez I, Múgica I, González J, Rodríguez Maroto J, Rojas E, Sanz D, Ramos R, Escalada R, Borjabad E, Gutiérrez-Canas C. Blend design tools for Medium Combustion Plants (MCP) firing biomass wastes. Waste Manag 2018; 71:200-214. [PMID: 29126820 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.10.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A feasible alternative for agricultural or forestry waste management is the operation of a distributed network of sustainable Medium Combustion Plants (MCPs). However, one of the main factors that hinder its development is the propensity to operational problems derived from corrosion, slagging and fouling characteristics of both bottom and fly ashes. Therefore, a cost-effective approach for these multi-product MCP could be based on predictive tools for an optimal formulation of a fuel blend. This work focuses on the assessment of the ability of these methods to provide guidance for preventing ash-related operational problems and to provide fuel-blending rules. The more widespread tools pertain to two types: compositional classification based on chemical analysis of laboratory ashes, and thermodynamic prediction of the most likely species and phases. Both criterion numbers and compositional maps are ranking methods based on the chemical analysis at a given ashing temperature. Thermodynamic equilibrium modeling is not constrained by any difference in the physical conditions of the MCP compared to those in the laboratory. Both kind of prediction tools have been validated in an MCP firing olive tree pruning residues as well as its typical blends in order to mimic a plausible pattern of fuels along a full year operating campaign. An intensive experimental campaign encompasses plant monitoring and off-line analysis of the ashes along the process line. Interpretation of compositional plots has revealed to be potentially sensitive to ashing temperature. Here are presented examples showing how this variable could lead to either insignificant differences or to a substantial disparity in the a priori fuel diagnosis. Some inconsistencies have been observed between the predictions based on criterion numbers, even for the same fuel and for ranking rules specifically formulated for biomasses. Moreover, it does not match consistently with the information obtained from phase diagrams. Therefore, their use should be limited to the case of a well-established selection of a fuel index for a well-defined fuel provided empirical evidence of an enough good description of the ash behavior, which is not the most frequent case. Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations allow a more precise prediction of the main species in the condensed phase, without the constraint of the ashing temperature. Elemental closure of main ash-forming elements with the chemical analysis of the process ashes presents small differences, and their proximity localization on the phase diagrams denote similar prediction between predicted and process ashes.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Ibarra
- Dpt. Chem. & Environ. Eng., University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Alda. de Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain.
| | - G Aragón
- Dpt. Chem. & Environ. Eng., University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Alda. de Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
| | - I Gómez
- Dpt. Chem. & Environ. Eng., University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Alda. de Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
| | - I Múgica
- Dpt. Chem. & Environ. Eng., University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Alda. de Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
| | - J González
- Dpt. Chem. & Environ. Eng., University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Alda. de Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
| | | | - E Rojas
- CIEMAT Avda. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - D Sanz
- CIEMAT Avda. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - R Ramos
- CEDER-CIEMAT, Autovía de Navarra A15, Salida 56, 42290 Lubia, Soria, Spain
| | - R Escalada
- CEDER-CIEMAT, Autovía de Navarra A15, Salida 56, 42290 Lubia, Soria, Spain
| | - E Borjabad
- CEDER-CIEMAT, Autovía de Navarra A15, Salida 56, 42290 Lubia, Soria, Spain
| | - C Gutiérrez-Canas
- Dpt. Chem. & Environ. Eng., University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Alda. de Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
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Williams R, Rojas E, Peek N, Johnson OA. Process Mining in Primary Care: A Literature Review. Stud Health Technol Inform 2018; 247:376-380. [PMID: 29677986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Process mining is the discipline of discovering processes from event logs, checking the conformance of real world events to idealized processes, and ultimately finding ways to improve those processes. It was originally applied to business processes and has recently been applied to healthcare. It can reveal insights into clinical care pathways and inform the redesign of healthcare services. We reviewed the literature on process mining, to investigate the extent to which process mining has been applied to primary care, and to identify specific challenges that may arise in this setting. We identified 143 relevant papers, of which only a small minority (n=7) focused on primary care settings. Reported challenges included data quality (consistency and completeness of routinely collected data); selection of appropriate algorithms and tools; presentation of results; and utilization of results in real-world applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Williams
- MRC Health eResearch Centre, Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Eric Rojas
- Computer Science Department, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile
| | - Niels Peek
- MRC Health eResearch Centre, Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Alvarez C, Rojas E, Arias M, Munoz-Gama J, Sepúlveda M, Herskovic V, Capurro D. Discovering role interaction models in the Emergency Room using Process Mining. J Biomed Inform 2017; 78:60-77. [PMID: 29289628 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbi.2017.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A coordinated collaboration among different healthcare professionals in Emergency Room (ER) processes is critical to promptly care for patients who arrive at the hospital in a delicate health condition, claiming for an immediate attention. The aims of this study are (i) to discover role interaction models in (ER) processes using process mining techniques; (ii) to understand how healthcare professionals are currently collaborating; and (iii) to provide useful knowledge that can help to improve ER processes. METHODS A four step method based on process mining techniques is proposed. An ER process of a university hospital was considered as a case study, using 7160 episodes that contains specific ER episode attributes. RESULTS Insights about how healthcare professionals collaborate in the ER was discovered, including the identification of a prevalent role interaction model along the major triage categories and specific role interaction models for different diagnoses. Also, common and exceptional professional interaction models were discovered at the role level. CONCLUSIONS This study allows the discovery of role interaction models through the use of real-life clinical data and process mining techniques. Results show a useful way of providing relevant insights about how healthcare professionals collaborate, uncovering opportunities for process improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Alvarez
- Computer Science Department, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile.
| | - Eric Rojas
- Computer Science Department, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile.
| | - Michael Arias
- Computer Science Department, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile.
| | - Jorge Munoz-Gama
- Computer Science Department, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile.
| | - Marcos Sepúlveda
- Computer Science Department, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile.
| | - Valeria Herskovic
- Computer Science Department, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile.
| | - Daniel Capurro
- Internal Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile.
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Córdoba S, Rojas E, Garrido-Ríos A, Borbujo J. Intense Local Reaction at the Sites of Injection of Lipolytic Mesotherapy. Actas Dermosifiliogr 2017; 108:958-959. [PMID: 28709616 DOI: 10.1016/j.ad.2017.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 11/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S Córdoba
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Madrid, España.
| | - E Rojas
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Madrid, España
| | - A Garrido-Ríos
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Madrid, España
| | - J Borbujo
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Madrid, España
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Gatta R, Lenkowicz J, Vallati M, Rojas E, Damiani A, Sacchi L, De Bari B, Dagliati A, Fernandez-Llatas C, Montesi M, Marchetti A, Castellano M, Valentini V. pMineR: An Innovative R Library for Performing Process Mining in Medicine. Artif Intell Med 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-59758-4_42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Muñoz G, de Gracia J, Buxó M, Alvarez A, Sabater G, Rojas E, Vendrell M. Long-term randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of low expiration with the open glottis in the lateral posture in bronchiectasis. Pneumologie 2016. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1592262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Herlihy MM, Rojas E, Kenneally J, Lonergan P, Butler S. 1155 Body condition score and body condition score change: Associations with fertility phenotypes in lactating dairy cows. J Anim Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.2527/jam2016-1155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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22
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23
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Martinez C, Rojas E. PM255 Coronary Anomaly Congenital Myocardial Ischemia. Glob Heart 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gheart.2016.03.397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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24
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Acosta Colman M, Roman L, Cabrera S, Avila Pedretti G, Acosta Colman M, Rojas E, Yinde Y, Losanto J, Duarte M. AB0473 Quality of Life in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis Measured by The SF36. Ann Rheum Dis 2016. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.4300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Rojas E, Munoz-Gama J, Sepúlveda M, Capurro D. Process mining in healthcare: A literature review. J Biomed Inform 2016; 61:224-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbi.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 308] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Vollmer R, Villagaray R, Egusquiza V, Espirilla J, García M, Torres A, Rojas E, Panta A, Barkley NA, Ellis D. The Potato Cryobank at The International Potato Center (Cip): A Model for Long Term Conservation of Clonal Plant Genetic Resources Collections of the Future. Cryo Letters 2016; 37:318-329. [PMID: 27924999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryobanks are a secure, efficient and low cost method for the long-term conservation of plant genetic resources for theoretically centuries or millennia with minimal maintenance. OBJECTIVE The present manuscript describes CIP's modified protocol for potato cryopreservation, its large-scale application, and the establishment of quality and operational standards, which included a viability reassessment of material entering the cryobank. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 2013, CIP established stricter quality and operational standards under which 1,028 potato accessions were cryopreserved with an improved PVS2-droplet protocol. In 2014 the viability of 114 accessions cryopreserved in 2013 accessions were reassessed. RESULTS The average recovery rate (full plant recovery after LN exposure) of 1028 cryopreserved Solanum species ranged from 34 to 59%, and 70% of the processed accessions showed a minimum recovery rate of ≥20% and were considered as successfully cryopreserved. CONCLUSION CIP has established a new high quality management system for cryobanking. Periodic viability reassessment, strict and clear recovery criteria and the monitoring of the percent of successful accessions meeting the criteria as well as contamination rates are metrics that need to be considered in cryobanks.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Vollmer
- International Potato Center, Av. La Molina 1895, La Molina, Lima, Peru.
| | - R Villagaray
- International Potato Center, Av. La Molina 1895, La Molina, Lima, Peru
| | - V Egusquiza
- International Potato Center, Av. La Molina 1895, La Molina, Lima, Peru
| | - J Espirilla
- International Potato Center, Av. La Molina 1895, La Molina, Lima, Peru
| | - M García
- International Potato Center, Av. La Molina 1895, La Molina, Lima, Peru
| | - A Torres
- International Potato Center, Av. La Molina 1895, La Molina, Lima, Peru
| | - E Rojas
- International Potato Center, Av. La Molina 1895, La Molina, Lima, Peru
| | - A Panta
- International Potato Center, Av. La Molina 1895, La Molina, Lima, Peru
| | - N A Barkley
- International Potato Center, Av. La Molina 1895, La Molina, Lima, Peru
| | - D Ellis
- International Potato Center, Av. La Molina 1895, La Molina, Lima, Peru
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Montalván V, Gallo M, Rojas E. A 25 years-old woman with a postvaccine thalamic pseudotumoral lesion. Rev Clin Esp 2015; 215:468-72. [PMID: 26298546 DOI: 10.1016/j.rce.2015.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- V Montalván
- Departamento de Neurología, Hospital Guillermo Almenara, Lima, Perú.
| | - M Gallo
- Departamento de Neurología, Hospital Guillermo Almenara, Lima, Perú
| | - E Rojas
- Departamento de Neurología, Hospital Guillermo Almenara, Lima, Perú
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Rodríguez-Sastre MA, Rojas E, Valverde M. Assessing the impact of As–Cd–Pb metal mixture on cell transformation by two-stage Balb/c 3T3 cell assay. Mutagenesis 2014; 29:251-7. [DOI: 10.1093/mutage/geu013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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29
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Rebolledo M, Rojas E, Salgado F. Efecto de Dos Probióticos que Contienen Cepas de Lactobacillus casei variedad rhamnosus y Lactobacillus johnsonii sobre el Crecimiento in Vitro de Streptococcus mutans. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.4067/s0718-381x2013000300013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Mussali-Galante P, Tovar-Sánchez E, Valverde M, Valencia-Cuevas L, Rojas E. Evidence of population genetic effects in Peromyscus melanophrys chronically exposed to mine tailings in Morelos, Mexico. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2013; 20:7666-79. [PMID: 23108757 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-012-1263-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2012] [Accepted: 10/11/2012] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Effects of environmental chemical pollution can be observed at all levels of biological organization. At the population level, genetic structure and diversity may be affected by exposure to metal contamination. This study was conducted in Huautla, Morelos, Mexico in a mining district where the main contaminants are lead and arsenic. Peromyscus melanophrys is a small mammal species that inhabits Huautla mine tailings and has been considered as a sentinel species. Metal bioaccumulation levels were examined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and genetic analyses were performed using eight microsatellite loci in 100 P. melanophrys individuals from 3 mine tailings and 2 control sites. The effect of metal bioaccumulation levels on genetic parameters (population and individual genetic diversity, genetic structure) was analyzed. We found a tissue concentration gradient for each metal and for the bioaccumulation index. The highest values of genetic differentiation (Fst and Rst) and the lowest number of migrants per generation (Nm) were registered among the exposed populations. Genetic distance analyses showed that the most polluted population was the most genetically distant among the five populations examined. Moreover, a negative and significant relationship was detected between genetic diversity (expected heterozygosity and internal relatedness) and each metal concentration and for the bioaccumulation index in P. melanophrys. This study highlights that metal stress is a major factor affecting the distribution and genetic diversity levels of P. melanophrys populations living inside mine tailings. We suggest the use of genetic population changes at micro-geographical scales as a population level biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Mussali-Galante
- Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F., C.P. 04510, Mexico
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Martínez-Pacheco M, Hidalgo-Miranda A, Romero-Córdoba S, Valverde M, Rojas E. MRNA and miRNA expression patterns associated to pathways linked to metal mixture health effects. Gene 2013; 533:508-14. [PMID: 24080485 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.09.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Metals are a threat to human health by increasing disease risk. Experimental data have linked altered miRNA expression with exposure to some metals. MiRNAs comprise a large family of non-coding single-stranded molecules that primarily function to negatively regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Although several human populations are exposed to low concentrations of As, Cd and Pb as a mixture, most toxicology research focuses on the individual effects that these metals exert. Thus, this study aims to evaluate global miRNA and mRNA expression changes induced by a metal mixture containing NaAsO2, CdCl2, Pb(C2H3O2)2·3H2O and to predict possible metal-associated disease development under these conditions. Our results show that this metal mixture results in a miRNA expression profile that may be responsible for the mRNA expression changes observed under experimental conditions in which coding proteins are involved in cellular processes, including cell death, growth and proliferation related to the metal-associated inflammatory response and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Martínez-Pacheco
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, C.U., 04510 México, México
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Remacha AF, Zapico E, Sarda MP, Rojas E, Simó M, Remacha J, Homs R, Queralto JM. Immune complexes and persistent high levels of serum vitamin B12. Int J Lab Hematol 2013; 36:92-7. [DOI: 10.1111/ijlh.12131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. F. Remacha
- Department of Hematology; Hospital de Sant Pau; Barcelona Spain
| | - E. Zapico
- Department of Biochemistry; Hospital de Sant Pau; Barcelona Spain
| | - M. P. Sarda
- Department of Biochemistry; Hospital de Sant Pau; Barcelona Spain
| | - E. Rojas
- Department of Hematology; Hospital de Sant Pau; Barcelona Spain
| | - M. Simó
- Department of Hematology; Hospital de Sant Pau; Barcelona Spain
| | - J. Remacha
- Department of Hematology; Hospital de Sant Pau; Barcelona Spain
| | - R. Homs
- Department of Biochemistry; Hospital de Sant Pau; Barcelona Spain
| | - J. M. Queralto
- Department of Biochemistry; Hospital de Sant Pau; Barcelona Spain
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Bermúdez H, Rojas E, Garcia L, Desjeux P, Dujardin JC, Boelaert M, Chappuis F. Generic sodium stibogluconate is as safe and effective as branded meglumine antimoniate, for the treatment of tegumentary leishmaniasis in Isiboro Secure Park, Bolivia. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology 2013; 100:591-600. [PMID: 16989685 DOI: 10.1179/136485906x118495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and mucous leishmaniasis (ML) are highly endemic in Isiboro Secure Park, which lies in the Bolivian department of Cochabamba--an area where branded meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime) is expensive and poorly distributed. The safety and efficacy of generic sodium stibogluconate (SSG), from Albert David Ltd, was therefore explored, in CL and ML cases from the park, who were treated with 20 mg/kg.day for 20 and 30 days, respectively. A questionnaire recording adverse effects was completed by a physician in each treatment centre. Efficacy of treatment was assessed at the end of treatment and at follow-ups 1 month and 3, 6 and 12 months later. Overall, 146 patients completed treatment with SSG in 2003-2004. No fatalities or severe adverse effects were reported but mild to moderate adverse effects were noted in 41 (28%) of the patients. The incidence of adverse effects was significantly higher among the cases of ML than among the cases of CL. Of the 86 patients with CL who completed 6 months of follow-up, 81 (94.2%) were considered to have been clinically cured; a comparable cohort of 69 CL cases who had been treated with Glucantime in 2001-2002 showed a similar frequency of clinical cure (90%). Generic SSG was shown to be safe and efficacious for the treatment of tegumentary leishmaniasis in Bolivia. Being several times cheaper than Glucantime, it could contribute to improving the access of CL and ML patients to treatment, not only in Bolivia but also in other countries of Latin America.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Antimony Sodium Gluconate/administration & dosage
- Antimony Sodium Gluconate/adverse effects
- Antiprotozoal Agents/administration & dosage
- Antiprotozoal Agents/adverse effects
- Bolivia/epidemiology
- Drugs, Generic/administration & dosage
- Drugs, Generic/adverse effects
- Female
- Humans
- Injections, Intramuscular
- Injections, Intravenous
- Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/drug therapy
- Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/epidemiology
- Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/parasitology
- Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous/drug therapy
- Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous/epidemiology
- Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous/parasitology
- Male
- Meglumine/administration & dosage
- Meglumine/adverse effects
- Meglumine Antimoniate
- Organometallic Compounds/administration & dosage
- Organometallic Compounds/adverse effects
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- H Bermúdez
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Mayor San Simon, P.O. Box 4866, Cochabamba, Bolivia
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Romero G, Estrela-Lopis I, Rojas E, Llarena I, Donath E, Moya SE. Lipid/Polyelectrolyte coatings to control carbon nanotubes intracellular distribution. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 2012; 12:4836-4842. [PMID: 22905538 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2012.4949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Carbon Nanotubes have been functionalized with a layer of poly (sulfopropyl methacrylate) synthesized from silane initiators attached to the walls of the Carbon nanotubes. On top of the poly sulfo propyl methacrylate, lipid vesicles composed of 75% 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphocholine and 25% 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-Glycero-3-[Phospho-L-Serine] were assembled. The surface modification of the Carbon Nanotubes and lipid assembly were followed by TEM. Confocal Raman Microscopy was used to study the uptake and localization of the surface modified Carbon Nanotubes in the HepG2 cell line. The localization of the Carbon Nanotubes in the cells was affected by the surface coating. It was found that poly (sulfopropyl methacrylate) and lipid modified Carbon Nanotubes were present in the region of the lipid bodies in the cytoplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Romero
- CIC biomaGUNE, Paseo Miramón 182 C, 20006 San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain
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35
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Tovar-Sánchez E, Cervantes LT, Martínez C, Rojas E, Valverde M, Ortiz-Hernández ML, Mussali-Galante P. Comparison of two wild rodent species as sentinels of environmental contamination by mine tailings. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2012; 19:1677-1686. [PMID: 22161299 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-011-0680-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2011] [Accepted: 11/22/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Contamination with heavy metals is among the most hazardous environmental concerns caused by mining activity. A valuable tool for monitoring these effects is the use of sentinel organisms. Particularly, small mammals living inside mine tailings are an excellent study system because their analysis represents a realistic approach of mixtures and concentrations of metal exposure. PURPOSE We analyzed metal tissue concentrations and DNA damage levels for comparison between genders of a sentinel (Peromyscus melanophrys) and a nonsentinel (Baiomys musculus) species. Also, the relationship between DNA damage and the distance from the contamination source was evaluated. METHODS This study was conducted in an abandoned mine tailing at Morelos, Mexico. Thirty-six individuals from both species at the exposed and reference sites were sampled. Metal concentrations in bone and liver of both species were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and DNA damage levels were assayed using the alkaline comet assay. RESULTS In general, concentrations of zinc, nickel, iron, and manganese were statistically higher in exposed individuals. A significant effect of the organ and the site on all metal tissue concentrations was detected. Significant DNA damage levels were registered in the exposed group, being higher in B. musculus. Females registered higher DNA damage levels than males. A negative relationship between distance from the mine tailing and DNA damage in B. musculus was observed. CONCLUSIONS We consider that B. musculus is a suitable species to assess environmental quality, especially for bioaccumulable pollutants--such as metals--and recommend that it may be considered as a sentinel species.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Tovar-Sánchez
- Departamento de Sistemática y Evolución, Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
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Estrela-Lopis I, Romero G, Rojas E, Moya SE, Donath E. Nanoparticle uptake and their co-localization with cell compartments – a confocal Raman microscopy study at single cell level. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/304/1/012017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Lozano T, Rey M, Rojas E, Moya S, Fleddermann J, Estrela-Lopis I, Donath E, Wang B, Mao Z, Gao C, González-Fernández Á. Cytotoxicity effects of metal oxide nanoparticles in human tumor cell lines. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/304/1/012046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Benlloch S, Galbis-Caravajal J, Alenda C, Peiró F, Sanchez-Ronco M, Rodríguez-Paniagua J, Baschwitz B, Rojas E, Massutí B. Expression of molecular markers in mediastinal nodes from resected stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): prognostic impact and potential role as markers of occult micrometastases. Ann Oncol 2009; 20:91-7. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdn538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Arroyo-Helguera O, Rojas E, Delgado G, Aceves C. Signaling pathways involved in the antiproliferative effect of molecular iodine in normal and tumoral breast cells: evidence that 6-iodolactone mediates apoptotic effects. Endocr Relat Cancer 2008; 15:1003-11. [PMID: 18827038 DOI: 10.1677/erc-08-0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Previous reports have documented the antiproliferative properties of I(2) and the arachidonic acid (AA) derivative 6-iodolactone (6-IL) in both thyroid and mammary glands. In this study, we characterized the cellular pathways activated by these molecules and their effects on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in normal (MCF-12F) and cancerous (MCF-7) breast cells. Low-to-moderate concentrations of I(2) (10-20 microM) cause G1 and G2/M phase arrest in MCF-12F and caspase-dependent apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. In normal cells, only high doses of I(2) (40 microM) induced apoptosis, and this effect was mediated by poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) and the apoptosis-induced factor, suggesting an oxidative influence of iodine at high concentrations. Our data indicate that both I(2) and 6-IL trigger the same intracellular pathways and suggest that the antineoplasic effect of I(2) in mammary cancer involves the intracellular formation of 6-IL. Mammary cancer cells are known to contain high concentrations of AA, which might explain why I(2) exerts apoptotic effects at lower concentrations only in tumoral cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Arroyo-Helguera
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230 Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Ciudad Universitaria, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, D F 04510, México
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Loza-Rubio E, Rojas E, Gómez L, Olivera MTJ, Gómez-Lim MA. Development of an edible rabies vaccine in maize using the Vnukovo strain. Dev Biol (Basel) 2008; 131:477-482. [PMID: 18634510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to obtain transgenic maize expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein (G) of the Vnukovo strain and to evaluate its immunogenicity in mice, by the oral route. The ubiquitin maize promoter fused to the whole coding region of the rabies virus G gene, and a constitutive promoter from cauliflowermosaic virus (CaMV)were used. Maize embryogenic callus were transformed with the above construct by biolistics. Regenerated maize plants were recovered and grown in a greenhouse. The presence of the G gene and its product was detected by PCR and western blot, respectively. The amount of G protein detected in the grains was approximately 1% of the total soluble plant protein. Transformed kernels containing 50 microg of G protein were given once by the oral route in adult mice (BALB-C strain). Challenge was undertaken at 90-days post-vaccination using a lethal dose of a vampire bat rabies virus (100 LD 50% in mice); vampire bats are one of the main reservoirs in Latin America. The edible vaccine induced viral neutralizing antibodies (VNA) which, protected mice 100% against challenge. The control group did not survive. The G protein of the Vnukovo strain expressed in transgenic maize may be considered as an oral immunogen against rabies, conferring cross-protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Loza-Rubio
- National Center of Veterinary Microbiology (CENID-Microbiologia), INIFAP, Mexico.
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Ledón N, Casacó A, Remirez D, González A, Cruz J, González R, Capote A, Tolón Z, Rojas E, Rodríguez VJ, Merino N, Rodríguez S, Ancheta O, Cano MC. Effects of a mixture of fatty acids from sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) wax oil in two models of inflammation: zymosan-induced arthritis and mice tail test of psoriasis. Phytomedicine 2007; 14:690-5. [PMID: 17292594 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2006.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
A mixture of fatty acids obtained from sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) wax oil (FAM), in which the main constituents are palmitic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids, was evaluated in two models of inflammation: zymosan-induced arthritis and in the tail test for psoriasis, both on mice. In the first model, FAM significantly reduced zymozan-induced increase of beta glucuronidase (DE(50) 90+/-7 mg/kg). Histopathological studies showed inhibition in cellular infiltration and reduction of synovial hyperplasia and synovitis, whereas in the second test, histopathological and ultrastructural studies showed that topical application of FAM induced orthokeratosis with the presence of keratohyalin granules in the previously parakeratotic adult mouse tail, and without effects on epidermal thickness. The ED(50) of FAM in this model was 155+/-10 mg. The results of our studies showed that topical application of FAM exerts an important anti-inflammatory activity in both tests without evidence of irritant effects. The anti-inflamatory effects exerted by FAM may be due to its inhibitory effects on arachidonic acid metabolism. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the anti-inflammatory effect of sugar cane by-products in experimental models of arthritis and psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Ledón
- Centro de Inmunología Molecular, Calle 216 y 17 Playa, Ave 41 #9811 e/ 98 y 100, C. Habana, Cuba.
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Churruca I, Rojas E, Arnal A, Sierra P, Sabate S, Baxarias P. 910 MULTIMODAL ANAESTHESIA-ANALGESIA IN PROSTATECTOMY. PATIENT'S PERCEPTION. Eur J Pain 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s1090-3801(06)60913-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Tovalin H, Valverde M, Morandi MT, Blanco S, Whitehead L, Rojas E. DNA damage in outdoor workers occupationally exposed to environmental air pollutants. Occup Environ Med 2006; 63:230-6. [PMID: 16556741 PMCID: PMC2078085 DOI: 10.1136/oem.2005.019802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health concerns about the exposure to genotoxic and carcinogenic agents in the air are particularly significant for outdoor workers in less developed countries. AIMS To investigate the association between personal exposure to a group of air pollutants and severity of DNA damage in outdoor workers from two Mexican cities. METHODS DNA damage (Comet assay) and personal exposure to volatile organic compounds, PM(2.5), and ozone were investigated in 55 outdoor and indoor workers from México City and Puebla. RESULTS In México City, outdoor workers had greater DNA damage, reflected by a longer tail length, than indoor workers (median 46.8 v 30.1 mum), and a greater percentage of highly damaged cells (cells with tail length > or =41 microm); in Puebla, outdoor and indoor workers had similar DNA damage. There were more alkali labile sites in outdoor than indoor workers. The DNA damage magnitude was positively correlated with PM(2.5) and ozone exposure. Outdoor and indoor workers with > or =60% of highly damaged cells (highly damaged workers) had significantly higher exposures to PM(2.5), ozone, and some volatile organic compounds. The main factors associated with the highly damaged workers were ozone, PM(2.5), and 1-ethyl-2-methyl benzene exposure. CONCLUSIONS With this approach, the effects of some air pollutants could be correlated with biological endpoints from the Comet assay. It is suggested that the use of personal exposure assessment and biological endpoints evaluation could be an important tool to generate a more precise assessment of the associated potential health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Tovalin
- División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, FES-Zaragoza, UNAM, México D.F., México
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Hernández-Gutierrez S, García-Peláez I, Zentella-Dehesa A, Ramos-Kuri M, Hernández-Franco P, Hernández-Sánchez F, Rojas E. NF-κB signaling blockade by Bay 11-7085 during early cardiac morphogenesis induces alterations of the outflow tract in chicken heart. Apoptosis 2006; 11:1101-9. [PMID: 16699956 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-006-6984-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a pleiotropic transcription factor implicated in the regulation of diverse morphologic cardiac alterations, for which the p50 and p65 subunits form the most prevalent dimeric form in the heart. NF-kappaB is inactivated by proteins of the IkappaB family, which trap it in the cytoplasm. It is not known whether NF-kappaB influences cardiac development. OBJECTIVE Here we investigated the role of NF-kappaB in regulating transcription in chicken heart morphogenesis. Specifically, we tested whether NF-kappaB activation is required for normal formation of the outflow tract (OFT) during a critical stage of heart development. METHODS AND RESULTS We designed a reporter vector with kappaB binding sites for Rel family members in the promoter, upstream from the cDNA of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). This construct was injected directly into the developing heart of chicken embryos. NF-kappaB activation was subsequently inhibited by administration of the specific pharmacological agent Bay 11-7085. We found that forced NF-kappaB expression was associated with multiple congenital cardiac alterations of the OFT (mainly IVC, DORV and great arteries stenosis). CONCLUSION These findings indicate that blockade of NF-kappaB induces apoptosis and is an important factor in the development of OFT during cardiogenesis. However, it remains unknown which members of the Rel family are relevant in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hernández-Gutierrez
- Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, México D.F., 04510
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Gutiérrez JM, Rojas E, Quesada L, León G, Núñez J, Laing GD, Sasa M, Renjifo JM, Nasidi A, Warrell DA, Theakston RDG, Rojas G. Pan-African polyspecific antivenom produced by caprylic acid purification of horse IgG: an alternative to the antivenom crisis in Africa. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2005; 99:468-75. [PMID: 15837359 DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2004.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2004] [Revised: 09/29/2004] [Accepted: 09/29/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A polyspecific Pan-African antivenom has been produced from the plasma of horses immunized with a mixture of the venoms of Echis ocellatus, Bitis arietans and Naja nigricollis, the three most medically important snakes in sub-Saharan Africa. The antivenom is a whole IgG preparation, obtained by caprylic acid precipitation of non-IgG plasma proteins. The antivenom effectively neutralizes the most important toxic activities of the three venoms used in the immunization in standard assays involving preincubation of venom and antivenom before testing. This antivenom compares favourably with other antivenoms designed for use in Africa with respect to neutralization of the toxins present in the venom of E. ocellatus. Caprylic acid fractionation of horse hyperimmune plasma is a simple, convenient and cheap protocol for the manufacture of high quality whole IgG antivenoms. It constitutes a potentially valuable technology for the alleviation of the critical shortage of antivenom in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
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Ledón N, Romay C, Rodríguez V, Cruz J, Rodríguez S, Ancheta O, González A, González R, Tolón Z, Cano M, Rojas E, Capote A, Valdes T. Further studies on a mixture of fatty acids from sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) wax oil in animal models of hypersensitivity. Planta Med 2005; 71:126-129. [PMID: 15729619 DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
A mixture of fatty acids obtained from sugar cane wax oil, the main components of which are palmitic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids, was evaluated topically in two experimental models of hypersensitivity: the ear swelling response to ovalbumin in sensitized mice (ED50 edema: 0.63 +/- 0.06 mg/ear, ED50 myeloperoxidase: 0.56 +/- 0.04 mg/ear, ED50 degranulated cells: 0.70 +/- 0,08 mg/ear) and oxazolone-induced contact hypersensitivity in mice (ED50 edema: 1.63 +/- 0.26 mg/ear, ED50 myeloperoxidase: 1.50 +/- 0.28 mg/ear, ED50 degranulated cells: 1.69 +/- 0.08 mg/ear). Also, the effect of this mixture was studied on the chemotaxis induced by fmlp (ED50: 25 +/- 3 microg/mL). The mixture showed anti-inflammatory activity in both in vivo models of allergy and in the chemotaxis test. Therefore, these results provide evidence about the potential usefulness of the mixture of fatty acids from sugar cane wax oil in cutaneous inflammatory and allergic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Ledón
- Molecular Immunology Center, National Center for Scientific Research, Havana Cuba.
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Rojas E, Scorza JV, Morales G, Morales C, Barazarte R, Torres A. Diversity and species composition of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a Venezuelan urban focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis. J Am Mosq Control Assoc 2004; 20:189-194. [PMID: 15270002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The present study examined the spatial and temporal abundance and diversity of phlebotomine sand flies in an area of Venezuela that is an ancient focus of leishmaniasis. The study was conducted in 6 stations in urban localities in Trujillo City, located in northwestern Venezuela (9 degrees 22' 24" N, 70 degrees 26' 08" W), which is located in a mountain range in the Andean ecoregion (altitude = 600-1,010 m). During 1995-99, entomological surveys were conducted after and before the rainy season. Shannon light traps were operated from 1800 to 2000 h in peridomestic site trap locations. Twelve species were captured, and Lutzomyia youngi, L. ovallesi, L. scorzai, L. gomezi, L. lichyi, and L. shannoni occurred at all localities in each year. The abundance of these species showed low variation over time but high variation between localities. The Sørensen similarity index, used to compare diversity between years within each locality, ranged from 0.60 at Carmona to 0.84 at La Hacienda. Sand fly communities exhibited annual variation in species richness and diversity. Variations were affected more by changes in species abundance than by changes in species composition. Lutzomyia ovallesi, L. lichyi, and L. scorzai had the highest coefficient of variation between years (63, 38, and 23%, respectively).
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Affiliation(s)
- E Rojas
- Universidad de Los Andes, Núcleo Universitario Rafael Rangel, Avenida Medina Angarita, Frente al Parque Los Ilustres, Trujillo 3102 A, Venezuela
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Fortoul TI, Valverde M, López MC, Avila-Costa MR, Avila-Casado MC, Mussali-Galante P, Gonzalez-Villalva A, Rojas E, Ostrosky-Shejet P. Genotoxic differences by sex in nasal epithelium and blood leukocytes in subjects residing in a highly polluted area. Environ Res 2004; 94:243-248. [PMID: 15016590 DOI: 10.1016/s0013-9351(03)00093-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2003] [Revised: 04/22/2003] [Accepted: 05/05/2003] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We describe differences by sex in genotoxic damage found in a population of medical students exposed to a highly oxidative atmosphere, compared with a control group, measured by the single-cell gel electrophoresis assay and histological changes in nasal epithelium smears. Cells were obtained from the nasal epithelium and blood leukocytes. Higher DNA damage in nasal cells and leukocytes was found in males compared to females and control subjects. The percentage of squamous metaplastic changes in the nasal epithelium was also higher in males compared with females and controls. The co-mutation of normal nasal epithelium by squamous cells might modify its protective function in the nose, increasing the risk of damage to the lower respiratory tract. Although, as medical students, males and females were exposed to the same environment and activity patterns, male genotoxicity damage was higher in control and exposed subjects. More research should be done in order to identify direct or indirect sexual hormone intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- T I Fortoul
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, CP 04510 Mexico City, Mexico.
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Ledón N, Casacó A, Rodríguez V, Cruz J, González R, Tolón Z, Cano M, Rojas E. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of a mixture of fatty acids isolated and purified from sugar cane wax oil. Planta Med 2003; 69:367-369. [PMID: 12709906 DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-38880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of FAM, a defined mixture of fatty acids isolated from sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.), was evaluated. Oral administration of this mixture showed anti-inflammatory activity in the cotton pellet granuloma assay and in the carrageenin-induced pleurisy test, both in rats, as well as in the peritoneal capillary permeability test in mice. In addition, FAM showed analgesic properties in the hot-plate model and in the acetic acid-induced writhings test, both in mice. In conclusion, these results provide evidence on the potential usefulness of the mixture of fatty acids from sugar cane wax oil in inflammatory disorders.
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