Competências auto percebidas pelos enfermeiros de família: Controlo e prevenção da infeção por Vírus Imunodeficiência Humana / Family nurses' self-perceived competencies: Control and prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection / Competencias autopercibidas por los enfermeros de familia: Control y prevención de la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana

Resumo Enquadramento: A infeção pelo Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana (VIH) constitui um problema de saúde pública. O Enfermeiro de Família desempenha um papel significativo na Prevenção e Controlo da Infeção (PCI). Objetivo: Analisar a auto perceção dos enfermeiros face às competências que detêm na PCI por VIH e a sua relação com a formação na área. Metodologia: Estudo quantitativo e descritivo-correlacional. Amostra selecionada a partir dos enfermeiros de família da Administração Regional de Saúde do Norte que aceitaram participar no estudo. Utilizou-se um formulário que integrou a ECAPC-VIH_CSP. Recorreu-se à estatística descritiva e inferencial através do IBM SPSS Statistics, versão 25.0. Resultados: Os enfermeiros apresentaram um nível medio (M = 4,44 ± 1,24) de auto perceção de competências na PCI por VIH. Os enfermeiros com formação específica apresentam maior perceção da competência. Conclusão: Os resultados evidenciam um nível medio de competências na PCI por VIH auto percebidas pelos enfermeiros. Conclui-se da necessidade da formação dos enfermeiros para o desenvolvimento das competências para a qualidade e segurança na PCI por VIH.

Abstract Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is a public health issue. Family nurses play a significant role in HIV Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). Objective: To analyze nurses' self-perceived competencies in HIV IPC and determine their association with training in the area. Methodology: Quantitative and descriptive-correlational study. The sample was selected from family nurses from the Northern Regional Health Administration who agreed to participate. A form that included the ECAPC-VIH_CSP scale was applied. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics in IBM SPSS Statistics, version 25.0. Results: Nurses had an average level (M = 4.44 ± 1.24) of self-perceived competencies in HIV IPC. Nurses with specific training had higher self-perceived competence. Conclusion: The results show that nurses had an average level of self-perceived competencies in HIV IPC. Nurses require training to develop competencies in HIV IPC, improving the quality and safety of care.

Resumen Marco contextual: La infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) es un problema de salud pública. El enfermero de familia desempeña un papel importante en la prevención y el control de las infecciones (PCI). Objetivo: Analizar la autopercepción de los enfermeros sobre sus competencias en PCI del VIH y su relación con la formación en este ámbito. Metodología: Estudio cuantitativo y descriptivo-correlacional. Muestra seleccionada entre los enfermeros de familia de la Administración Sanitaria Regional del Norte que aceptaron participar en el estudio. Se utilizó un formulario que integró el ECAPC-VIH_CSP. Se utilizó la estadística descriptiva e inferencial a través del IBM SPSS Statistics, versión 25.0. Resultados: Los enfermeros presentaron un nivel medio (M = 4,44 ± 1,24) de autopercepción de competencias en la PCI del VIH. Los enfermeros con formación específica mostraron una mayor percepción de la competencia. Conclusión: Los resultados mostraron un nivel medio de competencias autopercibidas en la PCI del VIH entre el personal de enfermería. Se concluye que es necesario formar al personal de enfermería para que desarrolle competencias de calidad y seguridad en la PCI del VIH.

The relation between lifestyles and positive mental health in Portuguese higher education students.

Healthy lifestyles are commonly associated with improved physical and mental health. Sleep patterns, nutrition, physical exercise, consumption of psychoactive substances, among others, can strongly influence positive mental health. The aims are: characterize lifestyles based on positive mental health clusters, considering the cross-sectional cohort sample of higher education students, and analyse the lifestyles associated with positive mental health. A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational and multicentric study of quantitative approach was conducted. The Positive Mental Health Questionnaire was applied. Through the k-means method, four clusters were obtained based on positive mental health levels. The sample of 3647 higher education students was mostly female (78.8%), single (89.5%), with an average age of 23 years (SD = 6.68). Differences were found between clusters based on the sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyles. Findings in Cluster 1 were highlighted because they included students with a higher level of positive mental health, which was associated with greater satisfaction in affective relationships, higher recreational and sports activities, better sleep quality, a healthy diet, and lower medication and illicit drugs consumption. These key findings emphasize the promotion of healthy lifestyles and highlight the importance of positive mental health in promoting the health of higher education students.

Positive Mental Health and Mental Health Literacy of Informal Caregivers: A Scoping Review.

Positive mental health and mental health literacy are two main concepts to ensure an individual and social state of mental health and well-being. A scoping review of the scientific literature published in the field of health sciences was conducted to identify the relationship between mental health literacy and the positive mental health of family caregivers. A research expression was used to search for articles in health databases, respecting the main topics of the Participants/Concept/Context (PCC) framework. A total of eight articles were included from the 2830 initially identified using the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) process. It was noticeable that none of the studies related positive mental health and mental health literacy of caregivers. Nevertheless, it was possible to identify predictors of mental health and self-efficacy, such as burden and a lack of information about and support in the process of care. Caregivers' quality of life, self-esteem and confidence are also important positive mental health predictors that are closely related to health literacy. The knowledge of these factors can contribute to the reduction in negative determinants of mental health of caregivers and the resolution of strategies to meet caregivers' needs.

L-Ascorbic Acid as an Efficient Green Corrosion Inhibitor of Steel Rebars in Chloride Contaminated Cement Mortar.

Corrosion of reinforcement is a major problem regarding concrete durability. In new structures the corrosion onset can be delayed if additional protection methods are provided as is the case for the addition of corrosion inhibitors in the concrete mix. The main goal of this paper is the evaluation of the effect of the ascorbic acid (AA) as a green steel corrosion inhibitor in cement mortars contaminated by chlorides. Concentration levels of ascorbic acid, ranging from 0.5 to 10-3 mol/L, were added to the mixing water. Electrochemical methods, including corrosion potential (Ecorr), linear polarization resistance (LPR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), were employed to assess the corrosion rate of the steel embedded in the mortars. The corrosion inhibiting performance of ascorbic acid was compared with that of sodium nitrite. The interaction of the ascorbic acid with the hydrated cement matrix was also evaluated with differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis (DTA/TG) and pH measurements. The results indicated that, depending on the ascorbic acid concentration, it can be an activator of the corrosion process or an effective corrosion inhibitor in a similar manner to sodium nitrite. A corrosion rate decrease was achieved with concentrations below 10-2 mol/L and the optimum content was 10-3 mol/L. Within this concentration range, the AA does not modify the hydration performance of the cement matrix.

Report of RILEM TC 281-CCC: outcomes of a round robin on the resistance to accelerated carbonation of Portland, Portland-fly ash and blast-furnace blended cements.

Many (inter)national standards exist to evaluate the resistance of mortar and concrete to carbonation. When a carbonation coefficient is used for performance comparison of mixtures or service life prediction, the applied boundary conditions during curing, preconditioning and carbonation play a crucial role, specifically when using latent hydraulic or pozzolanic supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). An extensive interlaboratory test (ILT) with twenty two participating laboratories was set up in the framework of RILEM TC 281-CCC 'Carbonation of Concrete with SCMs'. The carbonation depths and coefficients determined by following several (inter)national standards for three cement types (CEM I, CEM II/B-V, CEM III/B) both on mortar and concrete scale were statistically compared. The outcomes of this study showed that the carbonation rate based on the carbonation depths after 91 days exposure, compared to 56 days or less exposure duration, best approximates the slope of the linear regression and those 91 days carbonation depths can therefore be considered as a good estimate of the potential resistance to carbonation. All standards evaluated in this study ranked the three cement types in the same order of carbonation resistance. Unfortunately, large variations within and between laboratories complicate to draw clear conclusions regarding the effect of sample pre-conditioning and carbonation exposure conditions on the carbonation performance of the specimens tested. Nevertheless, it was identified that fresh and hardened state properties alone cannot be used to infer carbonation resistance of the mortars or concretes tested. It was also found that sealed curing results in larger carbonation depths compared to water curing. However, when water curing was reduced from 28 to 3 or 7 days, higher carbonation depths compared to sealed curing were observed. This increase is more pronounced for CEM I compared to CEM III mixes. The variation between laboratories is larger than the potential effect of raising the CO2 concentration from 1 to 4%. Finally, concrete, for which the aggregate-to-cement factor was increased by 1.79 in comparison with mortar, had a carbonation coefficient 1.18 times the one of mortar. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1617/s11527-022-01927-7.

Composition of Corroded Reinforcing Steel Surface in Solutions Simulating the Electrolytic Environments in the Micropores of Concrete in the Propagation Period.

In the present work, the composition of a corroded reinforcing steel surface is studied at different pH values (related to different degrees of development in the corroding zones of the corrosion process) in solutions simulating chloride-contaminated environments. The media considered consist of saturated calcium hydroxide solutions, progressively neutralized with FeCl2 or by adding 0.5 M NaCl to the solution. The results found in present work confirm higher levels of acidity in the solutions with higher concentrations of Fe2+.In the present work, emphasis is given to the composition of the oxides in solutions that simulate the conditions that exist inside of a localized corrosion pit as a consequence of the reaction of chloride on reinforcing steel. The oxides were studied using Raman and XPS techniques; the results obtained with both techniques are mutually coherent. Thus, in the passive state, the oxides found are those reported previously by other authors, while in the corroding state, the present results are more comprehensive because the conditions tested studied a variety of pore solution composition with several pH values; we tried to reproduce these values inside the pits in conditions of heavy corrosion (very acidic). The oxides found are those typically produced during iron dissolution and seem not the best route to study the corrosion process of steel in concrete; the electrochemical tests better characterize the corrosion stage.

Finite Boundary Conditions Due to the Bar Presence in the Model of Chloride Penetration.

The chloride penetration is usually modelled through the application of a solution of Fick's second law of diffusion, based on the assumption of semi-infinite boundary conditions. However, the presence of the bars, on whose surface the chlorides accumulate, makes this assumption incorrect. As the time progresses, the chlorides in the steel/concrete interface increase in concentration more than the chlorides overpassing the bar position without obstacles. This circumstance, although previously studied, has not been introduced in common practice, in spite of it supposes early reaching of the chloride threshold. The study in this paper shows a deterministic analysis of the chloride diffusion process by the finite element method (FEM) which numerically solves Fick's second law, taking into account the accumulation of the chlorides on the bar surface. Several examples are calculated and factors between the finite/semi-infinite solutions are given. These factors depend on the cover depth and the diffusion coefficient, and with less importance, on the diameter of the bar, which make it unfeasible to propose a general trend.

Results of the home mechanical ventilation national program among adults in Chile between 2008 and 2017.

BACKGROUND: Home mechanical ventilation (HMV) is a viable and effective strategy for patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF). The Chilean Ministry of Health started a program for adults in 2008. METHODS: This study examined the following data from a prospective cohort of patients with CRF admitted to the national HMV program: characteristics, mode of admission, quality of life, time in the program and survival. RESULTS: A total of 1105 patients were included. The median age was 59 years (44-58). Women accounted for 58.1% of the sample. The average body mass index (BMI) was 34.9 (26-46) kg/m2. A total of 76.2% of patients started HMV in the stable chronic mode, while 23.8% initiated HMV in the acute mode. A total of 99 patients were transferred from the children's program. There were 1047 patients on non-invasive ventilation and 58 patients on invasive ventilation. The median baseline PaCO2 level was 58.2 (52-65) mmHg. The device usage time was 7.3 h/d (5.8-8.8), and the time in HMV was 21.6 (12.2-49.5) months. The diagnoses were COPD (35%), obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS; 23.9%), neuromuscular disease (NMD; 16.3%), non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis or tuberculosis (non-CF BC or TBC; 8.3%), scoliosis (5.9%) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; 5.24%). The baseline score on the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency questionnaire (SRI) was 47 (± 17.9) points and significantly improved over time. The lowest 1- and 3-year survival rates were observed in the ALS group, and the lowest 9-year survival rate was observed in the non-CF BC or TB and COPD groups. The best survival rates at 9 years were OHS, scoliosis and NMD. In 2017, there were 701 patients in the children's program and 722 in the adult´s program, with a prevalence of 10.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. CONCLUSION: The most common diagnoses were COPD and OHS. The best survival was observed in patients with OHS, scoliosis and NMD. The SRI score improved significantly in the follow-up of patients with HMV. The prevalence of HMV was 10.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. Trial registration This study was approved by and registered at the ethics committee of North Metropolitan Health Service of Santiago, Chile (N° 018/2021).

Reduced Carbonation, Sulfate and Chloride Ingress Due to the Substitution of Cement by 10% Non-Precalcined Bentonite.

The Portland cement industry is presently deemed to account for around 7.4% of the carbon dioxide emitted annually worldwide. Clinker production is being reduced worldwide in response to the need to drastically lower greenhouse gas emissions. The trend began in the nineteen seventies with the advent of mineral additions to replace clinker. Blast furnace slag and fly ash, industrial by-products that were being stockpiled in waste heaps at the time, have not commonly been included in cements. Supply of these additions is no longer guaranteed, however, due to restrained activity in the source industries for the same reasons as in clinker production. The search is consequently on for other additions that may lower pollutant gas emissions without altering cement performance. In this study, bentonite, a very common clay, was used as such an addition directly, with no need for precalcination, a still novel approach that has been scantly explored to date for reinforced structural concrete with structural applications. The results of the mechanical strength and chemical resistance (to sulfates, carbonation and chlorides) tests conducted are promising. The carbonation findings proved to be of particular interest, for that is the area where cement with mineral additions tends to be least effective. In the bentonite-bearing material analysed here, however, carbonation resistance was found to be as low as or lower than that observed in plain Portland cement.

[Balloon pulmonary angioplasty for the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension]. / Angioplastía con balón para el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial pulmonar por enfermedad tromboembólica crónica. Resultados hemodinámicos y clínicos inmediatos.

BACKGROUND: Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is a therapeutic alternative for patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). AIM: To report the initial experience with the "refined BPA technique" with the use of intravascular images. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2015 and June 2016 we selected fourteen patients with CTEPH who were considered candidates for BPA. Lesions targeted for treatment were further analyzed using intravascular imaging with optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI). We report the immediate hemodynamic results and four weeks of follow-up of the first eight patients of this series. RESULTS: We performed 16 BPA in eight patients aged 61 ± 14 years (88% women). Mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAPm) was 48.6 ± 5.8 mmHg. Success was achieved in seven patients (88%). A mean of 2.3 segments per patient were intervened in 11 sessions (1.6 sessions/ patient). Only one patient developed lung reperfusion injury. No mortality was associated with the procedure. After the last BPA session, PAPm decreased to 37.4 ± 8.6 mmHg (p=0.02). Pulmonary vascular resistance (RVP) decreased from 858,6 ± 377,0 at baseline to 516,6 ± 323,3 Dynes/sec/cm-5 (p<0.01) and the cardiac index increased from 2.4±0.6 at baseline to 2.8±0.3 L/min/m2 (p=0.01). At 4 weeks after the last BPA, WHO functional class improved from 3.3±0.5 to 2.5±0.5 (p<0,01) and six minutes walking distance from 331±92 to 451±149 m (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: BPA guided by OFDI for the treatment of inoperable CTEPH patients is a safe alternative with excellent immediate hemodynamic and clinical results.

Angioplastía con balón para el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial pulmonar por enfermedad tromboembólica crónica. Resultados hemodinámicos y clínicos inmediatos / Balloon pulmonary angioplasty for the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Background: Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is a therapeutic alternative for patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Aim: To report the initial experience with the "refined BPA technique" with the use of intravascular images. Patients and Methods: Between June 2015 and June 2016 we selected fourteen patients with CTEPH who were considered candidates for BPA. Lesions targeted for treatment were further analyzed using intravascular imaging with optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI). We report the immediate hemodynamic results and four weeks of follow-up of the first eight patients of this series. Results: We performed 16 BPA in eight patients aged 61 ± 14 years (88% women). Mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAPm) was 48.6 ± 5.8 mmHg. Success was achieved in seven patients (88%). A mean of 2.3 segments per patient were intervened in 11 sessions (1.6 sessions/ patient). Only one patient developed lung reperfusion injury. No mortality was associated with the procedure. After the last BPA session, PAPm decreased to 37.4 ± 8.6 mmHg (p=0.02). Pulmonary vascular resistance (RVP) decreased from 858,6 ± 377,0 at baseline to 516,6 ± 323,3 Dynes/sec/cm−5 (p<0.01) and the cardiac index increased from 2.4±0.6 at baseline to 2.8±0.3 L/min/m2 (p=0.01). At 4 weeks after the last BPA, WHO functional class improved from 3.3±0.5 to 2.5±0.5 (p<0,01) and six minutes walking distance from 331±92 to 451±149 m (p=0.01). Conclusions: BPA guided by OFDI for the treatment of inoperable CTEPH patients is a safe alternative with excellent immediate hemodynamic and clinical results.

Astroglia-Microglia Cross Talk during Neurodegeneration in the Rat Hippocampus.

Brain injury triggers a progressive inflammatory response supported by a dynamic astroglia-microglia interplay. We investigated the progressive chronic features of the astroglia-microglia cross talk in the perspective of neuronal effects in a rat model of hippocampal excitotoxic injury. N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) injection triggered a process characterized within 38 days by atrophy, neuronal loss, and fast astroglia-mediated S100B increase. Microglia reaction varied with the lesion progression. It presented a peak of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) secretion at one day after the lesion, and a transient YM1 secretion within the first three days. Microglial glucocorticoid receptor expression increased up to day 5, before returning progressively to sham values. To further investigate the astroglia role in the microglia reaction, we performed concomitant transient astroglia ablation with L-α-aminoadipate and NMDA-induced lesion. We observed a striking maintenance of neuronal death associated with enhanced microglial reaction and proliferation, increased YM1 concentration, and decreased TNF-α secretion and glucocorticoid receptor expression. S100B reactivity only increased after astroglia recovery. Our results argue for an initial neuroprotective microglial reaction, with a direct astroglial control of the microglial cytotoxic response. We propose the recovery of the astroglia-microglia cross talk as a tissue priority conducted to ensure a proper cellular coordination that retails brain damage.

Amyloid-ß immunotherapy reduces amyloid plaques and astroglial reaction in aged domestic dogs.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the dynamic accumulation of extracellular amyloid deposits from the interplay between amyloid-ß (Aß) plaques, reactive astrocytes and activated microglia. Several immunotherapies against Aß have been shown to reduce amyloid neuropathology. However, the role of the associated glia in the recovery process requires clarification. Previously, we described the safety and effectiveness in aged domestic canine with cognitive dysfunction syndrome of a new active vaccine candidate for the treatment of AD in humans. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to gain a better understanding of how immunotherapy modifies the amyloid burden and its effects on astroglial and microglial reactivity in immunized dogs. METHODS: In order to achieve this, we compared and quantified amyloid plaques and astroglial and microglial reactions in the frontal cortex of unimmunized and immunized aged domestic dogs. RESULTS: We found amyloid plaques from immunized dogs to be smaller and more compact than those from unimmunized dogs. In these new plaques, the associated astrocytes were closer and less immunoreactive to the ß subunit of S100 protein (S100B). We also found no modification in the microglial reaction associated with immunization. CONCLUSION: The anti-Aß immunotherapy developed in our laboratory modifies the equilibrium between soluble and insoluble Aß in aged dogs in close correlation with S100B-negative astrocytosis and microglial reaction.

Salud bucal y calidad de vida oral del adulto mayor, Hogar de Ancianos “Salvador Aguirre” Tegucigalpa M.D.C, Honduras. II Semestre 2012 / Oral health and quality of life of elderly oral, Nursing Home \"Salvador Aguirre\" Tegucigalpa, Honduras. II Semester 2012

Estudio Cuantitativo, descriptivo de corte transversal. Se encontró que los Procesos Destructivos NO Cariosos, tales como la Atrición, la Abrasión y la Abfracción están representando un verdadero problema, al igual la Migración Dental. No hay mucho porcentaje de alteración en las papilas gustativas y la mayoría no presentan xerostomía. La mayoría de esta población nunca practicó hábitos de comportamiento nocivo o sea que nunca tuvieron contacto con sustancias como el tabaco y el alcohol. La higiene bucal de los adultos mayores es deficiente, denotándose esto en los altos porcentajes de no tener buenas prácticas, las mejores oportunidades ni el mejor acceso a la atención odontológica, convirtiéndose esto en un problema por el orden económico. Los adultos mayores ingresados en este hogar de ancianos en estos momentos están padeciendo más de IRAS tal vez por la estacional de la época, al parecer las demás enfermedades se presentan porcentualmente más estables en su comportamiento. El Índice CPO-D en esta población de adultos mayores es de 26 (CPO – D=26), siendo el componente “Perdido” el que más aporta al índice (17.4 o 66.9%); señalando que el componente “obturado” es de 0.3, o sea que esta población no ha sido favorecida con ninguna intervención odontológica,Estos adultos mayores se encuentran en una Escala de Severidad del CPO-D de “Grave” (CPO-D=26). La Calidad de Vida Oral percibida y obtenida mediante el índice GOHAI, indica un nivel de calidad de vida oral “Bajo” (GOHAI=36)

Adaptation of Camelus dromedarius pars nervosa of the hypophysis to winter and summer living conditions.

The aim of this work is to study the characteristics of the dromedary nervous lobe and determine how the seasons condition its organization. To this end, electron microscopy was performed and examined quantitatively on animals from winter and summer periods. The results show a higher number of cells in the nervous lobe in summer than in winter. The most abundant glial elements in winter are light pituicytes engulfing neurosecretory nerve fibers making neuroglial contact, and dark pituicytes containing numerous heterogeneous light bodies. In summer, the most distinctive glial cells may be pituicytes in a phagocytic state making contact with characteristic large light bodies that could represent a degenerative process of large neuropeptide storage. Granular pituicytes were also observed in contact with glial and neuronal components. However, lipid droplets, described in pituicytes of other mammals, were not observed in our samples. Quantitative analysis of neurovascular contacts revealed that the number of nerve terminals contacting the basal lamina did not differ between summer and winter, but the mean number of glial processes increased in winter. Our data provides evidence that the storage of neuropeptides is very marked in summer and that, associated with an autophagic and phagocytic phenomenon, this suggests an adaptation to anticipate any situation that would cause dehydration of the dromedary. Thus, in its tough environment, the animal remains permanently prepared to avoid any large water loss.

Classical markers like ER and ki-67, but also survivin and pERK, could be involved in the pathological response to gemcitabine, adriamycin and paclitaxel (GAT) in locally advanced breast cancer patients: results from the GEICAM/2002-01 phase II study.

INTRODUCTION: The identification and validation of biomarkers of chemotherapy sensitivity is critical in order to individualise therapy in breast cancer. We evaluated pathological complete response (pCR) to GAT, and its correlation with tumour biomarkers before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stage III (and stage II with T≥5 cm) breast cancer patients were included. Treatment consisted of adriamycin (40 mg/m(2)) day 1, and paclitaxel (150 mg/ m(2)) followed by gemcitabine (2000 mg/m(2)) day 2, every 14 days for six cycles. Tissue from pre-treatment biopsy and surgery was evaluated for biologic markers by immunohistochemistry. Two XPD single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were also analysed. RESULTS: Forty-six patients entered the trial. Median age was 49.5 years (range 31-72); 25 patients (54%) were pre-menopausal; 12 (26%) were ER-PgR-negative; pCR was observed in 17% (95% CI: 6.4-28.4) of patients. Significant differences in marker expression (mean±SD) in correlation to pathological response were only found in Ki- 67. After treatment, tumours showed lower Ki-67-, surviving- and pERK-positive cells. No correlation between XPD polymorphisms and pCR was found. The overall response rate was 89% (95% CI: 80.1-98.1). Fifteen patients (33%) underwent breast-conserving surgery. The most frequent grade 3 or 4 toxicities were neutropenia (with one febrile neutropenia) and asthenia. CONCLUSION: These results show an effective regimen with acceptable tolerability. Our data suggest that not only classical markers (ER, Ki-67), but also survivin and pERK could be involved in the response to GAT, which may contribute to therapy individualisation in future study designs.

Sequestration of CO2 by concrete carbonation.

Carbonation of reinforced concrete is one of the causes of corrosion, but it is also a way to sequester CO2. The characteristics of the concrete cover should ensure alkaline protection for the steel bars but should also be able to combine CO2 to a certain depth. This work attempts to advance the knowledge of the carbon footprint of cement. As it is one of the most commonly used materials worldwide, it is very important to assess its impact on the environment. In order to quantify the capacity of cement based materials to combine CO2 by means of the reaction with hydrated phases to produce calcium carbonate, Thermogravimetry and the phenolphthalein indicator have been used to characterize several cement pastes and concretes exposed to different environments. The combined effect of the main variables involved in this process is discussed. The moisture content of the concrete seems to be the most influential parameter.

Magnetic resonance imaging of cerebral involutional changes in dogs as markers of aging: an innovative tool adapted from a human visual rating scale.

The dog is increasingly considered as a natural animal model for the study of normal and pathological human brain aging, because it exhibits anatomical, biochemical and cognitive changes that parallel those seen in humans. This study presents a novel visual semi-quantitative rating scale of canine cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ninety-eight dogs of both sexes from 27 pure breeds, aged 2-15 years, were used. The results suggest that (like in humans) both hippocampal and progressive global atrophy are characteristic features that correlate with aging. When classified according to head shape, cerebral atrophy was highest in mesaticephalic and brachycephalic dogs. This is the first MRI study to characterise a simple, rapid tool for studying age-related canine brain changes that can even be applied by non-experienced observers. The results confirm the possibility of transferring innovative tools developed for human diagnosis to the veterinary field.

Advanced pregnancy loss in the rudimentary horn of an undiagnosed unicornuate uterus.

A case of advanced pregnancy loss in the rudimentary horn of a unicornuate uterus is presented herein. The unknown uterine malformation and advanced pregnancy resulted in the condition being incorrectly diagnosed on ultrasound. After a failed attempt at dilatation and curettage, a correct diagnosis was made and proper treatment was given during salvage laparotomy performed for arising complications (coagulopathy).

DeltaTAp73 upregulation correlates with poor prognosis in human tumors: putative in vivo network involving p73 isoforms, p53, and E2F-1.

PURPOSE: Although full-length TAp73 variants largely mimic p53 suppressor activities, the transactivation-deficient transcripts DeltaTAp73 exert an oncogenic effect by inactivating p53 and TAp73 suppressor properties. Additionally, DeltaTAp73 may cooperate with oncogenic RAS to induce cell transformation, confer drug resistance, and induce the phosphorylation of phosphorylated Rb. Here, we study the expression of TAp73 and DeltaTAp73 variants and assess possible associations with E2F-1, p53 and K-ras status. We address the possible clinical relevance of alterations in these genes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We determine in 113 colon and 60 breast cancer patients (a) the expression levels of TAp73, DeltaTAp73 (DeltaEx2p73, DeltaEx2/3p73, and DeltaNp73), and E2F-1 transcripts by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR); (b) mutations in the first exon of K-ras by PCR-single-stranded confirmational polymorphism; and (c) p53 status by immunohistochemistry. Tumor characteristics were examined in each patient. RESULTS: Both suppressor and oncogenic isoforms of TP73 were significantly coupregulated in tumor tissues. Associations were observed between (a) p53 wild type status and upregulation of some TP73 variants; (b) overexpression of E2F-1 and some TP73 forms; and (c) upregulation of DeltaTAp73 variants and advanced pathologic stage, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion, presence of polyps, and tumor localization. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of TP73 variants in tumor tissues indicates that they may be involved in colon and breast carcinogenesis. The association between upregulation of DeltaTAp73 isoforms and poor prognosis features, specifically advanced tumor stage, suggests that they may be of practical clinical prognostic value. Interestingly, the in vivo associations identified here may indicate a functional network involving p73 variants, p53, and E2F-1.