Phlebosclerotic colitis in a non-Asian patient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Phlebosclerotic colitis is a rare condition with a high mortality. It has been seen almost exclusively in Asian patients who are ≥ 60 years old, with a slight male predominance. Although it predominantly affects the right colon and seems to be related in some cases to using natural herbal medicines, neither its etiology nor its pathogenesis are known. CASE PRESENTATION: We present an extremely rare case of a 62-year-old Spanish white man patient of non-Asian ethnicity with no history of using natural medications, who was diagnosed with phlebosclerotic colitis of submucosal veins. CONCLUSION: To date, this is the only case reported in Spain, and only the second reported for Europe, in the literature. Due to the nonspecific symptoms and insidious radiological findings of this disease (both in early and mild stages) as well as exclusive submucosal involvement presented here, it is necessary that the treating physician has a high level of suspicion for its diagnosis.

Perioperative in Intensive Medicine of reconstructive surgery and burned patients. / Perioperatorio de cirugía plástica reconstructiva y quemados en Medicina Intensiva.

Burned patients may need prolonged admissions in the Intensive Care Service, both for initial care and for the pre and postoperative treatment of the multiple surgeries they require. The initial resuscitation of critically burned patients requires adequate monitoring to calculate the fluid therapy necessary to replenish the losses and ensure tissue perfusion, but without excesses that increase interstitial edema. In addition, monitoring can evaluate the systemic inflammatory response that can lead to shock and organic dysfunctions. After this initial phase we will find a critical patient who requires multiple reinterventions in non-optimal situations, so he will need special care over a long period of time. In addition, the Intensive Care Service offers specific postoperative care for reconstructive surgery and the transplantation of composite tissues (upper limb and face) in which its success depends on a rigorous control through adequate monitoring and treatment.

Improvements in the conception rate, milk composition and embryo quality of rabbit does after dietary enrichment with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

This work attempts to confirm the effect of an enriched diet with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) trying to mitigate the reproductive performances issues such as low conception rate of primiparous rabbits. A total of 127 does were fed ad libitum throughout their two first cycles with two diets with different fat sources: mixed fat in the control and salmon oil in the enriched one, with 3.19 g/100 g (n=63 does) and 28.77 g/100 g (n=64 does) of n-3 of the total fatty acid, respectively. Feed intake was similar between groups (P>0.05). Plasma progesterone concentration was higher in the enriched females than in control ones at 7 (30.9±2.18 v. 23.9±2.30 ng/ml, respectively; P=0.029) and 14 (38.7±2.18 v. 28.2±2.30 ng/ml, respectively; P=0.001) days of first gestation. Considering both cycles, reproductive parameters of mothers (fertility, duration of gestation and prolificacy) and litter parameters (weight at parturition and weaning, mortality and average daily gain (ADG) of kits during lactation) were similar in both groups. However, individual measurements of neonates of enriched group improved 5.87%, 7.10% and 18.01% (P0.05), but embryo apoptosis rate was higher in control group than in enriched one (31.1±4.56% v. 17.1±3.87%, respectively; P<0.05). In conclusion, dietary PUFA enrichment from the rearing and throughout two productive cycles improved plasma progesterone during pregnancy, fertility, milk fatty acid profile and neonates development of primiparous supporting the beneficial effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation in rabbit does.

A diet supplemented with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids influences the metabomscic and endocrine response of rabbit does and their offspring.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the productive, endocrine, and metabomscic responses as well as oxidative stress of rabbit does and their offspring when fed a diet supplemented with -3 PUFA during their first productive cycle. To this aim, a total of 105 rabbit does were fed ad mscibitum from d 60 to 172 of age 2 isoenergetic and isoproteic diets differing in fatty acid composition. The control diet ( = 52 does) contained 45.9 g/kg of -3 of the total fatty acids and the enriched diet ( = 53 does) contained 149.2 g/kg of -3 of the total fatty acids. Both experimental groups had similar feed intake during rearing, pregnancy, and lactation. The enrichment of diet had no effect on ultrasonographic assessment of does on d 9 and 16 of pregnancy, with an embryonic vesicle number and fetus and placenta size similar between groups ( > 0.05). Even though there were no major effects ( > 0.05) on fertimscity, duration of gestation, and number born amscive and stillborn kits at parturition, mscive kits from enriched does were longer (71.6 ± 2.42 vs. 79.5 ± 2.13 mm; < 0.05) and tended to be heavier (42.5 ± 3.94 vs. 50.8 ± 3.47 g; = 0.07) than those from control does ( < 0.05). The 2 groups had similar milk production and mortamscity values during lactation; consequently, there were no differences between diets in ADG, mscitter weight, and number of weaned kits ( > 0.05). In enriched does, higher plasma leptin and estradiol concentrations than in control does ( < 0.05) were observed. In addition, enriched females also had lower total and high-density mscipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) than control females during lactation ( < 0.05). Regarding offspring, the enrichment of diet with PUFA caused a hypermscipidemic status (greater values of plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HDL-c; < 0.05) at 1 d postpartum (dpp), compared with the control group, that disappeared at 32 dpp. Supplemented does before parturition and their offspring at 1 dpp had greater oxidative stress than those in the control group. In conclusion, an increase of -3 PUFA concentration in the diet of rabbit does and, consequently, of their offspring during a productive cycle alters their mscipid profile and the indicators of oxidative stress, without major endocrine modifications or improvements in the productive variables.

Prevalence of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Men Aged 65-74 Years in a Metropolitan Area in North-East Spain.

BACKGROUND: A declining prevalence of AAA and a shift in the distribution towards the older population have been observed during the last decade in Europe. The aim was to estimate the current screening prevalence of AAA in men aged 65-74 years in a metropolitan area in north-east Spain and to identify associated risk factors. METHODS: A cross sectional prevalence study in men registered in L'Hospitalet Primary Healthcare Services (Barcelona, Spain) was performed. There were 619 randomly selected subjects (expected prevalence of aneurysm, 5%; accuracy of estimation, ±2%; loss to follow up, 30%). Exclusion criteria were life expectancy <1 year, limited quality of life, previous diagnosis of AAA, prior aorto-femoral surgery, and non-Caucasian. The following were measured: internal diameter of the infrarenal abdominal aorta using ultrasound, cardiovascular risk factors, personal (heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease) and family history (AAA), physical examination, and blood tests. We estimated the prevalence and 95% confidence interval of AAA, and used logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for AAA. RESULTS: Among the 651 individuals included in the analysis the prevalence of aneurysm was 2.30% (95% CI, 1.30-3.77%). In the regression analysis, AAA was associated with smoking (0-10, 11-20, or >20 cigarettes/day), diagnosis of myocardial infarction, and being taller than the median (165 cm). CONCLUSIONS: The current screening prevalence of AAA among men aged 65-74 years in a metropolitan area in north-east Spain is similar to that in northern Europe. Smoking, myocardial infarction, and height were associated with the presence of AAA.

Isoflavones and their effects on the onset of puberty in male Wistar rats.

This study was performed to determine how two of the most important isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, affect the gonadal axis in male prepuberal rats. One hundred and seventy-five prepuberal male Wistar rats were allocated into seven groups: one control group and six experimental groups that were orally administered a high or low dose of genistein, daidzein or a mixture of both. Testosterone determination was assayed by EIA. The testes and body weights were measured, and the histology of the epididymis with the sperm content and epididymal sperm count were evaluated. In the control group, we observed an increase in the serum testosterone levels (>2.5 ng ml(-1) ) at the third week (52 days), which corresponded to the onset of puberty in these rats. The same increase in serum testosterone levels was observed at the fourth week in rats that received low doses of isoflavones; therefore, we concluded that the onset of puberty was delayed. At high doses, there was no significant increase in testosterone levels, which could be related to the fact that these male rats did not reach puberty. These findings were supported by the results obtained from the analysis of the epididymal content as well as the testes/body weight ratio.

Systematic review of the effect of propanolol on hypermetabolism in burn injuries.

BACKGROUND: The use of propranolol has been proposed to reduce the hypermetabolic response of patients with burn injuries. OBJECTIVES: To review the studies published up to December 2013 on the effects of propranolol in burn patients. METHODS: A PubMed search was conducted using the terms "burns", "thermal injury", "beta-blocker" and "propranolol", with the filters "human" and "English" and "Spanish". A total of 42 citations were retrieved, 15 of which were randomized clinical trials. The main results are summarized. MAIN RESULTS: Propranolol at doses adjusted to decrease the heart rate by 20% of the baseline value (4­6 mg/kg/day p.o.) reduces supraphysiological thermogenesis, cardiac work, resting energy expenditure and peripheral lipolysis. It likewise increases the efficiency of muscular protein synthesis and reduces central mass accretion. Most studies have been conducted in pediatric burn patients. CONCLUSIONS: Propranolol reduces the hypermetabolic response in pediatric burn patients. More studies on its effects in adult burn patients are needed.

Induction of ovulation in rabbits by adding Lecirelin to the seminal dose: in vitro and in vivo effects of different excipients.

This study evaluates the effect of Lecirelin (Dalmarelin(®), Fatro, Italy) diluted in different excipients (benzilic alcohol, benzoic acid and paraben) added to a seminal dose on LH concentrations, progesterone concentrations and ovarian status in rabbits. The in vitro effect on spermatozoa was also tested. A total of 100 multiparous female rabbits were divided into 5 groups, which at the moment of AI, received 0.2 mL (5 µg/dose) intramuscular (im) inoculation of Lecirelin (control) or the same Lecirelin dose administered intravaginally (iv) with the seminal dose alone (Lecirelin group) or with benzilic alcohol (Lecirelin BA group), benzoic acid (Lecirelin BAc group) or parabens (Lecirelin PA group) as an excipient. After 7 days, 10 rabbits per group were euthanized to analyze their ovarian status. In the control group, a high LH peak was detected 30 min post AI, while in the iv groups a slight increase in LH occurred after 120 min. The ovulation and fertility rate was similar in control and Lecirelin groups, while the lowest fertility rate was detected in the Lecirelin BA group. In a second experiment, the semen samples collected from male rabbits were diluted in TALP (control) or mixed with the 5 µg of Lecirelin solutions used in the first experiment. The highest percentage of capacitated sperm (68.3%) was recorded in the Lecirelin PA. The lowest percentages were observed in the Lecirelin BA and BAc groups. In conclusion, the iv administration of Lecirelin represents an alternative method for simplifying rabbit insemination procedures.

The effects of isoflavones on androgens and glucocorticoids during puberty on male Wistar rats.

Isoflavones are the most common phytoestrogens found in human diets. However, it is still not clear whether isoflavones have effects on the reproductive and the endocrine systems under normal dietary intake and overdose. The aim of this study was to determine how the most important isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, affect androgen and glucorticoid levels on male prepuberal rats. A hundred and seventy-five 30-day-old male Wistar rats were dosed orally by stomach tube every day for 35 days, with saline solution, low and high doses of genistein, daidzein and a mixture of both. Serum samples were analysed by an enzyme immunoassay for hormone determinations. In control group, there was a peak of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone levels associated to the onset of puberty, at the third week. However, in low-dose groups, the same peak was found at the fourth week (p < 0.05), indicating a delay in the onset of puberty in these groups. Moreover, high doses groups serum androgen levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the control group from the first week until fifth week. This fact was supported by a epididymal histological analysis that indicate in low doses there were several content of spermatozoa at fourth week and in high doses there were few content of spermatozoa. Besides, corticosterone levels followed the same pattern of androgens in all groups. We can conclude that oral administration of isoflavones in male rats decreased the secretion of androgens and glucocorticoids causing a delay in the onset of puberty and may cause physiological and developmental problems.

Reproductive long-term effects, endocrine response and fatty acid profile of rabbit does fed diets supplemented with n-3 fatty acids.

The effect of a diet enriched with polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids (PUFA) on endocrine, reproductive, and productive responses of rabbit females and the litters has been studied. Nulliparous does (n=125) were fed ad libitum from rearing to second weaning two diets supplemented with different fat sources: 7.5g/kg lard for the control diet (group C; n=63) or 15g/kg of a commercial supplement containing a 50% ether extract and 35% of total fatty acids (FAs) as PUFA n-3 (Group P; n=62). Dietary treatments did not affect apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients, or reproductive variables of does including milk production, mortality and average daily gain of kits over two lactations. However, on Day 5 and 7 post-induction of ovulation, progesterone of Group P tended to increase to a greater extent than in does of Group C. Total PUFAs, n-6 and n-3 and eicosapentanoic (EPA) contents were greater in adipose tissues of does in Group P than in Group C. Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations were greater in peri-ovarian than in scapular fat with abdominal fat being intermediate in concentration. In PUFA supplemented does, kit mortality at the second parturition tended to be less than in control does. Also, kits born to does of the PUFA-supplemented group weighed more and were of greater length than from does of control group. In conclusion, effectiveness of dietary intervention on reproductive and performance response is greater in the second parity, which suggests an accumulative long-term beneficial effect of n-3 FA supplementation in reproductive rabbit does.

Phase recovery by using optical fiber dispersion.

We propose a simple and fast procedure to retrieve the phase profile of arbitrary light pulses. It combines a first experimental stage, followed by a one-step numerical stage. To this end, it is necessary to perform a Fresnel transform, which is obtained just by propagating the light pulses through an optical fiber. We experimentally test this proposal recovering the phase profile in the light pulses provided by a passively mode-locked laser. The proposal is then compared with a temporal variation of the Gerchberg-Saxton recursive algorithm, which is specially modified for this purpose.

All-fiber processing of terahertz-bandwidth signals based on cascaded tapered fibers.

Tapered single-mode fibers are employed to perform dynamic pulse shaping in a bandwidth of several terahertz. The transfer function of cascaded biconical tapers is controlled by introducing a phase shift into one of them through mechanical stretching. It is a simple and low-cost technique with potential to process signals with bandwidths as large as those allocated by standard optical fiber while introducing little degradation. Femtosecond pulses are shaped to prove the concept.

Expression of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 in the pituitary of rabbits and its role in the control of LH secretion.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the possible direct regulatory role of the endocannabinoids in the modulation of LH secretion in rabbits, a reflex ovulator species. The cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) was characterized by RT-PCR techniques in the anterior pituitary of intact and ovariectomized does treated with GnRH and primed with estrogen and CB1 antagonist, rimonabant. Cannabinoid receptor type 1 immune reaction was evidenced by immunohistochemistry in the cytoplasm of approximately 10% of the pituitary cells with a density of 8.5 ± 1.9 (per 0.01 mm(2)), both periodic acid-Schiff positive (30%) and negative (70%). All CB1-immunoreactive cells were also immune reactive for estrogen receptor type 1. Ovariectomy, either alone or combined with estrogen priming, did not modify the relative abundances of pituitary CB1 mRNA, but decreased (P < 0.01) the expression of estrogen receptor type 1 mRNA. Treatment with CB1 antagonist (rimonabant) inhibited (P < 0.01) LH secretory capacity by the pituitary after GnRH injection, and estrogen priming had no effect. The present findings indicate that the endocannabinoid system is a potential candidate for the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in reflex ovulatory species.

Surveillance of resected non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world. 15 % of all patients with lung cancer are diagnosed at an early stage, and surgery is the treatment of choice for them. 40 % of all patients survive more than 5 years after surgery, and most of them die as a result of systemic disease. Half of all recurrences are diagnosed within the first 24 months after curative treatment, and 90 % in the first 5 years. Despite this, it is not standardized who should do the monitoring, what additional tests are needed and how often should they be performed. We present here a review on the various recommendations in clinical guidelines.

Ovulating induction methods in rabbit does: the pituitary and ovarian responses.

The aim of this study was to compare the pituitary and ovarian responses in rabbit does subjected to different methods of ovulation induction. Forty-eight receptive females were randomly distributed into six groups (N = 8) and were inseminated with standard glass catheters. Buserelin intramuscular (BM) does were inseminated using a pool of fresh heterospermic semen and an intramuscular injection of 1 µg of buserelin acetate to induce ovulation. Buserelin intravaginal (BV) does were inseminated in a similar way, but ovulation was induced with the GnRH analogue (10 µg of buserelin acetate) combined with 0.5 mL of semen extender. The raw semen (R) and saline groups (S) were inseminated with undiluted semen or saline, respectively, without any inducer of ovulation. Another group (A) received lumbar anaesthesia (1.5 mL of 2% lidocaine), and only the empty catheter was introduced into the vagina. The AR does were treated the same way as group A but were inseminated with raw semen instead of an empty catheter. Blood samples were collected to determine the LH concentrations before and after AI (30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes). Ovulation, pregnancy, and conception rates were determined after euthanasia on day 14 post AI. Ovulating does had higher mean LH concentrations than nonovulating does (197.9 vs. 45.9 ng/mL; P < 0.05). The ovulation rates of buserelin intramuscular and intravaginal does were 100%, and the pregnancy rates were 87.5% and 100%, respectively. Rabbit does in groups A and AR did not ovulate and had similar mean plasma LH concentrations after 60 minutes compared with the S group (49.4 and 49.2 ng/mL vs. 41.6 ng/mL, respectively), which reached ovulation and pregnancy rates of 37.5%. Does inseminated only with raw semen had an ovulation rate of 75% and a pregnancy rate of 62.5%; they also demonstrated higher plasma LH concentrations than does of the S, A, and AR groups. In conclusion, ovulation in rabbit does can be induced by exogenous GnRH administration (im and intravaginal). The high plasma LH concentration and ovulation rate in the R group with respect to the S and A groups could weakly indicate the presence of some molecules in the seminal plasma that could act on or be absorbed by vaginal mucosa. Sensory stimulation and "seminal factors" probably exert a synergy on the ovulation response as demonstrated by the comparison of LH release and the ovulation response in the R, S, RA, and A groups.

Real-time and low-cost sensing technique based on photonic bandgap structures.

A technique for the development of low-cost and high-sensitivity photonic biosensing devices is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. In this technique, a photonic bandgap structure is used as transducer, but its readout is performed by simply using a broadband source, an optical filter, and a power meter, without the need of obtaining the transmission spectrum of the structure; thus, a really low-cost system and real-time results are achieved. Experimental results show that it is possible to detect very low refractive index variations, achieving a detection limit below 2×10(-6) refractive index units using this low-cost measuring technique.

Body reserves and ovarian performance in primiparous lactating rabbit does submitted to early weaning as a strategy to decrease energy deficit.

The aim of this work was to study the effect on body composition, serum metabolic parameters and ovarian status of early weaning at 25 Days post-partum (dpp) as a strategy to decrease energy deficit of primiparous lactating rabbit does prior to insemination at 32 dpp following an extensive rhythm. A total of 34 primiparous lactating rabbit does were used and distributed in three groups: 10 lactating does euthanized at 25 dpp (group L25), 13 does weaned at 25 dpp and euthanized at 32 dpp (group NL32), and 11 non weaned lactating does euthanized at 32 dpp (group L32). No significant differences were observed in live body weight, ovary weight, serum NEFA and total protein concentration among groups. Although NL32 does had a low feed intake (122+/-23.5g/Day; P<0.001), their estimated lipids (16.9+/-1.09%, P<0.008), protein (19.7+/-0.07%, P<0.0001), and energy (1147+/-42.7MJ/kg, P<0.006) body contents were higher and their serum glucose concentrations (158+/-24.5mg/dl, P<0.04) were lower compared to L25 does (11.9+/-1.3%, 18.5+/-0.08%, 942+/-51.3MJ/kg and 212+/-27.9mg/dl) and L32 does (13.4+/-1.03%, 18.5+/-0.1%, 993+/-40.4MJ/kg and 259+/-29.5mg/dl), respectively. In the ovarian surface of L25 does a lower number of follicles > or =1mm was observed compared to NL32 and L32 groups (12.7+/-1.5 vs. 18.0+/-1.45 and 17.6 +/-1.67; P<0.05). Follicular population in the histological ovarian sections and immunolocalization of prolactin receptor were similar between groups. In group L25, both nuclear maturation of oocytes in terms of Metaphase II rate (67.0 vs. 79.7 and 78.3%; P<0.05) and cytoplasmic maturation measured by percentage of cortical granules (CG) totally or partially migrated in oocytes were significantly lower than in groups NL32 and L32 (16.0 vs. 38.3 and 60.0%; P<0.05). Consequently, a higher rate of oocytes with non-migrated CGs was found in group L25 than in groups NL32 and L32 (76.0 vs. 46.8 and 33.3%; P<0.05). In conclusion, even though early weaning at 25 dpp seemed to improve body energy stores of primiparous does, this fact was not well reflected on the ovarian status at 32 dpp, which was similar regardless of weaning time and it could be performed later.

Follicular, oocyte and embryo features related to metabolic status in primiparous lactating does fed with high-fibre rearing diets.

Fertility of primiparous lactating does in the early postpartum (pp) period is very low mainly due to pronounced deficient energy intake, influencing oocyte and embryo developmental competence. The hypothesis used in this work was that high-lignin fibre diet supplied during the rearing period could increase feed intake and, consequently, improve the reproductive physiology and metabolic status of primiparous does in the early pp period. Diets with high-lignin [HL: 15.8% dry matter (DM)] or standard-lignin content (SL: 4.9% DM) were supplied until parturition time. No diet effects in serum oestradiol, progesterone concentrations and follicle categories were found in the histological study. Metaphase II rate of in vitro-matured oocytes was significantly higher in the SL vs the HL group (p < 0.001). Cytoplasmically degenerated oocytes (in terms of abnormal distribution of cortical granules) and follicular atresia rate were significantly lower in the SL group than in the HL group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005 respectively). In addition, HL-fed does showed lower number of viable embryos and higher rate of retarded in vivo-recovered embryos compared with the SL group (p < 0.05). Neither in vitro embryo development of viable embryos nor conception rate was significantly different between groups. Feed intake increased during the first pregnancy in the HL group (p < 0.05), but not during early lactation. Serum protein, non-esterified fatty acid and leptin concentrations, as well as estimated body composition were similar in does fed with both diets. In conclusion, the enhancement of reproductive management by using highly lignified products in rearing diets does not seem to report physiological reproductive benefits affecting oocyte maturation rate and embryo viability in primiparous lactating does.