Acta Sanitaria

20 Minutos

In a recent publication in Applied Research in Quality of Life under the title “Does Social Isolation Affect Medical Doctor Visits? New Evidence Among European Older Adults” professors David Cantarero-Prieto, Marta Pascual-Sáez and Carla Blázquez-Fernández; Members of the R&D Group on Health Economics and Health Services Management UC-IDIVAL study how social isolation affects medical consultations in European older adults.

The objective of the researchers was to determine whether social isolation was (or not) associated with increased use of primary health care services among European older adults. To do this, they analyzed both sociodemographic, health and social isolation measures. They also considered possible differences by “welfare regimes.”

The authors found that a considerable proportion of those over 50 in Europe suffer social isolation. Thus, for the group of countries analyzed, having no partner was significantly and positively correlated with the use of health services (β = 0.03), while the provision of help was significantly and negatively related to visits to the attending physician primary (β = −0.09). Differences in welfare regimes stand out in the study. Thus, Mediterranean countries (where Spain is included) would consume more health services than other Europeans.

Thus, from the conclusions of the study it follows that interventions aimed at the elderly who suffer from “social isolation” can significantly reduce primary care medical consultations and, therefore, the costs of medical care.

These findings of the R&D Group on Health Economics and Health Services Management UC-IDIVAL provide interesting implications in the current debates on the sustainability of the Welfare States.

Ref. Applied Research in Quality of Life (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11482-019-09795-0) (JCR Factor de impacto 1,528; cuartil 2) bajo el título “Does Social Isolation Affect Medical Doctor Visits? New Evidence Among European Older Adults”. Profesores Cantarero-Prieto, Pascual-Sáez, y Blázquez-Fernández.

Next Thursday, December 19, the fourth conference of the fourth edition of the Santander Biomedical Lectures program will be organized by IDIVAL, the University of Cantabria and the IBBTEC given by Dr. Lourdes Fañanás with the title:

“The genes-environment dialogue at the origin of mental illness and contributions of epigenetics”

Dr. Fañanás obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Biology at the University of Barcelona, in 1982, and that of Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the Autonomous University of Barcelona in 1994.

His thesis project, defended in 1988, focused on the study of biological and genetic risk factors in Schizophrenia. Dr. Fañanás made her post-doctoral stay at the Institute of Psychiatry in London (UCL), under the supervision of Drs Robin Murray and Jim Van Os, obtaining the category of Senior Lecturer Honorary for the period 1996-97.

Lourdes Fañanás Saura is Professor of the Faculty of Biology at the University of Barcelona, where he teaches Human Biology, Human Genetics and Epidemiology in the Biomedical Sciences Degree. He also teaches different subjects in the Master of Neurosciences and in the Master of Initiation to Research in Mental Illness, among them, Pathophysiological Bases of Neurological and Mental Diseases. Dr. Fañanas is a Principal Investigator of a research group recognized by the Generalitat of Catalonia (2009SGR827 / 2014SGR1636 / 2017SGR1577), on “Genes and environment in the understanding of the diversity of human behavior and the causation of mental illness” Likewise, its Research group is part of several Competitive Research Institutes: IBUB (Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona), and CIBERSAM (Center for Biomedical Research in Mental Health Network), from 2008 to the present.

His research has focused on: i) the study of genetic risk factors (neurodevelopment) in psychosis and schizophrenia ii) in the pathogenic mechanisms related to child abuse and alterations of the HHA Axis and possible mediating epigenetic elements, iii) GxE interaction mechanisms, mainly in relation to cannabis consumption in early stages of development, and the development of psychosis or attenuated symptoms in the general population. These lines of work have been continuously financed by public and private scientific research support institutions (NAMI and Stanley Foundation (US), the EU-Marie Curie Networks, ERANET Neuron, the Institute of Health Carlos III, MINECO and Alicia Koplowitz Foundation The scientific production related to these projects is reflected in the publication of more than 250 articles and book chapters and the direction of 14 doctoral theses.

The conference is open to all the public of Santander who wants to participate. It will take place on Thursday, December 19 at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, in the Téllez Plasencia Hall (Hall 16) at 8.15 in the morning.

Promoting a discussion forum on the current advances in biomedicine, the rapporteur will remain in our Community throughout the day of the session, to exchange experiences with members of the scientific and clinical community of Santander, and to visit the research centers of our community to meet interested scientists firsthand.

The rapporteur is invited by Dr. Rosa Ayesa, Miguel Servet contract and principal investigator of the IDIVAL Psychiatry Group. Those professionals who wish to have a meeting with the rapporteur during their visit can get in touch through the following e-mails: rayesa@idival.org or projects1@idival.org

The Valdecilla Art and Creativity Program is the result of the collaboration between the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV), the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) and the Botín Center to introduce the world of arts into the healthcare environment.

The objective of the program is to improve the well-being of users and hospital professionals through the development of creative expression and the approach of art in the variety of its forms.

Arte y Creatividad Valdecilla begins its journey with the SaludArte group (#saludartevaldecilla), formed by nurses from different areas of the HUMV. This team, with the help of the addresses of the collaborating centers, has designed a project for all health professionals who wish to share their concerns and artistic skills.

Next Thursday, December 19 at 6:30 p.m. there will be a Christmas concert in which doctors, nurses, caretakers, assistants will participate … that outside their working life they spend their time enjoying through music, theater or music. dance. The recital will be presented by Dr. Carmen Sarabia and various instrumental and singing works will be performed.

You are all invited to this first Christmas concert on December 19 at 6:30 p.m in the Gómez Durán Hall of the HUMV (floor 0 of the November 3 building).

Muscle weakness in cerebral palsy (CP) contributes to disability to a greater extent than muscle spasticity itself. Previous studies suggest that resisted exercises would increase muscle strength without increasing spasticity, opening the possibility that this increase in strength could be associated simultaneously with improvements in gait or motor function.

The results of the meta-analysis published in the journal Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) include 15 studies with a total of 384 patients and show a positive effect on motor function, statistically significant, in favor of the use of resisted therapy in weakened muscles in Children population with PC. Resisted therapy would not only increase the strength of the muscles of children with CP, but this increase in strength would also have an impact on motor function, which supports the incorporation of this therapy into clinical practice in the PC approach.

This meta-analysis is part of Luisa Collado's doctoral thesis, directed by Dr. Miguel Santibañez, and the Nursing Department of the University of Cantabria and the Rehabilitation Service of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital participated in its preparation.

Within this line of action, in the Rehabilitation service, with the support of an IDIVAL Next-Val support to support emerging researchers, a clinical trial on Resisted Therapy in patients with muscular spasticity and diagnosis of Stroke is being developed.

Ref. Impact of Resistance Therapy on Motor Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis by Luisa Collado-Garrido, Paula Parás-Bravo, Pilar Calvo-Martín and Miguel Santibáñez-Margüello. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16224513

The Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) and the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) have opened the deadline for submitting scientific photographs for the 17^th edition of FOTCIENCIA.

The initiative aims to bring science and technology closer to society through photography. As in previous years, FOTCIENCIA17 will select the best scientific images, with which it will publish a catalog and produce a traveling exhibition that will travel through different cities in Spain during 2020/21.

Deadline and requirements:

Those interested in participating have until December 16 at 12:00 a.m. to present the photographs in digital format. The images must be accompanied by a text that describes their scientific or technological content, and will be sent through a form available on the website www.fotciencia.es.

The photographs must be their own and be related to science, scientific-technical research or their applications. They can also reflect aspects such as the object of study of the research, the people who carry it out, the instrumentation and facilities, the results of scientific progress, etc. In addition, they cannot have been selected in similar processes.

The main categories that can be chosen are:

• Micro, when the actual dimension of the photographed object is less than or equal to 1 mm or the image has been obtained by means of a micrography instrument (optical or electronic) or diffraction techniques.

• General, when the actual dimension of the photographed object is greater than 1 mm.

• Science in the classroom. This modality encourages the participation of secondary and vocational education students.

Additionally, you can also opt for two other modalities:

• Sustainable agriculture

• Food and nutrition

Also, this year it is introduced as a novelty that the authors of the photographs select which of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) best suits the content of their image.

Awards

A jury will assess the technique and aesthetics of photography as well as the informative nature of the text.

The two best in the General category and the two best in the Micro category will be paid with an amount of € 1,500 each. 

In the other modalities, a photograph will be selected that will receive € 600. For the selection of the images belonging to the modalities sostenible Sustainable Agriculture ’and‘ Food and Nutrition ’, we will have the collaboration of the Institute of Sustainable Agriculture and the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, both of the CSIC.

More information:

www.fotciencia.es

Ricardo Carderón, collaborator of the research group of IDIVAL Medical Oncology and Nanovacunas, has obtained the Extraordinary Doctorate Award from the University of Cantabria for his thesis “Vaccines based on Listeria monocytogenes” directed by Dr. Carmen Álvarez Dominguez and Dr. Mónica López Fanarraga.

During his doctorate, Dr. Calderón did his research work in the laboratory of the Nanovacunas research group and Listeria-based cell vaccines led by Dr. Carmen Álvarez and is currently a collaborator of the IDIVAL research group “Medical Oncology and Nanovacunas” directed by Dr. Fernando Rivera.

Brief summary of Dr. Calderón's thesis:

Listeria monocytogenes is a food pathogen whose incidence has increased in recent years. It causes an infection, called listeriosis, which in immunocompromised individuals causes encephalitis, meningitis, abortions or serious neurological sequelae in newborns.

This work shows the need to take action, finding incidents well above the national average when conducting an annual case study in two populations in northern Spain. Therefore, the use of different vaccines based on L. monocytogenes peptides was studied by different preclinical tests.

Dendritic vaccines are safe and provide effective protection against the pathogen, but their clinical use is difficult and expensive. Finally, the use of nanovaccines was chosen. These, in combination with adjuvants, provide a high level of protection in both low and high risk individuals to contract the disease, being an optimal alternative for use in prevention.

The Rehabilitation Service of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital in collaboration with 23 Spanish hospitals and a neurology service has conducted a prospective real-life observational study (Real World Evidence) on the functional improvement of botulinum toxin type A injection in patients with lower limb spasticity after having suffered a stroke. This study is part of the research line “Effectiveness of treatment with botulinum toxin in post-stroke spasticity” that the Rehabilitation Service of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital has been carrying out for 15 years.


Multiple Class I studies have shown that botulinum toxin is safe and effective in the treatment of spasticity of the lower limb but there is still little data on the results of active function. Most studies focus their results on deficit improvement (muscle tone or joint balance). However, the objectives of the rehabilitation programs cover different fields of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, such as activity, participation, quality of life and environmental factors. These factors are often the most important for the patient and his caregiver.

The objective of this study published in European Neurology has been to evaluate the acquisition of specific objectives focused on each patient, agreed with him and his caregiver, in the treatment of spasticity of the lower limb after a stroke, with a botulinum toxin type A cycle , used according to the usual clinical practice of each center. For this, the GAS (Goal Attainment Scaling) scale was used, a validated method to define personalized objectives and quantify progress towards those defined objectives. To date, this type of Real – World Evidence study in the application of GAS in treatment with botulinum toxin had only been performed in the spasticity of the upper limb.

This study is the first of its kind using the GAS scale in post-stroke spasticity of the lower limb. As secondary objectives, the improvement in standardized mobility and walking scales has been assessed as the 10-meter walking test.

The results obtained have shown a high range of acquisition of primary and secondary objectives using the GAS scale. However, two negative predictive factors for the achievement of the objectives have been identified: the high time of evolution of spasticity and the pattern of knee stiffness. The results of the rest of the scales used have also been improved. Specifically, the walking speed in the 10-meter walking test improved 6 cm / second a month after the injection and 5 cm / seconds 3 – 5 months after the intervention.

Ref. Botulinum Toxin Type A Improves Function According to Goal Attainment in Adults with Poststroke Lower Limb Spasticity in Real Life Practice. López de Munain L, Valls-Solé J, Garcia Pascual I, Maisonobe P; on behalf of the VALGAS investigators group. Eur Neurol. 2019 Nov 14:1-8. doi: 10.1159/000503172. [Epub ahead of print]

On December 11, the second session will take place within the IV Progress Reports Valdecilla Program, which will feature presentations by Ana Belén Salido Medina and Patricia Huelin Álvarez.

“DEFINITION OF DIRECTED THERAPEUTIC TARGETS AGAINST PATOLOGICAL MIOCARDIC REMODELING INDUCED BY PRESSURE OVERLOAD”

SPEAKER: Ana Belén Salido Medina

In 2016 he obtained the Degree in Biochemistry from the University of Córdoba. He subsequently completed a Master's Degree in Translational Research and Personalized Medicine taught by the University of Granada.

In 2018, he won a predoctoral contract within the “Program of Research Personnel in Predoctoral Training in the area of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Health Sciences IDIVAL-UC”. Therefore, at present, he is doing the Doctorate in Molecular Biology and Biomedicine in the group of “Cytokines and growth factors in pathological tissue plasticity phenomena”, under the direction of Dr. Nistal and Dr. García.

The topic of the doctoral thesis focuses on the study of aortic stenosis, one of the most frequent valvulopathies in adults, and how to deal with it. Therefore, throughout this period as a PhD student, you are learning a wide variety of techniques, from the basic ones of Molecular Biology or Histology, to precision cardiovascular surgeries or echocardiography.

“NEUTROPHIL GELATINASE-ASSOCIATED LIPOCALIN IN THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN CIRRHOSIS”

SPEAKER: Patricia Huelin Álvarez

Patricia Huelin has a degree in Medicine in 2009 from the uDL (Lleida). He completed his residency in the Digestive System of 2010-2014 at the Hospital de Sant Pau (Barcelona).Obtuvo una beca predoctoral de la Universidad de Barcelona (APIF) concedida durante la estancia en la Liver Unit del Hospital Clinic de Barcelona (IDIBAPS) 2014-2016.

He has a Master in Clinical Research. Hepatology specialty. (University of Barcelona. 2014-2015) and a Master in Hepatology. (University of Alcalá and Autónoma de Madrid. 2017-2018)

He received a doctorate in medicine, Hepatology specialty. Cirrhosis and its complications in September 2019.

At this moment, he has an INNyCRON Project Grant (IDIVAL 2018)

She is the author of 16 original articles in first quartile journals in the area of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Impact factor of the journals 18.95-4.18. First author in 2 of them (Hepatology. 2019 Jul; 70 (1): 319-333. Doi: 10.1002 / hep.30592 and Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017 Mar; 15 (3): 438-445.e5. Doi: 10.1016 /j.cgh. 2016.09.156

The session will take place on Wednesday, December 11 at 2:00 p.m. in Hall 16 (1^st floor) of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (maximum capacity of 30 people). The talk of each speaker will be about 20 minutes followed by a small debate. In addition, at the end a small agape will be served to continue the conversation and encourage interaction between participants and attendees.

Attendance certificates will be issued if 80% of the sessions are attended throughout the academic period.

Any questions or clarifications can be contacted at proyectos1@idival.org