Novel polypropylene-TiO2:Bi spherical floater for the efficient photocatalytic degradation of the recalcitrant 2,4,6-TCP herbicide.

In this work, spherical photocatalytic floaters were fabricated by depositing TiO2:Bi (TBi) particles on polypropylene (PP) spheres (recycled from beer cans). These particles were deposited on the sphere (TBi-sphere) by the spray coating technique and evaluated their performance for the photocatalytic degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) herbicide. SEM images demonstrated that the BTi powders consisted in conglomerated grains with sizes of 20-80 nm and the analysis by X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of rutile and anatase phases in the BTi. The photocatalytic experiments showed that the TBi and TBi-sphere produced maximum degradation of 90 and 97% for 2,4,6-TCP, respectively, after 4 h under UV-Vis light. The photocatalytic powders/composites were reused 3 times and the loss of degradation efficiency was 3 and 16% for the TBi powder and TBi-sphere, respectively. This means that the TBi-sphere is more stable for the continuous degradation of the 2,4,6-TCP contaminant. The TiO2:Bi powder was compared with the commercial TiO2 (P25) and found that the TiO2:Bi powder had higher light absorption (≈42%) and higher surface area (≈105%) than the P25. Therefore, the degradation percentage for the 2,4,6-TCP was 52% higher in the sample doped with Bi. Also, scavenger experiments were carried out and found that the main oxidizing agents produced for the degradation of 2,4,6-TCP were •OH- radicals and •O2- anions. Other species such as h+ were also produced at lower amount. Hence, our results demonstrated that spherical/floatable photocatalytic composites are a viable option to remove herbicide residuals from the water, which is of interest in water-treatment-plants.

Using NIR irradiation and magnetic bismuth ferrite microparticles to accelerate the removal of polystyrene microparticles from the drinking water.

Magnetic bismuth ferrite (BiFO) microparticles were employed for the first time for the removal of polystyrene (PS) nano/microplastics from the drinking water. BiFO is formed by porous agglomerates with sizes of 5-11 µm, while the PS nano/microparticles have sizes in the range of 70-11000 nm. X-ray diffraction studies demonstrated that the BiFO microparticles are composed of BiFeO3/Bi25FeO40 (the content of Bi25FeO40 is ≈ 8.6%). Drinking water was contaminated with PS nano/microparticles (1 g L-1) and BiFO microparticles were also added to the contaminated water. Later, the mixture of PS-particles + BiFO was irradiated with NIR light (980 nm). Consequently, PS nano/microparticles melted on the BiFO microparticles due to the excessive heating on their surface. At the same time, the NIR (near infrared) light generated oxidizing agents (∙OH and h+), which degraded the by-products formed during the photocatalytic degradation of PS nano/microparticles. Subsequently, the NIR irradiation was stopped, and a Neodymium magnet was utilized to separate the BiFO microparticles from the water. This last procedure also permitted the removal of PS nano/microparticles by physical adsorption. Zeta potential measurements demonstrated that the BiFO surface was positively charged, allowing the removal of the negatively charged PS nano/microparticles by electrostatic attraction. The combination of the photocatalytic process and the physical adsorption permitted a complete removal of PS nano/microparticles after only 90 min as well as a high mineralization of by-products (≈95.5% as confirmed by the total organic carbon measurements). We estimate that ≈23.6% of the PS nano/microparticles were eliminated by photocatalysis and the rest of PS particles (≈76.4%) by physical adsorption. An outstanding adsorption capacity of 195.5 mg g-1 was obtained after the magnetic separation of the BiFO microparticles from the water. Hence, the results of this research demonstrated that using photocatalysis + physical-adsorption is a feasible strategy to quickly remove microplastic contaminants from the water.

Vitamin D supplementation and COVID-19 risk: a population-based, cohort study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the associations between cholecalciferol or calcifediol supplementation, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels and COVID-19 outcomes in a large population. METHODS: All individuals ≥ 18 years old living in Barcelona-Central Catalonia (n = 4.6 million) supplemented with cholecalciferol or calcifediol from April 2019 to February 2020 were compared with propensity score-matched untreated controls. Outcome variables were SARS-CoV2 infection, severe COVID-19 and COVID-19 mortality occuring during the first wave of the pandemic. Demographical data, comorbidities, serum 25OHD levels and concomitant pharmacological treatments were collected as covariates. Associations between cholecalciferol or calcifediol use and outcome variables were analyzed using multivariate Cox proportional regression. RESULTS: Cholecalciferol supplementation (n = 108,343) was associated with slight protection from SARS-CoV2 infection (n = 4352 [4.0%] vs 9142/216,686 [4.2%] in controls; HR 0.95 [CI 95% 0.91-0.98], p = 0.004). Patients on cholecalciferol treatment achieving 25OHD levels ≥ 30 ng/ml had lower risk of SARS-CoV2 infection, lower risk of severe COVID-19 and lower COVID-19 mortality than unsupplemented 25OHD-deficient patients (56/9474 [0.6%] vs 96/7616 [1.3%]; HR 0.66 [CI 95% 0.46-0.93], p = 0.018). Calcifediol use (n = 134,703) was not associated with reduced risk of SARS-CoV2 infection or mortality in the whole cohort. However, patients on calcifediol treatment achieving serum 25OHD levels ≥ 30 ng/ml also had lower risk of SARS-CoV2 infection, lower risk of severe COVID-19, and lower COVID-19 mortality compared to 25OHD-deficient patients not receiving vitamin D supplements (88/16276 [0.5%] vs 96/7616 [1.3%]; HR 0.56 [CI 95% 0.42-0.76], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this large, population-based study, we observed that patients supplemented with cholecalciferol or calcifediol achieving serum 25OHD levels ≥ 30 ng/ml were associated with better COVID-19 outcomes.

A sustainable and green chlorophyll/TiO2:W composite supported on recycled plastic bottle caps for the complete removal of Rhodamine B contaminant from drinking water.

This investigation reports the photocatalytic performance of the tungsten doped titania (TiO2:W or TW) with and without coating of chlorophyll (Chl) for the removal of the RhB dye from the drinking water. These particles were also supported on recycled plastic bottle caps (Bcap) to form other photocatalytic composites (TW/Bcap and TW + Chl/Bcap). The SEM images demonstrated that the TW particles without Chl had irregular shapes and sizes of 0.8-12 µm. The TW particles coated by the Chl presented shapes of quasi-rounded grains and smaller particle sizes of 0.8-1.8 µm. The photocatalytyic experiments showed that the photocatalyst powders containing Chl removed completely the RhB dye from the water after 2h under UV-VIS light, while the photocatalyst without Chl removed a maximum of 95% of the RhB. Interestingly, the TW/Bcap and TW + Chl/Bcap composites removed 94-100% of the RhB after 2h. Those ones removed such dye by photocatalysis and by physical adsorption at the same time (as confirmed by the absorbance and FTIR measurements), therefore, the removal of RhB was still very high. Scavenger experiments were also achieved and found that the •OH radicals are the main oxidizing species generated by the photocatalysts with and without Chl. The •O2- radicals and holes (h+) were the secondary oxidizing species. The presence of the chlorophyll on the photocatalyst increased in general the light absorption and the photocurrent. Overall, our work demonstrated that making composites with recycled plastic bottle caps is a feasible alternative to remove dyes from contaminated drinking water with high efficiency and low cost.

An eco-friendly and sustainable support of agave-fibers functionalized with graphene/TiO2:SnO2 for the photocatalytic degradation of the 2,4-D herbicide from the drinking water.

In this research, we evaluated the photocatalytic performance of biodegradable composites for the removal of the 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide. The composite was composed by agave fibers (AgF), graphene-microplates (GM) and titanium dioxide TiO2/SnO2 (TSn) nanoparticles (NPs) and was named TSn + AgF/GM. Both, the TSn NPs and the GM were deposited on the AgF using the Dip-coating method. According to the analysis by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), the crystalline phase for the TiO2 and SnO2 was anatase and tetragonal-rutile, respectively. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images demonstrated that the AgF were completely saturated by the GM (which had average dimensions of 15 µm × 22 µm) and by conglomerations of TSn NPs with average size of 642 nm. The TSn NPs and the TSn + AgF/GM composite were evaluated for the photocatalytic degradation of the 2,4-D herbicide under ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) light and found a maximum degradation of 98.4 and 93.7% (after 4 h) for the TSn NPs and the TSn + AgF/GM composite, respectively. Reuse cycles were also performed and the degradation percentage decreased by 13.1% and by 7.8% (after 3 cycles of reuse) when the TSn NPs and the TSn + AgF/GM composite are employed, respectively. Scavenger experiments were also carried out and found that the oxidizing agents are mainly produced in the order of: •OH>•O2- > h+; then, the main oxidizing agents generated during the photocatalytic reaction were the hydroxyl radicals. Thus, the photocatalytic system studied in this work for the degradation of 2,4-D could pave the way for the development of new eco-friendly/floatable photocatalysts, which can be applied in wastewater-treatment plants.

Extensive morphological and behavioural diversity among fourteen new and seven described species in Phytophthora Clade 10 and its evolutionary implications.

During extensive surveys of global Phytophthora diversity 14 new species detected in natural ecosystems in Chile, Indonesia, USA (Louisiana), Sweden, Ukraine and Vietnam were assigned to Phytophthora major Clade 10 based on a multigene phylogeny of nine nuclear and three mitochondrial gene regions. Clade 10 now comprises three subclades. Subclades 10a and 10b contain species with nonpapillate sporangia, a range of breeding systems and a mainly soil- and waterborne lifestyle. These include the previously described P. afrocarpa, P. gallica and P. intercalaris and eight of the new species: P. ludoviciana, P. procera, P. pseudogallica, P. scandinavica, P. subarctica, P. tenuimura, P. tonkinensis and P. ukrainensis. In contrast, all species in Subclade 10c have papillate sporangia and are self-fertile (or homothallic) with an aerial lifestyle including the known P. boehmeriae, P. gondwanensis, P. kernoviae and P. morindae and the new species P. celebensis, P. chilensis, P. javanensis, P. multiglobulosa, P. pseudochilensis and P. pseudokernoviae. All new Phytophthora species differed from each other and from related species by their unique combinations of morphological characters, breeding systems, cardinal temperatures and growth rates. The biogeography and evolutionary history of Clade 10 are discussed. We propose that the three subclades originated via the early divergence of pre-Gondwanan ancestors > 175 Mya into water- and soilborne and aerially dispersed lineages and subsequently underwent multiple allopatric and sympatric radiations during their global spread. Citation: Jung T, Milenkovic I, Corcobado T, et al. 2022. Extensive morphological and behavioural diversity among fourteen new and seven described species in Phytophthora Clade 10 and its evolutionary implications. Persoonia 49: 1-57. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2022.49.01.

Murine Model for the Study of Influenza D Virus.

A novel genus within the Orthomyxoviridae family was identified in the United States and named influenza D virus (IDV). Bovines have been proposed to be the primary host, and three main viral lineages (D/OK-like, D/660-like, and D/Japan-like) have been described. Experimental infections had previously been performed in swine, ferrets, calves, and guinea pigs in order to study IDV pathogenesis. We developed a murine experimental model to facilitate the study of IDV pathogenesis and the immune response. DBA/2 mice were inoculated with 105 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50) of D/bovine/France/5920/2014 (D/OK-like). No clinical signs or weight loss were observed. Viral replication was observed mainly in the upper respiratory tract (nasal turbinates) but also in the lower respiratory tract of infected mice, with a peak at 4 days postinfection. Moreover, the virus was also detected in the intestines. All infected mice seroconverted by 14 days postinfection. Transcriptomic analyses demonstrated that IDV induced the activation of proinflammatory genes, such as gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and CCL2. Inoculation of NF-κB-luciferase and Ifnar1-/- mice demonstrated that IDV induced mild inflammation and that a type I interferon response was not necessary in IDV clearance. Adaptation of IDV by serial passages in mice was not sufficient to induce disease or increased pathogenesis. Taken together, present data and comparisons with the calf model show that our mouse model allows for the study of IDV replication and fitness (before selected viruses may be inoculated on calves) and also of the immune response.IMPORTANCE Influenza D virus (IDV), a new genus of Orthomyxoviridae family, presents a large host range and a worldwide circulation. The pathogenicity of this virus has been studied in the calf model. The mouse model is frequently used to enable a first assessment of a pathogen's fitness, replication, and pathogenesis for influenza A and B viruses. We showed that DBA/2 mice are a relevant in vivo model for the study of IDV replication. This model will allow for rapid IDV fitness and replication evaluation and will enable phenotypic comparisons between isolated viruses. It will also allow for a better understanding of the immune response induced after IDV infection.

Glucagon stimulation test to assess growth hormone status in Prader-Willi syndrome.

PURPOSE: Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) must be confirmed before starting treatment in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Most studies use the growth-hormone-releasing hormone plus arginine (GHRH-arginine) test. No data are available on the glucagon stimulation test (GST) in PWS. We compared the utility of fixed-dose (1 mg) GST versus GHRH-arginine test in diagnosing GHD. METHODS: Adults and late adolescents with PWS underwent both tests on separate days. In the GHRH-arginine test, GHD was defined according to body mass index. In the GST, two cutoffs were analyzed: peak GH concentration < 3 ng/mL and < 1 ng/mL. For analyses, patients were divided into two groups according to body weight (≤ 90 kg and > 90 kg). RESULTS: We analyzed 34 patients: 22 weighing ≤ 90 kg and 12 weighing > 90 kg. In patients weighing ≤ 90 kg, the two tests were concordant in 16 (72.72%) patients (k = 0.476, p = 0.009 with GST cutoff < 3 ng/mL, and k = 0.450, p = 0.035 with GST cutoff < 1 ng/mL). In patients weighing > 90 kg, the two tests were not concordant with GST cutoff < 3 ng/mL, but were concordant in 11 (91.6%) patients (k = 0.833, p = 0.003) with GST cutoff < 1 ng/mL. GH peaks on the two tests correlated (r = 0.725, p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Fixed-dose (1 mg) GST using a peak GH cutoff of < 3 ng/mL or < 1 ng/mL promises to be useful for screening for GHD in adults and late adolescents with PWS. However, in those weighing > 90 kg, the < 1 ng/mL cutoff seems better. Larger studies are necessary to establish definitive glucagon doses and cutoffs, especially in extremely obese patients.

Efficient solar removal of acetaminophen contaminant from water using flexible graphene composites functionalized with Ni@TiO2:W nanoparticles.

This work presents the morphological, structural and photocatalytic properties of flexible graphene composites decorated with Ni@TiO2:W nanoparticles (TiNiW NPs) with an average size of 27 ± 2 nm. The TiNiW NPs were immobilized on the surface of a flexible graphene composite using a PVA-based slurry-paste (FG/TiNiW composite). The SEM study showed that the TiNiW NPs remained exposed on the surface of the FG/TiNiW composite, which benefited its photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic performance for the degradation of acetaminophen (ACT) was evaluated using both the TiNiW powders and the FG/TiNiW composite, obtaining maximum degradation efficiencies of 100 and 86%, respectively, after 3 h under natural solar irradiation. The degradation of ACT was caused mainly by the reactive oxygen species such as OH radicals and h+, which was confirmed by scavenger experiments. Photoluminescence, XPS and absorbance experiments revealed that oxygen vacancy defects were created by i) doping the TiNiW NPs with W and by ii) introducing graphene into the composites. These defects enhanced the absorbance of light in the range of 400-800 nm, which in turn, promoted the photocatalytic degradation of ACT. Moreover, the reuse experiments confirmed that both the TiNiW NPs and FG/TiNiW composite were very stable for the degradation of ACT, since degradation efficiencies >82% were obtained after 4 reuse cycles for both photocatalysts. The experimental findings of this work demonstrate that the flexible TiO2/graphene composites are a feasible option for the removal of pharmaceutical contaminants from water using natural solar irradiation.

The National Physicians Cooperative: transforming fertility management in the cancer setting and beyond.

Once unimaginable, fertility management is now a nationally established part of cancer care in institutions, from academic centers to community hospitals to private practices. Over the last two decades, advances in medicine and reproductive science have made it possible for men, women and children to be connected with an oncofertility specialist or offered fertility preservation soon after a cancer diagnosis. The Oncofertility Consortium's National Physicians Cooperative is a large-scale effort to engage physicians across disciplines - oncology, urology, obstetrics and gynecology, reproductive endocrinology, and behavioral health - in clinical and research activities to enable significant progress in providing fertility preservation options to children and adults. Here, we review the structure and function of the National Physicians Cooperative and identify next steps.

Management of antiplatelet therapy in patients with coronary stents undergoing noncardiac surgery: association with adverse events.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy (APT) in patients with coronary stents has been associated with major adverse cardiac events. Our aim was to analyse the perioperative management of APT in such patients and its relationship to the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and major bleeding events (MBE) in noncardiac surgery. METHODS: We completed a prospective multicentre observational study of patients with coronary stents undergoing noncardiac surgery in 11 hospitals in Spain. The main objectives were to record perioperative events and prospectively analyse the management of APT, and to assess whether the different preoperative APT regimens were associated with MACCE and MBE. RESULTS: Of 432 surgical procedures studied, 15% experienced a perioperative MACCE and 37% a MBE. Overall mortality was 3.0%. Presurgical APT was prescribed in 95% of procedures, and was preoperatively discontinued in 15%. Surgery was urgent or emergent in 22% of patients, 31% were ASA IV, and 38% had a Revised Cardiac Risk Index of IV. MACCE were related to recent myocardial infarction (P=0.038), chronic kidney disease (P<0.001), insulin-dependent diabetes (P=0.006) and no preoperative APT (P=0.018). MBE also increased MACCE risk (P<0.001). We found statin therapy (P=0.049) and obesity (P=0.016) to be protective factors for MACCE. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with coronary stents undergoing noncardiac surgery suffer a high incidence of perioperative adverse events, even with perioperative APT. Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events are mainly related to previous medical conditions and perioperative major bleeingn events. Our findings should be treated with caution when applied to an elective surgery population. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01171612.

Pilot study to harmonize the reported influenza intensity levels within the Spanish Influenza Sentinel Surveillance System (SISSS) using the Moving Epidemic Method (MEM).

The intensity of annual Spanish influenza activity is currently estimated from historical data of the Spanish Influenza Sentinel Surveillance System (SISSS) using qualitative indicators from the European Influenza Surveillance Network. However, these indicators are subjective, based on qualitative comparison with historical data of influenza-like illness rates. This pilot study assesses the implementation of Moving Epidemic Method (MEM) intensity levels during the 2014-2015 influenza season within the 17 sentinel networks covered by SISSS, comparing them to historically reported indicators. Intensity levels reported and those obtained with MEM at the epidemic peak of the influenza wave, and at national and regional levels did not show statistical difference (P = 0·74, Wilcoxon signed-rank test), suggesting that the implementation of MEM would have limited disrupting effects on the dynamic of notification within the surveillance system. MEM allows objective influenza surveillance monitoring and standardization of criteria for comparing the intensity of influenza epidemics in regions in Spain. Following this pilot study, MEM has been adopted to harmonize the reporting of intensity levels of influenza activity in Spain, starting in the 2015-2016 season.

Erratum to: Oxytocin enhances the appropriate use of human social cues by the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) in an object choice task.

Erratum to: Anim Cogn (2015) 18:767­775 DOI 10.1007/s10071-015-0843-7. Unfortunately, in the original publication the word 'receptor' under the sub-heading 'The effect of gender on the efficacy of oxytocin' has been incorrectly published as 'peptide'. The correct text should read as below. Oestrogen is known to enhance the production of oxytocin and its receptor (Rissman 2008), and this may explain why the female dogs in this study did not perform as well as human female subjects in other tests of social cognition, as the majority (88 %) had been spayed, thereby reducing the volume of oestrogen their bodies would be producing. The online version of the original article can be found under doi:10.1007/s10071-015-0843-7.

Oxytocin enhances the appropriate use of human social cues by the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) in an object choice task.

It has been postulated that the neuropeptide, oxytocin, is involved in human-dog bonding. This may explain why dogs, compared to wolves, are such good performers on object choice tasks, which test their ability to attend to, and use, human social cues in order to find hidden food treats. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of intranasal oxytocin administration, which is known to increase social cognition in humans, on domestic dogs' ability to perform such a task. We hypothesised that dogs would perform better on the task after an intranasal treatment of oxytocin. Sixty-two (31 males and 31 females) pet dogs completed the experiment over two different testing sessions, 5-15 days apart. Intranasal oxytocin or a saline control was administered 45 min before each session. All dogs received both treatments in a pseudo-randomised, counterbalanced order. Data were collected as scores out of ten for each of the four blocks of trials in each session. Two blocks of trials were conducted using a momentary distal pointing cue and two using a gazing cue, given by the experimenter. Oxytocin enhanced performance using momentary distal pointing cues, and this enhanced level of performance was maintained over 5-15 days time in the absence of oxytocin. Oxytocin also decreased aversion to gazing cues, in that performance was below chance levels after saline administration but at chance levels after oxytocin administration.

A solar evaporator fabricated from corncob waste for the desalination of seawater and removal of oil/herbicides from contaminated water.

Corncob (CC) based solar evaporators were employed to desalinize seawater brought from the Vallarta coast in Mexico. The pure CC produced an evaporation-rate and evaporation-efficiency of 0.63 kg m-2 h-1 and 38.4%, respectively, under natural solar light. Later, the CC was coated with carbonized CC (CCCE evaporator) or was coated with graphene (CCGE evaporator). Those evaporators were used for the desalination of seawater and obtained higher evaporation rates of 1.59-1.67 kg m-2 h-1, and higher evaporation efficiencies of 92-94% (under natural solar light). The desalination experiments were repeated under artificial solar light and the evaporation-rates/evaporation-efficiencies slightly decreased to 1.43-1.52 kg m-2 h-1/88-92%. The surface analysis of the evaporators by FTIR, XPS and Raman revealed that the CCGE evaporator had on its surface a lower content of defects and a higher amount of OH groups than the CCCE evaporator. Therefore, the CCGE evaporator had higher evaporation-rates/evaporation-efficiencies in comparison with the CCCE evaporator. Furthermore, we purified water contaminated with three different herbicides (fomesafen, 2-6 dichlorobenzamide and 4-chlorophenol at 30 ppm) by evaporation and using natural solar light. Interestingly, the CCCE and CCGE evaporators also removed the herbicides by physical adsorption with efficiencies of 12-22.5%. Moreover, the CCGE evaporator removed vegetable oil from contaminated water by adsorption and its maximum adsorption capacity was 1.72 g/g. Overall, our results demonstrated that the corncob-based evaporators studied here are a low-cost alternative to obtain clean water under natural solar light and this one was more effective for the desalination of seawater than the artificial sunlight (Xe lamp).

Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity in the presence of Apo-AI-derived peptides exposed to disorder-order conformational transitions.

Although the association of Apo AI with HDLs has been proposed to activate LCAT activity, the detailed molecular mechanisms involved in the process are not known. Therefore, in this study we have investigated how conformational changes in several exposed regions of Apo-AI might cause LCAT activation and for this purpose, designed a strategy to investigate three Apo AI-derived peptides. Since these peptides present the ability to adopt several secondary structure conformations, they were used to determine whether LCAT activity could be modulated in the presence of a particular conformation. Circular dichroism experiments showed that Apo AI-derived peptides in PBS displayed a disordered arrangement, with a strong tendency to adopt ß-sheet and random conformational structures as a function of concentration. However, in the presence of Lyso-C12PC, maximal percentages of α-helical structures were observed. Performed in human plasma, time-course experiments of LCAT activity under control conditions reached the highest level of (3)H-cholesteryl esters after 2.5 h incubation. In the presence of Apo AI-derived peptides, a significant increase in the production of (3)H-cholesteryl esters was observed. The present study provides an important insight into the potential interactions between LCAT and lipoproteins and also suggests that peptides, initially present in a disordered conformation, are able to sense the lipid environment provided by lipoproteins of plasma and following a disorder-to-order transition, change their conformation to an ordered α-helix.

The costs of stroke in Spain by aetiology: the CONOCES study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with stroke associated with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) are a specific group, and their disease has a considerable social and economic impact. The primary objective of the CONOCES study, the protocol of which is presented here, is to compare the costs of stroke in NVAF patients to those of patients without NVAF in Spanish stroke units from a societal perspective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CONOCES is an epidemiological, observational, naturalistic, prospective, multicentre study of the cost of the illness in a sample of patients who have suffered a stroke and were admitted to a Spanish stroke unit. During a 12-month follow-up period, we record sociodemographic and clinical variables, score on the NIH stroke scale, level of disability, degree of functional dependency according to the modified Rankin scale, and use of healthcare resources (hospitalisation at the time of the first episode, readmissions, outpatient rehabilitation, orthotic and/or prosthetic material, medication for secondary prevention, medical check-ups, nursing care and formal social care services). Estimated monthly income, lost work productivity and health-related quality of life measured with the generic EQ-5D questionnaire are also recorded. We also administer a direct interview to the caregiver to determine loss of productivity, informal care, and caregiver burden. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The CONOCES study will provide more in-depth information about the economic and clinical impact of stroke according to whether or not it is associated with NVAF.

Pioglitazone improves the cardiovascular profile in patients with uncomplicated systemic lupus erythematosus: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the effect of pioglitazone on insulin levels, inflammation markers, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) composition and subclasses distribution, in young women with uncomplicated systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: This double-blind trial included 30 premenopausal women (30 ±8 years old) with SLE, who were randomized to pioglitazone (30 mg/day) or placebo treatment for 3 months. Plasma and HDL lipids were determined by colorimetric enzymatic assays, insulin by radioimmunometric assay, inflammation by immunonephelometry and HDL size and subclasses distribution by a native 4-30% polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, pioglitazone significantly increased HDL-cholesterol plasma levels (14.2%), reduced fasting insulin plasma levels (23.6%) and the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (31.7%). C-reactive protein (70.9%) and serum amyloid A (34.9%) were also significantly reduced with the pioglitazone use, whereas the HDL particle size was increased (8.80 nm vs. 8.95 nm; p = 0.044) by changes in the distribution of HDL(2b), HDL(3b), and HDL(3c) subclasses. The change in HDL size correlated with a rise in free and cholesterol-ester content in the HDL particles. CONCLUSION: Pioglitazone significantly enhanced insulin sensitivity, reduced inflammation, and modified HDL characteristics, suggesting a potential beneficial effect of this drug in patients with SLE with a risk to develop cardiovascular disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration System, with the number NCT01322308.

Changes in IL12A methylation pattern in livers from mice fed DDC.

Mallory-Denk body (MDB) formation is a component of alcoholic and non alcoholic hepatitis. Proteins of the TLR pathway were shown to be involved in the formation of MDBs, in mice fed DDC. TLR genes are upregulated and SAMe supplementation prevents this up regulation and prevented the formation of MDBs. DNA of livers from control mice, from mice fed DDC 10weeks, refed 1week with DDC and with DDC+SAMe were extracted and used to study the methylation pattern of genes involves in the TLR pathway. A PCR array was used to analyze it. Using PCR arrays for the mouse TLR pathway,24 genes were found whose expression of IL12A was regulated by the methylation of its gene. DDC fed for 10weeks reduced the methylation of the IL12A gene expression. This expression was also reduced when DDC was refed. However, when SAMe was fed, the intermediate level methylation of IL12A was up regulated to the intermediate level and the methylation of the promoter decreased compared to DDC refeeding or DDC 10weeks. IL12A is known to induce the production of IFNg by NK and L(T). We showed in a previous publication that IFNg is one of the major cytokines involved in the induction of MDB formation. The low expression of IL12A associated with the intermediate methylation of its promoter could explain one step in the mechanism which leads to the formation of MDBs.