Autonomous electrochemical system for ammonia oxidation reaction measurements at the International Space Station.

An autonomous electrochemical system prototype for ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR) measurements was efficiently done inside a 4'' x 4'' x 8'' 2U Nanoracks module at the International Space Station (ISS). This device, the Ammonia Electrooxidation Lab at the ISS (AELISS), included an autonomous electrochemical system that complied with NASA ISS nondisclosure agreements, power, safety, security, size constrain, and material compatibility established for space missions. The integrated autonomous electrochemical system was tested on-ground and deployed to the International Space Station as a "proof-of-concept" ammonia oxidation reaction testing space device. Here are discussed the results of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry measurements done at the ISS with a commercially available channel flow-cell with eight screen-printed electrodes, including Ag quasi-reference (Ag QRE) and carbon counter electrodes. Pt nanocubes in Carbon Vulcan XC-72R were used as the catalyst for the AOR and 2 µL drop of Pt nanocubes/ Carbon Vulcan XC-72R, 20 wt%, ink was placed on the carbon working electrodes and allowed to dry in air. After the AELISS was prepared for launch to the ISS, a 4 days delayed (2 days in the space vehicle Antares and 2 days space transit to the ISS) cause a slight shift on the Ag QRE potential. Nevertheless, the AOR cyclic voltametric peak was observed in the ISS and showed ca. 70% current density decrease due to the buoyancy effect in agreement with previous microgravity experiments done at the zero-g aircraft.

[Can a single value of a perypheric inflammatory response marker predict the response to BCG?] / Ratios neutrófilo/linfocito y plaqueta/linfocito: ¿Se asocian con la respuesta al tratamiento con BCG en tumores vesicales no músculoinvasivos de alto grado?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association of neuthophyl/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) with BCG intravesical responses in patients with initial diagnosis of non/muscle invasive bladder tumor high-risk (NMIBC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective multicenter study on patients with initial diagnosis of high-grade NMIBC treated with BCG between January 2016 and December 2017. Initially a total of 74 patients were collected. Those patients with mixt pathology, cis, chronic corticoid usage and lost to follow-up, were excluded. Induction BCG (x6) and BCG maintenance schedules were administered (x9) over 1 year. Demographic variables (sex, age, BMI) and blood variables (NLR, PLR) before BCG instillation were collected. Response to treatment was defined as absence of recurrence and/ or progression. A statistical analysis with T-student, Chi square, ANOVA and ROC curves was performed. RESULTS: Final study cohort included a total of 50 patients. 10 females and 40 males. Median age was 70 year old. All patients had pure urothelial carcinoma, 12 with pTa and 38 with pT1. Median follow-up was 24 months. A total of 28% had a recurrence. No correlation between NLR or PLR and BCG response was observed (p=0.738; p= 0.768). Neither a cut off was established through ROC curves. At multivariate analysis, there was no significative relationship between recurrence and the clinical and blood samples analyzed (sec, age, BMI, NLR, PLR)CONCLUSION: No correlation between NLR and PLR has been reported with BCG response on high-grade NMIBC.

OBJETIVOS: Evaluar la asociación de la ratio neutrófilo/linfocito (RNL) y ratio plaqueta/linfocito (RPL) con la respuesta al tratamiento mediante instilaciones de Bacilo Calmette Guerin (BCG) intravesical, en pacientes con diagnóstico inicial de tumor vesical no músculo-invasivos (TVNMI) de alto riesgo.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo multicéntrico con pacientes diagnosticados de tumor vesical inicial de alto riesgo y sometidos a instilaciones endovesicales con BCG entre enero 2016 y diciembre 2017. Inicialmente se recogieron 74 pacientes con tumor vesical inicial. Se excluyeron aquellos sin estirpe urotelial pura, con carcinoma in situ (Cis) asociado, con tratamientos corticoideos crónicos y perdidos durante el seguimiento. Instilamos dosis completa de BCG (81mg) con pauta de inducción (6 dosis) y mantenimiento (9 dosis) durante un año. Se recogieron variables demográficas (sexo, edad e índice de masa corporal) y analíticas (RNL y RPL) previas al inicio del tratamiento con BCG. Definimos respuesta al tratamiento como ausencia de recidiva y/o progresión. Se realizó análisis estadístico mediante t de student, Chi cuadrado, ANOVA y curvas ROC. RESULTADOS: La cohorte del estudio incluyó finalmente 50 pacientes: 10 mujeres y 40 varones, con una edad media de 70 años. Todos estos pacientes tenían tumor urotelial puro alto grado, 12 de ellos estadio Ta y 38 estadio T1. El seguimiento mínimo fue de 24 meses, presentando recidiva tumoral un 28% de los pacientes. No se encontró relación entre RNL y éxito de la BCG (p=0,738) ni entre RPL y éxito de BCG (p=0,768). Tampoco pudimos establecer un punto de corte mediante curvas ROC. En el análisis multivariante, no encontramos significación estadística entre la recidiva tumoral y los datos analizados (Variables demográficas: Edad, sexo, índice de masa corporal y variables analíticas: RNL/RPL).CONCLUSIÓN: Pese a lo descrito en la literatura, no hemos encontrado asociación entre la RNL ni la RPL con la respuesta al tratamiento con BCG en TVNMI de alto riesgo.

[Influence of systematic antibiotic prophylaxis and/or cystoscope cleaning/disinfecting method on urinary culture becoming positive after outpatient flexible cystoscopy.] / Influencia de la profilaxis antibiótica sistematica y/o el método de limpieza/desinfeccion del cistoscopio en la positivización del cultivo tras cistoscopia flexible ambulatoria.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis as well as the cleaning/disinfection procedures to prevent urinary tract infection in patients undergoing office flexible cystoscopy. METHODS: A prospective, randomized study was performed between June 2015 to May 2016 including every patient who underwent flexible cystoscopy at the Urology outpatient unit. Patients with temporary or permanent urinary stents were excluded from the study as well as procedures that involved bladder biopsies. A total of 251 patients were recruited. Urinary culture was collected in all of the patients before and after the procedure. Patients were randomized in two groups: Antibiotic prophylaxis versus no prophylaxis. Antibiotic prophylaxis consisted in 4 doses of Norfloxacin ( 400mg ): twice a day during two days. Three different cleaning/ disinfection methods were used: manual adasport (5% peracetic acid), manual oxide (instrunet sporicidal; Inibsa) and washing machine (Olympus, mini ETD 2). Demographic characteristics such as gender and age were collected during the study. Relationship between antibiotic prophylaxis, type of cleaning/disinfection procedure, demographic characteristics and positive urinary culture after procedure were analysed. Measures to avoid bias: Randomization. RESULTS: Urinary culture before cystoscopy was negative in 231 patients (92.4%), positive in 19 (7.6%) and not valid in 1. After randomization, 129 patients were included in Group 1(no prophylaxis) and 117 in Group 2 (antibiotic prophylaxis), 5 patients dropped from the study. After-procedure culture was negative in 224 patients (91.1%) and positive in 22 (8.9%). There was no statistical significance between urine culture results before and after cystoscopy and the demographic characteristics collected. Furthermore, no statistical differences were seen between urine culture after cystoscopy and cystoscope cleaning method ( p = 0.7), or between urine culture and type of cleaning with or without antibiotic prophylaxis ( p = 0.5, p = 0.9 ). CONCLUSIONS: None of the analyzed variables influenced the positivity of urine culture after flexible cystoscopy. Routine antibiotic prophylaxis should not be further recommended.

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: El uso indisciminado de antibióticos ha incrementado las resistencias antimicrobianas, constituyendo un problema de salud global. Identificar aquellas situaciones en las que la profilaxis antibiótica es indicada pero podria ser prescindible es fundamental para disminuir dichas resistencias. La cistoscopia flexible es un procedimiento habitual en la práctica clínica, con un uso extensivo de dicha profilaxis. El objetivo del presente trabajo es evaluar la eficacia de la profilaxis antibiótica y el método de limpieza/desinfección para prevenir la positivización del cultivo urinario en pacientes sometidos a cistoscopia flexible. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, aleatorizado y randomizado entre junio de 2015 y mayo de 2016 en pacientes sometidos a cistoscopia flexible en la consulta de urología. Los pacientes con catéteres urinarios temporales o permanentes se excluyeron del estudio, así como los procedimientos que requirieron biopsias vesicales. Se reclutaron un total de 251 pacientes. Se recolectó cultivo urinario en todos los pacientes antes y después del procedimiento. Los pacientes se dividieron aleatoriamente en dos grupos: profilaxis antibiótica versus no profilaxis. La profilaxis con antibióticos consiste en 4 dosis de norfloxacina (400 mg) dos veces al día durante dos días. El tipo de limpieza/desinfección incluye: adasport manual(ácido peracético 5%), detergente enzimático(instrunet esporicida; Inibsa), lavadora(Olympus, mini ETD 2). También se recopilaron características demográficas, como el sexo y la edad. Se analizó la relación entre la profilaxis antibiótica, el tipo de procedimiento de limpieza/desinfección, las características demográficas y el cultivo urinario positivo después del procedimiento. Medidas para evitar sesgos: Aleatorización. RESULTADOS: El cultivo urinario previo a la cistoscopia fue: negativo en 231 pacientes (92,4%) y positivo en 19 (7,6%); nulo en 1. Después de la aleatorización, 129 pacientes se incluyeron en el Grupo 1 (sin tratamiento antibiótico) y 117 en el Grupo 2 (profilaxis con antibióticos), autoexcluyéndose 5 pacientes. Después del procedimiento, el cultivo fue negativo en 224 pacientes (91,1%) y positivo en 22 (8,9%). No hubo significados estadísticos entre los resultados del cultivo de orina antes y después de la cistoscopia y las características demográficas. Además, no se observaron diferencias estadísticas entre el cultivo de orina post cistoscopia y el tipo de procedimiento de limpieza empleado ( p = 0,7 ), o entre el cultivo de orina y el tipo de limpieza con o sin profilaxis antibiótica ( p = 0,5, p = 0,9 ). CONCLUSIONES: Ninguna de las variables analizadas influye en la positivización del cultivo de orina después de la cistoscopia. La profilaxis antibiótica rutinaria debería ser evitada, ya que no influye en la positivización del cultivo urinario, incrementa las resistencias bacterianas y aumenta el gasto sanitario. El uso de uno u otro método de desinfección del cistoscopio tampoco parece influir en la positivización del cultivo, por lo que no podemos realizar ninguna recomendación, y la elección queda sujeta a criterios de cada departamento de urología.

Bladder cancer: Present and future. / Tumor vesical: presente y futuro.

Bladder cancer has a high incidence and involves high associated morbidity and mortality. Since its initial clinical suspicion, early diagnostic confirmation and multimodal treatment involve different medical specialties. For this reason, we consider it important to spread the current consensus for its management. Recent advances in immunology and Chemotherapy make it necessary to expose and reflect on future perspectives.

[Expert opinion about the use of transdermic oxybutynin in Spain for the treatment of adult overactive bladder.] / Opinión de expertos sobre el uso de la oxibutinina transdérmica en España para el tratamiento de la vejiga hiperactiva en adultos.

OBJECTIVES: To define the different characteristics of transdermal oxybutynin (TO) for the treatment of overactive bladder in adults, to know the barriers for the use of this drug and to establish proposals to minimize these barriers. METHODS: Local sessions were held with 111 urologists from all over the country divided into 12 sessions. They were moderated by a brainstorming technique led by an external consultant. RESULTS: 75% of experts believe that tolerability and clinical efficacy (50%) are the most important attributes to choose this formulation, being the lack of scientific publications the least valued (12%). These opinions were based on their own clinical experience with TO or on scientific publications, without establishing comparison with other treatment options. The main barriers would be administrative obstacles (84%), difficulty in its use (54%) and the lack/rejection of the transdermal administration by the patient (33%). Actions were proposed to correct the 8 most significant barriers, such as better training for specialists (both Urology and other specialties) and for patients, creating informative materials to reinforce health education in managing patches, generating greater volume of scientific evidence to support their use in overactive bladder and clearly identifying the profile of patients who will benefit most from this therapeutic strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Although oxybutynin has been standard treatment of overactive bladder in recent years the conclusion of this working group is that its new transdermal formulation offers a better-tolerated alternative for patients, and, therefore the necessary tools to generate more evidence should be implemented to increase the proper use among specialists and patients.

Physiometabolic responses to road transport in weaned piglets for a short period and the effects of straw bedding.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the physiometabolic responses to stress in hybrid suckling piglets that were weaned and transported at different ages on a paved road under two vehicle conditions: with and without a layer of straw bedding. The piglets were weaned and transported at the following ages: 8, 15 and 22 days. The duration of each trip was 1 h. The piglets in each group were further divided into two sub-groups for two distinct experimental transport conditions: (1) over the road with straw bedding; and (2) over the same road but without straw bedding. A total of three repetitions were performed for each experimental condition. In order to assess their responses to weaning- and transport-induced stress, the study evaluated a thorough physiometabolic blood profile. The 8- and 15-day-old piglets transported without straw bedding showed increases in their pCO2, blood glucose, blood lactate levels and the percentage of hematocrit, but a decrease of pO2 upon arrival (P < 0.05). In contrast, the 22-day-old piglets transported on the same road with straw bedding were able to re-establish their blood concentrations of lactate, pCO2, pO2, Na+, K+, Ca2+ and pH during the trip (P < 0.05).

Synthesis and electrocatalytic properties of H2SO4 -induced (100) Pt nanoparticles prepared in water-in-oil microemulsion.

The increasing number of applications for shape-controlled metal nanoparticles (NPs) has led to the need for easy, cheap, and scalable methodologies. We report the synthesis of (100) preferentially oriented Pt NPs, with a particle size of 9 nm, by using a water-in-oil microemulsion method. The specific surface structure of the NPs is induced by the presence of H(2)SO(4) in the water phase of the microemulsion. Interestingly, the results reported herein show how increasing amounts of H(2)SO(4) lead to the formation of Pt NPs containing a larger amount of (100) sites on their surface. This preferential surface orientation is confirmed electrochemically by using the so-called hydrogen adsorption/desorption process. In addition, transmission electron microscopy measurements confirm the presence of cubic-like Pt NPs. Finally, the electrocatalytic properties of the Pt NPs are evaluated towards ammonia and CO electro-oxidations, which are (100) structure-sensitive reactions.

Synthesis of Pt Nanoparticles in Water-in-Oil Microemulsion: Effect of HCl on Their Surface Structure.

The synthesis of shape-controlled nanoparticles is currently a hot research topic. However, from an applied point of view, there is still a lack of easy, cheap, and scalable methodologies. In this communication we report, for the first time, the synthesis of cubic platinum nanoparticles with a very high yield using a water-in-oil microemulsion method, which unlike others, such as the colloidal method, fulfills the previous requirements. This shape/surface structure control is determined by the concentration of HCl in the water phase of the microemulsion. The results reported here show that the optimal HCl percentage in the water phase is about 25% to obtain the highest amount of cubic nanostructures. Ammonia electro-oxidation is used as a surface structure sensitive reaction to illustrate HCl surface structure effects. Moreover, in situ electrochemical characterization has been performed to study the nanoparticle surface structure.

Factores estresantes en lechones destetados comercialmente / Stress factors in weaned piglet

Hoy en día, las modernas técnicas de producción porcina exigen cada vez más destetes tempranos. Sin embrago, el destete representa una de las etapas más críticas en la vida productiva del cerdo, debido a que durante ella se suman una serie de factores estresantes y cambios fisiológicos. En la presente revisión se analizan los factores más importantes que causan estrés durante esta etapa, como la separación de la cerda, el transporte, el cambio de alimento, el alojamiento en nuevas instalaciones y el agrupamiento con lechones extraños. La interacción de los lechones con estos factores estresantes incrementa el nivel de estrés que representa, per se, la separación de la cerda y el lechón durante el destete, ya que habitualmente originan "retraso en el crecimiento", además de aumento de la susceptibilidad frente a agentes patógenos entéricos causantes de enfermedades. Por ello, los distintos factores que afectan la fisiología, el metabolismo y el comportamiento del lechón deben ser controlados adecuadamente. Se concluye que el conocimiento de la biología de la especie y un entrenamiento adecuado del personal, son necesarios para disminuir los problemas de bienestar del lechón destetado, por lo que, con el fin de evitarlos, se recomiendan algunas prácticas derivadas de los hallazgos presentados.

Nowadays, modern swine production techniques promote early weaning. Weaning constitutes one of the most critical stages in the productive life of swine as it is a phase that entails a whole series of stressful factors and physiological changes. This review examines the most important factors that cause stress during this stage, including: separation from the sow, transport, changes in alimentation, lodging in different installations, and being grouped together with strange piglets. The interaction of young pigs with all these stressor factors exercises a cumulative effect that intensifies the level of stress they experience during separation from the sow during the weaning process itself, an event that frequently results in "delayed growth" accompanied by an increased susceptibility to disease-causing, enteric pathogenic agents. For these reasons, it is important to adequately control the variety of factors that affect the physiology, metabolism and behavior of piglets. The conclusion is that both knowledge of the biology of the species and suitable personnel training are necessary to reduce the problems that arise from these issues related to the welfare of weaned piglets. Finally, this study recommends some practices derived from the findings presented, with a view to improving the welfare of recently weaned piglets.

[Spanish bottled and tap water analysis and their relation with urinary lithiasis]. / Análisis de las aguas embotelladas y de grifo españolas y de las implicaciones de su consumo en la litiasis urinaria.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a chemical analysis of all the available waters in Spain with the idea of offering consume recommendations to lithiasic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Information research of the chemical composition of Spanish tap and bottled water in publications, supermarkets and Internet. A descriptive study, and a correlation study between water components by means of Pearson test were performed. RESULTS: Information about composition from tap water of most of the main Spanish cities and 85 bottled water brands was found. A significant correlation between calcium and magnesium concentration (p = 0.0001) and high correlation between bicarbonate and sodium concentration (p = 0.0001, Pearson coefficient 0.958) was found. It is also offered water classifications according to calcium, bicarbonate, sodium and magnesium concentrations. CONCLUSION: A guideline about water election for lithiasic patients is offered according to their geographical origin and dietetic preferences, mainly lactic consume.